Simon hummed to himself as he entered the Pokemon Center just outside the Cerulean City side of Mt. Moon.  He was feeling quite proud of himself already on this journey, having already made it to the first big landmark he wished to explore on his quest.  

Mt. Moon was said to hold ancient, extinct pokemon fossils, stones and materials necessary for evolution, not to mention a few different species of pokemon themselves.  He was about to approach the nurse running the Center when he heard someone off to the left, drawing away his attention.

“Hey... Hey!  Kid, c’mere, I got something I’m sure you’ll want,” said a tall, gruff man wearing a plaid shirt, a vest with lots of small pockets, jeans and hiking boots.  He was seated at one of the center’s tables.  Though his immediate instinct was to ignore him and be on his way, Simon shrugged his shoulders and decided to hear what the man had to say.

“Maybe you’re right… what do you want?”

“You’re heading into Mt. Moon, aren’t you?  I can tell, you’ve got that look of an explorer.  You’re hoping to find all the hidden secrets of the mountain, aren’t you?” He asked, his grin wide as he saw the look in Simon’s eye, the one that said he was right on the money.

“Well, I’ll tell ya what kid, I wanna help you out, for just 500 pokedollars, I can give you this state of the art explorer’s kit,” he said, thumping a brown package sitting on the table next to him.  

Simon considered the offer.  He had really only brought a few supplies with him, books he might need, sleeping bag, some food and drinks for himself and his pokemon.  And it’s not like he didn’t have the money to spare, he’d already beaten several trainers on his way to the mountain.  He hoped this wasn’t someone trying to make a quick buck at a young trainers expense.

“Alright...  I’ll bite.  You’ve got yourself a deal,” Simon said with a firm nod.  The mountaineer grinned, and after having Simon transfer the funds to him, handed over the package.  As soon as it was in Simon’s hands, the man leapt from his seat, turned, and left the center laughing.  

Simon got a sinking suspicion he’d just been swindled.  Sighing, he ripped open the package and dumped it out on the table, finding a sturdy looking pickaxe, some rope, a headlamp, and what appeared to be a map of the inside of the mountain.  All of it somehow stuffed in there…

He felt a little better knowing that he hadn’t been conned, and put the headlamp on, the map in his pack, and slung the pickaxe over his shoulder.  Humming again, he approached the desk and was greeted by a woman in a nurses uniform and bubblegum pink hair.

“Hello, welcome to the Mt. Moon Pokemon Center, how can I help you?” she asked with a warm smile.  

“I’d like to have my pokemon returned to full health and strength before I head into the mountain, please,” Simon said, returning her smile.

“Of course, simply put your pokeballs in this tray and I’ll take care of them,” She said, sliding a tray with six slots perfectly sized for pokeballs.  Simon filled up four of them and slid the tray back.  The nurse quickly picked it up and slid it into a slot on a large machine behind her.  With the press of a button and a flash of light, the process was complete.

“Here you are, all refreshed and ready to go.  We hope to see you again,” She told him as she passed the tray back to him.  Simon felt her choice of words were a bit odd, but let it go.  He had no time to argue grammar and syntax with someone right now, he had a mountain to explore.

A turn to the left had him looking right into the gaping entrance of the mountain, just barely able to see inside of it.  Undeterred, Simon marched right inside.  

The interior was, unsurprisingly, a large expanse of open space.  The sunlight only reached in so far, so as soon as it was hard to see, Simon flicked on the head lamp, glancing around. 

Stone as far as the eye can see, no shock there.  Jagged and uneven along the walls, smooth along the floor, and a ceiling just beyond the light of his lamp’s light.  Simon paid close attention to the walls, putting his hand on it.  He heard that the pokemon fossils could be found closer to the surface nowadays…

But, as he was examining the wall, an echo from afar reached him.  Just barely audible, he had to focus to hear it again.  A dull groan, perhaps? Either way, he turned the light off and quickly fished a pokeball from his waist.  

In a flash, the ball released his Bulbasaur, who just looked up at Simon with a huff, eyes blinking to adjust to the dark.  “Saaaur…”

“Something’s up ahead.” Simon said simply.  “Stay close, okay?” 

Bulbasaur rolled his eyes, but followed after Simon anyways, right at his side.  The further in they went, the louder the sound grew.  It was more… consistent.  Simon slowed his pace as a thought came to him.  He quickly shook it off, though.  ‘No… keep your mind clear.’ He thought. 

Despite his efforts, though, that thought stayed in his head.  The sounds were far too familiar, even more than he would admit.  

“C’mon… a little faster… you can do it…” a voice said from the darkness.  The moment Simon heard it, he stopped in his tracks immediately.  His hand had slipped around the rocky wall, indicating a corner to turn. Everything told him to turn tail and explore another day.  He would have too, but Bulbasaur continued on anyways, just barely visible as he went around the corner.  

“Bulbasaur, no!” Simon said, keeping his voice down.  He growled, setting the pickaxe down before following after his starter.  

In the short time he’s had his starter, Simon learned full well that he was as stubborn as he was loyal.  Followed orders without fail… unless something else intrigued him.  When Simon caught up to him, the first thing he noticed was another light.  It was behind a few rock formations, but it was just enough to shine through.  The sounds were unmistakable now. 

Those were moans. And Bulbasaur was peeking through a spot between rocks, his stumpy tail wagging around like mad.  Simon, approaching slowly, had to crouch down to scoop up his starter.  But when he did… he saw through the space. 

First thing he saw was a brightly shining lantern, the source of light obviously. Second, was a trainer and his Clefairy.  If only that was all.  

Simon found himself staring dumbfounded as he watched that little pixie bouncing on her groaning trainer’s cock, those little wings flapping helplessly as she moaned as well.  Simon didn’t look away, even as they eventually, er… finished. 

Minutes passed slowly, dragging on as the show progressed.  Bulbasaur had to nudge Simon during their last shared moan, breaking the munk’s stare. With a shake of his head, Simon groaned and tore himself away from the scene, opting to just go straight on with Bulbasaur in his arms, even though the grass type flailed about in his arms in protest.  

He just… had to get away.  
………..
Try as he might, Simon couldn't completely shake the thought. He was further in Mt. Moon now, having been lucky enough to avoid most of the wild pokemon that approached.  

For now, he was at least able to focus on his search.  Simon was at a wall, the light focused right on a rather loose looking section of wall right where it met the floor.  “Ah!  Finally, something worth looking into.” He said, letting out a sigh of relief.  Then, he reached for another pokeball, looking over it as it grew in his hold.  

He couldn’t help but be intrigued by the tech, letting it shrink and grow a few times before tossing it to the floor.  

The usual flash, and when it faded, a little Sandshrew was there, slowly uncurling itself and stretching, trembling from head to toe before it looked up at Simon, letting out a soft “Shew?”.  Simon crouched down, giving it a soft little pat on the head.  “I’m going to need your help.” He told it, gesturing to the patch of softer ground.  

Sandshrew’s tail immediately began to swish at the chance, and with a nod he leapt forward, those little claws hacking away at the ground with ease, throwing up sand and pebbles as it dug downwards.   

“Heh.  That’s very good.  Thanks.” Simon said with a nod.  He took a few steps to the side and, after taking careful aim, raised up the pick axe and swung it downwards into the base of the wall.  The air soon filled with the repetitive ringing of the metal against stone.

While both Simon and Sandshrew dug, Bulbasaur let out a wide yawn as he laid out on his belly, waiting.  He released two of his vines, dangling them about in the air and curling them in an attempt to keep himself occupied.  Maybe he could wander off while Simon wasn’t looking… 

Minutes passed by slowly, seeming to meld together as more time just ticked away.  For the most part, the only sound was from Simon’s axe clinking against the ground.  Every now and then, Simon paused to catch his breath.  When he did, Sandshrew came back up as well, caked in dust and catching his breath. And then it was back to work. The two of them managed to get a good hole in the ground, mostly thanks to Sandshrew.

“Puh… Easy.  Easy my rear.  I should have known finding fossils wouldn’t be so simple.” Simon huffed, leaning on the axe a little.  When he did, Sandshrew popped out of a hole behind him, squeaking as he scrambled over to Bulbasaur, pushing at the grass type.  

Before Simon could ask, he lurched a little as the ground under him shifted a little.  He looked to the ground warily.  Was that a crack forming…?  

“Maybe we should go somewhere el- Aaah!!” Right as he took a step away, the ground beneath him gave away, opening up to a gaping hole that he fell right into.  

“Saur!  Bul!”  Just as fast as Simon vanished, Bulbasaur bolted up to his feet and lashed his vines down into the hole, managing to snag Simon by the ankles.  Even as he caught his trainer, Bulbasaur skidded against the ground, being brought to the edge of the hole before coming to a full stop, looking down into it while straining to keep his hold.  Sandshrew even had to help by tugging on Bulbasaur.  

Down below, Simon had clasped his hands onto the headlamp.  Lucky for him, he didn’t drop down.  Unlucky for him, his shirt did.  Unlike his brothers, Simon actually wore underwear beneath his large shirt, now on full display as he dangled there.   “Ah… G-Good catch…” He said, eyes wide as he looked around.  “I’d like to come back up now.” Simon mumbled.  Below, though, a metallic clink grabbed his attention.  The pickaxe met the ground. “Wait, wait… Bulbasaur, can you lower me more?  I think the lower floor isn’t too far.”

“Buuuul…” The request wasn’t impossible.  But Bulbasaur was looking right at Simon’s crotch.  Not by choice, of course, but he was.  And yet… he didn’t look away either.  Even when Simon was close enough to the floor below to let go, Bulbasaur’s gaze stayed there.  

“Okay!  I’m down, you can let go!” Simon called up.  “If you want, you can hop down.  But I think I’ll be fine on my own down here.” He said, untying the vines from his ankles and straightening his shirt back out.  

Unlike the floor above, this one was most certainly barren.  Not even a Zubat squeak could be heard… But what he found was nothing less than a sheer stroke of luck!  They were just barely noticeable, but across the way he could see the definite shape of a Dome fossil.  There were other lumps in the wall, but that was what he saw first.  

It took a little searching, but Simon found the pickaxe again, looking over it before he returned to the wall.  He huffed, hefting it up again as he took aim. This may take a while…
…
Simon let out a heavy sigh as he slumped against the wall, wiping his forehead on his sleeve.  This mining stuff would have been much better if Alvin were here to do the swinging.  Thank goodness the pickaxe was lightweight, or at least as light as a digging tool could be.  

He did cheat a little, though, having Sandshrew come on down to help again.  This time, though, all the digging was focused solely on the areas around anything he found.  This must have been some sort of untapped treasure trove or something!  Once Simon had the Dome fossil freed from the wall, he just found more things.  Two other fossils, a few evolution stones, you name it.  Obviously he didn’t plan to keep it all, but he sure did have some in mind.  

Sandshrew was laying atop the pile, huffing away.  “Thanks again, Sandshrew.  I don’t know what I’d be doing if you hadn’t helped out.” Simon said.  Then, he looked up to the “ceiling” where Bulbasaur scoffed.  “Oh come now, I wouldn’t even be talking right now if it weren’t for you.” He called up to his starter.  “We’re gonna come back up soon.  Your vines should be able to support us separately.”

“Bulbaaaa.” Bulbasaur groaned from above.  

With that, Simon placed it all within his bag, careful to not damage either of the fossils of course.  Once it was all secured on his back, he sent Sandshrew up Bulbasaur’s vines first, then was carried up himself. 

When he crawled from the hole, though, he was met by a brighter light flashing right at his face.  “Hey!  What’re you doing in my stash?!  You thief!” A voice cried out. 

Simon groaned, shielding his eyes.  “Stash…?  What stash?  I fell through the ground!  There’s no way you could have out anything down there!” Simon countered.  Glaring through the brightness, he was just barely able to make out the shape of his accuser.  

It wasn't an impressive sight.  A scrawny, gangly built man with messy, unkempt dark hair. He was wearing long black pants and a button up white shirt, noticeably stained with dirt.  He was glaring at Simon behind thick glasses, staring in both anger and disbelief. “It doesn't matter!  I marked off this area, so anything found here is mine!  And… Eugh.  What even are you?”

Simon let out a little growl, dusting off his shirt as he stood up.  “A chipmunk.  Honestly, what is with everyone needing to ask?  I’d think it was obvious enough.  Either way… this is my find.  And I’m leaving now.” he stated as he adjusted his bag on his back.

“Ohh no you aren’t.  You wanna leave with my stuff?  You’re gonna battle me for it!” The man said, fishing two pokeballs from his hip. He flung them both up, bringing out a Magnemite and a Diglett.  “I won’t even have to try hard.”

Sighing, Simon returned Sandshrew to his pokeball, putting it away and grabbing another.  “Can't just talk this out, huh?  Fine.  Bulbasaur, let’s go.” Simon said as he opened the ball.  

From the light came a female Nidoran, landing right next to Bulbasaur. 

The man let out a boastful laugh, adjusting his glasses.  “Really?  Swapping out an advantage?  Jeez, you must be new to this.  How do you expect to win if-”

“Bulbasaur, use Sleep Powder on the Diglett.  Nidoran, Double Kick.” Simon said in an almost bored tone.  

Bulbasaur leaned forward as a purple looking dust began spewing from its bulb, aimed directly at the opponents Diglett.  Nidoran leapt into the air and landed two solid kicks from its powerful back legs to the Magnemite.  The metal ball pokemon went flying straight back, even past its trainer until it crashed into a wall, falling to the floor and not moving.

“......you don’t know types,” the trainer finished his sentence as Magnemite went flying past him.  As he turned to look and see if his Magnemite was okay, Simon ended the fight completely.

“Bulbasaur, finish off his Diglett with Vine Whip,” Simon said as his Nidoran turned to give him a smile and hopped over to him.  Simon knelt down and gave it a few careful pets, avoiding its horn, not wanting to get poisoned accidentally.  He returned her to her pokeball, and looked up to see Bulbasaur whipping the Diglett again and again, despite the fact that it was clearly knocked out.

“Bulbasaur, jeez, that’s enough!” Simon cried out.  Bulbasaur turned to look at Simon, and gave the Diglett one last whip before withdrawing its vines and returning to his side.  The other trainer seemed to be in a state of shock, falling to his knees.  

He hadn’t even begun to think of his first move, and this…. child had beaten both of his pokemon without even trying.  He returned Diglett and Magnemite to their pokeballs, and eyed Simon wearily.

“Now then...,” Simon paused to clear his throat, standing up straight as he stood over the defeated man.  “if you’re done trying to intimidate and beat me, I can tell you what I would have told you before, had you just been reasonable.  I only took three specimens, there’s a treasure trove of fossils and stones down there, and you’re welcome to help yourself, I’ve got all I needed.” He scolded.

“I just don’t believe it…” the man muttered.

Simon paid him no mind.  “Also, you know the rules, hand over your pokedex,” Simon demanded, holding out his hand.  The other trainer begrudgingly handed Simon his Pokedex.  When he Simon saw the other trainers account balance, he whistled in appreciation.  This would be more than enough to recover the cost of the kit he’d bought, plus a few items at that mall down in Celadon. 

With the transfer done, Simon handed the dex back over.  “Thanks for the experience though.  There's a pokemon center right outside the cave you can use.  Though judging by the way you battle and behave, you must know that better than most.  I’m leaving now.” Simon said.  And with that, he returned Nidoran to her pokeball and turned to leave, Bulbasaur right at his heels as he checked his pokedex’s map for a way out. 

The remainder of his little trip through the caves were more or less uneventful. That is, until he reached the actual exit. 

Simon froze up in place as he saw a Clefairy lingering around, trilling softly to itself as it roamed the stony floor, hopping and floating about.  He stayed right where he was even as it passed by him as if he wasn't there at all.  

In that instance, the image flashed in his head again.  Simon gulped quietly, his eyes closed as he tried his best to focus on something else. But he couldn't… The sight, the sound, he just couldn't get it out of his head. 

“Bulbasaur…?” Simon looked down to his starter.  Bulbasaur was looking at him with a look similar to concern. Blinking, Simon glanced and realized that his hand was now wavering by the pocket of his bag that held the unused pokeballs.  

Did he dare…?  Simon bit his lip, his hand curled tight in a fist.  No… he had to get the data.  He had to.  Even if it would make him completely uncomfortable. Simon closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath.  This is what the professors have to go through, right?  Moments of doubt, moments of discomfort, it was all for the cause of-

“Bul!”

Simon’s eyes bolted open.  Not only was Bulbasaur glaring him down, but he had noticed he was standing in a throwing pose.  Where the Clefairy had once stood was now a pokeball, glowing red in the center as it swayed.  Simon yelped and dove forward, trying to pry the ball open to no avail.  

His heart sunk a little as the red light faded away, releasing a few starry glimmers that disappeared as soon as they arrived. 

Simon stared at the ball in disbelief.  Then, trading gazes with Bulbasaur, he just sighed in defeat. 

“I… Let’s go.  If we keep moving, we should reach Pewter before nightfall.” Simon said with a huff, storming out of the cave as fast as he could, clamping the ball to his waist with the others as he went. The sun was going down now… had he really spent all that time in the mountain?  He didn’t care.  As soon as he spotted the pokemon center ahead, he pushed forward. 

He had to shake these thoughts, and fast.