Okay then. That wasn't long was it? Okay I would like to say thank you for all the kind words I've gotten for this story, the tips I have received, and people just reading this! One question I was asked was "Was this really written in 1997?" Well to answer that question, no it was not. It was started sometime in September 2009. Now if the story is a bit odd, sorry in advance. I was listening to Three Days Grace and Owl City when I wrote this... Enjoy!

Chapter 7: Aurora

For about a year Aurora has been watching as Prof. Rowan conducted his research. She noticed how he was more willing to go out and meet the Pokémon that he was studying. Something Tony would've never done. She often went on adventures when Rowan's back was turned. He himself had to keep a sharp eye out for her, but Aurora still kept a sharper eye on him. Once he had stumbled upon a Beedrill nest, she had to keep them at bay while Prof. Rowan and his intern hid for cover. She reminds him of that every time he goes out.

Aurora sat on a rock and watched the hues and sways of green dance all around her. She spotted a Dustox fluttering, and stared as the golden pollen covered the ferns below and how they shivered in the gentle breeze. Aurora could have sworn that the day was perfect, but there was something missing from it. It was almost like there was a hole somewhere and she couldn't fill it. Gardevoir interrupted her thoughts. Aurora remembered when she was just a small Ralts, but now she stands upon her a wondrous Gardevoir.

"What is it Gardevoir? Has Professor Rowan come back from the cave?" Aurora listened for her companions reply.

I sense that they may have come across something, and require our urgent assistance.

"Oh is that all? Then I guess we should get over there and see what can be done." Aurora stood up and jumped off the rock a skipped over to the mouth of the cave. Without hesitating she bounded into the murky darkness.

Aurora? Perhaps they've ran into some trouble again, and this time we cannot help them?

"Oh c'mon you mustn't think that way. It'll eat away at your soul and drive you down. Then we won't be able to save them. So just relax until we get there, okay?"

Yes Aurora. I can understand your logic of things. Think positively and you will have a greater chance of success! …Correct?

"Umm, yeah, that's basically it. You've got it,"

They ran until they came across a four way fork in the tunnel. Aurora thought hard on this one. They want to press forward to find someone, not to explore. She took out three Pokéballs from her belt. From them a Donphan, Steelix, and her resurrected Armaldo took form and awaited Aurora's command.

"Okay everybody, we're pressed for time and looking for Professor Rowan. He and his friend should be somewhere in this tunnel. Gardevoir shall stay here if they should return and will then alert us. The rest of us need to split up and search the tunnels ourselves. Meet back here in 15 minutes, no more. Let's go!"

They each buzzed to their designated tunnels while Gardevoir stayed where she was. Donphan rolled through many openings that he thought that they could've gone through. Steelix slithered up many tunnels that the human could go and even looked under the lake that it found. Armaldo broke through walls that freshly collapsed and wondered around hoping to find someone. Aurora ran through the many twists and turns, jumped off ledges into new areas, and even found seven different ways outof the cave.

Ten minutes later Gardevoir was sitting on a rock, head in her hands watching a family of Diglett and Dugtrio bobbing along. Steelix decided to head back in defeat. Armaldo, feeling tired also headed back. Aurora took a wrong turn and ended up right where they split up. The only one missing was Donphan.

"Has anyone seen Donphan? I know that I said meet back here in 15 minutes and every one came early, but… It's been 20 minutes since I said that." They all shook their heads. So Aurora withdrew her other Pokémon. "Gardevoir, I'll need you to wait here again. I'm sorry; I know how bored you must be."

It's all fine. You have your duty and I have mine.

"Thank you Gardevoir. I'll make it up to you I promise!" Then with that she was off again, down the tunnel that Donphan took.

Aurora had her flash light out this time. It had gotten darker down this way than it had the other ways she had taken. She then thought back to what Prof. Rowan was doing in the cave that wasn't going to take long. "Aurora, I'm going into this cave to see if I can discover any dark habitat dwelling Pokémon. It shouldn't take long at all, as my intern brought some bait with him." She remembered the intern. A scrawny little nerd, but smart, and he had a habit of running his hand through his Russet hair. Aurora adjusted the shoulder bag with the first aid kit so it sat more comfortably.

She saw a shadow run in front of her, and then heard small feet scamper behind her. She snapped around to see if she could see it, but she was too slow. She pressed forward. It was getting increasingly darker every step she took, and noticed that she was on a decline. The air around her grew more frigid, and her ears wanted desperately to pop. It was possible that she was now under sea level. She once again heard the scampering behind her, and she turned to look again. This time she saw it, it was none other than a giant Ariados.

"How, in, the, world?" Aurora managed to whisper before the Ariados pushed her off to the side with his stick like leg.

She crashed into a wall dropping her flashlight and fell face first in to dirt, and everything went black.

Aurora woke up to the call of her name. It was the intern. She, Prof. Rowan, and the intern were tied up in the Ariados' silk in its den like structure. It felt like clingy cotton against her bare arms. Aurora started to squirm, not enjoying the fact that she and her friends might become spider food.

"Aurora! It's no use to struggle. I've tried already,"

"…Jeffrey, was it? Why isn't the Professor awake?"

"Ha! Here I thought you didn't remember my name. The Professor hit his head, something awful when we were ambushed by that Ariados. He might have a concussion, or hopefully is just clean out. How are you?"

Aurora stared at him for a moment. For once he looked 18, like he is. Not like the child he acted. "I'm fine. I got knocked against a wall and probably hit the back of my head in the process. Other than that I should be great until that Ariados gets hungry. You look like you were forcefully dragged here though."

"Ha! You're very observant aren't you? I was dragged here in my attempt to help the Professor. But it was when I went back to get you for help is when it got me."

"So you're brave now? That's quite impressive. Well I can tell you I've been in tighter jams than this, however never in a cave quite like this." She looked up to the ceiling and saw the glowing crystals that she was referring to. "It reminds me of the Kanto region's Cameron Palace. Everywhere you turn you find a crystal, and at night they shimmer in this sort of sea foam green color. It's very beautiful."

"It sounds very beautiful."

They were stuck in the silence, watching as the Ariados slept and awaiting for it to wake from its slumber, hungry for a taste of its fresh catches. When it finally did wake, it paced and paced having a staring contest with its meal. Then it lunged at Aurora. It was two feet away from impact when there was a flash of grey and it was on its side bellowing in pain. Aurora saw that it was in fact her missing Donphan! It had found them and was waiting for her!

"AH! Donphan! Be ready Donphan, it will not give up easily!" It nodded acknowledging his masters wisdom. "Okay Donphan, ready? Rollout now in its side!"

Donphan used Rollout into the Ariados' side until it decided it should surrender. It ran the moment it had the chance. Donphan cheered triumphantly and gave bellows to tell any nearby Pokémon that he won and they should stay away.

"Great job Donphan! Can you untie us now?" Aurora pleaded

Once they were untied Jeffrey couldn't seem to thank Aurora or Donphan enough. Aurora just blocked him out after a while and gave her friend a sitrus berry and withdrew him. She called out her Armaldo to carry the Professor. They met up with Gardevoir and headed for the Floaroma town Pokémon Center. The next day Prof. Rowan had a task for her to do for him.

"What did you say!? Why me Professor? Why can't Jeffrey go?"

"I need you to go to Iron Island because you're very able bodied and you know what to do in unfamiliar terrain. You are the best choice, I'm doing some lab work for awhile and you should take this as an honor!"

"Iron Island isn't exactly my first choice to consider an honor to be assigned to. Why can't it be Snowpoint City for example?"

"Because we know Snowpoint City, what we need to learn is on Iron Island, so please."

"Okay, fine I'll go, but I won't like it!"

"Thank you. Jeffrey if you could?"

"Sure thing Professor. One pass to Iron Island coming up, here you go ma'am."

"Ha, ha, ha Jeffrey."

"What? I thought it was pretty funny! The ferry leaves tomorrow at noon, so you should hit the road huh?"

"Yeah, I guess I should, shouldn't I. See you guys then."

With that, she and her Gardevoir were out the door into another hectic journey that just might be exciting.