Chapter 4 – The Gentle Art of Making Enemies.
With Sandslash in the lead they headed to the base of Mt Moon, to where a dilapidated building was; almost invisible amongst the overgrown foliage. Sandslash pushed its way through the low hanging branches, creating a path forward. Crouching down, the adults followed. The reached a broken entryway barred with what looked like a railway sleeper. The Sandslash lifted it so AJ could scoot under. Ash apprehensively dropped to his hands and knees to follow AJ through the opening.
"This was originally the Pokémon Centre." Brock remarked as he slipped into the building behind Ash.
Ash too recognized the interior stylings of a Pokémon Centre, however this one had been abandoned long ago. Now the air hung heavy with the stench of mildew and felt damp. Where Nurse Joy would once have stood and healed Pokémon was now covered in all sorts of leaves and branches, hanging from the exposed beams in the ceiling. The middle of the building showed obvious signs of housing squatters, with a makeshift fire pit surrounded by two woebegone sleeping bags.
The Sandslash, which had shuffled under the sleeper before replacing it across the doorway, headed over to one of the sleeping bags and sat down upon it as AJ lit a fire. Pikachu carefully crawled over to the Sandslash and gave it a tentative sniff. The Sandslash fixed its dark eyes on the electric mouse, and for a moment it seemed as if the Sandslash would lash out at the Pikachu, however it gave a brief nod od and patting the sleeping bag beside it.
"Chu!" Pikachu exclaimed happily before tucking itself up beside the Sandslash. Ash chuckled to himself as he watched the interaction. He was glad that Pikachu still easily made friends and saw joy in life, at least his depression had not rubbed off on his sidekick.
With fire cheerfully crackling in the centre of the room and the group settled around it, conversation turned to Team Rocket.
"I rob the carts as they leave Mt. Moon," AJ explained. "They run supply carts to and from their stronghold in Viridian City."
"If they can get through Mt. Moon unscathed surely we can too." said Brock to which AJ gave him a look which clearly showed that he thought Brock was crazy.
"Why the hell would you want to go in there?"
"It's the best way to Cerulean City."
"No, go back, go via the sea to Vermillion and up! Going into Mt. Moon is signing your death certificates."
"It will take too long. We don't have that luxury. Especially when Rocket is involved."
If AJ wasn't convinced of Brock's craziness before, now he most certainly was. He was staring at Brock with mouth agape as though Brock had sprouted another head.
"You're insane." He told Brock, shaking his head at him.
"Why is Mt Moon so dangerous?" Misty interjected.
"Something is going wrong in there." AJ replied ominously.
"That's obvious." Ash snorted to which he received a scolding look from Misty.
"Ignore him," she shot Ash another look of distain. "Continue, please."
"I don't know what exactly is going on in the mountain." AJ started slowly, looking at Misty as he rubbed his chin, clearly lost in thought. "It seems like only Team Rocket can travel through it though, I've watched them pulling out the bodies of the dead. It's not a pretty sight." He shuddered and gazed off into the distance, his eyes glazed over.
Ash watched AJ nonchalantly. He knew his two companions were becoming more concerned with the idea of entering Mt. Moon, be he was at ease. If Rocket could use the path freely, then he couldn't see a reason why they shouldn't be able too. The people who died must have contributed to their own demise, he reasoned.
Taking opportunity of the lull in conversation, AJ rose to his feet and walked over to where the bunches of leaves hung from the rafters. From underneath the benchtop he removed a small terracotta pot, a lantern and a little box. He then returned to the group and sat his wares on the floor before retaking his seat.
"There are some berries in the pot, it's not much but it is something." He passed the pot to Ash who took a handful of dried maroon berries and passed it on, wordlessly to Misty. He then raised his hand and deposited the whole handful into his mouth. The berries, although dried where quite sweet and Ash regretted eating them all at once.
"You should probably stay the night." AJ said once the pot had been returned to him by Brock but Brock shook his head in rejection to the idea.
"Thank you for the help, but we must go." Brock told AJ. AJ looked unsurprised with this answer.
"Take this with you at least." AJ handed Brock the lantern and a packet of matches.
As Ash, Brock and Misty exited the ex-Pokémon Centre, Ash glanced back over his shoulder, both AJ and Sandslash stood, watching. Sandslash looked sad whilst AJ's expression told Ash all he needed to know. He did not expect to see them alive again.
Ash lit the lantern AJ had given them and held it out before him, the flicking flame cast eerie shadows on the high rock walls. Pikachu snuggled closer to his neck; he could feel the little Pokémon's heart flutter with anxiety.
"Pikachu doesn't like it here." He said, without looking back at his companions.
"To be honest, nor do I." Misty's voice, low and uneasy, replied from somewhere over his right shoulder.
Ash felt the cool, damp air of the Mountain pass press down on him. The darkness outside of the range of his lantern was suffocating and he realized his breathing had become shallow. The odd silence, not even the screech of a Zubat or the shuffling of wings, inflamed a sense of wrongness. Perhaps he had been foolish to not take this seriously, Ash thought to himself bitterly.
Spiderwebs brushed Ash and he jumped, landing awkwardly on Brock's foot, who swore loudly. His voice echoing back to them through the dank cavern. Ash gave Brock a sheepish smile to which he received only a grimace of pain in return.
"I think there is something through here." Ash pointed to an archway that was definitely not a natural formation. Swinging the lantern through the opening he squinted into the darkness beyond, where he noticed a faint glow.
"I can see some sort of light." said Ash as he stepped through the opening.
"Ash, be careful, you don't know what's in there!" Misty scolded but her voice shook terribly. She's terrified Ash realised but continued further in, heading towards the glow which was getting brighter.
Focused on the light Ash carelessly walked forwards, his foot hitting a loose rock sending him toppling. In an effort to right himself he flung his arms out wildly, the lantern released from his grip and flew forwards, hitting the floor with a metallic thud before smashing into pieces, the firelight that had been his guide extinguished.
He felt a pair of hands grab him around his waist as Brock tried to stop him hitting the floor. His momentum stopped, he let out a slight of relief. Brock let go and gave him a searching look.
"What was that weird sound? And what is that crazy light?" he asked and Ash shrugged.
"You ask too many questions." Ash replied, wetting his lips with a flick of his tongue. He then trotted over to where the lantern had landed and squatted down, brushing his fingers along the floor.
"The floor is metal." Ash said simply and stood up. In the dim light he could make out the squares of metal sheeting, each one bolted down into the earth below. He continued his walk across it, his footsteps echoing loudly off the metal flooring. Behind him, he could hear a chorus of echoes, joining his own as he got closer to the glowing light.
He rounded a pillar and saw the source of the glow. A sickly green light was projected outwards from a strange machine that was on the middle of a long grey-metal bench table. Also, atop the table, along with the weird light emitting machine, were beakers and test tubes filled with liquids. Ash started towards the table, curiosity ebbing inside him but something in his psyche told him to stop. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end and he got the odd feeling that he was being watched.
Silhouetted in the glow of the odd green light, was a lanky figure. Ash reached down and freed a dagger from his belt and clenched it tight, the only weapon the trio had between them. He silently thanked himself that he had moved it from his backpack to his belt before entering the Mountain.
The man stepped out from behind the bench table and although it had been many years, Ash instantly knew who it was. Seymour was pale and lanky with the air of a man who had not seen the sunlight for many years. His white lab coat was stained and dirty. Dark purplish bags hung under his eyes and his pale lips were twisted into a sinister sneer.
"Clefable, fresh meat."
Unravelling from the darkness was a bipedal Pokémon with 3 pronged wings protruding horizontality from its back and sharp pointed ears. However instead of the light pink colour of a normal Clefable, this one was grey-furred and mottled. Its small eyes regarded the outsiders hungrily, it opened its mouth and instead of a high-pitched tone, a deep growl filled with menace filled the room.
"Is it a dark Pokémon?" Misty squeaked in horror.
"No," Ash replied, "but he's done something to it." Brandishing the knife before him, Ash slipped his left foot back so he was balanced in a fighter's stance. He signalled to Pikachu to get behind him, to which it complied. To the right of the Clefable, Seymore watched in pure fascination, his mouth in a wide, malevolent smile.
"You're going to take on Clefable with a knife?" Seymour jeered; his eyes alight with malice. "Why don't you send out a Pokémon? See how they fair?"
Brock moved to do just that, unclipping a PokeBall from his belt. Ash's head whipped around to Brock and he screamed.
"No, don't! It's a trap."
Brock, with PokeBall in hand stopped in motion, he looked at Ash, bewildered.
"Just don't do it." Ash pleaded. Brock let his arm drop to his side, clutching the PokeBall and staring at Ash with a stupefied expression.
Ash didn't know why he had stopped Brock from releasing the PokeBall or why he hadn't sent Pikachu to battle. But his sixth sense was screaming at him that using Pokémon would be a fatal error.
"You're not going to take that thing on by yourself?" said Misty.
Ash ignored her and leapt forward, darting around the Clefable skilfully. Light on his feet, he slashed at the Clefable, testing it. The Clefable roared in anticipation and swiped at Ash with its clawed paw. Each hunting for a weakness in the other. Ash dared forwards. Stabbing at the Clefable's torso. The Clefable, predicting Ash's move twisted around and hit Ash with the back of its arm. Sending Ash stumbling towards the metal table in the centre of the room. Ash braced himself and landed against the edge of the table, the impact causing the test tubes and beakers on the table to fall and splatter. There vile fluids spilling outwards across the gun grey metal. Using is arm, he propelled himself away from the table, spinning on heel to reface the Clefable, who growled hungrily.
There was an awful screeching sound and the rock wall of the room burst forwards, spraying the occupations in debris. Ash flipped backwards, avoiding the biggest segments of flying rock, but still copped a slice to the forehead for his troubles. Sticky red fluid flowed down from the cut and into his right eye, blinding him. He felt around uselessly for his dagger that he had dropped in the commotion but his search came up bare.
The Clefable, whom had been closer to the wall, was buried in the rubble. Though Ash doubted that it would be the end of it.
"Ash! Watch out!" Misty screamed and Ash drew his eyes up to the hole in the wall.
A draconic creature flapped its violet membranous wings, keeping afloat of the ground. Light grey skin covered the length of the new arrival and it's narrowed eyes focused on the rock pile before it. It growled, opening its strong jaws and revealing serrated fangs.
Ash scrambled backwards further away from the prehistoric looking Pokémon. As he did, he heard Brock breath the word 'Aerodactyl'.
Seymour who had been thrown backwards was rising. Laughing manically and waving his arms in what looked to be celebration.
"Clefable, it's here! The Aerodactyl we have searched for."
Loosening itself from the rockfall, the Clefable growled. The rocks had wounded it, with chunks of flesh mangled from its body and dark blood soaking its fur, its small eyes met the Aerodactyl's own and its human prey was forgotten.
"Come on, we can get out of here now." Misty said, pulling on Ash's arm, trying to get him to rise to his feet.
Ash struggled to his feet, wiping his blooded forehead with the back of his forearm he tried to re-assess his bearings. The Clefable and Aerodactyl were now engaged in battle, the horrid sounds of snarling and screeching assaulted his ears. Turning his back on the fighting Pokémon he noticed Brock making a break for the exit of the lab, Misty tugged on the sleeve of his shirt, urging him to follow. Ash staggered forwards, still uneasy on his feet. However, without warning something hard slammed into his midriff, sprawling sideways he came to rest on the rocky floor. He was then flipped onto his back and his arms pinned above his head. His face was turned towards his assailant, Seymour sat atop him, smiling insanely.
"No, No, No." He taunted, giggling as he did so. Ash spat at him, the glob hitting Seymour under the eye. He however just laughed louder. His eyes bludging and crazed.
"I think you will stay here with me, you'll make excellent fodder for my experiments, don't you thin-"
The weight on Ash's chest suddenly lightened as Seymour was sent flying through the air. He hit the far wall and crumpled to the floor.
Ash blinked in amazement and lifted his head to see his Pikachu land defensively by his side. Its eyes swum with anger and determination. Ash brought himself to a sitting position and rubbed his forehead, he had forgotten Pikachu and it seems Seymour had as well.
Pikachu, smart enough not to use any elemental power as to not attract the duelling Pokémon, had launched a tackle into Seymour's obliques, releasing his hold on Ash. Quickly Ash returned to his feet and scanned the floor for his weapon, spotting it near the table he hurried over and collected it, before sweeping around to face Seymour, who was had regained consciousness and trying stand, using the wall as a crutch.
"What happened to you?" Ash asked, without requiring an answer. He slowly made his way over to where Seymour had regained his feet and was leaning against the rocky wall, panting. Ash raised the dagger, his eyes dark.
Seymour let out a stiffened chuckle. "Don't you see? Team Rocket are the future. And with team Rocket on my side my creations can flourish." Seymour chattered weakly.
Ash glared at him as he stopped in arms reach of the Scientist. Without mercy he brough the dagger up and stabbed it into his jugular. Seymour let out a strangled cry as Ash removed the knife and fell to his knees, hands pressed against the stab wound. But it was all for nothing as blood poured out from between his fingers. Soaking his white lab-coat in red.
Ash turned and slipped the dagger into his belt. "Pikachu, to me." He commanded and the little Pokémon leapt adeptly onto his shoulder.
"Ash, we have to get out of here!" Misty pleaded, her voice teetering on the edge of madness. "Come on, while they are distracted."
Just as the words left Misty's mouth the Aerodactyl gained the upper hand. It's strong jaws clamping onto the head of the Clefable. The Clefable screamed in fear as it tried in vain to prise the Aerodactyl from it. Ash froze, watching in morbid curiosity as the Aerodactyl crunched down. The sound of breaking bone shot through the air as the Aerodactyl pulled back from the Clefable, half of its skull hanging from its jaws.
The Clefable blinked in confusion before crashing forwards to the earth in a shower of blood. The remanent of its grey brains now freely exposed. The Aerodactly threw the remains that it held in its mouth into the air and opened wide. They fell into its open maw and it swallowed without another bite.
Brock and Misty both grabbed an arm each of Ash's and tugged him to force him to move. Ash allowed his body to be led by them as he continued to stare back at the Aerodactyl who had not landed and was making a meal of the mutilated Clefable.
"Run now, before it sees us." Brock shouted in Ash's ear, waving him from his trance. Shaking loose of the other two he forced his legs to move beneath him. Without thinking he tore back towards the archway they had entered through desperate to put as much distance between the Prehistoric Pokémon and himself as he possibly could.
Together they ran, the sounds of the feet hitting the earth echoed gloomily around them. From behind them the roaring of the enraged Aerodactyl followed them. Tripping and stumbling in the darkness they scurrying through the maze-like paths. The silence that had greeted them when they first entered had been replaced with the angry humming of creatures' unseen. The awakening of the Aerodactyl had brought the Mountain to life.
Ash screamed involuntarily and brought his hands up to his ears to try to shut out the screeching of the creatures which was becoming unbearably louder. Beside him, he saw Misty and Brock imitate him, screwing their faces up in discomfort. Pikachu shuddered on his shoulder, caught between holding on to Ash's shirt or covering his ears from the unpleasant sound now drowning them.
A burst of yellow light flooded the path, dazing them. Ash blinked, feeling suddenly lightheaded. He stumbled into the wall and bounced off it. His eyes unfocused. The screeching sound still reverberating through the air but it no longer bothered him.
Disorientated he tried to walk but his legs felt like jelly and he swayed with every step he took. His skin pricked with an anxiety he couldn't place. Reaching out like a blind man he moved forwards, his feet dragging along the ground.
There was a flurry of wings and the feeling of something swarming in the darkness. At first, he felt something smooth and cool sweep past his outstretched hand, then another and another. Pikachu squeaked in pain and tumbled from his shoulder, hitting the ground with a dull thud. Ash did not have to wait long to see why Pikachu was hurt, he felt little teeth pressing against his bare skin, tearing at his flesh, trying to make him bleed.
He waved his hands hopelessly around his head as he tried to beat off the swarming Zubat, attracted to his heat and blood. Crying out hopelessly he fell to his knees and tried to protect Pikachu. Pikachu curled on the ground a wall of Zubats pressed down on the Pokémon, feasting on its blood.
"Onix, swat the Zubat away with your tail!" A choked cry came from within the Zubat pack. Brock hand shaken off the Confuse Ray and had sent out his Onix in an attempt to protect them.
The Onix roared and struck out at the swarm, scattering the flying Pokémon. The Zubats, sensing something they couldn't eat panicked. Their screeching now filled with fear. Using the disruption to his advantage, Ash fended off the Zubats from his Pikachu and picked it up. Tiny bites covered the Pikachu, as they did Ash's own arms and neck but Pikachu was none the worse for wear.
"Pi, Pikachu!" Pikachu looked up at Ash, full of expression waving its arms through the air, desperately communicating with Ash. Ash nodded; he knew exactly what his partner wanted. Putting Pikachu back on the ground, he yelled back through the thick of Zubats.
"Misty! Brock! Return Onix and run towards my voice. I'll keep shouting, just put your head down and keep going!"
"Are you IN SANE!" He heard Misty's panicked shout in return.
"No! Just listen to what I am telling you!" Ash screamed out in frustration. "Just trust me for once."
"Onix Return," Brock called. "Ash, I'm coming!"
Ash continued to yell out encouragement as Brock beat his way through the swarm, appearing at Ash's side he joined in the chorus, coaxing Misty to them.
Misty screamed and bent her head down, shielding it with her arms. She pounded the earth, racing towards the sounds of her companions' voices, feeling the Zubats pushing down on her as she fought to break through the line. With a grunt of frustration; she flung her arms out wide like a swimmer doing breaststroke, sweeping enough of the Zubats aside to make it to where Ash and Brock stood, calling for her. She reached them and doubled over, resting her palms on her knees, beathing deeply.
"Come on, no time to stop." Ash grabbed her and pulled her along behind him. As they ran Ash called out aloud. "Now! Pikachu thunderbolt!"
Pikachu nodded, even though it was aware that Ash was out of its sight and released a Powerful wave of lightning energy at the swarm. Without taking pause to see the aftermath of its attack, it couched on all fours and spirited after the humans. Hoping beyond hope that it had done enough.
The lightning energy exploded within the tunnel; the air pressure caused by the attack buffeted the Trio as they ran. Ash felt Misty slacken from his grip but he did not have time to stop to find her, being pushed forwards by the wall of air he had no choice but to continue onwards.
Blinding sunlight flooded their eyes as they burst out of the Mt. Moon exit. Falling to the ground in exhaustion, Ash rolled onto his back and stared at the pale-blue sky, Pikachu skidded to a stop beside him and flopped to the ground. Giving Ash a weak grin, which Ash returned gratefully.
"Thank God." Brock choked, bent over on all fours, panting heavily.
Ash quietly shared his statements, suddenly grateful for the blue skies and calming warmth of the sun.
"Pika!" Pikachu pushed hard against Ash's cheek without warning. Turning his head to his buddy he saw that Pikachu was pointing to a small stream. Forcing himself to his feet he stumbled towards it. Falling to his knees on the bank, he cupped the water in his hand and splashed it to his face.
He felt the cool refreshing water wash the blood and grit from his skin and without a second thought he thrust his head into the stream. Letting the stream rush over his face and hair.
He felt movement beside him and raised his head to see Brock kneeling on his left, filling the cannisters from their backpacks with water. "At least we found out who was killing off everyone." Brock said conversationally while Ash just stared into the stream. Water dripping from his hair and running under the collar of his shirt, Ash turned to face Brock and opened his mouth to speak, however he was interrupted by a shout from behind him.
"Ash, Brock, we're here."
Pushing himself to stand up Ash joined Misty on the edge of the cliff. Beyond the ridge and tree tops they could make out the outskirts of Cerulean City.
The afternoon sun blazed above and small beads of sweat formed on Ash's brow. They walked the streets of Cerulean in silence. Brock looking tense and Misty forlorn as they took in the destruction of the once vibrant city.
Building and dwellings of all descriptions were damaged beyond repair or partially collapsed from battles prior. The streets around them were littered with debris and artifacts of people who had once called the city home. The evidence pointed to it being a long time since Cerulean City was occupied, despite of the heat, Ash shivered.
Misty stopped dead in front of a broken water fountain in the town square, that fronted the Cerulean City Gym. Once the Fountain stood proud, a Mable depiction of Seel and Dewgong with water that would cascade from the mouths of the Seel and the horns of the Dewgong, now crack and ruined. A metaphor for the city as a whole. On the ledge she sat and buried her head in her hands.
Ash looked away pointedly. He did not wish to watch Misty break. Distracting himself by watching a Pidgey fluttering through the overgrown gardens that surrounded the square, he waited, somewhat impatiently, for Misty to collect herself.
With what seemed like great resolve, Misty dried her eyes on the back of her hand and stood. She was paler than normal, her eyes amplified by their wetness. Wordlessly she pursed her lips and strode towards the entry to the gym, stopping before the broken doors, which were hanging by a hinge. Brock gave Ash a searching look before stopping beside her. Ash took his place on her left and waited.
Taking a deep breath in Misty pushed her way through the open doors. Ash, Pikachu and Brock following, their next quarry was close.