The young Audino is then left in a dimly lit trunk, now alone and terrified. He whimpers as more tears start to fall.
"No, no, no! Let me out, y-you meanie! I-I'm scared…please someone help me!"
The small Pokemon tries in vain to pry the bars apart, his tiny fists trembling as they push and pull at the unmoving prison.
In the midst of his struggle however, the Audino suddenly hears someone call out to him from behind.
"Give it up kid…it's pointless…"
The lower, more rough voice sighs, causing the Audino to whip around in surprise.
The hatchling had thought that he was alone, but this new sight proved him wrong. His eyes now rested on three other imprisoned pokemon: a Gothita, a shiny Kirlia, and a shiny Lopunny. The first two were trapped in special glass casings, while the taller, rabbit-like Pokemon was trapped in a barred cell much bigger than his own.
"W-Who are you all?"
The little Audino asks worriedly, his heart breaking further at seeing other Pokemon like him meeting a similar fate.
The Pokemon that had spoken up earlier answers him, revealing himself to be the Gothita in one of the glass cages.
"Prisoners. Just like you…"
He groans tiredly before continuing.
"Don't mind me, just suffering in my new "home"…name's Jared…"
Jared sighs sarcastically, crossing his arms utterly as he leans back against the clear walls of his cell.
The little Audino winces at the Gothita's tone, though looks over at the other two curiously.
Seeing this, Jared clears his throat and explains.
"Those are my friends…tall pink Lopunny is known as Alex…and the Kirlia is Levi."
Jared's voice softens slightly, understanding the fear reflecting in the Audino's eyes on a personal level.
Alex turns to the newcomer with a shuddery sigh, trying to give him a small smile despite their current circumstances.
"What about you little buddy? What's your name?"
The Lopunny asks gently, his furry fingers wrapping around one of the bars as he leans against it.
The Audino's ears droop slightly at this question…a name? Was that normal to have for a Pokemon like him?
"Um…I'm sorry mister…I don't have a name. Unless Audino is my name…"
He admits nervously, hugging his knees to his chest.
The three Pokemon in front of the Audino exchange worried glances before Levi speaks up this time.
"N-No little guy… "Audino" is your species name. You're a hatchling, aren't you?"
The shiny Kirlia guesses.
The Audino nods slowly, his cheeks reddening slightly in embarrassment.
"Is…Is that a bad thing?" He mutters, rubbing one of his ear feelers self consciously.
"Wh-What?! No, of course not bud'…honestly it might be a good thing depending on how you look at it. At least you aren't a grown Pokémon without a name…" Levi reassures him gently, trying to give the young hatchling a small smile as well.
Jared smirks faintly at that, looking over at the Audino.
"Hey, Levs' is right…plus getting a name for the first time can be fun for a young Pokemon like you."
The Gothita adds, causing the little Audino to perk up slightly.
"Really? Do you…do you think I can really get a name like you guys someday?"
The hatchling stands back up on his feet, scrambling closer to the direction of the other pokemon and clinging to the other side of the cage bars.
"A-And…maybe a family too?"
The Audino asks hopefully, almost forgetting his current imprisonment as the thought of someone finally treating him with love envelops his heart like a comforting blanket.
Jared and Levi are silent, looking over at Alex for help with this since the Lopunny was the more positive of the three.
"Of course little guy…"
Alex grins despite the pain of being kidnapped clawing at his psyche.
"Once we get out of here…we'll make sure you-"
The Lopunny is about to continue when Jared suddenly gasps.
The sound of mild static can be heard coming from the bases of their cages as the metal below turns a dangerous electric blue.
"Brace yourselves guys, it's happening again!"
Jared shouts in terror, standing up and covering his head as his head feeler quivers anxiously.
Alex and Levi obey quickly, while the little Audino just stares at the glowing bars of his cage with wide eyes.
"W-What's happening?! Guys, what's going o-?"
The hatchling tries to say before being cut off by an excruciatingly painful shock spreading through his tiny body as well as the other Pokémon.
The four imprisoned Pokemon scream in agony as the blue electricity expelling from their cages shocks them for a good minute before eventually relenting, leaving behind small bits of static lingering in its wake.
They all shudder violently as the electricity that violated their bodies finally eases up, though their fur still stands on end from the remaining bits.
"W-What…was that..?"
The Audino hatchling whispers shakily, unable to even cry from how agonizing the whole experience was.
With a pained grunt, Jared turns slowly towards the hatchling.
"Ugh…that…was a "shocking" little reminder from our captor that we are never getting out of here…" Jared inhales sharply as he shakes off the remaining pain.
The Audino whimpers at that…just a moment ago, he was being reassured that he would get out…that he would get a family…but those hopes start to crumble within him as he starts to cry softly, his breathing becoming slowly erratic.
"N-Never..?"
His voice trembles with grief, his little body quaking as he holds himself.
"Oh, look what you did Jared! You made him cry, he's just a hatchling you know!"
Levi snaps at Jared, his gaze flickering anxiously between concern for the Audino and irritation towards the Gothita.
Jared glares over at Levi, his own panic rising as well despite his defensiveness.
"Hey, someone's got to break it to him Levi! Life isn't a freaking fairytale you know, we're doomed!"
Jared cries back, his guilt rising with every word he says, but he knows it's true.
"Both of you, shut up!"
Alex suddenly snaps at the two quarreling Pokémon before gesturing to the now shaking and teary eyed Audino.
This sight makes Jared and Levi oblige, now just as concerned as Alex for the hatchling's well being.
The Audino appears to be struggling to catch his breath as violent sobs wrack his body, he falls onto his knees as he holds his chest with panic.
Alex notices this reaction, and gasps slightly.
"Oh my Arceus…guys, stay quiet. I think…I think he's having a panic attack…"
Alex warns them as he gets as close to the bars as possible.
"Hey buddy…breath…it's going to be ok…close your eyes…deep breaths…"
Alex gently coos over to the little hatchling, regretting being unable to give him physical reassurance.
The little Audino nods shakily, closing his teary eyes and trying to catch his breath.
"I-I'm…s-scared…Alex…s-s-sorry…"
He stutters though his trembling gasps and sobs.
"I know…I know buddy, let it pass…think of happy thoughts…think of…a new mommy…giving you lots of hugs…a happy home…"
Alex hums tenderly, hoping his voice reaches the suffering hatchling.
"W-What's a…a hug, Alex?"
The Audino whimpers, causing Alex's heart to clench painfully.
"Right…here…"
Alex pushes against his cage with all the force he has to move it closer to the hatchling's, he then reaches his paw out of one of the bar's spaces as far as he can, gently holding the little Audino's hand.
"It feels like this…except, all around your body…"
Alex murmurs softly, rubbing his thumb against the hatchling's tiny fingers comfortingly.
The Audino sniffles heavily, gripping Alex's hand back as his tears slowly start to subside. His breathing eventually calms to a steady pace as he sighs, his surroundings no longer blurring from his panicked haze.
Alex breathes a sigh of relief as well, giving the Audino's hand one more squeeze.
"Are you alright little guy? Better?"
The Lopunny asks with a paternal edge to his tone.
The hatchling nods in response, taking another gulp of air before wiping his tears away.
"Y-Yeah…th-thank you Alex…"
He smiles weakly up at his new friend.
Alex returns the gesture before pulling his arm back in and glaring over at Jared.
"Well Jared? I think you owe this little one an apology…"
Alex huffs, crossing his arms.
Jared sighs, his blue eyes filled with shame as he looks over at the Audino.
"Sorry buddy…we all have our own ways of coping but…what I said…I didn't need to say that in front of you. Especially not after getting electrocuted…"
He rubs the back of his neck nervously.
The little Audino shakes his head with a reassuring grin.
"I-It's ok Jared, I know we're all scared right now…it makes sense."
The young Pokémon looks at the older Pokemon curiously.
"But…I don't think it's impossible to get out…have you guys tried escaping?"
He questions, eyes narrowing in concern.
The three of them nod in response, with Jared solemnly explaining.
"Yeah…we tried everything we could think of…Psychic moves, Dark, Fairy, you name it! Nothing has broken through these glass walls on our cages unfortunately."
Jared informs, trying to keep his tone from sounding completely hopeless like earlier.
Alex chuckles, trying to keep his own tone positive for the little Audino's sake.
"As for me, these bars don't like being kicked…they bit right back~"
The Lopunny hissed with slight pain as he rubs his still raw leg.
The young Audino cocks his head to the side in slight confusion.
"Moves? Are those like…powers or something?"
He asks curiously, his newly hatched mind still unfamiliar with Pokemon power.
Jared perks up slightly at the question, showing off his first genuine smile since being captured.
"Oh, right you just hatched! Yep! You got it right little buddy. All Pokemon are born with moves that vary based off of what type you are! For instance, I'm a Psychic type Pokemon, so I have a lot of Psychic power moves! Of course, I can learn attacks from other types…but that's just a basic layout for you."
The Gothita explains, a glimmer of excitement about teaching the basics of battle shining in his eyes.
The Audino gasps in awe, his eyes shining at the interesting concept.
"That sounds so cool! What kind of moves can I use?!"
The Audino squeaks in excitement, his little tail wagging back and forth, eliciting chuckles from the other 3 Pokemon at his child-like eagerness.
"Mostly Normal-type moves since you're an Audino."
The Lopunny explains, relieved that their young new friend was happier now.
"It would've been awesome if he could experience the real joys of utilizing moves…"
Jared sighs, leaning back in his mini prison with a look of longing in his eyes.
"God I miss battling…"
The Gothita laments, his gaze shifting downward in sorrow.
As the young Audino watches the older Pokemon talk amongst themselves, he starts to think about all of the potential moves he could use…then something hits him as he looks down at his hands in contemplation.
"Hey guys…you think I could get us all out of here using one of my moves?"
He suggests eagerly, a flicker of hope igniting in his sapphire irises.
Jared immediately tries to stop the Audino from even suggesting it, before Alex stops him.
"You know what…why not little guy, give it a shot."
The Lopunny offers with a weak chuckle, leaning back against the inner walls of his cage.
His Gothita friend looks at him in mild exasperation and concern.
"Why are you giving him false hope Alex? No offense to him but…he's just a hatchling…"
Jared reminds his taller friend.
At this, Alex sighs before crossing his arms.
"Come on man, it's as you said…he just hatched…he needs some sort of positivity right now. And if this "false" hope gives him a chance to be happy for just a moment…I say just let him have it."
Levi nods in agreement as he adds.
"It's all he has Jared…come on. Let's be honest, I'm sure he doesn't really believe he can break out by himself either…it wouldn't hurt to try."
Jared ponders these words for a moment before shaking his head with a defeated exhale.
"Alright…I guess that makes sense. Just try not to hurt yourself kid…"
The Gothita warns the little Audino as he nods to him.
The little Audino beams, ignoring the lingering doubt that Jared harbored as he begins chopping at the bars of his cage with a surge of youthful determination.
As the small clanging sound fills the back of the van, the small Audino's new companions can't help but smile faintly at the hatchling's confidence.
"Heh, you gotta admit…this kid's got spunk. I like it, reminds me of how I was when I was his age…"
Jared chuckles softly, looking on at the young hatchling.
"Yeah…kind of makes you wish we could get out of here with spunk alone…"
Alex nods, tracing a lazy finger up and down one of the iron bars on his cage.
After about 5 minutes of chopping, the small Audino's hands start to light up brightly, the force of his chops becoming much more powerful as one of the bars elicits a small cracking sound.
This causes the other three Pokemon in the room to gasp in shock.
Alex rubs his eyes, blinking several times before snapping out of his shock.
"Guys…did he just…use Dual Chop?! That…That looked like Dual Chop! Or…am I crazy..?" Alex stutters in confused awe.
Jared shakes his head in disbelief, turning to his Lopunny friend.
"N-No, that's not possible! He's a normal type…and, I know I sound like a broken record…but he's a hatchling! I don't even think a dragon type his age would know that move at this stage!" The Gothita points out, squinting his eyes to get a better look at the Audino's glowing hands.
Levi gasps, his lips curving into a hopeful smile for the first time since he had gotten captured.
"Who cares what it was guys, look!"
He points to the growing crack on one of the little Audino's cage bars.
Jared's eyes widen in bewildered excitement, his small hands pressing up against the glass walls surrounding him.
"Sweet Dialga…he's right! W-We're gonna get out of here!"
Jared exclaims, directing his attention to the younger pokemon.
"Kid, keep going! You're breaking out!"
The Gothita cheers the Audino on desperately, clinging to this one fragile ray of hope they've found.
The Audino gasps, looking down at his work with a grin.
"I-I am?!"
He asks, hardly able to believe his own strength either.
Alex nods eagerly, gripping the bars of his cage as he leans as close as he can towards the Audino.
"Yes! Just keep chopping at your cage like that, alright? We believe in you!"
Alex encourages the small Audino with a warm and confident smile.
At that, the Audino's tail swishes with giddy determination as he continues his assault on the cage bars.
The iron prison trembles beneath the Audino's swift and firm chops, energy from the move proving to be too much for the cage's rusted bars. After another good set of chops, the bars break off their hinges, letting the young hatchling free!
As he wiggles his way through the now shattered remains of metal, he squeaks happily with a little clap and cheer.
"I did it! I did it!"
The Audino giggles before quieting himself down. The last thing he wanted was their captor hearing him.
Jared and the others cheer with him as well, keeping their voices low as well.
"Yes! Awesome little buddy…you think you can bust us out too?"
Jared suggests, his voice slightly pleading.
The little Audino nods, his eyes narrowing in concentration as he runs up to Jared's cage and raises his hand up, prepping to chop at it.
Jared backs up so that the glass doesn't hit him upon being broken, just before the Audino begins chopping at the glass.
This cage doesn't take nearly as long, only taking about 5 chops from the hatchling's glowing hands before the glass wall breaks.
"Psychic!" Jared activates his move just when the glass is about to hit him, making him sigh in relief as he carefully steps out of the glass shards.
The Gothita breathes deeply, his mind still whirling with questions, yet still thrilled to be free despite the oddity of his new friend's mystery strength.
"I…I don't know what to say bud…"
He clasps a hand onto the Audino's tiny shoulder with a breathy laugh.
"Guess I'll settle with a…thank you. Thought I'd be trapped in there forever honestly…
Not bad for a hatchling of all things."
Jared admits with a grateful smirk.
The Audino beams up at him with a small blush on his cheeks.
"You're welcome Jared! Let's get the rest of our friends out too!"
He runs ahead of Jared and towards Alex's taller, barred cage next.
As the Gothita runs to the Audino's side, he notices the younger pokemon gazing at the daunting size of the cage.
"It's pretty big, huh? You think you can find a weak spot somewhere?"
Jared asks as he inspects the cage as well.
"There's one up here…but I doubt he'll be able to reach it on his own…"
Alex points to a rusted spot near the top of the cage.
"Thanks, Captain Obvious…"
Jared huffs, tugging lightly at some bars towards the bottom in an attempt to find a loose piece that was within the two smaller Pokemons' reach.
"Can we…climb up?"
The little Audino offers, equally stumped at their predicament.
"No…that won't…"
Jared's breath hitches once he remembers something, face palming himself.
"Arceus, I'm such an idiot…I can use my moves again! Hey kid, mind if I use my Psychic move to lift you? You'll be able to reach the weak point of the cage much easier that way!"
Jared turns to the Audino expectedly.
The younger Pokemon gasps excitedly, his eyes wide as his tail swishes back and forth in anticipation.
"Wow Jared, you're super smart! Yeah, let's do that!"
The Audino exclaims with a nod, spreading his arms to prepare himself, though he was still bouncing slightly.
The Gothita chuckles in amusement at the hatchling's eagerness.
"Easy buddy, don't get too excited now. I'll drop you if you move too much. Just stay still till I get you to the top of the cage. Then chop as much as it takes to free Alex, ok?"
He instructs the excited bunny-like pokemon.
"Ok Jared!"
The young hatchling nods in understanding, standing still for Jared to take hold of him with his Psychic power.
Once Jared lifts the little Audino to the desired height, he calls up to him.
"You see the spot yet, kid?"
The young Audino scans the top of the tall cage until he spots a small rusted part on the top right side. He grins proudly, aiming for the spot with his hand.
"I see it! Can I start chopping?"
He asks his Gothita friend, who nods, strengthening his hold so he won't drop the hatchling.
On cue, the smaller Pokémon unleashes his mystery move once more on this cage.
After about 10 chops, the bars eventually break apart.
Jared is careful to catch the falling bars as they fall down as well, preserving their secret escape and avoiding any unwanted attention due to the noise.
Alex beams, sighing with relief as he steps out of his prison and ruffles the little Audino's head fur gratefully.
"Thank Arceus! I thought I was never going to get out of there…you're the best little guy! I'm very proud of you."
The Loppuny praises the smaller Pokémon, prompting a shy giggle from him.
Jared smiles warmly at the scene before turning to the last Pokemon trapped. He gazes over at Levi, placing a gentle hand on the glass.
"You're up next Levi. We'll have you out in no time pal!"
The Gothita reassures him.
Levi sighs eagerly, before his heart drops immediately after. Upon looking down at the floor of his cage, he can see it start to charge up with electricity.
"Uhh…guys!"
Levi's voice escalates in panic, pointing to the glowing blue bottom of his prison.
When his friends turn to see the beginning stages of the lightning barrage, they all gasp in terror.
Jared turns to the young Audino desperately.
"Kid, quick! Break him out before he gets shocked again!"
Without a word, the little Audino hurries over to Levi's cage, immediately beating at the glass.
Unfortunately, just when the glass was about to break, the electricity jolts through the shiny Kirlia's body.
Soon after, the glass cage breaks…but the amount of times Levi had been shocked took a toll on him, leaving him wide eyed in a daze.
The three Pokémon around him exchange worried looks as they get closer to the Kirlia.
"Levi…are you ok?"
Jared asks anxiously, placing a gentle hand on his friend's shoulder.
The Kirlia doesn't respond, his breath stuck in his throat as his eyes slowly roll back into his head, collapsing onto the cold floor.