The Lost Chronicles of Giovanni – Chapter 11: Raid on Mt. Moon

With his first Gym Badge obtained, Giovanni's next precedence was to earn his second one. He along with his friends Delia, Samuel, and his Pokemon Meowth had awoken early to leave Pewter City and head for their next destination.

"Where's the next gym?", Gio asked Sammy eagerly.

Sammy opened up the map. "Well according to the map, the nearest gym is in . . . . . Cerulean City."

Delia gave him a strange look. "Sam, you hesitated when you said that."

"Yeah. Is there a problem?", Gio added questioningly.

Sammy just shook his head casually. "No . . no problem at all. So anyway, it looks as if we have to course through Mt. Moon in order to reach there."

Delia shrugged. "A mountain? Ughh. I don't mean to be a pain but is it far?"

Sammy put the map away. "Not at all. Only about a mile up actually. I must say we are doing quite well on time . . . or schedule rather."

Gio stopped. "Wait schedule? What are you talking about?"

Sammy chuckled. "Well you are planning on competing in the Pokemon League Championship aren't you?"

Gio's eyes widened. "Yeah but I didn't know I was being timed!"

Delia giggled. "Well they're not going to wait up for you, Gio. But don't worry about too much. It's like nine or ten months away anyway."

Gio sighed. "How long since we left pallet?"

Sammy rubbed his chin thinking. "I'd say a few weeks ago. Maybe a month?"

"Wow!", Gio exclaimed. "Time flies fast!"

"I don't keep track of time that well either.", Delia pointed out. "All I remember is that it took about 4 days to reach Viridian City from Pallet. Around the time where Gio and I were still pretty shy around each other."

Gio laughed. Then Meowth jumped on Gio's shoulder. "Yeah and I guess we were still warming up to each other also, right Meowth?"

"Merow! Meowth!", It chanted happily.

About a half hour later, the group finally reached the entrance of Mt. Moon. Trainers were pouring inside. A skinny tour guide stood outside. "Come on folks; don't miss your chance to see the fabulous Clefairy perform their annual Evolution dance around the Giant Moon Stone. Come one! Come all! No Charge!"

The group approached him curiously.

"You're advertising something with no charge?" ,Delia asked suspiciously.

The skinny man chuckled. "Every trainer should have this opportunity, little lady! That includes you three and your little pussy cat! Now step right in!"

Gio motioned carelessly to his friends. "Well . . . . we're going through this way anyway. Let's do it. I might even get the chance too add another strong fighter to my team!"

Sammy glanced back at the map. "I suppose he's right. This is the only quick way to get to Cerulean City. Climbing over it would just overwork us. I say Let's go for it."

Delia finally agreed. "Alright . . . but still something about that guy doesn't seem right."

They followed a crowd of other anxious trainers into the cave. There were several lamps placed all over to guide the trainers through the dark passages. Beside those were arrows that said 'Moon Stone this way!'

"Where's the Clefairy?", Asked one trainer.

"Its still too dark in here!", Complained another.

Gio laughed insultingly. "These people are pathetic."

"I resent that!", Said an unfamiliar foreign voice from behind.

Gio turned around to see a short middle aged Italian Man with a mustache holding a camera up to his face.

"Name's Lawrence son.", He introduced. "Lawrence Newscast. I work for the Kanto News team. Maybe you watch us?"

Gio shook his head. "No sorry. I'm more of a Pokemon Trainer rather then some loser who watches the news."

"You're a rude one.", Lawrence cackled as they continued to walk on. "I'm here to interview trainers for some inspiring words to our viewers. Anything you want to say? What's your name son?"

Gio was growing annoyed. "Ughh . . . Giovanni Ketchum."

Lawrence's mouth dropped. "Son of the famous Pokemon Master Clint Ketchum? Son of Briskomy's new director Rita Ketchum?"

Gio rolled his eyes. "Yeah . . .but don't go shouting it. I really hate attention."

The snoopy Camera Man then kneeled down and began to flash the Camera at Meowth. "What an interesting choice of Pokemon!"

The flash made Meowth hiss and jump. "Rawrrr!"

Gio picked up his Pokemon and placed him under his arm. "Look, you're starting to bug both me and my Pokemon. Are we going to be on T.V. or not?"

Lawrence stood up. "Of course! You're the son of celebrities!"

Delia pushed Gio out of the way and began to pose for hr Camera. "Hi! I'm Delia Rezumi! I just wanted to make a shout out to my parents and all my friends back home!"

"Its not filming . . . but still this is big!" Lawrence jumped up. "Giovanni Ketchum has a girlfriend!"

Gio panicked. "Shhh! I told you to keep it down!"

A male trainer walked over. "Did you say your name was Giovanni Ketchum?"

Sammy pushed Lawrence aside, trying to help Gio recover from humiliation. "No . . .what he said was 'Gee! I want to catch them . . . all.'"

Lawrence placed his finger on his chin. "That ought to be a song."

As they continued to be tailed by the annoying Cameraman; Gio, Delia, Sammy, Meowth, and the other trainers finally arrived in an empty football field sized portion of the cave.

"An hour of walking for an giant empty room?", Asked an angry trainer.

The Lamps suddenly went dark. Everyone began to panic and scream.

Sammy reached into his pocket and summoned Charmeleon from his Pokeball. "Charmeleon! Lighten the room with your tail!"

Charmeleon appeared. "Meleon!"

Then three Charmander appeared at the expense of their trainers. The four lizards used their tails to brighten the room.

"Good thinking Sam!" , Complimented Delia.

"Look!", Lawrence shouted, pointing behind him. "The way we came is blocked off. What's going on? I have a job to do here!"

Gio shoved his way through the mob of trainers until he reached the skinny tour guide. "What's going on?"

The Tour Guide just smiled then reached for his pocket. He pulled out a walkie-talkie. "Commence the operation now!", He yelled into it.

Suddenly the ground began to rumble. The thundering noise was intolerable. Something was approaching from beneath the center of the room. Everyone scrambled away from the center as they latched to the rocky walls. Gio just stood their.

"Gio get out of there!", Sammy and Delia both pleaded to him.

Gio didn't move. Meowth then rushed over to his trainer and jumped on his shoulder. Gio wasn't about to face this without his best friend by his side. The noise was even closer now.

Lawrence held up the camera. "This is great coverage! The courageous Giovanni Ketchum risks his life to save a rabble of fellow Pokemon trainers-"

The camera man was cut off as the ground exploded inches away from Gio. Everyone shrieked in horror as a Giant Drill Vehicle appeared from beneath and began to drive its way into the cave.

Gio backed away. "What is that?"

From the right hand side, the Colossal Drill Transport had a white 'T' insignia engraved on it's hatch. The machine itself was about the size of a condo. The ground beneath it was now scattered rubble.

Everyone was silent until a hatch from the left hand side unbolted and opened. Dozens of Cloaked figures marched out and began to form a single file line in front of the humongous contraption.

People began to quietly whisper amongst each other.

"Torino!"

"Is that Torino?"

"No! Why us?"

Giovanni grimaced as he truly identified the squad of troops to be none other than organization Torino. Unexpectedly; Sammy, Delia, and Charmeleon rejoined him.

"Guys, go back. You'll be safer.", He whispered.

"No!", Delia abruptly rebutted. "Don't try to be a hero. At least not without us."

"Yeah.", Sammy continued for her. "If you go down, then we go down with you!"

Gio smiled. "Thanks guys."

Just then, a new mysterious figure appeared from the hatch. Chameleon's flame grew brighter to identify the newcomer. It was a man, about in his thirties. He had green hair and big ears. He was wearing rectangular glasses and a black lab coat. "Greetings to all of you. Glad you could all make it.", He said malevolently. He then noticed Gio and his friends standing out of the crowd and approached them. "What do we have here? A small herd of gutsy trainers?"

Delia stepped forward. "You ought to be ashamed of yourself! Deceiving all of us like that!"

The man laughed. "I wasn't the one who deceived you." He motioned his finger to the tour guide. "It was my double agent who rallied you all here." The skinny tour guide snickered to himself then dispersed into the Drill Machine.

"Are you the one in charge of Torino? Tell me!", Gio demanded.

The man shook his head. "Sorry to disappoint you but I'm not. I'm Torino Administrator Marcus Difo; Commander of Torino's military squads."

"Well let us all go now if you know what's good for you!", Gio threatened.

Difo nodded. "Of course, but first you all have something Torino wants."

Sammy pulled Gio and Meowth back before they could get violent. "What is it you wish for?"

Difo folded his hands calmly. "I'm willing to allow the safe return of you trainers . . . in exchange for your Pokemon."

"That's just evil!", A trainer objected.

"Its your choice!", Difo snapped back. "So choose wisely."

Lawrence then appeared. "Can I go? I don't got any Pokemon with me. I'm just a camera man."

Difo laughed as two of his agents grabbed Lawrence. "Sorry newsboy, but we can't have you running to the authorities now can we?" He turned back towards the trainers. "As I was saying, make your choice."

Gio turned to the trainers. "Don't listen to him! There are about a hundred of us and only so few of them. We can overpower them easily with our Pokemon united!"

The trainers were convinced by that logic and began to move forward, prepared to unleash their Pokemon.

Difo just laughed again as he pulled a device out of his lab coat. It had blinking red lights. "I was afraid you would catch on to that. That's why I brought this along. This is a bomb, strong enough to bring down this whole mountain and the Pokemon that inhabit it."

Everyone began to scream and yell.

Difo continued. "Unless confirmed otherwise, it will set off in 10 minutes. Any revolt and my men and I will simply retreat to our flame proof drill and allow you all to fall victim to this deadly little gadget. Now choose. You now have 9 minutes left to surrender your Pokemon or await your fate."

Gio rushed over to swing a punch at the foe, but Difo's men rapidly grabbed him threw him backwards.

Delia rushed over to her wounded friend. "Gio! Are you alright?"

Meowth then joined her.

Difo's eyes widened with disbelief. "Gio . . . would that be short for Giovanni?"

Gio stumbled up. "Yes. I'm Giovanni Ketchum. Do you gotta problem with that egg head?"

Everyone began to whisper again upon Giovanni revealing his identity.

Lawrence freed himself from the Torino agents. "Yup. Giovanni Ketchum! Awesome Pokemon Trainer. Perhaps you would like to battle him? Unless you're afraid!"

Difo morphed his hands into tightly gripped fists. "Shut up Newsboy. Yes I'll fight the child. I've been looking forward to this for a long time now!" He handed the bomb to his agents and dispatched them into the Drill. "Take this. Alert me when the Bomb has reached 30 seconds from detonation so we may rid of the device and take shelter."

"Yes sir!", The agent saluted.

Gio remained confused. "How does he know who I am?" After a brief thought, he looked up to Difo. "Yeah I'll battle! Just hold on a second!" He grabbed Lawrence by the ear and dragged him over to Sammy and Delia. "Why did you get me into this? Its not going to solve anything! We;re 8 minutes away from colliding with this mountain!"

"Don't worry. I have a plan!" ,The cameraman whispered. "Gio will hold off Difo-Doofus while one of you sneak into the Drill and turn off the bomb. The hatch is still opened!"

Delia nodded. "That's a good idea. But I'm not good with electronics."

They all looked at Sammy.

The young professor rolled his eyes. "Fine I suppose I'll do it. But we have to be quick! Once the bomb reaches 30 seconds, Difo's men will leave the device with us while they take cover. So Let's get moving!" Sammy then vanished into the swarm of trainers, as Delia and Lawrence followed Gio back over to Difo.

Difo ignited a Pokeball. "Let's make this a 2 on 2 fight. This will be your last battle Giovanni, so make it a good one. I hope your conscious is pleased with making the rest of these innocent trainers suffer with you." He then threw it.

An Onix appeared. "GRAOOOOOORG"

"No time to check dex on this one. I already know it's a Rock Type.", Gio then removed Meowth from his shoulder and onto the ground. "Go Meowth!"

But Meowth was paralyzed with fear. The size of the rock snake was beyond frightening. "Meowy . . ."

Difo chuckled. "Is that your best? Onix, bind it!"

Meowth was then suddenly squeezed within Onix's tail bind. Meowth squealed for movement.

"7 minutes!", Delia quietly alerted Gio.

"But Meowth isn't listening!"

Difo grinned deviously. "That's it, Onix. Finish it!"

"Meowth, Please for me! Screech!", Gio commanded.

Meowth let out a loud distressing shriek that even Onix couldn't handle.

"Grooarg!" It freed Meowth of its Bind, and began to rapidly shake around.

"Onix! Come to your senses!"

…...

Meanwhile, Sammy and Charmeleon managed to sneak behind the crowd and make their way over to the Drill, while Gio diverted Difo. He was 10 feet from the hatch. "Come on Charmeleon.", He whispered as they made a run for it.

…...

The battle continued between the Meowth and Onix. Onix was still losing control until Meowth calmed his screech.

"Perfect chance!", Gio thought. "Water Pulse, Meowth!"

Meowth set free a blast of water at Onix. Upon taking the super effective attack, Onix clashed with the ground and fainted instantly.

Difo called back Onix then pulled out another Pokeball. "That was just a warm-up. Now I choose Electabuzz!" He threw it forward.

Electabuzz appeared. "Hbrabzz!"

Meowth wasn't as intimidated by this Pokemon.

"Meowth, Secret Power!"

"Meeeeow!" The glimmering swirls of vigor latched off of Meowth heading straight for Electabuzz.

"Protect!", Difo instructed.

Electabuzz then became unaffected upon the attack's hit.

Difo grinned with satisfaction. "Now take it out with a Thunder-Punch!"

"Eleectbrzzzz!" Electabuzz swiftly sprinted over to Meowth and delivered a critical punch of electrical power into Meowth's stomach.

Meowth hurled backwards and then fainted the minute he landed.. "No!" Gio rushed over. Meowth was fully unconscious.

Delia rushed over. "I'll take care of Meowth, Gio. There's only 5 minutes left. You have to get back in there and fight!"

Gio nodded. "Right."

…...

Sammy and Charmeleon were now inside the Transport Drill. "I'm quite sure the trooper holding it went this way Charmeleon. Follow me."

"Char.", It whispered as it followed it's master deeper into the contraption.

…...

Outside, Giovanni summoned his next Pokeball. "Please don't fail me.", He whispered before sending it into battle.

Scyther appeared. "Scyther! Scy!"

"Scyther! Those were the ones that imprisoned you, remember?", Gio reminded it. "Take your vengeance now!"

"Scy!", It screamed as it dashed at Electabuzz, instantly knocking the thunder ogre backwards.

Difo clapped. "Impressive speed, but not as impressive as Electabuzz's strength. Get up Electabuzz, and submit your true power!"

Electabuzz jumped up and the two began to tackle each other with all their might.

…...

Back inside the drill, the two climbed down a nearby latter and were now just outside the control room. "Ok Charmeleon. I see him. Bust in there and give him a flamethrower he'll never forget."

Charmeleon slammed the door down, catching the sleeping troop off guard. The agent pushed the alarm just before evading the blaze of fire. He stood back up and chucked a Pokeball at the Lizard.

A Magneton appeared. "Mag-Ne-Ton!"

Sammy shook his head disapprovingly. "Poor choice of Pokemon."

Charmeleon spat another flamethrower at Magneton. The Triple-magnet opponent took the hit and collapsed to the floor. Super Effective!

"Ahh! No! Magneton!"

But then, more troops arrived to the Agent's aid. They surrounded Sammy and Charmeleon. "You're surrounded. Surrender!"

But to their surprise, Charmeleon's body began to glow.

…...

Outside, Difo could hear the alarms. He became enraged. "So, thought you could sneak past me, ehh?" He called upon his Walkie-Talkie and spoke into it. "I'm coming in. Be ready to chuck the Bomb out the hatch!" But Difo could hear no reply. "Unit 745? Can you hear me?"

An explosion came from outside the Drill. Difo swirled around.

From the smoke, appeared Samuel settled upon a flying Charizard's back. He was holding the disabled bomb. "My apologies but unfortunately he can't hear you.", Sammy gloated.

"Sam!", Delia and Gio chanted.

The crowd of trainers began to applaud and celebrate.

Difo was traumatized. "Impossible! Your Charizard couldn't have broken out of that drill! It's made with the finest-"

"You'd be surprised what your Pokemon can do if you train it well enough.", Sammy cut him off as he landed beside Gio and Scyther.

Torino agents emptied from the Drill. "Sir, that Charizard's strength was incredible! We couldn't keep-"

"Save your excuses!", He roared at them, before turning back to Gio. "Electabuzz, eliminate the boy!"

"Electabrzz!" Electabuzz began to charge up a Thunderbolt. But it was instantaneously grabbed by Gio's speedy Scyther.

"Scccy!" It lifted the Yellow troll into the air and began to swing it around. After it was dizzy enough, he flung the troll into the cave wall.

After Electabuzz had crashed and fallen, it attempted to get back up but Scyther was already on the move again.

"Slash attack, Scyther!" ,Gio commanded.

"Scy! Scy! Scy!" Scyther gashed Electabuzz in the face with its Scythes resulting in a direct hit.

Electabuzz, having taken enough, fainted.

Gio shot up in the air with excitement. "Excellent Scyther! First victory! I new you had potential!"

Sammy then took the spotlight. "Charizard, destroy that Drill Machine with a Fire Blast attack."

"GRARRRRRR!" It charged up heat within then unleashed a massive inferno upon the Drill. Seconds later it, the mechanism exploded.

Difo and his men were now slowly backing away as the angry trainers patrolled around them. The criminal commander was left with only one option. He pulled out a new device that looked like a remote. He then flashed it in front of his Agents. "Now when the authorities arrest you, you shall have no memory of Torino what so ever. Understood?"

The hypnotized agents repeated this then fell to the ground unconscious.

"Get him!", Yelled Lawrence.

They all rushed at him. He then quickly summoned a new Pokemon.

An Abra appeared.

"Abra!", Difo began. "Teleport use back to base! We'll meet again, Giovanni!" Seconds later, the rogue commander and all of his Pokemon vanished in thin air.

…...

Hours later, Gio, his friends, and the other trainers had finally found they're way out of Mt. Moon. The explosion from the Drill had opened a path. Police officer's and detectives rushed to the scene, barraging trainers with numerous questions about the predicament.

Gio however just wanted to avoid the press and deliver his Meowth to the Pokemon Center. The trio snuck past the commotion, and dashed to the Center.

…...

While waiting for Meowth to fully heal; Gio, Delia, and Sammy sat around a small cozy table.

"I feel bad we didn't get to see the Moon Stone or any Clefairy. I also fell bad about ditching Lawrence like that when we got out.", Delia sighed.

Gio laughed. "I don't. He's with the press." He turned over to Sammy. "So Sammy, you now own a Charizard. I could not be more jealous."

Sammy just folded his arms calmly. "That's what happens when you train your Pokemon to its full potential."

Delia changed the subject. "Torino is just scaring me now, you guys. We really need to keep a better eye out for suspicious looking people while we're in Cerulean City."

Gio suddenly remembered. "Oh right! Cerulean city is only 2 hours away now. It's only four o'clock. We could get there tonight!"

"We can wait!", Sammy snapped hastily. He realized this was not like himself, and quickly tried to apologize. "I'm . . . sorry. Excuse me." He stood up and walked out of the building.

Delia was worried. "Somethings not right, Gio. Every time we bring up Cerulean City, Sam panics!"

Gio nodded. "I think he's hiding something. I just wish I knew what."

Outside the Pokemon Center, Samuel was leaning against the building; his face looking downward at the pavement. "Haley . . . please forgive me.", He whispered to himself as a tear rolled down his face.

TO BE CONTINUED . . . . . . . . .