Hello again, everyone! I deeply apologize for this being almost a week late. I had this chapter mostly written out by this time last week, but life stepped in and I couldn't find time to make the necessary edits now required because of no italics or bolds. Speaking of which, upon rereading a previous chapter, I realized that placing a single quotation mark on either end of a stressed word was confusing because I have to use that in other parts of my writing that aren't meant to be in bold. So, I have decided to rescind that and simply allow you, the reader, to place stress on whatever words you deem appropriate.

Review response: Dear Shadow Snivy, hello! So, I assume from the review you posted on chapter 9 that you are the 'guest' that so politely and wonderfully commented on my story. If that is your review, don't worry about not having signed in. Since you are not a fan of spoilers, there is not much I can say right now in response to your review. However, I feel obligated to say one thing: If I can, I will do a flashback showing how Sekani reacted to leaving the caves.

A/N: Can anyone tell me if I am the only one experiencing a problem with posting stories? I have to Copy-N-Paste my chapters because I don't have a compatible writing program so I can't tell if it is only a glitch with that or with the File Upload as well. If anyone knows the answer or has a solution, please leave a review and tell me. One last thing, I will be participating in Camp NaNoWriMo this April by working on a new fanfiction story. So, come April, if you don't hear from me, know that it is because I am working on another story to hopefully post here. Thank you for reading this lengthy note. Enjoy the chapter!

A/N Update: Another grateful thank you to AmorphousExplorer for the solution to my chapter problems. It was invaluable.

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokemon or their world, the only things I own are the characters and the plot.

Chapter Eleven: Distress Call

Castor narrowed his eyes and focused on the rock sitting innocently on the ground a few feet away, Okay, focus Castor, you can do this. With a low growl of determination, he charged the rock, focusing solely on it and his tail. Leaping into the air at the last second, he swung his tail down at the rock with every ounce of strength he could muster.

The sound of a flaming tail smacking rock was rapidly followed by Castor's shout of pain, "Ouch! Snap it!" Plopping down into the grass, Castor rubbed his tail soothingly, trying not to use naughty words over yet another bruise. Ever since seeing Mira use Iron Tail, the Charmander had desperately wanted to learn it. However, Mira's normally asocial behavior pretty much guaranteed that she would say no if he asked. So, he had decided to learn it himself by mimicking her actions and focusing his energy. It wasn't working out so well.

Cora's voice snapped him out of his brooding, "Hey, Castor. What are you doing?"

He didn't bother to look up at her approach, "Nothing much, you?"

Cora flopped onto the grass next to him, an unhappy look on her face, "If you don't count losing my temper at Leal, not much." Castor blinked at her questioningly. Not noticing his gaze, Cora frowned at the rock, "Why does that rock have so many singe marks on it? Have you been hitting it with your tail or something?"

Castor grumbled under his breath, "Or something." Hastily trying to change the subject he said, "Why were you fighting with Leal?"

Cora blushed with embarrassment, "Oh, that was my fault for being so touchy. He mentioned that he didn't think that female Pokemon were suited to the rigors of rescue team work."

Castor stopped rubbing his tail and cocked his head to one side, "But there are rescue teams out there with females on them. Why would he think that?" Cora waved a paw absently, "Not those types of rescues, he meant the stuff that the very first rescue teams did, you know, Aka and Burū?" Castor made a soft 'oh' noise and fell silent. Cora continued to ramble, "I shouldn't have gotten so steamed about it, I mean, the stuff they did back then is mostly legends anyway. But I just hate it so much when I feel like someone is belittling me ... I just kind of lost it."

Castor nodded sympathetically and gazed thoughtfully off into the distance. Motion caught his eye, what is that? Standing up on the tips of his paws Castor strained to see what was shooting their way at incredible speeds. Is that ... Mira? Mira shot out of the grass between them, not even slowing down as she pelted for the village. The other two Pokemon shared a look of confusion before hurriedly following, "Hey! Wait up!"

By the time they had caught up with her in the village, Mira was already speeding off again, this time followed by a worried Healer Miltank and several onlookers. Castor and Cora fell in step with her, "Healer Miltank, what is going on?"

The Milk Cow Pokemon looked down at them anxiously, "Mira and Dale just found a Dodrio runner who was headed this way. According to Mira the poor dear has run herself ragged!" Castor and Cora exchanged glances, Wow, that ... sounds almost impossible. The Dodrio clan specialize in delivering messages because of their unshakable endurance, to leave one of them exhausted. How much nonstop running would that even take?

His questions, and that of everyone else, had to wait until Healer Miltank had successfully restored the poor Dodrio's energy levels enough to talk. "Now," soothed the gentle Pokemon, "take a deep breath and start from the beginning, dear."

The Dodrio did as she was told, each head taking a large gulp of air before looking around urgently. The middle spoke first, "Where is Una Blastoise or Balfour Venusaur? I have an urgent message for them that must be delivered as soon as possible!" Castor heard Cora gasp, those are her parents. This cannot be good.

Cora stepped forward, "They had a clan meeting to attend and haven't come back from it yet. Can you give the message to me? I'm their daughter." The middle head blinked in surprise while the other two heads looked at each other in alarm.

The right head glowered at Cora and snarled, "No! We were told to give the message to Una or Balfour only, not to some-" The left head's sniffle broke off her rant.

The left head burst into tears, her sobs interrupting her words, "But ... but the message ... matters ... just as much ... to her as to them! It ... it's so important! We ... we have to tell someone!"

The middle head promptly pecked her two counterparts, sparking rage from the right head and more tears from the left. "Quiet both of you! Our orders were to deliver the message to the next of kin and she is perfectly qualified!" Next of kin? Has something happened in Cora's clan? The middle head turned to Cora and eyed her sympathetically, "You have two brothers in the Wartortle Rescue Squad correct? Arroyo and Bo?" Cora nodded, her eyes growing wide with worry, the Dodrio continued, "Well ... they've ... gone missing."

Cora's screech made Castor's ears vibrate painfully, "Missing? Where? Why?"

The Dodrio's left head shrank away, "We don't know! The Captain said they were investigating robberies in Meiro Woods when they disappeared four days ago! We were sent two days ago to find and tell his parents that they had gone missing and that the Wartortle Rescue Squad is doing everything they can to find them! I'm sorry, but we don't know any more then that!" Castor blinked, two days ago? No wonder the Dodrio is exhausted! I wouldn't have thought even their clan could cover that much distance so quickly!

Cora grabbed the middle head by the neck and frantically shook it, "How can you not know more? My brothers are missing! Where are they?"

The right head glared at Cora, "Hey! Let go of that head! I'm the only one who gets to abuse her!"

Castor ran forward and worked on loosening Cora's death grip while Healer Miltank worked on keeping the right head from savagely pecking the distraught squirtle, "Cora, strangling her won't do any good! You need to calm down so we can get all of the facts!"

Cora reluctantly released the middle head, flexing her small paws worriedly as the middle head took several gulps of air. When the middle head could finally speak again, she said weakly, "I'm very sorry dear, but that really is all we know. Your brothers went missing near the center of the woods and they are being looked for at this very moment. Please, do not worry your head over it too much, Captain Wartortle is very skilled, he will no doubt find them soon."

The right head barked out a harsh laugh, "Hardly! I heard that the two idiots were planning to search one of the Kuro Caves right before they disappeared. They're sure to dead by now, wandering the tunnels as lost souls just like all of the others who ever went in there-ouch!" Both of the other two heads, even the timid left one started pecking their counterpart fiercely, scolding her to keep quiet about stupid legends with no ground to them.

Cora looked ready to break down in tears, Castor fought off the shudder that ran through him at the thought of the Kuro Caves and lightly patted his friend's shoulder, "Don't listen to the right one. She was just trying to get back at you for grabbing the middle head."

Cora turned her head to look at Castor, trying to blink back tears of worry that threatened to spill out of her large chocolate colored eyes. She nodded weakly, "Right ... you're right. I just..." With a small sob, Cora latched onto Castor, threatening to squeeze all of the air from his lungs. Need air! Fighting the urge to squirm, Castor gently patted his best friend's hard shell, trying to comfort her in the hopes that she might loosen her death hug.

Aside from Cora's sobbing and the Dodrio infighting, a heavy silence of grief and horror reigned supreme amongst the small gathering. One voice suddenly broke the silence, "What are the Kuro Caves?" The shock of someone needing to ask made everyone look, even Cora. Mira's ears flattened slightly at becoming the center of attention.

Sekani blurted shrilly, "You don't know? How could you not know? Everyone knows about the Kuro Caves, everyone! There is not a single Pokemon in existence that doesn't know about those horrible, cursed, dark, dank, wet, hopeless, uninhabitable, stuff of nightmares caves!" The Aipom looked about to continue his rant when Mira sparked her cheeks dangerously, her eyes glinting with an almost murderous quality. Sekani shrank back, "Oh, um except of course, you. Very good question, very intelligent question to be sure. You see, the Kuro Caves are ... are ... uh, Dale?"

If the situation hadn't been so grim, Castor would have laughed out loud at Sekani's obvious ignorance after a speedily delivered rant on how 'everyone knew'. Dale shot Sekani a hard look before answering Mira's question, "The Kuro Caves are a collection of strange anomalies in the island landscape left over from the legendary Dark Times. There is one in every region, usually located near the heart of it, except for the capital of our island, Kōken'nin Mountain. The Kuro Caves are supposed to be sealed off by strange gates said to be made out of Aggron armor. However, recent earthquakes and the natural process of erosion have worn the gates down sufficiently enough that some of the Caves are once again open to the rest of the island."

Dale looked over at Cora comfortingly, "However, I can't think of any Pokemon who would willingly go in there, so the chances of your brothers being inside are almost completely impossible. Besides, they are merely caves, I highly doubt they are actually cursed. If it makes you feel better, we could go look for your brothers ourselves, I was raised in Meiro Woods, so I know the area well."

Much to Castor's inward relief, Cora let go of him in favor of running over to Dale and sealing him in her iron hug instead, "Really? Oh, thank you, Dale!" The Dodrio, who had finally stopped fighting, reached over and tapped Castor lightly with a talon, "Hey, Charmander, nice work comforting her. Well, I've got to go, now. More messages to deliver!" She was running off before Castor could say a word, That's it? Cause consternation for one of my best friends and then just leave? What a jerk!

Turning back to Cora, Castor lightly patted her shell, "Don't worry Cora, we'll find them."

Cora sniffled and looked up at him, "You mean that you're coming too?" Castor placed his paws firmly on his hips, "What kind of friend would I be if I didn't go?"

Leal made his way to stand beside him, nodding his head nobly, "Indeed! I would be sorely remiss if I did not help a friend and lady in need! I would be honored to accompany..." his voice trailed off as something dawned on him, "Of course, I can only accompany you if Mira does. I am still bound by honor to follow her. I am deeply sorry, Cora."

Castor looked over his shoulder at the Pikachu and raised an eyeridge at her, "So what do you say, Mira? Want to come?"

For five long seconds she simply stared at Cora, her expression unreadable. Then, a strange quirk formed on her lips, as if she was trying to smirk but couldn't, "Long trip, strange Pokemon, cursed caves, and missing siblings? When do we start?"

Healer Miltank chose that moment to interrupt, "Now wait a minute!" She huffed and glared down at them, "Don't speak nonsense, a trip like that is far too dangerous! Your parents would never forgive me if I simply let you go! No, you will all stay here and let Captain Wartortle do his job, understood?"

Castor shrank back a little bit, his pride injured at the insinuation that they couldn't take care of one another on a long trip. This could be a problem. "No." He looked up at the word. Cora was standing at her full height, glaring at Healer Miltank, her eyes blazing fiercely, "You have no right to stop us, Healer Miltank. All of us are old enough to go on a Discovering. Dale, Mira, and Leal are already on theirs! You didn't stop us from going to Kasai Desert to get help for this village, how is Meiro Woods any different? We can do this and we will. No if, ands, or buts, Healer Miltank, not even from you." Silence hung in the air, Castor felt his heart skip and flutter slightly, whoa. I don't think I've ever seen Cora like this.

Sekani's voice broke the silence, "Besides Healer Miltank, I'll be there to keep an eye on them."

Castor spun to look at the Aipom, "Did you just ... volunteer for something potentially dangerous?"

Sekani nodded, a 'I'm going to regret this' look in his eyes, "Friends stick together ... besides, if Dale's going I don't have much choice now do I? Might as well look heroic about it." Castor smiled lopsidedly, will wonders never cease?

Ahanu, who had arrived at some point in the discussion piped up, "So it's settled! We all go, right?"

Castor nodded firmly and turned to face Healer Miltank, who looked thoroughly disgruntled, "Well, Healer Miltank? You can't say no to all of us. Besides, if you do, then we will all simply go on a Discovering to Meiro Woods."

Seeing that there was no dissuading the seven Pokemon, Healer Miltank reluctantly gave in, "Since I can't really stop you ... I'll get some supplies ready for your trip. When do you plan on leaving?"

All eyes swung to Cora, who looked mildly embarrassed at being the leader for the moment, "Today, as soon as possible." Healer Miltank sighed and nodded before heading back to her den to gather supplies. The gathering of villagers who had overheard all of this followed her, chattering excitedly about the newest bit of gossip they could now spread like wildfire to the other residents of Nagai Kusa.

Cora adjusted her bag strap nervously, her thoughts flitting hither and thither like rebellious butterflies. On one paw, she was ready to run to the gates of a human city if that was what was necessary to rescue her two favorite brothers. On the other paw, she was terrified.

She was the littlest sibling of the family, the one who always stayed near the den and contentedly played in the pond, the one who had been happy to explore as long as she wasn't alone. In short, of all the siblings in her family, she was the last one to be on a rescue mission, let alone starting it in the first place. It's okay, breathe Cora, just focus on breathing. You've gone on adventures before, you thought that bringing Digletts back to help the village was impossible but we did it. Finding those two bone headed brothers of mine should be no problem whatsoever. Right? "Cora," Cora jumped in surprise and looked over her shoulder. Mira was standing there, perched on her hind legs so that she was eye level with the Squirtle. Cora found her eyes drawn to the scar on the Pikachu's face, inwardly wondering how she had gotten it. Mira said she didn't remember, but thought is was an electric attack most likely.

Mira spoke again, bringing Cora back to reality, "Are you ready?"

Cora nodded, "Of course I'm-"

Mira cut her off, "Are you ready?" she repeated.

Cora had a feeling that there was a special meaning behind those words, but couldn't grasp it. Shaking off the feeling, Cora lifted her head, "I'm ready."

Mira studied her for a long moment before nodding curtly, "Then let's go." Mira trotted past and Cora let out the breath she didn't know she'd been holding. Why do I feel like I've just undergone a test?

Leal approached her next, an enthusiastic smile on his face, "Madam Cora! We are ready to set off and find your brothers!"

Cora smiled back a little bit hesitantly, "Then let's be off." The next ten minutes were spent in goodbyes as the seven Pokemon trekked off in the direction of Meiro Woods, followed by what seemed to be the entire village.

When they reached the absolute edge of village and the other villagers had said their goodbyes and returned home, Healer Miltank stepped forward and looked down at Castor with fond eyes. Reaching into a small bag that she had been carrying, the Miltank produced a strange golden string of loops. It was called a chain if Cora remembered correctly. Dangling from it was a small, multicolored jewel, "Here Castor, I believe you should wear this on your journey." While Castor protested and Healer Miltank gently insisted, Cora studied the jewel in fascination. It was beautiful, a strange mix of dark blue, light green, and vibrant yellow with an abnormal marking in it's center that vaguely reminded her of the silhouette of a curling flame. Didn't Castor wear something like that the day of the celebration? Healer Miltank finally convinced Castor to wear it with the promise that she would keep the larger one safe and the company of Pokemon set out to find Cora's brother.

As the village faded from sight and the Grasslands stretched before them, Castor looked over at Cora, his paw fiddling with the jewel absently, "Hey, Cora?"

She shook away her worried thoughts and tilted her head to one side, "Yeah?"

Castor opened his mouth to say something, paused, then seemed to rethink it. He smiled at her and said, "Don't worry about your brothers, with me wearing this on our journey, we're bound to find them safe and sound."

Cora blinked, now very curious as to what the jewel was, "Really?"

Castor nodded and clasped her paw reassuringly, "Really."