Hello. Yeah it took pretty much time to post it. Many unexpected things happened. So I decided to remake the chapter 2 at the same time, so you can check it if you want. Anyway that chapter allowed me to write one that is more exciting for me to write.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokemon


Chapter 6: Research of signs of life

It was hot, the glowing sun was illuminating the burning sand, no clouds were visible in the bright blue sky. There was nothing in the surroundings. Just sand. Lurio began to get thirsty. So he opened his bottle of glass and drunk some water. Despite his thirst, he wanted to drink as less water as possible so he'll always have some water for later. He looked back and noticed Gre. He was in the worst state. The water type was trying to hide his thirst, but in vain. It was difficult for him to just walk even if he was the one who drunk water the most , he was really not used to be in a hot place. Gaby didn't seem to be thirsty, he told the others that this type of heat didn't really affect him because he was a ground type and he was used to not drink much water. Charles was in his environment. Despite the fact that he was carrying many bags, he was clearly fine. The group was helped by a Heatmor and a Rhyhorn who were their guides during their travel in the desert. They were used to travel the desert so water wasn't a big problem for them, adding their type advantages. The rhyhorn was carrying the major part of provisions while the Heatmor led the way. The travel lasted one day until today. The Arid village wasn't too far compared to other villages. After a few hours of walking, the Heatmor told the others with his grave voice:

"Good news, Arid village is near."

And he was right, when Lurio joined his position, he saw many rock peaks far away from here and some buildings were visible among these. They were almost at destination.

"Finally..." Gre sighed of relief.

After a while, they finally arrived to the village. Like the desert, it was very calm, oddly. There were many houses with a particular architecture specific to the desert. Yet, there was just four inhabitants. It was insufficient. A Sableye, wearing a red tissue covering his head, welcomed them:

"Welcome strangers! You're in Arid village. Sorry if there isn't many persons there, we... have a kind of a problem."

"We know, that's why we're here." Charles answered.

"Oh, that's perfect then. You wanna rest and have some water? We have more than usual so..."

"Yes, we'd like to. Thanks."

"Head to the water tank over there, take as much as you want."

Gre was the first to take some water. Lurio followed. When he filled his bottle, he sat next to a wall to rest and took a swallow. It's been four days they left Firstone, letting the Steel Federation handling the remaining. Lurio, like Gre, recovered from their injuries. Lurio had to be careful with his arm though, if he forced too much, the wounds would reopen. But he was still able to fight. Fortunately they found the Heatmor and the Rhyhorn as guides at the desert frontier, they were really helpful during the travel. After thinking about what happened before, he listened to what the Sableye and the other inhabitants were telling to his mates.

"We were actually fifteen here weeks ago. Then people began to disappear." the Sableye said.

"Eleven of us went down into these mines. They didn't comeback." a Flygon added while pointing at a mine entrance among others.

"Eleven? Just like that" Gaby asked.

"Not exactly."

A Metagross came accompanied with an Excadrill. He seemed to be the boss of the miner's village.

"At the start there were six miners who digged in that site. Then after a whole day without any news from them, I sent five guys to go see what happened to them. It was four days ago. Still nothing. I'm worried for them."

"Don't worry, we'll find them and bring them back." Charles reassured.

"That's not the only problem." the excadrill added." The team reported me a long time ago that these mines are... there are wild Pokémons down here."

Lurio was surprised to hear that like everyone else. Wild Pokémons were really rare. Those Pokémons decided to keep their old manners, not seeing the interest of the civilisation. Those miners weren't lucky at all, wild Pokémons can be really aggressive and unpredictable. All they could do was to hope that their mates didn't meet any.

"Okay, that will be a problem. I'll stay here to watch the village in case something would happen. Lurio, Gre, you will accompany Gaby into the mines." Charles said.

They both nodded. They didn't need to ask why he should stay here. In the mines he would be an easy target for the rock and ground type attacks. And with their types advantages, the mines shouldn't be too dangerous. Gaby did a sign to the two, so they joined him, near of the entrance. Charles gave them provisions and the Sableye gave a map of the known places.

"I warn you, they're probably in a deeper place than expected so this map won't help you anymore when you are in an unexplored zone." the sableye warned.

Gaby took a moment looking at the map and finally said:

"Alright, let's go."

As they were getting down, the three waved at the others who were waving at them too, seeing them disappearing in the darkness of the mine.

Gaby brought a torch in case it would get darker, illuminating a bit more the corridor. Some sand was getting out from the tunnel's ceiling which was maintained with many wooden beams, making it not collapse. Some torches were placed on the left wall. They simply followed the tunnel heading down because the map showed that it wasn't complete or didn't lead to a hall. The tunnel was really long and Lurio didn't know how deep they were. He looked back and saw that the exit was now just a tiny spark. He was a bit impressed by how much the miners digged.

"Lurio look out." Gre suddenly said.

Lurio immediately looked to his front again and straightaway raised his hands to not bump into a black wall. The tunnel took a turn. Gaby smiled while seeing this.

"It's some corundum. It's really solid. We don't know how to break this type of rock yet."

"I didn't know you were interested in rocks." Lurio replied.

"I was obliged to learn all types of rocks, because I'm a ground type."

"Oh."

They simply continued their walk. Lurio was looking at all the different rocks composing the walls and the ceiling. He didn't how long they were walking, probably an hour. Even more. He noticed that Gre was really calm, looking at the map sometimes.

"Gre is always calm actually..." he thought.

Then he decided to talk to the Greninja, curious about what he did after he left the Peak village.

"Gre?"

"Uh... yes Lurio?" Gre answered, surprised by the call.

"What did you do just after you left the Peak village?"

"Why are you askung now"

"Just curious. You never told me what you were doing."

"Oh yes, sorry about that." He paused and then he started. "To be honest I didn't do much things in one month. I went to Shatmeen, hoping to get a contract quickly. But I was surprised to see that many other bounty hunters were there. Like I knew there would be many, but not that much. Every contracts were almost taken. Fortunately I did find one. It was from a Turtonator, I had to protect him for three weeks because he had to go somewhere crime level is higher. But it wasn't even that high. So I did spend three weeks accompanying the Turtonator not doing much things, even if he was a nice person. He gave me actually more than the expected prize because he said "I was really nice". I didn't know how to thank him. Anyway I immediately returned to Shatmeen and I did find a contract consisting to find a fugitive. It wasn't easy, he was well hidden. It took me almost one week to find him, but he didn't try to fight when I found him. I went back to Shatmeen again and rested during one day. Then I found a contract where I had to take down a group of Crobats who stole the house of a Muk. I was disappointed by their combat skills, they were fast, but all they did was to charge me with a brave bird. I ended quite predicting their moves and took them down. And then Peak village got attacked..."

Lurio stayed silent by hearing the last words, thinking about what happened this day. Then he finally said:

"You're disappointed?"

"Oh not that much." Gre answered.

Then they both noticed that Gaby has stopped. The tunnel stopped, leading to a cave, that was marked on the map but it wasn't precised that the tunnel led to an actual cave. Gaby continued his way and followed the illuminated way. Lurio and Gre followed. Now the ceiling didn't need to be maintained with beams and the walls were now more muddled than before. The problem was that they were not safe anymore. Wild Pokémons could attack anytime soon.

"Open your eyes and listen carefully. Someone can be watching us right now." Gaby said.

Lurio obeyed and watched carefully his surroundings. After a while, they caught sight of an exit leading to a hall. Suddenly they heard footsteps coming from it. There was no place where to hide.

"Ready yourselves." Gaby said.

Other footsteps were now coming from behind them, Lurio looked and saw two Rhydons coming, they seemed to be hostile. Two others were coming from the other side. They were surrounded.

"They probably heard us coming." Gre suggested.

"Let's show them how we do a battle. Gaby replied, rather confident."

A Rhydon roared and smashed the ground with his fists, making the ground shaking. Then rocks were falling from the ceiling towards the three. Gaby's claw covered itself with energy and he stroke some rocks. Gre did the same with a water shuriken and Lurio punched the rocks targetting him. The other Rhydons charged, each one taking one prey. The Lucario's one had his punch covered with a brilliant red rather threatening and he leapt on the steel type, ready to deal a powerful hammer arm. Because of the narrow place, Lurio had no option except to jump backwards and risk to bother Gaby. But he did it, trying to control himself. He landed right next to the Garchomp's tail which bumped it. Gaby quickly glanced at Lurio but said nothing. The Rhydon smashed the ground with much force, making the gound shaking. Lurio gathered his hands and formed a blue bright energy and shot the aura sphere. The rock type, who was still recovering, got hit and almost stumbled backwards and kneeled, the hands on the ground, still conscious. Upon seeing this, Lurio was confused, that aura sphere was supposed to knock it down. How is he still standing up? The ground type, furious, charged at a surprising speed with his horn spining. Lurio, seeing this, yelled at Gaby:

"Gaby, move!"

The dragon type, seeing the charging Rhydon, stepped aside with Lurio, letting the Rhydon charging his mates. Too fast to react in time, the Rhydon didn't stop and hit another one, making him yell. When he finally stopped, the other Rhydon had his chest shell broken, with blood getting out of it, but not too many. He immediately punched his mate with such force in the head that he almost fell unconscious. The bleeding Rhydon was still standing up, a hand on his injury. His mate who was next to him suddenly stomped the ground, making it shaking really hard. Gaby looked down and his eyes widened and straightaway shouted:

"Run! It'll collapse!"

But it was too late. The ground shattered and the group colllapsed. Lurio, surprised looked down and saw that the bottom was very deep. He wouldn't survive such a fall. He looked around to see any possible grisp. Gaby disappeared but Gre was still falling with him. They were approaching the bottom very quickly. Lurio, who was to a wall, decided to use his steel spike as an ice axe. He yelled at Gre:

"Grab my hand!"

Gre used a falling rock as a shelf to jump towards Lurio and grabbed his hand. Lurio imediately planted the spike on a wall. The spike scratched the wall, Lurio was scared if it wouldn't be enough for a moment. Then they stopped falling. The Lucario sighed of relief and looked down to check if Gre was alright. He saw Gre but he more focused on how still deep the bottom was. Lurio didn't know what to do.

"You have any idea on how we can land safely somewhere?" He asked.

"Wait I'll check the map. I just have to be really careful..." the Greninja replied.

The water type used his free arm to take the map on his pelvis. Lurio heard the uneasiness in his voice. They fell really deep. It's possible that they're somewhere the miners didn't mark on a map yet. Gre took a moment to observe the map. Then he finally said:

"I'm scared the place where we are isn't marked..."

Lurio began to be scared. But the water type continued:

"...but I think there might be a tunnel near of our position."

"Where?"

"Upper. Probably."

Gre grabbed a grisp with his arm and took other ones with his feet. Then he released Lurio's arm and grabbed another one. Lurio took grisps too with his free feet and arm. He removed his spike from the wall and searched another grisp. But the only possible one was out of his reach. So he jumped and succeeded to grab it. Both Pokémons climbed for a while. Lurio sometimes covered his fist with ice and punched the wall to see if there would be tuneel behind. After doing it five times he finally found one. He let a little « Yes! ». The Lucario continued to punch the wall so he would be able to create an entrance. when the hole was big enough to allow him to enter, he put his paws one after one on the ground carefully. When he was in, he looked around and noticed a Golem staring at him at the top of a slope. The rock tye seemed to know that he was spotted but he didn't care. He was observing the Lucario to determine if he was hostile. Suddenly he rolled himself into a ball and charged into the combat type. Lurio, surprised, tried to stop the Golem with his hands but he was pushed and he bumped into a wall. The Golem tried to crush him against the wall but the combat type was resisting by keeping pushing the rock type. Suddenly his arm hurt. It was the injured one. He moaned loudly. He had to repulse his opponent. If he kept forcing too hard on his arm, the injury would reopen. And he felt his muscles beggining to burn. So he pushed aside with all strength and did a sidestep to let the Golem roll into the wall. His opponent stunned, the Lucario covered his fist with ice and punched right into the shell. The rock type was sent away while yelling, rolled on th ground and stopped, knocked out in one hit. Lurio put his hand on his injured arm because of the pain. Gre appeared and immediately asked:

"Everything's alright?"

"Yeah, I just forced my arms too much." Lurio answered.

"Tell me it isn't reopened."

"Don't worry it isn't."

"Well, if you say so..." Gre glanced at the uncouscious Golem. "Let's go back up. Just be careful about it."

"I will."

And they walked towards the slope. Lurio noticed that the environment changed. The rocks were now darker and illuminated by luminous blue crystals. A few common gems were visible everywhere. The blue crysals helped the two to see through the dark. They didn't meet any wild Pokémons during the travel. Except that Golem, no one was around. There was probably a reason to why there was almost nobody around here. Something was maybe scaring them. Maybe this place was the territory of other Pokémons. That idea worried the Lucario. Suddenly they heard a noise coming from upwards. They accelerated hoping to see Gaby again. But maybe it was a battle between two Pokémons to determine to which one the territory was owned. All of a sudden, the ceiling collapsed and a Gabite fell and crashed on the ground. Gaby followed and landed on him. On his fainted opponent, he roared, sign of his victory. He turned around and saw his two mates, staring at him.

"Oh, finally I've found you." He said, happily.

"You have a wild side you know?" Lurio commentated, looking at the Gabite.

"All Garchomps do."

"Anyway where were you?"

"Up there. I managed to not fall. I knocked out the Rhydons and after that I went on your research. I did meet some resistance but that wasn't big. Whatever did you find someone?"

"Not yet. We're getting really deep though." Gre answered.

"Damn. If we still don't find, that will mean we would have to deal with big threats."

"Like what?"

"A nest, a group of antic Pokémons..."

"Well, let's hope we don't have to go that deep." Gre added.

As they were going down., the blue crystals began to be more common. When the Lucario approached one he felt his hand being attracted. The steel type immediately resisted and got away from it. His spike on his hand was the cause of it, so those crystals were magnetic. While looking at the stones, he noticed that the Garchomp looked wary:

"Why are you..."

"Wary?" Gaby completed. "I remembered that these crystals are magnetic thanks to you. These are some magnitz. A crystal that is usually in Galvantula's territories."

Gre understood: "You mean that there is a nest nearby?"

"Yep, and that's really bad news for each of us. A nest can contain hundreds of them."

"How many can it have if it's a small one?" Lurio asked.

"Never less than one hundred."

"Oh..."

"If we enter in a big hall, be on your guard and be quiet."

The Lucario and the Greninja nodded. The lack of Pokémons here was now explainable by the presence of a nest. And the amount of Galvantulas was unknown. After walking for a moment they noticed a web. So the fear of Gaby was true: a nest was nearby and his inhabitants too. Lurio also noticed the end of the tunnel, which led to... a hall. He straightaway pointed at it to the others. Nobody said something, aware that discretion was a must. When they reached the end of the tunnel, the group saw a pretty big hall. Many blue crystals and webs, more than usual, were here. Gaby whispered to the Lucario:

"Enter and use your aura vision to see how many galvantulas we have to deal with."

The aura Pokémon entered and hid behind a rock. He used his aura vision and observed the place. What he saw immediately made him gasp. He never saw such an amount of life signatures. They were actually everywhere. On the walls, on the high ceiling and on the ground. He wasn't able to determine how many they were, but easily more than three hundreds. Fortunately for him and his friends, they were all asleep. Gaby and Gre joined his position.

"So? How many?" Gaby asked quickly.

"Hundreds of them. Everywhere. But they're asleep."

"Alright..." Gaby sighed, not reassured at all. "They aren't all asleep, there are always some walking around to watch the nest. Besides this one seems to be a medium one, not the worst case. But it's still very dangerous. Keep using your aura vision to spot any awake ones. So we'll hide from them."

"Okay."

Lurio was a bit stressed. Their lives were now depending on him and his eyes. He had to not miss any awaken Galvantulas. As they were approaching, the insect types were now more visble at the eye. Everone was impressed by the number of Galvantulas, this was were walking silently and always hid themselved behing rocks. Suddenly Lurio noticed one heading to them. He gasped and turend to his friends to alert them, quietly:

"One coming this way!"

"Hide!" Gaby said.

Gre was the first to do so, Lurio went behind a rock and crouched. Gaby laid down himself behind many stalagmites. The Galvantula passed really closely. It stopped next to Lurio. The Lucario quietly moved to the opposite side of the rock. The insect type looked around him. If Lurio stayed here, the Galvantula would have spotted him. The Galvantula continued his way. Gaby got up and did sign to the others to continue. Lurio noticed an entrance at the other side of the hall.

"Look over there." He whispered to the others.

Gre and Gaby noticed the entrance. That was maybe their way out but two Galvantulas were near of it like they were guarding it. Was it where the queen was? Gaby just whispered:

"That can't be the place where the queen lives, she always lives in the center of the biggest gathering of insects. So why are there those guys?"

"Maybe the miners." Gre said uncousciously.

The eyes of everyone widened just after that sentence. They had to hurry before it was too late! They were asked to bring them back nad their goal was probably near. Except those two guards there were nobody around awaken. Gaby told to Gre:

"I'll hide behind those stalagmites and attract this one. Lurio will hold the mouth shut so he won't shout." He pointed the Galvantula who was at the left. "You take care of the other one."

Gre nodded and straightaway ran quietly behind a stalagmite. Lurio was watching the scene. Gaby, at his position, just stomped at the ground loudly enough to make the Galvantulas hear it. Both walked towards the origin of the sound. When one just alomst saw Gaby, the Garchomp just bit him in the Cephalothorax with a fire crunch. Just before the insect type could yell, Lurio jumped out and shut the mouth. The other one, just before he could alarm the nest, got hit behind him in the abdomen by a gunk shot. They were both knocked out, silently, sort of. The attacks could have been loud enough to alert someone. Lurio used his aura vision to see if a Galvantula was heading to their way. He saw some moving, but none was heading to them or staring at them. He did sign to the others that nobody was alerted. They headed to the entrance. All of a sudden a loudly yell came. They stunned and looked everywhere. What was it? Did a Galvantua see them? But where? Lurio then looked up there and saw a Galvantula yelling. He was awaken by the sound and was alone. Gaby just said:

"...shit."

Hundreds of other yells of anger abruptly came, making the noise unbearable. Gaby shouted:

"Run!"

As they were running, the enormous yellow mass was now moving, heading to the intruders position, and it was fast. They entered in the tunnel in time and Gaby was the last to enter. Suddenly many bright projectiles headed to them. The ground type turned around and yelled:

"Come at me!"

He received all the shots and nothing came after thanks to his ground type immunties. Another series of yells came and the garchomp stomped the ground really hard. The ground shook and the ground where the galvantulas were standing on destroyed itself, knocking out tens of them. Then he planted with a lot of strengh his claw and several stone edges appeared, blocking the entrance. They were safe for now.

"Let's go before it'll give way." Gaby said hurriedly.

"Guys... look."

The Garchomp and Lurio joined him, scared to see what Gre just discovered. Then they saw a pile of cocoons made of web at the bottom. Five weren't in the pile. They looked to be recently made compared to the others. They were the rescue team which was sent days ago. Lurio used his aura vision to see if they were alive. He did not see any signs of life. Gaby, unaware of that, immediately used his claws to rip the cocoon. He only discovered an empoleon, dead. The body received many electrik attacks and many teeth marks were visible. Upon seeing the corpse, the garchomp grunted.

"Too late..."

"It's the rescue team right? » Gre asked.

"It is, the Metagross told me that the leader of the team was an empoleon. Lurio can you see what are in those cocoons, even if they're dead?"

"I can't because their bodies are empty of aura." the Lucario answered.

"Yeah, of course. Why did I ask? Help me to tear those cocoons so we'll see if there is all the eleven pokémons we're searching."

Discovering corpses wasn't something pleasant to Lurio, all of them were horrible to watch. Gaby did not like that neither but he seemed used to see corpses. What has he been through? That question was intrigued Lurio but he had to focus on the different corpses. All they knew about the miners is that they were composed of a Krookodile, a Gliscor, a Gabite, a Claydol, a Trapinch and a Sandslash. Fortunately, none of them was in the cocoons. They might be alive but where were they? And did they pass the nest?

"But where are they? Did they go deeper? That would be stupid and unprofessional." the Garchomp thought out loud.

Cracks suddenly came from the entrance. The Galvantulas were about to break in.

"Okay I have an idea but... this is a stupid one." Gaby said "I'll make several earthquakes in the nest to make the gound unstable. You guys try to reach as fast as possible the exit while I'll be distracting them. I'll join you when you'll be safe."

"Do you really think you'd be able to hold hundreds of enraged Galvantulas?" Gre asked, not sure if this idea was good.

"Don't worry for me. I won't lose against them. » the Garchomp winked at the Greninja. "Anyway I don't see any other solution to this and we're running out of time so..."

A rock got damaged, letting several Galvantulas visible, trying to reach their preys. Gaby's claws became shiny and shouted:

"Now!"

He dealt two violent slash into the rocks, including some insect types. The rocks were demolished and Galvantulas were touched. Before the hord could advance the Garchomp roared so loudly that the insect types stopped moving, intimidated by the powerful roar. Gaby just decided to let his savage side take control of himself. Now he seemed to be a wild and enraged Pokémon, fighting to death. He made several earthquakes, damaging the ground each time he did one. Gre and Lurio had to find the exit and fast. Lurio, in the run, saw an exit not too far from them, but it was blocked by a stalagmite.

"Behind us!" Gre abruptly shouted.

The Lucario looked behind and noticed a group of at least ten galvantulas charging at them. When they were about to attack with electric attacks, a big stalagmite appeared right under them. They flew away, either knocked out or injured. The ground began to crack more. Gre created a water shuriken and cut the stalagmite in two. Gaby, still struggling against the the insect types, began to get tired. With three Galvantulas on his back. He noticed where his mates were and sprinted incredibly fast towards them, even with the galvantulas on his back. Then all of a sudden the ground collapsed, bringing with it a huge amount of galvantulas taken by surprise. Despite the Galvantulas on his back, biting him, the Garchomp jumped before he fell with the Galvantulas. He planted his claws on the stable ground which Gre and Lurio were standing on. He pulled on his arms and managed to make it safe, painfully because of the several bites of the Galvantulas on his back. Two of the insect types got hit by a water shuriken and a flash canon, making them fall into the hole created by the earthquakes. Gaby, really annoyed by the last one, planted his claw on the Galvantula. The electric type screamed and the Garchomp jumped just threw him in the hole, joining the others. There were still many Galvantulas in the hall who were charging into them, looking forward to avenge their mates. The three ran into the exit and the Garchomp did a stone edge attack once again, blocking the way to their pursuers. Everybody was relieved.

"Did I really hold back hundreds of Galvantulas all by myself?" Gaby seemed surprised that he was still alive.

"You didn't trust your own plan?" Gre asked.

"Plan? Was that really a plan for you? Ugh..."

He kneeled. Upon seeing that the Garchomp was actually injured, he ran towards him to see what injuries he had. There were many teeth marks everywhere on his body which were only visible if we look closely. Some were deep enough to make the ground type bleeding. The fact that Gaby could handle so many attacks impressed the Lucario. Then he saw a deep cut on the left leg, probably caused by a fury cutter or a slash attack. In any case it was bleeding. How did Lurio and Gre didn't notice how injured their teammate was? Gaby was bleeding from almost everywhere. Gre took his bag and took some bandages out right away. He started to bandage the leg, after doing so he took care of all the other deep injuries.

"Lurio, can you take the energy root in my bag?" Gre asked, almost finished.

Lurio nodded and brought the medical root out of the bag. Gaby seemed disgusted just by the texture of it.

"Oh no not this sh..."

And the Lucario put it in his mouth. The Garchomp quickly chewed it and swallowed it. Quickly after, he took a water flask and took two big swallows, trying to forget the horrible taste in his mouth.

"You look like a child." Lurio joked, chuckling.

"Taste that... thing first. Then you'll be able to talk." Gaby said to defend himself.

"At least it worked."

Gaby smirked. Then he looked at the stalagmite he created and took a perplexed look.

"Guys, there was a stalagmite blocking the way here right?" He asked all of a sudden.

"Uhh yeah?" Gre answered, confused.

"So there's a chance that our miners took that way. That stalagmite, it can be due to a stone edge attack."

"Oh I see what you mean. They maybe used a stone edge attack to block the way like you did. Nice guess." Lurio said.

"Thanks. At least that seems to be the most logical explanation about that stalagmite. Anyway, let's continue."

"You are sure you will be good?"

"Obviously I will. You made me eat that energy root."

Gre put all the bandages in the bag and they all continued their travel into the caves. Lurio wondered why the minors did go deeper despite all the dangers they might meet. Is the minor job this dangerous? He told Gaby his thoughts:

"Why did the minors go deeper despite everything we saw?"

"That's something I can't really answer body. I think there's something else. There must be a reason why they went deeper."

"You think so?"

"Yeah, minors aren't supposed to take that much risk."

So those minors might be something else? So what are they searching for getting in such dangers? He wouldn't find out until they found them.

The luminous blue crystals becoming rare, Lurio had to wrap his hand with aura to create some light. He didn't know for how long they were in these caves. Maybe ten hours? Or less? He could not know. In any case, he began to become sleepy. He heard Gaby yawn, so he was not alone. It was surely late. They had to find a place where to rest, a place which looked safe.

"Whoa that's impressive." Gaby said abruptly.

The Lucario got out of his thoughts and his eyes widened upon seeing an enormous lake. It was colored by a deep blue and seemed to be an entire sea inside of a cave. They could not see where it ended.

"We should rest here." Gre suggested.

"Good idea." Lurio replied.

They sat next to the water and Gaby took sticks from his bag to make a campfire. He put one in his mouth and lightened it with a fire fang. They only ate fruits because that was the only thing they had. Lurio saw a banana. Bananas were not common do seeing one was surprising. He decided to eat it and it was rather sweet. He like it. Then he remembered that it had the same taste of the one he ate when he was barely born. His birth... it was something he almost forgot. Even with how the conditions were difficult. On the top of a snow covered mountain, alone, with just a coat and a little backpack full of fruits. Why was he born like that? Where were his parents? He never wondered about the answers. He didn't really know who he was. So many questions were now in his mind. Then he noticed that the only Lucarios he saw were the Mega-Lucarios. And what the male one told him: "You aren't one of us." Who were "us"? Does this sentence had a link to what he dreamt at Firstone? "We are the Lucarios. We are..." Unfortunately he didn't hear the remaining, but there had to have a link. He had to find it out.

"Lurio why are you staring at your banana?" Gaby said suddenly.

"Huh?" The Lucario replied, surprised.

He noticed that he didn't finish his banana. He looked awkward.

"Sorry I was lost in my thoughts."

"Does it occur often?"

"Sort of." Gre answered. "But what were you thinking?"

"Nothing, it's just that... this banana reminds me the one I ate when I was born."

Gaby looked confused, which was quite understandable.

However, Gre understood: "Oh I see. You were asking to yourself... why you were born like that?"

"Yeah."

"What?" Gaby didn't understand at all.

"I was born at the top of the Giant snow peak. All alone." Lurio replied.

Gaby was astonished. He tried to look normal each time he was surprised but this time he simply could not. His widened eyes showed it.

"But how did you..."

"I don't know. Maybe luck?"

"No. That can't be luck. You climbed down, as a newborn, the fucking Giant snow Peak! If you were born at such a place, it means you were meant to do it! Your parents or whoever knew you could do it, it can't be something else."

Lurio never thought about that possibility. So the climbing was a sort of trial? But to prove what? His strength? His bravery? As a newborn? He could not tell why, but he felt that the Mega-Lucarios could answer his questions.

"You really are someone particular Lurio." Gaby added.

"Maybe."

"And you don't know who you truly are, right?"

"Well uhh... yes."

"I think you're getting closer of knowing your identity. I can't tell why."

Lurio remained silent, lost in his thoughts. But he was getting asleep. So he finished the banana and he laid himself down and put his head on his bag. His eyes closed and fell asleep.

He was imprisoned. He tried to break the walls with an ice punch but he was not able to do it oddly. And he noticed his arms. They were shorter and his spikes disappeared. He was a Riolu again. Then he noticed the round shape of his prison, it seemed to be an egg. Suddenly the egg shook itself. He was carried. But by what? In any case It was running. Then the shaking stopped and he heard voices, he could not know if they were male or female:

"...leave...here?" It was barely audible.

"... it...but...I'm sure..."

He heard the persons going away. These voices were strangely familiar to him. His eyelids became heavy. He wasn't able to resist. Darkness wrapped himself.

He woke up. Gaby and Gre were asleep. The Lucario didn't know how long he was sleeping. Nobody could be able know in these caves. He got up and walked silently towards the water and sat down. He thought about what he just dreamed. These voices... he did hear them. But when? And he cannot remember if they were female or male. He was a Riolu during the dream, so does it mean he did hear them when he didn't even hatched? That was possible. Was these from his parents? He was only able to suggest things. And it was just a dream. It was maybe his imagination. No, it cannot be. These voices were really familiar. He stared at his reflection. He whispered:

"Who am I?"

Then he heard Gre waking up. Gre noticed straightaway Lurio who also noticed him. The Greninja walked towards the Lucario.

"Already awake?" the water type asked.

"Yeah." The combat type answered simply.

"You really seem... to be lost in your thoughts. What's going on?"

"Thinking about my birth and everything just made me ask to myself: who am I?"

"What do you mean?" Gre seemed to already know the answer.

"I was grown up by Dad but... I don't know who are my real parents. My family. Where I come from. All I know is that I was left at the top of a mountain. And I had to climb it down. Where is the sense in that?"

Gre stayed silent, staring at the water, as Lurio did. He completely understood his brother. What he was feeling at this moment.

"You see, I arrived here because of apparently a sinking. But I'm sure it isn't." The Greninja said.

"Yeah you did tell me."

"But actually I have no idea how I got here. I almost remember nothing. All I know is that I was with my father during a training. Then nothing. I cannot know what happened, if my father is still alive, if my family does, if my village does. And I don't know at all where is my village. I'm saying this to tell you that... I have a new family now."

Lurio could not say something.

"Durry helped me when I was hopeless and almost dying. You both accepted me. You wanted to be friend with me. Thanks to you, I found a new family I can trust. You gave me a reason to live. So I do owe something, to you and Durry. Even if he's..."

He wasn't able to finish his sentence.

"So tell yourself that... you still have a family and an identity."

Lurio still stayed silent. Gre was right. Even if he doesn't know who he is really and his true parents, he did have an identity and a family who to count on. Durry gave him a name, a home, an education... everything. For now, he had to cope with what he has for now. He did not have to absolutely know who he was supposed to be. He already knew who he was. A Lucario named Lurio.

"Thanks Gre." The Lucario smiled.

"No problem brother." The Greninja tapped on the back friendly.

They both heard all of a sudden a loud yawn. It was Gaby who woke up. He noticed the two Pokémons sitting next to the water. He didn't seem surprised.

"Well, I don't have to wait you to wake up at least." the Garchomp said.

Both smirked. They ate a few berries and walked along the lake. It was bigger than expected. After a few hours, they didn't find the end of it. That was surely impressive. But the most interesting thing is that they didn't meet any wild Pokémons until now. Usually a place with water attracts Pokémons. Something might be scaring them again. Or maybe the nest blocked the way to all the Pokémons. They weren't sure. Even Gaby, who was the expert in underground exploration, did not understand. Then they saw some light far away from their position. Their goal was probably near. As they were approaching, several contours appeared. A Krookodile, a Gliscor, a Gabite, a Claydol, a Trapinch and a Sandslash. They were the miners. They seemed to investigate the place, the Krookodile was holding a map and observed it closely. They were searching something. The Sandslash noticed the three who were approaching. He seemed annoyed and reassured at the same time. He told his mates about the arrival of the visitors, they had the same reaction than him. When they were joined, the Krookodile talked first:

"Hi, you're the rescue team? You took much times to come. We thought you forgot us."

"Actually we aren't." Gaby answered abruptly.

"What?" The dark type was surprised as the others.

"The original rescue team was killed. By the nest back there."

"Oh..."

"So I have a question: Why the hell did you continue to dig deeper despite the several lethal dangers that I and my teammates saw?!"

"Uhh... it's a bit complicated..."

"What? Greediness? That isn't enough to prove your stupid move."

"No. Actually we aren't really minors."

"What?"

"We're here to find the Ancient Dead city."

The Sandslash decided to talk: "A friend of ours tried to investigate that place before but the access to the mines was denied to him. So he asked us to try to find it for him. So we made the Metagross believe we were volonteers to work here."

"You know you caused the death of five people just to find a place that could not even exist? I hope you're proud of yourselves."

The "minors" stayed silent. They didn't have any excuses for this. They felt guilty for the lost lives. Gaby sighed:

"...idiots..."

And he turned to Lurio and Gre who were watching:

"Let's go back up."

"But are we going to do the same strategy to get through the nest?" Gre asked.

"We'll see."

Suddenly they heard a loud roar. Everyone was stunned upon hearing this. The Sandslash screamed:

"Aaah! What the heck was that?!"

"Do you really think we know?!" The Gabite replied, sacred too.

"It looks like an aerodactyl's scream but... it's different." The Krookodile said.

"You're right. I never heard this scream before." Gaby added.

More sounds were heard. This time it sounded like a collapse. And it came from... behind them. Everyone turned around and saw a flying creature charging right into them. Some "minors" screamed of fear upon seeing the possible lethal attack. Gaby immediately stomped his foot on the floor, creating stone blades right in front of the unknown creature. It stopped his charge and the creature shouted, angry. Gaby didn't wait to tell orders:

"Gre! Take those guys with you! I and Lurio will take care of this guy!"

"But you're injured we should..." Gre contested.

"I'll be fine, go!"

And the Greninja went out, still unsure if it was the good thing to do. All of a sudden the rocks broke and let appear the creature, now more visible. It really looked like an Aerodactyle, but it seemed bigger. The skin was a bit darker but especially many black rocks were spotted on his body, some served as dangerous horns on the head and others on the wings looked like sharp claws. Without waiting it swung his powerful tail towards the Garchomp really fast. Gaby wasn't able to react in time because of his injuries and he got projected right in the wall. Gaby seemed really weak, he didn't recover from his injuries.

"Gaby!" Lurio yelled.

He turned against the Aerodactyle . It charged into the Lucario, the mouth in fire. It was incredibly fast. He immediately, without thinking too long, jumped over it. The teeth almost reached his leg. Lurio grabbed one of the black rocks on the back. The creature aware of this, tried to get rid of the combat type by doing a looping above the water. Lurio almost released the rock but he resisted. The flying type continued his acrobatics, trying to make the Lucario fall. But the aura Pokémon approached the head and he grabbed with one hand a horn and another one with his other hand. The Aerodactyle screamed, annoyed by the Lucario's resistance. Lurio tried to control the beast by moving the head. It didn't want to get controlled against his will. It was uncontrollable. The Aerodactyle's will was strong enough to fight the Lucario's one. Without noticing it, they flought towards a wall. When Lurio noticed, it was too late. They crashed into it but they got through it, accessing to a new hall, it was circular and rather big. Like an arena. Both fighters landed violently on the ground, each one was at the opposite side of the other. But they got up immediately, ready to face each other. The flying type seemed more dizzy, but he quickly focused again. It roared loudly, meaning it was ready. Lurio grasped his fists and prepared himself to dodge. An ice punch would really hurt the beast, even knock it out with a bit of luck. The Aerodactyle leaped on Lurio with ferocity, attempting to deal a fire fang. It wasn't as fast as before so Lurio jumped high enough to dodge the attack and his fist wrapped itself witch ice. He was now about to smash the beast's back. All of a sudden he received a knock of its tail. He was projected not too strongly but bumped into the wall. The damages weren't too important but the knock took him by surprise. The Aerodactyle took off. The Lucario prepared an aura sphere, ready to throw it if the rock type charged. But the Aerodactyle immediately landed really violently on the ground and planted his claws into it. The ground trembled... it trembled too much. Lurio understood it was an earthquake attack. So he immediately threw the aura sphere and climbed the wall the quickest he could to avoid the earthquake right before the ground was destroyed. The rock type took off to dodge the sphere and then did an aerial ace, flying right into the combat type. Lurio released his grips to dodge the charge. But the Aerodactyle expected this and attacked with his tail instead upon stopping his aerial ace. Lurio got knocked again against the wall at the mercy of the beast who had his jaws in fire. Lurio immediately rolled aside to dodge the bite. The flying type went on with another bite. The steel type got almost taken by surprise and leaped backwards, his foot almost got caught by the burning jaws. The Aerodactyle grunted, surprised by the reactivity of the Lucario. Lurio was impressed too by the beast skills. Its speed, its reactivity, its ferocity and its intelligence made the Aerodactyle a very dangerous adversary. But how a wild Pokémon could unify all these qualities? Lurio didn't have time to think about it. The ground was now messed up. It was now harder to keep his balance. The flying type charged faster than before into the combat type for another aerial ace. Lurio jumped but it wasn't enough. The horns hit the Lucario's legs. He yelled at the impact and rolled on the ground while the aerodactyle landed. The aura Pokémon got up painfully because of the injured legs with one bleeding. The beast, seeing the injury, leaped on the Lucario ready to deal a fire fang. But Lurio, upon seeing this, sprinted and slid right below the surprised Aerodactyle. Upon seeing the combat type's move, it stopped and turned around to face his prey, but Lurio, despite the injured legs, leaped on the Aerodactyle's back and grabbed a black rock once again. The flying type straightaway took flight and attempted to crush the Lucario against a wall. The aura Pokémon understood the beast's intentions and grabbed its shoulder to pass to the other side. The Aerodactyle bumped against the wall and was about to bite the metal type with a fire fang, angry. But Lurio wrapped his fist the quickest he could and smashed the rock type's chest with all his strength. The Aerodactyle yelled very loudly in pain due to the super effective hit. It fell on the ground heavily and Lurio landed. He wasn't moving anymore.
The Aerodactyle was fainted.
He was a really strong adversary. Lurio grunted and kneeled because of the pain caused by the injured legs. Then he thought about something. That Aerodactyle was not exactly one. What if he was actually... a Mega Aerodactyle? That possible fact made his heart beat faster. He might have a link with the Mega Lucarios! He decided to join his teammates. Suddenly he heard something moving really fast. His eyes widened and he turned around really fast. The Aerodactyle slashed the Lucario's chest with his claws. He yelled and fell backwards. The hit left deep wounds on the chest. The Aerodactyle put a leg on the lucario, looking rather satisfied to see his prey finally at his mercy.

"Admirable. But you're weaker than me..."

The Aerodactyle just talked. Lurio was astonished. He wasn't wild at all. But the Aerodactyle was now about to bite his head with a fire fang. All of a sudden the rock type glanced at the exit and leapt backwards, dodging a water shuriken. Lurio got up with difficulty and saw Gre arriving.

"Lurio! Are you okay?!" He shouted upon seeing the injuries.

"I can still help." The Lucario said with a hand on his bleeding chest.

"Back up. I'll handle this guy."

The Aerodactyle roared, angry that someone interrupted him. He planted his claws into the ground. Several stone blades appeared on the field. Gre sprinted towards the rock type, a water shuriken in his hand, dodging all the stone blades. The Aerodactyle took off and charged the greninja for an aerial ace. The water type immediately climbed the stone blades to dodge the aerial ace and threw his shuriken at the Aerodactyle. The rock type dodged it by doing a barrel roll and he swooped towards Gre. Lurio threw an aura sphere into the rock type and hit the wing, making the Aerodactyle scream. The water type straightaway jumped to dodge the swoop and landed on the floor. The Aerodactyle crashed on the ground and the floor trembled. Lurio who was watching, knew what it was and Gre seemed to know too.

"Come! Quick!" He yelled.

The Greninja sprinted towards Lurio and wrapped him and did a waterfall attack, projecting themselves thanks to the created water. But the exit was too high. Gre threw Lurio with all his strength. Lurio reached the exit but he noticed Gre falling in the darkness. He was shocked by what Gre just did.

"Gre!" He yelled.

The Greninja was trying to reach the wall but something knocked him. It was the Aerodactyle, still alive, but he was unable to fly because his wings were injured. So he wanted to finish this battle by bringing Gre to death with him. In the infinite darkness.

End of chapter 6


I hope you liked it.

I'll try to be faster next time but the next chapter is more exciting for me to write.

See you next time.