Chapter Text
The world of Pokémon; a world of mystery and wonder, vast and ever-changing. So many stories tell the tales of young boys and girls going out on their Pokémon journey, experiencing adventure and growing to become the people they were always meant to be.
These stories are common, no two quite the same, and this story is about a young boy named Cameron, just ten years old and about to start his very own journey in the Pokémon world.
His home lay in the friendly neighbourhood of Pewter City, a small settlement situated between the legendary Indigo Plateau to the West, Viridian Forest to the South, and Mt. Moon to the East. Closed off and isolated by these great geological features, it was the best way to spend a childhood. At least, that was the opinion of those who’d chosen to live there, and Cameron, though too young to think of such things, quite agreed.
He was heading east at this moment, choosing to spend the glorious summer day out of the house as he journeyed towards the mysterious Mt. Moon. Its deepest depths and darkest caverns held wonder and intrigue beyond anything Cameron could imagine, but the surface levels, those easily accessible from Pewter City, were well known. Cameron had visited often, preferring the dark caves over the bug infested Viridian Forest, perfectly at ease within its rocky tunnels. Even though he had no Pokémon, he always felt safe.
And so, it was this fateful day that Cameron ventured out, following the familiar routes, always on the lookout for new places to explore. And he was in luck. A steep path branched off from the main thoroughfare, down into darkness he hadn’t yet ventured, and he carefully lowered himself, entering the unknown.
He needn’t have been concerned. The steep slope led to a path much like the one he’d just left, although darker as it lay deeper within the mountain. It was decently wide, enough so that more than one person could pass through at a time, and there were no overhanging rocks to worry about bumping your head. In fact, Cameron couldn’t see anything above him at all, the high rock ceiling indistinguishable in the darkness.
A sudden sound startled him. He froze. “Hello?” The sound bounced back off the walls. Cameron rolled his eyes. “Echo.”
Pushing past his amusement at hearing dozens of little Cameron voices parroting back at him, he stepped forward, keeping his eyes peeled. He was interested to see if this tunnel would join up with any of the others he’d already explored, hoping to add to the map he was developing in his head, but the further he walked the more he realised he was being led deeper and deeper into the mountain, far beyond anywhere he’d travelled before. A spark of excitement grew in his chest. He pressed on, following the passage still further.
Something fell into his path. It bounced, colliding with the tunnel wall, before it whirred to a stop on the ground. Cameron approached curiously.
It was a Pokéball.
“Hello!” a voice called out and Cameron jumped. “Hello! Is someone down there?” Cameron looked around wildly, back and forth along the tunnel, before sense finally caught up to him and he looked up.
A figure stood high above him, difficult to make out in the gloom. He appeared to be looking over a ledge, and he leaned further still when Cameron didn’t immediately respond.
“Yeah!” Cameron called, realising that this man, whoever he was, must have dropped the Pokéball. “I’ve got a Pokéball. Is it yours?” The figure shifted.
“You’ve got it? Thank you.” The voice sounded relieved. “I was worried… lost my grip and then it went rolling… anyway, hang on down there, I’ll come find you.” The figure disappeared and Cameron was left alone.
Cameron looked down at the Pokéball. Curiosity burned within him. He picked it up off the ground.
Though Cameron had no Pokémon of his own, he was far from ignorant. He spent plenty of time playing with his parents’ Pokémon, and he had even battled with some of his uncle’s. But still, with a mysterious Pokéball in his grasp, he couldn’t help but want to open it, just to see what was inside.
A chilly gust of wind swept through the tunnel. Cameron shivered. It was a hot summer’s day outside, and as such Cameron was dressed for it, wearing only a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. He rubbed his arms to keep warm.
Just what was taking this guy so long? Had he got lost? Cameron was really beginning to feel the cold. He stomped his feet agitatedly. It must have been at least ten minutes now. Where was he?
And that’s when Cameron heard it. A faint whispering in the air.
Cameron turned in alarm. But there was nothing there. Still, he didn’t feel comfortable. The whispers were not going away. There were rustles, like fabric. Low moans filled the air. Cameron shivered for reasons other than cold. Something was watching him.
“Who’s there?” he asked, trying to sound confident, but his voice shook through the chill. “What do you want?” The whispers grew louder, seeming to fill the whole tunnel, and a soft, chilling laugh echoed through the dark.
“Stop it!” he demanded, taking a step back but immediately coming to a halt as the noise seemed to shift so it was coming from behind him instead. “I’m warning you, stop it.” He held up the Pokéball instinctively. “Don’t make me fight you.”
For a long moment it seemed that the person, or creature or whatever it was that was making those sounds, was considering his threat. The whispers fell quiet, the wind slowing to an almost gentle breeze through the tunnel, and Cameron waited, holding his breath.
A figure appeared suddenly before him, hovering in the air, a malicious ball of purple gas with two large, menacing eyes forming inches from his face.
“Ah!” Cameron fell backwards in shock, tripping over his own feet, and instinctively he thrust the Pokéball in his hand forward, his finger pressing the small white button.
A flash of light blinded him, Cameron threw an arm over his face, and a strong, gravelly voice cried out.
Dust began to whip up all around him. Not knowing what was going on Cameron lay prone, arms raised protectively, as a tornado formed in the tunnel beyond. The gaseous creature disappeared, leaving only a terrifying wail, before a blast of wind shot through the tunnel, blowing Cameron onto his back, and everything fell still.
Safe, or so it seemed, Cameron took in several deep breaths, staring up at where the creature had vanished.
“Hey! Are you alright?!” The man had found him. Heavy footsteps echoed down the tunnel as he ran over, dropping to his knees by his side.
Cameron blinked.
“Y-yeah,” he muttered. “Yeah, I’m alright.”
He started to push himself up, shaking his head to clear it as he felt the man’s supportive hand rest on his shoulder.
“Here, let me help you,” said the man and Cameron soon found himself being lifted back to his feet. He stumbled slightly, his legs momentarily refusing to take his weight, before finding his balance, straightening as he finally got a good look at the man who’d helped him.
His mouth fell open.
“I saw the Gastly jump out at you,” said the man, not seeming to notice Cameron’s stunned reaction. “Tricky devils they can be, can give you quite a fright. Lucky you had Geodude to help you out.”
But Cameron wasn’t listening.
“You,” he gasped. The man paused, then let out a chuckle.
“You recognise me, then,” he acknowledged. “Let me guess, you’re from Pewter City.” Cameron nodded. “Makes sense,” the man considered Cameron with a smile, “only a Pewter kid would come wandering around Mt. Moon without a Pokémon.” He held out his hand. “The name’s Brock. Pleased to meet you.”
Cameron stumbled to respond.
“Cameron,” he murmured, reaching out and allowing his hand to be shaken in Brock’s firm grip. He wanted to say more but found himself completely overwhelmed. Never had he expected to come face to face with a trainer like him. Not the Pewter City Gym Leader.
Brock seemed to notice Cameron’s struggles.
“So, what brings you down here?” he asked conversationally, shoving his hands into his pockets and glancing up and down the tunnel. Cameron blinked.
“Eh, exploring,” he said. “I live in Pewter City, so I come here sometimes.” Stupid Cameron. Hadn’t Brock just guessed that he was from Pewter.
But Brock didn’t comment.
“I understand,” he said, smiling. “I was the same when I was your age. I always had a fascination with rock-type Pokémon, and where better to find them than in Mt. Moon. Even now I can’t help myself. I actually just caught a Geodude, before I was clumsy enough to drop his Pokéball.”
Brock glanced past him and Cameron turned to look. Sure enough, the rock Pokémon was sitting on the ground before them. Cameron hadn’t realised, but he supposed it must have been Geodude who’d saved him. Immediately, he felt a rush of gratitude.
Turning back, Cameron thought he saw an odd look pass over Brock’s face, but it was gone the moment he noticed. He opened his mouth, intent on asking, but Brock cut him off.
“Why don’t you join me?” he said. Cameron’s mouth snapped shut, his eyes wide. “I’ve got some interesting business here in Mt. Moon, if you’d like to come along. I assure you it’ll be worth your while.”
And Cameron, numb at just the thought of being invited to join Brock on his journey, nodded.