Chapter 42: Clefairy Encounter in Moon

I slowed down, my breath coming out in controlled huffs, Raichu matching my pace as we came to a stop. Alisha was still in my arms, her weight barely noticeable. Her silence was unsettling, but I wasn't about to ask her to talk. Not yet. The cave echoed with the sounds of our breathing and the distant drip of water against stone. Lucy, who had been trailing behind, caught up, her oversized sweater swaying with each hesitant step.

"You okay?" I kept my voice soft, almost a murmur. Lucy barely lifted her head, giving a small nod before quickly averting her eyes, her fingers playing nervously with her scarf. Typical Lucy.

Alisha finally spoke, breaking the silence. Her voice was unnervingly calm. "Let's go back."

I turned my head slightly to look at her. "What about your Clefairy?" There was a sharp edge to my tone, more curious than confrontational.

"I don't need it." Her response was cold, steady, and utterly devoid of the fire she usually had. Something was off, and I didn't like it. But this wasn't the time to push.

We started walking again, Raichu keeping close to my side, his ears twitching with every sound. I could feel Lucy's nervous energy behind me, her steps lighter than the others, as if she was trying not to disturb the cave itself. "We're already deep in Mount Moon," I said, my voice firm and cutting through the tension, "and according to the info I have, there's an underground lake nearby. That's where we'll find Clefairy."

Alisha didn't break her pace, but I saw her eyes flick toward me. "Why are you so hellbent on getting me a Clefairy now?" Her voice was still calm, but there was a hint of challenge there, buried beneath the surface.

I shifted my gaze to Lucy. "You're a Pokémon Breeder, right?" 

Lucy nodded, her gaze briefly meeting mine before skittering away like a startled Rattata. She fidgeted with her sleeves, her hands almost hidden beneath the fabric.

"If you want, you can catch one too, but Alisha gets first pick," I continued, my tone all business. Lucy gave another nod, her excitement barely visible under the weight of her shyness.

Raichu stumbled slightly, panting harder than before. I crouched down, placing a hand on his head. "You want a break, buddy?" 

Raichu gave a weak nod, and with a soft hum, I returned him to his Pokéball. I stood, turning to Alisha. "Think you can walk now?"

Alisha didn't answer, simply slipping out of my arms and stepping to the side, her face blank. I released Pidgeotto next, the bird stretching its wings before settling onto my shoulder, the sharp air from deeper in the cave ruffling its feathers. I pulled out my flashlight, the beam slicing through the oppressive darkness ahead of us.

The deeper we went, the colder the air grew, the walls slick with condensation. Our footsteps echoed, sharp against the stone floor, and the silence between us felt like a third presence, lurking just out of reach.

Nearly an hour passed before Alisha's voice cut through the stillness, this time laced with something close to excitement. "Clefairy!" Her eyes sparkled, the first sign of her usual self coming back.

Lucy's face lit up in response, her usual reserved demeanor slipping just for a moment. Her eyes glimmered with a rare spark of passion, though her voice remained soft. "R-really?" she stammered, the excitement muted by her shyness.

I smirked, placing a hand over Alisha's mouth before she could yell again. "Why do you always have to shout?" I teased, enjoying the glare she shot me. 

She wriggled free and bit down on my hand. "Ouch!" I pulled away, glaring at her, but she just smirked, placing her hand over my mouth.

"No one teases me," she whispered, her eyes gleaming with defiance.

I narrowed my eyes but couldn't suppress a grin. "You wish."

We ducked behind a large rock, peeking over the edge. Three Clefairy stood in the clearing ahead, their bodies glowing faintly in the dim cave. Alisha leaned closer, her voice a whisper. "How many?"

"Three," I replied, my eyes narrowing as I took in the scene.

"So, are you going to catch one?" Alisha asked, her tone challenging.

I shook my head. "No. This one's for you."

Lucy's voice broke through the tension, soft and hesitant. "C-can I catch one? I think she'd be a perfect helper…"

I glanced at her, seeing the hope in her eyes. "Yeah, go ahead."

Alisha gave me a playful glare, her voice dripping with mock accusation. "Why are you always so gentle with Lucy but so rough with me?"

Lucy looked away, her face flushing slightly. I shot Alisha a teasing smirk. "Because you like it rough."

Alisha blinked, taken aback for a moment before her expression hardened. "Don't even think about trying to copy my style. You look disgusting."

I rolled my eyes, ignoring her as I turned to Pidgeotto. "Scout ahead. Make sure there's no one else around." Pidgeotto shot into the air, disappearing into the darkness.

After a few minutes, it returned, shaking its head—no one nearby. I smiled to myself, ready for the hunt.

Alisha's voice sharpened, now focused. "What's the plan?"

I stepped closer, keeping my voice low. "We surprise them. Pidgeotto will strike first. Let's make it clean."

Pidgeotto flared its wings, ready for action. "Gust and Quick Attack, now!" I commanded. The bird shot forward, wings whipping up a fierce wind that sent the Clefairy tumbling. Pidgeotto was on them in a flash, slamming into the first Clefairy with a Quick Attack, sending it crashing into the cave wall.

But the Clefairy weren't done. The first one started singing, the sweet melody drifting through the air, while the second launched a Sweet Kiss at Pidgeotto. The third tried to Charm it, lowering its power.

Lucy's soft voice trembled with awe. "H-he's so strong…"

Alisha shot her a sharp look. "He's mine."

Ignoring their bickering, I focused on the fight. "Pidgeotto! Double Team and Twister!" Pidgeotto split into several copies, confusing the Clefairy's attacks. The real Pidgeotto summoned a fierce twister, pulling the Clefairy into the whirlwind, battering them with debris.

One Clefairy managed to retaliate with a Pound, but it hit one of Pidgeotto's clones. Another tried DoubleSlap, but again, only hit illusions. The last let out a Growl, weakening Pidgeotto's next move.

"Brave Bird and Feather Dance—finish it!" I barked. Pidgeotto's wings glowed as it dived at the first Clefairy, striking with a devastating Brave Bird. The recoil staggered Pidgeotto, but it followed up with Feather Dance, dropping a flurry of feathers on the remaining Clefairy, weakening them further.

The second Clefairy, now desperate, charged with another Pound. The third tried to Sing again, but Pidgeotto shook off the sleepiness. "Quick Attack and Gust, finish them!"

With a burst of speed, Pidgeotto slammed into the second Clefairy, while a powerful Gust sent the third crashing into the cave wall. All three lay unconscious, no match for Pidgeotto's relentless assault.

I grinned, brushing the dust off my jacket. "That's how it's done."

I gestured to Alisha and Lucy. "Your turn."

Alisha smirked as she approached me. "Handled like a pro."

Lucy, more reserved but no less eager, nodded and stepped forward, pulling out her Pokéball. She aimed it at the fainted Clefairy, her hand shaking slightly. "G-go, Pokéball!" she called out softly, throwing it with more hope than confidence.

The ball wobbled once, twice, before clicking shut.

I leaned back, smirking as I watched her face light up. "Good job."

Suddenly, something caught my eye in the dirt. Kneeling down, I brushed aside the dust, revealing a broken Master Ball. I froze. What was this doing here?

I tucked it into my bag, straightening up. Alisha sidled up to me, her face close enough that I could feel her breath. "Something wrong?" she asked, her voice low.

"Nothing." I shook my head, pushing the thought aside. "Let's get out of here."

Lucy and Alisha both nodded, and together, we began the long trek out of Mount Moon.