Archive of Our Own ^beta

The crash behind her was final, and horrifying, and Liko wanted to cry. Unfortunately, that wasn’t an option, because Amethio and Ceruledge were right behind her, attacking the still-falling pile of rocks with increasingly furious Psycho Cuts. 

“Floragato! Magical Leaf!” she cried, panic pitching her voice higher. Her faithful partner complied, but barely made a dent in the boulders before them. The final crash of rocks on the other side told her everything she needed to know—they were well and truly caved in. Amethio growled at her side, and Ceruledge continued to fire off Psycho Cuts, but Floragato stopped; she seemed to sense Liko’s despair, and the realization seemed to dawn that there was no escaping this. Not anymore.

Amethio pursed his lips tightly at Floragato’s pitiful meow, but sighed. “You’re right,” he mumbled. “It’s no use. We’re trapped. Spinel…”

Her heart was pounding with fear as she stared at the cave-in. We’re trapped. Stuck. We’re underground, so there may not be—

A soft gasp left her when she remembered. No, wait! Just because we’re underground doesn’t mean we don’t have service! Galar Mine had it! 

She pulled out her Rotom phone and groaned when static covered the screen. Well, so much for that plan. 

“Nothing, huh?” Amethio sighed. “Of course. Even if Glaseado Mountain had excellent cell service, Spinel would still find a way to block it. Can’t have us calling for help.”

She shivered, and whether it was from the cold or his words, she didn’t know. “He really wants us dead, huh?” 

He winced. “More me than you. You were likely just a bonus—after all, you’re the one with Terapagos.”

But he really wants you dead, she thought. Her eyes tracked him as he walked the length of the cave, Ceruledge at his back. What kind of organization is he part of, where his teammates try to kill him?

No matter how many times she tried to contact Roy and Dot, her Rotom phone couldn’t carry a signal, so eventually she gave up, stuffing it in her pocket. Terapagos was squirming in its bag, and she barely kept it from breaking out. Amethio had paced the length of the cave and was nearly in front of her again.

And, of course, that was when Terapagos escaped the bag.

It screamed at Amethio, screeching like he’d done something horrible directly to it. She tried holding it back, cradling the small Pokémon in her arms, but Terapagos continued to scream. 

“I’m not here to hurt you,” Amethio said softly. “I promise. You’re not in any danger, and neither is Liko.” 

“Terapagos, calm down!” Liko insisted, trying to stroke her Pokémon’s head. “Screaming at him isn’t going to help!”

Finally, Terapagos stopped. It seemed to realize something, tilting its head from side to side, examining Amethio with its normal wide-eyed gaze. 

“Terapagos?” Liko asked softly. “Are you okay?” 

Amethio huffed. “It seems like it’s realized I’m not going to hurt it. Or you.” 

So now, they were trapped in silence. Objectively, she knew it was because they couldn’t waste too much oxygen, but it still choked her. How could you suffocate to death right next to someone, when you’re both filled with so much animosity?

And there’s still my friends, she thought remorsefully. They were already so worried about me…and now I’m completely cut off from them. I won’t even get to say goodbye. 

The sadness wouldn’t completely hit her—some animalistic, fear-driven part of her brain kept insisting that there was a way out, that they could escape if they just tried hard enough. But realistically, if the boulders hadn’t broken, there was no chance the rest of the cave would.

A chill swept across her body. She shivered. “It’s getting colder,” she murmured, though she wasn’t sure to whom. Amethio? Terapagos? Floragato? Her faithful starter was curled into her side, shivering just as hard as Liko. But at her words, Floragato perked up and jumped to some ledge above her. There was shuffling, and what sounded like rustling plants, before her starter hopped back down, a bundle of weeds clutched in her paws.

Liko couldn’t help but chuckle despite herself, taking the weeds with a smile. As soon as she did, though, Floragato jumped back up to the ledge, then returned with yet another bundle. 

“Is this…to keep warm?” Liko asked, as Floragato left again. Her starter meowed from her ledge, making her smile. “Thanks, Floragato.”

By the time Floragato had brought her a third bundle of dried weeds—seriously, how did all of those get down here?—her eyes found Amethio, standing sullenly at the other end of the cave. Ceruledge was next to him, as always, and seemed to be watching Floragato with interest. As Liko gathered the weeds into her arms, she watched as Ceruledge offered one flaming blade to Amethio, and the older boy thanked him as he warmed his hands. 

Wait. Ceruledge is a fire-type, which should mean…

Floragato sprang back down, this bundle of weeds clutched in her paws much thinner than the previous one. Liko gave a small chuckle, then mustered her courage. 

It’s just Amethio. You’ve faced him dozens of times at this point, and he’s the least scary of the Explorers…even if he’s got a stern face. She was lying to herself, and she knew it, but it helped her take those few steps towards the other trainer. Amethio was terrifying, even though by Liko’s estimation, he couldn’t be more than two years older than her.

“May I ask…” 

Both trainer and Pokémon turned to her, and she swallowed hard. “May I ask Ceruledge to light a fire for us? It’s quicker to suffocate than to freeze to death.”

Amethio raised an eyebrow at her, and she readjusted her grip. “Also…I know I’m not the only one who’s cold.” 

His face didn’t change, but he turned to Ceruledge. “Do what she says.” 

The fire wasn’t big, but it was enough to dispel the immediate chill. Liko and Floragato sat down in relief, and even Terapagos poked its head out of its bag, where it had been hiding from the cold. She sighed, wiggling even closer, closing her eyes, and letting the warmth dust across her face. “That’s it.” 

Floragato rumbled next to her, and she opened her eyes to find her starter side-eyeing Amethio. He was still standing, arms folded, though his eyes were averted, and the fire made it look like he was blushing. Or maybe it’s not the fire? 

She imagined beating that thought back with a stick and scratched the top of Floragato’s head. “You could sit down…if you want,” she said softly, glancing between the purple-haired boy and his partner. The two exchanged a glance, then sat down. First Amethio, then Ceruledge. 

They fell into silence again, but this time it was interrupted by the crackling of their makeshift fire. She glanced up often, examining his face, his posture as he sat across from her. His features made him seem youthful, and she knew the figure beneath the bulky coat was long and thin, without much muscle. Up close, his long limbs seemed gangly and awkward, and even with his perfect posture, he didn’t seem to know what to do with them.

Have I ever been this close to him before? She wondered idly, and flushed at the thought. It grew worse when he met her eyes, and she realized she had been staring. Liko! What was that? What kind of creep are you, that you just stare at him—

“About our battle, earlier…” 

She started, jolting where she sat. Amethio’s mouth quirked in what might have been a smile, but otherwise didn’t react. “Yes?” She asked softly, leaning just barely closer.

“Why did you hesitate? When Ceruledge Terrastalized, you completely froze up. It was like all of the fire left you. Why?” 

His voice was soft, missing the jagged-edged barbs he usually threw at their group. His face was still stern, but Liko was beginning to think that was his normal face, and not out of any contempt for her in particular. 

Still, his question struck home, and she winced at the weight of her Tera Orb in her coat pocket. Unable to be used, even when she needed it, just because she couldn’t beat Grusha. 

“I was going through the Tera Training program,” she started, stroking Terapagos’s head. “I was hoping it would help me learn more about Terapagos. And…honestly, I was hoping it would make me stronger. But I lost to Grusha, and so I failed my usage test.”

Images of Altaria’s final Ice Beam filled her head. She could still hear the thing’s shrill cries and Floragato’s screams as she was frozen solid. 

As much as Roy and Dot had tried to convince her otherwise, Liko knew the truth. In failing her test, she’d failed Floragato, failed Terapagos, and failed herself.

“Does that mean you’re giving up? One lost battle, among what I’m fairly certain is one of dozens, and you abandon all you’ve worked for?”

Amethio’s voice had regained that sharp edge, and his eyes had narrowed into a glare. She met his with her own, refusing to break his gaze despite the terrified pounding of her heart. “I never said I was giving up.” There was still so much to do, after all—they needed to find the last of the Six Heroes, and reach Laqua. She couldn’t Terastalize, and it would be hard when Roy and Dot both could—but it wasn’t going to be the thing that made or broke her journey.

“I see,” he said, and while his face hadn’t changed at all, he sounded pleased. It looks good on him, she thought. The firelight cast dancing shadows over his face. His hair was all frizzy from the combination of the cold and the smoke, messing with its perfect style just enough to make him look—well, like any other boy. A question burned at the back of her throat—one that had been burning for months.

“I’ve been meaning to ask—during the battle with the black Rayquaza, why did you save me?” 

Though the nightmares about the incident had stopped for the most part, the scars she’d gotten from the shrapnel still burned when she thought about it. The smell of smoke wafting from the fire didn’t help, either.

Amethio didn’t respond for a long moment. When he did, his voice had regained the sharpness she was used to from him. “I told you. I wasn’t helping you, I was helping myself.” 

He wasn’t meeting her eyes, either, which made her rising anger at him even worse. “That’s a lie, and we both know it. If you hadn’t stepped in, I would have died that day. Why didn’t you let it happen? Clearly, your organization has no qualms about killing people.”

“It’s not ‘my organization’ that likes to kill people, it’s just Spinel,” Amethio seethed. “I’d like to think you don’t believe me capable of letting a kid die when I could do something to help. I’m not a monster.”

“Don’t call me a kid. You can’t be that much older than me,” she snorted. “But none of that answers my question. Why? I’m still your enemy.”

He bit his lip and shifted closer to Ceruledge. “Because…why wouldn’t I?”
She shuffled. Floragato curled up closer to her, kneading her leg like it was a blanket. “I guess…it’s because the Explorers are our enemies, you know? And I haven’t seen anything from any of you that gives me the impression that you’d do something like that. Stick your neck out for an enemy.” But as she said it, she realized it didn’t ring entirely true—there was one glaring exception. “Except for you.”

He looked at her quizically. “What do you mean?”
“Well—even from when we first met, back at Indigo Academy—you were never cruel. You saved Floragato, back when she was Sprigatito, and you never did anything that made me feel like you’d try to kill me. Not even your cronies did, though they’re still…admittedly scary.”

A low chuckle rang through the cave, and it took her a moment to realize it was Amethio. He laughed. I made him laugh?! 

“What?” she pouted. “What did I say?”
“Zirc and Onia are scary?” he raised an eyebrow, and that was definitely a smirk on his face. “I’ll make sure to tell them that. They’ll be very pleased.”

Liko huffed. “Well, they wouldn’t look scary to you, since they’re your underlings or something. But to me? Terrifying. Especially when the guy chased me in the middle of the night through the school.” 

“Zirc,” Amethio said, and the barest hints of a smile softened the tension between them. “That’s his name, by the way. And he’s actually a huge dork.” He paused, frowning into the fire. “Ever heard of ‘Nidothing?’”

Liko’s jaw dropped, and laughter bubbled in her throat. “You’re kidding. Do you watch—“

“Zirc does,” Amethio chuckled. “Less scary, right?” 

Liko nodded, laughing so hard that Terapagos looked over, concerned. Man, wait till I tell Dot about that. She’ll find it hilarious. 

Her laughter died when she remembered that she’d probably suffocate before she got to see Dot again. The air between them turned tense again, though not nearly as bad as it had been when they were first trapped.

“Back to my original point. Can I ask…why you’re doing all this? Why you’re chasing us across the world?”

Amethio took some time to answer. In the near-silence, she noticed him running his fingers up and down Ceruledge’s blade. How long have they been together? They’re too close to be just assigned to each other. 

“We need Terapagos,” Amethio said finally. “Or, I suppose…Gibeon wants it.” 

Growling from the side. Terapagos was thrashing again, and only calmed down once she removed it from the bag and stroked its head. “Who’s Gibeon?” She asked softly. 

“My grandfather, and the founder of the Explorers,” Amethio said. “And it’s important that I honor him and what he wants. I don’t expect you to understand.”

Grandfather, huh? It made sense when she thought about it—why he was so young, yet held such a high rank, why he was apparently the one trusted with the most important mission. Why others might want him gone. 

“I understand more than you think,” Liko said with a smile. “I mean…you already know that my grandmother gave me the pendant that started this whole thing. The pendant turned out to be Terapagos. It wants to go to Laqua—and so did she, for the longest time.” 

Amethio and Ceruledge gasped in tandem, and Liko looked up in confusion. 

“Terapagos wants to go to Laqua?” Amethio breathed. “That’s…surprising.” 

“Why?” 

He shifted, inching closer to the fire. “With everything I know about Laqua, and the adventurer…Terapagos should hate the mention of the name. The fact that it wants to go—the fact that it wants to guide you there—is strange.” 

“Why would you say that?” She asked. “Why do you want to go to Laqua?” 

He shrugged. “Like I said, Grandfather wants to. And I want to honor his wishes, help him get what he wants.” 

“So we’re both on missions passed down from our grandparents,” she said, smiling. “Who would’ve thought?” 

“Not me,” he said softly, meeting her eyes from across the fire. “I didn’t consider your motives at all—stupid of me, now that I think about it.” 

“Neither did I,” Liko admitted sheepishly. “Up until recently, I just thought of you as some creep who was trying to steal my friend.” She gave him a warm smile, cuddling Terapagos closer. “Guess you can’t really know someone until you talk, huh?” 

“I suppose not,” Amethio said, returning her smile just enough for her to tell. His posture was more relaxed—even Ceruledge had dropped its guard, and was now leaning against Amethio’s shoulder. Floragato had left her side to gather more weeds for the fire, judging by the rustling behind her. 

From there, their conversation was…easy. What else were they going to do? Suffocate in silence? Liko decided to explain the Nidothing lore to Amethio to pass the time, just to contextualize the one Explorer’s apparent obsession. 

“You talk like you know this person,” Amethio snorted. “I don’t get it. How do you do that? Just…imprint on a figure on a screen?” 

“It helps that I do know Nidothing in person,” Liko said. “But even before then…her energy and passion and everything kept me motivated, you know?”

Amethio perked up. “Wait, you know this person in real life?” 

Her mouth hung open, her next words dying on her tongue. “Uh…yes? But also, I can’t tell you. She’s, um. Very private.” 

“I understand,” Amethio said, and she let out a sigh of relief. “Still, if we ever get out of this, I may have to do my own research.” 

It took her a moment to realize, by the look on his face, that he was teasing her. Amethio, Mr. Stoic Extraordinaire, teasing her. 

And she laughed. 

His smile grew brighter, and with him illuminated by the fire, she realized he was pretty. Like, really pretty. 

Her heart beat faster, and she felt her face flush with heat. She quickly averted her gaze, but something in her said it was already too late. 

“Liko?” He asked softly. “Are you alright?” 

“I’m fine,” she replied quickly. “Aside from…you know, the obvious.” 

He hummed, looking up to the ceiling of the cave, and Liko continued to observe his face, even as Floragato curled up to her side again. His brow was furrowed, barely discernible behind the strands of his hair, and his lips were pursed. I wonder how it would feel if—

“Liko? Does something feel off to you?” 

Jolted from her thoughts, she glanced around the cave, eventually landing back on the fire. “No, why?” 

He shifted, one leg moving like he was going to stand up. “How has the smoke not filled the cave?” 

When he said it, the idea clicked in her brain. “Wait—you’re right. I don’t see any, which means—”

He grinned—widely, almost like a smirk. “Exactly. There’s some ventilation in the cave, and if there’s ventilation—”

“Then there’s a way out,” she finished, smiling just as bright. “Amethio, that’s great! We won’t die after all.” 

“No,” he said. “No, we won’t.” 

***

Amethio’s ventilation turned out to be a crack in the ceiling ringed with moss and dangling weeds. It wasn’t large, but it was enough to let air through.

“Corviknight can get us up there, but we need to widen the crack first,” Amethio said. “Do you think…?” he glanced at Floragato. 

“Of course!” She turned to her partner. “You think you can help Ceruledge widen the gap?” 

Floragato meowed in agreement, raising a paw toward Ceruledge, who raised one blade in return. 

“Ceruledge, be ready,” Amethio said, taking out a poké ball. “Corviknight!”

The large metal bird emerged, barely even ruffling its feathers as it settled down. Amethio stepped up to it, putting one hand on its beak. 

“Ceruledge and Floragato will be riding on your back,” he said, stroking it. “Are you okay with that?” 

Corviknight gave a soft chirp, nuzzling its head against Amethio’s hand. The boy smiled, giving it one last head scratch. “There’s a good girl. Ceruledge?” 

His partner mounted the bird, followed by Floragato at Liko’s signal. And at Amethio’s command, Corviknight took off. A few Psycho Cuts from Ceruledge and Magical Leaves from Floragato knocked several lodge boulders loose, and only Hattrem’s Brutal Swing saved her from being crushed. 

“Nice!” Came Amethio’s voice from the side. She grinned, watching their partners come down from the ceiling. 

“Corviknight broke through,” Amethio said. “We have our way out.” 

“Yeah, now we have to climb,” Liko replied. But when she looked around, she didn’t find many good hand or footholds to use, and she knew her arm strength wasn’t the best. “Can we even—“

”We don’t have to climb,” Amethio said, and if Liko didn’t know better, she’d say he was blushing. “Corviknight’s okay with carrying two—for short distances.” 

Liko blushed, realizing what he meant. “Oh—okay. If you—and Corviknight—are okay with it, then sure.” 

Corviknight gave a squawk that sounded suspiciously like a sigh, and Ceruledge and Floragato shared a glance. Together, the two bounded up the ledges and latched onto the gap at the top. Floragato made it through first, peering down through the crack with a curious meow. 

“We’re coming,” Liko sighed, glancing shyly at Amethio. “So—um—”
“Just get on,” he said quickly, and for a moment, Liko was reminded of how Dot would act whenever she was embarrassed. As though insinuating that he might have feelings was so embarrassing that he needed to be rude to hide it. 

With a sheepish glance at Corviknight, Liko got on its back, resting her hands where the metal plating of its head met its body. She was so enamoured with the bird’s plumage that she didn’t notice Amethio until he was seated right behind her. 

Her face flushed with intense heat, and the beating of her heart was so loud she was certain Amethio could hear. His arms were wrapped tightly around her waist, as though he was afraid of her falling off. She clutched Corviknight’s feathers even tighter, trying not to think about how warm Amethio was against her back. 

“Liko? We’re out,” Amethio said, and it took her a moment to realize that she was feeling a cold wind brush over her face, and that Corviknight had turned around to look at her. She could swear there was worry in the stoic pokémon’s eyes. 

“Oh! Right, sorry,” she said hurriedly, sliding off the bird’s back, stroking her feathers for good measure. “Thank you, Corviknight. And, um…” 

“This is where we part ways, then,” Amethio said, cutting her off. “I have to return to the Explorers.” 

“Right,” she said, fidgeting where she stood. “Amethio…” 

He turned around, looking at her with a questioning expression, and she took that as an invitation to speak. “If we—the Explorers and the Rising Volt Tacklers, that is—are both going after Laqua, then why don’t we do it together? What am I missing?”

“Just because we’re going after the same thing doesn’t mean our methods aren’t different,” Amethio snapped, and she took a single step back. “I’m cutting my own path forward. You know that.” 

She nodded, and his face softened. “But…a word of warning: watch out for Spinel. He’s clearly not above murder to get what he wants, and he may try to target your crew to do it. I don’t know what he wants with the Treasure of Eternity, but it can’t be good. So…if you see him, watch your back.”

“As long as you watch yours,” Liko said softly. “Take care of yourself, Amethio.”
He smiled, but didn’t respond, gesturing to Ceruledge and Corviknight as he began walking away. 

She was seized by the inexplicable urge to call out to him, though she had no idea what she’d even say. So instead, she turned to Floragato, who was holding Terapagos’s bag safely between her paws. 

“Let’s head back, Floragato,” she said softly, taking the bag from her partner. “We’ve kept Roy and Dot waiting long enough.”

***

Later, when Friede asked her what else she’d been keeping from him, she couldn’t help but laugh to herself. 

Sorry, Friede, she thought. I’ve got no idea where to start with that.