"You're doing great, Nala! Keep those Tackles up!" Alex cried in excitement.

She felt herself getting pumped as she watched the fish flop into tackling a bug catcher's Metapod, defeating it after several hits, then taking out his second Caterpie.

"That was fantastic, I'm so proud of you!"

"Thank you, Alex!"

Heading back to the entrance, having seen how tired her Pokémon was, she took her to the Pokémon Center to rest up.

With how populated it is with Zubat and Geodude, they knew they would have a harder time getting through. Plus there were trainers exploring the cavern like the bug catcher or a girl who owned a Clefairy are. Therefore, so long as they were roughly near the entrance, they would return to the Pokémon Center to heal everyone up properly, Nala most of all.

Afterward, they would go back into the mountain to try and get further in.

As they did so, they found some dropped items, one of which caused the girl to cringe in distaste at their find.

~What is it, Alex?~ Sienna questioned when seeing her hold what looked like a piece of candy. ~A child must have dropped it…~

"I wish. It's called a rare candy. If one of you were to eat it, it would give you a huge boost in power. But it has some pretty bad side effects…"

~What kind?~ Ansen asked with a scowl.

"If you take too many, it would cause the Pokémon to gradually grow weaker, particularly their immune system if they evolved prematurely."

~Why would someone make something like that then?~ Hana gasped.

"I don't really know, but I don't like them. Not only does it feel like you're taking shortcuts, but these things can cause a lot of damage if misused."

~How do you know so much about them though?~ the butterfly asked.

"From Professor Oak when Azure and I asked about them. We had overheard trainers talking about rare candies."

~So what are you going to do with it?~

"Well, as much as I'm tempted to stomp it into dust, I'll sell it at the Poké Mart."

~But you said…~ Lance started.

"I know, but despite its side effects, it also has medicinal purposes, so it's not completely bad. It's just overusing them where the trainer and Pokémon become addicted in a sense."

~I trust your judgment, Alex,~ Nala chirped from Sienna's arms. The fire type and many of the others agreeing with her.

"I'm glad to hear that. If I were to get anything, it would be things prescribed by the doctors like vitamins or medicine if you were sick."

~So long as they don't have side effects like those candies, I don't care,~ Ansen grumbled softly.

"Right," the trainer smiled. She quickly got things packed before they wandered around the caves some more, finding more abandoned items along the way.

When coming across a ladder, Alex had to put everyone in their pokéballs so they wouldn't risk trying to climb or fly down the hole.

"Hey, you!" the voice of a man barked harshly, making the girl jump. "The hell are you doing here kid?"

"I'm just trying to pass through…" Alex answered, feeling herself starting to shake. "I'll…I'll just go now."

"Not so fast, little girls like you should be taught not wander around alone," the man spoke, pulling a whip out and a pokéball. "Why don't you drop the bag and pokéballs and come here like a good girl and no one gets hurt…much."

"No way!" Alex snapped, pulling out a pokéball, forgetting it was Nala's as she tossed it, revealing her flopping about. "Oh no!"

"Not a very smart kid, are you?"

"N-Nala can beat you still!"

"You just gave my Pokémon sushi is all," the man laughed.

Alex suddenly noticed the uniform, feeling the color drain from her face when seeing the sort of person she's dealing with.

"He's part of Team Rocket," she gasped, unsure if they would be able to win. "Be careful out there, Nala. Be ready to switch out if it starts getting bad!"

~Got it!~ she chirped, though the man laughed.

"How can that useless thing help you, let alone understand you? You must be pretty stupid," the Rocket snickered as he called out a Sandshrew. "Fillet it!"

"Shrew!" the Pokémon attacked.

However, just as it dove for her, Nala jumped in the air, surprising the Pokémon enough to make it lose its balance.

Seeing it was distracted, the fish lunged herself at the shrew, tackling it hard several times before it collapsed, unable to continue out.

"You were saying?" Alex growled, unable to hide a smirk.

"You got lucky!" he snapped as he threw out another pokéball.

Alex took the time to recall Nala and threw Ken's ball, calling him out just as a Rattata appeared.

"Thunder Shock!"

"Pika!"

The Rocket was left stunned not only by the odd colored rodent but how quickly his own rat went down. Desperately, he tried ordering his Zubat to attack, only for it to fall quickly with a strong electric attack.

Fumbling over what to do, the rest of Alex's Pokémon came out, surrounding him when sensing the threat.

"Look, kid, I wasn't going to do anything to you, I swear! I was just joking!" he stuttered as he saw how angry they looked, especially the second staged ones.

"I don't think they enjoyed your joke," Alex said harshly.

Snarling, the man turned to run, the other Pokémon taking chase, careful to avoid lethal force, but were certain to leave him bruised and scratched up nicely.

"My associates won't stand for this when they hear about you!" he hollered as he managed to get away, holding a bleeding arm.

"There are more Rockets here?" Alex gasped when hearing that.

Looking at the ground nervously, the bravery she felt moments ago fading instantly, her gaze falling to the ground.

~We should get out of here,~ Sienna suggested, the others agreeing as the trainer recalled everyone except for the fire type. She wanted to stay out to ensure they aren't attacked while climbing up.

Once they got out of the mountain and into the Pokémon Center, Alex had her Pokémon treated while heading to the nearest phone.

She immediately called the police, informing them of what happened and that there may be more inside the mountain.

When they showed up, questioning her more about what happened; they told her they would look through, but in the course, close off sections of the mountain. It would be done so they can prevent trainers from getting mistaken or Rockets trying to sneak away.

What felt like an eternity, they left her be, congratulating her for calling them as soon as possible, the officer told her to be careful in the future.

Once alone and her Pokémon back in her possession, they sat in her room, watching out the window as night fell, Zubat running rampant outside.

~Alex?~ Hana started, flying over, landing on the bed next to her.

"What is it?"

~What's Team Rocket? I remember that man, Nathan, he was reading something about them, right?~

"Yeah, that's right. They're bad people, really bad," Alex answered. "Some are worse than the one we encountered."

~How bad are they?~

"They're known for stealing. It can be artifacts from museums, rare Pokémon from trainers or a nature reserve. But they'll also steal strong Pokémon or what they think is strong."

~That's awful.~

"It is awful, that's why I called the police to report it. If there are more wandering through Mt. Moon or patrolling outside of it, people and Pokémon are in danger."

~But that so-called Rocket wasn't that strong,~ Ansen commented.

"We got lucky; he was probably more a scout or someone replaceable. If he was a higher rank, he would probably be a lot stronger. We're just lucky he didn't seem to have any weapons like a gun after beating him in battle."

~Gun?~ Sienna repeated with a quizzical, but nervous stare.

"It's something people can use to hurt others instead of using Pokémon. They're sometimes small and easy to fit on a belt or pocket and fires small projectiles called bullets. Those are what can cause the most damage."

~It certainly sounds bad,~ Ken said nervously.

"If misused, they are. But if you see an officer with one, it's not that bad as they're trained to only use it on bad people and Pokémon if there's no alternative."

~Speaking of hurting Pokémon, would Team Rocket hurt their own?~ Hana asked worriedly.

~If what Alex said about them is true, they probably wouldn't hesitate to kill their own,~ Ansen growled.

~They're not bad, they're evil,~ Lance growled as well, gritting his teeth.

"Exactly, while there are other poachers just as bad, Team Rocket is one of the worst and they appear almost anywhere."

~Can they be stopped?~ Ken asked worriedly.

"I don't know. I've heard the news of some sometimes getting arrested, but shortly after they either manage to escape or they're bailed out, allowing them to leave."

~Sounds as if there's someone working from the inside,~ Ansen spoke solemnly.

"I wouldn't be surprised, Team Rocket is really expansive. So having some working in disguise as police, maybe even doctors wouldn't be that shocking."

~So if we encounter more, we'll simply fight them off,~ the bird stated, seeing the others stare in shock.

"Are you nuts? We got lucky defeating that one Rocket. What if we faced one who's stronger than him? Or worse, stronger than the gym leaders we face?"

~Then we'll just continue getting stronger. You have an advantage compared to most trainers, gym leaders included.~

"I do?"

~Yes, you can understand us, Team Rocket can't. They use Pokémon for selfish gain. You can use your gift to help those Pokémon to rebel if they were held against their will. You can hear what they say and know what to say. It would be a lot more useful than our attacks alone.~

"You really think so?"

~I'm positive. And even if you can't reason with them, because we understand one another, we can trade strategies even during the fight.~

"You're right, thank you, Ansen," Alex smiled, seeing the Pokémon give a huff, turning his head away.

~I'm impressed, Ansen. You're nobler than I gave you credit for,~ Sienna joked, seeing the bird fluff his feathers, flying up to the upper bunk.

~I think he's embarrassed,~ Lance teased, the others laughing.

~Fuck off, all of you!~

"Come on, let's get some rest," Alex giggled. "We can't do anything right now with all those Zubat flying outside. Dealing with them in there is one thing, but out here is completely different."

The others gave a nod, finding various spots around the room to curl up and sleep, some either on the floor or in the bed with Alex.

The rest of the night went without issue, everyone eventually waking up well rested as sunlight poured through.

As they got up and went to have breakfast, Alex decided to look through her things to see where they were for supplies.

They were okay with potions it looked, but they would need more food and water as well as a few other things to make the trek through Mt. Moon manageable.

She told them what she had planned, the others agreeing they should stock up before taking another hit at the mountain.

Roughly an hour later, they were back at Mt. Moon, Alex looking to her team.

"You guys ready?" she asked.

~Let's get going,~ Ansen said, flying on ahead.

~So long as we avoid the closed off portions, we should make a straight shot to the other side,~ Sienna said, recalling the map their trainer showed.

The others nodded as they traversed through, fending off any wild Zubat that came at them as well as the occasional Geodude and Paras.

"Hey, let's battle!" a female trainer called, waving at Alex.

"Oh, sure," she nodded, taking out Nala's ball. She read the Pokédex and with the pace, they're going and her stats from the Pokémon Center, she's close to evolving.

Throwing the ball, the fish flopped around, ready to dodge or attack, the other trainer staring blankly.

"A Magikarp? Are you serious?" the trainer laughed as she tossed her ball, revealing an Oddish. "Use Absorb!"

"Nala!" Alex cried out as the attack hit her friend, draining some of her energy.

~That felt weird…~ the fish whimpered.

"Nala, come back Si…" the trainer started as she recalled the fish. As she was about to call for her starter, a tanned blur shot past her. "Ansen?"

With a strong flap of his wings, the grass type was sent flying back away from where Nala was.

~To easy,~ Ansen chuckled as he was hit with an Absorb, the attack having little effect at all. He flapped his wings once more, sending the grass type into the air, crashing hard on the ground, knocked out cold.

"That's a scary bird," the female trainer said as she called out her next Pokémon, revealing to be a Bellsprout. "Power up with Growth!"

Ansen let out a laugh that sounded like a war cry to the trainer as he made quick work of fly trap Pokémon, its vines having little effect on him.

"Great job, Ansen!" Alex cheered, the bird shrugging it off with a smug look.

"What kind of girl uses an ugly fish and scary bird? Girls should have something cute, like Jigglypuff or Pikachu," the trainer whined as she stormed off.

~Brat, just like those Pokémon she spoils,~ Ansen grumbled as he preened himself a bit.

"Some are just like that," Alex sighed as she called out Nala. "You okay?"

~I'll be fine, that just surprised me was all,~ the fish responded with a nervous laugh.

"I didn't expect to see someone with a grass Pokémon, I'm just glad they weren't very strong," the trainer said. As she talked, she pulled out a potion to take care of some minor injuries on Nala. "That should feel better soon."

~I'm feeling better already. Actually, I feel a little tingly,~ Nala exclaimed just as her body suddenly lit up in a brilliant light.

Alex jumped back, realizing what was happening, "Oh my… Nala, you're evolving!"

Just as those words left her mouth, her glowing Pokémon's body quickly grew larger and larger, becoming more serpentine. When the light finally dissipated, instead of a little orange fish flopping on the ground now laid a large draconic sea serpent.

"You look amazing!" Alex laughed as she jumped for joy.

~I…I do?~ Nala questioned as she looked herself over in confusion. ~It feels so strange. Everything is so small now…~

"I'm sure you'll get used to it," the girl reassured as she called everyone else out.

~Nala?~ Hana gasped.

~Whoa, that's what a Gyarados looks like? That's so cool!~ Lance awed as did Sienna as they all examined their friend.

~So you like this new me?~ Nala asked worriedly.

~Yeah, you look great!~

~I bet you'll be super strong now like this!~

"Oh, speaking of strength…" Alex fished through her bag, pulling an unfamiliar floppy disk. "I wanted to give this to you sooner, but it wouldn't sync with you while you were still a Magikarp."

~What is it?~ the timid Pokémon asked.

"It's a TM we found earlier in here while you were in your pokéball," the trainer answered. "I read the label and it's supposed to contain Water Gun. The only ones who can learn it are you and Lance."

~Oh!~ the Gyarados stared in surprise as she leaned down to see the disk. She turned to the poison type with some concern.

~I already declined. Figured you'd make the most out of it,~ Lance explained with a cheeky grin.

"So what do you say, want to know your first water type attack?" Alex asked.

~Oh, I would love too!~ the dragon laughed happily.

Alex smiled as she recalled her into her ball, inserting the ball and floppy into the device.

After a few minutes, it made a ding to signal that the process was done.

Calling her back out, Nala blinked a bit before testing her new attack on a Geodude that was nearby.

~It's so strong! Thank you, Alex, thank you so much! I'll be sure to treasure this attack for all it's worth,~ Nala beamed as she gently nuzzled her trainer.

"I'm glad you like it, I also have another TM that the gym leader gave me after I beat him," Alex laughed, seeing her curious gaze. "I told you about it, I figured if you feel comfortable, you could learn it now or later if you feel you could handle it."

~Maybe after I've gotten used to my new body?~ the Pokémon suggested.

"No rush, I wanted to at least offer," Alex grinned as she hugged the water type.


Alex - Pokémon 7 - Badges 1 - Deaths 0

Team:

Sienna - Charmander - Charmeleon

Ansen - Pidgey - Pidgeotto

Lance - Nidoran M. - Nidorino

Hana - Caterpie - Metapod - Butterfree

Ken - Pikachu

Nala - Magikarp - Gyarados


Home:

Maxwell - Jigglypuff


I wanted to give my own explanation regarding Rare Candies. I'm not entirely opposed to trainers using them on their Pokémon, but I personally don't use them anymore on any of mine.

My reason is that years ago, I would use as many as I could on my Pokémon to speed evolve or simply have level 100 Pokémon. I would get them however possible, even using a Gameshark. That led to some of the Pokémon's stats being much lower than if they leveled up naturally when compared, so I stopped using them. Instead, I would sell them, even during normal playthroughs.

This is my own personal preference, so those who do use them, don't be offended. Everyone has their own style raising their Pokémon, whether it's during nuzlockes, casual, or competitive plays.

Also, I would like to thank, PinkTheDinosaur on Deviantart for helping me with some edits on this chapter.

If you enjoyed this, please leave a review and any helpful critique that may better improve the writing.