The Greatest Pokemon Trainer Six Pokemon In Search Of A Trainer, a pokémon fanfic

Here's the next chapter, I hope you'll enjoy it.

Pokemonking0924 - Thanks for understanding. I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. Hoss is a great character to write; it's fun to write the way he speaks. Halcyon has revealed some good information for them to use in finding the rest of their family, I had been waiting for ages to reveal it. His personality will conflict with others as you will see in this chapter, but I'm sure he will find his peace in not only in himself, but also with his new family. Thank you for reading and I hope you'll enjoy this chapter.

FanSuperAnime -That's good to hear, thank you for understanding. Anyway, I'm happy to hear you liked the chapter; well done for guessing about Halcyon and Titania being related. Hoss is a great character, but let's see how well he does with the others (i.e: smaller Pokemon) on the team. Thank you for reading this and my other stories and I hope you'll enjoy this chapter as well.

mermizle - I suppose so, hopefully, with the support of his new friends and family, he will get better in time.

djinn - Thank you so much, I'm glad that you enjoyed it.

wellingtonlucas282 - I'm glad to hear it, thank you very much. Also thank you for the recommendations. I have not read the manga of Iruma-kun, but I did watch the first two seasons of the anime. I like it a lot, but I have to read the manga to compare. I don't think I've heard of Fire Force, but I'll be sure to check it out.

Thanks for your support and I hope you'll enjoy the next chapter.

Kunoichi69 - I get what you mean about Halcyon and Flo, they did seem to get along very well, but I thought that the eevee would want to stay on the same team. You're also right about Alice's and Flo's development of their skills (I.e. Alice's detective skills and Flo's medical knowledge) and they will grow more throughout the story.

Charles is also becoming more well known. I am hoping, by the time they get to Hoenn, he would become more famous.

Thanks for reading.

Sonic07 - Yeah, Halcyon is in bad shape and so will the other members of the eevee family. But, as they you said, he and Titania will get better over time. I really do like the idea of one of the siblings being a rival at the Kanto League; I'll have to remember that. Thanks for reading.

Guest - Yes, he will...but it may take a while. Thanks for reading.

Lovely - It was quite a bittersweet chapter, wasn't it? We will see the eevee family storyline develop over time as the adventure continues. Thank you so much for reading and I hope you'll enjoy the next chapter.

SkullGremonX - Yeah, I agree. A lot did happen in the last chapter. I'm honestly starting to feel a little bad for Thackeray (sort of) maybe I should do a redeeming chapter for him.

A sweater for Halcyon sounds like a lovely idea, but I don't think I can bare putting him in a dog cone; that would be too sad. Thanks for reading.

Guest2 - I see what you mean about Hoss. I didn't want to him to have a western personality, because it will be too similar to Wildfire, so I thought he could be a mixture of Captain Haddock from the Tintin series and Nigel Thornberry from the Wild Thornberrys. I believe that Hoss is fine with babies as long as they level or above his eyesight. We will learn more of his personality in this chapter. Thanks for reading.

EeveeFan - I'm excited to write it just as much. The road to finding all of Titania's siblings is going to be tough, but the destination is worthwhile. I rather do like the idea that Sonic07 suggested, I would have to write it down for the future. I haven't quite decided what to do with the eevee brothers yet, but I'll see what I can do closer to the time. Thanks so much for reading.

Guest - Aww, that's so good to hear. I like to thank everyone for sending in requests.

Impatient - I'm terribly sorry for the wait. I hope this chapter makes up for it.

ymrgf - I'm sorry to hear that. I admit that the first few chapters are quite similar, but after Cerulean city the story becomes less canonical. Thanks for reading anyway.

Thank you all for reviewing :)

Chapter 37: Six Pokemon In Search Of A Trainer

Camp, The Safari Zone

It was another beautiful morning in the Safari Zone and the team were having breakfast at their usual camping site. The humans and Benny and Marina were sat on camping stools around a folding table while the rest of the sixteen Pokemon were eating from their own bowls of pokefood in the clearing nearby. Some of them were busy chatting with each other as they ate while others, notably the newer members of the team, were sat in silence and staring up at the sky as pidgey flew overhead.

However, there was one Pokemon who was not eating with them.

Charles turned around on his stool and looked over to see Hoss the tauros eating from his bowl in the tree line around the clearing a few meters away from everybody else.

He frowned slightly in concern, "Hoss are you sure you want to eat all they way out there? You're very far away," he called out to him.

("I'm perfectly fine, my boy,") Hoss replied, his bravado tone contrasting with his worried look at the smaller Pokemon in the clearing, ("I fancy a bit of...of...a change of scenery when I'm eating, that's all.")

Charles hummed slightly at the response, but accepted his excuse and turned back to his breakfast. Benny, who was sat on the table and eating a oran berry, rolled his eyes at the tauros and turned back to gnawing on his berry; he still had not forgiven him for the incident at the stables the other day.

Meanwhile, as Wildfire and Tommy were eating, their attention was caught by the sound of irritated growls and muttering. They turned and saw their latest member, Halcyon, fussing over his portion of pokefood; he had taken every single one of it out and set each pellet neatly on a clean tea towel beside him. He then began to count each single pellet carefully to make sure there was an even number just like how he likes it. Charles did personally count the number of pellets for him beforehand, but the eevee couldn't help but feel the need to check. After counting for the umpteenth time, Halcyon sighed contently before he began to place each pellet back neatly in his bowl. Tommy and Wildfire, who watched the odd scene play out before them, shared a confused look.

("'e's an strange one, ain't 'e?") Tommy said, raising a single eyebrow.

("I know what ya mean. 'e's as bizarre as an arbok in top hat,") Wildfire murmured in his Southern drawl.

("Prolly nervous about bein' 'round other Pokemon. Maybe we should go up and rabbit and pork ter 'im?") Tommy suggested, earning a confused look from the ponyta, ("Talk to 'im,") he corrected himself, ("Sorry, I'm used ter talkin' 'round other diglet loike this.")

("Durn't worry yourself. I'll do it,") Wildfire said before he calmly walked up to the eevee. Halcyon looked up as he noticed the ponyta and raised a critical eyebrow at him, ("Howdy, the name's Wildfire. I was wonderin' i-")

("GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! FIX IT!") Halcyon suddenly yelled in his face.

This, of course, surprised Wildfire so much that he fell onto his side and fainted on the spot.

("Oh not again,") Alette sighed as she and the other members of Flo's team helped to recover the ponyta.

Once, he had recovered and was back on his hooves, the ponyta looked strangely down at the eevee who was still growling at him, ("Now what were ya hollerin' 'bout?") he asked.

("YOUR BROKEN DIALECT! FIX IT NOW!") he demanded as he snarled up at him.

("Ma dialect? But thair ain't nothin' wrong with it,") Wildfire said with an annoyed frown.

("TOO MANY MISPRONOUNCED WORDS! FIX IT OR JUST STOP TALKING ALTOGHETER!")

("Now that's just unreasonable, ya hear?")

("Why daan't I 'ave a try,") Tommy suggested as he dug up to them, ("Sorry mate, It looks loike we off on the wrong foot. The name's Tommy. It's sugar and spice ter meet ya.")

To his surprise, Halcyon growled at him, ("TOO MUCH SLANG! FIX IT!")

("Fix it? But it's just the way I speak,") Tommy uttered in confusion.

("Gentlemen, if I may,") Tomoe said as she pushed past the two, ("It wouldst seemeth that a Pokemon with a more dignified way of speaking, like mine own, shall be behoveful in this situation,") she proudly said before turning to Halcyon, ("Valorous day, mine fellow breatharian, how doth thee fare on this fine day?")

("GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! TOO ARCHAIC! FIX IT!")

("Urk!") Tomoe cried in shock, turning pale and accidently dropping her leek in the process, ("Too...archaic...")

Meanwhile, while this was going on, Ichigo had finished his breakfast and was busy meditating with his eyes closed beneath a tree. After his defeat at the Fuchsia City Gym, he had decided that he needed much more practise and he hoped that being in the Safari Zone would help. He breathed in for eight seconds and then breathed out for eight seconds, trying his best to control himself and bring out his inner fighting spirit.

("Here you go, darling. I know these ones are your favourites.")

("Thank you. And here's one for you.")

("Aww, you're so sweet.")

Trying was the key word.

Ichigo's eye twitched in irritation as the nidoran couple, Azure and Tyrian, continued to coo and cuddle each other not too far away from him. They were feeding each other berries from their own bowls and being, for Ichigo, obnoxiously loud in doing so.

("So, what woud you like to do today?") Azure asked sweetly, ("I heard there's a lovely lake at the foot of the mountains which we can visit.")

Tyrian nodded, ("Oh really, because I heard there's a wonderful flower patch that we can go to as well.")

("Tsch,") Azure tutted in disgust, glaring at him, ("You want to go to a muddy field for a date. How stupid.")

("Hrrk!")

Azure's eyes widened in realisation as she shook her head, ("Ah, sorry. I meant to say-")

("It's fine,") Tyrian assured her with a loving smile, ("I understand let's find that lake.")

("Oh sweetheart!") she cried as she rubbed her head against his.

("Oh darling!") he cried as he did the same.

("Oh for goodness sake!") Ichigo cried out in anger as he glared at the both of them, ("Can you please do that somewhere else. I'm trying to concentrate.")

Tyrian looked back at him and smiled sheepishly, ("Oh sorry, we'll-")

("Tsch,") Azure tutted in anger, standing up to confront of the tyrogue, ("Why do we have to move? If you're so bothered by us then go somewhere else.")

Tyrogue stood up as well and towered over the female nidoran, ("I was here first and, unlike you two, I'm not annoying everybody with being so lovey-dovey. It's sickening!")

Azure's gave him a cold look, ("What did you just say, you little punk!?")

Tyrian stepped in between the two of them and held out his paws, ("Now, now. Let's not argue. We're all friends here. We'll just go somewhere else.")

The female nidoran and the tyrogue gave each other another furious glare before turning around and walking away, leaving Tyrian behind. He sighed drearily before trotting after Azure before she could take her anger out on anybody else.

Charles, who was feeding Marina berries as she sat on her lap, watched the scene in concern. He then turned back to see Benny glare at Hoss as he munched another berry while the tauros was still doing his best to keep away from anyone as much as possible. He then turned back to see Wildfire using a single hoof to keep Tomoe from beating up Halcyon while Tommy was trying to hold back Halcyon by pushing him back as hard as he can.

("Thee dareth insult us. Cometh at me and battle!") Tomoe yelled as she swung her leek rapidly at him.

("THE PROPER TERM IS ME, NOT US. FIX IT NOW!") Halcyon shouted back.

Charles sighed and petted Marina's head, "We really need to do something about this. The Pokemon are at each other's throats."

Alice looked up from her knitting and nodded in agreement, "I know what you mean. I think it's because we've had so many new members join in such a short space of time. They haven't got used to their habits and differences yet."

"It was never like this before," Flo pointed out after she swallowed the piece of apple she was eating, "We had a lot of new members join at the same time back then; what's so different now."

"It's because Cleo would keep them in line," Charles said as he rubbed his face tiredly, "I can't exactly return her every time a new member joins. She's already got her paws full at the Corral."

"Well, whatever you need to do, you need to do it quick. Otherwise, things will get a lot worse."

Flo hummed thoughtfully before she came up with an idea, "I think the problem is that the newbies are being introduced too many others without much connection beforehand. Why don't you take your team somewhere for a day," she suggested, "Go on a hike, do some training, maybe some team building exercises. If you can build a bond between all of them then things will improved."

Charles perked up at that idea, "That sounds great and I know exactly where we can go," he happily said before standing to his feet, "Everyone can I have you attention please," he called out, gaining the Pokemon's interest, "Today, my team are setting off on a journey to the mountain range for training so eat up and get ready to leave in half an hour."

Tyrian and Azure gasped in delight, ("Did you hear that sweetheart,") Tyrian asked, ("We can have our next date up at the mountains.")

"Err...actually Tyrian," Charles sheepishly said, "It's just my team. I think Flo has something else planned for you to do today."

The nidoran slumped in disappointment, ("Ahh...what? You want to split us up again?")

"It's only for a few hours. I'm not splitting you two up."

Azure heard snickering and turned to see Ichigo smirk in amusement at them. She narrowed her eyes at him and growled in anger.

Mountain Path

Charles breathed in the fresh mountain air and sighed contently as he looked out over the Safari Zone stretched out below him like a green, vibrant blanket and the blue sky was bright and cheerful with very little clouds overhead. Charles had wanted to travel up the mountains of the Safari Zone as soon as he heard about them back at the Safari HQ; he was told that he could see the entire zone from the top where the ground flattens out into a plateau. Not only that, but he had heard that it was a perfect place for Pokemon battles and training. They had yet to reach the summit, but still the view was phenomenal.

He stroked Marina, who was wrapped around his neck, on her head, causing her to coo in delight, "Isn't this great," he said outload, as he stared at the sight before him, "It's hard to think that, before the Zone was created, these mountain were used for mining deposits of limestone. It's funny to think that, with a little time and nurture, something so beautiful can come alive from destruction," he turned back to his team, "Isn't that wonderf-"

He stopped mid-sentence as soon as he saw them not paying attention to him; Hoss was on the other side of Wildfire using him as a shield from the others while Benny rode on the ponyta's back and glaring at the tauros; Wildfire would glance over at Halcyon and whinnied in annoyance as the eevee muttered irritably about how dirty the ground was; while Azure and Ichigo seemed like they were going to fight at any moment as they growled and snarled at each other. Charles and Marina sweat dropped as the sense a dark aura around the group of Pokemon that were supposed to be getting along.

("Uncle Benny and the others look mad,") Marina innocently commented.

Charles sighed and shook his head, "The quicker we start the team bonding exercise; the better," he said as he continued to walk up the mountain path, "We're almost at the plateau. Let's get going."

The rest of his team followed grumpily behind, the dark aura around them still present. Azure sighed sadly as she scampered over a large rock, already missing Tyrian who was left behind at the camp; she knew that they were only apart for a few hours but every second was painful for her. Her misery turned into annoyance once she noticed that Ichigo, who was walking beside her, had an excited smile on his face; making her mood sour even more.

("Tsch, what are you grinning about?") she muttered, gaining the tyrogue's attention.

At being questioned in that scathing tone, Ichigo shot her a glare before focusing on the road ahead, ("If you must know, I'm focusing on the training we're going to do and getting stronger.")

("Liar,") she accused, ("You're happy that me and my love are split up, aren't you?")

Ichigo gritted his teeth, ("You might find this hard to believe, but I don't spend my day thinking about you two. I've got more important things to do.")

("Don't I know it. The only thing you want is to get stronger, stronger and stronger,") she mocked, ("Arceus, you're like a chatot who only knows one sound. So annoying.")

Ichigo clenched his fists and glared down at her, ("If I want to reach the level of greatness Master Kiyo says I can, then I need to get stronger.")

Azure snarled at him, ("Master Kiyo, huh? Tsch, sounds like a moron to me.")

The tyrogue eyes lit up in rage at that. He leapt in front of her and immediately got into a battle stance, ("You take that back now,") he seethed.

Azure responded by lowering her head to point her horn at him, ("Or what? If you haven't noticed, but Fighting moves are not effective against me. So if you want to fight me that prepare to lose,") she threatened as she scraped her paw against the ground.

("GRRRRR! YOU'RE MAKING MARKS IN THE MOUNTAIN PATH!") Halcyon growled in anger.

Charles noticed the outburst and turned around to see Ichigo and Azure ready to fight, "Hey! You two cut that out!" he called out as he made his way over to them.

Ichigo, not hearing him, gave an angry cry and used Tackle on Azure and unknowingly set off a chain reaction. She leapt away just in time, but, due to how narrow the path was, she accidently crashed in Halcyon. The eevee shouted in shock as he was knocked off his feet and slammed into Wildfire's legs, catching the ponyta by surprise. Wildfire gave a startled whinny and, inevitably, fainted on the spot which knocked Benny off of him and land at Hoss's hooves; the tauros's eyes widened in shock as he saw the smaller Pokemon at his feet and leapt back away from him.

("Get away!") he mooed as he swung his head and tails wildly, ("I say, get away from me!")

("Hey, would you just calm down. You're going to hurt somebody,") Benny called out to him, but the tauros wasn't listening.

He stood onto his hindlegs and kicked his forelegs before him, ("Please! GET AWAY FROM ME!") he yelled before he slammed his hooves into the ground beneath them.

CRACK!

The Pokemon and Charles stopped suddenly when they heard a loud noise from below them.

CRACK! CRACK!

They slowly looked down and saw a giant crack form beneath Hoss's hooves; it started to get bigger and bigger as more began to appear around all of them.

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

They held the breathes as they watched the cracks form a jagged circle around all of them before it stopped. After a few seconds of nothing, they all sighed in relief.

"That was a close one," Charles uttered as he wiped the sweat of his brow, "I thought we were-"

BOOM!

Before he could finish his sentence, an explosion boomed from below them as the ground gave way to reveal a deep, dark chasm. The Pokemon fell instantly, yelling and screaming as they dropped into the darkness; Charles was able to grab on to the side of the hole before he could drop in as well, but Marina, who hadn't had the time to hold on, slipped from his neck and fell into chasm as well.

"MARINA!" he yelled.

("MAMA!") the dratini screamed back before she disappeared into the inky blackness below.

Charles managed to climb on to the edge of the pit and looked down; his face filled with distress and horror. He was tempted to jump down in search of his family when he heard their pain-filled cries echo from below as they landed.

("OW! Damn it! Somebody landed on me!")

("Who's tail is that in my face!?")

("My apologies, my boy. Let me just move!")

("Ah! Careful now! That might smarts, ya hear?")

("Ow! I think my horn is broken.")

("GRRRR! THIS HEAP IS SO UNORGANISED!")

Charles sighed in relief when he heard the voices of his Pokemon, "Benny, are you alright?" he called down to them.

("We're fine. A little bruised, but otherwise fine,") the voice of his brother called out from the darkness, ("I think we landed in a cavern.")

"A cavern," Charles muttered, "It must have been made when they were still mining here back in the day. Which means that there must be a way of getting out of there," he leaned over the pit and put his hand over his mouth, "The best way of getting all of you out is by finding the exit. Look for a way out and I try and find the entrance into the mines. Hopefully we can meet up there."

("We will,") Benny called back.

Charles was about to leave when he thought of something and leaned back over, "And for goodness sake, no more arguing. This is serious and I don't want anymore squabbling between all of you."

...

("...We promise,") the Pokemon chorused back.

"Why did you all hesitate!?" Charles yelled angrily, "Promise like you mean it!"

("We will!") the Pokemon said again; this time with more confidence.

"Good," he sighed as he stood to his feet, went around the pit and began to descend the mountain, "I need Alice's map if I want any hope of finding the entrance," he muttered to himself as he ran down the path.

Caverns

Benny sighed when he heard his brother leave and turned around to look at his surroundings; usually, in dark places, he would mainly rely on his whiskers for navigation, but Wildfire's fiery mane illuminated the place to which he and the rest are thankful for. They caverns they had fallen into were cold and damp and the greyish rocky walls they surrounded them were wet and were littered with both stalagmites and stalactites; a perfect indication that no human had entered these parts for a very long time. There were two routes they could go down: the left or the right, but any way of telling which is the right one to get out of here were lost to him as both look equally the same. Benny frowned and his ears lowered in uncertainty, getting out is not going to be easy.

("This is all your fault!") he turned around in time to see Azure snarl at Ichigo as the tyrogue flared down at her.

("My fault!? You were the one who antagonised me and besides you were the one who knocked into Halcyon.")

("Only because you made that feeble attempt to attack me.")

While they continued to argue, Wildfire was still trying to recover from his fainting fit while Hoss hid behind him to put as much distance between him and Halcyon who, for some reason, was trying to organise a pile of pebbles into size order. Benny shook his head and stepped in between Azure and Ichigo, putting his paws to push them apart from each other.

("Would you two stop that. It's both your fault,") Benny crossly told him.

("But he/she-") they said at the same time, but the Pikachu cheeks sparked with electricity which stopped their protests.

("We promised Charles we won't argue with each other. Do you really want to break your promise after everything he did for you?")

Azure sighed and looked away, ("No, I guess not,") she admitted.

("I would never betray my sensei.")

("Good,") Benny sighed, ("Now does anybody have anyway of knowing which way we should go?") he asked, looking at both paths. Ichigo and Azure looked, but they shook their head sadly, ("Wildfire what about you?")

("Sorry partner. Never been under the ground before. I'm as lost as a Spinda in a mirror factory")

("Hoss?")

("I'm afraid not, my boy. We tauros don't particularly have good eyesight, you see.")

("Halcyon?")

The eevee placed the last pebble in order and sighed in relief, ("That's better,") he said before he looked around, ("Where are we?")

("You only just noticed!") they all shouted at him.

("As the Pokemon looked around they soon came to terms that they are hopelessly lost; forever stuck in the caverns of the Safari Zone mountain range. Will they ever find a way out or will they adapt to living as Ground Pokemon...")

Benny and the others frowned when they heard a squawking voice begin to narrate from somewhere; it was a voice that both he and Azure knew very well.

("Oh not him again,") the nidoran muttered in misery as she looked up to see the chatot who spectated her love battle a few days ago perched upon stalagmite not too far away, ("What are you doing here?")

("Whose the bird?") Wildfire asked curiously.

("An annoying stalker who won't leave me alone,") she muttered.

("I prefer the term 'spectator'",) the chatot countered, ("However, now that my favourite show is over...")

("Not a show! You had no right poking your beak into my life!")

("...I found that I had nothing else to do with myself,") he continued, ignoring Azure's angry shouts, ("My flock is back in our home region I have to wait until the migration season to join them again. That's why I decided to turn my passion into a career,") he declared as he puffed out his chest proudly, ("I am now a travelling bard. Telling my tales of heroism to any Pokemon who wishes to hear...as long as they pay a price of ten berries each. Shall I tell you the tale of how I saved a herd of kangaskhan from a stampede of tauros or perhaps I saved an eevee from tearing his own fur out.")

("Wait,") Benny said, ("Those things happened to us. Have you been following us so you can twist our adventures to make it sound like you're the hero?")

Chatot stiffened slightly and cleared his throat, ("So you're probably wondering how to get out of here,") he said, causing the Pokemon to sweat drop, ("If you ask politely, I can offer you some assistance.")

The Pokemon shared a look at that; ("You know how to get out of here?") Ichigo asked, ("Then please you have to tell us.")

("Indeed, my feathery fellow,") barked Hoss, ("It is a gentleman's obligation to help those who are in aid.")

Chatot smirked and rubbed his beak with his wing, ("Well, I can show you how I got in here...for a price, of course. A bard has to earn a living,") however, he gulped nervously when he saw the deadly glare the six Pokemon were shooting him and immediately relented, ("O-on seconds t-thoughts, why don't I offer my service f-free of c-charge since w-we're all friends,") he said with a sheepish chuckle.

("That would be mighty kind of ya,") Wildfire grumbled as Chatot flew of his perch and slowly flew down the right passage, leading them to, hopefully, their way out.

However, as they turned a corner and disappeared, Marina slithered around a stalagmite and stood where they had previously had been. She was unharmed from her fall, but her curiosity was caught by a few sandshrews who were digging past, leading her away from the party. As soon as she lost the Pokemon and returned to the others, she found that had gone somewhere. She looked around and frowned thoughtfully at the two paths and which one to take; after a few seconds, she decided to take the left path, the opposite way from the one the others took, and slithered down it as she hummed happily to herself.

Camp

Charles ran into the clearing they had set up as camp and immediately ran to Alice's tent, "Alice! Alice! I need your help!" he called out as he searched for her inside. However, he was disappointed to see she wasn't there, "Alice? Where are you?"

("Oh master Charles,") the human turned and saw Apollo stood to attention by the fire they used for cooking, ("You are back early.")

"Apollo, do you know where Alice is? I need her navigation skills," he asked him.

("Sorry sir, master has gone exploring with the rest of the team. She may not be back for a while.")

"Damn," Charles muttered before he frowned in confusion at him, "Wait. Why did you stay behind?"

Apollo straightened his back, ("I'm on patrol, sir. Keeping an eye on camp while master is away, sir,") he proudly barked before he looked over his shoulder, ("But I'm not alone, sir.")

Charles looked at where he was looking and saw Tyrian slumped against a tree he gave a depressed sigh and trailed an image of Azure in the dirt beneath him with his claw.

("Oh, Azure. I miss you dearly.")

They both sweat dropped at the sight, "How...long has been like this?"

("As soon as you left. Master Flo wasn't able to convince him to leave, sir,") Apollo responded before he turned his head back to him, ("Is there a problem, sir? May I offer any assistance?")

"My team fell into a disused mine up in the mountains," he told him, catching both Pokemon's attention, "I need to find a map of where I can find the old entrance to it."

("Arceus, how dreadful") Apollo cried in surprise, ("I believe master has a spare map of the Safari Zone in her tent. You can use that.")

"Thanks Apollo," Charles gratefully said as he rooted through her tent and pulled out the spare map and checking it, "Ah I see, I think I might know where it is," he muttered before he ran off back into the wild, "Don't worry, I'll save them and bring them back!" he cried out before he disappeared into the foliage.

Apollo frowned in concern, but then his ears twitched as he heard Tyrian stand to his feet. He looked over and saw the Pokemon look down at the ground and beagn to breath heavily.

("Azure...is in...danger...") he murmured.

Apollo's eyes widened as he got up and went over to him, ("Now, now soldier. We must be brave in times of crisis.")

("That's...that's...") Tyrian muttered before he raised his head and grinned in delight, ("...amazing!") he cried as stars appeared in his eyes.

...

("...I...beg your pardon?")

("Amazing! Fantastic!")

("I don't think this is the attitude we should-")

Apollo stopped mid-sentence when Tyrian got in his face, grinning like an aipom, ("If Azure is in danger then she would need saving. And who better to save her then her kinght in shining armour!")

The male nidoran began to imagine chibi versions of him and Azure; with him on a pedestal and Azure staring up at him in admiration.

("Oh Tyrian,") chibi Azure sighed, ("You are so brave; coming to save me from those dreadful mines.")

("What can I say,") chibi Tyiran confidently said, ("I guess I'm the type of pokemon who always saves the damsel.")

("You're so cool!") chibi Azure cried with hearts in her eyes, ("I love you so much!")

Back in reality, Apollo cocked his head in concern as he watched Tyrian chuckle and mutter to himself about how she will fall in love with him again; he decided it was best to…not be part of what was going on between them.

Suddenly, out of the bushes, Alette leapt out and grabbed him by the paw, ("Come on Tyrian, we need your help.")

("Huh?") he uttered as he was snapped out of his thoughts by her dragging him away, ("but I need to-")

("Flo is in trouble and we need your to help to help,") Alette insisted as she pulled him away from camp, ignoring the nidoran's protests.

Meanwhile, Charles ran through the forest as far as he can as he headed to where he knew the entrance to the mines are; not taking a moment to stop unless he needed to peek at the map in his hand.

'I hope everybody is alright,' he thought as he leapt over a log, 'Especially Marina. She must be so scared being in dark, dangerous place without me.'

Foot of The Mountain

Marina slithered across the rocky cave floor without running into any trouble. In fact, she was rather enjoying her adventure through the caverns and was currently having fun making noises and hearing them echo.

She turned a corner and found daylight pouring in from up ahead. She slithered towards it and then followed it our of the mouth of the cave to find herself in a beautiful grove at the foot of the mountain. There were luscious green grass, bright trees with enough leaves that gave plenty of shade and a lovely blue lake where she saw some Water Pokemon playing in.

Marina cooed happily at the sight, but cast a weary look back at the cave. After a few seconds, she turned away and nodded her head.

("I'll wait for them here,") she happily chirped as she slithered down to the lakeside.

Caverns

The Pokemon continued to follow Chatot through the endless, dark tunnel; not a word a word had been spoken between them as the listened to their hooves and paws echo down the eerie passage. After a while, Benny sighed and looked up at the Chatot flying overhead.

("Are we getting any close?")

("Just a few more meters,") Chatot squawked in reply, ("Don't you lot worry about it. I'll get you out of here.")

Azure sighed, ("I'm more worried about my aching paws. It feels like we've been walking for hours.")

("Perhaps we should rest for a moment,") Wildfire suggested, ("Imma feeling mighty tired with this uneven ground.")

("GRRRRR! Hooves are not suitable for this terrain. He doesn't belong down here. So frustrating,") Halcyon muttered, earning a glare from the ponyta.

("It ain't like I choose to be down here,") he grumbled.

Suddenly, Chatot stopped and hovered in the air, ("Aha! We're here!") he declared turning to the in mid-air, ("This is your way out!")

The Pokemon stopped and looked around to see what he was referring to; they were still in the middle of the caverns with and they can't see any tunnels branching off or a source of daylight or anything that might be called a hopeful exit out of the mountain. The only thing different was the wide hole in the ceiling that they were standing under which must have been at least twenty meters tall. The Pokemon gave the Chatot a curious look.

("What do you mean?") Ichigo asked, ("I can't see any way out.")

Chatot chuckled, ("It's right above your heads,") he told them looking up at the hole above them, ("All you need to do is fly thirty meters upwards and then take the right passage and, once you see daylight, you'll be at the plateau. Simple right?")

...

("...fly up,") Benny repeated, glaring at the bird Pokemon.

("Yeah, just fly up and you're out of here,") he confidently replied.

("...with what wings?") Benny asked flatly.

...

("...ah,") the chatot uttered as soon as the penny dropped, ("I see the problem.")

("YOU MORON!") the Pokemon yelled at him, causing Chatot to squawk in fright and back away from them.

("Now, now hold on. It's not that bad,") Chatot chuckled sheepishly.

("Not bad!?") Azure shouted.

("We've been following you for ages!") Halcyon cried.

("Ye led us further into the mountain!") Wildfire chimed in.

("That's is ungentlemanly of you, dear sir!")

The chatot nervously backed away and perched himself on a nearby stalagmite, ("I'm so used to being with my flock, you see? But don't worry, I lead you all to another exit...free of charge. What do you sa-")

RUMBLE!

The chatot stopped suddenly as a loud rumbling noise shook the entire cavern and the stalagmite he was perched on began to vibrate. The Pokemon looked around in alarm, believing that an earthquake or a cave-in was happening. However, it wasn't until Chatot's stalagmite began to rise up from the ground that they noticed what the real cause was, making them back away in fear.

It wasn't a stalagmite...it was the horn of a sleeping onix.

The onix raised it's rocky head and towered them before it roared crossly at being awoken. Chatot squawked in fright before he flapped his wings and zoomed away down the cavern as fast as he could.

("Good luck!") he yelped as he flew away.

The Pokemon teamed backed away from the giant Rock type as far as they could before they hit the cavern wall; everyone except for Hoss who jumped in front of the onix and scraped his hoof on the ground.

("Aha! You wish for a fight!") he boldly declared, a complete contrast to how he has been acting before, ("Well, you come to the right place, you stupid scallywag. I'll show you how a real gentleman fights! You thundering two-timing Tartar!")

("Don't fight it, you idiot!") the other Pokemon cried out to him.

Benny sighed, shook his head before he too scampered in front of Hoss and prepared for a battle, ("Okay, fine. But you're not fighting alone. Once we defeat him we can- HEY!") he shouted as soon as he saw Hoss backing away from him.

("My dear boy. Y...you're...way too close.")

("Are you kidding me!")

"RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!" the onix bellowed as it slithered closer to them, knocking into a stalactite on the cavern ceiling down.

The stalactite slammed onto the ground next to them with a mighty crash that sent rubble and rock flying into the air. Then, suddenly, the ground where it had landed gave way around Benny and Hoss and they fell into another dark chasm; their yells of surprise echoing as they plummeted out of sight. Ichigo's and Azure's eyes widened at the sight and they immediately ran over to the pit they fell down.

("Benny! Hoss!") they cried before the ground beneath them began to crack and gave way as well.

The two Pokemon also fell into the inky darkness, causing Wildfire to whinny in surprise, ("Darn it! 'alcyon we need to help them right awa- Would you stop that!") he suddenly cried as he saw the eevee busy organising the pebbles on the ground once again.

("They need to be in ord-")

CRACK!

Halcyon's words were cut off as they heard a crack down beneath them. They turned and saw cracks began to from beneath them as well. They had barely enough time to react before the ground beneath them gave way and they fell through into the chasm, leaving only the onix to be left behind to roar menacingly.

With Halcyon and Wildfire

The startled whinnies and yips of two Pokemon can be heard thought out the cavern as they fell; until they eventually landed on a soft patch of ground. Wildfire was the first to land while Halcyon landed on him before bouncing off and landing on the ground.

Halcyon immediately leapt to his paws and shook of the dust in what little fur he still had. Once he was satisfied, he looked over at Wildfire and saw that the ponyta had, once again, fainted due to shock; he pressed his ear against his chest and growled in annoyance. He opened the ponyta's mouth and proceeded to jump on Wildfire'a midsection as if he was trying to give chest compressions. After a few tries, Wildfire suddenly sputtered and gasped and lifted his head up weakly to see the eevee resuscitate him.

("'alcyon!") Wildfire gasped gratefully, ("Thank ya kindly for helpin' me.")

("Huh?") the eevee uttered in confusion, ("helping you? Your heart wasn't beating enough times and it annoyed me,") he said before he leapt of the ponyta.

Wildfire restrained his anger and got to his hooves as well and began to look around using his fiery mane for light. They seemed to have fallen into a cavern that was separate to where the others fell into; it branched off into two tunnels in front of them and the walls seemed to be more damper then the last caverns that had been in. The hole they fell down was too high for either of them to climb up, so they had no other choice, but head down one of the tunnels, but which one?

Wildfire peered down the left tunnel and then the right, ("This tunnel here slops downwards,") he said as he observed the right tunnel, ("I reckon we need to stay on a path that goes upwards. So let's take the left one.")

Halcyon looked over to the left tunnel and growled in annoyance, ("GRRRR! So frustrating!")

("What's up with ya now,") Wildfire sighed.

("Too muddy,") he snarled, glaring at the ground of the left tunnel before making a beeline to the right tunnel, ("The thought of going through it is giving me a migraine. Let's go this way.")

The ponyta couldn't believe what he was doing and snorted angrily, ("Now ya hold on there, you really goin' to jeopardise our chances of gettin' out of here, because of some mud? I'm sorry but that growlithe won't hunt, ya hear?")

(I'm not getting my fur dirty,") Halcyon muttered, ("The thought of it is so… is so…GRRR! So frustrating!")

("I durn't believe this. How can ya be so darn obtuse!") Wildfire shouted at him, ("This could be out only way of gettin' out and you're gettin' uppity about some mud.")

("GRRRRR!")

("Growl all ya want, but ye know I'm right! Ya'll been actin' like this all day! I'm gettin' mighty tired of it, ya hear!?")

Halcyon snarled and glared back at him, ("WE'RE NOT GOING DOWN THAT WAY! YOU CAN FOLLOW ME OR NOT; I DON'T CARE!") he yelled before he scampered down to the right tunnel.

Wildfire snorted and dragged his front hoof along the ground in fury, ("That stubborn little varmint,") he grumbled bitterly as he trotted after the eevee.

With Azure and Ichigo

("aaaaaaaaaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH-OOF!") the Pokemon screamed as they fell into the darkness before landing in a heap on the cold, rocky ground.

Ichigo and Azure climbed off each other, dusted themselves off before glaring at each other.

("Out of all the Pokemon, I just had to get stuck with you,") she muttered miserably.

("Same to you,") Ichigo spat before he eyed the hole above them where they fell down, ("The walls are too wet for us to climb up it,") he sighed before he squinted in the darkness, ("I can't see any other exit.")

Azure twitched her wishers before she walked away, ("There's a tunnel right in front of you. Let's just get out of here.")

("Hey wait. We don't know where it leads. We should stay put until somebody rescue us.")

("Nobody knows we're here,") she snapped back at him, ("Our best hope is to follow this tunnel to wherever it leads to and hopefully rejoin the others,") she told him as she began to walk away, ("besides…I'm not waiting to be saved.")

The tyrogue frowned in confusion, ("Really? Why?")

She turned her head back to him and saw a cold, devious look in her eyes, ("Because if I get out of here on my own, Tyrian would be so impressed that he would confess his love to me again.")

("…w-what?")

("Oh I can just picture it now,") she gushed as she imagined tiny chibi versions of her and Tyrian; with her standing on a pedestal while he looking up at her in admiration.

("Oh Azure, you're so brave to make out of those mines all by yourself," chibi Tyrian sighed.

("What can I say,") chibi Azura confidently said, ("I guess I'm the kind of Pokemon who never gives up.")

("Oh I love you, Azure!") chibi Tyrian gasped.

Ichigo couldn't help but sweat drop as Azure was lost in her fantasy with a dopey look on her face, ever so often she will giggle to herself and mutter how Tyrian was all here. Eventually, he had enough of it and flicked her horn, snapping her out of her thoughts and growing at him.

("What was that for!?")

("For being ridiculous.")

("There's nothing ridiculous about love.")

("I'm not calling love ridiculous, I'm calling you ridiculous.")

Azure narrowed her eyes at him and snarled, ("Tsch, don't take your anger out at me just because you do nothing but meditate and train and have nobody in your life important to you.")

The tyrogue clenched his fists, ("Meditating and training are important to me. It's the only way I can get stronger and become a great warrior. I at least have something worthwhile to fight for!")

("I have a mate who is worth fighting for!")

("Oi! Would you two shut up,") a gravelly voice said from somewhere in the cavern they fell in. They turned around and saw a geodude emerge from the ground behind them, ("I'm trying to sleep here.")

("Do you mind? We're in the middle of something important; don't interrupt us,") Azure snapped at him.

The geodude sneered at them, ("Considering that this is where I live, I do mind. Now get lost or I'll make you.")

Ichigo raised an eyebrow, ("Oh really? You and what army?")

….

The tyrogue looked around and hummed thoughtfully as if he was expecting something to happen, ("Huh? When I said 'you and what army' I thought for sure we were immediately going to be outnumbered by a bunch of his friends. Kind of like a cliche comedic faux pas.")

("Nope, it's just me here,") the geodude grumbled, ("I'm still going to kick you butts, though,") he declared as he dug his rocky hands into the ground and ripped pieces off, ready to use Rock Throw on them.

("Tsch, fine,") the nidoran muttered as she glared at Ichigo, ("Get it over with moron and defeat him.")

He responded with a puzzled look, ("Why should I do it?")

("My Poison types moves are not effective against him, but you Fighting types moves are.")

Ichigo looked away shyly, ("I…don't know any Fighting types moves,") he admitted.

("What!? But your a Fighting type Pokemon!")

("Yes, I get the irony. I know a Steel type move that sensei taught me, but I can barely see my opponent,") Ichigo glared into the darkness in front of him, ("I know it is a great dishonour to turn from a fight, but I say that we retreat for now before we get hu-") he stopped when he turned around and noticed that she was gone, having already ran down the tunnel from them.

Ichigo blinked blankly at the space she was in and then in front of him where the geodude glowered at him.

He turned and ran as fast as he can, ducking underneath the clumps of rocks the Pokemon was throwing at him.

With Benny and Hoss

Benny shook the dust out of his fur and looked around; they had fallen into another narrow tunnel deep into the mountain and, no thanks to either Chatot or the onix, they were more lost then before. Lost and in the dark. Benny's whisker's twitched as he sensed Hoss's presence a few meters away.

("Blast it,") Hoss muttered, ("It's tunnel after tunnel in this dreadful place. Still, not to worry, we'll just go down this tunnel here and meet up with the other chaps later.")

("And how do you know it's the right way?") Benny grumbled.

("I don't,") Hoss replied frankly as he trotted away, ("But we'll soon find out if it'a the right or wrong soon enough. Keep calm and carry on, like I always say.")

Benny rolled his eyes, but, seeing he had no choice, choose to follow him, ('At least he's not freaking out like he always does. I don't know how more I could take of him,') he thought.

Suddenly, Hoss' ears twitched as he heard a noise coming from the ground in front of him; he stopped when a diglet popped his head out of the ground and looked up at him.

("'ello govner. Ye durn't suppose ye see my friend, 'ave ye?") he asked.

Hoss' eyes widened and he bellowed in fright, ("Stay away from me!") he cried as he turned as sprinted back the way he came from.

Benny had barely had time to register what was happening before he was battered away by Hoss hooves, making him land face first into the rocky ground as he ran past. Hoss thundered down that opposite tunnel when suddenly another diglet appeared from the ground, making him skid to a halt.

("Oi oi!") the diglet greeted, ("I'm lookin' for my mate Jack; ye 'aven't seen 'him 'ave ye?")

Hoss once again bellowed in fright and turned on hooves to run away as fast as he can, accidentally knocking into Benny a second time, before skidding to stop once he noticed he was back at the first diglet.

("Oi Bill! There ye are.")

("Get away!") Hoss yelled, turning around to run the other way.

SMACK!

("Ah!") Benny cried as he run over a third time.

("Alright Jack, how ye doing?")

Hoss skidded to a halt once he noticed he was back at the second diglet and immediately ran back.

("Get away!")

SMACK!

("Ah!")

("Not bad, how's the kids?")

("Get away!")

SMACK!

("Ah!")

("Yeah, they're good. Said they wanna take over the family business and all when they're older.")

("Get away!")

SMACK!

("Ah!")

("Aww, ain't that sweet. Wanna to come over to my place? I foun' some nice granite the other day that we can dig through.")

("Get away!")

SMACK!

("Ah!")

("Might as well, that tauros and pikachu are making such a racket, ain't they?")

("Get away!")

SMACK!

("Ah!")

("They sure are,") the first diglet said as he and the other mole Pokemon popped back into the ground.

Upon noticing that they had gone, Hoss slowed down and gave a sigh of relief, ("Dear me, that was quite the hoohah,") he said before he began walking down the tunnel, ("Anyway, let's continue, my dear boy. Keep calm and carry on, I say.")

Benny peeled himself off the ground and winced as he felt his muscles ache to the bone; he glared after the tauros before he slowly walked after him.

("I swear if he wasn't part of the team, I would use him to practise my electric moves,") he grumbled, ("I wonder if Charles and Marina are having a miserable time like I am?")

Foot Of The Mountain

Marina giggled in delight as she stared at her reflection in the clear blue lake; watching how the ripples made her face look funny. After having a swim, finding some berries for lunch, playing with some Water Pokemon, and having a nap under the bright sun, Marina was, so far, enjoying her time waiting for the others to come out of the cave. She looked up from the lake and turned her cute head back to the cave entrance, but frowned when she saw there was nobody there.

("They are really taking their time,") she mused with childish curiosity. She turned back, gave her species equivalent to a shrug and laid her head down on the grassy bank, ("Ah well. Nap time again,") she said before she drifted peacefully off to sleep.

With Halcyon and Wildfire

For what felt like the hundredth time, Halcyon snarled as he spotted another pebble that was 'out of place' and immediately rushed over to 'fix it' by sorting out with other stones in size order. Wildfire snorted in annoyance, but stopped and waited for him; he had attempted to get him to stop, but soon quickly deserted the idea. When the eevee had set his mind to something, he cannot be moved…no matter how hard Wildfire tried.

("Ya know,") Wildfire grumbled as soon as the eevee had finished, ("We've passed hundreds of them staglamites, each with varying size, why ain't ya bothered by them?")

("They're naturally formed. They're supposed to be like that,") Halcyon huffed as he closed his eyes, ("Rocks and pebbles in the path, however, are not supposed to be scattered on the ground and therefore-ah!")

Halcyon suddenly cried as he slipped on a wet patch on the ground, making him fall on his face into a puddle of mud. The eevee quickly recovered and spat out some goblets of mud that got into his mouth. He looked down at his dirtied paws and began to quiver and shake in horror.

Wildfire looked down at the eevee in surprised concern, ("'alcyon, ya alrigh'?")

The eevee felt sick as he felt the mud cover his face and most of his body; he felt it mix into his fur and stick together into clumps. He leapt up, much to the ponyta's surprise, and tried to shake off the mud as hard as he can. When that didn't work, he opted to scrape his mud coated fur against the side of the wall.

("GRRRR! DISGUSTING!") he yelled, ("GET IT OFF ME! GET IF OFF ME! GRRRR!")

Wildfire sighed and shook his head, ("This again. It's only a bit of mud. It'll was wash out.")

("I HATE IT! I HATE IT! I HATE IT!") Halcyon continued to yell, completely ignoring him as he tried to shake the mud out once again, ("GET IT OUT! GET IT OUT! GRRRRR!")

("Will ya stop your hollering! I told ya ain't a big deal!") Wildfire yelled as he stamped his hoof.

("STUPID PONYTA! YOU DON'T GET IT! I NEED TO BE CLEAN!") Halcyon snarled at him before he reached down and began chewing out his fur, ("YOU JUST DON'T GET IT!")

At that moment, Wildfire snapped. He stamped his hoof once again and began to trot away with an angry snort.

("I've 'ad it with ya! Ya'll been stubborn all day! I'm getting out of here with or without ya!") the ponyta yelled, ("Ya lousy, no good, hard-headed-")

Sniff!

He stopped suddenly when he heard a soft sound from behind him. He looked around and saw Halcyon, no longer struggling to get the mud of out of his fur, lying on the cold, hard ground with tears in his eyes. He sniffed again and closed his eyes, whimpering sadly to himself.

("I…hate it…it won't get out,") he muttered as teardrops fell from his eyes.

Wildfire's anger soon left him as he saw the Pokemon sob sorrowfully; his ears lowered against his head and his eyes softened as he took in the sight. To see him like this, even though he had done nothing but complain and snarl at anything unclean all day, made his heart clench in sadness. Charles had explained to him and the rest of the team of his condition, but it wasn't until that he realised how much he really was suffering.

Perhaps he had been too harsh on him.

He sighed sorrowfully before he glanced up at the walls and the ceiling; seeing the water droplets form and slowly drip down from above. He suddenly got an idea. Wildfire took a deep a breathe he could manage and began to put it towards his fiery mane, making it grow wilder and hotter by the second.

Halcyon continued to weep miserably when he suddenly felt a water drop upon his head and then another one and then another one almost immediately after that. He slowly opened his eyes and found more and more water drops from the ceiling, soaking his fur through. His eyes widened in realisation and he used the opportunity to wash himself with the shower of water drops. It wasn't a lot, but it was enough for him to wash out the mud from his fur; once he was done, he shook himself to throw the water off him. He looked down and sighed in satisfaction and relief that all the mud had gone and gave a small smile.

("It's out… it's finally out,") he uttered as he looked over to Wildfire, ("T-thank y-ah!") he cried out when he noticed that the ponyta had, once again, fainted.

He leapt over to him and began to jump and down on his chest to resuscitate him. Eventually, Wildfire woke up with a cough and sputter before he weakly looked over to Halcyon.

("Must 'ave…overworked myself,") he said though deep breaths, ("Thank ya again. Let me guess…my heart weren't goin' fast enough?")

Halcyon lowered his ears guiltily, ("No…well, yes, but it isn't the only reason,") he said as he jumped off him. He sighed sadly and looked down at the ground, ("I'm sorry about today…I guess I'm just stressed with being around new Pokemon,") he admitted, ("Honestly, I'm supposed to learn how to be calm…and I've fallen on the first hurdle.")

Wildfire frowned and turned around so he laid beside him, ("Ya seem calm now. That's gotta be come progress, right?")

Halcyon gave a small laugh, but continued to look down at the ground, ("I always feel better after a bath. It's just…relaxing you know. I'm sorry about annoying you today, Wildfire. I'm honestly hopeless, aren't I? A utter freak of nature.")

Wildfire gave him a surprised look and frowned sadly; he couldn't help but feel empathetic to him. However, he then gave a small smile and nudged the smaller Pokemon gentleness, getting his attention.

("Ya know…there ain't a lot of ponyta who faint at a drop of a hat,") he said kindly, ("I guess… I'm kinda of a freak of nature as well.")

Halcyon glanced up at him and blinked in surprise before a ghost of a smile appeared on his fuzzy face, ("I guess we're the same, huh?")

("Yes, siree,") Wildfire whinnied happily before he realised what he said, ("Oh sorry there. I should probably mind what I say around ya, durn't I?")

Halcyon hummed thoughtfully and tilted his head, ("You know what, it doesn't bother me so much now. I guess it's the way you speak and therefore natural for you.")

("Aww shucks,") Wildfire said as he stood to his hooves, ("We should probably get goin' if we gonna meet up with the others.")

The eevee stood up as well and trotted alongside him as they travelled further down the tunnel, ("Yeah, let's get out of here.")

("So…since you durn't mind the way I talk, you mind if I start calling you Hal? Halcyon's a bit of mouthful for me, ya know?") Wildfire asked.

("…No…it doesn't bother me…whatsoever,") Halcyon hesitantly said, his eye twitching irritably as if he was restraining himself from acting out.

Wildfire chuckled at that, ("Yep, definitely making some progress.")

CLANG!

("Huh?") they both uttered at the sound.

They looked down and saw that one of Wildfire's hooves had collided by metal rail laid on the ground; on closer inspection they saw that there were two of them, running parallel across the ground from one cut out tunnel on the left wall to the another cut out tunnel cut out on the right wall.

("What in tarnation?") Wildfire muttered in confusion.

With Azure and Ichigo

Ichigo and Azure stomped miserably down the narrow tunnel; ever so often they would glare at each other and tut bitterly, but, other then that, they had barely spoke a word to each other since they escaped from the geodude.

The tyrogue sped up a little and got ahead of her, causing her to scrunch up her face in irritation. Azure responded by going a little bit faster and got ahead of him; Ichigo glared at her and walked a little faster; which made Azure go faster; and then that made Ichigo faster. Eventually, the two competitive Pokemon were sprinting down the tunnel as fast as they can, trying to get the lead. They snarled and glared daggers at each other as they went; not seeing the large stone that was in the path. Azure and Ichigo yelped in surprise as they tripped over the rock and landed hard on the ground, knocking the wind out of them.

("Ow!") Azure grumbled, ("What do you think you're doing, you idjet!?") she yelled at him with a glare.

("What am I doing? What are you doing!?")

("I don't why you're angry at me, seeing that it was your fault!")

("I'm angry at you because you abandoned me!")

("I didn't abandon you! We couldn't fight that geodude so I didn't see the point of staying around!")

("Well-") his words stopped in his throat once he realised where they were

Since they were busy fighting, they didn't notice that their the tunnel had ended and they were now lying on the ground of large and tall round chamber that seemed much more illuminated then the tunnel they had previously been in. There was a jagged rock shelf that jutted out of the chamber walls like a round balcony and, strangely enough, a set of rail tracks that led from one tunnel on the far side, went around the walls in a giant semi-circle and led out through another cave on the other side. However, what really caught both of their eyes was the hundreds of Rock type Pokemon that had made the chamber their home glaring down at them. There were geodudes, golem and even graveler, a Pokemon with a grey, boulder-like body, four stone-like arms (two on the front and two on the side) and feet and a face consisting of sharp, mean eyes and a mouth on its front. Some of them looked like they had just woken up by their yelling, while others were already starting to encircle them; however, one geodude, whose eyes widened in recognition, and pointed at them.

("That's them. The ones that intruded on my home. I can't believe they did it again!") he yelled crossly, making the rest glare at them and mutter to each other.

("Oh really?")

("It's them.")

("Wait who?")

("Honestly how rude.")

("Oh…wait, now I remember who you talking about.")

One graveler smirked and pointed at them proudly, ("Ha! I bet you weren't expecting him to appear with a literal army, did you? What a comedic faux pas you've stumbled upon.")

The first geodude gave his fellow Pokemon and odd look, ("No, no Dave. That's not how that works.")

("Huh?")

("They have to say, 'yeah, you and what army' first and then we should appear. That's the joke. That's why it's funny.")

("But we already appeared, Chas,") Dave said in confusion.

("Yeah, I know, but…you, know what I'll explain this to you later,") he turned back around to Ichigo and Azure, ("Right now. We have some pests to get rid off.")

The tyrogue and the nidoran jumped into a fighting position, ready to take on the Rock types if they had to. But it was clear that it wasn't likely to be good for them. Azure decided to a take a more tactful approach and slowly stepped up to them.

("Look, we don't want to fight. We just want to get out of here,") she told them, ("We're sorry for intruding on your homes and disturbing you.")

("She's right,") Ichigo chimed in, ("our friends are somewhere and they might be in trouble. Please, you have to let us go.")

The army of Rocky type Pokemon shared a look before they stared up at Chas the geodude. He seemed to consider their plea for a few seconds and rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

("Alright,") he eventually said, ("Here's the deal. One of you can leave… as long the other stays behind to suffer their punishment,") he offered, much to their disbelief and the Rocky types glee, ("The one left behind will have to fight all of us all at the same time and will be beaten to a pulp,") he clenched his stone fist triumphantly, ("So, what will it be? Salvation for one and punishment for the other…or you both get punished? Your choice.")

Ichigo and Azure shared a look before they frowned anxiously; were they really willing to sacrifice one another for freedom.

Azure stared down at the ground and gritted her teeth, ('Sure, he's annoying, but he doesn't deserve this; nobody does. Not only that, but Charles would be upset that I left him behind,') she thought desperately, ('Damn it, what do I do? Neither option is good.')

("I'll stay.")

Azure's eyes widened as he looked over at Ichigo in surprise. The tyrogue looked towards the army of Pokemon with unwavering determination with his fists were clenched at his side.

("Let Azure go. I'll fight all of you,") he declared, earning a round of laughter from the enemy.

("What are you doing?") Azure hissed at him, ("let's at least talk about it first.")

The tyrogue merely shook his head, ("No, you need to get out of here and find the others.")

("Ichigo-")

("Earlier you said that I had nobody in my life worth fighting for,") he interrupted, ("But I do… the team is important to me. Charles accepted me into his team, because he knew I can get stronger with them and achieve my goal of becoming a great warrior. Working and travelling with everyone has been the best experience in my life and it upsets me to think that they're in danger,") he looked over to her and gave her a confident smile, ("We may not get along…but you are part of Charles' team as everyone else…so I am willing to fight for you so you can escape and go back to Tyrian,") he told her, surprising her with his sincerity. He turned back to the army and frowned in determination, ("Now go before they attack the both of us.")

Azure stared at him; completely stunned. After everything they had been through: the bickering, the fights, the shouting; he still wanted to sacrifice himself and for her to get out of here. She couldn't help but feel guilty; looking back at it now, she did say things to him that were horrible and not deserved at all. She thought she was defending herself and her mate from him, but she now knew that it was usual toxic attitude that was making thing worse for the both of them. She had promised herself and Charles that she would get better at interacting with others.

She needed to set things right.

("Very well,") Chas the geodude said with a smirk before he leapt towards Ichigo with his fist raised to punch him, ("This is what you get for insulting us!")

Ichigo saw him coming at him and raised his fists in front of his face, ready to take the hit.

When suddenly-

SLAM!

("ACK!") Chas cried as he was hit mid-air and thrown across the chamber, slamming against the wall painfully.

Ichigo and the Rock type Pokemon stared in shock with their mouths agape as they watched the Pokemon hit the wall before they all turned to see Azure, the one who had battered him away. Her eyes were narrowed and horn was poised to strike any enemy that will come near them. Ichigo could barely believe it and found it hard to form any sort of sentence.

("Azure…")

("We may have our differences, but there is one thing we both have in common) she interrupted, glancing back at him, ("Like you said, I'm also part of the team. This means that, although we fight and argue we are still partners when battling. And that means I'm not leaving you here,") she scraped her paw on the ground, ("Come on, let's fight these freaks and get out of here.")

Ichigo blinked in surprise before he gave a confirming nod, ("Yes, let's do this.")

The two got into a battle stance and turned against the Rocky type army who here surrounding them. Although they may be at a disadvantage, as long as they stick together as a team, they can get out of any situation.

With Hoss and Benny

Benny rested on Hoss' head with an annoyed, pain-filled sigh as he recovered from the large amount of bruisers he suffered due to the tauros' stampeding; so far they hadn't encounter smaller Pokemon or any other Pokemon at all, meaning that Hoss was much more relaxed as he trotted down the tunnel. He looked up as he heard the shiny pikachu sigh miserably and frowned sadly, feeling upset that he was the one that caused his injuries.

("I know I already apologised, but I feel as if I need to say it once again, my boy,") Hoss said, ("I honestly didn't mean to hit you.")

("It's fine. I'm fine,") Benny grumbled.

("Are you just saying that to make me feel better?")

("...no.")

Hoss hummed miserably, ("I see that you're still annoyed, I'm deeply sorry, my body. It's just...when I ever see a poor smaller fellow...I can't help but lock up in fright.")

("I get it,") Benny muttered though gritted teeth, ("You think I'm fragile and you don't want to hurt me. Just stop talking already.")

The tauros frowned in confusion, ("Fragile? I don't think your fragile at all. What gave you that idea?")

Benny perked up at that, not expecting that response. He turned his head up and looked down at him, ("Don't you? You said that you don't like being near smaller Pokemon, because you might hurt them.")

("Indeed, but I never said that individual Pokemon, such as yourself, are fragile. When I was a mere calf, I had a friend who was mankey. We always got in scuffles and bouts, trying to compete with one another one who's the strongest. We had great fun; sometimes I win, sometimes he won and sometimes it was a draw...until one day...") Hoss sighed and stared at the ground with Benny giving him his full attention, ("...it was a particularly brutal fight; a fight that, looking back on it, I would consider ungentlemanly. My dear friend hit me across the snout and...well, I lost control of my temper. Once I had calmed down, I had more or less destroyed my surroundings; the trees had been knocked over, the plants trampled beneath my hooves...and some Grass and Bug type Pokemon had been injured in my rampage. My dear friend was so badly wounded that he needed to be taken to a nearby Pokemon hospital and when he returned...he didn't want to be my friend anymore,") he uttered sadly, ("I suppose... the reason why I don't want to be near any Pokemon shorter than me...is because I'm afraid of losing control and hurting others in the process. Being a large Pokemon has its disadvantages; you're not elegant or agile and it takes a lot of effort to make sure you're not hurting those smaller than yourself. It doesn't help that my species' eyesight is not the best which just adds to my fear as well,") he sighed before he glanced up at the pikachu and smiled, ("But you fragile; that's on the contrary. You leapt in front of the dastardly onix as well to protect the others. HA! On no, my boy. That takes courage; no wonder your Charles' leading Pokemon. I say that you maybe even stronger than me.")

Benny blinked in disbelief at his words before he looked away guiltily; all this time he was thinking the worst about the taurous, but it was clear that he was has a lots of troubles. The pikachu couldn't help, but feel bad; he was supposed to be Charles right hand Pokemon; the sort who takes charge when he's not around and to help with the others training and yet his pride was getting in the way once again.

He sighed in shame and looked down at the tauros, ("Hey, Hoss,") he said, making him look up at him, ("Once we get out of here, why don't we do some personal training to help you with your fear. Maybe do some exercises to calm yourself to prevent you from rampaging. What do you say?")

Hoss cocked an eyebrow at that before he nodded, ("That sounds jolly good to me, my boy. I can't wait,") he said, earning a smile from Benny, ("But first we need to retreat from this here maze.")

Benny nodded and twitched his whiskers. Suddenly he picked up on something, ("There's something up ahead.")

The tunnel ended at an a large dome-like chamber; there was hardly any light and so they couldn't see much as at all. Hoss walked into the chamber, but stopped when his hoof collided with something; he looked down and saw that it was a mining pickaxe. Benny saw it to and his whiskers twitched again as he sensed something; he leapt off of Hoss and searched around and felt around in the dark for a few seconds before his paws fell on an metal and glass object. After some inspection and tries, he found a lever on the side of the object and pushed against it.

Click!

Immediately, the object illuminated the room and revealed it to be an old fashioned Davy lamp; the windows on the square objects were broken in places but it seemed that it had some fuel left inside of it. Benny and Hoss looked around the chamber and saw what looked to be an old mining base camp. There were piles of rubble and debris on one side, abandoned digging equipment either hung on the walls or scattered on the ground and there was a metal rail track that led from the far side, through the chamber and out to a tunnel on the other side; at the start of the rail track there were a collection of mine carts and even a handcar that can be used to push carts uphill. They were aligned on separate rails in a circle and can be placed on the main rail via a turntable built into the ground. The Pokemon's eyes widened at the sight; it was the first thing they had found in ages.

("This must be what Charles was talking about,") Benny mused, ("They used to mine here before the Safari Zone was set up. Which means...") he gasped, ("...we can get to the exit by following the track!")

("Of course!") Hoss exclaimed triumphantly, ("I say we should take one of the mine carts to it. It'll be much faster that way,") he suggested before he looked at all the mine carts with a small frown, ("However, I don't think I'll be able to fit in any of them. Confound it!") he muttered, stamping his hoof on the ground.

Benny hummed before he spotted something, ("What about that one,") he said, pointing a large rectangular rail cart that had no walls, but just a flat surface, ("It must be used for carrying larger items. We can have the handcar in front and then you can stand on that rail cart. They way we can both pedal the handcar.")

("That sounds like a plan, my boy,") Hoss proudly agreed, ("Let's get to it!")

Using a mixture of Hoss' strength and Benny's dexterity, the two Pokemon managed to push the two carts in order using the turntable and, soon enough, everything was in order. Hoss was standing on the rail cart with one hoof on one handle of the handcart while Benny was on the other handle, ready to push down on it.

("Ready?")

("Ready, my boy,") Hoss confirmed as he released his hold on the handle slightly.

Benny, using his weight pushed down on the other handle and, with the groaning of rusted metal, the handcart began to slowly, but surely move forwards a little. As soon as Benny was down as far as he can, something the made Hoss wince at the sight of it, the tauros pushed down on his handle and propelled the carts further. The two continued the pattern; taking turns in pushing down the handle and soon the carts began to pick up speed from a slow crawl to a quick pace, heading towards the exit tunnel. They took the Davy lamp with them so they could have some light as soon as they left, but all they saw was endless darkness.

("How long do you think this will take?") Hoss questioned.

("I don't know, but at least we're heading in the right direct-")

BOOM!

CRASH!

"RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRR!"

The two jumped as something crashed through the wall behind them; they turned and saw, to their disbelief, that the onix from before had found them. The rocky Pokemon lifted his head and towered over the two; it's large eyes narrowed as it stared at them. Hoss immediately turned around and scraped his hoof against the metal mine cart.

("AHA! I see you're back for some more! Come at me then, you yellow-livered buffoon. I'll turn you're into a pile of rubble!") Hoss boomed bombastically.

("Errr...Hoss.")

("You oversized ekans!")

("Hoss...")

("You terrible troglodyte! You scandalous savage! You vile villain! You barmy braggart!")

("HOSS!")

Hoss looked around at Benny's cries, ("Yes, what is it, my-")

His words died out as soon as he saw what the pikachu was referring to. As the carts travelled along the rail, they had failed to noticed that the tunnel led downwards at a steep angle...and they were just about to go over it.

("...oh dear,") Hoss uttered as the carts went over the edge and they zoomed down the tunnel at blinding speeds.

The two yelled out as they sped down the mineshaft, trying to hold on as the tracks zigzagged left, right and left again. All the while the onix followed them, the tunnel was not nearly wide enough for it to go down, but it burrowed through it like it was nothing; sending rocks, metal rails and wooden planks everyway as it went. Soon the rail tracks levelled out slightly, but they were still going too fast for either of them to stop. Benny looked back and saw the rocky Pokemon chased after them; roaring and bellowing as it went.

("Hoss, we need to keep on peddling,") he cried out over the noise.

("Turning your back from a fight is ungentlemanly!") Hoss shouted before a piece of rail flew past his head, narrowly missing him by inches, ("...perhaps a tactical retreat is in order though,") he said before the two began to peddle the handcart, gaining more speed as they sped away from the onix.

With Wildfire and Halcyon

("I'm fairly sure these here are rail tracks,") Wildfire mused as he looked down at the metal rails extended from one tunnel into the other on the other side of the chamber they were in, ("But why would it be here?")

("Fascinating,") Halcyon hummed as he stood in-between the tracks as well, ("The distance between the two are at perfect lengths from each other,") he looked up and smiled, ("This pleases me.")

Wildfire, for the first time in ages, chuckled, ("Of course, it does.")

BOOM!

"RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!"

The two jumped at the noise and looked down the tunnel behind them where the noise was coming. They both shared a confused look as they saw, out of the darkness, a light getting bigger and bigger.

("What in tarnation is th-")

Suddenly, from out of the tunnel, Benny and Hoss riding rail carts came shooting out of the tunnel and collided against them before entering the second tunnel on the other side of the chamber; the onix burst out through after them and quickly followed them once again.

Benny felt something hit his back and pinned him against the handle before the thing dropped onto the handcart floor. He looked down and was astonish to see Wildfire and Halcyon; the ponyta fainted in shock while the eevee looking rather dizzy with swirls in his eyes.

("Wildfire! Halcyon! Thank Arceus we found you,") Benny cried as the eevee shakily got to his paws, ("Sorry about running into you.")

Halcyon shook his dizziness off and turned to see the onix barrelling down at them, ("Hey stop destroying the tracks!") he yelled at the rock Pokemon, ("Thier perfect as they were! GRRRRR!")

("Never mind that! Just help Wildfire!") Benny yelled at him.

With Azure and Ichigo

Ichigo stumbled back as another rock was thrown at him; he grunted and fell to one knee in pain. Azure stood in front of him and faced defiantly against the army of geodude and golems circled around them threateningly, forcing them to retreat to the far side of the chamber where the rail tracks were.

("Ichigo are you alright?") Azure asked as she kept her eyes on the rock Pokemon in front of them.

("I'm fine,") he grunted, ("I can't go on, but I don't want to give up.")

("No, nor I,") she responded, ("If I want to see Tyrian again I need to keep on fighting.")

The tyrogue glanced up at her before he shakily got to his feet and stood beside her, ("And if I want to see sensei again...I too will fight.")

Azure smiled and lowered her head to use her horn, ("Ichigo...I'm sorry for abandoning you earlier.")

("I forgive you. Sorry for what I said about you and Tyrian,") he said as he tightened his hands into fists.

("It's alright,") she said before narrowed her eyes in determination, ("Let's turn these rocks into powder.")

They were just about to go on a full out attack...when suddenly...

BOOOM!

"RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!"

BANG!

All the Pokemon in the chamber, even the geodude and golem turned in confusion at one of the tunnels at the far end of the room where one of the rail tracks ran into.

("Huh? What is tha-") the head geodude began to say when something shot out of the tunnel and along the rails.

Azure and Ichigo stopped and stared in bafflement as Benny, Hoss, Wildfire and Halcyon came shooting out of the tunnel on two rail carts; they zipped along the wall and over towards them.

("Found them!") Benny yelled, ("Quick grab them!")

("Huh?") Ichigo and Azure uttered.

As the rail carts got closer, Hoss and a newly recovered Wildfire reached their heads down and grabbed each of them with their mouths, snapping them off their feet; Ichigo's arm was in Wildfire's mouth while Hoss had bit onto Azure's horn, making her yell in pain and outrage. The zoomed away as quickly as they left; exiting a tunnel on the other side of the chamber. The geodude and golem blinked in confusion at what just happened, but didn't have time to do anything else the onix smashed through the tunnel with a tremendous roar, knocking the rock Pokemon all over the place as it continued to chase after the rail carts.

("LET GO! LET GO! LET GO!") Azure screamed, her legs flailing in the air as the rail carts continued speed down the tracks. Hoss placed her gently down on the platform and, after shooting an angry glare at him, she looked up at Benny, ("Where have you guys been!? And why is that onix still chasing us!?")

("We'll explain later!") he yelled back, ("Right now we need to get out of here!")

("And where are we heading to!?") Ichigo called out, holding onto Wildfire's leg for support, ("Because I can't see a thing?")

("If we follow the rail, we can find the exit.")

("And what about the onix!?") Halcyon questioned.

Benny glanced back at the rampaging onix following them, ("We'll...cross that bridge when we get to it. Right now we need to reach the end of the line.")

Wildfire gulped as he looked ahead, ("Not to raise no alarms, but I think we getting closer to it,") he said, pointing with his hoof forwards.

They turned to where he was pointing; their eyes widened when they saw that the tunnel ended and the rails stop abruptly at a wooden post a few meters away. With no time to stop or jump off, they collided against the post, smashed through it and the carts were flung off its rails. The Pokemon flew off the carts and landed painfully against the sturdy ground in a pile as the carts landed a few meters away and smashed against the cavern wall.

They groaned painfully at the landing, but they soon climbed onto their paws and hooves as they were met with the sight of the onix looming over them threateningly. Hoss snorted and stood before all of them protectively, scraping his hoof along the ground.

("If you want them, then you have to get through me, you galumphing gargoyle!) he declared in his usual bravado way.

Benny saw this and frowned in determination. He scampered towards him, leapt onto his back and onto his head, ("Yeah, and you have to deal with me as well!") he cheeks sparking with electricity.

("You have no honour in the way you fight,") Ichigo chimed in as he got into a fighting stance next to Hoss, ("I shall also fight you.")

("And me,") Azure said, standing next to him, ("Can't let you have all the fun,") she said, earning a smirk from the tyrogue.

("I'll fight as well,") Wildfire said as he got onto Hoss' other side, ("Imma mighty tired of runnin'.")

Halcyon leapt to his other side and growled, ("You destroyed that perfectly neat railway track! GRRRRR! I'M GOING TO MAKE YOU FIX IT! GRRRRRR!")

The six Pokemon stood in front of the mighty onix defiantly; their were tired, bruised and want nothing more then to get out of the place, but they will still fight. Fight and battle as many enemies that is thrown at them in order for them to get out.

As long as they work together...they can do anything.

("Fight?") the onix grumbled in confusion, ("I just wanted to see if you guys were alright.")

...

("...I'm...sorry?") Benny uttered.

("Why yes,") the onix said in a deep gravelly voice, ("When you woke me up, I accidently knocked the stalactite down and made you fall though the ground. When I tried talking to you, you all ran away from me. I'm terribly sorry. Are any of you hurt ?")

The Pokemon shared a look before turning back to the onix, ("No, we're all fine,") Ichigo replied.

("Okay,") the onix said with a relieved smile, ("I'm to hear that.")

("Yes...") Benny said, ("You wouldn't happen to know a way out, would you?")

The onix lifted his tail and pointed down the tunnel to their right, ("Follow that tunnel and you'll be at the foot of the mountain. Anyway, must be off. Cheerio!") he said before he slithered down the tunnel down to the left.

...

("That...was anticlimactic,") Azure murmured.

The others unanimously agreed.

Foot Of The Mountain

At the sight of daylight, the Pokemon ran out of the mouth of the cave and into the open air in glee. Wildfire stepped onto the grass and stretched his legs while Hoss ran around in circles around him happily; being in there for so long had them feel claustrophobic, especially since they were larger Pokemon. Azure found a nearby patch of flowers and sat down in them, feeling the gentle petals and the calming smells settled her mood. Halcyon trotted over to the lake and sighed as he watched the gentles waters lap on the sandy bank, making him feel much more relaxed. Benny simply sat down on the grass, closed his eyes and looked up as he enjoyed the sunshine on his furry face. He hummed in delight at the sensation and the thought that he no longer had to deal with that terrible cavern.

He looked down and opened his eyes and looked over the area; he frowned slightly in disappointment, ('Oh Charles, isn't here,') he thought sadly, ('I hope he's alright.')

"Benny!"

His ears pricked up at the sound and, judging by the reaction of the other Pokemon, they heard it too.

"Ichigo! Hoss! Azure! Halcyon! Wildfire! Are you there!?" cried a familiar voice.

They turned towards the woods and saw Charles stumble out with a map clutched in his hand and his face filled with concern. However, as soon as he saw them all, safe and sound, his face lit up.

("Charles!") they cried.

They scampered, trotted or ran over to him and embraced a part of him; Ichigo hugged his left leg, while Azure and Halcyon shared his right leg; Wildfire nestles his snout into his right shoulder while Hoss licked his left cheek affectionately and Benny leapt onto his shoulder and nuzzled his other cheek. Charles almost cried in relief as he petted each Pokemon in greeting back, he couldn't be happier to see all of them.

"I'm so glad you guys are alright," he said with a grin, "When I saw you fall I...You know what, never mind. You guys are alright and that's all that matters."

("We're happy as well,") Azure said, ("It was awful down there.")

("So dirty,") Halcyon muttered.

("Cramped,") Wildfire added.

("And really dark. I could barely seen anything in front of me,") Ichigo said.

"Did anything happen while you were down there. You all stopped arguing and worked together, right?"

The Pokemon shared a look, telepathcially debating whether they should mention what happened. After a while, they shook their heads no.

("Nope, it was kind of boring,") Benny said.

("And we all pulled our weight like true gentleman...and lady.")

("Thank you, Hoss,") Azure said.

Charles let the hesitation slide for now. He looked around and frowned in concern, "Wait, where's Marina?"

("Marina?") Benny said in confusion, ("I thought she was with you.")

"She fell down after you guys...have you not seen her at all?"

("No, my boy,") Hoss uttered, ("That must mean that she's...")

They turned to the mouth of the cave and felt a feeling of dread creep in; if she had fallen as well...then she must be still down there.

Benny leapt of Charles' shoulder and scampered over to the mouth of the cave; he looked into the darkness with a determined look while his cheeks sparked, once again, with electricity. He was joined by Azure, then Wildfire, then Hoss, then Ichigo and then finally Halcyon. Some of them hadn't had much interaction with the young dratini, but they knew well enough that she was one of them...and they are not leaving her behind.

("You guys ready,") Benny calmly said.

("You bettcha,") Wildfire said, his fiery mane blazing strongly.

("Let's do this,") Azure agreed.

("GRRRR! Leaving one Pokemon behind is so frustrating!") Halcyon growled.

("I cannot call myself a true warrior if I leave someone behind,") Ichigo said as he clenched his fists.

("It is rather ungentlemanly to leave a lady in waiting,") Hoss chimed in.

("Good,") Benny said as he raised his paw in the air, ("Now let's find Marina!")

("YEAH!")

("Here I am,") Marina sang as she suddenly appeared beside Charles.

The Pokemon face faulted onto the ground in shock comedically as Charles scooped the dritini up in his arms.

"There you are sweetheart. You had me worried for a second," he said as he stroked her cheek.

("Hi mama,") Marina greeted cheerily as she cooed from her petting.

Benny was the first to recover and turned around to look up at her, ("Y-you've been here...all this time?") he asked.

("Yep! I had fun!") she chirped back.

The Pokemon shared a look before bursting into laughter; relived to see her safe and sound... and the fact that they didn't have to go back into the caverns. Charles looked up and saw, to his surprise, his Pokemon getting along like he wanted them to. Sure, he wished it didn't have to come to endangerment, but, whatever happened in there, had actually brought them together into a close team. He smiled happily as he watched his family finally get along and cleared his throat to gain their attention.

"You know what, why don't we skip the training today and head back to camp. I'll cook us something special to celebrate. What do you say?" he asked happily.

In response, Benny leapt onto his shoulder while the other Pokemon surrounded him, ("Sounds like a plan,") he agreed as they began to make their way back to camp.

However, Benny looked down at the dratini nestled in Charles' arms and smiled sadly, ("Marina we're sorry for forgetting about you. We we're so busy on our own problems to pay attention to you.")

("It's alright,") Marina chirped, ("It was fun waiting for all of you.")

The pikachu chuckled happily, ("How long have been waiting for us?")

Marina frowned thoughtfully before she raised her head up, ("About twenty minutes.")

...

("WE WERE ONLY IN THERE FOR TWENTY MINUTES!?") the Pokemon yelled in shock.

Thanks for reading

I hope you enjoyed this pokemon-centred chapter. As long as it took to write, it was still fun to come up with silly jokes and such.

However, where were Flo and Alice while all of this was going down?

Tune in next time :)

Potential Pokemon List:

Charles

Gastley

Drowzee

Goldeen

Aerodactyl

Onix

Grimer

Hoothoot (Johto)

Octillery (Orange Islands)

Pinsir

Salamance (Hoenn)

Metagross (Hoenn)

Dewgong

Elekid (Johto)

Poochyena (Hoenn)

Chikorita (Johto)

Flo

Psyduck

Cubone

Jolteon

Shellder

Weedle

Igglybuff (Johto)

Exeggcute (Orange Islands)

Qwilfish (Orange Islands)

Slugma (Hoenn)

Snubbull (Johto)

Miltank (Johto)

Beautifly (Hoenn)

Alice

Rattata

Poliwag

Spearow

Lickitung

Mr Mime

Spinarak (Johto)

Umbreon (Johto)

Rhyhorn (Johto)

Wobbuffet (Johto)

Nosepass (Hoenn)

Swinub (Sinnoh)

Smeargle (Johto)

Omake:

Somewhere In The Mountain

("...and despite their worries and concerns weighing them down, I told them that if they want to get them out of this mountain then you have trust me to lead you all out. And with my brave words of encouragement they got into the minecarts and away we went with me at the helm...or whatever the first part of a minecart is called and got them to safety. Was it difficult? Yes. Was it dangerous? Yes. But did I ever cower away in fear? Absolute not. Honestly, my bravery and courage is both a blessing and a curse,") Chatot declared as he perched on a ledge and talked down to the group of geodudes and golems below him, ("And thus concludes the tale of how I helped six stray Pokemon lost in these very caverns out of the goodness of my heart. Now who wants to hear my story of how I saved an entire colony of diglet from a gigantic gyrados?")

("Who is this guy?") one geodude whispered to another.

("I don't know, he just keeps on talking to us.")

("Ah I see...is he going to leave anytime soon?")

("Not a clue,") the second geodude sighed.