As soon as that abomination of a Shadow slithered out of the portal Zen felt despair wash over every inch of her body.

This is the mighty Shadow Army? It appears our friends didn't succeed in their mission Solomon told Zen telepathically.

Zen was frozen, she could barely even think how to approach what was happening much less what had happened to Zax and the others.

"Zen... Mrs. Zen!" Maryland called to her, snapping the Medicham out of her trance. Maryland pointed at the village, all the Slowbro were staring at the three of them.

"Those monsters from years ago, they're really back." One of the Slowbro mused.

Flutter silently stared down some of the inky creatures that were heading their way. He'd been with them when they'd faced off against Shadow Rayquaza all those years ago.

"This village isn't safe, it's too exposed. Just like Central Town." Zen whispered, she knew exactly where Shadow Rayquaza was heading.

Then we must get these Pokémon out of here. It's too risky to return to the Crumbling Mines, meaning there is one other option. Solomon beamed to her.

Zen nodded and faced the large population of Pokémon. "This Town is in grave danger, as is anyone who remains here. If you do not want to leave I cannot make you, but I know a place where we can remain hidden from the Shadows. Come with me if you'd like, if not I wish you all the best."

With that Zen ran along the beach, the sand soft sand dispersing wherever she stepped. Eventually Zen reached the entrance to the Glacial Caverns.

The cave slowly descended until the rock ground turned to ice, she felt the chilly wind blow from the vast caverns. Through all the winding passageways they could eventually reach the entrance to the Azar Volcano and hopefully loop around to the Guild.

She waited at the entrance as Slowbro ran into the cave one by one, swiftly followed by Maryland, Flutter, Flutter's Mother, and Solomon. Zen took one last look at the bright blue skies and fled into the cavern herself.

After an extensive amount of time weaving through the labyrinth, Zen felt cold and lost. The Glacial Caverns were a Mystery Dungeon, which not only meant that the layout was never the same upon return visits, but that the large party they had was extremely risky.

While Zen had no clue what exactly happened, it seemed that Wild Pokémon became more frequent and aggressive the more Pokémon that were brought along.

The ground was slippery and all the ice reflected their scared faces. Most of them had just lost their homes and even friends that were basically family in the Guild's case.

After what felt like forever they reached a large room. Icicles covered the ceiling and this room felt especially cold. There was a giant hole in the back wall, and Zen called upon something Zax had told her before he closed off this dungeon.

She remembered hearing about some sort of Walrein that went on a rampage after Marshadow released him from the ice.

"We have to get moving everybody, this place isn't safe," Zen told them, her voice slightly echoing in the dead silence.

The Slowbro turned to face her, their faces held the same expression as always but she had a feeling they were confused.  "Why?"

"We likely don't have much time to explain," Zen sighed. "We just have to get moving and I'll explain later."

As if on cue the ground began to shake as the entrance was filled with a massive cool blue walrus Pokémon. The creature had large fins for legs and a bulky flame. Its skin was thick and blubbery. He had white fur all over his head and down his neck.

Zen turned to the hallway they'd come from to find two completely unfamiliar Pokémon standing in the doorway.

One seemed to resemble a Ratatta, standing on his front two legs. He stared at them with his red eyes. His fur was burned black and above his sharp front teeth was what seemed to be a mustache of sorts. He seemed familiar but she couldn't place where from.

The Ratatta was standing slightly hunched over and kept clicking his tiny claws together. His eyes darted around the room and his smile told Zen he was very excited to have some new hostages.

The other was completely unfamiliar to Zen, he must've been indigenous to another region. The Pokémon had what looked to be its tongue coiled around its neck like a scarf. The tongue was blood red and didn't seem sanitary.

His body was slim and skinny, with black skin and bumps where his joints seemed to be. All of his fingers and toes seemed to be joined together like he was some kind of frog Pokémon.

The Pokémon was standing with his arms crossed and might have been smirking but it was impossible to tell. He twirled a black knife in his hand. Zen didn't know if it was a threat or if he was just bored.

Maryland narrowed her eyes at the two standing in their way. "Hey, I remember you!" She pointed her claw at the Rat. "You're from Bridge Tower!" Zen suddenly remembered their brief encounter with the Thief nearly a year ago when they were heading to check on the Ethereal Orb.

"Well done Small Crab Thing. It is I, back once more, the mighty Borscht!" The Thief shouted and stood up a little bit taller.

His accomplice sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Borscht can we not get distracted? Let's just take what we want and get rid of them." Maryland held her bag a little closer to her after that comment.

Zen stepped forward at this point. "Now what makes you think you'll be allowed to take what you want?"

The Frog gestured toward the Walrein. "I think I've made my point clear."

"As if we're afraid of three Pokémon," Maryland growled. Flutter put his wing on her shoulder in an attempt to calm her, the less fighting they all had to do, the better.

"I care not of this! Crab Thing, I challenge you to a duel to regain my honor after that humiliating defeat!" Borscht pointed his tiny hand at Maryland.

Maryland looked back to them for guidance. "What do I do?"

Flutter's Mother was the first to speak. "Take the idiot out, we don't have time for this."

"Mother! That isn't very polite at all!" Flutter stared at her as if she was an entirely different Pokémon.

"Flutter," His mother and he were nearly the same size yet she seemed to loom over him. "You've seen firsthand what those Shadows can do, we don't have time to waste. Politeness comes second."

Flutter sighed, "Still, we don't have to fight them. We have a common enemy."

"Borscht I swear! Stop wasting your time on this!" His partner shouted.

Borscht whipped around to face the other Pokémon. "Listen to me Hellbent, I lost my honor. First to that Zangoose and his friends, and now this crab! I will regain my honor against all of them!"

Flutter flew over Maryland and Zen and landed close to Hellbent and Borscht. "Would both of you please stop fighting for just a moment? What does stealing from us do when the Shadows will take control of you no matter what supplies you have?"

Borscht and Hellbent stared at Flutter for a moment. "We aren't worried, those Shadows will be defeated soon." Borscht seemed overly confident in this and Hellbent smacked the back of his head.

"What he meant to say was that it's unimportant," Hellbent growled.

Zen noticed quite a fallacy in what the rat had spouted. "Tell me this: who do you think is going to defeat all of those Shadows?"

Borscht shrugged, "Same ones who always have. I've seen all kinds of Shadow Creatures try and take this place over and they've always been stopped."

Zen's eyes narrowed. "And did you consider that they already tried to stop the Shadows? And now... now they're dead." Zen felt her voice break at the end, despite pushing the thought away there was no way that monster could've gotten the Ethereal Orb without capturing Zax and the others. And they'd never survive a creature like that.

The Frog Pokémon's eyes widened and the Ratatta just froze up. "They're... dead?" The Water Type repeated.

Zen clenched her fists. "These creatures are like nothing we've ever seen. The only chance we have now is to reach the Guild and Central Town and hopefully blast those monsters back to where they came. It's not a good plan, but it's all we've got."

The Walrein broke his silence and his blank expression resolved to one of despair. "I remember battling that Zangoose. His team was so determined if they could not succeed what hope do we have?"

Zen didn't know the answer herself. Zen, you know the answer. It's all around you. Solomon's voice broke her dreariness.

Zen took a long look around her. Hellbent, Maryland, Borscht, Flutter, his mother, Slowbro, a Walrein. How could they be the answer?

Meanwhile, the conversation continued. "We don't know, but we have to get home!"

"And what then? What's to say it hasn't been destroyed?"

"We've defended Central Town from attackers before! We'll do it again!"

"You couldn't defend against that Rayquaza. Nearly the entire town was wiped out in one instant."

Home.

"Isn't the solution obvious? The Guild and Central Town aren't the only places on this island." Zen said, breaking the conversation between Hellbent and Maryland. "It'll take the entire island coming together. But if we all fight, as Malena, we can win. But I need hope. Hope that everybody will set aside their differences for the greater good. Hellbent you can give us that hope. Will you join us in our fight to liberate Malena?"

Hellbent didn't speak for a long time, he seemed to really take in the words. "No." Zen felt everything shatter instantly. "I'll join you in the fight to liberate my home."

Zen re-pieced herself together and smiled. "Then we have hope. And we'll use that to take us all the way to Central Town."

"About that," Hellbent said. "Why not just take Escape Orbs back there?"

"We have no idea what's happened there. I can only assume the worst has happened, and we'll be teleported into a possibly decimated Guild. We need to scout ahead." Zen explained.

Hellbent nodded. "You can't expect to take this large of a party all the way to Central Town, it's too far a distance. It's risky, but why don't the villagers stay here with us and you see if you can't set up one of those fancy teleporters I've heard about."

"Do you mean like a two-way portal? I have no idea if that's even possible. And no idea if you won't betray all these Pokémon the instant we leave." Zen felt waves of doubt surge up.

The Ninja grinned through his scarf. "I know you can figure it out. It's still safer for them to stay here than to come with you and you know it. Unfortunately, you'll have to trust me, which I don't deserve. But I'll send Borscht with you, as insurance. Because he can't hurt you. And it doesn't help me to lose a Pokémon with half my wealth."

"I don't like this. This could easily be a lie and a trap." Maryland stated.

Zen agreed with her. This was far too risky, she had no way of knowing if everything would be alright for these Slowpoke, and she refused to abandon them.

Zen, we can communicate over long distances. I'll stay here and keep you updated. Solomon offered. Zen instantly wanted to protest but she knew this was the only option.

Alright then. I trust you so long as you want to do this. I'll find a way to get those teleporters running. Zen promised.

I know you will, now tell the others the plan.

Zen quickly explained the plan and everybody seemed to be in agreement. It was still risky in so many ways, but for now, it was the best shot they had. Zen didn't even know if there'd be a Central Town to get to, much less what had become of the residents. This was made on hope, and that was all she had.

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Hey look I managed to update the story without a massive gap in between parts. I hope everybody enjoyed this chapter and how the story is going.

I have no idea how many more parts this story will have as whenever I think about ideas I want to include and expand on from the first draft and outline the story seems to grow by three chapters. Hopefully, it'll be done before the turn of the century.

Knowing my schedule that's unlikely. Anyway thanks everybody for reading, I hope you have a wonderful day and tell me who or what you're most looking forward to seeing in the upcoming chapters! Bye Bye!