Chapter 10: Into the Dark Tunnel
After leaving Cerulean City, Peter began to look into his finances as it's been quite a while since they had a battle to fill his pocket. "We'll need to battle soon or I can't keep this up anymore..." Peter tells Meowth. Meowth nods as it walks along side Peter. "No prob. The next battle should be a synch to win..."
"I don't think you get it," Peter said rather coldly as he stopped. Meowth looked up at him as it wondered what he meant. "You haven't been pulling your own weight since Vermillion City and that's something I can't have with my Pok�mon."
"I'm just..." Meowth paused for a while as it began to feel low.
"It's not fair to the others who work hard to be stronger. You need to set the example for the others if you want to be team leader." Peter hoped his words at least sank into Meowth's heart. Meowth nodded as it looked up to Peter with tears in its eyes. "Then I can't do it!" It cried out.
"What do you mean? You don't want to be leader?" Peter asked.
"I guess I'm more of a follower than a leader. I can't have the others think I let 'em down just because I'm the leader. Maybe you should let Nido-G be the leader..." Peter looked at Meowth as it made its decision.
"If that's what you want..." Peter said as he began to walk down the path. Meowth slowly followed as it wiped the tears from its eyes. It wasn't an easy
choice to make, but inside, Meowth just didn't feel right about being on top if it had such a responsability.
Peter and Meowth made it to a Pok�mon Center near the mountain's tunnel entrance. As Peter had the nurse check on his Pok�mon he noticed a post on the bulletin board. It read: "The tunnel to Lavender Town is not properly lighted. Travelers should be advised to take some source of light to make it through."
"Guess it's pretty rough in the tunnel," Peter thought as he read the notice. His attention then turned to the nurse who was signaling to him. "Your Pok�mon are now fighing fit, sir." She explained. Peter noded as he collected his Pok�mon. Peter explained to Meowth about the tunnel and the situation they now face. "So, we're going into a dark cave? That's got to be the dumbest thing you came up with!" it barked out.
"It's the only choice we have, Meowth," Peter replied, "Besides, Charmander can give us the light we need to get through." Meowth still didn't like the idea, but knew there was no other way. Peter nodded as he checked his Pok�mon for a moment.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Meowth asked as he was ready to go. Peter looked at the Pok�ball with Lapras in it. "I think we'll need to add another Pok�mon for this type of excursion." Peter said as he headed towards the transfer PC. The transfer PC allows trainers to switch their Pok�mon with others that they have caught. Peter began thinking that he could use Scyther