Chapter 3

Pewter City, a city that lived up to its name in every building except the Pokémon Center and Poké Mart. After nearly two weeks of traveling through Viridian Forest the gray city was a striking contrast to the vibrant greens of the forest behind them. The twins took little time to make it to the center, their fatigue only held back by the promise of hot showers, decent hot food, and restful sleep.

Grabbing separate rooms and leaving their Pokémon with Nurse Joy, they parted ways to bathe off the dirt and grime, only returning to grab their Pokémon once fully healed, returning to their rooms to collapse on their beds, their Pokémon curled up with them. Their first day in the city was spent in their rooms, resting and taking space from each other before one of them snapped.

The next day Ash and Ember stood outside of the Pewter City Gym, their starters at their sides. They had one final issue to solve before entering the building.

"Fire, Water, Grass," they chanted and threw their hands out.

"Ha! Fire beats Grass!" Ash said and smacked Ember's hand down. "We go first."

Ember huffed and lightly smacked Ash on the shoulder before they entered the building, which was weirdly dark inside.

"Uh… hello? We're here to challenge the gym leader?" Ash called out. Stadium lights turned on dramatically, revealing a single person sitting on the opposite side of the room on a rock platform.

"How many badges do you have?" the person asked.

"Neither of us have any," Ember answered, recognizing him as Brock.

"Very well," Brock stood up and pulled a Pokéball from his belt. "First challenger step forward."

Ash took the field while Ember went to the viewing platform overhead.

"You haven't been a trainer long, have you?" Brock asked.

"About two weeks," Ash answered.

"Clearly, your Pikachu is still in its cutest stage," Brock taunted.

"What's wrong with cute?!" Ember shouted and Ash snorted as he nodded Pikachu forward. A kid maybe a year younger than the twins, took position as the ref, announcing the rules for the battle.

There was a flash on the field as Brock released his Pokémon, a Geodude, having no response to Ember. Ash released Collapse onto the field. Brock eyed the foreign Pokémon with interest before taking the first move.

"Tackle!" he called. Geodude took off rolling, normal type energy coalesced around his body. Collapse didn't move, posture relaxed as he watched Geodude approach.

"Flurry," Ash said, just as relaxed. Collapse smacked a claw against Geodude, stopping the rock in its track before slashing down his other claw, Geodude looked unbothered, more annoyed that his attack had been stopped so easily. The third Fury Attack landed and Geodude began to move back, ready to tackle again when searing pain shot through his exterior. Collapse struck hard with a Metal Claw, and brought down a second one before Geodude could refocus, knocking the rock out.

Brock returned Geodude a second later, a flash of surprise on his face.

"An interesting tactic, but let's see how you do with my next Pokémon!" Brock said.

He released an Onix.

Collapse sent a concerned look back at Ash, but steadied himself and rubbed his claws together.

"Bind!" Brock called.

"Dig into Flurry," Ash said. Collapse dove straight into the battlefield. Ash closed his eyes, his shaky aura vision showing him where Collapse was in regards to Onix.

"Tail slam, Onix," Brock called. Onix lifted his tail and slammed it down on the field causing a small quake through the field. Collapse dug up early, claws flashing as he struck at Onix, hitting the boulders in the midsection in rapid fire succession.

Onix groaned as one Metal Claw landed, his tail swung around to smack Collapse away before Ash could call out. Brock called for a Tackle, dealing the knockout blow to the more fragile ground-type.

"Good work, Collapse, get some rest," Ash said as he recalled the Drilbur. Pikachu leapt onto the field, cheeks sparking as he readied himself.

"If your Pikachu is all that's left, then I suggest you give up now," Brock said. "Bind, Onix!"

"Quick Attack, keeo moving," Ash said and Pikachu sped away from Onix's tail. Onix swung his tail backwards with more speed than would be expected from the giant, managing to clip Pikachu's side and sending the electric type into a spin out.

"Grab it now!" Brock called as Ash clapped his hands together.

Pikachu skid to a halt and leapt over Onix's tail, his own glowing silver as he raced up Onix's body and slammed his tail between the rock snake's eyes.

Onix roared in pain, rearing back and shaking his head to dislodge Pikachu.

"Surprising, but it won't be enough," Brock said. Pikachu leapt back to the ground in front of Ash, cheeks sparking with a grin that matched his trainer.

"That's what you think!" Ash shouted. Quieter he added, "Again, but watch the tail."

Pikachu twitched his ears to show he heard before taking off in another Quick Attack. Onix's tail swung for Pikachu's left, causing Pikachu to bolt to the right, as Ash shouted for him to look out. Pikachu slammed straight into Onix's waiting head, bouncing off. Onix caught him with his tail, wrapping around Pikachu while he was stunned and began to squeeze.

"Pikachu!" Ash shouted as his starter's dazed expression became panicked, his cheeks sparked on instinct.

"Its electricity will be useless against Onix, forfeit now before it gets hurt," Brock said. Ash was about to respond when Pikachu released his electricity, the power on par with the Spearow attack, but wilder, driven more by fear than thought.

Onix screamed.

His grip slackened as the foreign feeling of lightning rushed through his body. Brock shouted his concern as Pikachu bolted from the rock-type's grip and skid to a halt in front of Ash.

Silence filled the gym as Onix collapsed, unable to continue battling. Brock returned his Pokémon, gaze locked on the panting Pikachu who Ash called back as well.

"That was amazing, buddy," Ash praised, lifting his tired starter into his arms. "You electrocuted a ground-type."

"I'll be happy once my heart stops pounding," Pikachu huffed.

"How's that for cute!" Ember shouted. Ash could feel her excitement, almost as strongly as he could feel his own, both brimming with curiosity on how Pikachu managed the impossible.

Brock glanced at the kid acting as referee, who stood, slack jawed, in place, staring at the fallen Onix before Brock returned him.

"Both of my Pokémon are unable to battle," Brock said. "You've definitely earned the Boulder Badge."

"But… but…" the kid stammered before shouting. "That's not possible! Electric attacks can't hurt ground-types!"

"While surprising, it happened," Brock said, "and it's our duty to acknowledge this victory."

Brock walked across the field to hand Ash his badge when recognition filled his eyes.

"Your Red's siblings, aren't you," Brock said suddenly.

"Oh, uh, yeah," Ash said, realizing he'd never introduced himself. "I'm Ash and this is-"

"Ember," Ember said having moved to stand beside her brother. Brock gave the briefest flinch in surprise at her sudden appearance but didn't react beyond that, much to Ember's disappointment. "I'm your next challenger. Let's do this."

"Very well," Brock nodded, casting a glance at Hades, "though I hope you have more than a fire type to battle me with." He turned to head back to his side of the field.

"Says the guy that lost to a ground-type to an electric-type," Ember said, grinning as the leader flinched once more, the ref sending her a glare.

"But don't worry," Ember said, giddily, "I have a secret weapon!" She could feel Ash's eye roll as her brother took her spot in the viewing area. She wasn't sure how long she would be able to pull of this act, so she was going to savor it as much as she could for now.

"Sandile, let's battle!" Ember called as she released the croc. Neith landed on the field a furious hiss as Brock released a second Geodude. "Mud-Slap!"

Neith used Dig.

"No! I said Mud-Slap!" Ember shouted, stomping her foot twice.

"This won't be much of a battle if you can't even control your own Pokémon," Brock said. "Geodude be ready to Tac-" He didn't get a chance to finish as Neith resurfaced under Geodude. The rock was thrown into the air by the force of the attack, with Neith following after him and biting into his arm, using the momentum to throw Geodude back to the ground.

"Geodude is unable to battle," the ref called, looking rather upset.

"Good work, Sandile!" Ember called.

"That was luck," the ref said.

"Your Pokémon is strong, but without control, you won't last long," Brock said. He released his next Pokémon, a Rhyhorn.

"Mud-Slap!" Ember called again, only for Neith to dive back underground. Ember stomped her foot once in what looked like frustration as Brock sighed.

"Rhyhorn, brace for the attack, Stomp when it resurfaces," Brock ordered. Rhyhorn snorted and trotted towards the center of the field.

"Come on," Ember whined. Her head tilted down, hat shadowing her eyes and body trembling. She couldn't contain herself any longer, a smirk growing on her face.

"Now," she called. The ground began to cave in under Rhyhorn as a Sand Tomb formed. Rhyhorn attempted to rear back, only to trap himself further in the sandy move, his growing panic only making it worse.

"Surface and Bite, Neith," Ember said. She looked up, toothy grin splitting her face as she locked eyes with Brock. Neith appeared behind Rhyhorn, teeth shrouded in dark energy as she clamped down on Rhyhorn's back. The rock-type roared in pain as it tried to escape. Brock called out orders, but it was pointless as Neith delivered her final Bite and Rhyhorn fainted.

Neith released her Sand Tomb, a pleased hiss in her throat as she waddled over to Ember, allowing her trainer to pet her. Hades pressed his warm snout to Neith's cheek, a puff of hot air released on the desert dweller.

"What just happened?" the kid asked, dumbfounded. Brock just shook his head.

"Rule one of battling a dark-type trainer, never trust them," Ember said.

"You try to taunt new trainers, right?" Ember asked as Brock made his way over. "Try to make them lose their cool. Didn't really work well on us."

Brock grinned as he presented Ember with her badge.

"You're right," he said. "A lot of new trainers have issues with keep their cool in battles, so I try to instill that lesson. I guess it wasn't needed here." He eyed Neith a bit warily as she hissed at him, uncomfortable with how close a stranger was to her trainer.

"While this battle started out as an act, I suggest not keeping to that strategy," Brock said. "Dark-types can be dangerous and they have a reputation for turning on their trainers. It would be best to instill confidence in your opponent that that isn't the case."

Ember felt her chest tighten some as she understood what Brock was implying, but before she could say anything, Ash placed a hand on her shoulder. She forced a smile and nodded at Brock, biting her cheek to stop herself from saying something she'd regret.

"Along with the badges, I want to give you both TMs," Brock said. His ref came over with a case, casting wary looks at the twins as Brock opened it. Brock pulled out two discs from the neatly organized case and handed them to the twins.

"This one contains Rock Tomb and this one Stealth Rock," Brock said. "Two moves I didn't get a chance to use, but effective in battles for terrain control. Their multiuse so don't worry about them breaking."

"Awesome," Ash grinned and thanked the leader for the both of them. He wasn't sure if either move could be learned by their Pokémon yet, but the prospects were appealing.

XXX

After healing up their Pokémon, the twins decided to head out to Mt. Moon right away. Their starters walked – or rode in Pikachu's case – with them while the ground-types rested in their Pokéballs, neither were built to trek uphill like this for long periods. They took turns battling the trainers they met along the way, neither finding much of a challenge in the Picnickers and School Kids that hung out on the route, but the money – no matter how little – was a welcomed addition to their accounts.

Mt. Moon loomed over them, growing larger the closer they got, both excited to explore the mountain's cave system.

"Any dark-types in Mt. Moon?" Ash asked as Ember scrolled through her Pokédex.

"There have been sightings of Absols in the deeper areas, but no one has ever caught one," Ember said. "I'd love an Absol, but they are picky about their trainers. Anything you want to look for?"

Ash shrugged, careful of Pikachu, as he looked towards the peak of the mountain.

"I'll see if anything wants to come with me," he said.

They reached the top of the incline they'd been climbing, and could see the red roof of the Mt. Moon Pokémon Center in the distance. The twins shared a grin before taking off in a run, racing each other the rest of the way. Pikachu held tight, while Hades barked happily as he kept pace.

XXX

A quick lunch later and the hike through Mt. Moon began. Neith was the only one to opt for her Pokéball, the cool atmosphere in cave wasn't to her liking. Collapse on the other hand…

"These rocks are delicious!" Collapse grinned as he nibbled at a piece of wall he'd carved out.

"I didn't realize Drilbur needed to eat rocks," Ash said.

"If we want to evolve then we should," Collapse said around a bite. "Mother said it's how we build our armor and makes our claws stronger."

"Good to know," Ash said, already planning on buying supplements once they got to Cerulean.

It was about an hour into their walk that Ember started to realize something.

"Where is everyone?" she asked, voice low. Ash glanced over at her as she looked at Hades.

"Can you smell anything?" she asked.

Hades stopped to sniff, ears slowly going back as a shudder wracked his body.

"I smell blood," he said. "It's distant, but it's fresh, and…" His nose wrinkled some as he sniffed again. "There's something with a bad odor… like garbage and death."

"Collapse, can you find somewhere for us to hide?" Ash asked. He nodded and sniffed the ground, his claws tapping at the ground as he moved towards the walls. A faint brown glow formed over his claws as he dug into a portion of the wall ahead of them, revealing what looked to be an old Onix tunnel a little way into the wall. The twins crawled in after the ground-type with Hades guarding the exit. Pikachu stood beside Collapse, knowing his yellow coloring would be easy to spot. Both ends of the tunnel had long since caved in, but their small section made for a nice little cave.

"Hit me if someone comes near," Ember whispered to Hades as her and Ash took each other's hands.

Their eyes closed in concentration as they activated their aura sight. Their auras fed off each other, strengthening as they mixed and increasing their vision tenfold. The layout of Mt. Moon unfolded in their minds, picking up every little blip of aura around. Zubat colonies were easy to identify, though they couldn't pick out individuals. Geodudes nearly blended with the natural rocks and deep below them a few Onix roamed, but as they stretched their sights to the main system of caves, not a single human nor Pokémon could be seen, until…

Ember's grip tightened on Ash's hands, a scowl growing on her face as two very familiar auras came into sight. Gary and Leaf were further in the cave, both weaker than normal and low to the ground as were a few other unknown people crowded around them. There were other humans around them all, none gave off good vibes. There were clusters of Pokémon around the humans, all felt as weak as Gary and Leaf, which had Ash gritting his teeth.

They pulled back from each other, the mental map fading as they opened their eyes. They didn't need to say anything, Hades slipped out of their cave followed by the twins and Ash's Pokémon. Ember released Neith, who easily picked out her trainer's mood and scanned her surroundings for threats.

"Stay low, and quiet," Ash said.

"And keep alert for anything moving closer to us," Ember added.

Hades took the lead while Pikachu returned to his spot on Ash's shoulder, ears perked as he listened.

They stuck close to the walls as the moved, each twin taking a moment to check the area ahead of them with aura sight. The closer they got to the area, the more they began to hear a loud whirring noise. Ash was the one to spot the first human, grabbing the back of Ember's jacket to stop her. There was only one person around the bend and beyond them many more, including Gary and Leaf.

Ember held a hand up to Ash, who nodded his understanding, as she took a quiet breath and moved forward alone. She skimmed the wall, steps silent as she rounded the bend. Her eyes widened in fear at the sight of a giant red 'R' on the man in front of her.

The Team Rocket member guarded the entrance to a large, open cavern, staring off in the direction of Ember, but not seeing her. Ember tilted her head to the side to try and see around him. There were more rockets moving around the cavern, some drilling and some guarding a cage full of Pokémon, but she couldn't see Gary or Leaf from her spot.

Ash cried out.

Ember's head wiped around as the Rocket guarding the entrance moved towards Ash, passing her, unaware.

Stay. Ash's voice pushed into her mind. Light flashed as Pikachu released electricity and more Rockets started to head their way as fire washed across the rock walls.

"Grab the damn kid!" someone shouted.

"Get out of here!" Ash shouted over them. He grunted in pain and a moment later two Rockets carried him past Ember. Ash struggled the entire time, though only Ember knew he wasn't actually trying to escape. Their Pokémon –

"Someone find those Pokémon, kid had a Houndour we could use," one of the Rockets holding Ash barked. Ember waited until they passed her again before she followed them into the cavern. She pressed again the the wall just inside and watched them tie Ash up and chuck him into a cluster of people. Gary saw him first and inched over to Ash, pressing his shoulder into Ash's back to help him sit up. There was a tremble in Gary's movements and his skin looked paler, but he looked better than the other people around them, most unconscious.

Leaf scooted closer to the boys, placing her back to theirs so the three faced three directions, their hands hidden. Ember took a moment to take in the rest of the cavern, hoping to plot out an escape plan.

There were at least four other people that were still conscious, though they didn't look too good, and six maybe eight unconscious and piled on top of each other. There was a pit a ways behind them that the Rockets were giving a wide berth too. A giant industrial drill was the source of the loud whirring noise as it dug straight down in the center of the cavern with Rockets carting off rocks. A few Golbats and Zubats hovered above them.

The cage she spotted earlier was full of unconscious Pokémon piled onto each other and a table was set up beside them, a bag full of Pokéballs on it. Ember didn't bother counting the Rockets, there were too many to take and their Pokémon were –

She closed her eyes to search for their Pokémon. She spotted them burrowing in the walls, Neith and Collapse leading the other two around the cavern. She couldn't message them, so she was alone for the time being. She started moving, keeping to the wall, curious to see if the pit behind Ash offered any help for their escape.

XXX

Ash was relieved to know their Pokémon were safe, a quick flash of aura sight just to make sure. Ember's missing spot was easy to pick out in his sight and the fact that no one was shouting meant the Rocket's hadn't spotted her, unlike the one that came up behind him had.

He spiked his aura to slice the ropes from his wrists and moved on to do the same with Gary and Leaf.

"Any idea what they're doing?" Ash asked as quietly as he could.

"Fossils," Gary's voice cracked as he answered. He had to stifle a coughing fit but even then a Rocket yelled at him to shut up. Ash glared at the man.

"I've been here about two days I think," Gary whispered. "No food or water… some of these people… they've been here longer."

"They got me yesterday," Leaf added. "Ash… people died… they just…" she trailed off. Ash glanced over his shoulder to see her focused on the pit Ember was heading towards.

Before Ash could say anything, a low grinding groan shook through the cavern. Rocket began to shout, the drill screeched to a halt, cracks formed around it and began to run throughout the cavern.

"What's happening?!" someone shouted. The drill began to tilt and sink into the ground as the groaning grew louder, the entire cavern shook. A large crack began to trail out towards them, Ash twisted around, wrapping his arms his friends. He heard more screams and then… they were falling.

XXX

AN/ cliff hanger! Sorry not sorry