CHAPTER TWENTY
Daniel and Natalie exited the Pokemon Centre, surprised at how quickly the blanket of darkness had covered the sky so quickly. They began to walk south, seeing the mouth of the cave within view. As they approached, they read the sign next to the entrance,
'Rock Tunnel. A naturally formed underground tunnel. Because it has not been developed, a light of some sort is needed to travel through'.
"You ready?" Daniel asked, a little nervous.
Natalie hugged him briefly, then faced him, her eyes shining. "Let's go!"
Daniel and Natalie entered the mouth of the tunnel, the glow of the moon outside casting a faint glow around the entrance. As the two of them proceeded inside the cave, the light slowly disappeared and darkness began to blanket them thickly.
"Where's Meowth?" Natalie whispered.
A faint light began to glow by Daniel's knee. It was Meowth, his coin glowing. His features were visible as he proceeded, determined, in front of Daniel and Natalie.
"Stick by me, Squirtle," Natalie said quietly. She held Squirtle's hand as the two Trainers and their Pokemon ventured further into the cave.
There were no signs, no indication of which direction they should take. The light cast from Meowth's coin on his forehead showed the formation of dripping stalactites on the ceiling on the cave and dewy stalagmites similar to vertical spears rising from the ground.
"Don't touch anything," Daniel warned. "We might not be alone."
Their steps echoed around the walls of the cavern, but soon their steps resounded only within their hearing as the walls of the cave expanded. There was no way to tell which way the cave diverged.
"Trainers!" hooted a sudden voice.
Daniel and Natalie stopped in fear. Meowth hissed in warning as footsteps came towards them.
"It's Meowth's light!" Natalie whispered. "It's given our position away!"
"It's not as though we intended to travel by complete darkness!" hissed Daniel, but it was too late.
Footsteps approached, then a soft voice interrupted, "I thought I'd never find another Trainer in here!"
The speaker came within view. He wore glasses, had his greasy black hair in a ponytail and wore a white coat, not dissimilar to the kind that scientists wear.
"Are you lost?" he asked, adjusting his grimy spectacles in the light that Meowth provided.
"We're traveling to Lavender Town," Daniel said, deciding that this newcomer didn't seem to be a threat. "Where's your Pokemon? How can you see in this darkness?"
"I have a torch," he said, revealing one from his pocket. "But I keep it hidden, in case I disturb the Zubat."
"Zubat?" Natalie asked, voice strangled. "There's Zubat in here?"
"And Geodude," added the man. "There's all sorts of Pokemon in here. But it's the hikers you've got to watch out for. They train all day and night in here!"
"So you're not a Pokemon Trainer?" Natalie asked.
"Yes, I am!" he said, revealing two Pokeballs. "Say - "
The man eyed Daniel and Natalie, noticing that they had a Pokemon each by their sides. "Would one of you like to battle me?"
"Now?" Daniel asked. "Aren't we in a bit of a dangerous place to battle?"
"Not at all!" grinned the man, backing away to make room for a battlefield. "How else will we defend ourselves if not with Pokemon! Besides, if wild Pokemon are watching us battle, they'll know who not to trifle with!"
Natalie shivered at the idea of unseen threats lurking in the shadows, rubbing her bare arms for warmth as she joined Daniel, who stepped back an equal amount of room for space.
"Can we at least have some light for this battle?" Daniel asked. Sure enough, seconds later the man had turned his torch on, placing to the side of the battlefield but pointing it in the direction of where the battlefield would be. The sudden light threw the cavern into sharp relief; Natalie quickly glanced about to spot any wild Pokemon watching them, but there were none to be found, unless they had hidden themselves in time.
"Alright," said the man, taking his first Pokeball from his belt. "I choose you, Cubone!"
Cubone appeared in a flash of red light, testing the weight of its bone club as it regarded Daniel.
"Bellsprout, go!" Daniel cried, throwing a Pokeball onto the battlefield. It burst open with a flash of red light, revealing Bellsprout.
"Nice choice, Daniel! Grass Pokemon are strong against Ground Pokemon!" Natalie said, colour in her cheeks as she realised they weren't in danger any more.
"Ah, but you're not entirely right," chided the man. "Bellsprout is a dual-type Grass/Poison Pokemon. Poison Pokemon are susceptible to attacks from Ground Pokemon."
"Oh, you're right," Natalie said, quickly realising her mistake. "Hey, what's your name, anyway?"
"I'm Ashton," he said, clearing up any ambiguity. "Let's fight!"
"Bellsprout, Vine Whip!"
"Cubone, Bone Club!"
Cubone ran towards Bellsprout as fast as its little legs would take it, but Bellsprout shot out vines which whipped Cubone across the face, sending its sprawling on its back onto the ground.
"Cubone, get up!" shouted Ashton.
"Bellsprout, Sleep Powder!"
Bellsprout released a cloud of shining dust from its mouth which blanketed the battlefield. As it settled, allowing normal visibility, Cubone was fast asleep, snoring lightly.
"Vine Whip, Bellsprout!"
Bellsprout shot out its limbs again and struck Cubone while it slept, sending it writhing to Ashton's feet as it slumped, unconscious.
"Return, Cubone," Ashton muttered, the flash of red light from his Pokeball capturing Cubone and causing it to disappear.
"Nice going!" Natalie cheered loudly.
There was a sudden, distant screech of what sounded like Zubat from far away. Natalie clapped her hands over her mouth in horror.
"Shhh," Daniel implored. "Your next Pokemon, Ashton."
Ashton drew out his second Pokeball and threw it into the fray.
"Your Bellsprout had the advantage before," he said, as red light materialised to form his chosen Pokemon. "But not anymore! Go, Slowpoke!"
Slowpoke was four-legged with pink colouring and a beatific expression on its face.
"Slowpoke's a Water Type!" Daniel said. "That makes it the perfect target for Bellsprout!"
"You clearly need further instruction on dual-types," muttered Ashton.
"Bellsprout, Vine Whip!"
"Slowpoke, Confusion!"
As Bellsprout released its long vines from its body to strike Slowpoke, Slowpoke released a telekinetic wave which blasted Bellsprout, stopping it mid-attack and causing it to shake uncontrollably.
"Oh no! It's confused!" Natalie cried in despair.
Bellsprout shook its head, trying to clear its head, as its vines became tangled in a nearby stalagmite.
"Bellsprout, Vine Whip on Slowpoke!" Daniel urged.
"Slowpoke, Disable!"
Slowpoke glowed a faint blue colour, then released a wave of energy which blasted Bellsprout and prevented it from moving any further.
"Finish it, Slowpoke! Headbutt!"
Slowpoke ran towards Bellsprout, its head lowered as it leapt at its opponent and tackled Bellsprout, sending it flying backwards, its limp body landing at its Trainer's feet. It was unconscious.
"Bellsprout... I'm sorry." Daniel said, returning it to its Pokeball.
"Slowpoke is a dual-type Water/Psychic Pokemon." Ashton sounded self-satisfied, folding his arms with a smirk.
Daniel couldn't send out Ekans, who was weak to Slowpoke's Confusion attack. He decided on Meowth and to hope for the best.
"Meowth, I choose you!" Daniel said, as Meowth stepped forward. Meowth bared the claws in its paws and hissed menacingly.
"Slowpoke, Headbutt!"
"Meowth, Bite Attack!"
Slowpoke lowered its head and ran at Meowth, which Meowth did the same, the coin on its forehead glinting from the glare of the nearby torch. Slowpoke launched itself at Meowth, but Meowth was agile enough to avoid the attack, biting down hard on Slowpoke's tail.
"Nice going!" said Daniel.
Slowpoke seemed to be unfazed by the attack, not even registering that it had been bitten. It turned its head towards Meowth, its eyes widening as it saw Meowth biting its tail. It glowed blue and used Disable on Meowth, causing Meowth to release its teeth from Slowpoke's tail and stumble backwards.
"Slowpoke, Headbutt!"
Slowpoke launched itself again at Meowth. Meowth tried to dodge, but Slowpoke pinned Meowth down to the ground on all fours.
"Meowth, Pay Day!" called Daniel.
Meowth's forehead glowed and blasted Slowpoke, sending its aggressor flat on its back as Meowth recovered and ran towards Slowpoke at a fast pace. Meowth sunk its teeth into Slowpoke's neck this time, who registered the pain and scrambled to get up, but failing in the process. Slowpoke was out for the count.
"I win!" Daniel shouted, as Meowth ran into his arms. Daniel hugged him tightly. "I knew you could do it, Meowth."
Natalie let out an audible scream as they were plunged into darkness. There was not an inch of illumination.
Ashton cried in horror, "Where's my torch? What's happened?"
"You kids woke up half the Zubat in this place," spoke a deep voice. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were novices."
The torch clicked on to reveal the face of a bearded, swarthy hiker. Natalie gasped from behind her hands and Daniel clutched Meowth tightly, trying to hide his fear.
"What do you want?" Ashton demanded.
"You two have been fighting, I see. I'd like a battle next."
"Well, you can't with me! I've got no usable Pokemon!" said Ashton. "Now hand me back my torch!"
"I'll give it back once one of you losers can find the courage to battle me for it. Now, who's up for a challenge?"
"I will," Natalie said, stepping forward. The dim light of Meowth's forehead displayed a determined expression on her face.
"You?" asked the hiker, scoffing. "Come on! You look like you'd be out of breath walking to school each morning!"
"I've defeated a hiker before and I'll do so again." Natalie said quietly. "Let's battle."
"Well, if you say so! Kid, make room for me." said the hiker.
"Give me back my torch!" Ashton whined.
"You can have it if this girl wins." the hiker laughed. "Although if she doesn't, I'd hate to think what'd happen to the three of you."
The hiker set the torch down at his feet, angled at a position to reveal the majority of the battlefield. Daniel and Natalie's side was fully lit up, while the hiker's side was mostly in darkness. Ashton, who could now see his fainted Slowpoke, quickly returned it to its Pokeball in a flash of red light which briefly illuminated the area.
"I'm Natalie. What's your name?" she asked.
"My name's Lucas. Let's battle!" he roared, selecting a Pokeball and throwing it into the battlefield. The red light which burst forth materialised to form Geodude, who levitated above the ground with its hands balled into fists.
"Squirtle, you're up!" said Natalie.
Squirtle stepped forward, clenching its little fists, too.
"Squirtle, Water Gun!"
"Geodude, Rock Throw!"
As Squirtle released a jet of water at Geodude, Geodude moved to the side to grab a lone boulder and chucked it at Squirtle.
"Squirtle, Withdraw, quick!" Natalie said in earnest.
Squirtle retreated into its shell as the boulder smashed against Squirtle's shell, breaking into a million shards. Squirtle emerged from its shell, a little dazed but no worse for wear.
"Geodude, Defense Curl!"
"Squirtle, Bubble!"
Squirtle released a stream of bubbles at Geodude, who began spinning so fast it became a blur. The bubbles damaged Geodude upon impact, slightly reducing the speed of its spin.
"Geodude, Tackle!"
Spinning wildly, Geodude headed towards Squirtle at a quick pace.
"Squirtle, Water Gun! Give it all you've got!" Natalie cried.
Squirtle took a deep breath and expelled a jet of water so strong it knocked Geodude out of the air, where it landed flat on its back. It tried to move, but failed.
"Go, Squirtle!" cheered Natalie.
Lucas returned Geodude back to its Pokeball in a flash of red light. The torch illuminated only three quarters of the battlefield, so Lucas' expression was hidden.
"You think you've got me beat, do ya? Well, try this one on for size!" Lucas threw another Pokeball onto the battlefield. It burst open with a flash of red light, forming a bipedal boulder Pokemon with two arms and legs. It stared down at Squirtle.
"Graveler!" Ashton said, who had moved around to Daniel and Natalie's side to watch. "The evolved form of Geodude!"
"You're right, little nerd!" spoke Lucas. "Graveler, Tackle!"
"Squirtle, Water Gun!"
Graveler tucked itself into a ball and began rolling towards Squirtle, as Squirtle released a jet of water which struck Graveler's rolling figure and ricocheted in another direction entirely.
"Look out!" cried Natalie.
Graveler picked up speed just as it hit Squirtle, causing it to cry out in pain as it fell against a stalagmite and sunk to the cavern floor, heavily injured. Graveler kept on rolling in a circle around the cavern, then headed for Squirtle again.
"The water bounces off it! How can I damage it?" Natalie said to Daniel.
"It's especially susceptible to Water-type attacks as a dual-type Rock/Ground Pokemon. Try again!" Daniel replied.
Natalie nodded, turning to Squirtle. "We're gonna try that trick we used in the Pewter Gym. Ready?"
Squirtle nodded, facing Graveler with a fierce expression on its face as Graveler rolled ominously in the direction of Squirtle.
"Now!" Natalie shouted, to Lucas' bemusement, as Squirtle withdrew inside its shell as Graveler tackled it. Squirtle was tackled up into the high reaches of the cavern, spinning madly, but Squirtle emerged from its shell, the signature jet of water bursting forth from its mouth. A flying blur, Squirtle became a moving sprinkler as water drenched the battlefield in sporadic patterns. Natalie gasped as an offshoot caught her hair; Ashton received a faceful; and Graveler was hit several times as best as Squirtle could accurately manage. Squirtle withdrew inside its shell as it landed on the cavern floor, emerging as it saw Graveler shivering from the cold, barely able to move. Squirtle opened its mouth for a final Water Gun attack -
"Grr, you damn kid!" Lucas shouted. "Graveler, give 'em your best! Selfdestruct!"
Graveler began to glow with an intense light which covered the entirety of its body.
"Squirtle, look out!" Natalie screamed, as she rushed forward to grab Squirtle.
The explosion's sheer force rumbled the cavern and knocked back Natalie and Squirtle, Daniel and Meowth and Ashton to the hard ground.
"The roof!" Ashton wailed in anguish, as rocks began to fall. "It's caving in!"
Daniel avoided a sharp stalactite which broke off from the ceiling and almost pierced him where he stood. As Lucas turned tail and ran, taking the torch with him, they were plunged into darkness once again.
"Daniel!" cried Natalie, as boulders began to crash from the ceiling. She felt Squirtle pulling on her shirt and she took his hand and ran, their footsteps and screams echoing around the cavern as it collapsed around them.