Stlix mover onwards into the hive accompanied by a massive steelix and a quietly floating metagross. Light tugs at his mind pulled the 9-year-old to the correct tunnel where he could feel the battle echo through the stone surrounding him. He started moving faster with his steps sure and confident even on uneven earth. As the tunnel came to an end Floaty pushed past Stlix to fast forward quickly, energy surrounding his fore facing limbs as they rose sharply above his head, Buddy moved forward too blocking Stlix's sight of Floaty as the metagross gave a mighty roar. Once he pushed into the room, he saw four of the hives metagross defending the beldum and metang, a fifth metagross lay prone as one of the multitude of people within threw a blue and red ball at it. The ball hit the bulk of the unconscious metagrosses body making it dissolve into red energy that was sucked into the ball. A few of the other people turned and shouted-out commands at the other Pokémon seeing Floaty and Buddy attacking them.

Stlix pushed past his two friends and ran at the falling ball holding the metagross, he pumped his legs quickly the stone beneath seeming to propel him forward as he leapt and caught the falling ball. Upon seeing the assistance, the four metagross also started pushing back at the tide of Pokémon. The people started running then as the tide of battle went against them. Stlix tried to trip as many as he could by swinging his legs and the back of their knees as they fled.

However, before the first thug reached the doorway to the tunnel beyond another Pokémon walked out. With a slim body atop sturdy legs, its chest was a light orange near its legs that changed to a dark red towards its throat. Two arms pushed outwards revealing voluminous wings tipped with large sharp claws. Atop all of that was a massive pair of jaws opened widely with a load roar. Just above the massive maw was a pair of small black eyes set by a pointed yellow nose that spread out to two growths that resembled two sharpened stakes.

When the thug at the front took in the enormity of the Pokémon he fell backwards and tried to scramble backwards with a scream. However, with a dismissive snort the dragon swung out a single arm and knocked out the gibbering thug.

When the Pokémon had come into full view a man who wore a different uniform pulled another pokeball from his belt. In his other hand he held a big that bulged with other pokeballs. He wore a similar black uniform the large 'R' was dark red instead of orange. As he clicked the button on the pokeball in his hand. Stlix ran at him arms grasping forward for the bag. The pokeball in the mans hand opened releasing a floating yellow creature holding two spoons and sporting a large whiskery moustache.

The alakazam started glowing with a dark purple energy Stlix slammed into the arm holding the bag of pokeballs. The man however shook him off with a snarl holding tight to the bag. Other people flooded into the room surrounded by Pokémon of all types, rounding up the bulk of the grunts and trying to keep the metagrosses calm. The dragon leapt towards the alakazam as Stlix hit the floor after being thrown. His hand caught a large, jagged rock that he gripped and then launched at the man. The serrated edge sliced the deeply into the mans wrist forcing him to let go of the bag as his muscles weakened. Before his other hand could grab it he and the alakazam disappeared with a pop. At that Stlix sighed in relief and clutched the bag to him as Buddy and Floaty pushed up beside him supportively.

The new people did not seem aggressive though the massive dragon had a large amount of potential to be so. A lady with long blonde and dressed in a large, heavy black coat walked up beside the dragon and patted its side.

A burst of psychic energy coiled around in the middle od the cave and before Stlix tensed anticipating the man to return, the energy dispersed revealing a massive metagross with another person seated upon its head. The man had a steel-coloured hair very similar to the metal titan he was sat upon. He hopped down and walked over to the woman whilst eyeing Stlix curiously. The metagross floated over to its brethren and started conversing psychically.

After the metagross had done it floated towards Floaty causing Buddy to rumble protectively. It paused at that and its eyes shone purple for a moment as Floaty talked to him and Buddy.

"They are here to help Stlix." Floaty said to him after a moment. "My own Elders called to the stewards as soon as they could for help repelling the threat."

"He wasn't here fast enough." Stlix replied to Floaty and both metagross bobbed at that.

"No, we were not Earthen one." The new metagross said. "But me and my partner came as quickly as we could despite the distance we had to travel. And we have offered shelter for this hive to rebuild by my own hive and my partners lands." The steel type paused for a moment before continuing. "The league also wishes to check over the captured beldum and metang before releasing them again." Stlix shook his head at that.

"I will only hand over these capture things to the metagross here and I want to see them come out unharmed." The metagross nodded at that before turning towards the steel haired man. At the silent signal he and the blonde-haired woman walked over.

"So how has a human child living with a steelix gone unknown so long. Especially one so close to a known hive of metagross." He said to the woman.

"I do not know Steven." She said to the man. "But you can be sure I will be questioning the Ranger Union about this." Steven nodded at that before turning to Stlix. Steven's metagross interrupted then.

"The child is of the Earth. Of Steel and Stone and Ground. His very being radiates it. Nothing could find him if he hid with it."

"No need to question the Union the Cynthia." The man said. "That there is your answer. Whatever that actually means."

"And what does it mean. Steven. Is the boy like psychics?"

"The boy is right here." Interjected Stlix with a frown. "And you can take these intruders and leave."

"I am afraid I can't do that, now the metagross hive has been found by Team Rocket my family are going to relocate them to our own home for safety. And the admin that has escaped has seen the massive steelix that lives in this place. They would return to take him as well." The man looked at Buddy's bulk appreciatively.

"No one is taking Buddy." Stlix let out with a snarl. As his anger manifested the cavern rumbled slightly and dust fell from the ceiling.

"I think I know what metagross meant." Steven said looked at the ceiling in wonderment. "They will simply come overwhelmingly and take him. So, the question remains what to do with you and I think I can other you better clothes than a raticate skin." He finished softly.

"You can trust the steward's family." Floaty said to Stlix's mind. "His family have been friend to all that is metagross for thousands of years." Stlix calmed at that and looked Steven with a new light.

"Floaty trusts you. So, me and Buddy will stay with you for now, but I will have to get my stuff to go anywhere and if anything goes wrong, we will leave." He looked up at the metal who serpent but the steelix was not looking at him. Buddy was staring at Steven with one massive eye and then snorted at Floaty.

"He says you look like the small one's own parents." The metagross said to the three people. "You resemble Stlix's father closely." Steven's own eyes widened at that as he looked at the steelix.

"You knew Uncle Brode. Where is he? What happened to him?" He questioned rapidly.

"Calm down Steven. I'm sure all will be revealed." Cynthia said. "Though I am also curious how a steelix would get to know part of the Stone family."

"He and Auntie where around this mountain 8 years ago. They were hiking and curious about a claim of massive precious stones being found. They had my cousin with them who was a year old at the time." He turned to the steelix expectantly. Buddy snorted a few times and Floaty who turned to relay what was said.

"When he was younger a massive fight took place on the mountain above." The floating behemoth relayed. "A tyranitar and a ursaring fought over the death of a teddiursa. He saw the couple as the fight caused rocks to rain upon the woman and squashed the lower body of the man. The man saw him and asked him to take his child. He offered a powered object that turned the rock to metal."

Steven listened with tears in his eyes as the end of his family members was spoke about.

"Never did I think I would hear about Uncle and Auntie today." He shook his head and thanked the steelix who nodded back. "And that means you are a Stone and family of mine. Well then cousin I guess its time to take you home with this hive. Where do you live?"

Once the older male and the small child left the hive, they moved walk down the mountain to Stlix's home, accompanied by a slithering giant and two floating titans. Walking into the massive cavern Steven whistled.

"Carved this out yourself?" He questioned Buddy who nodded back. Steven quickly saw the room quartered off from the rest and strode towards the doorway before stopping dead. "Where on earth did you find a complete tyrunt fossil, that ruby is massive and is that a moon stone?" The questions came quickly.

"Stlix has a knack for finding the strange and rare." Floaty said. "Even if they have no business being found so close to the surface." Steven seemed struck dumb with shock before he walked over and traced the skull lightly.

"Father will love to see this." He spoke. "Well then, lets pack up and move out." And with that he called for his metagross to lift the items with psychic before floating the gently out the cave. Stlix stared around before he left. Who knew what the future would hold now.