Chapter One
 She was having that nightmare again.

 "You think that's funny, you son of a bitch?!" Uiru bellowed. "Hitmonchan, Ice Beam! Blastoise, Ice Cannon!!"
 Hitmonchan charged up it's Ice power and unleashed a beam of pure frosty power at the evil beast. Blastoise summoned all the cold energy surrounding the place and the temperature actually rose several degrees, then plummeted as it launched the chunks of pure Ice, straight at it's adversary. Each cannon fired a large jagged ball of frozen hydro in turn, so cold that Blastoise's back went numb for a quick second.
 Genoryu, as the beast called itself, roared. It looked like a dragon so Uiru assumed it was Dragon-type, and apparently it was. It summoned it's power and discharged a bolt of Bleak Eternal right at Hitmonchan. Hitmonchan's spritiual energy defended it from most of the assault, but it was still visibly shaken.
 "Starmie, Star Freeze!" Uiru now ordered. "Machamp, Tornado Throw!" Starmie used it's Star Freeze on itself, becoming a star of razor sharp, icy spikes, except for one. This remained blunt so Machamp could grab it. The four armed Fighting powerhouse took it and began to spin at unnatural speed, it's Agility ability adding to it's power. It released Starmie, flying like a diamond saw, as Genoryu struck Machamp with Night Shade. It tore along the bone dragon's side, causing giant cracks to rupture along it's flank. Although the wounds closed instantly, Genoryu had taken incredible damage from the assault.
 Hitmonchan chose this moment to charge the monster with Ice Punch. It struck Genoryu straight in the face. It let out a deafening scream, and turned and stomped away.
 Uiru had successfully driven the beast away, for now. The adreneline rush drained away, and his emotions surged back into place. "Oh, SHIT!!" he swore. "Jessica!! Are you okay? Answer me!!"

 It was a really bad combination of Toxic and Bleak Eternal that had slammed into her that night, weeks ago. Poisoned, confused, and temporarily paralyzed, the doctors weren't sure she'd even wake up.
 That thing has done enough to me already, she thought. Why does it have to torment me every time I sleep? Jessica was alone in her apartment in Turquoise Lake. There wasn't anything the doctors could do for her, besides prescribe Antidotes and painkillers. Although Toxic was technically a Pokémon attack, to be cured by Pokémon medicine, it was rarely used and almost never affected humans. Genoryu's powers were incredible.
 Jessica's Marowak plodded into the room. In it's hands were some pills and an Antidote to wash them down with. She sat up and looked at them. Some painkillers, some pennicilin and a few things to help her fever. I'm not even 18 and I'm taking more medicine then my grandparents.
 At the thought of her grandparents, she remembered her parents and the day they had come to visit her in the hospital. When Uiru told her they were coming, she had actually thought that they wouldn't bring up what they brought up within five seconds of their arrival.
 "This is all those awful Pokémon's fault," her father declared. "It was a Pokémon that did this, wasn't it, boy?"
 "We told you to leave them alone, dear," her mother scolded. "Especially those horrid Ghost Pokémon!" Apparently they had read the newspaper report.
 Jessica was still dizzy from the medication and the fever. She started crying when she realized they were yelling at her again.
 Uiru, of course, wouldn't stand for this. "That's it!" he shouted. "Both of you, get the hell out!"
 "Who do you think you are?!" her father demanded.
 "This is your fault as well," her mother stated. "What were you doing on that mountain?"
 It's a good thing he was red from anger already, or he would have blushed slightly. "That's none of your business!" he shouted at her. "Jessica's dying here and all you can do is yell at her! That's the last thing she needs right now! Now shut up or get out!"
 Jessica's mother glared at him for several seconds, then quickly turned and left. Her father followed.
 Uiru stepped into the hall and gave their leaving backs the finger. "I honestly didn't think they'd leave," he stated as he reentered the room.
 Marowak got Jessica's attention. It pointed at the pills she was idly staring at.
 "Oh..." she said softly. "I was just thinking... Thank you, Marowak." She took some of the pills and a swig of Antidote, then the rest and finished the bottle. Marowak took the empty bottle to be thrown out.
 Jessica lay down again. She had gotten used to the fever and the artificial heat it caused, as well as the dizzyness and disorientation. She had gotten used to the knawing pain inside her. She had gotten used to the tender purple marks the poison had left on her weakened, pale body. All she couldn't take was reliving the experience again, and again, and again, whenever she drifted off to a feverish sleep.
 She looked to the calender on the wall. Every other week or so, Uiru had to go to the PLM headquarters on business. Although he hated leaving her alone there, he was a Champion of the PLM and the royalties he got were keeping them going, for now. He'd be back tomorrow.

 Knock knock.
 Electabuzz opened the door. It was Uiru! "Hey, Electabuzz," he greeted. "How's Jessica?"
 It waved it's hand in a flat line. Same old, same old.
 Jessica had heard him come in. She carefully got up, donned a robe and slowly walked out to see him.
 "Uiru..." she greeted quietly. "Catch any new Pokémon today?" This had been a long-running ritual of theirs.
 "Yep," he declared. "A Rhydon, an Electrode and a Chansey. How are you feeling?"
 "All right, I guess..." She hugged him. "What's up at the PLM?"
 "Nothing spectacular. Especially nothing worth wasting days of my time, that I should be spending here."
 They sat down. Machamp was in the corner, meditating. Scyther was asleep. Uiru was pretty sure it was hibernating. Starmie was in the shower, as usual. Marowak was puttering about the kitchen. Uiru noticed it already had Jessica's next dose ready. There's a Pokémon with it's head on straight. Marowak had been taking excellent care of Jessica when he wasn't there.
 "Is there something wrong?" Jessica asked. She sensed there was something on his mind.
 "Yeah... I've been hearing rumors of a dude in Fuchsia City who used to dish out Toxic powers to people who beat him. I've heard he's got a special anti-Toxic thing. I want to go get it."
 "But isn't that whole area in civil war?" Jessica asked. "The Pokémon League will never let you enter."
 "They won't know I'm there," Uiru declared. "The normal Antidotes aren't working. I've got to get the cure from him."
 "Uiru..." Jessica coughed, then continued. "Uiru, it'd be too dangerous. Not even you could beat the entire Pokémon League if they found you."
 Machamp stood up. At a whopping nine feet tall, Machamp was easily the largest of it's kind. Luckily, the apartment had a spacious living room. It came around the couch and said something to Jessica.
 "Oh... Machamp wants to go with you... If you're going to go, at least take my Pokémon. They'll help you."
 "All right. I'll leave Marowak and Electabuzz to take care of you though."
 Jessica nodded. After a moment, she looked at him. "Can you stay here for a while...?" she asked softly. Uiru nodded.

 I should be back in a couple of weeks, Uiru had said. He felt terrible about leaving her alone for so long, but at least there was a chance of healing her. He had ten Pokémon now: Butterfree, Blastoise, Raichu, Alakazam, Sandslash and Hitmonchan, as well as Jessica's Machamp, Scyther, Gengar and Starmie.
 Turquoise Lake was on the water, of course. It wasn't hard to find a ship that was just heading out. After the ship reached Magenta Park, on the eastern continent, all he had to do was pass through Mt. Moon and head south for a while. If he timed it right, he wouldn't even pass through any cities on the way.
 The ship was no luxury liner, but it served it's purpose. Uiru went to his room and settled in for the lengthy voyage.

 "Hey, kid!" a boy of about fifteen sneered. "Aren't you a little old to be playing with stuffed toys like that?"
 Uiru looked up. On deck, a boy was bugging a girl a little younger then he was.
 "It's not a stuffed toy!" the girl declared. "It's stronger then anything you'll ever have!"
 "I think not!" he laughed. "How about a little match?"
 "You're on!" she shouted. "How many?"
 "Four on four!"
 This was an incredibly short match. The boy sent out Vulpix, Seel, Voltorb and Bellsprout, and all were soundly trounced by the girl's 'stuffed toy'.
 The girl stuck out her tounge. "You lose!" she declared. The boy recalled his Pokémon, glaring.
 Uiru went over to the girl. "I thought I recognized you," he declared. "Still training that ol' Jigglypuff?"
 "What's it to you...? Uiru?!" The girl recognized him. "Wow! It's been ages!"
 "Heidi, and Jigglypuff," Uiru stated. Jigglypuff shrilled. It was happy to see him too. "What's been happening in Cinnibar lately?"
 "Awful things," she answered. She looked around, making sure nobody was in earshot. "The Pokémon League are arresting people all over the place. Their soldiers are in every town, forcing powerful trainers into their ranks. Something bad is happening so we all got off the island and headed up to Magenta Park."
 "Ah..."
 "Yeah. Leah instantly wanted to fight. She managed to convince the others that we had to strike back against them, just like you guys did." She was referring to the legacy that was Fire Strike. "So they sent me to Turquoise to pick them up some Ghost types."
 "How many did you get?"
 "Eight Gastly and three Haunter," Heidi declared. "And I bet you're wondering how I did it with only Jigglypuff."
 Uiru laughed. "That was my next question, yes. How did you do it with Normal types?"
 "I had to evolve my Eevees," Heidi replied. "I'll show them to you!" She summoned her two Eevee evolutons. Uiru gasped. They were unlike anything he had ever seen before.
 Tranquileon was a Water-Grass hybrid, created from a Water Stone and Leaf Stone. It's blue-green body mimiced that of Vaporeon (without the fin-tail) but it's mane was short, leafy vines. These were blue and green also. All that really worked on Tranquileon was Electric and Poison attacks.
 Sparkeon was the exact opposite. Combining the powers of Fire and Electric Stones yielded one of the most powerful Pokémon known. Resembled a Flareon but had the jagged collar of a Jolteon. It's powers were effective on most and it's only real weakness was Ground and Rock attacks.
 Both of the new Eons used their elemental abilities to shield themselves. If Sparkeon was attacked with Water, it would generate electricity to block it. If Tranquileon was assailed with a Fire attack, it would raise Water around it.
 "Cool, aren't they?" Heidi asked.
 "Definately," Uiru replied.
 A group of people were looking at the Eons in awe. Heidi called them back.
 "Incidentally, what are the Ghost types for?" Uiru asked.
 "To sneak around. We can use their Hypnosis powers to pass through places. We havn't decided whether we're going to attack directly or generate support from the surrounding cities first."
 "So we have our own missions, then."
 "I guess so. Why are you here?"
 Uiru looked around. "Jessica's sick," he told her. "I think there may be a cure in Fuchsia City. So I've got to get there as soon as possible, and get back. Otherwise, I'd stay and help you guys."
 "That's all right," Heidi said. "Do you need a Ghost type? The guys wouldn't mind if I lent you a Gastly."
 "That's very kind, but I have Gengar," Uiru stated. "Jessica lent me some of her Pokémon."
 "Ah. I hope she'll be okay!"
 Uiru nodded. "Me too."

 The days were getting shorter and the air was getting colder. Uiru decided that a big heavy cloak would not only be functional but look really cool too.
 "There's been lots of tunneling under Mt. Moon lately," Heidi had told him. "And the place is completely unguarded, as opposed to the top. It's how we get back and forth."
 "The League doesn't know about it?"
 "The League doesn't think anybody is stupid enough to try to get through it. So there are none of their soldiers there. However, there are a few of ours. Just tell 'em I sent ya."
 "Is it dangerous?"
 "No more dangerous then trying to get over it. There are at least three bases and hundreds of soldiers."
 Uiru laughed at this point. "So if I ever need some stress release, I'll go there."
 Heidi laughed as well. "Don't underestimate the League though," she warned. "They've gotten a LOT stronger lately."
 "I'll keep it in mind. See you later Heidi."
 "Bye Uiru!"
 Uiru had a quick supper at a nearby restaurant then decided to get out of there before any of his friends found him and guilted him into staying. He wanted to help but he wasn't sure how long he had. All he knew was that he had no time to waste.
 Magenta Park wasn't far from the base of Mt. Moon. Heidi had told him about a few signs they had put up- a knocked over tree with the roots sawn off, a plank of wood jammed in branches. Uiru was standing on one such sign before he saw it. It was a really large depression of an arrow in the ground. He laughed.
 He followed the 'signs' until he reached one of the entrances. Looking around, he entered when he was sure nobody was nearby.
 Shortly inside the tunnel, he happened across three guards.
 "Halt! Who're you?" one asked.
 "A traveler," Uiru replied. "Did Leah stick you on guard duty, Pittman?" He laughed at his bewildered look. He pulled down his hood.
 "You're not... Uiru?" Pittman asked. "Where have you been? We could really use your help out here!"
 "Save it," Uiru stated. "I'm really sorry but I've got no time to waste."
 Pittman nodded. "Look, this is one of the longer ways through Mt. Moon but there are only a few branches. Just keep to the left and you'll do fine."
 "And watch out for the Clefairy," one of Pittman's buddies stated. "They're usually harmless but don't get them mad."
 Uiru nodded. "Thanks. Later Pittman."
 The guards watched him leave. "Who's that guy, Pittman?"
 "One of the greatest trainers alive," Pittman replied. "He wrote the book on liberation."
 

Chapter 2
 "And in the news today, a colony of Hitmonchan and Hitmonlee appear to have gone berserk. The recently discovered tribe of Fighting Pokémon suddenly charged down the slopes of Mt. Cobal and attacked Cobalton, at the base of the mountain. Some Psychic Pokémon and their trainers drove off the group but it's unknown if they'll ever be back. The PLM is taking every precaution in dealing with the wild Pokémon. In addition to sending teams to investigate the disturbance, a recall has been placed on all Hitmonchan and Hitmonlee. I repeat, if you have a Hitmonchan or Hitmonlee, take it to the PLM center in your city."
  Patrick turned off the TV. "Disturbance my ass," he swore. "I can't believe they'd try to get people to hand over their Fighting types. Something caused that group to go nuts..." He grabbed his belt with his six Bug Pokémon on it. "Do they actually expect people to just hand them over at their say-so?" Persimmon wasn't far from Cobalton. "Better check this out."

 Uiru emerged from the caves of Mt. Moon quite rattled. Although he liked cute things, the chanting of hundreds upon thousands of Clefairy for hours on end was where he drew the line.
 He was cutting across Route 4 when a group of League soldiers stopped him. "Hold it, buddy. Where are you headed?"
 "South," Uiru replied. "Is there a problem, sir?"
 "We've been having trouble with a group of trainers from the other side of Mt. Moon," they replied. "Just show us some ID and you can go."
 Uiru realized he couldn't show them his PLM card, because they'd know he had gone through Mt. Moon. And he couldn't tell them about the tunnels. "Um, I'm sorry, I must have forgotten it."
 "Not good, pal," the guards informed him. "Where'd you leave it, on your dresser, in your other pants, or your other cloak?"
 "See, now we've got to take you to the base in Cerulean to get you checked out," they said.
 "Oh, I don't have time for that," Uiru stated.
 The guards laughed. "And you think we have time to bother with guys who think they're Masters? Come on, pal."
 "Not a Master," Uiru declared. "A Champion. Of the PLM." Uiru leapt high in the air and landed a short distance away.
 "Grab him!" they shouted.
 "Butterfree, go!" Uiru shouted. "Bug Saber, now!"
 Butterfree glowed a sparkling green, then it's body morphed into a sword. The Butterfly Edge was so named because of the two small butterfly wings on the back of the blade. Uiru took the weapon and charged.
 There were four guards. The two that had ran after him were cut down instantly. The others summoned a Kabutops and Scyther after seeing the blade.
 Scyther swung at Uiru but he stepped back, just dodging the blades, and the Butterfly Edge sang as it found a new home in Scyther's heart. Pulling the Edge from the savage Slashing mantis, Uiru parried an attack from Kabutops and slashed up it's body. Kabutops' trainer recalled it.
 Uiru turned to the two guards. "That's the difference between a Champion and a Master," he announced. "A Master has mastery over a preticular element. A Champion has six." The Butterfly Edge reverted to Butterfree. Uiru called it back. "Would you like me to show off my Sandslash's Rock Slide attack?"
 The two guards looked at each other and ran. Uiru laughed. Walking around the dead Scyther, he headed into the woods towards Celadon.

 A few hours later, he passed through Celadon and was on his way to Route 16 when he noticed groups of Grass apprentices closing in on him.
 "News travels fast," he said to himself as he sprinted out of the city.
 Unfortunately, at the end of Route 16 he had a little surprise. Route 17 was gone.
 "Oh, this is really good," Uiru muttered to himself. Turning, he saw about twenty Grass apprentices behind him. "All right, what do you want?" he asked them.
 "You're under arrest for killing League soldiers," they announced.
 "They got in my way," Uiru declared. "By the way, before we go on, what happened to Route 17?"
 "It got bombed," one of them replied. "The League wanted it out of the way."
 Uiru nodded. "Has it ever occured to any of you that the League has been getting it's way too often lately?" he asked. "Anyway, I'll give you a chance. Get out of my way right now and I'll be out of here within a week. The League will never hear from me again."
 Thirty five Grass type Pokémon were summoned in responce. Uiru sighed.
 Uiru's anti-Grass squad was one of the best a trainer could have. Hitmonchan, Alakazam and Butterfree appeared and attacked with Fire, Ice, Bug and Psychic attacks while Blastoise and Sandslash stayed back out of the way and used Blizzard and Earthquake.
 Butterfree fired multiple shots of PSY Beam at a Vileplume and Victreebel crew, then charged an Exeggutor with Nature's Pin. Hitmonchan charged up Fire power in one glove and Ice power in the other, and let loose with an Antipode Beam, frying and freezing a Venusaur and a Parasect behind it. Alakazam let it's power build, then crushed a large group of Pokémon and trainers with it's powers.
 A Weepinbell and Ivysaur assailed Butterfree with Razor Leaf attacks. Although they slightly damaged it's wings, Butterfree barely felt the attack. A Psychic blast shut down the two Grass-Poison types.
 The chunks of Ice raining down on the Grass troop were bothering them. A Gloom dodged the attacks long enough to fire a Solar Beam at Blastoise. These guys must have been more powerful then Uiru had thought, because Blastoise couldn't take the assault. He recalled it and Sandslash, then looked to the battle.
 "Halt!" Uiru ordered. Alakazam, Hitmonchan and Butterfree instantly stopped their attacks. Most of the Grass Pokémon were defeated, some appeared mortally wounded. Their trainers were the same way.
 "You three never know when to quit, do you know that?" Uiru laughed. The eight and a half foot tall Alakazam swatted him in the back of the head. Hitmonchan laughed along with Uiru.
 "As for the lot of you..." The Grass trainers were staring at Uiru and his three Pokémon which had creamed their entire troop. He pointed at some trainers and Pokémon who were in serious condition. "Alakazam, Recover." Alakazam glowed blue, then moved the energy over the wounded. "There. You should be able to get back to Celadon now."
 As Uiru walked away, one of the Grass trainers shouted at him. "Why would you almost kill us then heal us?"
 "What are you here for?" another asked.
 Uiru turned. "I can't tell you that. But I'm not here to cause trouble. Soon I'll have what I want and I can go home." Uiru headed back over Route 16, cloak flapping dramatically behind him. Alakazam, Hitmonchan and Butterfree followed.
 Someone was waiting for him at the gates to Celadon, however.
 "Hold it!" he shouted. The figure was clothed in a dark green robe, and the hood covered his face.
 "Look, I'll tell you what I told the last 20 guys I defeated," Uiru snapped. "Move it and I'll let you live."
 "Quiet, Uiru," the man ordered.
 "How do you know my name?"
 "Well besides the fact you identified yourself as the Champion of the Pokémon Liberation Movement, there's only one guy I know with both a Hitmonchan and a giant Alakazam." He removed his hood.
 Uiru glared. "Hm. Havn't seen you in ages Matt."
 "And you."
 "So what's going on?"
 "I've got to take you in, Uiru. The League isn't happy with you."
 "Tell the League to stuff it."
 Matt sighed. "What are you doing here Uiru? Going out for a walk and killing soldiers totally isn't like you."
 "I'm here for a cure for Toxic."
 "It's called an Antidote," Matt snapped.
 "Let me finish. I'm here for a cure for a combination Toxic-Bleak Eternal attack from a giant Ghost Dragon named Genoryu that put Jessica in the hospital a few weeks ago."
 Concern flashed across Matt's face. "Is Jessica all right?"
 "No. She's dying as we speak. And I'm here for the cure. I'm really sorry, Matt, but if you don't get out of my way I'm coming through."
 Matt looked up at the sky. "It had to go and get complicated." He turned to Uiru. "I can't just let you by. You've killed League soldiers."
 Uiru sighed. "Okay, let's look at this realistically. You're a Grass trainer."
 "Master. I've been training with Master Erika for some time now."
 "All right, fine. You're a Grass Master. I'm a PLM Champion. You'd never defeat me in a Pokémon battle. All that would happen is you would get killed, and I really don't want to be responsible for that. Afterwards, I'd get the cure and go home, and the League wouldn't be able to touch me."
 Matt laughed. "If that's what you're counting on, think again. I've heard Booster is at the Palace of the Elite Four right now."
 "Doing what?!"
 "Negotiating a merger. Basically involves the PLM being absorbed into the League. They say it's for global unity but it's really just to solidify their own power."
 "Oh, perfect. I wonder what that'll make me."
 "Well, if they don't arrest you for murder, they'll probably make you some kind of Master. What's your best element?"
 "I don't have a best element. That's why I'm champ."
 "They might let you keep your title of Champion then. Actually, if you prove your strength to them, they probably will let the charges slide. There aren't enough evenly balanced Masters."
 "Good to know." Uiru then slapped himself in the head. "What am I doing? I couldn't care less about any of this. I need that cure." He headed for Celadon's gate. When Matt didn't move, he called Butterfree. "Bug Saber," he stated simply, keeping his gaze on Matt. Butterfree morphed into the weapon and Uiru took it.
 Matt sighed again. "What's the point," he muttered as he stepped aside. "Bug is strong on Grass."
 "That's right," Uiru declared. "I'm really sorry about all this."
 Matt nodded. "I know anything that gets between you and Jessica is on a oneway trip straight to hell. I hope she recovers."
 "Thanks, Matt."
 "And I hope you don't get busted."
 Uiru laughed as he set off for Route 7. "Well, I've defeated the Grass Gym without breaking a sweat. I'm sure the rest will be no problem." Alakazam and Hitmonchan followed.

 Patrick was walking up Mt. Cobal when he ran into someone tearing down it.
 "Dude!" he shouted to Patrick. "Get off this rock, quick!"
 "Why? What's wrong?"
 "A giant bone dragon is on it's way! Come on, move!"
 The freaked young man led Patrick down the mountain he had been climbing for the past 20 minutes. Then he stopped. "Listen." Patrick listened. "Silence. We must be outside it's territory by now."
 "Well, that's good to know," Patrick declared. "I'm Patrick. Who're you?"
 "Name's Ed," he replied. "I'm here to check out why all the Fighting types went cracked."
 "That's wierd, so am I. What did you find out?"
 "Nada. I just got here. All I found was the big bastard. I think it's a Dragon type."
 "Damn, all I have are Bug types," Patrick informed him. "Parasect, Butterfree, Pincir, Venomoth, Scyther and Beedrill."
 "I'll tell you right now, only Venomoth and Butterfree have an attack that'll work on the beast. Physical attacks just don't hurt it."
 "Like a Ghost type?" Patrick asked. "That's all we need. A Ghost Dragon type."
 "Hey, why don't you come with me? Two is always better then one."
 "Sure, I was about to suggest that."
 "Great! I've got Rapidash, Dewgong and Electrode, just so you know."
 Patrick nodded. "So, what do we do now?"
 "That dragon is guarding something. We should wait until it's asleep and find out what."

 Uiru made it through Saffron City easily. Apparently, Matt hadn't reported him. Somehow, it didn't surprise him at all. Uiru headed down Route 8.
 Why would he do that? I don't think Matt really gives a damn about the League. He's just doing his job. Besides, he has been my friend for the longest time.
 It was odd how Matt used to teach Uiru the ins and outs of Pokémon training. Now Uiru would be the one doing the teaching. But that was to be expected- from the beginning, Uiru wanted a balanced team, while Matt was only interested in Grass types.
 Uiru knew Matt had headed to Celadon City after Fire Strike had disbanded. In the peaceful period following their last great victory, they all talked it over and decided. They were young- enough of their lives had been eaten up in the constant battles. They decided to just go home.
 Uiru had gone to Champion Island, to try his skills against the world's best. Jessica had gone with him, but only to cheer him on. He had full confidence in his Pokémon's abilities, and as it turned out, that faith would be rewarded. Uiru had blown through the tournament like a tornado.
 Upon gaining the title of Champion Trainer, Uiru was given the Bug Saber relic. It was a mystical tool that Butterfree wore around it's neck, allowing the use of the Butterfly Edge.
 At the east gate of Saffron, someone called his name. "Uiru."
 Uiru turned and found himself looking straight into the face of Sabrina, the Psychic Master.
 "Hmm... You're Sabrina, correct?" Uiru asked.
 "Yes. I sensed your aura from my Gym. It's stronger then that of many Masters I know."
 "I've been feeling more uneasy then usual passing through Saffron," Uiru stated. "I'm assuming that was you."
 "That's right. Uiru, please come to my Gym for a moment. There are things we must discuss."
 "I'm sorry but-"
 "Uiru, I have information that will interest you. About Genoryu. I will not take long."
 Uiru sighed. "All right." Sabrina glowed blue and suddenly both were standing in her arena. Two torches at one end of the room flickered ominously, providing the only light in the room.
 "Your aura is so powerful..."
 Uiru crossed his arms. "So what do you know about Genoryu?"
 Sabrina nodded. "Genoryu is a Ghost Dragon Pokémon. It is from another realm, and there are only a select few places in our world from which we can access it. I'm not sure how it got here but it is creating an army of Pokémon from the other realm."
 "That makes sense," Uiru stated. "Do you know where it is?"
 "It is still on Mt. Cobal, where you returned from the other realm."
 "Pardon?"
 Sabrina stepped closer to him. "You don't remember?"
 "There is kind of a blank in my memory."
 Sabrina nodded again. "You were on Mt. Cobal with your friend. In a cave, you both fell into a rift between the realms. Luckily for you both, you fell out of it soon after, but Genoryu followed you, along with some of it's followers."
 "There are more Genoryu?"
 "It is not clear. But there are other beings like it on Mt. Cobal."
 Uiru turned to the door. "Well... I have to get going. Thank you for telling me all this."
 "Wait." Sabrina walked up to him. She took a small blue pellet from her pocket. "This is an ability stone called White Flame. It is a Dragon type attack. I'd like you to have it."
 "I can't take that," Uiru replied. "It must be rare."
 "Yes, but I'm not the one who'll be battling Genoryu. My League duties keep me here, and besides, Genoryu's Ghost attacks would defeat me. Please, take it."
 Uiru took the small pellet.
 "Think hard about who you teach it to, because it'll only last once. I would recommend something that has high defence and endurance, which isn't Dragon type of course."
 "Thank you, Sabrina," Uiru nodded.
 "Let me help you on your way." Sabrina glowed blue again. "Good luck, Uiru."

Chapter Three
 There was a knock on the door. Marowak answered it.
 Two suits from the Pokémon Liberation Movement stood there. "We're here to speak to Uiru," the black guy stated.
 Marowak shook its head.
 "You mean he's not here?" the white guy asked. Marowak nodded. "Is anybody here?"
 "I am," Jessica stated. She had heard the conversation. "Please, come in."
 The three sat down in the living room.
 "If you don't mind me asking, miss..." the white guy began.
 "...are you okay?" the black guy finished. He wasn't sure how to ask the question, because she definately did not look okay. Her robe didn't cover the marks on her legs, and the rest of her seemed just plain sickly.
 Jessica nodded. "I'll be fine."
 "Where is Uiru?" the white suit asked.
 "He's gone out to find something to help me," Jessica answered. "Is there something wrong? I can get him to call you when he gets back."
 "That won't be nessessary," the black suit announced. "There's been a recall on many Fighting Pokémon. We were wondering if he had already sent his Hitmonchan to the PLM."
 "Hold on, back up," Jessica said. "What recall?"
 "Havn't you heard the news?" the white suit asked.
 Jessica looked at him. "Do I look like I spend all day watching the news?"
 He held up his hands. "Point taken."
 The black guy informed her of what was going on in regards to the Hitmonchan and Hitmonlee.
 "So, would you know if he's sent it in yet?" the white suit asked when the black suit was finished.
 Jessica was starting to feel dizzy. "Has Uiru sent in his Hitmonchan... Are you crazy?"
 The men looked at each other.
 "Uiru's had his Hitmonchan for years. He values it both as an incredible Pokémon and a great friend, just like his other five. Uiru will never just hand over any of them, especially over something as stupid as some unfounded paranoia!"
 "The city of Cobalton is in great danger from the Hitmonchan and Hitmonlee," the white suit explained.
 "Then deal with them," Jessica stated. Her head was starting to pound and that didn't help her mood one bit. "If you want Uiru's Hitmonchan you're going to have to throw heaven and hell at him to get it. Save yourselves the trouble and leave him alone. Now if you're finished, I have to deal with the migrane you both just gave me." Electabuzz came and helped her back to bed while Marowak grabbed some medicine.
 "What do you think?" the black guy asked.
 "I think she's right," the white guy replied. "I never was for this stupid recall thing anyway."
 "But we have to get his Hitmonchan."
 The white guy sighed. "Only if we find him. She never said where he was."
 The black suit looked down the hall towards her bedroom. Quietly, he said, "What do you think happened to her?"
 "Havn't you heard? She got nuked by some dragon attack. Uiru's been in a piss about it ever since."
 "Man... If she was my girlfriend I'd have torn apart whatever did it." The black guy snapped his fingers. "Wait a second! Uiru said the dragon attacked them on Mt. Cobal, right?"
 "That's right...!" The white suit knew where he was going with this.
 "And that's where the Hitmonchan went cracked. There might be some connection."
 "Let's move." The two quickly hurried out of the apartment.

 Uiru hadn't been in Fuchsia City very often, so it took a few minutes before he realized Sabrina had teleported him there. Teleporting is the ultimate form of transportation.
 He did remember where Koga's Gym was, however. Uiru headed up towards the woods.
 "There he is! After him!" More League soldiers spotted him. This time, forty or fifty soldiers were alerted to his presence.
 "I should have seen this coming," Uiru complained. "Can't waste any more time in this Godforsaken country." He ran into the woods.
 Uiru was almost to the door when someone pulled him into the bushes. "What the hell?!" Uiru hissed.
 "Shhh!" Someone shushed him. "Be quiet, you'll let the guards know you're here."
 A light went on in Uiru's head. "Erin?" he asked. "Is that you?"
 Uiru could see the person nod. "So you remember me too?"
 "Of course."
 "What are you doing here?" Erin asked. "Most of the League is after you. PLM Champions don't come around every day."
  "I really need to talk to Koga," Uiru replied. "I need a cure for Toxic. Jessica's really sick."
 Erin gasped. "You mean she's got Toxic? Didn't you give her an Antidote?"
 "It's not that simple." Uiru told Erin the whole story.
 "All right, Uiru," Erin declared. "I'll take you right to Koga. You'll be safe there, he doesn't let League personnel enter. He really hates them, you know?"
 Uiru stifled a laugh. "We have something in common then."

 "Genoryu?" Koga asked. "Are you sure that's it's name?"
 Uiru nodded. "Yes, Master Koga. That's what it said."
 Koga waved his hand. "There's no need to address me as 'Master'. A simple 'Sir' would suffice. The League and everything that comes with them can suck an Ekans for all I care."
 "All right," Uiru agreed. "We're pretty sure the thing is a Ghost-Dragon type. Sabrina told me it was from another realm."
 Koga 'hmm'ed. "I'd be careful about what you believe from Sabrina," he warned.
 "Well, she did give me this." Uiru took the White Flame stone from his pocket. "It's a Dragon type attack I can use on Genoryu."
 Koga nodded. "Then you're going to go after the monster?"
 "Of course, after I cure my friend."
 Koga turned to the wall. "Uiru, I have the cure to the poison in your friend's body. But not just anyone can use it."
 "Can you teach me how?"
 Koga nodded. "Erin, get me the small box in my study."
 "Yes sir." Erin went to get it.
 "Uiru, Heaven's Light is the ultimate healing ability that a Pokémon can use. It is a Psychic type attack that will cleanse your friend of all the poison within her. But the power is extremely dangerous."
 "How is it dangerous?" Uiru asked.
 "First, you must teach it to a Pokémon of hers that is pure in heart and spirit."
 Before Uiru could respond, however, Machamp's Poké Ball opened. At the sight of the nine foot tall powerhouse Pokémon, Koga gasped.
 "It's a big one, isn't it?" Uiru asked. "I think Machamp wants to learn Heaven's Light." Machamp nodded vigorously.
 Uiru understood why Machamp was so eager to help Jessica. The Toxic-Bleak Eternal blast had been meant for it, and it had dove out of the way. It didn't know Jessica was behind it. Although nobody believed it was it's fault, Machamp took it hard. Feeling it was responsible, it didn't talk to the other Pokémon very much. It thought they all blamed it, which of course wasn't true.
 "But it's a Psychic ability," Koga explained.
 "That's no problem," Uiru stated. "Machamp here has a few Psychic abilities. It's surprisingly strong against Psychic power, too."
 Koga looked up- way up- at Machamp. "Are you sure you want to learn this? Heaven's Light involves many powerful forces of this world and the next. If anything were to go wrong, the results would be catastrophic, especially for you."
 Machamp nodded, and thumped itself on the chest with it's right hands. "It's ready," Uiru declared.
 Erin came back with the small box. Koga took the very light blue pellet from the box.
 "Machamp, this is Heaven's Light. It is a forbidden power, so do not use it except in circumstances like this one. Using the power will drain all your energy, and it'll be a couple of days before you wake up again. It requires intense concentration. And it would really help if you didn't use it inside a building or something."
 Machamp nodded, and held out it's lower left hand. Koga gave it the pellet. Machamp closed it's hand, and the stone disappeared.
 "Now Machamp has Heaven's Light," Erin announced. "You should hurry back, Uiru."
 Koga laughed. "I have one more thing for you Uiru. I'm going to let you borrow my repairman."
 Erin leaned into the next room. "Hey, Nick!" she shouted. "Get in here!"
 "What's up, Erin... Uiru?!" Nick, the dirty-minded mechanic, entered the room and immediately recognized his former leader. "Man, it's been ages!"
 "Good to see you," Uiru greeted. They shook hands.
 "Hah. What's the big shot PLM champion doing all the way out here?" Nick laughed.
 Uiru told him the story.
 "WHAT?!" Nick shouted. "Some stupid dragon fried the cutest girl ever to walk the earth?! I won't stand for it! I'm coming with you!"
 Uiru laughed. "Are you sure about that?"
 "It's a Dragon type, right? Some of my Water Pokémon are learning Ice abilities. Horsea has a mean Ice Beam on it."
 "I guess so, if you want to. I assume you'll be flying me home?"
 "You got it." Nick looked to Erin. "Coming?"
 Erin sweatdropped. "Um, I'm not sure. Poison attacks don't work on Ghost types, so it'd kinda be pointless. Besides, I'm still training to be a Poison Master."
 "I think this would be a great learning experience," Koga laughed.
 "Besides, we'll be fighting other Pokémon besides Genoryu," Uiru stated. "There are supposed to be a load of those monsters there."
 "There, see?" Nick asked.
 Erin thought about it. "Oh, what the hell," she decided. "But if I die, I blame you Uiru."
 "Me? It's his fault!" Uiru laughed, pointing at Nick.
 "Come on, let's go!" Nick declared. "Man, this feels like old times."

 "You havn't painted over that yet?" Uiru asked when he saw the chopper.
 "Are you cracked? Him paint over his baby?" Erin asked. The helicopter still carried the name 'Fire Strike' on both sides, lovingly handpainted by it's owner, Nick.
 "The name is half the charm, man!" Nick declared as they climbed aboard.
 Uiru looked around the inside of the chopper, and the memories flooded back. Most prominent were those of the entire crew heading off to battle, or returning triumphant from an incredible victory. Most of them were victories, now that I think about it.
 "So, where are we headed?" Nick asked.
 "Turquoise," Uiru replied.
 "I've been tinkering with the engine," Nick announced. "Got double the milage on it now. We can make it all the way to Magenta Park from here before we have to refuel."
 "We don't fly around much, because gas is so expensive," Erin explained.
 "It's getting worse back home," Uiru informed them. "But it's not as bad as here." He lay down in the back. "I'll be asleep."
 "Dreaming of what, I wonder?" Nick asked, with a grin.
 "Silence," Uiru stated.
 "Oh, he won't tell us. Too bad," Erin grinned.
 "Silence!"
 "I'd tell you what he'll dreaming about, but we kinda gotta keep the story at a PG-13 level," Nick said to Erin.
 "It's not too late to put you through the windshield," Uiru jokingly threatened.
 "But we're really high up now."
 "Exactly."

 Oblivious to the events occuring on Mt. Cobal, a young man leaned against a tree on the far side of the peak.
 "This sucks," he complained. He pulled a sandwich from his backpack. "This is my last sandwich. Sigh..." He bit into it.
 An odd creature scampered out of the woods. The boy noticed it.
 "Hey, what are you?" he asked. It responded in a high-pitched, friendly voice. "I guess you're a Pokémon. Is Genocide your name?" It shook it's head up and down. Actually, it shook it's entire body up and down. All it was was a skull.
 Genocide looked at the sandwich with hope in it's eyes. "Hungry, aren't you?" he stated. "Well, here, have some. It's my last one though." He threw the walking skull a chunk of his sandwich, and it gobbled it down. Down to where is unknown at this point.
 Genocide was, for all intents and purposes, a skull. It had tiny insect-like legs sprouting from the base. A blue aura surrounded it, and it's eye sockets had a deeper blue glow in them.
 "You're an odd one," the boy stated. "My name's Kyle. Do you know a way off this rock?"
 Genocide nodded. It pointed with it's forehead up a path.
 "I guess going straight over the peak would be fastest," Kyle stated. "Come on then."

Chapter Four
 "Into the cave!!" Ed shouted. Ed and Patrick charged towards the cave, Genoryu right behind them. The dragon had found them, and it was spitting Night Shades all over the place.
 "But it'll have us trapped!" Patrick tried to protest as they ran.
 "Okay, it can either trap us and eat us or just eat us. There might be some place to hide in here!"
 Patrick drew three Poké Balls from his belt. "Butterfree, Beedrill, Venomoth!" he shouted. "Make a web out of String Shot!"
 As they ran, the three flying Bug Pokémon sprayed the sticky goop all over the walls, forming a huge net. Patrick didn't expect it to slow Genoryu down much, but he hoped having to walk through the slop would aggrivate it and it would go away.
 A loud crash from behind them announced the fact that Genoryu had charged at a section of String Shot and hit the wall behind it.
 Ed pointed ahead of them. "Look! It might not be able to fit in there!" He pointed to a fork in the road. One branch was narrow, one was wide.
 Patrick nodded. He called to his Pokémon. "Spray the wide tunnel with String Shot!" After doing so, the three were recalled and Patrick and Ed booted it down the narrow path. A second later, Genoryu could be heard charging through the String Shot trap they had left.
 Ed sighed. "We should wait here a while until it's deeper down."
 Patrick nodded. He leaned against the wall. "Another day saved by the might of Bug Pokémon- WHOA!!" His gloating was cut short as he fell right into the wall!
 "Patrick!" Ed shouted. "What the hell? Where'd you go?" Ed examined the wall closely. It seemed to be... shimmering? "Okay, this is too wierd for me." He sat on the floor. "Dragon dude's got five minutes, then I'm outta here!"

 The girl looked at the condemned mansion and sighed. It used to be in such good condition, kept clean and tidy by it's young inhabitants. But time and vandals had taken their toll on the once grand building.
 She opened the door. It squeaked noisily and fell off it's hinges. Stepping over it, she walked down the hall into the living room. Looking up and around, she never saw the lines of footprints in the years of dust.
 In fact, her first clue that someone had been there in the time since she had left was the young man sitting on the couch in the living room.
 "Ahhh!" she screamed.
 "Ahhh!" he screamed.
 "What the hell...? Geoff?"
 Geoff stood up, beating the dust off his jacket that had been accumilated on his sudden trip over the back of the couch. "Hey, Allison!" he shouted. "What are you doing here?"
 Allison looked around. "This place is a mess!" she complained.
 Geoff nodded. "I'm sure the lightning bolt didn't help much."
 "Lightning bolt?"
 He pointed up. That explains the sunbeams, Allison thought. There was a large hole in the roof.
 "It's been a while, hasn't it?" Geoff asked.
 "Yeah... I got so bored at home, I just had to come up here."
 Geoff laughed. "You think you're bored. At least you're in the city. I'm up here all the time."
 Allison laughed. "Doing what?"
 "Nothing. Mainly sitting on the couch, wondering if the whole thing is gonna collapse while I'm in there or not." He looked around. "This is a real shame, you know."
 "I know. I've half a mind to round everybody up and fix the place."
 Geoff laughed. "You'd have to find them first. All I know is Erin's gone to Fuchsia."
 "Yeah, to train under Koga. That dude's like, what now? Fifty?" Allison laughed. "I would have thought Erin was a bit young for him."
 "That's disgusting!" Geoff shouted. "Besides, she wouldn't do that."
 Allison nodded. "I know, I know."
 The clatter of the other door falling off it's hinges was now heard.
 "Was that someone coming in?" Allison asked.
 "I dunno. Stuff falls off things a lot nowadays."
 In walked a very shaken Patrick.
 "Hey, Patrick!" Geoff shouted.
 "What the hell happened to you?" Allison asked. Patrick looked like he'd been through the wringer a few times.
 Patrick pointed. "I was on Mt. Cobal... Now I'm on Charteruse Peaks. Am I high on anything? I don't think so..."
 "Dude, slow down," Geoff laughed. He sat him down on the couch. "Getting to be a regular reunion here."
 Patrick took a deep breath. "Okay... I was on Mt. Cobal, and this evil dragon thing chased us into a cave. Then-"
 "Who's us?" Allison inturrupted.
 "Allison," Geoff complained.
 "A guy I met on the mountain, Ed. We were checking out a dragon named Genoryu when it chased us into a cave. We hid from it, but everything past that is a blank." Patrick took another breath. "Then I wake up and I'm here! Well, not here exactly, but in a small cave a short distance from here."
 "What happened to Ed?" Geoff asked.
 "I dunno. I hope he got out of the cave safely," Patrick stated.
 Geoff looked at Allison. "You look like you're thinking of some crazy plan."
 "Aren't I always?" Allison grinned. "Maybe there was some kind of warp thing that Patrick fell in. Should we go check it out?"
 Patrick whined, "Do I have to?"
 Geoff laughed. "Yes, Geoff, you have to. We really should check this out."
 "All right!" Allison shouted. "Finally something exciting happens!"

 Uiru, Nick and Erin had made it to Magenta Park with no problem. Everything was going according to plan.
 Until, of course, Booster showed up with about five zillion soldiers.
 Uiru was heading to the chopper to see how refueling was going when he saw his old commander heading towards him. "Uiru!!" Booster bellowed.
 Uiru spun. "What the... Booster!" he shouted. "What's up?" Uiru hadn't seen his old boss in ages.
 "Uiru, you're under arrest," he stated simply.
 The color drained from Uiru's face as he realized Booster wasn't there to pat him on the back. "What?!"
 "We're trying to bring the world together," Booster continued. "The Pokémon League was right ready to accept our proposal when you went and hacked your way through their men. How do you think the PLM looks in the eyes of the League when one of our own is running amok in their territory?"
 Uiru knew if he had any hope of talking his way out of this encounter, he'd have to fire off on a different tangent altogether. "Why are you even trying to ally with the League in the first place?!" he exploded. He REALLY wished Leah was there to back him up. "Don't you know what they're like? This entire country lives in fear of them! They're powerhungry dictators who lie, cheat, steal and manipulate to get whatever they want! Has the PLM sunk so low that they'd dare be assosciated with evil despots like them?" Well, I seem to be doing pretty good by myself.
  "Uiru, part of the deal involves the PLM straighting out the League," Booster stated. "With the entire world connected under one general leadership, this country will be drastically improved and people everywhere will benefit. That is of course if we didn't have loose cannons like you rolling around blasting everything to pieces!" The last part was more of a roar then an explanation.
 Erin and Nick appeared behind Uiru.
 "Um..." Nick said slowly as he looked at the phalax of assembled troops. "We're ready to leave when you are."
 "What are all the troops for?" Erin asked.
 "I think they're here for me," Uiru stated. "Apparently they believe in fair fights. I think there's only two hundred or so."
 "Oh, is that all?" Erin asked.
 Uiru pulled something out of his pocket. "Nick," he hissed.
 "What?"
 Uiru handed him a Poké Ball. "If things go sour here, take Machamp and get back to Turquoise."
 "But with my Water types I'd be able to-"
 "Quiet!" Uiru whispered. "If he catches the three of us, we're screwed and Jessica is too. You're the only one who can fly the helicopter."
 "All right Uiru, enough is enough," Booster shouted. "Come along, now!"
 Uiru turned to glare at his former comrade. Reaching behind him, he pulled his cloak off, over his head, and flung it aside.
 "I figured this would happen," Booster stated. He shouted to his troops. "Do you all remember what he's got?"
 A shout. They did.
 With a flourish, Uiru summoned forth his nine Pokémon. "Bug Saber!" he declared.
  Erin and Nick also summoned their groups. Nick held back on Machamp though. "I guess it's party time," Erin sighed.
 Four dozen Pokémon were called against them. Erin's Nidoking and Nidoqueen charged into battle like juggernauts. Punching, slashing, poisoning and Tail Whipping, the two were quite the sight to behold. Nick's Omastar and Tentacruel launched Hydro Pump attacks, then engaged the enemy directly. Uiru's Alakazam stood back and charged it's Devistation Wave move while his Sandslash sent Rock Slides smashing into the crowd. Starmie flew through with it's Point Razor water attack while Scyther went ballistic all over the place.
 Suddenly, a gigantic explosion and a loud 'JIGGLY!!' erupted off to one side.
 "Damn!" Booster cursed, recalling his Magmar. "You lot, get over there and deal with the Antileague!"
 In moments, most of the soldiers were off battling Leah, Heidi and the others.
 "You against the three of us?" Erin asked.
 Booster laughed. "No... You against the three of us!" From the shadows stepped two more familiar faces out of Uiru's past- Alex and Thunders.
 "Hey, Uiru!" Alex hailed. "Good to see you again!"
 "What are you at Alex?" Uiru shouted.
 "Oh..." Alex looked around. "Oh, that's right. That unfortunate technicality. I'm really sorry, but I kind of agree with Booster on this one."
 "Stuff it, Alex," Erin snapped. "How much is Booster paying you to think that?"
 "How dare you?!" Alex bellowed. "I happen to believe this way will benefit many people- isn't that what you used to preach Uiru? Do what is right for everybody, even over yourself?"
 Uiru shook his head. "I'm on my way to Cobalton. If the PLM would take it's head out of the League's ass for a few minutes, they'd realize what kind of shit is flying over there."
 "We know about the wild Hitmonchan and Hitmonlee," Thunders stated. "We aren't stupid."
 "I'm not talking about that, you blazing idiot!" Uiru shouted at him. "I'm talking about the evil demon Pokémon running loose on the mountain that-" He caught himself. No sense getting sappy on the battlefield.
 "Evil demon Pokémon?" Alex asked. "Sounds like a job for me."
 "I agree," Nick stated. "Personally, I think it would be fun to see you get eaten. Promise you'll call me."
 "Enough!" Booster bellowed. Since everybody present was once under his leadership of Fire Strike, shutting up was an automatic reaction. "We don't have time to discuss this! Uiru, you either give us your surrender now or we'll beat it out of you!"
 Uiru raised the Butterfly Edge. Several Pokémon were summoned. In the tenseness of the moment, nobody noticed the sun rising, several hours early.
 "Die, traitor!!" somebody screamed. Uiru looked up to see Showers, Booster's other lieutenant, high in the sky brandishing the Wave Trident! Apparently she had found the Water Saber.
 "Shit!" he cursed. No time to defend against it-
 From nowhere came a blue-green beam of pure sunlight power! The energy crashed right into Showers and she fell to the ground. "Solar Beam," came the voice of Matt and his Venusaur. Stepping into the action, the Grass Master made his dramatic entrance.
 "You son of a bitch!" Thunders bellowed. Jolteon charged at Matt, Electric energy crackling. Venusaur used Vine Whips to tangle the big spark plug and beat it silly, but with a Thunder attack the big plant regretted the move.
 Erin's Arbok powered up a giant Poison Sting and sent the attack flying at Alex's Dewgong. Dodging the blow, it sent an Aurora Beam flying. Weezing sent out a Smokescreen and the attack dissapated.
 Nick's Squirtle raised a Withdraw circle around Booster, then Omastar dropped a Hydro Pump on him. Being extinguished did not please the Fire Master. Nick had to dodge several Flamethrowers before blocking one with Horsea's Bubblebeam, then attacking with the same.
 Having untangled itself from the vines, Jolteon fired Chain Lightning all around the arena, striking Nick and his troop but also nailing Showers and hers. Magmar rushed at Nick with a Fire Punch but Hitmonchan got there first and hit it with Body Slam.
 "Guys, cover me for a minute!" Uiru shouted. He held up the Butterfly Edge and concentrated. Weezing sent Smokescreens all around to confuse and aggrivate the enemy. Matt's Vileplume struck with Petal Dance from all directions, and Nick's Kingler just threw huge Bubble attacks everywhere.
 "Gust of Wind!" Uiru shouted. Bug energy erupted from the Edge as a terrible windstorm kicked up in the arena. The cyclone picked up Booster and his subordinates and threw them dozens of metres away!
 "Right, let's get out of here!" Uiru shouted. They headed for the chopper.

 "Well, now that that's all over... Hi Matt!" Erin greeted.
 "Hey guys," Matt started. "I figured I'd find you here."
 "Nice to see you!" Nick shouted from the cockpit. The ol' Fire Strike heli was streaking across the sky towards Turquoise Lake.
 "Good to know you're on our side," Uiru declared.
 "Well, old habits die hard," Matt told him. "Besides, I'm kinda getting sick of the League myself."
 "Me too," Erin agreed.
 Uiru looked out the window. "I hope Leah and the others can handle Booster."
 "I'm sure they can," Matt stated. "The Antileague has hundreds of soldiers in Magenta Park. Booster only has two hundred, remember? They'll have no problem."
 "Besides, they used to train with the great Fire Strike," Nick announced. "Those were the days..." Uiru, Matt and Erin agreed with him.
 Something outside got Matt's attention. "Yo Uiru! I don't think Booster is done yet!"
 Uiru looked out the window. He recognized the attack instantly. The large symbol of eternal raging flame- Fire Blast. And it was coming right at them.
 "Oh, shit!" Uiru cursed.
 "What's going on?" Nick shouted.
 "Booster's Arcanine fired a Fire Blast at us!" Matt shouted.
 "We're boned," Nick stated.
 One of Erin's Poké Balls opened and everyone present was hit with a paralyzing stench. It was Muk!
 "Muk, why did you come out?" Erin asked through pinched nose. She could take it's smell better then most but in the small confines of the chopper...
  Muk reached up and opened the door. It saluted it's trainer before leaping out of the helicopter!
 "What are you doing?!" Erin shouted. "Muk, return!"
 It was too late. Muk used it's Acid Armor attack, melting into a strange liquid. Up in the chopper, above the whirring blades, the four trainers heard the loud hiss of fire striking water.

Chapter Five
 "It's... gone..." Erin said softly. "Muk..." She shut the door and sat down.
 Uiru and Matt exchanged glances. They knew what Erin was going through right now- even the thought of losing one of their Pokémon was painful.
 Nick put the heli on auto and came into the back. "...Are you okay Erin?" he asked. The question was kind of unnessesary- of course she wasn't.
 "It looked at me," Erin stated softly. "Muk looked right at me... And the last thing it saw before it died was it's trainer holding her nose!"
 "Erin..." Matt started.
 "What did it think?" Erin asked. "What did it ever think?" she realized. "I never took it out just to play with. I never hugged it after a great victory. I just called it back whenever it was finished battling!" She started to cry. "It must have hated me..."
 "That's not true," Uiru told her. "They may be loyal but Pokémon only give their lives for trainers who really care about them!"
 "And you believed in it too," Nick added. "Lots of people don't like Poison types because they think they're weak. But you showed a lot of people that Poison Pokémon aren't to be messed with. You trained Muk and the others with expert care."
 "There are some Pokémon you just can't get close to," Matt declared. "Magmar, for example. You can get second-degree burns just from touching one! But trainers with Magmar love them just as much as their others."
 "And Scyther," Nick stated. "Their wings are just as sharp as their scythes and their teeth to match. But Jessica's Scyther knows she cares about it anyway, even though she can't get near it."
 "Muk knew how you felt," Uiru finished. "That's why it saved us."
 Erin shook her head. "I don't know..." she said, wiping her eyes.
 Nick didn't like the autopilot on the helicopter, so he went back to steering. "We'll be in Turquoise in a few hours," he announced.

 Finding a place to land a helicopter in the middle of a city is tricky. Nick finally got fed up and landed on the roof.
 "Nick, this is the wrong roof," Uiru stated. "We live in the building across the street."
 "Well, you can't land properly on your roof," Nick lied.
 "It's bigger and flatter then this one!"
 "Well, Koga said not to use Heaven's Light inside, right? So we'll have to do it on the roof, and if there's enough energy flying around as Koga said, we should leave the chopper here." That was some quick thinking on my part, I must say.
 "What are you guys talking about?" Matt asked.
 Uiru headed for the door. "We'll tell you on the way down."

 Elevator rides are usually uneventful, except when they jam up or fall or something. But that really wouldn't suit the story very well. This preticular ride was typically boring. Uiru, Erin and Nick filled Matt in on the preticulars of Jessica's condition and how to use Machamp's healing power.
 Crossing the street took longer then expected, but before too long the four were back in another boring elevator.
 "You know," Nick stated, "we don't need the satirical edge with the writing. It doesn't fit the rest of the story very well."
 "Pardon?" Matt asked.
 "Oh, nothing."
 Upon reaching the apartment, Uiru went to open the door and stopped. "Will you guys wait here for a second?" he asked.
 Nick and Matt exchanged glances. "Sure," Matt replied.
 Uiru quietly entered and made his way to the bedroom. Looking her over, Uiru determined that Jessica's condition was deteriorating. Many of the purple marks had deepened in color, in contrast to her ever-paling skin. "Jessica," he whispered. "Hey, Jessica!"
 "Huh...? Uiru?" Realizing it was him, she reached up and hugged him. "You're okay! I was getting worried..."
 Uiru grinned. "You were worried?" he smiled. "Anyway, I got the cure!"
 "Great!" Jessica coughed, and went on. "Well, where is it?"
 Uiru pulled out a Poké Ball. "Machamp volunteered to learn a special Psychic healing power. We have to use it on the roof though."
 "Why?"
 "I don't know. Koga said not to use it inside." Seeing Jessica reach for her robe that she had left on the floor, Uiru stopped her. "Nick, Matt and Erin are waiting outside," he informed her.
 "Really? That's great! How are they?" Jessica caught sight of herself in the mirror. "God, I look awful!"
 "You have an excuse," Uiru stated.
 A few minutes later, the five were on the roof. Marowak and Electabuzz had followed them.
 "Well, let's do it," Nick stated.
 "I sure hope this works," Matt declared.
 "Machamp, come out!" Uiru shouted. Machamp appeared on the roof. Nowadays, Machamp usually sulked around if it wasn't in a big battle. At the sight of Jessica, however, it's face lit up. It looked at Uiru.
 "Yep!" Uiru confirmed. "We're going to cure Jessica now!"
 Marowak and Electabuzz cheered. Machamp cheered louder. "Okay!" Uiru shouted. "Machamp, Heaven's Light!"
 Machamp flexed it's four arms, and for several seconds absolutely nothing happened. It seemed that the cars on the streets below had stopped. Nothing made any noise, and nothing moved.
 Nick looked at the city. The city seemed to be caught in a wide-scale power outage. Nick didn't think it was a coincidence.
 When Matt looked up, he involuntarily took a step back. Large dark clouds were rolling in, directly over their heads.
 Machamp raised it's arms slowly. It's eyes were shut and it seemed to be concentrating heavily. It took a moment, but from the sky directly above them a beam of pure light shone on the entire building.
 The white beam tightened, and focused directly on Jessica. For a moment all was still, then the light suddenly expanded into a giant pillar that encompassed half the city. Then it faded, and the clouds rolled away. Moonlight shone on the five people and three Pokémon on the roof, all knocked unconscious and all lucky to not have been blasted off.

 Electabuzz woke up first. Annoyed at having been sleeping on the hard, cold roof, it let out a Thundershock as it yawned grumpily. Everyone else woke up pretty quick after that.
 "Well, that was something," Matt complained as he dragged himself to his feet. "Every Poison and Fighting type Pokémon in the city is dead now."
 Nick slapped him for being so insensitive. "It's a healing move, dumbass. Is Jessica okay?"
 "I think so," she moaned, sitting up. "Hmm..."
 "Feel better?" Uiru asked.
 "Yeah... I feel great!" She leaned over and hugged him again. "Thank you Uiru!"
 Something dawned in Nick's head. Two people... one apartment. "Wait a minute!" he shouted. "How long have you two been-" Uiru shot Nick a glare that would cause a block of granite to shatter. It effectively shut Nick up.
 Marowak woke up from the noise. Seeing Jessica was in perfect health again, it hurled it's Bonemerang straight up in the air and caught it.
 Jessica looked at the fainted superpower Pokémon. "Uiru... Is my Machamp dead?"
 Uiru laughed. "No. It'll wake up in a few days. That's what Koga said anyway." Uiru gave her the four Poké Balls he had borrowed. "They helped me a lot."
 Erin got Matt and Nick's attention. "I think we should go to the Pokémon Center," she quietly told them.
 "Why?" Matt asked.
 She arched an eyebrow at him. "Why do you think?"
 Nick realized what Erin was getting at. "Yeah, we should go."
 "What are you guys muttering about over there?" Jessica asked as she recalled Machamp.
 "Oh, nothing!" Nick replied with a giant Anime-style grin on his face. "We'll just leave you two alone for a while."
 "I'm sure you've got a lot of catching up to do," Erin added, sporting a similar smile.
 Matt finally got it. "Oh!" he exclaimed. "Um... Er... I guess we'll meet you at the Center, say noonish?"
 Uiru sweatdropped while Jessica laughed. "Okay, noon should do," she replied. "Bye guys!"
 Nick, Erin and Matt headed for the stairs leading off the roof. "Bye!"
 Marowak and Electabuzz suddenly broke out laughing about something.
 "What's so funny?" Uiru asked. Maybe Pokémon could understand wordplay as well as English.
 Marowak shook it's head and the two went back into the building.
 Uiru looked up at the moon. The sky was totally clear now. "I havn't been able to just look at it for a while," Uiru said.
 Jessica looked at it. "Hmm...? That's strange."
 "What?"
 "It looks like... some of the rocks are a different color," Jessica stated. "I dunno, maybe it's just some kind of light trick."
 "No... I think I see it too. Kinda roundish, near the middle?"
 "Yeah."
 Uiru turned towards the stairs. "Well, it doesn't matter that much. We can't get to the moon and the moon can't get to us."
 "That's right. We should go in, it's getting cold."
 They headed for the stairs. On the way, Uiru quietly said, "Isn't noon cutting it a little short?"
 "Well we can't make them wait forever."

 "Oy... Is this the cave?" Geoff asked.
 Patrick sat up. "I havn't been through many dimensional warps, but this one has to be one of the worst." He looked around. "Yep, this is the cave."
 Allison took out a Poké Ball that held her Kabutops. "Should we look for the dragon now?"
 "No way!" Patrick declared. "We gotta hope we don't run into it. Let's go to Cobalton and look for Ed. He might have found something."
 They squeezed out of the small chamber in single file, then quietly exited the cave. It was mid-morning, and the sun was shining. The three silently headed down the hill.
 A giant scorpion's stinger suddenly embedded itself in the ground four inches from Allison's nose.
 "Aaaaaaaahhhhh!" she screamed, and jumped back.
 "What the hell?" Geoff shouted.
 Into the clearing stormed a giant scorpion, intent on making the humans that were in it's way it's dinner. It pulled back it's tail and struck a dramatic pose, and with that the battle was on.
 "Kabutops, I choose you!" Allison shouted.
 "Pincir, go!" Patrick shouted.
 "Arcanine, attack!" Geoff finished.
 "Kabutops, Razor Wind!" Allison ordered. Kabutops began the battle by sending a cloud of shrapnal straight at the beast. It apparently went straight through it!
 "That's not gonna work!" Geoff stated. "Fire Spin!" Arcanine launched a firey tornado at the scorpion. It seemed to do some damage.
 "It must be a Ghost-Bug type!" Patrick declared. "Pincir's no good... Venomoth, Butterfree, I choose you!" Patrick recalled Pincir, since it could only use Normal and Fighting attacks- totally ineffective on Ghost types.
 Butterfree flew in and shot the monster with PSY Beam while Venomoth hung back and slammed it with Disable. After Fire Spin disappated, the monster apparently tried to Crabhammer Butterfree but Venomoth locked out the attack just before it hit.
 Kabutops parried an attack by it's tail and tried it's Absorb attack, but it didn't work very well. Geoff suggested recalling it, and she sent Magneton instead. Magneton flew above it and nailed it with Thunderbolt attacks.
 Arcanine, wary of the butterfly and moth Pokémon, had to be careful where to shoot it's Fire attacks. It also had to dodge the constant movement of the stinger on it's tail. The scorpion looked like it would take up a two-lane street, and it held it's tail about three metres above it, but it could go much higher.
 Butterfree fluttered up next to Venomoth and the two unleashed a W. Psychic blast which made the beast dizzy. It shook it off and pointed it's open claw at Butterfree. Black tendrils shot from it and grabbed Butterfree!
 "Venomoth, Stun Spore!" Patrick shouted. "Scyther, cut the vines!" Venomoth's Stun Spore appeared to actually paralyze the monster! The savage mantis Scyther appeared and, flying like a snowblower, hit the tendrils. It then went postal on the monster but the attacks either didn't hit it or didn't hurt it.
 "Is it saying... Cacoscorp?" Allison asked.
 "I think it is," Patrick replied. "Maybe that's it's name."
 "Who cares what it's called, we have to get rid of it!" Geoff declared. "Fire Blast!"
 Arcanine reared back and fired the symbol of searing flame at Cacoscorp. It crashed into the beast and the power slammed it against the trees! Butterfree and Venomoth wound up and delivered an awesome Whirlwind that picked up Cacoscorp and sent it flying. Fire Blast disappated before it could do any major damage to the forest.
 "Woo!" Patrick shouted.
 Scyther, Magneton, Butterfree, Venomoth and Arcanine were called back. "That wasn't the dragon, was it?" Allison asked.
 "No," Patrick stated. "The dragon was huge. It could barely fit in that cave we just left."

Chapter Six
 "So, what's the deal?" Jessica asked the next morning.
 "Pardon?" Breakfast this late in the morning should be called brunch, but there was no cantelope at the end.
 "Something's going on, and I want to know what," she stated. "You've been preoccupied all morning."
 Uiru sighed. "I'm not sure how to say this."
 With that, she knew. Jessica looked away. "You're going after Genoryu aren't you?"
 "Yeah-"
 "And you're going to tell me to stay home, aren't you?"
 Cue sweatdrop. Uiru knew he was on thin ice right now.
 "No, of course not," Uiru told her. "I'd prefer it- BUT-" He cut her off as she started to voice another argument. "But, I didn't want you to think you had to come if you didn't want to."
 "That's all?" she asked.
 "No." He got up. "The PLM is really pissed off at me. I don't think I can stay here much longer."
 "So, we'll go somewhere else," Jessica said simply.
 "We can't go anywhere else!" Uiru said, a little louder then he had intended. "The League wants me dead and the PLM wants me dead because Booster thinks I might screw up their merger. Between the two of them, that's the whole world covered. What it all boils down to is this: Right now I'm more trouble then it's worth. I don't want to ruin both our lives if you'd rather just stay here."
 Jessica was quiet for a moment. "You know one place is the same as another to me, Uiru," she said quietly. "How can you even think I'd rather just stay here?"
 "I didn't want to push it on you," Uiru stated. "I wanted you to make up your own mind."
 "Well, it's made up,"  Jessica replied immediately. She went over to him and hugged him. "I just want to be with you."
 He put his arms around her. "I know... I feel the same way."
 After several moments in this comfortable silence, Jessica looked at him. "Well, we should go," she told him. "The others are waiting."
 Uiru nodded.

 Uiru told Jessica everything that had happened on the way to the Pokémon Center. When they got there, they found Matt, Erin and Nick in the lounge, just hanging out.
 "Hey!" Matt hailed.
 Jessica went up to Erin. "I'm so sorry, Erin!" she exclaimed. "Uiru told me what happened..."
 Erin looked away. "It's all right," she stated.
 "Muk saved all our lives," Nick mentioned to Jessica.
 "Are you okay?" Jessica asked.
 "I'll be fine," Erin replied. "Just... don't talk about it right now."
 The others understood. Uiru changed the subject. "Hey Jessica, go see if the nurse can speed up Machamp's recovery." She nodded, and went to find her. Erin got up and followed her. "So... Are we going to deal with Genoryu right now, or what?" Uiru asked. Matt and Nick were looking at him. "What?"
 "What do you think?" Nick replied. "We want details, man!"
 Matt slapped him in the back of the head. "That's not the most tactful way to get juicy info, you know."
 Uiru laughed. "I'll confirm nothing. In fact, I'll deny everything!"
 "Oh, come on!" Nick whined. "Just a little?"
 Matt laughed. "You're pathetic," he told him.
 "I know."
 "Go get your own girlfriend," Uiru told Nick.
 "He's too pathetic for that!" Matt cracked.
 "I guess so," Uiru grinned.
 "Hey!"
 Uiru laughed. "Anyway, can we get to business now?"
 "Yes, we're leaving right away," Matt told him. "Nick was up all morning preparing the heli while you were... um..."
 "Sleeping in," Uiru finished.
 Nick was counting on his fingers. "We left at nine last night... Now it's eleven." A few quick calculations later... "Damn, man!" He whispered his conclusions to Matt, who had a similar responce.
 "If you don't mind," Uiru inturrupted, "can we get off this topic now?"
 The girls came back. "Machamp burned all it's energy out," Jessica reported. "The nurse can help it, but it'll take several hours."
 "I know!" Nick declared. "Instead of waiting around here, we can go to Cobalton and have the nurse transfer Machamp. It'll save time."
 "Hey, Nick had a good idea for once," Matt teased.
 Jessica cleared this with the nurse. "Well, I guess we'll be going," Jessica declared.

 Kyle went up to the nurse. "Excuse me... Could you tell me what kind of Pokémon this is?" he asked. He presented Genocide.
 "Oh!" the nurse exclaimed. "It scared me. I don't know what it is! Where did you find it?"
 "On Mt. Cobal," Kyle replied.
 "What were you doing on Mt. Cobal?" the nurse exploded at him. "Don't you know what's been going on?" Kyle didn't. "Where have you been? Horrible monsters have been attacking people on the mountain. They're all Ghost type, like that thing!"
 "What? Genocide wouldn't hurt anyone," Kyle stated. "It's so friendly." Genocide Licked the nurse. She fell over, paralyzed.
 "Oops!" Kyle stated. "Genocide!"
 After recovering, the nurse told Kyle that if the little Genocide was in their town, the others might come after it and attack the city. She said that if he was going to keep Genocide he had to get it out of there until the monsters were dealt with.
 "I can handle that," Kyle declared. "I don't know much about training but Genocide will protect me." He started walking out of the Center.
 "Hey!" someone shouted. "What are you doing with that?"
 "Who're you?" Kyle asked.
 "I'm Ed," the boy replied. "What is that?"
 "This is Genocide," Kyle replied.
 "It's one of the monsters from the mountain! And it's your friend?" Kyle nodded. "This is great! The best thing to use on one of those freaky monsters is another freaky monster!"
 "Genocide isn't a freaky monster!" Kyle shouted. Genocide barked it's agreement.
 "Well, you know what I mean. I'm investigating the monsters on the mountain. Want to come with me? You can't stay here, so..."
 "Yeah, I guess so. I'm Kyle," he introduced.

 "It's a... walking cactus?" Patrick stated.
 "Where?" Allison asked.
 Patrick pointed. "Down there, on it's way to Cobalton!"
 Geoff pulled out a Poké Ball. "Better hurry then! Gyarados, come out!" The three trainers jumped on and flew down the mountain.

 Kyle looked at it. "Okay, this one just looks wierd," he stated. Looking like a cross between a ghost and a cactus, the 20-foot tall plant was headed straight for the city.
 "Well, let's go!" Ed declared.
 "Go where?" Kyle asked.
 "Go fight the cactus, obviously!" Ed informed him. "Which Pokémon do you have?"
 "Just Genocide," Kyle admitted. "I'm no trainer, you handle it!"
 "I can't do it by myself!" Ed shouted. "Your Genocide will do fine against it. Now come on!"
 Ed and the reluctant Kyle soon engaged the cactus, which called itself Genothorn.
 "I think I'm starting to notice a theme with these names," Kyle stated.
 "Who cares? Rapidash, Dewgong, Electrode, go!"
 Kyle looked at him. "Um... Genocide, go!"
 "Rapidash, Fire Spin! Dewgong, Aurora Beam!"
 Ed's first attack froze and fried the demon plant. Kyle looked on in confusion. I don't know any of Genocide's attacks! What am I supposed to do?
 "Use Night Shade!" Ed shouted. "Do something! Electrode, Sonic Boom!" Electrode's noise attack went right through Genothorn.
 "Night Shade!" Kyle shouted. Genocide whipped up a beam of Ghost power and let it loose.
 Genothorn used a ghostly version of Vine Whip to ensnare Dewgong and slammed it on the ground! Rapidash used it's Flamethrower attack to burn the vines, but Genothorn fought back with Spike Cannon. Coming from a cactus, Spike Cannon was a devistating move. All but Genocide were badly injured.
 "Damn!" Ed shouted. "Those are my only Pokémon! Hold it off for a minute while I heal them!"
 As Ed pulled out Potion bottles, Kyle looked at Genothorn. "Night Shade!" he shouted again. Only one attack? This feels so lame...
 Genothorn, realizing Genocide was a Ghost type, ceased it's Spike Cannon attack and launched a blast of Bleak Eternal. "Do what it just did!" Kyle shouted, hoping it would work.
 It did. The diminuitive Genocide sent a giant blast of Ghost power at Genothorn. Both Ghost types took heavy damage from the attack.
 "Good job!" Ed shouted. "I think that attack is called 'Bleak Eternal'."
 "Good to know!"
 "Electrode, Thunderbolt! Dewgong, Ice Beam! Rapidash, Fire Blast!" The triple elemental attack slammed into Genothorn.
 From nowhere, a giant blast of Hydro Pump crashed into Genothorn from behind. Annoyed, it launched a Spike Cannon at the incoming Gyarados. Allison, Patrick and Geoff landed.
 "Dragonair, I choose you!" Geoff shouted. He recalled Gyarados lest it get pounded by the ghost plant.
 "Arcanine, go!" Allison added.
 "Parasect, I choose you!" Patrick finished.
 Dragonair charged the ghost plant with a Tail Whip, but the attack passed right through it. Arcanine shot a Fire Blast at the beast while Parasect started blasting it with Leech Life.
 Genothorn charged up the quickest Solar Beam any of the trainers had ever seen, and shot Dewgong and Electrode with it. "Dammit!" Ed cursed. Rapidash used Fire Spin, encasing the creature in flame for a few seconds.
 "Butterfree, Venomoth, Beedrill!" Patrick shouted. "Nature's Pin attack! Leech Life!" Beedrill got toasted by Genothorn's Night Shade attack and Venomoth got Licked, but Butterfree managed to nail the monster with the sparkling Bug power.
 Dewgong fired a last Aurora Beam at the cactus before it opened up with Petal Dance, finishing off the weakened Dewgong and Electrode as well.
 Genocide belted Genothorn with Bleak Eternal. Dragonair used it's Dragon Rage power, wrapping Genothorn in raging wave power. Butterfree and Venomoth used Psychic attacks and Beedrill used Pin Missile. Arcanine launched the finishing Fire Blast at Genothorn. It shriveled up and disappeared!

 "What happened to you?" Ed asked Patrick at the Pokémon Center.
 "I fell through a warp," Patrick replied. "That's how we got back here."
 "What IS that?" Geoff asked Kyle.
 "It's Genocide," Kyle answered. "It may have a violent name but it's really sweet."
 "Put it in a Poké Ball or something," Ed snapped. "You're not allowed to have that here, remember?"
 "I don't have one," Kyle stated.
 "Here, I'll lend you one." Allison handed him a Poké Ball. Kyle called Genocide into it.
 "Look, if I'm going to be any help, I need to know some more attacks," Kyle announced.
 "That's no problem," Patrick said. "We've got tons of books at what's left of our base. We can use the warp to go there if you want."
 Geoff pointed out the window. "Hey, look!"
 Patrick saw the helicopter landing. "Our chopper!"
 "You never said anything about a helicopter," Ed said to Patrick.
 "It didn't seem relevant. Come on!" Patrick and Geoff took Ed and Kyle out to greet the heli.
 Allison remained at the table, suddenly seething with rage. After a moment, she got up and stormed outside.

 Uiru caught sight of her at the exact same instant Allison caught sight of him.
 "What's the matter Allison?" Patrick asked after a moment of silence. "Aren't you going to say hi?"
 "Uiru, what's up?" Matt asked.
 "Uh oh..." Jessica moaned to herself.
 The silence erupted in an instant.
 "Bug Saber!" Uiru shouted. He summoned Butterfree, and it instantly morphed into the Butterfly Edge.
 "Poison Saber!" Allison shouted. Her Beedrill appeared and transformed into the Poison Stinger. In less then a second the two trainers were locked in deadly combat in the middle of the street.
 "What the hell?" Nick asked.
 "Cool!" Ed cheered.
 "They're going to get killed!" Matt exclaimed. "Shouldn't we do something about this?"
 "There's only one way to stop them," Jessica announced. "Electabuzz, go! Thundershock!" Electabuzz charged up and shocked the two, who fell over, fried. Jessica grabbed the Butterfly Edge while Patrick scooped up the Poison Stinger.
 Allison got up. "What'd you do that for?" she asked.
 "Hello to you too. What's wrong with you?" Jessica asked.
 "It's not me, it's him," Allison snapped.
 Uiru laughed. "I'm not the one still moping over getting pounded." He looked at Jessica. "Can I have my Butterfree back?"
 "First get out of the middle of the road," Jessica stated. "You two are holding up the traffic." Everybody crossed the street. "If you're both still mad about what happened, try to solve it without killing one another."
 Nick looked around. "Look, I know I only came in a while ago, but what the hell is going on?"

Chapter Seven
 Back at the Pokémon Center...
 "You can sum up what got Allison in a piss in one sentence," Uiru announced. "I smashed her hard at the tournament, and she's still sulking about it."
 "You barely won!" Allison shouted at him. "You only won anyway because you got Kabutops so covered in String Shot it couldn't move."
 "Thus being the point of String Shot!" Uiru barked back.
 Patrick shook his head. "Okay, so why are you so mad Uiru?"
 "Because somebody slipped Hitmonchan some tranquilizers before the last battle!"
 "I can't believe you'd think I needed to cheat to pound you! Besides that, you got your Alakazam to weaken my Primeape before the match started!"
 "I can't believe you could 'accidentally' spill water on Sandslash twice!"
 "That was an accident! You tried to give Arcanine Pokénip!"
 "I dropped it! It's not my fault the stupid mutt has to sniff everything!"
 "Settle down!" Geoff roared. The two were quiet. "Right now it doesn't matter who beat who or who did what to who. I imagine you guys are here for the same reason we are, and if you aren't going to shut up you both might as well go home."
 "I'm going to smash that bitch up on the mountain," Uiru declared. "And THAT bitch better stay out of my way!" He thumbed at Allison. She gave him the finger.
 "This is going to be a pleasant experience," Nick moaned.
 "Together again," Erin sighed.
 "I thought they were bad when they were kids," Matt stated.
 Ed looked at Kyle. "Well, I'm lost," Ed stated.
 "Well guys!" Patrick announced, trying to change the subject. "It's everybody's favorite time of the fanfic!"
 "Oh, no," Erin moaned. "Do we have to?"
 "Yes, we have to," Nick stated. "Even though I really don't want to."
 "Yeah," Matt declared. "Maybe people forgot, or maybe they just don't know. Either way, we have to go through what Pokémon we have."
 "Ugh," Allison moaned, trying to ignore Uiru. "I always hated this."
 "Anyway... I have Venusaur, Victreebel, Vileplume, Parasect, Tangela, and Exeggutor," Matt declared. "I'm a Grass trainer."
 "I'm a Water trainer," Nick said. "I have Omastar, Horsea, Squirtle, Kingler, Golduck, and Tentacruel."
 "I train Poison types," Erin stated next. "I have Weezing, Arbok, Nidoking, Nidoqueen, and Hypno."
 "I've got Butterfree, Beedrill, Venomoth, Pincir, Scyther, and Parasect." It was Patrick's turn. "I'm a Bug trainer."
 "I use Hitmonchan, Alakazam, Blastoise, Raichu, Butterfree and Sandslash," Uiru stated.
 "I've got Gyarados, Arcanine, Alakazam, Dragonair, Scyther, and Nidoking," Geoff announced.
 "My Pokémon are Scyther, Starmie, Marowak, Electabuzz, Gengar, and a comatose Machamp," Jessica said.
 "And I've got Arcanine, Beedrill, Kabutops, Primeape, Dugtrio, and Magneton," Allison declared.
 "Wow," Ed stated. "All I have are Rapidash, Electrode and Dewgong."
 "And my only Pokémon is Genocide," Kyle finished.
 "Hang on a second..." Patrick said, counting. "Hey Erin, what about-" He got kicked by Nick.
 "Shh!" he shushed.
 "What happened to Machamp?" Allison asked.
 Jessica looked at Uiru. When it became clear he had no intention of explaining anything to Allison, she told her all about what had happened.
 "Are you all right now?" Allison asked when she was finished.
 "Yeah, I'll be fine. I'm going to go see if Machamp is feeling better." Jessica went to find the nurse.

 Later that night, Erin, Matt, Geoff and Kyle were still up.
 "What's the deal with Uiru and Allison?" Kyle asked. "I've never seen anybody fight that much." They had gotten into not one, not two, but three full fledged all out Pokémon battles that night. Each won once and the third battle was a draw. The nurse then took their Pokémon, telling them they could have them back when they grew up.
 "I hope they don't cause trouble if we're in danger," Geoff stated. "It would really suck if somebody got hurt because of some stupid argument."
 "This isn't a stupid argument," Matt declared. "This has been going on for years. They've always been rivals, but I guess after Allison lost it got really serious."
 "I don't think they'll let their personal differences interfere with their fighting," Erin said to the others. "And they can both be pleasant enough as long as they don't have to actually converse or anything."
 "I guess some random accidents and coincidences convinced them that the other was cheating," Matt mused. "I seriously doubt either of them would actually do it though."
 "Is there any way we can convince them that the other didn't cheat?" Kyle asked.
 "Not now," Geoff told him. "They'd never believe it. They have to learn to trust each other on their own, and until then, we're all in for some auditory discomfort."

 The ten trainers were on their way out of the city to the mountain when someone hailed them from behind.
 "Hold it!" came a voice. Turning, they saw it was Booster and company, as well as a few trainers they didn't recognize. "So, you're all together again, eh?"
 "Shut up Booster," Uiru replied. "Can't you see we're busy?"
 "You don't have to worry about that anymore," Booster declared. "Fire Strike... Meet the Elite Four. We're going to clean out the mountain, after we wipe the floor with you."
 The trainers knew what this meant. The Elite Four were the League's most powerful trainers. Booster, Showers, Thunders and Alex were no rookies either.
 "Hi," Nick said flatly. "My name's Nick, I'll be praying for a miracle now."
 "Oh, be quiet," Jessica told him. "The Elite Four may be the League's best but we're the PLM's best! Well, we used to be anyway."
 "Besides, we outnumber them," Geoff stated.
 "If you're counting on us, forget it," Ed stated. "We don't have the power to keep up with you guys."
 "I still only know two attacks," Kyle admitted. Jessica leant over and whispered a few more attacks to him. He nodded.
 The leader of the Elite Four, Lance, looked at Booster. "These chattering children were your best troops?"
 "Don't underestimate any of them," he whispered. "Half of them have mixed teams. I wish you guys did too- Bruno and Agatha are going to get pounded by Uiru's Alakazam and his Raichu will deal with Lorelei."
 "We'll see about that, Booster," Lorelei declared. "I'll have frozen them long before they can shock my Pokémon."
 "You're one to talk, Booster," Agatha added. "None of you have mixed teams either."
 "It's obvious how we have to go about this," Alex spoke up. "Unless we cover each other's weaknesses they're going to win."
 "That's not a very good attitude to go into battle with," Showers snapped at him.
 "They weren't formerly the PLM's best for nothing," he replied.
 Meanwhile, on the other side of the battlefield...
 "Showers and Alex use mainly Water types, so we should go after them with Electric," Allison stated.
 "Lorelei does too," Matt declared.
 "How do you know?" Ed asked.
 "I trained with Erika, I know how the League works," he declared. He pointed at the four trainers in turn. "Bruno has Fighting types but uses Rock too. Lorelei has Water and Ice. Agatha uses Ghost types but has a few Poison. And Lance has all Dragon type Pokémon."
 "If he's got Dragon types we need Ice attacks," Jessica reminded.
 Uiru pulled something out of his pocket. "I still havn't used this TM yet."
 "What is it?" Kyle asked.
 "White Flame. I can use it on his Dragon types. I just havn't decided who to use it on yet."
 Allison noticed Erin pulling out a Poké Ball. "Erin... What are you doing? It's not time to fight yet."
 "This might be my last chance," she replied.
 "Last chance to do what?"
 "You'll see." Erin walked towards Booster! "You son of a bitch!" she shouted. "I challenge you to a match!"
 The League's trainers laughed. "Do you want me to take care of her Booster?" Lorelei asked.
 Booster waved him off. "No... I'll take care of her." He stepped forward. "Is there any preticular reason you want to be the first to die?"
 "Save it, blowhard."

 Thunders picked up the megaphone. "This will be an all out match between Booster, the Fire type trainer of the PLM, and Erin, the Poison type trainer of Fire Strike. Each trainer can use up to three Pokémon simultaneously. One will be the victor, and the other will be dead. In this match, the use of items is allowed."
 It was a good thing there was plenty of room. Fire Strike sat on one side of the makeshift arena and the PLM/League trainers waited on the other.
 "You mean she could get killed?" Geoff asked. "It's too dangerous, call it off Uiru!"
 "Can she beat Booster?" Jessica added.
 "I can't call it off," Uiru stated. "She started it. Besides, if her Pokémon are as pissed off as she is, I wouldn't want to get in her way."
 "Booster, I don't need to tell you about the incredible amount of respect I'll lose for you if you're beaten," Thunders stated.
 "None of your Pokémon are strong on hers," Alex reminded.
 "But none of hers are strong on his," Showers informed him.
 "I think this'll be an interesting battle," Lance stated. "Just make sure you don't lose, Booster."
 "Will you guys shut up?" Booster asked. "Of course I'm not going to lose."
 "Don't get cocky," Bruno warned. "Your own arrogance could lead to your destruction."
 Booster took his place. Thunders picked up the megaphone again. "Let the battle begin!"
 "Arcanine, Charizard, I choose you!" Booster shouted.
 "Arbok, Weezing, I choose you!" Erin shouted.
 "Arcanine, Take Down!"
 "Weezing, Smokescreen!"
 Arcanine dove at Weezing but the blob of poison floated out of the way and covered the puppy Pokémon in smoke. Then it dove down and smacked it with Double Edge before floating back and firing Sludge attacks.
 Charizard flew at Arbok, who let out a deafening Screech before diving underground. Charizard stopped itself before crashing into the ground. As it awaited Arbok's return, the devil snake burst from the earth and slammed Charizard before Wrapping it!
 "Magmar, I choose you!" Booster sent his third Pokémon to battle.
 "Hypno, go!" Erin sent her Poison using Psychic type.
 Arcanine nailed Weezing with a Flamethrower attack but Weezing weathered the attack surprisingly well. It slammed Arcanine with Smog before using repeated Body Slams to sap it's strength. Charizard Seismic Tossed Arbok off it, but the snake fired Acid and Poison Sting attacks at the dragon while it prepared to charge again. Meanwhile, Hypno had met up with Magmar. Magmar opened with Confuse Ray and Hypno used Confusion at the same instant, and both were confused!
 Weezing Double Edged Arcanine away and landed on Hypno's head. The blow caused Hypno to shake off it's confusion and it powered up it's PSY Yoyo move, and commenced beating Magmar senseless while it stumbled around. Weezing then got blasted by Arcanine's Take Down but responded with Tackle.
 Charizard caught Arbok in a Fire Spin attack, but Arbok let out the longest, loudest, most painful Screech attack any of the trainers had ever had the misfortune to hear. By the time the flames disappated, Arbok was medium rare but Charizard was visibly shaking. With a nasty Glare, Arbok added to Charizard's growing list of problems.
 "I think Arbok's gonna beat Charizard," Ed stated.
 "Will Weezing win?" Patrick asked. "It's taking a hell of a beating."
 "Arcanine is too," Nick stated. "And Arcanine's main attack damages itself."
 When Charizard couldn't even manage a decent Slash attack and got a mighty Tail Whip for the effort, Booster decided to call it back. "Rapidash, I choose you!"
 Erin couldn't make up her mind whether to give Arbok a break or let it keep fighting for a while. The snake Pokémon looked at her with fire in it's eyes- not literally, of course. It wasn't done yet.
 Magmar, taking quite the pounding from Hypno, finally shook out of it and attacked with a savage barrage of Fire Punches. Hypno pinned it off in the forehead with it's PSY Yoyo but when Magmar lit Hypno up with Flamethrower, the power disappated.
 "Skull Bash, Magmar!" Booster shouted.
 Magmar charged at Hypno. Hypno charged at Magmar with Head Butt.
 CRACK.
 The two battling Pokémon stood there with their heads smashed into each other, then both slowly fell to the side. They were obviously out of it.
 Both were recalled, but the two trainers decided to hang on to their next Pokémon for a while.
 Arcanine finally succeeded in defeating Weezing, but was extremely weakened as well. Erin wasn't done with Weezing yet though. "Explosion!" Weezing laughed, then floated between Arcanine and Rapidash and went up like the Fourth of July. Arcanine was knocked unconscious and Rapidash took heavy damage. Erin recalled Weezing while Booster called back Arcanine.
 Rapidash took an Acid attack to the right flank but retaliated with a Smash Kick that sent Arbok to the turf. It tried to give it one last Screech but fainted. Erin called it back.
 For a moment, Rapidash was alone on the field. "Flareon, I choose you!" Booster shouted. His last and favorite Fire type, Flareon, appeared next to Rapidash.
 "Well?" Booster taunted. "Why don't you send out Muk?"
 Erin fought down an insane urge to claw out his eyes and rationalize for a second. He was curing his other Pokémon with Potion and Antidote balls. So much for a fair fight. I better do the same. First, though...
 "Nidoking, Nidoqueen, I choose you!" Towering over all the trainers present, the seven foot tall Nidoking and Nidoqueen were Erin's champion Pokémon. Physically omnipotent and strong against Booster's Fire types, it seemed this contest would soon be over. Erin worked fast to administer the nessessary Burn Heals, Hyper Potions and Revives to her Pokémon.
 "Nidoqueen, Toxic attack!" Erin shouted. Rapidash got nuked by the strongest Poison attack. It responded with Fire Spin but Nidoqueen laughed through the assault.
 Flareon launched a Flamethrower at Nidoking but with surprising agility, it dodged the blast and slammed it with Skull Bash. Flareon fought back with a Jump Kick but Nidoking grabbed it's paw and Mega Punched it.
 Rapidash used Take Down on Nidoqueen, but it bounced right back and opened up with Comet Punch. Using it's incredible speed, Rapidash managed to dodge most of the punches and leapt out of the way, just in time to get slammed by Toxic's debilitating effects. Nidoqueen was after it with a bone snapping Tail Whip. Beaten, the fire horse let out one more Fire Spin which Nidoqueen valiently stood through.
 Flareon was almost gone as well. It used Leer to temporarily freeze Nidoking then bounced out of the way and launched a Fire Blast! The blazing attack came up on Nidoking!
 "Watch out!" Erin shouted.
 Nidoking concentrated and actually caught Fire Blast! It threw it up in the air, and as it raged down on it once more, Nidoking slung around and smashed it into embers with a fantastic Tail Whip. Before Flareon could generate another one, Nidoking pounded it into a coma with it's Thrash attack.
 Booster called them back, then resent Charizard and Arcanine!
 "This is going to go on forever," Lorelei complained. "When are we going to get to play?"
 "That kid knows how to fight 'em though," Agatha declared.
 Showers pointed. "Look. Booster's getting ready to finish her off. This won't take long."
 Booster healed Flareon and Rapidash, then sent the five out. "Heat Wave!" he shouted. "Burn that little shrimp and her rot Pokémon to cinders!"
 The five Fire Pokémon began summoning their flame power. Erin could tell something bad was about to happen. Sending forth her five Poison types, she prepared her grand finale.
 "Okay, everybody!" she shouted. "Show him the power of Poison!"
 Above the five Poison types, a huge disc of black energy started to form. The sky darkened considerably as the evil power began to take shape.
 Across the field, the grass was starting to shrivel up and die as Heat Wave gained energy. Booster had to take a few steps back to get out of the intense heat.
 "Okay, do it! Bio Hazard!"
 Hypno used it's Psychic power to form the black energy into the biohazardous substance symbol.
 Weezing breathed Poison Gas into the icon of pure deadly force.
 Arbok spit Acid into it.
 Nidoqueen grabbed the disc by the middle and sent it into a spin.
 Nidoking got ahold of the spinning symbol and charged at Booster, and let the power fly!
 "Heat Wave!" Booster shouted. The burst of raging Fire power launched itself right at Erin!
 Everybody on both sides were holding their breath. Which one was more powerful?
 As the giant fireball came upon the slashing poison blast, a low rumbling could be heard.
 Erin gasped. "It sounded like... Muk...?"
 The rumbing was heard again, and this time everybody heard it.
 Muuukkkkk...
  As the rumbling moan echoed through the field, Heat Wave disappated, as simple as that. Bio Hazard flew right through the Fire attack which had gone up in smoke, and came upon the team of Fire type Pokémon which were now freaking out.
 "Unbelieveable!" Booster roared. It was the last thing anybody heard him say as Bio Hazard crashed into his team and exploded in a fantastic blast of Poison rage. Booster and his five Pokémon went flying. Crashing to the ground almost three dozen metres away, the group were obviously unconscious and probably dead.

Chapter Eight
 "You little bitch!" Showers shouted. "Vaporeon, go!"
 Uiru got up. "I guess the battle royal begins. Raichu, attack!"
 Bruno sighed. "Onix, go!"
 "I'll get it! Golduck, go!" Nick declared.
 "Jolteon, fry the duck!" Thunders ordered.
 Understandably, this went on for quite a while.
 Showers' Vaporeon, Alex's Starmie and Lorelei's Slowbro were in a really bad place- right in Raichu's way. Letting loose with a Chain Lightning attack, Slowbro got toasted and the power jumped to Vaporeon and Starmie.
 "It'll take more then that to defeat me!" Lorelei declared. "Slowbro, Recover! Amnesia!"
 "You taught that thing Recover?" Uiru asked.
 "Wouldn't you, boy?" she replied.
 "Don't 'boy' me, whore!" Uiru shouted at her. "I'm probably older then you are! Thunderbolt, Raichu!" Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Kyle attack Starmie with his Electrode while Jessica engaged Vaporeon with Electabuzz.
 "Slowbro, Water Gun!"
 "Raichu, Stasis Field!" Generating a small bubble of electricity, Raichu defended itself against the surprisingly strong Water attack.
 "Perhaps you're better then I thought," Lorelei declared. "Most of my opponents are dead by now! Head Butt!"
 "Better? I'm one of the best," Uiru responded. "Raichu, Quick Attack! Thunder Whip!" Using a trick Uiru saw on TV, Raichu slammed the incoming Slowbro's midsection then twirled around and slapped it in the head with a charged up Tail Whip.
 Slowbro got up, awaiting Lorelei's next order. "Mega Punch!" Slowbro charged up it's energy, took two steps forward and fell flat on it's face.
 Uiru couldn't help but laugh. "I think it's had it," he declared. Raichu laughed too.
 Meanwhile, Bruno was having quite the humbling encounter with Patrick.
 "Hitmonlee, Hi Jump Kick!" he shouted. Hitmonlee leapt high in the air and nailed Venomoth with one of it's most powerful attacks. Venomoth barely flinched! It floated back up to where it was and laughed at Hitmonlee.
 "Venomoth, Psychic attack!" Patrick shouted. Venomoth belted Hitmonlee with waves of mental power.
 "Focus Energy!" Bruno ordered. Hitmonlee concentrated, and suddenly the Psychic attack didn't seem to be working! "Double Kick!"
 This time, Venomoth took moderate damage from the assault. "Venomoth, Spin Ring!" Venomoth began twirling in circles, and seemed to be accomplishing nothing.
 Patrick was waiting for Bruno's attack. "Well?" he asked.
 At that point, Bruno knew Patrick was up to something. Hitmonlee wasn't going to stand around and wait, however. It leapt at Venomoth with a Mega Kick!
 "Hitmonlee, what are you doing?" Bruno shouted. "It's a trap-"
 Venomoth swooped out of Hitmonlee's way, and Hitmonlee fell right into the Psychic net Venomoth had been weaving. With a few quick swoops, Hitmonlee was all tied up.
 "All right, light it up!" Patrick shouted. Venomoth flew away, and the net exploded! Hitmonlee fell to the ground, fried and quite unconscious. Patrick grinned at Bruno. "Physical strength is no match for the strength of the supernatural," he stated solumnly.
 "If you're so big on Psychic attacks why are you training bugs? Onix, go!"
 "Venomoth return! Because they're always good for a few surprises. Nobody ever suspects the butterfly! Butterfree, I choose you!"
 "Onix, Rock Throw!" Onix lunged at Butterfree with an attack that would probably crush the little bug, if it hadn't flitted out of the way just in time.
 "Mega Drain!" Patrick shouted. Butterfree glowed green and Onix did too. The giant Rock snake roared in anger as it's stamina was sucked away!
 "Damn... Machamp, go!" Bruno recalled Onix.
 "You call that a Machamp?" Jessica taunted from the next fight over. Showers' Jynx managed to take out Electabuzz, so she was giving her a proper beating with Gengar. "Mine's at least three feet taller!"
 "I'll deal with you later!" Bruno pointed. "Machamp, Submission!" Machamp grappled Butterfree and used it's submission hold!
 "Aww, look Butterfree. Machamp wants to be your friend," Patrick laughed. "Moon Wave!" Butterfree emitted a spherical pulse of Psychic energy that blasted Machamp right off it. "Don't you know Fighting types can't touch Bug types?"
 "Machamp, Karate Chop!" Bruno knew he was in trouble and wasn't sure if he could get out of it.
 "First a Super Hug and now a Handshake. PSY Beam, Butterfree!"
 Lance was finding out the hard way how positively bitchin' a Nidoking and Nidoqueen could be. Both his Dragonair were out, fighting Erin's Poison juggernauts. Nidoqueen grabbed one by the throat and throttled it before swinging around and smashing it with a Tail Whip. Nidoking just went completely postal on the other one with it's Thrash move.
 "Dragonair, Dragon Rage!" Lance shouted. The problem with having two of the same Pokémon is that they tend to fight in synchro. Both Dragonair launched Dragon Rage attacks which only proved to aggrivate the Nido smashers. However, Nidoking was suffering the aftereffects of it's Thrash move, so Dragonair Wrapped it up! It raised it's head high, preparing a devistating Bite attack, when Nidoqueen decided to Seismic Toss the other one. Dragonair skull met Dragonair skull in an incredibly lucky shot from across the battlefield. The one Wrapping Nidoking fell to the ground, dazed, while the other continued on it's flight. Nidoqueen stomped over and smacked Nidoking in the back of the head, helping it out of it's confusion before the Dragonair attacked anew.
 Lance decided to test a theory he heard once. "Gyarados, go!" he shouted. "Hydro Pump!" The raging water dragon fired giant pillars of water at Nidoking and Nidoqueen. Both were incredibly weakened, proving Lance's theory that the two were part Ground type. Seeing his Dragonair wouldn't be fighting anytime soon, he called them back.
 "Hypno, go!" Erin shouted as she waited for her Nidos to recover. "Sleeper!"
 Hypno charged up it's PSY Yoyo, then blasted Gyarados with it's damaging Sleep move. Although it didn't go under, it was looking rather dazed, so Nidoqueen Mega Punched it in the head. Although it took significant damage, Gyarados snapped out of it and washed Nidoking and Nidoqueen away with it's Levia Wave. Turning it's attention on the diminuative Hypno, it shot first a Hyper Beam and then a Hydro Pump that Hypno had to scramble to avoid. Counterattacking with a Psychic attack, Hypno showed the much larger Gyarados that size really doesn't matter.
 Meanwhile, Geoff's Dragonair was making short work of Thunders. Although they tried valiently, Thunders' Electric types just couldn't cut it against the elementally-strong Dragonair. His Electrode and Raichu had fainted, so he decided to attempt physical attacks until Showers could lend him a hand.
 "Jolteon, Double Kick!" he ordered. Dragonair took the first real damage it had taken all day, even though it wasn't much. Jolteon had kick ass Electric power but it's attack wasn't as high as it could be. Responding with a Slam attack, Dragonair gave Jolteon a smack that would leave a bruise for a week.
 Thunders decided to triple team him. Summoning Magneton and Electabuzz, he hoped Geoff didn't decide to get funny with his Nidoking. The same properties that made Erin's Nidoking weak against Water made Geoff's strong against Electric.
 Luckily, Geoff didn't see any reason to use Nidoking. Dragonair golfed Electrode out of the way and Wrapped Electabuzz.
 "Hit it, Electabuzz! Horizon Tear!" Thunders knew Dragonair was strong on Electric but only a Ground type would be able to withstand what was coming.
 The midmorning sky darkened- again- and directly above Electabuzz, a dazzling white streak appeared. A thin bolt of lightning shot down and hit Dragonair in the head, then the full force of the attack hit. A giant pillar of electricity landed on Dragonair and Electabuzz, damaging Electabuzz but toasting Dragonair. It fell off it's adversary, unconscious.
 Now that Dragonair was out, Geoff sent forth Nidoking. Any chance Thunders had was now shot. Nidoking's Ground Punch finished Electabuzz.
 On the end of the field, Allison had Agatha all to herself. Although Fighting types like her Primeape were at an extreme disadvantage against Ghost types, most Fighting types hadn't stolen a Marowak's bone. Primeape beat Haunter to a pulp with Bone Club then smashed it off the ground waiting for Agatha's next move.
 "Golbat, I choose you!" she crowed. "Confuse Ray!"
 "Bonemerang, Primeape!" Allison shouted. Primeape hurled the bone but Golbat swooped out of the way, then launched Confuse Ray! The bone nailed Golbat on the way back, doing heavy damage, but since Primeape was now completely messed up, it bashed it in the head.
 "All right, Wing Attack!" The Flying type attack scored a major hit on Primeape. Primeape's rage shone through it's confusion, and forgetting the Club lying next to it, it leapt up and flattened Golbat with Comet Punch.
 "Primeape, get the Club!" Allison shouted. It wasn't listening, however. When Gengar appeared, Primape charged valiently but without the Ground type Bone Club, it couldn't touch it. Allison recalled it and sent Arcanine instead.
 Showers had gotten lucky and had frozen Jessica's Gengar, rendering it useless until it could be healed. Electabuzz was out so Jessica decided to take a major chance with her Marowak. "Marowak, I choose you!"
 "You're using a Ground type? Are you some kind of idiot?" Showers asked. "Dewgong, Ice Beam!"
 "Marowak, Stone Barrage!" Marowak leapt up in the air, dodging the Ice Beam, and unleashed a rain of boulders on Dewgong! The Rock type attack scored heavy damage. "Don't forget, Rock is strong on Ice too!"
 "Go, Poliwrath! Hypnosis!" Showers was beginning to run out of Pokémon. Marowak fell asleep!
 "Scyther, attack!" Since all of her Ice types were gone, Scyther was in no danger now. Spinning like a tornado, it fired Insect Cutters straight at Poliwrath. It jumped and dodged to avoid being chopped up, but that proved to be futile as Scyther changed tactics and charged like a snowblower, blades going full speed. "They'll be serving frog fillet in the city tomorrow."
 Glaring, Showers recalled Poliwrath and sent Gyarados. "Dragon Rage!" Scyther took to the air to avoid the watery blast, but it was catching up on it. Thinking quickly, Scyther flew over Lance and Erin's little space and caused the attack to crash into Lance's Gyarados just as it was getting the upper fang over Hypno.
 "That's just irony," Jessica stated as Lance's Gyarados fell unconscious. "One ugly dragon snake gone, and one to go! Scyther, Swords Dance!" The last thing Shower's Gyarados saw before being blown off the planet was a mass of shimmering steel coming straight at it.

 Lance and Bruno found themselves within normal conversation limits.
 "I think it's time to get out of here," Bruno stated as his Hitmonchan grappled with Patrick's Pincir.  "I was just thinking that," Lance admitted. His Aerodactyl was flying around, trying to shake off Erin's Hypno, who was giving it quite the beating with PSY Yoyo. "Fall back! We'll deal with these children later!" Lance threw Smoke Bombs all around, and when the dust cleared, the Elite Four, the PLM and their Pokémon were gone.
 "Dammit! Where'd they go?" Allison asked. "I was about to fry Agatha's Arbok."
 "They ran away," Patrick stated. "They ran away! We beat them!"
 There was much cheering and merryment on the field of battle for several minutes.
 "What about Booster?" Erin asked. "Is he gone?"
 "Yep," Allison replied. "They must have picked him up on the way out."
 Geoff clapped Erin on the back. "Damn, girl," he declared. "Do you feel any better after blasting Booster away like he was NOTHING?!"
 "I honestly never thought an Arbok could pound a Charizard so easily," Uiru admitted.
 Erin grinned. "It was Muk," she replied. "It shattered that fire attack. It... saved me again."
 "And that," Patrick announced to Kyle and Ed, "is how we do things around here."
 "That poison thing was really cool," Ed stated. "The fire thing was too, but the poison won! Can all Pokémon do that?"
 "Only if they're expertly trained," Nick declared, looking at Erin. She blushed slightly.
 Jessica pointed at Kyle. "You need more training with your Ghost type. Want some more tips?"
 "Yeah, I wanna help out too."
 "You fried Alex's Jynx," Ed reminded. "It was about to beat my Electrode."
 "Did anyone see how Omastar beat Cloyster into a coma?" Nick asked. Nobody did. "Oh..."
 "All in all, a battle well fought," Uiru declared. "Good job everybody. Our Pokémon could use a break though." The trainers were used to going back and forth from the Center, so they headed back into the city.

 It was not a pleasant trip back, however.
 "Did you get Lorelei's number?" Allison snapped at Uiru. "You might as well have, you did more talking then fighting!"
 "Did your Primeape hurt itself when it caught it's Bone Club with it's face?" Uiru snapped back. "I thought the first thing you'd teach it to do would be to catch."
 "My Primeape is the only one in the world who can use Bonemerang, so shut up!"
 "And what the hell were you doing using a Fighting type on a Ghost trainer? Doesn't that not make sense?"
 "Bone Club and Bonemerang are Ground moves, which are strong on Poison! Or did you forget?"
 "I think you forgot- I didn't see your Dugtrio at all! If I was stuck with your Pokémon, the first thing I'd use on a Ghost type would be a Ground type."
 "I wanted to train Primeape against Ghost type attacks! And what do you mean, stuck? You should be happy to even be in my Pokémon's presence!"
 "Your Pokémon should be embarrassed to be in yours!"
 "SHUT UP!!" Matt, Geoff and Nick suddenly bellowed at the same time.
 "He started it," Allison pointed.
 "She started it," Uiru pointed.
 "Look, guys," Geoff announced. "Whatever happened between you two is none of our business, but if you're not going to try to work it out, can you at least be quiet about it?! We don't want to hear your bitching for the rest of the century!"

Chapter Nine
 After healing up and getting some dinner, the trainers headed outside for another big surprise. The first was that the mountain was now gone. The second was that the moon was hanging overhead, in the middle of the day.
 "What the hell, and..." Patrick started, pointing at the mountain's now vacated spot.
 "What the hell?" Nick finished, pointing at the moon.
 "Where'd the mountain go?" Uiru asked. "Weren't we just here?"
 "Of course we were, you idiot," Allison replied. "Can't you see all the craters scattered around?"
 "Of all the things that havn't been making sense lately, this has to be high on the list," Matt declared.
 After heading back to the Center- again- to come up with another plan, they learned what had happened. Apparently, the moon had sped up it's orbit, and when it passed over the mountain, it just dissolved into energy and floated up, presumably to the moon.
 "So Genoryu and all his little buddies are on the moon now?" Uiru asked.
 "I guess," Matt answered. "What'll we do now? As long as they're there, they can't bother us."
 "Yeah, but as long as they're there I can't crush Genoryu's skull!" Uiru replied. "Besides, they can probably go both ways, meaning as soon as they amass an army they can attack in force."
 "Well what do you propose we do about it?" Allison asked. "We can't get up there, in case you've forgotten."
 "We can't," Uiru declared, "but the Clefairy can."
 "What?" Nick asked. "You don't believe that stupid legend, do you?"
 "I'm not sure yet, but it's our best shot," Uiru informed him.
 "You're actually proposing we get the Clefairy to build us a spaceship and fly after them?" Allison asked. "Sounds like something we'd do. I'm coming."
 "Only if you stop your crabbing," Uiru stated. "I'm not putting up with that noise all the way there."
 "As soon as you apoligize for cheating!"
 "I didn't cheat!"
 Patrick looked out the window. "That chunk of rock can move. It's already setting."
 "You two coming?" Nick asked Ed and Kyle.
 "I sure am," Ed declared. "This seems like the best way to brush up on my training."
 "Or get killed," Matt stated. "One or the other."

 "Welcome to the helicopter," Nick declared. "Please enjoy your flight and make sure you've been to the john. We'll be arriving in Magenta Park in about four hours."
 Five and a half hours later, they reached their destination. Nick went to refuel.
 "So we have to find the Clefairy," Geoff stated.
 "How do we do that?" Matt asked.
 "They're all in Mt. Moon," Uiru answered. "So we should just walk right in and we'll find some eventually."
 "You don't just walk in and find Clefairy," Kyle reminded. "You obviously never tried to catch one before. They don't sell for twenty thousand Pokéyen for nothing."
 A sound came from behind them.
 "That sounded like a Clefairy," Jessica stated. She turned around. "Where is it?"
 "I don't think so," Kyle replied. "They'd never come into town, unless it's a trainer's."
 "Over here!" It was Heidi, with a Clefairy!
 Greetings and introductions...
 "Did you catch that Clefairy Heidi?" Uiru asked.
 "Yep! I know exactly where they are. I can take you right to them! But why do you need to see the Clefairy?"
 Time passes...
 "Well, okay, let's go then!"

 Kyle got Heidi's attention. "It doesn't seem the least bit odd that they want a spaceship to fly after a mountain to get to a moon that is rising and setting about eighteen times a day?"
 "No."
 Kyle and Ed facefaulted.
 Geoff pointed. "There's some wierd-ass stuff going on up there," he declared. Up the side of Mt. Moon, a large explosion had gone off and bolts of electricity could be seen flying off in all directions.
 Heidi gasped. "I think Leah and the others are up there!" she exclaimed. "They were on their way to the Park... Why would they go over the top?"
 "Who cares, we have to get up there," Matt replied. "Geoff?"
 "Gyarados, go!" Geoff summoned his flying water dragon. "Room for seven."
 "Starmie, come out!" Jessica had her own ride. There was room for Heidi too.
 "Sandslash, come out!" Uiru decided to run up the side instead.
 "Rapidash, I choose you!" Ed called his fire horse.
 "We'll meet you up there," Uiru told the others. Ed, Jessica, Heidi and Uiru ran up the mountain while Gyarados flew.

 "Dodrio, Double Kick!" Thomas shouted. It booted it towards Bruno's Hitmonchan and let it have it with both talons.
 "Fearow, Drill Peck!" Robert ordered. Agatha's Gengar got blasted by the savage Flying attack.
 "Dewgong, Ice Beam!" Lorelei ordered her seel Pokémon to freeze Leah's Onix with it's icy power.
 "Dragonite, Eradication Wave!" Lance shouted. Dragonite paused to summon it's power. It got nailed by Thomas's Gengar, Eric's Mr. Mime and Pittman's Golem at the same time. The trio scored significant damage but were blown unconscious by Lance's special Dragon attack.
 "That big bastard's going to be trouble!" Thomas informed Leah. "None of us have Ice attacks!"
 "Just keep at it!" Leah replied. "Onix, Rock Throw!" Onix flew at Dewgong, doing major damage.
 "Gengar, Bleak Eternal!" Agatha crowed. Eric's Hypno and Starmie got fried by the Ghost attack.
 "Butterfree, Psychic!" Eric retaliated. Gengar took a smashing Psychic blast right in the gut. It fired a Night Shade in response but the attack missed. Butterfree finished it off with another Psychic.
 "Persian, Pounce!" Pittman bellowed. The cat Pokémon leapt across the field and landed on Bruno's Machamp. It Scratched and Slashed the powerhouse Pokémon but got blasted off. Persian landed on it's paws (they always do) and charged again.
 "Jynx, Ice Punch!" Lorelei's Jynx flew at Eric's Alakazam. It Teleported out of the way. Jynx charged again, and Alakazam dodged the assault. Taunting Jynx, Alakazam appeared in front of Dragonite. When Jynx used Ice Tackle, Alakazam warped out of the way at the nick of time and Dragonite took the blast!
 "Damn you!" Lorelei cursed. Eric laughed.

 Uiru, Jessica, Heidi and Ed came upon a rather bizarre sight on their way up the mountain. Booster, Showers, Thunders, and Alex, toasted in a clearing.
 Uiru got off Sandslash. "What happened to you?" he demanded.
 Booster glared at him. "Great, more problems," he growled. "Don't you have anything better to do then bother us?"
 "Actually, you don't seem to pose any threat at this point," Jessica stated. "I'm assuming your Pokémon are all in the same shape you are."
 "We'll just be on our way," Ed announced.
 "Incidentally," Thunders spoke up as the four headed away, "the merger's off."
 Uiru turned around with great interest. "Oh, really?"
 Alex stood up. "The Elite Four doublecrossed us. We were on our way up here to deal with the trainers we chased out of Cerulean when they just blasted us out of nowhere."
 The four thought this over. "So technically, we aren't enemies anymore," Uiru said. "Unless you're still sore about being fried back at Cobalton." The last part was said with a bit of a smirk.
 "I'm more upset at being tricked for no reason," Showers declared. "But I'm more sore about Bruno's Hitmonchan. Ow..."
 "Can we go now?" Heidi asked. "The others must be at the battle by now."
 Booster stood up. "Uiru, I know you're man enough to understand what's been happening was strictly business."
 "Yeah," Alex added. "I didn't like fighting you, but it was nessesary."
 "Well, we gotta go," Uiru declared. "I guess we'll see you later."

 "We've got to get out of here," Pittman stated. "We're running out of Pokémon."
 "I suppose," Leah replied.
 "I don't think we're beaten yet," Thomas announced.
 "Why do you say that?" Pittman asked.
 Thomas pointed at the incoming water snake.
 Dragonite charged at Leah's Sandslash with a Take Down move that could kill it, but was intercepted by Gyarados' Hyper Beam. The trainers dismounted and attacked!
 "Dammit, not you again?" Bruno complained.
 "I'll let you fight my Beedrill this time," Patrick declared. "Gonna call Machamp or Hitmonlee to play with me again?"
 "I took care of them already," Eric informed him. "Butterfree pounded them."
 Dragonite was still going strong, and Lance called his Gyarados to back it up. Agatha called Golbat and her remaining Haunter while Bruno summoned his Onix team. Lorelei chose Lapras and Jynx.
 Allison's Arcanine used Take Down on Lapras before launching a majestic Fire Blast at Jynx. Beedrill assaulted Haunter with Pin Missile. Golbat swatted it with Wing Attack and Leah's Marowak leapt up and smacked the bat with it's javelin-like Bone Spear.
 They still had to deal with the Dragonite. It smashed Gyarados into the ground with Mega Kick, then Hyper Beam'd Arcanine and Marowak into submission. Still going strong, it blasted though Geoff's Nidoking, Matt's Venusaur and Nick's Tentacruel.
 "Genocide, go!" Kyle shouted.
 "What is that thing?" Lance asked. To the right, Bruno's Onix team assailed Patrick's bug types.
 "Your worst nightmare! Genocide- Nightmare!" Genocide glowed with an unearthly black light, then Dragonite froze! The fifteen-foot tall Dragon type seemed to fall over, dazed, and was slammed from all sides by the powerful Ghost attack. "Hypnosis and Dream Eater combo!" Kyle now ordered.
 "He's getting better with that thing," Erin stated.
 Dragonite suddenly woke up and dove at Genocide with Slam. No effect, of course. The mighty beast reared back and launched a Hyper Beam, which did absolutely no damage.
 "What the hell is it?" Lance asked. "Why can't I hit it?"
 "New Ghost type," Kyle declared. To their left, Nick's Omastar used Stone Barrage on Lorelei's Cloyster, smashing it into a coma.
 Uiru, Jessica, Heidi and Ed appeared on the scene. Ed looked around and counted on his fingers. "We now outnumber then four to one," he announced.
 "Not my kind of odds," Lance declared. "We'll be back!" Smoke Bomb time...

 After much cheering and many friendly greetings, the ever-growing bunch headed back to Magenta Park to charge up.
 "So, I see Fire Strike is still as powerful as ever," Leah declared.
 "I guess so," Nick stated. "Hey Uiru, we are still Fire Strike right? We've done enough..."
 Uiru thought. "Well, yeah. I never thought of that."
 "I didn't think we'd see you again," Pittman admitted. "It's a good thing you showed up to scare them off."
 "You held them, remember?" Patrick stated. "You guys are great trainers, you know."
 "Of course they are, they used to hang with Fire Strike," Nick laughed. "Hey, Leah. Wanna go out with me?"
 Instead of answering, she decided to smack him.
 "I told you already, she's Pittman's woman," Thomas informed him.
 Leah twirled around and smacked Thomas.
 "I can see how you came to be leading this bunch," Geoff snickered.
 "Anyway..." Uiru got Leah's attention. "What's been happening over here?"
 Leah sighed. "They found us in Cerulean and we barely got out. Most of the League came up after us, and after fighting for days we had to pull back. They had found our tunnels, so we had to fight over the top."
 "I was wondering about that," Heidi stated.
 "Most of our numbers either fled or were beaten. We can't attack them again... We failed."
 "Hey, don't look at it that way," Uiru told her. "You guys had the guts to just go out and attack them. You stood up for the rights of the people of the island."
 "And we got pounded," Leah replied sadly. "I'm no leader... What made me think we could pull off what you guys did?"
 "You shouldn't compare with what we did," Allison told her. "We didn't do all that much ourselves anyway. We were just a unit of the PLM."
 "You didn't have anyone's support, and could only recruit from one town," Matt added. "You did great, given the circumstances."
 "Yeah, and you're a great leader," Eric finished. "None of us would ever have been able to rally up enough volunteers from the city."
 Uiru stood up. "Now there's another thing we have to consider. The League and the PLM are at odds again. Meaning, we might be on their side."
 This took a few seconds to sink in. "What does that mean?" Heidi asked.
 "It means," Booster declared as he strode into the Pokémon Center, "that we're all friends again."
 The entire Fire Strike unit pulled out a Poké Ball. It was getting to be a reflex.
 "You wanna fight me?" Booster asked. "You all know as well as I do that it's pointless. If you wanna make an enemy out of the PLM, you can all march down to the base and deal with the odd thousand troops there."
 "What do you want Booster?" Uiru demanded.
 "I'm just here to inform you that the League and the PLM are not seeing eye to eye right now- meaning, you're off the hook Uiru. In addition, the Magenta Park trainers who were giving the League such trouble won't be bothered by the PLM again." Booster paused, and did not get any reply. "While personally, I'd love to blast the Pokémon League off the planet, the higher-ups have decided that it'd be better to just leave them alone."
 "There are too many people on this continent under the League's dictatorship to just leave them alone," Leah inturrupted. "What do you propose we do about them?"
 "Anybody who doesn't like it can leave," Booster replied. "The PLM doesn't want to start a global war. Besides, every city down there relies on the governing of the League. If we took out the League there'd be chaos." He silenced Leah's next argument. "Look, I'm not here to discuss their decision. I'm here to ask Fire Strike to rejoin the PLM."
 Every head in the room turned to Uiru. "No," he replied simply. "Just because we aren't your enemies doesn't mean we're going to be your troops. We've got our own job to do and after we do it we're going home."
 "You're still the Champion, you know," Booster stated. "You have a duty to the PLM."
 "So?" Uiru asked. "I'd rather do this. If the PLM wants to take my title, they're free to. I don't need them to tell me how good I am, I know that already."
 Booster nodded gravely. "I knew you'd say that. You're as dedicated as ever, Uiru... I was really hoping you'd join up again. I was looking forward to fighting with you."
 This took a second to digest. "Well, that was unexpected," Nick stated.
 "I don't know about the others," Erin stated, glaring at Booster, "but I'd rather be hit by lightning then serve under you again."
 "Erin, I know what happened can't be forgiven and that there's no excuse to make up for it," Booster declared.
 "Then go away, you're wasting my time," she replied coldly.
 Booster sighed, then turned and left.
 "Well at least they won't be bothering us anymore," Uiru stated.
 Heidi turned to Eric. "I wanna go with them."
 "Go where?" Eric asked.
 "Oh, we didn't tell you this, did we?" Patrick asked. "We're going to find the Clefairy and go to the moon."
 The general response was "You're going to do what?" Nick and Matt took a few minutes to explain about the moon speeding up in it's orbit and the disappearing mountain.
 "I want to go too," Leah declared. "Do you mind...?"
 "Oh, no, of course not," Matt replied. "The more help we have, the better."
 "I'm gonna stay here," Eric stated. The others agreed.
 "I need to work on my Flying powers," Robert informed the group. "I'm leaving tomorrow."
 "What? Where are you going?" Pittman asked.
 "I don't know. But my Pokémon need training and I do too."
 Heidi got up. "I'm going to bed... Later everyone."

Chapter Ten
 Much later, after everyone else had gone to bed too, Geoff was on his way back from the john when he noticed Erin outside on the Center's patio.
 "Hey, Erin..." he said quietly. "What are you doing out here?"
 She twirled around. "Oh... Oh, it's you. I thought everyone was asleep..."
 "What are you doing out here? It's freezing."
 "Nothing, really... Just thinking."
 He leaned on the railing next to her. "About anything in preticular?"
 "No... Just stuff."
 Geoff nodded. "I was wondering when I'd see you again, you know."
 "Pardon?"
 "Well... When you left for Fuchsia, I didn't know when you'd be back... I was getting worried."
 Erin turned slightly red and it wasn't from the cold. "Geoff... You mean you...?"
 From the window, Nick saw Geoff take her in his arms and kiss her. Nick turned and went back to bed. While he was happy for his friends, and for the fact that he would have someone new to tease, he was getting worried. When were his friends going to have reason to tease him? Would they ever?

 When Eric woke up the next morning, Robert was gone. He wasn't surprised at all. Although he hated getting up early, Eric knew he'd rather avoid all the fuss of having everyone up to see him off.
Eric went out into the Center's lounge. It was early morning, but Heidi was up anyway. She had called out her five Pokémon and were telling them about what they were going to be up to today. Jigglypuff and Chansey seemed to be thrilled with the idea, but Tranquileon and Clefairy didn't seem to be too happy with the idea. Sparkeon was totally against it.
 Eric leaned against the wall and watched as Jigglypuff and Chansey told Sparkeon about how badly they were going to pound the monsters on the moon, and they wanted it to be there to kick some ass with them. This speech won over Clefairy and it started working on Tranquileon.
 "For God's sake, Heidi," Eric laughed. "They're your Pokémon, they go where you go. You don't have to hold court about the matter."
 "Yes I do," Heidi replied. "The moon is dangerous. They don't have to go if they don't want to."
 Eric laughed again. Most people who knew how Heidi trained her Pokémon said that she was too lienient with them and that they were weak because of it. Then after Heidi beat them into the ground, usually with Jigglypuff, they never brought up the matter again. Her power and skill at least matched most of the older trainers in their group. "Let me give you a tip, Heidi," he grinned. "This is how I'd deal with this." He knelt near Sparkeon and Tranquileon. "Okay, guys," he declared. "Today we're going to find a rocket and fly to the moon. All the brave Pokémon are coming with us, and all the wussy little baby Pokémon are staying here."
 "Eric!" Heidi tried to sound stern but she laughed anyway. "That's not nice."
 "I'm just telling it like it is," he replied, getting up.
 "They don't have to go if they don't want to." Something dawned on her. "I thought you were staying here, anyway!"
 "I don't know, I might go after all," he informed her.
 Whether Eric's speech had worked on them, or if they changed their minds themselves, only they will know, but Sparkeon and Tranquileon decided to go after all. Heidi called them all back into their Poké Balls.

 One by one, everybody awoke and drifted out to the waiting area of the Center. Before they could group up and head out, though, the nurse came up to them.
 "Excuse me, but is Patrick here?" she asked.
 "Yeah, I'm here," Patrick replied. "What's up?"
 "I just recieved this." It was a telegram. The nurse handed it to him, and he read it over quickly.
 When he folded the note and put it in his pocket, he had a grave expression on his face. "I'm sorry guys," was all he said. "I have to go."
 "Hey, what's the matter?" Nick asked. "Can we help you? Is someone in trouble?"
 "I can handle this," Patrick answered. "I'll see you later." He headed for the door.
 "Well, later then," Nick replied.
 "Oh, dear," the nurse sighed. "I knew it was bad news. I can read the nurse in Persimmion like a book."
 "He must be headed home," Matt deduced. "I wonder what's up."
 "Maybe someone is sick or something," Erin suggested. She didn't get into what 'or something' could be.
 "Well, we might as well get going," Allison stated. "Is everybody here?"
 Nick looked around. "Yeah, I think so," he said. "You're coming Eric?"
 He nodded. "Thomas and Pittman send their regards," he announced.

 When they reached the base of Mt. Moon, Heidi called out her Clefairy and lead the way through the complex maze of corridors, pointing out all the pitfalls and Pokémon on the way.
 "There's where the Paras live, and there's a Sandshrew, and there's a three thousand foot drop, and I'm pretty sure there's a Zubat swarm over there somewhere, and..." The others felt like they were on a tour, the way Heidi was carrying on.
 "This is all well and good," Geoff stated, "but where are the Clefairy?"
 "We're getting to them," Heidi declared. "There's a five thousand foot drop, and there's a gang of Geodude, and that stalactite over there missed me by about three inches when it fell, and..."
 With Heidi's Clefairy leading the way (and helping Heidi point out things of interest) they could soon hear the singing of thousands of Clefairy.
 "I don't know whether to say that's cute or disturbing," Jessica stated.
 "My money's on disturbing," Uiru answered. "And it only gets louder from here."
 "I think it's cute," Leah replied.
 From the light in the tunnel, they could tell they were nearing a large, lighted cavern. A pair of Clefairy came up to them and began conversing with Heidi's Clefairy. The three seemed to reach an agreement rather quickly as they all cheered in unison, then quickly ran towards the cavern.
 Upon reaching the door to what might as well have been a missile silo, the trainers gasped in awe. In the room was a giant rocket, which seemed to be nearing completion.
 The first words out of anybody's mouth were Nick's. "It needs 'Fire Strike' written on the side. But other then that..."
 The two Clefairy called out to the others. Everybody put down what they were doing and scampered over to listen. The trainers could only guess at what was going on, but they were pretty sure they were discussing lending them the rocket.
 "That's one hell of a rocket," Erin stated. "The Clefairy must have come from space if they know how to build rockets."
 "Did they know we needed one?" was Geoff's question. One of the Clefairy that had greeted them earlier turned around and shook it's head 'no'.
 "It says that they didn't know, they were just building it," Heidi stated. "They also say we can borrow it but only if we don't wreck it. And we have to help finish it too."
 "Sounds fair to me," Uiru stated.
 Luckily for the trainers, all the Clefairy wanted them to do was help them reach high things in the rocket. It seemed odd that the rocket was built for human occupants.
 "Maybe it's how they learned to build them," Jessica suggested. She was holding up a Clefairy while it tightened screws.
 "But if they learned how to build them to human standards, they must have been taught by humans... Do you know what that means?" Allison asked.
 "That can't be right," Leah stated. "They couldn't get here on a rocket if they didn't know how to make them already." She was passing tools to a Clefairy.
 "That's not what I mean," Allison replied. "There must be people on whatever planet the Clefairy are from." A passing Clefairy nodded. "See what I mean?"
 Matt entered the area. "Have you seen Nick?" he asked. "He was supposed to show up to help us with the engine."
 "A ship this big runs on a simple engine?" Leah asked.
 "Well, it's not exactly an engine. From what I can tell, it's some giant tube that eats Moon Stones."
 "Oh. Well, Nick hasn't come through here," Jessica informed him.
 It would turn out that Nick was outside the rocket, directing the Clefairy in painting 'Fire Strike' on the side. He was almost done when Matt found him and dragged him back inside.
 The Pokémon hadn't gotten off so easy, though. The Clefairy expected the bigger ones to help lug supplies around. Leah's Sandslash was pushing a trolley loaded up with tools and electrical equipment while her Marowak pulled it. Uiru's Sandslash was helping cut things and Jessica's Marowak was hammering things together. There was a noticable difference between the two sets of Ground types- while Uiru's Sandslash was big and powerful, Leah's was sleeker and a lot faster. The Marowaks looked identical, except for their armaments- Jessica's Marowak had the traditional massive club but Leah's had traded in it's club for a spear. Their helmets were also different, Jessica's had knobs carved into it for head-butting while Leah's was the regular Marowak helmet.
 There were five massive Nidoran present- Erin's two, Leah's two and Geoff's Nidoking. They were helping install siding on the rear of the rocket.
 Geoff's Dragonair was allowing the use of it's long, slender body as a ladder for the Clefairy to get from the top of the rocket to the ground and the other way around. More then one of them slid down the Dragon type's length before flying off and crashing into something, causing a bit of a ruckus.
 Allison's Arcanine was testing the rocket's heat shield and welding some stuff together with Flamethrower. Her Primeape, with it's own Bone Club, was hammering stuff as well.
 Uiru, Eric and Geoff's Alakazam were helping with the installation of the ship's computer equipment. When Uiru's Alakazam saw what the Clefairy wanted help with, it tore it apart on the spot. Although initially very upset, the Clefairy realized that Alakazam's superior intellect had thought up of a much better solution. This, however, meant that all the ship's computer systems had to be redone but with the Alakazam team working on it, it wouldn't take long to straighten things up.

 It took hours, but with all of Fire Strike and the legions of Clefairy working together, they got it finished.
 "What happened to this place?" Erin asked when she entered a certain room. "It was totally different the last time I saw it."
 "I think the Alakazams changed it when they changed the computer," Nick suggested. "They made a lot of modifications and improvements. I think..."
 "I'm positive this thing was built for humans and not Clefairy," Allison declared.
 "What makes you say that?" Matt asked.
 Allison took the group around all the ship, pointing out all the features that were for humans and not for Clefairy. "The beds are human-sized- why would little Clefairy want beds that big? The halls are another obvious thing, it's why they needed our help reaching high places. The chairs are too far from the instrumentation for a Clefairy to fly the thing. And look in here- a Pokémon arena!" Allison swung open a door, revealing an official-size Pokémon battle arena, complete with the proper lines and scoreboard. Under the arena were the Full Heal sprays to be used if a Pokémon was accidentally frozen or put to sleep illegally.
 "And the johns," Nick added. "A Clefairy would fall in."
 Heidi's Clefairy was walking around with them, nodding at everything Allison said. "So Clefairy learned how to build ships from humans," Heidi stated. "But if they came here on a spaceship... that means there has to be humans somewhere else!"
 Uiru got everybody's attention. "I can tell we're about to have a fascinating discussion about the Clefairy's origins, but can we talk about it after we get the ship in space?"

  It didn't take long for the Clefairy to show Nick how to pilot the ship. Whoever they learned to build from obviously wanted to make space travel as simple as possible. Nick almost didn't need the Clefairy's help- he was pretty sure he could have figured it out on his own.
 The Clefairy opened the hole in the roof and prepared to blast off, then got the hell out of the way. Just a few moments later, their proud creation was firing out of the mountain and hurtling into space.

 Everybody was sitting in the rather spacious cockpit looking quite ill.
 "I think that was called G-Force," Nick moaned. "I think the Clefairy forgot to mention it."
 "I'm gonna be sick," Heidi complained. "I'm going to the bathroom." She unbuckled herself from the seat, and rose up into the air. "What in the name of-"
 "I think the Clefairy forgot something else, too," Jessica declared. "There's no gravity generator machine thing. What the hell would you call that?"
 "A gravity generator machine thing," Geoff answered. "I don't know if they have a special name."
 When Heidi found herself unable to push off anything in the middle of the room, she started flailing around. "Somebody give me a hand here!" Eric unbuckled and pushed her towards the door.
 "This is nuts! I'm going to float around for a while," Eric declared.
 "I am too," Nick stated. "Ah, yes, the wonderful Autopilot. I'll set you to take us directly to the moon."

 "Blastoise, Hydro Pump!" Uiru shouted. Blastoise waited until it was pointing in Gengar's direction and launched two huge pillars of water from the cannons on it's back. By the time they reached Jessica's Gengar, it was no more then mist. "Dammit! That attack doesn't work either!"
 "Battles are really wierd when there's no gravity," Jessica said to herself. "Try Hypnosis, Gengar!"
 Gengar clapped it's hands and put Blastoise to sleep.
 "Alakazam, go!" Uiru shouted. The Poké Ball flew slowly towards the ground, then opened. Alakazam used it's Psychic power to land on the floor, leaving Gengar floating helplessly above the battlefield. Alakazam quickly pounded it.
 "Go, Marowak! Bonemerang!" Marowak hurled it's club at Alakazam. It slowly rotated as it moved leisurely towards Alakazam. With a twinge of Psychic power, Alakazam sent the weapon flying back at Marowak.
 "This is dumb," Jessica stated.
 "Yeah," Uiru agreed. "Psychics are the only ones who can fight properly without gravity."
 "That would make me the Space King, since none of you could beat me," Eric declared.
 "That was easily the wierdest battle I've ever seen," Matt declared.
 "Hey, look at this!" Leah shouted. She was fiddling with the control box that ran the matches. "This looks like a gravity control here."
 "Don't turn it on!" Uiru shouted. "Well, try putting it on just a little bit." Leah turned the dial, and everyone slowly floated to the floor. She turned it up until it was at the normal gravity they were used to.
 "Well, we can have a normal battle now," Jessica stated.
 "Now this feels wierd," Matt stated.
 "I can turn it up more," Leah declared.
 Matt thought about this. "If our Pokémon were to train in higher gravity, back home they'd be a lot stronger!"
 A few moments later...
 Hitmonchan was trying to keep up a Comet Punch with the gravity set to 15. Machamp was pumping iron and Alakazam was running around the arena.
 Erin floated in and promptly fell flat on her face. "What the hell?" she cursed. "That hurt! What's going on?"
 "We increased the gravity in the room," Leah explained. Her Marowak and Jessica's Marowak were working out with their own now heavier weapons. "Training."
 Erin pulled herself to her feet, then decided to take the route of everybody else and sat down. Soon, Nidoking and Nidoqueen were lifting weights along with Machamp. Uiru's Sandslash was practicing running and jumping. The first time it landed flat on it's face, but with every jump it got up a little higher. Starmie was trying to spin in the air while hovering at a certain point. Scyther started racing Alakazam. Vileplume and Victreebel were trying to keep their leaves up while Venusaur experimentally swung it's vines around.
 "I think they're getting tired," Matt stated after a while. "Maybe we should give them a break."
 "Look at Starmie," Jessica pointed. "It looks like it's adapted to the gravity. It'll be able to fly a lot faster and hit a lot harder now." As she spoke, Starmie used Maximize, growing larger and increasing the difficulty of staying afloat.
 "Weezing is trying that too," Erin stated. "It's not spinning but it looks like it's used to the pull."
 "Raichu just got the barbell up!" Uiru laughed.
 "Tangela is catching air like it used to," Matt declared. Tangela could somehow float when it jumped very high. "You guys tired?" His six Grass Pokémon decided to take a break. The others did too.
 "I'll turn this stupid thing off," Leah declared. Again, they began floating in the air.

Chapter Eleven
 "Where were you?" Eric asked Leah. He ran into her in the hall.
 "In the battle arena. There's a gravity generator machine thing there! We turned it up to 15 and let our Pokémon work out for a while."
 Eric thought. "My Psychic types are physically weak... Maybe they should work out a bit too."
 Heidi was floating by. "Have we named it the gravity generator machine thing officially, or what?"

 Geoff looked around. "This might as well be a Pokémon Center, you know." While exploring the ship, he and Uiru had found a large lounge-like area with a recharger unit and a trading unit. Beyond that, they saw a small hospital area for more serious problems.
 "Maybe Allison is right," Uiru stated. Realizing what he had just said, he added, "For once."
 It took a little while, but the two managed to round everybody up. "So, how's the ship?" Uiru asked.
 "We should be on the moon by this time tomorrow," Nick announced as he struggled to keep himself in his seat. "Then what do we do, Uiru?"
 Uiru thought. "Well, we find the monsters and clean them out."
 "That's specific," Allison inturrupted. "They aren't ants, you know. We don't just clean them out, there could be hundreds of them."
 "She's right," Ed stated. "It takes three or four of us just to deal with one."
 "So we can deal with... three or four at a time," Erin said. "That's not good."
 "Well, what are Ghosts weak against?" Uiru asked.
 "Nothing, that's the nature of the Ghost," Matt replied.
 "That's not right!" Jessica declared. "Ghost types are weak against other Ghost types."
 "How do you know that?" Matt asked.
 "I read Eternal Night's last Pokémon report. They said that Ghost types are weak against Ghost type attacks."
 "So that's why Genocide was so effective on Genothorn," Geoff stated.
 "So Gengar and Genocide can help keep the others back," Uiru stated. "But won't they be weak against Ghost attacks too?"
 "Maybe Jigglypuff can shield them," Heidi suggested. Her Jigglypuff had a Light Screen so powerful it could divert the raging fires of Hell if it wanted to.
 "No, I don't think so," Jessica stated. "Eternal Night also said that Ghost types inflicted Physical damage. Light Screen wouldn't make a particle of difference."
 "But Reflect would," Eric declared. "My Mr. Mime has been working on it's Reflect power."
 "Exeggutor has Reflect too," Matt added.
 "Good, good," Uiru stated. "Now what are ghosts strong against?"
 "Poison and Bug," Matt answered. Every head turned to Jessica for her reply.
 She sighed. "Well, if you must know, Bug is effective on Ghost-Poison types."
 Eric pulled out a Poké Ball. "If Porygon could become a Ghost type, do you think it could learn Ghost attacks?"
 "Try it," Kyle offered. "Genocide, I choose you!"
 "Porygon, go!" Eric shouted.
 Genocide and Porygon appeared next to each other. When Genocide saw Porygon's crystalline body, it laughed.
 "Okay, Porygon- Conversion!" Porygon glowed white and became a Ghost type.
 "Now it's a Ghost type," Leah stated. "But it's just a target if we don't give it any attacks."
 Genocide jumped on top of Porygon and spoke to it. Porygon nodded. Genocide began glowing purple, and a moment later Porygon did too.
 "What are they doing?" Ed asked.
 "I think Genocide is teaching Porygon some moves!" Kyle replied.
 Nick went to the desk in the lounge and started rummaging through it. Within moments he pulled out a small red electronic object. "This thing can tell us what Porygon has learned," he replied. He pointed the thing at Porygon and it opened.
 "Porygon has learned the following attacks," the electronic voice declared. "Tackle. Conversion. Sharpen. Agility. Recover. PSY Beam. Tri Attack. Mega Kick. Thundershock."
 "I didn't know it had Thundershock," Eric exclaimed.
 The little red thing continued. "Psychic. Body Slam. Take Down."
 "Get to the Ghost attacks," Nick asked.
 "Porygon's Ghost attacks are as follows: Night Shade. Lick. Confuse Ray. Nightmare. Bleak Eternal. Mind's Eye. Dimensionshift Wave. Vanish. These moves were taught by the unknown Ghost Pokémon Genocide."
 "Okay," Nick said. "Tell us what the last three are."
 "Mind's Eye. Allows the user to sense what it's opponent will do next, increasing Evade and vastly increasing the chances of a powerful counterattack. Only needs to be used once. Dimensionshift Wave. A powerful Ghost attack involving forces from neighbouring dimensions. Works in a range around the predetermined target. Vanish. A Ghost type ability that allows the user to cloak one ally in darkness, rendering it immune to all Physical attacks but a target for Elemental attacks. Can be used on itself."
 "Cool!" Eric declared. "Well, Porygon is ready."
 "No it isn't," Jessica stated. "I just remembered something-"
 "From the Eternal Night's report, right?" Matt grinned.
 "Yes, from the Eternal Night's report," she sighed. "You'd better turn Porygon back into a Normal type."
 "Why?" Eric asked. "It's Ghost attacks will be weaker then."
 "Yes, but as a Normal type it will be completely invincible against Ghost attacks!"
 Heidi's Jigglypuff jumped down next to Porygon. Porygon glowed white, and became a Normal type again. Then Genocide fired Bleak Eternal at the two of them!
 Jigglypuff laughed. Porygon looked at Eric and shook it's head. Any other type of Pokémon would have been fried by the assault but these two thought it was a joke.
 "That means my Jigglypuff, Clefairy and Chansey will be strong against them!" Heidi declared.
 "Not really," Jessica told her. "Normal type attacks also don't work on Ghost. Do they have any elemental attacks?"
 She thought. "Jigglypuff can use the energy it absorbs through it's Light Screen, and Clefairy can use Metronome."
 "Well, they'll draw their fire, at least," Matt stated.
 "Do you guys have any other Normal types?" Ed asked. The answer was no.
 "Let's recap," Eric began. "When we land, Jigglypuff will use Light Screen and Mr. Mime and Exeggutor will use Reflect to try and block some of their attacks. The Normal types will use their abilities to keep the Ghost types busy. The Psychic types should use their Disable attacks to keep some of them out of our hair."
 "My Grass types can use their Powder attacks," Matt added.
 "My Hypno's Sleeper can slow them down," Erin offered.
 "Okay, good," Eric replied. "The rest of us will just attack with elemental moves, right?"
 "Sounds good to me," Allison answered.
 "At least we have a plan now," Geoff stated.
 A rumble passed through the ship. "Well, we're almost at the moon," Nick declared. "Better strap in."

 Again, the party felt sick.
 "Nick!" Heidi complained. "The Clefairy said NOT to wreck it!"
 "I didn't wreck it!" Nick replied. "Just had a bumpy landing."
 The hatch opened and the twelve trainers looked out at the moon. "Plain, isn't it?" Erin asked.
 Jigglypuff solumnly stepped off the ramp onto the lunar surface. It whipped out a small flag with a 'P' on it and jabbed it into the soil. Then it cheered.
 "Jigglypuff just claimed the moon," Heidi declared.
 "Jigglypuff can have it," Allison replied. "It's kinda cold here."
 Uiru looked around. "Look... Mt. Cobal is over there. It's probably where our old pal Genoryu is hanging out."
 "It seems to have weathered the trip surprisingly well," Kyle pointed out.
 "Mountains that are capable of space travel are usually rather resistant," Nick told him.
 "I'd love to know how it got here," Geoff stated.
 "Well, it's not getting any closer," Uiru announced. "We didn't come here to admire the landscape- or lack thereof."
 "Actually, I think it is," Jessica pointed.
 Ed jumped. "Whoa! First no gravity and now weak gravity." He floated up in the air before slowly coming down again.
 "This is going to make battling a very wierd experience," Erin stated.

 Mt. Cobal was moving, straight at them. It seemed to be floating a few metres off the ground, but when it came upon the trainers it landed with a rather loud crash.
 Several monsters came off the mountain. "Here they come!" Eric declared.
 "Spread out," Uiru suggested. "Try to draw them away from each other."
 Allison and Geoff took on their old pal, Cacoscorp. It charged straight at them with Vicegrip and Crabhammer attacks, then took a swing at each with it's Poison Stinger.
 "These guys aren't playing by the rules," Geoff declared as he dodged it's tail. "Dragonair, I choose you!"
 "Arcanine, go!" Allison added.
 "Dragon Rage!" both shouted at once. Arcanine and Dragonair summoned the watery cyclones of Dragon Rage and sent them at Cacoscorp. It dealt a few smashing hits before Cacoscorp seemed to suck all the power into it's claw and sent it flying back at them!
 Arcanine cleared the blast by inches and summoned a Fire Blast attack. Cacoscorp used Crabhammer, trying to deflect the flame but it didn't work and it seemed to be burned!
 "If this stupid thing wasn't a Ghost type, I'd pound it," Geoff cursed. "Dragonair, Thunder Wave!"
 Dragonair tried to Paralyze the scorpion but it didn't work. Dragonair got Vicegripped for the effort.
 "This isn't working," Geoff swore. "Dragonair, return! Arcanine, I choose you!"
 The Arcanine team generated a dual Flamethrower attack, giving Cacoscorp something to really complain about. It tried to use Leech Life on the two of them but the Bug attack was ineffective. Snapping one of it's claws repeatedly, it sent black tendrils out after Allison's Arcanine and dragged it in, then smacked it with Crabhammer! Geoff's Arcanine used Flamethrower to burn through the tendrils but got hit by Poison Sting.
 "Arcanine, catch!" Geoff shouted. He threw an Antidote capsule to Arcanine. It caught it and swallowed it. "Great! Fire Spin attack!"
 Both Arcanine used their Fire Spin powers on Cacoscorp. When the flames disappated, Cacoscorp was not looking well. Raising a claw, it used the ghostly power of Vanish on itself!
 "Oh crap! Where is it?" Geoff asked. His Arcanine suddenly got smashed by a critical Crabhammer assault.
 "Use your Alakazam!" Allison shouted at him. "It can tell us where it is!"
 "Alakazam, I choose you!" Geoff shouted. "Okay Alakazam, where's Cacoscorp?"
 Alakazam thought for a second while Allison's Arcanine was shot by Water Gun. It pointed, then used PSYShock to slow it down.
 "All right! Flamethrower over there!" Allison ordered. Although her Arcanine was getting tired, the two summoned Fire Blasts and launched them at their adversary. The two blasts struck each other and then slammed into Cacoscorp, causing Vanish to disappear and introducing the scorpion to a whole new world of pain.
 "Finish it!" Geoff ordered. "Vulcan Beam!"
 Both Arcanine began glowing with a deep red light. These auras flickered and charged for a few seconds, then erupted at the burnt bug. When the blast disappated, Cacoscorp was finished.
 Allison and Geoff had had experience fighting Cacoscorp, which gave them a slight edge. The others wouldn't be so easy...
 "Cacobolt?" Leah asked. "That's just asking for it! Marowak, Sandslash, Dugtrio, I choose you!"
 "It looks like a Grass type," Matt stated. "Vileplume, Victreebel! Come out!"
 Although most of the Ghost types they were fighting actually resembled something, Cacobolt seemed to be made entirely out of energy, except for the little dark flower on top of what looked like it's shoulders.
 "Victreebel, Vileplume! Acid attack! Aim for the flower!" Matt shouted.
 "Marowak, Bonelin! Dugtrio, Moonquake! Sandslash, Dig!" Leah added.
 Vileplume jumped high in the low gravity and floated serenely to the ground on it's giant petals. While it was in the air, it shot repeated bursts of Acid at the top of Cacobolt. Victreebel couldn't jump anyway, so it slung Acid at the flower with it's long whip.
 Vileplume's hangtime left it wide open for a Thunderbolt attack, however. Luckily, Electric wasn't too effective on Grass types.
 Marowak's Bone Spear was slung with Olympic-like skill, however, in the crappy gravity it slowed way down before giving Cacobolt a slight cut. Cacobolt's dark flower attacked Marowak with Vine Whip and Razor Leaf attacks. Marowak managed to dodge the leaves flying around but the whips got it. After reclaiming it's weapon, Leah decided to recall it. Sandslash came up from underneath the Electric-Grass-Ghost type, giving it a good physical smack before diving out of the way of it's Leech Seed.
 When Dugtrio activated it's Moonquake attack, Vileplume jumped high in the air to avoid the shaking. Victreebel wasn't so lucky, but since the attack wasn't meant for it, it didn't suffer too much damage.
 Cacobolt slammed Vileplume with Mega Drain, which really didn't do much damage, then got angry and started launching Thunderbolts at the plants. Sandslash and Dugtrio valiently blocked most of the thunder and gave it a good thrashing while Victreebel and Vileplume fired Acid and Sludge attacks.
 "Venusaur, I choose you!" Matt shouted. "Venusaur, Growth! Start charging your Solar Beam!"
 "But Solar Beam doesn't work very well on Grass types," Leah reminded.
 "After Venusaur's Growth, it'll do a bit of damage," he replied. "It's trying to use Razor Leaf again. Vileplume, Petal Dance!"
 Vileplume usually used leaves from trees to power it's smashing attack, but since trees were scarce on the moon, it had to make do with Cacobolt's Razor Leaves. It reversed the leaves and sent them back at Cacobolt, saving Dugtrio and Sandslash from an unpleasant experience and enraging Cacobolt in the process. It used a more powerful Razor Leaf attack, trying to show up the little plant that dared to defy it, but Vileplume sent all the leaves back at it.
 By this time, Venusaur was ready with the Solar Beam, so Dugtrio headed underground and Sandslash dove out of the way. Although strong against such attacks, the dazzling light beam still left Cacobolt frazzled. Victreebel started lashing Cacobolt with it's Poison Whip move, aiming for the flower but doing some damage anyway.
 Cacobolt discharged a Chain Lightning move that tagged the three Grass Pokémon. Vileplume had had enough and was getting confused anyway, so Matt called it back. Victreebel wasn't done yet though. It slammed the lightning bolt with Sludge and continued Poison Whipping away.
 "Onix, attack!" Leah shouted. The forty foot long rock snake Onix appeared on the scene. "Bind Cacobolt, now!" Onix wrapped it's giant segmented body around the pulsating energy being. It did no damage but it did hold Cacobolt in place. "All right, Sandslash! Earth Spin!" Sandslash dug under the ground and came up under Cacobolt spinning like a drill. The Ground type power slammed into Cacobolt repeatedly, and since Onix was holding it it couldn't escape. Sandslash finally flew up through the disappearing energy monster and struck a dramatic pose as it eventually landed on the lunar surface.
 "Great shot!" Matt congradulated.

Chapter Twelve
 The next fight over, Nick and Kyle were dealing with Genopode, a ball of flame that had icy shards orbiting it at various odd angles.
 "This doesn't make any sense," Kyle complained. "Shouldn't the ice around it melt?"
 "Apparently not," Nick replied. Genopode attacked Nick with it's Freeze Mist, chilling the water pilot.
 "Okay, this thing dies now," Nick declared. "Tentacruel, Kingler, Omastar! Screech, Crabhammer and Rock Slide!"
 Tentacruel opened up with a defence-eradicating Screech attack while Omastar pulled up chunks of moon rock and hurled them at Genopode. Kingler charged up to it and slammed it with Crabhammer, holding it with one claw and giving it the beats with the other.
 Genopode used Haze, erasing the effects of Screech, then hovered away from the trio of Water types and used a familiar attack. Tentacruel, Omastar and Kingler were covered in ice while being blasted with fire.
 Nick recognized the move. "You cheap son of a bitch!" he shouted. "Can't you come up with your own attacks? That one's being used already!!"
 "What are you talking about?" Kyle asked.
 "Never mind! Kingler, Firehose!" Despite the name, Kingler managed to launch a watery blast at the incoming Flamethrower attack. Tentacruel blasted Genopode with Acid and Ruby Light attacks and Omastar launched a Hydro Pump.
 "Genocide, attack!" Kyle shouted when he realized he wasn't contributing to the battle in the slightest. "Use Hypnosis!" Amazingly, Genopode looked like it had fallen asleep! However, with Kingler pounding at it with Crabhammer, it woke up before Genocide could use Dream Eater on it. "Okay, try Bleak Eternal!" Genocide smashed Genopode with the blast of pure night power, enraging it and causing it to counterattack with it's own Bleak Eternal. The four Pokémon battling it were fried but Genocide took the most damage.
 Nick called Omastar back- it had had enough- and had Tentacruel and Kingler use their Levia Wave. With both working together, the moon got the biggest splash of water it had ever gotten and Genopode took significant damage. Genocide jumped at it and used it's Power Down attack! Genopode's special rating fell!
 Angered, Genopode launched a Fire Blast at Genocide, but the flaming attack didn't hurt Genocide very much. While it's attention was diverted, Kingler trapped Genopode in a critical Crabhammer assault that left it reeling. With Tentacruel's Water Snap attack, Genopode had had it.
 "All right!" Kyle shouted.
 "This one's name is Cacoikari," Eric declared. "Porygon, go! Use Nightmare!" Porygon tried to use the darkness blanket attack on Cacoikari but nothing happened! "What the hell?"
 "It should have worked," Jessica stated.
 "Well, why didn't it?"
 She thought. "The only possible explanation is that it's a Normal-Ghost type! Ghost attacks won't affect it at all!"
 "Oh, geez," Eric cursed. "Porygon, PSY Beam!"
 "If it's strong against Normal, Fighting and Ghost... that's half my team gone! Marowak, attack!"
 Cacoikari seemed to resemble a really pissed off Marshmallow Man more then anything. Tall, puffy and angry, it charged at the diminuitive Porygon and slammed it with a Submission attack! It fainted!
 "Dammit!" Eric swore. "Return! I've got more Psychics were that came from... Alakazam, Hypno, Mr. Mime! Smash it with Psychic attack!"
 Cacoikari was nuked by the triple incoming waves of powerful Psychic energy. Marowak leapt up at it and smashed it in what was probably it's forehead with Bone Club. The puff ball slapped it away and smashed Mr. Mime with a Piledriver. Luckily, the Psychic type didn't take much damage from the move.
 "Hypno, Hypnosis!" Eric shouted. "Alakazam, Disable!" Although it didn't fall asleep, it did yawn loudly, and Alakazam locked out it's Submission move. Mr. Mime got back up and used PSY Wave.
 Cacoikari seemed to have Fighting type characteristics as well as Normal and Ghost. Although it seemed to rely solely on physical attacks, that theory was proved wrong with it blasted Hypno with Dimensionshift Wave. The sleeper Pokémon was unconscious, so Eric called it back.
 Jessica was trying to think up a weakness that she and Eric could exploit, and was coming up with nothing. Psychic would work but it's Ghost attacks could deal with them in a flash. The only true weakness Cacoikari had was Flying, and none of their Pokémon had any Flying attacks.
 "Starmie, Electabuzz, I choose you!" she finally shouted. "Marowak, move! Starmie, Waterfall! Electabuzz, Thunder!"
 Using a trick they used on a Ghost type long ago, Starmie drenched Cacoikari with water and Electabuzz gave it a superjolt with it's Electric attacks. The effectiveness of both increased with the pairing of the attacks, and when Starmie was finished Marowak jumped in and gave it a righteous beating with Bone Club.
 In retaliation, it grabbed Starmie and Seismic Tossed it, which proved to be futile because Starmie caught itself and used Point Razor, careful not to hit Marowak. Electabuzz got blasted with Piledriver and Marowak was Low Kicked out of the way.
 Seeing it's comrades were out of the way, Alakazam blasted the giant puff with Psychic. It began charging a Devistation Wave but Cacoikari's Nightmare attack cut Alakazam off. Angered, Alakazam opened up with repeated PSY Beam attacks while Mr. Mime concentrated.
 When Cacoikari tried to use Dimensionshift Wave again, Mr. Mime reached up and met the attack with Reflect. It's shield couldn't take much punishment but it did buy Alakazam a few seconds. It whipped up a Devistation Wave and shot it straight into the Dimensionshift Wave as Mr. Mime's Reflect shield cracked. One rather large, uncomfortable explosion later, Jessica, Eric and their Pokémon were scattered in one direction and Cacoikari in the other.
 Electabuzz, Starmie and Marowak leapt to their feet and charged again. Cacoikari used a Sweep Kick as it was getting up, sending Electabuzz flying, but got hit with Starmie's Water Bomb for the effort. Electabuzz used a Thunderbolt attack on that spot, sizzling the raging beast. Mr. Mime and Alakazam used Recover on themselves before both charged up PSY Swords and attacked.
 Mr. Mime raised it's swords and ran at Cacoikari and got nailed with Mega Punch. Mr. Mime was out of it. Eric called it back and sent his Butterfree.
 "Are you sure that's a good idea?" Jessica asked.
 "Butterfree isn't weak against anything it uses," he answered. "Butterfree, Psychic attack!" Butterfree's relatively small Psychic move was an asset in this case- it didn't have to worry about hitting any of it's fellow fighters.
 Cacoikari leapt up and tried to Axe Kick Butterfree but the little bug was too quick for it. Marowak crashed into Cacoikari with it's Bone Twist attack, hitting the monster on it's way down and smashing it again when it had landed. Electabuzz wrapped it with Thunder Wave and while it fought to get out, Starmie sent it into orbit with it's Star Freeze. Tired, confused, and abused, Cacoikari finally rolled over and died.
 "Fire and Electric?" Uiru asked. "Are you sure?"
 "It looks a little like my Sparkeon," Heidi replied. The wolf-like Genoblaze was mostly yellow, but sported a collar of blazing flame.
 "All right then," Uiru replied. "Sandslash, Blastoise, I choose you!"
 "Jigglypuff, go! Clefairy, attack!" Heidi added.
 Sandslash streaked across the lunar surface like a guided missile and crashed into Genoblaze with it's Turf Cut attack. Rolling into a little ball, Sandslash used the spiny plates on it's back to inflict heavy Ground type damage on the fire fox. It responded with a Flamethrower attack that merely singed Sandslash's back.
 Blastoise aimed and fired Hydro Pumps out of it's cannons. Genoblaze used a Stasis Field move to deflect the water and attacked Blastoise with Thunder! Jigglypuff leapt up and used Light Screen to block out most of the attack but Blastoise still took a bit of damage. Clefairy stuck it's fingers in the air and flipped Genoblaze off before using Metronome. Fissure was the result, and Genoblaze fell in!
 It wasn't done yet, though. It clawed it's way out of the hole and used Take Down on Blastoise. It used Withdraw, pulling into it's shell as well as generating a small pillar of water around it. The water got Genoblaze to get off it and Sandslash struck with Moonquake.
 Jigglypuff and Clefairy started to sing! Sandslash and Blastoise plugged their ears as the two sang, but before it fell asleep, Genoblaze Body Slammed the two of them. Blastoise was after it with a Geyser attack which knocked it clear off the little pair, and Sandslash used it's Swords Dance attack to increase it's power.
 Genoblaze tried using Thunder Bolt and Flamethrower, but Clefairy and Jigglypuff blocked them with their Light Screens. Jigglypuff took the Fire energy it was absorbing and morphed it into the Fire Shot, sending it back at Genoblaze with twice the intensity. Clefairy had yet to learn how to reflect the elemental attacks back at the user, but at least it protected Blastoise from the electricity.
 Bleak Eternal and Nightmare didn't seem to work on the two little annoyances that blocked all it's magic attacks so Genoblaze struck the two of them with Double Kick. Blastoise responded with a Water Pillar, slamming Genoblaze repeatedly with it's raging water power. Sandslash waited for the water to disappate before using Turf Cut again. Clefairy started using Metronome again, but all it got was Acid Armor.
 Jigglypuff wanted to attack the beast directly but none of it's attacks would work. With a flash of inspiration, Jigglypuff bounced in front of a Bleak Eternal attack intended for another battler. It tried to use Light Screen to absorb the power but since Ghost is a physical attack, it didn't work. At least Jigglypuff didn't take damage from the assault.
 Clefairy used Metronome and got Dimensionshift Wave! The extremely lucky attack blasted through Genoblaze, leaving it visibly shaken and even more pissed off. Clefairy laughed through a Confuse Ray, Nightmare and Bleak Eternal onslaught that probably would have killed anything not Normal type.
 Blastoise launched a Surf at Genoblaze. The water wave slammed into the Fire-Electric-Ghost type before it could raise electricity to shield itself. It fired a Lightning Spin at Blastoise but Sandslash just happened to be attacking with Turf Cut at the same time. The lightning bounced harmlessly off it and Genoblaze got ripped into once again.
 The fire fox staggered backwards, and fell right into the gaping pit left by Clefairy's Fissure. Blastoise ran to the side and sent a Hydro Pump flying down the crack before Genoblaze could claw it's way out again.
 "You suck Genoblaze!" Heidi taunted down the crack.
 At the far end of the lunar arena, Erin and Ed had their hands full dealing with Cacofrost. The one sole advantage the two had over the beast was the fact that it wasn't a Ghost type. Which made Nidoking and Nidoqueen very happy.
 The beast was very cold, probably Water-Ice type, and was the spittin' image of the mighty Tyranosaurus. Except it was small, only a little bigger then Nidoking. It used Blizzard on the two Poison smashers which did moderate damage but they were both too riled up to notice. Nidoking threw a mighty Mega Punch in Cacofrost's face while Nidoqueen gave it a Tail Whip. Ed sent his Electrode to try to shock it but the electricity bounced right off it.
 "It must be a Ground type too," Ed declared. "What do you use on a Water-Ice-Ground type?!"
 "Fighting," Erin replied. "And Grass, if it stays away from the Ice. Nidoking, Submission! Nidoqueen, Gatling Kick!"
 Nidoking smashed the beast to the turf and Nidoqueen gave it a severe kicking, but it bashed the King off of it and Tail Whipped the two of them.
 "Dewgong will have to do," Ed decided, as Electrode used a combination Light Screen and Thunder Wave to protect Nidoking and Nidoqueen from a Hydro Pump attack. "Dewgong, go! Ice Beam!" Not much damage. "Try Surf!" A little more damage.
 Cacofrost used Skull Bash on Nidoqueen and Seismic Toss on Nidoking when it attacked with Thrash. Flailing around, Nidoking got thrown away. When it turned to it's former opponent, Nidoqueen was already in it's face again with a Double Kick.
 Cacofrost decided to take out Electrode so it could use it's Water attacks on the Nidos. Electrode was a lot faster then it thought, and it dodged several Tail Whips while throwing Swift and Sonic Boom attacks back at it. Finally, though, Cacofrost scored a smashing hit on Electrode that left it weakened and unable to battle. It was, however, able to...
 Nidoking, Nidoqueen and Cacofrost were caught in Electrode's Explosion and the three took heavy damage. More then a little mad at the exploding spark plug, Nidoqueen kicked the fainted Electrode before getting back to the battle at hand. Ed recalled it. "Sorry," he said as Erin glared at him. "I didn't know it would pop like that."
 Dewgong opened up a Whirlpool under Cacofrost, which did some damage but meant that Nidoking and Nidoqueen had to hold off their attacks lest they get splashed. Erin took the time to give each a Hyper Potion, then got out of the way. Cacofrost used it's own Whirlpool on the Nido smashers. Dewgong launched itself at it, using Take Down to try to end the Whirlpool attack.
 Nidoking and Nidoqueen were hurt pretty badly but soon their rage shone through their pain and they charged like armageddon. Cacofrost got beaten back and forth by Thrash, Mega Punch, Body Slam, and Double Kick, and when it thought it had gotten away from the two, Ed's Rapidash was there to Smash Kick it in the head. With the three powerful Pokémon punching, kicking and smashing, Cacofrost was only too happy to disappear from the realm.

 The makeshift Pokémon Center on board Fire Strike's new spaceship was quite the merry scene indeed.
 "That was pathetic!" Uiru shouted.
 "They were so easy!" Nick added.
 "We trashed it's buddies and Genoryu is next!" Matt cheered.
 Leah pulled a group of Poké Balls out of the healing unit. "Here Allison, your Pokémon are done," she stated as she put her own in.
 Allison took them. "I beat Cacoscorp with one Pokémon," she grinned. "Bet you can't say that Uiru!"
 "Myself and Heidi pounded Genoblaze with two each," he declared. "Our Pokémon are a lot stronger when they fight together!"
 "Just like we are!" Allison stated.
 "I'll drink to that!" Geoff declared, although they had no drinks.
 Erin looked at the two boys sitting in the lounge's booths. "Well?" she asked Ed and Kyle. "Aren't you going to cheer for yourselves?"
 "You missed it," Kyle stated. "Ed can't breakdance for too long without hurting himself." Ed laughed.
 Jessica looked around. "Yep, everybody's healed," she said to herself. "Hey Uiru, are we going now or later?"
 "Rephrase that, Jessica," Nick said with a rather large smirk. Jessica was too far away so Leah hit him for her.
 Uiru looked at his watch, only to discover he never had one. "Hm," he stated. "Oh well. Yeah, anyone gotta use the john? We're leaving now!"
 "A wise cabby once said that we've got a shitkicking to deliver," Allison stated solumnly. "So let's go already!"

Chapter Thirteen
 It would seem that Genoryu was waiting for the Fire Strike team to find it. A gigantic arena had been set up in a clearing near the top of the transported Mt. Cobal.
 It was pitch dark, as was to be expected, but strangely enough there were crashes of thunder booming in the distance. Lightning bolts suddenly struck from the skies and lit the four corners of the arena, igniting large torches before a huge flash of lightning lit up the main attraction at the far side of the arena.
 Jessica had promised herself that she wasn't going to freak out when they finally got here, but as the horrid dragon Pokémon locked eyes with her and laughed, the entire memory of that night again took shape in her mind.

 "Checking the mountain for new Pokémon?" Jessica asked with a laugh. "Is that the best excuse you could have thought up?"
 "Yep!" Uiru replied. "Better then telling the PLM what this trip is REALLY for."
 "I guess so," she answered. "Where are we headed, anyway?"
 "There's a cute little cabin up here a ways," he told her. "Nice place to stay for a few days. I'm sure you'll like it."
 "I'm sure I will," she replied with a grin.
 An unearthly roar inturrupted the two. It seemed to echo up to the surface from a large cave.
 "What was that?" Uiru asked. "I don't think anything makes a noise like that."
 "Sounded like a Rhydon in a tar pit," Jessica stated. "Maybe we should take a look."
 As they walked down the cave, Uiru got increasingly confused. "Havn't we been here already?" he asked. "This place seems really familiar."
 "I don't think so," Jessica answered. "Caves all look the same anyway."
 Uiru shrugged and they continued on. Soon enough, they came upon the source of the noise. A monstrous demon was getting very hungry and couldn't seem to find the way out of the chamber. So when it caught sight of Uiru and Jessica, it decided dinner was served and charged.
 Hiding was out. Negotiation was out. Running, however, seemed to be a good idea. The monster, which they would come to know as Genoryu, chased them right out of the cave and into a large clearing.
 Jessica turned around to face the monster. "This thing just pissed me off," she declared. "Marowak, Electabuzz! I choose you!"
 Uiru sighed. "Raichu, Butterfree! Come out!"
 They didn't know what kind of Pokémon this thing was, only that it was immensely powerful. Electabuzz, a mere rodent to the gigantic Genoryu, charged valiently with it's Electric Piston attack. With a counterattack that nearly turned it into electric jelly, Genoryu smashed it out of it's face and Jessica had to recall it.
 Butterfree shot it with PSY Beam and Psychic attacks from a distance, thinking it was safe. A Fire Blast made it change it's mind in a hurry. Two down...
 Raichu summoned a giant Thunder Blast and tagged the beast in the head, but did very little damage. Uiru called it back before it got pounded, and sent Hitmonchan and Alakazam to replace it.
 Marowak attacked with Bonemerang but Genoryu's Razor Wind was too quick. It blocked the bone with the shrapnal cloud and gave Marowak a beating as well.
 Hitmonchan used it's Heat Ray attack, rather then get too close to it. Alakazam summoned it's power and smashed Genoryu with the full brunt of it's Psychic power. Unfortunately, Genoryu counterattacked with Bleak Eternal, quickly sending Alakazam to the turf.
 Jessica called Machamp and Starmie next, while Uiru sent Blastoise. Hitmonchan, well trained in the elemental arts as well as the fighting arts, generated an Ice Beam attack and found a weakness at last- Ice attacks.
 Genoryu sent a claw flying right at Uiru! Machamp jumped in and actually grabbed the talon, stopping the assault and allowing Uiru to get out of the way. It was all Machamp could do to keep Genoryu from flattening it, but at the last second Genoryu whipped it's claw around and sent Machamp flying.
 Angered by the pitiful being's strength, Genoryu charged it's energy and fired a bolt of pure evil energy right at Machamp! Escape was the first thing on Machamp's mind and it dove clear of the blast.
 Unfortunately, Jessica was right behind Machamp. She threw up her arms to protect herself but it would do no good. With a terrible explosion of dark energy, the blast knocked her unconscious before she could even scream.
 Genoryu thought this was hilarious. It ceased attacking for a moment to laugh it up over the sheer irony of it all.
 "You think that's funny, you son of a bitch?!" Uiru bellowed. "Hitmonchan, Ice Beam! Blastoise, Ice Cannon!" And with that, the battle was on.

 "Hey Jessica, are you okay?" Erin asked.
 Jessica shook her head as she snapped back to reality. It took a few seconds for Erin's words to register. "...Pardon?"
 "I know what's wrong," Nick declared. "After an experience like she had, it's perfectly natural to be scared of the thing. But Jessica, we're all here for you. We'll deal with this the same way we deal with everything else- as a team."
 "Nick, that's the most decent thing I've ever heard you say," Leah declared.
 Nick grinned.
 "That's the most decent thing he's EVER said," Matt replied with a smirk.
 "Hey, guys!" Heidi shouted. "That thing isn't getting any deader over there!"
 "She's got a point," Eric stated. He pulled out his Poké Balls. "So as the French would say... LET'S GET IT ON!!"

 Genoryu wasn't about to face all twelve trainers at once, however. With a snap of it's claws, another Genoblaze and Cacobolt appeared! A black orb of energy materialized, and most of the trainers were sucked into it! Cacobolt and Genoblaze followed them.
 "What happened?" Allison asked. Only herself, Matt, Uiru and Jessica were left.
 "They must be fighting them in there," Matt pointed. "I'll try to crack that orb, you three keep the big bitch busy!"
 "It's party time!" Uiru declared. "Blastoise, Hitmonchan, Alakazam, attack!"
 "You picked the wrong crew to mess with," Allison announced. "Kabutops, Arcanine, I choose you!"
 "This'll be your last fight," Jessica swore. "Starmie, Gengar, Marowak! Let's go!"
 Genoryu charged at Kabutops, charging a Bleak Eternal as it ran. Kabutops calmly waited for the right second, then pulled an Ice Wall out of nowhere! It shattered when Bleak Eternal hit it, but the icy shards fell on Genoryu.
 Gengar knew it couldn't use Bleak Eternal back on Genoryu for many personal reasons, so it tried out it's newly learned Dimensionshift Wave instead. Blastoise whipped up an Ice Blast, the most powerful Ice attack it could use, and sent the freezing bolt straight at the evil Dragon type. Genoryu was none too happy about this and slammed the two with Bleak Eternal. Gengar took heavy damage but Blastoise's high Defence and it's determination protected it to a degree.
 Starmie's training in heavy gravity turned out to be good for it. It used Star Freeze on itself, then used Maximize and tore at Genoryu, spinning at several hundred thousand RPM's. Genoryu roared as Starmie ripped up one side and down the other, but finally halted it's offencive with a Terrify attack. The ice melted and Starmie fell to the ground, Paralyzed, Confused, and heavily damaged. Jessica called it back and gave it the proper medicine, then decided to let it recuperate for a moment before sending it again.
 Marowak waited until Genoryu's attention was focused elsewhere, then tagged Genoryu right behind the ear with it's Bonemerang attack. Genoryu was about to fry Alakazam with Bleak Eternal, but it turned around and attacked Marowak with it instead. Marowak bounced out of the way and Genoryu was about to go after it when Gengar smashed it with a Night Shade/Confuse Ray combo. As it reared back to fire on Gengar, Alakazam nuked it with a Devistation Wave so powerful Hitmonchan started to feel faint.
 Genoryu shook it's head and decided to attack them one at a time. Going after them all at once would do no good. Deciding on the weakened Gengar, Genoryu brought down the wrath of Dimensionshift Wave upon it. Countering with it's own Dimensionshift Wave, Gengar kept the big bastard busy while Alakazam and Marowak charged up their next assaults.
 Blastoise and Kabutops prepared their Snowstorm double attack while Arcanine fired repeated Fire Blasts. Although the Fire attack was weak against the Dragon type Genoryu, it was better then nothing and it was taking a bit of damage anyway. Genoryu finally smashed through Gengar's defence and knocked it out, even though it had taken considerable damage as well.
 It started to snow, which was wierd enough in the middle of summer but even wierder on the moon, where there is generally no difference. Blastoise and Kabutops were the cause of this freak blizzard and as the snow lightly fell on Genoryu, it braced itself for a powerful Ice assault. None came. Thinking it odd that they would attack it with mere powder, Genoryu decided to fry Alakazam with it's Terrify move before it charged it's Psychic power again.
 The instant Genoryu's attention was diverted, Blastoise and Kabutops dropped the gigantic jagged chunks of ice on the dragon. It roared, sending the Terrify energy flying harmlessly out of the way. Stomping angrily on the ground, it looked like it was throwing a tantrum. This would prove to be false as giant Fissure cracks raced along the ground at the Pokémon attacking it!
 Most managed to jump clear, but Blastoise fell in!
 Uiru ran to the crack. "Return!" he shouted. Luckily, the ruby red beam cound find Blastoise as it fell down the deep crack. Blastoise was safe. "Sandslash, it's your turn!" Uiru called out Sandslash and gave it the White Flame ability stone. "Here you go, have fun," Uiru grinned.
 Sandslash used White Flame! Uiru wasn't exactly sure what to expect from the attack, but he was about to find out. Sandslash's claws began to glow with a blue-white light, and the spikes on it's back began to glow as well. It ran at Genoryu, giving it a smashing Slash attack straight in the face. Genoryu roared!
 "The White Flame attack must let Sandslash hurt it," Uiru declared. "Hey Sandslash, use White Flame with Hyper Beam!"
 Arcanine and Marowak decided to get out of the way. Sandslash summoned the normally rainbow colored energy between it's claws, giving it the same blue-white aura that was now surrounding Sandslash completely. Genoryu knew something bad was coming but Marowak inturrupted it with it's skillful Bone Twist. Marowak flew straight up in the air and crashed Genoryu in the chin with the Bone Club, then on the way down threw a huge blast of Ground type energy right at it.
 Though it took longer to charge, Sandslash's Dragon Beam was ready. The attack erupted from it's claws, pulsing with blue and white light as it crashed into Genoryu. The assault actually sent Genoryu flying backwards!
 "All right!" Uiru shouted. "Defend Sandslash while it charges up the next one!" The others were only too happy to comply. "Blastoise, go!"
 "Starmie, go!" Jessica decided Starmie was ready for action again. "Star Freeze and Maximize!"
 While Genoryu was picking itself up, Marowak used Focus Energy on itself. Kabutops did the same. Blastoise brought up a Withdraw circle around it, raising it's Defence slightly. Hitmonchan brought up a Barrier while Alakazam used Reflect. Arcanine used Amnesia, surprising the three because none of them knew it knew the move. It's Fire attacks would do more damage now, after Allison told it what was happening again. And of course, Sandslash began charging it's next Dragon Beam.
 "How's the orb?" Allison shouted to Matt.
 "It's not working!" Matt cursed.
 "Then get over here and help us!" she shouted. But at that moment, the orb cracked, and everybody fell out of it.
 "Are you guys okay?" Jessica asked.
 "No," Leah cursed. "Those two bastards teamed up on us. Most of our Pokémon fainted."
 "How'd you get out?" Matt asked.
 "We managed to take them down, and then we showed up here," Eric replied. "How're you guys doing?"
 "Sandslash is giving Genoryu a proper thrashing," Uiru declared. "Try to protect it, Dragon Beam takes a while to charge up."
 Geoff sent his Dragonair to check out the attack. Dragonair nodded as it observed Sandslash summoning energy, and began to learn the attack!
 Heidi's Jigglypuff and Clefairy were okay, but the rest of them weren't. She wasn't sure if she wanted to send them against the massive Genoryu.
 Leah, Nick, Erin and Ed were totally out of Pokémon. Eric only had Mr. Mime and Hypno left. Kyle's Genocide was fine. Geoff's Dragonair was his last Pokémon. These were summoned and sent to meet the recovering Genoryu!
 Energy shimmered in front of Genoryu as Sandslash launched the Dragon Beam! Genoryu generated a Barrier that almost blocked the attack completely, but it did take some damage. Enraged, Sandslash charged with it's Dragon powered Slash and Double Kick attacks.
 The two exchanged blows for a moment, then Sandslash kicked away to catch it's breath. Genoryu glared at it as it began glowing a light blue. The aura intensified into a white light, and when it faded, Sandslash was about a foot taller and totally refreshed!
 "What just happened?" Allison asked.
 "I'm not sure," Uiru replied. "Did it evolve?"
 "It still looks like Sandslash," Jessica stated.
 Although they didn't know then what had happened, they would eventually figure out that Sandslash had become a Ground-Dragon type! Sandslash exchanged it's weakness to Water and Grass with a weakness against Dragon attacks, however, it's own new Dragon attacks were a lot more powerful.
 There were other minute changes as well. The new dragon Sandslash had three large claws instead of two and were a bit longer. It's hind legs were better developed for higher jumping and better speed.
 "I can feel that thing's 'kick-yo'-ass' aura from over here," Uiru grinned. "Sandslash, Dragon Cut!"
 Sandslash blazed up to Genoryu, it's claws igniting with blue flame. It performed a version of Marowak's Bone Twist on the evil Dragon type, blasting it in the jaw with it's left claw and scratching right down it's body with the right.
 The others, watching this show, realized they were supposed to be fighting and charged. Arcanine used Fire Spin, Kabutops used Hydro Pump, and Genocide attacked with Nightmare. Genoryu's own claw started glowing with a dark blue light and it slapped Sandslash away! It then dropped a Dimensionshift Wave on Genocide and slammed Arcanine and Kabutops with Bleak Eternal.
 Mr. Mime, Hypno and Alakazam used their secret triple team attack, Purple Ring. Around Genoryu, a giant coil of Psychic energy started wrapping in a cylinder around it. Genoryu clawed it and got shocked for the effort. The others stepped out of the way as the Purple Ring solidified and exploded!
 Genoryu was getting pissed (moreso then it was already) and launched successive Fire Blasts at the Psychic team. Jigglypuff jumped up and slammed two of them with Light Screen while Clefairy caught the last one. After taking so much Fire energy, Jigglypuff responded with Magma Wave, dumping a load of molten lava on the Dragon type. It didn't do a terrible amount of damage but it did get Burned! Sandslash powered up a Dragon powered Slash attack and went completely skitz on the burned area.
 Clefairy stuck it's fingers in the air and used Metronome. Nothing seemed to happen! Clefairy pouted.
 When Genoryu charged at the recovering Arcanine with a Bite attack, however, the moon's crust actually reached up and slapped it!
 "What was that?" Heidi asked.
 "It might be Clefairy's Metronome," Nick stated. "Knowing your Pokémon, it probably used an attack we havn't discovered yet."
 Genoryu tried attacking Kabutops and got the same result. When it attacked Arcanine again, however, the Ground shield was gone. Allison recalled Arcanine before it got killed.
 "Are we winning or what?" Leah asked.
 "I dunno," Matt replied. "We're hitting it with everything we have left... Sandslash seems to be doing a great job though."
 In a flash of inspiration, Genoryu spat Bleak Eternal attacks at all the combatants. Clefairy's Earth Protect move caused all of them to disappate, however, Genoryu could now attack again.
 Sandslash leapt up on Genoryu's back and Slashed away, the flame on it's claws glowing brighter and brighter. Genoryu reached back and grabbed Sandslash and threw it off, then hit it with Dimensionshift Wave! Sandslash shook it's head and charged again.
 Meanwhile, Dragonair had been sitting calmly in the corner, thinking about the use of Dragon Beam. It decided that using the power before all it's comrades were killed would produce the best result. It quietly began charging the attack.
 Blastoise and Hitmonchan were getting tired, but they fought on, launching their Ice attacks in quick succession. They had to be extremely careful not to hit Sandslash because it was now twice as weak against Ice as before, and it took heavy damage from it in the first place.
 Sandslash wanted to see what the moon's version of Rock Slide would look like, so it took a break from Dragon Cutting Genoryu and summoned the Rock power. Chunks of moon rock easily floated up in the air, then slowly came down on Genoryu's head.
 Blastoise started charging up it's Snowstorm attack, and waved Kabutops over to help it. When the snow started falling again, Genoryu charged like a freight train at the two but Dragonair anticipated the move and launched the incredible Dragon Beam! Blown a good twenty metres away, Genoryu certainly wasn't having much fun anymore. It's problems were added to when more giant chunks of ice fell on it.
 "It can't take much more damage," Uiru replied.
 Whether it could or it couldn't didn't matter, because Genoryu started using Terrify and Dimensionshift Wave attacks on all the Pokémon at once. Kabutops and Hitmonchan were tired anyway and they fell, and Blastoise managed to get one last Ice Cannon barrage out before falling unconscious. Marowak hit the turf and Starmie went with it. The Psychic types couldn't withstand the Ghost type salvo and fainted. Genocide had had enough.
 "Oh, crap!" Allison swore as she recalled her Pokémon. "Now what do we do?"
 Within seconds, the field was clear of challengers, save two- Dragonair and the Dragon type Sandslash. Genoryu ceased it's barrage of Ghost attacks and glared at it's last two opponents.
 "Dragonair, use Dragon Beam!" Geoff shouted.
 Dragonair had a better idea. It evolved.
 Dragonair evolved into Dragonite! Measuring in at a massive twelve feet tall, Dragonite was big enough to stand up to Genoryu's swift, savage attacks. It's endurance and resistance ensured that Genoryu's mostly Ghost type attack arsenal would be less effective.
 After impressing the crowd and striking a dramatic pose, Dragonite went and used Dragon Beam. Sandslash carefully ran up Dragonite's back and leapt off, giving Genoryu the White Flame version of Fury Swipes right on the nose. Genoryu hadn't had enough experience with Dragon Beam to be able to use it, so it would have to make due with it's Dragon powered attacks.
 Claws and jaws igniting, Genoryu tore into Dragonite, Slashing and Biting with a savage fury. Sandslash slammed Genoryu with a Dragon Cut and gave it a Rampage right in the face. When Genoryu went to slap it off, Sandslash jumed clear at the last second and Genoryu hit itself in the head!
 Dragonite recovered and like the others, began emitting blue flame from it's claws. Charging like a juggernaut, Dragonite used the Drill Spin attack, causing it's claws to spin and do a lot more damage. Sandslash took this time to charge up a Dragon Beam, and Dragonite distracted Genoryu by using Dragon Rage. Genoryu wound up on it's head across the arena again.
 Genoryu slowly got to it's feet and roared. The pillars in the corners of the arena suddenly flared up, casting a little more light on the arena. What had just been a figure against the blackness could now be seen as the horrible bone dragon, brusied and seeming to be having trouble breathing. It stomped towards Sandslash and Dragonite, then slowly tipped over and caught itself before it hit the ground.
 "Is it... beaten?" Jessica asked.
 "Not yet," Geoff replied.
 Genoryu pulled it's head up for one last glare of pure hatred at the Dragon brawlers and their trainers, then it fell on the ground for the last time. Within seconds, it's body decayed and turned to dust, piling up on the mountain's arena for the passing of time to do with as it will.
 "Okay, NOW it's beaten," Eric announced.
 The trainers tried to conduct themselves in a mature, dignified manner. That lasted about half a second. With much cheering and jubilation, Fire Strike celebrated it's victory over the evil Genoryu.
 "We are the greatest!" Nick bellowed. "The greatest! Nothing can touch us!" In the joy of the moment, nobody pointed out to Nick that they had started with seventy-four and ended with two Pokémon still conscious.
 Uiru and Geoff ran down to the arena to congradulate their Pokémon. The glow from their claws faded since the battle was over, and the tired but happy Dragon fighters returned to their Poké Balls after much praise and adulation.
 "Party in the rocket!" Eric declared. Matt and Ed cheered their agreement. Eventually, the twelve trainers headed back to their rocket.
 As Nick fired up the engines, he shouted back to the others. "Looks like Team Firestrike is blasting off again!"