They gathered at the enterance of the cave.

"This is the foot of Mt. Thunder. I wonder... Is Alakazam's team already on their way? Zapdos... It sounds very tough... Brr... I'm shaking..." Hope shuddered, then continued. "I shouldn't get all scared now! Our objective is to rescue Shiftry. Chelsey, let's do our best!"

And in they went. The Pokemon were getting tougher and the dungeons longer. Nidoran male and Cacnea constantly attacked them. Electrike, Pidgeotto, and Weedle were also popping up around every corner, itching for a fight. The only upside to it was the fact that Hope and Chelsey were getting stronger. They were even joined by a Weedle named Champion. Eventually, they reached the peak.

"This is the summit..." Hope said, before turning towards the sky.

"Hey! Zapdos! Where are you?! We came to rescue Shiftry! Come out!"

A scream sounded and the electric bird appeared. Hope jumped in alarm.

"Waah!"

Then the frightened Torchic hid behind his partner, shaking like a leaf.

"I warned you! I have no mercy for meddlers!" Zapdos roared.

"Not scared..." whimpered Hope. "You don't frighten me!" He ran back up front.

"Hey, Zapdos! We demand you release Shiftry! We're a Pokemon rescue team!"

"You must be determined, to utter such words. Then you shall answer... To my great and righteous fury!"

Then the fight began.

Mostly they used Blast Seeds and Gravelrock, as well as all their Reviver Seeds and some Scratch attacks thanks to Hope. Finally, Zapdos went down.

"Gyaoooh!"

At that moment, Alakazam and his team appeared. Alakazam was shocked.

"Wh-what is going on..."

"Urrggh! Uwoah!"

Zapdos started to spark like a firecracker about to go off. Charizard stepped in front.

"You want more? I'll take you on!"

"Enough! That's enough fighting. I've calmed down. Take Shiftry back." Zapdos turned to Hope and Chelsey. "You kids... You've impressed me. But... Things won't be this easy next time. I will go all out next time, so you'd best be prepared! Until then, you'd better hone your skills!"

With that, the big bird flew up into the clouds and disappeared from view. As promised, he left Shiftry behind.

"Look! There's Shiftry!"

Everyone gathered around.

"Are you OK?" Charizard asked.

The grass Pokemon weakly stood up and looked around.

"Ungh... Uh, yeah... Somehow, I am..."

"I'm glad you're safe!" Hope chirped.

"But that was an eye-opener. Driving off that Zapdos." said Tyranitar.

"I agree. You're awfully strong for a plain Chikorita." Charizard put in.

Chelsey turned to them as Alakazam paused.

"... I sensed it when we first met... Perhaps... You aren't a Pokemon, are you?"

Hope jumped in surprise.

"Wow! How can you tell that?! But you're right. Chelsey isn't a Pokemon. Chelsey is a human."

This statement caught everyone off guard.

"What?!" cried Shiftry.

"A human?!" Charizard asked, gaping.

"Is that possible? Can something like that happen?" Tyranitar asked.

"Chelsey doesn't understand very much either. Chelsey woke up one morning here as a Pokemon... And doesn't remember anything about being a human." Hope informed.

After a small pause, Hope turned to Alakazam.

"Oh, wait! Lombre said something in the square! He said Alakazam knows everything! Alakazam, could you figure out why Chelsey became a Pokemon?"

"... No... I can't determine that."

"Oh... I thought you would know..."

"However... There is a way for unveiling the truth."

"Oh, really? How?" Hope asked, smiling.

"Make way to the Hill of the Ancients. There, you will find a Pokemon that stares into the sun all day... A Pokemon who is said to see into the future. Xatu is his name. He should shed some light on your puzzling friend." Alakazam answered.

"OK! So we should go see Xatu. Chelsey, let's go! Off to the Hill of the Ancients! We can't waste any time! Let's go back quick! Shiftry, you too. Let's hurry back." he added, turning to the grass Pokemon.

"Uh... Yeah... I guess we should..."

Shiftry and Hope started off, but Chelsey remained rooted to the spot. Hope turned to her.

"Chelsey! Don't just stand there. Let's go home."

Without another thought or glance, she quietly followed, leaving Alakazam, Charizard and Tyranitar standing there.

"Alakazam. I know you. I don't think you're completely ignorant about this... You know something, don't you?" the fire Pokemon asked.

"There is something that concerns me. But it should go unspoken for now... For their sake.."

To be continued...

Yay! I'm sorry this chapter is a bit short, but I want to save the Hill of the Ancients and stuff for next chapter. Stay tuned.

Mini-Marianne