Chapter 4

Ash held tight to his friends as they fell, placing himself between them and the ground he couldn't see. His body warmed as his aura flowed through him, he gritted his teeth as his shoulder clipped a wall. His aura formed a shield around his back as just in time for him to slam into the ground, air knocked from his lungs. His ears rang as his eyes tried to make out anything in the darkness around them.

"A-Ash," Leaf's voice broke through the ringing. "Gary?" She grabbed his arm and most likely Gary's as well, unable to see anything. Gary groaned, weight heavy on top of Ash.

Ash took a moment to regain his breath to refocus his aura into his hands, physically drawing it out to illuminate the area. He rolled Gary off of him and sat up to take in their new surroundings.

Leaf help Gary sit up, supporting him against her as she scooted closer to Ash. Most of what they could see was rocks and dust, no telling markers or league signs anywhere.

"What about the other people," Ash asked. He moved his hand to spread the light, before going still. A cold fear spiked through him, as he laid eyes on a pile of rubble, an arm poked out from beneath. Leaf gasped and Ash yanked his arm back, twisting to keep the light away from that area.

"We… we should move," Ash said. He got to his feet and helped Leaf up before they both helped support Gary between them, Ash's free hand out to light their way.

"We need to get Gary some water," Leaf said, her voice void of emotion.

"Right," Ash nodded. They started walking away from the arm, moving to walk closer to the wall, so only Ash was in the open.

"We must've fallen… into the de-deeper tunnels," Gary croaked, another coughing fit wracked his body. Leaf and Ash paused until he was finished, the two doing their best not to look concerned.

"Do you think Ember is ok?" Leaf asked once they started walking again.

"Yeah," Ash said. "I don't feel anything to indicate otherwise."

"Pokémon?" Gary asked.

Ash chewed his lip. He tried to slip into his aura sight but it caused the light on his hand to fade.

"I don't know," he said. "I can't see far without Ember."

"Let's just keep moving," Leaf said, shifting her hold on Gary. "Maybe we can find a helpful wild Pokémon."

They kept going in silence, pausing only to let Gary catch his breath. Every turn they took, Ash marked with a quick slice of his aura before continuing.

"Do you hear that?" Leaf asked, her voice soft. They paused to listen, a gentle trickling noise became more apparent ahead of them.

"Water," Ash said. "It might not be the best, but it's something."

He lowered his hand to light up the floor more, a small relief after holding up for so long, and the kept going. The sound grew louder until finally they found a stream running through their path.

Ash and Leaf carefully helped Gary get to the ground before kneeling beside him, all of them scooping water into their mouths. It tasted heavily of minerals but it was clear and cool, so none of them complained.

Ash was the first to sit back, a sigh of relief falling from his lips as he quietly reminded Gary not to drink too fast or he'd get sick. Leaf sighed once she finished and patted Gary's back as he took another handful of water.

A scuttling noise joined the flowing water. All three kids froze, their minds racing to place what Pokémon would make that noise.

"Paras?" Ash whispered, and winced when his voice felt far louder.

"Too deep," Gary said.

The scuttling stopped, an odd clicking started, Ash was able to glean some words from the clicking.

"Not… what is… see see," the clicks said, while some words didn't translate with his aura.

Ash steadied himself, ready to defend his friends if need be as the scuttling returned, growing closer and closer. Then… came the unearthly screech.

XXX

Pikachu had to resist sparking his cheeks in frustration. Collapse had felt the cave in coming and protected the three of them from it, but now their trainers were gone! As were most of the other humans, but he couldn't care less about those people. His Ash was gone and so was Ember, his second option. Distortion! Even those two he met that first day would've been passable until they found Ash or Ember, but…

Pikachu thumped his tail down in frustration as Collapse worked on carving them a safe way out of the rock. Hades wasn't doing much better, if the heat radiating off of him said anything.

Houndours are highly loyal, pack oriented Pokémon, and losing his two leaders was unbearable. The only thing keeping him from losing it right now were the three pack mates around him, his instincts ordered him to protect them until the leaders are found.

Neith was annoyed. Her species weren't built for caves and she felt rather helpless in comparison to the damn prey digging out an exit. She hissed lowly as Collapse broke through the wall into the cavern their trainers were once in. At least she'd been right, the humans were all gone, either scattered or swallowed by the cave in.

Collapse was focused on getting everyone out of the wall, his claws carving through the rocks like butter. He'd felt the cave in coming seconds before the first major tremor started and he had to make sure his friends were safe in their small tunnel. He was the first to know the humans disappeared and Neith confirmed it, the vibrations others gave off gone once the tremors ended.

"Look," Collapse pointed the other side of the room. A giant metal cage had fallen over the chaos, the Pokémon inside were coming to slowly. "We have to help them."

"We have to find our trainers," Pikachu snapped.

Hades ignored them in favor of sniffing the area around them, tracking Ember's scent to a foul smelling hole in the ground. He'd smelled this scent before… back when he was just a pup. His stomach twisted in fear and panic, as he reeled back the moment he recognized the scent.

Death. So much death happened here, human and Pokémon a like, and Ember's scent went straight into it.

"Hades," Pikachu called for his attention. He and Collapse had moved over to the cage, a familiar Eevee and Machop standing on top of the trapped Pokémon. "We need your fire."

"They believe those Pokémon can help us," Neith said, having followed Hades. "We don't have time for this."

"I agree, but…" Hades' ears went back as he thought, a low growl in his throat. "Ember would want us to help them."

Neith hissed, but followed Hades to the cage.

"We'll get you out and we'll look for them together," Pikachu assured the rather angry Eevee. He and Collapse had tried hacking off the lock with Metal Claws and Iron Tails but to no avail.

"Hades, heat this up," Pikachu said, indicating the pad lock. He nodded and started a stream of Embers until the metal was red hot. Pikachu and Collapse slammed down their attacks once more, shattering it. Champ slammed his shoulder into the door, forcing it open and allowing the Pokémon spill out.

Evis hopped over everyone and dove for the bag full of Pokéballs. She ripped the bag apart with her teeth and sniffed out specific balls. She wacked one over to Champ, who caught it with a slight glare, before releasing it – Evis opened one of her own.

Gary's Spearow appeared, confused until Evis filled them in, Champ did the same with the Nidorina he released.

"What now?" Neith asked.

"Perhaps we can assist with that," a new voice, soft and gentle, spoke up. A group of pink Pokémon were clustered by an opening, an aura of kindness radiated from them.

Neith hissed and stepped closer to Hades, wishing more than ever she'd learned Iron Tail with the others.

"Fairies," Neith hissed, letting Hades step in front of her, his fire typing able to nullify the fairy energy some.

The Clefairy bounced forward, collecting Pokéballs and Pokémon alike and carrying them off.

"Her Lunar Supreme can assist you in finding your humans if you wish," one Clefairy said, stopping in front of the group. "She has lived among the stone long before most, she knows all."

"It's the best lead we have," Pikachu said.

"Are you kidding!? That's great for you and your steel type moves and no weakness, but I won't walk into a fairy den and come out alive," Neith hissed.

"They don't seem so bad," Collapse said. "If you're worried, I'll stay next to you."

"We don't have time for this!" Pikachu slammed his tail on the ground. "They could be hurt or in danger. And they aren't even together!"

"We'll go," Hades agreed, flames sparked around his teeth at Pikachu's words. "Neith stay between Collapse and me, Pikachu take the lead. Champ, Evis, bring your teams and stick close, we're joining packs until we find our trainers."

"Fine," Evis huffed. "Poison types take the rear, Champ get in the center with the short thing," – she ignored the annoyed hiss from Neith – "Bomb stay above us." The Spearow nodded and moved to hover over everyone. At Champs' nod the Nidorina followed suit and stood behind Hades while he stood behind Neith. Evis took up position next to Pikachu.

The Clefairy giggled and turned to lead them away.

XXX

Ember didn't know what happened. One moment she was creeping up to a mystery pit, the next she was falling in, everything breaking apart around her. She jolted back into consciousness laying on something squishy and foul smelling.

Her stomach churned and her heart pounded in her chest as she slowly and blindly crawled her way off whatever she was on – something told her she didn't want to know what it was. Her knee slipped out from under her and she went tumbling off the "something" and hit the ground with a grunt.

She forced herself onto her hands and knees, and was about to move when her left hand landed on something hard.

A stone. She curled her fingers around the palm sized, thick stone and held it close as she began to move away from whatever she landed on. The churning in her stomach began to settle the further she went, until she found a wall and pulled herself to her feet.

She has the stone. If she keeps it, she'll be safe. She clutched the stone to her chest as she walked, her free hand held out in front of her as she walked, so as not to walk into anything.

Her mind started to feel a bit fuzzy and she could swear she heard whispered voices ahead of her.

"Hello?" she called. "Ash?"

No one answered. The whispers continued.

The darkness was almost suffocating, made worse when things started moving ahead of her. Her breathing picked up as she lifted the stone above her head, ready to strike it down if –

Light flooded the tunnel. Ember yelped, covering her eyes and reeling back as she was blinded.

"Apologies, but I didn't wish to be hit," a smooth, svelte voice spoke up. Ember rubbed at her eyes until they adjusted to the light, spots dancing in her vision when she was finally able to see again.

An Absol stood in front of her, scythe like horn casting the light, sharp red eyes studied her carefully. Ember took her in too, amazed at being able to see an Absol up close. She was clearly larger than the average Absol, more than twice the size, her fur pristine white and blade-like tail gently swaying.

"I appreciate the admiration," Absol said, amusement clear in her voice, "but we should move now, before disaster strikes."

"Of course," Ember nodded. If she learned anything from the history of Absol's, if one says there will be disaster, listen.

Absol guided Ember through the tunnels deep beneath Mt. Moon, her Flash dimming and brightening as they went in a show of control and awareness to Zubat colonies.

"We felt the cave in coming weeks ago and prepared the locals as best we could, but it would seem that wasn't enough," Absol explained as they walked. "Unfortunately, it covered the greater disasters that came from it. The deaths we sought to prevent still occurred because we chose to stay hidden in our tunnels and not stop the humans above."

"I've heard Absols have been spotted here, but…" Ember trailed off. "There's more disasters to come, isn't there?"

"Sadly," Absol nodded. "The evil humans have stirred up the Old Ones and I don't think they'll take this lightly. We've tried to placate them, but their young have been threatened. We're here."

She cut the Flash, but a glow still lit up the tunnel as it opened up to a rocky cavern. Ember felt an excited glee spring through her at the sight before her. There were at least five other Absols in the room, illuminated by glowing rocks speckled around the room, lounging on flattened out stalagmites. Though, the most eye catching thing was the large floating pink and purple Pokémon heading towards them.

"My mate," Absol said. She stepped forward to nuzzle the strange Pokémon.

Ember reached into her pocket and pulled out her Pokédex, surprisingly undamaged from her fall.

"Musharna, the drowsing Pokémon and the evolved form of Munna. Musharna release a mist from their foreheads that changes depending on the dreams they eat. Musharna are able to replay any dream they've eaten from this mist.

Note: Musharna are not native to many regions, they are mainly found in Unova. They are believed to relatives of the Drowzee line."

Greetings, Musharna's voice spoke inside Ember's head.

"Are those your children?" Ember asked.

"Some," Absol answered. "We have some scouting the tunnels, our eldest have left to seek their own place in the world, and soon one more will join them."

"Unless I choose to stay," a younger Absol approached them, head held high and piercing red eyes locked onto Ember. She met the challenge he presented, neither breaking eye contact until Musharna floated between them. His interruption allowed Ember a moment to marvel at the young Absol, the oddities apparent up close. His white fur was tinted a pale pink and his black fur had a purple hue to it. His scythe seemed larger than average with the tip a deep magenta color. Professor Oak would have a field day seeing him, though Professor Elm would probably need to be held back from finding this colony to study.

Now now, we are all friends here, Musharna said. He turned to bump his child gently, a soft coo in his throat.

Ember's eyes widened as she stared at Musharna in wonder.

"You're a psychic-type," Ember said, "how can they hear you?"

Musharna's eyes creased up in a smile as he turned to focus on Ember.

I may not be as powerful as my mate, but I have long mastered the greatest boon to my type. I believe your kind have named it Miracle Eye. Musharna explained. My species is not inclined to learn it by any means, but I find anything is possible with enough desire.

"Yeah, I get that," Ember nodded.

The young Absol scuffed his claws across the ground to garner their attentions again.

"Mother," he distinctly did not look at Ember, "I've sent Absol and Absol to Way Maker as you directed, and a Moon Dancer has arrived with news of caught Pokémon in their care. I'll send Absol to check on them."

"Caught… do you know what types? The species?" Ember asked, a pang of hope entered her voice. She'd long since learned to not question the confusion that came with Pokémon names and aura translation.

"Does it matter, human?" Young Absol asked.

"Of course it matters!" Ember said. "Those could be my friends, they could be hurt or worried and I want to make sure they're ok."

He scoffed and returned his attention to his mother, but she stopped him before he could speak again.

"I want you to go speak with Her Lunar Majesty," Absol said. Her gaze reminded Ember of her own mom when she wouldn't take no for an answer. "Speak with the Pokémon and see if any belong to our guest or her kin."

"Ember, my name's Ember, and Ash is my brother," she said.

"If they wish to find their humans, then lead them to the gathering spot, we shall meet you there," Absol finished.

"Of course, Mother," Young Absol bowed his head to his mother before taking off.

"Excuse him," Absol said, "he hasn't had the best experience with humans."

"It's fine," Ember said. "Thank you for your help, but I need to find my brother and our friends."

A blue glow from Musharna caught Ember's attention.

The Crawlers have found the good humans, Musharna said. The evil ones have discovered the Ancient and his young. You must move now.

A feeling of unease twisted Ember's stomach.

"Ember," Absol eyed Ember carefully, before crouching low in front of her. "We must move fast, so this once, I'll allow you to ride upon me. Your survival has been shown to be crucial for many events yet to come, but so is another."

"Ash," Ember finished, an odd understanding filled her. With that feeling fueling her, she climbed onto Absol's back, one hand gripping her fur the other still held tight to the stone.

Absol took off.

XXX

Cavern wasn't the right word to describe the Clefairys' home. It was more a bowl opening up to show the sky above. In the center of the room was a giant stone that seemed to repel the light from it. A ring of Clefables surrounded the stone, tiny Cleffas dotted between them, watching the newcomers in fascination.

The Clefairy leading the group of Pokémon brought them to a Clefable that towered over all others, no marks of age beyond the wisdom in her eyes.

"Her Lunar Majesty," the Clefairy bowed and hopped away, leaving the trainer Pokémon.

"We need to find our trainers," Evis said immediately.

Her Lunar Majesty gazed over the Pokémon gathered before her, eyes lingering on each individual for a moment before moving on.

"Is that how you all feel?" she finally asked. "Or would you rather be free?"

"There was a time when I'd do anything to be free," Pikachu said, "but Ash is my human and he doesn't have a single Pokémon to help him right now. He might be better suited than most humans, but he's still alone and we need to get to him and the others."

"Why are we wasting time?" Neith hissed. "We need to move."

"Just point us the way if you don't want to help," Hades said. "I can track them from there."

"You could've tracked Ember earlier," Neith muttered. "We should've just gone to find her." She snapped her jaws in frustration, hissing lowly at Hades.

"I'm in charge when Ember is gone," Hades growled, "and I decided this was the best course of action."

"I agreed to follow her, not you," Neith said.

"Hey!" Pikachu slammed an Iron Tail onto the ground. "Have this fight after we find our trainers." His cheeks sparked in frustration as he turned back to the Clefable. Neith gave another hiss that rumbled into a growl, while flames sparked at Hade's mouth, but neither spoke again.

"Any other thoughts?" Her Lunar Majesty asked the group.

"We've all agreed to join our trainers in one capacity or another," Champ said. "If ever one of our teammates want to leave, then our trainers would allow it. So please, help us find them."

"Very well," Her Lunar Majesty nodded. "Absol, if you'd please."

An Absol entered the room from a tunnel behind the Clefable matriarch.

"Names Ember and Ash mean anything to you?" Absol asked.

"Yes!" Collapse nodded excitedly.

"What about Leaf?" Champ and Nidorina asked.

"And Gary?" Evis asked.

"Don't know, come if you want," Absol said. "And keep up, I'm not turning back for anyone."

Pikachu and Evis continued in the lead behind Absol, the others following after them. Hades and Neith drifted to the back of the group as they left the fairy den.

XXX

Ash had to fight the urge to wince as a screech echoed through the tunnels ahead of them. His mind flowed into a forced calm as he readied himself for whatever was to come, body sliding into a fighting stance.

Leaf gasped as the source of them scuttling came into the light. Ash relaxed his stance, more from shock than security.

"Are those…" Leaf whispered, voice full of awe.

"Living, wild Kabuto," Gary finished.

"Bad – good – cannot, cannot," the Kabuto clicked, some words still not translating for Ash. An Omanyte slithered up behind the three Kabuto clicking at each other.

"Bad – all – are bad," the Omanyte hissed, an attack forming at its mouth.

"Wait," Ash said, dropping to a knee.

While Ember was better at stealth, he excelled at the emotional aspects of aura, his favorite of which was the calming capabilities.

The fossil Pokémon visibly relaxed, Omanyte's attack disappeared, and they began moving closer, curiosity replacing their earlier wariness.

"We're friendly," Ash said, holding a hand out to them.

Another screech tore through the tunnels, making everyone flinch.

"Scared, scared," the Kabuto clicked. They moved over the water to huddle under Ash. Up close Ash could see their shells were grey instead of brown with more bumps and grooves than what they've seen in pictures. The Omanyte made a popping noise, wringing its tentacles nervously before following the Kabutos over. Its shell was much the same as theirs, and its blue skin was paler than average.

Another screech.

"What is that?" Ash asked.

"Big – takes care," they clicked. "Dark Ones call Ancient, bad – scared, help."

"What are they saying?" Gary asked, his voice clearer now.

"Some words aren't translating, but I think… I think there are humans attacking another one of them," Ash said.

"What are we waiting for then?" Leaf asked, getting to her feet. She punched a fist into her palm, knuckles cracking. "Let's kick some ass."

"How?" Gary asked. "Hate to break it to you, but we have no Pokémon, no weapons, and only Ash can fight with enough force." He coughed once, scooping up more water to soothe his throat. "If it's Team Rocket, we can't hope to win alone."

"So we walk away?" Leaf huffed.

"No," Ash said. He patted each Kabuto on their shells before standing, eyes turned in the direction the stream ran. "Ember's getting closer, and fast, I think we're going to have back up."

Gary and Leaf followed his gaze just in time to see a white light brighten up the room, illuminating every corner. They blinked the spots from their eyes, visions clearing in time to see a giant Absol standing before them, Ember slid of its back.

"Ash!" she shouted, splashing across the water to hug her brother. The fossil Pokémon shuffled aside while the two embraced.

"Your Pokémon shall join us soon," Absol said, her eyes glowed briefly. Ash translated for the other two.

Absol crouched low to see the fossil Pokémon.

"Little ones, where are the others?" Absol asked.

The Omanyte moved forward to talk.

"– are fight bad – to protect, sent us away," he said.

"Uh," Ember glanced at Ash to make sure she was hearing the blanks right. He nodded.

"The Old Ones speak a mix of new and old, it takes time to understand them fully," Absol answered. "I must go help. Your Pokémon will arrive shortly, once they do, use the left most path, do not stray and you will find your way out. Farewell."

"Wait," Ember called out, but Absol was gone, her light going with her.

Ash flared his aura again, Ember joined a moment after, and they waited… sort of.

"Like hell we're leaving," Leaf said.

"Damn straight," Gary said, pushing himself back to his feet. He wavered slightly but was able to steady himself.

"Help?" Omanyte asked, tapping a tentacle against Gary's leg.

"Yeah, we're going to help," Ember said.

"There," Ash said suddenly, pointing his glowing hands towards a large rock.

A moment passed with nothing, before a second Absol appeared, leaping to the top of the rock.

"Ash?" Pikachu called.

"Pikachu!" Ash called back. Pikachu came bolting around the rock, muscles bunching up before springing forward to leap into Ash's arms. Collapse waddled after him, speeding up to get to Ash, who crouched to hug the ground-type too.

The other Pokémon followed shortly after. Evis leapt into Gary's arms as well, sniffing him over while Spearow landed on his. Champ and Nidorina pressed against Leaf, taking up positions on either side of her. Ember looked to the Absol, resisting the urge to chew her lip, as she waited for her Pokémon.

Hades came around next, trailed by Neith, both had sour expressions on their faces that disappeared the moment they spotted Ember. Hades stood up to place his front paws on Ember's chest and sniffed her face, giving her a quick lick before getting down. Neith stopped at her feet and nodded at her.

"Everyone ok?" Ash asked. Gary and Leaf confirmed.

"Are you two okay?" Ember asked.

"We have something to settle later," Hades growled.

"Kabutos, Omanyte, can you take us to fight?" Ash asked. "We'll help you stop the bad humans."

"You should leave," Absol said. "My mother can handle it."

"I don't doubt that," Ember said, locking eyes with Absol. "But we aren't the type of people to leave others in danger."

"Let's move," Leaf called.

XXX

Only one Kabuto dared to go back with Omanyte, intrigued by the humans. The screeches became more constant and urgent the closer they got until finally the trainers came across the source.

Members of Team Rocket were ordering Pokémon to attack while they stayed away from the mayhem. Most of them were dirty and ragged, most likely caught in the cave in as well, while other were pristine, including one wearing a perfectly clean white uniform.

An oozing foul smelling Muk was teaming up with a Golbat to fight Absol, who danced around every move they threw at her. The man in white was commanding the two, his fingers idly tapping the ultra balls on his belt.

Smaller, and noticeably weaker Pokémon were commanded by the other Rockets as they attacked the source of the screeching.

An Aerodactyl broke free of the mob on it, wings and teeth swiping at everything. Just behind it, nearly hidden was a small Aerodactyl cowering and injured.

"Gary, Leaf," Ash started, "go help the Aerodactyls."

"Ash and I will go after the leader," Ember finished.

"Be careful," Gary said. He and Leaf broke off from the group, moving to come up the side of the Rockets.

The twins shifted their auras from their hands to flow through their whole body, their breathing synched up as the slid into mirroring combat poses. Ember still clutched tight to the stone in her hand.

"Help Absol," Ember whispered to their Pokémon.

"We've got the human," Ash added.

A boom sounded and the twins moved.

Pikachu shot a bolt of lightning at the Golbat, clipping its wing and gaining its attention. Golbat dove towards Pikachu, teeth dripping with venom, but it never connected. Pikachu sped off with Quick Attack, the Golbat just barely stopping itself from crashing into the ground. While it was low, Hades leapt from behind and latched his teeth into a top wing, dark energy turned to fire and the poison-type shrieked in pain.

The Muk began to move after Absol only to find its body draining backwards into a softening pit below it. Collapse popped out of the ground in front of it, claws wrapped in ground-type energy as it brought them down on the Muk, forcing it back further.

Collapse disappeared back underground, helping to soften the ground for Neith to turn into a proper sand trap. Neith worked to manipulate the rocky terrain and tear apart the Muk as it was sucked further in.

Absol's eyes glowed blue and a second later psychic energy blasted out and struck only the two poison-types, knocking them out.

"The hell," the Rocket swore at the newcomers. He moved to release another Pokémon, but found he had to dodge before he could. A fist punched the space he'd once been, a flash of worry passed him before quickly being replaced with annoyance.

"A child," he scoffed, "and here I was thinking the League had arrived."

"We're worse," Ember scowled from behind him, fist connecting with his kidney.

The Rocket grunted and stumbled away as Ash lashed out with a kick.

"Dammit," he cursed and grabbed for a baton on his belt. His wrist flicked the baton out to its full length and he moved to swing it down on Ash. Ember kicked his knee out while Ash disarmed him. The baton hit the ground and Ash kicked it behind him as Ember knocked the Rocket out with a chop to the back of his neck.

Together they removed his belt, found the two empty ultra balls and returned Golbat and Muk, before calling their Pokémon to move towards the bigger battle.

The cluster of Rockets were split as half tried to fend off Gary and Leaf and the others tried to take out the Aerodactyls. A Magneton was leading a bunch of Magnemites in shocking the large fossil Pokémon.

"I'll secure him, go help," Ember called. She was the only with her backpack and was busy tugging out rope to tie the Rocket up with. Ash nodded and took off with his Pokémon at his heels.

Ember found it difficult to tie rope with one hand, the other still held the stone, but the thought of setting it down never crossed her mind.

One more.

Ember glanced at the Rockets head, knuckles turning white around the stone, arm slowly raising up.

Just one more.

Her arm started to fall forward, stone aimed for the man's temple, eyes glazed over. Absol's scythe caught her arm in the curve before she made contact, slamming it to the side and sending the stone flying from Ember's grip.

Ember blinked, confusion filling her as she looked at Absol.

"Assist the others, this one will not wake in time to cause problems," Absol ordered.

"Right," Ember nodded and started to take off just as the ground began to shake.

"Not again!" someone shouted.

Stalactites began to rain from the ceiling as the room shook causing Pokémon and humans a like to scatter.

The larger Aerodactyl broke free in that moment and took flight, a scream of pure fury roared from its maw, black static formed around it. Like the other fossil Pokémon, the Aerodactyl was different than photos, black crystal littered its body and its scales a deeper shade of grey. A trail of white glowing rocks, veined with black, trailed behind it, more joining as the room continued shaking. The Ancient Power shot out, aiming for anyone and anything.

Ember ran for Gary and Leaf, leaping in front of them with an aura shield flaring up to protect them from the shrapnel. Their Pokémon all pulled back to their trainers, not wanting to risk separation again.

More rocks formed around the airborne Aerodactyl, the black veins grew thicker as they blasted out again and again. Absol ducked and weaved through the humans and Pokémon, attacks slicing out to knock out enemy Pokémon or disable the humans.

Then… the Onix arrived.

Breaking through the ground came an Onix as black as night its torso enough to wrap around the room while the remainder was still hidden in the ground. Absol leapt from flying rock to rock until she landed on top of the Onix's head to speak with it.

Ash took a step towards his friends but a spike in his aura caught his attention. Despair that wasn't his washed over him, and dragged his focus to the small Aerodactyl cowering next to a pile of rubble. It flinched every time a rock struck the ground near it, but it refused to leave the spot.

Ash took off towards, Pikachu and Collapse beside him and blocking the occasional rock.

Ash slid to a halt in front of the baby Aerodactyl, calming aura pulsating from him. The Aerodactyl shook as it looked at Ash, but soon turned back to cooing at the pile of rubble behind it.

"Mama," Aerodactyl cried, pushing at the rocks.

Ash felt his heart sink. He pressed a hand to the rubble and closed his eyes, looking for any sign of life… none came.

The hair on the back of his neck prickled. Ash spun on his heels, hands thrown up to create a shield. An Ancient Power rock slammed into the shield, nearly buckling Ash under the force.

"You almost hit your child!" Ash shouted.

The large Aerodactyl roared, the black static growing thicker and stronger, its eyes pinpricks as its attacks continued.

Absol dove from Onix's head, flicking her head to slice an attack through another rock headed for Ash. She landed in front of him, stance wide and ready to pounce.

"Protect the child," Absol ordered. "Don't allow her to see what's to come."

"What's happening?" Ash asked.

Absol glanced back at him, eyes filled with sorrow.

"The worst possible thing," she said softly. She took a moment to look at the young Aerodactyl before steeling herself.

"Cover her eyes," Absol said.

Her horn glowed with dark energy as she leapt away, using thrown rocks as platforms to get higher and sliced down, her attack aimed for Aerodactyl's throat.

Ash's eyes widened in understanding, twisting again to distract the child.

"Look at me," Ash whispered, hands placed on either side of her face. Her large jaw trembled as tears leaked from her eyes. Ash whispered soothing words to her, his aura flowed with calming energy, strongly urging her attention to focus solely on Ash. Sweat prickled at his temples as he kept it up, trying his best to ignore the pained screams coming from behind them. Pikachu and Collapse set their focus on protecting the two of them from any attacks.

XXX

Ember was down on one knee, her shield weakening with every stray strike, sweat drenched her face. Their Pokémon blasted away rocks that got around her shield. Leaf and Gary crouched behind her, doing their best to support her and watch the battlefield. Kabuto and Omanyte were huddled under Leaf and Gary, the two trainers shielding them from harm.

A final strike and Ember's shield shattered, the rock dropped away, harmless, but Ember was unable to bring up a new one. She fell to her hands and knees, gasping hard for air, one hand slowly began to curl around something.

Champ stepped in front of her, arms flexed to catch anymore rocks thrown their way, while Hades and Neith moved closer to flank Ember.

One more.

Ember rose to her feet.

Just one more.

Her eyes locked on the flying Aerodactyl. Onix clamped its massive jaw onto the Aerodactyl, as Absol slashed a deep gash through its scales.

ONE.

Ember's arm drew back.

MORE.

A stone flew from her hand. It sailed through the air, past the debris and the fighting, and struck Aerodactyl between the eyes as Absol made her finishing blow.

Aerodactly went limp in Onix's jaw, red blood running down its rocky face. An order from Absol and Onix dragged the body into the ground, disappearing without so much as a tremor.

The room fell silent.

XXX

AN/ Okay okay, I know last chapter was fast and really needed to slow down, but honestly it was because I wanted to get to this arc. It's been playing in my head for weeks. Anyways, let me know what you think. _