Aqua: Hey, here's the next chapter! I was going to update it sooner but I got sick and got delayed. But anyway, enjoy! Meadow, disclaimer please!

Meadow: We do not own Pokémon.

Water and Lightning

Chapter 10

"Well, I didn't expect that." Booster admitted.

We were in Eastern Caves. Bolt, Booster, Waterfall and I were sitting in a circle. It felt a little odd that we were sitting next to our might be evolutions. Apparently, it wasn't a dungeon; it was a resting spot for Pokémon. Many Pokémon were here, I saw a Lucario sleeping against the wall, a Pachrisu chasing a Shinx, a Spinda muttering nonsensical terms and many many more. The team was spread out Eastern Caves, all resting up for a few minutes so we can set off. Bolt and I decided to catch up with our old roommates, Waterfall and Booster.

"Hey you never know, with fate messing this world up and all." Waterfall said.

"Sis, I told you, I don't believe in mythical stuff like spirits or zombies or fate."

"Whatever."

"Anyway, it's good seeing you guys again." I said. "I'd never thought I'd bump into you two again!"

"Yeah!" Bolt agreed. "I mean, we were stuck on Explorer Island and you were assigned to a Team in the Caves. I mean seriously, who saw that coming?"

"Besides that, this cave really is big." I looked around in awe.

Eastern Caves were decorated with light bulbs to keep it bright. Other decorations were hung up as there were many shops around here. Most sold food and supplies, but some sold TMs, HMs and scrolls too.

Eastern Caves were three caves connected together. The cave we were in was the main cave. There were walls separating all the three caves but there were the tunnels connecting to the other caves. The one that was right of us was the healing spot where Chansys, Happinys, Bisseys and Audinos are there to help cure or heal you.

The one that was left to us was like the dojo of the caves. Many tough Pokémon usually hung out over there, that's why it's usually so noisy. Battles occur every second, most of the time raging through the left part. But the caves are strong and will not collapse unless a huge Pokémon stomped on it or something like that. So we don't have to worry.

Booster grinned. "We're supposed to protect this place from any disasters and go out to help the Pokémon near the cave. It's tiring but we get quite many rewards."

"Yeah, because there so many shops and Pokémon here, some Pokémon decide to buy us something." Waterfall sighed. "And, I don't really like that. Pokémon waste their money when we can buy our own stuff."

Booster rolled his eyes. "Again sis? You've been complaining ever since we found out about that."

Waterfall shot him an irritated look. "I told you, it's not right to me! I've been raised in a place where we give, not take."

"We." Booster corrected. "But I have no problem with it! How come you do?"

"Because, I'm not like a certain somebody."

Bolt and I watched the scene quietly. Waterfall and Booster seemed to argue more than last time… What happened?

"Oh yeah? Well maybe you should stop trying to stick with the rules of our hometown and get used to our life outside!" Booster shouted and stood up.

"Well, maybe someone should try and stick to the rules of our home more!" Waterfall yelled and stood up too. There were some Pokémon looking at us.

"Uh, guys? Maybe you should calm down." I said nervously.

"No! If this jerk is acting like this, then I'm not going to stand down and do nothing!" Waterfall growled.

"Oh so I'm the jerk? What about you, huh? You're always comparing me with you or our other siblings!" Booster snarled.

"Guys?" I asked. They didn't listen. They were creeping down, but left their bodies in the air, like a fox, wolf or lion trying to hunt. I looked at Bolt worriedly, if we don't stop them, they're going to make things pretty ugly. We saw them battle before and they were strong. So if they evolved, they were going to be twice as strong as before.

I heard them growling deeply, Booster's fur was spiking up. Both of their eyes were narrowed and they were showing their fangs. They looked menacing. Soon, I heard their growls getting louder and I knew that they were going to start attacking each other. I started thinking of a million things that I could do to stop them but all of them were sure to fail. I looked hopelessly at them as they pounced.

"ENOUGH!" A thundering voice roared. There was a flash of light and I had to look away to avoid being blinded. After the light was gone, I saw a Pokémon in between Waterfall and Booster.

His body was mainly blue in color and it has a spiky, yellow mane on his head that sticks straight up, as well as large yellow tufts of fur on its haunches and around its front feet and His blue, spike-like tail sticks straight up. He was a Manectric and he didn't look very happy.

"Waterfall! Booster! Stop your childish argument this instant!" He snapped.

They stopped growling and Waterfall bowed her head in shame. "I'm sorry leader. It won't happen again."

Booster scowled. "Whatever. I'm outta here." He turned at took off to the left part.

"Booster! Wait!" Bolt shouted. But he didn't listen and instead ran faster.

"Meadow and Bolt, are you not?" The Manectric looked at us. I nodded.

"Yes sir."

"Who are you?" Bolt asked bluntly.

"I'm Thunder Rod. But most call me Thunder."

"Alright, Thunder what's going on?" He asked.

Thunder sighed. "Water and Booster have been fighting ever since we returned with their first mission."

"Oh." I frowned. What was that about? "Why?"

"It seems that Waterfall is loyal to her hometown's rules and still wishes to follow them," Thunder replied. "But Booster on the other hand doesn't even care. He seemed to hate his hometown very much. Because of that, they don't get along anymore." He looked at us. "I'm sorry you had to witness your two friends almost tear each other to pieces. Now, I must be going." He disappeared.

Waterfall sighed. "Our leader hates when we fight. I'm trying, really, but Booster always has a way of making me blow up. If only he'd be more like our sister and brother…"

"Wait, you have a sister and brother?" Bolt asked, interested. I looked at her too. She nodded. "Yes, Eve is our big sister and Night is our big brother. They are both twins and are the most mature siblings ever." She sighed. "Kinda makes me wonder why I have an immature twin compared to them though."

Bolt and I looked at each other. I mouthed, "Maybe that's why Booster is fighting with Waterfall."

He nodded and mouthed back, "I'll go talk to him." And he ran off.

Waterfall noticed. "Hey Bolt! Where are you going?"

"He's going to try and bring Booster back." I explained.

"Oh." She realized and 'Hmph!' next to me. "He doesn't have to; I bet my lazy brother lounging around with them again."

"Them?" I asked.

"Oh, you don't know?" She said, surprised. "They are the Shadow Finders. Weird name for an exploration team though…"

"Shadow Finders?" The name sounded so familiar, I think I saw the name on the newspaper before…

All of a sudden, I heard someone scream, "MEADOW!"

It was Bolt, and his voice sounded desperate. I faced the left part of the cave and ran. Something wasn't right, what was this feeling in my gut…

I reached there, only to stare in shock at the scene. Bolt, was being beaten mercilessly by a couple of Mightyyenas and Poochyenas. All the other Pokémon fled the left part. One of them bit his shoulder and it ended up bleeding profusely. He yelped in pain and tried to bite him back. No avail. Another one of them slammed into him and he was sent flying into the cave wall.

Usually I would step in and help but I was too shocked. My best friend was being beaten. This has never happened before. It was always him who won, it always was. I could do nothing but watch in horror as the pack of wolves was beating him.

"Gehehe! The master would be pleased to see this one!" One of them licked his lips.

"Pleased!" The Poochyenas chorused after him.

They continued scratching, biting, hurting him. I slowly sunk to the ground at the horrible sight. "No…" I muttered. Blood was being flung everywhere, and some landed on me. I glanced at the red liquid dripping down my ear. It wasn't just any smell, it was Bolt's smell. It snapped me awake. My mind was filled with rage. Rage and anger, so much anger. Red was clouding my vision; I couldn't register what was happening. Right then, my body moved on its own.

I moved quickly, slamming into a couple of Poochyenas. They howled in pain as they flew to the wall. I jumped onto the nearest Mightyena and started scratching him. After he was defeated I moved on to the others.

"You, how dare you! How dare you hurt him! HOW DARE YOU!" I roared as I mercilessly beat them. I was too focused on beating them, I didn't notice Bolt's horrified expression.

"M…Meadow…" He murmured.

After they were all defeated, I didn't stop. I continued. I couldn't seem to stop; it was as if my body was being controlled by something.

"M…Meadow…" Bolt's voice was faint, too far away to stop me.

"M…MEADOW!"

His voice rang loud and clear. I snapped out of my trance and stared at him. "Bolt…" The redness in my vision cleared. I advanced slowly to him.

"M…Meadow. You…" He didn't finish. I knew what I did.

I had almost killed them. I didn't mean to, but I just couldn't stop. I had a thirst, a thirst for revenge. I reached him and rubbed my body against his.

"I'm so sorry…. I didn't mean to do it…" I whispered as a tear traced down my cheek. "I don't know what came over me."

"Meadow…" He said quietly. "I'm sorry."

"For what?"

"For being so weak. If I'd been stronger, this would never have happened."

"Bolt. It was not your fault. It was nobody's fault and you know that."

"But…"

"Bolt… Please. I can't…" I broke down. I started crying, burying myself in his collar. "What have I done? I almost killed them! Exploration teams don't kill others, they explore and help others! What have I done, what have I done?!"

We stayed in that position for a while. I was crying in his collar and he was letting me. It was as if he understood what I was going through. He started snuggling against me. His blood had stained my fur but I didn't move away. Instead, I went closer to him.

An eternity seemed to pass. I didn't know how long has it been, minutes, hours? I don't know and I didn't care. All I wanted was to go back in time and change the past. I started to calm down soon and my cries turned to sobs.

"Meadow…" Bolt said weakly.

I gasped and pulled away from him. He was still bleeding and he was losing a lot of blood. I needed to get him some help and fast! But what could I do? I couldn't walk anymore, my body felt too heavy and I was still traumatized, so I called out for help.

At first, no one seemed to hear me. I grew tired and my vision was getting black. Bolt had already fainted. Then I heard footsteps. Someone came in and gasped. The left cave was stained red with two equally red Eevees and a pack of wolves. How could anyone not be shocked? I heard her shouting and I could make out pink shapes. Blisseys, Chansys, Audinos? What does it matter? As long as there was help.

I felt myself being carried away by them. I then heard six voices.

"Meadow… Bolt…"

"How could this happen?"

"I hope that they'll be alright…"

"Hang in there you two!"

"This is terrible…"

"You can't die okay! Please, be alright!"

The team, they were here. I wished I could see their face but everything was blurred and fuzzy. I would've also said something but I had already fainted after hearing this voice,

"Perfect. Operation Darkness is underway."

Aqua: I added in quite a lot of action there. I wanted to try adding a bit more action and violence, this story seems to be lacking of those. I want to improve more, after reading my previous chapters, I feel like they are no good compared to other stories. I'll try to improve more so constructive criticism is definitely welcome. Stay tuned for the next chapter and please review!