Enemy Unknown

Darkness... All that laid ahead was darkness.

Gadget cursed, she had lost the perpetrators in this narrow, confusing maze of a dungeon. The gleam eyes Pokemon had pursued after them the second that made a run for it. She launched an Electro Ball attack on one of the "ghosts" but missed. Causing a small explosion. Her pursuit led her to this odd dungeon that was in the middle of Serene Village's small lake.

She shook her head, trying to stay focus on the task at hand. She needed to find the two children, and the other missing Pokemon, Farfetch'd.

But first, she needed to see. She closed her eyes and started to focus, she slowly breathe in, and out, and opened her eyes. The cave was clear now and she could see everything.

She was the gleam eyes Pokemon for a reason after all, the ability to focus all energy to her eyes, vastly improving her vision.

Thank you genes.

Gadget started scanning the area, trying to detect any hint of motion or sound coming from further ahead.

Just then, she heard something. Gadget heard something directly ahead of her, it didn't sound like footsteps. It was... moaning...?

Gadget quickly sprinted forward, heading to the source of the mysterious moaning. Was it one of the kids? Or a trap for someone to ambush her...? When she finally reached the sound, it became clear to her. It was Farfetch'd, or at least she think it was, she never really got a visual confirmation of the missing Pokemon, for all she knew this was a completely different Pokemon out of many who had been kidnapped and nobody knew. Fafetch'd seemed to be tied up with a natural rope of some kind, it looked more like vines than anything.

"Farfetch'd!" She called out, hoping to get the teacher's attention. The wild duck Pokemon opened his eyes, surprised with the unknown Pokemon.

"W-who are you...?" He said.

"I'm here to get you out of here." Gadget replied. The gleam eyes Pokemon held onto the vines and pulled it as hard as she could in order to break it. After a few seconds, the finally broke loose, dropping Farfetche'd to the ground. He let out a cough, grabbed his stalk and slowly got onto his feet.

"I... I cannot thank you enough for saving me." Farfetche'd said.

"We're not out of the woods just yet. You first need to get out of the Ancient Barrow first."

Farfetch'd's eyes widened with the mentioned of Ancient Barrow. He tried expressing his shock, but fatigue got the best of him and he was unable to speak.

"The exit's that way." Gadget said, pointing in the direction she came from. "Get out of here, go!"

Farfetch'd nodded and started limping his way out, disappearing into the darkness.

Gadget took a deep breath, remembering her task at hand.

One down, two to go.

"Espurr, are you sure you know where we're going?" Ian asked.

"No." She replied. "We have not seen any other paths besides this one. So I think we're okay."

"Fair enough."

Ian turned around to see Goomy and Deerling, who were following behind him. Deerling gave a worried expression, Ian nodded, hoping it reassured the deer Pokemon.

Ian took this time to ponder on what has happened. He honestly wasn't sure who they might run into in this dungeon. They have yet to encounter a single form of life down here. Perhaps the legends were true, and the only one living down here was the "demon" of Serene Village. A dark secret that he, and the rest of the children weren't supposed to know.

"Hey guys, I have a question." Ian said. "Do you think maybe the demon took Pancham and Shelmet?"

He should have kept his mouth shut.

The others stopped dead in their tracks and looked at the mudfish Pokemon in shock. Deerling and Goomy had identical expressions of surprised and horrified at what he had just said. While Espurr kept a straight face, Ian wasn't sure whether she was unfazed or was silently judging him, which was making his skin crawl.

Just then, they heard something from behind them. Footsteps. Everyone turned their heads to look behind them. Something was coming out from the shadows.

But that's impossible, there were no other paths besides this one, indicating that someone had entered the Ancient Barrow as well. But who? Who would know, let alone dare to even enter this cursed dungeon?

For a brief moment, Ian had a faint idea on who, which would soon be confirmed.

As the footsteps got closer and closer, the group could make out a features of said Pokemon. Orange fur... They knew exactly who it was.

"Patience!" Ian yelled. Pushing past Goomy and Deerling and approaching the fire fox Pokemon. Patience was limping, she could barely even walk, so why did she decide to follow them in?

"S-sorry about this..." Patience said. "But I'm not going to give up just yet! And besides, it was getting kind of cold outside."

Ian grabbed hold of the injured Fennekin. Keeping her balance steady as he turned to face her.

"What the heck are you thinking Patience?!" Ian exclaimed. "You're in no condition to press on!"

"I know but-!"

"It's true." Espurr said. "You're too injured to be fighting if it comes to that."

Goomy and Deerling nodded in agreement.

"You told me that I must face my fears head on. I don't want to be a coward." Patience said.

"I know, but even so, you mustn't push yourself. We all have our limits." Ian said. "Face your fears head on, but know when to stop."

Patience shook her head.

"No... I have to do this. It's the only way I'm going to conquer my fear and be braver than ever. If you disagree with that, let me through, I'll do this alone." Patience didn't know what was she thinking when she said that last sentence, it made her seem really foolish, tackling this by herself. She looked at Ian, who was still holding her. She couldn't tell what's going on in the mudfish Pokemon's head. But somehow, she felt confident that Ian won't let her through. She was half right.

Ian let off a sigh. "Fine, you can come with us. It's not like I have a choice anyway..."

"Thanks..." Patience said.

"Don't go wandering ahead, you're sticking with me."

"I make no promises."

"Patience..."

"Fine."

Ian turned around and nodded at the others to continue onward. He continued holding Patience and made sure she could walk, slowly catching up with the rest of the children and continuing their journey to the depths of the Ancient Barrow.

To the lair of an enemy unknown.