Chapter 17

Captured

Greetings Team Dawn Breaker, or rather, what's left of Team Dawn Breaker,

I won't waste your time with simple words or irrelevant chatter; my name is Morpheus and I have captured your team. They are relatively unharmed, aside from a few cuts and scrapes, and alive. If you desire for them to stay this way, you will send the bearer of the Silver Soul, Zero the Riolu, to the entrance of Ashen Woods closest to Wyrwood by sunset tomorrow. For every minute he is late, one member of the team will be terminated. I do hate bloodying my hands, so I hope that you will comply.

Regards,

Morpheus.

Liz put down the letter, her normally bright and chipper demeanor smothered under grim horror. "They found this outside their door?" she asked.

"Yeah," Bolt responded solemnly, glancing at his teammates. "No sign of the Pokémon that put it there, though."

"Arceus," Wake muttered. "This is really bad."

"No kidding, Liz," Bolt laughed humorlessly.

"This isn't a laughing matter, Bolt!" Liz snapped, jumping to her feet. The Nidoqueen's already massive form seemed to double in size as she toward above the Manectric. "Children's lives are at stake here!"

"Don't you think I know that?!" Bolt shouted back. "I am fully aware of how serious this situation is. Not only were a bunch of kids captured by the enemy, but another was able to infiltrate the Latios Division and leave a ransom note. I know how screwed up this all is!"

"Shut up, both of you!" Seth snapped before either Pokémon could say anymore. "Now's not the time to be bickering amongst ourselves."

"Seth is right," Samuel agreed. The large ice-grass type shifted in his seat, resting his head upon his hands. "We need to figure out a plan of action."

"Why does the name Morpheus sound so familiar?" Wake questioned, glancing at the note.

"Don't you remember?" Samuel questioned. "He's the one that always worked with that Musharna, Hypnos, before he was captured. He's known as the 'Puppet Master' for his ability to manipulate and control other Pokémon with little effort."

"Right, now I remember," the Poliwrath exclaimed before becoming grim. "He's caused numerous for us in the past, but he's been quiet for the past few months."

"Until now," Jasmine said. "And, considering her knows that Zero has the Silver Soul, he's more than likely working for the Emperor."

"If that is the case, then is there any need for discussion?" Mystic asked. "It seems obvious the course of action that we should pursue."

"And what would that be?" Liz questioned; her gaze dangerously sharp.

"The Tribunal's ruling regarding the Silver Soul is quite clear. They are to remain within the division, where it is safe, and master the ability. While said training has been put on hold for the time being, the fact remains that he is not to leave the division under any circumstances."

"So, we just leave the others to die?" Liz questioned.

"Even if you don't believe that the Silver Soul can end the war, you cannot deny its power," Mystic pointed out. "If mastered, it will be an incredible boon for us."

"I'll ask again, so we just leave the others to die?" Liz repeated, deliberately speaking slowly. Each word charged with fury.

The Meowstic glanced at the enraged Nidoqueen. "I don't like it anymore than you do, Liz. All life is precious, but in this case—"

"They are children!" Liz shouted.

"And this is war!" Mystic snapped back. "They all knew what they signed up for."

"Just because they decided to join the Resistance doesn't mean we should just let them die!" Liz argued. "The Resistance is meant to save Pokémon, not let them die when we can help them!"

"But we can't help them," Jasmine pointed out. "We would have to give up one of our own, a potential trump card and another child," she stressed this last part. "Are you really willing to sacrifice Zero?"

"Of course not!" Liz exclaimed. "But we can't just stay here an let them die! We have to go help them!"

"We can't just blindly rush into this," Samuel said placatingly. "While I agree we can't just leave them there to die, we also can't give up Zero. This isn't a problem we can just solve without talking. After all, there's no way of knowing if Morpheus will kill his hostages if he sees that Zero isn't there."

"Maybe we should bring this to the tribunal," Jasmine suggested. "They would be able to make a less biased decision…"

"No! Please don't!" Zero suddenly shouted. When Bolt had brought the remnants of his team to Team Surge's rooms, the Riolu had been completely silent. He was left reeling from the note, unable to accept or comprehend that his team, his friends, were being held captive because of him, but he couldn't stay silent any longer.

"Zero, I understand your desire to save your teammates, but you can't risk your own safety," Bolt attempted to placate. "It might be for the best if we approach the Tribunal regarding what to do next. If we want to rescue your team, then a formal rescue mission would be in order…"

"No, you can't go to the Tribunal," Zero denied. "They would never authorize this kind of mission!"

"What makes you say that?" Jasmine asked.

"It's like Mystic said, I'm a boon to the Resistance. A potential trump card that could turn the tides of the war. They would never allow me to take part in this mission," Zero said.

"Maybe that's for the best," Jasmine suggested. "After all, there's no reason to risk your life if you don't have to."

Zero turned to Jasmine. "And if this Morpheus decides to kill my teammates when he sees I'm not there?" he demanded harshly. The Liepard shivered from the unexpected intensity of the Riolu's stare.

"Kindly stop glaring at my teammate. In case you didn't notice, we're trying to help you," Seth growled.

Zero turned his glare onto the Absol. "Well excuse me for actually giving a damn about my team!" he snapped angrily.

"Zero!" Bolt exclaimed reproachfully, shocked at how angry Zero had become.

Seth regarded the Riolu. "You're upset."

"Obviously," Zero snarked viciously.

"Can you really blame him?" Furno asked, barely withholding a sneer. "We just found out our team's been captured and we're doing nothing to help them!"

Bella churred in agreement; her pink eyes flashed with barely restrained anxiety. Her ash-gray body seemed to vibrate and undulate as if her oddly cloth-like body was struggling to contain whatever otherworldly energy ghost types were comprised of.

"We are trying to come up with a logical way to precede," Mystic explained.

"No, you're trying to shift the responsibility," Zero said angrily. "Just let me go there myself…"

"You're not going alone," Furno immediately denied. "Bella and I are going with you."

"None of you are going." Bolt interjected before Zero could offer a rebuttal.

"Why not?!" Zero demanded.

"Because it's way to dangerous," Liz supplied. "Even for us adults. This isn't any place for children."

"Yeah, 'cause we haven't been to places that weren't for children," Furno snorted.

"We've been in dangerous situations before," Zero added, both Furno and Bella making noises of agreement. "This wouldn't be any different."

"This isn't something that we can just decide to do!" Seth snapped angrily, rising to his feet. "This isn't just some simple retrieval or rescue mission. We are dealing with soldiers, not petty thieves that would rather run than fight. Their sole purpose of either killing or capturing you."

The Absol stepped up to the Riolu, leaning forward so that their snouts were inches apart. "This isn't just about rescuing your team. This is an attack on the Resistance." Seth shook his head, grumbling to himself. "This is why hatchlings shouldn't be allowed to join the Resistance. They think their invincible after a few easy missions."

Zero glared at the Disaster Pokémon. "And you seem to forget that we've actually been in dangerous situations before! Remember the Temple of Memoria."

"You had both Stride and Orion with you all at the time," Seth said dismissively as he turned around.

"Yeah? Well that didn't stop me from dying now did it?!" Zero roared causing Seth to freeze in place. Next to him, Furno flinched, but Zero hardly paid him any mind. "They weren't able to stop that from happening. Not to mention all the times that we got separated and me and Furno had to fend for ourselves! We're not weak, and we're not hatchlings. It was our team that was captured so it will be us that rescues them."

Seth turned back around; his red eyes boring into Zero's. Zero had to resist the urge to gulp at the intensity of Seth's stare. Those blood red eyes seemed to bore into the Riolu's very being, almost as if he were searching for something. "There is a chance, quite a large one, that you will die if you go," Seth said, speaking slowly, making sure each of his words sunk in. "You are a threat to the Emperor, prophecy or not. You won't be shown any leniency, even as a child. Knowing this, are you still prepared take that risk?"

Zero stood up a little straighter, meeting the Absol's burning gaze with a determined glare. "They're my team, my friends, and, as the leader of Team Dawn Breaker, I am responsible for them. I will do everything in my power to bring them back."

Seth stared at him for what felt like several hours. Zero could feel his eyes beginning to burn as he struggled to maintain eye contact with the unblinking gaze of Seth. Finally, the Absol blinked and sighed. "Fine."

Zero blinked having been taken aback. "Huh?"

"I said fine, you can come," Seth grunted.

"What?" Zero gasped. "Seriously?!"

"Yes, seriously?!" Liz asked incredulously, her sentiment mirrored across the entire team. "This isn't something children should be involved in! You said so yourself!"

"I did, and now I'm saying they can come with us," Seth said shortly.

"What kind of sense does that make?" Wake questioned dully.

"They're just kids, Seth," Jasmine added. "We can't ask them to put their lives on the line."

"But we already have by having them join the Resistance," Seth pointed, cutting off everyone's arguments. The Absol turned to teammates, looking each one of them in the eye. "They were right," he admitted with a reluctant sigh. "They have been through far more than most Resistance members can attest to. They have proven themselves capable and I won't insult them by saying otherwise."

Zero glanced at Furno, the fire-fighting type's surprised expression reflecting his own. Seth, the irate and frequently angry Absol was…complimenting them!

"Even so," Samuel began, frowning deeply, "even if they are capable, the question of if they should go is still applicable."

"It's they're team caught in the crosshairs," Seth said with what would have been classified as a nonchalant shrug had it not been for the annoyed look in his eye. "Not to mention, considering everything else they've gotten into, they most likely would have found some way of reaching Ashen Woods by themselves."

Zero and Furno nodded in agreement to Seth's statement, earning themselves a tired glare. "Regardless," Seth continued, "we still need a plan on how to precede."

"If we are preceding, then am I to assume that we will not be taking this up with the Tribunal?" Mystic questioned.

"Correct," Seth responded. "As Zero said, considering their current stance of the Silver Soul, they'd be more than likely inclined to force Zero and his team to stay."

Mystic nodded her head and closed her eyes, frowning ever so slightly as she did. "I also assume we are not going to be sending the three of them by themselves to confront the enemy alone."

"Of course not," Seth said.

"But you can't come! None of you can!" Zero exclaimed, giving Furno and Bella a meaningful look. "The note said for me to go alone!"

"And that's not happening," Seth said sternly. "There is no way in hell I'm allowing you to go off by yourself."

Zero wanted to say something at the comment of 'being allowed' to go, but decided that it would come across rather petulant so he held his tongue. "Don't worry, we're not just going to barge in," Bolt soothed, apparently taking Zero's silence for worry. "Mystic will come up with something, even though I'm against letting you risk your safety like this."

Mystic sat in silence for several minutes, appearing to be in deep thought. "Our best bet would be for our team to hide ahead of time while Zero and his teammates confronts Morpheus. Once we have visual on the rest Team Dawn Breaker, we will attack, securing them and ensuring Zero's safety."

"That's all well and dandy, but where exactly will we hide?" Wake asked. "Chances are, Morpheus is held up in the woods. He'd no doubt notice us attempting to sneak around."

"That's where Liz's ability to use Dig comes into play," Mystic explained. "If memory serves, there is a large pond near the specific entrance Zero was instructed to got, it would be a simple matter for Liz to dig a tunnel and allow Wake to enter said pond. When the fighting starts, Wake will be able to surface and engage from the side. Furthermore, as Ashen Woods isn't a dungeon, there is a high chance that Morpheus will have reinforcements hiding close by. Should this be the case, Liz being underground allows us to attack from behind as well."

"What about the rest of us?" Bolt asked.

"Jasmine and Seth, being the stealthier members of our group, will slowly follow Team Dawn Breaker as they make contact, keeping out of sight until they have the opportunity to strike," Mystic answered. "The rest of us will be a ways away, waiting for the signal to rush forward. With Wake, Liz, Seth, and Jasmine there, that will give the rest of us time to approach and engage the enemy."

Silence proceeded the Meowstic's plan, allowing her words to sink in. "That definitely sounds like a solid plan," Wake spoke.

"I still don't like this," Liz stated mulishly. "The thought of these kids walking head first into danger…" She sighed, turning to look at Zero, "but I'll help you rescue your team."

Zero nodded his head in thanks. While he still was hesitant to go to Ashen Woods with so many other Pokémon, fearing that it could cause his team to be hurt, he was thankful that, despite not having interacted with the seasoned team they were all willing to help. Even Seth was willing to go against the Tribunal for him. It was…comforting.

"The plan is solid," Samuel agreed, "but I do have one question."

"What is it?" Mystic asked, a small note of agitation over having her plan questioned in her voice.

Samuel looked around the room. "My question is…do we tell Stride?"

Once more, the room fell into silence. A sense of unease spread over the group, conflicting thoughts of feelings regarding their former leader crossing their minds. Eventually, Seth huffed. He glanced around the room, his eyes pausing briefly on Zero. "No," he said eventually. "At the moment, Stride is not part of this team. As such, he will not be made aware of our plan. Understood?"

"Understood," the all chorused, Zero and Furno included.

-Resistance-

As it turned out, it wasn't very difficult for Team Surge to smuggle Zero and his remaining team out of the division the following morning. The former human honestly forgot how influential Team Surge was, even without Stride among them. Watching Seth march purposefully towards one of the main exits, approaching the guard that had been posted to keep Zero from leaving, and getting them to cower away with little more than a handful of words. Next thing he knew, he was outside for the first time in months. Unfortunately, Zero didn't have the luxury of enjoying his freedom.

Ashen Woods, as it turned out wasn't very far away from the Latios Division, probably a few hours away. This, of course, was also slightly worrying considering that someone had also been able to deliver the ransom note to Team Dawn Breaker's door without being seen. The entire ordeal left Zero with a slimy violated feeling. The divisions weren't just bases for the Resistance, they were safe havens, places where Pokémon could live without fear of persecution from the Emperor. Granted, those that lived there would have to contribute something to the Resistance, but the point remained. Now, with one division destroyed, and another possibly compromised, the feeling of safety the division once held had lessened significantly.

Zero shook his head and sighed. Right now, he couldn't afford to be distracted by such thoughts, especially with his team in danger. Glancing around at the crest of the hill the group was currently resting at the base of, the former human felt a heavy sense of peril. Like he was about to begin the long walk to his death. A possibility that was looking highly likely the more he thought about it.

Ashen Woods laid just over the hill, a mere few yards away. His team was so close, but so far at the same time.

A warm hand gripped Zero's paw, nearly causing the Riolu to jump. Turning, he met Furno's concerned gaze. "Are you alright?" Furno asked.

"Y-Yeah," Zero responded, internally wincing at how shaky his voice sounded. "Yes. I'm okay," he said. "I'm just…"

"Nervous?" Furno questioned, earning a nod from the Riolu. "I don't blame you." He looked down at his free hand, which Zero noticed was shaking. "We've been in some dangerous situations before, but this takes the cake."

Zero chuckled a little. "I know what you mean. We've fought soldiers before, but it's…different. This isn't just walking into a fight, this is…" Zero huffed in frustration, unable to find the words he was looking for. Looking down, he noticed that his own paws were shaking.

"I know. Believe me, I know," Furno said, his grip tightening in reassurance. "We talked such a big game with Seth and the others, but…I'm not regretting our decisions," he quickly assured his friend, "but…"

Zero said nothing in response. Instead, he shifted his paw so that he was gripping Furno's hand as tight as the fire-fighting type was. Furno felt his nervousness begin to ebb away, a small smile creeping across his face. The former human's support, even unspoken, alleviated much of the Monferno's worry. Although…

He brought up his hand to finger the Lunar Wing that hung around his neck. It felt like lead, the relief and joy that he felt when they had found the item had vanished the instant Zero showed him the letter. Maybe if he had been there…

"Furno, you don't have to feel guilty," Zero said, snapping the Monferno out of his stupor. "None of this is your fault."

"Wha…?" Furno sighed, shaking his head with a small smile. "That emotion sense of yours can be really annoying."

"That wasn't emotion sense, I just know you," Zero said with a smile.

Furno stared at the Riolu for a second before snorting. "I guess you do."

Zero smiled in return. A bit of the tension hovering over the two of them seemed to fade a bit. However, all too soon, Zero's smile fell into a frown. "We'll save them. I promise you, we will."

"I know we will," Furno said.

"Zero, Furno," Seth called. "Get over here."

Becoming solemn once more, the duo gave the other a short nod before clambering to their feet and walking towards the Absol. Said Disaster Pokémon was standing impatiently beside Mystic, Samuel, and Bolt, Wake, Jasmine, and Liz having already taken their positions.

"It's almost sundown," Seth stated plainly. "You two remember the plan?"

Zero swallowed his nervousness and gave a sharp nod. "Yes."

"Good," Seth replied curtly. He glanced at his team before returning his attention to Zero and Furno. "Jasmine and the others should already be in position. I'll follow you as closely as I can without arousing suspicion. It might also be a good idea to have Belladonna follow behind in the shadows."

Zero and Furno glanced at the Marionette Pokémon, who was floating silently behind the duo. "Okay, sounds good," Zero said. "You think you can do that, Bella?"

The Banette gave a larger smile, nodding her head vigorously before sinking into the ground without a word. Once the ghost type was out of sight, Zero then turned to Furno, his previous anxiety returning full force. His heart thundered in his chest. His blood chilled to the point that it could be considered frozen. His throat felt like it was closing, making it hard to breathe. Even so, despite his fear, Zero forced himself to take a deep inhale to center himself. He had a job to do.

"Let's go rescue our team," Zero said, trying to sound as confident as he could.

Furno nodded, steeling his own expression as well. "Yeah. Let's."

-Resistance-

Zero found it rather difficult to breathe as he and Furno marched towards Ashen Woods. The bubbling fear in Zero's chest seemed as if it were physically wrapping around him, trying to keep him still, to keep him from walking towards the woods. Numerous scenarios ran through his mind with each passing step: how Morpheus could go back on his word and not return his team. How Morpheus could attack him and Furno at any moments. How his team could already be dead…

Zero bit his lip with enough force to draw blood. Thinking those kinds of thoughts wouldn't do him any good. Instead, he tried to focus on his surroundings. Several yards away, the pond where Wake currently laid in wait, lay serene, its still water glinted in the steadily falling sunlight. Ahead, the trees of the woods bore ash gray leaves, an odd color especially when paired with the healthy brown of their trunks. According to Seth, no one knew the exact reason behind the woods' odd coloring, but that didn't matter now.

All to soon, the duo reached their destination. They stood just feet outside the woods, the density of the foliage allowing nothing to be seen past a few feet. Zero frowned as his eyes roamed the tree line, his uneasiness slowly rising. Where was his team?

Next to Zero, Furno shifted anxiously, his own eyes roaming over the outside of the woods. "Where is everyone?"

As if summoned by Furno's questions, there was movement behind the tree line. The duo tensed as a figure leisurely strolled out of the shadows and into the orange light of the dying sun. Standing before them, was a tall, mostly purple Pokémon the duo recognized as a Malamar. The sinister Pokémon possessed piercing yellow eyes with black sclerae with light purple eyelids and a dark pink 'beak'. Its main body has six bright yellow circles on its front with a yellow strip nearly completely encircling its upper body. A transparent mantle covered the Pokémon's main body with two white fins stretching out of it. On either side of the upper portion of the mantel were two long tentacles that were dark pink on the top and ended in white, scythe-like fins. Several purple tentacles, all with blue undersides, sprouted from the top of its head, writhing and squirming like a nest of baby Ekans.

The two sides stared at the other; Zero and Furno in tense anticipation and the Malamar in silent appraisal. Neither side spoke, Zero and Furno out of fear and trepidation and the Malamar content with just observing the younger Pokémon, seemingly oblivious to the surrounding tension. Eventually, the dark-psychic type spoke.

"Hmm. You arrived earlier than expected. That's okay of course," they said as if reassuring the duo, "the early Pidgeotto gets the Caterpie after all."

Zero's gaze narrowed. The Malamar's entire demeanor read kind and welcoming, but their eyes… Those beady yellow eyes were as cold as Regice.

"Oh, but where are my manners?" the Malamar chastised himself. He smiled at the Riolu, giving the former human the impression that something incredibly slimy and repulsive had been dragged across his fur. "My name is Morpheus. Am I to assume that you are the one called Zero?"

Zero tensed at the confirmation of the Pokémon's name. Swallowing his fear, he stepped forward. "Where's my team?"

Morpheus smirked, amused by Zero's question. "Straight to the point, I like that, but that's quite rude. After all, you haven't introduced your little friend."

Furno tensed at being called out, causing Zero to instinctively step in front of his friend. "Enough games!" Zero snapped. "Where's my team?!"

For a moment, Morpheus didn't respond. He stared at Zero, his smile falling into a blank mask. A think trickle of sweat rolled down the base of Zero's neck; worry that he may have crossed the line with his yell flickering through his mind. However, the Malamar then grinned widely shortly after.

"Fair enough," he said. Morpheus then brought up one of his scythe-like tentacles and, somehow, made a snapping sound with it. A second later, there was more movement from behind the tree line.

Zero felt his heart skip a beat as saw his team being dragged out. Like the letter said, they were all relatively unharmed, but that did not stop the bolt of fury that shot through Zero when he saw his friends injured and trussed up.

Dusty stumbled forward with an obvious limp, scratches and burn marks littering his golden shell. Bogran had several purpling bruises strewn across his pale blue body. A brilliant shiner swelled his left eye almost completely shut. Little Noelle appeared almost entirely uninjured, but she was shivering violently as she was led forward, and Zero knew that it wasn't due to her being cold. Weiss appeared the most composed, aside from Dusty, still managing to look dignified despite being led along by a thick noose around her neck. When she saw the duo, a look of surprise and fear flashed through her eyes. She opened her mouth to say something, but was silence when her captor tugged harshly at her lead. Finally, Quill—

Furno gasped and Zero didn't blame him. Quill was by far the worst out of the group. The Quilladin appeared unconscious, slung over the shoulder of a much larger green and beige Pokémon. It looked like someone had given him very sparse medical treatment given that several bandages covered his limbs and chest, most of them appearing dirty and stained red. A large, bloody welt was forming on the side of his head.

Seeing their reactions, Morpheus glanced behind him at Quill and chuckled. "Oh, sorry. That one was a little rambunctious so we had to…quiet him," he said, an ominous and disgustingly pleasured tone creeping into his voice.

Zero's body shook with effort to not explode in anger. Acting rashly at this moment would only lead to his team being harmed further. He forced his mind to think rationally and observed his team's captors.

Aside from Morpheus and the large Pokémon carrying Quill, there were six others: a tall Gothitelle, a vicious looking Sableye, a sinisterly smirking Zoroark, a glaring Primeape, a Xatu, and a Pokémon Zero didn't recognize. They were ape-like in appearance with silver fur with bare hands, feet, and snout. Under each of its eyes there was a yellow ring marking encircled by a light blue ring. On the center of its forehead was four-pointed, yellow star. A 'cape' of purple fur hung around its shoulders, divided by several wavy clumps with streaks of orange and light blue throughout. In its hand was a leafy fan held together with the same purple fur as its 'cape'. Zero also noted that this Pokémon was the only one bearing the band of the Emperor's soldiers.

Momentarily putting his confusion of the strange Pokémon on hold, Zero turned his attention to the largest of the group. It shared many qualities of Quill, surprisingly, or not surprisingly as Zero realized that he was staring at a Chesnaught. What was surprising, however, was the dead look in its eyes. They blank, almost unseeing like they were unconscious, but that clearly wasn't the case seeing as it was holding Quill.

All in all, the group appeared strong. They didn't give off the same smothering aura as Aster, but Zero could tell each of them was strong in their own right. They weren't Pokémon that he and Furno could fight by themselves. He even doubted that his entire team together could handle them, but with Team Surge…

"As you can see, I have held up to my side of the bargain," Morpheus said, pulling Zero from his thoughts. "I expect you are prepared to do the same?"

Zero swallowed heavily, trying desperately to appear braver than he felt. "Let them go first."

"Ah, ah, ah," Morpheus tutted, waggling a tentacle in a scolding manner. "That's not how this works. Give yourself up and then we'll let them go."

"And how will I know that you won't go back on your word the moment I give myself up?" Zero demanded.

"And how do I know that you won't?" Morpheus countered. "Trust goes both ways."

"Well we don't trust you!" Furno snapped, taking a step forward.

Morpheus' piercing gaze snapped towards the Monferno. "Of course you don't. That's why you're here, isn't it Furno? Extra support?" A twisted smile formed on his face. "No, that's why Team Surge is here."

Neither Zero nor Furno had a chance to even showcase their surprise before the pond exploded.

A pillar of water erupted from the previously calm body of water, a dark shape shooting from it at alarming speeds. A second later, the object smashed into the ground several yards away, creating a small trench as it skidded several additional feet. It was only after the dust settled that Zero and Furno realized that it was Wake that had crashed into the ground, his body bruised and weighed down by several large chunks of ice.

"Dammit," he hissed through obvious pain, trying and failing to get up.

Not a second later, there was another eruption from the pond. A long, serpentine Pokémon burst from the depths. Its pale, cream colored scales that led into a blue and pink mosaic fanned tail glistened as it soared through the air, its pink hair-like fins shimmering with stray water droplets. It would have been a beautiful sight had the circumstances behind its appearance.

The Pokémon, a Milotic, came to a halt next to Morpheus, hovering a couple of inches above the ground. It flicked its 'hair' with a casual flick of its tail, splattering a few stray water droplets across the ground and pinned the duo with a haughty, disinterested look. A soldier's band was wrapped around the base of their tail.

"That is one," the monotonous voice of the Xatu reported. It turned its topmost eye towards the Primeape. "Ares, about thirty-three paces straight ahead."

A savage gleam flickered behind perpetually enraged eyes as the fighting type sprang into action. The fighting type rushed forward, blasting past both Zero Furno before they could even flinch. It then hopped into the air before slamming both of its fists into the ground. Immediately a visible shockwave rushed out from the point of impact followed by the ground shattering around them.

Zero gasped as he lost his balance under the violently shifting earth, Furno faring no better. A sharp cry of pain drew the pair's attention and they watched in horror as Liz was forcibly ejected from the ground. Not missing a beat, the Primeape leapt at the airborne Nidoqueen, delivering a harsh blow to the side of her head, sending her crashing to the ground with a loud crash.

"That is two," the Xatu reported, just as Jasmine erupted from the shadows.

With her claw wreathed in shadowy aura, her burning gaze fixed on Morpheus' unprotected neck. As she swiped her claws, she was shocked to find that the attack passed through the Malamar as if he wasn't even there. Morpheus' grin widened before his form shimmered and fell apart and Jasmine was left facing the smirking face of the Zoroark.

Unable to move away in time, the Liepard was haplessly smacked across the field by a vicious Low Sweep to the side of her head. Skidding across the ground, she forced herself to her feet only to have to jump back haphazardly as the Zoroark pursued her.

"And there is three," the Xatu said. "The rest will be making their way here. It would be best if we hurry this along."

"Of course, my dear Coatl," Morpheus, who suddenly appeared where the Zoroark had stood. The Overturning Pokémon sauntered over to the stunned duo, his grin reaching impossible proportions. "Now that that's out of the way…"

As he spoke, a shadow formed directly underneath him. In a blur, Bella appeared, pink eyes emblazoned with haunting anger. She reared her arm back to strike the Malamar only for white blur to intercept her. The ghost type only had time to give a single look of confusion before she was overcome with pain as Weiss' vicious Sucker Punch struck her in her stomach.

Bella fell to the ground with a nearly soundless thump, her eyes closed, periodically twitching in pain. Weiss stood over her, a look of horror etched into across her face as she looked down at the damage she had caused to her teammate.

"Weiss…" Furno whispered in horror. "Why…?"

Weiss looked at the fire-fighting type, tears glistening behind fearful teal orbs. She opened her mouth to speak but gagged as the white ape gave a harsh tug on her collar, pulling the off colored Absol back to towards the group.

"Good work, Cortex," Morpheus praised. "I expect nothing less from one of his majesty's soldiers." The Pokémon -Cortex- said nothing, but grinned a cruel grin, giving another harsh tug on the Weiss' chain. Morpheus then turned back to Zero. "Now, as I was saying, let's move on to business."

Zero hardly heard him. His eyes were still locked onto the forms of Team Surge as they struggled to defend against the oppressing might of Morpheus' goons. They, Liz and Jasmine, were being pushed back, unable to defend against just two of Morpheus' team and Wake was still unable to rise. Bella was unconscious, defeated by their own teammate… How had things gone south so quickly?

Morpheus sighed at the Riolu's silence. "I see. You still need some convincing. Crass."

Furno snapped towards the Malamar, eyes wide with shock. "Crass? But isn't that…"

The Chesnaught lumbered forward towards the Malamar. Carelessly, he dropped Quill onto the ground at Morpheus' feet, eliciting a pained groan from the smaller grass-fighting type. Still caught between the line of consciousness and oblivion, Quill had no way of avoiding the scythe tentacle that was jammed into his side.

For one blissful moment, it was silent. The sounds of fighting behind them ceased. The wind was still. No chirps or trills from the woods' wild inhabitants echoed. It was almost serene. Then Quill began to scream.

Torn from unconsciousness, the Quilladin shrieked in absolute agony. His blood chilling scream deafened the battlefield. Crimson ichor freely spilled out of the wound as the dark-psychic type slowly twisted their tentacle into Quill's side. The Quilladin tried desperately to crawl away from his attack, but Morpheus just dug his scythe in deeper, forcing him to stay put or risk the blade digging in deeper.

"Quill!" Zero shouted, petrified.

"Stop it!" Weiss shouted, desperately pulling against the chain, but Cortex held firm, going as far as grabbing her horn, threatening to break it with his sheer strength.

Furno lunged at the Malamar, an almost rabid anger in his eyes, but was caught in the air by the Gothitelle's psychic hold. Furno struggled viciously in the hold, only to cry out in agony as the Astral Body Pokémon slowly began to close her outstretched hand.

Bogran too attempted to help, but was soon grabbed by the neck by the Chesnaught. The Spiny Armor Pokémon then reached out with his free hand and grabbed Noelle, her small body fitting almost completely within the grass-fighting type's palm, and stepping harshly on Dusty's back. He then slowly began to apply pressure on his captives, causing all three of them to scream in pain.

"No!" Zero roared. He stepped forward only to freeze as the Gothitelle increased the pressure on Furno, causing the Monferno to cry out. "Let them go!"

"Oh, I'll let them go," Morpheus said happily, only for a dark look to cross his face, "as soon as you surrender to me."

"M-Morpheus," the Milotic spoke up, her voice sounding unsure. "Is this truly necessary? This seems…extreme. I'm sure there are other ways to—"

"Be silent, Marvel," the ape-like Pokémon interrupted irritably. "The Emperor gave us a task that is to be completed no matter the cost."

The Milotic winced, bowing her head in acceptance.

"What's it going to be, Zero?!" Morpheus called, twisting his bladed tentacle deeper into the Quilladin, causing a fresh wave of screams to erupt from Quill. "Your life, or theirs?"

"Damn you." Blood practically roared in the young Riolu's ears. Fury unlike he had ever felt before flowed through him like water, boiling the blood in his veins. He wanted to smack the smug look off of the Malamar's face. To rip off his tentacles and beat those that dared harmed his friends with them!

But he couldn't.

As quickly as the rage came, it left, leaving Zero weak and scared. His team… his friends… They were in terrible. Tortured before his very eyes while he just stood there and watched. They were screaming. Crying out for someone to help them. To end their suffering.

"Zero!" The former human turned and saw Bolt and Seth rushing towards them, Mystic and Samuel trailing behind them. They were so close, but so far. They couldn't help. No one could. No one except…

"Choose!" Morpheus shouted; all previous evidence of his flippant demeanor gone. He pulled his tentacle free of its bloody confines, hovering the bladed tip over Quill's heart. "If not…"

"No, please!" Zero shouted desperately. "Please don't! I surrender! I surrender."

Zero fell to his knees, paws flat against the ground, and head bowed. All the fight had left him. "Please… Do what you want to me, just let them go."

"Zero…" Furno spoke, his voice choked with obvious pain. "Don't…"

The Riolu just shook his head. Unbidden tears fell from his eyes, splashing fruitlessly upon the grass. "No. I can't…I can't let you all be hurt anymore. Please," he pleaded with the Malamar, keeping his head bowed in submission, "let them go."

Morpheus regarded the Riolu impassively before a sick, satisfied grin marred his face. "Excellent."

It was at that moment, Team Surge arrived.

Bolt, being the fastest out of the team, weaved through the chaotic battle between his two teammates and their opponents followers, and lunged at the Malamar, electricity crackling like a violent storm. Seeing the Manectric, the Gothitelle swung her arm the arm keeping Furno held aloft at him, sending the fire-fighting type crashing into the electric type and sending them both to the ground.

Nearly at the same moment, Morpheus wrapped a tentacle around Quill's unmoving form and, with little effort, hurled the bulky Pokémon at Seth, forcing the Absol to halt his approach. In the same motion, he lashed out at Zero's still bowed form, the tentacle wrapping tightly around the Emanation Pokémon's neck and harshly pulling the Riolu towards him.

"Zero!" Furno cried out in alarm; arm outstretched to grab his friend as he hurtled past, but he was too slow.

Morpheus laughed cruelly, dangling the former human in the air almost as if he were taunting Furno. The poor Riolu kicked feebly in protest, bringing up his paws to instinctively clutch at the appendage wrapped around his throat.

"We have what we came for!" Morpheus shouted for all to hear. "We're leaving!" As he said this, his group moved in unison.

At once, the Chesnaught tossed and kicked his hostages away from him and lumbered closer to stand at Morpheus' side. The ape-like Pokémon did the same, using what appeared to be a burst of psychic type energy to push all of Team Dawn Breaker, Bolt, and Seth further away from the group. The Zoroark and Primeape disengaged from their battles (though the Primeape did not appear happy about this), nimbly avoiding their attackers to stand on either side of their group.

Teams Dawn Breaker and Surge, clambering to regain their footing and pursue the group, were met with Morpheus' victorious smirk as he continued to dangle the Riolu in front of them. The air around the group then seemed to undulate and warp as the eyes Xatu, Gothitelle, and Sableye began to glow with energy. At the same time, the Zoroark's eyes flashed blue, the air shimmering around them.

Uncaring of whatever was happening before him, Furno jumped to his feet and ran, desperate to save his friend. He was so close, just a few feet away from him. Furno reached a hand in a frenzied attempt to grab onto Zero and pull him to safety. The last thing he saw was Zero fearful, yet relieved face before his world erupted into blinding light.

An invisible force threw Furno onto his back several feet away, leaving the Playful Pokémon dazed. When he was finally able to rise up onto his elbows, the spots disappearing from his vision, he saw that Ashen Woods had changed. It seemed larger and expansive than before. More twisted. No sounds could be heard from within, leaving the field in deafening silence. An ominous chill seemed to emanate from behind the tree line.

Furno knew what this was, even if it was impossible. Ashen Woods had become a mystery dungeon…

And Zero was somewhere inside.

Author's Note:

Phew. Long one. Anyway, I'm not dead, I've just been getting over of a bit of writer's block. Hopefully I'll be updating my stories more frequently than in the past. Also, when I was going back through my chapters to make sure I was getting all of my names correct, I noticed that I accidently referred to Hypno as Morpheus back in chapter 7 of part 2. Normally, I would go back and correct this, but, since then, I got a new laptop and almost none of my works transferred over from my old one, so I don't have the original document. So, unfortunately, I won't be able to change it. Hope that's okay with everyone. Anyway, feel free to leave a review, any and all suggestions are welcome so long as you're not giving me a two-page critique of everything I could and should be doing differently. Other than that, be well and thank you all for taking the time to read my story.