I just noticed that there are two Pokémon named 'Shadow.' I am renaming the Misdreavous from Team Demolition Mystery and I will correct the error that occurred in previous chapters.

Ch. 14: Showdown at Mt. Mineral!

"What?" –Bolt.

"Mystery can use Hypnosis; I am basically a puppet she can use." –Wool. Her voice was filled with admitted defeat, like she resented the fact of being controlled. Then again, who would?

"That isn't fair?" It really wasn't. She must have tried to convince herself that the situation was all just a miss understanding and everything would be like back to normal in no time. She then realized that nothing would ever be the same.

"Life isn't fair, that's a lesson I learned a long time ago."

"What are we going to do?" –Razor. She put a good point, what could we do? Wool seemed to know.

"I have a plan. First, you three will gather as much help as you can get. The attack will happen in a four weeks so you will have time. If anyone asks any questions, just say you overheard me talk about it. I'll let you guys know the exact day…"

-NNN-

One month had passed since Wool told us about the attack which was scheduled to happen tomorrow morning. We spread the word far and wide, many exploration teams answered. We were currently having a meeting discussing the final plans.

"Teams Legend, Element, Shuryo, Opredelenie, Iridescence, and Agent S will confront the outlaws. Teams Invincible, Flipswitch, Headwind, Ishamu, Forest, and Flash will serve as backup; don't hesitate to fight when the others might be losing." –Deputy Arcanine. The Pokémon around us simply nodded, no words needed to be spoken. "Alright, let's hit the hay, we need to be at our strongest." With that, the meeting ended.

Our little team of three went to our base. I ate an Apple, Bolt drank some water, and Razor, she just curled up in a corner. Bolt and I retired to bed after a while.

It was hard falling asleep, I was so nervous. Bolt and Razor must've had the same problem since I kept hearing them stir and shift, trying to find a comfortable position. It was hard to imagine what would happen in the morning. I slowly drifted into an uneasy sleep, thinking the about worse possible situations

.-/\-o-/\-

We met up with our group and set off after everyone had eaten. Mt. Mineral was near Thunder Pass but we didn't need to cross it. We did need to go through the dungeon leading to the top.

Mt. Mineral 1F

The air was hot and stuffy, smelling of ash. Most Pokémon were fire types but we did run into a few rock and ground elements. It was always easiest to find the stairs on the first floor, taking no less than fifteen minutes.

Mt. Mineral 5F

Pools of lava started to form, increasing the heat of the dungeon. I was glad Kay was there, she kept us all cool in more ways than one. I would have gone crazy without a nice powdered snow hitting me.

"I never thought I'd ever like snow." This came from Agent S. There are reasons why you can't find many grass types in blizzards. I kept on walking, a hot shiver running down my spine.

Mt. Mineral 10F

There happened to be a shop on this floor. We stopped to take a break and eat. I slept a good five minutes waiting for the others. I had gulped down my meal in a few bites. I had this weird dream about being in a game doing the exact same thing.

Mt. Mineral 15F

The wild Pokémon grew stronger and stronger as we carried on. Our group seemed to go slower as we kept on moving. I was certain I had a cut behind one of my ears but I ignored the pain.

Mt. Mineral 20F

Everyone had scratches and bruises by now. I was now limping on my right leg, I was covered in dirt, and my head throbbed due to Rock Throw. Bolt had a cut on his forehead, one of his ears was limp, and he had a black eye. Razor… Uuuh, I lost sight of her when she moved to the back of the group but a painful 'ooow' replied whenever I called her name.

Mt. Mineral 25F

All of us collapsed on the ground at this point, thank Arceus that no one was fainted. Herupa tended to all, she had no obvious injuries since she rarely fought. I began to feel better when my wounds were treated.

Mt. Mineral 30F

Razor reappeared next to me as I fought off a Magmar. One Shadow Ball from her was enough to make it run for the hills. I kinda felt bad for it though, that was one nasty fall it had before fleeing. The battle took place atop an incline rocks happened to jut out like teeth. I wouldn't have liked to be the Magmar, tumbling down in a messed up game of Ping Pong Ball.

Mt. Mineral Peak 3F

"When is this dungeon going to end?" –Bolt. I was just about to ask the very same thing. After thirty floors we managed to reach the peak but we still had to finish the dungeon. As if in answer, a white light emerged at the end of the passageway. We could hear voices coming from the outside but me a moment to recognize some of them.

"We are almost finished, the volcano is bound to erupt any second now" –Wool.

"Our plan is about to succeed!" The voice sound familiar but I couldn't put my paw on it.

"Hideki is about to be destroyed." I couldn't recognize this or the others who sounded their agreement. When we exited the cave we saw not only Team Demolition but other outlaws with them.

All of us hid behind boulders while the outlaws stood beside a large pit of lava. They were pushing rocks into the red-hot liquid; it bubbled and rose in response. Before the hurdled a huge stone, Kagoni destroyed it with a Flamethrower.

"Who's there?" The question looked like it came from a Poliwrath. It could intimidate Yukio because I know saw him tremble. Just when he was just about to find my hiding space, Bolt jumped on him and used a powerful Thunderbolt. At least it took him by surprise.

"Why you little-" I cut him off by using Wake-up Slap and got away so he couldn't grab me. I did hardly anything except making him angry. The other teams, plus Razor and Agent S, charged into battle.

"Come back here you little wimps!" Bolt, Razor, and I attacked but got away before he could hit us. I think our luck was running out as he got madder. His face was bitter as he let out a Hydropump, I think I almost drowned.

I thought we were done for but Kagoni came in with Night Slash. After a few moments, we realized the Illusion Fox could handle the bad-tempered outlaw. I had to find Wool fast so her plan would work. I was hit by a String Shot courteous of an Ariados when I was sure I saw her.

I bit my way out of the silk as Bolt and Razor occupied the spider-like Pokémon. If this isn't going to work, who knows what will happen. I threw myself at the Ariados out of anger; I was sick and tired of all this fighting.

We tossed and turned in flashes of white, yellow, black, and purple. The Ariados soon fainted, leaving us with reopened wounds and a few new ones. Bolt spotted Kay and Blaze fighting a huge Dragonite, the three of us decided to help them out since Blaze was struggling under the dragon's weight.

"Thanks guys." Somehow, Bolt and I was able to pry Blaze out while Razor distracted our attacker. Both her and Blaze sent out a Shadow Ball, sending the Dragonite flying.

We were going to move on albeit if we hadn't stopped dead in our tracks, quite literally. A Lunatone had used psychic on us. Exactly how, I don't know but it must've been strong. Out of nowhere, a Machop was thrown at the Lunatone, losing its control over us.

Of course the moon-shaped Pokémon wasn't done just yet. It sent some particularly strong rocks at us, crushing and trapping us. It then proceeded to gloat about its victory before finishing us off. I think it shouldn't have counted its Pidgeys before they hatched.

"Hahahahahahaha, you weaklings couldn't even battle a blind Eevee kit in its sleep, let alone me." I couldn't stand the thing a minute longer but I couldn't do anything. I doubted anyone of us could either.

In a streak of yellow, the arrogant Pokémon was knocked unconscious. Flash shook of the electricity around him; the back-up had arrived! He helped us move the rocks off ourselves.

"Thanks." –Kay.

"No problem."

Afterwards, I scanned the battle once more. Yukio was fighting a trio of Porygons with the help of the Spearow brothers. Bolts of electricity were sent everywhere, some striking the birds.

I could see a Roserade and Electrica wrestling a Nidoking and a group of Rattata. Next to them, Caliente was defeating a Tangula. Near her, Jolt was biting a mean-looking Jigglypuff. Is it me or are most of the outlaws rather… small?

I finally found Wool in the crowd of fur, scales, skin, and plants. She was battling a Grovyle-not Blade-and she was nearing the edge of the cliff. The memory of the plan flooded in my head.

Flashback

"How are you not going to be captured?" –Bolt.

"I am afraid of heights." –Wool.

"What has a fear got to do with it?"

"Well, it should be enough to snap me back to my senses. One of you could knock me over the edge when I get close enough."

"But you may not survive." –Razor.

"It doesn't matter; if I live I can escape over the other side of the Stone Mountains. I can turn over a new leaf and start over."

"I guess it could work." –Bolt.

"Well, if you say so." –Razor.

"It couldn't hurt that bad right?"

"Great, now be careful. I won't be able to do it without you."

"It's a deal."

End Flashback

I raced towards her using Quick Attack. I didn't have much time before the fear kicked in. I wasn't going to fail this mission, however cheesy it sounded.

Meanwhile, the Grovyle pushed Wool back using Razor Leaf. This made her look at how high up we were. Her eyes, which were dull, became glazed with distress. It was now or never; yes, I know it's cliché.

"Kid wait!" The Grovyle saw me shoot pass but I didn't listen. Wool mouthed 'now' as I reached her. Within seconds, she plummeted to the ground below.

"Ki-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-id!" A Shadow Ball hit the ground at my feet and the cliff gave way. I guess if Wool was going down, I was going down with her, pardon the pun.

"Aaaaaaaaaah!"

-/\-o-/\-

-3rd POV-

"We ha-have to go find her," Bolt cried out miserably. The battle had been won but Kate didn't return with them. The group returned back to Hideki with troubling news.

"She's gone Bolt." –Blaze. A pall of misery surrounded every Pokémon there. Everyone was upset when they learned what happened to the little Minccino.

"I still say that we should look for her!" Bolt was not about to give up.

"No need, she's right here."

-/\-o-/\-

Yeah, I ended with a cliffhanger. I couldn't resist! The main storyline is almost over. Most of next chapter is mainly Wool's point of view. Anything else? Oh yeah, I going to attempt finishing this before Christmas Break! That means I want to try updating one more time next week at least. Thanks to all my reviewers!

Disclaimer: When will you peoplez realize I own NOTHING!

R&R!