Solgaleo and Lunala took place in the deepest clearing of the crystal cave.
"You shouldn't have turned them away, Sol" Lunala said, "An exploration guild could have helped us"
"I wasn't willing to take that risk Luna. I am scared, an emotion I'm not usually privy to. I'm scared it will come after us. Or worse, you"
"You should be more worried about yourself. Controlling the Sun is much more important than the Moon. Remember…"
"I remember. The Moon can't shine without the Sun's help" Solgaleo said, "I only wonder who or what could've killed Xerneas"
"Likely another Legendary", Lunala responded, "But who, and why?"
"I wish I knew, Luna. I truly wish"
…
"And you didn't go deeper to find out who was speaking to you?" Guildmaster Cleo asked the group when they got back to the guild.
"No sir. I didn't want to put the kids in any danger, so I backed off this time" Shadow responded.
"I really wish you would have gone farther, now we have to plan another trip to fully explore it and see who is hiding in there"
"I'm sorry sir, but the kids' safety was more important" Shadow retorted, "What if it was a hardened criminal who hurt them, or hurt my daughter?"
Cleo paused for a moment, "I should have known putting you with your daughter would be a bad idea" he chuckled, "I'll remember that for next time. You're free for the rest of the day now"
…
"I can't believe he didn't let us go deeper. How rotten is that?" Eclipse said at the dinner table. She took a large bite out of a chicken wing.
"I was hoping we'd get to fight whoever the voice belonged to, take down a mean criminal" Sapphire agreed, "But I guess that's too advanced for us"
"Thats why I'm going back" Eclipse said. That caught Ruby's attention.
"Go back?" Ruby asked, "I don't think we can do that"
"Who the hell is 'we'? I'm going in alone. I know I'm strong enough for it. Tomorrow is Saturday, so no classes. I'll be back before monday" she explained calmly.
"Eclipse!" Ruby shouted a little too loudly, "Do you know how dangerous this is?!" The luxio shrugged, taking another giant bite of food.
Ruby wanted to say more, but she had a feeling she wouldn't be able to talk Eclipse out of this silly plan, "If you're really going to do that, then I'm coming with you. In case you get hurt"
Sapphire was now the shocked one, "Ruby you can't! Think of how much trouble you'd get in if Cleo found out?" she reasoned.
Ruby thought about it, hard, but then said, "He won't find out. I mean, as dangerous as this is, don't you want to learn about the secret voice?"
Sapphire nodded, and thought about it, "I want to come to, just to learn. We'll be stronger in numbers"
Eclipse rolled her eyes, but let them join in on the plan, "I'm surprised you two wimps agree with me. But whatever. In the morning we're getting on that boat again, we can tell them we lost something back at the dungeon"
The other two nodded, but stopped talking when they saw Shadow walk past them.
"Hello again Eclipse, having fun with your friends?" he asked, and Eclipse just sneered at him. He left dejected, from his own child.
In the morning after some restless sleep, the three of them joined up together outside the guild. It was still early in the morning, the sun was only peeking out of the horizon line, and most pokemon were still asleep.
"Alright losers, you're lucky I'm letting you join. But don't think we're buddies, hell, we'll probably get separated eventually. I don't care if you keep up with me or not, I'm only interested in myself" Eclipse started, "Here's the plan. I get back on that boat, have them sail me to that bluff. Then, when I'm done being a hero and bring back the criminal, I get loads of praise and attention my way. Maybe they'd even let me graduate early. I already know all this junk anyways"
"Bit full of yourself ain't ya? We're in this together, we need as much help as possible to get this guy" Ruby responded.
"She's right, Eclipse, it might be a whole gang of pokemon, you can't fight that alone" Sapphire backed Ruby up.
The luxio rolled her eyes and made way for the shoreline. Sure enough, the captain was there. The old smeargle bought their made up story of forgetting something important yesterday, and agreed to take them back.
Currently, the trio was making their way through the bluff to get back into the dungeon. Finally after a couple hours, they reenter the glittering dungeon. The sight makes Ruby jaw drop. Even though she had already seen this place, it was still gorgeous the second time. Eclipse seemed less impressed though, and immediately ditched them to get exploring.
"Eclipse hey! Wait up!" Ruby yelled while running to catch up with her. Sapphire lagged behind, her fake leg dragging her down.
"Like I said, I don't care if you keep up or not. I plan on doing this myself anyways, don't get in my way" Eclipse spat.
Just then, a familiar voice sounded through their ears, "Who dares enter our domain? Leave now"
Eclipse laughed at the warning, "No way. I'm coming for you!"
Eclipse wasn't kidding when she said she didn't care if they kept up or not. Both Ruby and Sapphire struggled to stay close to the feline. She kept making beelines towards the stairs, taking no time to explore the floors or train with enemies. The voice occasionally made more threats the closer the group came to the clearing.
"Ruby…I'm starting to reconsider this. We shouldn't be doing this" Sapphire said.
"Are you giving up already? Wimps, that's what you two are. I'm not giving up on this"
Ruby spoke up, catching her breath, "Eclipse, why do you care about this so much?"
"Because, I want to impress the guild. Now shut up and let's go already" she responded. Ruby was about to say something about her suddenly caring about them sticking together, but chose not to. Eclipse was already on the run again. Whether she actually cared or not, she wasn't making it easy.
Eclipse made quick work of the enemies with her electric attacks. Ruby had to admit, she was in awe of her power. She knew an evolved pokemon like her would be tough, but she was something else. Having a high rank guild member as your dad probably helps too.
"Come any closer, and you will regret it. Leave this place now" The psychic voice warned one last time.
"Hah! We must be close to a clearing!" Eclipse yelled. She rushed forward into the shiny hallways, looking for the final staircase. She found it in record time, and made the downward descent. Sapphire and Ruby watched her go, momentarily considering whether they should follow.
"We have to do this Sapphire, she needs us even if she thinks she doesn't" Ruby said, and the ponyta nodded.
The clearing left a lot to be desired. It was dazzling, of course. Every wall was adorned with bright gemstones, much bigger than the ones so far. But there were no other pokemon. Eclipse looked around angrily, "Show yourself coward! I came here for a fight!"
Suddenly, a new voice spoke up, "Oh Sol, we need to stop this. These are just kids" it spoke, The voice sounded feminine.
The other voice responded, "You're right. These are just kids. Were you any more of a threat, we would defeat you where you stand. So be considered grateful"
Two pokemon flickered into existence. Aha! So it was a psychic pokemon hiding themselves with their power.
However, when the cloak of invisibility finally wore off, the three students gasped at who they saw before them. Solgaleo and Lunala?!
Eclipse stuttered, "I…I…how in the world…" she looked at them with wide shiny eyes.
Solgaleo stepped forward, shushing her, "Hush. I will hear none of it. You need to leave this place now"
"Wait! I'm so confused! I thought you two lived on mountains, why are you down here?" Sapphire said taking shaky steps forward. She kept looking between the legendary pokemon as though they would attack at any moment.
Lunala replied, "We're hiding down here"
"Luna! Don't give them details!" Solgaleo roared, but she ignored him.
She started again, "Little ones, the truth is that we are scared. This is very hard to explain, but legendary pokemon like us may be in danger" she looked amongst the kids, gauging their understanding. "Do you remember the red moon, from many moons ago?" she asked.
Memories flooded back to Ruby's head. That night…she remembers it so vividly, "When the moon turned red? I think I know what you're talking about" she said confidently. The other two nodded.
"When the moon strikes red, a legendary pokemon has perished." she said flatly. No one knew how to react.
Sapphire gulped, "as in…died?" Lunala and Solgaleo nodded. Oh Arceus…
Solgaleo took his turn to speak next, "Xerneas is dead. And we are afraid, I am afraid. I'm sure the other legendary pokemon feel the same way. I am sure they are hiding as well"
"You need to leave, now. It could be coming for us as we speak, you are in danger as long as your near to us"
Ruby tried to say something, "But we-"
"Leave"
The three of them scramble out of the clearing and back to the floors. Eclipse was still in the lead, but she seemed subdued now, and looked behind her occasionally. Neither Ruby or Sapphire spoke, unsure what to say. When the moon strikes red…
Authors note:
Shorter chapter again, sorry! But theres a lot packed into it. Next chapter will be longer,