Chapter no.34 Under the Moonlight

Seymour, often called "Seymour the Crazy" by his colleagues in Pewter City, was deeply troubled by recent news reports linking Team Rocket to activities in Mt. Moon. The brunette scientist knew that if the rumors about team rocket capturing and selling pokemon on the black market were true, it was imperative to check on the Clefairy tribe living there.

However, the center of Mt. Moon was encapsulated by territories hard to navigate without protection. Lacking the funds to hire an ace or mercenary trainer, Seymour opted for a more grassroots approach. He stood outside the Pewter City Pokémon League, a sign in his hands that rhymed out his plea: Hiring for a trek to Mt. Moon's heart, will pay 4000, who's ready to start?

As luck would have it, most trainers steered clear of Mt. Moon, fearing lingering members of Team Rocket might still haunt its caverns. Just as Seymour's hope began to wane, a young trainer approached, clad in a stylish black and white windbreaker and black jeans.



The trainer's Pikachu, less than thrilled yet obedient, nestled in a baby carrier, absentmindedly slurping on a ketchup packet.

Catching sight of Seymour's sign, the boy flashed a bright smile and chimed in.

"When do we get going?"

Seymour, nervously adjusting his glasses, responded.

"Oh, straight to the point, quick to the task! Let's prepare, any questions you ask?"

_________

The route to the Mt. Moon tunnels was straightforward, yet the security was stringent. Austin found himself irked as he was required to release all his Pokémon for inspection. Thankfully, Nurse Joy had provided his documentation, which avoided any suspicion when the rangers glimpsed his unusually shaven Rattata, whom he called 'the bald lady.' Opting for caution, Austin had left his Spearow with Nurse Joy, not wanting to risk questions about the bird even if forged documents were possible.

Amidst the checks, Seymour glanced at Austin nervously, his voice shaky as he rhymed his concerns.

"Through checks and guards, we boldly stride, but tell me true, can you keep me safe inside?"

"Of course, now where do we head from here?"

Seymour, pulling out a large, crinkled map with an air of frantic precision said, "From observations I've made at night, the Clefairy tribe stays out of sight,

Atop Mt. Moon, they seek moonlight, to bathe their forms in silver bright."

"Then shouldn't we approach from outside?" Austin questioned, noting that the tunnels largely sprawled at the base of the mountain.

Seymour shook his head, his words tumbling out in nervous, neat lines.

"No, no, the tribe's cave hides from view, accessible only to Clefairy crew.

They use minimize, slip through cracks, hidden paths that cover their tracks."

Austin and Pikachu exchanged a glance, a silent agreement passing between them. This guy was insane, Austin thought, but hey, it pays great.

As they delved deeper into the mysteries of Mt. Moon, Seymour posed a question with a curious tone.

"Where do you think Pokémon come from, my dear fellow young?"

Austin shrugged, his memory of the scientist's beliefs from the anime vague at best.

Seymour, undeterred by Austin's lack of engagement, continued enthusiastically.

"Ever since youth, when skies I'd watch, I believed Pokémon from space did hatch.

And where, you ask, is this craft so wide? It's the Moon Stone, hidden inside!"

Austin, maintaining politeness, replied, "Well… That's certainly an original theory."

"You don't believe me."

"Well, not to brag, but my sponsor is Professor Oak, which means I hear a lot of the best theories on the planet."

"Ah, but knowledge is a treasure to share, rare and fair!" Seymour exclaimed as Austin sighed.

I am going to school this man.

"First, have you heard of Arceus, bearer of the universe's genesis?"

The mention of Arceus caught Seymour off guard, and even Pikachu perked up in surprise.

"What Pokémon is Arceus?" Seymour asked, his curiosity piqued, his rhyme momentarily forgotten in his intrigue.

Austin smiled. "Arceus is a Legendary Pokemon in the Sinnoh Region and is said to be the God Pokemon who created three Pokemon Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina." He said pulling them in. "Dialga became the Master of Time and Palkia is the Master of Space setting the two foundations of the world. Giratina however was banished to a place called the Reverse World due to how violent he was. After creating those three, he created Azelf, Uxie, and Mespirit the Lake Trio of Sinnoh who stood for Willpower, Knowledge, and Emotions."

"I've never heard of these Pokémon."

"Well, they're only the first of many legends," Austin replied. "From there, he created three more Pokémon: Groudon, Kyogre, and Rayquaza, during Earth's early stages. Groudon, called the Continent Pokémon, and Kyogre, born in the deep sea. Rayquaza, deemed Master of the Atmosphere, mediates their strife, earning them the title, the Weather Trio. For when Groudon stirs, harsh sunlight fills the air, and Kyogre's presence brings endless rain. Their natures clashed, making them fierce rivals, thus Rayquaza ends their fights with help from the Regi Trio."

"Regi Trio?"

Austin nodded, "Regirock, Regice, and Registeel," he listed them rhythmically. "There's also Regigigas, said to have moved continents to their present locations. And finally, there's Mew, who is said to have created the Pokémon we know today."

Seymour's tone took on an edge of challenge as he asked, "What proof do you have of any of this?"

It wasn't merely a question; it was a test of the boy's claims.

Austin felt a flicker of annoyance.

His first impulse was to throw back a question about Seymour's own outlandish theories, but he restrained himself.

As he took a moment to consider his response, he thought about Seymour's character. Like the quirky scientist from the anime, this real-life Seymour was undoubtedly more complex and layered. He wasn't just a man with wild theories; he was deeply invested in them. To Seymour, these theories were not mere ideas but parts of his very identity. Disputing them would be like disputing who he was.

"I don't know, I heard it from some guy a long time ago. Then again, I'm not a scientist, so I'll leave the evidence gathering to y'all."

Their attention was abruptly drawn away by Pikachu's sharp call.

"Pi Pika Pi!"

Both turned to see a Clefairy standing a short distance away. The pink, chubby creature looked almost mystical with its star-shaped body and delicate features. Its large, pointed ears twitched, and the small wings on its back fluttered nervously.

Seymour suddenly bowed deeply before the Clefairy. He began a series of elaborate gestures. His hands moved rhythmically, and he murmured under his breath, a rhyme forming even in his reverent state:

"O starry sprite of moonlit grace, before thee now I bow my face,

In humble stance, I seek thy lore, 'neath lunar glow forevermore."

The Clefairy hopped back slightly, its eyes wide with surprise.

As Austin decided to use Pikachu to negotiate a night's stay within the Moonstone cave, he handed his Pikachu a berry and gestured toward the pink Pokémon. Pikachu approached the Clefairy, the berry offered as a token of goodwill.

"Pika Pi."

From a distance, Seymour watched the exchange, his frustration mounting.

"This isn't the method, this isn't the way! You can't just throw Pokémon into the fray!"

The boy ignored the scientist.

Pikachu returned, rubbing his belly contentedly.

"Okay, so Clefairy will allow us the room if we give it food."

Pikachu shook his head, holding up two fingers, indicating the food was expected for the entire tribe.

"Okay, we have enough food for a tribe?"

"We do?"

Austin nodded, having prepared extensively, making various dishes over the last few days. His experiments were partly motivated by his desire to witness the moonlight Clefairy dance in real life. With Team Rocket out of the picture, he believed food was the best way to earn their trust, providing a perfect excuse to refine his cooking skills.

Austin observed Seymour's astonished reaction as a Clefairy's wings began to glow. Simultaneously, another source of light emanated from his backpack. He reached inside and pulled out a moonstone he had acquired from the prisoners.

"Fairy!" The Clefairy exclaimed, eyes wide and hands outstretched toward the gleaming stone.

"Bring us to the Moonstone cave, and I'll give you this," Austin whispered, locking eyes with the eager Clefairy.

Clefairy nodded, and Austin smiled, realizing the initial food request might have been a clever ruse by the Clefairy to get more food, but this new deal was binding.

No sooner had the moonstone exchanged hands than the Clefairy swallowed it in one swift motion.

The small wings on its back illuminated with moonlight, and a pinkish aura enveloped the Pokémon. It began to float, leading the way with a newfound buoyancy.

Austin and Seymour followed, marveling as they floated alongside the Clefairy. It dawned on them why the Clefairy tribe had remained so elusive: access to their cave required the power of flight.

A playful Cleffa tugged at Austin's pants, its tiny feet hopping joyfully in a silent invitation to dance. The boy's face lit up with a smile.

"Come on, let's dance!" The trainer encouraged, turning to his Pokémon with a lively spark in his eyes.

Seymour watched with wide eyes, his gaze intense as if silently urging Austin not to engage. But the ever spirited trainer was undeterred. He extended his hand toward his Rattata with a teasing Cheshire grin.

"My bald lady, would you like to dance?"

Rattata lightly tackled Austin to the ground, and the Cleffa surrounded him worried. Austin laughed heartily, picking up one of the Cleffa and tossing it gently into the air before catching it safely. The baby Pokémon giggled, and soon more Cleffa clamored around Austin, each demanding to be next.

The scene caught the attention of the Clefable tribe leaders, who watched intently from a distance.

Typically, allowing humans into their sacred cave was forbidden, but they had made an exception for the boy who had thwarted the malicious team rocket and saved their land with Clefairy recognizing him as the human who had taken a moonstone.

As Austin continued to show genuine affection and playfulness with their young, the initially cautious Clefable began to relax.

A circle of Clefairies began their own dance, completing the last cycle of evolution.

This was the ritual of the Clefairy tribe of Mt moon, unlike most Clefairies, they had been born near the giant moonstone which meant that they couldn't trigger their evolution unless on the night of the full moon.

Meanwhile, Seymour's excitement was tinged with frustration as he watched Austin play with the Cleffas.

Meanwhile, Seymour's frustration simmered just below the surface as he watched Austin casually playing with the Cleffas. This is it. This is my chance to prove them all wrong, he thought.

He couldn't afford distractions.

Each piece of evidence they gathered here could dismantle the demeaning label that had shadowed his entire career: Seymour the Crazy.

After this, I'll show them. They'll see the truth about the Clefairy, and they'll respect me, he mused, his heart pounding. No more dismissive glances, no more snickers behind my back. I'll be vindicated.

With these thoughts pressing on him, Seymour felt a surge of urgency. He wanted to direct Austin's focus to the task at hand, to make every moment count towards gathering undeniable proof of his theories. This was more than just an adventure; it was his life's validation on the line.

"Boy, stop this at once, desist, do hear!" Seymour's voice rang out sharply, startling the Pokémon and causing Austin to frown at his tone.

Just then, a hush fell over the clearing.

All eyes turned to a lone Clefairy who collapsed as the moonstone's light dimmed and the crystalline music ceased.

"Oh no," Austin muttered, his concern for the Pokémon eclipsing any previous amusement.

"Oh great Clefairy Tribe, up high in your shuttle,

Reveal your craft, and end this subtle muddle.

Show the world the truth so vital,

Confirm a Clefairy's role is not just idle."

Something within Austin snapped at the scientist's insensitivity.

He swung his fist, connecting squarely with Seymour's jaw in a swift, fluid motion. Seymour staggered backward, landing on the ground, his hand clutching where he'd been struck, looking up at the boy bewildered pain.

"You don't have any shame, do you?" Austin snarled, his voice thick with anger.

Entering the hidden cave felt like stepping into a fantasy. The cavern was a secluded sanctuary, with no side entrances, just a small opening at the top that allowed the full moon's light to pour in. This light bathed a massive moonstone crystal at the center of the cave, causing the stone to shimmer with an ethereal glow. The moonlight's reflection off the crystal created an almost magical aura, filling the air with a melodious hum, as if the stone itself was singing a lullaby.

The cave was alive with activity.

Clefairies floated gracefully around the glowing moonstone. They twirled and spiraled in the air, their movements synchronized and seemingly choreographed by the moonlight itself.

The Clefable watched from a distance.

Only after a brief consultation with the Clefairy did they relax, acknowledging the safety of Seymour, Austin, and Pikachu’s presence.

Austin watched in awe, a smile spreading across his face as several baby Cleffa approached him. These small, pink Pokémon, star-shaped and endearing with their brown ears and stubby limbs, waddled close to his legs. Each Cleffa's cheeks were tinged with a permanent blush, their eyes bright and curious. As Austin offered them berries, they chirped and cooed delightfully, their tiny voices filled with joy as they accepted the treats.

"Pika."

Pikachu asked softly to the Clefairy, asking if Austin could release his other Pokémon. After a nod from the tribe, a flash of red light filled a corner of the cave, revealing Austin's other Pokémon—a shaven Rattata and an Eevee donning a wig. The Pokémon were initially tense, sensing the new environment, but soon relaxed among the friendly host of Clefairy and Cleffa.

"What?"

Austin's frustration surged as he pointed toward the Clefairy, who was being comforted by other Pokémon. "You don't get it, you idiot! Because of your shouting, Clefairy couldn't finish evolving!"

"I-I just wanted to see the space shuttle."

Austin's anger peaked as he faced Seymour squarely. "What proof do you have that this—" he gestured aggressively toward the moonstone, "—is a freaking space shuttle?"

"I-I was... looking for proof," Seymour managed, his explanation faltering under the boy's intense glare.

"You're a pathetic loser... Calling yourself a scientist," Austin sneered. He gestured broadly at the surrounding area, emphasizing his point. "Look around you. There's such beauty, such culture, and so many questions that a real scientist would be asking. Why don't these Clefairy immediately evolve in the presence of the moonstone? Why do they dance? Why now? But for you, none of that matters as long as you get to chase some inkling of proof for your preconceived notions."

Seymour's face contorted with a mix of denial and realization as Austin said. "You aren't a scientist, you're a fanatic."

Seymour looked like he wanted to deny the harsh words, to argue back, but the truth in Austin's accusations seemed to weigh him down. His shoulders slumped, and his expression darkened with a realization of the truth.

Seymour scampered ahead, his movements awkward and frantic as if each step carried both urgency and hesitation. Austin watched, unimpressed, as Pikachu prepared for action.

"Swift!"

With a flick of its glowing tail, Pikachu sent a spray of sparkling stars that embedded themselves in the ground just in front of the skittish scientist, effectively halting his escape.

"Where are you running off to, you idiot? Can't handle being wrong?"

Seymour wheeled around, his face flushed with the heat of his emotions, shouting back his frustrations. "I can't be wrong, not about this! My entire career, my beliefs—they hinge on this truth!"

Austin sighed deeply, recognizing the pain of a man confronted with the potential collapse of his life's foundation. He approached Seymour slowly, his voice softening.

"My father once told me that there's no shame in being wrong, but there is shame in staying wrong. So what if your theories were off? Look," he gestured towards the Clefairy tribe, "you have an entire different avenue to explore here."

Seymour's legs buckled, and he collapsed to his knees, the weight of his perceived failures momentarily too much.

"But I have wronged them."

"Yes, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make things right," Austin replied, extending a hand to help him up. "I’m going to need the help of Seymour the scientist, not Seymour the Crazy. How can we help the Clefairy evolve?"

Wiping away his tears, Seymour looked up at Austin, a flicker of resolve returning to his eyes. He grasped the boy's hand and nodded, pulling himself to his feet.

"Let’s get to work then."

As much as he enjoyed poking fun at Seymour's eccentric theories, he couldn't deny the man's brilliance.

"Pokémon evolution," he began, adjusting his glasses as if to emphasize his point, "is typically driven by a specific trigger. This trigger activates an instinctual release of aura within their bodies, catalyzing a metamorphosis."

"For most Clefairy, this trigger is a Moon Stone. However, the Clefairy tribe in Mt. Moon has adapted uniquely; their evolutionary trigger has shifted from the moonstone to environmental factors." Seymour paused.

"Here the trigger involved the sound created when moonlight interacted with a large Moon Stone crystal during a full moon."

"Sound from moonlight? How does that work?"

"I think it's similar to a concept known as sonoluminescence," Seymour said, glad for the question. "That’s a process where sound waves in a liquid create bursts of light. Here, under specific conditions of the full moon, the sound waves generated by the Moon Stone resonate with a frequency that I believe could influence the Clefairy’s evolutionary biology."

Austin nodded.

"So, what's the plan?"

Well the plan was straightforward yet required precise execution. Seymour had calculated the angles and positions necessary for Pikachu and Rattata to use their Iron Tail moves to refract moonlight onto the giant Moon Stone.

As Seymour worked through the calculations, Austin watched, his jaw dropping in amazement.

"Focus."

The boy positioned Pikachu and Rattata as instructed. When they struck the Moon Stone with Iron Tail, a beam of moonlight reflected off their tails and hit the stone. The Moon Stone absorbed the light and began to emit the harmonic melodic tone.

The lone Clefairy began to react as the fairy pokemon began to float, twirling gracefully in the air as the evolution-inducing light enveloped them, their silhouette shimmering in the magical light before settling into a Clefable that appeared before them was tall and pink, with a star-shaped body that seemed almost ethereal.

"Clefable," Austin whispered.

At that moment, Seymour turned to the bly. "Austin, do you have a spare PokéBall? I promise I'll pay you back."

Without hesitation, the younger kid reached into his bag, pulled out a PokéBall, and handed it to the scientist.

Seymour approached the Clefable and its tribe with palpable nervousness. The wary looks from the Pokémon made him swallow hard, pushing aside his usual penchant for rhyme to speak earnestly.

"When I was a little boy, my grandmother told me stories of a Clefairy godmother who would grant the wishes of good children. I was always enchanted by Clefairy, and it hurt to see how they were dismissed by most trainers and mocked as 'fake fairies' due to their normal typing. I vowed to reveal their true significance to the world, but I realize now that my methods may have been misguided." Seymour paused, deeply bowing to the tribe in a gesture of respect and apology.

As he straightened up, the Clefairy —now Clefable that had led them to this sacred spot walked forward and smiled, seemingly understanding his intent. Seizing the moment, Seymour extended a PokéBall, his voice hopeful, "Would you help me show the world how incredible Clefairy can be?"

In response Clefable released the glowing orb, the rest of the tribe mimicked the action, each fairy pokemon conjuring a similar sphere of light.

Soon, the entire cave was awash with these shimmering orbs, filling the space with a gentle, pulsating glow.

The scene was magical, as if the cave itself had come alive with dancing stars.

Austin watched in awe, unsure of which Pokémon move this could be.

Pikachu sniffed curiously at the orbs, intrigued but cautious.

Rattata seemed tempted to leap up and pop the glowing spheres, while Vee stood still, a profound sense of connection washing over him. He sensed the aura within the orbs shifting, transforming into something else, a different type.

At the sound of a 'Cling,' Seymour's attention snapped to the PokéBall.

Clefable had touched it, accepting Seymour. The orbs of light burst into a spectacular shower of glitter, a move Seymour recognized instantly: Moonblast—a Fairy-type move.

Fairy type?! The scientist thought of the type that couldn't be found in this continent at all.

This observation sparked a groundbreaking hypothesis in Seymour's mind.

Unlike the normal-typed Clefairy elsewhere on the Japenese continent, the Clefairy of Mt. Moon had evolved to manifest Fairy typing.

A tear rolled down Seymour's cheek as the realization washed over him, coinciding with the telltale 'ting' of the PokéBall.

"I can prove to the world that Kanto's Clefairy are true fairies, not just Normal-types."

Cheers erupted from deep within as the Pokémon tribe clapped, celebrating the man's joy.

"What's a Fairy type?"

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[ Author note: Okay, an explanation is needed. If you guys grew up with pokemon then you would know that Clefairy was originally normal type then it was changed in Gen 6 to fairy when the type was introduced so I tried to translate this into the story.

So, in the Japenese continent — Kanto, Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh — fairy type doesn't exist so Clefairy is a normal type and is often mocked at the fake fairy pokemon.

But on Mt moon, the Clefairy tribe evolved to get the fairy type.

Now this was so that Seymour now has a different goal, showing the world about the true fairies of Kanto.

It was to tell Austin who in chapter one was watching the black and white anime, Gen 5, what the fairy type is.

It was a cool way to add Game freak's type introduction and changes.

What do you think about all of this?

What about Seymour's characterization?

What about this more laid back wholesome chapter? Did you like it? Do you prefer the more darker chapters or the more wholesome chapters or a mix of both.

Also if you want to know what the sound the moonstone was making, go to YouTube and search up.

Hollow knight: Crystal Peak sound track.

...

Thank you for your continued support and engagement with my work. Have a blessed day, and I look forward to reading your thoughts in the comments!