Delphox was leading Aeon, Liu, and Echo into the tunnel system. "Stay close to me. Like I said before, these caves are treacherous for those who don't know them." She murmured. As Team Oddity looked around the dimly-lit tunnels, a collective chill ran through them.

"It'd be easy to get lost here, that's for sure." Aeon muttered. "This cave doesn't even look that big from the outside; how does it go so deep?"

"Looks can be deceiving." Delphox responded. "Our leading theory is that this used to be a mystery dungeon, but at some point the layout settled, and what's left is what we're seeing right now. Like all mystery dungeons, space is warped here, so it may be bigger on the inside than on the outside."

"These tunnels give me the creeps." Liu shivered, rubbing her arms. "Are you sure they're safe?"

"As far as we are aware, yes. We have not spotted any hostile pokemon in these tunnels, nor anything else unusual. The only danger is getting lost, along with a few rooms that hold some nasty surprises." Delphox suddenly stopped in front of a tunnel. Along the ground, there was a red line smeared in paint. "We're here." She turned to Team Oddity. "Past this point, you'll need those earplugs. If Echo really can read auras, you'll need to stay close to him in case anything happens." She sighed. "It pains me to ask this of you since you've been here for such a short time, but... you're the only other potential exploration team in Rebirth's Cave. Nobody else has much faith in the old ways, these days."

Aeon grinned. "Don't worry, Delphox. We'll get to the bottom of this. We can't flub our first mission, after all." He turned to Liu and Echo, and nodded. They each put in their set of earplugs, and took a deep breath, then let it out. Delphox pointed to the way they'd came, and mouthed "Going back. Don't take too long." Team Oddity nodded, and as Delphox began to retrace her steps, they looked at the tunnel before them. Suddenly, a voice sounded in Aeon and Echo's heads.

Well, let's get this over with. They looked around, and then noticed Liu looking at them expectantly. She stared at them, then realized they weren't getting it. With a roll of her eyes and a huff, the voice sounded again. It's me, dummies. Psychic, remember? It'll be easier for us to communicate like this. I'll link our minds temporarily so you can talk to each other. I'm not gonna waste time relaying your words back and forth. There was a pause as Liu touched both their heads, then she nodded. There. Better? Just think what you wanna say.

Like this? Echo asked.

Aeon turned to look at Echo. Woah. Weird. I heard that.

Of course you did. Liu responded. Now let's quit wasting time. We should investigate and get in and out. I don't wanna spend time here longer than I have to. Liu began flying ahead, and Aeon and Echo looked at each other, before following after her.

Can you see anything, Echo? Aeon asked.

Echo shook his head. No, I'm still practicing. At the moment I can only view auras or the real world. Not both at the same time. Give me a sec. Echo closed his eyes and concentrated. When he opened them again, his once-blue eyes were a startling red.

Woah! Aeon took a step back. Jeez, what a change.

Sorry. I should have warned you. My eyes turn red when I'm looking at auras. Echo apologized. After a few moments, he continued Found something. Bright green, like a grass-type. Seems healthy, but... Echo frowned. There's something... off. I can't put my paw on it, but it's like... something's smothering the aura. Like an invisible force of some kind.

Liu shrugged. Whatever. As long as we have a trail. Lead the way.

Echo nodded, his eyes fading back into blue. For some reason, he felt a slight headache coming on, but he didn't think much of it as he led Aeon and Liu further into the cave. We're getting close. Liu, you said you could move the boulder when we get there, right?

Yeah. I can use almost any move. Except for super-powerful ones, like the kind a deity might use. Roar of Time, Spatial Rend. Rayquaza thought it was pretty funny I couldn't use Dragon Ascent, back when I was still living at Sky Stairway. She scowled. What a brat.

After a few more minutes, they arrived at the boulder. Alright, now's your time to shine, princess. Aeon teased.

Liu growled at him, but refrained from hitting him over the head. She positioned herself on one side of the boulder, and took a deep breath. She began to glow a faint white, then let out a yell, before slamming her paws as hard as she could into the rock, sending it rolling in the opposite direction. She turned to the other two and grinned. After you.

Impressive. Aeon admitted. Glad you've never used that on me.

Depends on what you say to me. Liu scoffed. With that, Aeon and Echo headed into the cave, and Liu used Strength again to move the boulder back into place behind them, before following after.

We'll take a left here. Echo pointed at the left most tunnel. His headache was growing, but he tried to ignore it. Eventually, and with Echo's help, Aeon and Liu came to the end of the tunnel, and what they saw shocked them. The path simply... ended. Before them was an enormous pit, the bottom too deep to see. More than that though: in the center of the pit, hovering in the air, was a silver, foggy bubble that glowed.

What the heck is that? Liu asked. What's all this?

Aeon shook his head. No clue. Maybe we should—

Aaaaaghhh! Echo's voice sounded in their heads, and both of them whirled around. Behind them, Echo's eyes were flashing rapidly between blue and red.

Echo! They cried. Echo, are you okay?! What's happening? Liu asked.

I... knew it... Echo managed, clutching his head. Something is seriously wrong... with that pokemon's aura! It's putting me into some kind of shock... It's laced with something... evil. I can't control my aura vision!

What do we do? Aeon asked frantically.

There's nothing... you CAN do. Echo shook his head, clenching his eyes shut. I'm gonna be okay, I think, but... I might... stop talking or listening. I probably won't be able to... respond to you guys for a while. Just... go investigate that bubble. We're almost to the bottom of this... I can feel it...

O-okay. Liu said cautiously. Just— close your eyes and, try to relax. This won't take long, hopefully! Echo managed a nod, and sat close to the wall, leaning back with a paw on his head.

Aeon and Liu gave each other a glance, then Aeon asked How are we going to get to the bubble, though?

Leave that to me. Liu growled. She put a paw out, and made a small, square platform made of pink energy. Just follow my lead. I'll make a path for us. She hopped from one platform to the next, Aeon shakily following behind her. Once she reached the bubble, she pounded as hard as she could on its outer surface. HEY! She yelled, broadcasting her thoughts as loud as she could, while extending her telepathic channel outward. Aeon flinched. We know you're in there! Open up and talk to us!

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

There was a moment of silence, then the front of the bubble began to defog. Looking at them were a pair of light brown eyes. Liu tilted her head. Huh? As the bubble cleared up completely, a Leafeon sat before them.

The Leafeon said something, but they still had their earplugs in. It didn't seem to be playing any music at the moment, so Liu removed her earplugs, with Aeon following suit.

"What?" Liu asked.

"I asked who you are." The Leafeon inquired curiously. "I don't get many visitors."

"I'm Liu, and this is Aeon." Liu replied, gesturing to him. "Are you the one that's been playing that lullaby?"

At this, the Leafeon smiled. "Oh, yeah. That was me! It's nice, isn't it?"

"What? No, it isn't." Liu said incredulously. "You're being a pain to the people who live in this cave! Aeon, tell her—"

But as she turned to Aeon, he had a dopey, dreamy look on his face. "What a cutie..." He murmured, his gaze on the Leafeon. Liu stared at him, then slapped him across the face. "Hey, Casanova! Get it together!"

Aeon shook from his trance and clutched his cheek. "Owww! Hey, what the heck?!" He yelled at Liu.

"Focus, dummy! We're here to investigate, remember?" Liu growled in an accusatory tone. She turned her gaze back to the Leafeon. "And you are...?"

"I'm Fortuna." the Leafeon answered with a smile. "It's nice to meet you!"

"Well, look. Fortuna. I don't know what you're doing here, and I don't really care. But why are you playing that lullaby all the time? It's making people pass out in the cave, beyond these tunnels."

"Oh? Well, I'm just trying to help them get some sleep, is all." Fortuna cocked her head in confusion.

"In the middle of the day? Every day?" Liu asked suspiciously. "What for? Why?"

"Why? Well, because—" Fortuna frowned. "Hmm. Wait. Why do I do that again? I don't—" Then she shuddered, and the light went out of her eyes. After a few seconds, she responded in a monotone voice "No. Must not question. Must obey Master."

"Master?" Liu paused. "What Master? What happened to you just now?"

"Master's slaves always obey. I am Master's slave. I must obey." Fortuna said in the same robotic way. "Master orders the lullaby. All pokemon must go to sleep."

"Who is this 'Master'?" Aeon ventured, stepping forward and speaking for the first time since Liu had hit him.

"Forbidden. Cannot tell. Master must be kept secret." Fortuna droned. "Part of Master's plan. Recapture surface, take over region."

"What?" Liu whispered, apprehension growing.

"Must obey Master. Must watch... the pretty stone. Back and forth." Fortuna smiled dreamily. "So pretty. Back and forth."

Aeon's eyes narrowed. "Uh-oh."

"Uh-oh?" Liu turned to him, panic rising. "What uh-oh?"

"Hey Liu." Aeon's voice was ominous. "We're dealing with someone who's clearly being mind controlled. What do you think of first when you hear the words back and forth?"

"Uh. A metronome? I guess?" Liu thought for a moment. "A clock? A pendulum?"

Aeon snapped his paw. "Bingo. Pendulum. This Fortuna's under mind control, but there's another word for that, isn't there?" He looked at Liu meaningfully. "What is it?"

Liu was beginning to get annoyed. "What is this, riddle hour? I dunno, uh... trance? Seduction? Hypnosis?"

"Right again." Aeon interrupted on the third word. "We've got a pendulum. We've got someone under hypnosis. What does that sound like to you?"

Liu put a paw to her head, thinking for a moment. Then her stomach dropped, and she shivered. "A... Hypno."

Immediately, Fortuna shrieked, and covered her ears. Aeon and Liu stared at Fortuna in shock. "What was that about?!" Aeon shouted.

"Don't say Master's name! Bad! Bad bad bad! Slaves shouldn't say or hear his name. Not worthy!"

"Worthy...? It's a Hypno, not a di—" Liu started, but was interrupted by another sob from Fortuna.

"Stop! Please! Cannot hear! Bad, punishment! Nightmares!" Fortuna screeched.

Liu grabbed Fortuna by the shoulders and shook her. "Where?! Where is he? We'll keep saying it until you tell us!"

Aeon's eyes widened and he tried to pull Liu off. "Liu, woah! Hey, knock it off—"

"Cave!" Fortuna cried.

"Cave?! Which cave? This cave?!" Liu growled.

"Red cave! Torture cave! Laughing cave!" Fortuna sobbed.

Liu broke out in a cold sweat and unceremoniously dropped Fortuna to the floor of the bubble. "W-what? What... did you say?"

"Torture cave. Reddish stone, laughing cave. Run by more of Master's slaves! Please, stop saying his name..." Fortuna whimpered.

Liu's heartbeat began to speed up, and her breathing got heavier. She floated backwards a foot or two, and Aeon noticed the pink platforms beneath him beginning to flicker. "Liu—" Aeon's gaze went from the platforms to Liu's face. There, he saw an expression of deep, shivering fear.

Liu wrapped her arms around her shoulders. "No. No, that can't be right. No, no no... No. I can't... I can't do it. I can't do it again. Not again." The platforms began to blink in and out of existence. Aeon knew it was a matter of seconds before they disappeared completely, and he grabbed Liu, who was unresponsive. He moved as fast as he could, dashing across the platforms and throwing himself back onto the path they'd came from.

He got to his feet, and let go of Liu, who dropped to the floor near Echo. "No. No, no, no. No, I can't. I don't wanna go back there." She mumbled to herself.

"Liu." Aeon shook her. Getting no response, he bellowed "LIU!"

"H-huh? What? What, what happened?" Liu gasped, looking around.

"Get a grip, girl!" Aeon shouted. "What is going on with you?"

Liu paused for a moment, then realized what had happened. Her face turned a bright red, and she shakily floated into the air. "N-nothing. I'm fine. It's fine. I'm here, not there."

"There, where?" Aeon asked urgently. "Of course you're here, where else would you be?"

Liu's gaze was on the floor, then on Echo, then on Aeon. "We can't stay here. We need to go."

"Alright, calm down. You're clearly out of it, so let's go back to Delphox and just—" Aeon began.

"NO!" Liu shouted. "We need to GO! As in leave, leave this cave, leave this part of the region! We can't stay here!"

Aeon's face hardened, and he raised his paw, before slapping her across the face. Liu's eyes widened, and she touched her cheek in disbelief. "STOP IT!" Aeon yelled. "Whatever this is, just STOP! Normally I'm in the mood for your bullying and bossing me around, but we can't afford this right now! Get a HOLD of yourself. Take a breath, for Arceus's sake! Take a moment to relax, if you need to! But we're NOT leaving! Especially not now! You need to start explaining, or I can't help you work through whatever is going on, and we can't get any further with this!"

Liu's eyes filled with tears, and Aeon realized he might have gone too far. He scratched his head awkwardly, then looked away. "Uh. L-look, I'm sorry, Liu. I shouldn't have hit you, you can hit me back if you really wa—" He was interrupted by Liu wrapping her arms around him in a hug, and sobbing into his shoulder. "Liu...?" Aeon said blankly. "What—"

"It's that cave..." Liu sniffled. "That cave you guys found me in, when I went missing, at the beach that time. I know I should have told you, but it's so embarrassing, and humiliating... I just... couldn't bring myself to do it."

"Liu, you're not making any sense." Aeon stated gently. "Calm down, and tell me what happened."

For a few moments, Liu was silent, continuing to hug him. Then she let go. "Okay. But... first, let's get out of here." Catching his look, she quickly said "I just mean the tunnels. Let's head back." She cast a glance at the silver bubble, which had re-sealed and re-fogged. "I don't wanna stay here."

Aeon sighed, and took Echo in his arms. "We should put those earplugs back in. She's probably gonna start up again any second." Liu nodded, and put her earplugs back in, then put Aeon's in for him. With that, they set off, back to Rebirth's cave, ready to report the results of their first mission.