Summer and Lightning walk into Mt. Moon, where they are attacked by Team Rocket. She freed herself and Weldon, who has a personal grudge against Team Rocket. Although Summer wants to work together, Weldon refused. Boulder and Raven overpower Summer with their powerful Pokémon, causing Weldon to make a tough decision. Will he finally work with Summer?

Chapter 10- The Power of Teamwork

Once I reached the bottom, I saw a Team Rocket Grunt trying to capture a small fairy-like Pokémon. I couldn't stand there and watch the Grunt cruelly hit the Pokémon. I became angry and yelled, "Hey! Leave that Pokémon alone!"

The Grunt saw us and said, "Don't interfere with us! Zubat, use Wing Attack!" He sent out the all too familiar blue bat which caused at us.

"Summer," Lightning said with a slight growl. "Let me deal with him."

Remembering what happened earlier, I nodded and commanded, "Use Thundershock!" Lightning charged her attack faster and knocked out Zubat before he got close. The Grunt fearfully returned his Zubat and quickly ran towards the other end of the corridor.

"Are you okay?" I asked, bending down. The Pokémon happily nodded. I took out my Pokédex and scanned her. The Pokédex said [Clefairy, the Fairy Pokémon. On every night of a full moon, they come out to play. When the dawn arrives, the tired Clefairy go to sleep nested up against each other in deep and quiet mountains.]

"Thank you for saving me," Clefairy said in a soft squeaky voice.

Lightning and I smiled. "No problem," I said.

Clefairy was shocked. "I did not know humans can understand us."

I chuckled and said, "It's a long story. What are you doing out here when Team Rocket's walking around?"

Clefairy pointed to the glowing blue walls and said, "I need to find some Moon Stones for my clan. Nighttime is the only time we can harvest them."

We then heard a loud noise coming from downstairs. Clefairy became frightened and ran away. That was loud. I hope Clefairy's okay.

"Summer, we should go investigate," Lightning said, pointing at the next ladder.

"Okay," I said, a little scared of going into the unknown. Once I went down the ladder and reached the bottom, I saw a large room glittering with Moon Stones. While in awe of the sight, I saw a man hovering over two rocks which looked like Fossils. As I walked closer, the man looked up and saw me. He hurriedly tried to hide the rocks into his suit.

"Hey!" I shouted. "You're the Magikarp salesman from the Pokémon Center. What are you doing with those rocks?!"

"None of your business!" he shouted nervously.

A little suspicious, I said, "Those Fossils should be studied and shared with others."

The man violently shook his head and said, "No! I need to sell these to the highest bidder, and you won't get in my way! Go, Magnemite and Grimer!" He sent out a floating magnet Pokémon and a purple sludge Pokémon. "Attack her!"

Lightning and I dodged their Electric and Poison attacks. "Fine, let's battle! Let's go, Blaze and Swirls!" After the two came out, I commanded, "Blaze use Ember on Magnemite! Swirls, use Water Gun on Grimer!" The two attacks hit the Pokémon and quickly knocked them out. The salesman returned his Pokémon and became more scared of me. He tried to run to the exit, only to be stopped by Boulder, Raven, and a Team Rocket Grunt with green hair.

Oh no! We can't be seen! I saw a pile of rocks to my left, and my Pokémon and I dashed behind them. A little curious about what's going on, Blaze and I carefully peeked over the rocks. Swirls didn't seem to care, but she let Lightning stand on her head so the Electric Pokémon can see.

Boulder asked forcefully, "Hey, what are you doing with those Fossils?! They belong to Team Rocket!" The salesman tried to run the other way, but Raven blocked his path.

She threatened, "Team Rocket supplied you with those Magikarp so you can sell them. You should be grateful."

The salesman fearfully shook his head and said, "You people cheated me! Nobody wants these Magikarp, and you ruined me! I need these Fossils!"

The green-haired man looked at him intensely. Although he showed a big smile, it did not look friendly at all. "Look," he said slowly. "Why don't you give us those Fossils as payment? That way, we'll be even."

"Summer," Blaze whispered, "shouldn't we interfere? I don't like how this is going."

"Let's wait a little longer. It's starting to get dramatic!" I excitedly whispered back. Everyone sighed but stayed put.

The salesman thought about the offer, but he shook his head. The man's smile quickly turned into a frown. "Guess we'll have to take them by force. Boulder! Raven! Show them your new Pokémon."

Boulder smiled and said, "With pleasure. Go, Nidoking!"

Raven nodded and said, "Go Nidoqueen!"

Boulder and Raven sent out two Pokémon, a purple and tan horned dinosaur Pokémon and a blue and tan horned dinosaur Pokémon. Those look like fully evolved Pokémon! How did they get them to evolve so quickly?! I took out my Pokédex and turned off the voice option. I quickly scanned them and it read [Nidoking, the Drill Pokémon and the final evolution of Nidoran . A Nidoking's thick tail packs enormously destructive power capable of toppling a metal transmission tower. Once it goes on a rampage, there is no stopping it. Nidoqueen, the Drill Pokémon and the final evolution of Nidoran . It is adept at sending foes flying with harsh tackles using its tough, scaly body. This Pokémon is at its strongest when it is defending its young. Both Pokémon evolve through the power of a Moons Stone]. No wonder why. This mountain's full of them!

Boulder and Raven commanded in unison, "Use Poison Sting!" The poisonous needles pinned the salesman to a nearby cave wall. Despite being thrown and pinned, the salesman strongly clutched his valuable treasures. Boulder then tried to pry the Fossils from the salesman, but he refused to let go.

"Summer, is it time now?" Blaze whispered anxiously.

I took at deep breath and softly said, "Yes." We left our hiding spot, and I yelled, "Leave that man alone!"

The three Rocket Grunts were surprised to see us. "Hey!" Boulder yelled angrily. "How did you escape?!"

Raven angrily said, "It doesn't matter now." She then looked at the green-haired man and said, "Boss, we can deal with her."

The man nodded and continued to try taking the Fossils from the salesman.

Boulder and Raven commanded, "Use Poison Sting!"

We quickly dodged the poisonous needles. Everyone was raring to battle, and Errol let himself out. "Allow me to assist, everyone," he said.

Raven snickered and said, "Your Pokémon won't match our fully evolved Pokémon's strength. Nidoqueen, use Tackle!"

"Quick, everyone! Dodge!" I commanded. Everyone jumped out of the way except for Lightning. Nidoqueen tackled her to the wall, knocking her out.

I returned Lightning and thanked her for helping. I then commanded, "Errol, use Hypnosis!" Errol made purple rings and sent them to Nidoqueen.

"Nidoking!" Boulder commanded. "Destroy that Hypnosis with Poison Sting!" The needles easily destroyed the rings. "Now use Double Kick on the girl!"

I was shocked and put up my arms to protect myself. I saw Nidoking's shadow come towards me, but then someone jumped in the way. I heard a loud crash to my left and saw a fainted Errol stuck in the wall. I returned him and thanked him as well. "Swirls, use Bubble!" I commanded. The bubbles hit the two Drill Pokémon, but it didn't seem to do much damage.

Boulder chuckled and commanded, "Use Peck to lift that Poliwag up!" Nidoking used his horn to quickly throw Swirls in the air."

Raven then commanded, "Now, use Scratch!" Nidoqueen jumped up and viciously scratched Swirls. Swirls crashed down and couldn't get up. I returned her and thanked her for her hard work.

This is getting worse! What am I going to do now? I saw Blaze still wanted to battle, despite seeing his friends easily beaten. I looked at Blaze and smiled. I can't let him down now. I have to remember what Brock said: I need to trust my Pokémon!

Raven laughed and said, "You sure you want to continue, sweetie? We just beat three of your Pokémon easily!"

I gave a determined look and said, "Yes, I'm going to stop you two, no matter how bad it looks!"

"You're going to regret those words," Boulder said with a low growl. "Nidoking, use Peck and end this!"

"Get ready, Blaze," I warned. Suddenly, a vine appeared and stopped Nidoking's attack. I turned to my right and saw Weldon and his Bulbasaur.

"Really, now?" Weldon said with an annoyed look. "Two on one is hardly fair. But I guess you thugs think ganging up on a weak girl makes you better."

Although I was a little happy to see him, I was pretty upset. Really?! I'm right here!

"Man, we really need to get better escape-proof equipment," Boulder said emotionlessly.

"Bulbasaur!" Weldon commanded. "Use Tackle on Nidoqueen!"

"I don't think that's a good idea," I cautioned. "Head-on attacks don't really work."

"We'll see," Weldon said, ignoring my advice.

As Bulbasaur charged at Nidoqueen, Raven commanded, "Use Scratch!" Nidoqueen scratched Bulbasaur, knocking him back to Weldon. Bulbasaur slowly stood up, but I saw he was pretty hurt.

Boulder smiled at our lack of cooperation and commanded, "Nidoking, use Tackle on Bulbasaur!"

I have to protect Bulbasaur if have any chance of winning! "Blaze, use Growl!" I commanded. Blaze loudly growled, stopping both Nidoking and Nidoqueen.

Boulder and Raven commanded, "Use Poison Sting!" Nidoking and Nidoqueen obeyed, making a shower effect with the needles.

"Quick, Blaze. Use Ember!" I commanded. Blaze destroyed half of the needles, and dodged the rest. There has to be a way to stop that Poison Sting! "Weldon, can you help me?"

Weldon responded angrily, "I can do this on my own! I don't need your help, Summer!"

Boulder and Raven laughed. "Their teamwork really stinks, huh, Raven?!" Boulder said in between laughs.

Weldon retorted, "I don't need to work with anyone!"

"Weldon, please," Bulbasaur said firmly. "We need to work with Blaze and Summer if have any chance of winning."

"Bulbasaur's right," I said. Bulbasaur was a little surprised that I understood him, but he nodded firmly.

Weldon looked at me, as if I was crazy. "How did you know that's what Bulbasaur said?" he asked.

I paused and insisted, "It doesn't matter now. Will you help me or not?"

Weldon paused for a moment and begrudgingly said, "Fine… Any ideas?"

"I think I have one," I said. "Just wait for my signal, then tell Bulbasaur to use Vine Whip."

Weldon agreed with a stern look.

Boulder said, "Pep talk's over! Nidoking, use Poison Sting!"

"You too, Nidoqueen!" Raven commanded. As the shower of Poison Stings headed towards Bulbasaur and Blaze, I commanded, "Use Ember, Blaze! Weldon, now!"

"Okay. Bulbasaur, Vine Whip!" Weldon commanded. The Ember and Vine Whip repelled the Poison Stings, which amazed all of us.

"Yes!" I cheered. "You two were great!" Blaze and Bulbasaur smiled at the compliment. Suddenly both Pokémon were surrounding by a bright light.

"Could it be?!" Weldon said, amazed. "They're evolving!"

After a few seconds, the light faded, revealing Blaze and Bulbasaur's new appearances. Blaze was now taller and more yellow, with newly developed arms, claws, and talons. Bulbasaur looked bigger and now had a pink bulb and leaves on his back.

I quickly took out my Pokédex and turned on the voice option. I scanned both Pokémon, and it said [Combusken, the Young Fowl Pokémon, and the evolved form of Torchic. It lashes out with 10 kicks per second. Its strong fighting instinct compels it to keep up its offensive until the opponent gives up. Ivysaur, the Seed Pokémon, and the evolved form of Bulbasaur. To support its bulb, Ivysaur's legs grow sturdy. If it spends more time lying in the sunlight, the bud will soon bloom into a large flower.]

"Great job on evolving!" I cheerfully told Blaze.

"Thanks, Summer!" Blaze said, saluting me. His voice became a little deeper, but he still had the personality of the Torchic I first met. "I feel stronger, and I think I know some new moves!"

Boulder and Raven looked a little concerned. "No matter," Raven said with her voice still firm. "We can still beat you two!"

"Nidoking, Tackle that Combusken!" Boulder commanded. Blaze countered the charging Nidoking by kicking him with his powerful legs. After seeing him kick Nidoking again, I realized that was Double Kick. Nidoking was pushed back and Boulder gasped in surprise.

Raven became upset and commanded, "Nidoqueen, use Poison Sting on Ivysaur!"

Ivysaur shook his leaves, and Weldon seemed to know what to do. "Use Razor Leaf!" Weldon commanded. The sharp leaves redirected the needles, hitting Nidoqueen. Nidoqueen fell down on one knee, then slowly got up.

"How are those two so strong?!" Boulder angrily asked. "We have final evolutions!"

"You evolved them too early, didn't you?" I said. "If you evolve Pokémon too quickly, they can't learn any new moves."

"Come on," Raven said, sneering at my comment. "A Pokémon's power is the only thing that makes them valuable. Nidoking and Nidoqueen are more valuable than their pre-evolutions."

I became angry at her words and said, "Pokémon should never be based on power! The bond between Trainer and Pokémon is what makes them valuable."

Raven laughed and said, "You still believe in that? You're as weak as the Champion."

I took a deep breath and said, "We'll show you, right, Blaze?"

"Yeah!" Blaze said, putting up a fighting stance.

"Use Focus Energy!" I commanded.

As Blaze focused his energy, Boulder and Raven commanded, "Poison Sting!"

Weldon shouted, "Not on my watch! Ivysaur, use Razor Leaf!" The attack knocked down the needles, leaving the two Drill Pokémon unprotected.

"Blaze, finish this with Ember!" I commanded. Instead of the small embers, Blaze released a stream of fire. That's a hot Flamethrower! The Flamethrower engulfed Nidoking and Nidoqueen for what felt like a long time. When the flames disappeared, both Pokémon fell to the cave floor.

"Yes!" I cheered. "You did it, Blaze!"

Blaze looked at me and beamed. "Thanks, Summer!" he said. We then slowly gave each other a high five. It was a little weird that Blaze had arms, but Blaze seemed to like them.

Boulder and Raven bitterly returned their Pokémon. Boulder angrily said, "Guess we'll have to settle with the Fossils. Boss, you ready?"

We then looked at the green-haired man who was still trying to pry the Fossils from the salesman. "Guess not," Raven said, shrugging her shoulders.

"Let's go help him," Boulder suggested. Weldon and I were about to stop them, when a Clefairy appeared in front of them.

That looks like the same Clefairy I saved earlier. I wonder what she wants to do.

"Get out of the way, pipsqueak!" Boulder yelled at the pink Pokémon. The salesman was surprised by the shout and lost his grip on the Fossils. The green-haired man grabbed them and rejoined his comrades.

Clefairy shook her hand and said, "I refuse to let you ruffians enter our home and remove our treasures!" She then looked at me and said, "Child, give me a Moon Stone!"

"What's that Clefairy saying?" Raven asked. I then remembered no one can understand her.

Not trusting them with knowing about the technology I had, I feigned understanding Clefairy and said, "I don't know, but I don't think you want to mess with her."

Raven angrily looked at me and yelled, "Don't you dare get involved! This doesn't concern you."

Weldon was about to issue Ivysaur a command, but I said, "Weldon, I think Clefairy has a better idea."

Weldon scowled, but he listened to me. I took the Moon Stone out of my backpack and yelled, "Clefairy, catch!"

I threw the Moon Stone at Clefairy, and she used her Psychic powers to catch it. Clefairy smiled and said, "By the power of the moon, I will banish you!" She then touched the Stone and was enveloped in the same glowing light Blaze and Ivysaur were in. After a few seconds, Clefairy's body, ears, and wings were bigger. I took out my Pokédex and scanned her. It said [Clefable, the Fairy Pokémon and the evolved form of Clefairy. A Clefable uses its wings to skip lightly as if it were flying. Its bouncy step lets it even walk on water. On quiet, moonlit nights, it strolls on lakes.]

"Crap!" Raven cursed. "We need to get out of here now!"

As the three were running away, Clefable yelled with a motherly voice, "No one can escape my wrath!" She stopped them with her Psychic attack and lifted them up. "Feel the wrath of the moon!" she screamed. She mentally grabbed the Fossils from the green-haired man, who was shocked by her power. She then used her powers to open a hole in the mountain, absorbed energy from the cave walls, and used it to launch them out of the mountain.

As they were launched out of the mountain, I thought I heard Boulder yell, "Great! Now we're blasting off like those idiots!" They then disappeared, causing a nearby star to shine brightly.

After that, Weldon looked at me and said, "I should continue training. I have to admit, you do have some skill. But it's still not enough to win the League. See you around, Summer." He then walked to the exit ladder and climbed down. I guess he's not as mean as I thought…

Clefable carefully repaired the cave wall and looked at us. "Child," she said with a cheerful smile. "Thank you for stopping those goons from stealing our Fossils."

"Oh, it's no problem at all," I bashfully said.

Clefable laid the Fossils in front of me and said, "As a reward, feel free to take one of these Fossils." The left fossil had a spiral shell and the right had a dome-like shell.

"Are you sure?" I asked, not wanting to be rude. Clefable nodded and said, "I know you'll use it for a good purpose." As I thought about my choices, a voice in my mind said, Pick the Helix Fossil….Pick the Helix Fossil…

What's a Helix Fossil? I wondered. And since when is there another voice in my head?

Just choose the left one! The voice yelled.

Fine, fine… I thought, annoyed. "I'll take the one on the left," I told Clefable.

Clefable picked up the Fossil and gave it to me. "Please enjoy this Helix Fossil."

Blaze and I bowed and said, "Thank you." Am I forgetting something? Oh yeah, that salesman! I ran over to him and saw he was sadly sitting on the floor.

He saw me and got up. He shook our hands and said, "Thank you for saving me!"

"Oh, no problem," I said, putting my hand behind my head. "Why were you working with Team Rocket?"

The salesman sighed and said, "I needed some extra money to help my family. Team Rocket said they would help me if I can sell some rare powerful Pokémon for them. I quickly agreed, but then I realized they gave me Magikarp to sell." He then sadly looked at his wallet with pictures of his wife and two kids.

I felt guilty about what happened earlier and said, "Sorry for yelling at you earlier. I didn't know..."

The man looked at my frown and said, "You don't have to apologize, young lady. You reminded me about how Pokémon should be treated. I should apologize to you and that boy for getting you two into this mess." He then looked at the Dome Fossil and told Clefable, "Would it be okay if I can take that? I promise not to sell it, but to donate it to the Pewter City Museum to be studied for future generations. I'll make a more honest living, I promise."

Clefable looked at the salesman carefully and nodded. He thanked the Fairy Pokémon and carefully picked up the Fossil. He thanked us again, waved goodbye, and went back upstairs.

I told Clefable, "We should get going. Thank you for helping us."

Clefable smiled and said, "Thank you for helping me. I hope our treasure will help you on your journey."

I thanked her, and Blaze and I said goodbye. We went down the exit ladder and left Mt. Moon. Blaze and I walked to Cerulean City with the full moon lighting our way. As we passed two men sleeping on the ground, I told Blaze, "Thank you for helping us. How come you wanted to continue even though everyone else was beaten?"

Blaze looked at me with a determined smile and said, "I wanted to protect you, Summer. You're my Trainer, and I know how much you care about us. I just wanted to return the favor."

I stopped and petted his head. "Let's keep working together and with everyone else to win the Indigo League." Blaze smiled and gave me a hug. After a few minutes, we made it to Cerulean City, entered the Pokémon Center, and quickly fell asleep.

Pokémon: Blaze (Combusken): Brave Nature, moves: Scratch, Double Kick, Flamethrower, Focus Energy

Errol (Hoothoot): Rash Nature, moves: Tackle, Growl, Hypnosis

Swirls (Poliwag): Relaxed Nature, moves: Bubble, Hypnosis, Water Gun

Lightning (Pichu): Adamant Nature, moves: Thundershock, Charm, Iron Tail

Questions for the Chapter:

What will Summer do with her fossil?

Who will be the next Pokémon to evolve?