Colin had been walking for a few minutes now. Making his way towards Ilex Forest. He liked exploring here whenever he had any free time on his hands... He had been wanting to go since this morning. Colin would always just sit by the small lake, near the forest clearing and look up at the sky- Just watching the world go by without a care in the world.

Colin stopped walking and looked up at the forest entrance, the trees swaying slowly in the cool breeze, and headed inside. He made his way to the forest clearing, the Forest itself looked quite different in the evening. The late afternoon sun piercing through the thickest of foliage and hitting the ground. Casting magnificent shades of orange, and pink hues throughout. From here, Colin walked a few paces to the edge of the forest, and sat down, next to the bank of the lake on an old shrivelled log.

He sighed and put his hand up to his chin. His reflection in the water looking back at him, with the same bored expression.

"I'm just so fed up with being bored... Every day seems to repeat itself... Over and over... I just don't feel like I'm getting anywhere..." Colin looked up and observed the lake... The sun was setting over it, turning the lake bright orange in colour. The surface of the water, dancing slowly in the breeze, and the tranquil harmony of the leaves rustling in the treetops... He rolled off the log and onto the soft, lush grass beneath him. "The lake is so beautiful... I wish I could just stay here forever, and just forget about everything." Colin looked up at the sun setting over the treetops. Its a fair hike from here back to his house, it would be almost dark by the time he got back home. Colin sighed and lazily stood up. I really should get going... Mum's probably worrying herself. I want to stay... But I need to get back home. Ilex Forest is dangerous at night.

Colin knew this first-hand. He never forgot that one time when his curiosity got the better of him. Colin creped out of bed and tiptoed all the way down here to see for himself all the 'deadly sick Pokémon' those older students at trainer school were talking about. Apart from being total jerks and pranksters themselves. They were definitely right about the Pokémon being 'deadly'.

Colin shuddered at the thought of what would've of happened if he couldn't run...

But as Colin was walking back, he didn't feel anxious or paranoid about the forest like he used to. Quite the opposite... Strangely enough. Could it be that he was older now? After all... That did happen a very long time ago, and Colin was only a young boy at the time. Yes, It did seem like a logical theory. Colin told himself as he kept on walking. But somehow, in the back of his mind. That didn't seem quite right... Colin stopped walking and looked around. The sun was nearly gone as the moon took its place in the sky. Casting an eerie glow over the once enchanted forest. A cold gust of wind picked up, sending a sudden chill down Colin's spine, like a hard slap to the face. He winced and turned around towards the rocky mountain that broke away from the forest. Where the wind came from, and noticed the cave that his Mother told him to stay away from.

(Twinkling softly in the light?)

Colin shook his head disapprovingly, he rubbed his eyes and walked a few paces towards the cave. He noticed something out of the ordinary, but he was still unsure as to whether his eyes were playing tricks on him or not.

Wait... What is that shining in the cave? Is that...Whoa.

Colin reached the entrance of the cave, hesitant to go any further. He peered closer inside, the cave was glowing.

He turned to look at the last little arc of sunlight, then back at the cave. The inside of the cave was sparkling faintly, making Colin's insides churn and his heart beat faster. The glittering cave seemed to be beckoning Colin to come inside. He took a step into the cave, followed by another, and then one more, until he came to a slow stop. Colin closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Any normal person, like Colin, would of known better than to walk into the cave alone and unprotected, especially at nightfall. But Colin didn't feel scared, or threatened. The sparkling enigma gave Colin a subtle feeling of courage, which only fuelled his determination to uncover the strange phenomenon. Colin opened his eyes again and was about to make his way into the lower, maze-like levels of the cave before he was interrupted by his mothers words, echoing in the back of his mind."Don't go wandering into the cave, Colin! It's dangerous in there!" Bringing Colin to his senses, realising his brash decision. He cringed out of frustration, nothing got him more excited than the mysterious. He reluctantly turned around and slowly made his way out of the cave and walked back home, before his damned curiosity got the better of him again.

Colin cursed to himself silently. He was supposed to be back home at least half an hour ago. What would his mother say to him now? Colin swallowed audibly at the thought. He reached the front door, and hesitantly turned the doorknob. Only to have the door be opened for him.

"Colin! Where have you been! I told you to be back before seven... It's now nearly eight!" snapped his mother. Colin scratched the back of his head, trying to think of a reasonable excuse for his actions. He would of gotten home much faster if he wasn't feeling so lost within himself. Ever since he walked out of the cave, away from, whatever it was that was down there. He felt like he made the wrong decision. Colin mentally kicked himself for forgetting what his mum had said.

"I'm sorry Mum... I was caught up with things, and lost track of time..." he apologised. His mum wouldn't be too impressed if she found out he disobeyed her warning, and his reasons behind his actions were far from believable.

Colin's mum bent over and put her hands on his cheeks, grabbing his attention.

" Colin, I know you're a big boy now and can take care of yourself," she said, "but you cant afford to wander the countryside alone in the dark with your head in the clouds now, can you?!" Colin's mum said sternly, putting her hands on her hips. She loved her little boy to death, and couldn't stand to see him hurt, especially out of his own lazy and thoughtless actions.

"Sorry Mum, I didn't mean to be so careless..." Colin apologised again, finding the ground to be of particular interest at the moment. His mum just shook her head and smiled.

"Now, now Colin, just be more careful next time, alright?" Colin's mum smiled. she turned around and gestured to the kitchen. "I have a bowl on the counter top ready for your dinner, just help yourself okay?"

"Thanks, Mum." replied Colin, who grabbed the bowl from the counter top. "What's for dinner, by the way?"

"It's my veggie soup love, your favourite!" said Colin's mum proudly, as she sat down on the sofa.
Colin lifted the lid off the pot. As he did, he was hit by the wonderful aroma of wholesome veggies and herbs. He poured a hearty amount onto his bowl, and sat down.

Hmm, what could that of possibly been down there in the cave... Colin thought to himself as he picked up a spoon from the table, and dug in.

As Colin took his first mouthful, his mouth was flooded with the healthy flavour and creamy texture of his favourite food. This wasn't just any old vegetable soup. This, was something else entirely... Colin couldn't help but smile.

Mmm, it's so delicious- I wish mum made it more often! As he savoured the taste.

At least the food takes my mind off the cave...

But the worst was yet to come.