Pokemon is owned by Gamefreak and all Pokédex entries are from Bulbapedia.
"Butts"- Humans speaking
"Butts"- Pokemon speaking
'Butts'- thoughts
"Butts"-Pokedex entries/TV commentary
Psi Me To The Moon
Later on, our heroes continued their journey, hiking up the beautiful trail to the mountain several days later after Ash's last gym battle.
Misty: Mount Moon. *sighs happily* Doesn't it just sound romantic?
Brock: People say a huge meteor crashed into the mountain back in prehistoric times.
Ash: A meteor?
Brock: Yeah. They say it's called the "Moon Stone".
Misty: Now that's romantic!
Suddenly, a scream interrupted their discussion and they rushed over to see a horde of small, blue bat-like Pokemon with purple wings and no eyes, attacking a young man in a white lab coat. They were informed to be Zubats from Ash's Pokedex.
Pokedex: Zubat, the Bat Pokemon. A Poison and Flying type. Zubat emits ultrasonic waves from its mouth to check its surroundings. Even though they have no eyes, Zubat hate to fly outside in daylight.
Ash: That guy needs our help! *takes out Pokeball* Psi, Confusion!
Psi is released from the ball, bringing their arms out and hitting the bats with panels of blueish-purple energy.. With cries of anger, the Zubat flew off as the man trembled and looked up at them, Ash holding a hand out to help them up.
Ash: Are you okay?
?: You guys are the greatest!" the man exclaimed, jumping up and pulling Ash into a huge hug. Ash wriggled, trying to get out of the man's grasp.
Ash: It was nothing… *strained* I can't breathe…..
?: I'm talking super fantastic! Two thumbs up! The best rescue I've ever had!
Annoyed, Green pried him off Ash, moving between his startled and over-hugged trainer and the weirdo.
?: They say man's best friend is their Pokémon, and with you and your team, I believe it!
Ash: Um, that's nice…
?: I'm so moved! Such friendship I thought I'd never see, when the Zubat started attacking me! I thought I was done for, when who should arrive, three heroes thanks to whom I'm alive! I'm ALIVE! Thank you!
A bunch of Pidgey flew off at his shout as the group then started backing up.
Cobalt: Ookay… Ash, this guy is Nanab berries.
Green: You're just realizing that now?
Misty: He certainly doesn't look like the poetic type.
Ash: *whispers to Brock* Should we start running now?
Brock: I probably would.
Cobalt: Relax guys, I'm reading him now. He's harmless. Eccentric, but harmless.
?: Did I mention how grateful I am?
Psi: Only about 11 times in the most disturbing way possible.
Ash: Yeah… Why were the Zubat attacking you, Mister?
?: Never call me Mister! My name's Seymour! Seymour the scientist! As for why I'm here… Come in here and take a look
The scientist led them into the caves, with Green continuing to act as a barrier between Seymour and Ash. On the walls, the group noticed that electric lights are seen hanging up on the cave walls.
Seymour: See, the cave is all lit up inside! Somebody has strung these lights through the whole cave. But the Pokémon in this cave need the dark! These lights are upsetting them and making them confused!
Brock: Which must be why the Zubat left their cave and attacked you.
Seymour: It's not just the, The Paras are planting their mushrooms everywhere, and the lights are drying up all these Sandshrew.
Ash bent to check on the Sandshrew and Paras, giving them a drink out of his canteen, whispering so the scientist couldn't hear.
Ash: I can understand Pokémon. Who's been doing this to you?
Paras: It's this weird team that came out of nowhere.
Green: Weird team? What do you mean?
Sandshrew: There's three of them. two humans and a Meowth. They want the Clefairy's giant Moon Stone.
Cobalt: 2 humans and a…. Hey Ash, these people sound like the robbers we saw on the news back when we were in the hospital.
Psi: Electricity does not ust cokme from nowhere. The culprits must have a generator for them. Perhaps if we follow the wires, we might be able to find them.
Cobalt: And we can worry about the Moon Stone problem after we get the lights off.
Ash nodded, but he realized Brock, Misty, and Seymour had left without him and ran to catch up to them, just as Seymour was telling Misty and Brock that he had been patrolling the caves to try to stop the troublemakers that had set up the lights.
Misty: Why are troublemakers causing havoc in a cave?
Seymour: I'm afraid it's because of the Moon Stone.
Misty: The Moon Stone?
Seymour: Exactly. The Moon Stone is an awesome boulder; a million years old or even older! Deep in these caves the meteor hides, though no explorer has found the place of the legendary rock from space! We've studied its fragments for many an hour and found that it increases a Pokémon's power. And that is why the attackers are here. They've come to take away the Moon Stone, I fear!
Green: *annoyed* Does this guy have to say everything in rhyme?
Seymour: Ever since I was a little boy, I've believed that Pokémon came to Earth from outer space.
Group: Outer space?
Seymour: And where you ask, is the spacecraft that brought them to Earth? It's in this cave! It's the Moon Stone itself!
Psi: …..I will not even dignify that with a response.
Cobalt: But is he right, Psi? Are there Pokemon that come from space?
Psi: Well, I only think a select few like the mythical Pokemon Jirachi and Deoxys do. But there are some that are theorized to be of extraterrestrial origin, such as Staryu or Elgyem.
Misty: That's, um, certainly an original theory.
Seymour: Don't you see?!
He tried to grab Ash, but Cobalt popped his knuckles and Green growled while clenching his fist as Brock casually stepped between him and Ash, knowing his young friend was just a little bit creeped out by Seymour. Seymour had just enough sense to back off.
Seymour: The stone belongs to the Pokémon! We humans can't take it from them! You agree with me, don't you?
Brock: Of course we do.
Ash: We need to get these lights down before the damage to the Pokémon in this cave becomes worse. If we find the generator, we can shut it down.
Seymour: I don't know where the generator is. I've been looking.
Paras: *scuttles up to them* I'll help you. I have higher Defense, so I can handle the lights better than my colony. I saw what might have been the source of power for those painful lights, but I couldn't break it down. It shocked me. I'll lead you there.
Ash: I think this Paras wants us to follow him. Maybe it knows where the generator or the Moon Stone is.
He didn't want Seymour to find out about his power. He doubted the man could keep a secret, which was made worse as the Paras looked confused.
Paras: I thought he could understand us.
Psi: He can, but he does not want the human in the white lab coat to know he can.
Paras nodded and tapped Ash's foot with his claw, then crawled further in the cave, stopping to look back at them, signaling to them that was what he wanted. They followed the little Paras down the tunnel. Suddenly, a Clefairy hopped past them, carrying a little Moon Stone as Ash scanned it.
Clefairy: 🎵Moon Stone~. Moon Stone~. Time to pray to the Moon Stone~.🎵
Brock: That looks like a Clefairy.
Misty: It's so cute!
Pokedex: Clefairy, the Fairy Pokemon and the evolved form of Cleffa. A Fairy type. Clefairy seclude themselves in various places that are not visited often by humans. By absorbing moonlight into their wings, they gain the ability to fly without so much as flapping them.
Ash stepped forward, wanting to warn the Clefairy about the robbers trying to steal their Moon Stone, only for Seymour to hold him back.
Seymour: You can't catch it! It belongs here!
Ash: Let go of me! I wasn't trying to catch it! I was trying to warn it about those troublemakers! Didn't you notice that it's carrying a tiny piece of a Moon Stone?
Clefairy: *frightened* Troublemakers?
The Clefairy then ran off, frightened at Ash's proclamation. Ash was about to tell her to stay as he finally got out of Seymour's grasp, only to be cut off by the Clefairy screaming in terror. They ran in that direction to find the Clefairy cornered by a Meowth.
Meowth: Don't be scared of Meowth!
Misty: *gasps* Th-That Meowth! It talked!
Green: They can understand Pokemon now?
Cobalt: Can't be, we were talking just a minute ago and they haven't chimed in…. *surprised, to Meowth* You can speak the human language?!
Meowth: Got that right, now you twerps get out of here. It's Team Rocket's cave now!
At the mention of the name "Team Rocket", Psi gasped as they stood still… But just then, their expression grew angry as they growled and grit their teeth. This surprised Cobalt, since not only did they not comment how fascinating it was that a Pokemon learned to speak to humans in their language, but also that the only time he'd seen Psi so angry was when they were told about Pikachu.
Psi: *venomously* Team Rocket…
Ash: Psi, use Confusion!
With a growl, Psi swung their arm, summoning another energy panel that hit the Meowth, knocking him across the cave.
Meowth: Ow…
Ash approached Clefairy, kneeling down to speak to her.
Ash: Are you okay?
Clefairy: Yes, thanks to both of you.
Nodding, Ash looked back with a worried gaze to Psi, who was slowly breathing to calm down, before they stopped as their eyes sprang open.
Ash: What's wrong, Psi?
Psi: I…. I feel…. Strange….
Suddenly, Psi began to glow, thier form growing and morphing into something else entirely. The glow faded as Psi was now taller with a bushy tail, a long mustache, and a red star mark on their forehead. Along with that, a spoon was teleported into their hand.
Cobalt: Psi! You evolved!
Psi: I evolved….. *looks at themself, becomes excited* I evolved! Positively, unequivocally fascinating!
Ash smiled brightly as he pulled out his Pokedex, scanning his newly evolved Pokemon as Cobalt and Green congratulated them.
Pokedex: Kadabra, the Psi Pokemon and the evolved form of Abra. A Psychic type. Kadabra uses a silver spoon to amplify its telekinetic abilities. Its powers are most potent at the sttar mark on its forehead. This Kadabra is level 16, Male, and has the ability Magic Guard. It knows the moves Teleport, Psyshock, Disable, and Psycho Cut.
Ash: Awesome, we even got some new moves. Too bad about Double Team though.
Misty: So, Team Rocket's the ones who have been causing trouble in this cave.
?: Trouble?
Suddenly, the woman Ash, Cobalt, and Green had seen on the news appeared, carrying a shovel as a man with blue hair joined as he carried a shovel.
Man: Well, make it double." A young man with blue hair carrying a pickax appeared.
Woman: To protect the world from devastation.
Man: To unite all peoples within our nation.
Woman: To denounce the evils of truth and love.
Man: To extend our reach to the stars above.
Woman: *strikes pose* Jessie.
Man: And James.
Jessie: Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light.
James: Surrender now or prepare to fight.
The Meowth from earlier walked up, still rubbing his head as he joined the pair.
Meowth: Meowth, that's right!... I think I have a concussion…
Cobalt: Well, Green. Looks like our assumption was right. These guys are total morons…. Yet, strangely charming.
Meowth: Hey, I resent that remark!
He ran at the Riolu, about to use Scratch. However, Cobalt just sighed as he used Force Palm, knocking the cat back with the others.
Meowth: ….I can't feel my anything….
Brock: What are you doing here? Can't you see you're hurting the Pokémon in this cave? Those lights are making them confused!
Jessie: What a shame.
James: How will we ever forgive ourselves?
Meowth: *quietly* Ow ow ow, my rib. *loudly* We want to get our hands on a Moon Stone so we can power up our Pokémon with it.
Jessie: With the Moon Stone in our hands, nothing can stop us!
Ash: Well, you're going to have to get through all of us first!
Brock: *points at rock* You want a rock? Take one of those and get out!
Jessie: "Get lost"? How rude!
Psi: Have you even seen yourself?
James: Let's teach them some manners! Koffing, go!
Jessie: Go Ekans!
The pair threw a Pokeball each, a floating purple ball came from James as Jessie sent out a purple rattlesnake, which Ash took the time to scan, starting with Koffing.
Pokedex: Koffing, the Poison Gas Pokemon. A Poison Type. Koffing's body is full of noxious gases, which makes it lighter than air and allows it to float. However, when Koffing becomes enraged, the flammable gasess inside it spark and cause it to explode.
Pokedex: Ekans, the Snake Pokemon. A Poison type. Ekans sleep while coiled up in roder to spring and attack any threats that might try to ambush it. I tcan eat prey bigger than itself by disslocating its jaw.
Ash: Green, these are Poison types. It's best you stay back. *Green nods* Alright Psi, let's go!
Brock: I'll help you out, Ash.
As Psi came onto the field, Brock threw a Poké Ball and a Zubat came out of it.
Ash: A Zubat?
Brock: I caught it outside the cave.
James: Koffing, Smog Attack!
The Koffing released a cloud of thick, gaseous smoke, forcing Psi to cover their mouth.
Brock: Zubat, use Gust to blow that smoke back at them!
Zubat: Roger!
Zubat flapped his wings, making the smoke go backwards, covering Jessie, James, and their Pokémon in it.
Ash: Good move, Brock.
Jessie: Ekans, use Bite!
Suddenly, Ekans dived out of the smoke, biting down onto Psi's arm and making them grunt in pain.
Ash: Psi, make it let go with Disable!
They pointed the spoon in their hand at the snake, causing them to grunt in confusion as their mouth stopped clamping down and they slipped off.
Ash: Good job. Now, use Psychock!
Psi's star mark glowed as they thrust their spoon forth, a pinkish-purple lightning bolt striking forth and zapping Ekans, sending them back several feet.
Brock: Zubat, Supersonic!
Zubat opened his mouth and emitted a high pitched shriek, confusing Ekans and Koffing and causing them to fight each other instead of their opponents.
James: Ekan, Koffing, what's with you two?
Cobalt then stepped forward, ready to fight. That may have been cheating, but they were dealing with thieves, not participating in a Pokémon League battle.
Cobalt: Mind if I step in?
Psi: By all means.
They both rushed at Jessie and James, Cobalt readying his Bone Rush attack and Psi about to use Psycho Cut. Even Jessie and James weren't stupid enough to think they could handle angry Pokemon with their Pokémon incapacitated. They returned Ekans and Koffing, running down a side cave and screaming.
Jessie: You may have defeated us, but we'll be back!
Cobalt: They got away.
Psi: Yes, but I have an uneasy feeling they'll be back though. Everyone, remain on your guard.
Ash: Thanks, guys. Ash told them.
He relayed to Brock what his Pokémon had said as he recalled Zubat.
Brock: Ash, I have the strangest feeling we're forgetting something.
Cobalt: Uh, guys?... Where's Green?
Psi: Speaking of which, where are Misty and the scientist?
Ash: Something doesn't seem right here…..
Everyone's eyes widened and they shouted at the same time,
Group: Where's Meowth?!
—-
As it turned out, Clefairy ran from the group in a hurry to warn her colony as Misty and Seymour followed suit. Though as the Fairy disappeared through a gap, Green followed after her.
Green: Clefairy, get back here! It's dangerous!
Clefairy either hadn't heard him or she was ignoring him, so she started to bounce up a nearby cliff. Misty and Seymour climbed after her and Green, who was in the lead from as Paras waited at the bottom, due to having had no climbing ability whatsoever.
Seymour: Clefairy, come back!
Suddenly, Meowth made his return, jumping out from behind a discarded boulder and blocking Clefairy.
Meowth: Meowth's got you now!
Trying to get away, she fell off the cliff, hitting Misty in the head. Misty started to fall, and Green reached out, grabbing her, but lost his own grip on the cliff. They knocked Seymour off the cliff as well. Thankfully, they all landed in a small river. Meowth climbed down after them, landing on a rock.
Meowth: All right. Now give Meowth that Moon Stone!
Green: Hey dude, let's talk this out mon to mon. I'm sure we can be reasonable about this.
Meowth: No, we can't!
Green: …..Yeah, you're right.
Meowth leaped at the Treecko, ready to scratch him. But he jumped as well, using Iron Tail. Meowth went flying backwards, landing about ten feet away into the river. He groaned, got up and did the sensible thing; he ran for his life. Ash and the others later exited the caves and rejoined them, Ash helping Green and Misty while Brock helped Seymour.
Ash: Hey, is everyone alright?
Misty: Everyone's fine, thanks to Green.
Green: *looks away, blushing* Treeko.
Ash: Now that Team Rocket's gone for now, let's find the generator and shut it down.
Paras once again tapped Ash on the foot, then scuttled back into the cave opening. The group followed it and a few minutes later, they found the generator. Brock found the switch and shut it down, but after he did that, he grabbed a bag of sugar and poured it into the gas tank.
Ash: What are you doing?
Brock: Sabotaging the generator. If I pour enough sugar into the fuel tank and Team Rocket decides to come back, they won't be able to refuel the generator.
Ash: Oh.
Paras: Thanks. The Pokémon of this cave owe you for this.
He hugged Ash's and Brock's ankles, something that needed no translation.
Brock: Glad we could help.
Clefairy: I almost forgot! I've got to give my offering to the Moon Stone before the Moon Festival begins!... Would all of you like to be my guests to the ceremony? Wait, why am I even asking? You humans can't understand me.
Cobalt: Oh no, our trainer can, but he's trying to keep it a secret.
Cobalt says this as he nudges Ash's leg, who was trying to figure out how to respond to Clefairy without alerting Seymour.
Cobalt: The human with the brown hair and the girl know, but the one in white doesn't and Ash wants to keep it that way.
Clefairy: Okay, I understand.
She ran a short distance, then looked back, gesturing to them to follow her.
Ash: I think she wants us to follow her.
Seymour: How do you know it's a female?
Ash: Um, good guess?
Brock rolled his eyes. Ash was a horrible liar. But thankfully, Seymour seemed to buy it. The Clefairy led them out of the cave they were in and started running up a hill. The group hurried to catch up to her, where they then entered the grotto, gasping in awe as they saw the giant sparkling rock inside.
Seymour: It's the core of the Moon Stone…
Psi: So the legend of the Moon Stone is true… Fascinating….
Ash: Look! Clefairy's doing something!
The Clefairy placed her little fragment of meteor next to the Moon Stone next to the dozens of others as dozens more show up.
Clefairy: *softly* May the moon spirits accept my offering.
Misty: There's so many…
An older male Clefairy turned to the group and asked the one we are familiar with.
Clefairy: Who are they? Why did you bring them here, Shawna?
Shawna: They're my friends. They saved me when thieves tried to capture me and take my offering piece.
Green: There were two people and a Meowth here earlier and we fear they are attempting to steal your Moon Stone. We chased them away, but they threatened to come back. But we're not sure if they will.
The Clefairy began murmuring among themselves, wondering if the ceremony should be stopped and the Moon Stone hidden. Suddenly one stepped forward, which was a female with a dreamy expression in her eyes.
Clefairy: Our Moon Stone will be safe. It will be protected.
Male Clefairy: ….Luna has spoken. Her visions never lie. We will continue the ceremony as planned.
Ash: Do you think they want us to leave?
Luna: He can understand us, but he's hiding. He fears the consquences if the wrong person learns about the power inside him. With some of the people he has and will encounter, his fear is justified.
Ash nearly asked how she knew that, then remembered that Seymour was still in the room and clamped his mouth shut. Luckily, Green asked for him.
Green: How'd you know Ash could understand us?
Luna: I see everything, child. Eeeeveeerryyyyyythiiiiiiinngggg…
Green backed away, disturbed by the Clefairy's demeanor as the older male nodded to Luna, then walked up to Ash.
Male Clefairy: We would like all of you to stay. You have done our people a great service by protecting our Shawna. Please, stay and watch the ceremony. It will begin in an hour, with the rising of the moon.
Brock: I guess they want us to stay.
Brock said this as his pants were almost pulled down by a Clefairy that was trying to encourage him to sit.
Seymour: Fascinating… The Clefairy have formed their own society.
The group sat quietly for a few minutes, then Ash's stomach rumbled loudly, making a few of the younger Clefairy giggle.
Brock: I wonder if it's polite to eat in here.
He said this while glancing at Ash, yet trying not to make it too obvious.
Clefairy: It's fine.
Ash: I don't see why it wouldn't be, especially if we share our food with them.
Brock: Well, it's a good thing I made enough food for an army.
Misty let out Metapod, who cooed and attempted to jump into her lap, but missed. Giggling, she lifted him up. Brock released his Geodude, Onix, and Zubat as well as he tossed sandwiches to the humans in the group and took out cans of his special Pokémon food.
Brock: I improved the recipe based on your reccomendations. Go on Ash, see how they like it.
His eyes said that he was dying to ask Ash a hundred questions but was holding back due to Seymour being in the room. Brock passed Metapod's food to Misty and handed several cans to the Clefairy for them to share as he personally handed Cobalt a fresh can.
Brock: Ash told me your favorite berries were Pecha Berries, so I made my own mixture with Pecha juice just for you, Cobalt. Hope you like it.
He let out a greeting that he knew Brock couldn't understand as he then dug in, his eyes widening from the flavor.
Cobalt: Oh….. This is….. even better than the last batch.
Seymour: Let me try some.
Seymour then grabbed a piece right out of Green's can and ate it while the Treecko was eating out of it.
Seymour: Hmm, not bad, not bad…
Green: Hey, asshole! That was mine!
A while later, the Clefairy stopped eating and suddenly stood.
Male Clefairy: The Moon Ceremony begins.
He placed another small piece of meteorite in front of the Moon Stone, completing the circle as he then began to chant.
Male Clefairy: Moon spirits, accept our offerings and guide those of us that wish to evolve tonight.
To the group's amazement, the Moon Stone began to glow. The Clefairy began to dance, chanting a beautiful, yet haunting prayer.
Misty: What are they saying, Ash?
Ash turned around to make sure Seymour was not listening. Thankfully, the scientist was occupied watching the Clefairy, with Brock listening over.
Ash: It's a prayer to the Moon Stone. Well, more to the moon spirits. Many are planning on evolving tonight, and it's the Moon Stone that gives them that power.
Seymour: I wish I knew what they were doing.
Brock: It looks like some kind of ritual.
Misty: It's almost like they're worshipping the Moon Stone."
Shawna nodded at the girl, giving a smile as she resumed dancing.
Seymour: Is it because the Moon Stone fell from the heavens?
Misty: Then the legends are true. Maybe the Moon Stone did come from space.
Seymour: Of course! It all makes sense now! Outer space! Pokémon and the human race will ride the Moonstone into space! First to the moon, then to Mars, then together to the stars! STARS!
Psi: *face palms* Arceus Dammit….
Suddenly, Team Rocket burst in, causing the Clefairy to stop their dance and shiver in fear. Only Luna seemed unfazed.
Meowth: Looks like that's our cue!
Ash: You guys don't know when to quit!
Seymour: *nervous* Keep away from the Moon Stone or else!
Jeesie: "Or else?"
James: I think we've been threatened.
Seymour: The Moon Stone belongs to the Clefairy, not to you troublemakers! Leave this cave at once!
Meowth: Ha! Wimp!
Seymour lunged at them, though Meowth tripped him, causing his glasses to fall off.
Seymour: My glasses! I can't see a thing!
Green: *dejected* Oh no… I wanted to do that.
Ash: Leave him alone
Jessie: How about you make us?
She taunts the boy as she's releasing her Ekans as James releases his Koffing. However, as the Pokemon grew defensive, no one saw Psi whisper something to Green, who nodded quickly, then told the Kadabra's plan to the Clefairy.
Jessie: Show them that size doesn't matter! Ekans, underground!
James: Koffing, use Smokescreen!
Thick smoke covered the area, making everyone cough. Brock released Zubat, commanding him to use Double Team and Gust to remove the smoke, but when it cleared, Team Rocket had disappeared. And so had the Moon Stone.
Misty: They stole it! Team Rocket stole the Moon Stone!
Ash: The match was just a trick so they could sneak away with it.
A Clefairy handed Seymour his glasses, and Seymour ran out of the cave, trying to stop Team Rocket. Suddenly, Ash heard laughter. He turned around to see Green was laughing loudy, clutching her sides. Slowly, Cobalt and Psi started to laugh too. This went on for a few more seconds as the Riolu stopped, but the other two kept going.
Cobalt: *chuckling* Why are we laughing?
Ash: My question exactly, Green! They just stole the Moon Stone! Why are you and Psi laughing?
Psi: We were simply picturing the look on those ignoramus's faces when the Graveler they just stole awakens.
Green and the Clefairy pushed the real Moon Stone, which had been hidden in a dark corner, back into place.
Cobalt: What?!
Green: Psi caught on to what they were doing when they started the match and told me how to do the old switcheroo. Oldest trick in the thief book, you know.
Cobalt: Green, the only thing you have ever been successful at stealing is our hearts.
Green: Quiet…. So, we decided to misdirect them instead. We pulled the switch while you guys distracted them with the match. They should find out in three…two..
Outside, they heard an angry roar and screaming. Then there was a huge thump and the words-
Team Rocket: Team Rocket's blasting off again!
The voices gradually faded into the distance. As a twinkle showed in the sky, Ash looked at his Pokémon in admiration.
Ash: You guys are literally the coolest.
Green: We know.
Seymour: *runs inside* I saw Team Rocket getting chased by an angry Graveler! It used Rock Blast and sent them flying! But I couldn't find the… Moon Stone? Wha…How?
Brock: It appears that the Clefairy and Ash's Pokémon pulled a switch.
The Clefairy thanked Green and Psi, then continued with their ritual, allowing a good number of them to finally evolve into Clefable.
—-
Seymour stood at the exit to Mount Moon with Shawna, who stayed a Clefairy, and a Clefable after the ritual ended, speaking with Ash and his friends.
Seymour: I decided to stay with the Clefable..
Ash: Huh?
Seymour: It's been my life's dream to find the Moon Stone. Someday, I will travel to the stars with the Clefairy.
Shawna: *takes his hand* We'll keep him out of trouble.
Clefable: Or at least we'll try.
Brock: If you do get to outer space, send us a postcard.
After spending the night in the mountain, Seymour was escorted back into the mountain, they were about to leave when Cobalt felt a touch on his hand. He looked to see Luna, who had become a Clefable.
Luna: I am glad what was once hidden from you has become found.
Cobalt: I…don't understand.
Luna: ….You will in time. No door truly remains locked forever. Just remember, you and your trainer are alike. What will hurt you will also heal you. And I know both your team and the family who chose you will be there for you when the truth is revealed.
Luna gave him a hug, then walked away as Cobalt, Ash, Ash and his team looked at her in shock.
Ash: Psi, you're a genius. Do you have any idea what she just said?
Psi: I am sorry, Ash. I have never been good with those kinds of riddles. Especially from the…. Let us say, spiritual type.
Green: *on Ash's shoulder* Just let it go for now. We'll probably never figure it out until the truth decides to reveal itself. And Luna's right. No matter what, we will always be there for you, bro. And that goes for you too, Ash.
Ash gave a faint smile, stroking his starter's scales and uttering a "Thank you" as they left.
Ash: Do you think the Clefairy really did come to Earth from outer space?
Misty: I don't know, but it's fun to believe they did.
About half an hour later, they reached a sign directing them to Cerulean City.
Brock: Well, I guess we're headed the right way. But there's something else scribbled here.
Ash: They say some kids like to write silly notes on these signs.
Green: Oooh, the words of the freedom. Let me see…. "Up with Mimey, down with Jinx!" *laughs* *Garboders are people too!" *laughs* Ha, those Garboders...
Cobalt: Hey, here's one someone didn't finish! "Bulbasaur smells".
He then proceeds to write the word "good" after "smells" with a slick of mud from a puddle near the sign.
Cobalt: Good.
Ash: Hey Brock, what does your's say?
Brock: Alright, let's seen…. "Gary was here. Ash is a- *surprised*Ash is a loser?!" What the hell?!
Ash: *angery* Loser?! I'll show you, Gary!
He ran off, Green thanking Arceus for tempting him to get off Ash's shoulder, since he would've been sent to the ground at the speed Ash was going. Cobalt watched Ash as he ran off, his power allowing to feel just how hurt he was under his rage.
Green: He dares to call my trainer a loser?!
Cobalt: Ash? Ash, slow down!
He ran off after his trainer, and the rest of Ash's team followed. Misty and Brock exchanged concerned glances before running after Ash as well, with one thought on their minds.
Who the heck is Gary?
—-
After a few minutes, Ash's run slowed to a walk as he panted, hia anger slowly depleting and exhaustion catching up to him. Why did Gary always feel the need to taunt him? He tried to follow his mother's advice; to ignore it, to not retaliate, but it didn't stop the insults from continuing. And now Misty, Brock, and his Pokémon knew. Would they think he was a loser too?
Cobalt: Ash, slow down! Wait up!
Psi: How about you slow down? Not all of us have energy to run throughout the entire night.
He turned to see his team running towards him and remembered that he had nearly sent Greem flying off his shoulder when he had taken off while Psi panted in exhaustion.
Ash: I'm sorry, guys. I shouldn't have run off like that. It's just…
Green looked at the boy, the look on Ash's face broke his heart, almost as much as when Cobalt would let tears slip when he had the occasional sensory overload. If he ever saw that Gary guy, if he insulted her trainer ever again, he was going to teach that little prick a lesson he'd never forget.
Psi: There is no need to apologize, Ash. That message was downright disgusting, you have the right to be angry.
Green: Who was that jerk anyway? Does he always do crap like that to you?
Ash nodded, sitting down. Cobalt hopped into his lap and Green climbed back onto his shoulder and preened his hair. Psi simply took a seat beside him and looked him in the eye, showing he was willing to listen. Once Brock and Misty arrived, he began to explain his relationship with the aforementioned Gary.
Ash: He-He's my rival. We used to be friends when we were little, but…things changed.
Misty: What happened?
Ash: When we started trainer school, Gary found a lot of new friends, but I could never fit in with them no matter how hard I tried. His new friends didn't like me, and…I didn't really like them either. Gary and I started getting into stupid arguments, and just…drifted apart.
Misty: Wait…. Is that the reason why you back down and let me win every time it looks like we're about to get into an argument or something?
Ash: I- *looks down* I guess so. Yours and Brock's friendship means a lot to me. I don't want to lose it over a stupid fight.
Green: Oh Ash, you don't have to worry about a fight ruining our friendship.
Cobalt: Yeah, Green and I get into stupid fights all the time, but we're still best buds.
Brock: Are you really that afraid of losing us?
Ash: Yes! I-I've never really had friends before. Well, except maybe for my cousin Ethan in Johto, and these 3 kids I met at summer camp, but I could only see Ethan a few times a year, one of the girls moved to Kalos, and I don't know what even happened to the other two. I never fit in anywhere at school. Most of Gary's new friends made fun of me…and then Gary started doing it as well. Gary was always ahead of me with everything; friends, Pokémon battles, school… and he never hesitated to let me know about it. And it's going to get even worse when he finds out about Pikachu…
Green: Nuh uh.
Ash looked to his grass type, who crossed his arms in assertiveness as he frowned.
Green: That would be different. He can mae fun of you over something stupid like school or friends, but when he makes fun of you because you ALMOST DIED, that's too far! If he makes fun of you over that, then Gary will have to deal with ME.
Psi: Me as well. I am ready to pick apart every lobe of his brain to erase his memories of ever insulting you like that. No one gets away with insulting my…. My friends.
Cobalt: Same here. We're all here for you, pal.
Misty: This Gary sounds like a real jerk and a horrible friend. And Ash? You don't have to fear losing me as a friend. I never really had a lot of friends either. I didn't exactly fit in with the other girls at my school and besides my Pokémon, you and Brock are the best friends I've ever had.
Brock: Same here, actually. Raising a family of ten and being a full time Gym Leader didn't leave me a lot of time to make friends. And wanting to be a Pokémon Breeder rather than a trainer; well, a lot of guys thought it was strange.
Brock wouldn't tell Misty and Ash what most teenagers his age had called him; they were far too young to hear words like that.
Ash: Thanks for sticking with me, guys. You have no idea how much that means to me.
Misty: *smiles* You're welcome.
Brock: That's what friends are for.
TO BE CONTINUED…..