The sea breeze rolled in from the coast of Ambrette Town, carrying the scent of salt and kelp across the cliffs. Below the sparkling horizon, Ash had claimed a stretch of rocky ground as a battlefield. His cap was turned backwards, his stance firm, and his eyes shone with determination.
Ahead of him, Pikachu crouched low, cheeks sparking with static. Froakie stretched its legs and narrowed its gaze, the frills of its bubble-scarf trembling in the wind. Gabite loomed behind them both, tail swishing restlessly, its fins catching the sunlight like blades.
From the sidelines, Serena sat with Fennekin curled beside her, watching with quiet admiration. Clemont scribbled notes into his small pad, muttering calculations, while Bonnie and Dedenne cheered in bursts. Korrina stood with arms folded, her Lucario at her side, both of them studying Ash's methods with interest.
Ash thrust his arm forward. "Gabite, start us off! Scorching Sands, then Scale Shot, and finish with Draco Meteor!"
Gabite let out a growl and slammed the ground with its claws. Waves of heated sand erupted outward, rolling across the battlefield like a desert storm. In the same breath, glowing scales burst from its mouth in a glittering spread. Finally, Gabite raised its head to the sky and released a roar, summoning a blazing meteor that split the clouds and rained down in fiery orbs.
"Now, Pikachu—Quick Attack! Froakie, use Double Team!"
The battlefield became chaos. Pikachu blurred across the rocks, zigzagging faster than the eye could follow as scales and sand exploded around him. Froakie split into dozens of shimmering clones, darting left and right, confusing the fiery meteors that slammed down in bursts of dust and heat. The real Froakie leapt from shadow to shadow, each near miss making his scarf ripple in the hot wind.
Ash clenched his fists as the smoke cleared. Both Pokémon landed lightly on the ground, unharmed. "That's it! Stay on your feet, trust your instincts!"
Clemont pushed his glasses higher on his nose, impressed despite himself. "Wide-area evasion drills... clever. Perfect for countering moves like Rock Tomb or Smack Down."
Korrina grinned. "He's not holding anything back. I like his style." Beside her, Lucario nodded silently, aura sensors twitching with approval.
Ash's eyes gleamed. "Alright, time for the next step! Pikachu, Froakie—face each other!"
The two Pokémon turned, sparks crackling and water dripping as they readied themselves. Ash thrust his hand down. "Pikachu, Electro Ball! Froakie, Water Pulse!"
Both attacks burst forth at once, one crackling with lightning, the other rippling with water. The two orbs collided midair, exploding into a spray of sparks and droplets. Ash's voice cut through the haze. "Now—dodge at the very last second! Pikachu, Quick Attack! Froakie, Double Team!"
Pikachu vanished in a silver blur, weaving between the lingering sparks. Froakie split again into countless illusions, each one flickering between water and light. They hurled their attacks back and forth, weaving and striking with incredible speed, until the battlefield was alive with flashing spheres and darting silhouettes.
Bonnie gasped, clutching Dedenne. "It's like fireworks!"
Serena couldn't help smiling. Ash's Pokémon were panting, but their eyes shone with energy and pride. They weren't just battling, they were enjoying every second.
At last, Pikachu skidded to a stop beside Froakie. Both were breathing hard, sparks and bubbles still drifting faintly in the air. Gabite growled proudly behind them, clearly impressed with the smaller battlers.
Ash jogged to their side, crouching to meet their eyes. "You three were amazing. With training like this, we'll be ready for anything Grant throws at us."
Pikachu flicked its tail with a grin. "Pika!" Froakie gave a sharp nod. Gabite rumbled approval, lowering its head toward its teammates.
"Alexa!" Ash grinned, straightening. Pikachu bounded from the field to his shoulder, sparking happily at the sight of her.
"I heard you were traveling this way," Alexa said, adjusting the strap of her camera. "Since I had some work in Ambrette Town, I thought I'd stop by and see how you were all doing." Her gaze fell briefly on the training ground, where scorch marks and shattered rocks testified to Ash's intensity. She smiled faintly. "Looks like I came at the right time."
Ash rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah! We've been working hard. We even met Viola again back at the Battle Chateau..." His excitement wavered as he remembered the outcome. "She lost to Grant."
At that, Alexa's smile faded into a sigh. She pressed a hand to her forehead, shaking her head. "Of course she did. And now she's probably sulking in Santalune all over again." Her tone was fond but exasperated. "My sister has a way of brooding over losses far too long. You'd think she'd learn to take them in stride by now."
Serena tilted her head. "Viola really seemed passionate about her battles, though."
"She is," Alexa admitted, her expression softening. "But passion has its thorns. She'll find her way back on her feet—it just might take a while."
Ash clenched his fist, determination burning brighter. "Well, when I battle Grant, I'm going to give it everything I've got! Pikachu, Froakie, Gabite! We're not going to hold back!"
His Pokémon cried out in agreement, and Alexa chuckled, stepping closer to watch. "I see your spirit hasn't changed at all, Ash. That's good. You're going to need it."
[Line Break]
"Since you're all here, you might as well see Ambrette's pride and joy," she said. "The Fossil Research Center is just ahead. It's where Kalos's most important discoveries are made. Who knows? You might even catch a glimpse of a restored Pokémon."
That was all Ash needed to hear. "Fossil Pokémon? Awesome! Let's go!"
The group descended the rocky trail into Ambrette's narrow streets. The air smelled faintly of salt and oil, the harbor lined with small fishing boats rocking in the tide. Nestled between rows of white-stone houses stood a building of sleek design: glass panels framed by pale stone, its sign reading Ambrette Fossil Research Lab.
But something was wrong.
Instead of the open, welcoming building Alexa promised, they found the entrance shuttered, cordoned off by barricades. Uniformed officers clustered near the door, their Pokémon—Growlithe, Machoke, and even a few Mightyena—standing at attention. Red-and-blue lights flashed against the glass walls, painting the street in a constant stutter of color.
"What's going on?" Serena whispered, clutching her satchel tightly.
Ash's eyes narrowed, a jolt of recognition sparking as he spotted a man at the barricade. The trench coat, the sharp features, the ever-serious expression.
"Wait a second... that's Looker!" Ash broke into a jog. "Hey! Looker!"
The man turned at his name, surprise flickering before recognition settled in. "Ash? By Arceus... you again." His deep voice carried both relief and urgency.
The others caught up, Korrina's Lucario scanning the area warily while Clemont adjusted his glasses, noting every detail of the police perimeter.
"What's happening here?" Clemont asked, unable to mask the worry in his tone.
Looker's gaze swept across the group, assessing them with his practiced eye. At last, he gestured toward the sealed lab. "A situation has developed inside Glittering Cave. A group of miners and researchers have been taken hostage."
Gasps rippled through the group.
"Hostages?" Serena's voice shook slightly.
"By whom?" Clemont pressed.
Looker's expression hardened. "Witnesses described the culprits as wearing bright orange suits. They forced the scientists into the cave system and sealed the exits. Their demands are unclear, but the presence of hostages elevates the threat."
Ash's fists clenched. "Orange suits... Clemont, doesn't that sound like—?"
"It does." Clemont adjusted his glasses again, the lenses flashing. "We encountered individuals like that back in Lumiose City. Right after your battle with me was interrupted?"
Ash nodded grimly. "Yeah. They came out of nowhere."
Clemont continued, his voice edged with unease. "They had some kind of strange device—almost like a cube—humming with energy. They activated it, and then... attacked without reason. Their methods were erratic, but their retreat was just as sudden as their appearance."
Looker stood silent for a long moment, his hand resting beneath his chin. "The description matches information we've gathered, but details on this organization remain scarce. Their goals are unclear, but their technology... dangerous." He straightened, his coat fluttering in the sea breeze. "But our immediate priority is to rescue the hostages!"
Ash took a step forward. "Then we'll help! Right, Pikachu?"
"Pika!" Pikachu cried, cheeks sparking with conviction.
Serena's gaze wavered, but she nodded firmly. "We can't just stand by."
Korrina punched a fist into her palm. "Count me in. Lucario too."
Lucario growled its agreement, aura flaring faintly.
Clemont hesitated, then turned to Bonnie. His expression softened with the weight of responsibility. "Bonnie... you'll have to stay here."
"What?!" Bonnie's eyes widened. "No way! I can help too!"
Clemont crouched to her level, his tone firm but kind. "It's too dangerous. These people aren't ordinary thieves or troublemakers. I promised dad that I'll keep you safe!"
"But—"
"No buts." He placed his hands gently on her shoulders. "Please, Bonnie. Just this once. Let Officer Jenny look after you."
Bonnie's lip trembled, but the resolve in Clemont's eyes left no room for argument. At last, she huffed and stomped her foot. "Fine! But you'd better come back! All of you!"
Dedenne squeaked from her pouch, echoing her protest.
Officer Jenny stepped forward, giving Clemont a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. I'll keep her safe."
With that settled, Looker motioned to the group. "Follow me. The police can only hold the perimeter. For this operation, I'll need skilled trainers inside. That means you." His gaze swept over Ash, Serena, Clemont, and Korrina.
Ash's blood sang with anticipation. He adjusted his cap, fire burning in his eyes. "Got it. Let's go!"
The others echoed their agreement. Serena drew in a steadying breath, Clemont tightened his grip on his satchel, and Korrina cracked a grin, her excitement already building.
[Line Break]
The air in Glittering Cave was heavy with damp stone and the faint shimmer of crystals embedded in the walls. Lanterns set up by the miners cast fractured light across the cavern, the beams glinting on jagged formations that glittered faintly with every shift of shadow.
Near the largest chamber, miners and scientists were huddled together under the watch of uniformed grunts in bright orange suits. The flare of Houndour's ember-lit maw kept them cowed, while Electrike prowled in restless arcs. The captives whispered among themselves, but every sound died quickly in the tense silence.
At the center of the chamber stood two women who carried themselves with an air of unshakable control. Aliana, with her sharp bob of orange hair, was busy inspecting a handheld monitor, while Bryony, her stern features framed by olive hair and rectangular glasses, kept her gaze fixed on the deeper tunnels.
A scientist, pale from both fear and the cave's chill, approached them with trembling hands clutching the device. The cube shimmered faintly, its hexagonal facets glowing with an unnatural green pulse that seemed alive, as though something inside it was stirring.
"There are no cells in the vicinity," he reported nervously, voice echoing off the crystal-studded walls. "But... there is a spike in the energy readings. It's coming from deeper inside." He raised his hand, pointing toward a narrow passage leading further into the cavern's depths. "That direction."
Aliana's lips curled into a smirk. She adjusted her gloves and leaned closer to the cube, its eerie light reflecting in her eyes. "So the trail leads onward. How convenient."
One of the miners, dirt streaked across his face, stepped forward despite the Houndour snapping at his heels. "You can't dig that way," he warned, voice shaking but firm. "That tunnel's unstable. Push any deeper and the entire cavern could collapse!"
A ripple of murmurs spread through the hostages. Several scientists nodded in agreement, fear written plainly across their faces.
Bryony turned slowly, her gaze cold behind her glasses. "Do you take us for fools?" she asked, her voice calm, clinical. "The structure of this cave is irrelevant. What lies beneath is far more important than your petty concerns for safety."
The miner's jaw clenched. "If the cave comes down, none of us get out alive!"
Aliana's laugh was soft, almost amused. "Then perhaps you should pray it doesn't collapse. We are not leaving empty-handed. What we seek is far more beautiful than anything you've ever pulled from the ground."
Her hand brushed over the cube, and its green glow pulsed in answer.
Before Bryony could add her own retort, a low rumble cut through the chamber. At first, the miners thought it was the cavern itself beginning to buckle, but then—echoes. Sharp, distinct, unmistakable.
The sound of battle.
Somewhere in the periphery tunnels, Pokémon cries rang out, punctuated by the roar of attacks striking stone. Sparks of light flickered in the distance, casting shadows that danced across the cavern walls. The grunts stiffened, exchanging uncertain glances as their Pokémon bristled.
Bryony's eyes narrowed. "We're not alone."
Aliana tilted her head, smirking faintly as she smoothed her hair back into place. "Well, well... it seems some uninvited guests have arrived."
The cube throbbed again, casting its green light across the cavern walls. Aliana's gaze lingered on it a moment longer before she turned to the trembling scientist.
"Then the answer is simple," she said, her tone as sharp as the crystals overhead. "If the readings point deeper, you will continue the excavation—whether the cave can endure it or not."
The scientist swallowed hard. "B-but if the structure fails—"
"Silence," Bryony cut in, her voice quiet but laced with finality. She adjusted her glasses, eyes glinting behind the lenses. "Your only concern is the task. The energy spike indicates a cell. Capture it without fail."
The miners erupted in protest, voices raised in fear and anger, but a single snap of Aliana's fingers sent the grunts' Pokémon growling and snapping, silencing them instantly.
Aliana smirked. "You heard your orders. Do not fail us."
Then, without another word, both she and Bryony turned sharply toward the distant echoes of battle reverberating through the tunnels. Their footsteps clicked against the stone as they moved to confront the source of the disturbance, leaving the cube's eerie glow pulsing in the scientist's shaking hands.
[Line Break]
The clash of battle echoed through the cavern, shaking loose dust and stone from the glittering ceiling. Sparks lit the darkness as Ash's voice rang out.
"Pikachu, Iron Tail! Froakie, use your jumps—don't let them pin you down!"
Pikachu leapt high, his tail gleaming like steel as he split through a cluster of grunts' Pokémon. Beside him, Froakie bounded up a falling shard of rock, twisting midair before kicking it back at a snarling Houndour. The stone slammed into its chest, toppling it with a yelp.
Gabite roared and swept through the ranks with a devastating Dragon Claw, scattering Electrike and Purrloin in a single strike.
"Lucario, Bone Rush!" Korrina commanded. Lucario charged forward, its glowing staff spinning to break through a line of Roselia's thorny vines, then followed with Metal Claw, scattering sparks as it smashed aside another opponent.
Looker's Toxicroak stepped into the fray with precise, surgical movements. Its arms glowed as it delivered a sharp Poison Jab to a Gothitelle that tried to pin Serena's Fletchling, then ducked a retaliatory psychic strike with fluid ease.
"Fennekin, Ember! Fletchling, cover her with Quick Attack!" Serena called, her voice shaking but determined. The tiny fox spat fireballs into the shadows, while Fletchling blurred forward, striking Electrike before it could charge again.
Clemont clenched his fists. "Bunnelby, Mud Shot!" The little rabbit dug into the earth, launching muddy bursts that splattered against enemy Pokémon, slowing their movements.
For a moment, it seemed the tide was theirs. The grunts' formation broke, their Pokémon staggering under the coordinated assault. Ash grinned, sweat plastering his bangs to his forehead. "We've got this!"
But then—
From deeper in the cavern, two figures stepped into view. One with sleek ginger hair, the other with pale green locks. Both wore visors over their eyes, expressions unreadable save for the faint smirk of superiority. Their very presence stilled the chaos.
"Pathetic," Aliana said softly, her words carrying in the cavern. "Is this what dares to oppose us?"
Bryony adjusted her visor. "How tiresome."
Two Poké Balls arced through the air. With flashes of light, Aliana's Florges, its orange petals glowing faintly, floated down like a regal phantom. Beside it, her diamond-cut Furfrou padded forward, mane shimmering under the cave's lights. Bryony unleashed her own pair—Liepard slinking with a predator's grace, and Bisharp clanging down with blades gleaming.
The momentum shifted in an instant. Florges waved its hand, unleashing a sweeping Moonblast that sent shockwaves through the cavern. Grunts' Pokémon rallied behind the force, striking with renewed ferocity.
"Pikachu, hang on! Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted, but the sparks barely cut through the oppressive force of the enemy's combined assault.
Lucario clashed with Bisharp in a flurry of Metal Claw against blades, each strike sparking violently. Furfrou barreled through Gabite's Dragon Claw with surprising power, driving the dragon back against the wall.
And then Florges turned its shimmering gaze toward Serena. The petals glowed ominously before it released a brilliant Energy Ball straight at her.
"Fennekin, no!" Serena cried, reaching out instinctively.
The tiny fox leapt in front of her trainer. The attack struck, engulfing her in light. For a heartbeat, Serena's breath caught in her throat. Then the glow intensified—transforming, reshaping.
"Fen...naa... xen!" The newly evolved Pokémon landed gracefully, wand in hand, eyes burning with fierce resolve. Flames surged as she brandished the wand, blasting a brilliant Flamethrower across the cavern. The torrent of fire seared through the grunts' ranks, scattering them in panic.
Ash's eyes widened. "Awesome, Serena! Braixen's incredible!"
Reinvigorated, Pikachu launched another Iron Tail, Froakie darted between rocks with Double Team, and Gabite let out a thunderous roar, slamming down with Scorching Sands that shook the cavern floor. Lucario's Bone Rush shattered Bisharp's guard at last, while Toxicroak pushed Liepard back with a venomous strike.
The tide turned once more, the group forcing their way forward. At the heart of the cavern, the eerie cube in the scientist's hands glowed brighter—green light flooding the chamber until every crystal seemed to pulse with it.
Aliana's smirk didn't waver, even as her Furfrou staggered under Lucario's assault. "Enough. Our task is complete."
Bryony snapped her fingers. "Fall back. Our mission here is done!"
As swiftly as they had descended, the Flare forces retreated, leaving the hostages and the fractured cavern behind. But the cube's glow had already disrupted the cave's fragile balance. The ground trembled, rocks groaned overhead.
"It's collapsing!" Clemont shouted.
"Everyone, move!" Looker barked.
The trainers worked quickly, shielding miners and scientists as they made their way back through the tunnels. Pikachu and Braixen blasted falling debris aside with Thunderbolt and Flamethrower, while Gabite and Lucario cleared a path forward with brute force.
At last, light flooded the tunnel's mouth. The group spilled out into the fresh air of the surface, panting, dirt-streaked, but alive. Behind them, Glittering Cave roared one final time before collapsing in a plume of dust and stone, sealing whatever secrets lay within.
Silence fell over the survivors. Then Looker stepped forward, straightening his coat. "You've done well. The miners and scientists are safe, thanks to you. But this organization..." His expression hardened. "I will continue the investigation. They will not remain in the shadows forever."
Ash nodded, fists clenched. "We'll be ready for them."
Looker inclined his head before striding off to confer with the police.
At the research facility, Bonnie flung her arms around Clemont, her cheeks damp with tears. "You scared me!" she sobbed.
Clemont knelt, hugging her tightly, his glasses askew. "I promised I'd come back. And I always will."
The group exchanged tired but relieved smiles. The battle was behind them, but Ash could feel it. this was just the beginning.
AS THE JOURNEY CONTINUES!
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