Mt. Moon

+ It’s not so bad in here. What were you worried about, Joule?

Wait for it…

I begin to notice a skittering, fluttering noise in the distance. It’s getting closer.

+ What’s that noise?

Them…

As the noise draws in nearer and louder I can notice a faint pitter-patter accompanied with a high pitched wailing noise. The wailing gets louder, the closer it gets the more it sounds like a voice.

+ What’s that?

Suddenly from around a corner, a horde of zubats come swooping and harrying something running along the floor.

Help! Someone! Please help meee!

The little Clefairy makes a beeline for me, quickly diving behind me and cowers behind my legs.

They’ve gone mad!

Scree!

Blood!

Another human! Kill it!

Kill!

Death to the Rockets!

Too many to zap all at once, I need backup!

+ Help us out here, guys!

Time to melt some tiny Zubat brains!

With a simple glare, Naomi drives the Zubats to the floor one-by-one.

Oh boy! My first brawl!

Nile charges head first into the fray.

At last, some excitement!

Clive lets loose with his claws, scratching Zubats left and right.

Peck their eyes out!

Meryl breaks up the horde with her gust attack.

They don’t have eyes!

Joule continues to systematically zap Zubats.

I believe m’lady speaks figuratively. Have at them!

With his quick attack, Paulie smashes Zubats into the cave walls. Eventually things quieten down and the last few Zubats flee in random directions.

Is it over?

+ I think so, what was wrong with them?

Miss Cally! Come quick!

I see Pauly perched near Nile, who isn’t moving. I rush over to him.

Those fang marks, it was their Leech Life attack… a critical hit.

+ He’s not breathing!

I scramble for my bag to grab a potion.

It won’t work this time.

Miss Cally, I’m sorry. It’s too late.

What were you thinking?

+ What?

Zubats use bug moves, I told you!

+ But don’t poison types resist bug attacks?

What, no! What would ever give you that idea?

+ Nile, I’m so sorry.

I’m sorry about your friend. Thanks for saving me.

+ What did those Zubats want?

Some bad humans got them all mad, but Zubats don’t see very well and they thought I was a tiny human.

+ Bad humans?

They’re further inside.

+ Right.

Um, can I go with you?

+ I can’t see why not.

Thank you! I’m Selene, by the way.

+ I’m Cally and this is Joule.

‘Sup.

After a funeral and a rest at a nearby Pokémon Center I decide to brave Mt. Moon once more. We push through further, dealing with the occasional crazed Zubat and getting insults yelled at us every time I trip over a Geodude.

We reach a small cavern where I can see a suspicious looking guy skulking around. He’s dressed in all black with a large red R on his back.

+ What’re you doing?

That’s my line, brat! You should stay out of our way!

+ Or what?

Or I’ll teach you a lesson! Go Zubat!

Hungry!

+ Joule!

I’ve got it!

Joule zaps the Zubat into submission.

Why you!

The guy lunges forwards and grabs me by the shoulder, I instantly remember what my Mom taught me and my leg automatically swings up until my foot firmly and swiftly plants itself in the guy’s groin.

Ooff!

He collapses to the floor and assumes the fetal position, quietly whimpering to himself.

I didn’t know humans could battle too! Though I see why you don’t. You guys faint way too quickly!

On the floor I notice the guy dropped an interesting looking stone, it’s a grey crystal-like rock and it almost looks like it’s faintly glowing but I’m not sure if it’s an optical illusion.

We continue onwards, making our way to the other side. As we round a corner I can hear a voice in the distance.

Help!

I run to where the voice is coming from and I see a guy in glasses cowering in a corner.

They’re trying to steal my stuff!

+ Who are?

Prepare for trouble!

Make it double!

+ Who’s there?

To protect the world from devastation!

To unite all peoples within our nation!

+ What?

To denounce the evils of truth and love!

To extend our reach to the stars above!

Where’s that music coming from?

Jessie!

James!

Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!

Surrender now or prepare to fight!

Meowth! That’s right!

What the…

+ Well I’m not going to surrender!

It’s easy! Just hand over that Pikachu.

Nyeah! Hand over all yer Pokeymans!

+ Something’s not right about that Meowth…

He’s speaking in human talk!

+ Well he’s not very good at it.

Nya! I resents that!

Hey! Don’t ignore us, boy! Go Ekans!

+ I’m a girl, you freak! Go Naomi!

+ Confusion!

Poison Sting!

Naomi’s eyes glow and Ekans is slammed into the cavern roof by an unseen force. Ekans responds by spitting venomous needles at Naomi.

+ Confusion!

Poison Sting!

Naomi swats Ekans into the cavern wall with the power of her mind.

Now fer a taste of Me-owth!

+ Naomi return! Go Paulie!

+ Sand attack!

Paulie kicks sand in Meowth’s face. Meowth leaps at Paulie and sinks his teeth into Paulie’s wing.

+ Gust!

Paulie knocks Meowth into the cavern wall with a gust. Meowth jumps back and scratches Paulie with his claws, a few feathers fly loose.

Stupid bird!

How uncivilised!

+ Quick attack!

Paulie darts across the cavern before swiftly bopping Meowth on the head. Meowth tries to bite Paulie again but completely misses.

Nya!

+ Quick attack!

Paulie swoops at Meowth with speed, Meowth trips backwards and smacks his head on the cavern wall.

Nyow~~

Go Koffing!

+ Paulie return! Go Joule!

+ Thundershock!

Tackle!

Koffing floats over to Joule and hits her with force. Joule jolts Koffing in response.

+ Thunder Wave!

Tackle!

Koffing bops Joule again before receiving a wave of paralysing electricity.

Slow down, you stupid gas bag!

+ Thundershock!

Tackle!

Joule shocks Koffing before it swings around and darts towards her, only to completely miss.

+ Thundershock!

Tackle!

Joule continues to electrocute Koffing as it seems to be unable to move right now.

+ Thundershock!

Tackle!

Joule gives Koffing one big jolt and it flops to the floor like a deflated beach ball.

That’s what you get when you mess with me!

I think it’s time we blasted off, Jessie!

Fine! But don’t you think I’ll forget about this, twerp!

The two of them run off, the blue haired one dragging the unconscious Meowth behind him.

Thanks for saving me! They were trying to steal my stuff!

+ I wonder why.

I don’t know. Here, take this helix fossil as my thanks. It kinda creeps me out anyway, just don’t stare at it too long.

+ Oh, thanks?

I’m going to get back to digging for more fossils, bye!

Route 4

We finally make it outside, I can see the next city in the distance. I waste no time and head right for it through the tall grass.

Hey, where do you think you’re going?

Wherever we please!

Joule shocks the Spearow until it flops to the floor as a pile of blackened smouldering feathers.

+ Woah, what was that for?

I hate Spearows, he can’t come with us.

+ Oh…