They followed the narrow passage the man had pointed out.
The tunnel was longer, quieter. The stone underfoot felt solid again, less prone to shifting. Ash moved carefully, testing each step before committing his weight. The echoes of their movement softened, as if the cave itself had relaxed.
After a while, the air changed.
It felt drier. Warmer.
Ash stopped when he saw the movement ahead.
Near a bend in the tunnel, a small Pokémon dug at the ground with quick, practiced motions. Sand scattered around its claws as it worked, unaware of the group behind it.
Ash raised his Pokédex.
Pokédex:"Sandshrew. Mouse Pokémon. Ground type. Burrows underground to avoid danger. Curls into a ball to protect itself."
Ash lowered the device slowly.
The Sandshrew noticed them a moment later. It froze, then turned, claws raised. Not aggressive, but ready.
Ash took a breath. "Rattata," he said.
Rattata stepped forward, alert but steady.
The Sandshrew struck first, curling tightly and rolling forward with surprising speed. Rattata jumped aside, claws scraping stone.
"Quick Attack!" Ash called.
Rattata darted in, struck, and pulled back. The Sandshrew uncurled and countered, slashing the ground, forcing Rattata to retreat again. The fight stayed close, both Pokémon circling, neither gaining ground easily.
Ash watched their footing. The tunnel walls. The space.
"Keep moving," he said. "Don't let it corner you."
Rattata feinted left, then rushed right, landing a clean hit. The Sandshrew stumbled, shook itself, and curled again, its defenses tightening.
Ash waited. One more exchange. Rattata struck once more, then retreated on its own, breathing hard.
The Sandshrew remained still for a moment longer than before.
Ash didn't rush it. He waited until it uncurling showed hesitation instead of defiance. Then he threw the Poké Ball.
The light struck cleanly.
The ball rocked once. Twice.
Then stilled.
Ash let out a breath and picked it up carefully. He didn't cheer. He didn't jump. He simply held it for a moment, feeling the weight of the decision.
"Welcome," he said quietly.
They continued on not long after.
The tunnel brightened ahead, stone thinning until daylight spilled in through a wide opening. Ash stepped out first, blinking as the sky opened above them. Dawn painted the land in pale gold.
Behind him, Charizard emerged and stopped beside him, wings brushing the cave wall as it stepped into the light. It didn't lift off. It stayed.
Ash looked back once at the dark mouth of Mt. Moon, then down at the Poké Ball in his hand.
They had made it through.
And together, they walked forward into the open road beyond.
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T/N:
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