Dark Side of Mt. Moon

[Kasumi Miyagi]

~ A Kasumi Miyagi and Venamisa Original ~

In a world where little creatures run free and elemental power is stored inside of them, Pokemon and trainers live together in harmony. They train each day to be their best and accomplish bigger and better goals they set for themselves. Most of these trainers live a respectable and thriving coexistence, but there are those who try to destroy the peaceful nature of this world... the members of Team Rocket. This is the story of how one trainer meets a member of Team Rocket and discovers not all of them are as terrible as everyone thinks. Can one young girl change the heart of a known Pokemon thief? Will the Team Rocket member steal from her too? Read along and discover the adventure on the dark side of Mt. Moon!  

[Kasumi Miyagi]

Name: Haruka Chelli Garris

Age: 15

Occupation: Team Rocket Grunt

Badges: None

Brief Bio: Haruka was born to parents both members of Team rocket who had fallen in love after many missions together. She was raised to only think of Pokemon as her tools to climb her way to the top. The Pokemon she received for her 15th birthday was a Cyndaquil freshly hatched at a daycare center not far from Cerulean City and Haruka felt a connection with the small Pokemon from the moment it looked at her. This would be her one Pokemon she raised and showed the world to for its entire existence. Receiving her second Pokemon as a gift from her new boss, Haruka took the new Persian and set out with her partner, Shizuku, to go on her first mission to Mt. Moon.

Photo:

Pokemon in Party:
Blaze (male) Level 14 Moves: Quick Attack, Smokescreen, Ember, and Leer.
Persian (Female) Level: 28 Moves: Bite, Screech, Feint Attack, and Swift.



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Name: Shizuku Hitomei

Age: 16

Occupation: Team Rocket Grunt

Brief Bio: Shizuku was raised under the same leadership as Haruka and learned that Pokemon were tools to be used to accomplish power in the world. He and Haruka both were assigned as teammates and sent to the first mission for grunts at Mt Moon. Not much else is known about him.

Photo:

Pokemon in Party:

Houndoom (male) Level 28 Moves: Thunder Fang, Smog, Ember, and Bite.

Rhyhorn (male) Level 14 Moves: Horn Attack, Stomp, Tail Whip, and Fury Attack  

[Lady Venamisa]

Venamisa's Characters:

Name: Amy Hallows

Age: 14

Occupation: Pokemon Trainer, aspiring Champion

Specialty: Has the ability to understand Pokespeak; doesn't have a particular battle style.

Badges: 1

Brief Biography: A cheerful, outgoing child from the town of Pallet. Born with an ability to understand Pokemon, she often found them more fastinating than other kids around her. With her father having abandoned them long ago, Amy and her mother struggled to make ends meet. In order to aliviate their financial situation, Amy decided to become a trainer and send earnings from battles back home. Her goal is to become Champion, so that they can have a better life. She also hopes to find her father along the way.

Pokemon in Party: - River (male); level 13; Known Moves: Tackle, Tail Whip, Water Gun, Bubble, Withdraw

- Cleo (female); level 11; Moves: Tackle, Sand Attack, Gust



Name: Ian Oak

Age: 15

Occupation: Pokemon Trainer, aspiring Champion

Specialty: Prefers to cripple with status ailments first, then come in for the kill. Doesn't use a particular type.

Badges: 1

Brief Biography: Professor Oak's grandson, and one of the children who bullied Amy growing up. He discovered her gift by accident, and became very jealous of her. He will do anything to prove himself better, and will deny her any victory possible. His goal is to become Champion before her, purely out of this hatred. At least, that's how it seems...

Pokemon in Party: - Bulbasaur (male); Level 14; Known Moves: Tackle, Growl, Leech Seed, Vine Whip, Poison Powder, Sleep Powder.

- Pikachu (female); Level 15; Known Moves: Thundershock, Tail Whip, Growl, Play Nice, Quick Attack, Thunder Wave  

[Kasumi Miyagi]

Haruka Chelli Garris

Today was the day. Haruka woke up and ran to her closet to put on her brand new Team Rocket uniform and neatly pulled her long orange-hazel hair into a long ponytail at the middle of her head in the back. She winked at herself in the mirror and grabbed her single pokeball with the black heart sticker on it from her night stand. She was being sent out on her first mission and she would be meeting her partner, Shizuku, for the first time. From the report she read in the Rocket Archives, he was bright and very agile. Clearly they had given her the cream of the crop to work with. The indigo-eyed girl slipped her white gloves and long black boots before running downstairs to her parents' kitchen to snag a piece of toast with fresh Pecha Berry jam on it. "Got to go! Thanks for the toast! Her parents laughed and called after her while throwing a backpack toward their daughter. "Hey! Don't forget your gear! There's some poke-money in there if you have any fees to pay the admins for being new to a mission! Bring home a fortune in moon stones!" Haruka caught the bag and slipped it over her shoulder before quickly sprinting to the headquarters.

Once she arrived, Haruka dropped her bag at her feet and stood behind the other new recruits. The admins were giving out the instructions she had been reading last night and assigning teammates for each squad. "Haruka Garris." The one woman called suddenly. Haruka stiffened and walked briskly to the stage, taking a pokeball she was handed. "Ms. Garris, this is a new Pokemon for your missions with Team Rocket for the duration of your service. We expect great things from you. Go over there and wait with squad A and find your partner." Haruka nodded and turned on her heels, grabbing her bag close to her and locking the new pokeball in her belt. She looked around and spotted the blonde male looking very serious at the stage sporting a large onyx stud in his right ear. His icy blue eye free from his bangs looked her over and nodded silently. "Shizuku?" the young girl asked curiously only seeing his last name on his bag. The man nodded and looked back at the stage. After another few mins, the grunts all turned on their heels and marched into the open outdoors following the trail to Mt. Moon.

After a few minutes of marching, Haruka and Shizuku were ordered to stand guard at the entrance to Mt. Moon facing Pewter City's direction and to keep any trainers away that may come by to mess up their mischief. Haruka grabbed her new pokeball and released the pokemon from the inside. Once the flash cleared, she discovered an adorable Persian was her new pokemon for the mission. Judging by the coat, it was strong and well polished for battles that would lie ahead. Shizuku shrugged and let his new Houndoom from the capsule out to keep watch as well. "And now we wait." Haruka sighed boredly. "So... how long do you think it will be before we see any moon stones and Clefairy coming our way?"  

[Lady Venamisa]

Amy Marie Hallows

All had gone silent in Pewter City's gym, as Brock sent out his final Pokemon, an Onix. Amy sharply inhaled, as she took in it's impressive size and build. The rock-snake easily towered over River. Various dings and scratches adorned it's body, testament to years and years of intense battle experiences. River, too, seemed to be speechless, most likely realizing that he'd have to fight that thing. It wasn't as if they would be allowed to leave; a trainer was required by law to finish any battles they started, especially ones with a gym leader. It was either that, or forfeit, which would require losing half of their hard-earned money, which really wasn't an option at this point. Between a surprise encounter with Ian Oak, and a disastrous trek through Viridian Forest, the contents of her bag had been whittled down to a single potion and several balls. They needed to win - there was no other choice. It was that notion that kept Amy from panicking, as the Squirtle turned to look at her with a hint of uncertainty. She merely inclined her head and smiled, words failing to reach her lips. River nodded back, turning to face his enemy. Amy took a deep breath, and held up her chin a fraction. 'Never let them see you sweat!' Her mother had advised. 'Half the battle is poise and confidence - show them you're not afraid, and they'll be the ones running scared!' And while she doubted that a gym leader would actually run away, that confidence would be more than needed here.

"Onix, you know what to do." Brock said coolly, as though his Geodude had not just fainted from a single Bubble attack. With a mighty roar, the rock-snake flicked it's thick tail at River with a surprising amount of speed. "River, don't let it hit you!" She shouted. River took that as a cue to hide in his shell, letting it absorb the worst of the damage. This proved to be fairly risky when he was flung clear over to the other side of the gym. Amy gasped as his shell connected with cold, hard stone. "River!" She cried, moving to run over. Before she could, he was already up and moving. "I'm okay!" He told her, running back into face the enemy. He smirked while dodging a second attack. "It'll take more than that to knock ME out!" Relieved, Amy turned her attention toward the battle once more. A plan started to form in her mind. "Alright, then! River, keep going!" "Right!" And so he did. Neither she nor Brock issued commands, opting to let their Pokemon take over the battle. Every time the Onix would strike, River avoided contact as much as possible, slowly wearing down the enemy's endurance. This continued for a while, until Amy finally saw an opening she could take advantage of. "River, use Bubble!" she commanded, just as the Onix readied itself for another attack. River quickly obliged, firing off a quick burst of them in it's direction. Without enough time or room to dodge, the entirety of it hit the Onix square in the face. It fell to the ground with a loud, rumbling cry, defeated. The ground vibrated from the force of the impact, and a fair bit of dust had been brought up into the air. She coughed for a moment, as did River, who had probably breathed in more than her. For several long, uncomfortable moments, silence filled the room.

"You did well, old friend." He said kindly, returning the rock-snake to its' ball. "Rest now - you've earned it." He then walked over to Amy, a sort of rueful expression upon his face. "I've defeated quite a few trainers who come in with a Squirtle or Bulbasaur. They tend to get overconfident, and think they'll win by type-advantage alone. You were nothing like them." He held out a small, silver badge, a gray pouch, and a small disk. "Here is your reward, as promised. A badge, your money, and a TM for Rock Tomb. You've more than earned them." Amy took them from him, as a bubbly feeling began to overtake her. "Thank you." she replied, resisting the urge to laugh like a loon. Once everything was safely put away, she then knelt down and embraced her weary partner. Cleo, who had been watching the battle from a spot high up, flew down to them. "You were brilliant out there, River! Absolutely brilliant!" "Yay! You did it~!" Cleo chirped happily, pecking his cheek in a show of affection. The three of them remained like that for several moments, forgetting about the world around them. Then, she got up, offering her arm for Cleo to roost on. "Would you like me to carry you to the center?" She asked him seriously, taking in his injuries. Though minor, she imagined that he'd been exhausted. He nodded. "Carry me, please?" He asked, with an air of childish innocence. "Sure thing, buddy." She picked him up without another word, she stood up and lifted him off the ground. His deep, brown eyes glimmered with a tired sort of happiness. Amy laughed then, overcome by emotion.  

[Kasumi Miyagi]

Haruka Chelli Garris

Haruka had been waiting outside the cave entrance with her partner and their pokemon for several minutes before another grunt pair came out to relieve them. "I thought we were to wait here and guard the entrance?" Haruka looked at the other pair uncertainly. "Well the boss decided we could use some more supplies. You and Shizuku are to go to the Pokemon Center in Pewter City to steal any pokemon Mr. Giovanni may like for his experiments. He's especially fond of any starter pokemon new trainers may be carrying with them. Head over and take some of these Rocket Balls with you. Silph Co gave us these for you to capture owned pokemon. They won't disclose who made them, but they said he was tricky to take them from. Go and get some pokemon for the boss and come back to meet up with the rest of us. Here are four balls for each of you." Haruka took her pokeballs and looked at them. They almost looked like something from a horror movie. Shaking her head of the thoughts, she put the balls on her belt and Shizuku did the same for his. Both the grunts returned their respective pokemon to their capsules and grabbed their bags."Let's go, Haruka. I'm aiming for a strong catch today."Haruka nodded and the two young teens sprinted off toward Pewter City with determination in their eyes.  

[Lady Venamisa]

Amy Marie Hallows

"There we go! Your Squirtle is all better now!" The nurse said cheerfully, handing her a tray with River's ball on it. "Oh, and congratulations on your first badge!" Amy took it and beamed."Thanks, but I really didn't do much. River here did all the work!" She then released her friend, so that he could enjoy being outside with Cleo for a time. The two instantly started to talk about the battle against Brock amongst themselves, though no one else could possibly understand. The nurse smiled sweetly, highlighting the youthful beauty of her young, fresh face. "Is there anything else I can do for you, Miss Hallows?" Blushing at the formal use of her name, Amy fished around her backpack for a small, white envelope. It took a few moments, but she found it in nearly perfect condition. "I put half of my earnings in here." the trainer said, placing it on the table. "May I use the mailing service to send it back home?" The nurse nodded. "Yes, you may. Leave it with me, and I'll place it with the rest of the outgoing mail. Your envelope should arrive in as little as a few days, depending on your destination."

The next few minutes were spent discussing the service as a whole. Since Pallet Town wasn't too far off, mailing wouldn't cost a thing. Starting in Cerulean, though, there would be a small delivery fee. Though expected, did put a small damper on Amy's mood. From now on, she'd have to be more frugal with her money. Once everything was settled, she called for River and Cleo. "Hey guys, it's time to head out! We've got some shopping to do!" The two Pokemon eagerly flocked toward her - she had promised them a little reward for their first badge, after all. She left the center with Rifer at her side, and Cleo on her shoulder. As they approached the little blue mart, Amy couldn't help but feel that today was going to be absolutely wonderful. Humming a merry little tune to herself, she opened the door for Cleo and River, before entering herself. Before heading to the counter, Amy decided that she could probably afford a couple more potions, and a singlle bottle of antidote, paralyze heal and sleep heal each. She debated on an Escape Rope, but decided against it. Nearly six-hundred Poke was too much to waste on an item that might not even come in handy. According to other trainers, Mt. Moon wasn't too hard to navigate...

Looking back on it now, Amy would wish that she had decided to shell out the money.  

[Kasumi Miyagi]

Haruka Chelli Garris

Shizuku Hitomei

The pair ran down the path toward Pewter City, knowing their dark uniforms with giant R symbols on them were a dead giveaway that they were up to no good. Haruka and Shizuku weren't too concerned about it since their new pokemon were more powerful than other beginning trainers sure to be at the pokemon center. "Make sure to keep a look out for Charmanders, Bulbasaurs, and Squirtles at the center. Anything else is bonus." Shizuku said with a commanding tone in his voice. This man had been on the team for a year now and clearly was letting his time there make him the leader among the two of them. Haruka nodded and finally they arrived at the city, getting plenty of scared looks from the residents and a few glares of malice. Haruka called out her Persian and Shizuku sent out his Houndoom, both roaring with confidence.

Shizuku ran toward the pokemon center to the left and Haruka went to the pokemart on the right, hoping to find a timid clerk who would hand over some potions and all the poke in his drawer so she could bring back some extra for the boss. She burst through the double doors and yelled pointing at the clerk who shook and ducked behind his register. "You! Give me the money in the drawer. The rest of you prepare for some trouble from Team Rocket's Haruka!" The clerk gulped and started stammering as he was opening the register and collecting the money in a pile to go in Haruka's bag. She looked around the mart and saw a pink-haired girl with a Pidgey on her shoulder and more importantly a Squirtle at her side. "Trainer, give me that Squirtle and I'll leave you in one piece. Persian hissed and growled menacingly. Haruka handed her bag to the clerk as he was trying to toss the money into it. Haruka's eyes were full of determination as she stared down the young girl and her two pokemon.  

[Lady Venamisa]

Amy Marie Hallows

"Is that everything, miss?" The clerk asked, once Amy carefully placed her items down on the counter. "Yes, I think that should do it." It had been somewhat difficult to pick out what was needed, and what wasn't. In order to make room for her Pokemons' gifts, she had to stick to the necessities. It had been difficult to pass up candies, tea bags, sugar and other frivolous things, it was worth it. Cleo and River looked absolutely fabulous with their Silk Scarf and Black Glasses respectively, and seemed to be delighted with them. Each one boosted a specific type of move, which would come handy later on. For now, they were simply a fashion statement, and a sincere thank you. The clerk nodded. "Alright, miss, that will be -"

Before he could finish, however, someone burst through the door."You! Give me the money in the drawer. The rest of you prepare for some trouble from Team Rocket's Haruka!"The one who had spoken was a girl with long, orange hair. Tall, pretty and seemingly flawless, she was the sort that boys back home would have been attracted to - had she not declared herself a member of the infamous, evil organization. At her statement, terror seemed to grip the small store. The clerk quickly ducked behind the counter to do as he was told, while the rest of the customers hastened to move back as far as they could. Amy would have gone with them, but found herself rooted to the spot. People like this Hakura girl were often spoken about in nothing but the worst ways. It was often said that a member of Team Rocket wouldn't hesitate to kill anyone in their way. They were the stuff of nightmares and horror stories, having ended the careers of many a poor trainer.

River tensed beside her, poised to attack on a moment's notice. Cleo remained perched on her shoulder, her expression far more serious than normal. Amy nearly flinched as Hakura turned in her direction."Trainer, give me that Squritle, and I'll leave you in one piece."Beside her, the Persian hissed and growled menacingly. Hakura then handed her bag to the clerk, as he was trying to toss money into it. In that moment, Amy had known true fear. The girl was not only determined, but she was dangerous. Even so...

"N-no." The refusal was nothing more than a faint murmur, but a foreboding silence followed nevertheless. Amy gulped, eyes wide with fear.  

[Kasumi Miyagi]

Haruka Chelli Garris

Shizuku Hitomei

Haruka raised an eyebrow as the young pink-haired trainer protested in a murmur. Her first trainer who wasn't going to give her what she wanted. The orange-haired trainer pointed at her and her pokemon leaped into action. Persian ran at the girl, causing most of the other trainers to scream and rush to the walls to get away, hiding behind some of the cases of merchandise to shield them. Haruka then smirked and held up one of the dark pokeballs with something that looked like it was from a nightmare. "I don't take no for an answer, trainer." Haruka tossed the pokeball that had no intention of stopping. It landed on the Squirtle that was protecting its trainer from the large cat pokemon and in an instant it disappeared inside the dark sphere. Persian picked it up in its mouth and growled threateningly at the pink-haired girl as it leaped away. Haruka picked up the ball and tucked it in her belt next to her own two pokeballs. Reaching for the bag, she zipped it shut and turned toward the door. "Pleasure doing business with you all." The rocket grunt ran out the door and found her partner running out of the poke center with a smirk on his face as well.

"I got a good haul this time. Two Bulbasaurs, one Charmander, and one Raichu. I hope you got the money from the mart and at least one pokemon from some poor sucker." The blonde man's cool green eyes looked at Haruka's belt and hoped for a good answer. "I got someone's Squirtle and it had Black Glasses on. I count that as something. But I did manage to get all of the money in the store." Shizuku nodded and Haruka turned back, seeing a pink haired girl emerge from the mart. "Back off, kid. You've lost this one. There's more of us up on Mt. Moon if you get some foolish courage to come after us. Persian, use Smokescreen!" The large cat pokemon released a large cloud of smoke from it's mouth and the two rocket grunts laughed as they disappeared behind the cloud of smoke from the attack, making their way to Mt. Moon in a fast sprint.  

[Lady Venamisa]

Amy Marie Hallows

For a moment, the two simply stared at each other. A member from the reviled Team Rocket and her Persian, versus a rookie trainer and her friends. She dared not move and barely even breathed, knowing that the next move could decide the battle's outcome. Amy tried desperately to come up with a strategy, but nothing came to mind. River and Cleo would never be able to take on such a strong opponent and win - but they had to try. It was on this note that Hakura pointed at her, and the Persian attacked. What followed next would later be remembered in a blur of action and sound. Amy froze, as the sleek, powerful feline ran directly at her. The next thing she knew, her Pokemon were on the move. Cleo flew swiftly to attack the large cat, only to be swatted away as if she were nothing. In the same instant, River put himself in front of her. "Leave my friends alone!" He shouted defiantly, having lost his Black Glasses in the confusion.

Then, something horrible occurred. "I don't take no for an answer, trainer." Hakura said, a cruel smirk marring her pretty features. The Rocket member held what looked nothing like a pokeball, with the exception of it's shape. Dark in color, the sphere looked quite menacing. Once tossed, Amy could only watch in horror as it hit River - capturing him with a twisted, black light. Then, before she could react, the Persian grabbed the ball in its' mouth and growled threateningly. Amy felt her knees buckle underneath her as it leaped away. Hakura then picked up the ball and tucked it in to her belt. "Pleasure doing business with you all."And with that, she was gone.

Amy stood there for a precious few seconds, before grabbing Cleo's ball and returning her inside. In there, she would be safe until they could get to a Pokemon Center. The trainer didn't know what had gotten into her in that moment, only that she couldn't let it end this way! Without a second thought, she rushed to find her, determined to get River back. It wasn't long before she came across Hakura and someone who could have only been another member of Team Rocket. Anger coursed through her veins, as she heard them brag about their "findings". They talked as if Pokemon were nothing but objects, meant to be taken and used by them. It just wasn't right! For the first time in her life, Amy wanted to hurt someone.

"Back off kid. You've lost this one. There's more of us up on Mt. Moon, if you get some foolish courage to come after us. Persian, use Smokescreen!'Amy choked and coughed, as a thick cloud of smoke surrounded her. It lasted for only a few seconds, but it was enough for them to get away. They laughed as they ran off, already too far ahead of her. By the time she caught her breath, they were completely out of sight. A whirl of emotions hit her in that moment. Hopelessness, helplessness, fear for her friend, guilt at being unable to help him, and most notably, anger. It cut through her other feelings like a hot knife through butter, making the path before her all too clear. She wasn't sure if she could do it, but there was no other way...

Never let them see you sweat.  

[Kasumi Miyagi]

Haruka Chelli Garris

Shizuku Hitomei

Haruka and Shizuku ran up the mountain path laughing maniacally. The pair of young grunts had pulled off their first heists and without too much trouble. With their new pokemon, they were striking fear into the hearts of anyone who came across them. Haruka turned her head and looked around her. The day was getting closer to night and the pokemon around them on the path were trying to run away. The young girl kept looking and looking for a rare pokemon to capture with the powerful pokeballs. She soon found herself and Shizuku at the entrance to the cave. The grunt that had taken their place prior to their departure was waiting with his trusty golbat. "You manage a good haul? The boss was hoping you both would bring back at least two each."

"Mission complete, sir. We managed five pokemon between us." Shizuku saluted and motioned to their trainer belts full of pokeballs. Haruka nodded and saluted as well. "Very good. Go inside and meet up with your other teammates. You'll be tossing all of the captured pokemon in a sack to be taken to Mr. Giovanni. Go now!" Haruka and Shizuku bowed and ran inside with their pokeballs secured tightly to their belts. Not long after they made it inside the cave, a rumble began to break out. It sounded distant, but from the sound of it, the other grunts were trying to capture some cleffary and clefable deeper in the cave where the moon stones were being mined. The pair headed deeper in the cave. The only other thought on Haruka's mind was the pink-haired girl and her deeply sad face when the squirtle of hers was captured and she ran off with it.  

[Lady Venamisa]

Amy Marie Hallows

As soon as Cleo was healed up, Amy headed down to the mart and asked if she could still have the items she hadn't picked up before. The clerk was more than willing to do so, and asked if she wanted anything more. Amy thought about it for a moment, and turned him down. As much as she would have liked having extra supplies, it felt wrong to take anything extra when his store had been robbed. "I found these..." Cleo said sadly, as she landed on the counter with River's Black Glasses. The lenses had been broken during the struggle. Amy took them regardless, feeling her insides clench. He had really taken a liking to them...

The clerk stared at her with a forlorn expression, and placed another pair of Black Glasses on the table, along with a couple more potions. "Here. Take these, as well. It's the least I can do." Amy gently placing everything into her bag. "Th-thank you." she stammered, as tears began to blur her vision. The clerk gave her a soft, wan smile. "You're welcome, dear. Please, be safe. Amy merely nodded and returned Cleo to her ball. "Sorry, girl, but we're not taking any chances." She then exited the store, running as fast as her feet would carry her.

Time was of the essence, after all.