The sun was behind them as Ryan, Addison and Holly made their way from Alchemiburg and down the path towards the Ruined Tunnel. Despite Holly's misgivings about being in the tunnels for the evening, the three made as quick a time as they could so that the girls would not be in a rush to be ready for the Ball the following evening. Yet time did not appear to be on their side as it soon began to grow dark as they could see the entrance to the Ruined Tunnel ahead of them.

The Tunnel looked as if it had been a medieval fortress a long time ago, with actual doors that led into the tunnel as well as hand crafted pillars that led up to the entrance. The road below them changed from a dirt path to a stony road that continued until the entrance. High above the entrance as the walkway over the Ruined Tunnel, which took a few hours to climb up and back down safely to reach Kingston Castle on the other side.

As the three neared the start of the stone path, they looked up at the cliffs above the Ruined Tunnel. Holly let out a sigh. "I'm guessing neither of you brought any mountain climbing gear?"

Ryan shook his head. "Nope.

"Me neither" Addison confirmed.

Holly looked towards the entrance to the tunnel and shrugged. "It doesn't look too bad from this end. I mean sure, it could use a little work, like all tunnels would, but I can totally see us making it through the tunnel in a few hours."

"It's a few miles from this end to the other" Addison explained, looking up the details of the Ruined Tunnel on her Poké Gear. "There is a Fresh Water Spring in the heart of the Tunnel, where we can stock up on some Fresh Water if we need. There also appears to be a surprise amount of Pokémon appearing in the Ruined Tunnel, including Noibats, Geodudes, Drilburs and Clefairys."

"Clefairy?" Holly asked, looking at her friend's Poké Gear. Her eyes widened. "Oh my goodness. It's so cute!"

"If we're lucky" Ryan told her, "we'll run into one."

"They also appear in the Safari Zone" Addison pointed out.

"Okay, I'm convinced" Holly said confidently. "We can go inside."

Ryan looked back at the setting sun behind them. "Are we going to set up camp in there?"

Addison shrugged. "I guess so. Or we can just power our way through to the end and get to the Castle early in the morning."

"We'll see how we feel, I guess" Ryan agreed. The three then proceeded towards the entrance to the tunnel. The entrance was manmade, a large slab that slid open to lead towards a wide staircase that led down into the tunnel itself. The three did their best to push the sliding block away to get them inside the cave. Finally pushing the slab wide enough so that one of them could slip inside, they looked towards each other and tried to figure out who was going in first.

"I guess I'll go" Addison said, moving past Ryan and Holly and stepping into the dark pathway.

"Wait, Addy!" Ryan called to her. He reached onto his belt and pulled out his Cyndaquil's Poké Ball. "Have Cinder light the way for you."

"Good idea" she said, taking the ball from her friend and moving back into the tunnel.

Ryan then looked to Holly. "Come on, Holly."

Holly looked from the tunnel and to Ryan. "Wouldn't you want to go in first?"

Ryan shook his head, doing his best to keep the slab in place. "No. I'm the only one who can keep the slab here. Go on. I'll catch up."

Holly took a step inside and vanished out of sight. As Ryan held onto the slab, he tried to inch his way around it to make room for himself to get inside. But as he did, he heard something going on above him. Two Pokémon were battling with each other on the cliffs above the entrance. Two Excadrill, no doubt battling over territory, were slamming each other into the rock face and using their steel drivers to pummel one another. Every time one of them collided with the cliff, the tunnel's entrance would shake. Ryan tried to move faster, but the slab was slipping from his grip.

"Ryan?" Addison called from inside the tunnel. "What's wrong?"

Ryan felt a pebble fall and land on his head. He looked up and saw that the two brawling Pokémon were going to cause a rockslide. The rumbling echoed loudly inside the Tunnel.

"Ryan?" Holly asked. "What are you waiting for?"

"There's going to be a rockslide" Ryan said,

"A WHAT?" Holly screamed.

"SSHHHHH" Addison snapped. "Do you want to cause it yourself?"

The rocks began to fall from above the entrance. Ryan continued to inch his way over towards the entrance of the tunnel, the slab closing as he moved. He did his best to hold it, but his grip was weakening. "Addy? Holly? Can you guys pull the slab open?"

"I'll try" Addison said. As Ryan did his best to not strain himself, he could feel Addison pulling the slab open. The tunnel's entrance began to shake violently. "Ryan? You might want to get in here." She nearly lost grip of it, but refocused herself. "Hurry! I can't keep it open forever."

Ryan moved for the entrance, but a boulder fell right in front of him, nearly crushing him. He jumped back in shock. "It's starting!" Another boulder fell towards where Addison was trying to push the slab. Ryan looked above and saw more large boulders thundering towards him. Ryan decided on an alternative strategy. "I'm going to use the rocks to climb in."

"Are you nuts?" Holly snapped.

"Holly" Addison strained, "you're going to have to bring him in. Ryan, look-look for her!" Ryan climbed atop the rock as hundreds of pebbles and stones began to fall on his head like raindrops. He slipped past the rock and made it to the slab again. Near one final fragmented entrance, he spotted Holly, holding out her hand to him.

"Come on, Ry" she called.

Ryan stumbled his way over to her, but grabbed Holly, who pulled him into the Tunnel as Addison lost grip and the rocks collapsed onto the slab, trapping them inside. Ryan fell onto Holly, as Addison fell backwards as well and the three soon found themselves rolling down the steps that led to the primary cavern of the Ruined Tunnel. Ryan used his legs to anchor the others, pulling Holly to a stop alongside him. Addison came to a halt of her own accord, landing on back at the foot of the steps.

"I can't see anything" Holly said. She squeezed Ryan's hand to make sure he was okay. "You're okay, Ryan?"

"Yeah" he replied. He made it to his feet and pulled Holly up with him. "Addy? Where are you?"

"Over here" she called behind him. In a flash of light, Ryan's Cyndaquil appeared in front of Addison and briefly gave the trainers a bit of light. Ryan led Holly over towards Addison and his Cyndaquil. Upon arriving, he let go of Holly and dusted himself off, while Holly looked at how dirty her clothing had gotten.

"Oh this is just great" Holly said.

"Well" Ryan shrugged, "it's better to be here than up there getting crushed by boulders."

Addison took a dim torch off the wall and had the Cyndaquil burn it. With another source of light, Addison looked around them. "Well, I guess we're going to have to find our way through the cave at night after all." She pointed her torch towards a path that led deeper into the tunnel. "Here. I think we should start here."

Ryan nodded. "The sooner we find the exit, the better off we are."

"But-" Holly sputtered nervously.

"If we don't find the exit" Addison pointed out to Holly, "we may not even make it to the Ball."

Holly gulped. "If you guys say so."

Ryan put his hand on her shoulder. "We don't have a choice."

Addison, torch in hand, slowly made her way down the path that led deeper into the tunnel. Ryan's Cyndaquil looked up to him and smiled, before following Addison down the walkway. Ryan looked towards Holly, who seemed completely petrified at the idea of going through the pitch black tunnel in the middle of the night.

"You gonna be okay?" he asked her.

Holly didn't move for a moment. "I-I just-I have-kind of-a paralyzing fear of the dark."

Ryan nodded. "I remember."

Holly looked towards him. "You do?"

"You remember when we had that blackout during Addison's Birthday Party a few years ago?" Ryan said. "You spent the whole time clinging to her stuffed Chansey until my Dad came and reset the generator." Ryan could never forget that. Matthew had been trying to scare everyone with flashing lights during a scary movie that was on TV, but then the whole room blacked out and Holly refused to leave her spot on the couch, clinging to one of Addison's birthday presents for almost a good hour.

"You just had to remind me of that" she replied.

"Life's about conquering our fears" Ryan said.

"Speak for yourself, Mister Fearless Hero" she snapped. "I can't even-"

"Holly!" Ryan called to her. "Even though we have to conquer our fears, we don't have to do it alone. We're all going to be right here with you. Just like we were that night at Addy's birthday party."

Holly took a deep breath to calm herself. "Okay, I think I got this."

"You gonna be okay?" Ryan asked.

"I think so" she said.

"Do you want me to go in front?" Ryan asked her.

"What's the holdup?" Addison called from down the slope.

"Nothing" Holly called. "We'll be right down." She sheepishly looked towards Ryan. "Can I ask you a favor?"

"Sure. What?"

She held out her hand. "I might feel better if-"

Ryan sighed. "Okay. C'mon." He took her hand and the two made their way down the path after Addison. The Cyndaquil rolled his way to Ryan and Holly and let out a yelp of happiness.

Addison's eyes widened, looking around at the darkness around them and back at Holly. "Oh my goodness! Holly, I just realized-"

Holly shook her head. "We already talked about it. Ryan's going to help keep me calm."

Addison nodded. "Okay. Then let's get going." She continued down the pathways of the Ruined Tunnel. Cinder looked up to his trainer, who urged him forward. The fiery echidna followed after Addison.

Holly turned towards Ryan, her hand still holding his. "Thanks."

Ryan nodded. "No problem. Let's find that exit." Ryan and Holly then followed Addison down the dark and foreboding tunnels.

{Meanwhile}

Castle Kingston was a sprawling and magnificent palace where former dynastic Kings and Queens had ruled and held sway over all of Arcana. In modern times, as a more constitutional monarchy was in place, the castle was now the primary domain of Lady Bonnie Kingston, a former Queen of Arcana Contest winner and widow of the former champion, James Kingston. With high stone walls littered with ramparts, embrasures and buttresses, it had all that the castles in fairy tales would have on the exterior. The interior was even grander. Numerous bed chambers, dining halls, ballrooms, a separate courtyard as well as a bailey, and tapestries that would have adorned a museum if the present power structure were ever to wither away. Atop the outer walls of the castle were stone statues of Pokémon that many of the Kingston Kings that ruled would have commanded in battle, including Druddigons, Noiverns, Bisharps and Pyroars.

Despite not having any real organized opposition to their lavish lifestyles, the Kingstons who remained in their fortress of the same surname would always have to adjust to the amount of men Bonnie would have patrolling the walls. While her husband had been gone for nearly fourteen years, the Matriarch of the Kingston Family always ensured her domain was heavily protected by men who would throw down their lives for her or her family in a heartbeat. While she was a warm and welcoming person, most of the family would usually steer clear of the Castle unless it was around the holidays.

Michael allowed his Dragonite to land just outside of the Castle Walls. As they landed, Rhaegar yawned loudly before disappearing into his Poké Ball. Not wanting to go inside unprotected for himself, Michael reached onto his belt and called out his most recently acquired Pokémon, a Cinderace. The Fire Type Rabbit came out of his Poké Ball and looked to his trainer happily.

"At least I can count on you to not scare the guards, Beckham" Michael told his Pokémon. Whenever he brought his Dragonite into Kingston Castle, he usually strutted his stuff around the guards and would have no problem intimidating them into doing what he wanted. But he knew they wouldn't be scared of a Pokemon more comfortable on a pitch than on a battlefield.

As he made his way towards the closed gates of the castle, a lone guard patrolled the walls. "Halt! Who goes there?"

"Michael Kingston" Michael called to the guard, "here to see his Grandmother, Lady Kingston."

"Forgive me, sir" the guard called, "but Her Ladyship has requested the Kingstons present in her castles go by their Lordly Titles."

Michael rolled his eyes. It's as if she still fancies herself a Queen. "It is I, Lord Michael Kingston of Parlor Town, Champion of the Arcana League and Protector of the Region. I seek the counsel of Lady Bonnie Kingston of Kingston Castle."

The guard saluted him. "Aye, My Lord. The Gates will be lowered for you."

Michael folded his arms. I swear I will never get used to this. His Cinderace mimicked his movements and Michael ruffled the top of his head. Soon, the gates fell and the guards welcomed him inside.

"Welcome home, My Lord" the guard on the right saluted.

"Lady Bonnie has been expecting you" the guard on the left added.

Michael nodded. "Better not keep her waiting then." With his Pokémon by his side, Michael walked through the courtyard and into the Castle itself. A servant was immediately there to greet him.

"Ah, Lord Kingston" he said, bowing before him. "Welcome to the Castle."

Michael sighed. "I told you not to do that around me, Gerard."

The butler remained stiff. "Forgive me, Michael, but Lady Bonnie wishes for a more refined environment before the commencement of the Ball tomorrow." Gerard leaned in towards him. "If it's all the same to you, sir, I do wish you would one day assume control of the Castle yourself as other Kingston Champions before you have. It is your birthright."

"Not if it means I have to deal with the previous regime" Michael laughed. "Where might I find Lady Bonnie?"

"She and the Queen are in the drawing room. Should I announce your arrival?"

Michael chuckled. "Do you even have to ask around her?"

"Fair enough" Gerard replied. Michael followed the butler towards an open doorway where a gorgeous fireplace was burning and a record player playing Classical Music was stationed. In front of the Fire Place were three couches and a Master's Chair. Piper was sitting on one of the couches, watching as her Tsareena danced along to the music playing on the record. His grandmother, a frail and small woman with white hair adorned in the Colors of the Monarchy, sat facing the fire, knitting a scarf she would no doubt be giving to one of her Grandchildren as a present around the winter holidays.

"M'lady?" the butler called as he opened the door.

"Yes, Gerard?" Bonnie called back softly.

The butler then bowed before Piper. "Your Highness."

Piper giggled. "Yes?"

"Announcing the arrival of Lord Michael Kingston, Champion of the Arcana Region." With that, Gerard turned and allowed Michael to pass him. Unhappily, Michael walked into the drawing room.

"Michael!" Piper called, rising from her spot and running towards him, her arms outstretched. The two longtime friends embraced. "It's been too long." She then kissed him on the cheek.

"We just talked on the Pokémon Gear before" Michael replied dryly.

"And when was the last time I saw you in person?" she asked, her hands falling to her hips. "You and Julia take all that time to yourselves and never once think to visit me."

"This is the only time of year I usually see him" Bonnie called from her seat.

Michael walked past Piper and came to his Grandmother's side. "Hello, Grandma."

Bonnie, content with her knitting, hardly acknowledged her grandson. "Michael. How are you doing?"

"You could look at me, you know."

"My dear Michael" Bonnie spoke politely. "You've been a Champion for nearly ten years and yet you still don't understand your elders. I don't need to see you to know that my Grandson needed to spend some time away from that miserable world outside." She finally turned to him, her stone face slowly turning into a smile. "All the same, it's good to see my grandchildren when they come." She leaned towards her grandson and kissed him. Michael rose and moved to sit on the couch beside Piper, but his Grandmother stopped him.

"This castle is your inheritance, Michael" Bonnie told him. "Therefore, the Master's Chair is going to be yours one day."

Michael sat down in the chair his Grandfather used smoke his pipe in when he was a little boy. He showed deep signs of discomfort as he sat in it, as if the ghost of his Grandfather would tell him to get out of it. His Cinderace, noticing his discomfort, sat on the ground beside him. "I thought we'd all be getting the Castle."

"Castle Kingston is the Legacy of all Kingstons" Bonnie explained, resuming her knitting. "But your Grandfather wanted this Castle to remain with the strongest of the family. And that someone is you, Michael."

"I may lose one of these days" Michael said.

"Impossible" Piper said, sitting back down on the couch and watching her Pokémon perform it's dancing along with the music that played. "I've seen you battle. No one is in your class. Not even the Elite Four can truly be a challenge to you."

"And even if you did lose" Bonnie told her grandson, "James's will clearly stated that when he and I both pass away, his six eldest biological grandchildren would be the direct inheritors of the family lands, titles and fortunes, provided they don't leave the Pokémon League in the process. Your cousin Jenna has already forsworn her claim to this castle by going into the practice as a nurse. That leaves yourself, Jon, your sister, Madeline and Christopher."

"And one of them might beat me one day" Michael suggested.

Bonnie shot a look his way. "Darling, don't play me for the fool. Jon, your sister and Madeline are Gym Leaders and Christopher has the sense of duty of a Slakoth."

"That's not inaccurate" Piper remarked, winking at Michael as she did.

"Michael" Bonnie continued, "this task was always meant for you. It may not be all it was when you dreamed of it as a little boy or on your first journey, but it is your birthright. Your grandfather even saw that for you." Bonnie then turned to Piper. "Piper, my child. Who will your dancing partner be for tomorrow's performance."

"I contacted my old friend Alonso from Kalos to see if he could be a part of my duet" Piper explained. "To be honest, though, I've been thinking about doing a solo performance tomorrow night. I had a-well-bit of an experience these last few days training at the Chateau and I want to be sure I'm ready for this season." Piper turned towards Michael. "Your cousin has been doing well, I see."

"Who? Ryan?"

"Yes. He was preparing to face Erin in a Gym Battle at the Chateau when I first came here. He's a talented trainer. He says he owes it all to you."

Bonnie eyed her grandson, a small smile on her face. "Even your younger cousins idolize you, Michael."

"He's certainly a brave young man" Piper remarked. "I hope to see how far he goes."

Michael nodded. "I do too."

Bonnie finished her knitting. "Well, Piper, if Alonso doesn't pull through for you, I believe I know a handsome young man who might be able to help your performance tomorrow night."

"Really?" Piper asked, surprised.

"Of course" Bonnie said, doing her best not to stare at her grandson. "In fact, you could say he's closer than you think."

Piper eyed Michael and laughed. Michael joined in. "I don't think so, Grandma."

"Why?"

"I have two left feet" Michael said. "You really don't remember yours and Grandpa's 35th Anniversary?"

Bonnie shook her head. "A Kingston can accomplish whatever they strive for. And I'd think you would want to help Piper, seeing as how close you two are."

Piper smiled. "I'd love to, Bonnie, but I'm certain Alonso won't let me down." Her Tsareena let out a yawn, as did she. Piper called back her Pokémon and rose to her feet. "We have a very big day tomorrow. I'll need to get some rest." She bowed before Bonnie and blew a kiss towards Michael. "Good night."

"Good night" Michael echoed.

"Sleep well, my dear" Bonnies said.

As soon as Piper exited for her guest bedroom, Michael turned towards his Grandmother. "What was that all about?"

"Michael" Bonnie told her grandson, "I just want your happiness."

"You do know that the tabloid magazines are already making her life miserable" he snapped back. "How is you trying to push us together going to solve that problem?"

"Piper is the most beautiful and accomplished Queen of Arcana we've had since your mother" Bonnie replied. "She's wealthy, a stunning beauty, a delight to the nobles and common alike, and the way she talks about you makes me think she's already planning a wedding reception."

Michael took a deep breath. "Grandma. I love Julia."

"Professor Pines" she said. "She is certainly fair herself" she spoke softly. "But is she her cousin?"

"Piper and Julia are the only family either of them has" Michael replied, the pain in his chest reminding him why he hated coming to Kingston Castle.

"You fear starting a conflict between them?" she asked. "What if I were to pair Julia with Christopher and you to Piper?"

"I honestly don't know why I'm having this conversation with you" Michael said, rising to his feet.

"Michael" his grandmother called. "After seeing what you were going through during that rapscallion Walter O'Hara's interview, I just want to see Arcana brought back to it's peak days under your Grandfather. When a King and Queen ruled Arcana together, side by side. And I just want to see my grandson happy."

"If you truly want to see me happy" Michael said, "then stop trying to push Piper and I together. I am in love with Julia Pines. And I intend on marrying her."

Bonnie returned her gaze to the fireplace. "If that is your wish."

Michael sighed in frustration and left the room after Piper. To his surprise, Piper was outside waiting for him.

"I'm sorry about that" she said.

"You were eavesdropping?" Michael asked wryly.

Piper smiled. "You know me so well." The two began to walk the halls of Kingston Castle. "I really am sorry about that. Your Grandmother saw Walter O'Hara's interview with you guys and she found out about me and Tanner. Since then, she's tried to play matchmaker with every single member of High Arcanan Society. And when she heard how you defended me during the interview, she kind of thought we might be good for each other."

Michael shook his head. "Nah. It'd be way too awkward."

"I agree" Piper said. "But, your Grandmother's been feeding the fires by saying we might be."

Michael growled. "Now you know why I never come here. All she likes to do is meddle."

"I told her you and Julia are happy together" Piper explained, "but she can't see it sticking."

Michael raised an eyebrow. "Does she not realize her and I have been together for ten years?"

"Your Grandmother appears to be very 'old school'" Piper told him. As they approached Piper's guest room, she turned towards Michael. "And it's only going to be worse tomorrow. All the ladies and lords who are going to be here are all buying into the idea that we're either secretly dating or are going to end up together."

Michael rolled his eyes. "At this rate, if it weren't for Julia, I'd tag along just to shut my Grandmother up."

Piper laughed. "Yeah. But, she's still your family."

"Family is whoever we think is our family" the Champion replied. "We may share blood, but I want as little to do with the other Kingstons as possible."

"Well, maybe, when you and Julia get married" Piper said, winking at him as she did, "then you'll get your wish. Until then, you're just going to have to put up with them." She then went into her room. "See you tomorrow, Michael."

As she shut the door behind her, Michael then headed for his own personal guest room. His Cinderace sprinted through the halls and stopped at each door, hoping it would be theirs. Michael rolled his eyes and opened the last door on in the hall on the left, which was always his. He opens it and sees it had already been prepped for his arrival. While his Cinderace sprinted around, trying to find a comfortable spot for itself, Michael fell onto his bed and slumped his body up and onto it to get some rest. Seeing that it wasn't time to play just yet, the Cinderace fell into a chair and as quickly as he was running about, soon fell asleep.

As Michael rolled atop his bed, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his Poké Gear and rang up Julia. She finally picked up after several rings, though sounded as if she'd been sleeping for a while.

"Hello?" she said drowsily.

"Sorry" Michael said. "I didn't know you were sleeping."

Julia let out a cute yawn. "No, I'm up. I'm up. Where are you?"

Michael sighed. "After what happened today, the guys thought it would be best if I laid low at Kingston Castle for a few days. I didn't think those vultures would already be harassing you, though."

"They did" Julia said plainly, "until Mufasa chased them off. I swear, sometimes that Pokémon reminds me way too much of you."

"That's because he's a good boy, like me" Michael said quietly.

"Yes. Yes you are." She let out another loud yawn. "I take it that you won't be coming home until after tomorrow night then?"

"No" Michael said. "I need to brownnose my grandmother into pulling some good PR strings for us. I bet it would help if you came to the Ball tomorrow."

"No can do, Mike. I'm really behind on work. I will catch the Contests on TV though. Maybe I'll catch you on TV then."

Michael sighed. "Oh well. I wish you could come."

"I'm gonna go back to sleep" she said, one last yawn draining the energy from her. "Good night, Michael. I love you."

Michael smiled. "I love you too, Jules." As Julia hung up, Michael laid his head back on his bed and was soon joining her in the realms of sleep and slumber.

{Meanwhile}

The Ruined Tunnel went on longer than any of Ryan, Addison or Holly could have imagined. The long path Addison had selected wrapped around numerous paths and tunnel ways. On a few separate occasions, the torch Addison wielded would go out and she would have to pick up another one off of the walls and have the Cyndaquil light another torch. She continued to lead the way, as Holly was too enveloped in fear to go at it alone and Ryan was the latest thing to help her conquer her fear. While she was a self-appointed leader, she had little real idea of where she was going. She had hoped that one of the tunnels and paths she took her friends on was the right one, but it didn't seem to be getting them any closer to the exit. If anything, they were only heading deeper into the darkness.

Ryan and Holly tried to keep pace with her, but Holly's fear of darkness would occasionally stop them in their tracks. Ryan would have to encourage her and then they could try to catch up to Addison. The Cyndaquil would occasionally run from Ryan and Holly to Addison in the lead and would yelp to Addison if she got too far ahead of the others. Not wanting to rely too much on Addison, Ryan would try to catch him and Holly up to Addison, but Holly's fears would force him to stop and calm her down.

Addison came to a stop at a fork in their road. Ryan's Cyndaquil rolled right into her leg and then hurried back towards Ryan and Holly, who brought up the rear. Holly finally let go of Ryan and walked over to Addison's side. "What's going on? Which way do we go?"

Addison frowned. "I've apparently made every wrong decision so far, so I guess you should choose."

Ryan paused for a moment. "Hmmm. I'd think that both pathways lead towards the exit, but one might be a shortcut."

"What makes you think that?" Holly asked.

Ryan shrugged. "I don't know. But I don't think the people who built this tunnel would want only long path out of it. It's just a hunch I have."

Addison hesitated. "I don't know. Maybe we should take both paths to find out?"

Holly looked from Addison to Ryan. "Are you two sure about that?"

Addison gave her friend a thumbs up. "I think so long as we stick to our guts, we'll be okay."

"So, how are we going to split up?" Ryan asked her.

"If you want" Holly turned to Ryan, "I'll go with Addison so I'm not clinging to you the whole time."

Ryan shrugged. "If that's what you want. You and Addy head take one path and Cinder and I will take the other."

Addison and Holly looked at both paths and then took the left path, leaving Ryan and his Cyndaquil with the right path. "Come on, Cinder!" The Cyndaquil yelped in delight and ran up the path, with Ryan following behind him. As they made it up their path, Ryan could finally see some kind of light along their way. Occasionally, a few curious Zubats or Rattatas would come near him, but his newest Pokémon would simply spit a few fireballs at them and scare them off.

After what seemed like an hour of searching for the exit, Ryan believed he could see the skies above him. He looked towards where the ceiling of the cave was and was more than delighted to see the moon shining over his head. "There's the moon!" The Cyndaquil yelped for joy, as Ryan thought of how to find Addison and Holly. He then reached for Marahute's Poké Ball and called his Flying Pokémon out. "Marahute, see if you can find Addison or Holly and lead them over here!"

The Pidgey cawed in approval and took off into the air. Ryan then looked to his Cyndaquil. "Let's go find our way out!" The two then raced up the path they had found, hopping, sliding and sprinting their way up to what they hoped would be the exit. Ryan came to a stop when he found a rope ladder that led to a higher part of the cave. He took Cinder in his arms. "Come on, buddy. Let's get you us both out of here." Ryan, his Cyndaquil in his hands, slowly climbed his way up towards the next floor. As he put his arm up on the ledge, someone grabbed his hand and hauled him up to their level.

"We just keep running into each other" a familiar voice snickered to Ryan. It was Lena!

Before Ryan could react, Lily was behind him and swiped the Cyndaquil from his hands. The Pokémon panicked at being swiped at and shot sparks at Lily, causing her to scream and let go. The Cyndaquil rolled out of the way and looked back at Ryan.

"Go Cinder!" Ryan cried. "Run! Go find the others!"

The twins attacking Ryan reached for their own Poké Balls, but the Cyndaquil got the message and fled. Lily was about to pursue, but Lena held up her arm. "Let the little runt go."

"That thing burnt me, Lena!" Lily snapped.

"That's because it's just a puny Pokémon" Lena said.

"But-"

"We're not getting paid to snatch Pokémon, Lily!" Lena looked Ryan over. "Besides, for everything that this little brat has put us through so far, I say it's another one we owe him."

Lily smirked. "Fair enough."

Ryan tried to free himself from Lena, who simply flung him to the ground in front of her. Ryan hit the hard ground, hurting himself as he did. "What do you two want now?" He tried to get to his feet, but Lena only shoved him back into the dirt.

"A lot of things actually" Lena said, standing over him. "Let's start with a little payback for you ruining our plans twice now!"

"We lost a LOT of money on those Mushrooms you made us lose, Kid" Lily hissed as she took Ryan's backpack off of him to examine it's contents. "And those eggs could have been pretty valuable too!"

"Serves you poachers right!" Ryan barked back.

Lena hauled Ryan up to his feet. "Poachers? Now, that's not quite the word I would use."

"We have a few words for what we are" Lily snickered, looking through all that Ryan had in his backpack. "We like to think of ourselves as 'appropriators'. It sounds a little bit nicer."

Lena scowled at Ryan. "I would like nothing more than to pound you like a bug for what you've done to us." Ryan tried to reach for the remaining Poké Balls on his belt, but Lena flung Ryan again, this time towards her sister. "Fortunately for you, though, we have special orders about you."

Ryan struggled to get back up. "Special orders?"

Lena nodded. "As it happens, one of our bosses thinks you might be worth recruiting to our cause."

"And why would I want to help you?"

"See, we never said you had a choice in the matter" Lily told him, as she quickly grabbed his hands and pulled them behind his back. Within seconds, his wrists were tied behind his back with rope. "In fact, you can consider this a forced recruitment."

"Let me go you-MMMPH" Ryan yelled, before Lily's hand flew over his mouth, silencing him.

Lena came over to Ryan and plucked his green bandanna off of his head and mockingly ruffled his hair. "Don't feel bad. Think of it this way. You get to be recruited first. And then, once we've brought you in, we'll get to go find your brother."

"MMMMPH" Ryan tried to argue, but Lily's hand wouldn't move.

Lena flung her sister the bandanna. "Bag him and gag him! We've got to move before there's another cave in!"

Lily's hand over Ryan's mouth was quickly replaced by his own bandanna, which was tied tightly around the back of his head and kept Ryan quiet. "This will shut you up, she snapped." She then took another piece of rope and began to tie Ryan's torso up.

"MMMPH MMMMPH!" Ryan cried out in a muffled scream.

Lily paid him no attention and continued tying Ryan's arms down to his torso. Finally, when she was finished, she pushed him up to his feet and put her hand back over his bandanna'd mouth and her other grabbed his arm. She then forcefully began to push him towards where Lena was waiting. Ryan looked towards where he was being pushed and saw that the two poachers had brought their truck with them. As Lily made it to Lena's side, the sister looked Ryan over and snickered.

"Consider yourself lucky, kid" she laughed.

Ryan shook his head, unable to counter thanks to Lily's hand over his mouth.

"Now, you get to join the glorious ranks of the Sy-"

"LENA, LOOK OUT!" Lily cried out.

Ryan looked in shock as a fireball narrowly missed Lena and struck the ground nearby. Both sisters looked anxiously for whoever was responsible. Lily cursed underneath her breath.

"I'll bet it was that stupid Cyndaquil!" she hissed.

"Oh shut up and put him in the truck!" Lena growled.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you" a voice called out from the ledge above them.

"Show yourself!" Lena demanded, as Lily tried to force Ryan into the trunk of their truck. Ryan's eyes widened in surprise. He knew who that was.

From the shadow above them, a Flareon appeared, growling at the two poachers. And behind the Pokémon was it's trainer. Matthew!

Lena laughed. "And here I thought we had something to worry about."

Matthew stared at them angrily. "I'm only going to say this once before I flatten you two like pancakes. Let my brother go, now!"

Lena scoffed at Matthew's threats. "Oh yeah? Lily, put him in the truck and make some room for his hero brother too!"

Matthew sighed. "Don't say I didn't warn you." He and his Flareon slid down the ledge and stood to face Lily and Lena. "It's all the same to me. No one messes with my brother except for me!"

Lena reached for her belt and called out her Ekans. Lily, after forcefully putting Ryan in the trunk of the truck, came to her sister's side and called out her own Poison Reptile Pokémon.

Matthew didn't flinch. "So, 2v1, huh? You might want to bring in some more backup."

"Ryan!" Addison's voice called. Addison and Holly, led by Cinder and Marahute, skidded to a stop when they saw Matthew about to battle Lily and Lena. "Matt? But-where's Ryan?"

"Look who's calling on backup, now?" Lily laughed.

"The difference between me and you is that I don't need mine" Matthew retorted, looking back at Addison and smiling. "Good to see you again, Addy."

"But how did you-" Addy asked.

"Enough small talk!" Lena snapped. "You calling on your backup or not?"

Addison, with a surprising amount of speed and confidence in herself, leaped to Matthew's side. "Count me in!"

"You sure, Addy?" Matthew looked at her.

"We're a team, remember?" she winked. "I'm not letting any of my friends get tag teamed! Not you and not Ryan!" She reached for her belt and pulled out Zura's Pokémon Ball. "GO! ZURA!" From out of the Poké Ball came her Venonat.

"EKANS!" Lily called, "Use Bite!" The Ekans lunged at Addison's Venonat, baring it's fangs.

"Really?" Matthew shook his head. "Fine. Flareon! Use Flame Burst!" The Flareon sent out a Fire Ball directly towards where the snake Pokémon was preparing to strike. The Ekans barely managed to dodge the attack. "Now, use Body Slam on the other one!" The Flareon lunged forwards and slammed itself into Lena's Ekans, causing it to recoil backwards and tumble into the dirt in pain.

"Ekans!" Lena called to her own. "Use Poison Sting!" The Snake lunged itself at the Flareon.

Now, it was Addison's turn. "Zura, use Confusion!" The Venonat's eyes lit up and before the Ekans could strike at Matthew's Flareon, it was flung backwards with telekinetic powers.

"Way to go, Addy!" Holly cheered from the sidelines.

Lena turned back towards her sister. "This is stupid! I'll hold them off. You get the kid out of here and back to the base!" Lily nodded to her sister and leaped into their truck.

"No you don't!" Matthew growled. Reaching for a second Poké Ball, he called out his next Pokémon. "GO ONIX!" From the stream of light, a massive serpent made entirely of Boulders appeared in front of Lily and Lena's truck, pinning them where they were."

"Zura" Addison called to her Venonat, "Use Confusion again!" The Venonat concentrated and sent the two Ekans flying back towards their trainers. As both serpents fainted, Addison took a step closer to the poachers, anger flaring in her eyes. "Now where is Ryan?"

Lily growled. "We've got him as our prisoner and if you think of making another move, we'll-we'll-"

Matthew glared at them. "Use your next words carefully."

Marahute, seeing Ryan tied up in the back of their truck, swooped down and started pecking at Lily.

"OW OW! GET THIS STUPID BIRD AWAY FROM ME!" She grabbed Ryan's backpack and hit the Pidgey out of the skies with it. Marahute fell all the way down into the ravine and out of sight. As she recovered, she was then kicked by the still tied and gagged Ryan and fell out of the trunk of the truck, dropping Ryan's backpack in the process.

"You think this is over, you little brats?" Lena snarled. "We'll accommodate you guys too!"

"Matt! Addy!" Holly called to her friends. "It's okay! I got through to him!"

Both Matthew and Addison eyed each other for a moment. Addison caught onto Holly's plan quickly. "You did? Great work! I didn't think he'd answer this late!"

Lily and Lena looked at each other. Lily eyed the group curiously. "Who was it she called?"

"Mike said he's on his way!"

Lily's eyes widened in genuine terror. "Wait. That Mike? Michael Kingston?"

"Come off it, Lily!" Lena snapped. "How the heck would these kids know Michael Kingston?"

"How bout the fact that we're his cousins?" Matthew shouted back.

Now it was Lena's turn to go deathly pale. "What?"

"Ryan Kingston and Matthew Kingston" Addison introduced her friends. "Michael's favorites."

Lily gulped almost cartoonishly. "If Michael Kingston finds out we've been going after a Kingston-"

Lena grabbed her sister by the shirt. "If Elezar finds out-"

Addison took another step forward. "Hand over my friend now, and we may put in a good word for you. Don't, and you're at the mercy of Michael. If he chooses to be so, that is."

Lily and Lena looked at each other and ran for their lives. They skidded to a stop when they saw Marahute rise out of the ravine. No longer a Pidgey, the Pokémon had evolved into it's next stage of evolution: Pidgeotto. And she was not too happy with the one who hit her with a book and attempted to kidnap her master. With a loud squawk, she caused a massive Whirlwind that carried both of the twin poachers back into the cave.

As Matthew recalled his Pokémon, Holly and Addison hurried to untie Ryan. Once the ropes were free, Ryan ripped his bandanna out of his mouth. "Ugh! Thanks guys!"

Addison helped Ryan out of the truck. "We're just glad you're safe."

Ryan turned towards his brother. "Matt, how did you find us?"

"Call it a stroke of good luck?" his brother shrugged. "I was hoping to find out what caused the rockslide that's blocking the way to Alchemiburg and lo and behold, I learn from Aunt Erin that you guys made it here roughly around the same time as the rockslide. I come in this way and find those two tryung to make off with you."

"All the same, Matt" Ryan said, holding out his hand. "Thanks man."

Matthew took it and pulled his brother in for an embrace. "That's what brothers do." When the embrace ended, Matthew turned towards the rest of the group. "Now, what do you say we get ourselves over to Kingston Castle?"

"You know about the Ball tonight?" Holly asked.

"Of course" Matthew replied. "Mom told me to find you guys here if I could make it in time."

As Ryan pet his newly evolved Pidgeotto, he looked towards his brother. "Then what are we waiting for?" The four then hurried up the ledge where Matthew had entered and made their way towards he exit to the cave.