(Chapter Four - The Operation of Mt. Moon)

Walking along K. Route 3 the party of trainers and Pokémon were enjoying the scenery and Erik looked around seeing various Pokémon playing and enjoying themselves. Pikachu and Lunna ran through the grass smiling and playing as Brock was reading a guide book as spent most of his life in Pewter City. Looking at the page of Mt. Moon said: "Hey guys, listen to this. Although Mt. The Moon is one of the largest mountains in the world. It also has been said to have been hit by a meteor crashing in the prehistoric times, whipping out all of Kanto's prehistoric Pokémon."

Misty looked over his shoulder and asked: " Really?"

Erik shrugged as Ashley also looked and Erik said: " Possibly or something else could have done them in like a famine or something else."

The group all pondered, but soon Pikachu stopped and perked up its ears along with Luna as both looked around and Erik asked: " What's wrong you two?"

Up ahead was a swarm of Zubat, and the odd thing about it was it was the middle of the day and Zubat who are nocturnal are out. Misty then said: "Are Zubat supposed to be up this early."

Brock shook his head and said: "No, they are supposed to be out at night."

Erik then said: "Let's help this guy out."

Lunna, Pikachu rushed and Quick Attack one after the other using the previous Zubat as a springboard. Brock's Geodude emerged and hurled a rock throw at them. Tossing a ball at one of them, Brock easily caught one of the bigger Zubats on sight and the man looked around hearing no more Zubats. Ashley then asked him: "Hey mister, are you okay."

The scientist looked at them and said: "Ah, thank you very much young ones."

Misty then asked: "Why did those Zubat attack you?"

The scientist then said: "Ah well you see I can into studying the Pokémon of Mt. Moon, but upon entry I saw someone had put up some powerful lights throughout the cave and it is disturbing the Pokémon within as they are all either exhausted or very angry. But I believe the ones who are responsible are after the giant moon stone at the top of the mountain. It is as big as a small house and just one fragment of it can evolve various Pokémon. But Professor Seymour will not stand for this."

Erik and them listened to a horrible piece of poetry that he recited and they made their way to the cave. Once inside the group who onced saw the lights were just as bright as being in the desert itself. Misty winced and said: "Who could have done this?"

Erik shook his head and said: "Don't know, but let's follow the cables, they might lead us somewhere."

The group of trainers and Seymour followed the cables and saw men and women in black uniforms for they're gender mining away and the group hid behind a large rock. Noticing the large letter on the front Erik said: "They must be from Team Rocket, they're logo is on the front. And look over they're."

Pointing ahead they saw Jessie and James examining various stones they'd collected with Meowth walking back with a Clefairy. Seymour then said: "They'd captured a Clefairy."

Ash then asked: "Clefairy?"

Pulling out her dex and turning the volume down it said: "Clefairy, the fairy Pokémon. A fairy type. Adored for their cute looks and playfulness. They are thought to be rare, as they do not appear often."

Pocketing it Erik then said: "Looks like they're in charge here, I noticed so few Pokémon. So either they filed or they got to them first."

They'd all frowned and Erik looked around and said: "Wait here."

Following along the edge sticking to the shadows the group watched him get behind some rock pillars forming bars and stayed. Seeing he began to crawl across a scaffolding catwalk Seymour then said in a hush whisper: "He is very stealthy."

Pulling out his phone, he sent a text after finding a breaker box saying: "Once he dimmed the lights, follow the path he took and stay in the shadows and make no noise."

Flipping the switch and pulling a few things the lights dimmed greatly to cause some areas to be pitch black and James said: "Who turned down the light!"

Jessie pointed to a grunt and said: "You go up there and find out what is wrong!"

Erik began climbing through a small hole in the wall and came out behind Jessie and James hiding behind several machinery and sent a message after seeing them near the catwalk as it said: "Hold position. Once I cause a distraction, send out your Pokémon and cause some chaos."

Lunna hopped down and both smirked and she kicked a monitor over to reveal herself causing the team to turn to them as the lights came back on. Jessie then said: "It's the twerp leader."

James then said: "If he is nearby then so is the twerpette with the Pikachu."

Erik then said: " We've got you surrounded!"

Meowth laughed and said: " Oh really, one… two…" no sooner had Geodude, Onix, Pikachu, Staryu, Starmie, Rhyhorn, Butterfree and Pidgeotto emerged behind Team Rocket as Clover and Bee appeared beside Erik.

Cracking his neck he smiled and said: "Wanna recount."

Soon enough Team Rocket grunts send out Rattata, Drowzee and Zubats. Ashley aimed her dex at the psychic drowsy Pokémon as it said: "Drowzee, the hypnosis Pokémon. A psychic type. If you sleep by it all the time, it will sometimes show you dreams it had eaten in the past."

Erik smirked and said: " Now this is a showdown!"

Outside the cave Chase was walking by it and smiled as he, Charmander, Mankey, Pidgey and Rattata cheered again at beating the first gym. But soon an explosion heated up and they cried out as a horde of Pokémon came running out and they cried out and ran across taking the hiking trail that was hardly used anymore. Back inside the grunts and they're Pokémon lay defeated as Jessie, James, Meowth and they're Pokémon remained standing and James grunted and shouted: "Smokescreen!"

Soon a massive smoke cloud blinded them and Jessie shouted: "Retreat!"

Hearing a swarm of footsteps running. Butterfree and Pidgeotto flapped their wings and cleared the smoke and revealed that Team Rocket fled and Erik said: " Damn they got away."

Rushing up to him, the group noticed the Clefairy and Seymour then said: " A Clefairy, but odd she is a different color."

Erik then said: " That means she is shiny."

Opening the cage the Clefairy backed away and Ashley kneeled down and said: " It's okay, we are your friend."

The Pokémon smiled and cried out as the Clefairy rushed out and hugged Ash as it showed she was also very large and Seymour then said: " We should better get her back to her family. Can you lead us there."

She nodded and led them through a series of none lit tunnels as they reached a small opening of grass and trees where a large puddle of water surrounded a giant stone and soon they saw night was setting in. Seymour then said: " That's it, that's the moon stone!"

Cleffa and Clefairy came out and began dancing around it happily as a very large Clefable emerged and landed on the giant rock as she waved her hand and the Cleffa began dancing around it and the Clefairy soon danced but had a different style and the small one soon joined the Clefairy, but the Clefable saw her and jumped down to stop the shiny and pointed for her to go. She looked down sadly and the Clefable kicked her away and Ashley shouted: "Hey that wasn't nice."

The fairies stopped and Clefable began yelling at the runt and pointed at the group, but a giant bat captured the non shinies and they heard laughing and saw Team Rocket in a Meowth Hot air balloon and Jessie said: "Yeah, we finally got it."

But before they could speak more Bee and Pidgeotto flew after them and destroyed the net making them cry out in shock. But James saw they were free and the shiny Clefairy screamed as James aimed a bazooka, but dropped it and the rocket hit the balloon and pierced through the Meowth head and they dropped down into the small oasis, but before anything said everyone looked up as the missile came down and Meowth said: "Oh crumbs."

Erik crossed his arms as an explosion followed knocking everyone back into different tunnels and Erik was sliding down the cave system and came out over a massive drop. Eyes widening, he pulled out a grappling hook gun and fired it at a rock face and was reeled in to fast and back need his head on the side and shout: "Ow, fucking damnit."

Erik groaned as he rubbed his head and hissed. Pushing himself off the ground he felt his hands touch something. Looking down, his eyes widened. He landed on fossils, two fossils one was a Dome fossil and the other was an Amber which his foot was on. Pulling out a small set of tools, he carefully pried them free and smirked as he placed them into his back and began climbing up and out. Grabbing the ledge and being him, he pulled himself up and smiled as he was right back on the path. Stretching he said: "Wonder how the others are doing."

Cracking his neck he kept following the path that was present and hoped Lunna who was with everyone was okay. Stopping as he rounded a corner he hid behind a rock and saw a scientist with Jessie, James and Meowth with a Machoke placing down a crate. The man inspected and said: "Well done, the boss will surely be pleased with this."

Jessie then said: "Thank you doctor, the shipment of Pokémon we had sent earlier has already been loaded and sent off to our base."

Meowth then said: "Yes, but we have an issue, is a portion of the cave over there supposed to be covered in ice."

The man looked and saw a tunnel and examined it and said: "This tunnel was just made and coated in ice. Track whatever has made this and report back. This is the last shipment of Moon Stones needed as well as fossils."

The Machoke carried the box off and Erik growled and frowned, Mt. Moon was a gold mine for MoonStones, especially the large one at the very top guarded by those Cleffa, Clefairy and Clefable. Those down here must've been washed down by the natural springs coursing through the mountain. Seeing the scientist examining the last fossil, a Helix fossil. He rushed and chopped the man in the back of the neck knocking him out, checking the man after tying him to a stalagmite he checked the man's I.D. and nodded, taking a picture of his civilian I.D. and the Team Rocket card badge with his photo on it. He loved this phone, the signal wasn't the best, but sending the images to the police as an anonymous tip about a Team Rocket operative has its reasons, but he did swipe the fossil, no point of leaving it.

Following the trio he didn't know Lunna, Pikachu, Misty, Ash, Brock and his Zubat were following another path. Ashley then said: "I hope he is okay."

Misty then said: "He does have Bee and Clover with him, he should be fine."

Lunna whimpered and growled and she pulled something showing a piece of wood with the Team Rocket logo. Brock then said: "Are they still here?!"

Hearing footsteps, a lot of them Zubat warned them and Pikachu cried out for them to hide. Hiding behind some large rocks some Grunts of Team Rocket walked by as one said: "Did you hear those three completed the operation here?"

Another said: "Yeah, they'd discover instead of getting that giant one up there, there are millions of Moon Stones that can fit in your hand scattered about, especially in the crater like holes and in the water as well as in the Stalagmites and Stalactites."

A third said: "Last I heard the trio are checking out that ice tunnel we found. They seem to be another way into those tunnels ahead, but it's a smooth slide down and we don't know where it will drop you at."

The group's eyes widened, then a female grunt came over and said: " Come on! We are living, got word from HQ, the boss has us on another assignment."

The trio rushed off and Lunna rushed out toward said slide and yipped after sniffing in it. Misty then said: " I think she is saying this will lead to him?"

Ashley then said: " Well let's go!"

They all died down into the slide and cried out in surprise, fear and excitement. Meanwhile Team Rocket tripped and came out into an icy cavern room that was not only coated in ice but Jessie's eyes sparkled seeing the diamonds under the ice itself and ice stones on the rock walls uncovered as she said: " Look at all this ice!"

James then said: "We will be extremely rich."

Meowth then said: "The lavish and big lifestyle here we come!"

The trio cheered and Erik came out and saw the room and was amazed. But soon emerging from the snowy ice ground was a bunch of Sandshrew. Team Rocket looked at them and Jessie asked: "Are those… albino Sandshrew?"

Erik pulled out his dex as James pulled out his booklet and the dex said: "Sandshrew, Alolan form, the mouse Pokémon. An ice and steel type. Its ice-covered body lets it slide across the ground with bullet-like speed, sending its enemies flying when it hits them."

Andrew's eyes narrowed and Jessie and James smirked and said: " Good thing we are bringing the heat."

They pulled out black balls with their logo on it and tossed them out, and out came two Magbys. Both fire types cried out and Erik dex said: "Magbys, the live coal Pokémon. A fire type. Its body temperature is around 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit. It is healthy if it is exhaling yellow flames."

The Sandshrew backed away and before they could do anything, a Sandshrew with a blue underbelly charged and hurled an icicle spear at them. But Jessie Magby spewed fire spin melting it and nailed the Sandshrew sending it back. Growling he jumped down and said: "You three are not going anywhere near them."

Jessie then said: "It's the lead twerp."

Meowth then said: "Looks like he is all alone. I say we get him."

Both shouted: "Fire Spin."

Erik whispered the slow time shout and moved like a blur to them, but to him they were extremely slow. Aiming the Magby's at them he smirked as time realigned and Team Rocket cried out and danced before diving into the snow to cool off. Jessie then said: "What was that, how did our Magby at one point face him then face us in a blink.*

James then said: " That is not possible."

Soon they heard the cries of an Eevee and the others, the trio looked up as Ash and the gang came crashing down causing the trio to cry out in panic and cushioned their fall. Everyone groaned and Luuna looked up and cried in joy seeing Erik as he said in surprise: "How did you all get here?"

Misty then said in a flinch: "We slid on down. What did we land on?"

Erik pointed at the downed Team Rocket and Magbys and said: "Them, looks like you all arrived just in time."

Brock then said: " Wow, white Sandshrew!"

They looked and Erik said: *Alolan Sandshrew, my guess is they escaped from poachers and found safety here. But now they have to flee. Team Rocket will come back and investigate this area if they have to."

Hearing this the Sandshrew all looked surprised and Ashley then said: "Hey Erik, don't you have your pin-pal named Lillie, doesn't her mother run that Foundation to help Pokémon in the Alola region. "

Hearing this, the Sandshrew perked up, remembering a few of them got treated by a group of humans named the Aether Paradise and he replied: " Yeah, I could send her an important email about this. She loves to study Pokémon and she'll notify her mother about this."

Hearing footsteps the most gigantic Alolan Sandshrew stepped forward and shook Erik's hand and looked to the shiny who was the first one and most likely the black sheep of them. The giant Sandshrew spoke to the shiny and Erik curled a brow and the shiny nodded and Brock asked: " Uh, what's going on."

Erik then said: " Most likely the blue Sandshrew was always leaving the den and explored Mt. Moon and wanted to see beyond that of the tribe and wished to see the world. But the chief here wants him to travel with me as I stepped in and stopped Team Rocket from harming them."

The giant Sandshrew nodded and Erik held out a Pokéball and said the new shiny: " I won't hold it against you Sandshrew this is your choice and no one else's. You can decide how this goes."

Sandshrew looked to his tribe then to Erik, then to his tribe again and walked over to a pair and hugged them before walking to Erik and tapped its nose to the ball and was sucked in. Erik heard a ding and said: "Welcome to the family Stalhrim."

The giant Sandshrew then used Metal Claw and hit a giant rock breaking it to reveal a few stones and gems and motioned for them to take them as they didn't need the diamonds and they had many stones. Taking a few with them they thanked the Sandshrew who froze the unconscious Team Rocket and sent them down a stream and destroyed the Magbys balls freeing them as they rushed off somewhere. Waving farewell they left the cave as Zubat led them out through another passage and into the setting sun light. Emerging from the mountain, Erik then said: "Boy was that something."

Brock nodded and said: "Especially with your shiny luck."

Misty then said: " Tell me about it, you are a shiny magnet."

Ash and Pikachu nodded and said: " Yeah, he always attracts something abnormal."

Erik sighed and knew this was his life and said: " Hey, I ain't complaining. And besides with me around, you all might get Shiny's as well."

They opened their mouths and knew he was right. Seeing the sign for Cerulean City pointing east one it was a message and it made Erik and Ashley both look pissed. It said: "Gary was here! Ashley and Erik both suck."

Erik cracked his neck and said: "Someone is cruising for a bruising."

Ash nodded as did Lunna and Brock asked: "Who is Gary?*

Erik explained about the history they had with Gary as well as Elaine and Chase. Meanwhile Chase barely beat Flint as Charmander had evolved and learned Metal Claw to secure the win as well as had a Mankey that helped increase his odds. Chase smirked and cheered as he had gotten his first badge and rushed off to catch up with the others. Erik that night smiled seeing the new addition to the team Ashley, a Clefairy oddly enough it was a very light pink Clefairy with green tips. A shiny, and he thought he had the shiny luck, but she was getting along with the others and he looked up to see Butterfree, Bumblebee, Zubat and Pidgeotto flying about. Clover rested by the tree and everyone was happy, Brock was cooking and everyone was starving, especially Stalhrim as he was taste testing the food making everyone chuckle.

This was his life, no end of the world threats, no daedra, no sirens and no royal duties. He loved it all. Kicking back as the sun was setting on the horizon he said: "What a day."

What surprised him was that after they separated the Clefable had told the Clefairy to leave with Ash and them as they saved the moon stone and handed her a fragment of it so one day Clefairy can evolve. Smiling he knew more adventures like this was on the horizon and he was correct

So a Shiny Alolan Sandshrew, okay that was actually a gift I received from a friend of mine. I thought I'd honor him by putting his gift into my story. And yes everyone else will get a shiny Pokémon. I haven't decided on Misty's and Brock's. But I'll leave it up to you all, it has to be Kanto native and it can not be a Pokémon currently owned by Gary, Erik, Misty or Brock and none of Ash's or the others canon Pokémon will be turned into shinies. Anyway who was the idiot who suggested I add Dragon Maid during the Sinnoh arc, just why is my question? Also the reason for Clefairy is that it was to be Ash's original starter, so why not make it shiny.

Erik's Pokémon -

Luna's moves: Quick Attack, Detect, Double Kick, Headbutt.

Bumblebee moves: Bug Bite, Poison Sting, Electro Web, Twineedle.

Clover moves: Grassy Terrain, Leech Seed, Bullet Seed, Vine Whip.

Stalhrim: Metal Claw, Ice Shard, Icicle Spear, Ice Ball.

Ash's Pokémon -

Pikachu's moves: Electro Ball, Double Kick, Quick Attack, Thunder Shock.

Butterfree's Moves: Bug bite, Electroweb, Gust, Confusion.

Pidgeotto's Moves: Mirror Move, Gust, Wing Attack, Roost.

Clefairy's Moves: Disarming Voice, Mimic, Sing and Minimize.

Misty's Pokémon -

Goldeen - Peck, Fury Attack, Quick Attack, Water Pulse

Staryu - Rapid spin, Bubblebeam, Water Gun, Swift

Starmie - Hydro Pump, Swift, Psywave, Recover

Brock's Pokémon -

Geodude - Rock Throw, Stealth Rock, Bide Tackle.

Onix - Stealth Rock, Rock Throw, Rage, Rock Tomb.

Rhyhorn - Horn Attack, Stomp, Fury Attack Smackdown.

Zubat - Bite, Wing Attack, Gust, Supersonic.

Jessie's Pokémon -

Ekans - Bite, Poison Sting, Wrap, Acid.

James's Pokémon -

Koffing - Rollout, Clear Smog, Smokescreen, Tackle.

Meowth - Payday, Scratch, Foul Play, Bite.