Pokemon Fan Fiction ❯ Pokémon: The Azure Stone ❯ Chapter 4: The Trials of the Abysal Ruins ( Chapter 4 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

With the two teens plus the Electric-Type PokŽmon in tow, Cynthia led them back into the chamber where she and Dawn had had their brush with death, although not before warning Dawn not to touch anything first, but once they inside she stopped.

"Something wrong Cynthia?" Ash asked curiously.

"I'm fine Ash, it’s just... Something's bugging me." Cynthia told him, she then began musing out loud, clearly talking to herself rather then her companions.

Seeing that something was bothering her friend then caused Dawn to ask. "What is it?"

"Its just the inscription called this chamber is called the 'Chamber of the Drowned Maiden', I just can't help but wonder why." Cynthia replied.

Ash didn't say anything, he would never have thought such a thing would bother the Champion of the Elite Four but the resident of Pallet Town figured if it was important to her then he should do his best to help her out.

Just then the carving that the door was built into caught his attention and something occurred to him, causing the black haired teen to yell out in suggestion. "Hey Cynthia, maybe you should check out this caving."

Cynthia stared at him for a moment, unsure of what to make of this request, before all three of them used their glow stick and managed illuminate the carving, just enough to make out some features.

Despite the lack of any real features and damage to the face the figure was humanoid in shape, the slenderness suggesting a female form.

"Well, I guess that wraps that mystery up." Dawn said.

"So it seems." Cynthia replied, before the blonde then said. "Guess there's no reason to hang about here. So lets continue shall we?"

Ash and Dawn nodded in agreement and quickly made their way through the doorway and found themselves in yet another corridor, this one seeming to be even longer then the previous one.

"Ah man, is this all we're gonna do? Are we gonna be stuck in corridors forever?" Dawn groaned in frustration, in which Cynthia told Dawn in a reassuring tone. "Be patient Dawn, this has to be leading us somewhere."

Knowing Cynthia was right caused Dawn to let out a small sigh, before the dark blue haired Coordinator pouted. "I guess, but does it have to be so boring?Ó

Dawn then went on and questioned. ÒThis is an adventure, shouldn’t there be a bunch of traps or monsters coming out of the walls trying to get us?"

"This isn't a movie or a video game." Cynthia told her in a serious tone, before the blonde went on and explained to her, Ash and Pikachu. "Real archeology involves a lot of time spent doing research, going over records and old documents and the like, and exploring ruins aren't all fun and games and a good amount of time is spent in long dark corridors."

Dawn was about to apologize for her childishness, but before she could say a word, her foot got caught on something, sending her to the ground, causing two PokŽballs to fall off from her belt and from which emerged Buneary and Liligant.

"Ow." Dawn groaned, before it was then she felt a pair of arms wrap around her, in which the dark blue-haired girl looked to see it was Ash helping her up, concern for her filled his eyes as they stared into hers’.

"Dawn, are you ok?" Ash asked in a concern as he helped Dawn move into a sitting position, while Cynthia and their PokŽmon came to check on her.

"Yeah. No need to worry, right." Dawn replied as she smiled at Ash, her hand snaking it way down her leg and began rubbing her knee, which had hit the ground pretty hard when she fell.

"Are you sure, you shouldn't try to push yourself if you've hurt yourself." Cynthia told her, the blonde’s tone was stern but never the less concerned.

"Yeah, don't worry. I'm sure I can walk this off." Dawn replied as she slowly got back to her feet, in which Ash told her as he helped Dawn back to her feet. "Well, ok then, as long as you're sure."

The party continued on, their pace a little slower than it had been to allow Dawn to walk off her tumble, before it was then Ash asked in curiosity. "Hey, Dawn, are you gonna return Buneary and Liligant to their PokŽballs?"

Dawn looked at both of her PokŽmon for a moment and then asked in a curious and friendly tone. "If it’s alright, I'd like to leave them out, at least for the moment."

Understanding, Ash and Cynthia agreed, before the Champion of the Elite Four asked. "Say, Dawn, that Liligant of yours, I don't recall you having it the last time we met."

"I first met Liligant when I was Jhoto. I figured it would be fun to go visit Lyra and Khoury." Dawn replied, before the dark blue haired Coordinator went on and said. "Anyway the three of us were heading for a place called Goldenrod City, Lyra was seriously eager to show me the sights before I had to head back home, when we found Liligant, lying by the side of the road all tired and beaten up. Worried I tried to take her to the nearest PokŽmon Centre to be healed but before we could get her there we ran into trouble and were confronted by a gang of PokŽmon Hunters."

"PokŽmon Hunters!?" Ash exclaimed in shock and anger, before the black haired teen asked. "You mean like J?"

"Yeah.Ó Dawn replied, before the dark blue-haired girl then said. ÒTurns out their client was some wealthy PokŽmon Collector who wanted Liligant since they're really rare PokŽmon that couldn't be found anywhere other than Unova and had hired the Hunters to get one for him but she had managed to escape."

Dawn then continued her story and told Ash, Pikachu and Cynthia. ÒLyra and Khoury did their best to hold the Hunters off whilst I tried to get Liligant to the nearest PokŽmon Center. I was almost there when the PokŽmon Hunter’s leader confronted me. And just when things seemed bleak as if by some miracle Goldenrod’s Gym Leader Whitney appeared from out of nowhere and forced him to retreat. Afterwards she accompanied Lilignt and me to the PokŽmon Centre. And whilst Liligant was being treated Whitey contacted the authorities before she departed. Fortunately, Officer Jenny and her police force managed to arrive in time to round up most of the Hunters before they got away. Soon Liligant was feeling better and it looked as if she would have to go back to Unova, but it turned out she didn't want to. Seems like she was touched by my attempts to protect her from the PokŽmon Hunters and wanted to repay me by joining my team."

ÒLilgant Lili!Ó Liligant happily exclaimed, showing her devotion to her Trainer.

"Wow Dawn, that sounds like it was one close encounter, going up against those PokŽmon Hunters to protect Liligant and all." Ash stated in an impressed tone, in which Pikachu smiled and let out a 'Pika' of agreement.

"Indeed." Cynthia added, before the blonde stated as she smiled. "That was a very brave thing to do."

----Sometime later----

After Dawn had told her story, the group continued to head off into the depths of the Abyssal Ruins, before they soon approached a doorway at the end of the passage.

"Alright you two, time to get serious," Cynthia told her companions, before the Elite Four’s Champion stated. "Given that the last chamber was rigged with traps, its almost certain that this one will be as well.Ó

ÒI have no idea what might be inside, so we best be on our toes and try not to set them off." Cynthia then said, accompanied by shooting Dawn a stern look.

Soon, they all passed though the doorway and found themselves in another chamber similar to the previous one; another stone carving adorned the opposite wall however the doorway was sealed shut.

"What now, Cynthia?" Ash questioned.

"Spread out and search.Ó Cynthia said in a commanding tone, before she stated. ÒThere must be some way to release the door hidden somewhere in here."

Quickly, Ash, Dawn and Cynthia set to work, looking for anything that could be a clue.

Examining the wall, Dawn and her two PokŽmon examined saw images carved into it, depicting of what seemed to be people with PokŽmon heads in a scene that didn't really mean anything to her.

However, upon further examination she came across an image of a Mismagius, it stood out since, unlike the others, it didn't have a humanoid body.

'What's this doing here?' Dawn questioned herself, before the dark blue haired Coordinator thought. 'Mismagius, aren't found in this regionÉ'

But as she ran her hands over the image of the Ghost-type PokŽmon, three holes opened up in its eyes and mouth, and from it emerged a strange green gas, right at Dawn, Buneary and Liligant, causing them to cough out from inhaling the strange gas.

'Wha... What in the world was that?' Dawn wondered.

But before she knew what was happening, the female PokŽmon Trainer then began feeling light headed, as well as slightly nauseous.

The world around her began to grow hazy and started spinning, slowly at first, but gradually faster and faster.

"Dawn, Dawn are you alight?" A distorted sounding voice asked in concern, in which Dawn tried to locate where it was coming from, however, doing so only made her feel more nauseous.

"Dawn, please stay with us." Another voice told her, with an equal amount of concern for her, this one sounding far away.

Dawn’s world continued to spin until it became too much for her and her vision went black as the dark blue haired Coordinator fell into unconsciousness.

----With Dawn, sometime later----

Dawn wasn't sure how much time might have passed when her vision returned to normal.

Whilst her feelings of nausea had passed the haze that had made her head spin had eased off but had not completely gone away.

'Ugh, what happened?' Dawn thought as she rubbed the back of her head, looking about trying to get some clue of her surroundings and found herself in a seemingly endless dark chamber with nothing as far as the eye could see.

'W... What, what is this, where am I? ' Dawn thought; panic slowly beginning to creep within her mind, before she then cried out. "Ash...? Cynthia...? Buneary...? Liligant...? Please, is anyone there?"

But no response was heard.

Dawn sank to her knees in despair and said solemnly. ÒWhat do I do now? I don't know where I am or what I supposed to do?Ó

However, Dawn’s gloominess was interrupted when the sound of footsteps caught her attention, and looking around in time, she could see a pair of figures emerge from the darkness.

Dawn's eyes widened at the sight, standing before her were Ash, Pikachu and Cynthia; she was so relived to see them that the female PokŽmon Trainer almost missed the cold expressions decorating their faces.

"Look at her, sitting about crying in the dark." Cynthia said to Ash in a cruel sounding tone, before turning her attention to Dawn and telling the confused girl. "You really are useless."

"Wha... What?" Dawn exclaimed, tears beginning to form in her eyes.

"I agree, Cynthia. She's just a burden to anyone unfortunate enough to get stuck with her." Ash replied, before telling Dawn in a harsh tone. "I could have achieved so much more if I didn't have to play babysitter."

ÒPikachu.Ó Pikachu said, his tone in agreement and cruelty.

However, before Dawn could reply or question their why her friends were saying such painful things to her, more figures emerged from out of the darkness: her mother, Joanna, her friend/rivals Zoey and Nando, her childhood friends, Kenny and Leona, her mother’s rival, Lilia, her rival Ursula, May, Lyra and Khoury, even Maylene and Candice were there.

"What a pathetic excuse for a daughter, claiming to want to follow in my footsteps but all you've done is skate by, riding my coattails." Joanna said to her daughter coldly, striking a pain deep within Dawn’s heart, but her torment was far from over.

"Your not fit to be a PokŽmon Coordinator, you know nothing about bringing out your PokŽmon’s inner strength and beauty." Zoey added.

"You've got no talent or skill, any Contest you win is by dumb luck." Ursula said in a snide tone.

"Your weak and pathetic." Nando said, before stating. "You need your PokŽmon to carry you and in turn all you do is take the credit for their hard work."

"I can't believe how someone like you was able to beat me," May said in a contempt tone, before she told Dawn with a similar cruelty. "I don't know how but you managed to luck out since there's no way you'd be able to under any other circumstances."

"I can't believe we wasted time being friends with someone like you." Kenny said whilst Leona nodded in agreement.

"You’re selfish and vain. You say you love your PokŽmon but really you only care more about yourself." Lyra said, her tone cold as the rest.

"You don't deserve to be a PokŽmon Trainer." Khoury added.

"You're a joke, I can't believe I needed you to help me out makes me sick to my stomach." Maylene spat, as if the words left a bad taste in her mouth.

"You? What about me?" Candice retorted, before the Gym Leader of Snowpoint City turned to Dawn and stated. "I can't believe I wasted my time trying to help someone as talentless and stupid as you."

"S... Stop... Please stop..." Dawn pleaded, not wanting to hear anymore.

"Or what?" You gonna cry like a baby." Ash snapped back, his tone as harsh as ever.

"Go ahead, that basically all you are. A worthless baby who can't do anything on her own, always needing to latch on to someone else to accomplish anything." Ash stated, in which Pikachu nodded in agreement as the yellow mouse stared coldly into Dawn’s eyes.

Dawn couldn't take anymore, pulling her knees into her chest and resting her head against them, her whole body shook as the tears flowed down her cheeks.

Why, why had some of the people that she had developed such bonds with in one form or another suddenly say such hurtful things.

"Bun... Bun..." A faint voice was then heard.

And from out of the darkness came Buneary who immediately bound up to the dark blue haired girl and stared up at her with concern.

"Look at that, one of the babies’ PokŽmon. She's such a failure that she even needs her PokŽmon to fight her battles for her." Ash stated coldly.

"That's right, Ash." Zoey said as a wicked smile appeared on the red-haired girl’s face, before Dawn’s rival went on. "Poor thing is so stupid she doesn't realize how worthless her Trainer is, nor what kind of person she really is. Buneary doesn't realize that her so-called friend is a selfish individual that only cares about herself."

But in response, Buneary rounded on the redhead, a fearsome look on the rabbit PokŽmon’s face.

"Bun Bun Buneary!" Buneary cried out, before unleashing a stream of icy energy from her mouth, which struck Zoey, Kenny and Leona, caused them to vanish in a swirl of shadows.

But before Dawn could question what had just happened to her tormentors, Buneary's body began glowing, beads of energy swirling around her, as her form began to change shape.

And when the light died away, standing there was a very different creature, taller then Buneary, her body more slender and in a dark brown pelt and a short round tail.

Long ears ended with fluffy, cream-colored fur adorned her head, as well as her wrists and legs.

Dawn stared wide-eyed at her PokŽmon who was stood before her and managed to say in amazement. "B... Buneary, you Evolved..."

Her hand shaking, Dawn reached into one of the packs attached to the belt around her waist and took out her PokŽdex, before holding it up to Lopunny, in which Dawn’s PokŽdex informed. ÒLopunny, the Rabbit Pokemon. The evolved form of Buneary. The ears appear to be delicate. If they are touched roughly, it kicks with its graceful legs. Buneary is 1 of 15 species of PokŽmon whose Evolution is dependent on the bond they share with their Trainer.Ó

And after reading this, the fog that seemed to affecting Dawn's mind began to slowly vanish, her thoughts seemed to be easier to form, before the female Pokemon trainer concluded. 'Buneary can only become Lopunny if the bond with its Trainer is strong... Than that means...'

Lopunny looked over at her trainer and gave her a small smile before turning her attention back to their friends, turned enemies, and dashed forward, charging up an orb of white energy, which she threw at May, Lyra and Khoury, causing them to vanish as it struck them.

'That move. That was Focus Blast.' Dawn thought, amazed by Lopunny’s new strength, and watched as Lopunny used Ice Beams and Focus Blasts to dissipate the gathered people until Ash, Pikachu and Cynthia remained.

"Impossible, how could this happen? How could something so puny be so powerful?" Cynthia questioned in disbelief.

"Looks like you're the ones who don't understand." Dawn retorted as she rose to her feet, before she stated. "The reason Lopunny's so strong is because of the bond we share, and her Evolution is proof of that."

Dawn then stared at the pair, a look of confidence back on her face, before the female PokŽmon Trainer said with the same amount of confidence within her voice. "I have to applaud you, using the image of my friends to try to confuse and break me. And it almost worked, but thanks to Lopunny for breaking me from my doubts, I can now think clearly. You're not my friends, Ash, Pikachu and Cynthia would never act hurtful, they believe in me and they support me. Sure I screw up from time to time but they never hold it against me, and no matter what I know I can count on them to be there for me just like they know I'm there for them when I'm needed."

A scowl appeared on Ash face, while Pikachu began to snarl, before it was then the Ash placed his hands together, in which Dawn watched in confusion as Pikachu seemed to dematerialize from Ash’s shoulder and form within his hands as a ball of dark energy.

However, Ash was stopped when Cynthia placed a hand on his shoulder, looking over at the blonde she offered him a small smile and shook her head.

Cynthia then looked over at Dawn and told her kindly, all the coldness in her features had vanished. "The Trial of the Tortured Spirit is over."

With that, the pair vanished, leaving behind a rather confused looking Dawn and Lopunny.

But before either could say or question what had just happened, the sound of grinding stone filled their ears, in which the dark blue haired Coordinator and her newly Evolved Pokemon turned around to see part of the wall slowly rising up, revealing Ash, Pikachu, Cynthia and Lilligant, all with worried looks on their faces, before the Grass-type PokŽmon rushed over and embraced her trainer, while Pikachu, who was confused as to where Buneary had gone and where the attractive Lopunny had come from, until he recognized from her scent that it was Buneary, only she had Evolved.

"Dawn, I’m so glad you’re alright." Ash said in a relieved sounding tone as he and Cynthia approached her. "We were so worried something had happened to you."

"Ash... Pikachu... Cynthia..." Dawn said, her tone barely above a whisper, before the dark blue haired girl then caught the pair totally off guard by rushing at them and embracing them.

"Dawn...?" Ash said, surprise coloring his tone, while his cheeks turned a light shade of red.

"It’s you, it’s really you..." Dawn said, tears trailing down her cheeks. "I'm... I'm so happy that its you."

"Dawn, can you please tell us what happened?" Cynthia asked.

"What do you mean?" Dawn asked back in confusion, before further questioning. "What did it look like to you?"

"Well one moment I was examining my section of the wall, next thing I know your having a coughing fit. I mean you looked like you were totally spacing out." Ash told Dawn, before the resident of Pallet Town then said. "Next thing, a section of the wall opened up and you and Buneary stumbled through it whilst Lililgant collapsed on the ground."

ÒLilli.Ó Lilligant said in agreement.

"We tried to go after you, however the wall slid back into place before we could get to you." Cynthia added.

"It took a few minutes but fortunately Liligant came around and with her help we managed to figure out what had happened and get the wall to open up." Ash told Dawn.

Dawn's eyes turned towards the ground, a sad look spreading across her face, as she then told the pair what had happened to her, how the people she had met over the course of her journey had appeared and the hurtful things that they had said, the sadness that filled her heart and the doubt that invaded her soul.

"You shouldn't listen to such things, Dawn.Ó Ash told Dawn in a serious tone, before the black haired teen then said sincerely. ÒNone of it is true. You're one of the kindest people I know, and anyone who says otherwise is just being down right cruel."

ÒPika!Ó Pikachu exclaimed, nodding his head in agreement.

"That's sweet of you to say Ash, but it’s just, all those things that they said to me... There are times when I've had those thoughts myself. There were times I thought I'd never win another PokŽmon Contest, or when I just managed to scrape by I'd think to myself that where or not I deserved to win or not. Whether if you'd be better off if you'd never met me." Dawn said in a saddened tone.

But it was then Cynthia offered her a small smile as she ran her hand through the younger girl’s hair and said, reassuringly. "It’s alright Dawn. We all have doubts about ourselves from time to time."

Dawn looked up at the Champion of the Elite Four and asked in curiosity. "Even you Cynthia?"

"Even me." Cynthia replied, before the blonde told Dawn. "Despite what people think, I'm not perfect. I have my flaws and my weakness, however the thing is that I don't try to deny it. Your strengths and weaknesses, your flaws and foibles, all of these make you who you are. A person’s weaknesses are a challenge that exist for them to overcome and these things are what allow a person to become strong."

Dawn stared up at Cynthia, taken aback by what she had told her, before Dawn’s expression then shifted and she smiled again.

"IÉI understand, I need to accept everything that makes me me." Dawn said in reply, before dark blue-haired girl pulled the blonde into a deeper embrace and said. "I promise Cynthia, I promise to never be ashamed of myself. I'm gonna work hard and become an even stronger as a PokŽmon Trainer and as a person, I know I can do it because you and Ash and all my friends are there to support me."

The smile on Cynthia's face widened a little as she returned the younger girl’s embrace, wrapping her arms around Dawn's shoulders and pulling her closer to her body.

The three PokŽmon cheered at this, but their celebration was cut short when Pikachu's ears twitched, picking up on something.

A little confused at first the Electric mouse looked about when he caught sight of something.

Instantly a scowl appeared on his face and he dropped down onto all fours, sparks radiating from his cheek pouches.

Confused, both Lopunny and Lilligant looked over and upon seeing what Pikachu had seen before they both were quick to take up defensive positions in front of the three humans.

Unsure as to what had gotten the three PokŽmon so worked up, Ash Dawn and Cynthia looked over and, Ash and Cynthia in particular, were shocked to find a second Ash and Cynthia standing there.

"Whaa... What's going on?" Ash managed to stammer out.

"Congratulations, you've passed the trial." 'Ash' said in reply.

"Who are you?" Dawn questioned, before the dark blue haired coordinator demanded. "And why did you put me through that?"

"One must lean to see their own weaknesses. To both confront and accept them." 'Cynthia' replied as a proud smile appeared on her face.

And before any more questions or words could be exchanged, 'Ash' and 'Cynthia' seemed to shimmer out of existence, but in their place floated two familiar purple PokŽmon.

Their bodies were almost cloak like, while their heads were round with elaborate tufts resembling a witch's hat atop it, which sat on a long neck with a round lump midway down.

"I should have known. Those two are really a pair of Mismagius." Cynthia said in a matter-o-fact tone.

Just then the eyes of the Mismagius duo began glowing with pinkish energy and from out of seemingly nowhere appeared a pedestal behind the two PokŽmon, upon it was something so small Dawn couldn't quite make out what it was.

Just then Dawn felt a rather odd sensation coming from her left hand, raising the appendage up she was shocked to find a piece of jewelry on her ring finger, which bore a striking resemblance to the bracelet that was now attached to Ash's arm.

With that done, the ghostly pair began ascending towards the ceiling, which they effortlessly passed through it and out of sight, as their duties were finally was complete.

But it was after the Mismagius pair had left did Dawn notice that the room wasn't as cavernous as it had first seemed, in fact it was far as she could tell it couldn't be more then 10 foot by 12.

"Ok... What just happened?" Ash wondered aloud.

"I believe all we just experienced was because of the Mismagius." Cynthia told Ash, before the Elite Four’s Champion stated. "Check your PokŽdex and it will tell you that Mismagius has the ability to trap victims in hallucinations.Ó

Cynthia then theorized to her friends. ÒThey must have scanned Dawn’s mind, which would explain how they knew who she was and who would have the closest connections to her.Ó

"I guess that makes sense." Ash replied, before asking in curiosity. "But what do we do now? I mean the other chamber looks sealed up and there doesn't appear to be another way out through here."

And, as if on cue, the sound of stone grinding against stone was heard as the PokŽmon and their Trainer’s watched as a doorway opened up before them, causing Ash to say. "Well, that was convenient. But do does anyone think this might be a trap?Ó

"Maybe but I don't think we have any other option." Cynthia told him in reply.

"Guess you’re right." Ash replied, as Pikachu nodded in agreement, before the yellow mouse PokŽmon then leapt up onto his Trainer’s back, climbed up and positioned himself back onto Ash's right shoulder.

Whilst the two were talking, Dawn knelt down before her two PokŽmon, bringing out a PokŽballs, before saying in a pride filled tone. "Thanks you two, you really came through for me when I needed you. Here take a nice rest, you've earned it."

A red beam emerged from the PokŽballs as both Lopunny and Liligant were sucked inside their respective ball.

Returning the PokŽballs to her belt, she straightened up, standing between Ash and Cynthia, before Dawn stated. "Ok, guess we better get going then. I can't think of any other reason to hang around here."

"Right then, let's go!" Ash said with a great amount of enthusiasm, making the girls smile.

And with that, the trio made their way through the opening and into the passageway beyond.

Once more the three of them were wandering through the maze like tunnels that seemed to dominate the ancient structure.

Whilst they walked Cynthia was inspecting the ring that was now attached to Dawn's finger.

"So what do you think Cynthia?" Dawn asked curiously.

"Well it certainly bares a resemblance to the bracelet on Ash's wrist, the marking on it appear to be the similar too. Unfortunately its written in a language I'm not familiar with." Cynthia replied, before the blonde said reassuringly. "When we get back, maybe I can consult my notes and find some kind of cipher or key but until them translating it will be difficult. I take it you can't get it off either?"

Dawn took hold of the metal item and pulled in an attempt to remove it, however it refused to budge no matter how much she pulled and twisted at it.

"I'm afraid not." Dawn said, letting out a small defeated sigh, before asking Cynthia in a curious tone. "What do you think this is anyway?"

"No idea I'm afraid. But once we're back at the villa I can go through the ancient texts that the archeologist recovered, I might be able to find some reference to them." Cynthia told Dawn in reply.

"Hey Cynthia." Ash then said, getting her attention.

"Do you really think it's a good idea for this place to have so many corridors and tunnels?Ó Ash asked, before stating. ÒSeems like a really easy way to get lost."

"I believe that may have been the intension Ash." Cynthia replied, before the blonde told him. "Ancient temples and tombs likes these also contain many treasures and artifacts, it stands to reason that they'd want to keep thieves from getting their hands on them."

As they were talking the corridor began sloping downwards slightly, leading them into the lower levels of the ruins, and before they knew it, Ash, Pikachu, Dawn and Cynthia found themselves before a set of large stone doors, which after much effort they managed to force open.

"So you think there's gonna be another trial in here?" Ash asked his first PokŽmon and female companions.

"It stands to reason." Cynthia replied.

"Geez, just how many more of these are there?" Dawn groaned.

"Hey don't worry Dawn, I mean they can't be any harder than the ones we've just been through." Ash said in a reassuring tone.

"Cynthia and I got trapped in a room and almost drowned whilst you got arm stuck in a wall. I then got stuck in a room with a pair Mismagius that tried to mess with my head!" Dawn replied in a mirthless tone.

"Ok, good point." Ash replied, holding up his hands in defense and worry, before telling Dawn. "But it’s not like we've got that many options right now. We can either go through this door and deal with whatever's on the other side or we head back the way we came, and we've already come this far."

"Well put Ash." Cynthia told him, before announcing in determination. "I'm determined to uncover the secrets of these ruins and we've come too far to just turn back now, no matter whatever trials lay ahead I'm going to find out."

"You can count on me Cynthia. Whatever's down here we'll finish it together." Ash told her, his tone matching her determined one, followed by Pikachu, who let out a 'Chuu!'

"I'm in too. I just hope we can find what we're looking for soon." Dawn then said.

"Alright then, lets get going." Cynthia told her two companions, who nodded in reply to her command, as they then stepped forward into the chamber to confront whatever new challenge lay ahead.