Continuation of Chapter 17 - Trial Of The Ruins

THE FROZEN CAVERNS OF MT.CORONET

Azalea, Charles, and Professor Rowan were now on their way to Mt. Coronet. Of course, they had to dress warmly for the cold, right?

Charles exclaimed, wearing a large, warm coat, and gazing at Azalea. "Mate, aren't you cold?!"

Azalea blinked, seemingly unfazed by the freezing temperatures despite not wearing a coat. "Nah, I'm good."

Charles groaned, shivering as he wrapped his arms around himself. "Damn, I'm wearing one and I'm freezing!"

Professor Rowan, who was walking ahead, holding the records of the Psychic-Resistant Barriers for Mindweaver, spoke up. "We're almost there. Hang in there, you two."

Charles sniffed and sighed. "Talking about the Psychic-Resistant Barriers, do we know anything about them other than that they're located here in Mt. Coronet?"

Professor Rowan answered, reading from his recordings. "It says here that Psychic-Resistant Barriers are crafted from rare crystals found deep within Mt. Coronet. These crystals are infused with the mountain's natural energies, known for their ability to repel psychic intrusions and mental manipulations. The barriers are painstakingly carved by skilled artisans who understand the delicate balance between the material's natural properties and the craftsmanship required to shape it. When placed strategically, these barriers create a shield that prevents psychic Pokémon and influences from breaching their defenses."

Azalea hummed, listening intently. "Interesting."

Charles groaned, clearly not amused by the cold. "Can't we just..." He pulled out a Pokéball from his coat. "Use my Mamoswine to travel around so it'll be easier?" He looked down at his shaking legs. "I don't think my legs can handle it anymore."

Azalea chuckled, crossing her arms. "You weren't kidding when you said you hate the cold. I didn't know you were this weak in it."

Charles rolled his eyes. "S-Shush! It's normal for people to be cold. What's not normal is that!" He pointed out how Azalea wasn't wearing anything warm.

He released his Mamoswine, and the three of them climbed onto its back. Charles' Mamoswine started to venture through Mt. Coronet, making their journey a bit more bearable.

After what seemed like an eternity, Professor Rowan pointed ahead. "Look, over there!"

A hidden entrance, marked by ancient symbols, came into view. Charles let out a sneeze. "Achoo!" Azalea smirked, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Bless you."

They dismounted Mamoswine, and Charles returned it to its Pokéball. The three of them approached the hidden entrance, partially concealed by overgrown vegetation. Charles sighed and stepped forward. "I got it."

He cleared the vegetation, revealing the entrance. As they entered the hidden passage, the air grew colder, and the atmosphere more ominous. They ventured deeper into the labyrinthine caverns of Mt. Coronet. The path was winding and treacherous, and as they went further, they encountered areas where the psychic energy was so strong it created illusions.

Before they could get trapped, Azalea acted quickly. "Zoroark, come on out!" She threw a Pokéball, releasing her Zoroark.

Zoroark growled, and Azalea asked, "Can you prevent the psychic energy from confusing and trapping us?"

Zoroark nodded, its eyes glowing as it began to dispel the illusions, allowing them to see the true path ahead. The trio continued deeper into Mt. Coronet, guided by the keen senses of Zoroark, determined to find the Psychic-Resistant Barriers and complete their mission.

With Azalea's Zoroark by their side, they avoided falling prey to the illusions. As they ventured deeper, they heard growling Pokémon. Charles sighed, "Of course, wild Pokémon will try to stop us."

An angry and intimidating Golbat soon appeared, flying towards them. Before Azalea could order Zoroark to attack, Zoroark instinctively moved in front of her, ready to defend. It put its hands together in front of its chest and fired a beam of black and purple rings of energy at the Golbat.

The wild Golbat couldn't react in time and fell to the ground. Azalea instinctively rushed towards it, kneeling down and whispering, "Sorry, did that hurt you?"

Zoroark stayed close beside her, ready to protect her if the Golbat attacked. The Golbat groaned weakly, gazing into Azalea's eyes and seeing sheer sympathy and kindness. Slowly, it got up and, instead of attacking, flew away, allowing them to continue deeper into the cave.

Charles chuckled, placing a hand on Azalea's shoulder. "You've got to teach me how to do that. First Bronzong back in the Celestic ruins, and now Golbat. No matter what, they seem to lower their guard around you."

Azalea chuckled as she stood up. "Well, when you've been surrounded by and traveling with Pokémon for so long, they just..." She shrugged. "...know that you're not their enemy."

As they ventured deeper into the cave, they faced wild Pokémon like Steelix and Bronzong. After battling these Pokémon and navigating through illusions thanks to Zoroark, they reached a large cavern illuminated by an ethereal glow. In the center of the cavern stood a massive, intricately designed stone door covered in psychic runes. The door was flanked by two statues of ancient Pokémon guardians, Alakazam and Metagross, each holding a gem.

Charles groaned, whining slightly, "Oh, don't tell me it's another puzzle!"

Azalea chuckled, "Indeed it is."

Professor Rowan hummed, studying the gems and the two statues. "I think we must solve a puzzle involving the statues and the gems they hold. Each gem emits a different colored light, and the runes on the door react to these colors. My theory is that we must position the gems in the correct order based on clues found in inscriptions scattered throughout the cavern."

Impressed, Charles smirked. "Wow, you got all that just by looking at it?"

As they approached the statues to rearrange the gems, the statues came to life, revealing themselves as real Alakazam and Metagross. Azalea smirked, looking over at Charles. "What do you say we do a tag team? I handle Alakazam while you handle Metagross."

Charles, with a confident and excited look, brought out his Pokéball, releasing his Diggersby. "A tag team with the Crimson Queen, huh? I am honored." He gazed over at Professor Rowan. "Let us handle this, Professor."

The battle began with Charles's Diggersby facing off against Metagross. The Metagross wasted no time, launching a powerful Meteor Mash. Diggersby narrowly dodged, countering with a Stone Edge that struck Metagross's sturdy frame.

"Diggersby, keep it up with Gunk Shot!" Charles commanded. The massive rabbit-like Pokémon hurled a toxic blob at Metagross, which reeled from the impact.

Meanwhile, Azalea's Zoroark stood ready to battle Alakazam. Alakazam attempted a Psychic attack, but Zoroark's sheer speed allowed it to evade. "Zoroark, Dark Pulse!" Azalea ordered. Zoroark unleashed a wave of dark energy, slamming into Alakazam and sending it skidding backward.

Metagross, recovering from Diggersby's assault, retaliated with Earthquake, causing the ground to tremble violently. Diggersby braced itself, then burrowed underground using Dig, avoiding the full impact.

Alakazam, determined to fight back, launched a Focus Blast at Zoroark. But Zoroark, with years of battle experience, predicted the move and countered with Night Daze, creating a wave of dark energy that engulfed Alakazam, causing significant damage.

Diggersby emerged from the ground beneath Metagross, striking it with a powerful uppercut. "Hammer Arm, Diggersby!" Charles yelled. Diggersby's arm glowed as it delivered a crushing blow to Metagross, sending it reeling.

Azalea's Zoroark, seeing Alakazam weakened, prepared to finish the battle. "Zoroark, Giga Impact!" Zoroark charged with immense power, slamming into Alakazam with such force that it collapsed, unable to continue the fight.

Charles's Diggersby and Azalea's Zoroark stood victorious as the defeated Metagross and Alakazam retreated.

Professor Rowan stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with pride. "Well done, both of you. Now, let's position the gems correctly."

Charles, still riding the adrenaline high, grinned. "That was awesome! Now, let's solve this puzzle and get the final artifact."

After solving the puzzle and placing the gems correctly, the stone door slowly opened, revealing a hidden chamber filled with ancient relics. In the center of the chamber, resting on a pedestal, was the Psychic-Resistant Barrier, a shimmering shield infused with runes designed to repel psychic attacks.

Charles smirked, "Alright, we did it!" He returned his Diggersby back into its Pokéball.

Professor Rowan grabbed the Psychic-Resistant Barrier. "Great, let's get out of here and meet up with the others."

Azalea's Zoroark transformed into a Zorua and rested against her shoulder. Charles hummed, "Speaking of the others, do you think Eclipse, Solar, and Cynthia found the purification herbs and the ancient chants for Phoboslash yet?"

Azalea chuckled as they walked back outside the cave, making sure to avoid other wild Pokémon. "I'm pretty sure they did."

However, once they stepped outside, they were greeted by an evil, villainous group: Team Galactic. Azalea's expression turned serious. "Team Galactic..."

Professor Rowan's face contorted with anger. "I should've known you were involved."

One of the grunts sneered, "Professor Rowan... it's been a while." They gazed up at the crimson-haired woman with white eyes, their expression shifting to one of shock. "It... can't be..."

Charles, utterly confused, asked, "Team Galactic? Wait, so... these guys are Sinnoh's bad guys?"

A grunt spoke up, "We were surprised when we learned that not everyone in Sinnoh was under the spell."

Professor Rowan's voice was filled with fury. "What spell? What did you do?"

The grunt laughed. "Notice how everyone in Sinnoh, including the almighty Gym Leaders and Elite Four, wouldn't dare show their faces outside and always want to stay locked up in their houses?"

Another grunt chimed in, "With the help of Mindweaver and Phoboslash, we used their powers on everyone in Sinnoh, making them feel like nothing more than scaredy cats and helpless humans."

Charles's eyes widened. "Wait... but what about Looker and Officer Jenny?"

The first grunt laughed. "Those two? We locked and trapped them, giving them an everlasting brain pain until they forgot everything but their names."

Charles's face turned into an angry scowl. "Okay, that's way out of line!"

The grunts laughed again. "Hahaha, come on! We're Team Galactic!"

A grunt stepped forward, glaring at Professor Rowan. "Now... the Psychic-Resistant Barrier. Hand it over, along with the artifacts you found back in the Celestic Ruins, or else."

Charles scoffed. "Or else what?"

The grunts revealed something that sent a wave of anger through Charles and Azalea. They showed a case with an Eevee inside—not just any Eevee, but Solar's Eevee. This meant they had already captured Solar, Eclipse, and Cynthia.

The grunt spoke menacingly, "You don't want us to hurt this poor thing, do you? All you have to do is surrender and give us the items."

Charles groaned, clenching his fists. "These guys are playing dirty..."

Azalea, her expression steely and resolute, spoke up. "We are not going to surrender."

One of the grunts held up a button, smirking. "With this button, the collar around this Eevee's neck will shock her. It can only be stopped if I press it again."

Charles's anger flared. "Don't you dare..."

The grunt's finger slowly approached the button, ready to press it and electrocute Eevee. But just as they were about to, Professor Rowan interjected. "Okay, okay, fine!"

Charles and Azalea, though initially frustrated, understood Professor Rowan's decision. They wouldn't want to see Solar's Eevee crying in pain from being electrocuted.

The grunts laughed. "So weak, you humans." One of the grunts brought out handcuffs. "Hahaha... three more into our possession."

Professor Rowan, Azalea, and Charles were taken to the Old Chateau by Team Galactic, their wrists bound behind their backs. Charles murmured under his breath to Azalea, "Isn't the Old Chateau where Looker and Officer Jenny were last seen?"

Azalea quietly responded, "I think so. Cynthia, Solar, and Eclipse might be there as well."

As they approached the Old Chateau, its decrepit and abandoned appearance loomed ominously. Professor Rowan whispered to Azalea and Charles, "Be on your guards, you two."

Both nodded, their faces resolute and fearless. Upon entering the Old Chateau, they were met by numerous Team Galactic grunts, but there was no sign of their friends, Looker, or Officer Jenny.

Azalea whispered to Charles, "Do you see them anywhere?"

Charles scanned the area stealthily before whispering back, "Nope. Just the idiots in ugly costumes."

As they were led deeper into the Old Chateau, the oppressive atmosphere grew thicker. The air was cold, and the shadows seemed to move as if alive. The Team Galactic grunts forced them down a long, dimly lit hallway, the only sounds being their footsteps and the occasional creak of the old building.

They passed several rooms, all empty and dusty, until they reached a large, dimly lit hall. The grunts roughly shoved them to the ground, releasing Solar's Eevee and tossing it aside. Instinctively, Azalea twisted mid-fall, landing on her stomach to cushion Eevee's descent on her back.

Charles groaned angrily, sending a glare at the retreating grunts. "Those guys have no sympathy at all," he muttered through clenched teeth.

Azalea sighed, looking over at Professor Rowan. "Can you watch the door in case they come back?"

Professor Rowan nodded. Charles looked over at her, a glint of curiosity in his eyes. "Got a plan?"

Azalea smirked. "Those ropes around our wrists aren't that tough. We can cut them with something."

Charles scoffed sarcastically. "Sure. I'll use my head."

Azalea rolled her white eyes playfully and looked over at her Zoroark, who was also tied up. "Zoroark..."

Zoroark nodded and immediately broke free from the ropes, surprising both Professor Rowan and Charles. Carefully, Zoroark cut through the ropes binding Azalea. Once free, Azalea picked Solar's Eevee into her arms and murmured, "Can you smell Solar's scent?"

Eevee nodded quietly. Zoroark then went and cut the ropes of Charles and Professor Rowan. Charles whispered, "We must be careful though. This place is crawling with Team Galactic."

Professor Rowan put his hand under his chin. "Not just them, but also the Pokémon that live here."

Azalea smirked, gazing over at Professor Rowan and Charles. "Follow my lead."

2098 Words

Not everything goes according to plan, huh?