#001 - Quest for the Light Stone, part One
(Pokémon and related elements ™, ©1995-99 Creatures/GAME FREAK/Nintendo.)
Storyline by Robert H. Magnusson

The cavern was soon illuminated by a small torch, held by a one Chue Raton, Pikachu adventurer. Sure, he was cute like all Pikachu, but he preferred to think of himself as a tough-as-nails fighter, plus he was somewhat larger than the non-anthropomorphic (human-like) Pokémon. There was little mistaking what he was, though, despite the dim light of the cave. Two shadows followed closely behind, his Pokémon friends.

"GEEZ, Ray, are we anywhere NEAR the end of this cave?!"

Ray, Chue's Raichu friend and father figure, consulted his map as Marrilyn, Chue's Marril girlfriend (a Marril is an undiscovered Pokémon that everyone seems to refer to as a Pikablu, but I digress). "According to our map, just a few more feet." He paused. "According to this, in a few minutes we'll be setting foot in Denryu's chambers..."

"DENRYU? What's a Denryu...?"

As usual, it was Marrilyn who first saw it. "Uh, Ch-Chue... I think THAT'S... a Denryu."

The cavern had opened into a large room, with a large lake separating them from an adjoining chamber which glowed from within. A large head had emerged from the lake, a huge, serpentine white dragon with purple eyes. It was staring at our adventurers much as they would stare at the victuals served at Ray's tavern.

"THAT THING?!! HOW are we SUPPOSED to get past THAT?!!"

Ray turned to look at Chue, who had bolts of uncontrolled electricity sparking from his cheeks. "Well, we're going to HAVE to, to get to the Light Stone..."

Chue braced himself, and then stepped forward. "Well, it's WATER, anyway - I'll use my Staff of Thunder with a +5 PlusPower ring."

Marrilyn looked on, worried. "Be CAREFUL, Chue..."

As Lyn covered her eyes, Chue fought a powerful but extremely short battle with the dragon, resulting in the creature gaining nineteen pounds.

"Is he..."

"Afraid so, Lyn, but I should be able to regenerate him afterward. He'll lose his experience points and items, though..." The creature burped.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: I have just been informed the Pokémon described here is NOT a Denryu, but a Lugia. We apologize for the confusion.)

Holding back a tear, Marrilyn reached into her satchel and pulled out a purple and white orb, one of the fabled Master Balls. "I was hoping I wouldn't have to use this yet... but if we can't beat it... IT joins US!" She threw the ball full force into the lake where the Denr-- the Lugia had just submerged, and watched with anticipation.

With a piercing cry, the monster broke through the surface of the lake, threatening Marrilyn with its massive -

"NOW WAIT A SECOND!! Since when does a Master Ball MISS?!!"

Chue's shout brought our adventurers back to reality. Ray looked up from behind the cardboard screen, writing the outcome on the paper behind it, and answered, "Sorry, Chue, but it seems to have blessed with a spell of plus evasion."

Chue looked around the table a moment. When Ray was playing one of his adventure games, it was easy to forget they were still in Club Thunder. "Well, that's just STUPID - We'll NEVER get the Light Stone NOW!"

"Maybe Ray doesn't WANT us to battle this D-Lugia - should we try to go AROUND it?..."

Chue crumpled up his character sheet, tossed it over his shoulder, and slumped to the table in resignation. "What are you asking ME for... I'm DEAD, remember."

"Chue! Ray SAID he'd regenerate you..."

"FORGET it, Marrilyn, I'll NEVER be strong enough to get past THAT. We need a LOT of help..."

Marrilyn thought for a minute. She hated to see Chue like this, resigned to his defeat. Maybe he was taking this a little TOO seriously...

"Hmm..." She sat straight up. "I know, Ray - you try to fend off the dragon, I'll make a break for the stone!"

"Huh? You SURE?"

Chue barely looked up at her. She'd gotten them out of jams before, but THIS...