POKÉMON: CRYSTAL
(POCKET MONSTERS: HUNT FOR THE CRYSTAL MONSTERBALL!)

(Episode 6)
"Life, Death, and Pokémon Battles"
(Seperated, Siblings Alone?)

Written by TG

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Last Time on POKÉMON: CRYSTAL...

The children travelled through Terreth Forest, headed for home. Tim battled and caught a Growlithe, his first catch! Once home, Beth & Tim's parents tried to convince their children to stop their foolish quest. A passionate argument from Beth eased their worries, for now. After leaving their home, perhaps for the last time, the children entered the Rouya Mountains. Their chilly trek was interrupted by a visit from Team Rocket via helicopter. A terrible error, though, has sent the helicopter into the mountainside, and an avalanche has struck everyone! Will they survive?

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The wind blew a chill through him. He reached up and felt his head, checking for anything bad. Nothing, no bleeding. He then turned his attention to the throbbing pain in his ankle. It was definitely sprained, maybe broken. Then he looked around.

The wind had blown the dust of the collapse away. Large pieces of rock lay strewn around him, and he noticed he was precariously perched on the edge of a cliff which stretched at least fifty meters down. The mountainside above him was still loose, and an occasional rock tumbled down. To his left were an assorted pile of boulders and other debris. To his right was a rocky path leading further into the mountains.

It had happened so fast. He was doing exactly what he was told, not touching the helicopter controls. Then it started beeping at him. He tried to get Annie's attention, but she's so damned self-centered sometimes. Annie...

He slowly got up and tested his ankle. The pain went from throbbing to stabbing, but it wasn't debilitating. Leigh started to weave his way through the debris, trying to keep calm. He'd never felt so... alone. And frightened, definitely frightened. A million moments were flashing through his mind.

He almost made it to the rubble, but tripped and fell against a large rock. Someone groaned. It wasn't him. He looked around and saw what tripped him: a leg. The leg was wearing jeans and tennis shoes, so it must be one of the kids. Leigh knelt down and brushed away several small pieces of rock, and lots of dirt. Leigh reached a hand toward the kid's shoulder. "Um, are you alive?"

Beth turned over, coughing. "Wher.."

Leigh looked over the dust-covered girl. "Um, are you alright?"

Beth slowly pulled herself up against a piece of rock. A small trickle of blood had run down the side of her face. She looked around, obviously dazed.

Leigh walked back to the rubble, feeling a little dazed as well. This wasn't a concussion, this was fear. He started to pull at the stones in the pile. Suddenly the pile shifted and several large rocks slide down from the mountainside above. Leigh moved back, watching the pile shift further down the mountainside. He sucked in several deep breaths. He felt like he was going to be sick.

Beth trudged over next to Leigh, looking at the pile of rock. Her head pounded, she felt like she was spinning around. Something about the pile alarmed her. Then there was a noise. She slowly scanned the pile. There it was again. She looked at Leigh, but he just stared at the rocks. He was somewhere else. Beth walked over to part of the pile closest the mountain. She heard it again. Slowly she got on her knees and started picking at the rocks. The noise was closer. She started to dig more frantically. Something felt wrong. There was something horribly wrong about this.

It drew in a deep breath, then coughed. The Pikachu had a small gash on its forehead, and a tiny bit of blood trickled from its mouth. It looked up, and its eyes brightened in recognition. "Pi...ka?"

Beth's hands trembled. She slowly brushed away the dirt and stones, revealing more cuts and scrapes on the small Pokémon.

Leigh moved a few steps towards her before his eyes focused on the creature. It was not Pik. He swallowed hard. He could feel his knees growing weak. This wasn't supposed to happen. He chose to kneel down, rather than fall. It took a few moments before he could spit the aftertaste of the bile from his mouth. The smell would make him nauseous, if he had anything left in his stomach to bring up.

Beth put her hands underneath it, not sure if she was going to make things worse. It could feel her trembling. Its eyes bored into hers. She slowly got up and moved it a few meters away. She didn't notice Leigh on the ground, or the wind blowing through her. That wasn't important. She turned around and went back to where she had found the Pokémon and began to methodically pull away pieces of rock and grit.

Leigh took another deep breath and slowly got back to his feet. Then he heard it, the rocks shifting. He looked over and saw the girl digging. Was she insane? The rock slide was hardly stable. She was going to get herself and him killed. He walked over and knelt down, uncertainly putting a hand on her shoulder. He felt her tense up as she stopped. "Your little brother.."

Beth looked up at this man, this guy named Leigh. Who was he to touch her? What right did he have to speak to her? But he didn't say anything. He just shook his head. SHOOK HIS HEAD. What was he saying? What does he know? He can't possibly have any idea. He can't be right. He will not be right. She can't let him be right.

Leigh watched the girl turn back to the rubble. He could see her trembling, feel it through his gloved hand.

Beth fell forward against the rubble. This can't be happening. She closed her eyes. She felt the warmth and the wetness. She hated it. He wouldn't give up. He wouldn't just sit there.

Leigh looked at the girl as she sobbed. This wasn't right. "I'm... sorry." She looked up at him. The tears dug tracks in her dust-covered face. He took a step back in surprise at the look in her eyes.

Beth looked back at the rubble and shook her head. "No.. NO!" She began to claw frantically at the rock. She's the only one that can free him. She's got to dig, before he dies! Then something grabbed her. She felt her body lifted from the ground, pulled away from the rubble. No, she can't stop. She began to flail against whatever it was. "Lemme GO! STOOP!!" She kept moving back, further from the shifting mass. She stretched out her arms and began kicking with her feet, trying to get a footing. "NOO! I.. HAVE TO DIG... HIM OUT!!"

Leigh held on for dear life. This girl was going crazy! She'll bring the whole mountainside down on them. "Stop.. struggling.."

Beth began to panic, trying to hit her captor. "LEMME GOOO! I'VE.. GOTTA DIG HIM OUT!"

Leigh stopped, looking down at the Pokémon lying on its side. He's got to get her under control. "Listen to me! They're gone! They're both gone!!" There was something about saying those words that felt.. horrible.

Beth went numb and stopped struggling. Gone? He's gone? Maybe he's on the other side? Or inside the cave? Yes, that's it, he made it into the cave. But where was the cave? She looked at the rubble, and up the mountainside. What mountainside? There was just... rubble. That can't be... There's no way it collapsed. "No.."

Leigh loosened his grip. "Yes.. They're gone... Your brother's dead!" He shook his head, almost in disbelief of his own words.

Beth began to flail about again. "Noo.. NO! TIMMY! TIIIMMYY!!!"

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Four hours had passed since she stopped screaming.

She cradled the Pikachu. Its breathing had become very shallow. Every few minutes it would cough in pain, and she would start quietly crying. Just as soon as she thought she had swallowed the lump in her throat and wiped away the tears, his... her Pikachu would cough again and cry in pain. Then she would start crying. It was going to die, and there was nothing she could do.

Leigh trudged up the path right behind her. The pain in his ankle had gone from stabbing back to just a dull throbbing. He didn't realize how cold it could get in these mountains. He smiled a little. "I should've brought a heavier coat." The girl shrugged in response. He didn't blame her for ignoring him. He was used to being ignored by women.

Beth stopped. She turned around and stared the Rocket straight in the eyes. "You're cold?" She slapped him as hard as she could. The crack echoed through the Gap. "That'll keep you warm!" She spun around and started walking again.

Leigh rarely got angry. It was quite useless to get angry at Annie. She'd just get angrier. Leigh caught up with the girl. "Now I've got a matching set of your handprints.." That was Leigh's other defense, humor.

Beth kept walking. That... person... had stolen her brother, and her Meowth. She was left with a dying Pikachu, and only memories. And she was going to die in the mountains with it. She kept walking.

Leigh looked down at the snow-covered rocks. He got very quiet and very serious, "I'm sorry... About what happened."

She felt it welling up inside of her again. How DARE he apologize. "There is NOTHING you can say... that will make me feel the LEAST bit better. No matter HOW many times you repeat it!"

Leigh stopped, his voice still very low. "She was my sister."

Beth stopped. She turned and looked at him. For the first time she really looked at him. He was a mess. His uniform was torn in places, he was covered in dust from head to toe. There was a stain she knew must have been his breakfast. What was it she was feeling? Compassion? For this piece of trash? Then looked back up at her. The dust on his face was smeared.

Leigh coughed up a small smile. "She was my twin, actually..."

Beth turned away and started to walk faster.

Leigh hobbled faster to keep up.

Beth looked to her side, then back at the path. It started to snow. "Why're you following me? Why don't you call up your Team Rocket buddies and have them save you?"

"The cel phone got smashed.. Besides, I don't think it'd work in these mountains." He looked over at her head. "Aren't you going to do something about that?"

Beth shrugged. "I'm gonna die anyways. What's one more bump on the head gonna matter?"

Leigh frowned. "That's not very positive thinking."

Beth turned on him. "I'm not in a very positive mood, thanks to you and your dead bitch of a sister!" She started to run, hoping to leave him behind. As her foot landed, she felt it slip on a patch of ice, and she fell onto her side. She looked down at the Pikachu, which opened its eyes a little. "You alright?" It coughed a little in response.

Leigh was breathing hard as he approached. "You alright?" He reached down to help her up, but she smacked his hand away.

Beth slowly got up, staring at Leigh. "I don't need your help or your sympathy!"

Leigh opened his mouth, but nothing came out. Instead, a scream pierced the snow. A form was flying down the path. Leigh shielded his eyes, trying to see through the snow. "It's.. it's a Golbat!!"

Beth began to back away. "I don't have any Pokémon!"

Leigh looked at the Pokéball on his belt. "I don't think my Pidgey would fare very well against that thing."

The Golbat swooped down and let out a screech. Both humans slumped to the ground in pain, which soon grew too much. The Golbat looked at the two unconscious humans hungrily. A voice came through the snow, "Golbat, return!" The Golbat disappeared in a red glow of energy.

The Golbat's owner looked over the two forms lying in the snow. "What have you caught for me today.."

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Beth, on her knees, looked at the battered, broken body of her little brother. The flesh was pale where it wasn't caked in blood. Her hands trembled, and she could feel the hot tears washing down her face. She had failed. She couldn't save him, and now he was dead. She had lied to her parents, she didn't take care of him.

"That's right, you did."

Beth looked up startled. There was her mother, and her father. They were both standing, looking angry. Beth began to sob.

Her father pointed at her, "Don't you dare try to cry your way out of this one! You let him DIE! How dare you call yourself my daughter!"

Beth reached her hand up, but her mother slapped it away, then slapped her in the face. Her mother had never struck her, ever. Beth started to wail, in pain and fear.

Her mother slapped her again. "You killed my son! How DARE you cry, you little bitch!"

Beth could only cup her mouth, crying, shaking. She shook her head slowly. "I.. I'm sorry... Mommy, please.." Suddenly a hand grabbed her. Beth stopped, in terror. The hand's flesh felt cold...dead. She started to get up, backing away. The hand's grip strengthened, and the pain stopped her sobs.

"You... you killed me." The corpse rose as well. "You wanted my Pokémon, so you killed me.."

Beth shook her head, unable to say anything from the terror and the pain.

"Yes, you wanted me dead. Now I'm going to get you back.." The monster leapt at Beth.

Beth screamed out her little brother's name in terror.

A familiar voice yelled at her, "Beth, wake up!!"

Beth grabbed the hand, looking up at his face, "I'M SO SORRY!! PLEASE TIMMY, DON'T KILL ME!!"

"Okay, okay... Don't yell.."

Beth looked at him. He wasn't gray. And there wasn't any blood. Mom and Dad were gone. "T-Tim?"

Tim looked at her strangely. "What?"

Beth looked around. She was in a room, on a bed. There was a dresser, and a vanity. She looked back at Tim. His left arm was bandaged and in a sling. A bandage was wrapped around part of his head. "A-Are you... real?" She reached hesitantly toward him.

Tim grabbed her hand, causing her to yelp. "What's your problem?"

Beth felt his hand, "You're... warm.. You're alive?"

Tim pulled his hand away, uncomfortable. "Yeah, aren't we all?"

Beth grabbed Tim into a tight hug and started sobbing, "I thought.. you were dead... that I failed... and Mom and Dad.. hated me... and you hated me.."

Tim squirmed, "Ow... My arm..."

Beth let go, still crying. "I.. I'm sorry.."

Tim rubbed his arm. "S'alright... You sure one of those rocks didn't hit you in the head REAL hard?"

Beth swallowed and wiped the tears away. She felt the bandage on her head, and noticed she was clean and in clean clothes. "It's just.."

Tim grinned, "Yeah ya did.."

Beth tried to keep from smiling, but failing miserably, "Whatever."

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Leigh looked around. It sure was dark. A light was up ahead, like a lamp was turned on. There was an upholstered chair. He was pretty sure he heard someone singing. Leigh looked down at his ankle, which was okay. His clothes were clean, and so was he. "Weird..."

He started to walk over to the chair, then noticed someone was sitting in it. Whoever it was, they had long, orange-red hair. Leigh quietly tip-toed over and looked over. It was a woman, and she was holding a baby, singing to it. The voice sounded somehow familiar.

"It's okay, Rose... Shhh. You're safe here..."

A little girl walked over from the darkness, and approached the lady. Her dark-blue hair was long and hung down her back. She looked at the bundle in awe. "Aunt Cass, who is that?"

The woman smiled, "This is Rose. She's your... cousin." She carefully gave the baby to the little girl, who giggled. "Be careful, Annie.. She's very precious.."

Leigh seemed surprised. "Annie?"

The woman turned around in her seat, "Leigh, it's alright, you can come here.."

Leigh got up. "Oh, my head..." He looked around. He was in a bedroom, and not his. He looked down. His clothes were clean... and he was too. Somebody put a brace on his ankle as well. He slid to the side of the bed and tested it. It didn't hurt. Leigh stood up. "What a weird dream... I wonder what Annie was doing in it.."

A voice came through the door, "Doing in what?" The door opened.

Leigh's surprise registered on his face. "Annie!?"

She looked at him sideways, "About time you woke up..."

Leigh hobbled over and wrapped his arms around her tightly. Tears ran unchecked down his cheeks. "I thought you were dead!!"

Annie looked at Leigh before slowly returning the hug. "Um, no... I'm quite alive. But thanks for the sentiment..." Her face softened when she pulled back and saw Leigh's tears. "Really, it's okay. Look, not a scratch." She twirled around.

Leigh sighed. "I'm sorry about, um.. almost killing you."

Annie shrugged. "I won't hold it against you... for now." She spun around. "Let's go, we've got mischief to spread."

Leigh smiled and wiped the tears away. "Whatever you say.. sis."

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"Ah, so my guests have finally all gathered!" The man looked up from a small laptop sitting on the stone table before him. He looked at the four of them. "It's not every day I get FOUR challengers!" Everyone was standing in a large cavern. A dais sat on one side, which was occupied by the man.

Pik, the Pikachu, stood in front of Annie. A small bandage was wrapped around its stomach.

Beth looked over at Annie and the Pikachu wearily, then looked at the gentleman. "Uh, sir, what do you mean?"

The man crossed his arms. "Well, now that you're all here.. Welcome to the Rouya Mountain Gym. I'm Tony, the Gym Leader."

Beth looked at Tim, who shrugged. She turned back to Tony. "Glad to meet you, but we didn't come here to battle you."

Tony sat back, "I know. Your brother told me what you're doing in these mountains. I'm the leader of the research team in those ruins you're so interested in. In order to be allowed to go there, you have to defeat me."

Beth got angry, "But you can't do that! We need to get to those ruins!"

Tony nodded, "And so you shall, AFTER you defeat me in a Pokémon battle."

Annie stepped forward, grinning from ear to ear, "We'll gladly battle you! We're ready for anything."

Beth pointed at her, "You can't-"

Tony held up his hand, "She may battle me. Everyone, stand aside. Young lady, move to the other side of the room." As soon as everyone had followed his instructions, Tony pushed a small switch on his chair. The floor rumbled and thin lines lit from green lichen on the floor to form the lines of a Pokémon arena. "It will be a three-on-three match, one at a time. Choose your first Pokémon."

Annie threw a Pokéball, "I choose Blastoise!"

"Blast-oooiisse.."

Tony nodded. "Blastoise, a very good choice. Now I will choose mine, and I choose Golbat!"

The Golbat screeched as it appeared from a Pokéball.

"Blastoise, hydro pump!"

"Golbat, confuse ray!"

The Golbat was soaked and fell to the ground.

"Blastoise, body slam!"

"Golbat, leech life!"

The Golbat leapt at the Blastoise, inflicting a horrible bite. The Blastoise threw it off, but it looked dazed.

"Now Golbat, mega drain!"

"Blastoise, ice beam!"

The Blastoise fired at the Golbat, but it swooped behind it and hit it from behind. The Blastoise fell to the ground, its strength expended.

Tony smiled. "Your Blastoise is fainted."

Annie growled. "Blastoise, return!"

Annie looked over at Pik. "I choose Pik!"

Pik glared at Annie, then bounded into the ring.

"Golbat, haze attack!"

"Pik, use agility!"

Pik bounded around the Golbat and leapt in the air.

"Now, Pik, thundershock!"

"Piiikkkaaa-CHUUUU!"

The Golbat fell to the ground.

Annie grinned, "Looks like your Golbat is fainted..."

"Golbat, return! Marowak, go!"

Pik moved back, looking at Annie. "Pika.."

The Marowak stretched, then pounded its bone club on the ground.

"Pik, thunderwave that thing!"

"Marowak, boomerang attack!"

Just as the Pikachu sent a line of electricity at the Marowak, it sent its bone club spinning. The attack struck Pik square in the head, knocking it to the ground unconscious.

Tony grinned. "It looks like your Pikachu has suffered quite a blow. Care to bow out?"

Annie growled. "Never!" She picked up Pik and carried it from the ring, handing it to Leigh. She snatched a Pokéball from Leigh's belt, then ran back into the ring. "Pidgey, go!"

"Pid-geee"

Leigh jumped up and down, "But that's mine!"

"Marowak, return! Onix, go!"

"Pidgey, whirlwind!"

Tony laughed. "Onix, take down!"

The Pidgey's whirlwind barely slowed the Onix as it slammed into it. The Pidgey hit the ground, but leapt up, looking wounded, but still fighting.

Leigh was worried, "Pidgey, don't get hurt!"

The Pidgey look at its owner, then threw open both its wings and started to glow.. A white sheen covered it as it grew, multicolor feathers becoming prominent on its head.

Leigh jumped in glee, "My Pidgey became a Pidgeotto! Oh boy oh boy!"

Annie looked at it, then pointed at the Onix. "Pidgeotto, wing attack!"

"Pidgeoooo!" It clipped the Onix hard, sending it crashing back onto the floor.

"Quick Pidgeotto, use agility to stay out of its grasp.."

"Onix, slam attack!"

The Onix moved, trying to smash itself against the Pidgeotto. Finally, it caught the bird, which was having trouble maneuvering in the cavern.

Annie ground her teeth in anger, "Grr, stupid bird, get up!"

The Pidgeotto got up, then walked over to Leigh.

Annie flailed about. "Get back here, you birdbrain! We've still got a battle!"

Tony watched as the bird upturned its head. "Since Pidgeotto will no longer battle, you have lost."

Annie growled, "I want a rematch!"

Tony pointed at a tunnel, "You may come back in three months and rechallange me. Until then, I suggest you leave."

Annie walked over and slapped Pik several times. "Wake up, wake up!" Pik opened its eyes, glaring up at Annie. She pointed at the Onix. "You've gotta thunder wave that Onix!"

Leigh hugged his Pidgeotto, then looked down at Annie. "Um, Annie, you said that out loud.."

Tony pointed at them, "Onix, throw them out."

The Onix growled and swung its tale around, sending Team Rocket shooting down the tunnel.

-=-=-=-=-

Team Rocket shot out of the tunnel into the clouds over the Gap like a bullet. Quickly gravity took over and the group began to fall. Annie tried to grab Pidgeotto's leg, but it slapped her back.

"Leigh, tell your dumb bird to let me grab on!"

It quickly flew over to Leigh.

Leigh grabbed Pidgeotto's foot, then grabbed Annie. "Sorry... I guess you hurt its feelings.."

Pik sat on Pidgeotto's back, shaking its head in disgust. "Pi-kaa.."

-=-=-=-=-

Tim walked to the challenger box. "Now that they're gone, I challenge you to a Pokémon battle."

Beth ran over and grabbed his good arm. "Hey, you're in no condition.."

Tim looked up at her, "It's now or never."

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Next Time on POKÉMON: CRYSTAL...

Tim battles Tony! Or at least, tries to. Still injured, Tim is definitely at a disadvantage in this fight. There will be an outcome that leaves both children in the lurch. Meanwhile, it is time to gather together for the next stage of their mission. They will make new friends, and Tim will learn an important lesson. It's a humbling situation, on Episode 7 of POKÉMON: CRYSTAL...

"Badge of Humility"

Beth: "Tim, humble? Have you been sniffing a Gloom?"
Tim: "Hey, I resent that remark! I'm must better smelling than a Gloom."

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Pokémon and certain characters are , ®, or © Nintendo and are used without permission.
"Pokémon: Crystal" serial fanfiction & concept © 2000 Brightblade Productions

Certain situations and characters inspired by:
"Little Rose" & "The Lost Lamb" by Annie (Blue-Jackal) Ruecroft