Chapter 5: Mega Mystery of Mt. Moon
After earning his first badge in Pewter City, Gilbert and his Pokémon team now journey towards Mt. Moon, now accompanied by Yolanda from the Pewter Gym family. "So, the entrance to Mt. Moon is just over this hillside." Gilbert said. "The name really sounds romantic. In fact, legend has it that a meteor crashed in Mt. Moon a long time ago." Yolanda explained. "Really? A meteorite?" Gilbert asked. "Yes. The meteor's called the Moon Stone." Yolanda said. "Moon Stone? Isn't that also a stone of Evolution?" Gilbert asked. "Yes. How'd you know?" Yolanda asked. "I've heard talk while back in Viridian City." Gilbert said.
Soon enough, Gilbert and Yolanda reached the top and laid eyes on the entrance to Mt. Moon. "There it is. The entrance to Mt. Moon." Yolanda said. "Well then, what're we waiting for? Let's go." Gilbert said. But all of a sudden, as they were just about to enter Mt. Moon, a whole cauldron of Zubat flew out from the dark and attacked them with their Bite attacks. "Ow! What's with these Zubat?!" Gilbert exclaimed as the Zubat attacked him. "I don't know! Ow! The Zubat don't normally leave Mt. Moon until nightfall! Ow!" Yolanda exclaimed in pain from the Zubat. Gilbert managed to fight through the Zubat's bites and grab one of his PokéBalls. "Hoothoot, we need your help!" He called, tossing the PokéBall into the air. "Hoot! Hoot!" Hoothoot hooted as he came out. "Hoothoot, put all these Zubat to sleep with Hypnosis!" Gilbert exclaimed through the pain. "Hoooooooot." Hoothoot's eyes glowed red as he used Hypnosis. The Zubat turned to face Hoothoot just as the Hypnosis hit them and started to get drowsy. They then dropped to the ground and fell fast asleep.
Gilbert and Yolanda panted hard while recovering from that crazy attack. "Thanks, Hoothoot. You saved our butts." Gilbert said as Hoothoot perched onto his shoulder. "Hoot. Hoothoot." Hoothoot hooted, nuzzling Gilbert's cheek. "But why were these Zubat even attacking us?" Yolanda asked. Gilbert brought out his Pokédex and scanned Zubat.
Zubat, the Bat Pokémon. A Poison and Flying-type. Zubat use supersonic waves to navigate themselves through dark tunnels and caves.
"Weird. Zubat are nocturnal. And it's still practically day out here." Gilbert said. "So, what made these Zubat come out during the day and attack us?" Yolanda asked. "That's what we have to find out." Gilbert said with determination. Yolanda nodded in agreement.
After returning Hoothoot to his PokéBall, Gilbert and Yolanda entered Mt. Moon. And as soon as they walked in, they discovered that the entire cave was lit up with lanterns. "Someone set up lanterns to light their way through the tunnel." Gilbert said. "But it's also bad for the Pokémon living here. Look." Yolanda said, pointing towards a group of Pokémon. A colony of Paras were planting the mushrooms off their heads, a few Sandshrew were drying up from the harsh lights and a group of Geodude were cooling themselves by bathing in the dirt. Gilbert was disgusted by the sight of this. "All of these Pokémon are suffering from these lights. Who would do this?" Yolanda asked. "Someone must be after something in these caves." Gilbert guessed. "But what could they be after in Mt. Moon? The Moon Stone?" Yolanda asked. "I don't think so. I got a feeling that whoever put up these lights, they're after something else. Something more powerful." Gilbert said. "But what could it be?" Yolanda asked. "I'm not sure. But that's what we need to find out and put a stop to it." Gilbert said.
Just then, one of the Sandshrew crawled its way up to Gilbert and Yolanda. It looked really thirsty. "Oh, you poor thing." Yolanda said with worry. Gilbert knelt down and took out his water canteen. "Here. Drink this." He said. Sandshrew accepted the water and guzzled it down. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Not too fast." Yolanda said. Sandshrew finished and panted with relief. "There. All better now?" Gilbert asked as he took his canteen back. "Shrew!" Sandshrew squeaked as it lunged at Gilbert, hugging him. "Looks like someone likes you, Gilbert." Yolanda said. "Well, I think I like this one too." Gilbert said as he petted Sandshrew.
Suddenly, an Aura Sphere shot right past them, surprising them. "What was that?!" Gilbert asked in surprise. "I think that was an Aura Sphere." Yolanda said. "An Aura Sphere? But who threw it?" Gilbert asked. Just then, a growl came from the cave. Gilbert, Yolanda and Sandshrew turned to see a Lucario walk towards them. "What is that?" Gilbert asked. "It's a Lucario!" Yolanda said in surprise. Gilbert brought out his Pokédex and scanned Lucario.
Lucario, the Aura Pokémon. A Fighting and Steel-type. Lucario can sense the thoughts and movements of its opponents by sensing their aura.
"Wow! Another Sinnoh based Pokémon?" Gilbert asked in surprise. "But what's a Lucario doing here?" Yolanda asked. Lucario growled as it prepared another Aura Sphere. "I think it thinks we're the trespassers." Gilbert guessed. Suddenly, before Lucario could attack, another Lucario, a shiny one, leapt in front of it, stopping it from attacking. They started talking at each other. "What do you think they're saying?" Gilbert asked. "No idea." Yolanda said. The shiny Lucario said something in its language. The regular Lucario looked back at Gilbert and Yolanda, and closed its eyes to sense their aura. Now seeing that they weren't the trespassers, Lucario apologized. "Oh, Lucario. At it again?" A voice asked. Gilbert and Yolanda looked up to see 2 twin girls walk towards the Lucario. "Sorry about Lucario. He has a real distaste on who to trust." The girl on the left said. "So, these Lucario are yours?" Gilbert asked. "Yes. I'm Fabiana Stone. And this is my sister, Elisa." Fabiana introduced. "I'm Gilbert from Pallet Town." Gilbert introduced. "And I'm Yolanda from Pewter City." Yolanda introduced. "Nice to meet you both." Elisa said.
Later, Gilbert, Yolanda and Sandshrew followed the Stone Twins and their Lucario. "So, your last name is Stone. Are you 2 by chance any relation to the Champion of Hoenn, Steven Stone?" Gilbert asked. "As a matter of fact, yes, we are. We're his younger twin sisters." Elisa said. "Funny, we never knew he had sisters." Yolanda said. "Steven likes to keep his family traits to himself. We didn't want to hog the spotlight from him." Fabiana said. "That explains so much." Gilbert said. "Again, sorry about my Lucario. He thought you were the one who set up these lanterns." Fabiana said. "No. We just got here after a cauldron of Zubat attacked us at the entrance." Gilbert said. "Who would want to put up these lanterns? And what would they be searching for if not the Moon Stone?" Yolanda asked. "We suspect that whoever put up those lanterns, they're searching for the same thing we're searching for." Elisa said. "And what exactly are you searching for in here?" Gilbert asked. Fabiana and Elisa stopped walking and turned to face their new friends. "We're excavating for Mega Stones." Fabiana said. "Mega Stones?" Gilbert asked in surprise. "Yes. Mega Stones are rare stones that awaken a special additional evolution inside certain Pokémon. Like our Lucario. This is called Mega Evolution." Elisa explained. "Our brother discovered a Mega Stone that could Mega Evolve his Metagross. We came here because we think we can find other Mega Stones to give to other trainers." Fabiana explained. Gilbert and Yolanda were surprised to hear this. They never knew that there was an additional evolution for certain Pokémon.
Just then, Bulbasaur popped right out of his PokéBall, surprising everyone. "Bulba!" He called. "Bulbasaur?! What're you doing out, buddy?" Gilbert asked. Bulbasaur started digging into the cave wall. "What's Bulbasaur doing?" Yolanda asked. "I don't know. I've never seen Bulbasaur act so anxious." Gilbert said. Just then, the Stone Twins' Lucario both started helping Bulbasaur dig. "Whatever it is, our Lucario are anxious to help your Bulbasaur dig it out." Elisa said. After digging for a while, Bulbasaur and the Lucario found what they were looking for. It was a Mega Stone, along with another stone. Gilbert, Yolanda, Elisa and Fabiana were in awe at this. "Is that what I think it is?" Yolanda asked. "Yes. It's a Mega Stone and a Keystone." Elisa said. "A Keystone?" Gilbert asked. "Keystones are stones that connect with Mega Stones. Both stones are connected through a special bond between trainer and Pokémon. And that's what triggers Mega Evolution." Fabiana explained. "This Mega Stone's a Venusaurite." Elisa revealed. "No wonder Bulbasaur was drawn to it. Since Venusaur is Bulbasaur's final evolved form, it makes perfect sense that Bulbasaur was able to find it." Yolanda said. "Bulba." Bulbasaur said as he picked up the stone in his mouth.
Suddenly, a Dragon Breath was fired near the group, catching them by surprise. "That doesn't belong to you." A woman's voice said. The group turned to see a white-haired woman and a blonde-haired man walk towards them with a Steelix and a Skarmory. Gilbert caught sight of the patch on their uniforms. "You! You 2 are part of Team Rocket, aren't you?!" He asked in anger. "Very good observation. I'm Hun, and this is my partner, Attila." The woman, Hun introduced. "And that's our Mega Stone your little runt has there. So, give it up before one of you gets hurt." Attila demanded. "Too late for that." Gilbert said. "You're the ones who put up all these lights! You're the reason all these Pokémon are all upset and confused! We were attacked by a cauldron of Zubat because of you!" Yolanda exclaimed. "Save your excuses for the school board, little girl." Hun said rudely. "One last chance. Give us that Mega Stone or you'll get really, really hurt." Attila demanded. Bulbasaur growled as he backed up behind Gilbert to protect his Mega Stone. "You're nuts if you think we're gonna give you this Mega Stone!" Elisa exclaimed. "You want a rock, take one of these! Then get lost!" Fabiana exclaimed. "Oh, now you've done it." Hun said. "Let's teach these brats some manners." Attila said, cracking his knuckles. "Lucario, get ready." Elisa said. "You too, Lucario." Fabiana said. Both Lucario got ready for battle. "We're in too." Gilbert said as he and Yolanda brought out their PokéBalls. "No. You have to protect the Mega Stone." Fabiana said. "No way. We're not gonna let you take these crooks alone." Yolanda said. "Yeah. We know that these guys are dirty battlers. So, we're staying." Gilbert said. Fabiana and Elise understood this.
"Steelix, crush them!" Hun ordered. "Claw their eyes out, Skarmory!" Attila ordered. Steelix and Skarmory charged into battle. "Beedrill, I choose you!" Gilbert called, tossing Beedrill's PokéBall. "Here we go!" Yolanda called, tossing one of her PokéBalls. As Beedrill came out of his PokéBall, a shiny Zubat came out from Yolanda's. "A Zubat? When'd you get that?" Gilbert asked. "I saw it sleeping with the others and captured it before we entered the cave." Yolanda said. "Steelix, Iron Tail!" Hun ordered. Steelix's tail glowed white as he prepared to slam it into the shiny Lucario. "Lucario, jump and Force Palm!" Elisa ordered. Her shiny Lucario leapt up to dodge the Iron Tail, ran up Steelix's steel body and used Force Palm on his head, dealing some heavy damage. "Lucario, follow in with Close Combat!" Fabiana ordered. Lucario charged in. "Steelix, stop that Lucario with Bind now!" Hun ordered. Steelix tried to move, but his body sparked a few bolts, preventing him from moving. "What're you doing?!" Hun demanded. "Don't waste your breath. Force Palm has paralyzed Steelix." Elisa said. Fabiana's Lucario leapt up to Steelix's head and started hitting and kicking it hard with Close Combat. Hun growled.
"Skarmory, use Steel Wing!" Attila ordered. Skarmory's wings glowed as she flew after Zubat. "Beedrill, help Zubat! Rock Smash!" Gilbert ordered. "Spee!" Beedrill sped flew towards Skarmory and blocked Skarmory's Steel Wing with Rock Smash. "Push that pesky bug out of your way, Skarmory!" Attila ordered. Skarmory slowly began pushing Beedrill back. "Zubat, help Beedrill! Supersonic!" Yolanda ordered. Zubat released her Supersonic soundwaves on Skarmory, making her confused. And then, being confused, Skarmory turned her attention on Steelix as he kept battling the Lucario Twins. Skarmory started attacking Steelix with Steel Wing. "Attila! Control that crazy Skarmory of yours!" Hun exclaimed angrily. "It's not my fault, Hun!" Attila exclaimed angrily. "Skarmory got confused from the Supersonic." Yolanda said. "Beedrill, let's finish this! Focus Energy, then Rock Smash!" Gilbert ordered. Beedrill glowed with Focus Energy and then slammed his stingers on Steelix and Skarmory with Rock Smash, causing them to fall on top of Hun and Attila. "Lucario, Aura Sphere towards the cave roof!" The Stone Twins ordered. Both Lucario fired Aura Sphere at the cave roof, causing it to start a cave-in. But then, Yolanda noticed a scared little Clefairy frozen in place from all the danger. And there was a stalactite falling towards it. "Look out!" Yolanda exclaimed, running towards the petrified Clefairy. She grabbed it and moved out of the way before they got crushed. "Are you alright, Clefairy?" She asked. "Clefairy." Clefairy answered. The cave-in sealed around Hun and Attila. "Well, let's hope that will be the last we see of those 2." Elisa said. "One can always hope." Fabiana said.
Later, after taking down all the lanterns Team Rocket set up in the cave, the group successfully made it to the exit of Mt. Moon. "Well, this road should take you 2 to the next city." Fabiana said. "You 2 aren't coming with us?" Yolanda asked. "No. We're gonna stay and see if we can dig up any more Mega Stones or Keystones here." Elisa said. "Then maybe you'd probably want the ones Bulbasaur found." Gilbert said, holding out the Keystone and Venusaurite Bulbasaur found. "No. You keep them. You might need them yourself one day." Fabiana said. "Yeah. And your Bulbasaur would be upset if it parted with his Mega Stone." Elisa said. "Thanks. I'll take really good care of them." Gilbert said. "Well, I guess it's time for us to get going." Yolanda said. "Sandshrew?" Sandshrew squeaked. "Don't worry, Sandshrew. We'll fix you and the others a nice hot meal when we get to the next town." Gilbert said, having caught Sandshrew before they got to the exit. "Shrew!" Sandshrew squeaked happily. "So long, Gilbert. Good luck in the Pokémon League." Elisa said. "Yeah. We'll be rooting for you." Fabiana said. "Thanks, girls. Good luck with your excavating." Gilbert said, shaking hands with the Stone Twins. As Gilbert, Yolanda and Sandshrew leave Mt. Moon with Elisa, Fabiana and their Lucario waving goodbye, the Clefairy from earlier peaked out from behind a rock.
Meanwhile, Attila and Hun managed to break out from the cave-in. And they were mad. "Those little brats are gonna pay for this!" Attila exclaimed. "Yes. We will do nothing else until those brats are done for!" Hun exclaimed. Just then, their communicators watches started beeping. "It's the chief." Hun said. Just then, Attila took the watches and crushed them in his hand. "As you said, nothing else until those brats are history." He said venomously. Hun nodded in agreement.
Major Events:
Gilbert and Yolanda reach Mt. Moon.
Gilbert and Yolanda meet Elisa and Fabiana Stone.
Gilbert and Yolanda learn about Mega Evolution.
Gilbert and Yolanda first encounter Hun and Attila from Team Rocket.
Gilbert catches a Sandshrew.
Yolanda catches a Shiny Zubat.
Bulbasaur finds a Venusaurite and a Keystone.
A wild Clefairy starts following Gilbert and Yolanda.