A/N: Now we come to the second chapter and a big plot hole from the previous story finally gets answered. Enjoy.


Chapter 2: A Road Ripe with Peril

Well here we are the long and winding road back up to where we had camped the last year prior. As we drove the dirt road back up to that weird place my mind was in flashback mode. Cilan having just returned from his grandmother's funeral, Bianca and I nearly having gone on without them, and Juniper racing back. Now of course we have completely different circumstances.

"Guys, uh we got company." Bianca shrieked and we turned and saw them.

55 Electrode all rolled in unison on the side road. When they mentioned that legions were abandoning their trainers and all converging, they weren't kidding. Now we pretty much can tell what were in for. The faces all looked hollow, like something zapped out their personalities and they were pure mindless drones.

"What could have happened to them?" Cilan pondered as I noticed them making a sharp left turn and disappearing into a hollowed out tree.

"That can't be right."

But it was one by one each dove into the tree until they were all gone.

"That must be how they're amassing." Juniper mentioned

The road continued and luckily we didn't see any more problems along the path. Until at last we came upon it. The Rock with the tree on top of it, and the picturesque lake. The flashbacks now filled my head, back a while ago as we made it to the top of that rock, camped, saw that earthquake and blue laser.

"Why would Iris want to even come back up here…" The words of Bianca rattled about my mind as we cowered the area for any signs. Any clue as to why she came back here.

"Oh there is something odd…"

Cilan got a view over the other edge and did notice something very odd placed.

"The rocks being pushed neatly to the side does give off the hint that someone very recently moved them. And I do see a mud print just on the cave entrance."

We got a glimpse too and saw it. Those prints belonged to Iris. I could tell simply due to the arch on her foot. Now comes the big question…

"Where did she go…"

Juniper hit the nail on the head as Pikachu mumbled something to himself while the rest of us climbed back down to the cave entrance. It seemed odd that we just managed to overlook this cave a year ago when we came up to this very spot. But now as if some force was pulling us in to find out just where she disappeared too.

"Ok, does anyone want to go in…" Juniper excitedly asked.

The looks on all of us seemed to deter that very thought, but I decided to step up as I usually did.

"I didn't offer any support to Iris when she was going through this dilemma. I should go to repay the offer."

Cilan nodded in agreement. "You pretty much know my answer."

With Pikachu's nod of approval, Juniper began hooking equipment on us. Bianca I could tell looked a little bit bummed out about not going with, but from what Juniper was hooking onto us she could tell it was a 2 person job on the outside too.

15 minutes later Bianca was making the final connections while I managed to get a look inside the cave. My unease about the task was palpable.

"I really don't know about this. Besides how do we even know that Iris is in there?"

Juniper came up from behind and calmed my nerves.

"Ash you worry to much. Besides if you and Cilan end up running into danger we can easily extract you 3 without an incident."

Cilan petted that observation with an ominous tone. I know from his tone that he would want to get in there and find Iris right away.

"Let's get this rolling."

Bianca slapped Cilan's vest and then my hat nodding in approval.

"Okay we're set to go."

Juniper mounted a headset while Pikachu and Axew both led the way into the cave. As I turned and noticed Bianca getting into position, my heart was really pounding.

"Well, let's get this show on the road."

With that we now turned and began the long walk in.

A Few Days Earlier.

The flashlight was going back and forth. Hard to believe I managed to borrow one from Shannon, I've got to remember to get that back to her if I ever return. The repel bottle which has been my friend for the entire way up here on the other hand, decided to finally quit on me now.

"No…Come on…"

Squeeze after squeeze on the lever and nothing came out.

"Great, now it finally doesn't work."

Sure enough the second it doesn't work, an angry Dugtrio pops up in front of me. My first instinct, was to likely turn tail but suddenly from my bag popped one very unexpected surprise. The light brightened the cave and once it took shape I knew what it was.

"Snivy?"

"Vy-Sni-Sni-Sni" [Iris Run!]

Snivy led me away from that Dugtrio and we found ourselves on top of a 3 tiered rock in what looked like the dead center of the cave. As we got our bearings, Snivy looked around while I just looked confused.

"Snivy what are you doing here with me? I left all my Pokémon back with Ash and Cilan."

Snivy suddenly sent a vine inside my bag and pulled out a piece of paper. Handing it off I got a gander at its content.

"Iris, in my short time with you I've always known you to be determined. So the moment you intended to return here I decided to leave Snivy with you for insurance. Be safe out there and Snivy knows to listen to you no matter what. Until we meet again, Ash."

I almost hugged Snivy out of pure respect.

"That little kid sure cares more than he's willing to admit."

I let that slide and quickly set up camp with Snivy. Somehow we've got a lot more to cover and now I'm glad someone will be with me.


A/N: More to come.