I'b back again! This stroy is so close to being done, I can taste it. I'm being serious here. There's just one more chapter and the epilogue to go and I have both of them planned out to a t.

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed and added this story to their Story Alert! It means a lot and I hope you've enjoyed reading this as much as I've enjoyed writing it.

DISCLAIMER: Pokemon still isn't mine. But it will be! Eventually... I just need a bit more time.

Seer was pacing back and forth across the chamber. He shook his head back and forth as Strider's tale unwound. Andra was kneeling beside the injured Marowak feeding him a crushed mixture of Oran berries and heal seeds that Megar had made.

"So, you care about her now?" Portsha asked, tilting her head to the side as she looked at Strider. He slowly nodded his head.

"Eris is the best thing that ever happened to me," he confessed, "and I'll be damned if I let someone take her from me."

Erebus wasn't convinced. "Whatever you say, it still doesn't add up. You wanted her dead yesterday and now you're in love with her?"

"I never used the word—"

"I don't care what you say," Erebus interrupted the former Aieryun Clan leader, "I don't trust you."

"Whether you trust me or not, you'll need my help. It'll take the combined efforts of your team and my men to take down Aertex and save Eris." Strider said. Seer, still pacing, found himself agreeing.

"We don't have a choice. Strider is right."

Blaster nodded his head, stepping into the role of temporary leader with Eris gone. "Strider, you know these tunnels. Take us to where your men are being held so we can gather them up. It's time to move out. Stay together and protect each other; we still don't know what we're up against."

Blaster motioned for Andra and Strider to take the lead. Andra was there to help him walk. Trennin stepped up beside the massive turtle and everyone else filed in behind them. Seer and Gyro took up the rear.

"What exactly is the plan of action after we rescue the other clan members?" Megar whispered from behind Blaster. Blaster tilted his head to look at her as they walked. He gave her a sheepish smile.

"Um, try to find where they put Eris? Sorry, but I'm not too good with planning. That was always Eris' strongpoint."

Megar smiled at him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, dear. You've got all of us backing you up."

"Stay quiet." Strider ordered. "We're nearing the dungeon and if I know Aertex then he's left some guards."

Megar and Blaster fell silent and prepared for a scuffle. Strider moved to the side, too weak to try to fight at the moment. Andra looped her arm under his shoulders and motioned for the rest of the team to go ahead.

There were a total of six guards in front of the entryway and Blaster took out two of them with a Hydro Pump. Seer jumped another and tore into him with a vicious Slash and Bite combo. Portsha and Erebus teamed up on the fourth. Portsha threw him against the wall with Psychic and Erebus finished him with a Shadow Claw. The fifth was rammed against the cavern wall by Trennin and the Sixth was shocked with Thunderbolt by Tobor and then hit with a Focus Punch by Megar.

Gyro went over to where a still conscious guard lay. He picked him up by the throat and slammed him against the cavern wall.

"Where is Eris?"

"The h-human?" the guard gasped out. Gyro nodded. "A-aertex took her to L-lord Darkrai. They are d-down that hallway in the m-main entryway."

Andra gasped. "Darkrai? He's here?"

Gyro looked at her. "You know something?" he demanded. Andra nodded her head slowly.

"Darkrai wants Eris dead. She's the only one capable enough to take him down and stop him from taking control of the world."

"So that explains it…" Gyro muttered before knocking out the guard with an Aura Sphere and tossing him to the side. He turned to Strider. "Do you know the place the guard spoke of?" he asked. Strider nodded.

"Yes, I do."

With that, Gyro walked over to the dungeon doors and opened them. Inside was where Strider's supporters were contained. There were warriors, women, and children all lining the cavern, many injured. One of the Marowak, a burly male, stepped forward holding a broken arm. He was flanked by a wiry female with her left eye swollen shut.

"Who are you?" the male demanded. Gyro moved to the side to let Andra help Strider in.

"They are here to help us take down Aertex."

"Leader!" many of the captured Marowak shouted in relief at seeing their leader. Strider smiled at them before turning to the two Marowak who had stepped forward.

"Morlander, Sochatoah, go and find everyone still able to fight. We're going to need everyone we can to take down Aertex." He ordered. The two Marowak bowed and did as instructed.

They managed to round up a decent amount of Marowak who were able to fight . All were sporting wounds, but had fierce determination shining in their eyes. They bowed before Strider.

"Sir, we are all those able to fight. Lead on." Morlander said. Strider nodded.

"Follow us then."

Strider and Andra led the way down the hallway to where Aertex had taken Eris. Blaster felt himself grow antsier and antsier. Were they too late? What if Eris had been killed by the ones holding her captive? This Darkrai character wanted Eris dead. It was only a matter of time.

Blaster just prayed they weren't too late to save her.

They came up to the cave Strider said the guard was talking about. He motioned for everyone to fall silent and then motioned for Andra to take them into the room. Inside was a large army of Marowak: Aertex' supporters. Aertex was standing on the opposite end of the hall next to a floating, dark-colored Pokémon. They were both in front of another Marowak, a female, chained to the cavern wall. Even from where they were standing, Blaster could make out the strange bone-shaped tattoo on her shoulder.

It was Eris.

Andra grew very angry at the sight of the dark-type legendary in the cave. How dare he! Eris was her friend, probably the closest thing to a best friend she had since her curse, and Andra would do anything to save her. Anything.

"Darkrai!" the Gardevoir shouted, gathering everyone in the cavern's attention.

It wasn't the first time since I had been hung here that my thoughts drifted to Strider. He was dead. He had died protecting me and I was unable to do anything about it. He was gone. Forever. My heart clenched painfully in my chest yet again and I was finally able to feel tears well up in my eyes.

Strider was gone.

"Would you quit your sniveling over there?" Darkrai barked. "Don't worry; you'll be joining your little friend soon in the afterlife."

I glared at the Legendary. I hated him. Despite the fact that he returned me to the form of a Pokémon, he was pure evil and had killed the first creature I had begun to feel anything other than kinship for. If I didn't have this stupid gag in my mouth, I'd—

"Darkrai!" shouted a very familiar female voice. Everyone in the room looked over to the entrance where a Gardevoir stood. She was holding up a Marowak, but I couldn't see who it was from over here. Several more Pokémon filed in around her followed by an army of Marowak. My heart leaped.

It was my team!

"Eris!" shouted Blaster. I tried to shout his name, but the gag in my mouth prevented me from speaking. I was overjoyed; they had come! They were here to save me! The tears running down my face were no longer tears of sorrow, but joy; there would be time for mourning later.

First, we had to kick some butt.

Darkrai looked like he could care less about my team being here, at least until he got a good look at the Marowak Andra was holding up. Anger was written all over his face and he turned on Aertex.

"I thought you said you killed him!" he shouted. Aertex shakily looked at the Marowak.

"But, Sir, I assure you, he was dead! I killed him myself!" he pleaded. Darkrai hissed angrily, swiping the Marowak off to the side.

"Gah! Now they have help! This isn't going to be as easy as it should be!"

Wait, what are they—

"Eris!"

Wait, I knew that voice…

"Eris, are you alright?"

"Strider!" I tried to shout, but the stupid gag… that's beside the point. Strider was alive! But how? He was dead! I saw him dead! Andra smiled at me from across the room. She must have healed him. Oh, you fantastic Gardevoir you! If I wasn't chained up over here I would kiss you!

"Attack!" Darkrai ordered the soldiers under his command. They rushed at my team and Strider's men, both sides clashing in a flurry of Bone Clubs and Slashes. Darkrai turned to me and it was clear to see that he was severely put out. I gave him a smug look.

"All this careful planning, ruined! I knew I shouldn't have sent a Marowak to do a Legendary's job." He muttered angrily. I nodded. Aertex wasn't the best choice to start a coup d'état; Darkrai could have done better. Much better. Buffy would have been a better choice. Or a rock.

"Since Strider is still alive, Aertex' men will lose and your team will rescue you." Darkrai continued. I nodded again, still quite smug. Darkrai shook his head. "No. If I cannot have the satisfaction of destroying your team, at least I will have your blood on my hands!"

He raised his arm, preparing a Shadow Ball, probably the strongest looking Shadow Ball I had ever seen. Wait! It isn't supposed to end like this! My team is here; we're going to win! Strider is still alive! I can't die here! I closed my eyes and flinched back, preparing for the final blow. I had no way to defend myself; I was chained to the freaking wall for Arceus' sake!

But the blow never came. I heard a vicious roar and opened my eyes in time to see Darkrai blasted by a Hydro Cannon move. Blaster!

The large Blastoise towered over the knocked over Darkrai. He was panting from the exertion of using such a powerful move, but his eyes were blazing.

"Don't you dare hurt my best friend." He hissed, icily calm. Darkrai groaned and looked up at him. More of my team members came to stand beside him and I felt relieved. Had Blaster not come when he did, I would be on my way to the Spirit Realm.

Gyro knocked Darkrai down with a Sucker Punch and Seer and Andra came over to get me down. From the looks of it, the battle was over. Strider's men had rounded up those who had surrendered and piled up the ones who were unconscious. Aertex himself was no where to be seen.

"Eris!" Blaster pulled me into his arms, crushing me against his chest, and I felt warm tears hit my shoulder. I smiled and pulled away slightly to wipe them away from his face. Blaster blinked and closed his eyes as I touched him. "You're safe, thank Arceus."

I nodded. "Yeah, knucklehead. I'm safe." I said, using his nickname. Blaster put me down and I grinned at my team. "Well guys, I can't thank you enough for coming to save me."

Seer nodded and nuzzled my cheek. "Anything for you, Eris."

"We couldn't just leave you, dearie." Megar piped up. There were murmurs of agreement from everyone else. There were also two other Pokémon with them that I didn't recognize: a Ninetails and a Mightyena. Huh, I guess my team needed their help somehow. I would ask about it later. It was then that I noticed Erebus.

"Erebus!" I shouted. He smiled at me and padded over to where I was standing. I wrapped my arms around his head and hugged him. "Boy, am I glad to see you. How'd you manage to run into these guys?"

He chuckled. "Actually, Seer, Portsha, and Andra were captured and placed into my cell. We escaped together and came after you. We ran into everyone else by pure chance."

"I'm glad you're free. Now you can go to your sister." I said. Erebus nodded.

"I only hope her kits are safe."

"Only one way to find out."

He nodded. "Yes, well, there's someone else who has been dying to see you."

He moved out of the way and behind him stood Strider. He looked a little worse for wear with crusted blood all over him, but he was smiling and alive. I tackled him into a hug.

"Strider! You're alive!"

He winced and grunted in pain as we toppled over. "Yeah, well I'm still injured, so be careful."

I gasped and quickly got off of him, helping him stand back up. "I'm so sorry! It's just, I thought you were dead. You have no idea how broken I was because of it!" I said, hanging my head and biting my lower lip as tears came to my eyes again. Strider nodded and lifted my head up to meet his eyes. He smiled at me and cupped my face.

"I think I have a pretty good idea."

And with that he kissed me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer. He was only an inch or so taller than me so I didn't have to reach too far or make him bend down to much. I could faintly hear my team whispering among themselves, but I wasn't concerned. I had Strider and he was alive.

"N-no…" came a voice from behind us. I broke away from Strider to see Darkrai was conscious. "N-no, you won't be happy while I loose everything!" he shouted. Before anyone could react, he fired an attack at me, hitting me straight in the chest. I fell backwards, loosing consciousness.

"Eris!" my team and Strider shouted as blackness engulfed my vision.

There was a droning beeping noise in the background. I groaned and tried to roll over. I just wanted to sleep! What was—

I wasn't able to move very well. Something was restricting my movements. I opened my eyes to see white walls and white sheets restraining me. There was a large, electronic box sitting to my right with a bunch of wires sticking out of it. I furrowed my brows; what was it? There was a tugging sensation on my hand and I looked down to see an IV connected to my flesh. My stomach dropped.

My human flesh.

I looked around frantically. Everything was something I remembered from my human life. I was in a light blue hospital gown and my blond and red hair was scattered around my head. My blond and red hair. Marowak don't have hair.

I was human again. Darkrai sent me back. As the saying goes, he brought me into that world and he could take me out. I slowly sat up, feeling slightly dizzy and really hungry. I tore the IV out of my arm and any other wires attached to my body. I pulled my knees up to my chest and sobbed.

I was back. Again.