Thanks to all for the comments! I enjoy reading them!
Reply to a comment: Yes, the whole Silver-situation is a bit confusing. It'll become clearer later on.

Now that I have more time in summer break, I can finally be able to concentrate on chapters. This took me just today... If I can keep going at this pace, editing a chapter a day, I might reach where I am (around 30-something) before July, maybe.

Ah, and it's sort of a formality to introduce yourself when battling in the games, so you might see random OCs that have names but never appear again. So I'm sorry if they confuse you. When traveling, one meets many people and temporarily know them by name, but may never see them again after parting.

Chapter 14
Sprout Tower

"Marina, we're definitely lost," stated Misdreavus. Around her and her Trainer was complete darkness, even with the glow of the Pokémon's little red necklace. It was not a strong source of light, but at least the pair could see each other and a little of the rocky path. Her Trainer's features were barely seen, save for her blue pigtails that sometimes brushed against her cheeks, though one could tell she was very worried as she sighed.

"I know," Marina said almost in a whine, "but what can I do about it? Geez, I knew this was a bad idea… I hope I don't see any more Zubat."

"Check your PokéGear," replied Misdreavus sternly, as if both making an order and trying to keep the girl from freaking out...again.

"Yeah, but..." Marina uncertainly lifted the device hanging around her neck and checked the map. The screen too produced a faint amount of light that allowed her to see, and her little ghost Pokémon made a troubled look as she looked at it from over her shoulder. An overall map of Johto was displayed, showing them where they were—Dark Cave—though there was no detailed map available for the interior of the cave.

"Dark Cave indeed," Misdreavus commented with a glance at the infinite black depths around them, "We have been in here for an hour... And though we've caught a few Pokémon, our team will not be in the proper condition to battle—muuma muu muma mu." Though she seemed to want to lecture her Trainer more, she stopped talking when the collar began its typical acting up.

"I know, I know..." Sighing, Marina felt for the damp rocks around her as she leaned on one for support. Her foot toyed with a pebble on the unseen ground with her foot. To placate her restless mind, she thought back to her travels so far previous to being entrapped in the dark and dreary cave located on Route 31. She had spent two days navigating the winding road, dawdling Trainers, and wild Pokémon. Since Marina was close to Violet City, she had decided to take a small detour in Dark Cave to check out the Pokémon. Her expectations for the PokéGear's maps were too high, however; she was now lost in the most terrible place she could ever imagine being stuck in.

But ripping her from her thoughts was a deep grunt from below her, and upon feeling the earth move, Marina cried out in a scream and leaped away. This recoil led to her running into a stalagmite, and she dropped her PokéGear, allowing it to dangle around her neck as she held her aching head. "Ow, ow, ow...!"

"What is it?" Misdreavus asked her, floating to her side.

"The ground—the ground shook!" The girl Trainer exclaimed. Misdreavus's figure glided silently downward.

"It's a Pokémon," Misdreavus concluded.

Marina attempted to peer through the shadows, grasping her PokéGear again. She could just barely see the craggy rock Pokémon that detached itself from the ground around it. Though somewhat small, its body had an uneven spherical shape with muscular arm also made of rock. "Oh, a Geodude!"

The Pokémon furrowed its brow, grunting at them.

"What is it?" Marina asked her Misdreavus, who snorted.

"It would like to know why we are here. It doesn't see many people here."

"Oh. Um…"

"We are lost," Misdreavus said to the Geodude. It replied using various grunts and hand movements, to which Misdreavus occasionally nodded. When it was done, she flittered upward. "Agreed, she won't. Thank you."

The Geodude rose, supporting itself with its sturdy arms. It scanned the area before hurling itself away from them in small jumps. Misdreavus pursued, followed quickly by a nervous Marina.

"Where is it taking us?"

"It's going to lead us out."

"Really? Geez, thank goodness!"

Minutes later, they could see a bright light ahead; the entrance from whence the girl and her Pokémon had come. Marina smiled and ran right toward it, incredibly relieved.

"Finally, daylight!" A few steps from the cave and she spun happily outside, collapsing to her knees to hug the ground. "Grass too!"

Misdreavus nodded at the wild Geodude before going after her Trainer. She stopped as her eyes caught the light, waiting for them to adjust. Even as she did this, she watched the frantically ecstatic Marina, who laughed as she rolled on the grass briefly.

"Thank god you got help, Misdreavus! I'm never going through a cave again, I swear!" Marina declared and sighed in relief.

She paused and sat up. Wait, I have the Escape Rope with me, don't I? ...Oops.

Instead of pointing it out, she only continued from where she left off. "I really don't like them anyway, so no dark caves for me, especially that Dark Cave." She stopped when she noticed Misdreavus keeping low to the ground. "What's wrong?"

"Muuma muu," murmured Misdreavus as she slowly floated over to her.

"You tired?" Marina, standing, approached her first and picked her up. She took off the white collar and took out the Pokémon's Poké Ball.

"Muu, muuma..."

"That's fine, you can rest now. Return." At that, she recalled the little ghost and clipped the ball back on her belt. After putting the collar away, she headed eastward, giving another great sigh in her regained comfort.

"Pokémon can be really nice, even wild ones," she said to herself.

In the distance, a large building neared; the gate to Violet City. The dirt path reappeared below her feet as she approached. Nearby, some young Trainers were battling while joggers jumped through the patches of overgrown grass. She waved at them and entered the gate house, which had a long hallway with counters on either side of it. A few people lounged about, but that was pretty much all there was to it, and Marina passed through it easily.

Once she stepped out on the other side, she looked around. Just ahead was the Pokémon Center, and she smiled knowing that her rest stop was so close by. A few houses surrounded it as taller buildings farther off rose above the others, and most all the roofs in her sight had violet shingles; except, of course, for the Pokémon Center. There were also lanterns lining the roads, but since it was daytime they were not giving off any light yet.

"Is it me, or did this city get even bigger?" she asked softly.

Her first stop was definitely the Pokémon Center. After reserving a room for the night, resting, showering, and healing and feeding her Pokémon, she left to explore the city. She was tired but refreshed, and decided to take a stroll to scout out Violet City's Pokémon Gym. The streets seemed to be filled with busy people, and she made sure to follow the flow of the crowd as she wandered.

Wow, I hardly remember any of this place. She grinned at the varying shades of purple and lavender, feeling an additional hint of nostalgia as she crossed a quaint stone bridge. Her fingers danced over her bandana, which shared the same color scheme as the city. But everything's so purple! My favorite!

Looking ahead, Marina stopped. A stout pillar tower rose above the low-lying buildings, tucked away in a small peninsula with water surrounding it in all directions. The structure's aged appearance made her gaze at it with great interest. With a couple playful skips, she approached it and crossed the bridge, pausing to read the sturdy sign reading, "Sprout Tower, Experience the Way of Pokémon."

"Oooh..." Marina again had to gawk at the oriental pagoda, this time noting all the intricate patterns and curved roofs of each story. "I remember coming here years ago, but I only got to see the first floor," she said. "I thought this bridge was familiar!"

It got so much prettier since I last remember... Her sight returning to the open entryway, Marina skipped inside.

Two gray Bellsprout statues at the entrance greeted her, followed by a subtle dusty scent that accentuated the age of the tower. Up ahead was a large, quivering pillar, where a few tourists watched it from a hesitant distance. The Trainer walked further inside with a smile. The Sprout Tower, though first and foremost being a historical landmark in Violet City, was a place to train and strengthen bonds with Pokémon through battles.

This is a perfect place to prepare for my challenge at the Gym, she thought, glancing at her belt before heading toward the staircase that would lead to the next floor. I hope I can still battle here!

Two monks wrapped in black and violet robes stood by the stairs and, upon the girl's approach, made a quick welcoming bow.

"Are you here for training?" one asked.

"Yes, I am," Marina answered with a smile.

"Very well. If you reach the top will you obtain an HM from the Elder," the second monk informed.

"An HM?" Marina raised her eyebrows in interest. "Really? For what kind of move?"

"You will have to see for yourself."

"Alright then! I wanted to reach the top anyway," she said and remembered to offer a polite bow in return. "Thank you!"

HMs—Hidden Machines—were hardy little decides that would instantly teach a new battling technique to a Pokémon, useful for their quick convenience.

And Technical Machines do the same thing, although they can only be used once, she recalled her knowledge as she scaled the narrow steps. Old-fashioned lamps lighted her way, carrying little flickering candles inside. She carefully placed her hand on the wall as a substitute for the missing hand rail.

When she reached the platform, she looked around the second floor, which was very similar to the first. Loyally the pillar stood in the center of the floor, shaking on occasion. There seemed to be a maze-like quality to the area, as Marina noticed a wall of spaced-out wood that revealed an inaccessible hallway on the other side. She found herself evermore intrigued, delighted as she strolled across the fine oak floor.

Standing nearby the next flight of steps, which curiously lead downward, was another monk of similar appearance to the pair she had seen. As he saw her and the Poké Balls around her waist, the prayer beads on his wrists clattered as he retrieved his own Poké Ball.

"Are you training?" he asked.

"Yup, I am," replied Marina with a nod.

"Then you must defeat me in a battle to pass. Do not hold back; however hard we battle, the tower will stand strong," he turned to face her fully, "My name is Nico."

"All right then. My name's Marina. Marina Shimizu," she said and took out King's Poké Ball. "I'm ready whenever you are. Go, King!"

Her Cyndaquil appeared at her feet in a shower of golden sparkles, lighting the fire on his back. "Hino!" he barked readily.

"Yes, let us begin," the monk replied and released his Pokémon. Emerging from the Poké Ball was a thin Pokémon with merely vines for its body, leaves for its arms, and a yellow, bell-like head. It twisted and waved about on its flexible spine, looking about with a relaxed sort of expression.

"A Bellsprout! That figures," giggled Marina, "All right, let's do this King! Tackle!"

"Bellsprout, use Growth," Nico ordered. Shivering its leaves a little, a soft green light surrounded Bellsprout. Even as King tackled into it, the Bellsprout managed to stand its ground while strengthening itself.

"King, use your Ember!"

"Arashi!" King shouted in response, blasting a flurry of fireballs at Bellsprout, who took the attack feebly and fell to the ground. The monk only returned the Pokémon and took out another sphere from his robe.

"You have the type advantage, but your Pokémon seems very responsive. That is good," he observed calmly. Another Bellsprout appeared at his feet before the Marina and King. It twitched it uncertainty as it saw its opponent's flames. "Now, Razor Leaf!"

"Avoid it with Smokescreen!" Marina commanded.

The crimson-gold fire mouse coughed out a concentrated ball of smoke that fell apart as it landed on the wooden panels, causing puffs of black air to engulf the area. He energetically leapt into the cloud as the Bellsprout fired a flurry of leaves, the majority of which cut through the smoke ineffectually.

"Alright, another Ember, King!"

"Hino!"

A small blast of fire tore the smoke apart and took out the Bellsprout in one hit. Nico calmly took this with a nod and returned it, sending out yet another Bellsprout. "This is my last Pokémon," he informed, "Bellsprout, Vine Whip!"

"Ember again, King!"

King, smirking from behind his long snout, shot out another wave of flaming embers at Bellsprout. Though the Pokémon attempted to push them away, the attack hit Bellsprout directly and it went down within seconds, much like its previous teammates.

"K.O.! Good job!" Marina cheered, kneeling as the Cyndaquil ran into her arms. King barked confidently in his praise.

"I fought hard but I'm too weak," Nico murmured somewhat to himself as he returned his final Bellsprout and bowed. As Marina passed, bowing briefly as well, he handed her a few coins as prize money for the victory. "You may continue, young Trainer."

"Thank you," Marina replied and put the money away. She paused as she and King looked down the flight of stairs.

"You'll get to the top eventually," Nico said with a wise grin.

"Eheh, all right." With a nod, Marina proceeded to walk down the steps, King clinging to her shoulder as he looked around curiously at the age-old stairwell.