Dusty opened his eyes. Darkness surrounded him, thick and eerie, and he couldn't quite remember where he was, or why. In his dreams he'd still been in the gardens where he was born. Living there had been wonderful, the weather delightful, mates aplenty, and fights wherever he picked them.

Now such comforts were gone, and his entire body ached... memories of his new life flooded in unbidden. Awareness decreed there was something heavy on top of him, something solid and broad, and there was wet trickling along the fur on his ears. The normal-type closed his eyes again. Exhausted, he truly just wanted to go back to sleep. That was exactly what he was about to do when a strange sound intruded upon his consciousness, the tiniest little noises, almost a hymn. The very same sound continued to ring out the more he shifted where he lay, and it developed a nagging familiarity when he called out into the darkness.

That sound, was it not..? There was a strange, metallic smell, familiar to him in some vague way.

"Sprite?" Dusty woofed out, recognizing her strange little sounds now, his ears twitching as he tried to get himself up. The bulk was too much, it would require much more effort. The water-type said nothing specific, but when Dusty focused, he realized he could feel her breathing...

His surroundings became much clearer the more he blinked and looked around. The sudden motion caused dust particles and debris to go fluttering all around, but when he moved his muzzle to the right, he was suddenly aware of the tiny, warm bulk against his head. The moisture had the distinct smell of water, and he realized the tiny warmth against his head had a heartbeat and was breathing. It was Sprite herself, and she was breathing strangely, shallowly. When he called out to her again, she still did not respond, and that was when the worry set in.

He tried to make sense of his surroundings. There were fallen boulders and rocks all around him, one in particular was trapped peculiarly above him, not quite crushing Dusty's frame- probably saving his life- but instead propped up by the two rocks below and on either side of it. The center boulder on top of him was just low enough that he was stuck underneath it, but looking closely at the stack of fallen earth material, he realized if he did it just right, he could manage to get himself out without all three tumbling down. If he messed up, however, all three would fall right on top of him and Sprite.

The normal type's heart hammered in his big, fluffy chest. Beside his head, Sprite let out a strange, pathetic sound. It was incredibly weak, and he realized the air coming out of her frame had a peculiar whistle to it, like she was struggling to breathe. He wished he could get a better look at her but that would have to wait until after he got them out of this. Carefully, slowly, Dusty took his chances- he wiggled himself slowly but steadily out from under his rock tomb. The immense weight on him shifted, and his muscles bulged as he tried to twist his limbs free. For a scary second the teeming tower of rocks wobbled towards him, and he closed his eyes and yelped, expecting it all to come crashing down- then his paws and legs were free, and he could turn to get a look at Sprite. He'd done it!

Panting, Dusty acknowledged his surroundings more clearly now- they were lucky, they had avoided the worst of the rockfall. Aside from the weight that had been almost crushing him, the area was pretty clear, give or take a few small stones and chunks of debris. Well, except for the particular spot Sprite lay splayed, and the normal-type felt a rush of panic as he realized that it was not just water on his ear, but a crimson moisture he found all too familiar from his scrappy youth.

Dusty remembered the last moment before he'd knocked unconscious with sudden clarity. He'd been with Avery, his trainer, and then he'd noticed Sprite tumble off the boy's shoulder during the commotion. He'd watched with wide eyes as a huge stone, which surely would have killed her, rushed straight towards her tiny insectile frame while their trainer didn't even seem to notice. Dusty had acted quickly, abandoning his trainer himself.

He did not blame the humans, they were worse off with their poor senses and awareness, but a part of Dusty was incredibly angry. He'd cast himself forward, taking the brunt of the blow himself, and then everything went black, but where was Avery now?

Sprite's blood steadily trickled from her round frame, a bit of water streaming from the tip of her head, the very same water that had drenched his head. Dusty nosed the girl. "Sprite... Sprite!" His ears lowered and he whined when she didn't move. He nosed her harder, and she finally shifted.

Slowly, weakly, her eyes slid open. She made a tinkling sound of greeting, far weaker than usual. The light in her eyes was weak.

Dusty smiled and rubbed against her. "You're okay. I'm here."

She acknowledged him with a gentle twinkle in her eyes, making a terrible wheezing noise. He inspected her closely, and found the wound around her left legs. Three of them seemed useless now, and there was blood streaming down her side. When he nosed around the water-type limbs, she suddenly started spasming, and there near the bottom left part of her belly was indeed the source of the blood. Some of her legs had been crushed, possibly the very same rock digging into her slide, creating a wound that was shallow, but still bleeding rather steadily. She had been lucky in that only her legs and the top of them that were wounded, the rocks that had caused her problems could just as easily have hit the fullness of her round body, and she'd likely have been splattered just like that. Instead, she'd merely been - hopefully temporarily- crippled. Dusty did his best to be gentle as he eased the small water-type girl onto his back.

His own body was incredibly sore, but he ignored it. His muscle pains and complaints could come after his work was done.

Using his nose, Dusty easily picked up the smell of his trainer, but the stronger scent came from his left- Lady and Chastity. He focused intensely, using his keen sense of smell. They were both going... below? But why? When the normal-type sniffed, he noticed all kinds of scents drifting about, including- though it was vague, the smell of outside. It was far, but he could make it there earthquakes and cave-ins had blocked a lot of paths, but he knew well how to destroy boulders with his body. Jamming his body against the rocks, he did his best to keep Sprite steady and moved towards the outside, quickly but carefully. When she made pathetic noises he realized there was no way he'd be able to move fast and not stimulate her wounds.

Stopping, he howled in agony, and struggled to know what to do. Should he turn back? Should he leave the way they came in? How fast could he make it out, enough to get to that inn and grab the old lady? But that human was slow. Dusty had never seen another Pokemon pass away... he did not want to start with his friend. Staring into Sprite's eyes, he nosed her gently. She stared back with love in her own, trusting him.

"You're safe. I promise you're safe with me, Sprite!"

But was she really? Had he just lied to his only friend? He was about to fall into despair when suddenly, deep laughter broke out. "Crying, huh? You owned sort are pretty pathetic, aren't you! Second group today we've met!" It was coming from high up. Dusty spun when he nosed a strong smell, no, smells... There, perched in the darkness on top of one of the massive boulders, was a Zubat. His wings beat steadily. "Noisy, too. A bat can't catch a nap with that kind of racket."

Furfrou barked with relief, "C-Can you help me and my friend?"

The Zubat fluttered into the air, hovering a few feet from Dusty's face. "I could... but why should I? What have you owned type ever done for us wilder folk, eh? Nothin'! Fat load of nothin'!"

A different voice rang out, and Dusty growled in surprise as yet another Zubat emerged from a different place, wings whipping up and down. The two had similar voices, were they related? "Nothin'? I say more than nothing! I say if it dies it dies! That's just nature, and I certainly won't cry!" Howling laughter flickered around the caves. Dusty grit his fangs.

"Grr, if you're not going to help me, leave," he began to pace ahead, ignoring the group that revealed to be a trio, which despite his dismissal, now flitted around him, following close. He growled with aggravation when he heard them begin to use sonic calls, communicating in a unique way that only that particular line knew how to understand. The normal-type scowled at all the noise, knowing it was likely increasing Sprite's stress.

"Well... maybe we can help," one of the annoying Zubats said, and Dusty's soul seemed to light on fire inside him. Reinvigorated, he cocked his head, listening close as he skidded to a stop.

"I've decided we'll help, so we will!" The second said, "I'm the leader by the way!"

The third laughed, "Leader of nothing! C'mon! First, we gotta make it there! Let's hope your friend doesn't die before we find our own first!"

So, they were taking him to a friend that could help? The trio of blue, eyeless bats blasted ahead, wings fluttering rapidly, propelling themselves through the air. Dusty adjusted Sprite, placing her on the ground.

"I'm going to carry you with my mouth," he explained, then took her between his jaws, "I-I'll try to be gentle."

Sprite merely closed her eyes. Dusty scooped her up in his mouth, careful with his fangs, and took off after the trio of flying-types. The chase was actually quite a struggle, it was difficult to dart this way and that around rocks, meanwhile they just flew over it. Multiple times he had to gather up all his strength and leap, muscles bunching beneath the fur, scaling the particularly sturdy, stuck in place stones blocking his way, darting through Mt. Coronet's tunnel system.

His lungs hurt from all this running, his earlier pains coming back. Much to his shock, and concern, they started going down. They whipped around corners, down long slopes, going this way and that, then around a different path, then into a hole- where in the world were they going?! Oddly, his trainer's smell did not smell terribly far. Then the zubat's flew to an abrupt stop.

"Excuse me, my queens, we found people just as you ordered!" One of the zubat's exclaimed.

"A reward, a reward! Show us your pussy like you promised Queen Chastity!" A second screeched with glee, nodding enthusiastically.

"You losers don't even have eyes, we lied about the reward!" A familiar voice snapped back. Dusty panted, and much to his surprise, he skidded to a hasty stop in front of a pair of very, very familiar Pokemon. Much to his shock, the two - Lady and Chastity - looked snug as can be, their bodies resting in a deep pool of water that radiated a certain level of warmth. They had their legs extended, but entwined together, and the pair had an almost lover's embrace, bodies pressed against one another. At the sight of him, Lady burst away from Chastity, coughing nervously- then the beautiful, elegant Kirlia floated out of the pool of water. Dusty couldn't care less about whatever went on here.

"She is hurt. I can sense it. Deeply hurt."

A member of the Zubat trio floated close. "You're a psychic type, Queen Lady! Surely you can help!"

Lady and Dusty met eyes, and the Kirlia looked away, guiltily. "I-I'm not sure that I can heal her with how much blood she has left. Besides, her legs are not just broken, they're bent in the wrong shape. This requires human-"

"Try!" Dusty interrupted, a howling snarl. "Try to help! You didn't even look at the wound!"

Lady gave him a sharp look. Then she sighed and knelt down, drawing closer to Sprite on her knees. Dripping with water, the cocky little brat was getting on his nerves. Avery was missing, Sprite was hurt, and they'd been - what- bathing? Chastity had the decency to look ashamed as she got out. She avoided Dusty's probing gaze.

"We... had to clean. I'll leave it at that," the bunny offered in a weak explanation.

Dusty snorted, turning back to Lady. She had her hand resting on Sprite's frame. The delicate water-type insect was barely breathing.

"If I do this, if I use my energy for this, I will not be able to find Master," Lady finally said, pulling her hand away. The beautiful psychic-type said that with a certain finality, not even thinking about getting their opinions, thinking of other options to reunite with their trainer. Dusty shoved his face in hers.

"I can smell him! Heal her - before I rip you up!" He was fast, but she danced away, scowling at him.

"Smell him? This place only gets bigger as we explore! If you separate us further from Master-"

"Lady-" Chastity exclaimed sharply, "Please, please just try. If Dusty says he can find Avery, I say we trust him." The buneary pawed his side in a soothing manner, stroking his tensed-up muscles. Dusty said nothing. Chastity was awfully friendly with Lady now and acting buddy-buddy with him too. That was just plain weird, but perhaps Chastity realized how serious Sprite's condition was. Dusty turned his dark gaze back to Lady, who was glaring at the big, muscular Furfrou with his wild fur stuck out everywhere. He knew the girl felt nothing for Sprite, their party member and companion.

Those ruby eyes were devoid of love for anyone but Avery. That had always been clear. Lady met the challenge in his laser hot gaze. He would not look away, not relent, until the selfish psychic-type gave in. There was no reason to further resist- his nose was reliable enough, even with all the debris in the air, even with the scents of all these wild Pokemon. He promised this with his eyes.

'Please, Lady. Please just help us... I know that you can.'

After a few precious seconds, the Kirlia dropped her gaze, and slowly nodded. Kneeling back down, she placed both her hands onto the water-insect. The way she touched Sprite was oddly different this time, she stroked Sprite gently, with an almost motherly touch.

"Stay with me, eyes open, focus on me," she ordered, and obeying, Sprite's eyes slid open. She made a pleasant little hum, pathetic and weak, almost tragic. It hung in the air.

"She's not doing so well," One of the Zubat's cried out in outrage.

"Hurry, hurry, she's gonna die at this rate! What a shame, one less human pet!" the second called. The third stayed quiet, merely observed.

There was a distinct tightness in the air, everybody was anxious, worried. Dusty wondered who these three random wild mons were, and why they were subservient to Chastity and Lady, but he decided not to question it. Lady grit her teeth and narrowed her eyes, and her body began to glow a very faint pink. At first, Dusty was afraid it wasn't going to work. A few painful seconds passed, melting into a minute. Much to his surprise, sweat began to build on Lady's forehead.

"Can the ugly Queen do it?"

"Don't you mean the superior one? Lady Chastity is nothing compared to her-"

"But she's ugly inside!"

Lady's eye twitched with aggravation as the trio of annoying bats bantered.

"I don't think either are particularly strong. They beat us but we're Zubats!"

Chastity glowered at the flying trio, "HEY! Zubat Brothers- shut it! Before I wallop you again!"

"Ahh! I almost LONG for your abuse! But..."

"For you, my love, anything!" The second screed.

"If only an egg between us would be possible, that would be the only acceptable outc-"

Chastity interrupted that particular Zubat with a stern, rapid slap, batting him out of the air with her ears. The blow was light, but serious enough that it shut him up right away, his body slamming into the nearby wall. So, the pair had beaten these three up and then turned them into some kind of servants? "Seriously, shut it you insufferable idiots! Make yourself busy, go look around like we ordered. Find humans. "

Scoffing, the "Zubat brothers'' darted away into the nearby darkness. Hopefully they would be gone for quite a while.

Dusty decided to ignore everything, heavily focusing on Lady and Sprite. One minute trudged into two- still nothing. Lady suddenly yelled in frustration, and when he glanced her way, he noticed she was shaking slightly, her teeth clattering, body still glowing that intense, warm pink- her eyes flickering with brilliant light... Then, it happened. The glow erupted from her hands in a gentle wave, slowly wrapping around Sprite. Dusty panted, barking with excitement, prancing around the area. It was working!

"C-Chastity, come here!" The Buneary scurried over, standing at the ready. Lady directed her with a broken, shuddering voice, as if the lack of focus was about to throw her off. "Y-You need to twist her legs back into the proper position! If they heal the way they are now, she'll never be able to use them!" The healing pulse shimmered in the air. Lady guided the gentle, warm light all over Sprite's body.

Sprite let out a shrill ring of alarm as Chastity's paws touched her legs. The water-type spasmed.

"L-Let's get her into the water," Dusty suggested. "Maybe that will help?"

"Stop breathing on me, dog! And DON'T move her!" Lady yelled, face whipping and crimson eyes losing their glow, rage flooding from them. She whipped her glare back toward the other normal-type present. "Her legs , Chastity!"

"I-I'm trying!" The buneary swallowed, gulping as she trembled and held the limbs despite Sprite's horrible sounds. With a few harsh motions, she jerked Sprite's legs until they were splayed out and straight - more like their natural shape. As she did this Lady guided the bright pulse of healing energy across those limbs... Dusty's eyes widened as he darted forth. He half-expected Lady to complain about him being close again, instead the beautiful, slender Kirlia exhaled steadily, clearly focused on the healing she was doing.

Dusty heard Sprite's heartbeat pick up, saw the legs and wound on her body seal slowly. Lady suddenly yelled, and all the light around her died, the fairy-type aura melting away as she collapsed. Chastity jumped forward, catching her around the waist. The two shared an interesting glance, then Chastity eased one of Lady's arms around her shoulders. The psychic-type was exhausted, and much to Dusty's shock, a single trickle of blood seeped from her ear.

"I-I'm okay," Lady whispered harshly, her red eyes half-lidded as she swayed in place. "Need... Need to sleep. M-Master... master, find him... need... to rest."

Dusty darted forward this time as Lady collapsed sideways, slumping forward off of Chastity's shoulder and plummeting towards the ground. As Sprite started to pick herself slowly, trembling, up - Lady fell. Dusty just managed to catch her, lifting the psychic type in his jaws, breathing heavily. He half-expected the kirlia to complain, to kick and squeal, and try to escape his grip and the saliva drenching her pretty little frame- but she stayed deep asleep. Chastity lifted Sprite, and Dusty smiled when, sleepy, the now healed water-type closed her eyes- but not near death this time.

The Zubat trio suddenly reappeared. "Big news, big news!"

Chastity shushed them, and seeing their "Queen Lady" was injured, the three actually hushed up. "What happened?" The normal-type bunny asked.

"We found a human! But... well..."

"She's not very friendly. She yelled at us when we found her group! Tried to hit us with stuff! Not very nice at all!"

"A group of humans?" Dusty glanced at Chastity, and they shared equally troubled expressions. "Sprite and Lady could not handle it if we needed to fight."

There was a long, intense moment of silence.

"Those humans we mentioned, they seem to be getting ready to power up some machine. Rumors are going around the caves that these people mean business!"

"And business is bad! Hey- now that I think about it, humans are bad!" The second Zubat brother chuckled.

"So what we're saying is they might not be around here much longer! They're going down levels soon!"

Down toward Avery, whose smell also drifted below the earth? Dusty saw that Chastity was so worried about Lady and Sprite she would not be much help. Sighing, Dusty sat Lady back down in the warm pool of water, and Chastity soon let Sprite join her. The pair of injured Pokemon rested in the water together.

Dusty made a decision. He was the male here, and he was the only one who had won a battle. Going after the human group when he had no idea who they were- that could be helpful, if they were good people. But if they had a huge machine the Zubats were right, that meant business, and with how the earth had seemingly been falling apart, maybe those humans and their machine were the reason why. Aka, despite the risk, it was better to let the humans go down on their own.

"We'll wait," Dusty decided.

"But... if Avery is in that group-" Chastity spoke up. She went silent as a slim white hand grabbed her arm.

"M-Master!" Lady cried out, eyes fluttering in her sleep. Tossing and turning at the sound of his name, she was shuddering violently.

"Lady and Sprite need to rest. It's that simple."

The Zubat trio fluttered down, joining the "owned" mons by the pool of water. All three nuzzled up against Chastity, who sighed as she gave them all dirty looks, but did not complain. Dusty sunk himself down in the warm pool, groaning when the warm waves lapped at his taut, exhausted muscles. He needed a nap himself. Together, the group nestled in the water. Chastity and the Zubat trio stayed away, murmuring to one another. They would wait, for now.

Staring fondly at Sprite's sleeping face, Dusty finally relaxed and smiled. I'm glad you're okay," he woofed softly. She twitched. Then, his eyes slid shut and he joined them in their temporary rest.