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"I hope so," Andarien beamed, carefully setting the crystal into Miyuki's bag. "Then he can answer other questions for us, too!"

Suddenly something skittered past them, and Andarien jumped in surprise. Ponydash reacted instantly, whinnying and stomping on the creature. Within two blows, not only was the creature dead, but flat.

"Ponydash!" Andarien exclaimed in disgust, his stomach turning when he looked at the bit of fur, blood and bones that was now right next to him. "Gross!"

Aranxia stepped closer. "Just a rat," she sighed, sounding relieved.

Andarien nodded and looked away. He couldn't speak; his throat was slightly constricted still from the sight of the dead rat. It was the first time he had seen death - the first time he had seen any sort of injury, for that matter - and he didn't like it.

From deeper in the cavern, somewhere they could not yet see, came a rustling noise.

Aranxia tried to look for the source of the noise, but she couldn't see it. "You know, I don't mind a rat or two," she murmured, "but I really hope there aren't a lot of them ..."

That was a thought that made her a bit queasy.

Suddenly the rustling stopped and in its place came a steady, quiet shuffle instead. Eon was still at Aranxia's side, but he turned toward the noise and stood at attention, his red eyes fixed on a point in the darkness.

"I think leaving is a good idea," Andarien squeaked, noting Eon's actions. "Come on ..."

Aranxia closed her bag tightly and started for the entrance. "Yes, I think that would be a good idea," she agreed grimly.

If even Miyuki suggested it was time to go, she was more than happy to be the one to lead the way. She hadn't felt easy in here since they'd passed that first side tunnel, and now she felt the beginnings of fear.

Eon backed away from the darkness, keeping himself between it and the children. As they moved, the shuffle stopped. For a few moments there was only silence; then came a slow, rolling rumble - like thunder, but more animal in nature.

Andarien yelped and started running out of the cave. Ponydash followed him quickly, and with him went the light.

"Wait for us!" Aranxia called, lifting the bottom of her skirt so that she could also run.

The three of them, along with their pokemon, ran towards the exit of the cave: but when they reached the side tunnel that had caught Eon's attention on their way in, the path was blocked. Standing on the path with very little room on either side of it was undoubtedly - though none of the three had seen one before - a dragon.

It was the size of a horse, with a thick body. Its neck and tail were the same length, and it was standing at a slight angle as if preparing to swipe at the group with its tail if it needed to. Its head was long and narrow. Two twisted horns grew from each side of it, just behind its ears, and the light of Ponydash's fire reflected in its golden eyes. It just stood there, staring at the three, its tail twitching back and forth like an agitated cat's.

Aranxia trembled where she stood. She fingered the small dagger at her waist, wanting instinctively to take it out but knowing at the same time that it would be completely useless against the creature's scales. Andarien was equally frozen though perhaps foolishly less afraid.

The dragon continued to stare at the three of them, making a rumbling sound in its throat as it seemed to ponder their presence. It was similar to the rumbling they'd heard in the large cavern, though not as deep a sound. After a moment, the dragon's tongue flicked out of its mouth and then back in, like a snake sniffing the air.

"Mi ..." Andarien whimpered.

The dragon's eyes narrowed as if it were actually considering Miyuki's words. Eon and Ponydash moved slowly in front of the children, creating a protective line.

Behind them there was a loud crash and the ground seemed to shake beneath their feet. The dragon in front of them raised its head as if trying to get a better look at the group. Then suddenly, without warning, it opened its massive jaw and let out a thundering roar.

Andarien and Aranxia immediately covered their ears with their hands, cowering before the beast. It was all the signal Ponydash needed: rearing up, it let out an angry neigh and attacked using its Fire Blast. The flames washed over the dragon, and it let out another roar, this time one of pain, though when Ponydash's attack stopped, it didn't seem to have done any real damage.