//------------------------------// // Chapter 14: Over Mt. Moon // Story: The Mane Six's Pokemon Journey // by Cheesecake404 //------------------------------// Over Mt. Moon The group set off for Mt. Moon and had made it about haft way to the mountain before it got dark. After the camp was setup, the group sat around the campfire as the girls shared some more stories of what life was like in Ponyville. The forest echoed with the sound of laughter as they told their stories. “I can't believe you brainwashed the entire town just so you wouldn't be late on an assignment that didn't have a due date to begin with,” Zander said after he calmed down from laughing so hard. “Well, maybe it was a little excessive, but I was trying to avoid being sent back to magic kindergarten,” Twilight said with a small bit of fear in her voice. “Still, I have noticed that a lot of the problems you guys encounter could be solved simply by asking a few more questions like, what's a parasprite? Is that bird okay? Can I just see the cookbook because I'm really out of it right now?” “Maybe so, but then we wouldn't have learned all those lessons about friendship.” “Yeah, I guess so. You know you guys sure live interesting lives for living in a small town.” “No more interestin' than what you've done, what with you tavlin' the world an all.” “You'd be right about that Applejack,” Zander said as he looked off toward Mt. Moon, watching a nearly full moon rise over it's peak. “In fact Mt. Moon is where I had one of my first real adventures.” “Oh, oh, ohohohoh, are you going to tell us? Please? I really want to hear it!” Pinkie said clinging to Zander's legs and giving him a pleading look. “Yes Pinkie, I wouldn't have mentioned it if I wasn't going to tell you guys about it. But first, could you go sit back down, before you cut off the circulation in my legs?” “Okey dokey lokey.” “Right so,” Zander took a moment to gather his thoughts, “It was about ten yeas ago,” God I feel old saying that. “when I first came here, and had my first run in with Team Rocket. Now I know I've mentioned them before, but let me elaborate as to who they were. Team Rocket was a crime syndicate that thought of Pokemon only as tools to make money and commit crimes, all leading to an end goal to world domination.” “How exactly would that have worked?” Twilight asked. “I don't know, but it didn't matter. Once I saw the evil the group was capable of I stopped at nothing to take them down! But at the time of my first encounter I knew as much as any kid, they were 'bad people' and should be avoided, but that really wasn't an option.” “What were they doing here?” Pinkie asked. “Collecting fossils, all in all nothing really illegal, there plan was to revive the fossils and sell the Pokemon. But then I showed up. I wasn't even trying to stop them either, but whenever a grunt saw me they challenged me to a battle and when I won they complained. If they had left me alone they might have completed their job successfully. But instead their operation ended in failure as the only two fossils they found were taken by me and the guy who found them. “Later in Cerulean City I encountered more Rockets, one was a recruiter who tried to recruit me into the organization, but failed after I defeated him in battle and shutdown his recruitment drive. The other was a TM thief. At the time I found them more amusing than scary, at least until Celadon and Lavender Town. There I learned just how bad and dangerous they were.” Zander sat in silence for a few moments staring into the fire, “That's enough for tonight we should go to bed.” “Oh come on, aren’t you going to tell us anymore?” Rainbow asked. “No, not tonight, but later.” The group settled in for the night, each of the girls decided to join Zander under the stars, although Zander made sure to distance himself appropriately this time. About an hour after they went to bed, Fluttershy went to nudge Zander to see if he might still be awake. “Um... Zander?” “Huh, what?” Zander said as he stirred from his sleep. “Oh, sorry I didn't mean to wake you. I just wanted to talk for a bit.” “And it can't wait till morning because?” Zander said sitting up. “I'd like to talk in private.” “Alright what is it?” “Well... I was thinking and... what if we can't get home?” “You shouldn't worry about that, it's the Professors' problem. Besides I know we'll get you guys home.” “But what if they can't fined a way, what will happen to us. What if people find out about us, what if-” Zander pulled Fluttershy into a hug, “Don't worry about what might happen or about other people. You're with me, and I'll keep you safe.” “You promise?” “You have my word I will protect you and your friends from whatever danger presents itself!” Zander said as he broke the hug. “Thank you, that's a lot off my mind.” “Why were you thinking about that anyway?” “I was a little scared, this world is beautiful but also dangerous. I wanted to know for sure that if we had to stay here we would be safe.” “So, why did this have to be done in private?” “I didn't want to worry the others, Rainbow and Applejack would never admit it, but I'm sure they're just as scared and worried as I am.” “Alright I understand now. But I'm sure you have nothing to worry about, we'll get you home and if not, then I'll take care of you.” “Thank you.” “Not a problem. If that's all, then we should go back to sleep,” Zander said laying back down. “Um... could I if you don't mind maybe sleep next to you?” Even though it was the middle of the night the moon's light allowed Zander to see Fluttershy's face, she was giving him an adorable look that he couldn't resist, “Sure.” Fluttershy got her sleeping bag and curled up next to Zander. Sigh one of these days I'm going to have to learn how to say no to these girls. Zander thought as he drifted back to sleep. _____________________________ Zander woke up first and somehow managed to pry Fluttershy off of him with out waking her. She may look small and cute but man if she isn't strong. Zander got things ready for breakfast as the others started to wake up too. After camp was packed up the group set out to the Mt. Moon cave. Once they arrived Zander got everyone’s attention, “Alright we're here. Now this cave can be easy to navigate, but we should make sure we to stick together. I don't want a repeat of the Viridian Forest.” Zander made his way to the entrance as Pinkie jumped in front of him, blocking the entrance. “Wait we shouldn't be going in yet!” “And why is that?” “My Pinkie sense is tingling and it's telling me something bad's gonna happen!” “'Pinkie sense'? What does that even mean?” “Well, sometimes I get these little feelings all over my body that mean different things, and right now I'm getting danger.” Zander stood there unsure how to react to this, “Okay, how 'bout this then, I'll go on ahead and make sure it's safe,” Zander said as he stepped around Pinkie only to see a white furred Pokemon with a single black horn in his way. The Pokemon ran passed Zander and the girls beckoning them to follow it. “Okay, everyone change of plans, follow that Pokemon!” The Pokemon lead them away from the mountain and back to where they camped last night. Once they were in the center of the clearing the ground started to shake. “What in tarntion?” Applejack shouted. “It's and earthquake!” Twilight said as she and her friends held on to each other. After the earthquake subsided the group and Pokemon went back to the cave entrance to find that it had caved in. “That was close, if we had gone in there-” “We'd be buried under all that rubble,” Zander said finishing Twilight's sentience. Zander then knelt down and patted the head of the Pokemon that had warned them, “Thank for your help, we'd be in trouble if you hadn't shown up.” “Hey, I warned you!” “I know Pinkie, but 'Pinkie sense'? You just can't throw something like that out there and expect me to just instantly believe that you can predict natural disasters.” “Yet you were willin' to follow that there Pokemon you just met, what is it anyway?” Applejack asked. “This is an Absol, these Pokemon are capable of sensing natural disasters. As such, whenever you see one in the wild it's a good idea to play it safe.” “Cool a whole Pokemon species that's like my Pinkie sense.” “Yes darling, that's very interesting but we still have a problem,” Rarity said pointing at the collapsed entrance to the mountain. “Leave that to me.” Zander said getting out his Pidgeot. “I'll be back in a few minutes.” Zander got on his Pidgeot's back and flew off. “Wow that was cool,” Rainbow said watching Zander fly off on his Pokemon. “Where do you think he's going?” Fluttershy asked. “He's probly goin' back to town to get help.” Applejack answered. “Well what should we do in the meantime?” Twilight asked everyone. Pinkie walked up to the Absol, “Well, I'd like to have you come along with us, what doya say?” The Absol looked at her and smiled as it took a fighting stance. “All right, let's go Totodile! Use Bite!” Totodile launched itself at Absol jaws opened and clamped down on it as it hit. Absol seemed unfazed by the attack and knocked Totodile off with a swat of its paw. “Alright now use Water Gun!” Before Totodile could act Absol quickly ran into it stalling its attack. Totodile retaliated with its Water Gun hitting Absol. Absol was not deterred and charged at Totodile hitting it with its horn. “Don't give up, use Scratch!” Totodile ran its claw across Absol's face causing it to stagger backwards. “It's time, pokeball go!” Pinkie threw the ball at Absol and it entered. The ball rocked as the Pokemon tried to fight it, but it tired out and was caught. “Yay I did it!” “Good job Pinkie,” Twilight said congratulating her friend. “But what should we do now?” “Maybe we could-” “Let's play tag!” Pinkie exclaimed cutting off Rainbow and tagging her on the shoulder, “You're it!” “Pinkie!” Rainbow shouted as she gave chase. Twilight watched, giggling to herself as the shadow of a large bird passed over head. She looked up to see Zander's Pidgeot coming down for a landing. Zander called back his Pokemon and looked around and saw Rainbow chasing Pinkie. He then walked over to Twilight, “So... what did I miss?” “Pinkie caught that Absol while you were gone.” “Well that's good, but I was referring to that,” he said pointing at the two chasing each other. “They're playing tag.” “Come on Rainbow no tag backs!” Zander watched the two for a moment, “Alrighty then, but I need everyone’s attention, so you might want to cover your ears.” As Twilight did so Zander put two fingers in his mouth and blew producing a loud whistle. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at him. “Oh good, you're back... but I thought you went to go get help.” Rarity said seeing that Zander was by himself. “I did.” Zander took out a pokeball, “Come out Steelix!” Out of the ball came the colossal iron snake, roaring as it stretched its body. “First things first Steelix I want you to apologize to Rainbow, Applejack and Rarity.” The Pokemon lowered its head and let out a few grumbles to the three girls. “This is all well and good but, how are we going to get through the mountain? I'm certainly not climbing it,” Rarity said. “Do you really think I don't have a plan?” Zander said with a little hurt in his voice, “Just watch. Steelix would you mind clearing out the passage ways in the mountain for us?” Steelix nodded and burrowed into the mountain. “See what I had in mind now?” “Yes, it's really quite clever and probably quicker than a team of people. So, how long till it's safe for us to enter?” Twilight asked. “When Steelix come back out. Time wise? Haft hour to an hour maybe.” After Zander said that Steelix came out of the ground. “Or a few minutes.” Zander patted Steelix and thanked it before calling it back. “Now, we can get going.” Znader lead the girls into the cave's entrance, but he stopped short, “Everyone duck!” “What, why?” Rarity asked as Zander crouched down, at the same time as a swarm of Zubats flew out of the cave bumping into the girls as they went. Causing Rarity to start screaming, “Ahhhhh! They're in my hair, they're in my hair!” “Rarity...” Zander said try to get her attention. “Get them out, get them out!” “Rarity!” Zander took a hold of her shoulders, “Calm down, there's nothing in your hair, they're gone now.” Rarity looked herself over, “Oh, you're right, heh, heh. Sorry.” “That's alright, hopefully we won't run into anymore now that a hole colony has left.” “How'd you know that them Pokemon were comin' anyway?” Applejack asked. “I've been in enough caves to know when Zubats are going to attack. Sometimes it feels like you can't take two steps with out one smacking you in the face. But like I said we shouldn't have to worry about it now.” As they went through the cave Zander talked more about its history, at least until he heard a scream from Rarity. Zander turned around to see what had happened now. Rarity was in Applejack's arms clinging to her friend and shaking like she had seen a ghost. In front of them was a small orange Pokemon with mushrooms on its back. “Oh, cool a Paras.” Zander said as he got closer to get a better look at it. The Pokemon looked at the group with interest as Zander knelt down next to it. “Hi there, it's nice to meet you but if you wouldn't mind could you move along? You're scaring my friend.” The Paras nodded and scurried off deeper into the cave. “You can relax now Rarity it's gone.” “Thank you.” “Can ah put ya down now?” “Oh, yes.” Applejack dropped Rarity on to the cave floor. “Ow, I didn't mean drop me!” “Sorry.” Applejack said with a smirk. Rarity got up and joined Zander in front of the group, “Zander, how long til we're out of this foul place?” “Normally about a haft hour, but I'm taking you guys to the center crater for the night.” “Why?” Rarity shouted in his ear. “First, please don't do that again, second, tonight's a full moon and something special happens on full moons. I want to share this experience with you guys.” As they continued down the passage way a small pink Pokemon came out of a small opening in the wall and froze in front of the group. “Hold up everyone,” Zander said in a hushed tone. “Why?” Fluttershy asked. “This is a Clefairy and they're very skittish, and if it gets spooked it might tell the others and ruin tonight.” The Clefairy looked at them, fear was the only thing keeping it from moving. Fluttershy slowly approached the Pokemon with an oran berry in her hand. Zander watched as she knelt down and offered the berry to the Pokemon. It took a step forward then a step back. Fluttershy gave it a warm smile and spoke softy, “It's alright little one we won't hurt you.” The Clefairy cautiously approached Fluttershy and took the berry. “There, you see you don't have to be afraid.” The Clefairy nodded and pointed down a cave corridor. “Yes, I think we're going that way. Is that alright?” The Clefairy looked at the others with curiosity. Fluttershy really does have a talent for understanding Pokemon. Zander thought as he and the other watched the two. As Fluttershy and the Clefairy stood there, Zander noticed part of the ceiling was still loose and was giving way. “Look out!” Zander shouted as he ran to them. Fluttershy pulled the Clefairy close to her to protect it, Zander grabbed them and pushed the two out of the way as the debris hit the ground. “Woo, that was too close. Everyone alright?” Zander asked. “Yes, I'm fine. How about you?” Fluttershy asked the Pokemon in her arms. It replied with a happy cry of its name and nuzzled Fluttershy, then Zander. The others helped them up as the Clefairy skipped around them before heading down the corridor, it turned to the group and motioned to follow it. “Looks like we made a friend,” Zander said, “But we should still be cautious the cave is not as safe as I originally thought.” The group made it to the end of the hall with out further incident. Outside they were in a small valley meadow with a pond at the other end of the valley. Zander looked around and pointed to some trees near by, “Let's set up camp there, and let's hurry we won't want to miss the show.” “What show?” Twilight asked. “You'll see at midnight. It will be something spectacular to see trust me.” Twilight sighed and went to go help her friends, “Why does he have to be so mysterious about these things?” she said under her breath. “Because it's fun,” Zander whispered into Twilight's ear, giving her a slight scare. _________________________________ At the appointed time the seven gathered atop a hill over looking the pond. They sat in silence as several Clefairy gathered around a rock by the pond that wasn't there earlier. Twilight spoke to Zander in a hushed tone, “What's going on?” “A mystery really. It is said that on every full moon Clefairy gather here and perform a mysterious ritual. Watch and see.” The Clefairy soon gathered around the rock as one Clefairy stood on top of it. The Clefairy on the rock raised its arms and started to sing while the others began to dance around the pond. Each one stepped and jumped in perfect rhythm with the song. Zander smiled at the sound of the girl's oows and ahhs as they watched the Pokemon ballet before them. As the moon reached its highest point in the sky the lead Clefairy let out a cry, and the others gathered around it again and raised their arms with it. Then in unison they moved their arms back and forward. “Zander I know you said it's a mystery but, do you have any idea what they're doing?” Twilight asked. “Well, I know they're using Metronome.” “What's Metronome?” “A move that lets the user use a move at random, anything can happen, from splash to explosion,” The girls looked at him with some concern, “Not to worry though we're far enough away that any attack shouldn't reach us,” Zander said with a reassuring smile. The Clefairy stopped, their arms glowing as they shifted them one more time and the energy they gathered was released. Each Clefairy let out a large plume of fire into the sky, watching it was like watching a volcanic eruption. Afterward, the Clefairy went back into the caves. “Now wasn't that worth staying here for a day?” Zander asked everyone. “You were right this was definitely something worth seeing,” Twilight said giving him a hug, “thanks.” “No problem.” “It surely was, the Pokemon's dance was breathtakingly beautiful. If only we knew what it meant.” Rarity said. “I thought it was super cool! How bout you Dashie?” Pinkie asked Rainbow. “Yeah, it was pretty awesome at the end, but the rest I really didn't get.” “Ah kind of agree with ya Rainbow, it was interestin', but ah don't really get it either,” Applejack added. “Fair enough, what did you think Fluttershy?” Zander asked as she sat up from leaning on him. “It was nice,” She said in a sleepy voice. Zander smiled, “I guess it's time to turn in for the night.” he pulled Fluttershy up and carried her to the tent. “Goodnight everyone,” Zander said as he entered his own tent. “Goodnight Zander.” The girls replied. All was quiet as the group drifted off to sleep. _____________________________________ In the morning the group headed out of the cave, they were almost out when Zander noticed a little pink puff following them. “Hold up everyone,” Zander said getting out a pokeball that's top was half blue, half black and had a crescent moon on it. Zander handed it to Fluttershy. “What's this for?” she asked. Zander pointed to a rock with pink ears, “I think someone would like to come along with us, and that ball is best suited for it,” Zander said pushing Fluttershy forward, “Go get it.” Fluttershy approached the rock and saw the Clefairy behind it. “Um... hello there, would you like to come with us?” She asked holding out the ball. The Clefairy nodded and jumped up to hit the ball and entered it. “Yay, I got a Clefairy!” Fluttershy yelled softly. “Congratulations Fluttershy,” Rarity said. After the rest of the group give there congratulations they continued on, and exited the cave. “There we are, won't be long now before we reach Cerulean City.” Zander said stretching out his arms. “Look there's a sign! Let's see what it says,” Pinkie said as she ran to the sign. “If memory serves correct it should say, 'Cerulean City that way,'” Zander said pointing down the road. “You're right, but there's something else here to.” “What?” “Let's see... it says 'Gary was here, Zander's a loser.'” Zander rubbed his forehead, “Really? Ten years and it still says that?” “What-” “I'll explain it some other time Twilight, right now we should get going I'd like to get into town before sundown.”