Hey guys, I'm back. Yes, I'm still alive. For the reason why I haven't been keeping up on this story, let me give you a rundown on why.

Reason #1: College. I am a sophomore in college majoring in meteorology. For that reason, you can imagine the amount of math and physics I have to endure. I failed physics this past semester, but I am retaking it this upcoming semester. So, it'll be a grind, and I will try my hardest to continue this series. However, I'm not making promises.

Reason #2: Writer's block. While the last 12 episodes have been relatively easy to write (the most notable exception being the last chapter, it seems lazily put together looking back), this next chapter has been a pain to come up with an idea to write about. However, my thought process has been somewhat aided by the Kanto map (in-game map). So, this next chapter will be about the Rock Tunnel. Hopefully that helps. And yes, Brock is a-okay!

Reason #3: I was planning on renewing this story two weeks ago at time of writing (week of January 18, but life happened.)

Also, stay tuned for a new story update at the end of this chapter. With that, let's get on with the chapter.

Something More?: A Pokemon Story

Episode 13: Rock Tunnel Dilemma

Ash, Serena and Brock have just come up upon the entrance of Rock Tunnel, north of Lavender Town.

"Alright, let's go in."

"But Ash, it's dark as hell in there. Don't you have a flashlight?"

"Let me look, Serena. Oh would you look at that!"

"What, did you find one?"

"No I didn't!"

"Oy vey! Brock, what about you?"

"Out of luck too."

"Out of the three of us, you don't have a flashlight?"

"Really, Ash, you've traveled for years. I expect you to have one!"

"At least I've got a girlfriend, Brock. Where's Professor Ivy?"

Brock lays down, legs up to his chest.

"Don't mention that name."

"Woah, what happened to Brock?"

"Years ago, he'd stayed at an island because he fell in love. My guess, he left him. Stopped the argument though."

"You need to apologize though."

"I know. Hey, Brock, I'm sorry."

"It's fine. Didn't expect that though. Man arguments am I right?"

"You know it!"

"Hey, you too, look what I found. A flashlight!"

"You had a flashlight this entire time, and you didn't tell us."

"I didn't even know I had packed one."

"Eh, okay. Anyway, let's go in."

The trio get a significant way into Rock Tunnel without problems, but with one common complaint.

"It sure is dusty in here. I've been in caves before, but it's never been this bad."

"Even with my flashlight, Brock, I see dust particles and nothing else."

"Besides the path."

"And that. Ash, what do you think?"

Serena turns around, to see Ash nowhere.

"Ash, where are you?"

Ash wakes up, knocked unconscious from a fall, in which the other two didn't hear behind them.

"Uhh, that was some fall. Pikachu, you okay."

"Pika…chu. Pi?"

"What's wrong. Oh, we lost the others. We need to find our way back up."

Ash and Pikachu look up to see a very small hole from where they fell. They would need a ladder to get back up.

Meanwhile, with Brock and Serena.

"Well, I'm sure Ash is alright, Serena."

"Knowing him, he isn't even harmed. Let's look for him."

Suddenly, they hear a crumbling noise from above them, and two Pokemon fall on their heads, knocking them to the ground.

"Oh, that hurt. What was that? Brock, behind us."

Behind them were two very angry Geodude.

"Geodude, and they're not very happy. Run!"

Serena and Brock run very fast to someplace, managing to lose the two Geodude.

"Brock, I think we lost them."

"I think so, let's go look for Ash."

With Ash and Pikachu

"It is surprisingly very illuminated. Somebody put up lights in this tunnel. Pikachu, I see someone. Let's go see if they're alright."

"Pika!"

Ash and Pikachu run to the person, and she seems scared out of her mind, but other than that, okay.

"Hey, ma'am, are you okay?"

"Get away from me. You're one of them!"

"Who is them?"

"Don't give me that. You're a ghost!"

"No I'm not. I'm Ash, and this is Pikachu."

"Pika."

"Hold on."

She rubs her eyes, then realizes that they aren't ghosts.

"Okay, guess you're not ghosts. Sorry about that."

"It's fine. What's your name?"

"I'm Kris. I lost my partner in this tunnel. Did you get separated?"

"I did. Floor gave in."

"Same here. Some Pokemon have been digging pitfalls for a while. I guess we were the unlucky ones."

"Damn. Anyway, let's go find our people."

"Okay."

With Brock and Serena

"Come on Ash, where did you go?"

"Is it possible that he fell down to a lower level, Brock?"

"Wouldn't be the first time it happened."

They all of a sudden hear a voice in the distance.

"Kris! Where'd you go?"

"Brock, did you hear that?"

"Yeah, let's go."

Brock and Serena go to the source of the voice, and they see a young man looking understandably worried.

"Hey, are you okay?"

"Not really. Lost somebody very important to me in this cave or labyrinth or whatever this place is. What about you?"

"Same dilemma. I'm Serena. What's your name?"

"John. Hey, I know you. You're Brock, right?"

"I am. How'd you know?"

"A few years ago I traveled around the Kanto region getting badge after badge, and my first was Pewter, and I thought you were the gym leader. But I fought this kid named Forrest."

"Oh, yeah. The person we're looking for is the person I've been travelling with for years. He's the reason why I left the post as Gym Leader. Forrest is one of my many, many siblings."

"Ah, that's nice. What's this person's name?"

"Ash Ketchum."

John then gets a dead-panned look on his face, completely stunned at the fact that these two people are travelling with this world-reknowned trainer.

"The Ash Ketchum?"

"Yep, and I'm his girlfriend."

"Damn, you're lucky to have him."

"I know. Best man in the world I've met. Love him so much. Anyway, we should find them."

"We should, let's go."

With Ash and Kris

"This cave is too damn dark. Wish we had an actual light."

"Oh, I've never thought of that. I've got a Pokemon that can help. Let's go!"

Kris reveals a Bronzor, making Ash very glad.

"Nice, a Bronzor."

"Awesome, ain't it. Use Flash!"

Bronzor uses Flash to illuminate the tunnel very brightly.

"We can actually see. Let's go."

"Kris, wait. Look at the walls."

"Why should I-"

Kris becomes shocked as multiple Zubat and Golbat hanging on the walls.

"Walk very slowly, and quietly. The light won't bother them. Noise will."

"Got it."

Ash and Kris manage to move past all of the Zubat and Golbatn without disturbing the peace.

"Okay, we made. Shouldn't be any more Zubat or Golbat around here.

"I wouldn't say that. Look ahead."

Both of them look forward, and see a Golbat laying on the ground, sleeping, when it suddenly wakes up. Golbat sees both of them, and things start to go south.

"Hey, Golbat. Sorry we bothered you. Don't get angry."

"Yeah, Golbat. Pikachu, go up to Golbat."

"Pika."

"Got it."

Golbat flaps its wings angrily and uses Supersonic.

"Ah, that's loud. Pikachu, Thunderbolt!"

Pikachu uses Thunderbolt, and knocks Golbat out.

"Okay, that should do it. Kris, you good?"

"I'm fine. Uh, Ash, behind us."

"What? Oh, shit…"

All the Zubat and Golbat that they walked past woke up and angrily stare down the two of them.

"You know what we should do, Kris?"

"What's that?"

"Run!"

As Ash and Kris start running fast, all the Zubat and Golbat chase them, while using Supersonic, causing them to cover their ears.

Meanwhile with Brock, Serena and John.

"It is unusually bright in this cave."

"Yeah, Brock. Nice point."

"I just hope Ash is alright."

"Don't worry, Serena. He's fine."

"I know. It's just been a while."

"He did fall through the floor. Probably hurt."

"True."

"Wait, what's that noise?"

"John, I don't hear anything."

"I'm with Serena, I can't hear a thing."

"Huh, that's weird. I'll investigate anyway."

"Wait, I hear that now. I'm hear somebody yelling. Ash?"

"That definitely sounds like him. Let's go!"

The three of them run towards the sound of Ash. Cutting back to him and Kris.

"Ah, Kris, a ladder, hurry up!"

"They're still chasing us. Let's go!"

"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt to shoo them off!"

Pikachu uses Thunderbolt, scaring them, but not hitting them. They then hear the rest of the group above them.

"Ash, look up!"

"Serena, Brock, nice to see you again!"

"Not the time for jokes you three, we've got bigger problems. Let's get up the ladder."

"Yeah, you're right!"

Ash and Kris manage to climb up the ladder. Meanwhile, the Zubat and Golbat go up into the second floor, forcing the five to make a difficult situation, either fight their way out or run for their lives. Luckily, Brock has an even better solution.

"I've got a solution. Crobat, come on out!"

"Cro!"

"Calm down the Zubat and Golbat, please."

Crobat turns to the horde of Zubat and Golbat, and manages to persuade them that their encounter was a complete mistake. They then go back into hiding, without any resistance.

"Thanks, Brock."

"You're welcome, Ash. That was interesting. Who's the woman?"

"Kris, and I'm assuming that's her partner."

"John, you'd be right. Although, what definition of partner are talking about?"

"Research partners, Brock. Kris is my sister."

"Nice. What do you research?"

"Really anything. What are your interests?"

"I'm a Pokemon Doctor, so I guess that."

"Well, we've got a spot available for you, if you'd like to join."

"I'd love too, but I got to take care of these two lovebirds."

"Haha, well, it's nice meeting you. Serena, take care of him."

"I always do!"

"Serena, Brock, let's get out of Rock Tunnel, and on our way to Fuchsia City. Next stop, Lavender Town!"

Ash, Serena and Brock exit Rock Tunnel. Back to Kris and John, real quick.

"Hey John, did you see or hear ghosts?"

"I didn't. Did you?"

"Yeah, not sure what it was, though."

"Probably your mind driving you insane. It happens in dark spaces."

"I suppose your right. Let's head home."

Song of the Day: 18 and Life- Skid Row (1989)

Alright, well, after a half a year away, Episode 13 is finally complete. Now for a sneak peek on my new upcoming story.

"Alright, Pancham and Braixen, let's get started in Hoenn!"

"Brai, Brai!"

"Cham, Cham!"

Featuring Serena as the lead character, join her in the journey across Hoenn, in the Serena Chronicles.

"I'm Solidad, nice to meet you!"

"Nice to meet you, too!"

"Want to travel together?"

"Why not! I kind of want to get into Contests again, as well."

"Then, let's do it!"

The Serena Chronicles: Coming Soon