Disclaimer: I do not own any part of this story. All rights go to Nintendo for use of their characters, etc.
Chapter 3: Ruckus in the Ruins
"Feeling better?"
Nodding, Cedric Juniper finished the food in his mouth before replying to his daughter.
"Much better."
After having fainted outside Chargestone Cave, Cedric was helped into Professor Juniper's tent by the group. After resting a bit and getting some food in his stomach, Cedric had formally introduced himself to the group.
"So you're Professor Juniper's father?" Ash inquired.
"Indeed I am. I'm also a Pokémon researcher. I specialize in Legendary Pokémon, including Reshiram, Zekrom… and your Manaphy." Cedric responded, glancing at the Pokémon in May's arms. "It's amazing you managed to catch one. They're so rare, and I've never even seen one in person before!" he continued, marveling at the Legendary Water-Type.
"Well… it's kind of a long story." May replied sheepishly.
"So anyway, what brings you to these parts?" Professor Juniper asked.
"My research, of course! Some fascinating ruins were recently discovered around here, and there's evidence to suggest that it links to Zekrom and the Hero's Legend!" Cedric replied excitedly.
"Zekrom? Hero's Legend?" May asked.
"Ah, you must be new to the region." Cedric guessed. "Zekrom is a Legendary Pokémon that is said to aid someone who wants to build a world of ideals. According to the legend, Zekrom will descend and lend its power to the Hero who turns darkness into light."
"Wow…" Ash marveled at the thought of maybe seeing Zekrom. "Could we come with you?"
"I don't think…" Cedric began, causing everyone to moan in disappointment.
"…there's any reason you shouldn't." he finished, causing everyone to raise an eyebrow.
"My father gets a little distracted and forgets to finish his sentences sometimes." Professor Juniper explained.
"So… you're saying we can go with you?" May asked.
"Absolutely!" Cedric replied happily, eliciting a cheer from everyone. "We'd better get going. If we're lucky, maybe we'll even get a chance to catch a glimpse of Zekrom itself while we're there!"
Excited by the prospect of actually seeing the legendary Dragon/Electric-Type Pokémon, the group said their goodbyes to Professor Juniper and followed Cedric as they set off on their next adventure.
/-/-/
After hours of hiking through the woods and caves, the group set up camp for the night in the forest. Using the ingredients he brought with him, Cilan was able to prepare a simple yet delicious meal for everyone. He even prepared some special Pokémon food for Axew and Pikachu, but became rather indignant when Pikachu showed more interest in a ketchup bottle than in his food.
For May, having such a talented chef with them was rather nostalgic, as Cilan reminded her of Brock in that respect. She thought about all the good times the group had on their adventures, and couldn't help but wonder where they were now. Heck, she hadn't even heard from her own brother, Max, for quite a while. Then again, he was probably busy, having started his own journey as a trainer not long ago. She reflected on these thoughts as she sat in front of the campfire, absent-mindedly stroking Manaphy's head as he munched on a Poffin.
"Whatcha thinkin' about, May?" Ash asked her, jarring May out of her reverie.
"Oh, just thinking about the 'good old days'. Y'know, our first journey together." May replied with a smile.
Ash nodded and smiled as well, recalling those fond memories and how they were the beginning of their life together.
"I wonder how the others are. Brock stayed in Kanto to study to become a Pokémon doctor, but what about Max?" Ash asked.
"He started his own journey as a trainer a few months ago," May replied.
"Really?" Ash asked, raising an eyebrow. "I wonder how he'll react when he finds out about us being together now."
"For Arceus' sake, Ash, he thinks the world of you!" May laughed. "You should've heard him when first called to tell me about his journey; he wouldn't stop talking about how much he was looking forward to battling you and showing you his progress. He'll probably think it's the coolest thing ever!"
"You're right," Ash replied, smiling. "I don't need to worry about him. Your father, on the other hand, is a different story."
"Ugh, will you stop being so paranoid?" May groaned, giving Ash a playful shove. "I can't see my dad having a problem with this. He thinks you're a great guy, really. Besides, given the choice, I'm sure he'd rather have me be with you than with Drew."
"Can't argue with that," Ash replied with a grin.
"Besides," May continued, "I'm sure mom and dad wouldn't object to having grandchildren."
At that, Ash's eyes widened and his face turned beet red.
"Uh… May… you think it's maybe… a little too soon to be thinking about that?" he stammered.
May rolled her eyes and gave Ash another shove as she replied.
"Ash, I was talking about Manaphy." she clarified, nodding to their Pokémon child snuggled in her arms. Ash breathed a sigh of relief, laughing nervously.
"Although…" May added in a seductive tone as she leaned closer to Ash, "…eventually, Manaphy might want a little brother or sister."
Ash grinned as he leaned over and pressed his lips to May's.
"Eventually." he replied with a wink.
/-/-/
The next morning, the group arrived at the entrance to the ruins and proceeded inside. Cedric warned them to be cautious of possible traps, though, which put them on edge a bit.
Presently, the group arrived at what appeared to be a dead end; a stone wall with strange writing on it.
"Look, there's something in the wall!" Iris pointed out. The group approached and examined what seemed to be a small Venipede statue set in an indent in the wall. Next to it was an ancient inscription in an odd language.
"It's the first trap." Cedric warned. He took out a small book and began translating the inscription as the others examined the statue.
"Alright," Cedric began, "The text says that turning the statue to the left…"
"Like this?" Cilan asked, turning the statue.
"…is not a good idea!" Cedric finished. But it was too late as the wall slid down, revealing a massive boulder which began to roll towards the group.
"CRAP!" Ash exclaimed as the group began to run.
"PIKA!" Pikachu agreed. Fortunately, Cilan's Pansage used Dig, creating a hole in the floor and providing an escape as the boulder just barely missed the group.
"Ungh! Next time, could we maybe try letting the Professor finish his sentence before we do anything?" May remarked angrily, earning an agreement from everyone.
Proceeding, the group came to a deep chasm with two wooden bridges.
"One of them must be a trap," Ash commented. "Which one is it, Professor?"
"Let's see," Cedric began, consulting his book, "Crossing the bridge on the right side is wrong…"
Yet again failing to wait, Ash and Cilan moved on to the left bridge… only to have it collapse beneath them.
"…and the bridge on the left is wrong as well." Cedric finished, much to the chagrin of Ash and Cilan as they held on to the remains of the bridge while May and Iris helped pull them up.
"Did we not discuss this?" May asked the two, annoyed by their lack of patience.
"Mana! Mana-mana! Phi!" Manaphy agreed from May's shoulder, crossing his arms.
"Okay, okay." Ash sighed, holding his hands up. "We'll try to be more patient."
Fortunately, Axew had already discovered an alternate path to allow the group to continue. Following it, they arrived in front of three cave entrances, painted to resemble Golett, Darumaka, and Krokorok.
"Any clues this time?" Iris asked Cedric.
"Not here." he replied.
"Well, let's try the Darumaka cave." Ash suggested.
The group entered the Darumaka cave, but only made it a few steps before walls of fire erupted from the ground around them, trapping them.
"Crap, it was a trap!" Ash yelled, stumbling away from the fire.
"Manaphy, use Water Gun, quick!" May shouted. The legendary Water-Type jumped down from his perch and used the move, dousing the flames blocking the path from which they came.
"Okay, how about the Krokorok cave?" Ash said after the group had retreated from the Darumaka cave. There were no words of protest.
Unfortunately, this cave turned out to be a trap as well. This became apparent when the walls began moving and closing in on the group, and only Iris's Excadrill holding the walls saved them as they fled.
"Well, the Golett cave must be it." Ash said.
"Of course. I knew that the whole time." Cedric revealed, causing everyone to minorly freak out.
"And you didn't tell us?!" Cilan exclaimed.
"That's doing things the easy way. Where's the fun in that?" Cedric asked, laughing.
"Well, it was pretty fun." Ash grinned, causing May and Iris to stare at him in disbelief.
"Ash, I'm not sure 'fun' is the right word." May replied as both she and Manaphy exchanged glances with sweat drops on their foreheads.
"I gotta agree with May." Iris added.
Continuing ahead, the group arrived in a hallway lined with several Egyptian-style sarcophagi. As they moved on to the next area, the group didn't notice one of the coffins slide away from the wall. After passing through a large revolving door, which was surprisingly not a trap, the group found themselves inside a cavernous room with stairs leading to a lower level.
"Look, down there," Iris called, pointing towards the center of the room's lower level. There was a circular area surrounded by blue crystals.
"These crystals have been present in other ruins I've explored," Cedric began. "It's likely this is where the Hero and Zekrom made contact!"
The others were amazed to hear this. Suddenly, Pikachu got their attention.
"Pika-pi!" called the Electric-Type, pointing at a round glowing object embedded in the floor.
"What is that?" Ash wondered aloud as he bent down to examine it, only to be quickly yanked back by Cedric.
"Careful!" he warned. "If I'm not mistaken, that's the Golden Dark Stone. It was used to contact Zekrom, so it's liable to be booby-trapped. Because of its importance, its traps are certain to be far, far deadlier than the ones we've encountered already."
Ash and Pikachu gulped nervously, imagining the gruesome result of getting caught in whatever traps were rigged to the stone.
Deciding that they had come far enough, the group turned around to head back. Suddenly, a colorful, winged Pokémon with a round body and a third eye protruding from the top of its head swooped down from the opening at the top of the chamber and headed towards the group. Ash was quick to pull out his Pokédex and scan the creature.
*Sigilyph, the Avianoid Pokémon. Sigilyph keeps enemies from invading its territory with its Psychic powers and was the guardian of cities long ago.*
The Sigilyph then fired a powerful Psybeam attack at the group, knocking them back. Ash recovered first and was quick to react.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!" Ash commanded. The yellow Mouse Pokémon obeyed, but missed as Sigilyph was quick to dodge the incoming Electric-Type attack. The Psychic-Type responded by using Mirror Move, which gave the group a painful shock. It then used Hypnosis, putting Pikachu to sleep.
"Ah, hell!" Iris yelled.
"Quick, run for it!" Cedric exclaimed. The group retreated from the chamber and found themselves back in the hallway with the coffins. The lids were off, revealing them to all be empty. The group hid inside them and stayed put until Sigilyph moved on.
"That was a close one," May commented as Pikachu recovered from the Hypnosis attack and woke up.
"Wait, where's Iris?" Cedric wondered.
"Iris, you can come out now!" Ash called, looking towards the coffin Iris hid in. The coffin opened and revealed what at first seemed to be another coffin… until it revealed a face and four shadowy arms as it leapt out of the coffin and crawled towards the group. May pulled out her Pokédex and aimed it at the living coffin.
*Cofagrigus, the Coffin Pokémon and the evolved form of Yamask. People who approach Cofagrigus are swallowed and turned into mummies. It loves to eat gold.*
Cofagrigus used Telekinesis to hold the others at bay, causing them to float in midair.
"May! Stop him!" Cilan called, as May was the only one not immobilized by the Cofagrigus.
"Manaphy, quick! Use Water Pulse!" May instructed as her Seafaring Pokémon jumped down and formed an orb of water before sending it at Cofagrigus. The attack connected, and Cofagrigus became confused as it slowly turned in her direction.
"Co-fa-grigus!" it roared, firing a Ghost-Type attack at Manaphy. Due to its confusion, it was inaccurate and the Water-Type easily dodged it.
"Great! Now use Bubble Beam!" May commanded.
"Mana!" the Water-Type acknowledged, releasing a stream of bubbles at the coffin-like Pokémon. The attack connected, knocking out Cofagrigus as it fell to the ground, dumping out Iris and Axew, who were both wrapped in bandages like mummies.
"Well, you all just took your sweet old time, didn't you?!" Iris blurted out as she was unwrapped.
"You're welcome," May replied sarcastically as Manaphy jumped into her arms, both of them sighing in frustration.
The group fled through another passage, only to find themselves in another area filled with Cofagrigus. They kept going before running into the Sigilyph from earlier, who began chasing them with its Psybeam attack.
"Why is everything in these ruins trying to kill us!?" May yelled.
"It's not like we stole the Golden Dark Stone or anything!" Cilan added.
"Actually, that's exactly what we did!" Cedric admitted, revealing that he was holding onto the Dark Stone in question.
"You… have got… TO BE KIDDING ME!" Iris shrieked.
"Professor, I thought you told us not to touch that!" Ash exclaimed.
"I did, but how could I resist? You can't blame me for trying!" Cedric replied, laughing. "But we've had our fun. I guess I'll return it…"
Unfortunately, this was too little, too late; Sigilyph fired its Psybeam again just as the mob of Cofagrigus caught up to them, sending the group flying through a passage in the wall. They were deposited in a flooded underground cavern, where Cedric revealed that this is where he intended for them to end up; it was where Zekrom appeared and used its power to help the Hero in the myth.
Inspired by the story, the group was determined to escape as well and began searching for an exit. Finally, they found one, which conveniently led right back into the chamber where the Golden Dark Stone was before.
"There. Returned safe and sound." Cedric said as he placed the stone back into its place. The pursuing Pokémon seemed to disregard this, though, as the Cofagrigus and Sigilyph converged on the group.
"Look, we're sorry alright!" Ash cried out. "We returned the Golden Dark Stone to its rightful place! Stop attacking us!"
Cofagrigus responded by launching them through the opening at the top of the chamber with its Telekinesis. As the Cofagrigus withdrew its Telekinesis, the group began hurtling towards the ground, screaming and clutching their Pokémon tightly.
"Quick, we've only got one chance!" Cedric shouted. "Zekrom aided the Hero only when their hearts became one, right? That's what you've got to do! Link your hearts with your Pokémon!"
Focusing as hard as they could, each member of the group recalled every fond memory they had with their Pokémon. They all loved their Pokémon dearly, thinking of how happy they made them. Finally, their descent slowed until they were brought down to a safe landing on the ground. In front of them were Sigilyph and Cofagrigus, both having calmed down after being convinced of the group's love for Pokémon. The group offered their thanks as the Pokémon departed.
/-/-/
Back outside the ruins, Cedric prepared to take his leave of the group to continue exploring the ruins.
"Thanks for letting us tag along, professor!" Ash said, smiling.
"I have to admit, it was kinda fun," May added, grinning.
"It was a most flavorful experience, professor!" Cilan agreed. "Hope we can do it again sometime!"
"If I find any more ruins that need exploring, I know just who to call," Cedric replied with a grin. "Until then, I hope to see you around!" he finished, heading off as everyone said their goodbyes.
And with that, our heroes continued on their way to Mistralton City.
I have returned!
Seriously though, from now on I'm gonna make sure I warn you guys if I'm gonna be taking a break or whatever for this long. Hopefully I'll have some free time coming up for writing, so expect my next update to be sooner than this one. Until then, everyone!