Colin was woken by the blinding light that shone through the open window, he moaned and turned over, burying his face into the pillow. The thought of staying in bed all day was quite appealing, but Colin felt rather uncertain about it. After his restless and fidgety night's sleep, he decided it wasn't worth it. Colin rose up slowly and sat on the side of the bed, sighing deeply as he staggered downstairs, making his way to the kitchen with as much liveliness as a pair of old socks.

"Good morning Colin!" his mum said briskly, while putting a slice of bread in the toaster. Colin took a seat and slumped in his chair.

"Morning." he said wearily, looking up. Colin's mother walked around and ruffled his hair affectionately before stopping and glancing down.

"You don't look to well Colin... Another late night, it seems?"

"No, just had trouble sleeping." he shifted in his chair uncomfortably, "went to bead straight after dinner, actually."

"You could have slept in if you wanted, you know I'm okay with that." she said, with a hint of concern in her voice. "Even if you do prefer to wake up at the crack of dawn, it wouldn't hurt to sleep in once in a while."

"Yeah, I guess..." he mumbled, as his mum pulled the toast out of the toaster, and began to butter it.

"Oh well, just eat up now love." Colin's mum said, as she placed the toast on a plate and handed it to Colin. Who seemed to of lost his appetite, just stared blankly at his breakfast for what seemed like hours on end.

"Colin?" asked his mother, as she opened the fridge and turned around "Are you sure you're feeling okay? You haven't touched your toast and you look a little pasty... My little boy isn't sick, is he?"

"No no, I'm fine Mum... Really, I am!" replied Colin, automatically picking up the toast from the plate and taking a small bite.

"Oh no, I just thought it was strange. I mean, you love your breakfast, and I know you have quite the appetite." Colin's mum went on, "I just thought something might be wrong this morning, but if you're sure now..." Colin nodded his head, and bit off another piece of toast. Colin's mum got out a carton of milk and poured Colin a glass, smiling a little. Colin tried his best to do the same, but to no greater extent as he carefully took the glass of milk from her and lent back in his chair, chewing slowly at the piece of toast.

"Oh, that's right! I just remembered" Colin's mum said, making her way to the fridge. "Miles rung yesterday when you were out..." she went on, putting the milk back. "He told me he needed your help with one of his games or something like that. Anyway, he wanted to know if you'd like to stop by his place sometime today."

Oh wow, he's not serious is he? Colin thought as he took a sip out of the glass and put it aside, frowning in concentration. He really didn't feel like going, not today anyway. Besides, Colin had other ideas...

He paused for a moment to re-collect his thoughts before clearing his throat.

"Well actually, I was wondering if I could uh, go and see him, now?" Colin asked eagerly.

"Its a little early in the morning to go and visit, don't you think?"

"But Mum!" He protested, "both his parents are working and, Miles is usually up at this hour anyway. Please, can I go?"
"But... Are you sure you've had enough to eat?" Colin's mum replied, a little taken back as she glanced at the nibbled piece of toast that lay forgotten on the table, and the glass of milk that seemed all but untouched with a peculiar expression.

"Yeah Mum I'm all good, trust me." Colin replied hastily, as he got up and dusted himself off, making his way to the door. "Thanks for breakfast." he said curtly, making an effort to smile again.

"Alright then, but one more thing, Colin."

"Yes, mum?"

"Make sure to keep an eye on the time when you're over there, wont you sweetie?"

Colin shifted awkwardly "Yeah, I'll try to." he replied solemnly, looking at the door and then to his mum, who smiled sweetly at him.

"Just have a good time, okay?"

Colin nodded his head and made his way outside.

"Hmm... he seems to be in another world today, I wonder what's gotten into him?" Colin's mum said to herself as she collected the dishes from the table. " I do wish he'd tell me, I worry an awful lot about him..."

Meanwhile, Colin closed the back door behind him. Sighing in relief as a sudden smirk made its way across his face.

"Sorry Miles, I'm just a tad bit busy today, it seems..." He said to himself quietly, putting his sneakers on before making his way down to Ilex Forest.

"All night... I was up all night tossing and turning over what I had witnessed yesterday!" Colin thought to himself as he continued jogging, trying to get a grip on his motives. Even he wasn't really sure why he was acting this way over some sparkling object in a cave.

"What's gotten into me? Going as far as disobeying and lying behind my own mother's back, and ditching my one and only best friend aside for who knows what reasons!? Is this really the extent of my boredom... or am I just asking for trouble?" Colin thought about it, but just shrugged it off, he was bored, simply put. And being bored meant that he was bound to act out of desperation for the sake of it sooner or later. Even if it meant getting up to no good.

"Ah, fuck it." he spat, "It's been too long since I've done anything exciting, well... anything at all to be precise, I should really get out more anyway." As Colin's ego inflated with confidence, he picked up the pace, leaving his train of thoughts far behind him.

It wasn't long before Colin arrived at the cave, pausing momentarily before taking a step into the dimly lit tunnel.

"Jeez its dark, good thing I brought my phone." he said, pulling out his phone and turning on the flash light, Any normal person wouldn't think twice about exploring such a dangerous cave, with its seemingly endless maze-like tunnels, and rumours of many powerful Pokémon residing in its dark and ominous depths, sending even the most seasoned of explorers scurrying back home in a hurry. But not Colin, whether it be his boredom, love of the mysterious (or his sheer stupidity...), he trudged on through the cave without a moments hesitation.

"Strange, feels like I've been here before..." He muttered under his breath. There lower levels of the cave were very complex to traverse, but Colin seemed to knew where he was going, despite never being here to begin with. He felt an odd sensation coursing through his body, one he couldn't quite put his finger on. It was like someone was showing him the way, almost guiding him in the right direction.