*Risk's POV*

Alpha and Beta were greatly intrigued about our stories from Team Crusaders, constantly asking questions like,

"How tall is a 'Giratina'?" or

"Where is Blade now?" about our story, adding comments of praise or disgust whenever appropriate. Eventually, we reached the end of our tale,

"... So, now that you know where we came from, do you two want to join us to purge our region of that tyrant?" I asked, hopeful for more allies against Gengar, as the two Mawiles turned around to discuss amongst themselves. Tania seemed hopeful, yet still, I could see a longing for Blade in her eyes,

"I'm fine with either option, so I'll go collect some water and supplies," as she left with a smile.

"What do you think, Beta?" Alpha asked his sister, his face showing a mix of sympathy and skepticism. However, before she could respond, a loud scream echoed from outside the base.

Tania! I thought, panicking, as I ran outside, the others following closely behind. However, to my horror, she was already gone, taken by whatever had made her scream like that.

I fell to my knees, cursing my luck under my breath,

"Not again! I'm not losing her!" Then, I heard a loud screech, like an enormous bird, and a few flashes of thunder. Alpha, Beta, and even Riku, were clearly terrified,

"That's the warning call of..." Beta stammered.

"Of what?!" I asked, both fear and adrenaline coursing through my veins.

"Of Zapdos- the guardian of Mount Thunder!" she finished.

"Let me see your map!" I demanded, as she hesitantly drew it out of her pack. I memorized a few landmarks, then realized,

I think I am in this alone... Don't worry, Tania! I didn't save you from that Lugia just to let you die on me now!

Turning back to the group, I left with an ultimatum,

"Follow me if you want- I'm going after her!" and ran, as fast as I could, in the direction of Mount Thunder. I could hear the others discussing a criminal that inhabited the place, but I was quickly out of earshot, my only goal being to save Tania.

...

...

...

"There it is... Phew, I made it!" I tried to calm my heightened nerves, so I could rest a bit- my legs were greatly exhausted from the journey.

I don't think I can climb this in my current state... But, on the other hand... I thought, looking up into the sky,

It's getting dark now- I need to find an area to rest, but Tania... No, I can't rest and risk her life! A true explorer never gives up!

Somewhat ready to brave the colossal mountain, I stepped into the foreboding cave entrance...

*Mt. Thunder, 1F*

What's this strange new feeling that has overtaken me?! It's like my blood has stopped flowing, but my body still functions normally. I couldn't think of a parallel to this "torture"- my legs felt heavier, and my thoughts clouded together, but, overall, I was still fine.

If this body paralysis effect increases as you ascend the mountain, Tania must be... More determined than ever, I raced through multiple floors in an attempt to find the top, smashing my way through every enemy that stood in my way...

*Mt. Thunder, 7F*

It's increasing again... That feeling... It's overtaking... My body now! What could this "Zapdos" possible be doing up there?... Oof! Lost in thought, I was oblivious to a foul-tempered Electabuzz that I had just bumped into and angered.

Wait a second- I've seen that Pokemon before- he was on a "wanted" poster back at Team Courage's base...

I adopted a fighting stance, but the Pokemon very easily picked me up and threw me across the room. Completely drained, I was forced to watch the Pokemon approach me, a malicious grin on its face. The Electabuzz grabbed me, ready to punch me into submission with its electrified arms. I knew that I had to escape the attack, but my body simply wouldn't respond, and I braced myself for my death once again.

Then, out of nowhere, I heard a loud,

"There he is! He needs our help- move, move, move!" As the speaker came into view, I could see Alpha, followed by Riku and Beta, all with mixed expressions on their faces.

"Oh, wonderful, now you've brought your *Bzzt*ing friends, too... Fine, if you want him back that bad, you can have him... WHEN HE'S DEAD!" Before I could react, the Electabuzz channeled all of the electrical energy it had into me. The sudden, powerful jolt caused my body to arc in pain, and the Pokemon, satisfied with the damage that it had caused, threw my limp body to the ground. I could only watch helplessly as another fight ensued.

"Why you- I'm going to make you regret doing that! Riku, Beta, stay here- I'm stopping this crook right now!" Alpha charged the Pokemon at an incredibly fast pace for a Mawile and easily overpowered him in hand-to-jaw combat, pinning him down and tenaciously gnawing on the Pokemon until he would fit inside the Mawile's enormous jaws. Now stuck inside Alpha's vice-like maw. the criminal Electabuzz pleaded for mercy,

"Please... Don't do it- I was only playing a game with you! I won't do it again, I promise!" The voice was muffled through the walls of the mouth, and Alpha, still enraged, refused to let him out.

"Don't worry about me- I've got this monster under control- just go check Risk's vital signs, and make sure that he lives," he told Riku and Beta, and my vision faded to the sight of Electabuzz struggling to escape from Alpha...

*Riku's POV*

"Is he alright?" Beta asked me, as we approached the smoking Riolu.

"It's too early to tell- that was quite a shock he sustained, and I don't know if his heart will cooperate with me after that kind of electricity interferes with it..." Beta, taken aback, broke down crying,

"Please, Risk! Don't die on us! I've only known you for a few hours, but you just can't die!"

I pressed my paw to his heart, only realizing, too late, that I had no leaf or flora as a buffer for the pain,

"!!! It's drawing all of the electricity built up in Risk into me..." My face contorted, and my legs weakened, but I stood my ground, until I could feel all of my fur standing on end from the static, and I knew that I had successfully taken the current out of Risk.

"Riku, are you OK?!" Beta was concerned,

"You look like you're about to collapse!"

"Don't worry..." I reassured her, breathing heavily,

"My body... The curse lets me.. Take things like this... Out of others... I just need some time to rest until morning- in my "cursed" form, I can keep it from harming me, but I can't fully get rid of it. Goodnight, Beta, and don't worry!" At this, I closed my eyes and fell asleep on the cold dungeon floor...

While I was asleep, Gengar struck again, but, this time, it was my dreams that it inhabited.

"Good night, indeed! Good for me, but not you! Kekekek!" he whispered into my sleeping mind.

Soon, the grassy, flowery fields I used to dream of were replaced with dark, hideous wastelands, ablaze with ghostly fire. Most horrible of all, at the center of it, was Gengar, standing over a defeated Pokemon.

"Gengar..." the mystery Pokemon coughed, spitting up blood in the process,

"You'll never win!" A pained smile crossed his face, as he forced out a small laugh. He quickly turned around to a Pokemon originally hidden from view, addressing it both as brave and scorning it. At this, Gengar became enraged,

"Lucario, I told you to come alone! Now, I'll kill you both- father AND son! Kekekek!" Gengar readied another Focus Blast, and Lucario addressed the other figure one last time, tossing a small trinket to the ground,

"Risk, take this, and keep it safe- our family's amulet shall serve you well, as it did me. You may never see me again, but always remember that I love you, Risk! Now, run- run far away! Get away from here, and don't look back!..."

"Are you done saying goodbye?! Kekekek, let's get this show on the road, then!" Gengar, impatient, released its blast of energy, that, to the other figure's horror, vaporized his father, leaving only a smoldering Explorer's Badge and the memory of the courageous figure that once lay there.

Now clearly seen, Risk the Riolu grabbed the pendant from the ground, and, with a fire in his eyes, ran as fast as he could away from Gengar,

"Father, one day, I will avenge you- I swear it on my life!" he shouted in desperation, trying to beat back his tears as he ran. I could see glimpses of what was going through his head- glimpses of the life that he had with his father. However, the same memory kept surfacing- a conversation between Risk and his father, only moment before Lucario's last stand...

"Papa, why do you put your life on the line so much? Isn't it dangerous out there?"

"Yes, Risk, but..."

"Stop! Don't go on any more missions- I don't want to see you die!" The Riolu, gravely worried, hugged his father, who smiled and consoled him,

"Risk, a true explorer never gives up- that's why I fight so hard for what I know is right!"

"Then let me come- I want to be an explorer just like you!" His father shook his head,

"No, Risk- it's far too dangerous for you. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something happened to you... Now, Daddy's leaving on a trip for a while, and he may not be back for a long time. Be strong for me, Risk!" He hugged his son one last time, before departing from view.

The Riolu, clearly still worried,

quickly followed his father, staying out of sight, until they arrived at that wasteland, where Lucario would later be killed. The battle played out exactly like it did last time I "saw" it, but, before the killing blow could be dealt for a second time, my dream faded, and I suddenly awoke with a start, scaring Beta half to death.

"Are you, OK, Riku?" she asked, still slightly on-edge.

"I think I am ready now- most of the built-up electric current is gone from my system, so I should be fine, for now." I looked around, readjusting to my surroundings again- I could see Alpha, Beta, and Risk, who had awoken, as well.

Thank goodness! I got to him in time!

"Well, now that we're all here, are you guys ready to keep going?"

"You three go on ahead- I need to bring this criminal to the police- law prohibits me from taking this into my own hands... And let that be a reminder that you're going to be punished for your crimes!" Alpha said, telling the last part to his "precious cargo" still struggling in his jaws.

Beta spoke up in protest,

"But Alpha, we promised to stay togeth..."

"No buts, sister; sorry, but I gotta turn him in before I accidentally kill him," he said, with a slight smile, to the chagrin of Electabuzz. The Mawile left us with a final,

"Goodbye, and good luck!" before we parted ways, and the rest of us, encouraged by Alpha, fought through several more floors, until we reached a large cavern in the middle of the dungeon.

*Risk's POV*

"I really need to rest and recuperate- I haven't ever gone into a dungeon like this before, without Alpha there beside me. Just give me a moment," Beta pleaded, as she sat down, quietly munching on a few dry seeds and wordlessly scanning the surroundings.

"Hey, are you OK?" I walked over to her and asked. She seemed incredibly sad and distressed, so I tried to comfort her, but any attempts to console her only resulted in her horn-jaw lashing out at me.

Guess it's better to just let her sit there awhile- it's a better alternative to losing my hand, or even my head!

However, Beta's depression did not last long, as another scream from Tania echoed through the cave, this time, much louder than before.

That sounded both urgent and alarming- we must be getting close, and her situation must be dire! There is no time to lose! I thought, dashing off into the darkness...

*Mt. Thunder Peak, 1F*

I could tell from the increasing electricity in the air that I was nearing the peak of the mountain. Consequently, the hostile Pokemon were becoming more frequent and much more aggressive, and I had to dodge a stray lightning bolt every few minutes...

The Pokemon here are much stronger than before... Did Zapdos somehow amplify their strength? I thought, instinctively dodging another electric shock.

My situation was made much more problematic with another cry from Tania reached my ears, coupled with a plea for help.

Zapdos!! I thought, a grim expression on my face,

I don't care what it takes- I'm taking you down today! With my goal in mind, I set off for the next floor...

*Mt. Thunder Peak, B2F*

The enemies' strength, added to the constant electric aura, is simply too much for me.. I shouldn't have left the group! I thought glumly, until I heard, from the darkness,

"Risk, a true explorer never gives up!"

"Dad?" I gasped in shock, looking for the source of the voice and oblivious to the horde of Manectric behind me.

Maybe it was just me... Maybe I'm going crazy! I was deep in thought, as a loud cry of,

"Dinnertime!" echoed behind me.

Wait... WHAT? I thought, instinctively jumping to the side, as the Pokemon lunged at the area that I had leapt from only moments before.

Seeing the Pokemons' hungry eyes up close unnerved me to the point where all I could do was run- I didn't have the resolve to fight. Navigating the labyrinth as best that I could, I attempted to find the stairs, with the Manectric in hot pursuit. Eventually, I ran straight into a dead end, and I knew that my time was up,

This is the end, there's nowhere to go... I thought, as the leader of the pack approached me, telling the remaining Manectric to stay back.

"Well, well, well... Looks like the little kitty has nowhere left to run!" the Manectric licked his lips, taking another step towards me with every other word. In response, I retreated until my back was against the wall, in an attempt to stall their interests in my blood.

"Your speed is admirable, Riolu, but you're going to be feeding my pack now..." He turned to his fellow Manectric, saying,

"Enjoy! And don't forget to leave some for me!" he laughed, as the pack pounced on me. I adopted a fighting stance to attempt to prevent the incoming charge, but the trauma from just a few claw and fang wounds knocked me out, cold, and I knew they would tear me to shreds...

...

...

Why am I not dead? I thought, trying to re-orient my eyes to the world.

"Risk! " I heard a call from the tunnel, and I glanced up from my fetal position to see the entire horde of Manectric frozen, mid-pounce, in front of me. At first, I was perplexed, but then I took a closer look at my savior.

Riku... How?... Wait a minute- he's holding them back with Psychic!

"Risk! Move away from there- I can't hold them back for much longer!" the Shaymin shouted, concentrating with all of his energy.

Not question his orders, I ran under the frozen pack, right before Riku tired and let them go. I watched as the entire group of the tumbled into each other, scrambling to find their "snack" that wasn't over there anymore.

As the hungry wolves shook themselves clean of dirt, Beta entered the room, angrier than ever,

"How about, instead of focusing on feeding your pack's hungry maws and, instead, focus on feeding this maw?!" Immediately, the Mawile flew into a rage, her horn-jaw biting into any Manectric dumb enough to get close to her, and, soon, she had successfully scared off the entire horde, sending them, whimpering, back into Mount Thunder.

"Thanks!... I mumbled weakly, my blood loss from my deep wounds causing my thoughts to jumble together and my brain to fog.

Beta, seeing my wounds, consoled me,

"I'm about to do something very weird, but just trust me- it's going to be OK. Alright, Risk?" I nodded, just wanting the pain to go away. However, my usually-compliant demeanor quickly changed to one of horror when she snapped me up in her jaws...

"Beta! This isn't funny- what are you... Are you trying to kill me?!" I shrieked in alarm, her teeth digging into my arms.

"Riku, do something!" I shouted, from the inside of Beta's maw.

"She's going to swallow me!" However, my pleas didn't seem to faze Riku, either, as he only tried to console me, as well.

Then, the weirdest thing happened- Beta spoke up,

"Risk, stop struggling- I don't want my jaw to hurt you! It's trying to help you!"

"Help me?!" I cried in disbelief.

"Hardly!" My voice increased, as I couldn't understand why Beta would kill me after saving my life.

"Please, Risk! The more you struggle, the more this will hurt both me and you! Please!"

Finally, I listened to her, and just lay there, in her fleshy prison. Then, the maw's teeth began to retract, and clear liquid poured into the cavity. I had the urge to panic, as I believed it to be digestive juices, but I steeled my nerves and just let the fluid envelop me. Miraculously, the liquid did not burn my skin- instead, it did the exact opposite. As the mixture coated my wounds, I could feel the pain being slowly drawn out of my wounds. I sighed in admiration,

I don't know how you learned to control your stomach that way, but those digestive juices are healing me instead of harming me- that's so cool! I thought, as my wounds were cleansed, and the majority of them disappeared entirely.

I can't believe I'm saying this... I thought, as I asked the Mawile,

"Can I stay in your maw a little while longer? I haven't felt this refreshed in a long time..." I could hear her laughter from outside,

"Hehe, Risk. Alright, I'll keep you safe there for now, but I'll have to let you out when we find Zapdos... Come on, Riku, let's go!" she said, as I fell asleep in Beta's warm, soft maw...

*Mt. Thunder Peak, 3F*

I awoke to Beta's voice calling to me,

"Alright, Risk, I'm gonna have to let you out for now- we've got company, so I need my jaws for fighting," she said, as she gently spat me out. Still covered in her saliva, I thanked the Mawile, then faced the oncoming Pokemon that had ambushed us.

Let's do this! I thought, punching my way through Pokemon after Pokemon, while Riku and Beta fought back-to-back, until we were the last three Pokemon standing in the room.

After the battle was done, I was still curious about Beta's healing capabilities, so I asked,

"How come you're able to use your jaws like that? I thought Mawile only used them for combat..."

"Well," Beta began,

"It was a trait that I mysteriously possessed from birth. You see, normally, Mawile move juices from their stomachs into their horn-jaw to digest prey. However, I discovered that I possessed two stomachs, filled with two different liquids, when I would mischievously eat other Pokemon for fun, even though it was kinda cruel... Anyway, although most Pokemon, like you, struggled at first, they (and I) discovered that I could heal other Pokemon by drawing the fluid from my second stomach. I wasn't really liked by other Mawile because I wasn't "tough enough," to willingly digest others with my jaw, so I embraced my gift of healing for as long as I've lived. I hope it comes in handy other times too," she finished, cracking a grin,

"Because you tasted pretty good in there, Risk." Even though the idea of actually being eaten by Beta scared me out of my wits, I laughed along with her, realizing that she was just playing and wouldn't actually hurt me.

"Well, that was interesting..." Riku tried to refocus us on the mission,

"But we need to finish climbing this mountain and save Tania, first!"

"Roger that!" I replied, and we ascended to the summit.