Chapter 20: Rock Tunnel Rampage (Part A) by Michael Keens/ Exodus We made our way back to the Rock Tunnel, with any luck, we’d be through by the evening. The flashlight was in order here, and we walked through slowly, the Pokémon that lived here were known to be a little rough, best not to attempt catching them but leave them in peace. It wasn’t too long before someone needed our help, we were becoming regular heroes nowadays. “You there, have you seen my son?” “No, sorry sir.” replied Emily. “Its terrible, he befriended a Geodude and ran into this cave.” “We’ll send him back if we see him.” I suggested. “Please, we have to find him quickly! I really need help, I don’t have any Pokémon to protect me, but you seem to.” “I guess, we should look right away.” Emily said to me. “With any luck, he’ll have followed the path as we are...” We walked slowly through the cave calling the kid’s name: Bobby. The father was an average man, taller than I or Emily, with thick brown hair that spiked outwards. He wore a typical shop assistant outfit, a blue shirt on the inside and a clean white apron even though he was far from any shop, and black trousers with brown boots. “Is it safe for your son to be playing with Geodudes? Especially ones that he hasn’t caught in a Pokéball beforehand?” asked Emily. “Exactly.” said the father, “That’s why we have to find him right away! I can’t stand those ugly hard things!” “To be fair sir, you shouldn’t say such things about them, sure they might be unruly but I’m sure in their own way, they see themselves as being beautiful.” said Emily who generally looked beyond appearances to see a person’s true beauty. I thought of Chad’s Geodude, he didn’t care what anyone thought about him, I hoped Chad was doing okay, without us he might start making a fool out of himself again. Suddenly, a deep rumbling echoed throughout the cave, and a huge Onix burst through and roared. “OONNIIIXXXX!!!” “An Onix...” cried the man. “And it looks real angry with something...” said Emily. “Nothing we can’t handle, Twinkill! Go!” “I choose you Solar!” “Staryu!” “Bulbasaur!” “Twinkill, hit it with Bubblebeam!” “Vine whip, Solar!” “OONNIIXXX!!!” The tail collided where the two Pokémon just were, now in the air, they used their recommended attacks and hit it hard, their attacks were a Ground and Rock Pokémon’s greatest weakness. “OONNIIXXX!!!” It wasn’t ready to give up yet. “Twinkill! Use Water Gun!” “Star!” It unleashed it all on the huge snake who fell back as if the water was acid, well it probably was in rock terms since it practically melted what they called skin. It dived into the earth and burrowed away. “Nice job Twinkill, Return.” “You too Solar.” The man looked really worried, “Don’t try to tell me that Geodude is going to be any nicer!” he shouted before storming ahead. “Too bad.” I thought, “His son probably had good reason to go with the Geodude and was most likely playing with it somewhere, we have to convince the father to give Pokémon a chance.” “Sir, not all Pokémon are bad, take mine for example.” “Maybe so, but I hate Rock and Ground Pokémon.” “Sir, I have a Ground Pokémon, he’s one of the kindest Pokémon I know, you really shouldn’t judge every Pokémon of one type because of a single Onix.” “Sure.” Emily added, “Rock and Ground Pokémon may seem a little rough and tough but once you get past that and become their friend, they become real nice guardians, I bet your son is safe with that Geodude.” “Grrrr... I won’t hear anymore! I’m going to find my son and take him away from all these Pokémon and that's final!” He stormed ahead again. “Emily, you don’t own any Rock or Ground-type Pokémon.” I said to her quietly. “I know, but I hoping to find a Cubone in the Lavender area, they’re just so cute and I only need one Ground-type.” We chased after the man who had reached a central cavern, we peeped around the corner. “Whhheeee!!!” “Geo! Geo!” “You’re so much fun Geodude, my father doesn’t usually let me play with Pokémon, thanks for bringing me to your home!” “Dude!” It was floating around while the young boy chased it, he wore white clothing and had spiky brown hair. “Bobby! Get away from that thing!” The boy gasped, “Dad!” “So, after I told you to stay away, you kidnapped him and brought him here!” “Sir, I think that’s a little harsh!” shouted Emily. “Dad, he invited me here!” “And if you never met this... Thing, you wouldn’t have run away, this is for your own safety! Rock and Ground Pokémon are dangerous!” He snatched his son’s arm. “No Dad! Geodude is my friend! Why won’t you let me play with him?!” “Because!” The ground shattered and the big Onix returned. “That’s why! When it gets bigger it’ll cause trouble!” “OOONNNIIIXXX!!!” “Twinkill!” “Solar!” “We need you again!” we finished in unison. “OOONNNIIIXXX!!!” “Twinkill, use-” I was too late, the Onix was fast and lunged at the Pokémon. Dust filled the area, I swung my arm around trying to clear the air and see where my beloved Pokémon had got to. They were both underneath the huge Onix. “Twinkill!” “Solar!” “Bulba...” “Star...” “Can you use your attacks?” I called out. “Bulba...” “Star...” They were trapped and powerless. “Okay, I’ll just have to use-” A stone tail flew at me and knocked me into the wall, my Pokéballs flew everywhere. “Tetsubo! We need your- Agh!” Emily was next on Onix’s list and soon hit the wall and fell down weak. “OOONNIIIXXX!!!” The tail was swinging wildly, causing rocks to fall, some collapsed on Emily and her arm was trapped, not really crushing her, but preventing her from moving. I ran forward, then stopped as the huge rocks fell in front of me and blocked my path. “Is this what you really want son?!” “Geodude’s not like that mean old Onix! He’s different, he’s my friend!” “Son, we’re leaving!” He saw that the entrance was blocked up. “Look what your stupid Pokémon has done, he’s sentenced us to death!” “Geo...” “No, you’re wrong! Geodude, can you fight?” “GEO!” It flew upwards, arms outstretched. “Start off with a Rock Throw, Geodude!” “Geo!” It chose the rocks by the entrance and threw them forward, the Onix blocked them with its tail, still keeping tabs on the two Pokémon buried under its body. This would help Geodude in the way that it would only use its tail, unless it wanted our Pokémon to get free. “Geodude, Earthquake!” “What?!” screamed his father unable to stop the battle. “GEODUDE!” It hit the floor but the Onix stood its ground, worse still it only caused more rocks to fall. “So... destructive...” panicked the father. “Kid! If you want to win!...” I shouted, “... You have to use Onix’s other weakness, use Fighting attacks!” “Fighting attacks... Geodude! Use the Seismic Toss!” “GEO!!!” Everyone would wonder how Geodude had the strength to lift something 10 times or so the size of him, but he did. “Geo!” Throwing Onix into the rubble at the exit, the rocks crumbled away as did the Onix, it was very angry. “OOOONNNNIIIIXXXX!!!” It threw itself at the nearest person, in this case, Bobby’s father. “Aaaaarrrggghhh!!!” he screamed. “GEO!” Geodude leapt in the path and took the damage. “Dude...” “...” The father was speechless. “ONIX...” it growled, looming over the group before throwing itself down. “Star!” “Bulba!” Water and leaves hit the Onix from behind. Not willing to take on those two again, it disappeared into the earth and burrowed away, probably for good this time. “A little help kid...” I called from my spot. “Geodude, help those two out by lifting the rocks.” “Geo.” He got me out first and we both lifted the rocks until Emily was free, a little bruised on the arms but otherwise okay. “Son, I...” “You want me to leave because of that Onix...” “Yes I do son, but Geodude may come along with you.” “Really?!” “If it really was what I said it to be, it wouldn’t have battled for you, nor risked its life to save mine after the things I said about it.” “Aw thanks Dad!” he said hugging the Geodude. “Need a Pokéball, kid?” I asked politely. “No thanks sir, Geodude isn’t a tool to fight with, he’s my friend and we are equal. I want him to be free to do what he wants, within reason.” After finding my Pokéballs, we walked back to a crossroad so that the father, son and Geodude could get back to their home. “Bye! Thanks for making my father understand!...” “That was real great the way you brought them together.” said Emily. “Me? Don’t blame me for this one, that Geodude did it on its own, he deserves all the credit.” We continued on our way, pleased that the father had seen the error of his judgements. End of Chapter 20A Back to Chapter 19B Chapter 20B Back to Story List #1 - #20 Back to the Pokézone