Last time on Explorers of Prehistory...

The Umbreon tribe leader Ebon decided to ally with Emperor Kramzak in order to destroy the Espeon tribe. However, what Ebon doesn't know is that Icelia, his general, is actually a spy for the Eeveelution Resistance, and even now she is working to destroy the union between Umbreon and Kramzak. Meanwhile, Bonehead and Bessie learn from a Ninjask messenger that the Gardevoir Guild is investigating the sinking of Tiny Island, and now they plan on joining the guild to aid in their quest!

What will happen next? Find out now!

Duro's house sat near the shore of Shelder Village. The dome shaped house sat underneath the now dark and starry sky. There was no moon that evening, and the air was deathly silent, except for the sounds of a chill autumn breeze and the waves crashing against shore.

Duro's house was rather large, most of it actually being underground. Duro had taken the house from a former resident of the village, a Dugtrio, who had moved away due to the seaside not being to his liking. The house had two large rooms, each one shaped like a D, on the top, one with a fire pit in the center which acted as both the living room and the dining room, along with having another room which was Duro's examination room, where he could look at his patients to see what ailed them. Everything else, the cellar, the pantry, and the bedrooms were below, well protected from sand and moisture by thick stone walls.

Bonehead slowly cracked an eye open, yawning. The Cubone sat up, stretching her arms. She was sitting in one of Duro's guest rooms, a small, plain room with very soft beds and warm blankets. It was very late, but she hadn't been able to go to sleep. Her mind was still wrapped around what had happened that day. Tiny Island was gone - well, she had known that, but now everybody knew it. And an exploration guild was investigating it - a guild filled with experienced Pokemon fighting for good.

Bonehead wanted to join. Badly. So did Bessie. If they did join, they could help find out what was causing this chaos and help stop it before it escalated any further.

Bonehead closed her eyes and made a solemn vow to herself. She promised herself that she would find out why these disasters were happening, no matter what. She'd be a great explorer some day, and find the mystery of the sinking island.

"Bonehead?"

Duro floated into the room, holding a candle in his tendril. "You're awake." His voice was quiet, but warm.

"I can't go to sleep," Bonehead admitted.

"Hmm..." Duro said. "It is a cold night. Should I get more blankets?"

"No, that's not it," said Bonehead, shaking her head. "It's just... well..."

"Tiny Island?"

"Yeah... That..."

Duro floated over to the Cubone's bed and sat on the edge. "A lot is happening in the world right now, isn't it?" he asked.

"Yeah..."

"Well, there's only one thing we can do," said Duro. "We can struggle on. No hardship is too great if everyone pools their strength and works with one another to make things better. That's why the mayor is ordering escape routes to be planned and boats to be built."

"I guess so..." Bonehead muttered. "I... I was thinking..."

"About...?"

"About the Gardevoir Guild," Bonehead admitted. "I... Me and Bessie... Well, we want to join."

Duro nodded. "I see."

"You're not mad, are you?" asked Bonehead, a little timidly.

Duro shook his head. "Bonehead, I am Kala's father, not yours - I don't get any say in the matter. If you and Bessie would like to join the guild, it's your own choice. I should warn you though," he added, his voice hardening slightly, "I've been to the guild several times, and I know the guildmaster. It will not be easy for you. The guild requires a great amount of discipline and hard work to succeed, and rising through the ranks is never easy."

"Oh..." Bonehead said, feeling a bit discouraged.

"But..." Duro said, his voice softening again, "I think you could do anything you set your mind to. Work hard, and never give up on your goal."

Bonehead nodded. "We won't." she promised.

"Good," Duro said. "Be careful. I don't want you getting hurt."

"Thank you..." Bonehead said. "Good night..." she yawned, her weariness returning.

Duro gave a nod, rising off her bed and floating off to his own room.

Bonehead felt her eyes grow heavy. Duro was with them, at the least. She felt a bit more confident, and also quite sleepy.

She closed her eyes, wondering what the guild would be like, what Dragonite City would be like, and also what had caused Tiny Island to sink.

Sleep finally took her.

Icelia nervously licked her chops. "Form up, now," she ordered, feigning confidence.

A large squadron of Umbreon guard gathered together, surrounding Ebon. Once again, they were in the war-room in the Dark Tower. The moon was high in the sky; midnight was nearly there, and so was their meeting.

Ebon was wearing his red cape and crown. He always wore them before meetings, even with people he didn't like in the slightest. The Umbreon guards looked tense. Icelia swallowed nervously.

Finally, they saw it. A purple spark burst in the darkness, followed by another until finally there was an explosion of mental light.

A trio of figures appeared, a small one, a medium one, and a large one.

The Umbreon tensed, and several of them inched back. Standing there before them, a mere shadow in the light of the moon, was Kramzak, lord of the deserts. Standing at his side was Sala, as per usual, her scarlet eyes glowing with energy. Lastly, there was a hideous looking Sandslash, whose face looked like it had been cut off, and then haphazardly sewed back on. His entire body was covered in scars, some still sewn together.

Kramzak grunted in the direction of the Umbreon. "Ebon."

"Kramzak," said Ebon, turning on his emotionless voice. "You came."

"Sala said I would," grunted Kramzak. "Have you made a decision?"

"I have," Ebon said.

"And?"

"I will allow you to aid us," Ebon said, "and in return, you will have what you asked for."

Kramzak gave a savage grin. "...You're a smart Pokemon, Ebon... Very well."

"The army is gathering already," Sala said, her emotionless voice chilling the air even more. "The Drapion armies are almost assembled.

The Sandslash spoke next, his voice as ugly as his face. "My tribes are on their way to Kramzak's fort as we speak," he rasped. "They will be there in mere hours."

"Excellent," Ebon said. "Well then, general?" He turned expectantly to Icelia.

Icelia nodded, stepping forward and feigning loyalty to the Umbreon as best she could. "Do you have a plan in mind?" she asked calmly.

Kramzak nodded. "Sala."

Sala bowed and pulled out a map, laying it on the table in the center of the room and rolling it open, displaying a map of Espeon territory. "We split into three teams, for the frontal offensive lines in Espeon Territory. You likely know these forts by heart. If we can hold them, we can deny the Espeon breathing space. After that, a team of Sandslash and Drapion will take the offensive. They will swarm over Espeon territory, and use Dig to tunnel underneath every fort they come across, attacking the Espeon from underneath."

Ebon looked over the map. "...Interesting... Who do you have assigned to lead this assault."

"Lord Kramzak intends to lead it himself, naturally," Sala stated. "I will remain behind to organize defenses."

"Shall I lead the second assault?" Icelia asked.

"If you wish," Ebon conceded.

"The third one is mine," the Sandslash rasped.

Ebon mulled the plan over. "It isn't very... complex..."

"The best kind of plan," Kramzak snorted. "Any idiot can follow it."

"We have numbers," said Sala. "We have superior forces as well. This strategy capitalizes on that fact. We will overrun the Espeon and destroy them."

Ebon slowly nodded. "Very well. We attack at sunrise."

Kramzak gave Ebon an incredulous look. "That won't be possible."

Ebon felt a tinge of irritation. "Why not?" he hissed.

"The only way to get my army here without having to tunnel for months on end and without travelling through Dragonite Territory is via Sala's Teleport," Kramzak said.

"So?" asked Ebon, glaring at the Kirlia.

Sala was unfazed. "Teleportation requires a great deal of mental concentration of willpower. Teleporting myself is nothing at all - Teleporting ten, twenty people, also easy. Teleporting ten thousand Pokemon at once? I'd be dead before even half of them arrived."

"You say that as if it were a bad thing..." an Umbreon hissed.

Kramzak rolled his eyes and raised his claw. "Pin Missile," he grunted. Hundreds of needles erupted from his claws and tore into the Umbreon's hide, silencing his scream before he could get it out of his lungs.

The Umbreon guard gave a surprised cry, glaring at Kramzak and his minions. "You dare-?!" Ebon began, his facade of control breaking away.

"I do," Kramzak grunted. "Sala is a hundred times the solder any of your mutts will ever be. I will not tolerate slander against her from some rookie warrior who just left his mother's den."

"Thank you, master," Sala said, gratefully bowing her head.

"You cannot simply-!" Icelia began, frost emanating from her breath.

"Cannot what?" Kramzak demanded. "Tell me, general, where will you be in three weeks without my army? How much longer will you last?"

Before Icelia could answer, Ebon spoke up: "Very well... I will tolerate that death... but no more."

"If your pups can keep their mouthes shut like real Umbreon, than that won't be a problem," the Sandslash hissed.

A few Umbreon growled angrily, but a glare from Ebon silenced them. They needed this alliance. "Very well," he said, finally. "How long will it take your Kirlia to get the army in?"

"Three weeks, at the least," Sala said. "I'll have them all here by that time. I'll need a room where I can have silence, and ample water and elixirs."

"I can provide that," Ebon replied coldly. Turning to an Umbreon soldier, he said "Make it so."

The Umbreon bowed and ran off to make preparations.

"Sala," Kramzak grunted. "Prepare for the transfer."

"At once, master..." Sala said with a bow.

Ebon sighed as he looked out the window to see the full moon in the sky. "This had better be worth it, Kramzak."

"If you would call victory over your hated adversaries worth it, then yes, it will be," Kramzak said. "I look forward to this alliance no more then you do. It is a necessary evil, however, and I refuse to allow defeat to happen to your armies..." For now... he added mentally.

The Drapion and the Umbreon stared at one another for what felt like an eternity. Then, Kramzak slowly raised his claw and pointed it at Ebon. Ebon stared, hesitated, and then, in a moment that would scar him for life, he raised his paw. The Drapion gripped his paw with his pincers and shook his. They had made their agreement.

Icelia watched sadly as the fate of the Espeon was sealed. Tides had never returned with orders for her, so she was completely unable to stop this.

Unless help came, the Espeon were doomed - and any chance of resolving this war was gone as well.

Dawn came to Shelder Village, and with it a new day. Most residents were fast asleep in their beds, not ready to start their days after the hectic workload they had had the other day. However, five Pokemon were up and about on that cold fall morning, preparing for a long journey ahead of them.

Bessie looked over the list of supplies they would need to pack: food, blankets, water, and anything else they'd need. She shouldered her pack and made sure her canteen was filled to the brim. "I'm ready!" she said.

Bonehead gave a nod, grabbing her own pack. "I'm ready too! Kala?"

The Ralts gave a thumbs up. "We're all set! Time to head to the big city~!" she sang, marching out the door.

"You've been before, right?" asked Bonehead.

"Yeah, I have!" Kala said. "It's huuuuuge! I'd get lost if I didn't stick with dad! Haven't you ever been to a city before?" the Ralts asked.

"No," Bessie said, shaking her head. "I've only ever been to a trading post... and it was probably much smaller than Dragonite City."

"Well, don't worry!" Kala said. "We get to see one today! Let's go!"

They made their way to the edge of the village. Duro was waiting for them, placing his own pack onto the wagon they would be riding on. The wagon was large enough for all of them. A Rapidash was tied to the front, grazing as she prepared to carry them to Dragonite City.

"I'm ready, dad!" Kala shouted as she tossed her bag up into the wagon and leaped into it eagerly, ready for a long trip to the city.

"Good," Duro said, nodding. "Are you two ready as well?" he asked Bessie and Bonehead.

"Sure am!" Bonehead replied.

"Thank you for the bags and supplies," Bessie said gratefully.

Duro smiled kindly. "Don't mention it. You'll be needing those for your training at the guild. I've put a map of the city inside your bags as well. Be sure to use it if we get separated."

Kala pouted. "Why do they get to join the guild and not me?!" she demanded.

"Because you're my daughter, and I said no," Duro replied calmly. "Up you go, girls."

Bonehead and Bessie crawled into the wagon, setting their bags to the floor, and sitting down on the wooden seats. Kala swiftly chose her own seat, next to her father, still pouting a bit because of his decision.

Duro grabbed the reigns of the Rapidash. "We're ready to go. Giddyap!"

The Rapidash whirled and stared incredulously. "Excuse me?"

Duro sweatdropped. "Eh, sorry, ma'am. Please, go at your own will."

The Rapidash snorted and trotted off.

They travelled for an hour, and then for two. The day went on, and sun rose higher into the sky, and they went on, farther and farther away from Shelder Village. The sea breeze was replaced by a cold wind that was filled with the scents of leaves and flowers. Sand vanished and became huge grassy fields that stretched across the plains. Mighty oaks began to tower over them, overshadowing the roads and the wagon. The little group ate their meals, and talked and talked as the world changed around them.

They crossed hills and through valleys. Huge, purple mountains began to rise in the distance, looking massive even from this far. The sun was high in the sky and shining down brightly upon them.

Then, in the distance, they could see it. They scaled a small hill, and rising in the distance where the towers. Six towers, standing high in the sky, hundreds if feet tall. Flying Pokemon swarmed all around, and as they drew closer it only grew and grew.

Bonehead and Bessie's eyes widened as they reached the top of the hill. There, at the bottom, was Dragonite City.

It was a massive city, carved out of mountains. Six huge spire-like towers stood above the city, each one with a bright orange flag on the top. Below, the streets were crammed to the brim with buildings, from small houses to upscale apartments, to tiny huts.

"That's... That's..." Bonehead stuttered.

"Huge..." Bessie finished.

"It is a bit overwhelming, isn't it?" Duro asked, calmly. "It's the closet place to Shelder though, and the only place I can find the supplies I need." He turned back to the Rapidash. "We'd better get moving if we wish to return to the village before dark."

The Rapidash snorted. "Right," she said, trotting on again.

"Hey!" Bonehead said. "What's that thing?" she asked, pointing off to the distance. Standing not a mile away from Dragonite City was a fort with tan stone walls surrounding it. Inside, they could see a multitude of wooden cabins, and a large stone building in the center. Green and white flags and banners were hung on the walls.

"That," said Duro, "is where you two want to go. That is the Gardevoir Guild HQ. If you wish to become an exploration team, you must go there to register - provided you pass the tests, that is."

"Tests?" Bessie swallowed. "What kind of tests?"

"Well... I'm not sure," Duro admitted. "I've never really tried to join."

"Whatever they are," Bonehead said, keeping optimistic, "I'll bet you we can handle them! Let's go and talk to the guildmaster about joining!"

"Hmm?" Duro looked over at the Cubone. "That's going to be impossible, at this moment. Sylvia is currently at sea, remember?"

"Oh," Bonehead muttered, rubbing the back of her head awkwardly.

"You'll need to speak with Sting," Duro went on. "She's a Vespiquen, and Sylvia's secretary. She handles everything while the guildmaster gone."

"Gotcha," Bessie saiad. She looked very nervous. She had never attempted to join a world famous guild before. Butterfree were flitting about her stomach as they drew closer to both the city and the guild. "D-Do we...?"

They reached the front of Dragonite City before she could finish. "So," Duro said, "do you want to go to the guild now, or would you prefer to come to the city first?"

"Uh... Well..." Bessie muttered, nervously.

"We should go to the guild first to register!" Bonehead said. "Can we get off here?"

"Certainly," Duro said with a smile. "If you register, wait outside the guild for us when you're done. If you need to find me, I'll be at Theron's Shop. I've marked the place on your maps."

"Good luck!" Kala said. "Tell me how awesome it is when you get back!"

"We will!" Bonehead shouted, leaping down from the wagon, her bag in tow. "Thanks so much for everything you've done!"

"Thanks!" Bessie repeated. "Bye!"

"Good-bye, girls," Duro said. "May we meet again soon."

"Bye!" Kala shouted.

The wagon drove off, leaving Bessie and Bonehead alone, standing in front of the guild. It looked even taller up close. The walls were each forty feet high and made from well crafted stone. There was a massive cave-like gate, which served as an entrance, huge and gaping. Inside was dark, except for a few lit torches that barely offered an illumination at this range.

"So..." Bessie said, slowly. "Here we are..."

Bonehead grabbed her friend's hand. "Come on," she said. "We can do it. Just like we beat Fearow."

Bessie nodded. "You're right. Let's go."

Hand in hand, the two friends walked into the cave.

Author's Note:

Geez, I feel like a jerk. I wait two weeks to give my loving fans a chapter and it isn't even super long.

Sorry, I've been wrapped up with my other fanfic Pokemon Black and White: Tony's Journey, and also considering rewriting Pokemon Red: Tony's Journey for a few reasons.

Well, the Kramzak/Umbreon alliance has begun and poor Icelia was powerless to stop it! What could have happened to the messenger?

Bonehead and Bessie are on their way to join the guild! Will they get past the grueling trial required to do so?

By the way, readers, I'm going to test something out: the next chapter will be a little bit shorter than normal, but I will be able to update on time!

Thanks for your patience. Be sure to review!