The mountain was steep. It was also edgy. Travelling was hard because you had to walk uphill a lot before you actually reach the cave.
And when Aeris and Pikachu did, they were into a lot more distress to discover that the path inside Mt. Moon was a lot more dark and weary.
"Man, we've been walking for so long!" Aeris exclaims with a sigh before slumping on tthe ground, Pikachu following soon after.
"Pika pikachu."
"I wonder how much longer will it take for us to actually get there..."
"Pika."
Aeris searched for his water bottle and tilted the cap open before chugging a whole lot of it down.
"Woah! That was refreshing," he stated before handing the bottle to Pikachu. "Here Pikachu, some water."
"Pika." Pikachu received the bottle before finishing all the water that was left inside it.
Aeris took back the bottle from Pikachu and put it back on his bag's side pocket before getting up.
"Should we go inside now, buddy?"
"Pika." Pikachu nodded before hopping onto its trainer's shoulder.
"Here we go," Aeris announced before going inside.
The first thing he noticed was ththat the cave was considerably dark. There was little to no light- just bare enough too see through.
"Why is this place so dark?" Aeris ends up questioning himself. "Wasn't there supposed to be a lighting system here?"
"Pika pikachu..." Pikachu answered its trainer's question with an uncertain nod.
Aeris looked around the cave. He noticed some long pieces of wood with their heads blackened from something hanging on the walls.
"Pikka."
"What Pikachu? You sensed something?"
"Pika pika." The little mouse nods before running off to a direction.
Aeris quickly follows Pikachu, and they end up what looked like an entrance to a larger part of Mt. Moon.
"Woah! So, there is an even larger place inside Mt. Moon."
Sounds of machines.
"What was that Pikachu?"
Aeris recoiled from the sound and turned sideways to notice that light was coming out from one of the many roads in the interior of Mt. Moon.
"Pikka."
"That's strange. The entrance is dark, but why is light coming out of there?"
"Pika pika..." Pikachu shook its head, as if to say that it has got no idea.
"Let's check it out. Maybe, that's the way out of this place."
Pikachu nodded before the duo were off to check the illuminated part of the cave.
At first, they found it really strange that there were modern lighting fixated in the road they walked through. Not only that, but the footprints on the ground hinted that there were people who walked through this road.
"Looks like someone's been here before," Aeris states, keenly observing the footmarks on the ground while slowly walking ahead, using the walls of the cave as his support.
"Pika Pikachu."
Sounds of machines, LOUDER!
"What's this sound?"
Aeris and Pikachu reaches at almost the end of the path. The light was so bright, that Aeris had to shield his eyes with his arm so that he could see clearly.
At the next part, what he saw shocked both Pikachu and him.
At several parts of the cave chamber, there were bulldozers carrying mud while drills were being used at the walls of the chamber.
At one corner of the room, a scientist in his mid-30s was fiddling with a computer while mysterious men and women clad in black uniforms with the initial of a red 'R' on their t-shirt observed the place.
"What the hell is happening here?" Aeris whispers. Of course, his question remained answered as he observed the situation while hiding behind a large boulder.
The scientist was being guarder by an older, and bulkier man among all the suspicious black uniform clad people. At closer inspection, it could be seen that the scientist was anxious and nervous, and sweat was dripping from his forehead- it was as if he was being forced to do something.
At the exact other end of the room, a certain pokemon was kept inside a prison. The pokemon was red in color, except of its peach belly, and it looked like a chameleon. The pokemon also had a small ember burning on its tail.
Aeris quickly recognized the pokemon as Charmander, one of the starter pokemons Professor Oak presented the day other.
"Why is a Charmander here in this place? Don't they usually live near volcanoes? But more importantly, why is it caged?"
"Quick Professor, move your hands. We don't have much time till the police comes," the bulky man said with a threatening tone.
"I-I'm t-trying..." The scientist responded. "But, it'll take time. Extracting Moon Stones isn't that easy."
"Now, I don't want to hear any excuses," the one seemingly in charge said with a louder tone. "The boss wants the Moon Stones. And, if you don't want to get in trouble, then you'll have to do faster."
"I-I'm trying my best."
"It looks like he's being forced to do something," Aeris mutters to Pikachu who nods understandingly. "They don't seem like good people to me, Pikachu. Should we get out of here?"
Pikachu immediately glared at its trainer. "Pikka."
Although Pikachu's voice was low enough not to alert others, Aeris understood that Pikachu was quite angry at his suggestion.
Tugging on Aeris's jacket, Pikachu pointed towards the caged pokemon. "Pika, pika pika, Pikachu!"
Aeris raises his eyebrow. "You want to help that Charmander?"
"Pika Pikachu."
"But, there's so many of them here, how can we get it out."
At that moment, Pikachu simply smirks and puffs its chest before knocking its arm on its chest in a proud manner.
"Pika Pikachu."
"Well, if you say so..."
Aeris was pretty sure that Pikachu was quite overconfident of itself, but let it pass, it was a situation of danger, after all.
"Make sure you don't get caught buddy, I'm counting on 'ya."
"Pikka."
Pikachu immediately perked its tail and got on its forelegs before quietly tip-toeing towards the cage Charmander was held at.
When it was near a guard, Pikachu immediately hid behind one of the wheels of the bulldozers.
"Pikachus really are smart Pokemon, huh?"
Aeris thought to himself as he saw Pikachu slowly get near the caged pokemon.
When Pikachu came near the cage, the Charmander immediately widened its eyes.
Aeris saw Pikachu whisper something to the Charmander, which immediately hushed it up.
After that, Pikachu started fiddling with the lock of the cage with its tail. A few moments later, the lock clicked open.
"Alright Pikachu, you did it," Aeris whisper-yelled.
Charmander then quietly followed Pikachu back to Aeris, all the while avoiding the watchful eyes of the people in watch.
"Great job buddy, you got him out of there."
"Pikka." Pikachu puffs its chest and knocks its arms again, as if to say 'I told you so'.
"Yeah, yeah, I know you're awesome. Now, let's get out of here. I'm getting bad vibes from this place."
Pikachu nodded. Aeris thought that the Charmander would follow them. However, instead, it stayed rooted to its place with an angry expression on its face.
"What's wrong Charmander?"
"Charmander Char." The pokemon pointed towards the scientist who was being forced to do something in the computer. "Charmander Charmander Char!"
"Uh, do you want to save that man?"
"Charmander Char!" The pokemon lowly growls at Aeris.
"But there's too many people," Aeris tried to reason. "And there's only three of us, we can't deal with that many of them."
"Charmander Char!" Charmander turned its face, signaling Aeris that it won't be leaving.
"Pika Pikachu." Even Pikachu tried to reason with the fire-type starter. However, it took no heed to Pikachu's words, and instead told the mouse pokemon something that shut Pikachu up.
"What's wrong Pikachu?"
"Pika." Pikachu suddenly changed its mind and was adamant at helping the Charmander. "Pika pika pika Pikachu! Pikachu pika Pikachu!"
"Are you trying to say how would I feel if I was in his place?"
"Pika Pikachu!"
Aeris looked deep into Pikachu's eyes. He saw anger, and a kind of blaze in its eyes.
Sigh...
"I got 'cha buddy, let's do this."
"Pika."
"However, we've gotta be careful. That guy there seems like he'd be trouble. So, let's try to be tricky and dodge him in some way."
Pikachu and Charmander nodded as the three of them started observing what was happening inside from the pathway.
"How much longer will it take, Professor?"
"H-Half an hour more sir. It'll be done soon."
"Okay, I got it. I'll be drinking some coffee till then. And you shouldn't be goofing around till then."
"O-Okay sir."
The man then left the Professor's side.
"This is our chance guys, let's do this."
"Pikka."
Aeris, Charmander, and Pikachu slowly crept towards the scientist who was fiddling the computer with shaky hands.
When the scientist saw Aeris, his eyes widened in surprise.
Aeris put his finger on his lips, signaling the man to keep quiet.
"We're gonna get you out of here, sir."
"Who are you?"
"I'm Aeris Blackwood," Aeris answers while glancing at the guards. "I'm here to save you, sir. If you can keep quiet while we distract the guards, then we may be able to get you out of here."
The scientist nods.
Aeris peeks at the guards from the side of the computer table and gulps.
This would either be the most amazing thing he'd done in his life, or the worst.
And probability states... it's the latter one.
"Hey, you guys!" Aeris calls out, making the guards turn their head to see him. "Isn't it a little hot out here? Don't you guys have any A/C or stuff?"
"Who are you?"
"What is a kid doing here?"
"Well, I'm not really a kid, but..." Aeris then kicks the table twice.
It was a signal. Pikachu whispers something to Charmander before the latter slowly starts to lead the scientist out of the place while the guards remain fixated on Aeris.
"Pikachu, use Electro Ball!"
"Pikka." Pikachu jumps into action and reveals itself before firing an Electro Ball in front of the guards.
"Stop that kid!" One of the guards call before three pokeballs flash in the air, all revealing the same kind of pokemon- a small rat with two front teeth.
Aeris takes his pokedex out even in this dire situation.
"Rattata, the Mouse Pokemon. A Normal type.
Its fangs are long and very sharp. They grow on continuously so it gnaws on sharp things to whittle it down."
"Rattata, use Super Fang!" All the guards commanded at once before the front teeth of the Rattatas start glowing.
"Quick Pikachu, use Thundershock!"
"Pika!" Pikachu's cheeks flare off electricity as it readies its attack. "Chuuuuuu!"
Pikachu fires off the 1,000 volts of electricity at the poor Rattatas who become jelly fried because of the attack. They weren't even able to land their attacks!
"Damn it! How did that kid beat all of us?!"
"Let's get out of here now, Pikachu."
"Pikka."
"Now, why don't 'ya stop right there."
It was that man from before- the large and bulky one with messy black hair.
"I don't know what's you're problem kid, but you're messin' with my work here."
"Oh yeah! Forcing someone to do your work isn't nice, you know."
"The work isn't nice kid," the man states. "There're all kinds of things happening in places all around. See, the thing is, nobody cares if you're nice or not. All that matters is if you're listening to what they say."
"That's how you guys think," Aeris fires back. Incidentally, the scientist and Charmander had already escaped from Mt. Moon.
"That's just the way how this world works kid, you'll understand it sooner or later," he says before bringing out a pokeball. "For now, let me teach you what happens when you mess with us. This is punishment kid, punishment for poking your nose into someone else's business- Team Rocket's business."
The grunt threw the ball before a larger, and stronger version of the previous rat-like pokemons came out in the open.
"Ratiiii!"
"Raticate, the Mouse Pokemon and the evolved form of Rattata. A Normal type.
Its hind feet are webbed. They act as flippers, so it can swim in rivers and hunt for prey."
"Let's give them a bite of our Raticate, use Hyper Fang."
It was like that attack with the Rattatas. However, in this case, Raticate's teeth were larger and had a more darker shine to them.
"Raticate!" The pokemon howled before jumping near Pikachu.
"Dodge it Pikachu!"
Pikachu barely dodged the attack, jumping to the right just in time to dodge the blow. However, Raticate didn't let up its attack and instead jumped again in front of Pikachu before biting Pikachu's tail.
"Pika!" Pikachu yelled in pain.
"See, kid, this is reality. Those who are strong are winners in life, rest are losers."
Aeris clenched his fists. He didn't see any openings out of that attack. And as to what he could see, Pikachu had been drained off a lot of its energy.
It was then that an idea popped up in Aeris's mind.
"Pikachu, use Electro Ball!"
"What!" The grunt stares shocked as thunder and electricity rages on at Pikachu's tail. Since Raticate was biting Pikachu's tail, the Electro Ball burst as soon as it was complete, making Raticate fly out at the walls of the cave.
"How did he-."
"See, Mister, that's not always how the world workers. Strong people, or weak people doesn't matter. It's the goodwill in us that leads us to our goals," Aeris states and pumps his fists. "Finish it Pikachu, use Thundershock!"
"Pika!" Electricity starts sparking off the sacs on Pikachu's cheek. "Chuuuuuu!"
Pikachu releases the full force of its attack at Raticate who watched in horror as the electricity slowly engulfed its body before its legs and eyes gave out.
"Alright Pikachu, you did it!"
"That's not possible! How could a kid beat me?!"
"The kid just did," Aeris says with a smirk as Pikachu jumps on Aeris's shoulders, ready for a run. "Alright then, let's get out of here Pikachu, this place is gonna collapse."
It was true. Due to Raticate's impact with the wall, the whole place was shaking and the roof above was already starting to break down.
Aeris quickly hurried his feet and ran for his life as boulders and rocks started falling behind.
"AHHH! What the hell is happening?! We're definitely gonna die! AHHH!"
"Pi Pikachu!"
It's ironic how both of them were being like a hero before. And now, the said heroes are running for their lives.
Aeris's legs were about to give out with all the running before finally he saw light and ran straight ahead at that direction.
In the end, he and Pikachu were successful in getting out of Mt. Moon, albeit with mud on their bodies and sweat all over their faces.
It was at that time when Aeris's legs gave out and he fell on the ground.
Pikachu and Aeris were so tired that they didn't notice the two people who were watching.
"Thank you! I can't thank you enough for what you did!" The scientist, jumping up and down with a happy smile in his face. "You two saved our lives," he stated, also indicating at Charmander.
"Charmander Char."
"Oh yeah, that sounds amazing."
"Pi Pikachu."
After a moment of rest, Aeris finally stands up before looking at the scientist in confusion.
"Wait, how did they even get you in the first place?"
"I'm a researcher," the scientist, now a researcher, says, while tilting his glasses. "Currently, I'm doing a report on the inside of Mt. Moon and how Moon Stones are formed."
"Moon Stones?"
"They are a kind of evolution stones that you can find in Kanto. There are lots of pokemon that evolve when they react with a Moon Stones."
"Woah! That sounds amazing!"
"Pi Pikachu."
"It is one of the wonders of this world. However, for what you did, I can't thank you for that. Which is why-" The researcher stuffs his hands into his pockets before pulling out a grey crystal with a mysterious shine on its center. "Here. This is a Moon Stone. I found it when I was observing the place one day. I've got no use for it, but I'm sure that you'll find it handy."
"That's great! Thank you!" Aeris thanks him before taking the Moon Stone. He and Pikachu observes it for a while before Aeris stuffs it back in his pocket.
"Charmander Char."
Charmander was so happy beyond belief that it ended up hugging Aeris all of a sudden, licking his face before firing a small ember from its mouth that burnt Aeris's face.
"Woah there Charmander, I know you're happy, friend, but at this rate, you're gonna burn me into ash."
"Charmander Char." Charmander apologizes while scratching its head, It might've gotten a bit too far.
"Hey, you know kid, I've got another idea. Why don't you take Charmander with you?" The researcher suggested.
"Uh, what? But, isn't Charmander your pokemon."
The researcher bursts into laughter.
"No, it's not. That Charmander is the pokemon which lights up Mt. Moon. I'm sure you've seen some torches on your way here."
"Torches?" Aeris thinks back. Finally, it dawned on him that the long sticks of wood hanging on the walls were actually torches. "Oh yeah, those things on the wall. I didn't know they were torches."
"Yup. And, this Charmander over here is the one who manages all that. However, with Mt. Moon in this shape, I don't think there'll be people coming here for a while. Not that they actually come since you can just go from Pewter to Cerulean through the jungle path."
"The jungle path?"
"Yeah. There are two roads that leads from Pewter City to Cerulean City. One is through Mt. Moon. And, the other is the jungle pathway."
Aeris immediately glances at Pikachu to notice the little mouse trying to look elsewhere.
"This means that I was telling the right path."
"Pika Pikachu." Pikachu sighs, and admits defeat. It was his fault this times, and he knew it.
"Well, anyways..." Aeris turns around to face Charmander. "You wanna come with me on my journey, Charmander?"
"Char!"
Charmander fires off an ember at Aeris's face.
Cough.
"I guess, I'll take that as a yes."
Both the researcher and Pikachu burst into fits of laughter.
Aeris's face was just too funny to not laugh at.
"It seems like there are two roads from here," Sylvia states, staring at the two paths ahead.
One was a path that led to a jungle while the other led to a mountain.
"Which one should we take Stephan?" Meredith asks the blonde.
"The jungle-path, of course. The other one leads to Mt. Moon. Not only is that path risky, but that place is also more like a maze."
After winning it out at the Pewter City Gym, Stephan, Meredith, and Sylvia were off towards Cerulean City, their next place of destination.
"Alright! We'll be in Cerulean City in no time then."
"I guess, you could say that Meredith," Stephan says with a grin. He was looking forward to challenge the Cerulean City gym. Although he couldn't meet Aeris this time, he hopes that he'll get to battle him again someday.
"Isn't Cerulean City where your first contest is in, Sylvy?" Meredith asks her.
"Yup. Cerulean City is where I'll take the first step to my goal."
"Cool, I hope you win, Sylvia."
"Thanks, Stephan."