HEYYOOOO IM BA WITH ANOTHER CHAPTER!

Anyway...

In this chapter, Scarlet and friends arrive to Mt. Moon, a place where pokemon from outer space live! Upon meeting a boy named Hank and his Sandshrew, things get from relaxing to crazy in less than ten minutes...

Chapter XII:

"Mt. Moon is Kanto's famous mountain, known for its unique variety of fossils, and the number one training spot in Kanto for rock-type trainers. Pokemon in Mt. Moon include Clefairy, Onix, Geodude and Zubat." Bryce read off the pan-flit we had brought along. He looked up from the paper to look up at the large mountain, before rolling his eyes. "This is going to bring back memories."

I raised my eyebrow at the older boy. "You've been here before?" From my side Growlithe cocked his head to the left and sniffed in confusion.

Bryce nodded. "Yeah. My dad comes up here to train new pokemon for the gym. He gets most of his pokemon here as well. I actually found Larvitar and Rhyhorn here as well."

Nathan looked bemused. "But I thought there were only four kinds of pokemon here?"

"You would be surprised what ignorant people can miss." Bryce winked, before shouldering up his backpack a little higher and walking forwards. "Now let's go! We're never going to get to Cerulean otherwise."

We walked for a while through the mountain, stopping every couple hours to watch a pokemon interact with another, or eat berries of the overhanging trees from the tops of the cave walls.

Soon we arrived to a large cavern with a meteorite in the centre of the cave. I opened my mouth in wonder, and Nathan gasped. "What is that?"

Bryce smiled softly. "Its a moon stone. At night the Clefairy and Cleffa dance around it, and sometimes a Clefairy will evolve into a Clefable."

Growlithe sniffed curiously, and ran towards the rock. I raised an eyebrow as I gazed at the large stone. "But isn't a moon stone a lot smaller than that?"

Bryce shrugged, and walked forward as well, placing his hand delicately onto the stone. "For all we know, this could actually be considered a small stone! Moon stones that people normally use are just shards off of large stone such as this, but I've never seen a large meteorite for things like thunder stones or water stones."

"That's awesome!" Nathan beamed. "So for all we know, there could be large scale stones for every type of evolution stone?"

"Its a possibility I guess." Bryce smiled.

"But again, don't be to sure, the only reason there is this giant moon stone is because the Clefairy have kept it in such good shape." A voice from behind us rasped.

I turned around in surprise. "Who- what are you?"

Standing behind us was a boy about four years older than us, with long unruly sandy hair and interesting charcoal eyes. He was about a foot taller than Bryce, and he was wearing a long white scientist robe and green rubber boots, and had a green backpack on his shoulders. Directly to his left was a Sandshrew, who was staring intently at Growlithe.

The boy smiled and reached under his cloak to put on a pair of round glasses. "My name is Hank. I am a junior pokemon researcher studying the moon stone and the Clefairy in this cave with my parents. This is my pokemon Sandshrew.

I looked at the ground type intently, and I smiled, reaching for Dex. "Sandshrew? I've heard of them."

Sandshrew, the Mouse Pokémon. Sandshrew hates moisture and lives in holes it digs in dry places. It protects itself by curling into a ball.

"Sandshrew are pokemon that can be found in Mt. Moon, but very rarely. How did you come across one?" Bryce asked in interest.

Hank beamed, and reached down to pat his pokemon on the head. "Sandshrew and I met a few years ago, when my mom was helping me clear out a new cave to set up my dads new laboratory. We just seemed to click, so she gave me a pokeball to catch him, but like your Growlithe I guess he hates his pokeball."

"I don't think we introduced ourselves." Nathan smiled. "I'm Nathan, and this is Bryce, Scarlet and Growlithe. We're on our way to Cerulean City, and I think we made a few wrongs turns and ended up here. Do you mind showing us the way out?"

Hank waved a hand. "Yeah sure, no problem, but so you want to see something cool first? The sun is setting, which means the Clefairy will come out soon. You can set up camp in here for the night, and let out the rest of your pokemon to see the show."

Bryce and Nathan shared excited looks, and I trilled in delight.

"Oh really? You would let us do that?"

"Well, as long as you don't disturb the Clefairy, it's no problem. I let people watch them all the time. Helps with the human interaction between Clefairy, which is great for my research." Hank nodded, and along with Sandshrew, he waved his hand for us to follow him.

As we walked I struck up a conversation. "So Hank, you're Dad studies the moon stone?"

He nodded, but seemed to look troubled. "Yeah, but recently all the excess shards have gone missing. My Dad really needs them to unlock the secret of Clefairy evolution. Without the smaller shards, we're at a loss."

Bryce frowned. "That's unfortunate. I'm sure you'll finds the reason the shards are missing though.

We reached a small ledge above the moon stone, and Hank turned to head back down. "I'm going to go grab my notes, you three can let out your pokemon and relax if you want. I know how hard the hike up here is."

When the researcher and pokemon vanished, I smiled and reached for Buizels pokeball. "Come on out buddy!"

The weasel pokemon appeared, looking around for an opponent to battle. "Bui?"

I laughed and patted the weasel on the head, and Growlithe leaped over to nuzzle him affectionately. "Not today Buizel, today we can relax and hang out with the other pokemon!"

Nathan beamed. "Great idea! Beautifly, Mudkip, come on out!"

Bryce nodded. "Larvitar, Rhyhorn! Stand by!"

All four pokemon appeared and looked to their trainers in question, and Nathan waved at them in dismissal. "You guys can relax for a while. We decided to take a break." Mudkip and Larvitar trilled in excitement and followed Growlithe and Buizels lead to play a game of catch with a rock they found, Rhydon turned to the side of the mountain to practise his horn attack, and Beautifly flew high into the top end of the open cave and began practising backflips.

"I'll start on lunch, you two can hang out for a while." Bryce smiled, reaching inside his backpack for a pan and a match to lite a fire.

"Awesome! Let's go play with the pokemon Scar!" Nathan grinned, getting up and stretching. I scowled and glared at him. "You know, I really need a nickname for you since you wont stop calling me Scar. How about Nathykinz? Huh? How does that make you feel. Or Nashypoo? Sucks right?"

Bryce snickered at how frustrated I was getting and Nathan beamed. "You know I kind of like Nathykinz. Has a nice ring to it."

I ignored him thinking hard. "I know! Thanny!"

Bryce howled with laughter and Nathan scowled. "What?" Only then did he realize his mistake and his face paled. "Oh no."

I grinned like a madman. "Ah HA! You hate it! Excellent. From this day forward you shall be known as Thanny!"

Nathan groaned and smacked his forehead, and Bryce doubled over from laughing so hard.

We almost didn't hear the squeak.

I turned around in shock, looking at our pokemon. "Who was that?"

The pokemon shrugged, and Nathan furrowed his brow. "You heard that too?"

Bryce looked concerned. "It sounded like an injured pokemon!"

"Growlithe!" I mumbled quickly. "Try and smell out a pokemon from around here."

The puppy nodded and immediately went to work, sniffing everything in sight trying to catch a scent.

"The rest of you should help Growlithe, try and see if you can find a pokemon around here, look extra hard as they could be camouflaged." Bryce commanded, and the rest of the pokemon scattered looking for the injured pokemon.

We began to look as well, and only stopped when I hear insistent barking from Growlithe. I raced over to the puppy pokemon and crouched by his side. "Did you find anything buddy?"

"Growlithe... Growl..." The puppy whined, flicking his tail to another direction of the cave. Racing down it with everyone else close behind, we came to a small opening where we saw a white pokemon with black spots and large ice blue eyes filled with pain.

I gasped, and ran forward pulling out Dex. "Oh this poor thing! Dex, analyze!"

Aron, the Iron Armor Pokémon. Aron has an impressive defense power and eats iron ore in order to build up the metal in its body.

"Aron... these guys are tough pokemon! I wonder whats wrong with him" Nathan mumbled, and I felt sympathy wash over me, an I leaned forwards gently reaching out to the steel pokemon. He whimpered and cautiously leaned backwards away from my hand, and I sighed, pulling away.

"Hey little guy, I want to help you. Whats wrong? Where do you hurt?" I asked comfortingly. Bryce frowned and pulled out his pokeballs, returning Larvitar and Rhyhorn wordlessly.

"Guys, I think he is scared of all of us. Return your pokemon." Nathan and I nodded and returned out pokemon, and Growlithe whimpered and reached forward to Aron, who flinched. Growlithe barked softly to him, trying to get him to understand. After a few moments, the small iron pokemon relaxed, and I smiled.

"Good, I'm glad you can at least trust us. Growlithe, ask Aron whats wrong." I ordered to the fire type, and he nodded and barked a few times, and I heard Aron croak something in reply and Growlithe suddenly stiffened, before snarling a reply. I understood immediately, and I narrowed my eyes angrily.

"Someone has been rampaging through the caves with a machine, and Aron was hit by it. We need to help him." I sighed in sadness, and pet the metal pokemon comfortingly. Aron whimpered, and leaned into my hand, and I looked up at Bryce in hope.

"Do you think you can heal him Bryce?"

The breeder frowned before nodding. "I think so. He doesn't look to bad. Scarlet you should catch him and we can bring him back to the moon stone. I have my supplies there."

I looked at the iron pokemon with a raised eyebrow. "What do you think buddy? How about you come with us?"

The weak pokemon looked up at me with trusting eyes, and nodded with a happy cry. I beamed and pulled out a pokeball holding it out. "Alright then! Welcome to the team Aron!"

The iron pokemon cried out and disappeared into the pokeball, which clicked almost immediately.

I stood up in a hurry, desperate to get back to the moon stone to heal the poor thing. "Let's hurry! I don't want Aron to be any worse then he already is."

Racing in a hurry back to the moon stone, we arrived to see Hank and Sandshrew had returned. When he saw us, he smiled and waved us over, to which I threw my backpack down right away, and grabbed Arons pokeball. Releasing the tiny metal pokemon, I crouched down to help him to his feet, because the worn out steel and rock pokemon had wavered and fallen in pain and exhaustion.

"Don't worry little guy." I smiled at him, pulling off my jacket to lay it on the floor. I then gently rested Aron on the temporary blanket, and the pokemon collapsed with a painful cry. "It will be all better soon. Bryce, do you need anything to help Aron?"

Bryce shook his head and went to work, cleaning up Aron and looking for where he was injured. Nathan was whispering something to Hank, and Sandshrew and Growlithe we talking to each other quietly.

Bryce hummed in disapproval when he checked Aron's stomach. "I think Aron's weak from hunger. I don't see any other type of injury besides that. Is there any iron around here? I'm pretty sure that's Aron's favourite snack."

Hank snapped his fingers. "I collected some for my dads research earlier. Let me get it from my backpack." He reached into the green bag, searching around for a few seconds before pulling out a hunk of shiny metallic ore. "Ah! Here we are!"

I beamed at the boy. "Hey thanks! Aron look! Are you hungry?" I gently took the ore from Hank and pushed it towards Aron, who watched me carefully. When his eyes set upon the ore, he squealed in delight and beaming I set it under the iron pokemons mouth, which he ate slowly. Once the ore had vanished, Aron shakily got to his feet, and roared in determination.

"Wow! Look at you Aron!" I grinned in delight. "Feeling better already!"

Nathan nodded in approval from behind me. "Looks like you have a tough new pokemon Scar."

"I know, isn't he awesome Thanny?" I bit back without missing a beat.

Nathan flushed a deep red, and Bryce and Hank snorted in amusement.

I turned back to my new pokemon with a questioning stare. "So a machine hurt you huh?"

"Ar... Aron" The iron pokemon muttered sadly.

"Well, he might have been hit by the machine, and then went into shock. That would explain why later he was to weak to move. He was in shock for so long he went hungry. I'll admit, I've never seen a pokemon who was so quick to recover like this one. He sure is strong." Bryce smiled petting Aron lightly on the head. "I wonder if the person who has the machine is the person who stole the moon stone shards?"

I couldn't shake a feeling of horror. "But who would have done this? It's not like you can take a machine and just ram through a mountain without someone seeing or noticing.

"Oh you would be surprised what you can do with a little money and a lot of determination." A voice crackled from behind us all.

I spun around and cried out in shock. Bryce yelled furiously and Nathan snarled. "TEAM ROCKET!"

The three very familiar maniacal laughs were the response we got, and they came out from the shadows in a large bulldozer, standing in there usual cocky pose.

"Be respectful, and take off your hats!"

"Were here to snatch pokemon, and that will be that!"

"When will they learn." Nathan grumbled rolling his eyes. Hank looked confused. "Who are they?"

"To protect the world from abomination!" Jackie cried, standing up straight from the bulldozer.

"To unite all peoples with declaration!" Jace cried in a similar tone.

"Hope and Faith to always defy!" Jackie continued, smiling mischievously.

"As fast as a bullet we are sure to fly!" Jace crackled, crossing his arms.

"Jackie!"

"Jace!"

"Team Rocket is here with unlimited power!" Jackie snickered, leaning over the edge of the bulldozer.

"Ready for action, standing tall as a tower!" Jace called, an evil look on his face.

"Zorua! Now COWER!" The black fox screeched, leaping onto the control panel of the bulldozer.

"You three again?" I growled, and Growlithe leaped to his feet in anger. From beside me Hank and Aron looked on in confusion.

Jace smirked and picked up a pokeball from his belt. "And I have a new pokemon who is just dying to get some experience."

Nathan scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Experience in what? Blasting off?"

Jackie shook her shoulders. "Well, with all the moon stones we've been collecting for the last three days, we'll have enough money to rule the world!"

Hank huffed in anger. "You three stole my Dads research?"

I raised my eyebrow in anger. "So you three idiots are the reason Aron was hurt to I guess?" I narrowed my eyes in anger and reached for a pokeball, until Aron nudged my side gently, looking over, I smiled.

"You want to fight Aron?" I asked, looking at him carefully. When the iron pokemon nodded roughly, I beamed. "Alright, lets see what you can do!"

The iron pokemon nodded and leaped forward, standing in a ready position while growling lowly. Jackie and Jace laughed, and tossed their own pokeballs carelessly.

"Houndour let's go!"

"Spinda! Wreck these punks!"

Both pokemon appeared, and the familiar hell hound growled upon seeing Growlithe, and Growlithe snarled back.

Jace's pokemon appeared as well, a small red and white pokemon resembling a panda or a teddy bear. It teetered on its feet and Aron slowly followed the movement, a look of confusion on his rocky face.

"Spinda!" I gasped, reaching for Dex. "I've never heard of them before..."

Spinda, the Spot Panda Pokémon. Spinda uses its seemingly clumsy movements to confuse its opponents. It is said that no two Spinda have the same pattern of spots.

I nodded to myself. "Okay Aron! Watch out for Spindas movements! Stay focused on my voice so you don't get confused!"

Aron nodded and crouched down again ready for my orders. I frowned and scanned Aron with my pokedex. I wonder what moves Aron knows...

Aron can preform the moves head-butt, mud-slap, metal claw and iron defence.

Nathan was suddenly at my side, throwing a pokeball. "Mudkip, let's help them out!" The mud fish pokemon appeared with an angry look on his face, and I turned to him in confusion.

Nathan beamed at me. "Well two on one isn't exactly fair." Shrugging I turned back to the battle that was about to begin.

Jace snickered. "Can't you let your girlfriend fight her own battles?"

I flushed and opened my mouth to protest, but Nathan beat me to it. "She isn't my girlfriend! Besides it's my battle too! You three are complete morons!"

Zorua held up his paws in surrender. "Alright, alright. Jeez someone can be really pushy. Calm down."

Jackie crossed her arms in frustration. "Whatever, I guess we can beat these punks quickly. Houndour, ember let's go!"

I narrowed my eyes as the tiny flames went flying towards Aron. Just as they were about to hit, I retaliated. "Aron, Iron Defence!"

The iron pokemons body became outlined in a light blue light, and his body shone, so the embers bounced harmlessly off the iron rock pokemon.

I grinned. "Awesome! Now use metal claw!" Aron's shield faded, and the pokemon charged forward, his claw lighting up in a searing bright light and smashing down on the dog, sending him howling backwards.

"WHAT!?" Jackie roared, and I smirked as Aron landed back on his feet with narrowed eyes.

Jace cringed and then glared at us. "Alright Spinda! Use feint attack!"

The teddy pokemon charged between both Mudkip and Aron, and then disappeared, suddenly appearing on Mudkips side and smashing into him, sending the water type spiralling.

Nathans eyes widened. "Woah! Quick! Use water gun!" The small water type quickly leaped up, shooting a jet of water at Spinda and throwing him backwards.

Jace gasped, and Jackie growled and pointed at Houndour. "Houndour! Bite that insolent fish!"

The fire dark type charged at Mudkip, his teeth lighting up a bright white. Nathans eyes narrowed, and I realized he could take care of it. I turned back to Spinda and Aron.

"Aron! Use mud-slap on Spinda!" I called, and Aron shot a jet of mud and dirt straight at the normal type. Jace just smirked.

"Spinda! Use copycat!"

I recoiled. "Copycat?"

Spinda shot an equally powerful water get at Aron, and it hit the iron pokemon, sending him screeching into the cave wall.

I gasped. "ARON!"

The pokemon whimpered, and managed to pull himself to his feet. I sighed and nodded. "Good job. Now use Iron Defence!"

The pokemon continued the same procedure as before, and he lowly began to gain a little more energy.

Bryce nodded from behind me. "Good idea Scarlet. Mud-slap is super effective, so raising that defence isn't a bad idea.

To my left, Nathan was finishing off Houndour and Jackie, so I knew we needed to end this quickly. Jace made the first move however.

"Spinda! Tackle!" He called, and the teddy pokemon rushed forwards, exactly where I needed him to be. Smirking I nodded at my steel rock pokemon. "Aron, use headbutt!"

The steel type waited for just the right moment, charging into the normal type full force, and it was blown backwards to collide with Jackie, Jace, Zorua and Houndour, who had been defeated as well. The blast caused and explosion, and the gang of thieves was thrown backwards.

I grinned wickedly. "Now's our chance! Growlithe! Ember let's go!"

The fire type barked in approval and leaped forwards, shooting off his signature powerful fire attack, causing Team Rocket to go soaring out of the cave.

"LOOKS LIKE TEAM ROCKET'S BLASTIN OFF AGAIN!"

Nathan beamed as Growlithe landed on the ground with a proud bark. "Well that takes care of that!"

I smiled and called back Aron. "You were great! I can;t wait to do some more training with you! We're going to be a great team, I just KNOW it!"

Hank appeared from behind us, his arms crossed and a smile on his face. "Well, I would like to thank you. I have the moon stone shards back! Now my Dad can finish his research!"

The three of us beamed. "It's no problem!" I smiled. "Always fun blasting off Team Rocket." Growlithe yipped in approval, and we all laughed. Hank looked up at the hole in the cavern to see the moon shining. "Hey, its about time the Clefairy came out! Want to come and see them?"

I grinned and raced back towards the cave with Growlithe on my heels. "DO I EVER!"

From behind me, I heard Nathan sigh. "I swear to Arceus, that girl is such a child."

Once we were all situated in the spot we were in before, we waited patiently for the Clefairy to come out.

"Look!" Nathan whispered. "I see them!"

The pink pokemon leaped out of hiding and began to dance around the moon stone, twirling and chanting as they did so. I laughed from where I was sitting feeling totally at peace with myself. "There so cute! This really is a sight to behold."

Hank watched them with absolute adoration in his eyes. "That's the thing. Everyone has dreams and ideas on what they want to do with their life, and everyone has a difference goal they set. But how often is it a dream they really achieve? I wanted nothing more than to become a pokemon researcher in this cave with the Clefairy, its been my dream since I was a little boy. Soon Sandshrew joined me, and I couldn't be happier. But some people feel that their dream is completely irrational. Doesn't that make you sad? Knowing they can't do what they love or pursue their goals? I know it makes me feel horrible."

Nathan nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving the Clefairy. "I see what you mean. It's just like how I have the opportunity to be a Top-Coordinator..."

"And I can be a World Famous Breeder..." Bryce mumbled.

"And I can be a Pokemon Master." I whispered, ruffling Growlithe on the head. "Wouldn't that be horrible if my parents didn't allow me to go on my journey to achieve that goal?"

Hank smiled and leaned back, watching the Clefairy and his new friends be so at peace with each other seemed to make him so happy.

"Well, that's the way life is. But there is always an opportunity to reach your goals. It's really a matter of if you plan to work for them or not." HE paused, and then relaxed and closed his eyes peacefully.

"After all, We Can Form Our Own Destiny."

That part made me tear up a bit. Now you know where I got this title for the story from! I DONT JUST WRITE AS I GO! I ACTUALLY PLANNED OUT MY STORY!

Anyway...

Next chapter:

Scarlet and friends arrive to Cerulean City, where Scarlet tries to get her second badge! But what will her mother say about that? Find out next time!