Chapter 4: Clefairy and the Moon Stone
Hiking along Route 3, Ash, Brock and Misty were on their way towards Mt. Moon. "Mt. Moon. Doesn't that name sound so romantic?" Misty questioned while walking.
"People say that a meteor crashed into the mountain back in prehistoric times." Brock said.
Ash looked at the mountain closely, "A meteor?"
"Yeah they say it's still somewhere in this mountain." Brock said.
"Who knows, maybe we might be lucky and find it," Ash said. As they neared the cave's entrance they were alerted to the sounds of screaming.
"Help! Someone help!" A voice screams.
Getting their attention, everyone looked around for the source and saw a man on the ground, being attacked by a swarm of blue and purple winged bats that lacked eyes.
"It's a whole herd of Zubat!" Ash quickly pulls his PokéDex out.
"Zubat, the Bat Pokémon. Poison/Flying Type. A blind Pokémon with supersonic powers. Zubat lives in caves and hates to fly outside in daylight."
"Wait, if they hate the daylight then why are they attacking him?" Ash asks, confused.
"That might be a better question for later, Ash." Brock said.
He's right, that guy needs help. "Bastet, I Choose You!!" Ash said quickly, bringing out the female cat. "Use Night Slash on all of the Zubat!"
As darkness surrounded her claws, Bastet leaped out and landed on the man's shoulder slashing the Zubat away. In response most of the Zubat fled right back into the cave.
"Oh thank goodness. Thank you little Pokémon." The man said, looking at Bastet.
"Are you OK?!" Ash asks as they catch up to him.
"Oh yes I am, thank you. Thank you very much. I thought my days were numbered when those Zubat came out of nowhere," The man said quickly putting his glasses back on.
"Wait a minute..." Brock said, looking at him in shock. "Seymour?!"
"Brock, good to see you." He smiles.
"You know this guy?" Misty asks.
"Sure do, Seymour here works for the Pewter Museum," Brock explains.
"That's right, I'm one of the leading researchers into the legends of this mountain." Seymour confirmed.
"Well Seymour it's nice to meet you." Ash said.
"Oh my goodness did the Zubat attack you too? Do you need an ambulance?" Seymour said, terrified.
"Uh..n-no.." Ash said, rubbing his head, looking down. "I'm fine.."
"Uh Seymour..." Brock whispereed his ear.
"Oh my. Uh sorry about that." Seymour said, feeling embarrassed.
For those unaware, the other day when traveling, Brock asked what happened to Ash's eye. And Ash was skeptical about telling him, but Misty could see that Brock was the trustworthy kind of guy.
"Why were those Zubat attacking you? And in broad daylight?" Ash asks changing the subject.
"It's best I show you why," Seymour said, leading them inside of the cave. Right when Brock was about to enter from behind, a weak squeak came from behind a rock.
Looking to the ground, he saw one of the Zubat that Bastet had beaten was on the ground.
"Oh man, this little guy must've been separated from his pack." Bending down on one knee, Brock reached out, but Zubat hisses.
"Hey it's okay, I'm not going to hurt you." Brock said, putting some berries in front of it.
Zubat looked at them suspiciously, as Brock nodded. "Go ahead, they're all yours."
Nibbling on the berries, Zubat smiles feeling his energy come back allowing him to fly again.
"See, told you that you had nothing to worry about." Brock smiled as Zubat landed on his shoulder. Chirping happily, Zubat nuzzles.
"Well aren't you a total softie." Brock said before realizing something. "You know I bet me and my friends could really use someone who knows their way around this cave."
Zubat chirped, saying he'll be glad to help him. Taking out his Pokeball, Brock tapped it against Zubat's head.
As a red beam shot out, Zubat was pulled in. Beeping the ball wiggled briefly before clicking.
"Better catch up before they realize I'm gone." Brock said quickly heading after his friends.
But when he did catch up with them they all looked in horror to see bright lights lined up through the cave.
"See? The cave is all lit up inside. Somebody has sprung these lights through the whole cave. But the Pokémon need the dark. These lights are upsetting them and making them confused." Seymour said sadly while leading them down the cave.
"Which is probably why the Zubat left the cave and attacked you." Brock realized.
"Not just the Zubat. All the Pokémon are acting strangely." Seymour gestures to some red crab Pokemon with mushrooms on them. "These Paras are planting their mushrooms all over the place." Turning around he pointed to a yellow armadillo-like Pokemon. "And these harsh lights are drying out these Sandshrew."
Bastet saw the little mammal and walked over to it. "Nyanya?" She meowed, asking if it was alright.
"Shrew..." Sandshrew squeaked in a sickly manner. Realizing it was in trouble, Bastet ran to Ash. "Nyanyanya!"
"What's wrong girl?" Ash asks before she gestures to Sandshrew.
Doing the only thing he could think of, Ash took out a canteen of water and when he held it out the little Pokemon almost chugged the whole thing down.
"Woah, slow down little guy, you're gonna choke." Ash said.
Putting the canteen down, Sandshrew smiles feeling rehydrated.
"It was that good huh?" Ash asked, bending down. The little mouse responded by hugging his leg, making Ash smile. "Aw, you're welcome."
Seymour was impressed by Ash's eagerness to help. "My what a nice friend you have there," he said to Brock.
"Don't let the scars fool you. Ash is a really nice guy." Brock said.
"So I see," Seymour smiles, but then frowns. "But I can't say the same for the vandals who are roaming in the caves."
"What could they possibly be after?" Misty asked curiously.
"I'm afraid they might be after the Moon Stone," Seymour revealed.
"The meteorite that crashed here?" Ash recalls.
"Yes. Deep in these caves lies the very boulder itself. The Moon Stone is said to boost the power of a Pokémon immensely, however that's merely part of what makes it special and so unique," Seymour said.
"What do you mean?" Ash asked.
"Well my young friend, the Moon Stone happens to be a rare evolution Stone."
"Evolution Stone?" Ash said interested.
"You see Ash there are special Pokemon out there that don't evolve like normal ones do. They require the special powers of the evolution stones to do so. And the Moon Stone in this mountain is one of them." Seymour explains.
"That's pretty cool," Ash said, really intrigued.
"But what makes people think the Moon Stone came from outer space?" Misty wondered.
Because the Clefairy came here on it." Seymour said.
"Huh?" Everyone asked.
"Ever since I was a little boy, I believed the Pokémon came to earth from outer space." Seymour stated.
The others went wide-eyed at his theory, "From outer space?!"
"Yes!" They looked at him with strange expressions. "And where do you ask where the space craft that brought them to earth? In this cave. It's the Moon Stone." Seymour stated.
"That's a farfetched theory if I ever heard one.." Misty muttered.
Suddenly they heard a bouncing noise.
"Clefairy. Clefairy. Clefairy." Skipping past them a small pink Pokemon carrying a rock made its way down the cave.
"It's a Clefairy!" Brock gasped. Those were rare Pokémon to see out in the open.
"It's so cute!" Misty squealed as Ash took his Pokémon out.
"Clefairy, the Fairy Pokémon. This impish Pokémon is friendly and peaceful. It is believed to live inside Mt. Moon, although very few have ever been seen by humans."
"What's that thing in its hands?" Ash notices.
"That Ash is part of the Moon Stone." Seymour said.
Surprised, Ash looked at it hop away. "I wonder..."
Reaching to his belt, Ash was about to grab a Pokéball when suddenly Seymour stops him.
"I'm sorry but I'm going to have to ask that you not try and capture this one." Seymour insists.
"Why not?"
"The Clefairy really love it here. I don't think it'd be right to separate it from its home and it's kind." Seymour said.
Looking at his friends Brock shrugs. "Hey you catch some you lose some."
Ash submitted to Seymour's plea. "I understand Seymour," he nodded before feeling something touch his leg. "Huh?" Looking down he saw the Sandshrew from earlier. "Oh it's you. Did you need anything?"
"Shrew," The mouse handed Ash back his canteen.
"Oh thanks." Ash smiles, taking it back.
"CLEFAIRY!" Suddenly they heard a shriek from the Clefairy.
"Clefairy!" Seymour gasps as they ran towards the screaming.
Huddled in the corner in fear, Clefairy saw a Meowth standing in front of it.
"Don't be scared of Meowth." It surprisingly said in a Brooklyn accent, giving it a dark grin.
Suddenly Sandshrew appeared in front of them both. "Shrew!" It growled.
"Hey hit the road Sandy, or else this cat's gonna need a new scratching post," Meowth threatened with his claws.
"Did you guys just hear that?" Ash asks surprised as all the humans look at it surprised.
"That Meowth talked." Misty gasps.
"How is that possible?" Brock asks.
"Meowth?! What's a bunch of twerps like you doing' here?!" Meowth faced them.
"They're being nosy is what they are." A female voice said.
"They're ruining our little mining plans." A male voice said.
"Mining plans?" Seymour questioned. "Who's out there? Who are you and are you the ones causing trouble here?!"
"Trouble?"
"Better make that double!" The voices said as two shadows appeared on the boulder next to Meowth.
"To protect the world from devastation.."
"To unite all peoples within our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love.."
"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
The female voice was a young woman with long magenta colored hair wearing a white and black uniform with a Red "R" on the front. "Jessie!"
And the male voice was a young male with violet colored hair wearing the same uniform just like the former. "James!"
"Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now, or prepare to fight!"
"Meowth! That's right!" The Meowth cried out, finishing the performance.
"Team Rocket?" Misty gasps.
"They're real?" Brock said equally surprised.
"You guys know who they are?" Ash asks.
"I've heard about them in the news. Saying about a bunch of thieves all around Kanto going around and stealing Pokémon from trainers alike," Brock recalls.
"Wait what?" Ash gasps.
"That's right twerp so hand over your Pokémon unless you want things to get ugly." James threatens before noticing his scars making him flinch. "Yikes or in your case uglier."
That struck a nerve for Ash as his eye twitched at the response. "U-Ugly?"
"You did NOT just say that!" Misty glared.
"Why not? Have you not seen his face? It looks like a badly peeled potato." Jessie said.
"Forget potatoes, the brat looks like a freak!" Meowth laughed.
Growling in anger, Ash tightened his fist. To talk down to someone about their injuries, you'd have to be scum to do that.
"You're the ones who put up these lights aren't you? The ones ruining the cave?" Seymour accuses.
"Ruined?" Jessie said, not affected in the slightest.
"I think you meant, fixed. This cave was so pitch black, I could barely see myself." James said.
"That's the point! Cave Pokemon need the dark. You're ruining the entire ecosystem of this mountain!" Seymour snaps.
"Oh Boo-hoo, how wrong of us. How can we ever redeem ourselves of this travesty?" James said sarcastically.
"Save it, Seymour. The only way to shut these guys up is to drive them out of here." Brock glares.
"Sounds like the twerp wants to mess with Team Rocket," Jessie sneered.
"Oh please let me. After that freak comment, I am VERY eager to battle." Ash growls.
"That makes two." Brock said standing alongside him.
Each side grabbed a Pokéball, but Bastet crawled up from behind Ash. "You wanna fight these losers girl?" Ash asked.
"Nya." She nods running forward.
'Wait, that twerps Meowth looks familiar.' Meowth thought.
Ash turned to Misty, "Keep an eye on Seymour and these two." He gestured to Sandshrew and Clefairy looking at him with worry, "Make a run for it when you get the chance."
Misty nods as the battle begins. "Ekans, go!" Jessie shouted. "Koffing, attack!" James shouted. The two Pokéballs hit the ground and released the enemies' pokemon. Out was another Ekans and a floating gas ball. Ash grabbed his PokéDex to see what it was.
"Koffing, The Poison Gas Pokémon. Koffing hovers in the air, thanks to the poisonous gases it contains, which have a foul odor and can explode."
"Here we go!" Brock said, calling out his newly caught Zubat.
"When did you catch that?" Ash said surprised.
"I captured it just before we entered the cave." Brock said.
'Aw, I should've caught one..' Ash muttered in his head, having missed his chance to get a new Pokémon, but dismissed it. "Bastet, use Night Slash on Ekans!"
"Ekans, Wrap attack!" Lunging at her, Ekans tries to trap Bastet but she digs her claws into Ekans making it scream in pain.
"Koffing, Smog attack!" James said.
"Zubat, Whirlwind!" Brock said. Dark green smoke poured out of the holes of Koffing's body as it trailed towards their opponents. Zubat quickly flapped his wings to blow the smoke away.
James blinked. "What's this?" The two rocket members were covered in gas.
"Quick, now's our chance!" Misty shouted, pushing Seymour and shooing the other Pokémon away.
"Hey we were gonna steal those Pokémon!" James calls out.
"Not anymore! Iron Tail!" Ash said as Bastet swung her glowing tail, and smacked it into Ekans.
"Zubat Wing Attack!" With glowing wings, Zubat flew in and slashed Koffing.
"Ekans, Bite!" Jessie said as Ekans leapt in and bit Bastet's chest, making her cringe.
Flailing it around, Ekans lets go sending Bastet tumbling backwards.
"Koffing, Tackle attack!" James said as Koffing smashes itself into Zubat.
"Zubat shake it off." Brock said as Zubat regained composure.
"Sludge Attack!" Spitting balls of sludge, Koffing tries to shoot Zubat out of the air.
"Use Double Team!" Glowing brightly, Zubat made copies of itself as the sludge balls would hit the fake Zubat, making the real one appear behind Koffing.
"Koffing, look out!" James gasped.
Turning around, Koffing sees Zubat slam into sending it crashing down on Ekans causing them to get tangled up together.
"Now Supersonic!" Zubat screeched, echoing soundwaves at Koffing and Ekans.
Suddenly the two Poison types began attacking each other.
"What are you doing?!" Jessie snaps.
"Fight them! Not each other!" James yells.
Ash and Brock smirked, as victory was in their grasp. "Shall we put them out of their misery?"
"You lead." Brock nodded.
"Bastet Fury Swipes!"
"Zubat Wing Attack!" Lunging and flying in both Pokemon deliver two powerful swings knocking the two Poison types into the cave tunnels.
"Ekans!/Koffing!" Jessie and James exclaimed.
"Now it's your turn!" Ash said pointing to them. This is for that ugly comment!" Bastet jumped towards them and sent the Rockets flying with a mighty Iron Tail.
"We're blasting off!" James shouted.
"You may have defeated us, but we'll be back!" Jessie yelled as they disappeared into the deep ends of the cave.
"And good riddance!" Ash grinned as Bastet runs back to Ash, as he pets her for doing a good job. As Brock did the same with Zubat, he noticed something.
"Wait, didn't they have a Meowth with them?" Brock recalls.
"It wasn't with them?" Ash asks.
"That means...it went after Misty and Seymour!" Brock gasps.
Outside of the cave, Clefairy jumped out of the opening to the outside. "Clefairy, wait!" cried out Misty as she and Seymour and Sandshrew were trying to catch up to her.
"Gotcha!" Above them on a ledge, Meowth was revealed to have followed them. "Now hand over that Moon Stone before I get angry." Meowth threatens.
"Clefairy.." Clefairy gulped, feeling frightened. Gaining the courage, Sandshrew stood in front of Clefairy, defending her.
"You again? Alright mousey, I warned ya the first time!" Meowth said before leaping at him, extending his claws. "Now taste my Fury Swipes!" Retaliating, Sandshrew curled into a ball.
Scratching his claws against it, Meowth cringed in pain.
"Ow ow ow. I almost chipped a claw." Meowth said blowing on it.
Sandshrew then began to roll in place as tackled Meowth, sending him crashing onto a rock. "My what an impressive Rollout attack," Seymour said, impressed.
Groaning, Meowth gets back up. "Is that all you've..got?" He said in a slurred tone of voice.
"Not a chance Meowth!" Throwing a Pokéball into the water a brown star shaped Pokémon appeared.
"Staryu, Swift!" A bunch of shooting stars flew out of Staryu's gem core and struck Meowth, knocking him back multiple times. "Now Water Gun!"
Staryu's core flashed as it blasted a powerful stream of water from its top limb. Meowth gagged as the water blasted against his stomach, sending him flying like a deflated balloon in the air.
"Have a nice flight!" Misty waved his off. "Return, Staryu!" She said recalling Staryu back into its Pokéball.
"Everyone alright?" Exiting the cave Ash and Brock just missed the battle.
"We won't be bothered by Meowth anymore thanks to Misty the Mighty and the Spectacular Sandshrew," Misty said with a grin.
"Sand?" Sandshrew pauses, liking the sound of that.
Not long after that..
As the sun was setting, everyone was recovering after that big encounter with Team Rocket. Bastet was lying in Ash's lap, as he was brushing up her fur, making her purr.
"Here give this to her." Brock said, handing him a container of pellets.
"Pokémon food?" Ash said, opening up the container.
"Not just any kind of Pokémon food like you find in stores, this is my own secret recipe. The ingredients are specially blended for each Pokémon." Brock explained.
"Homemade, huh?" Ash said taking a couple out to feed Bastet.
Taking a bite Bastet smiles widely before chowing down.
"Shrew?" Sandshrew looks at it with a hungry expression.
"Oh you want some?" Ash offers.
Seeing it nod, Ash poured some into his hands and let Sandshrew have some. The little ground type was extremely pleased by the taste.
"Looks like it's a hit." Ash smiled.
"Thanks I could make some for you if you want." Brock offered, while feeding Zubat.
"Sure thing," Ash said, nodding while looking at the Pokémon converse. Brock then looks to Ash with a look of concern.
"Hey, you holding up alright?" He asked.
"It's nothing. Just...thinking about what they said." Ash frowns.
"You mean about your scars?" Brock realizes.
"Did you hear the things they said about me? They looked at me like I was a freak." Ash said.
"Ash, you're not a freak. If anything, those 3 were for saying that to someone with a disability." Brock said, putting his hand on his shoulder for comfort. "There's gonna be people like them around the world, just trying to put you down just to make themselves feel good."
"Well it worked. When they bashed me back there I was so angry I didn't even think. What if a trainer does that to me and I just lose it?" Ash asks
"I'm gonna give you some words my dad told me a long time ago: Violence is never the answer. It'll just make you sink to their level." Brock said.
"You're better than those guys Ash. Plus you have us to help you out in case you feel down." Misty adds.
Ash felt touched by their support. Looking down, Ash also saw Bastet nuzzling his chin to show that she'll be by his side as well.
"Well Ash it seems you're in good hands." Seymour smiles.
A smile appeared on Ash's face as he pets the kitten. "Yeah, I guess you're right." He said feeling a whole lot better now.
"Now that we have that taken care of. I believe we have one more matter to take care of." Seymour said, gesturing to Clefairy.
Clefairy held the Moon Stone shard close to her. "Fairy.." She said, nervous they might take it from her.
"Have no fear Clefairy, we want to help you." Seymour turns to them. "You will help me, correct?"
"With those Rocket creeps still in the caves somewhere, how could we say no?" Misty asked.
"You can count on us Seymour." Brock nods.
"Sandshrew?" Sandshrew asks, looking at Ash.
"Don't worry Sandshrew. I won't let them ruin your home." Ash said.
Sandshrew smiled, feeling really fond of the young trainer.
As the moon was rising and night came the group made their way further into the mountain.
And Clefairy and Sandshrew were up ahead, leading them to somewhere. "Now where are they taking us?" Misty asked.
Following them to an opening they gasp seeing a large opening in the mountain allowing them to see the starry sky.
"Wow, it's beautiful.." Ash said in awe.
"Clefairy! Clefairy! Clefairy!" Making their way to the middle of the room the Clefairy put their pieces of Moon Stone up against a giant rock.
"Wait, is that what I think it is?" Brock gasps.
"The meteorite?" Misty gasp.
"So the legends were true.." Seymour said, realizing that his crazy theory was correct. This was going to make the people back the museum, not the entire Pokémon world flip.
"Look, Clefairy's doing something." Ash said, noticing Clefairy walking up to the giant Moon Stone.
It placed its Moon Stone shard in between the other rocks around the Moon Stone core. The minute she did that, each small stone started to glow and then the main one glowed as well.
"The Moon Stone is complete." Seymour declares as Clefairy jumped around it in celebration.
"This is amazing." Ash said in awe.
"Nya." Bastet smiles with stars in her eyes.
Clefairy and Sandshrew watched the other Clefairy dance around.
"Shrew? Sandshrew?" Sandshrew asks why she wasn't joining them.
"Clefairy Clefairy," Clefairy answers, by saying she wanted to near Sandshrew.
"Shrew."Sandshrew smiles at that. He was surrounded by nice people and Pokémon.
"Boy they sure seem like they're having a good time," Ash said watching the Clefairy dance. "But I wonder what are they dancing for?"
"They must be connected to the Moonstone. Perhaps it's more than just a meteorite." Seymour said.
"What do you mean?" Ash asks.
"The Moonstone means so much to the Clefairy. It's a possibility that it's part of their religion to worship it." Seymour explains.
"Worship?" Misty asked. "You mean like a cult?"
"Like a mission. I believe the Moonstone is what brought the Clefairy here." Seymour said.
"Like on a spaceship?" Brock asks.
"Exactly! I believe one day we will return the Moonstone to outer space." Seymour declares.
The kids looked up at the starry sky. "C-could it be really true?" Ash asked.
However before anyone could reply the moment was interrupted by a loud noise.
"Thanks for leading us to the Moonstone, twerps!" Looking up they saw a Meowth shaped hot air balloon descending through hole in the mountain and Team Rocket were in the basket.
"You guys, again!" Ash growls.
"Why have a small chunk when you can steal the whole thing?" James smiles.
"That rock is a ship alright. A one way ride to an easy streak." Meowth said.
"We won't let you crooks get the Moon Stone!" Misty said as everyone huddled around the stone to protect.
"Oh save your breath, why come down when we have this!" Jessie said, pressing a button.
From the bottom of the balloon basket a rope shot down and wrapped around the entire Moon Stone.
"Hey!" "Stop!" Everyone shouted in protest, wanting them to put it down.
"No! You can't take it away!" Seymour said running to try and stop them.
However Meowth just throws a rock causing Seymour to trip and his glasses to fall off.
"Eat dirt loser." Meowth laughs as he fumbled trying to find his glasses.
"Poor Seymour.." Misty frowns.
"You guys are the worst of the worst!" Brock yelled.
"Oh no you're breaking my heart." Jessie mocks before all three of them laugh.
"That's it! Pop that balloon, Talon!" Ash said throwing a Pokeball and Spearow flew out.
"Spearow!!" Talon aimed straight for the balloon and flew right through it, causing a hole to appear and release all of the air from the balloon, sending the whole thing to fall into the hole.
"Alright Scarface, you ready for round 2?" Jessie insults.
"Bring it, hook-hair." Ash glared as Talon lands in front of Ash.
"Go On--" Before Brock could finish Sandshrew ran out wanting to battle with Ash.
"Sandshrew?" Ash said not expecting this.
"Shrew," Turning to Ash, Sandshrew said he had enough of these 3.
"Brock do you mind?" Ash asks.
"Not at all. Go nuts." Brock said, stepping back.
"Go Ekans!"
"Koffing!" Jessie and James said calling out the Poison Pokemon from earlier as Ash commanded his Pokémon to attack.
"Ekans Dig!"
"Koffing Smokescreen!" As Ekans went underground Koffing breathed a cloud of smoke making everyone cough as it covered the entire room.
"Talon, use Whirlwind and blow the smoke away!" Ash yells.
Flapping his wings, Talon blew away the smoke but when it was gone they saw the Moonstone was gone and in its place was a giant hole.
"They're gone, and so is the Moonstone!" Misty gasped.
"They tricked us! The battle was just a way for them to escape with it." Ash growled, not pleased in the slightest.
"Onix, follow them underground!" Brock yells, throwing out the large rock snake. Roaring once released, Onix dove underground, next to the hole as everyone except Seymour ran out the exit.
Seymour grunted, feeling around for his glasses.
"Clefairy!" The fairy pokemon said, placing them in front of him. "Fairy?"
"I beg your pardon?" Seymour muttered as he took his glasses and then widened his eyes, "Oh! Thank you! But why aren't you chasing after the robbers who took your Moon Stone?" Seymour asked. The Clefairy all stared at him in bewilderment. "The Moon Stone is sacred to you isn't it? It's your responsibility to take it back from those robbers. Do you understand me?" He stated and the Clefairy nodded.
Meanwhile, Team Rocket and their Pokémon were racing down the mountain with the Moonstone tied to a wooden cart.
"Nice guys always.." Jessie said.
"Finish last!" James retorted.
"We just went from worst to first. Ha!" Meowth grinned as all 3 laughed in victory. Which was about to be short-lived; coming out of a huge hole was Onix. Team Rocket started to freak out at seeing the giant rock snake in front of them. The cart with them on it crashed on the Onix. It broke into pieces and the moonstone fell off.
"What was that about finishing last?" Brock asks as they came running down after.
"Why you little runts.." James growled. "Koffing!" Koffing flew at them.
"Onix!" Brock yelled as Onix blocked Koffing, causing the two to collide in the middle.
Crawling out of the hole, the Clefairy surrounded them.
"Where did they come from?" Jessie asks as the Clefairy and Seymour had followed through the hole Onix had dug.
All of the Clefairy climbed out of the hole and surrounded Team Rocket.
"Meowth! What's going on?" Meowth questioned. The Clefairy lifted their fingers and started to swing them back and forth.
"What are they doing?" Jessie asked.
"Waving their fingers." James retorted. "This way and that way. This way and that way." Meowth repeated. Team Rocket started to sway back and forth after seeing the Clefairy started to swing their fingers together in harmony.
"Is this another kind of dance?" Ash asks as they follow the fingers.
"They're doing the Metronome. I've never seen them do the Metronome before." Seymour said.
"Metronome?" Misty asks.
"I've heard that any move from any other Pokémon can come out of Metronome," Brock said.
"Any Move?" Everyone asked, both curious and hesitant.
"Fairy!!" The Clefairy said as their fingers came to a stop.
As the tips began to glow a giant explosion went off sending Team Rocket flying into the sky.
"Defeated by a bunch of imps, how humiliating," Jessie whined.
"And don't even get me started on those twerps." James whines.
"Especially that scarred kid, they're gonna pay for crossing with us!" Meowth cried out.
"We'll get them back for this." Jessie declares.
"They'll rue the day!" James vows.
"We'll steal every single Pokemon they have!" Jessie said.
"Agreed!" Meowth said, declaring their new enemies.
"We're blasting off!" Team Rocket yells flying into the sky and disappearing.
Everyone stared at the hole the Clefairy's Metronome did. "Wow!" Ash said looking on with wonder. Then everyone saw the floating particles of what was Moon Stone the air, falling down towards the Clefairy.
Some of the stone pieces landed on a number of Clefairy, making them glow and turn into larger versions of themselves, but with dark pink wings and each wing has three points.
"Clefable." The new Pokemon said.
"The Clefairy evolved." Misty gasps as Ash took out his Pokedex.
"Clefable, the Fairy Pokemon and the evolved form of Clefairy. Clefable moves by skipping lightly as if it were flying using its wings. Its hearing is so acute it can hear a pin drop over half a mile away."
"So that was the power of the Moon Stone did this.." Seymour said looking in amazement at this.
Everyone watched as the Clefairy and Clefable chanted. They did this all the way back to the Moon Stone's original resting spot; where the Clefairy and Clefable all continued dancing.
Seymour turned to the gang, "I've decided on not continuing my research here in Mt. Moon anymore." He said surprising the others.
"B-but Seymour? Why? This could be revolutionary for you and the entire world." Brock said.
"I know but after seeing what Team Rocket did to try and get this information I realize that for the good of the Pokémon in these caves this must be kept secret." Seymour explains.
The group realized that Seymour was right. They didn't want another mishap like this to happen again. "Well if that's the case, then I won't say anything to anyone." Misty said.
"Same goes with me," Brock said.
"Your secret is safe with us Seymour." Ash said.
"Thank you. But before I do leave I'll have to make sure the mess Team Rocket left is cleaned up." Seymour said.
"We'll help you if you want," Brock offered.
"Thanks, but no thanks. You've all done more than enough for me and these Pokemon. This is the least I can do." Seymour assures.
Everyone understood, seeing this was what he wanted.
The next morning, the crew was leaving Mount Moon and now entered Route 4 as they all waved goodbye, "So long! Seymour!" Ash calls out.
"Give my regards to my family!" Brock said.
"Will do Brock." Seymour said waving goodbye.
However, just as they were about to leave, Sandshrew and Clefable ran out to them.
"Fable!" "Shrew!" They both shouted out to them, making the group halt.
"Sandshrew? Clefable?" Ash asked.
"What are you both doing here? Did you come to say goodbye?" Misty asks but both Pokémon shook their heads.
They then saw Sandshrew hug Ash's leg. "Shrew," it said, looking up to him.
"Sorry you and I never got the chance to battle together." Ash said.
"Sandshrew Sand." Sandshrew insists on still wanting that.
"Really?" Ash asked as Sanshrew points to his Pokéball belt.
"I guess Sandshrew wants to stick around." Brock smiles.
Seeing those pleading eyes, Ash smiled. "How can I say no to that?" He said as Sandshrew squeaked in glee. He then turns to Clefable. "You too?"
"Clefable." She said wanting a quiet life after all that mess.
Reading her facial expression, Ash had an idea. "You know, my mom would love a Pokémon like you." He said getting her attention.
"You catch Pokemon for your family?" Brock said never hearing of such a thing.
"To keep mom company," Ash nodded. "And well, thanks for having my support."
"Hmm not a bad idea." Brock said, impressed.
"So what do you say, Clefable? I think mom would love a cute Pokémon like you," Ash asked.
"Fable." Clefable nods. Ash brought out two Pokéballs.
"Welcome to the team." As two red beams shot out, both Pokémon were sucked in.
As both Pokeballs wiggled the two clicked but to Ash's surprise the one holding Clefable was transported away leaving him with Sanshrew's.
"Woah, what happened to Clefable's ball?" Ash asked.
"How many Pokémon have you got on you right now?" Brock asked.
"Uh, right now 6." Ash counted.
"Well that's easy to explain. That's your limit." Brock said.
"I have a limit?" Ash said surprised.
"A trainer can only have 6 Pokemon. If they catch any extras then they are automatically sent to the place where you got your Pokedex." Brock informs.
"That would mean Prof. Oak has her now." Ash realized.
"Also, if you catch a lot more Pokémon, all you have to do is you just have to push the white button on your PokéDex." Brock said as Ash takes it out for him to see.
"This one?" He asks, pointing to the button on the right.
"Yeah. When you want to switch the Pokémon you currently have, you push that button." Brock confirmed.
"Wow, that's a handy feature." Ash said, impressed.
"So Ash you gonna give Sandshrew a nickname too?" Misty reminded.
"Oh right, I almost forgot," Ash laughed sheepishly before thinking about it. "Hmm..I'm leaning towards..Quake."
"Quake huh? Why that one?" Brock said.
"Because he just showed up suddenly and from what Misty said did some damage to Meowth. Like an Earthquake." Ash said.
"I like it, it fits." Misty said.
Making their way down the trail, they saw a sign for the next city.
"This way to Cerulean City." Brock read getting Misty's attention.
"Cerulean City?" Misty gulps.
"Well they say that some kids like to write silly notes on these signs. What's it say?" Ash asked as he looked real close at the scribble only to freeze at what it says.
Gary was here! Ash is a loser!
"Gary?!" Ash growls at the mention of that name. "The only reason he got here ahead of me is because I was in the freaking hospital!"
"Woah, woah Ash chill out. Who's Gary?" Misty said as she was surprised by his outburst.
"He's a kid from Pallet Town like me but he's been messing with and making fun of me ever since we were little." Ash said before holding his head. "Oh no, he doesn't know about the scars. The second he sees my face I'll never hear the end of it."
"Oh the childhood bully.." Brock said, getting a firm grasp of what he was talking about.
"Ash, don't lower yourself to his level." Misty said.
"I know, I know, but it's not gonna be easy. What if he reacts like Team Rocket did?" Ash asks.
"Let's hope he doesn't, but if he does you'll have us to help you deal with it." Brock said.
Taking a deep breath, Ash collected himself to calm down. "Thanks guys."
After leaving Mt. Moon and dealing with Team Rocket, Ash and his friends head to Cerulean City hoping for Ash's second gym badge.
Party Data:
Ash: Spearow (Talon), Magikarp (Mystic), Meowth (Bastet), Ekans (Naga), and Beedrill (Videl) and Sandshrew(Quake)
Sent to his mother: Pidgeotto and Clefable
Misty: Staryu and Goldeen
Brock: Geodude, Onix and Zubat
After a 3 week hiatus, I'm back. I really really needed that break guys, sorry for the inconvenience.
Now you're probably wondering why Meowzie and Meowth didn't interact here. It's too early, I'm saving that moment for another time.
And I wanted to give Delia Pidgeotto, because I didn't want to give it to Ash. Simple as that.
And Ash WILL get Pikachu back. It will be near the end of the story.
With that said and done, I'll see you all in the next chapter.