Chapter 15:

A Cave of Legend

Phillip was in a kayak with Tyrogue in the front.

"I know this is insane buddy, but I feel drawn to this cave. You remember when I said I want all the Pokemon I love."

"Tyrogue." The Pokemon said nodding.

"Well, I think there are Dratini in this cave, and I would love nothing more than to be able to have three Dratini and train them up as masters of a single element."

"Tyrogue!"

Phillip laughed.

"Can you imagine? In one battle you have a dragon that is a fire master, and when you change it out the opponent thinks it's going to be a similar type, and then finds that the next dragon is a water and ice type. Then you send out a third and they won't know what to expect! Imagine the head games!"

Tyrogue laughed with Phillip. It made him happy to see his master so energized. After another hour of kayaking Phillip was right outside of the cave he was attempting to get to. He released all of his Pokemon and made a wonderful meal for them all.

"Are you guys ready for this!? It's going to be so much fun! I've only heard stories. Today we confirm them!"

All of his Pokemon surged with energy and were excited to see what was in the cave. After a filling breakfast Phillip called all of his Pokemon back except Mareep. The two were walking through the damp and dark cave. Phillip's heart was beating so hard he felt it in his throat. He heard a scratch against the cave's rocky ground and nearly jumped through the roof. It turned out to be a small Krabby. Phillip laughed at himself and then had an idea. He asked Mareep to fire a flash attack to send some light into the cave. Mareep obliged.

The two continued on deeper into the dark cave. They heard the distant cry of a Pokemon in a struggle. As they got closer to the cry red lights were reflecting off the dark walls. Phillip drew back in awe. Three Tentacruel were assaulting a lone Dratini. Phillip sent Tyrogue, Mareep, Pidgey and Wooper into the fight. He knew it would be a challenge, but he believed in his Pokemon. The Tentacruel turned towards Phillip.

All four of them assumed a ready position. Before the Tentacruel fully turned around they attacked.

"Tyrogue Megakick!"

Pidgey and Wooper attack together! Wooper do Mudshot! Pidgey perform a Sand Attack!"

"Mareep! Hit 'em with your Thunderwave!"

All four Pokemon's attack were in sync. Tyrogue hit the furthest Tentacruel, but he bounced off. The one in the middle was blinded by Wooper and Pidgey's attacks and the one nearest to them was blinking with Mareep's electricity. The three Tentacruel all fired an Acid attack in unison. Tyrogue, Mareep, and Pidgey were visibly weakened by the attack. The Dratini was breathing heavily but seemed to be refocusing on the Tentacruel. Phillip began to worry and had a moment of doubt. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Everyone! I know your feeling weak! Target the one closest to us, knock him into the other Tentacruel!"

The Pokemon found a second wind.

"Pidgey and Wooper repeat that attack!"

Pidgey and Wooper attacked. As Tentacruel was reeling from the attack Phillip refused to give him a rest. The other Tentacruel began to move closer.

"Mareep give it everything you have with this Thunderwave attack!"

The Tentacruel was weakened by the sand and mud, unable to see anything. The Thunderwave knocked him back and he was fading.

"Tyrogue! Tackle it with all you can! Brace yourself for a shock!"

Tyrogue threw his body unceremoniously into the Tentacruel as the electricity was still surging through his body. The Tentacruel collided with the other two and towards Dratini. The electricity connecting all of them. As the three Tentacruel flew towards the Dratini, it whipped its entire body into the three Tentacruel performing a Dragon Tail attack. The three Tentacruel flew up the cave where Phillip came from. Once they hit the cave floor swimming away as they continued to get shocked.

All four Pokemon flinched as they were weakened and Phillip called them back. The Dratini passed out and began sinking deeper into the water unconscious. Phillip dove into the water after the Dratini. He swam deep into the water and brought the Dratini up with him. Phillip carried the Dratini to the group's campsite where he fed all of his Pokemon, including the Dratini, his custom restorative food. They all rested together through the night.

When they woke up in the morning all the Pokemon felt refreshed and stronger. Dratini witnessed the Pokemon playing and training together as it woke up. Phillip and Tyrogue kept an eye on the Dratini in case it tried to run away. Rather than run it slowly and cautiously approached Phillip. When it was close enough it pointed its nose to one of his Pokeballs, suggesting that it wanted to go with him.

Phillip crouched to look at Dratini.

"Are you sure?"

The Dratini nodded. Phillip looked at Tyrogue.

"You ready buddy?"

Tyrogue nodded. They looked back at Dratini. Phillip assumed a ready position.

"Then I challenge you to a duel."

Dratini nodded and recoiled. Dratini bounced at Tyrogue. Tyrogue dodged.

"Megapunch!"

Tyrogue pounced at Dratini with his fist first. Dratini absorbed the attack. Dratini tackled Tyrogue. Tyrogue flew back. He landed on his hands and bounced onto his feet.

"Megakick!"

Tyrogue drove his foot into Dratini. Dratini bounced on the ground. Dratini wiggled around on the ground and hit Tyrogue with its tail. As Tyrogue fell back Dratini fired a Twister attack at him. Tyrogue was thrown into a rock. Phillip gritted his teeth.

"Come on Tyrogue! Don't give up on me! You can do this!"

Tyrogue got up shaking. He refused to give up.

"Focus your energy Tyrogue!"

Dratini charged at Tyrogue.

"Fake out!"

Dratini collided with air.

"Karate Chop Tyrogue! Then follow it up with a Body Slam!"

Tyrogue chopped Dratini. As he was reeling Tyrogue grabbed a hold of Dratini. He bounded into the air and then spun as he drove Dratini into the ground. Dratini bounced off the ground. Phillip threw a Pokeball.

The Pokeball spun around on the ground. After blinking a few times the light went off and Dratini stayed in the ball. Tyrogue and Phillip cheered and embraced as the Pokeball disappeared, and Dratini with it.

Phillip double-checked to make sure he had six Pokemon. After verifying he went deeper into the cavern. He searched every inch and crevice seeking out another Dratini for the remainder of the day. He had no luck. Mareep and Tyrogue grew tired from walking around with Phillip all day. Phillip began to get a little discouraged, but reminded himself that he caught one. Phillip returned to the part of the cave where he caught his first Dratini and set up camp. He let out all of his Pokemon. They ate together and drifted off to sleep as they all cuddled up together.

When they woke up in the morning Phillip spent a couple more hours looking for another Dratini. He grew more and more irritated as he continued on and finally decided to head to Goldenrod City to meet up with Kathy and Nathan. As he neared the exit of the cave Phillip saw something slither in the water out of the corner of his eye. He whipped around and ran back up the cave. As the long creature continued pulling away Phillip threw Horsea out into the water and yelled at him.

"Catch up to him!"

Horsea sped down the water after the creature. The creature twisted around quickly and launched itself at Horsea. A Dratini barreled into Horsea and knocked him back in the water. Horsea was visibly weakened. Phillip rushed to his aid to see if he could keep going. Horsea popped up unwilling to give up. The Dratini took a threatening posture.

"You're not getting away." Phillip said. "We just learned this move Horsea! Let's see what you got."

"Powder Snow Attack Horsea!"

Horsea began to glow a light blue color, and began to stir his tail in the water. Snow blasted out of his mouth. Dratini was knocked back. Phillip knew dragons were weak to ice type moves. He threw a Pokeball at Dratini. The ball started rolling around. Dratini popped out and crashed into Horsea. As Horsea was flying back Dratini attacked him with a dragon rage attack. Phillip didn't want to continue putting Horsea through the battle and recalled him. The Dratini was persistent and unwilling to back down.

Phillip sent Mareep out. Dratini charged at Mareep. Mareep dodged.

"Cotton Spore Mareep!"

Dratini was getting hit by giant cotton balls from every angle. They clung to him and he was rendered almost unable to move.

"Take Down attack Mareep!"

Mareep ran as fast as he could smashing into Dratini. He bounced off Dratini and then jumped up.

"Electro Ball attack!"

Mareep fired a massive ball of electricity at Dratini. Dratini was almost completely knocked out. As the electricity was still emanating off of Dratini Phillip threw another Pokeball at him.

The Pokeball was rolling around. After about thirty seconds Dratini decided to stay in the Pokeball. Phillip ran at Mareep and tackled him giving him a giant hug. After a few moments of taking it in and staring in the cave with a satisfied grin on his face Phillip was ready to go. He let all of his Pokemon out of their Pokeballs. After two days of training and chasing Dratini Phillip commended them and thanked them.

"We accomplished our goal and it was because we never gave up! You all are the best!"

Phillip called all of his Pokemon back except Tyrogue. They made their way to the exit of the cave, exhausted but proud and fulfilled.

"Onto Goldenrod City!"

"Tyyyy-roooguuuueee!"

To be continued…