Kanto Journies (PG)

[DarkCharlie]

Prologue. The Last Battle

A beautiful girl in a flowing ruby dress stood with long, sweeping blond hair across from a boy with short, ginger hair who wore ripped jeans and a cobalt blue t-shirt. Their Pokemon battled on. The boy's Blastoise shot two powerful jets of water at the girl's flimsy Butterfree. Butterfree's trainer winced. Butterfree flapped its wings frantically trying to resist Blastoise's power. Butterfree swept down in a strange angle and shot upwards gracefully when it was just inches away from the battlefield.

Butterfree swooped above Blastoise's large frame, scattering sparkling green pollen over it. Blastoise fell down. Its massive body crashed down onto the stone arena floor, sickened, poisoned. Blastoise struggled to its feet. Its energy was being sapped with every second it continued to fight.

Blastoise's chunky blue body sunk into its rock hard brown shell and span rapidly, lifting the Pokemon inches above the ground. It span into the startled Butterfree. The unconscious Butterfree was crushed under Blastoise's massive weight.

The very next moment, Blastoise's arms, legs and face withdrew from its shell, lifeless and motionless. Poisoned. Poisoned to death.

BBRRINNNG! BBRRINNNG!

 

[DarkCharlie]

Episode 001. It Begins?

At sunrise, Charlie Jade Whitmore awoke from her few hours rest with a start.

BBRRINNNG! BBRRINNNG!

?What the devil are you doing?? bawled her mother.
Charlie soon got used to this. Her mother was terrible in the morning, but this time, Charlie didn?t blame her. Imagine how you?d feel, woken at 6:00am by your daughter?s alarm clock, ringing at full volume. Not nice.

But how could Charlie resist? Her first day as a Pokemon trainer was going to be enjoyable. That meant getting up early so she would be the first to get a Pokemon. Not like last year. Last year, she had overslept, and all the Pokemon were taken. The year before that was the same. Today, she would finally fulfill her dream of becoming a Pokemon Trainer!

?You know mum,? Charlie said calmly. She knew better than to make her mother angry, especially on a Monday morning. ?I?m going today.?

?Yes, I know you?re going today, but don?t wake everyone in town up!? her mother yelled.

?Sorry,? said Charlie quietly. ?I didn?t realize it was so loud.?

Her mother walked out of Charlie?s bedroom, slamming the door.

Charlie looked her bedroom up and down. It was difficult to believe that she would never see this room for at least a year after today.

She looked at her walls, pained cobalt blue. Her cream coloured carpet. The calendar on her wall; the 1st of September, the day she had been waiting so long for, had finally arrived.

Quickly and quietly, she dressed in her bright red football shirt, khaki jeans and her white-turned-brown trainers. They were brand-new a month ago; it was hard to believe. Her long, light brown hair was tied in a black band. Charlie washed in the bathroom in front of the mirror. Her ghostly grey eyes and near-white skin stared back at her. Maybe she looked pale because she was nervous, but Charlie always seemed to look pale compared to anyone else, but that was probably because she was an English person, living in the tropics.

Finally, she plucked up the courage to walk downstairs and face her mum. She found her mum sitting at the kitchen table with Charlie?s younger brother, Ben, who was 9. Neither of them seemed to have acknowledged the fact that Charlie had walked into the room; they were silently devouring their soggy cereal, their messy, light brown hair sticking up in all directions.

Charlie grabbed a bowl of cereal, but found she was too nervous to eat. She looked at her right wrist; her black wristwatch told her that it was 6:25.

Then Ben said it. ?Mum, why?s Charlie in such a rush to get to school??

Both Ben and Charlie attended Pallet Town Training Academy, and their mother helped out at the school.

Their mother suddenly dropped her spoon, and announced, in an unnaturally calm voice, ?Charlie?s not going to school today.?

?Why?? demanded Ben in an outrage.

?She?s going to be a Pokemon Trainer.?

?Can I go mum? Please, please can I go with her? PLEAASSSE!?

?No.?

?Why??

?You know very well Ben. You have to be over 10, and you?re only 9. Charlie?ll be 12 in three weeks; she should have gone two years ago! That?s it!?

And no more was said about the issue all morning.

Eventually, at 7:00, Charlie grabbed her black rucksack and left the house after saying a lengthy goodbye to her mum, and a short, ?Bye,? to her brother, not that she felt like talking to him at all. Nervously, she shut the front door behind her and took one last look at the rows of detached houses that was Pallet Town.

On the edge of town, Professor Oak, a Pokemon researcher, worked in his laboratory. Charlie?s quest would begin with him.

She uneasily jogged along the tarmac path to his white laboratory. She found, however, that the wrought-iron gates were locked up tight. Then she heard voices. Voices that were coming towards her along the tarmac path, speaking freely, not a worry in the world. She fled.

Behind the scientist?s rubbish bin she hid. She watched. She waited.

?Sam you idiot!? screamed a young man. ?You messed up our plans in Viridian! You?ve blown our cover! Now we?re in trouble!?

?Sorry,? whimpered Sam, a flame-haired young man.

?No worries,? spoke the other man in a calm, content, but sly voice. ?It just so happens that I, the brains of us two, I have a plan.?

?What-

?Quiet!? bellowed the man. ?Isn?t it obvious? That all we?ve got to do is break into the lab and get us a Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle? No, Mr. Dumb-dumb here didn?t think did he??

?I?m-

?Shut up,? ordered the man, ?and follow me.?

Behind the rubbish disposal, Charlie gasped. Her first day of training? They were planning to ruin it? Who are these people? Thieves! Naughty, filthy, rotten thieves! She had to tell someone, and fast!

At 7:15, the professor finally strolled around the corner, humming a happy tune, briefcase in hand. Then he saw Charlie behind his dustbin.

?Good morning. What?s you?re name?? he smiled.

?I?m Charlie. Charlie Whitmore,? she replied.

?I see, and why are you sitting behind my bin??

?Sir, professor, I saw these men and they were? they were? Well, it?s hard to explain,? she stuttered.

?Well, let?s come inside.?

The pair of them walked up the gentle hill to Professor Oak?s Pokemon laboratory in quiet conversation.

As they stepped through the large metal and glass front door, Charlie was lost for words. The place was amazing. Shelves stacked up high with Pokeballs lined the lemon walled corridor.

?Hey, professor, can I get my Pokemon?? she asked, excitedly.

The professor silently walked to a small room containing a single metal table and there were nine Pokemon posters stuck to the futuristic silver walls.

Though the room looked very space-age, Charlie, however, was drawn to the single table in the centre of the room. A clear plastic dome covered it, and underneath the dome, on the table were? Pokeballs! Actual Pokeballs! Sitting in front of her, waiting to be taken by her and the other new trainers, she assumed, were three red and white Pokeballs. She turned to face the professor. He smiled, nodded his head and pressed a red button on the table. The dome opened. Charlie nervously stretched out her arm and pressed the buttons in the centre of the balls. They all flashed brightly and sprang open, releasing three Pokemon onto the table.

Bulbasaur! Charmander Squirtle! Wow! Pokemon, actual Pokemon!

?Well Charlie, I know you?re eager, but you can?t take them all,? the professor said.

?Sorry sir,? Charlie responded. ?I?ll take Charmander please sir.?

?Charmander it is,? smiled the professor, returning Bulbasaur and Squirtle to their Pokeballs. ?Well Charlie Jade Whitmore, are you ready to begin your Pokemon adventure??

Charlie felt like she was ready to burst! ?Yes!? she shouted.

?Excellent!? beamed Professor Oak. ?You will journey far and wide in search of Pokemon. Take these. Your Pokedex and five Pokeballs,? he continued, holding out his hand, which contained a little red device and five small Pokeballs. ?Goodbye. Your journey awaits you.?

Charlie was awestruck. She handled the little red device. It said, ?Bulbasaur, the Seed Pokemon. It is born with a strange seed on its back, which grows with the Pokemon. Squirtle, the Tiny Turtle Pokemon. After birth, its shell swells and hardens. It is small, but has a powerful Bubble technique. Charmander, the Lizard Pokemon. If Charmander?s tail flame ever goes out, Charmander is ready to die.?

Charlie put her Pokedex in her back pocket as she walked out of the lab, warmed by the morning sun, feeling more excited that she had ever done before. She was now officially a Pokemon Trainer!

KABOOM!

 

[DarkCharlie]

Episode 002. Team Rocket Blasts Off!

There was no time to explain, no time to say goodbye, not even enough time to say goodbye to her family waiting at the gates of Professor Oak?s lab, there was no time at all.

How could she be so stupid, so silly, so forgetful?

That didn?t matter all that much now, all that mattered now was how she was going to get those thieves and make them give back Professor Oak?s Pokeballs. Charlie ran like a speeding bullet towards the footpath on the edge of Pallet Town.

Why had she been so dumb not to tell anyone? Why was she such a fool? Why was she such an easily distracted idiot?

All these thoughts rushed through her mind as she dashed through the trees along Route 1. Thieves, they were. Anyone else would have remembered, not let it get squeezed out of their mind, even if they were distracted with a dream.

She ran, puffed, and panted. She had to admit she was never the best sportswoman in her class at the Pokemon Academy. Stopping dead in the path, she collapsed. She had never run the 400 metres so fast in all her 12 years.

Red in the face and dripping in sweat, Charlie walked. She must have traveled half a mile. She was at the top of a rather steep hill, and, at the bottom of the hill were?

Thieves! The two men she had seen earlier in the morning at the lab. She had rather a strong urge to back away, who knew what they could be capable of? However, she put on a brave face and walked down the hill. She was not doing this for herself. She was doing this for Professor Oak?s sake.

As she confronted the two young men, Charlie realized she had never appreciated how frightening they were from behind Professor Oak?s bin. That seemed an age away, but now, the sun was high in the sky. It had only just turned midday.

The pair wore red and black uniforms, one was slightly taller that the other, he had dark hair. The other man, as Charlie knew as ?Sam?, had red hair.

?What do you want?? challenged the dark haired man.

?Sorry, I just wanted to know if you know who stole two Pokemon from Professor Oak,? Charlie said. Well, it was half-true. What she actually meant was: ??I hate you, you stole two Pokemon from Oak!? but she would never have the nerve to say that to two total strangers.

?You snitch!? yelled the man. ?You ratted on us, you little stink-bomb!?

?What? She saw us?? asked Sam. Even though he was a criminal, he was relatively polite when compared to the dark haired man, who was obviously his partner in crime.

?Yes,? frowned the man. ?I saw you. You?re the little Pokemon kid aren?t you?? he laughed.

Charlie smiled too, but not in a friendly way. ?Well done,? she said sarcastically. ?And now that I have a Pokemon, I can challenge you to a battle. The winner keeps Oak?s Pokemon.?

?Fine. My name?s Max, Max Thomson. I think you?ll find me tougher than that filthy little rag,? announced Max, menacingly. He cast Sam a filthy look. ?I choose Poochyena.? Max threw his Pokeball and, as it hit the ground, it burst open to reveal a Pokemon that looked like a scruffy black dog.

?Go!? shouted Sam and Charlie. They threw their Pokeballs; their Pokemon appeared with a flash. Sam?s looked like a little brown stone-age creature with a helmet and a club.

?Cubone,? he said, brandishing his club.

?Poochyena, the Bite Pokemon,? informed a mechanical voice coming from Charlie?s back-pocket. Her Pokedex! ?Poochyena will bite anything that annoys it. Beware. Cubone, the Lonely Pokemon. Cubone uses the skeletons of prehistoric Pokemon to make its armor with.?

Neither of these Pokemon sounded or looked easy to beat, but she had to give it her best shot, it was for Professor Oak.

?Go Charmander,? she called. As her new Pokeball was flung from her left hand and hit the dirt path, the Charmander appeared at her side. She finally was a real Pokemon trainer, ready to battle under the afternoon sun!

At Charlie?s command, her little fire Pokemon showed hiss sharp claws and tried to slash Poochyena to ribbons. However, as an inexperienced trainer, Charlie had didn?t know much of Pokemon battling. Poochyena dodged to the side and countered Charmander with a Tackle attack, which knocked him to the floor.

Charmander jumped to his feet again, raring to go.

?Cubone, go!? Sam shouted. Charlie hadn?t a clue what he meant, but found out soon enough. When trainers and Pokemon get, close, they must be able to understand each other. Cubone took a run-up and threw its bone as if it were a boomerang. Sam looked pleased. This was obviously what he had wanted Cubone to do.

Charmander ducked it, then got up and turned around to be greeted with Cubone?s bone? right in his face. Charmander was hurt. Badly. She had to get it out of here, fast!

Holding out the Pokeball in her left hand, Charmander, who lay on the floor, weakened, flew back to his Pokeball in a white flash.

She looked at Max and Sam, who were busy congratulating their Pokemon, and fled. She ran, not as fast as she had done earlier, but she ran. She had already escaped when she heard Max and Sam talking, confused, over where she had gotten so quickly.

She walked for what seemed like ages before stopping at the end of the route, where the dirt path became paved, and rows of houses stood on either side of her. She had made it to Viridian City!

 

[DarkCharlie]

Episode 003. The Path to the Pokemon League

What discoveries awaited Charlie Jade Whitmore in Viridian City, she did not know. She had rarely been out of Pallet Town since she had come to Kanto aged 7. It was a nice town, so she never felt a desperate urge to go somewhere else. But Pokemon Training meant travel, and she did love travel. She would never forget the time when her family had flown halfway around the world to get to Kanto.

It was night. 8:00, it was. She had to find somewhere to spend the hours of darkness. Charlie wasn?t sure, but she thought maybe the Pokemon Centre would have her for a few nights.

Wandering around every main road she came across, Charlie began to worry. If she couldn?t find the Viridian City Pokemon Centre, then she would have to camp out and spend the whole night outside alone. She shuddered at the thought. It was not that she was a girlie girl, and needed a bed. No, Charlie was more like a boy than a girl to be honest. She even had a boys? name! The only girlie thing about her was her long, light brown ponytail that hung halfway down her back. She had camped out before, but it was only in her back garden with a friend, lots of children do that, though. No, this was reality. And reality was much, much scarier than fantasy

As Charlie turned the next corner, she felt like she would collapse. Apart from the fact that it was 9:50 and she was tired, she had hardly ate all day.

The perfect opportunity had arisen. Speeding down the street on a white motorbike, her hair flying behind her with a bluish tint was a police officer. Charlie figured that, if anyone knew the city better than the residents, it was her.

?Stop!? called Charlie, waving her arms around. The policewoman pulled over. Up close, she looked rather angry.

?What?? she demanded.

?I?m sorry,? whispered Charlie, ?but I need the Pokemon Centre for my Charmander, it?s in bad shape.

On hearing this, the woman?s face softened. ?Just jump on,? she said. ?I?ll get you there in no time at all!?

Charlie carefully climbed onto the back of the motorcycle. The policewoman drove at lightning speed, so Charlie was forced to grab onto her for dear life. They sped past rows of houses and shops so fast that they looked blurred. Eventually, they arrived.

The Pokemon Centre was much bigger than Charlie had anticipated. It was enormous! The building was dome-shaped, with a red glass roof.

?Well, here you are,? said the officer. ?My name?s Jenny, in case you need me again. Bye.? And she sped off on her motorcycle.

Charlie walked into the large Pokemon Centre and looked around. It was a gigantic building. Computers lined one wall. A few people were sitting at them. At the back of the room was a desk, behind which sat a nurse with red hair and a friendly face. Two pink Pokemon were with her.

?Chansey, the Egg Pokemon. Chansey are rare and mysterious Pokemon. It is said that they will bring happiness to their trainers,? reported the Pokedex.

Charlie paced up to the desk. ?Hello, nurse,? she said. ?My name?s Charlie. I was wondering if I could um? you know? well? spend the night here? And could you see to my Charmander please?? she held her breath. Would she be allowed to stay? Or would she have to spend the night outside alone, as she had feared?

?Of course you can stay for a while,? smiled the nurse. ?I?m Nurse Joy, glad to meet you. I?ll take your Charmander.? Joy took the Pokeball that Charlie held out. ?You can stay upstairs,? she said.

As Charlie trotted up the metal spiral staircase, she saw Joy go through a door to the back of her desk. It probably led either to her bedroom, or to a room where the sick Pokemon were kept. Charlie?s brain was buzzing with thoughts; she found it impossible to sleep.

The dorm had a polished wooden floor and the white walls were lined with posters. Charlie got out of bed and looked at them. Most were of Pokemon, but Charlie was intrigued by one that showed a large picture of a Pokeball with eight strange shapes bursting out of it. Surely it meant something. On switching on the lamp, she was able to see more clearly, she saw the poster had words.

?Collect Eight Gym Badges to Compete in the Pokemon League!? it read.

The Pokemon League? What was that? She puzzled about it as she tried to sleep.

Awoken later than usual by Nurse Joy, Charlie looked at her right wrist. Her watch read 9:00! This was unusual. Charlie preferred early nights and early mornings, perhaps she had slept in because her brain had been awake all night. Then she remembered why.

?Nurse Joy,? Charlie began. She had got dressed and was sitting downstairs eating Cornflakes. ?Can you tell me about the Pokemon League, please??

?Don?t you know?? Joy asked. Charlie shook her head. ?Even though you?re a trainer?? Charlie still shook her head. ?I thought all trainers knew about the Pokemon League. Very well then. The Pokemon League is a Pokemon battling competition??

?Really? Can I enter? How do you-

?To compete in the Pokemon League, a trainer must collect badges from eight different towns and cities to prove their worth. There?s a Pokemon Gym in Viridian, but-

Joy was stopped by Charlie leaving her Cornflakes and dashing outside. She took out of her black rucksack the map of the Kanto region that Jenny had given her last night when she got lost. According to the map, the Viridian Pokemon Gym was on the other side of town.

Charlie walked around town, following her map. She was careful not to get it wet; rain was coming down from the dark skies in bucketfuls. Eventually, after about three hours, (because she stopped at shop windows to check out all the Pokemon merchandise on sale) she came to the Viridian Gym. Across the large doors to the Gym was a sign that read ?Closed?. Charlie was totally downhearted.

There was a woman with blond hair nearby who saw her disappointed face. ?Don?t worry, that Gym never seems to be open. I don?t even know who the leader is. Maybe they?ve moved out,? she said, trying to comfort Charlie.

?Then how am I going to compete in the Pokemon League, then?? asked Charlie.

?Go to the Gym in Pewter City,? said the woman. ?If our leader doesn?t come back in a month, then we?re appointing a new leader. The council said so.?

Charlie got up and walked away, her clothes sodden from the recent downpour. She knew her next destination: Pewter City.

 

[DarkCharlie]

Episode 004. Lost Friends

The sun was heating up the Viridian district, and Charlie has wandered into Viridian Forest, to Pewter City, on her quest to gain all eight badges and become a Pokemon Master!

She trekked between the trees, her black rucksack on her back. Charlie had been walking since she left the Viridian Pokemon Centre that morning at 10:00am. Now, it was well into the evening.

She was supposed to be following a path, but the grass had grown over the dirt, and the red, brown and golden leaves fell from the trees and painted the ground multicolored. It was impossible to stick to a path that she couldn?t see. Even with her map in hand, she soon got lost.

A sparkling lake glimmered in the distance. It was a good place to stop and eat, Charlie thought. She sat leaning on a rock and put her map back into her bag and took out her cheese sandwiches and can of cola and ate and drank. She did think that Charmander may be hungry too, so she released it from its ball and emptied a can of Pokemon food into Charmander?s bowl.

Just as she had finished eating, Charlie noticed that a teenage boy had sat on the opposite side of the lake and was fishing with his Poochyena. Would he get a bite? Charlie was rather drawn to him, so she watched.

After only a few minutes, he got bite. Charlie watched as he heaved his rod out of the water with a small blue Pokemon on the end. He must either come from a family of experienced fishermen, or he must have used something pretty clever as bait. Charlie felt she had to ask him, even though she had never fished before. Maybe he could teach her.

She was just about to go to him when she caught him staring her way. He rose. She must be in trouble.

?What are you? A spy or something?? he yelled at her.

?Gee, I?m sorry I exist,? Charlie said. She didn?t mean it to sound sarcastic, but then again, a lot of things that come from her sound sarcastic, even when she doesn?t intend them to. ?But I think you?re a pretty good trainer.?

?Really?? he said in a totally different tone of voice. ?You mean it?? he asked. Charlie nodded. ?My sister back in Celadon?s always saying how useless I am. I quote. ?Daniel Jones. I hate you. You are the worst thing since junk food. Get out of my house. Now.? You see, my sister?s gone nuts on healthy eating all of a sudden.?

?Well, err? hi Dan,? said Charlie, unsure of what to say after hearing this. ?I?m Charlie.?

?Have you got any idea how to get to Pewter?? Danny asked.

?No, I?m lost,? she admitted.

?Me too,? added Danny. ?You know, maybe if we stick together for a while we can find our way out,? he suggested.

Charlie hesitated for a moment. Then she nodded. ?Okay, sounds cool!?

The pair wandered around all evening, but were no closer to finding their way out than they were when they met by the lake.

?Can you believe it?? Charlie sighed. ?I?ve only been a trainer for just over a week! Now I?m stuck in this? this bloody? this bloody natural maze of a place!?

?I?ve been a trainer for years. I?m always lost. You have to get used to it,? Danny commented.

Finally, they gave up for the night. Danny had a three man tent. He explained he used to share it with his sister when they were younger. They pitched it and unrolled their sleeping bags. Charlie felt safer now she was not alone.

As day broke at 7:00am, Charlie was up and raring to go. Danny, however, wasn?t so much of a lark. He was still asleep at 8:00. Charlie was practicing some moves with Charmander just outside the tent as he slept.

?Wow,? she encouraged. ?You?re getting better every time.? Charmander was using its Ember attack on twigs that Charlie hurled into the air. It was true. Charmander had gotten quite a bit better since the 1st September. Charlie guessed it was just because Charmander was getting used to her as its trainer.

Unknown to all three of them, Team Rocket were lurking in the bushes. And they had company!

?I hate to admit it, but Pokemon Kid?s Charmander is getting better. It?s about time we nabbed it,? suggested Sam. His partner, Max, nodded.

Unexpectedly, they jumped out of the shrubs and hedges. So did another person.

Immediately, Charmander and Charlie abandoned their training. She called Danny. It was 9:15. It was about time he got up.

Danny groaned and asked what the matter was. Charlie explained that Team Rocket were here. He jumped out of the tent in a flash on hearing this.

He looked them up and down. The girl with them wore shocking pink sandals and a brown suede belt slung around her hips over a striped dress. Her face was pale, but slightly darker than Charlie?s skin, and with a few freckles. Her brown hair was tied up in two bunches on either side of her head. Over her shoulder was an aqua blue drawstring bag.

?Go Bulbasaur!? she yelled. She threw her Pokeball and the green Pokemon that Charlie first saw in Oak?s lab appeared on the field. The other four trainers followed. They each threw their Pokeballs. Charlie?s Charmander, Sam?s Cubone and Max and Danny?s Poochyena burst from their Pokeballs.

?Charmander, use the move we?ve been practicing!? commanded Charlie.

From Charmander?s jaws flared red, yellow and golden embers. Bulbasaur was the target. It was singed badly. They had practiced for a long time on that move, and it showed!

Sam?s Cubone threw its bone. In turn, he knocked both of his opponents off their feet. Max?s Poochyena and Janine?s Bulbasaur closed in for a double Tackle attack. They headed for their opponents. Danny?s Poochyena tried a Bite attack, though it was inexperienced with that technique. Max?s Pokemon sent it soaring backwards into an old Oak tree.

Bulbasaur turned to Charmander. Charmander staggered to his feet, then unleashed a massive trail of embers. Consequently, Janine?s Bulbasaur was burnt. She returned it to its ball.

The match was rather easy then. Max?s Poochyena had tired itself out from tackling so much, and Cubone had used its Bone Club to whack Charmander over the head, but by using a quick dodge, Max?s Pokemon got the full blow of it instead.

That was it. The match was over and Charlie had won. Max, Sam and Charlie returned their Pokemon back. Taking one look at Charlie?s smug expression, Team Rocket dashed off. Janine didn?t look like she knew what to do, so she ran after them. Where they had gone, they could only guess. And Charlie?s guess was Pewter City.

 

[DarkCharlie]

Episode 005. Rock Slide!!

As Charlie Whitmore and Danny Jones awoke from their tent, the sun was beating down. Coming from England, Charlie was still not accustomed to the hot weather.

Charlie wore her mucky trainers, skater jeans and green top. On her right wrist was her khaki watch.

Danny wore a white long sleeved top underneath a baggy, navy t-shirt. His jeans were lighter coloured than, and not as baggy as Charlie?s. His trainers were black and red.

Charlie looked at her map, though at the moment it was useless. She looked to see if the mountain that was visible over the treetops was pinpointed.

?Yes!? she gasped. The mountain was located on the map. Now all they had to do is get to it. According to the map, Pewter City was just beyond there.

Eventually, they stopped walking. They had reached the foot of the mountain. They gasped. It was huge!

?It?s Mt. Moon. Pewter City?s just beyond here,? Danny informed. ?And, it?s the highest mountain in the Kanto region.?

?Now all we got to do is climb it,? Charlie announced.

?What?? gasped Danny. ?I?m scared of heights! I can?t climb that thing!?

?I am,? Charlie declared.

With that, she grabbed onto the rock face and began to climb. As she got higher and higher, Danny too, began to climb. They had to get to Pewter City; perhaps this was the only way. Anyway, even if there was another way, they were here now.

Charlie looked down at Danny, who was metres below her. Now she understood his fear. They were ever so high.

Just then, a gigantic boulder came crashing down the side of the mountain. It missed Charlie and Danny by inches. They screamed. Then more rocks tumbled down.

?Grab my hand!? called a voice. She didn?t have time to look. Charlie took her right arm from the mountain and grabbed the trainer?s hand. She was being pulled to safety!

Then she heard a scream.

Danny?s scream.

She heard a thump in the distance.

It was the thump of her newest friend slamming down into the floor.

She screamed. She cried. There was nothing she could do.

He was gone. He was gone for good.

It had happened too quickly. She was in shock.

?It?s alright to cry at times like these,? said the trainer.

For the first time, Charlie looked at him. He couldn?t be much older than her.

He took Charlie to the Pokemon Centre in Pewter City. It wasn?t too far away. There, she explained to Nurse Joy what had happened. Even though she had not known Danny long, his death had broken her heart.

Charlie stayed with Mason that night at the Pokemon Centre. She cried herself to sleep. Mason stayed up to comfort her.

?I don?t know what it?s like to lose someone. I?m lucky,? he said.

Charlie looked at him. He wore black jeans and a bright yellow top. His face was freckled and his hair was red.

?How old are you?? Charlie asked out of curiosity.

?14,? he replied.

?I?m only just 12. I?ve already lost all four of my grandparents, my Dad, and now Danny. I hate my life,? she moaned.

Mason Durrey didn?t know what to say, so they just sat in silence and waited.

Mason slept soundly, but Charlie did not. All night, she waited, hoping that the good news was yet to come. Maybe there was a chance that Danny was still alive. Maybe, but probably not.

The morning sun was high in the sky when Charlie got out of bed. Since she had been awake all through the night, she fell asleep in the morning, and now it was past midday. There was now no hope for her at all. Danny was gone. If they had received news, they?d wake her. But no, there was no news at all. No Danny Jones at all either.

Depressed, she sulked around town with Mason. He tried really hard to cheer her up, but deep down inside, he knew it was hopeless.

?Let?s go back to Mt. Moon!? Charlie insisted.

Mason really didn?t want to. He said it?d just upset her even more, which was the last thing he wanted. Eventually, he gave in. He trudged off to the mountain behind her.

Little did they know, just down the road was trouble.

?Prepare for trouble!? cried Max of Team Rocket.
?Make it double,? added his partner, Sam.
?We infect the world with devastation.?
?We?ll rule the people of this nation.?
?Max!?
?Sam!?
?Team Rocket! Attack the Earth, day and night!?
?Surrender now, because we can really fight!?

?What in the world?? sighed Charlie. She knew Team Rocket, and her day was about to get even worse.

By the look on Mason?s face, she could only guess that he knew them too.

?Go, Skarmory!? he called. He flung a Pokeball from his right hand. Out of it flew a giant metal bird.

?How long did it take you to come up with those lies?? Mason demanded. ?I?ve known you pair for at least a year and you?ve never said that. Bet it took you a whole year.?

?Shut it, prat,? spat Max. ?Anyway,? he smiled at Charlie. ?I?ve seen your little friend in the mountains.?

?Skarmory, Steel Wing attack!? called Mason.

His Skarmory spread its metallic wings and hovered a few feet off the ground. Then, it sped straight for Team Rocket. They were hit! Team Rocket flew backwards into the woods.

?Let?s go get Danny,? Charlie said immediately.

 

[DarkCharlie]

Episode 006. The Miracle of Us

?Come on Mason, quick, we gotta? fetch Danny!? Charlie insisted.

The pair were on their way to Mt. Moon to rescue Danny Jones, Charlie Whitmore?s friend and training partner.

?No,? said Mason. He was obviously thinking very hard. He stopped walking immediately. ?I?ve known Max and Sam much longer that you have. And if I know them well, it?s probably a scam to try to and get us hurt.?

?Huh?? murmured Charlie.

?I mean,? continued Mason. ?Why would they be up there anyway, if they weren?t setting traps for us??

Charlie then realized. It just didn?t make sense.

?We can?t be wasting time,? persisted Mason. ?Pokemon Centre. Now!?

Suddenly, they turned back to the city and ran through all the quiet side streets to the Pokemon Centre. Bursting through the pink doors, they panted.

?Danny might still be alive,? Charlie puffed. ?We need backup!?

Behind the reception desk with Joy was a woman in blue. She turned to look at Charlie immediately. Charlie knew she?d seem this woman somewhere before, then it dawned on her.

?Jenny!? she yelled across the room. Jenny, the police officer, was using Nurse Joy?s phone.

?I?m on my way,? she promised, then she put the phone down. ?Sorry but I?m busy right now,? Jenny said sternly.

?But it?s urgent!? Charlie pleaded. ?We need to go into Mt. Moon and-

?Mt. Moon?? exclaimed Jenny. ?I?m going there now. If it?s about that boy-

?Danny?? Charlie interrupted.

?I don?t know his name,? Jenny said.

?We?re coming!? Charlie insisted.

?Well, help?s always welcomed in the police force,? Jenny thanked. ?Let?s go.?

Jenny hopped onto her police motorcycle, which was parked in front of the Pokemon Centre. In the passenger seat sat Mason and Charlie. The engine roared, and with a puff of smoke, they were off.

The breeze rippled through Charlie?s long, brown hair. She felt nervous on the inside, however. Just thinking about Danny?s stone cold body, lying at the foot of the gigantic mountain was enough to make her feel sick.

The wind died down as the trio approached the rock of death. Suddenly, it felt much more real. Charlie felt a tiny glimmer of hope fluttering in her heart. Danny might still be alive. Maybe there was still a chance that he could be saved, but they?d have to hurry.

?So Charlie, you say you were with this young man?? Jenny asked.

?Yes!? Charlie snapped, for what felt like the millionth time.

?Where about?? Jenny questioned.

?I don?t know. Near the top. Then he fell. It was round here somewhere. We just started climbing.?

Charlie looked around. There was no body to be seen.

?Let?s check it out,? Charlie said. ?Come on.?

She began to climb, but as a she did so, the shocking memories of that afternoon were relived inside her head. They had been near the top of the mountain, when Mason saved Charlie. She was ever so grateful. What would have become of her if he hadn?t been around to help? She shuddered at the thought.

Half of the mountain, they had conquered, when Jenny heard a distant voice. It came from below them. Jenny gripped the rope even harder as she looked down. It came from the very foot of the mountain.

?I think it?s your friend!? she yelled through the snowstorm. Snow pelted Charlie?s face as she dared herself to look. To her, the storm was nothing. She had come to Kanto from northern Europe. She was used to snow and storms. She tilted her head downwards very slowly. She saw a small person in blue. Could it be Danny? It wasn?t impossible?

Mason lowered himself down the mountain, followed by Jenny, followed by Charlie. The shouting person stood on a ledge halfway down the mountain. The person wore jeans and a blue t-shirt over a white long sleeved top. The person had brown eyes and black hair. The person was Danny.

?Hi,? he smiled, and waved at Charlie.

However, Jenny frowned. ?No, I?m sorry,? she sighed. ?You don?t match up to the description I was given.?

?Huh?? whispered the three trainers.

?No. I was supposed to be rescuing a boy with blond hair,? Jenny insisted.

?Then we?ll help you look,? offered Danny.

?Thanks for the offer,? Jenny said, ?But you need to go back to the Pokemon Centre instantly.?

?Come on, Dan,? Charlie smiled. ?I?m just relieved you?re okay.?

As Charlie and Danny headed down the mountain, back towards the city, Jenny and Mason climbed on, in search of the lost boy.

Danny limped through the streets, helped by Charlie, back to the Pokemon Centre. Danny explained his story on the way?

Danny screamed, he thumped on the ground, but instead of falling to the foot of the mountain, he slammed onto a ledge halfway down the face, and had been living there for days. He still had his rucksack on his shoulder, and he got through the next few days on his supplies. Crack! He heard his arm snap as he thudded onto the rocky ledge. Every night, he?d prayed that help would come, as he didn?t have much strength left in him. And now, help came, and he was reunited wit his friend.

Meanwhile, up on the mountain, Jenny and Mason had reached the summit, where a young boy of 10 was trapped. A police helicopter hovered above, and the three of them grabbed the rope ladder that the pilot threw out, and were pulled to safety.

Nurse Joy made a great fuss of Danny when he and Charlie arrived. He was lifted onto a stretcher and taken for x-rays immediately. Joy frowned. He had fractured his left arm in two places, and had to wear a sling.

?Well, at least you?re alive,? Charlie smiled, hugging her friend with euphoria. ?At least you?re back with us.?

?It?s a miracle,? Joy added.

 

[fallen_natsumixx]

First of all, don't post more then once in a row. -_- Obviously you didn't know about that rule. Second, try not to stop at random times... but all in all, it's an... okay fic I guess. I'd give it a 6/10

 

[DarkCharlie]

Thanks. :)
Oh, and in the fanfic section, you are allowed to post more than once in arow, but only if you're posting a new chapter.

 

[DarkCharlie]

Episode 007. Boulder Badge Battle

During the night, Charlie and her new friend, Mason, stayed upstairs in the Pokemon Centre while Danny was in the intensive care ward with the Pokemon, Nurse Joy insisting he stayed there, after recently fracturing his left arm.

As usual, Charlie was the first to wake. Excited about battling the Pewter Gym Leader, she rushed downstairs to breakfast. (Cornflakes, as usual.) Mason Durrey yawned as he trudged down an hour later at 8 o?clock.

Before she went, Charlie broke through the doors to the ward. Joy, who was tending to the Pokemon, turned and frowned.

?These Pokemon need rest, and the last thing I want is for you to just burst into a private ward!? she scolded. ?And if you want your friend, he?s got to stay in. Goodbye!?

Charlie was downhearted. Now she?d have to face her first gym battle alone.

She walked out through the double doors. She felt a mixture of excitement and nerves. What if she hadn?t trained enough? What if the leader completely squashed her Pokemon? What if??

The Pewter Gym was built of rock. It had no windows, but as soon as Charlie walked in, the spotlights on the ceiling flicked on. At the far side of the room sat a young man. He wore jet black trainers, murky brown jeans, a bright orange t-shirt and an olive jacket. His hair was dark and spiky, and his skin; dark.

?Who are you?? he asked. Now Charlie knew she was beyond the point of turning back. She had to go and challenge him now.

?I?m Charlie Whitmore. I challenge you!? she said, concealing her nerves.

The leader smirked. ?I?m Brock, the Pewter Gym Leader. As leader, I have to accept all challenges. We will each use one Pokemon. Agreed??

?Agreed,? Charlie replied.

Brock jumped down from the boulder on which he sat. The battlefield was covered in rocks.

?Go, Geodude!? he called out as he threw his Pokeball. It hit the rocky floor, and then opened to reveal a rocky Pokemon. Geodude looked like a boulder with arms.

?Geodude, the Rock Pokemon,? reported Charlie?s Pokedex. ?Geodude lives in the mountains. It is often mistaken for boulders.?

?Charmander, I choose you!?

Charlie threw Charmander?s Pokeball. It burst open in a bright flash. Charmander appeared on the arena opposite Geodude.

Brock laughed.

?You?re challenging a leader and you don?t even know Pokemon? Did you forget that fire types are weak against ground types, or are you just dumb??

?Yeah, well, I bet you weren?t perfect to begin with either!? she answered back. ?Charmander, show him your Ember attack!?

An array of flame spat from the lizard Pokemon?s mouth. Geodude was not harmed at all. Charlie grew angrier with every second. Her face burnt with embarrassment.

?Geodude, Tackle!? Brock ordered.

Charmander flew backwards into the gym?s stone wall as the heavy Geodude slammed into him. Charlie ran to her Pokemon, but Charmander was knocked out! It couldn?t continue, and she would be cruel to make him battle on. But Charlie was sure of one thing: she would not leave Pewter City before she defeated Brock.

Just as Charlie was leaving, the doors burst open. Charlie was shocked to see that it was Mason. He wasn?t challenging Brock too, was he? He hadn?t mentioned it.

?Charlie!? he called out. Charlie ran to him.

?Are you alright?? Mason asked.

?I feel like an idiot,? Charlie replied. ?I didn?t just lose, I stunk. Brock?s way better than me.?

?I?ll tell you what,? Mason suggested, ?I?ll train you! We?ll spend the night in the Pokemon Centre for Charmander to recover, and then I?ll train you. What do you think??

?Great!? beamed Charlie.

The battle raged on. It was Charlie?s Charmander against Mason?s Skarmory, a steel bird Pokemon.

?Steel Wing attack!? Mason commanded.

Skarmory swooped down from the air. Its metallic wings glowing, it darted swiftly but quickly at Charmander. Charmander was knocked down, but fought on. Its Ember technique burnt Skarmory?s wings, but Skarmory used it?s agility to counter Charmander.

?Good, now Tackle it!? Mason called.

His Pokemon swooped down on Charmander. It looked bad. Charmander was crushed by the sheer power of Mason?s more experienced Pokemon.

Skarmory hit Charmander with another Tackle. As Skarmory swooped in for another attack, Charlie thought of an idea.

?Charmander, jump onto Skarmory?s back!? she suggested.

Charmander leaped onto the bird?s back just seconds before it would have hit. Skarmory was now within distance.

?That?s it, you?re doing great!? she coached. ?Now use Ember!?

Charmander didn?t need telling; Ember was his best attack by far. Charmander?s flaming breath burnt Skarmory.

?Try to shake it off!? Mason commanded.

On its trainer?s orders, Skarmory flew round and around and up and down, but Charmander was clinging to the bird with its sharp claws. Charlie was winning!

Skarmory tried to continue flying, but was tired, burnt and dizzy. Charmander scratched Skarmory?s face, making it lose control. Charmander jumped off Skarmory?s back just before Mason returned it, rather than letting it crash land.

?Hey, that was great!? Mason congratulated. ?If you?re interested, well, I can help you teach Charmander a steel type move. It?d work well against Brock?s rock Pokemon.?

?I?d love to!? Charlie smiled. ?But first, can I just ask how Skarmory is? I didn?t mean to go and hurt your Pokemon; I just get kind of carried away when I?m battling.?

?Ah, you?re alright. Skarmory?s tough as nails thanks to all the training we do,? Mason reassured.

Charlie took out her Pokedex and looked up Skarmory. ?Skarmory, the Armour Bird Pokemon. In the wild, Skarmory make their nests in thorns. Their wings are strong, but hollow, allowing Skarmory to fly freely.?

?See?? Mason said. ?Even the Pokedex says Skarmory are tough. Anyway, this move I?m going to teach Charmander, Metal Claw, it?s a steel type move and it can be really effective.?

?Yep, and as soon as I?m done training, I?m going for a re-match at the gym,? Charlie insisted.

 

[fallen_natsumixx]

Oh, I didn't know that. >_< I r teh stupid one. But anyways, what font do you use for the Pokedex entry?

 

[DarkCharlie]

I used Impact for the Pokedex.

 

[Matt Silver]

This fic is good; well written, dramatic storlyine, the odd spelling mistake but what story doesnt?

 

[DarkCharlie]

Thanks a lot for reviewing. ;)

 

[DarkCharlie]

Episode 008. Brock ?n? Roll!

?Caterpie, the Worm Pokemon. Caterpie has suction cups at the end of its short feet, allowing it to climb without getting tired.?

?Alright Charmander, Scratch now!? Charlie Whitmore, Charmander?s trainer, commanded.

Her Pokemon?s sharp claws slashed across the tiny bug.

?Try Metal Claw,? Mason urged. Mason Durrey was Charlie?s friend; he had offered to train Charlie in preparation for her gym match.

In response to Mason, Charmander slashed the Caterpie again. It was worthless. Charmander had been trying to learn Metal Claw for a few days now, and still hadn?t managed it.

?Would it help if we built Charmander?s strength up?? Charlie suggested, letting the Caterpie crawl away.

?Might work,? Mason admitted.

A while later, Mason and Charlie had managed to tie small rocks to each of Charmander?s small orange arms. Charmander was more than willing. He was a Pokemon that was determined to succeed.

Charlie examined as Charmander did various strength exercises for Mason, but mainly for himself.

As Charmander was raising his arms, Charlie spotted a Pokemon that she had never seen before.

?Hold it!? She called. Mason and Charmander suddenly stopped exercising and looked around. Charlie took out her Pokedex.

?Shroomish, the Mushroom Pokemon. They live in deep forests, and eat leaves and soil.?

?Charmander, use Scratch attack!? Charlie called.

Her Pokemon bared its claws and slashed at the grass type. Shroomish sprang up. It hopped at Charmander, and then jumped rapidly into Charmander?s belly, knocking it backwards.

?Can you try Metal Claw for me?? Charlie asked.

Charmander smiled. It concentrated with all it?s mind focused on getting that move right?

SLASH!

?Charmander?s paw lit up!? Mason exclaimed.

?Really? Come on Charmander, try again!? Charlie said.

Charmander tried to use Metal Claw, but it just couldn?t work.

?Maybe it was just a fluke,? Mason admitted. ?Hey, why don?t you capture Shroomish!? he added, ?Grass types can be really effective against rock Pokemon.?

?Well, I?ll try,? Charlie said. ?I?ve never caught a Pokemon before though. What do you do??

?Just battle the Pokemon and throw a Pokeball at it when it?s weakened, but you?ve already battled Shroomish, so just throw a Pokeball, Charl?,? Mason explained.

Charlie fished out a Pokeball and threw it at the Shroomish. It hit! Shroomish got sucked inside the ball. The ball shook a few times. Charlie watched tensely, Mason at her side. Suddenly, the ball glowed and stopped moving.

Charlie ran out into the plain and grabbed the Pokeball. She triumphantly raised her left hand above her head.

?Yeah!? she cheered.

?That was great,? Mason congratulated. ?But most Pokemon just try to get away from you. Obviously, Shroomish is a rather easy-going type, but that was great for your first catch, well done! Anyway, what about Metal Claw??

?Charmander just needs more practice, don?t you?? Charlie smiled.

?Charmander!? he replied cheerfully.

So, all afternoon and well into the evening they trained Charmander to use Metal Claw. It was hard work, but worth it, come nightfall.

?Wish I could have battled today,? Charlie said as she climbed the stairs leading to the Pewter City Pokemon Centre?s dormitory.

?Don?t worry,? Mason replied. ?We did our best today. There?s always tomorrow.?

After all, tomorrow is another day, and at midday, Charlie was down at the Gym, ready to challenge the leader, Brock.

Brock?s eldest brother, a boy of about 14, stood to the side of the arena. Mason and Danny (who wasn?t allowed out of the Pokemon Centre, but had sneaked out to watch Charlie battle) sat on a stone bench to the other side of the battlefield.

?We?ll use two Pokemon each. I choose you, Onix!? shouted Brock.

?Onix, the Rock Snake Pokemon,? reported Charlie?s Pokedex. ?As it grows, its scales become dark and as hard as diamonds!?

?Go Charmander!? Charlie yelled.

The two Pokemon appeared in a flash as their Pokeballs hit the stone floor.

?Let the battle begin!? shouted Brock?s brother.

?Let?s go Onix, Tackle now!? Brock commanded.

Onix was a huge Pokemon. Charmander ran as Onix hit the floor just inches from where it was standing.

?Come on Charmander, use your new move,? Charlie encouraged.

Her Pokemon put on a brave face. He concentrated with all his might. His paw glowed bright white. He ran to Onix and swiped across its rocky body. Onix roared. Its roar was deafening. The large snake Pokemon crashed down for another Tackle attack. Onix fell onto Charmander?s tail. Charmander was bruised, but Onix was also hurt.

?Metal Claw again!? Charlie called.

Charmander concentrated. He concentrated with all his might, but could not use Metal Claw again! Charlie?s strategy was ruined!

Charmander growled as it dodged another Tackle attack by inches. Onix smashed into a particularly tall rock and roared loudly.

Onix continued its tackling, but was getting worn out. Charmander was hurt from being hit a few times, but wasn?t as worn out as Onix.

?Great, now to try Metal Claw attack again!? Charlie said.

Charmander wasn?t as quite as worn out as before, his paw shimmered and he slashed Onix?s rocky body. Onix collapsed. Charmander couldn?t continue either.

?Both Pokemon are unable to battle? Brock?s brother announced.

?Return,? Charlie and Brock said simultaneously calling their Pokemon back to their Pokeballs.

?Go, Geodude!? Brock yelled, while Charlie sent out her newest Pokemon, Shroomish.

?Hey, I never knew she caught a Shroomish,? Danny commented from the sidelines.

?She got it just this morning, when she was training with me. I said a Grass type would be useful in this battle,? Mason explained.

Back in the arena, Geodude?s Tackle attack was right on target.

?Go, Shroomish! Use Absorb!? Charlie called.

From the top of Shroomish?s head, a green orb of energy appeared. Tiny orbs of green light flew around Geodude?s body, draining its energy.

?Don?t give in Geodude!? Brock ordered. ?Fight it!?

Geodude?s muscular arms broke the absorbing lights. It tackled Shroomish and hit. Shroomish tackled Geodude back, but was reminded that physical attacks wouldn?t work.

?Absorb, then,? Charlie said.

The green lights formed from Shroomish?s crown and flew over to Geodude. Geodude?s energy was sapped. Shroomish carried on. Geodude didn?t have the energy to break free!

Geodude collapsed on the floor, Shroomish was also tired.

?Geodude is unable to battle. Charlie Whitmore of Pallet Town is the winner!?

?Yes!? cried Charlie. Then she looked at her Pokemon. ?Return Shroomish. You?ve done me proud today,? she smiled. Shroomish was sucked back into his Pokeball.

?You did great!? congratulated Danny, who had to be careful as his arm was in a sling.

?You did very well indeed,? Brock admitted. ?I confer upon you this Boulder Badge, as proof that you defeated me.?

Charlie took the badge. ?Thanks, Brock,? she said.

?Yes!? shouted the friends.

 

[DarkCharlie]

Episode 009. Clefairy Rock!

After defeating Brock, the Pewter City Gym Leader, Charlie headed back to the Pokemon Centre to pick up their stuff.

"Sorry for sneaking out, Joy," Danny apologized. He knew Nurse Joy to be a nice person, "But I really wanted to watch Charlie's gym battle.

"How did it go, Charlie?" Joy asked. Danny was shocked. He was prepared for a screaming fit.

"I won," Charlie grinned, holding up her Boulder Badge.

"That's great," Joy said. "I suppose you're here for your bags. Danny, be careful with your arm. It'll heal in about a month. You can go now."

As they were about to leave, Charlie remembered something she had to do.

"I've got to tell Oak. I won't be long," she smiled.

Charlie dialed Professor Oak's number from the phones on the wall. Oak's face appeared on a screen. Mason and Danny stood behind her.

"HI Professor Oak," Charlie greeted. "I just won a Boulder Badge at the Pewter Gym! And I caught a Shroomish."

"That's great, Charlie," Oak smiled. "And who are your friends?"

"This is Danny Jones. Remember, the one who fell down Mt. Moon? It was on the radio," Charlie introduced. "And this is Mason Durrey. He helped me with my training recently."

"Ah, yes, I remember Danny. Anyway Charlie, Danny, Mason, try hard and keep on battling. I've got to go, I've got a visitor," he finished.

"Well, where next?" Danny asked Charlie.

She looked at her map, her face white with fear as she whispered, "Mt. Moon."

"Fine, but we're going through the caves this time," Danny insisted. "Coming Mason?"

"Sorry. I'm not a trainer. I'm working hard here. My dad runs a small craft business, and I'm going to take over soon, he says," Mason apologized. "Farewell."

"Farewell," Charlie and Danny repeated.

By the time they reached the entrance to the Mt. Moon caves, it was nightfall. They slowly walked in, aware of every noise. It was pitch black and rather creepy. Suddenly, they bumped in to something. Something big. Something big and moving!

They screamed, they ran out. The thing was following them! Danny tripped over a rock and fell flat on his face. The thing was gaining on them. The thing spoke.

"Hey, kid," said the 'thing'. "I'm Amanda, I'm a trainer. I didn't mean to scare you guys."

The girl wore white trainers, trendy jeans and a neon pink vest. Her short brown hair was styled into a bob and her tanned face bore some freckles.

"What are you doing here so late?" Charlie asked.

"I'm here trying to catch a Clefairy, they're nocturnal creatures," she replied.

Charlie took out her Pokedex. "Clefairy, the Fairy Pokemon. Clefairy are very rare creatures. However, a colony of them is said to have formed in Mt. Moon."

"We'll help you!" Charlie offered.

"That's great!" thanked Amanda. "Let's search."

The ceiling of the cave was covered in stalactites. The tunnels were many and confusing.

"This is hopeless," Charlie groaned. "We'll be lost here for eternity."

"No we won't," Amanda insisted. "I know these caves like I know my own name. I've been exploring here for months."

A small Pokemon scuttled past. It was a Paras. "Paras, the Mushroom Pokemon. Stun Spore is this Pokemon's special move. The mushrooms on its back are rare and poisonous."

"I know, our Pokemon can help us look," Danny suggested, releasing his Poochyena and Poliwag.

Charlie and Amanda released their Pokemon too. A Charmander, a Shroomish and two other Pokemon, a Vulpix and a Rattata appeared in a white flash.

"Vulpix, the Fox Pokemon. As it grows, Vulpix's one tail splits to form many tails. It may look sweet, but looks can be deceiving! Rattata, the Rat Pokemon. Rattata are small, but extremely fast. These Pokemon will bite anything that gets in their way!"

"Come on guys, I need you to help Amanda find a Clefairy," Charlie ordered, showing the Pokemon the picture of Clefairy on her Pokedex. "Let's go!"

They searched for hours on end before they found something, and even then, it wasn't a Clefairy. It was a young boy searching for his missing Sandshrew. Charlie had offered to help find it after looking it up on her Pokedex.

"Sandshrew, the Mouse Pokemon. These Pokemon like to burrow underground in warm places."

"It could be anywhere by now!" Danny insisted.

"It doesn't know how to dig yet, it's a baby," the kid explained. "I'm Tom."

After an hour of frantic searching, Danny caught a glimpse of Tom's Sandshrew and ordered the others to follow.

Sandshrew led them trough caves, until they came to a circular room with a huge boulder in the centre. They took a closer look. Behind the boulder were at least 15 little pink Clefairy!

"This is great!" Amanda exclaimed. "Now I can catch a Clefairy, too!"

She began to battle one of the Clefairy while Charlie tried to keep hold of the Sandshrew, which happened to be a rather restless one.

"Rattata, use Bite attack!"

Amanda's purple rat Pokemon sank its sharp teeth into Clefairy, who fell flat out on the floor. Amanda threw a Pokeball. Clefairy was sucked into it. Everyone watched as the Pokeball shook. It stopped shaking. Amanda ran over and picked it up.

"I caught Clefairy!" she proclaimed.

Just then, a blast went off and two men laughed.

"Prepare for trouble!" began Max of Team Rocket.
"Make it double," added his partner, Sam.
"We infect the world with devastation."
"We'll rule the people of this nation."
"Max!"
"Sam!"
"Team Rocket! Attack the Earth, day and night!"
"Surrender now, because we can really fight!"

"Not them again," Charlie and Danny moaned.

They were about to fight, when Amanda stopped them. "I want to battle you," she challenged, "With my Clefairy."

"Very well, we'll be happy to catch such a rare Pokemon, thanks," Max smiled. "Poochyena, Tackle attack!"

Poochyena dived at the pink Pokemon. He knocked Clefairy backwards into the boulder. Everyone watched in awe as Clefairy sparkled. Its body swelled. Clefairy was evolving!

"Clefable, the Fairy Pokemon. One of the rarest Pokemon in the world, Clefable are so difficult to catch due to their timid natures."

"This is so awesome!" Amanda said in amazement. "Clefable, Metronome attack!"

Clefable waggled its fingers. All of a sudden, a green blast soared into Team Rocket. The impact blew up a whole in the cave roof, and Team Rocket were blasted outside, too. Solar Beam attack!

The three trainers returned all of their Pokemon to their Pokeballs. Then, they climbed out through the roof. They were pretty high up, and Danny refused point-blank to look down.

Tom, the young trainer burst into the small cave room with the giant Moon Stone and hugged his Sandshrew. He saw Charlie through the hole in the roof.

"Thanks a lot for 'rescuing' it!" he spat.

"Oh, shut it!" Charlie yelled. "Let's go to Cerulean City."

Charlie helped Danny to the bottom of the mountain. This side was not as steep as the one that they had previously tried to climb, however, Danny was still apprehensive.

When they reached the bottom, they waved at Amanda, and then raced off to Cerulean City.

 

[DarkCharlie]

Episode 010. Biker Battles

Charlie and Danny had just arrived in Cerulean City. The sun was rising into the red sky. The pair were enjoying a stroll around town. Charlie insisted that she went for a gym battle right away, but Danny stopped her, saying that she needed more training, as the Cerulean Gym was a water gym.

"I guess you're right," sighed Charlie.

In the distance, she could see someone running towards her. It was Officer Jenny!

"What's wrong Jenny?" asked Danny. "Can we help you?"

"Yes. I need someone to deliver this parcel to a small village called North Cape. It's just north of Cerulean," Jenny said.

"What's in it?" Charlie asked nosily.

"If you must know, it's a spy detector. They've been having a lot of problems with Pokemon thieves lately," Jenny answered.

"We'll get it there as fast as we can," they promised.

"You could get there quicker if you had bikes. The bike shop's just down the street," Jenny suggested.

"Thanks!" they called, running down the road to get bikes.

The bike shop was a dingy, mouldy old place, and the owner was equally unpleasant. There were rows of bikes in many colours, but the bikes were the most attractive thing in the shop.

Danny walked up the counter, behind which, a man scratched his bald head. The man wore a white vest, had a black moustache and had tattoos just about everywhere possible.

"Well!" he grunted.

"How much is a mountain bike?" Danny asked bravely.

"1000. Just give us the money and get lost!" the man ordered.

Danny placed p2000 on the desk, enough for two bikes. Charlie gave Danny the p1000 for her bike, as she was too shy to approach the man herself. They each grabbed a mountain bike, Charlie's; black, and Danny's; blue.

"That bloke's the most disgusting person I've ever met!" Charlie moaned.

"I know, but we've gotta' get to North Cape quick!" Danny said, determined to not get sidetracked. Charlie nodded her head in agreement.

The pair rode northwards on their bikes, Charlie's long, brown hair and Danny's shoulder length black hair blowing in the wind. It was just starting to rain.

They rode their bikes for about an hour. They rode along the edge of a cliff, looking for a bridge across. Charlie looked down.

"Oh no!" she gasped. "It's like it goes down forever!"

"Look!" Danny said. He pointed to the distance. There was a rope bridge! Charlie saw it too, but as they went up to it, they could smell trouble; there was a large gang blocking the bridge!

"You're gonna' have to fight us to get across," warned the leader, a young man.

They all looked just as bad. There were four in the gang in total. Two boys were dressed in black jeans and black hoodies with skulls on them. One wore black crops and a black vest underneath a flaming red shirt. The girl, the youngest, wore a black vest and a black skirt. All of them had chunky black boots, and three of them had black hair.

"Alright then, we challenge you!" Charlie dared.

"And if you defeat me, Joel, you can cross," the leader agreed. "I choose you, Ariados!"

"Ariados, the Long Leg Pokemon. Ariados spins its web from both its rear and its mouth; it is difficult to tell which end is which."

Ariados looked like a giant spider. It was slightly scary with its red body, purple and yellow legs and beady black eyes.

"Go! Charmander!" yelled Charlie. Charmander, her little fire Pokemon appeared alongside the big bug. "Use your Ember attack!"

Charmander spat flames at the bug, but Ariados only had to spin its web to the nearest tree and pull itself up to escape. From the spike on Ariados' forehead shot razor sharp needles; Poison Sting! Charmander thought fast. He could burn them! Charmander used Ember on the needles, then again on Ariados, which it wasn't expecting. Ariados fell from the tree onto the grass.

"Don't give in, Ariados!" cried Joel. "Use Constrict attack!"

Out of Ariados' mouth, it spat its thread. The threads tied up Charmander. Charlie began to panic. It was dusk, and she desperately needed to reach North Cape.

"Charmander!" she called. "Can you scratch that stuff off?"

Charmander hacked at the threads that tied up its body from the inside. Ariados was closing in on it.

"Hurry!" she pleaded.

Just then, Charmander ripped through the threads and jumped on top of Ariados, who was charging right at it. Ariados groaned, and then its legs gave way.

"Return, Ariados. Right," snapped Joel. "You may cross, but your friend… Well, he's gotta' battle Ray, who is much tougher than me. Girl, you had it easy!"

Danny braced himself as the boy with red hair stepped up to him. He was the youngest, and his bronzed skin, red hair and orange shirt made him stick out like a sore thumb against the black and white of his acquaintances. Danny only hoped that his personality wasn't as fiery as his hair.

"Come on Ray! Use your Magmar!" shouted the girl.

"I know what I'm doing Sam!" Ray shot back. "Go Magmar."

"Magmar, the Flame Pokemon. In the wild, Magmar live in volcanoes; their body's burn, allowing them to blend in perfectly."

"Then I know the perfect Pokemon to use in this battle," grinned Danny. "I choose Poliwag!"

Danny's small, blue water Pokemon burst out of her Pokeball and faced Ray's scary red Magmar.

"Poliwag, Bubble!" Danny commanded confidently.

A blast of bubbles shot out of Poliwag's pink lips, however, Magmar didn't move. Its flames evaporated the foam.

"Uh, Confuse Ray," said Ray nervously.

His Pokemon put its flaming fists together to create a dark ball of energy. It opened its arms to Poliwag, who was sent dizzy. Whenever Danny commanded an attack, Poliwag couldn't focus. She kept attacking rocks! Danny returned Poliwag to her Pokeball.

"Danny, or whatever your name is," threatened Joel. "Get lost now, or we'll slice you to ribbons!"

"The bridge!" Charlie yelled.

"Scyther, Cut the ropes!" instructed the final biker. His large green Pokemon slashed the rope bridge using its razor sharp arms.

"Good one, Billy," Joel smiled. "Come on Ray, Sam. Let's get them!"

 

[DarkCharlie]

Episode 010. Biker Battles

Charlie and Danny had just arrived in Cerulean City. The sun was rising into the red sky. The pair were enjoying a stroll around town. Charlie insisted that she went for a gym battle right away, but Danny stopped her, saying that she needed more training, as the Cerulean Gym was a water gym.

"I guess you're right," sighed Charlie.

In the distance, she could see someone running towards her. It was Officer Jenny!

"What's wrong Jenny?" asked Danny. "Can we help you?"

"Yes. I need someone to deliver this parcel to a small village called North Cape. It's just north of Cerulean," Jenny said.

"What's in it?" Charlie asked nosily.

"If you must know, it's a spy detector. They've been having a lot of problems with Pokemon thieves lately," Jenny answered.

"We'll get it there as fast as we can," they promised.

"You could get there quicker if you had bikes. The bike shop's just down the street," Jenny suggested.

"Thanks!" they called, running down the road to get bikes.

The bike shop was a dingy, mouldy old place, and the owner was equally unpleasant. There were rows of bikes in many colours, but the bikes were the most attractive thing in the shop.

Danny walked up the counter, behind which, a man scratched his bald head. The man wore a white vest, had a black moustache and had tattoos just about everywhere possible.

"Well!" he grunted.

"How much is a mountain bike?" Danny asked bravely.

"1000. Just give us the money and get lost!" the man ordered.

Danny placed p2000 on the desk, enough for two bikes. Charlie gave Danny the p1000 for her bike, as she was too shy to approach the man herself. They each grabbed a mountain bike, Charlie's; black, and Danny's; blue.

"That bloke's the most disgusting person I've ever met!" Charlie moaned.

"I know, but we've gotta' get to North Cape quick!" Danny said, determined to not get sidetracked. Charlie nodded her head in agreement.

The pair rode northwards on their bikes, Charlie's long, brown hair and Danny's shoulder length black hair blowing in the wind. It was just starting to rain.

They rode their bikes for about an hour. They rode along the edge of a cliff, looking for a bridge across. Charlie looked down.

"Oh no!" she gasped. "It's like it goes down forever!"

"Look!" Danny said. He pointed to the distance. There was a rope bridge! Charlie saw it too, but as they went up to it, they could smell trouble; there was a large gang blocking the bridge!

"You're gonna' have to fight us to get across," warned the leader, a young man.

They all looked just as bad. There were four in the gang in total. Two boys were dressed in black jeans and black hoodies with skulls on them. One wore black crops and a black vest underneath a flaming red shirt. The girl, the youngest, wore a black vest and a black skirt. All of them had chunky black boots, and three of them had black hair.

"Alright then, we challenge you!" Charlie dared.

"And if you defeat me, Joel, you can cross," the leader agreed. "I choose you, Ariados!"

"Ariados, the Long Leg Pokemon. Ariados spins its web from both its rear and its mouth; it is difficult to tell which end is which."

Ariados looked like a giant spider. It was slightly scary with its red body, purple and yellow legs and beady black eyes.

"Go! Charmander!" yelled Charlie. Charmander, her little fire Pokemon appeared alongside the big bug. "Use your Ember attack!"

Charmander spat flames at the bug, but Ariados only had to spin its web to the nearest tree and pull itself up to escape. From the spike on Ariados' forehead shot razor sharp needles; Poison Sting! Charmander thought fast. He could burn them! Charmander used Ember on the needles, then again on Ariados, which it wasn't expecting. Ariados fell from the tree onto the grass.

"Don't give in, Ariados!" cried Joel. "Use Constrict attack!"

Out of Ariados' mouth, it spat its thread. The threads tied up Charmander. Charlie began to panic. It was dusk, and she desperately needed to reach North Cape.

"Charmander!" she called. "Can you scratch that stuff off?"

Charmander hacked at the threads that tied up its body from the inside. Ariados was closing in on it.

"Hurry!" she pleaded.

Just then, Charmander ripped through the threads and jumped on top of Ariados, who was charging right at it. Ariados groaned, and then its legs gave way.

"Return, Ariados. Right," snapped Joel. "You may cross, but your friend… Well, he's gotta' battle Ray, who is much tougher than me. Girl, you had it easy!"

Danny braced himself as the boy with red hair stepped up to him. He was the youngest, and his bronzed skin, red hair and orange shirt made him stick out like a sore thumb against the black and white of his acquaintances. Danny only hoped that his personality wasn't as fiery as his hair.

"Come on Ray! Use your Magmar!" shouted the girl.

"I know what I'm doing Sam!" Ray shot back. "Go Magmar."

"Magmar, the Flame Pokemon. In the wild, Magmar live in volcanoes; their body's burn, allowing them to blend in perfectly."

"Then I know the perfect Pokemon to use in this battle," grinned Danny. "I choose Poliwag!"

Danny's small, blue water Pokemon burst out of her Pokeball and faced Ray's scary red Magmar.

"Poliwag, Bubble!" Danny commanded confidently.

A blast of bubbles shot out of Poliwag's pink lips, however, Magmar didn't move. Its flames evaporated the foam.

"Uh, Confuse Ray," said Ray nervously.

His Pokemon put its flaming fists together to create a dark ball of energy. It opened its arms to Poliwag, who was sent dizzy. Whenever Danny commanded an attack, Poliwag couldn't focus. She kept attacking rocks! Danny returned Poliwag to her Pokeball.

"Danny, or whatever your name is," threatened Joel. "Get lost now, or we'll slice you to ribbons!"

"The bridge!" Charlie yelled.

"Scyther, Cut the ropes!" instructed the final biker. His large green Pokemon slashed the rope bridge using its razor sharp arms.

"Good one, Billy," Joel smiled. "Come on Ray, Sam. Let's get them!"

 

[DarkCharlie]

Episode 011. The Story of a Pokemon Ranger

They pedalled their bikes, desperately trying to escape from the raging biker gang. Charlie had a package to deliver to North Cape, and the bikers, Joel, Billy, Sam and Ray, wouldn?t let them cross their bridge unless Charlie and Danny could defeat them, and Danny had failed the task.

Billy?s Scyther was on the loose after cutting the rope bridge, and flew towards Charlie and Danny. Then Ray, the biker with spiky crimson hair, did something that not one of the other five people would have ever expected him to do.

?Stop!? he yelled. Charlie was baffled. He was against them, yet he commanded his own side to stop. Everyone was staring at them, the bikers; evilly with their dark eyes, Charlie and Danny; just confused.

?What?? demanded Joel, the lead biker, and the scariest looking of the lot with his jet-black spiky hair and tattoos.

?I said stop!? Ray argued.

?You?re with them aren?t you?? Joel whispered, his deep brown eyes narrowing.

?I?m about to say something that I?ve been meaning to say to you three for a long time,? Ray announced through gritted teeth. He angrily clenched his tanned fists.

?Oh yeah? And what?s that?? demanded Joel.

?I hate you!? he yelled. The words burst out of his mouth before he could stop them. He had said it, so he may as well carry on. ?I hate you all, since the day I first met you, I hated you all,? he added, his voice shaking nervously. ?Magmar! Use Ember attack now!? he screamed in pure rage.

Ray Gibson?s lava red Pokemon, flames burning around his body, inhaled deeply and spat a tongue of flames at the bikers. Ray recalled Magmar and jumped on his bike quickly, instructing Charlie and Danny to do the same.

?Ride!? he shouted, and the three of them furiously pounded the pedals of their mountain bikes while the other three bikers, Joel, Samantha and Billy coughed in a cloud of smoke.

They zoomed off at top speed alongside the canyon, but quickly, their legs grew tired. Ray, who was in the lead, turned left sharply into a green field. Charlie and Danny dropped down onto the floor, while Ray propped his red bike up against a large oak. He watched as they caught their breath.

Eventually, their breathing eased and Danny asked Ray how he had come to be with the bikers if he hated them so much.

?Later,? said Ray. ?Let?s set up a camp, it?s getting late.? He looked towards the horizon, where the golden sun was setting behind the majestic oak trees of the wood.

Charlie and Danny struggled with his tent while Ray looked for firewood, accompanied by their five Pokemon.

Danny?s blue canvas tent popped up so suddenly that he and Charlie fell backwards onto the grass, which was carpeted with a thick layer of white daisies. They rooted through their heavy backpacks and pulled out their sleeping bags and laid them down on the floor inside the tent.

Just as they had finished erecting the tent, Ray and the Pokemon arrived back at the camp. Ray and Magmar carried a large pile of firewood each. They started to assemble a rather large campfire.

?Do you want me to get your sleeping bag?? Charlie asked politely.

Charlie opened Ray?s large rucksack, and Ray charged over and blocked it from her. Charlie frowned and tried to see what he was hiding, but he showed no weakness.

?What?s your problem Ray?? she blurted out, as he fumbled in his bag. She knew he was hiding something. ?Anyway, why did you end up with the bikers??

Ray mumbled something that she could not understand. She asked what he had said. Ray turned around, his hands concealed behind his back. He sighed deeply.

Magmar lit the large campfire and they all gathered around it.

?Alright I?ll tell you,? he sighed, fiddling with the laces on his boot.

Charlie, Danny and the Pokemon stopped talking abruptly and listened to Ray.

?Well, when I was 14, a Pokemon Trainer, I stumbled upon the gang. I battled heartily with my Charmander at my side, but I lost to Joel?s Spinarak. He was much stronger than us. After that, Joel made me join the group. I was a kid then, I wasn?t brave enough to say no. That?s how Sammy joined the group too,? he began, not looking up to see Charlie?s jaw hanging open id shock. She didn?t like them, but never thought for a minute that they could possibly be dangerous.

?They made me battle for them. When they found out that I had a Magmar, besides my Charmander, they couldn?t resist making me take on the trainers who came to the North Cape. I was good. Too good. I rebelled against them in secret. I disappeared for hours at a time. They thought I was training my Magmar. Ha! A likely story,? he laughed. ?They didn?t know the real Ray Gibson, the Pokemon Ranger. That?s right. When I snuck out of our stupid little log cabin, I came he,? he explained, signalling towards the huge oak trees.

?I rescued and took care of a Shroomish that had been abandoned by its trainer for a brief period last year; not that the gang knew what I was doing, of course. Then about three weeks ago, I found this,? he told them, heaving something rather large out of his bag and standing it upright at his feet, covered by leather boots. It was a bright red egg! Not the size of a chicken egg, but that of an ostrich egg. ?I?ve been keeping this egg since I found it. I?m surprised it hasn?t hatched yet. Anyway, now you two came along and freed me. Well, sort of? And that?s my story,? he finished, somewhat lamely.

Ray poked at the dying embers of the campfire and they all snuggled up to sleep in their tent, their Pokemon asleep in their Pokeballs, the egg in the tent at Ray?s feet.

They all slept soundly that night, after an exhausting day. At 7:15, the sunrise awakened them. Danny dozed groggily. Charlie and Ray opened their eyes and sat up.

?Danny, look!? Ray pestered him excitedly. They all stared at the red Pokemon egg at the foot of the tent. It shook gently, a tiny hole appeared. The Pokemon was hatching! They stared at the egg, transfixed. After several minutes, a Pokemon?s tiny face appeared from the crack in the egg.

?Magby, the Live Coal Pokemon,? reported the Pokedex. ?Magby?s state of health can be determined by the colour of the flame that it breathes. If it breathes a yellow flame, it is healthy.?

?Well, is it healthy then, Ray?? Charlie asked impatiently. Ray crawled out of his sleeping bag and tapped his new Pokemon on its puffy red forehead. Apparently, Magby did not like this, as it spat a tiny yellow flame that singed Ray?s left hand.

?Poliwag, use Water Gun,? Danny said groggily, releasing his blue water Pokemon from her Pokeball. Poliwag sprinkled a shower of water onto Ray?s hand, cooling his burn.

?It?s obviously in good shape then!? joked Charlie.

 

[DarkCharlie]

Episode 012. North Cape

Having experienced a Pokemon hatching from its egg, (Ray's Magby) Charlie Whitmore, Danny Jones and Ray Gibson packed away their tent and shoved it inside Danny's backpack. The sun shone heavily above them as they rode on to the North Cape on their mountain bikes; Ray's red, Danny's blue and Charlie's green. The trainers' hair and baggy clothing blew in the breeze. It was a perfect day. Charlie's spirit was enlightened. What could go wrong on a day like today? She thought; her long hair flying behind her.

They pedalled on through a small wood through most of the morning. What had started as an enjoyable bike ride had turned out to be a chore. Their faces were hot and gleaming with sweat. They stopped riding and sighed gently.

"Let's stop and take a break," Danny suggested. He laid down his bike and took his large and heavy bag off his back. Out of it, he pulled three cans of Cola and handed them out to Charlie and Ray.

The air filled with a gentle fizzing noise as they opened their warm cans of pop and drank in the sun.

"Let's let the Pokemon out too," Charlie said, tiredly. She took her two Pokeballs off her belt and put them on the grass among the daisies. Her two Pokemon, Charmander and Shroomish, burst out for a bit of fresh air. Danny and Ray also released their Pokemon; a Magmar, a Magby, a Poochyena and a Poliwag joined the group.

Magby smiled and sat down and began to devour a bowl of Pokemon food. Danny's Poliwag hid behind him. Danny smiled.

"She's probably just nervous, seeing as there's a new Pokemon in our team," Danny assumed. Poliwag looked nervously around Danny's navy blue clothed waist. He tossed back his shoulder length black hair casually.

"Poli?" Poliwag asked.

"Bee! Magby!" replied Magby.

"Poli!" cheered Poliwag, and joined Magby eating her Pokemon food.

"What did they say?" Charlie asked, looking at Danny and Ray. Ray began to talk, but Danny interrupted him.

"She asked if Magby was okay," he explained. "I know Poliwag quite well, and she's pretty shy around strangers," he added, looking at Ray. Ray laughed and held out his bronzed arm to Poliwag, who looked stunned.

"I'm okay Poliwag, really," he said politely. Poliwag grinned happily and slapped his hand with her sapphire tail. Ray chuckled. He loved Pokemon.

Later that day, as the sun was setting, they were nearing North Cape on their bikes, Danny struggled to keep his balance due to his broken left arm that he had had for nearly a month. The evening sky grew from azure to a deep plum. The heavens started to cloud over thick and fast. As they approached the small village, the deep grey clouds began to spit.

"Come on!" Charlie called, leaving her bike outside the tiny Police Office and barging inside. The woman who sat at the desk had white hair that was longer than Charlie's, however, she could not have been older than 30. Her blue eyes matched her Police uniform, the same as the one which the Jenny's wore. She stood up.

"What seems to be the matter kids?" she asked calmly as she walked flat-footed towards them.

"We um… well… we were told to give you this," Charlie stuttered nervously, thrusting the package that Jenny had given to her in Cerulean City into the woman's long, pale, bony arms. She looked at it and nodded, to say that she understood.

"This is a lie detector," she informed them, removing the device from the brown cardboard box in which it had been contained. "We have a lot of criminals around here because of the rare Pokemon that make their home here. It should be very useful to us. My name is Officer Drew. You?"

"I'm Danny," said Danny confidently, "and these are my friends, Charlie and Ray," he continued, pointing to them. "They're a bit shy." At that, both Charlie and Ray blushed a deep shade of scarlet.

They smiled and turned through the small blue door to retrieve their mountain bikes.

"Well, where're we staying tonight?" asked Charlie. "There's no Pokemon Centre here!"

"We'll camp out," shrugged Danny. Charlie wanted to protest, but didn't. It was a fact. They would have to camp out, like it or not.

Sharp rocks dug into their thighs as they tried to climb down the cliff to the beach, Charlie helping Danny, as he couldn't do it alone. For one thing; he was terrified of heights, and he also had a broken arm to deal with thanks to Mt. Moon.

Ray dropped onto the sandy, lemon shores first and then helped Danny down, too. When they had all eventually reached the beach, the next task was to find a safe spot to camp. Charlie thought a cave was their best bet, seeing as they were on the coast.

After what seemed like ages of useless searching, the tide began to rise, and the water was as cold as ice. Shivering, Charlie looked up. She wished she had stayed in the village until…

"Look!" she cried, thrusting her pale arm upwards. She pointed to a small crack in the cliff, halfway up. "It's perfect!"

"You're a genius, Charl'," Ray smiled. "I mean, it's high up, the tide'll never catch us up there."

They started to climb up quicker than they had climbed down, as the sapphire waves were now lapping against the bottom of the cliff. Charlie and Ray helped Danny back up, though they weren't all to happy with him as he kept moaning.

They pushed Danny inside first, after getting rather annoyed with him.

"What's it like in their Dan?" Charlie asked. "Good?"

But for the first time in his life, Danny stammered and his body froze with terror. Ray popped his crimson head inside the cave to take a look. He gave a small yelf of shock.

"There are things in there!" he whispered to Charlie, "And I don't mean good things!"

Charlie put her head through the crack in the cliff. True to Ray's word, it was pitch black, but among the darkness were hundreds of tiny red things, all facing their heads. What in the world were they?