They all stood very still at first, Hoping they weren't being attacked. But nothing happened. They looked around, But there was nothing and no one there. It was silent for a moment.
Bonnie: What was-.
Suddenly the moan is back. Bonnie grabs Clemonts leg.
Serena: It sounds so sad. Like it's in pain.
Ash: You think a Pokemon is hurt nearby? We gotta find it.
Turner: But there's nowhere to go and the room is empty.
Ash: Well there has to be something that we're missing.
Ash looks around at the room but all there is are rocks and walls to the cave.
Ash: Check behind every rock, Under every rock too.
They look all around them and even under them in case of some sort of secret passage, But still no sign of where moan came from. Just as Ash takes a seat giving up hope in locating the noise something hit his shoulder.
Ash: Huh?
Everyone looks at him to see if he has an idea. Ash puts his hand on his shoulder. It's wet. He assumes it to be a drop of water that fell on his shoulder, But where did it come from? He looks up to see a small hole in the ceiling of the cave.
Ash gesturing to the hole: Hey guys, Do you think it could have come through there?
Serena: I never saw that.
Turner: Well, If someone can make get up there it's worth a look.
Ash to Clemont and Turner: Can you guys give me a boost?
Clemont and Turner both nod in agreement. They walk right under each side of the hole and put their hands together to hold Ash's feet. Ash steps into the footholds they made and balances himself by holding onto their shoulders. On the count of three they both lunge him up high. Ash gets high enough to grab onto the edges. He pulls himself up and climbs in. He tries to look around, But it's pitch black up there.
Ash: I need some light up here.
Everyone looks at each other wondering what to do. Clemont strikes an idea all of a sudden.
Clemont: Wait a sec! If I do remember correctly, I can detach my built in flashlight.
Clemont pulls out his detachable flashlight And gives it to Ash.
Ash: Thanks Clemont. Now, What's up here.
Ash looks around trying to see what could possibly be making the moaning sound that they'd heard before. He flashes the light all around, But doesn't see anything.
Ash: That's weird, I don't see anything.
Suddenly the moaning started again. Ash quickly looked behind him where he heard the noise. There was nothing, Except a rock. He walked up to it. Suddenly he could see something behind the rock.
Ash: What's this?
Serena: Be careful Ash.
Ash looks behind the rock. He sees an item.
Turner: What do you see?
Ash: Just something the archeologists must have missed.
Ash then goes to pick it up. It makes the soft moan sound as he picked it up kind of scaring him.
Ash: I have no idea what this thing is. But it looks really similar to the thing in the case at the museum.
Turner: Get down here. Let me see.
Clemont: Yeah, Let me examine it too.
Ash climbs back down and lands the drop. The others crowd around him.
Serena: How was it making a sound like that?
Clemont: hmm, I think I understand. It might have been calling out to Ash.
Everyone is confused by what Clemont said.
Bonnie: What does that mean?
Clemont: Think about it, Ash really cares for Pokemon right? Well, Maybe it used that to get his attention. So he would find it.
Tensions slowly rise.
Turner: Okay, Assuming this item is alive like it sounds like you're saying. How can it know anything about someone? And why him?!
Clemont: I didn't say it was alive. I don't know, But he had the dream too right? So maybe it has something to do with him.
Ash: Hey! I didn't do anything.
Clemont: I didn't say you did!
Turner: Well, You didn't do anything that we know of.
Ash: What are you getting at!
Turner: That something is up with you Ash! And if it involves getting my parents turned to stone, Then you're done for!
Clemont: You aren't gonna do anything!
Ash: I got this Clemont!
Clemont: No, I'm trying to help!
The conflict had gone on long enough. Serena now steps up to stop the fighting.
Serena: That's it! All of you just shut up!
It goes silent all of a sudden. The three were shocked with her sudden burst of anger with them. It remains to be quiet for a few moments longer until Ash speaks up.
Ash: Okay, So what now?
Serena: Well for starts. It's getting s bit late so we need to head back now. You'd never notice if I didn't stop your bickering.
She starts walking out of the cave with Bonnie at her side. The guys follow in behind quietly. After a little while of silent walking Ash says something.
Ash: Hey Clemont..., I'm sorry for being mad at you. I know you only wanted to stop the argument and you meant well.
Clemont: Thanks, But I should've stayed out of it anyway.
Turner: No, You just tried to defend your friend. I flat out accused him of killing my family.
Ash: It's fine, You're just stressed out about losing them. But we'll get em back, I promise.
Turner: How can you promise that?
Ash: Because we'll never stop looking. And I believe.
Turner: I wish I had faith like that.
Serena(smiling for comfort): Don't worry Turner, You'll get your family back.
This makes Turner smile, And blush a bit. Later as they all get back into town Clemont says something.
Clemont: Hey guy, So do we show the professor that thing Ash found?
This was a question that everyone had to consider.
Turner: Yeah, I'm sure he could figure out more about it than we could.
Ash: I don't think so, Over the week that they had the other piece that looks like this one and still don't have a clue about it. They may just keep it inside their museum and we'll never see it again, Unless you wanna buy a ticket to the museum again.
Turner: Well yeah, But they didn't have that piece. So maybe they can solve this mess with it.
Serena: You both make a good point, But what are we gonna do?
Clemont: I think we should wait till tomorrow before we do anything.
Serena: Alright, Sounds like a plan. Good with you guys?
Turner and Ash both nod their heads. The group finally got back to the house just as the sun was starting to set. Lisa sees them coming inside.
Lisa: Hurry hurry, You're frightening me getting here so late. What have you children been doing?
Serena: Don't worry Aunt Lisa, I kept watch of the time.
Lisa: And yet you're still cutting it close. Don't make the mistake of thinking you have more time than you do. If something happened to you as well...
Serena: Aunt Lisa, Please stop. I don't want to see you cry again.
Turner: We might have found something significant to the towns problem.
Lisa: What are you talking about?
Turner: What could be a part of why people have been turned to stone.
Turner is trying to gesture to the thing that Clemont is holding. Clemont walks up to Turner and whispers something to him.
Clemont(whispering): Are you sure she should know about this? It could get her hopes up.
Turner(whispering): What's wrong with hope? I think we could use some more hope.
Clemont(whispering): There's nothing wrong with hope, As long as we don't fail. But if we do, She may get depressed again.
Turner has an upset look on his face. He looks over to Serena as if he were asking for her opinion. She gives a look of agreement back to him. Turner turns around and faces Lisa, But puts his head down.
Turner: Never mind it's nothing, I'm sorry.
Lisa: I don't know what you kids are up to, But I trust you to be doing the right thing. Turner, Don't worry. Somehow things have to work themselves out. I know you're a little stressed right now, But don't give up yet. If you give up on people, You'll never see the best in them. That's why I believe in you. All of you.
With that Lisa gave them a smile and walked back to her room.
Ash: I get the feeling she already knows enough about what we're doing.
Bonnie: Clemont, I'm hungry.
Clemont: Suppose I'll go make some stew. How many am I cooking for?
Everyone raises their hand.
Clemont: Got it, Well see you guys in a little while when it's ready.
Clemont walks into the kitchen and Bonnie follows in behind.
Bonnie: Wait for me!
Turner: Sorry I was spoiling everything guys. I was so eager to see some more life around here.
Ash: It's fine man. I know how you feel, With desperation clinging on to you. It feels like there's nothing you can do, Yet you try as hard as you can anyway.
Serena(thoughts): Wow, Ash can be so good with his words.
Turner: Thanks man. Hey, By the way. We should have a battle sometime, okay?
Turner(thoughts): If I beat him, I'll know I'm worthy.
Ash: Yeah, That'd be great. But I'm pretty sure we'll need to wait until tomorrow.
Turner(smiling): Agreed.
Later, Clemont comes back into the room.
Clemont: Alright everyone, My stew is ready. You can come get some now.
Ash: Thanks Clemont, I'm starving.
Turner: I'll be there in a minute, I'm going to talk to Ms. Lisa and I'll tell her to come get some too.
Serena: Alright, Well come on. Let's eat.
Serena grabs Ash's hand and pulls him along with her into the dining room. Clemont follow them. Then Turner goes back toward Lisa's room.
In the dining room, Clemont brings out a pot of his stew. Everybody goes to sit where they were sitting from the previous night. The stew sits in the center of the table for everyone to scoop themselves some. Chespin is giving it a devouring look. Clemont sees this.
Clemont: Oh no you don't Chespin. You guys have some Pokefood.
Chespin(upset): Ches.
Serena: Don't you worry Chespin, I'll make you guys some pokepuffs later.
Chespin(excited): pin!
Now everyone is eating.
Bonnie: You did a good job Clemont.
Ash: Yeah, it's great.
Serena(nodding): Mhm.
Clemont: Thanks guys. It makes me happy to know that.
Soon after, Turner walks in and behind him is Lisa. They both take a seat where that were sitting last night.
Lisa: I'm sorry I didn't have anything made for you kids when you got back. I had gone to visit Robert.
Clemont: Its no trouble at all. I'm used to cooking our group something. I do a lot while we traveled together.
Ash: And he's good at it too. Serena's best at making desserts though.
Serena blushes.
Serena: Thanks Ash.
Turner: hmm.
Serena: What is it Turner?
Turner: It's nothing.
Serena: Okay. Well Aunt Lisa, Are you feeling better now?
Lisa: Don't you worry Serena. I'm fine, I just don't want to let my Robert feel lonely.
Ash: Wait, Do you mean he can tell if you're there?
Lisa: I don't know if he can or not. I don't even know if he's still in there anywhere, But just in case I do go visit him.
Turner has his head down. Serena feels so sad for both of them.
Serena: I think I'm done.
Serena gets ups and heads to her and Ash's room. A few moments later, Ash gets up to follow her.
Ash: I'm going to go check on her. Thanks again for dinner Clemont.
Ash walks out and back to their room. As he approaches the door, He can hear light sobs. He opens the door to bathe room and walks in. There she is on her bed with a pillow to her face. She must have heard him, Because she looks up to see who it is. Her eyes are glistening from tears. She tries to smile.
Serena: I didn't want you to see me like this. I want everyone to be happy, So I tried to keep to myself.
Ash: Serena, You don't have hide anything from me. I want to help you if I can.
Serena: I know, But still... I'd rather you not see this.
Ash: I know seeing others that you care for being sad makes you sad, But try not to focus too much on the bad of it all. Maybe think about how we can fix it, And how happy they'd be if you did. Then you can go out and fix it. Make it reality.
Serena wipes away her tears and gives a gentle smile.
Serena: Yeah, I'll try to do that.
After a few moments of silence Ash goes over to his bed.
Ash: Well, I'm pretty tired. I'll see you in the morning.
Serena: Okay..., And Ash.
Ash: Yeah, Serena?
Serena: Thank you... Thank you for always being there for me when I'm feeling down.
Ash: No problem Serena. I'm always there for people I really care about.
Serena: Goodnight.
Ash: Goodnight.