Hunting Cleffa

"Bulbasaur, let's try it one more time!"

The young Seed Pokemon fired an array of sharp leaves from under its growing bulb as they completely missed the rocky outcrop ahead, spiralling out of control into the air. Razor Leaf would be a powerful move for it to learn so early under Rod's command as a trainer, and he was keen as ever to teach it. Bulbasaur lacked a long-range attack, and would be forced to go in close to land a move leading to the dangers of a more powerful attack. Bulbasaur roared loudly firing another gallop of leaves as more steadily hit the target before buckling down breathing heavily from exhaustion. Rod and Forrest clapped as they ran across, the shadow of Mt. Moon truly surrounding them, and immediately congratulated it for the effort so far.

Forrest exclaimed, smiling as he passed over some Oran Berries: "This Bulbasaur learns very quickly, hopefully it can learn the move in no time!"

Bulbasaur looked up cheerily as Rod agreed and commented: "You're doing great Bulbasaur, let's do a bit more walking through Mt. Moon and we can practice again when we reach the Square."

Mt. Moon Square was only a few hours of trek away, however the curling tunnels within the mountain made it tricky to navigate. However, the Square had a small Pokemon Centre and would be the most ideal place to rest tonight. The morning sun appeared slightly around the large mountain as they packed up, Rod returning Bulbasaur safely to its Pokeball, before adjusting his headband and leading the way forward into the mountain opening. Luckily, the dusty dirt track was still in tack from years, and some of the tunnels had lights flickering from the walls to aid travellers. Both Rod and Forrest lacked a Pokemon who could light up an area with the move Flash or even a Fire Type to help enlighten them.

Turning his head to Forrest as they walked onwards: "Do you have any other Pokemon, Forrest? Or is Geodude and Steelix your only ones?"

Forrest smiled and took out the two small Pokeballs from his pocket, weighing them in his hand, before replying: "I have caught a few more in the past, but I've given them to most of my family who have moved away from Pewter."

"Where have they travelled to?"

"Most have gone with Mum and Dad to other Regions, my older brother is training to be a doctor."

Rod understood, but always found it curious when talking to someone with other siblings. He had grown up an only child, and the loneliness that came with it had terrified him at times. His Father would travel extensively, and his Mother was only a memory in his mind at this point. The power of Forrest's Steelix was something he had never witnessed before though, and how he commanded it to take down the Kabutops back at Pewter City. Even seeing an Onix would blow his mind, but an evolved form of it, he wondered if he could ever train and control something so powerful. They continued to walk forward as the road became much more steeped and difficult to traverse, Rod's black trainers gripping as much as they could to the surface. Mt. Moon eventually would split into several paths that veered off in new directions for the traveller, and this was an option that wasn't available a few years ago. It allowed those to easily skip Cerulean City and head south towards Vermillion through a cave system.

A sudden rumbling soon broke their conversation as both trainers stood on the spot feeling the world shake around them. Looking around puzzled, Rod turned his head behind before seeing something enormous appear in the dense forest. The dirt road spluttered into all directions as he dived to one side, pulling Forrest with him, as they yelled out. The dark monstrosity soon hit the sunlight, and the sound of an engine alerted them to a high-powered truck. The vehicle stormed past them as Rod caught a glimpse of the driver., a large man with dark glasses, before seeing the back of the truck flicker past. It nearly took them out as they both clambered back to their feet yelling words of abuse behind as the vehicle disappeared around the next bend.

Forrest ran ahead, as Rod followed the sprint, calling: "Rod! Did you see what that guy had in the back of his truck?"

Rod nodding knowing what he saw, and it was something that plagued the Pokemon World from each Region. Nets and various hunting options were seen at the back as Rod remembered the split second of passing, and it instantly gave away who the individual was. A Pokemon Hunter, and a group of individuals who captured rare Pokemon to be sold on the market or even used for pure slavery. Kanto had grown with the amount of these people over the years, and now with Team Rocket causing mayhem, many had feared the number would be too hard to deal with.

Rod replied, as they ran around the corner, his bag cutting into his shoulders: "What would a Pokemon Hunter want with Mt. Moon though?"

"The rarest Pokemon out here would be Cleffa and its evolved forms!"

Rod had heard of these Pokemon, but never had seen one before due to their rarity and unique nature and habitat. Flicking open his Pokedex, it immediately flashed into life and rang loudly: "Cleffa, the Star Shape Pokemon, is known to form circles when they dance in the view of a shooting star. It's current Type is being examined closely with new information found."

Rod had no idea what the last segment meant, but Cleffa were extremely rare and to see one would require a lot of luck or understanding. They continued to spring up the curved roads of Mt. Moon as the buildings of Pewter City appeared far below them with other towns sprawled around Kanto. It was known as the one of the tallest mountains in the Region, but Rod knew it was no time to take in the view. Sounds of the truck were vanished steadily as the exhaust smoke rose blissfully from the path it had just traversed. They had to slow this person down, and Rod quickly pulled out a couple of Pokeballs from his pocket.

Releasing them ahead, they exploded into life high above as he cried: "Fletchling and Starly! Chase down that truck and hold him up!"

Forrest followed his initiative, and pulled out a Pokeball of his own: "Steelix, we need your help!"

The massive Iron Snake Pokemon appeared beneath them as Rod jumped on its back with Forrest as Steelix sped across the ground with significant speed as it growled. Rod's two Flying Pokemon disappeared high above before splitting into different directions, communicating a strategy as more local Pokemon ran off the road in shock at Steelix charging through. The sound of the truck grew louder, but also at a much slower speed, had the Pokemon Hunter found its target. Mt. Moon Square wouldn't be much further ahead at this point and the speed they were travelling at, but Cleffa would rarely be in such an urban area in the mountain. It had a Pokemon Center Rest Spot and various facilities, but the Hunter seemed to be heading there. Rod scratched his head in thought and confusion as he called his two Bird Pokemon on as they screeched high above and swooped around the corner.

The truck was now in view, black smoke appearing from behind as Rod saw the nets once again. He called loudly: "Fletchling, use Steel Wing on its wheels! Starly use Quick Attack!"

The Tiny Robin Pokemon flashed white with its wings turning into metal and colliding hard with the truck as the individual yelled in shock spiralling the truck out of control. It nearly spiralled off the side of Mt. Moon, to Rod's shock, before Starly landed the Quick Attack on the front right wheel. The truck stopped instantly, skidding to a halt as Steelix roared loudly completely wrapping the vehicle and its contents within its long snake-like body. Rod and Forrest slid down its rocky body, landing with a thud, on the hard surface before approaching the damaged truck slowly. Fletchling and Starly flew in circles above keeping a steady eye on the proceedings below as their trainer opened the door. The individual slid out of the opening and slumped to the ground breathing heavily as he struggled to stand back up.

Rod called: "Pokemon Hunter! What are you doing on Mt. Moon?"

The man coughed and looked up, revealing dark green eyes and sweaty dark hair, before replying with a snarl: "That is of no business to you kid. I have a job to do here, and it doesn't concern any of you."

Forrest stamped his foot down as Steelix bound the area even more with its steel body, he cried: "Cut the nonsense will you? My Steelix can pulverise your truck in seconds. Now tell us what you are doing here, Hunters always lead to bad things."

"I told you already. I am doing a job for my leader, and I'm not saying the name. And your Steelix there could be sold...for a lot of money."

Angrily Forrest lashed out with his foot, just missing the man's face as he leaned back: "How dare you treat my Pokemon as if its a sale option, I should destroy you right now."

Rod held Forrest back, knowing there had to be a more diplomatic way to this, but as his friend began to protest, the Hunter stood up and dusted himself off. He took out a Pokeball with a small smile appearing across his face as Rod and Forrest took a step back and Steelix growling behind them. The Hunter chucked the Pokeball into the air as it spluttered into life and reformed into something so large that hovered in the air. It was a Skarmory, a Steel/Flying Type hybrid as it flexed its Steel wings whilst roaring loudly sending a shiver around them all.

The Hunter called: "There is an age of madness coming over this world, and little runts like you won't survive. Welcome to REALITY!"

He cried loudly on the last word as Rod fell backwards yelling in pain as Skarmory unleashed a powerful Screech attack around as even Steelix uncoiled. Rod cried out as Forrest yelled: "Steelix, Flash Cannon! Let's go!"

The Iron Snake Pokemon roared and flashed white as all of its energy focussed at its mouth. A powerful jet of Steel erupted and made direct contact on Skarmory above as the Hunter dived to one side, acrobatically using the truck as leverage. He jumped up the hill as Rod gasped as how athletic he was compared to his size.

Rod bellowed, still covering his ears: "Fletchling and Starly, use Quick Attack!"

Both of his Flying Types made contact on the dirt ground as mud spiralled in all directions including the Pokemon Hunter who landed hard on his back. He coughed in pain before replying: "Skarmory use Icy Wind!"

"What the-" Rod could only call in confusion as to how Skarmory could use an Ice Type attack, before a cool blizzard pushed them all back. Steelix began to back down under the strength of the attack as Forrest returned it back to its Pokeball. Rod was forced to do the same as both of his Flying Types were grounded, and he fell backwards feeling ice crack around him. The Pokemon Hunter laughed loudly as he took a step through the ice with Skarmory screeching loudly above. His face had the smile etched upon it as the world seemed to turn dark around giving him a spooky silhouetted look. Standing above Rod, he looked down and spoke something but all audio seemed to be lost in the power of the Icy Wind attack. Adrenaline was disappearing as Rod's mind finally clicked back into gear with light returning. He continued, taking another Pokeball from his pocket: "Shinx...Discharge!

The Flash Pokemon appeared and unleashed a trademark Discharge as blue electricity rocked the entire area. Rod called out in pain as his body was hit with Forrest trying to cover up from the attack as much as possible. The ice cracked around as Skarmory was hit above, completely unaware of the attack, and the Pokemon Hunter was again forced backwards. Anger flickered through Rod's body as he forced himself back to his feet, pointing a finger directly at the Hunter before calling again: "You will never take Reality from Kanto, Pokemon Hunter, and this will be your last!"

Shinx growled and jumped forwards as Rod commanded a final attack to end this battle once and for all...

…

Giovanni had reached Saffron City at last, and with the city in lock-down, he could now peruse in the power it held. Saffron had always been the central city of the Kanto Region, and all trade went through including the powerful Magnet Train that ran to Goldenrod City in Johto. With the Kanto Government being flushed out steadily, he could now feel like a king over the lands he had taken. Kanto went down easily, and with a Prime Minister in exile, the Region would soon bow down towards him, the only man with the ability to make changes. The People had no option, and they couldn't run as the boats leaving Vermillion would cease in about a weeks time. Anyone they were looking for had to go there to leave the Region to far lands, and they would be stopped. Already the Gym Leaders had been rounded up apart from Blue and Forrest, who both disappeared from their towns. Blue would appear eventually, Giovanni understood how he worked, but the news about his possible son travelling had become more thin ice than solid.

However, there was other things on his mind away from Team Rocket, and it was about himself. Team Rocket would succeed, but he had other plans in mind, and new technology to take him even higher than an international corporation would. Many had begun to believe his true intentions were clear, take over Kanto and the World, but he had already tried that and failed. Instead his mind had turned something far more destructive and addictive: destruction. Why should he stay and fight those when he could vanquish them in seconds with the most powerful Pokemon the world would ever see? He smiled as he sat in the former Prime Minister chair, the building still in darkness due to the workers leaving. Turning on the desk lamp he took out a small transceiver from his pocket and turned it on as it flickered to life.

Turning to the contacts section, Giovanni began to scroll down the long list of individuals he had gained over the years. To the former Team Rocket member Proton to even some of the former Pokemon Champions who had turned to a darker side later in their Pokemon careers. He had enough names and numbers to create an army, but all that seemed to easy and boring. He wanted something that could nullify an opponent regardless of battling strength, and the enjoyment of seeing a trainer buckle down due to a lack of power would be interesting and joyfully cruel. His finger stopped on a three lettered name as his smile widened and taking care that nobody would be in earshot, he clicked to call the number.

It beeped for a few seconds before finally ringing loudly in the office room as the contact eventually picked up. Giovanni snarled: "So you finally pick up the phone, after all these years."

"Make this quick, Giovanni." The response was brief and abrupt, but Giovanni enjoyed that. He had waited for this phone call, and now it was time to make a move. He had given his contact information almost ten years ago now, and never got an answer until now.

Giovanni responded: "I know the secret behind your power, and I wish to learn about it."

"What's in it for me?"

"Blue."

There was a slight pause as the contact took a breath before replying: "Agreed. You know where I am."

"Won't be long now...Red"

…

Mt. Moon Square had a very eventful night with Officer Jenny and her team arriving on the mountain to arrest the known Kanto Pokemon Hunter. Rod and Forrest had been given thanks and free accommodation at the Pokemon Centre for their actions. Rod had lost the battle against the Hunter and his Skarmory with Shinx taking the most damage, but Forrest once again came to the rescue with his powerful Geodude. From Team Rocket to Pokemon Hunters, what else would strike them before heading to Vermillion City the next day?

Rod lay in his bed breathing heavily as Bulbasaur and Shinx snored next to him, Fletchling and Starly perched by the open window looking at the moon high above. He spoke to Forrest across from him: "Just one thing after another, isn't it?"

Forrest chuckled as he twisted into a more comfortable position: "Well...nobody said anything was going to be easy, right?"

"I guess your right, so Vermillion City tomorrow?"

It would take them few hours to scale down the side of the Mt. Moon before veering towards the Vermillion port away from Cerulean City. Forrest responded: "Nearly there, but I fear...we may have another issue at Vermillion."

"We can handle it...I know we can."

They both turned to each other and laughed before turning the room off and letting the moonlight shine through the window. Fletchling and Starly both cried softly as leaned against the window pane and slowly fell asleep...