Danny was waiting in the lobby, reading as he waited for Grant and Scarlet.
"Danny Fenton, your Pokemon are ready," the announcement came.
Danny put the magazine down and walked to the desk. The Nurse handed him his Pokeballs, and Danny put one in his pocket and summoned Grant to walk with him.
"You better?" Danny asked as they walked into the restaurant.
"Deer," the Season Pokemon chirped.
"That's good," Danny patted his Pokemon on the head, walking to Ash and Cilan. Cilan was leaning real close to Ash's face, and Danny could see the boy was uncomfortable.
"Ash Ketchum, your Pokemon are ready," came the announcement.
Ash dashed away as Danny sat next to Cilan.
"So, what kind of food do they serve here?" Danny asked him, "And what the heck were you and Ash doing?"
"I was asking how he made such a successful recipe of a battle, that's all," Cilan said.
Danny gave him a doubtful look and summoned Scarlet.
"Okay guys, what do you want to eat?" Danny turned the menu towards his Pokemon.
Grilled Basculin!
"Dee!" Grant pointed to the salad.
"Guys, something's happening!" Ash runs back to them!
Now?! But we were just about to eat! Scarlet groans as Danny picks her up.
As they walk out, Danny steals a piece of bread off of an unoccupied table.
"Here, snack on this," Danny says as they walk outside.
Pink snow falls from the sky. A woman stands beside Iris, looking concerned. And Danny would be too if there was a big pink blob floating next to him.
Munna, the Dream Eater Pokémon. Munna can eat the dreams of people and Pokémon alike, and then project those dreams by emitting Dream Mist from its body.
Grant collapses, pink snow surrounding him.
"Grant!" Danny exclaims, crouching. He touches his neck. There's still a heartbeat.
"Wake it up," Danny hears an unfamiliar voice says, and that pink blob floats over Grant. Danny watches, fascinated, as the pink disappears. Grant opens his eyes.
"Grant, are you okay?!" Danny asks.
"Ling," Grant turns to the pink blob. They watch as it projects Grant's dream.
He was grazing with his fellow Deerling. The day was beautiful, and there's a cool breeze wafting through the area.
A boy and a Litwick appear. They talk to each other.
He tries to ignore them, going back to eating. The others notice, and some try making themselves stand out. Grant knows they want their own trainer, to get out of the wild life.
He continues, knowing they won't bug him. He is one of the weaker ones, but he doesn't mind. He wouldn't be able to defend himself against a Ghost Type anyway, so why even bother? Like many in the past have told him, Grant knows he's useless.
A ring of fire appears, startling him. They've chosen to battle him!
"Grant!" his friends call out, "Get out of there!"
"Yeah, let us battle the human!" the stronger ones say.
"I can't! I'm surrounded!" he screams back, "There's only one way out!"
"Then fight!"
"But I don't know anything that'll hit a Litwick! I only know Normal moves!"
"Try anyway!"
They watch. Grant uses Tackle.
It had no effect…
Grant looks at the Ghost, her green eyes kind.
"Quick, toss a Pokeball and catch it!" she yells at her master.
Grant tenses up. He knows this is the moment.
"Grant!" it's his mother, "Be safe! Be strong!"
"Mom…"
The Pokeball hits him on the forehead.
It's like he's been hit with a bunch of Air Cutters as he's sucked into the ball. He screams are lost to the world as he becomes digitized.
His feet hit the ground. Panicked, Grant looks around as an environment begins to build itself. A sign appears.
Poke Count: 1
Would you like to join DANNY FENTON'S party?
YES NO
Grant stares at it. Does he?
Most of them never believed he'd ever be chosen, except to train up their own Pokemon. A series of fights that lead to nothing. Always moving with his herd, always at the bottom.
But with a Trainer, it could all mean something. He could become stronger, better.
Does he want it? Does he want to be the very best, like no one ever was?
Grant stares at the sign again. This was the moment where his life could change forever.
The dream ends.
Danny looks at his Deerling. It won't look him in the eyes.
"Grant…" Danny says.
"You should keep your Pokemon in their Pokeballs," the woman tells him. "Otherwise the Dream Mist will put them to sleep again."
Reluctantly, Danny recalls Grant. Scarlet inhales her bread roll before Danny recalls her too.
"But Professor, my Pikachu hates being inside its Pokeball," Ash says.
The woman thinks for a second, then takes Ash's hat and puts it on Pikachu.
"That'll have to do for now," she says, "Munna will be fine, as Dream Mist doesn't affect it." She looks at them, "You look like strong trainers. Could you come with me to the Dream Yard and find out what's happening?"
A chorus of "sure" ensues.
The Professor beams, "Alright, then follow me!"
A police car escorts them. A police car which makes Danny wonder why can't the police do this themselves.
He learns her name is Professor Fennel, a researcher for Dream Energy. Cliche evil bad guys want it, a Pokemon named Musharna can't take the pressure and blows everything up, and why isn't Fennel dead? Seriously, she was THERE in FRONT OF MUSHARNA when it BLEW UP EVERYTHING.
Danny muttered under his breath his disbelief as everyone talked about it.
Up ahead, the pink began to pulsate beyond the trees.
"So much data, the boss will be so pleased!" James says.
"I wonder if he'll give us an even more important mission next," Meowth says.
The sound of a police siren beeps behind them. Team Rocket turn around, surprised. They all gasp when they see Danny, Ash, Iris, and a few others appear.
"Halt, in the name of the law!" the Policewoman cries out.
Jesse laughs, dramatically tossing off her coat, "What's that voice? So stupid indeed."
"Hey Team Rocket, my Litwick wants to watch your show, but that Mist won't let her come out of her Pokeball. Can you do it again later?"
Jesse sighs in exasperation, "Oh fine."
"But only because we know you appreciate true art!" James says.
"Thanks," the annoying twerp replies.
"What's a Kanto-based Organization doing in Unova?" the police officer asks.
"We're using the residual energy to help us take over Unova," Meowth says. "And there's nothing you can do to stop us."
The lady in the lab coat sighs.
"Remember what we came here for?" Green Guy says to her.
"Munna," the Munna says.
The ground trembles and a thunderbolt drops out of the sky. It freezes midair, becoming pink.
Musharna, the Drowsing Pokémon and the evolved form of Munna. The mist from its forehead takes the form of things present in the dreams it has eaten.
"Super spooky," Danny says as the pink lightning reveals Musharna.
"Musharna!" the professor cheers, running to her beloved friends.
A blue laser zaps at her feet, cutting her short.
"I don't think so," Meowth says, pushing a button.
"Mush," the Drowsing Pokemon groans as it becomes entrapped in a laser cage.
"Pikachu I choose you!" Ash calls, and the Mouse Pokemon leaps from his shoulders, hat still on.
"Use Volt Tackle!"
He lights up, trying to dodge the blue lasers.
"Now now, let's not get too hasty," Jesse says as the machine fires strike Pikachu, forcing it to start its attack all over.
"After all, you wouldn't want to get in our way," James taunts.
"Munna, use Psychic," The Professor commands.
Munna's eyes glow blue, and the machine crumbles.
Pikachu, with nothing in its way, charges. He hits the machine dead on, causing an explosion of wires. Danny covers his face as the sound waves shake him to the core.
When he opens his eyes, Team Rocket is glaring at them.
"Such pests," Jesse tosses down a Pokeball, summoning Woobat, "Gust."
"Really?" Danny shields his face as the dirt rushes towards them.
"Where'd they go?" Officer Jenny exclaims.
"They went the way of Ninjas," Danny says with admiration.
Iris cast him a look of disgust, "You really admire those guys, don't you?"
"I can't help but admire all badasses," he says, "no matter who they are."
Iris sighs.
The cave drips water softly and the smell of moss reeks the air. It's so very dark. The only light coming from the computer screen.
"The mission was a success," Giovanni says, "We have all the data we need from the Dream Yard."
The team bows their heads.
"What's our next mission?" Jesse asks.
"You must be patient, as the scientists are processing the data," he informs her, "We will say soon."
The computer screen goes dark. Jesse clicks on a flashlight.
"What do you want to do while we wait?' James asks.
"Well, I heard there was a wicked diner in the next town over," Jesse says, "Why not stop there?"
Back at the Gym, Scarlet finally gets the meal she's so desperately wanted.
Oh yes, this is good, yummy, I love this Basculin, nom nom nom, I like the idea that Cilan is coming with us
"Scarlet, stop eating with your mouth full," Danny says, "And we don't know that for sure yet."
"Actually, they're both fine with it," Cilan walks to the group and sits down.
"So you're traveling with us?" Ash asks.
"Yep! I want to know more about you both and your traveling styles."
"Deer!" Grant looks up from his bowl of salad.
Yes, are you going to make us good foods?
"Pika!" Pikachu holds out an empty bottle of ketchup, licking its red lips.
No, I'd rather not have everything with ketchup Pikachu.
The Mouse Pokemon blows a raspberry as the group laughs.
With new friends by his side and food in his belly, the future looks hopeful for our young hero! But one last thought lingers in the back of Danny's mind: why was Grant so sad? What's Team Rocket up to?
"And will you ever answer these for me?" Danny looks around, probably for me.
I would, but that would be spoilers, Danny.
(QUICK SOMEONE ROLL THOSE CREDITS, HE'S ONTO ME!)
I did promise 2 this week. Give me some hours to finish editing it!
Ok, see you then! Remeber, leave a review!
