Hiperkitty: Humm… I need someone knew to do the disclaimers…
Casey: What's wrong with us?
Hiperkitty: Nothing, it's just people will get bored of always seeing you do the disclaimer.
Bryan: Fine, bring a guest to make the disclaimer.
Hiperkitty: That's it, I got it!
Prof. Oak: I'll be doing the disclaimer?
Hiperkitty: Yeah! You were important in the first chapters, so I'll give you the honor to make the disclaimer!
Prof. Oak: Very well. Hiperkitty doesn't…… What kind of name is 'Hiperkitty'? Are you a cat? And why are you hipper? You didn't even spelled hipper correctly! Were you on sugar when you created your account?
Hiperkitty: You are so dead… I don't own Pokémon! I never did and I hardly believe I ever will! Now Prof. let's have a talk…
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Union cave was dark, humid, scary and with no Pokémon at apparent sight. Dylan, Bryan and Casey had been walking for hours and there was no sign of the exit. They seemed to be the only living things on that cave as not a sight of another human or Pokémon was seen. It had not been a very good experience so far for Dylan, as it was her first time exploring a cave.
- Stupid cave… stupid lakes… stupid rocks… stupid darkness that doesn't let me see a thing!
- Stop complaining Dylan! -Shouted Casey. - You're making things worse.
- What do you want me to do?! We've been walking for hours and I haven't seen light in quite a while. Isn't this a cave were everyone passes to go to Azalea?! It's supposed to have lights guiding the way!
- Hey I'm tired too! But you're right; it's supposed to have lights in here… Maybe we're lost.
- Oh great! -Dylan desperate. - Who's the genius with the map?
Dylan and Casey stared at each other for a while, then, like an instinct, they turned to Bryan. He got nervous when they stared at him with evil in their eyes, yes; he was the one with the map and guiding them. He shook his head and defended himself.
- Hey calm down! Look at the map. -He tossed the girls the map and Casey grabbed it in mid air. - The map doesn't show the interior of the cave! This is my first time around a cave also, so I really don't know my way around too!
The girls stared at him suspiciously but when Casey opened the map, they had to agree that it wasn't his fault that they got lost. The map was good, but it really didn't show the interior of caves, they would have to get out of that one by themselves.
- I'd wish we could at least see some Pokémon around so that we could capture them. -Dylan moaned sitting on a large rock.
- Maybe we should try to recreate our steps and head back. -Bryan suggested after some pondering.
- Good luck with that. -Said Casey with a sheepish smile.
Bryan took a better look at where they were. It was dark; they could hardly see anything in front of them. There was a river at their right, but it didn't give them any clue of where they were. There seemed to be roads and passages everywhere, all leading to the unknown. Everything in that cave looked the same; it would be very hard for any of them to get out.
Pichu sat on the rocky ground sighing, whatever could he done to deserve that. He started having second thoughts if staying in New Bark Town hadn't been a better idea instead of this crazy adventure. Dylan stretched her arms falling to the side and resting on that column of rocks she was staying. Nature created very interesting things, the column of rocks she was in formed some sort of wall, it was long and each rock seemed bind together perfectly. Maybe too perfectly. She sat up again watching the rocks closely, they were perfect and their size would decrease to her left and increase to her right. It looks like a giant rocky worm… only thing's missing is the head. She thought to herself. She looked for her friends and spotted Bryan studying the map again, what a waist of time.
- Well we're not going to find the exit just by staying here right? -She said jumping from the rocks. - We better try to find the main path again.
Dylan turned her head around; she thought she heard a sound. Bryan stored the map at a rush; he was getting pissed with the situation they were in.
- Alright let's go! And remind me of avoiding caves for the rest of the journey!
- You were the one that insisted to go to Azalea first. -Said Casey. - The only way of getting there is by this cave, so deal with it.
Bryan ignored Casey walking ahead of her. Dylan called her Pichu, but stared at the column of rocks for a wile longer. I'm sure they weren't in that position before… She approached the rocks touching them with her hand, nothing ordinary about cold hard rocks. She turned around to leave but a movement sound was heard again. She looked back at the rocks and now she was sure they had moved. Pichu ran to them placing his ear next to one. He yelped at his trainer to go there. A little obnoxious, Dylan went there again and placed her head against the cold rock. She could hear a sound coming from the interior of the rock, a sound that reminded her of a beat… Could the rock be alive?
- Oh dear… -Dylan was struck with the possibility of what the rock could be. She slowly looked to her left and there, high above her was the head of the rocky worm she mentioned earlier. The head growled at her. -Pichu thunder shock it!
Pichu did so, but it didn't do anything. The attack wasn't in vain as Dylan took the opportunity to get out of there with Pichu.
- There you are! -Bryan shouted. - You want to get lost from us also?
- Guys run!
Dylan sprinted by them leaving them both wondering.
- What was that all about? -Casey asked.
She quickly got her answered when a roaring sound came behind them. Their hairs spiked when they saw the enormous rock worm in front of them. They fled and ran to catch up with Dylan.
- Just what in the World is that thing?! -Shouted Dylan not looking back.
- That's an Onix! -Replied Bryan. - Didn't you say you wanted a rock Pokémon? Here's your chance, get it!
- Are you nuts?! I don't have a Pokémon capable of fighting that thing! Pichu already tried and it didn't work.
- Of course not! - Shouted Bryan almost calling her dummy or something. - Electric attacks don't work! Try your Squirtle, water is affective!
Dylan stopped half way facing the angry Onix chasing them. Now that she thought about it, that Onix was only chasing them cause her Pichu attacked him in the first place. So what? She did it out of a pure reaction.
- Ok Squirtle. This thing is bigger then you, but you know what they say. The bigger they are, the harder they fall! Go!
Squirtle's pokéball hit the ground and the little turtle was released, Onix had also stopped. Bryan and Casey stood just a few meters behind Dylan.
- Ok, I got this! Squirtle start with a bubble attack just to warm up!
Silence. Taking a better look Squirtle was sitting on the ground arms crossed and with a moody face. The Pokémon Onix was just as confused as Dylan and the others.
- Squirtle… Use bubble attack? -Dylan repeated herself.
Squirtle looked at her groaning; he got up and showed his tongue at her. Dylan got furious.
- Why you little!
Squirtle smirked and innocently looked at his opponent. Onix growled savagely at him. Squirtle agitated and then fled in a sprint. The trainers screamed and ran also. They had no idea where they were running to. Bryan and Casey were running ahead followed by Squirtle, Pichu and Dylan. Onix realized that he wasn't going to reach them by chasing them like that, so he quickly slammed the ground with his tail right between them.
- Duck! I mean, get out of the way! -Shouted Casey.
Bryan and Casey jumped to the right just in time to avoid the hit. Dylan reached both her Pokémon first and then jumped. But she was more thrown away by the pressure created when Onix's tail hit the ground and fell inside a lake.
- Dylan! -Shouted Casey. She got up and confronted the huge Pokémon. - That's it! This ends now!
Casey threw a pokéball that released… Caterpie? Bryan stared incredulous at the scene.
- Did you really meant to release her or was it just a mistake?
- Hey I know what I'm doing! -Casey assured. - Caterpie string shot!
A strange white silky string was shot by Caterpie's mouth and hit Onix in the face. The silk completely covered his face and Onix agitated trying to brake free. Caterpie continued releasing the string and in mere moments immobilized the rest of Onix's body. Casey immediately threw a pokéball at the defenceless Pokémon. The red light sucked Onix inside and the pokéball moved a good seven times before Onix was captured. Casey took the pokéball pleased.
- That's… Some very powerful string… -Observed Bryan.
- Sure is. You were great Caterpie!
The two rushed to the lake where Dylan and her Pokémon had fallen. There was no sign of them anywhere.
- Dylan! -They both called out for her. But there was no response.
- Could the current have taken her? -Casey asked.
- It's not very strong; she could easily get out of here swimming. Unless… She passed out.
A moment of silence was build as they wondered of what could have happened to Dylan.
- Dylan!
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- Mommy, mommy! Look, look! Professor Oak said I could have it!
Dylan held up a small pokéball in her hands, proudly showing it to her mother. Her mother trembled and slammed Dylan in the hands making her drop the pokéball.
- I told you not to hang around with professor Oak! Those things are forbidden here in the house!
- But mommy, professor Oak said that Pokémon are…
- Don't listen to what he says! We're the ones that know the truth… We're the ones that had to suffer. Or have you forgotten already?!
- No mommy of course not, I just…
- Dylan hunny listen to me. -She picked Dylan up, placing her in her lap. - I know this is hard, especially in the World we live in. But you must understand that you're all that we have left and we will protect you at all costs. Please… Your daddy and me, we don't want to loose you too. You understand?
- Yes mommy… I understand…
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Dylan started opening her eyes. She felt her body cold and wet. When her eyes got used to the week light, she started looking around. She was still inside the cave that was certain, maybe she was more lost now. She felt her body in the cold ground but her head was in something more comfortable. She rolled to the side standing on both her knees. There was an orange bag there, it wasn't hers, her bag was light green and although it was full of stuff, that one seemed much fuller.
- Ah! You awoke quickly. That's good! -A voice said.
Dylan looked at her right and spotted a young girl feeding both her Pichu and Squirtle. She had dark blue hair in a pony tail and was wearing comfortable clothes. The girl rose up and went for Dylan, when she got close enough she gave Dylan a sandwich.
- You were very lucky that I was nearby. -She made a sorry face at her Squirtle. - Your Pokémon didn't seem very interest in helping you…
Saving me? From what? Dylan then had a flashback of what had happened. The Onix striking the ground and her falling in the lake. No wonder she was wet and cold. Dylan thankfully accepted the girl's sandwich and ate it with appetite. The girl sat next to her.
- My name is Ashley. I'm a 17 year old Pokéranger. What's yours?
- Oh sorry, I'm Dylan! I'm a Pokémon trainer. Well just a beginner as you can tell! Thanks a lot for saving me.
- No problem it's what I do! -She giggled. - But I'll say it again, you were very lucky that I was in this area searching for a Pokémon. Other wise you would've drown, cause your Squirtle wasn't very cooperative when I found you.
Dylan made a killer look at Squirtle that replied with a sheepish smile. Dylan had already noticed that her Squirtle didn't seem to like her very much or at all. She would hardly count on him for protection or for a battle.
- So you're exploring this cave? -Dylan asked making conversation as she ate the sandwich.
- Yeah. I'm looking for a Pokémon that is said to live in this part of the cave. A very rare one I heard.
- Then… You're a Pokémon collector. -Observed Dylan.
- Oh no! Nothing like that! -Corrected Ashley shaking her head. - I'm a Pokéranger. I help Pokémon in danger… and people apparently. -She giggled again. - You see, as a ranger I need my own Pokémon to help me in every situation. For example, here at the cave I need light so I use my Volbeat to guide me.
Ashley extended her arm and a red Pokémon appeared between Dylan's Pichu and Squirtle. He approached his trainer and, as he did, Dylan started seeing better. On Volbeat's tail shined something similar with a lantern. Ashley was right, that was a useful Pokémon. Dylan took out her Pokédex and pointed at the Volbeat.
Volbeat, the firefly Pokémon. With the arrival of night, Volbeat emits light from its tail. It communicates with others by adjusting the intensity and flashing of its light. It lives around clean ponds.
- Interesting. -Admitted Dylan storing her Pokédex back to her backpack that she had recovered. - So this Pokémon that you're looking for will be useful for you on your journey?
- I believe it will. -Ashley replied with a smile. - Ever heard of the Pokémon that can carry people on its back? That has a melodic voice able to calm any Gyarados? Lapras?
Dylan shrieked like a fan girl. Of course she had heard of Lapras. When she was very little, when her parents used to like Pokémon, they took her to a water show. There, she saw for the first time Lapras performing, she had instantly fallen in love with them and wished to have a chance to see one again. But, ever since, she had some problems in her family and she no longer could be near Pokémon, much less a rare one like Lapras. Dylan got a hold on Ashley's hands.
- There's a Lapras in here?! -Her eyes sparkled.
- Y-yes. -Ashley replied a little confused with Dylan's enthusiasm.
- That is so awesome! Please let me help you search for it!
- You want to… help me?
- Yes please! I really want to see a Lapras. Please will you take me?! I won't be a bother, I promise!
Ashley hesitated. She hadn't planed on taking anyone with her and she was more used to cave's than Dylan. Still she couldn't leave her all by herself over there. It would be best for her to take Dylan back to the main road of the cave or she would probably get lost again.
- Well… Sure I don't see why not. You can come along and then I'll put you back on the right track again ok?
- That is so great! Thank you very much! When do we start?
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- We have to get there?
Dylan started regretting ever suggesting to go along with Ashley in her search of the Lapras. There was water everywhere on that side of the cave and the only way to keep moving was by swimming or using water Pokémon. Dylan could forget using her Squirtle for help; he was just following her around without a care in the World as Ashley's Volbeat lead the way. Now they were on one of those situations; there was a higher platform a few meters away from them, but there was water everywhere around also. Even though it was summer that water was cold so there was no way either of them would go in there.
- It will be hard to get there. -Ashley smiled. - But hey, I'm a ranger so I'm always prepared!
As she said that she threw a pokéball to the ground revealing a green Pokémon with a thing on his back that looked like a flower. Without any command it unleashed green vines to the desired platform and wrapped them around a rock thigh.
- Well, let's go!
- Go where? -Dylan hoped she wouldn't say what she though they were going to do.
- Get a hold of my Ivysaur's vines and slowly move to the other side.
Ashley took the lead and held the vines with both her hands. One hand after another she slowly moved along the Pokémon's vines. Dylan swallowed hard, she wasn't very found of heights. Pichu jumped to her shoulder and she followed Ashley the best she could. Her Squirtle mocked her when it passed beneath her on the water, reaching the other side before her. Dylan sighed of pure relief when her feet touched the other solid ground.
- It wasn't that bad. -She admitted.
Ashley stored back her Ivysaur and again both girls kept walking deeper into the cave. Volbeat walked in front of them with Pichu playfully chasing its tail. Dylan remembered about Bryan and Casey back there, they were probably worried about her. Then again, she also remembered the Onix so she could only hope they were ok. Either way they would eventually reunite in Azalea in case they get lost from each other. Volbeat and Pichu stopped so did the girls as they heard a sound echoing. It was pure and melodic, a song.
- We're near the Lapras! -Shouted Ashley clearly exited.
- Then let's follow the sound!
It was amazing how a Pokémon could posses such a beautiful voice and sing so purely. The sound was penetrating and very relaxing. Ashley was right; there was a Lapras in that cave. The girls and their Pokémon hided behind a rock observing the blue Pokémon in the lake singing to his own pleasure. It hadn't noticed their presence.
- He's so beautiful! -Said Ashley.
- I'm so glad you let me come with you! -Dylan was happy, if she hadn't known that Ashley wanted to capture that Lapras she should would try and get it for herself. But then she realized something. - Hey aren't Lapras supposed to travel in group?
- Yes you're right. But this Lapras is a loner. Once a week, he comes here to this cave and sings. His roars sometimes scare people, but that's all he does over here.
- Oh, how nice… What is he doing now?
Dylan wondered as her Squirtle wondered off and went for the lake where the Lapras was. The Pokémon stopped his singing when it saw the intruder. Squirtle saluted the bigger Pokémon and jumped into the water. Dylan, Ashley and their Pokémon freaked.
- What is your Squirtle doing? -Ashley asked worried.
- I-I have no idea. -Dylan replied nervous. - Squirtle get back here. -She called out in a low tone.
Squirtle swam around the Lapras relaxed. The bigger Pokémon didn't know what to think of it. For all he knew, that Squirtle was a wild Pokémon and it had as much right to that lake as he did. Finally Lapras seemed to make a question at Squirtle in his own language. Squirtle dived and appeared in front of him and both start talking to each other. All Dylan and Ashley could do was wonder what they were talking about.
- I wonder what he's up to… -Said Dylan.
- Your Squirtle doesn't obey you right? -Dylan confirmed with her head. - Then I really doubt he's there to help…Hya!
Squirtle popped out of nowhere and pounded the girls forward revealing them. He stood above the rock with his arm reach at them, like he was introducing them to the Lapras.
- Why you little! -Dylan threw a rock at Squirtle hitting it straight in the face.
When Lapras realized their presence, he agitated and started swimming out. Ashley realized it and called out her Ivysaur again.
- Lapras wait; I don't want to harm you! - Lapras ignored her and tried to flee. Ashley had no choice but to stop him. -Ivysaur, use vine whip!
The grass Pokémon did so and managed to hold the Lapras firmly preventing him from fleeing. Lapras turned his long neck at the Ivysaur and launched a powerful Ice beam. At the incoming attack, Ivysaur released Lapras and got out of the way. The beam missed him by inches and froze the ground instead. Now freed, Lapras took the chance to escape.
- Oh no… He's getting away.
- Not on my watch! - Dylan was running along a bad road above the Lake where the Lapras was. How'd she get up there was unknown. Ashley had a ray of hope when she saw Dylan and her Pichu up there. - Ok Pichu you know what to do, GO! -Pichu made a long jump and perfectly landed on the shell of the Lapras. - Now paralyze him with your thunder wave!
Blue sparks came from his cheeks and quickly Pichu unleashed his attack on Lapras. The attack had been successful as Lapras muscles seemed to stun. With another jump Pichu got back up.
- Hey Ashley, use the pokéball now! -Shouted Dylan.
- A-are you sure? You were the one that…
- Trust me! He'll come in handy for a hero like you right?
Ashley smiled and slightly blushed at the comment. Then this was her chance, she took out an empty pokéball and threw it at the Lapras. But the pokéball fell inside the lake.
- Oh no!
Dylan went back down standing next to Ashley. She saw her Squirtle laughing maniacally at her side. She groaned picking him up.
- Do something right for once and get that pokéball! -Dylan kicked Squirtle and he fell inside the lake.
Ashley had her hands crossed hoping that she had succeeded in capturing the Lapras. What were mere seconds felt like an eternity for them. Finally, Squirtle came out with the pokéball on his shell. He got on shore and gave it to Ashley with bitterness. Ashley held the pokéball up happy and cheerful thanking Dylan and Pichu for what they had done.
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- Dylan!
- Dylan where are you?!
Bryan and Casey had lost track of how long they were searching for Dylan. They had search for her in all lakes and rivers in that cave and still they had no luck in finding her. Both of them had to admit that they were getting worried about her and of what could've happened.
- Dylan! -They shouted in unison.
- Hey guys over here!
They looked immediately at the familiar voice. There was Dylan waving at them on the back of a large Pokémon. They got relieved to see that she was ok. Dylan jumped to solid ground when they were close enough to the shore.
- You idiot! -Shouted Bryan. - We were worried sick about you and all this time you went and capture a Pokémon?!
- This is not my Pokémon… -She replied bluntly. - And since when you worry about me?
Bryan blushed and ignored her. Ashley jumped from the back of her Lapras also.
- This is actually my Pokémon; Dylan here helped me get it.
- Right! Guys this is Ashley, she saved me! Ashley, this is Casey and the grumpy one is Bryan!
- Pleased to meet you Ashley! -Said Casey shaking hands with the new girl.
- Likewise! So, Dylan told me that you all got lost in this cave.
They didn't reply her embarrassed by it. Ashley laughed storing back her newly caught Lapras.
- If you'd like I'll show you the way out.
- I'll thank you a million times if you do that. -Replied Casey.
They couldn't believe how close they were from the main road of the cave. They had been walking in circles all along. That was even worse and more embarrassing for them. After a short walk they finally reach the end of the cave. Day light never felt so good like it did to them at that point.
- Well here we are. I wish you luck Dylan on your match at Azalea's gym.
- You're not going to Azalea Ashley? -Dylan wondered.
- No. -She said with a smile. - I plan to train Lapras in this cave for quite a bit before heading off. You see I want him to trust me and it's always better to train Pokémon on an environment they're used to. Well, it was nice meeting the three of you. I really hope we can see each other again. As I hope your Squirtle is more tamed by then! -She said with a sheepish grin.
Dylan tapped Squirtle's pokéball twice before replying.
- I'll work on that.
Ashley went back inside Union cave as they sent their good-byes at her. Dylan faced her new road ready to take on the next obstacles.
- Azalea city here we come!
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Hiperkitty: Ladies and gentlemen and fellow readers. I proudly present to you, my newest side character! Ashley! Say hi!
Ashley: I'm not an artefact at exhibits…
Hiperkitty: Ashley's profile will be on the second page of 'support characters'. Check it out if you want to know more about her.
Ashley: Again, I'm not an exhibit!
Dylan: Preview time! Next on Johto quest: Casey gets a little reunion with an old friend, but for some reason she is not very happy to see him/her (again I cannot spoil that). An epic battle occurs as Casey does her best to get rid of him/her! Don't miss next chapter: Romeo, Romeo… Get lost!