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Aero, a big dragonite with pure heart and a distaste for violence, goes to explore a mystery dungeon to retrieve an artifact from there. Will he be successfull, or will the dungeon prove to be too much for him.
This is my first try at a fanfic, i hope you enjoy.
Pokemon mystery dungeon: Explorers of the past.
The RedClaw was a clan of dragonite that was famous for their strength and ferocity, they are warrior by nature, and value strength above all. All except aero, a hefty dragonite with a heart as big as his appetite (and belly), who love to read novels and study history books, and dreams of adventure and to explore uncharted territories.
Aero, despite his gentle nature, was often the target of snickers and taunts from his fellow Dragonites. His lack of fighting instinct and his weight made him the black sheep of the clan, and an easy target. Because of that he also had few friends in the clan.
Yet, his love for history and archaeology burned bright. He spent countless hours poring over ancient texts, piecing together fragments of the Ancient Ones' forgotten story. Their civilization was said to be quite advanced for their time, and yet, it was lost to the sands of time, leaving nothing behind but their 'Mystery Dungeons', repositories of advanced technology that defied understanding. He envisioned himself, not as a warrior like his clan mates, but as an explorer, uncovering the secrets buried within the heart of the dungeons.
One day aero stumbled upon a scroll that belonged to the ancients through sheer luck. It contained informations about a powerful artefact that was sealed away in a mystery dungeon for safekeeping. Fueled by his insatiable curiosity, Aero decided to venture into the dungeon. He imagined himself discovering artifacts that would shed light on this mysterious civilization.
Aero arrived at the entrance, he could feel the very fabric of time and space bending on the other side of the door, it gave him shivers, was he really ready for what was on the other side. “m-maybe I should go back, this isn’t a place for someone like me to be.” But as he said that, he looked again at the scroll. This was the opportunity of a lifetime and he knew it. “I can’t be thinking that! This is my chance to prove myself and maybe to make a great discovery! I’m not backing down now!” He entered the dungeon and began his quest.
As soon as he arrives, he was facing two feral pokemons, an infernape and aurorus. To aero there’s only one thing to do in this kind of situation. “H-hello. W-would you be so kind as to let me through?” the infernape jumped at the dragonite with shadow claw, which he narrowly dodges. Aero glides away, but the ferals hunt him down at full speed. Fighting wasn’t an option for aero, he needed a way to lose them. “Think, think, THINK!” he runs all the possibilities through his heads, he was too slow to outrun them, he had no seed with him to deal with them, and there was nowhere to hide his ample figure. As he took a sharp right, he suddenly comes face to face with a tyranitar. There was an awkward silence before the tyranitar started growling.
“IMSORRYIMSORRYIMSORRYIMSORRY” aero cried while flapping his wings as fast as he never did before, he could hear the roaring of the ferals close behind him, he kept flying for dear life when he suddenly felt something hitting him hard on the back, the aurorus managed to close in on him and hit him with Ice Beam. “GAH!” the attack combined with his flying speed sent him tumbling through the corridor painfully.
“*Cough* *cough* *cough* *wheeze*” The poor dragon was struggling to catch his breath. He was tired, hurt and very afraid. He could hear the ferals running in closer, he was desperate to find find a way out but didn’t have the energy to fly anymore, he frantically looked around for something, anything to get him out of here. Suddenly, he notices a part of the ground looked different. “Could it be?” he dug the earth out and found a pressure plate underneath, he recognized it. “Yes! Just what I need!” he quickly steps on it. As he looked back, aero could see the ferals getting closer very fast. “Please work! Please work! Please work!” the feral were within reach and attacked the portly dragon, only for him to suddenly disappear in a flash of light.
When he opened his eyes, aero found himself in another part of the dungeon. He let out a sigh of relief before slumping to the ground. “T-that was close! No one told me dungeons were this dangerous!” he took a moment to catch his breath before standing back up, that really took out of him. This encounter had made him really tense, he was starting to question his decision. “C-can I really do this? I’m no good when it comes to fighting, I can’t hurt a fly let alone ferals! And where am i supposed to go now anyway? I have no idea where I landed with the teleport trap so my map is useless now! I don’t even have any revival seed! And…and…” after a moment of silence, he contemplated using the escape orb to go back to the entrance.
He was only at the first floor of the dungeon but he already felt like he was near his breaking point. He just wanted to go home. And yet, something held him back from doing so, could he just back down now? Even though he might make a great discovery and take his first step towards accomplishing his dream… He took several deep breaths before saying “I won’t back down, i will get to the end of the dungeon and find what the ancients left behind in here.” And so, he went on.
He kept going through the dungeon while making sure he avoided being seen by any ferals, making breaks for eating and resting. After hours, the dragonite managed to go to the second floor, but he was exhausted, with no more food, and hurt all over from all his close encounters. Then, he saw an aperture on the wall. He jogged towards it and started examining, it was small and going upwards and there was some light coming from the other side. it was a tunnel leading to the upper floor! “I’m close to the end! I have to be!” he went inside and started climbing.
The tunnel was narrowing, the walls closing in on him like a vise, making him feel claustrophobic. Luckily it isn’t long before he reaches the end of the tunnel. His excitement takes over him and he jumps straight to the exit, propelling himself with his wings. “Sweet freed- OOF” He suddenly felt something gripping him with force, the shock made him dizzy. When the dizziness faded, he could only see darkness around him, and could hear nothing but the pitter patter of water droplets and some strange groaning. He suddenly felt uneasy, “I… i should move.” he tried to quickly get back up, only to feel something tight around his belly, preventing him from moving. He looked back and realized what the sensation was. He wasn’t entirely out of the tunnel, only his front half was, the rest was still inside the tunnel, it was just too small for the portly dragon.
“Oh for the love of-” he quickly planted his fore paws on the wall and hind paws on the ground and pushed as hard as he could. “*NNNNNGH*” he tried everything to squeeze himself in. He tried squirming, wiggling, even sucking in his belly wouldn’t work. He kept at it for some time before slumping from exhaustion.
“*huff* *huff* *huff* d-drat, maybe I should just go back and find another way in.” and so he pulled himself back into the tunnel, or at least he tried, but he was held in place. “Huh!?”
He tried pulling harder, but his front half was bunching up on the hole, preventing him from backing up. He tried much harder to squeeze back in the tunnel, but it was in vain. He was truly stuck. The gravity of the situation started settling in. No one knew he was here, he was all alone in place full of dangerous pokémon, and now he was a sitting duck for them to tear him apart, while being unable to move or defend himself. “HEEEEEELP!!!! SOMEONE!? ANYONE!? HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!!!!” he kept screaming at the top of his lung, praying that someone was nearby to hear it, while trying desperately to free himself.
He was trapped. Despair gnawed at him, his dream of exploring turning into a nightmare. Tears began rolling on his cheeks. “This was a horrible idea, everyone was right, I’m just a fat bookworm, not an explorer! Oh, please someone get me out of here.”
He laid down, waiting for a sign, anything, that people had heard him. He couldn’t stop his tears from flowing. But just as he was about to resign himself to his fate, he heard some footsteps, they were going towards him. Then, he heard a roar in the distance, and some loud bang. Fear was getting hold of him, he wanted to scream, but no words came out, he was paralyzed. When the next bang came, he immediately covered his face, trembling from dread. “(please don’t come this way, please don’t come this way PLEASE!)” then the footstep could be heard again, they were getting clearer. Aero did not dare look or move until…
“helloooo?”
“EEEEP!” went aero as the voice startled him. “p-please don’t hurt me! I’ve got nothing of interest for you, promise!”
“… Excuse me?" The voice was not that deep, and the other ‘mon seemed genuinely confused. Aero slowly moved his paws away from his face, and there he saw it. A Lucario standing in front of him, with a smile and a raised eyebrow.
“that’s a strange way to greet someone. You alright, big guy?” Lance asked, his voice tinged with concern. Aero was relieved to see a pokémon that was not bloodthirsty, he took some time to calm his nerves before answering.
“n-not really, I’m stuck, I can’t get out.” The lucario looked behind aero, but couldn’t see the hole as it was completely plugged. “That… doesn’t look comfortable. you’ve been stuck like this for long?” “I… I’m not sure. I don’t know how much time has passed…”
The lucario looked at him, he could tell the dragonite was really distressed and hurt. He then smiled and got closer to the dragonite. “don’t fret, I’m gonna help you out!”
“R-really?” asked the dragonite. “Yeah! What kind of explorer would I be if I didn’t help someone in distress.” Aero’s eyes were wide open at this phrase
“You… you’re part of the exploration guild?!” The lucario grinned, before showing off his badge. “Yep, I’m lance of team iron-fist… well, formerley, of team iron-fist.” Aero couldn’t help but smile when he heard that. He always dreamed of becoming part of the exploration guild, and he was in just in front of a member! “I’m aero! It’s a pleasure to meet you sir!”
“Please, drop the sir. Just call me lance. Anyway, now to get you out.” Lance grabbed aero’s arm and stepped back. Aero was blushing a bit, he wasn’t used to people holding his paws, much less a great explorer!
“Alright aero, i’m going to pull you as hard as I can, you try and push with your legs at my signal, okay?” Aero was a little nervous but nodded. “O-okay.”
Lance got in position. “Alright. 3…2…1…GO!” Lance started to pull aero’s arm with all his might, “OOF” the dragon type was taken aback for a moment, he didn’t realize how strong the Lucario actually was. He planted his hindlegs and his available arm and started pushing as hard as he could. “*NNNNNGH*”
The dragonite could feel himself being stretched, it was hurting a lot, but he gritted his teeth and kept pushing as he would rather be out as soon as possible. Little by little he felt his belly scrapping against the tunnel and more of him was out. “*GRRRRR* C’mon *NNNNNGH*”
The dragonite was hopeful that he could squeeze through the hole, he felt more of his body slipping out. “A-ALMOOOOST!” Eventually, he reached his widest point, meaning he was almost out. But then he stopped moving completely.
“What in the-”, No matter how hard lance pulled, he wasn’t going any further. “Hang on.”
Lance tried to pull much harder, but only succeeded in making aero whince. Eventually, the Lucario lost his grip and fell back. “OW”
Aero was very worried when he realized what happened. “OH NO! are you okay.”
Lance put his thumbs up, shaking a little “I-I’m fine!” Lance was still a bit dazzed from the shock and the exhaustion, he was tired from all the pulling. Clearly this wasn’t good, he had no other idea to get him out. The dragon was far too big for the hole.
Meanwhile, aero was dejected. His hope of getting out was completely crushed, if lance couldn’t pull him out, what could anyone do? Was he really going to stay stuck like this?
Panick started to rise. He was starting to breath faster without realizing it, his thoughts going back to what everyone in his clan told him. He couldn’t couldn’t think straight, his mind becoming a jumbled mess of negativity. He regreted ever going to this dungeon, he regreted ever wanting to explore dungeons. The reality of dungeon exploration was far crueler than he thought.
Just then, there was some whistling, which formed a beautiful melody, changing the atmosphere of the place. Little by little, aero was feeling better. Lance, who was beside him, played a tune with a harmonica to calm aero down, and lighten up the mood, which worked wonders. “Feeling better?” asked lance with a warm smile.
“Yeah, a little bit.” Answered aero, while he was feeling somewhat better, he was still dejected. “I just… i shouldn’t have come here in the first place.” Lance rose an eyebrow at this sentence. “Why? What were you doing here in the first place.”
Aero hesitated to tell his story to someone he had just met. But lance seemed was very kind to him, which is something he didn’t experience in a long time. “Well, i always wanted to explore dungeons to study their history, see what the ancients left behind. When I found out that they hid some artifacts here, I thought I could make the greatest discovery of all time. But…” the words were stuck in aero’s throat, a few tears being shed. “But this was horrible! I almost got killed by ferals, I’m out of food, and I got myself stuck in this stupid hole!” he paused a moment, reminiscing all the bullying that he endured from the other dragonites, thinking maybe they were right, maybe he was nothing but a bookworm. “I’m not made for this, I can’t possibly do this.”
“Do you really intend to give up on your dream ?” aero suddenly looked at the Lucario, taken by surprise with this question. “I-i don’t know… I wanted to become an explorer to study the ancients for so long and solve their mysteries. But I don’t think I’m meant to be one.” “We never know what we’re meant to be, that’s something we have to search for.” Said lance. Aero raised his head and had his eyes wide open. “You came here ‘cause you wanted to find more about the dungeon, right? Because it was important to you. And you managed to come this far without fighting. I believe you have more potential than you think. You may not be much of a fighter, but I’m sure you have other strengths. You seem smart, cunning and well versed in the story of the ancients. I think with a good partner you could be a good explorer.”
This brightens up aero, he was praised by an actual explorer, maybe he has a shot at this. After hearing this, he gained back his determination. He came this far, he couldn’t just give up now. But how was he supposed to get out?
“don’t worry I’m gonna go see the problem from the other side.” Lance said, he then went away to find another way to the other side of the tunnel. When he arrived there, he looked at aero's back half, realizing just how big he was, he wondered how he would get him out.
After thinking for a moment, he thought of something. “Alright, on my signal try sucking in your belly and pushing.” Aero raised an eyebrow, it didn’t work last time, why would it work now? “Are you sure of what you’re doing?” he asked. “Yeah, trust me!” said lance.
Then, lance took a small bead from his scarf, and went into a trance. The bead started glowing and lance’s appearance changed. He looked fierce and stronger. He had mega evolved. “Now!” he said.
Aero then sucked his belly and pushed with all the strength he could muster, his body straining against the confines of the narrow tunnel. The muscles in his legs bulged and his cheeks puffed out like balloons. Meanwhile, Lance took a few steps back before shoulder bashing aero and pushing as hard as he could.
"OOF" went Aero as Lance's newly mega-evolved form slammed into him with surprising force. The dragonite felt the pressure around his midsection ease slightly as he pushed with every ounce of his might. The stones around the tunnel entrance groaned and shifted. The pressure on Aero's body was immense, but the thought of escaping this predicament fueled his determination.
Lance's eyes glowed with focused energy as he pushed, his muscles rippling with the effort. "Come on, you can do it, Aero!" he encouraged. The dragonite took a deep breath and pushed again, feeling the walls of the tunnel giving way. The gap widened just a bit more, and suddenly, with a pop, he was free. He tumbled out into the open, gasping for air and feeling a mix of pain and relief.
As he got up, he looked at his body for any injuries. Luckily, aside from a red marking caused by the tightness of the hole, there were none. Lance got out of the tunnel and was immediately hugged by an overjoyed dragonite.
“Thank you so much, Lance! You’re a lifesaver!” Aero exclaimed. Mega Lance chuckled, gently patting Aero’s back. “No problem, buddy. That’s what we explorers do, we help each other out!”
The dragonite looked around, taking in the new area of the dungeon. The walls here were adorned with ancient carvings that told a story of a civilization long lost to time. The air was thick with dust and mystery, and the scent of old stone and damp earth filled his nostrils.
“We’re in luck, Aero. This place looks like it hasn’t been touched by ferals in ages. Let’s keep moving, we might find something amazing!” Lance said, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
They continued deeper into the dungeon, the echoes of their footsteps the only sound in the stillness. The corridor grew narrower, and the air grew colder.
In the meantime, aero wanted to talk to lance, but didn’t know what to say. He had many questions, but didn’t know where to start, or if it was the appropriate time. He had just met him and he was a renowned explorer, why would he ever talk with someone like?
“sooo…” lance broke the silence. “What did you come here for? Does it have something to do with your study of the ancients? “
Aero jumped on the occasion. “Yes! I’m actually searching for the crystal of reshiram, I heard It was an artifact made by the ancients that allows you to be immune to fire damage.” “really!?” asked the Lucario, who was all ears. “Yes. And It’s in this dungeon.” Aero held up the scroll with trembling claws. Lance's eyes widened with intrigue.
“The Crystal of Reshiram? That’s a legend I’ve heard of, but never thought it was real. it's said that in a time of war the ancients created several crytals to protects themeselves against pokemon typings. If it’s true, this could be a groundbreaking discovery!” Lance’s voice was filled with excitement and curiosity.
The two of them continued to walk through the cold, narrow corridor, the silence occasionally broken by the distant drip of water. Aero couldn’t believe his luck. Not only did he escape from his predicament, but he also had a real explorer with him, someone who actually believed in his quest.
"Your teammates are lucky to have you on the team." aero said. The lucario's expression changed, it was now sadder for some reason. "i'm... not on a team anymore."
"what happened?" Aero asked, noticing the change in Lance's tone.
Lance hesitated to answer, it was not something he wanted to recall, but aero should know about it. "Well, it was on our last mission. We needed to go to an uncharted lower level in a dungeon in mount blaze. Said floor was quite harsh, most of the pokemon there were powerfull and more violent than regular ferals, some of them were completely unknown to us. Vine, a serperior and my first partner, wanted to just go back. The mission was too dangerous at this point, but I was too stubborn. I wanted to reach the bottom, I wanted to find something amazing and prove myself. So we continued downward. But then we encountered a heatran, it was so intense, so fierce. We fought bravely, but we were outmatched. Vine got badly hurt, she was barely hanging on." His voice cracked a bit, but he cleared his throat and continued. "We escaped thanks to our escape orb and everyone was safe, but the experience was engraved into our mind forever. and we could have lost a teammate because of my stubbornness. Shortly after this, all my teammates left. Some decided to make their own team, and others left the explorers guild. I ended up all alone."
Aero was stunned by the story. He couldn’t imagine the kind of pain and regret Lance had to go through. He didn’t know what to say. But then, Lance turned to him with a gentle smile. “But that’s in the past, let’s not dwell on it. Tell me more about this crystal. How do you think we can find it?”
"Oh, there should be a door nearby." Aero spoke up, looking at the scroll with hope in his eyes. "The text describes it as 'the door to the chamber of the enlightened'. It's supposed to be the entrance to the chamber where the crystal is hidden."
"Like this one?" lance points to the giant stone door that was standing in front of them.
Aero felt his heart pounding in his chest as they approached it. It was covered in ancient runes, glowing faintly with an eerie light.
The dragonite's eyes widened with excitement as he recognized the script from his studies. "It's an ancient language! I can read it!" He stepped closer, running his claws over the etched symbols, murmuring the words aloud as he translated them. "Guardian of Knowledge, grant us passage to the chamber of the enlightened."
Lance looked at Aero in amazement. "You can read that? What does it say?"
"It's an incantation of sorts," Aero said, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and trepidation. "It's asking the guardian of knowledge for passage to the chamber of the enlightened."
Lance's eyes lit up. "A chamber of enlightenment, you say? Sounds like a place worth checking out."
He approached the door with a newfound excitement, his hand reaching out to touch the cold, ancient stone. With a grunt, he tried pushing it, expecting it to swing open with ease, but it didn't budge. "Guess we're not just walking in," he said with a chuckle.
Looking around, Aero spotted more runes etched into the walls around them. His eyes lit up as he realized that they might hold the key to unlocking the secrets of the chamber. He began to study them closely, his heart racing with anticipation.
The runes spoke of a test of wisdom and courage, a puzzle that had to be solved to prove one's worthiness. It spoke of a hidden mechanism within the very stone they were carved into. Aero's mind raced as he tried to make sense of the cryptic instructions.
He traced the symbols with his claw, feeling the ancient power that emanated from them. His eyes grew wider as he realized that the runes formed a pattern, a sequence that could be the key to unlocking the door.
"The ancients weren't just scribbling, they were leaving a map!" Aero exclaimed. His voice echoed through the corridor, bouncing off the cold, damp walls.
He pointed out the pattern of the runes to Lance, who nodded thoughtfully. "You think you can do it?"
Aero took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. "I'll give it a shot."
He carefully placed his paws on the designated spots along the wall, pressing down with a gentle yet firm touch. The stones beneath them shuddered and clicked into place, one by one, until the entire pattern was activated. The air grew tense, and the faint glow of the runes grew brighter, casting an eerie light across the chamber.
The ground beneath them began to rumble, and the massive stone door groaned as it slowly swung open. A blast of cold air hit them, carrying with it the faint scent of something ancient and long forgotten. Aero and Lance exchanged a nervous glance before stepping through the threshold into the chamber beyond.
Inside, they found themselves in a vast room filled with strange artifacts that gleamed in the soft glow of the glowing runes. The air was colder here, and it felt as though they were standing in a place that had been sealed off from the outside world for millennia. The walls were lined with shelves that held scrolls, potions, and crystalline devices that hummed with ancient energy. In the center of the room, standing on a pedestal, was a crystal so brilliant it seemed to be on fire with an inner light. It was the size of a melon and was pulsing with a rhythm that matched the beating of their hearts.
Aero felt a sense of awe wash over him as he stared at the crystal. It was the crystal of Reshiram, just as the scroll had described. He took a tentative step forward, his eyes never leaving the gleaming artifact. His dream was within reach, but as he approached, the chamber began to rumble, and the air grew thick with electricity.
Lance's fur stood on end, and he looked around warily. "Something's not right," he murmured, his eyes darting around the room.
"What is it?" Aero asked, his gaze still fixed on the crystal.
"I don't know, but we should be careful." Lance said, his eyes searching the room for any signs of danger.
The rumbling grew louder and louder, until something burst out of the ground. It was a registeel, an ancient pokémon of steel, guarding the chamber with a fierce glare. It looked like it had been asleep for centuries, but now it was wide awake and very unhappy with the intrusion. Aero and Lance looked at each other, their excitement quickly turning into fear.
"Oh crap" Aero whispered as the registeel rose before them, its metallic body gleaming in the dim light. "We've got a problem."
Lance nodded, his hand tightening around his aura sphere. "Looks like we've got to pass the test of courage now," he said with a grin, trying to keep his nerves in check.
The registeel took a step forward, the sound of its heavy footfall echoing through the chamber. Its eyes narrowed as it took in the two trespassers. It was clear that it would not let them take the crystal without a fight.
Aero took a step back, his heart racing. He was a scholar, not a fighter. He had never been in a real battle before, and the thought of facing such a powerful pokémon was terrifying.
But Lance was a different story. He stepped forward, his eyes locked onto the registeel, and with a swift motion, he hurled the aura sphere at the ancient creature. It hit with a resounding clang, the registeel barely flinching. Lance wasted no time, charging up another sphere and releasing it. The registeel retaliated, slamming its metal fist into the ground, sending a shockwave towards Lance.
Aero watched in awe as the Lucario gracefully dodged the attack, his instincts honed from years of exploration. He realized that he had to do something, too. His mind raced back to his studies, trying to recall any information about registeel and its weaknesses. It was said that while registeel was incredibly durable, it was also very slow. He had to use that to their advantage.
"Lance, fall back! It's too strong for us to fight head-on!" Aero called out, his voice echoing through the chamber. But the Lucario kept on fighting against the registeel, he wanted to prove himself and defeat the pokemon. He takes the bead from his scarf and mega evolve again, this time with a fiercer look on his face.
"No! that's a terrible idea!" cried aero, his voice trembling with fear. "We need to find another way!" Lance ignored his friend's advice and kept his assault on the registeel, who was barely affected. Meanwhile each hit from the registeel dealt tremendous, aero wanted to intervene but couldn't move a muscle, his fear paralyzed him.
The lucario was badly hurt he coud barely keeping on going. And then, his mega evolution stopped and he reverted back to his original form. He was overcome with exhaustion, his breaths coming in short gasps. The registeel took advantage of this momentary lapse and swung its mighty arm, sending Lance flying across the chamber. He crashed into the wall with a sickening thud, his body slumping to the floor.
Aero looked in horror at lance's still form, at this rate he was going to get killed. The registeel then charged his hyperbeam directed at the lucario. Aero had to do something, he couldn’t just stand there and watch his new friend die. Without a second thought, he flew towards his friend. Registeel fired his hyperbeam but Aero grabbed lance without stopping before it could hit them.
The force of the hyperbeam sent them flying through the chamber, narrowly missing the shelves filled with ancient artifacts. They crashed into the far wall, sending a cloud of dust and debris into the air.
Luckily, aero wasn't badly injured, his thick body cushioned both himself and lance. lance regained consiousness, but was obviously hurt and disoriented. "What happened?" He mumbled. aero took a deep breath, "You're badly injured, you need to rest."
Lance felt a searing pain in his side, and his vision was blurry. He struggled to get up, but Aero gently pushed him back down. "You can't fight anymore, Lance. You've done enough." lance looked at aero with a sad expression. "I'm so sorry, i really wanted to help you get your treasure. I know how important it is to you, and i didn't want to disappoint you. But i ended up disregarding your advices, and got stomped pretty hard for it."
Aero looked at lance not with disapointment, but with concern. "You don't need to prove anything to me, I'm just glad you're okay." Unfortunately, the registeel spotted the two pokemon, and was about to attack again. Aero gently put lance on the ground and went towards the registeel to distract it.
"Hey! Over here, you metal monstrosity!" Aero roared, trying to sound more intimidating than he felt. The registeel turned to face him, its cold, mechanical eyes glowing with malice. Aero was terrified, not only did he have no experience in fighting, but his matchup was horrible. Pitted against a steel type which drafon types were very week to. Yet he couldn't give up on his dream, or on his friend. He flew around the registeel out of his reach while thinking of a way to defeat it.
The registeel was fast for its size, but it was still no match for Aero's agility. He dodged its slow, heavy swipes and took the opportunity to study the ancient texts etched into the walls of the chamber. His eyes scanned the runes, hoping for some clue to defeating the ancient guardian. His heart raced as he saw something that might work.
"Lance!" he shouted over the din of the battle. "Remember the incantation on the scroll? The one to appease the guardian of knowledge!" The lucario nodded weakly, his breaths shallow. "What do I do?"
"You need to find the sequence of notes that match the runes!" Aero called back, as he weaved around the registeel's clumsy attacks. "Use your harmonica, play the tune!"
Lance's eyes widened with understanding. He reached into his pack, his shaking hand grasping the small instrument. Wincing with pain, he brought it to his mouth and played the melody that Aero had described. The notes echoed through the chamber, a haunting tune that seemed to resonate with the very stones themselves.
The registeel paused, its eyes narrowing as it focused on the sound. The room grew eerily quiet, the only noise the faint echo of the harmonica. Aero took this moment to catch his breath, his heart pounding in his chest. The incantation was their last hope, and he prayed it would work
As the melody grew louder, the registeel's gaze softened, and its body began to glow with a gentle blue light. The crystal on its forehead started to pulse in time with the music, and the creature's stance shifted from aggressive to curious. Aero felt a flicker of hope.
He continued to play, the ancient tune weaving its way through the chamber and into the registeel's core. The air grew charged with a strange energy, and the artifacts around them began to hum in response. The registeel took a step back, allowing Aero to get closer to the crystal.
With trembling paws, Aero reached out to touch the crystal. It was warm to the touch, pulsing with an energy that seemed to resonate with his very soul. As his claw made contact, the light grew brighter, enveloping them in a warm embrace. The dragonite felt a sudden rush of knowledge, images of a lost civilization flashing before his eyes.
He saw how the crystal was used to protect civilisation from a giant fire pokemon. Aero felt a sudden kinship with the ancient who had created such a powerful artifact. He knew he had to get this crystal back to the surface, to share its secrets with the world.
But first, they had to deal with the injured Lance. The registeel, having recognized the true intentions behind the incantation, had ceased its attack. It now looked at the duo with a sense of understanding.
"Registeel, I know you can understand us. Please, can you help my friend?" Aero asked, his voice filled with hope. To their amazement, the ancient pokémon nodded, and a soft blue light emanated from its body, enveloping Lance. The lucario's wounds began to knit themselves together, and color returned to his cheeks.
As Lance's injuries healed, Aero felt a sense of relief wash over him. He turned to the registeel, bowing his head in gratitude. "Thank you," he murmured. "We mean no harm to this place. We only wish to learn from it."
The registeel nodded once more before turning its gaze back to the crystal. It was clear that it recognized the importance of the artifact and had no intention of letting them leave without it. Aero knew he had to be careful. He approached the pedestal with a gentle touch, his eyes never leaving the crystal.
Then he aproached the both of them and took them gently in his arms. He then walked towards a closed door that seemed to be made of the same ancient stone as the walls of the chamber. He placed his crystal forehead against the door and it slid open, revealing small room with runes written on the walls.
Light englobbed the room, blinding both the lucario and dragonite. Then a strange warmth overcame the both of them. When they opened their eyes again, they saw the entrance of the dungeon. They were outside again.
The registeel then gently put the two of them on the ground. "Thank you." said aero, with genuine gratitude in his voice. "We won't forget your kindness." Lance nodded in agreement, still a bit woozy from the battle.
The registeel then teleported back to the dungeon. With its mission accomplished, it had to return to its slumber. Aero and Lance were left at the entrance, both feeling a mix of amazement and exhaustion. They looked at each other and let out a sigh of relief. They had done it. They had found the crystal of Reshiram and survived to tell the tale.
"I can't wait to see the faces on my clanmates when they'll see that i actually did it." Aero was quite overjoyed, he made a big step towards accomplishing his dreams. He then looked at lance who seemed happy for the dragonite. "Well, i'm gonna have to get back to the guild and make a full report on what happened." His went from joyful to annoyed as he dreaded making reports.
Aero then snapped from his overjoyed state as lance said that. He completely forgot that he was an explorer and needed to go back to the guild. He tapped on the lucario's shoulder who turned to look at him in response. "u-umm...w-would... i mean d-do you..." aero wanted to ask something but couldn't muster the courage to do so.
Lance smiled as he knew what he wanted to ask. "You wanna team up with me?" he said nonchalenly, trying to lighten the mood. Aero's eyes widened in surprise and excitement. "C-Can i!?" he stuttered. "I'd love to! I've always dreamed of joining a team of explorers! and you're an awesome partner!"
Lance grinned and took something from his bag, an explorer's badge, and handed it to Aero. "You're in. Welcome to Team Lancefire!" Aero eyes sparkled with joy, taking the badge in his claws. He looked down at the badge and felt a sense of belonging he hadn't felt in a long time.
"Alright, first stop, the redclaw clan to get some rest, then we just have to go to the guild to register you." Lance said with a grin. Aero hugged lance with his thick arms, his excitement was palpable. He couldn't believe he was now part of a team.
Aero flew off holding lance into his arms, feeling the warmth of his new friend's body against his own. The journey back to the redclaw clan was swift, fueled by their shared victory and the promise of a future filled with adventure. As they approached the warm lights of the clan's settlement, Aero couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement for what was to come.
He told everyone in the clan and the clan leader what had happened and showed them the crystal. Everyone was in awe at what aero had achieved, and they cheered for the new member of Team Lancefire. The clan leader, a wise old dragonite named Valthor, was shocked. The shy dragonite who wouldn't hurt a fly, had managed to do something extraoirdinary. When aero told him that he wanted to leave the clan to become an explorer at the guild, Valthor nodded solemnly. He knew that this was a big step for Aero, but he also knew that he was capable of great things.
The clan celebrated aero's achievement with a feast and stories shared around the bonfire. The warmth of the fire danced in their eyes as they talked of ancient legends and heroic deeds. Aero felt a sense of belonging as he listened to the tales, knowing that he too had a story to tell.
The next morning, Aero and Lance set off for the Explorers Guild. Flying towards his destination, Aero felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as he clutched his new explorer's badge tightly in his claws. He had never been to the guild before, and the thought of being among so many skilled and experienced pokémon was intimidating.
But it was also thrilling, the chance to be part of something greater than himself, and to discover hidden history about this world. With a smile, he kept flying with lance on his back, the two of them cutting through the air with purpose. They were ready for whatever new adventure awaited them.
This is my first try at a fanfic, i hope you enjoy.
Pokemon mystery dungeon: Explorers of the past.
The RedClaw was a clan of dragonite that was famous for their strength and ferocity, they are warrior by nature, and value strength above all. All except aero, a hefty dragonite with a heart as big as his appetite (and belly), who love to read novels and study history books, and dreams of adventure and to explore uncharted territories.
Aero, despite his gentle nature, was often the target of snickers and taunts from his fellow Dragonites. His lack of fighting instinct and his weight made him the black sheep of the clan, and an easy target. Because of that he also had few friends in the clan.
Yet, his love for history and archaeology burned bright. He spent countless hours poring over ancient texts, piecing together fragments of the Ancient Ones' forgotten story. Their civilization was said to be quite advanced for their time, and yet, it was lost to the sands of time, leaving nothing behind but their 'Mystery Dungeons', repositories of advanced technology that defied understanding. He envisioned himself, not as a warrior like his clan mates, but as an explorer, uncovering the secrets buried within the heart of the dungeons.
One day aero stumbled upon a scroll that belonged to the ancients through sheer luck. It contained informations about a powerful artefact that was sealed away in a mystery dungeon for safekeeping. Fueled by his insatiable curiosity, Aero decided to venture into the dungeon. He imagined himself discovering artifacts that would shed light on this mysterious civilization.
Aero arrived at the entrance, he could feel the very fabric of time and space bending on the other side of the door, it gave him shivers, was he really ready for what was on the other side. “m-maybe I should go back, this isn’t a place for someone like me to be.” But as he said that, he looked again at the scroll. This was the opportunity of a lifetime and he knew it. “I can’t be thinking that! This is my chance to prove myself and maybe to make a great discovery! I’m not backing down now!” He entered the dungeon and began his quest.
As soon as he arrives, he was facing two feral pokemons, an infernape and aurorus. To aero there’s only one thing to do in this kind of situation. “H-hello. W-would you be so kind as to let me through?” the infernape jumped at the dragonite with shadow claw, which he narrowly dodges. Aero glides away, but the ferals hunt him down at full speed. Fighting wasn’t an option for aero, he needed a way to lose them. “Think, think, THINK!” he runs all the possibilities through his heads, he was too slow to outrun them, he had no seed with him to deal with them, and there was nowhere to hide his ample figure. As he took a sharp right, he suddenly comes face to face with a tyranitar. There was an awkward silence before the tyranitar started growling.
“IMSORRYIMSORRYIMSORRYIMSORRY” aero cried while flapping his wings as fast as he never did before, he could hear the roaring of the ferals close behind him, he kept flying for dear life when he suddenly felt something hitting him hard on the back, the aurorus managed to close in on him and hit him with Ice Beam. “GAH!” the attack combined with his flying speed sent him tumbling through the corridor painfully.
“*Cough* *cough* *cough* *wheeze*” The poor dragon was struggling to catch his breath. He was tired, hurt and very afraid. He could hear the ferals running in closer, he was desperate to find find a way out but didn’t have the energy to fly anymore, he frantically looked around for something, anything to get him out of here. Suddenly, he notices a part of the ground looked different. “Could it be?” he dug the earth out and found a pressure plate underneath, he recognized it. “Yes! Just what I need!” he quickly steps on it. As he looked back, aero could see the ferals getting closer very fast. “Please work! Please work! Please work!” the feral were within reach and attacked the portly dragon, only for him to suddenly disappear in a flash of light.
When he opened his eyes, aero found himself in another part of the dungeon. He let out a sigh of relief before slumping to the ground. “T-that was close! No one told me dungeons were this dangerous!” he took a moment to catch his breath before standing back up, that really took out of him. This encounter had made him really tense, he was starting to question his decision. “C-can I really do this? I’m no good when it comes to fighting, I can’t hurt a fly let alone ferals! And where am i supposed to go now anyway? I have no idea where I landed with the teleport trap so my map is useless now! I don’t even have any revival seed! And…and…” after a moment of silence, he contemplated using the escape orb to go back to the entrance.
He was only at the first floor of the dungeon but he already felt like he was near his breaking point. He just wanted to go home. And yet, something held him back from doing so, could he just back down now? Even though he might make a great discovery and take his first step towards accomplishing his dream… He took several deep breaths before saying “I won’t back down, i will get to the end of the dungeon and find what the ancients left behind in here.” And so, he went on.
He kept going through the dungeon while making sure he avoided being seen by any ferals, making breaks for eating and resting. After hours, the dragonite managed to go to the second floor, but he was exhausted, with no more food, and hurt all over from all his close encounters. Then, he saw an aperture on the wall. He jogged towards it and started examining, it was small and going upwards and there was some light coming from the other side. it was a tunnel leading to the upper floor! “I’m close to the end! I have to be!” he went inside and started climbing.
The tunnel was narrowing, the walls closing in on him like a vise, making him feel claustrophobic. Luckily it isn’t long before he reaches the end of the tunnel. His excitement takes over him and he jumps straight to the exit, propelling himself with his wings. “Sweet freed- OOF” He suddenly felt something gripping him with force, the shock made him dizzy. When the dizziness faded, he could only see darkness around him, and could hear nothing but the pitter patter of water droplets and some strange groaning. He suddenly felt uneasy, “I… i should move.” he tried to quickly get back up, only to feel something tight around his belly, preventing him from moving. He looked back and realized what the sensation was. He wasn’t entirely out of the tunnel, only his front half was, the rest was still inside the tunnel, it was just too small for the portly dragon.
“Oh for the love of-” he quickly planted his fore paws on the wall and hind paws on the ground and pushed as hard as he could. “*NNNNNGH*” he tried everything to squeeze himself in. He tried squirming, wiggling, even sucking in his belly wouldn’t work. He kept at it for some time before slumping from exhaustion.
“*huff* *huff* *huff* d-drat, maybe I should just go back and find another way in.” and so he pulled himself back into the tunnel, or at least he tried, but he was held in place. “Huh!?”
He tried pulling harder, but his front half was bunching up on the hole, preventing him from backing up. He tried much harder to squeeze back in the tunnel, but it was in vain. He was truly stuck. The gravity of the situation started settling in. No one knew he was here, he was all alone in place full of dangerous pokémon, and now he was a sitting duck for them to tear him apart, while being unable to move or defend himself. “HEEEEEELP!!!! SOMEONE!? ANYONE!? HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!!!!” he kept screaming at the top of his lung, praying that someone was nearby to hear it, while trying desperately to free himself.
He was trapped. Despair gnawed at him, his dream of exploring turning into a nightmare. Tears began rolling on his cheeks. “This was a horrible idea, everyone was right, I’m just a fat bookworm, not an explorer! Oh, please someone get me out of here.”
He laid down, waiting for a sign, anything, that people had heard him. He couldn’t stop his tears from flowing. But just as he was about to resign himself to his fate, he heard some footsteps, they were going towards him. Then, he heard a roar in the distance, and some loud bang. Fear was getting hold of him, he wanted to scream, but no words came out, he was paralyzed. When the next bang came, he immediately covered his face, trembling from dread. “(please don’t come this way, please don’t come this way PLEASE!)” then the footstep could be heard again, they were getting clearer. Aero did not dare look or move until…
“helloooo?”
“EEEEP!” went aero as the voice startled him. “p-please don’t hurt me! I’ve got nothing of interest for you, promise!”
“… Excuse me?" The voice was not that deep, and the other ‘mon seemed genuinely confused. Aero slowly moved his paws away from his face, and there he saw it. A Lucario standing in front of him, with a smile and a raised eyebrow.
“that’s a strange way to greet someone. You alright, big guy?” Lance asked, his voice tinged with concern. Aero was relieved to see a pokémon that was not bloodthirsty, he took some time to calm his nerves before answering.
“n-not really, I’m stuck, I can’t get out.” The lucario looked behind aero, but couldn’t see the hole as it was completely plugged. “That… doesn’t look comfortable. you’ve been stuck like this for long?” “I… I’m not sure. I don’t know how much time has passed…”
The lucario looked at him, he could tell the dragonite was really distressed and hurt. He then smiled and got closer to the dragonite. “don’t fret, I’m gonna help you out!”
“R-really?” asked the dragonite. “Yeah! What kind of explorer would I be if I didn’t help someone in distress.” Aero’s eyes were wide open at this phrase
“You… you’re part of the exploration guild?!” The lucario grinned, before showing off his badge. “Yep, I’m lance of team iron-fist… well, formerley, of team iron-fist.” Aero couldn’t help but smile when he heard that. He always dreamed of becoming part of the exploration guild, and he was in just in front of a member! “I’m aero! It’s a pleasure to meet you sir!”
“Please, drop the sir. Just call me lance. Anyway, now to get you out.” Lance grabbed aero’s arm and stepped back. Aero was blushing a bit, he wasn’t used to people holding his paws, much less a great explorer!
“Alright aero, i’m going to pull you as hard as I can, you try and push with your legs at my signal, okay?” Aero was a little nervous but nodded. “O-okay.”
Lance got in position. “Alright. 3…2…1…GO!” Lance started to pull aero’s arm with all his might, “OOF” the dragon type was taken aback for a moment, he didn’t realize how strong the Lucario actually was. He planted his hindlegs and his available arm and started pushing as hard as he could. “*NNNNNGH*”
The dragonite could feel himself being stretched, it was hurting a lot, but he gritted his teeth and kept pushing as he would rather be out as soon as possible. Little by little he felt his belly scrapping against the tunnel and more of him was out. “*GRRRRR* C’mon *NNNNNGH*”
The dragonite was hopeful that he could squeeze through the hole, he felt more of his body slipping out. “A-ALMOOOOST!” Eventually, he reached his widest point, meaning he was almost out. But then he stopped moving completely.
“What in the-”, No matter how hard lance pulled, he wasn’t going any further. “Hang on.”
Lance tried to pull much harder, but only succeeded in making aero whince. Eventually, the Lucario lost his grip and fell back. “OW”
Aero was very worried when he realized what happened. “OH NO! are you okay.”
Lance put his thumbs up, shaking a little “I-I’m fine!” Lance was still a bit dazzed from the shock and the exhaustion, he was tired from all the pulling. Clearly this wasn’t good, he had no other idea to get him out. The dragon was far too big for the hole.
Meanwhile, aero was dejected. His hope of getting out was completely crushed, if lance couldn’t pull him out, what could anyone do? Was he really going to stay stuck like this?
Panick started to rise. He was starting to breath faster without realizing it, his thoughts going back to what everyone in his clan told him. He couldn’t couldn’t think straight, his mind becoming a jumbled mess of negativity. He regreted ever going to this dungeon, he regreted ever wanting to explore dungeons. The reality of dungeon exploration was far crueler than he thought.
Just then, there was some whistling, which formed a beautiful melody, changing the atmosphere of the place. Little by little, aero was feeling better. Lance, who was beside him, played a tune with a harmonica to calm aero down, and lighten up the mood, which worked wonders. “Feeling better?” asked lance with a warm smile.
“Yeah, a little bit.” Answered aero, while he was feeling somewhat better, he was still dejected. “I just… i shouldn’t have come here in the first place.” Lance rose an eyebrow at this sentence. “Why? What were you doing here in the first place.”
Aero hesitated to tell his story to someone he had just met. But lance seemed was very kind to him, which is something he didn’t experience in a long time. “Well, i always wanted to explore dungeons to study their history, see what the ancients left behind. When I found out that they hid some artifacts here, I thought I could make the greatest discovery of all time. But…” the words were stuck in aero’s throat, a few tears being shed. “But this was horrible! I almost got killed by ferals, I’m out of food, and I got myself stuck in this stupid hole!” he paused a moment, reminiscing all the bullying that he endured from the other dragonites, thinking maybe they were right, maybe he was nothing but a bookworm. “I’m not made for this, I can’t possibly do this.”
“Do you really intend to give up on your dream ?” aero suddenly looked at the Lucario, taken by surprise with this question. “I-i don’t know… I wanted to become an explorer to study the ancients for so long and solve their mysteries. But I don’t think I’m meant to be one.” “We never know what we’re meant to be, that’s something we have to search for.” Said lance. Aero raised his head and had his eyes wide open. “You came here ‘cause you wanted to find more about the dungeon, right? Because it was important to you. And you managed to come this far without fighting. I believe you have more potential than you think. You may not be much of a fighter, but I’m sure you have other strengths. You seem smart, cunning and well versed in the story of the ancients. I think with a good partner you could be a good explorer.”
This brightens up aero, he was praised by an actual explorer, maybe he has a shot at this. After hearing this, he gained back his determination. He came this far, he couldn’t just give up now. But how was he supposed to get out?
“don’t worry I’m gonna go see the problem from the other side.” Lance said, he then went away to find another way to the other side of the tunnel. When he arrived there, he looked at aero's back half, realizing just how big he was, he wondered how he would get him out.
After thinking for a moment, he thought of something. “Alright, on my signal try sucking in your belly and pushing.” Aero raised an eyebrow, it didn’t work last time, why would it work now? “Are you sure of what you’re doing?” he asked. “Yeah, trust me!” said lance.
Then, lance took a small bead from his scarf, and went into a trance. The bead started glowing and lance’s appearance changed. He looked fierce and stronger. He had mega evolved. “Now!” he said.
Aero then sucked his belly and pushed with all the strength he could muster, his body straining against the confines of the narrow tunnel. The muscles in his legs bulged and his cheeks puffed out like balloons. Meanwhile, Lance took a few steps back before shoulder bashing aero and pushing as hard as he could.
"OOF" went Aero as Lance's newly mega-evolved form slammed into him with surprising force. The dragonite felt the pressure around his midsection ease slightly as he pushed with every ounce of his might. The stones around the tunnel entrance groaned and shifted. The pressure on Aero's body was immense, but the thought of escaping this predicament fueled his determination.
Lance's eyes glowed with focused energy as he pushed, his muscles rippling with the effort. "Come on, you can do it, Aero!" he encouraged. The dragonite took a deep breath and pushed again, feeling the walls of the tunnel giving way. The gap widened just a bit more, and suddenly, with a pop, he was free. He tumbled out into the open, gasping for air and feeling a mix of pain and relief.
As he got up, he looked at his body for any injuries. Luckily, aside from a red marking caused by the tightness of the hole, there were none. Lance got out of the tunnel and was immediately hugged by an overjoyed dragonite.
“Thank you so much, Lance! You’re a lifesaver!” Aero exclaimed. Mega Lance chuckled, gently patting Aero’s back. “No problem, buddy. That’s what we explorers do, we help each other out!”
The dragonite looked around, taking in the new area of the dungeon. The walls here were adorned with ancient carvings that told a story of a civilization long lost to time. The air was thick with dust and mystery, and the scent of old stone and damp earth filled his nostrils.
“We’re in luck, Aero. This place looks like it hasn’t been touched by ferals in ages. Let’s keep moving, we might find something amazing!” Lance said, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
They continued deeper into the dungeon, the echoes of their footsteps the only sound in the stillness. The corridor grew narrower, and the air grew colder.
In the meantime, aero wanted to talk to lance, but didn’t know what to say. He had many questions, but didn’t know where to start, or if it was the appropriate time. He had just met him and he was a renowned explorer, why would he ever talk with someone like?
“sooo…” lance broke the silence. “What did you come here for? Does it have something to do with your study of the ancients? “
Aero jumped on the occasion. “Yes! I’m actually searching for the crystal of reshiram, I heard It was an artifact made by the ancients that allows you to be immune to fire damage.” “really!?” asked the Lucario, who was all ears. “Yes. And It’s in this dungeon.” Aero held up the scroll with trembling claws. Lance's eyes widened with intrigue.
“The Crystal of Reshiram? That’s a legend I’ve heard of, but never thought it was real. it's said that in a time of war the ancients created several crytals to protects themeselves against pokemon typings. If it’s true, this could be a groundbreaking discovery!” Lance’s voice was filled with excitement and curiosity.
The two of them continued to walk through the cold, narrow corridor, the silence occasionally broken by the distant drip of water. Aero couldn’t believe his luck. Not only did he escape from his predicament, but he also had a real explorer with him, someone who actually believed in his quest.
"Your teammates are lucky to have you on the team." aero said. The lucario's expression changed, it was now sadder for some reason. "i'm... not on a team anymore."
"what happened?" Aero asked, noticing the change in Lance's tone.
Lance hesitated to answer, it was not something he wanted to recall, but aero should know about it. "Well, it was on our last mission. We needed to go to an uncharted lower level in a dungeon in mount blaze. Said floor was quite harsh, most of the pokemon there were powerfull and more violent than regular ferals, some of them were completely unknown to us. Vine, a serperior and my first partner, wanted to just go back. The mission was too dangerous at this point, but I was too stubborn. I wanted to reach the bottom, I wanted to find something amazing and prove myself. So we continued downward. But then we encountered a heatran, it was so intense, so fierce. We fought bravely, but we were outmatched. Vine got badly hurt, she was barely hanging on." His voice cracked a bit, but he cleared his throat and continued. "We escaped thanks to our escape orb and everyone was safe, but the experience was engraved into our mind forever. and we could have lost a teammate because of my stubbornness. Shortly after this, all my teammates left. Some decided to make their own team, and others left the explorers guild. I ended up all alone."
Aero was stunned by the story. He couldn’t imagine the kind of pain and regret Lance had to go through. He didn’t know what to say. But then, Lance turned to him with a gentle smile. “But that’s in the past, let’s not dwell on it. Tell me more about this crystal. How do you think we can find it?”
"Oh, there should be a door nearby." Aero spoke up, looking at the scroll with hope in his eyes. "The text describes it as 'the door to the chamber of the enlightened'. It's supposed to be the entrance to the chamber where the crystal is hidden."
"Like this one?" lance points to the giant stone door that was standing in front of them.
Aero felt his heart pounding in his chest as they approached it. It was covered in ancient runes, glowing faintly with an eerie light.
The dragonite's eyes widened with excitement as he recognized the script from his studies. "It's an ancient language! I can read it!" He stepped closer, running his claws over the etched symbols, murmuring the words aloud as he translated them. "Guardian of Knowledge, grant us passage to the chamber of the enlightened."
Lance looked at Aero in amazement. "You can read that? What does it say?"
"It's an incantation of sorts," Aero said, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and trepidation. "It's asking the guardian of knowledge for passage to the chamber of the enlightened."
Lance's eyes lit up. "A chamber of enlightenment, you say? Sounds like a place worth checking out."
He approached the door with a newfound excitement, his hand reaching out to touch the cold, ancient stone. With a grunt, he tried pushing it, expecting it to swing open with ease, but it didn't budge. "Guess we're not just walking in," he said with a chuckle.
Looking around, Aero spotted more runes etched into the walls around them. His eyes lit up as he realized that they might hold the key to unlocking the secrets of the chamber. He began to study them closely, his heart racing with anticipation.
The runes spoke of a test of wisdom and courage, a puzzle that had to be solved to prove one's worthiness. It spoke of a hidden mechanism within the very stone they were carved into. Aero's mind raced as he tried to make sense of the cryptic instructions.
He traced the symbols with his claw, feeling the ancient power that emanated from them. His eyes grew wider as he realized that the runes formed a pattern, a sequence that could be the key to unlocking the door.
"The ancients weren't just scribbling, they were leaving a map!" Aero exclaimed. His voice echoed through the corridor, bouncing off the cold, damp walls.
He pointed out the pattern of the runes to Lance, who nodded thoughtfully. "You think you can do it?"
Aero took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. "I'll give it a shot."
He carefully placed his paws on the designated spots along the wall, pressing down with a gentle yet firm touch. The stones beneath them shuddered and clicked into place, one by one, until the entire pattern was activated. The air grew tense, and the faint glow of the runes grew brighter, casting an eerie light across the chamber.
The ground beneath them began to rumble, and the massive stone door groaned as it slowly swung open. A blast of cold air hit them, carrying with it the faint scent of something ancient and long forgotten. Aero and Lance exchanged a nervous glance before stepping through the threshold into the chamber beyond.
Inside, they found themselves in a vast room filled with strange artifacts that gleamed in the soft glow of the glowing runes. The air was colder here, and it felt as though they were standing in a place that had been sealed off from the outside world for millennia. The walls were lined with shelves that held scrolls, potions, and crystalline devices that hummed with ancient energy. In the center of the room, standing on a pedestal, was a crystal so brilliant it seemed to be on fire with an inner light. It was the size of a melon and was pulsing with a rhythm that matched the beating of their hearts.
Aero felt a sense of awe wash over him as he stared at the crystal. It was the crystal of Reshiram, just as the scroll had described. He took a tentative step forward, his eyes never leaving the gleaming artifact. His dream was within reach, but as he approached, the chamber began to rumble, and the air grew thick with electricity.
Lance's fur stood on end, and he looked around warily. "Something's not right," he murmured, his eyes darting around the room.
"What is it?" Aero asked, his gaze still fixed on the crystal.
"I don't know, but we should be careful." Lance said, his eyes searching the room for any signs of danger.
The rumbling grew louder and louder, until something burst out of the ground. It was a registeel, an ancient pokémon of steel, guarding the chamber with a fierce glare. It looked like it had been asleep for centuries, but now it was wide awake and very unhappy with the intrusion. Aero and Lance looked at each other, their excitement quickly turning into fear.
"Oh crap" Aero whispered as the registeel rose before them, its metallic body gleaming in the dim light. "We've got a problem."
Lance nodded, his hand tightening around his aura sphere. "Looks like we've got to pass the test of courage now," he said with a grin, trying to keep his nerves in check.
The registeel took a step forward, the sound of its heavy footfall echoing through the chamber. Its eyes narrowed as it took in the two trespassers. It was clear that it would not let them take the crystal without a fight.
Aero took a step back, his heart racing. He was a scholar, not a fighter. He had never been in a real battle before, and the thought of facing such a powerful pokémon was terrifying.
But Lance was a different story. He stepped forward, his eyes locked onto the registeel, and with a swift motion, he hurled the aura sphere at the ancient creature. It hit with a resounding clang, the registeel barely flinching. Lance wasted no time, charging up another sphere and releasing it. The registeel retaliated, slamming its metal fist into the ground, sending a shockwave towards Lance.
Aero watched in awe as the Lucario gracefully dodged the attack, his instincts honed from years of exploration. He realized that he had to do something, too. His mind raced back to his studies, trying to recall any information about registeel and its weaknesses. It was said that while registeel was incredibly durable, it was also very slow. He had to use that to their advantage.
"Lance, fall back! It's too strong for us to fight head-on!" Aero called out, his voice echoing through the chamber. But the Lucario kept on fighting against the registeel, he wanted to prove himself and defeat the pokemon. He takes the bead from his scarf and mega evolve again, this time with a fiercer look on his face.
"No! that's a terrible idea!" cried aero, his voice trembling with fear. "We need to find another way!" Lance ignored his friend's advice and kept his assault on the registeel, who was barely affected. Meanwhile each hit from the registeel dealt tremendous, aero wanted to intervene but couldn't move a muscle, his fear paralyzed him.
The lucario was badly hurt he coud barely keeping on going. And then, his mega evolution stopped and he reverted back to his original form. He was overcome with exhaustion, his breaths coming in short gasps. The registeel took advantage of this momentary lapse and swung its mighty arm, sending Lance flying across the chamber. He crashed into the wall with a sickening thud, his body slumping to the floor.
Aero looked in horror at lance's still form, at this rate he was going to get killed. The registeel then charged his hyperbeam directed at the lucario. Aero had to do something, he couldn’t just stand there and watch his new friend die. Without a second thought, he flew towards his friend. Registeel fired his hyperbeam but Aero grabbed lance without stopping before it could hit them.
The force of the hyperbeam sent them flying through the chamber, narrowly missing the shelves filled with ancient artifacts. They crashed into the far wall, sending a cloud of dust and debris into the air.
Luckily, aero wasn't badly injured, his thick body cushioned both himself and lance. lance regained consiousness, but was obviously hurt and disoriented. "What happened?" He mumbled. aero took a deep breath, "You're badly injured, you need to rest."
Lance felt a searing pain in his side, and his vision was blurry. He struggled to get up, but Aero gently pushed him back down. "You can't fight anymore, Lance. You've done enough." lance looked at aero with a sad expression. "I'm so sorry, i really wanted to help you get your treasure. I know how important it is to you, and i didn't want to disappoint you. But i ended up disregarding your advices, and got stomped pretty hard for it."
Aero looked at lance not with disapointment, but with concern. "You don't need to prove anything to me, I'm just glad you're okay." Unfortunately, the registeel spotted the two pokemon, and was about to attack again. Aero gently put lance on the ground and went towards the registeel to distract it.
"Hey! Over here, you metal monstrosity!" Aero roared, trying to sound more intimidating than he felt. The registeel turned to face him, its cold, mechanical eyes glowing with malice. Aero was terrified, not only did he have no experience in fighting, but his matchup was horrible. Pitted against a steel type which drafon types were very week to. Yet he couldn't give up on his dream, or on his friend. He flew around the registeel out of his reach while thinking of a way to defeat it.
The registeel was fast for its size, but it was still no match for Aero's agility. He dodged its slow, heavy swipes and took the opportunity to study the ancient texts etched into the walls of the chamber. His eyes scanned the runes, hoping for some clue to defeating the ancient guardian. His heart raced as he saw something that might work.
"Lance!" he shouted over the din of the battle. "Remember the incantation on the scroll? The one to appease the guardian of knowledge!" The lucario nodded weakly, his breaths shallow. "What do I do?"
"You need to find the sequence of notes that match the runes!" Aero called back, as he weaved around the registeel's clumsy attacks. "Use your harmonica, play the tune!"
Lance's eyes widened with understanding. He reached into his pack, his shaking hand grasping the small instrument. Wincing with pain, he brought it to his mouth and played the melody that Aero had described. The notes echoed through the chamber, a haunting tune that seemed to resonate with the very stones themselves.
The registeel paused, its eyes narrowing as it focused on the sound. The room grew eerily quiet, the only noise the faint echo of the harmonica. Aero took this moment to catch his breath, his heart pounding in his chest. The incantation was their last hope, and he prayed it would work
As the melody grew louder, the registeel's gaze softened, and its body began to glow with a gentle blue light. The crystal on its forehead started to pulse in time with the music, and the creature's stance shifted from aggressive to curious. Aero felt a flicker of hope.
He continued to play, the ancient tune weaving its way through the chamber and into the registeel's core. The air grew charged with a strange energy, and the artifacts around them began to hum in response. The registeel took a step back, allowing Aero to get closer to the crystal.
With trembling paws, Aero reached out to touch the crystal. It was warm to the touch, pulsing with an energy that seemed to resonate with his very soul. As his claw made contact, the light grew brighter, enveloping them in a warm embrace. The dragonite felt a sudden rush of knowledge, images of a lost civilization flashing before his eyes.
He saw how the crystal was used to protect civilisation from a giant fire pokemon. Aero felt a sudden kinship with the ancient who had created such a powerful artifact. He knew he had to get this crystal back to the surface, to share its secrets with the world.
But first, they had to deal with the injured Lance. The registeel, having recognized the true intentions behind the incantation, had ceased its attack. It now looked at the duo with a sense of understanding.
"Registeel, I know you can understand us. Please, can you help my friend?" Aero asked, his voice filled with hope. To their amazement, the ancient pokémon nodded, and a soft blue light emanated from its body, enveloping Lance. The lucario's wounds began to knit themselves together, and color returned to his cheeks.
As Lance's injuries healed, Aero felt a sense of relief wash over him. He turned to the registeel, bowing his head in gratitude. "Thank you," he murmured. "We mean no harm to this place. We only wish to learn from it."
The registeel nodded once more before turning its gaze back to the crystal. It was clear that it recognized the importance of the artifact and had no intention of letting them leave without it. Aero knew he had to be careful. He approached the pedestal with a gentle touch, his eyes never leaving the crystal.
Then he aproached the both of them and took them gently in his arms. He then walked towards a closed door that seemed to be made of the same ancient stone as the walls of the chamber. He placed his crystal forehead against the door and it slid open, revealing small room with runes written on the walls.
Light englobbed the room, blinding both the lucario and dragonite. Then a strange warmth overcame the both of them. When they opened their eyes again, they saw the entrance of the dungeon. They were outside again.
The registeel then gently put the two of them on the ground. "Thank you." said aero, with genuine gratitude in his voice. "We won't forget your kindness." Lance nodded in agreement, still a bit woozy from the battle.
The registeel then teleported back to the dungeon. With its mission accomplished, it had to return to its slumber. Aero and Lance were left at the entrance, both feeling a mix of amazement and exhaustion. They looked at each other and let out a sigh of relief. They had done it. They had found the crystal of Reshiram and survived to tell the tale.
"I can't wait to see the faces on my clanmates when they'll see that i actually did it." Aero was quite overjoyed, he made a big step towards accomplishing his dreams. He then looked at lance who seemed happy for the dragonite. "Well, i'm gonna have to get back to the guild and make a full report on what happened." His went from joyful to annoyed as he dreaded making reports.
Aero then snapped from his overjoyed state as lance said that. He completely forgot that he was an explorer and needed to go back to the guild. He tapped on the lucario's shoulder who turned to look at him in response. "u-umm...w-would... i mean d-do you..." aero wanted to ask something but couldn't muster the courage to do so.
Lance smiled as he knew what he wanted to ask. "You wanna team up with me?" he said nonchalenly, trying to lighten the mood. Aero's eyes widened in surprise and excitement. "C-Can i!?" he stuttered. "I'd love to! I've always dreamed of joining a team of explorers! and you're an awesome partner!"
Lance grinned and took something from his bag, an explorer's badge, and handed it to Aero. "You're in. Welcome to Team Lancefire!" Aero eyes sparkled with joy, taking the badge in his claws. He looked down at the badge and felt a sense of belonging he hadn't felt in a long time.
"Alright, first stop, the redclaw clan to get some rest, then we just have to go to the guild to register you." Lance said with a grin. Aero hugged lance with his thick arms, his excitement was palpable. He couldn't believe he was now part of a team.
Aero flew off holding lance into his arms, feeling the warmth of his new friend's body against his own. The journey back to the redclaw clan was swift, fueled by their shared victory and the promise of a future filled with adventure. As they approached the warm lights of the clan's settlement, Aero couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement for what was to come.
He told everyone in the clan and the clan leader what had happened and showed them the crystal. Everyone was in awe at what aero had achieved, and they cheered for the new member of Team Lancefire. The clan leader, a wise old dragonite named Valthor, was shocked. The shy dragonite who wouldn't hurt a fly, had managed to do something extraoirdinary. When aero told him that he wanted to leave the clan to become an explorer at the guild, Valthor nodded solemnly. He knew that this was a big step for Aero, but he also knew that he was capable of great things.
The clan celebrated aero's achievement with a feast and stories shared around the bonfire. The warmth of the fire danced in their eyes as they talked of ancient legends and heroic deeds. Aero felt a sense of belonging as he listened to the tales, knowing that he too had a story to tell.
The next morning, Aero and Lance set off for the Explorers Guild. Flying towards his destination, Aero felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as he clutched his new explorer's badge tightly in his claws. He had never been to the guild before, and the thought of being among so many skilled and experienced pokémon was intimidating.
But it was also thrilling, the chance to be part of something greater than himself, and to discover hidden history about this world. With a smile, he kept flying with lance on his back, the two of them cutting through the air with purpose. They were ready for whatever new adventure awaited them.
Category Story / Fat Furs
Species Pokemon
Size 50 x 50px
File Size 200 kB
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