They moved deeper before the cave fully woke.
Ash kept the pace slow, counting steps, noting the way the ground dipped and rose. The tunnel narrowed, then widened again, its walls slick with moisture. Water dripped steadily from above, each sound echoing longer than expected.
Charizard stayed close now, walking at Ash's side. When the ceiling dipped, it lowered its head without being told. When the ground grew loose, it adjusted its footing first, then waited. Ash found himself matching that rhythm without thinking.
The path sloped downward.
A crack sounded underfoot.
Ash froze.
The ground shifted, small stones skittering into darkness. A section of the tunnel wall gave way with a dull crash, blocking the way behind them. Dust filled the air, thick and choking.
"Everyone okay?" Ash asked.
Rattata squeaked sharply but stood. Maya steadied Pidgey. Metapod remained secure.
Then the noise came.
Not one set of wings.
Many.
High-pitched cries echoed from above as shapes peeled away from the ceiling. A group of Zubat swarmed into the open space, disoriented by the collapse, their movements sharp and frantic.
Ash's heart kicked hard. "Rattata, out!"
Rattata leapt forward as the first Zubat dove. Ash didn't think about winning. He thought about space.
"Quick Attack!"
Rattata struck, darting in and out, forcing one Zubat back into the air. Another swooped low, screeching, its sound cutting through the tunnel.
"Careful!" Maya shouted.
Rattata staggered as the echo disoriented it, claws scraping stone. Ash clenched his fists.
"Back! Don't chase!" he ordered.
Rattata obeyed, retreating to Ash's side. The Zubat circled, wings clipping stone, confused by the tight space. One attempted a Bite, snapping inches from Rattata's tail.
Charizard stepped forward.
Not to attack.
It spread one wing slightly, blocking the narrowest part of the tunnel. The Zubat shrieked and veered away, unwilling to press closer.
Ash saw the opening. "Now—move!"
They ran.
The Zubat followed briefly, then peeled off, retreating back into the higher darkness where they had room to maneuver. The echoes faded slowly, leaving only the sound of breathing and falling dust.
Ash stopped once they were clear, hands on his knees. Rattata trembled but stayed upright. No new injuries. Just shaken.
"That could've gone worse," Maya said quietly.
Ash nodded. "Yeah."
He looked back toward the blocked tunnel. The way out they'd come was gone.
Charizard stood beside him, tail flame steady, unbothered by the chaos that had passed. It didn't look back. It looked ahead.
Ash straightened. "We keep going," he said.
No one argued.
The cave ahead sloped downward into unfamiliar darkness. Somewhere deeper inside, water ran steadily, patient and unseen.
They moved on, knowing now that Mt. Moon wouldn't let them turn back so easily.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T/N:
Support me and Access 30 chapters in Advance on my P@treon: [email protected]/mythostales