Doubt

Wind blew against your skin as you tighten the coat around your body. It would've been much colder if it weren't for them after all. You heard some grunting nearby and saw that Rachael was thrusting her ear forward. Whenever she does, you noticed a bit of green energy forming at her ear fleece, but it vanishes before she can go all the way. You were curious at what she was trying to do. Rachael caught your gaze and knows what you were about to ask.

"The Meinshao tried to use Drain Punch on us at one point. I'm trying to see if I can do it too." she stated, trying once again, but failing as usual. "It'll definitely help healing me from the infected attacks."

"Yeah, it was too close..." You stated, looking back at what happened. They were attacked by two infected Pokémon and while they managed to beat them, it was pretty close call for all of them. Felix even stated that he was attacked by an infected when he tried to return to you. All this and you talked about wanting to stop this when others got a head start on you already...

"So where did Felix stated he hid Kate in?" Rachael stated, looking around.

"Ah. Oh, uh.. He stated that there would be a small tower of stones around next to a large looking stone." You stated, looking around with her. Soon the two find what they were looking for and headed to there. The stone was quite large, clearly able to fit a child in there. You approach the stone and spoke out. "Kate, are you in there?"

"Rai! I'm in here." she speaks out as you smile as you move to the stone.

"Move back if you can, I'm gonna push this away." You waited for a few seconds before you started to push against the stone. It was a bit of a struggle, but you soon were able to move it from the position.

You and Rachael saw that it was a small hole with a Pachirisu crawling out from it. She smiles as she saw the two of them and went to hug her brother in relief with you kneeling down to her level. "We're okay sis. We're all okay."

"Where are the others?" She asked, not seeing the others.

"They're... resting a little, the battle was intense."

Kate showed concern for them, but smiled as the three of them found a relatively safe area and rested on a wall. As you three rested, you noticed that Kate was holding the small stone that was connected with the mega-evolution.

Why do you have that out?" You asked her.

"I was hoping that you can turn into that form from before for a better chance. Did I help?" Kate asked hopefully.

You sweatdropped at the gaze she was giving you. "The thing is, I didn't change into that form."

"Huh? You didn't?" Her head went down when she asked that.

You place your paw on her head. "Don't worry, once we know more about this, we'll be able to put it to good use."

That got her to smile once again, though when you said that, you started to recall everything you all went through once again and your face started to sink.

"Rai, are you thinking about what we were going to talk about?" The Buneary asked, noticing your expression.

"I don't want to but... look at what just happened to us since we started this? A lot of bad things happened and it has only been a day."

"Rai, this could happen to anyone. It's just bad luck that it was us."

"And how many more 'bad lucks' like that are in store for us? What if it's next time? Maybe I wasn't thinking about the details about how this quest will go."

Rachael felt bad at how much stress her friend is going through. "Yes, there was more to this than even what we all expected and figured, and we’re all scared at all this, but you make a point about something. This has been going on for very long and lives are being taken. Who knows how long this could go if we just wait around. Who knows what we might lose if we don't do anything."

"Mommy... Daddy..." The Pachirisu stated, tears starting to form as you looked downwards, not sure of what to do. You step outside for a moment and see that the large cave entrance is just up head.

"You three made it to Silverhills on your own, and took care of the infected that you encountered with all of us. This is dangerous, but we got this far by looking after each other and helping out." Neku stated, who was leaning on the wall as you peeked out.

You listened to what he said as you think about the whole thing.

"Hey!" you heard a voice called out behind where you were looking and you turned your head and saw Vargus and Felix walking up towards you.

"Hey, watch your tone." Felix stated, staring at the Croconaw with mild annoyance. "We're not the only Pokémon around here, and I'm sure the other's aren't like us."

"Ease up, there hasn't been one since we dealt with those two infected and you said the Usaring tumbled off the mountain. So clearly he'll be out for a good while." Vargus said calmly. The Grovyle's face hasn't changed as they reached where you three were.

"Looks like there not much further to the cave. Hopefully this whole detour wasn't all for nothing." Felix stated staring at the direction of the entrance. There was a period of quiet before he turns to you. "Hey, did you hear me?"

"Huh, what? Oh uh... y-yeah, I'm sure it'll be fine." You said quickly, ‘I need to make a decision at the end of this.’ You thought to yourself before you started to get your sister and the others, leaving the Grovyle to ponder about your distraction.

A short climb later, you and your group arrived at the entrance. You see some stalagmites near the entrance and you lead your sister to it and tell her to stay there. "It's gonna be dangerous and it'll be loud. We'll come back for you once this is over."

She nodded as she held your paw. "Please be careful Rai."

"I will." You nuzzle her nose before you and the others entered the cave.

You look around and see that the area was large and spacious, certainly able to fit a large Pokémon within. "This is certainly the summit of the mountain." You stated looking around.

"It's quite huge." Vargus said in amazement, feeling that it could make an echo if he tried, but that would clearly cause trouble.

"Kinda creepy if you asked me." Rachael stated, holding her ears lightly for comfort.

Felix has been looking around attentively and noticed something odd about this. "Hey, don't you think this is strange?"

"What do you mean?" You asked, looking to the Grovyle.

"Wasn't there supposed to be-"

Before Felix can finish, there were a low growl echoing around the large cave.

"Did you all hear that?" Neku stated, the Zoroark's fur bristling in response to the growl. They all tried looking around, but they see nothing that could hide anyone. You then thought of where you didn't look and just as you were about to lift your head up, a loud roar sounded throughout the cave, making everyone's ears ring from the loudness of it, nearly making them daze.

You looked up and saw a faint outline of a figure on the roof of the cave. The being let go and dived towards your group. "Above us!" you cried out as you and everyone leapt back just as the clearly large creature impacted the ground, gathering dust around him.

You all took a moment to cover your mouths and eyes to keep yourself from getting dirt in them. You felt them pattered against your paw and face, but you were unharmed. When it settled, you opened your eyes and they slowly widened in horror at what was amid the dust.

What was first visible was the pair of purple eyes within the cloud. Then as the cloud dissipates, you distinguished light blue scales around his body, white plated underbelly, and large red wings on his back. They were facing an infected Salamence.

"So this is the infected that was terrifying that survivor's village..." You stated, your body shivering at the sight. The Salamence lets out a roar towards them, the gust from the roar lightly pushing them back.

"N-No way!" Rachael cried out, stepping back a bit.

"This is not good..." Neku stated.

"It's huge! Bigger than any I battled!" Vargus stated. "But don't falter! We can still beat it!" he added, getting into a stance.

"Dammit! Here it comes!" Felix stated just as the infected dragon lunged towards the group.