Hehe... Hi? Sorry it's been this long since a update, I really don't have any excuses. I just sort of ignored this account for the last few months...

But we have over 100 followers! Wow, thank you guys! That's awesome! :D I'll try to be more constant with updates.

Also, I made a slight mistake last chapter. I said that Ash was going to reflection cave, but I meant he was going to glittering cave! Reflection cave isn't until later, my bad!

Since it's been so long, here's a quick summery of what happened last chapter: Ash found Chester's dead body, Kindle found and adopted a baby Axew, Ash believes that Kindle's trust was just another trick of Yveltal's and then left her in the connecting cave, Lysandre has been watching Ash through his holo caster and wants to learn more about him, and Hoopa broke the fourth wall.

Enjoy chapter fourteen!

Day Eight

"Rhy!" The Rhyhorn snorted as Ash dismounted it, stamping its feet. Ash couldn't help but notice how worn down his rocky skin was, who knew how long this Pokemon had been ferrying people across the rough path. Sharp and jagged rocks prevented from people walking across it themself, so riding on a Rhyhorn was required to get to glittering cave. The Rhyhorn happily rubbed it's feet against the sandy ground, obviously knowing it wouldn't be long until it would have to carry someone back across the jagged terrain.

He's saying that he's tired, Mulan translated as she noticed Ash watching the Rhyhorn, And that his feet hurt. And that there's a rock digging into his foot that he can't get out.

Ash frowned at the Rhyhorn that had carried him across, and he knelt down in front of it. The rock type watched him with wide eyes, as if not sure of what to expect from the human.

Ash held out his hand, "Show me your foot," Ash muttered gently. The Rhyhorn hesitated, then raised his front leg up, showing Ash the underside of his foot. Ash's heart skipped a beat as he saw the dried blood lining the creature's foot, his rocky armor worn down to a tender pink skin. A sharp rock had been wedged up into his raw skin, and by the way the blood was dried around it, Ash had to guess that it had been there for at least a day, "You poor thing..." Ash whispered to the creature, wrapping his hand around the stone, "This might hurt, so please don't attack me or anything when I take it out..."

The Rhyhorn closed it's eyes, bracing himself. Ash dug his nails into the stone and yanked, and the Rhyhorn let out a long cry, wincing, but managed to keep himself from lashing out. Ash let the rock clatter to the ground, and blood was now freely flowing from the wound. Despite this, the Rhyhorn let out a happy cry, now free from his pain. Ash searched his bag for a potion, and sprayed it on the wound. From what Ash understood, the potions here weren't meant to be a permanent medicine, just a way to numb a Pokemon's pain and seal the wound enough to keep them going in a battle. Hopefully it would be enough to hold the poor Rhyhorn over until a nurse could check up on it.

Assuming that the Rhyhorn were checked on.

Ash shivered at this thought, but forced himself to his feet. He stroked the Rhyhorn's head, "Thank you for bringing me over here, and I'm sorry that you were hurt while doing it... I'll see what I can do for you later, but I have something I need to get done."

The Rhyhorn tossed his head, them stumbled over to the little amount of shade that was available, laying down. Ash looked at the creature in pity, then turned to find the entrance to cave Professor Sycamore had told him about.

So according to that elder, there's a chance that there might be another Pariah in this place? Mulan asked as Ash spotted the cave entrance and stumbled towards it. Ash had discovered that Mulan was quite chatty, apparently several centuries of not being able to communicate with anyone now had her speaking to Ash every moment she could. Whether it was a translation of what Pokemon were saying, or her opinions on how uncivilized civilization had become, she rarely stopped communing with Ash.

"Yes..." Ash muttered as they entered the cave, which was lit up with bright lights on the wall. He thought back on the information Professor Sycamore had given him. The professor had found him outside of Ambrette Town, burying Chester. Though the Kalos professor had seen his distress, he didn't know the fraction of what was going on in Ash's mind. The sorrow of losing another Pokemon, and the bitterness of falling for yet another one of Yveltal's tricks.

Ash gritted his teeth as his thoughts turned towards Kindle, and he quickly tried to get the fire type out of his mind. But he could only see the sweet little Fennekin looking up at him, and the Braixen engulfed in the bright light of evolution as she defended Midnight...

Ash?

Ash shook himself out of his thoughts, "...Yes, Professor Sycamore was doing some reasearch, and he discovered a scientist that works in this cave that he believes might be another P-pariah... Apparently he appears to be wearing an amulet, and he keeps his distance from the other scientist, staying in the caves more often than he does the lab..."

What's this guy's name? Mulan asked.

"Fuji," Ash replied, voice hollow. Yesterday morning he would have been ecstatic at the thought of finding another Pariah, of being able to talk to someone like him. But now... "Let's just get moving," Ash said, looking up at the glittering cave. Unlike the last cave this one was lit up with lamps, obviously placed here by the scientists for light and navigating. They passed by many darkened off-tunnels, where Ash could hear wild Pokemon scurrying away.

Sounds Kantoian, Mulan replied, Strange name.

Ash sighed as Mulan went out on a tangent, talking about how names had changed throughout the ages, and how people now were so lazy that they simply called her king AZ. While the voice chattering in his head was slightly annoying, Mulan's rants provided a nice distraction from the thoughts in his mind. They didn't see anyone as they traveled deeper into the cave, but Ash hoped it wouldn't be long until they encountered this 'Fuji'.

"Looks like it opens up ahead," Ash muttered, noticing that the lamps lead them away from the winding narrow tunnels and into a larger cavern. Ash slowly stepped into the cavern, looking about. For a large cave system there was barely any Pokemon, but he was sure that the scientists had cleared them out.

Ash. There's someone up ahead, Mulan muttered telepathically, swinging her sword body around and pointing with her blade. Ash glanced up, and sure enough there was someone kneeling down, back to him as he studied something. The man was wearing a bright red outfit, and his hair was the same ridiculous color. Ash blinked, taking a step forward, and it seemed the man heard him.

He whipped his head around, revealing that he was wearing a pair of red sunglasses, even though they were in a cave. He watched him for a moment, then said in a thick accent:

"I don't know why you're here kid, but scurry back to where you came from, this is adult matters."

"Are... Are you Fuji?" Ash asked uncertainly.

"No," The man huffed, insulted, "I am from the noble group Team Flare," He placed his hand on his chest dramatically, over pronouncing each word.

His voice is annoying, Mulan groaned.

"Now scamper off kid, don't you know not to play with fire?"

"Nope," Ash said, pulling out a Pokeball, holding it out, "But I do know that from my years of travel, any strange group whose name starts with 'team' has been nothing but bad news."

"Why you-" The man cried, pulling out a Pokeball himself, "Get him, Houndour! Ember!"

"Blow it back with Gust!" Ash ordered, releasing Aura. The Pidgeotto flew up, releasing a gale of air at the Houndour. The Ember attack was sent back, flying right the Team Flare member and his Houndour, and he danced away to avoid the fire.

"Agh! You almost ruined my suit! Use Bite!" The Flare grunt shrieked. The Houndour charged forward, teeth gleaming with a dark energy, jumping up in an attempt to reach Aura. She simply flew up higher, dodging with ease, "Ember again!"

The small burst of fire was sent flying up towards the roof of the cavern, and Aura tried to knock it away with a Gust attack again, but she began surrounded in a light blue energy. Startled, she released the swirling blue and purple energy, which blasted through the Ember attack and hit the Houndour, making it cringe as it was hit.

"Quick Attack, Aura!" Ash called, mind racing as he tried to recognize the new move. Aura sped forward, encased in silver energy, her talons raking against the Houndour's side. The fire type yelped as the sharp claws broke through his skin. Ash didn't even flinch at this, "Twister!"

Aura drew back, glowing with the blue energy once more. She released the swirling dragon type attack, making the Houndour stumble. The Flare grunt gritted his teeth, aiming a Pokeball towards his faltering Pokemon, "Houndour, return!" He snarled, glaring at Ash, "Why you... Zubat!" He released another Pokemon, "Wing Attack!"

The small poison type was a blur as it raced towards Aura, slashing her across the chest with a glowing wing. The blow didn't seem to do much to the flying type, but Ash raised her Pokeball anyways, "Aura, come back!" He called, withdrawing the Pidgeotto. He then glanced at Mulan, "Can you handle this?"

If a sword could have grinned, then Ash was sure that Mulan would have, Thought you'd never ask! En garde! Her blade flashed light blue, and she sped forward, slashing with Aerial Ace. Before the Zubat could retaliate, Mulan suddenly dove towards the floor, turning into a mass of shadow as sank into the rocky earth. Her shadowy shape twisted across the floor of the cave, winding up a wall until she was level with Zubat. The Honedge then sped out of the Shadow Sneak attack, speedily knocking the Zubat to the earth.

"Use Bite!" The Flare grunt was now looking on edge, and the Zubat dove towards Mulan, who simply vanished into her Shadow Sneak once more, solidifying back into a sword and striking again. The poor little Zubat was no match for Mulan's fierce swings, cuts appearing across it's body with every slash. Ash winced, about to tell the Honedge to stop, but then the Flare member recalled the Zubat with a huff, glaring at Ash, "You may have won this, runt," He snorted, "But I'm not the only member of the noble Team Flare in here! I'd turn back if I were you."

"I'll turn back when I find Fuji," Ash replied, heading deeper into Glittering Cave.

'O-okay... Y-you're okay Kindle... You're d-doing great...'

The Braixen gulped, shakily taking a step forward. She was on the outskirts of Ambrette Town, crossing the rocky trail that lead to Glittering Cave. It turned out that Ash wasn't keen on staying in one place, and by the time that Kindle had reached the small town she had caught word that Ash had already moved on to the cave on the far side of the rocky cliffs. Kindle had no idea why he had come out here, but it was making it a pain to track.

"Ax!" Erica cried in Kindle's arms, reaching up to paw at Kindle's face. Kindle stumbled, trying to stay balanced with the young Axew in her arms.

'Woah,' Kindle cried, 'Hold still Erica!' She cried to her adoptive daughter, but the Axew only giggled, twisting about. The little Pokemon at clearly never been outside of the cave, and she couldn't get enough of her new world. Kindle bit her lips as she was forced to stop, huffing. Erica looked up at the Braixen with her big ruby eyes, blinking. Kindle's heart melted at the sight, and she hugged the little Axew.

'Hello,' A weary voice said.

Kindle looked up as she heard the loud footsteps of something large approaching. Erica let out a squeak, hiding her face into Kindle's fur. The Braixen gulped as the towering Rhyhorn walked up to her. Her instincts told her to run from the rock and ground type, but the large Pokemon didn't seem to be hostile. It was wearing a saddle and reins, and had a tired look in it's eyes.

'Hi,' Kindle said weakly.

The rock type tossed his head, 'You shouldn't be around here, this is a human path. You'll be caught fairly quickly, and that little one as well.'

'Oh,' Kindle said, 'I'm not wild, you see. I'm actually looking for my trainer, I heard that he went to Glittering Cave,' She pointing with her paw to the east.

The Rhyhorn glanced in the direction she was pointing, 'Across the Path?' He said "path" as if it were a horrible thing, 'Then you won't be seeing him until he gets back.'

'Why not?' Kindle snapped, 'I am capable of walking!'

The Rhyhorn looked at her, 'Trust me, the Path is not something you can cross. Definitely not with that hatchling. Even when wearing those boots of theirs humans don't dare cross it. The rocks are sharp and jagged, you'll slice your feet to bits. The humans ride across on Rhyhorn like me, since our skin can handle rough terrain...' He sighed, lifting up his leg, and Kindle noticed that his natural rocky armor was nearly gone, worn down to the bare skin, 'But even we have our limits.'

'Oh...' Kindle whispered, 'I'm sorry...'

'It's life, better than being a battler,' The Rhyhorn replied, 'If your human is that young boy that Tiko took across the Path not long ago, then he should be back later today. He seemed to just be looking for someone.'

Kindle sighed, 'I guess I'll have to wait for him then,' She muttered, running a paw down Erica's back, who still had her head buried in Kindle's fur. She wondered who Ash could possibly be looking for, she couldn't think of anyone in this world that he'd want to see.

The Rhyhorn dipped his head, 'Well, I need to get back to my post in case more humans come and need a ride. It was nice to have someone new to talk to though. Bye, Braixen and little Axew.'

'Bye,' Kindle replied as the rock type lumbered off. She then looked away, how was she going to do this? What if Ash refused to listen to her? She didn't know how to survive in the wild... And she'd need to take care of Erica too...

No! She couldn't think like that. Ash would believe her! It hadn't been her fault, it was Yveltal's!

Thump.

"Brai!" Kindle cried, leaping back as something fell on her head. She fumbled to keep ahold of Erica, who looked up at her in confusion. Kindle stared at what had fallen from the sky, blinking. It was a small leather pouch, just sitting there in the dirt. Kindle blinked again, reaching down and picking it up by one of the straps of the bag.

'Hoopa gives you a gift,' A voice said from behind Kindle, and she whipped around. There was a purple and pink creature hovering next to her, a pair of horns on it's head, holding a golden ring. The creature flinched, drifting back a bit, and Kindle realized that the creature wasn't just holding a ring, it was covered with them.

'What kind of Pokemon are you?' Kindle asked.

'Hoopa is just Hoopa,' The creature replied, scratching the back of her head, 'Hoopa wanted to help Chosen One, but Hoopa can't get too close to Chosen One. Hoopa then saw you alone, and Hoopa realized that Hoopa could help you and He wouldn't notice! If He finds me I won't be able to help Chosen One,' The Hoopa tilted her head to the side pointing to the bag, 'You can carrying the hatchling in there. Safe, warm, breathable, and then you can use your hands!'

Kindle looked at the leather pouch, then at Erica, and finally back at the Hoopa, 'Who's "Chosen One"? Why do you want to help me?'

'Chosen One is your trainer,' Hoopa replied, 'Hoopa want to help you because you can help Chosen One.'

Kindle blinked, 'So you want to help Ash?' She clarified.

Hoopa nodded, 'But you mustn't talk about it, or Yveltal might hear. If Yveltal finds out I'm here then he'll force me out and then Hoopa can't help Chosen One.'

Kindle hesitated, not sure if she should trust this being. How did she know of Yveltal, and how did she know that Yveltal was after Ash? But still, if this "Hoopa" could help her...

'I'm... I'm looking for Ash,' Kindle hesitated, 'But apparently I can't get across the path up ahead. Is there anyway you can help me?'

Hoopa paused, then held up the golden ring in her hand, 'Hoopa can help. Hoopa will make a portal to the other side, and you can pass through,' She then tossed the ring into the air, but instead of falling to the ground it hovered in the air, expanding and glowing with a dark energy. The ring was floating in front of Kindle, portal gleaming, 'Just go through ring and you'll be at the front of the cave.'

Kindle eyed the portal hesitantly, 'And how can I know that I can trust you?'

Hoopa's face fell, 'Oh... Hoopa just trying to help... Sorry...' Hoopa looked away, 'Readers trust Hoopa, so you can trust Hoopa. Hoopa is just trying to help.'

Kindle glanced at the portal, not sure of what to make of Hoopa's words, but the creature didn't seem dangerous. Kindle looked at the leather bag in her hands, and then set Erica on the ground, opening it up. Erica would fit inside perfectly. The Braixen turned it over several times, there was two straps, making it a lot like a human backpack. It was airy enough that Erica wouldn't suffocate, but small enough so she wouldn't be jolted around. The gift seemed to be genuine, along with the creature, and Kindle decided that she'd trust the Hoopa.

'I'll go through the portal,' Kindle said, picking up Erica and setting her in the leather pouch. The Axew happily crawled in, clearly glad to be out of the sun. She curled up at the bottom of the bag, fast asleep in moments. Kindle hesitated, then slipped the bag over her shoulder like she had seen humans do with backpacks. She felt Erica's small breaths and heard her quiet snores, then she turned towards Hoopa.

'Hoopa wish you luck!' Hoopa said, pointing to her portal again, 'Remember, don't tell anyone about Hoopa, please!'

Kindle gulped, taking a step towards the ring, 'A-alright,' She said, both answering Hoopa and bracing herself to pass through the portal. Kindle closes her eyes, and stepped through. She felt her whole body rippling, though the strange sensation passed in seconds. Kindle dared to open her eyes, and she found herself standing in front of a cave. She blinked a few times, surprised that the portal had worked. She turned around to thank Hoopa, but all she saw was a vanishing ring. Gulping, Kindle turned to face the cave once more, and entered.

"Scape, Razor Leaf!"

"Electrike, Tackle!"

Just like the Team Flare grunt had promised, he wasn't the only one of the strange and annoying group in the cave. Ash was currently battling yet another grunt he had come across, who was wearing a bright red suit like the rest of her comrades. Ash's Skiddo huffed, releasing a half dozen sharp leaves which were speeding towards the Electrike. With only three Pokemon in his arsenal, Ash found his team getting worn down fairly quickly from all the battles, but luckily the grunt's Pokemon weren't the strongest.

Scape rammed her horns into the Electrike, launching it back. The electric type painfully hit the floor, and after a moment it was recalled. The Flare grunt glared at him for a minute.

"What are you guys doing here?" Ash growled.

"What?" She huffed, "This cave is open to all visitors!"

"Well I'm pretty sure that most 'visitors' don't attack other trainers without warning and try to drive them out!" Ash snapped, patience thinning, "How many more of you guys are in this cave, anyways?"

"Enough to drive out a pesky intruder," A new voice snapped, two more grunts entering the cavern from up ahead, "We're just asking the lovely scientist up ahead a few questions, then we'll be on our way. How about you get on yours?" The two grunts released a Croagunk and a Scraggy. Scape stepped forward, firing a Razor Leaf at both of them.

"Feint Attack!" Both of the new grunts shouted, and the two Pokemon became draped in dark energy, glaring at Scape.

"Aura, help out Scape with Gust!" Ash said, releasing his worn down Pidgeotto. Aura huffed, releasing a blast of air as Scape fired another Razor Leaf. Despite the attacks, both fighting types charged forwards, striking Scape. Aura dove down with a Quick Attack, and the Croagunk fired a Poison Sting up at her as she came close. Scape charged forward with her Headbutt attack, only for the Scraggy to kick up a plume of sand, blinding the grass type.

The Croagunk took advantage of the Sand Attack, firing a super effective Poison Sting at the stunned Skiddo. The Scraggy gleamed with another Feint Attack, running forward to finish off Scape. Ash raised her Pokeball, recalling her before the attack could land. While Team Flare hadn't let any of their Pokemon get beaten to the point of death, he wasn't sure if they'd care if they pushed his own Pokemon to that state.

"Why don't you leave now, kid?" The Team Flare grunt asked.

"Aura, use Twister," Ash ordered, and the Pidgeotto flew up towards the roof of the cave, preparing the dragon type move.

The grunt sighed, "Croagunk, Poison Sting."

The poison frog prepared the attack, but instead of attacking Aura, the Croagunk turned to face Ash, firing the poisonous needles towards him. Mulan rushed forward, slicing the attack out of thin air with an Aerial Ace, but she seemed just as worn Aura and Scape. The sword shuddered, but briefly glowed with Swords Dance, before rushing at the Scraggy with an Aerial Ace, who was charging at Ash with a Brick Break.

Aura swooped down with a Quick Attack, following Mulan's attack on the Scraggy. The lizard growled, glowing faintly. The Scraggy unleashed the Payback attack, which was at double power after being attacked. Aura let out a frightened squawk as she was struck with the powerful energy. The Scraggy smirked, preparing a Break Brick, but Ash quickly recalled Aura to her Pokeball before the attack landed. He quivered slightly, now down to Mulan.

Two on one isn't fair... But I've been at worse odds, Mulan muttered in Ash's mind, and her blade gleamed, En garde, cowards!

And with that she charged forward with an Aerial Ace. The Scraggy, looking a bit weakened, huffed, glancing back at his trainer, as if begging to be recalled. That was his mistake though, allowing Mulan to slash down on it with an Aerial Ace. Ash felt himself stiffening as he watched the Scraggy collapse under the powerful blow. Mulan pulled back for another strike, clearly intending to deliver a fatal hit.

"Mulan, stop!" Ash cried, causing the Honedge to pause, allowing the Team Flare grunt to recall his bleeding Scraggy before the deadly Aerial Ace landed.

I could have had him! Mulan cried in Ash's mind, frustrated.

The other grunt let out a growl, "Using fatal force, are we now?" She looked at her Croagunk, "Very well, in that case, Croagunk! Feint Attack, don't hold back!"

The frog Pokemon glowed with the dark energy, charging at Mulan, slamming into her. The force of the blow send the sword flying back into the cave wall, and she clattered to the ground. Ash's eyes widened, but Mulan managed to hover back into the air.

Energy from dark types saps my power, She huffed, Makes it hard to draw on the spirit world for my own energy, She dipped lower to the floor, I don't know if I can take another attack like that. It would make me lose my hold on the sword as the host, and I probably couldn't rebind my spirit with it, She glowed with Aerial Ace, I went down fighting once, so that's how I'll go again!

Ash raised her Pokeball, "I'm not losing another Pokemon, get back in your ball."

Mulan rushed forward, dodging the return beam, I don't surrender, boy!

"Croagunk, Feint Attack one more time!" The grunt cried, "Finish it off!"

"Gunk!" It croaked, surrounding itself with the energy from the attack, springing forward to meet Mulan. Ash reaimed the Pokeball, hoping to be able to recall Mulan before the two Pokemon clashed, and the return beam hit Mulan. Ash heard a few curses being screamed into his mind as the Honedge was turned into red energy, being drawn back into the Pokeball. The Croagunk's attack faded, now having no target.

Ash looked up at the grunts, now down to zero Pokemon.

The Croagunk's trainer was the smirking, hands on her hips, "So the little sassy trainer is brought to his knees. But it doesn't seem like you've learned your lesson on interfering, so why don't you give him a gentle Poison Sting Croagunk? Just enough so he won't interfere again."

The Croagunk wheeled around to face Ash, taking in a deep breath as he formed the poisonous needles in front of him. Ash took a step back, gritting his teeth, stuck somewhere between fear and anger.

A swirling mass of purple psychic energy flew over Ash's shoulder, speeding right at the Croagunk. The Pokemon let out a painful cry as the Psybeam hit him in the chest. Being both a poison and fighting type, the psychic move hit him for quad damage, causing the Pokemon to crumble to the floor at the force of the attack, canceling out his own attack that would have hit Ash.

"Cro!"

Ash stared at the fallen Croagunk for a moment, who was twitching on the ground, then turned around to look at his rescuer.

"Brai," Kindle snarled, wand pointed right at the Croagunk, flaring with psychic light. It died down after a moment, before flaring up with a yellow flame. A strange bag was slung over the Braixen's shoulders, which Kindle shifted before charging forward at the recovering Croagunk. Ash flinched as she came rushing past him, releasing an Ember at the poison type, "Xen!"

Ash could only stare at Kindle as she engaged the Croagunk, startled at her sudden appearance. How had she caught up with him so quickly? How had she crossed the rugged path of route nine?

Kindle was huffing as the startled grunt recalled the Croagunk, staring at the Braixen as if she had appeared out of thin air, which she practically had. Kindle glanced back at Ash for a moment, who looked away as they made eye contact, clenching his fists.

"Xen," Braixen growled, pointing her wand at the grunts, which was now lit up with a bright red flame. Her message was quite clear: leave now.

The Team Flare grunts hesitated for a moment, glancing at each other, but they were all out of Pokemon. Kindle released a burst of fire as warning shot, sparks flying around their feet, and they all scrambled back.

"I'd leave if I were you," A gruff voice said from behind the grunts, and a man wearing a lab coat stumbled forward, "You've done more than enough harm here, and I've contacted the lab. So if you don't clear out now, then the police will do it for you."

The threat did it's job, and the grunts quickly ran for the tunnel that lead to the exit of the cave, shoving against each other as they raced to get out, they voices echoing through the caverns as they ran. The scientist lowered his head as they went out of sight, rubbing his temples.

He snorted, pushing up a small pair of round glasses, "Cowards," He muttered, "No better than Rocket, they act tough in groups, but are really nothing once you shed some light on them," He looked towards Ash, then at Kindle, "Thank you," He said to the Braixen, "I have no Pokemon of my own, and if you haven't driven them out who knows what else they would have done."

That's when Ash noticed the bruises on the man's face, and the way he walked with a slight limp. The man graying brown hair, and a small beard of the same color. Ash frowned as the scientist thanked Kindle, but not at the action, but at the fact that he had bothered thanking Kindle at all. Pokemon were treated as nothing more than tools in this world. Ash looked at the man more closely, and though it was hard to make out in the dimmer light of the cave, there was something around his neck.

Ash wrapped his own hand around his amulet that marked him as a Pariah, heart pounding.

The man looked at him once more, "My name is Dr. Fuji," He said, "And I'm sorry that you got caught up with those goons. You did me a favor with driving them out, but do you possibly think you could help me back to the entrance of the cave? I don't think I could walk much farther on my own, I twisted my ankle."

Ash nodded, stumbling forward, mind racing.