The time inched by slowly, held back by the weight of dread encompassing the storm-wracked atmosphere. All Holly could do was wait. She frequently shifted her gaze from Ani, just a trembling bundle of dark fur, to the precariously swaying tree limbs enveloping her, to the slight opening in the thick leaves. Rain forced its way through the intertwined branches despite their shelter; the girl's clothing was soaked through.

Holly had never been more terrified in her life. Why was this, of all things, happening on what had been such a nice day previously? She tried to convince herself that it was only rough weather, that it would all clear up soon. But she knew the thought wasn't true. The reporter had mentioned "Kyogre" and "Groudon" - creatures of myth that were told to have created the land and sea.

Obviously she didn't believe that THEY were the cause. The duo of legend were just mere fairy tales, made to give reasoning for the formation of ocean and dry ground. Holly was a person firmly rooted in reality, for the most part - there were exceptions, but their numbers were very few. Though she occasionally enjoyed experiencing tales woven by talented authors and storytellers, she had trouble getting as involved in the fantasy plots as many others. Due to this, she preferred nonfiction.

"Maybe he was just comparing what's happening right now to the story of Groudon and Kyogre," she murmured, half to Ani and half to herself. "But... that doesn't explain why you acted so strangely, Ani... and wouldn't Groudon mean a drought, too?" She trailed off, pondering the situation.

A loud clap of thunder interrupted her thoughts. The sound caused Holly to stand up with a start, the smooth bark beneath her bare feet quivering slightly.

"Lightning is drawn to tall objects!" she said in a strained whisper. "But it's not like there would've been other safe places to go - the water's rising too quickly!"

Sure enough, the unnatural rain had already climbed multiple feet above the forest floor. It surged in a powerful current that slapped the trees' trunks mercilessly. Though Holly couldn't see it, half of the little cottage had already been swept away by the storm.

"I-if we're not struck by lightning first, then the flood will take us instead..." the young girl squeaked, panic overtaking her voice. Ani looked up, her large crimson eyes filling with the same look of fear.

Holly despised being helpless, but what was there to do? Jumping from tree to tree would be too risky, and it'd take far too long to get out of Petalburg Woods in time. Jumping into the current was just stupid and would probably get both of them killed. The best option was to stay there... to continue waiting just as they had before, hoping the storm would cease before lightning struck or the water level rose too high.

Slowly sitting back down, the child picked up Ani, not only for her Poochyena's comfort but for her own. Tears welled up in her eyes. She was considered strong-willed by her peers at Hoenn's Trainer's School, always determined to get the best grades and to earn victory in battle assessments - but now, when the time really called for it, she could do absolutely nothing. She was trapped unexpectedly in a disaster larger than life. Staring out at the chaos surrounding her, Holly began to cry.

Painful minutes crawled by. Every passing moment made the threat of the current more real, and the shelter had been battered so that the unyielding rain grew increasingly powerful. More time. The flood had risen to Holly's feet; Ani had been returned to her Pokéball and stowed in the young trainer's backpack as she clung to a branch for dear life. She could soon feel the rushing waves loosening her grip...

"Hey!"

A woman's voice, stifled yet loud enough to be heard through the roaring storm. A shadowed figure atop a huge bird Pokémon swooped down to Holly's location, reaching out a hand to the girl. She willingly took it with the last of her energy. As soon as she had been lifted upon the large Flying-type, darkness spread across her eyes and she fell unconscious...