Chapter 37

"Alex!" Daichi gasped, while the others looked on in shock, "You traitor!"

The said boy looked like he was going to cry, "What? No! Listen to me!"

Daichi shook his head, eyes fixed on the blond and snarled, "You were warned," As he spoke, he reached for the revolver tucked behind him, "One wrong move," He aimed the gun at Alex, who was visibly shell-shocked, "and your brains will be blown out."

There was a pregnant pause, with Daichi aiming the gun at Alex, who was still in shock. Shu's face had hardened while the others looked on in remorse. May had buried her face in Drew's chest, who was holding her tightly. A loud sigh broke the silence and the soft voice caught everyone's attention.

"Now, that is not a toy to play with, little brat." The latest arrival said nonchalantly as he passed Daichi, lowering the gun with his hand and moving towards where Brodie, Maxie and Courtney were still unconscious and tied up. Miyuki immediately block his way and pulled out her own revolver, aiming it at the person's hooded face.

"Dear Groudan, why are you lot so eager to shoot?" The voice was amused as he placed his hand on Miyuki's and pushed the gun down.

"What are you doing here, Mack?" Shu finally asked quietly, moving forward. Miyuki moved and Shu took her place, standing in front of the lean man.

"What do you mean?" Mack questioned, "I am a Team Magma administrator. This is my place."

"You are alone. We could take you down so easily." Ayame said with a hand on a pokeball.

"Tch," Mack stepped back from Shu and looked around at all the occupants, his face full of mock disappointment, but eyes still amused, "So eager to fight."

Then his expression changed, all amusement vanished, and replaced with seriousness, as he pushed past Shu and crouched down in front of Brodie, and placed his hand on the unconscious man's cheek, "They got you. I always told you, you are too arrogant."

"Tell us why you are here or I'll-" Daichi cocked his gun just as Alex spoke.

"Stop it, guys. He's here to help. He's is going to help us."

"Help?" Chiyo demanded. The others looked shocked as well, "You'll help us?"

Mack gave them a sarcastic look, "Unless you wish to 'blow my brains out', as well."

"I certainly do." Daichi snarled. Shu held up a hand, quieting the red-head immediately.

"Why will you help us?"

"Can't you people just accept someone's goodness?" Mack demanded. After another moment of silence, he sighed, "You're hopeless. I want to help you because I do not want Magma-dan to succeed this time."

"You are a part of Magma-dan!" Damon stated.

"And I don't want it to win this time!" Mack retorted hotly, glaring at the lanky boy, "There is a limit to how much they can manipulate the world. Using that-" He pointed at the small box in Drew's hands, "will only result in destruction."

A shout sounded from outside, growing louder. Many other sounds followed -humans and Pokémons. They were getting closer. Mack gave them a sharp look, "That is Tabitha. If he catches you, you are scrambled eggs. Alex, you get out. Go the other way, run around the back and join Tabitha. If he catches you…"

Alex gulped and nodded. After a final glance at the others, he ran out of the door.

"How do we know that we can trust you?" Shu asked, still oddly calm.

Mack stared at his for a few more seconds before he replied, "You don't. Take a leap of faith."

Mack turned around and walked towards the tunnel without looking back to see if the others followed him.

O.o

"I am not going to trust him." Miyuki crossed her arms and gave her boss a hard stare. Shu bit his lip and looked around. He looked at Kei, still unconscious. He turned to meet Miyuki's stare and found that he couldn't. Chiyo had an incomprehensible expression. Damon stared at him with an insipid look. Carlos looked indifferent, and the look he was giving him clearly said, 'whatever it is, just tell me and I'll do it.' Ayame had a similar expression, ready to do whatever he decides. Daichi's face was simply saying 'fuck no'.

Shu finally looked at his younger brother. Drew was still holding May, and they both were looking at him with a soft expression. May still looked frightened but Drew was trying to convey something with his eyes. Shu raised his eyebrow at him- 'What now?'

Drew bit his lip and shrugged- 'I'm not sure.'

Shu motioned towards where Mack had gone with his eyes - 'What about him? Do you trust him?'

Drew tightened his lips and for a moment, looked like was in intense concentration before his face relaxed and he nodded slightly, brows still furrowed- 'I think I do.'

Shu raised both his eyebrows and gave him a questioning look- 'Follow him?'

Drew contemplated for a second before he nodded and then shrugged- 'Yes. We'll see what happens.'

Shu sighed and turned to others, "Let's follow him."

Just as he expected, his answer was met with mixed response. Chiyo sighed and Damon closed his eyes. Carlos took a deep breath and nodded. Miyuki gave him a shocked 'What?'

Daichi leaped towards him and grabbed him by the shoulders, "Are you kidding me? Follow that maniac? Are you mad?"

"Daichi." Shu said, calmly removing the hands on his shoulders, "We have no choice."

"No choice? So you are just going to walk in a trap?" Daichi demanded.

There were footsteps behind Shu and then Drew was standing by his side, "Daichi, if it is a trap, fight Mack as well. But at least there is a chance, however small, that he'll help."

"What are you saying? He'l-"

"He's right." Shu backed up his brother, "We fight Tabitha here, and we fight him there. Same thing."

Before Daichi could respond, Ayame and Chiyo spoke up at the same time, "He's right, Daichi." Chiyo paused, Ayame continued, "Let's follow Mack. We can't take on the whole of Tabitha's team."

Miyuki came to stand behind Daichi, "It will be foolish, going there. Shu, we can't."

"And we stand here, and wait for Tabitha." May said, pointing at the basement door where the sounds were coming dangerously close.

"We need to decide." Shu said hurriedly, "Carl and Damon, get Kei. Drew, you have the stones? Keep them safe. May, take one packet from him. Come on, the tunnel."

"We are not coming." Daichi said and crossed his arms. Miyuki stood next to him her hands behind her back.

"Don't be childish, Daichi, Miyuki." Chiyo insisted.

"Sorry, Chi." Daichi shook his head.

"Come on, guys!" Ayame said exasperated, "You can't do this!"

When Miyuki and Daichi shook their heads again, Shu sighed, "Suit yourself. Carlos, Damon, I'll carry Kei."

Before anyone knew what was happening, Daichi and Miyuki found their hands pinned behind their backs and immobile.

"Sorry, guys. Walk." Carlos said, tightening his hold when Miyuki struggled.

"Don't fucking try that, Dai." Damon warned when Daichi tried to swipe out his legs from under him and kicked the red-head's shin.

"Ow, god damnit!" Daichi howled, trying to dislodge Damon's hands, "Let me go!"

"Shut up, all four of you! Damon, stop kicking him. Daichi, stop trying to knock him down!" Shu snapped. By now, they were at the mouth of the tunnel and they could see the red light at the end. Behind them, they could hear Tabitha's team, a few meters away from the basement door.

Daichi tried to kick Damon again. Damon was jabbing his fingers hard in Daichi's lower back, the grip on his hands tightening. "Need help?" Damon looked to his right and saw Drew, grinning at him. Damon smiled back, "Yes, please."

Together, they hauled the struggling red-head after the others.

O.o

"Took you people long enough!" Mack growled just as they entered the chamber, Damon and Drew stumbling as Daichi bucked wildly. Carlos had simply picked Miyuki up after she had tried to use her nails to scratch him for the 5th time. She was silently fuming.

Shu, at least, was faring much better. Kei had, somewhere on the way, regained consciousness. He was still dizzy and was having small black-outs now and then, so Shu helped him walk.

Chiyo, Ayame and May were standing near Carlos, ready to help if Miyuki flipped off suddenly.

Mack regarded the scene with amusement, "Trouble in paradise, brats?"

"Shut up." Daichi growled.

"Such disrespect." Mack taunted, eyes wide, "I have almost changed my mind to help you idiots."

"If you want to help, do so quickly, okay?" Carlos said, ignoring Daichi's howls at the word 'idiot', "Tabitha is trying to knock down the basement door."

Mack rolled his eyes, "And whose fault is that?"

"What are you doing on top of the machine?"Shu asked, before Daichi could reply.

"Saving your arses." Mack said simply and crouched down, pressing his hands down on a grey button on the machine. Instantly, the room was filled with loud whirring sounds.

"What is going on?" Shu cried out, looking up at the ceiling as the sound continued to resonate around the chambers.

"I told you not to trust him!" Daichi shouted. Carlos had to hold Miyuki tighter to keep her from gouging his eyes out.

"Shut up!" They all stopped, the whirring noise continued. Mack glared down at them, "Nothing is happening! The chamber is closing, that's all."

"Closing?" Chiyo asked.

"Closing." May said in a small voice, staring at the only door. A metal barrier was descending, blocking the only entrance.

"What the fuck?" Kei muttered, staring incredulously at the door.

"He is not to be trusted!" Daichi shouted again.

"Shut up!" Mack shouted again. Once he had everyone's attention, he took a deep breath and continued, "There is an emergency exit. It will take Tabitha long enough to get past that door, and thus, give you enough time to get out of here."

"Where is the exit?" Shu asked, crossing his arms as Kei finally stood up on his own.

Mack pointed up. Their eyes followed and saw only gloom. Thick, dark gloom covered the top of the building, hiding the ceiling from their eyes.