(A/N) Important! Chapters one through 12 have been edited/redone, and I recomend re-reading them before continuing with the story! New material has been added, including a whole new scene.

For those who aren't going to bother, some changes you should note: Thavron Koga, Free Riders Black Scythes. The names were changed to prevent confusion.


Kaijuu/pokemon aren't my creations, and I'm not getting any money for it. Paws off my original ideas and characters!

The Adamant Key

Chapter 13: Behind the Stone Door

By Trivnar Silversword

Thavron patted Coal's neck fondly then ran his hands through the ponyta's warm mane. He sighed and looked around vaguely. He had followed the Free Riders' trail into the mountains and lost it three days ago. Wandering aimlessly had brought him to this grassy gap. The long blades of sweet grass swayed back and forth in a gentle breeze, carrying with it a faint trace of flowers. A small flock of mareep grazed in the distance although the wind carried their bleats away from him.

Thavron let Coal graze until the kaijuu had eaten his fill, then mounted again and galloped gently across the plain. On the other side, hidden by the field's natural hump, was a small hut. An old mat sat on a bench outside, witling on a piece of light wood. He looked up in surprise as the Trader rode up.

Thavron smiled at the heavily lined face and the nut brown skin, a heavy contrast to the few remaining wisps of white hair on top of his head.

"Excuse me, my good man, but have you seen a large party pass this way? They were mounted on tauros."

The old man nodded and spoke in a wheezing voice. "Yes... they passed by not that long ago... although I'm sorry that I can't tell which day; I loose track of time so easily. I could show you the way, if you want."

Thavron grinned. "I'd like that very much."

The old man put down his carving and rose slowly from his seat. Something else rose from the shadows beside the hut; an ancient ponyta, with a grey muzzle and a flickering mane. Coal nuzzled the kaijuu as the old man mounted.

The two set off, soon leaving the grassy fields behind and travelling over rock. Eventually the old man pulled his mount to a halt and pointed. Thavron followed his gaze and saw the narrow path clinging to the side of the mountain and leading to a shallow valley, where masses of kaijuu struggled against each other.

"The ones you pursue are there," wheezed the old man. "That path will take you there. Have a safe journey."

"Thanks!" Thavron urged Coal onto the path at a light gallop. The sure-footed ponyta had no trouble with the precarious route, travelling to the valley at a faster pace than the tauros had done, the previous day.

As he arrived, a massive change shook the ranks of kaijuu. Once so organised, they pulled apart and a large quantity simply started to leave. Thavron urged Coal into the confusion, searching frantically and leading the ponyta around the lifeless bodies that littered the valley floor.

Suddenly he spotted them, half a dozen mercenaries mounted on tauros. Thavron hurriedly dismounted then followed after the Riders, keeping the ponyta in between him and them.

The Free Riders pushed through the leaving kaijuu, confusion painted all over their faces. They gathered around a large rock that some glacier had left behind, where others of their group already waited.

A blue-haired man sat on the rock, holding his head in his hands.

"Hey Scucca, where are the others?"

The man didn't even look up. "Some are with Tyuru, on the other side of the field, others are still making their way towards either point, and the others..." He trailed off and shook his head. "You're a long way from anywhere, Trader. Not much business here... unless you're looking for something... or someone."

Thavron reluctantly stepped around Coal and approached the second-in-command. "H-how did you know?"

Scucca finally looked up, wincing as even that slight movement caused his head to pound. "I could 'hear' you there, so I peeked and saw the bottom of your pants; the colour told me you were a trader. As for the rest..." He gestured to the kaijuu. "All your friend over there thinks about is finding Rowan."

Thavron gasped, feeling a little weak in the knees. What kind of person was this!

"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but we lost Rowan ages ago."

One of the Riders spoke up. "It wasn't that long ago, Scucca. A couple of days."

"Yeah? Well it feels like an eternity. Rowan escaped," he explained to Thavron, "then was captured by Viridian and taken to her stronghold, where she bumped into Kepa. I don't know what's happened since..." He closed his eyes and frowned. " Both are still alive, but far apart. Rowan is especially faint."

Scucca opened his eyes and shrugged. "Sorry, but that's all I can do. We've got troubles of our own right now. Rowan's a strong girl, she can take care of herself. I wouldn't worry too much."

Thavron gaped as Scucca slid down from the rock, winced, and began giving out orders. The trader slung an arm around Coal's neck to hold himself up. Captured by... Viridian? But who the heck was that? And how could he not worry? She was obviously involved in something way over her head. He growled and took a step towards Scucca- then froze in his tracks. A lugia was very suddenly behind the rock. "Ismitta," he murmured.

The Ancient caught sight of him and nodded, then turned her attention to Scucca. A silent conversation seemed to follow as the Free Riders stood by idly, acting as if Ancients regularly dropped by to converse with their leaders.

Eventually it seemed as if a decision had been reached, for Scucca turned back to his troops. "Alright, listen up. Using what I learnt from Rowan, we figure Loth left to confront Viridian, who is supposed to be a subordinate but who is getting a little uppity. Ismitta here," he pointed to the lugia, "is going to go check things out. Tyuru asked me to go too, and dispose of Loth if I get the chance. So you guys can go find Tyu, he's pretty much opposite of us, and I'll catch up with you guys later."

The Free Riders clamoured, demanding that at least one of them go with to protect him. Scucca held up his hands to quiet them. "Come on now, Tyu needs all of you to carry the wounded. Anyways, I'm not going alone. He's coming." He jerked his head towards Thavron then turned and walked to the lugia, tossing over his shoulder, "Galatea, look after the ponyta as if it were my own."

"Will do!"

Thavron gaped at Scucca's back until Coal nudged him and sent him stumbling after.

"Y-you're really bringing me?"

"Yeah, yeah. Now follow me and keep quiet. My headache isn't getting any better."

Ismitta stifled a chuckle and held out her wing so that the two humans could climb aboard. They perched on her neck, Scucca holding on to a neck spine and Thavron holding onto him. Satisfied that they were secure enough, Ismitta jumped into the air, her powerful legs pushing her off the ground and her great wings sweeping down. She gained altitude swiftly, then levelled off and flew north.

"...Scucca? Can I ask you a question?"

"You just did, but sure, ask another."

Thavron paused to arrange his thought. "You said that Tyuru ordered you to kill Loth... why? Why does he send out one of his most trusted men when he needs him back there?"

"There's a lot of bad blood between Loth and Tyuru. She used to be a Free Rider, you know, until her thirst for greater things grew and she deserted. I'm not quite sure what happened between Tyu and Loth, but it was not a happy parting."

Scucca did not volunteer more so Thavron fell silent. They travelled at an astonishing speed, he thought, the ground almost seeming to blur. Thavron gulped and closed his eyes tightly, hoping it would be over soon.

Rowan woke well-rested and refreshed. She was still behind the stone door, so her guess that no one knew this place existed must have been correct. Her biggest disadvantage, she decided, was not knowing what time it was, or even what day.

Now that she could relax, her stomach growled in hunger, leading her to believe she had slept for quite a while. Wondering what was going on closer to the surface, she stood and tested her ankle. It was only mildly sore, although fairly stiff.

Satisfied with her situation, Rowan finally started to pay attention to her surroundings. She was at the entrance to a long corridor, which slanted downwards, deeper still into the mountain. Unlike the other corridors above, this one had a perfectly smooth floor, walls and ceiling. It was a perfect rectangle, and well-lit.

Rowan frowned, suddenly realising the strangeness of that fact. Although who knew how deep and totally enclosed in rock, there was plenty of light from no visible source. Strange carvings from a different era covered the walls at eye-level while old text curled underneath. She guessed the pictures and the text told a story, but of what she could not tell.

"Nowhere to go but down," Rowan whispered softly. Shifting her bow so it rested once more against her back and checking her pocket to make sure the key was still in it, she started downwards.

The way was quite pleasant, Rowan decided. The air was not stale, but fresh, probably by the same miracle that explained the light. Although the tunnel sloped downwards, the slant was not uncomfortably steep and permitted her to walk with a loose, easy stride.

The corridor gave Rowan the impression that she did not walk but hang in suspended motion while the walls defiled past her, telling a story she could not follow.

How long she spent walking, deeper and deeper into the mountain, she had no idea. In the perpetual light, it was impossible to guess at the time. It came to an end eventually, the subtle slope levelling out and the walls changing into a graceful arch, more text scrolling up its sides. Rowan paused in the entrance and peered in.

There was a short ledge hanging over a great rent in the stone, so large that she could barely see the other side. A delicate rock arch with no supports spanned the abyss, made with white stone. Rowan gulped nervously. What the heck was holding it up?

She advanced onto the ledge and peered down, then immediately wished she hadn't. The chasm had no visible bottom, falling away into thick, heavy darkness.

Rowan wasn't afraid of heights, but this...! Nervously, she backed up and stared at the bridge. It scared her, but stronger still was the growing curiosity to see what lay on the other side. Ever so carefully, she edged out onto the bridge. Once on, it wasn't nearly so bad. There was a thick stone wall on both sides, up to her knees and she could no longer see the gaping emptiness under the arch. If she kept her eyes straight ahead, she could almost forget where she was. Almost.

Rowan crossed the bridge, taking her time. The other side was exactly like the first; a narrow ledge and an arch leading from it. Sighing in relief, she rushed into the next room. It was another cave, this one with a ceiling so high that it could not be seen. Great pillars, set every few feet, rose up from the floor into the inky blackness. Rowan guessed it would take four people, standing with their arms outstretched, to encircle a single pillar.

"What a place!" She whispered. Never had she felt so small, dwarfed by the impressive stonework. Rowan walked through the forest of pillars, about the same size as the previous room, and crossed another short corridor, than under an arch.

Rowan suddenly paused and took a closer look at the arch. It was not made of stone, as she had thought, but of a silverly metal, dulled with age. She rubbed her sleeve over a patch, loosening the dust of ages, and gaped in astonishment. It was adamant! She stepped inside into a chamber more brightly lit than any of the others. The walls were lined with smooth marble, the floor covered in the same but left rough, so it wouldn't slip.

And, hidden in an alcove and completely incased in adamant, like some macabre statue, stood the sealed Ancient. She walked slowly towards it, the source of all Kepa's pain.

Yes... there sleeps a tortured being, it's face still twisted in the anguish that consumes its soul. For so long he has slept, waiting to be freed and for it end, one way or another. Thinien, it calls itself.

Rowan spun around. The mental voice offered no direction, of course, but she heard the scuff of a foot across the stone. Two kaijuu stood behind her, both staring at the Ancient, one with pity in his eyes and the other with a contemplative gaze.

One was a dragonite, dressed in robes of purest white with a golden hem, and the other was an abra with open eyes and a crescent moon on her forehead.

The dragonite spoke again, and the abra translated, as before.

Welcome, Healer Rowan. For generations, one of my family has watched over this place. I am the Guardian of the Seal and this is Inali. You may call me Path.

"H-how do you know my name!" Rowan stuttered, utterly confused.

Inali has collected a great deal of information for me. As I am bound here, she travels and brings me news of the outside world. Your friend Kepa has already met her, if I recall correctly.

Still confused, she turned back to the Ancient and inspected it closely. It stood on four legs, but was reared up on its two hind legs. Four wings reached out from its black and red body. It had a long, thick tail ending in a blunt tip. The head was feline, with a mane of hair surrounding it. Quills were hidden in the mane, giving it an even more threatening appearance. The front paws bore great big talons, tipped with heavy black claws.

Long the Guardians of the Seal have waited for you Rowan. It is an honour to be the one chosen to witness your coming.

Rowan cast him a "you're crazy" look. "What are you talking about?"

Path gestured to Thinien. He was sealed away because none knew what else to do, none were strong enough to do anything else. But it is not done; he cannot be left this way. A healer of great strength must right this wrong. May I see the key?

Rowan couldn't see what harm it could do, so, shrugging, she tugged the fist-sized globe out of her pocket and dropped it into his claws.

Path turned it over and over, eyes sparkling brightly.

It is truly beautiful. Tell me, were you planning to destroy it?

"...Yeah. I was, but Kepa and I got separated, so I never did learn its weakness. I have no idea how to break it.

He chuckled. You did not realise that Kepa Nur gave you the means to break it? That dagger at your belt, made of true adamantium...

Rowan gasped, dropping her hand to the knife's hilt. "No way..." She groaned, disgusted at herself. "I could have broken it the minute it first touched my hand... I'm so stupid!"

The dragonite shook his head. No, it was your destiny that brought you to this place. Now we shall see...

Before Rowan could register his movements, Path strode to the center of the room, where there was a fist-sized hole in the floor. Shouting something that Inali didn't bother to translate, the dragonite slammed the globe into it.

The seal is broken!

Kepa Nur edged behind Viridian's troops until he reached the crack into which Rowan had vanished. Luckily no one paid him any attention. He guess correctly that Viridian had told them to leave him alone. Briefly he wondered why... after all, could he not go up to Viridian and stab her in the back?

The blaziken snorted in derision at his momentary stupidity. The umbreon's reflexes were much faster than his, and she had that alakazam to protect her. And if he did find Rowan, wouldn't that profit Viridian as well? Kepa cursed his position and clenched his hands, about to enter the crack, when somebody called out his name.

The blaziken paused and looked around, confused, before spotting a familiar face.

"Thavron!"

The trader, also ignored by Viridan's lackeys, made his around them.

"Kepa... do you know where Rowan is?"

"Not really," Kepa admitted. "Somewhere this way."

Thavron nodded. "Right then. What are we waiting for?"

Profoundly annoyed, yet not sure why, Kepa squirmed into the cleft. It was a tight fit and not really comfortable, but he could move. His breathing echoed strangely through the narrow passage, unnerving him.

"Where does this lead?" Thavron asked. His voice echoed and bounced on ahead.

"To an underground lake," Kepa replied, in a much quieter tone. They followed Rowan that far, then lost her. There was no other exit yet she somehow vanished."

"Oh."

They kept going in silence, passing the cave-in, where they had to climb over piles of rubble and then out to the lake.

Kepa touched the water tentatively. "It's warm!" He said in surprise.

Thavron eyed it suspiciously. "So maybe she went for a swim?'

"No, they had water kaijuu search it. All they found was where the water came from; there's a spring at the bottom."

Thavron grunted and started to walk around the lake's perimeter. Kepa glanced at his back then started after him.

Blue light shot out of the hole in the floor, so bright Rowan was forced to look away.

"What's going on?" She demanded of Path. "What did you do!"

Nothing much. I released the seal.

"What?"

Now... if you excuse us... this place is going to be very unsafe in a few minutes. We suggest you leave at once.

Rowan stared in astonishment at the empty space where the Guardian had stood.

"What the hell is going on?"

She turned towards the Ancient and gasped. The blue light swirled around, etching ancient writings on the adamant as the seal unravelled. Slowly, the metal began to liquify and drip from the massive body. The beast moved, ramming its back against the marble walls of the chamber, trying to remove the shell that had encased it for so long.

Thinien thrashed more and more violently, tearing chunks of marble from the ceilings and walls. Suddenly Rowan understood what Path meant by 'unsafe'.

"Its all going to cave in!" She gasped in dawning horror.

Turning from the beast, she sprinted through the arch and back the way she came. The Ancient's howls leant wings to her feet, chasing her to the room of pillars. The floor heaved violently, sending her to her knees. All around the mighty pillars creaked and groaned. Then, ever so slowly, one of the pillars started to topple. It hit the ground with an earth-shattering crash, sending fragments of rock flying every which way.

As if its fall had been a signal, the other pillars started to wobble and fall as well. Eyes wide with terror she stumbled towards the exit, wincing as shards of rock flew by her, grazing her skin. A could of dust rose, filling her lungs and obscuring her vision. She coughed, trying desperately to clear her lungs.

A pillar fell directly in front of her, shattering before her eyes. A small boulder smashed into her legs, sending her to the ground. She screamed as the leg cracked sickenedly, the pain causing the world to fade alarmingly.

Dammit! I have to get out of here, now! Before the bridge in the next room collapses! She curled up in a ball and wrapped her hands around the leg. Concentrating with all her might, she urged the bone to heal, trying to ignore the rock falling down on either side of her.

Rowan's life-force flowed out through her hands, knitting the bone clumsily. She didn't bother with the bruised and torn muscle around it, healing the bare minimum so she could run. Groaning, she stumbled upright; the healing had drained her of energy. The floor shuddered again, so violently she feared it would fall out from under her feet. It spurred her to her feet and out through the arch.

The bridge was still whole, the white stone gleaming pleasantly as if nothing was amiss. Rowan's sides heaved, taking in great gulps of the dust-free air. Her leg started to throb painfully, forcing her into a limp as she crossed the bridge. Another tremor shook the cave, terrifying in its intensity. Some unknown instinct cause Rowan's eyes to lift to the ceiling, just in time to see a large slab detatch itself and fall onto the bridge, not ten paces from where she stood. The bridge crumpled in a roar of falling stone. Rowan barely had time to blink before she was toppling into the void, like Alice falling down the rabbit hole.

Kepa and Thavron had circled the entire underground lake without finding the slightest clue indicating the path Rowan might have taken. On a last ditch attempt, Kepa waded out into the lake, up to his waist and felt around with his feet while Thavron watched on.

"Nothing... but the chances of me finding anything here are slim to none."

Thavron held up a head. "Shhh! Do you hear something?"

Kepa tilted his head and heard it as well, a low grumble, like a rock fall. A growing anxiety grasped him as instead of fading away, the rumble intensified.

"Shades!" Kepa started towards the trader, but before he reached him, there was a resounding CRACK and the ground fell out from under him. The water from the lake saved him. It swept around him, pulling him through the newly-made river, propelling him through rapids with surprising speed.

Kepa had no idea what was happening. Swirled around by the current, slammed into rocks, grabbing a mouthful of air here and there, when he was pushed to the surface. The rock around him creaked, groaned and heaved like a living thing.

Something soft bumped into him and the blaziken caught a flash of green. Thavron had also been dragged along this ride, then. Kepa was suddenly aware that there was no longer a roof close above him, nor were there any walls. He pushed himself towards the bank, claws scrabbling at the stone frantically until they found a hold and pulled himself free.

The blaziken stood unsteadily, water running from his fur and pooling around his feet. A prevailing soreness told him he was covered in bruises. A little further down river, Thavron was also pulling himself out. Kepa glanced around their new location. They were in a small bubble of rock with the river cutting through the middle, entering and leaving through unseen orifices.

To his left was a pile of rubble, some of the stones even bearing carvings of some sort. The rubble trembled, then was pushed aside. A slight figure stumbled down from the pile, then stood unsteadily and looked around.

Kepa stared in shock as Rowan shook dust from her pale hair then suddenly caught sight of him and Thavron. Her eyes widened and her face split in a large smile that lit the cave. "Kepa!" She limped towards him as fast as she could and fell into his arms.