Attention, Legion soldiers!
The commander struck his tail against the ground to command the attention of his troops.
"Our scouts have reported that a crucial item belonging to the Shelaks has been misplaced within the depths of Azil Cave. You two are the only remaining soldiers available to us who are unaffected by the Cave's conditions; therefore, you will be tasked with recovering the item. Do you understand?"
"Yes, sir!"
.....
The temperature was excruciatingly low, and he wrapped his arms tightly around his chest in a vain effort to generate warmth as he trudged through an endless, frigid expanse. His breathing was erratic, with each rise and fall of his chest lacking any consistent rhythm; the moisture in his breath crystallized instantly upon contact with the frigid air, falling to the ground like tiny shards of ice.
He faltered and collapsed onto his knees, the dirty white snow adhering to his clothing and exposed skin.
In a weary attempt to rise, he reached out to steady himself against the ground, only to encounter something unexpectedly warm. Driven by desperation, he began to cling to the naive belief that his fellow villagers would come to his aid, convincing through the snow to uncover what lay beneath.
However, upon revealing the truth, his last vestiges of hope evaporated. Previously, he added that he was merely caught in a severe storm that would soon pass. Now, as he gazed upon the lifeless forms of his family and friends, gradually being engulfed by the relentless snowfall, his remaining hopes were irrevocably dashed.
....
He emerged from a deep, unsettling slumber, only to be confronted by a sharp, disorienting sensation in his chest. Almost instantly, his body succumbed to a violent coughing fit, each spasm intensifying the bitterness in his already sore throat. After the harsh assault on his throat, he grasped his aching neck, feeling his teeth clenched tightly together. In this moment of sheer, unrelenting agony, he yearned to understand his whereabouts and the source of his suffering. He attempted to open his eyes, but something was hindering him. After clearing away a repulsive, dried substance from his eyelids, he managed to open them. Unfortunately, his vision was severely compromised; he could barely discern the faint outlines of walls, with only a solitary flame breaking the oppressive darkness. The rest of the environment was engulfed in pitch blackness. In pain, he emitted a soft groan.
As adrenaline surged through him, he instinctively moved away from the flame, yet, inexplicably, it seemed to pursue him with a will of its own.
In pain, he let out a quiet groan.
"Agh…Huh?... where am I?" he rasped to himself.
He shook his head several times in an effort to dispel the dizziness clouding his vision. Fortunately, this action slightly improved his sight, albeit at the cost of a dull ache in his head.
The unidentified man made an effort to rise. As he did so, a sudden pop resonated from his back, causing an involuntary spasm and a brief wince of discomfort.
He let out a groan and tried to sit up once more, this time with greater caution. He carefully raised his arms and gradually pushed himself upward.
The surroundings were enveloped in a grimy brown hue, with the floor, walls, and ceiling all sharing the same dismal color. A repugnant odor permeated the air, reminiscent of decaying corpses strewn about the space. A chilling thought crossed his mind, accompanied by a vivid and horrifying image: he envisioned himself injured, collapsing to the ground, desperately gasping for air before succumbing to unconsciousness.
"Is this a cave?" he pondered, swallowing hard. How did he end up here? When did this occur? Most importantly, who was he? Why was his memory of the past so elusive since awakening in this dark, forsaken environment? He felt his body tremble uncontrollably.
He endeavored to soothe himself by relaxing his muscles, reassuring himself that everything would ultimately be alright. Despite his efforts, he found it impossible to quell the fear coursing through him.
His gaze fell upon his right arm, and his heart raced as he noticed it appeared more muscular than he recalled.
"Well, I'll be damned. Have I always looked like this?" he mused silently.
Both arms bore a crimson hue, with a significant dried cut on his left arm, which explained the soreness he felt. Additionally, three formidable claws were affixed to each of his hands.
He possessed a crimson tail, adorned with what seemed to be a softly flickering flame hovering just above its tip. Since it did not cause him any pain, he opted to leave it undisturbed for the time being; after all, it served as his sole source of illumination, making its removal an imprudent choice. Aside from the flame, his tail was rather ordinary, with the only notable characteristic being its cream-colored underside.
"This cannot be happening! I assure you, I did not appear like this."
He could hear the occasional drip of water falling from the ceiling. Grasping his tail, he utilized the flame at its end to illuminate the surroundings.
Not far behind him, he noticed a small puddle. Summoning the strength within him, he dragged himself toward it.
Upon reaching the puddle, he directed the light from his tail onto the surface, careful not to immerse it in the water. At last, he would discover the true nature of his transformation.
The reflection that met his gaze revealed an unusual lizard.
He remained on his knees, staring at the puddle in disbelief, unable to articulate his thoughts about his new form. His body was covered in crimson scales that extended from his head down to his legs, complemented by a cream underside and soles beneath his feet. A horn-like projection jutted from the back of his head, while his narrow blue eyes and elongated snout added to his peculiar appearance. His arms were of medium size, ending in three sharp claws, and his short, stubby feet also bore three sharp claws, with cream-colored soles. He appeared quite slender, to the extent that his rib cage was nearly visible.
The lizard also became aware of various injuries on his body.
His head bore a swollen right eye, with dried blood trickling from his nostrils.
There were two scars on his body, both situated on his abdomen. One marked his chest, while the other was positioned in the center of his stomach.
As for his tail, he noticed several scars on the crimson section, along with a faint bruise.
Alex found himself pondering who could have inflicted these wounds on him or if he had done this to himself. He was aware that he could have been viciously attacked and left for dead in this cave. While he contemplated how he ended up in this dire situation, a dream he had before waking up suddenly came to mind.
No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake the dream from his thoughts. Yet, the details eluded him; he couldn't recall what the boy looked like or even his name. All he remembered was a small child, seemingly freezing to death in a blizzard, crying out for help. This vision flooded the red lizard's mind with questions. "Who was that child? Was it me? Someone I loved? Just a figment of my imagination? Did I witness a child's demise? Am I dead? Could this dream explain why I'm here?" he pondered.
His mind was a whirlwind of questions, and the voice he heard didn't resonate with that of a child.
Suddenly, he snapped back to reality, realizing he was weak and trapped in a cave. The thought of that child perishing haunted him, but it paled in comparison to the grim reality of being stuck in this hellish dungeon. Anxiety surged through him, his heart racing as he felt utterly lost. Exhaustion weighed heavily on his body, and he knew he wouldn't be able to walk for long. Alone, with no food or help in sight, it was just him and the cave.
He struggled to rise on his stubby legs, but his feet felt numb, making the task far more challenging than he anticipated. He groaned, gritting his teeth against the pain.
"Fantastic, even my legs won't rescue me from this nightmare," he muttered under his breath.
With great effort, he pushed himself up onto his arms and knees. Now that he was in that position, he attempted to gather his strength.
It was a struggle to lift his heavy body, but the wall provided the support he needed. Eventually, he found the strength to stand. Suddenly, a wave of nausea washed over him, threatening to make him sick. He fought against the urge and steeled himself to move forward, hoping to discover a way out of this place.
....
After a lengthy journey through the forest, they finally arrived at their destination.
"So, this is it?"
"Yep, as straightforward as it seems. Just keep your guard up; I have a bad feeling about that cave," the Riolu cautioned.
"I thought you couldn't sense the aura yet," Lilly replied, her ears drooping in confusion.
Aaron laughed lightly. "Not at all, my dear friend. I was referring to the cave itself, nothing more," he assured her.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Lilly fell silent and gestured for Aaron to proceed into the cave.
...
The crimson lizard clutched his tail tightly while gripping the right side of the cave wall with his right paw. As he inched toward an exit, he couldn't shake the feeling of emptiness; his memories remained elusive. He hoped they would return eventually, but uncertainty loomed. Thus, he resolved to give himself a name.
As he trudged through the cave, fatigue weighing on him, he began to ponder various names that might fit him.
'...Blake.'
'No, that feels too... odd,' he mused.
He quickly dismissed the name and continued his search.
"Fenix," he whispered to himself.
It rolled off his tongue nicely, evoking a sense of heroism, yet something about it felt off. He persisted in his quest until a name struck a chord within him.
'Alex... Alex, Alex, Alex.'
He tested it out, letting the name linger in his mouth. The more he repeated it, the more it stirred a faint memory just out of reach. For now, he embraced the name as his own and moved on.
After wandering for quite a while, Alex's hunger was becoming more pronounced. He couldn't recall the last time he had a meal, but that was hardly surprising given the circumstances. He pressed on, hoping against hope that he would soon find a way out. After several more minutes of navigating the dark caves, he felt something brush against his leg. It turned out to be a small brown bag adorned with an unfamiliar symbol. Upon closer examination, Alex discovered it contained apples. While most were too bruised or spoiled to eat, a couple looked fresh enough to satisfy his hunger. He quickly tossed aside the rotten ones, slung the bag over his right shoulder, and resumed his journey.
....
As they stepped into Azil Cave, an enveloping darkness swallowed their sight.
"Lilly, get the bag!"
Without hesitation, Lilly dropped her bag onto the rough, dusty ground. She quickly unzipped it and plunged her paw inside the bright yellow bag.
As she rummaged through the contents, her paw brushed against various items. One object stood out, feeling distinctly rougher than the rest. She pulled out the hard object, revealing a torch.
She struck the torch against the ground, and soon a flame flickered to life, consuming the tough wood. Holding the torch aloft, Aaron kept close to Lilly as she ventured deeper into the ominous cave.
"Stay alert for any enemies, Lilly. They could appear from anywhere at any moment," Aaron cautioned in a low voice.
"Mmph," Lilly replied with a nod.
Lilly kept her eyes peeled, scanning every wall and the space above their heads, wary of any wild Pokémon that might be lurking, ready to strike. Aaron stayed close by her side, determined to protect her. The cave echoed with faint sounds that startled them as they ventured deeper. With each step, a buzzing noise emerged from somewhere in the distance. Lilly anxiously waved her flashlight around, trying to pinpoint the source, but to no avail.
Aaron instinctively dropped into a fighting stance, prepared for an ambush at any moment. Both of them strained to listen, realizing the sound seemed to come from all around. They dreaded the thought that it might not be just one Pokémon making that noise, but several. Aaron soon realized that the buzzing wasn't emanating from the ground; it was coming from the walls and ceiling. Without wasting a moment, they took off running until the buzzing faded into silence. Once they could no longer hear it, they halted, breathless.
"Do you think we're safe now?" Lilly asked, breaking the silence.
Aaron paused to listen intently, relieved to find only their heavy breathing filling the air. "I can't hear anything at all. I think we lost whatever was after us," he replied, still catching his breath.
"Great! I think we should just keep moving forward, don't you agree?"
Aaron nodded in agreement, and together they pressed on into the depths of the cave.
....
Strolling through the seemingly endless labyrinth of caves, surrounded by a brown, dusty atmosphere, Alex felt utterly drained, as if he might just collapse right there. Yet, he pressed on, determined to keep moving forward until he found his way out. He was resolute in his refusal to succumb to the oppressive gloom of the cave, which now bore the marks of his struggle. Although the act of walking had become less daunting, the weight of exhaustion was steadily creeping in, threatening to overwhelm him.
His eyelids began to droop, but he fought against the encroaching fatigue, pushing himself to continue onward.
As he continued to traverse the seemingly endless black void, a bridge came into view. Drawing nearer, he noticed a river flowing just a few feet below. The absence of guardrails meant that falling off the bridge would require a deliberate leap. Alex realized he would be navigating this precarious path without any safety barriers for the foreseeable future.
With a deep breath, he let go of the wall and began to awkwardly maneuver across the bridge.
Upon reaching the bridge, he surveyed his surroundings. To his left, the river stretched endlessly, while to the right, a waterfall cascaded down with force. And to his dismay, the other side of the bridge led to a complete stop. However, he could faintly make out gibberish writing on the wall. Getting closer, it reads: Before the existence of time, the great god Arceus sacrificed his immortality to create the universe. As his immortality was stripped away from him, planets and stars were born, weighing from many shapes and sizes.
Arecus? Earth? Earth? Those names feel too familiar to ignore. It must be the planet where Alex is trapped, or maybe it's the place he originally came from.
About halfway across back from the bridge, Alex was startled by a buzzing sound emanating from the right. Just moments later, a colossal bee emerged from a nearby cave hole.
This gigantic bee boasted enormous red eyes, two black antennae that curved sharply, and its body was adorned with striking yellow and black stripes.
Alex felt a lump in his throat as the bee, larger than himself, fixed its gaze on him. The creature's intense stare was unnerving, and Alex could sense the danger lurking behind those piercing eyes. Just making eye contact was enough to convince him that this was no ordinary insect. it was a threat he couldn't ignore.
Alex was paralyzed with fear, fully aware that there was no escaping a creature that could easily outpace him with its wings. He looked at his own claws, seeing the fatality potential with them. Could he bring himself to scrap blood with them? He gazed at the Beedrill and back to his razor sharp claws. Deep down, he understood that this beast would overpower him without hesitation, even with his claws to his benefit. What terrified him the most was the unsettling familiarity of the creature; the realization sent icy shivers down his spine. He remained rooted in place, completely immobilized by pure fear.
The Beedrill launched its stinger in a swift attack. With a sharp intake of breath, Alex reacted quickly, propelling himself away just in time to narrowly evade the strike. Now sprawled on the ground, he felt utterly drained. Beedrill was relentless, closing in on him once more. In a panic, Alex shielded his eyes with his paws, bracing himself for the inevitable moment when the creature would end his life with that deadly stinger. But instead of delivering a fatal blow, the Beedrill swooped in and lifted him off the ground, catching him completely off guard. Startled, Alex opened his eyes as the Beedrill ascended toward the ceiling. The height made his stomach churn, and then the giant bee began to spin him around before hurling him into the river below.
He plunged into the water in mere seconds. As he hit the surface, Alex's flames extinguished, leaving him submerged and disoriented. He fought against the current, but it was too powerful, dragging him deeper. Water rushed into his nostrils as he desperately clutched his neck, trying to hold onto whatever breath he had left. Ultimately, his efforts were in vain, and he succumbed to the dark void of unconsciousness.
....
"Hey, let's take a break here; I'm starting to feel hungry," Lilly suggested.
"Yeah, that sounds good. My stomach is a bit upset too," Aaron replied, his legs feeling weary.
He dropped his backpack onto the ground and unzipped it, rummaging through its contents for a snack. After a moment, he pulled out a small brown bag that was tightly wrapped and secured. He quickly untied it and peeked inside.
To his delight, the bag was filled with an assortment of treats, from juicy berries to fresh fruit and even some delightful cupcakes. They both picked out their favorites. Lilly took out her apple. Snap! In just a snap of her maw, the whole apple was gone, while Aaron carefully ate his in several tiny sized bites. Once they polished off their apples, they settled down for a chat.
"Hey, Aaron! What do you think is the best guess for where the artifact might be?" Lilly asked, her tail wagging with anticipation.
Aaron paused for a moment, deep in thought.
"Where? I'm not sure. It's hard to believe they could be so careless as to lose something so precious. Unless..."
"Unless what?" Lilly pressed, intrigued.
He locked eyes with her, a serious expression crossing his face.
"If I'm right, this could be a trap."
Lilly gasped, her eyes widening and her ears perking up, her tail stiffening with concern.
"What kind of trap?" she asked, a part of her dreading the answer.
"Maybe they set a bomb or planned an ambush. We need to stay alert for anything unusual."
Lilly nodded in agreement.
"Alright, we should get moving. That artifact isn't going to find itself," she chuckled.
With a shared laugh, Aaron nodded, and they both set off to explore deeper into the cavern.
Aaron and Lilly had been trekking for quite some time when they stumbled upon a narrow tunnel. It was so slim that only a small Pokémon could squeeze through. They would have to take turns crawling inside.
"Lilly, no offense, but your shell is quite broad. I think you might get stuck in there. Let me go first," Aaron suggested to Lilly.
Lilly reluctantly nodded, pouting to herself. Aaron began to crawl into the tunnel, his body barely fitting as he maneuvered through.
As he made his way halfway through, strange noises echoed from the other side of the cave. A chill ran down his spine, and his heart raced. The sound was a buzzing, and he felt an overwhelming urge to stay put, paralyzed by fear.
His body trembled as he wrestled with his anxiety. Finally, he decided it was time to muster some courage and push forward to discover the source of the commotion. When he emerged at the end of the tunnel, he was met with a shocking sight. The spacious room was filled with Beedrills, peacefully sleeping in their nests that lined the walls.
Aaron felt his confidence completely evaporate. He carefully maneuvered to avoid disturbing the massive swarm of Beedrills, crawling back as quietly as he could, desperate to avoid provoking their wrath. With his instincts kicking in, he focused on remaining as still as possible, wishing for Arecus to be by his side. Just moments after Aaron spotted the Beedrills, one of them stirred awake.
With a sharp gasp, Aaron bolted from the tunnel, his screams echoing as he raced ahead of the Beedrills.
Once outside, he called out for Lilly, his voice frantic as he sought her help.
"Lilly!" the breathless Riolu shouted. "Tunnels, flood, NOW!"
Without a moment's pause, she unleashed a powerful water pulse into the tunnel, both drowning and pushing the Beedrills back.
"Go, go, go!" Aaron urged, but they found themselves encircled by hundreds of Beedrills.
"Oh no, there must be at least a hundred of them," Aaron exclaimed, his fur standing on end.
Lilly was too stunned to respond. They both tried to muster courage, but with danger looming so close, it was a daunting task. Fear gripped them, leaving their bodies frozen in place.
Their limbs trembled with anxiety, their tails stiffened, and their ears stood alert, fully aware of the peril surrounding them.
Beedrills swarmed above them, filling the air and crowding the rooftops, leaving just enough room for Lilly and Aaron to catch their breath. Hundreds hovered ominously in front of them, with countless more lurking in the distance.
The Beedrills began to drift closer, their intentions growing more clear. Aaron knew he had to act quickly. He yanked his bag off his shoulder and rummaged through it for a useful berry. In a flash, he grabbed one, realizing the situation was escalating as Riolu accidentally dropped the bag.
Then, Aaron spotted a narrow opening—just wide enough for him and Lilly to slip through, but a few Beedrills were blocking the way.
"Lilly, on the count of three, unleash as many water pulses as you can to your left. I'll back you up with this blast seed, alright?" he whispered urgently.
"Got it! Are you ready?" Lilly replied, taking a deep breath and nodding firmly.
One... two... , Go go go! Let's move! She unleashed a flurry of water blasts into the air, taking down twelve Beedrills in an instant. Aaron gulped down a Blast seed and unleashed a massive flame from his mouth, incinerating at least fifty Beedrills. The remaining swarm was driven back by the fire, giving the duo a crucial moment to escape.
They sprinted as fast as they could toward the narrow opening. Lilly and Aaron were fortunate to fit perfectly through the gap, but what about the Beedrills?
The pair watched as the Beedrills buzzed frantically, attempting to squeeze through the narrow space. They thrashed and pushed, but it was no use. Eventually, the enormous insects conceded, realizing they would only end up stuck. Within moments, the buzzing ceased, leaving only the sound of the duo's heavy breaths.
With barely enough room for the Riolu, Lilly had to slide through the tight space.
"Do you think it's safe now?" Lilly inquired. Aaron signaled for Lilly to keep quiet with a gentle gesture of his paw. He focused intently, trying to catch any sound that might indicate the presence of Beedrill. Unfortunately, Lilly's rapid breathing made it nearly impossible to hear anything.
After five long minutes of silence, they both began to suspect that the Beedrills had lost interest.
They huddled together at the back of the cramped cave, and to make matters worse, a small leak behind them was turning the ground into a muddy mess. Lilly, who was closest to the leak, was particularly unfortunate, as she was getting both muddy and wet.
"Alright, I think it's safe now. Just give me a moment to take a look," Aaron said.
With that, Lilly stayed still while Aaron cautiously moved toward the opening to see if the coast was clear. With each step, his heart raced faster.
Finally, he peeked through the crack, only to find no sign of the Beedrills. Just when he thought he was in the clear, a Beedrill came charging at him, its stinger aimed directly at him. By a hair's breadth, Aaron managed to dodge the attack and quickly pulled himself back into the safety of the cave.
"Aaron!"
Before Aaron could even glance at Lilly, she let out a startled cry just before a loud thud echoed through the cave. Turning around, Aaron's breath caught in his throat as he realized the cave had collapsed, leaving no trace of Lilly.
"Lilly! Are you alright?" Aaron shouted, panic rising in his voice.
As he anxiously awaited a response from the Wartortle, tears began to well up in his eyes. Finally, he heard a faint cry from beyond the wall.
Aaron pressed his ears against the cold stone, straining to catch her voice more clearly.
"Aaron, please help me!" the familiar voice pleaded, unmistakably Lilly's.
The Riolu's heart raced. He was in disbelief that the cave had sealed them off from each other.
"What happened, Lilly? Are you safe?" he called out, worry etched on his face.
"I'm fine, but the ceiling fell down between us, trapping us," Lilly replied, also leaning her ear against the wall to hear him better.
"Lilly! Is there any way to escape?"
"Just give me a moment to figure it out," Lilly said, trying to keep her composure, though the fear was palpable in her voice.
Lilly searched desperately for a way to reunite with Aaron, but the sealed ceiling, walls, and floor left her feeling hopeless. She was trapped, with only the meager supplies in her purse to stave off starvation.
"Aaron!" "I'm stuck! There's no way out!"
Frustration bubbled within Aaron, but his quick mind sparked an idea.
"Lilly!" "Use your most powerful move on the wall!"
Following his advice, Lilly unleashed a barrage of water pulses at the wall, but it barely left a mark. Grunting angrily and determined, she charged at the wall headfirst. The impact throbbed painfully in her skull, yet it created a tiny crack. Dazed, she shook off the dizziness and inspected the wall again, only to see the crack miraculously healing before her eyes.
"Aaron, did you see that?" Lilly exclaimed.
Aaron felt a surge of unease as Lilly's voice echoed in panic.
"What do you mean, Lilly?"
Taking a moment to gather her thoughts, Lilly struggled to process the bizarre event.
"Aaron, the wall just healed itself! Do you have any idea what that could signify?"
Aaron absorbed the Wartortle's words, and a wave of despair washed over him. Memories of his father's warnings echoed in his mind, amplifying his dread about entering this perilous place. Taking a steadying breath, he said, "Lilly, the Legion's information about this place must have been mistaken!" Aaron blurted out in absolute confusion.
"What do you mean they 'mistaken!?'"
I'm saying that this cave is no ordinary cave. This is a mystery dungeon Lilly! Intentionally or not, we've been misled down in a mystery dungeon!"
The moment those words left his lips, the Wartortle felt a chill run through her. Both he and Lily were well aware of the terrifying legends surrounding Mystery Dungeons. They had studied the dreadful effects these places could have, from distorting time to altering the very structure of the cave.
Anxiety and stress gripped the rescue team members, as they fought back tears of fear. Everything had spiraled out of control: they were hunted by Beedrills', separated from each other, and now trapped in a Mystery Dungeon.
"Lilly, you need to make the mud as wet as possible with your water pulses, quickly!" Aaron commanded.
Without hesitation, Lilly obeyed, unleashing water pulses onto the ground beneath her.
"It's done! What's next?" she shouted.
"Dig!" Aaron replied urgently.
Lilly hesitated, doubt creeping in. "Are you sure about this, Aaron?" she asked.
"Just do it, Lilly!" he insisted.
With a reluctant gulp, she began to dig through the mud, her once pristine claws now caked in dirt. The deeper she went, the more she resented Aaron for making her dirty. Soon, her lower body and paws were soaked in muck.
She kept digging, feeling as if time had stretched into eternity, until she finally hit something solid. Intrigued, she burrowed deeper, only to discover a steep cliff just beneath her.
"It's done, and there's a cliff below. What do we do now?" she called out.
"Withdraw into your shell and roll off the cliff. It might just save you," Aaron suggested.
"Aaron, stop it! Are you out of your mind!?"
"I understand I may sound like a lunatic but we have no choice!," Aaron said, his voice steady. "Besides I think we can both agree that it could at least have a more dignified end than starving to death!. You're a resilient Pokémon, Lilly. Your shell can endure some of the fiercest attacks, and your carapace is just as tough."
Lilly took a deep breath, feeling the weight of his words as she readied herself to leap from the cliff. Just before she took the plunge, she uttered her final farewell.
"Farewell, Aaron," she said softly, retreating into her shell before rolling off the edge.