Karen ignored the random screams from former humans. She was flying far above their heads. Even if she looked down, all she could see was random blobs of color that were the transformed humans. I know what I'm doing is foolish. I should just put aside my differences with Amanda and just deal with it. But I can't. This is no longer just our problem. This is now the problems of everyone in this town. Perhaps even a global issue. I hope this is just a local thing. She thought, flying higher. The sea came into view. Wingull flew around the beach, looking for food. They are lesser than I. I can fight them if they try to become any trouble.

One Wingull saw the massive female Lugia begin to dive toward the sea. "Oooooo!! A great one!" They began to chant. While Karen made her descent, the Wingull began to follow her. They more or less revered the Lugia as a guardian of the seas.

Karen sighed heavily and continued to dive. Once in range, the long flaps on her back closed, making her body streamline. Get ready. She told herself, straightening herself out for a direct hit with the water. With a loud splash, Karen's body slammed into the water. The impact of the water was a shock to her face since it was so cold. Whew! This is very chilly water! I'd hate to be a human right now!

Several Magikarp swam by, ignoring the massive sea beast. Karen watched them with great fascination. So this is the sea. She began to use her wings as paddles and her tail as a rudder. Slowly, Karen propelled herself forward.

Meanwhile, back on soar, chaos ruled. Amanda perched on a house, watching the humans that were turned to Pokemon panic. I wonder when this will stop. She sighed heavily and turned to face a Pidgeot that had perched next to her. "Do I know you?" She asked rudely.

The Pidgeot glanced at her and replied, "I went to your school."

"Ah."

"Hey. Uh. Do you know what happened? Why are we like this?"

Amanda closed her eyes. "I'm not sure." The Pidgeot sighed and flew off. Amanda watched the bird fly off, then she went back to her observations. Heather, Kyle, and Mark raced around town. Amanda assumed that they were racing. This is no time for games. Maybe I should apologize to Karen? Then Spirit would return and we could continue our quest.

Suddenly, something slammed into the house where Amanda was perched. It almost knocked her to the ground. She peeped over the edge of the house and saw a Tyranitar that had fallen into the house. A Rhydon stood in front of the dark Pokemon. "You won't escape me!!" The Rhydon bellowed. The Tyranitar snarled and lunged at the rock Pokemon.

"What the?" Amanda wondered, watching the battle. The Tyranitar shoved the Rhydon. The Rhydon shoved back. "WILL YOU TWO STOP IT?!" Amanda bellowed.

"Huh?" Both the Rhydon and Tyranitar looked up.

"Quit fighting! Stop it! Stop it!" Amanda opened her wings, flinging embers all over the house. The house caught on fire. "Oops…"

"Oh wonderful. Way to go, genius!" The Rhydon bellowed, kicking sand on the fire. The flames went out. "Will you be more careful?" He scolded Amanda.

Amanda growled and flew into the sky. She headed toward the sea. Her mission was to see if Karen was anywhere near the beach. Maybe she could apologize? "I want to restore things to normal," she said to herself.

Once she reached the beach, several Wingull spotted her. "A Ho-oh! The guardian of the sky!!" They screeched.

"Did you see a Lugia?" Amanda asked. However, the Wingull were too busy chattering to hear her. "Ahem! DID ANY OF YOU SEE A LUGIA?!" Amanda yelled.

The Wingull scattered slightly in fear. Then they answered, "Yes. A female. She went into the sea."

"I'm too late!" Amanda gasped.

Meanwhile, Karen dived deeper. She had seen several Gyarados swim by. Even though they did ignore her, she was still rattled. Suddenly, she could sense something was approaching her. A pod! Karen watched as an entire pod of Lugia swam by her. They ignored her presence. Maybe they'll accept me? She wondered, following them.

The alpha male was an old adult. Judging by his appearance, Karen could tell that he had been someone who had seen lots of battles in his life. A scar was over his left eye. The alpha female was a lanky creature. Her tail had been damaged from a battle against something with a lot of teeth. Sharpedo? Karen wondered. Behind them was a young male. For some strange reason, Karen was attracted to him. His body was sleek and silver. He was the only one that seemed to notice her.

Hello. His voice rang out in her mind. He was using telepathy!

Hi. Um, may I ask where you are going? Karen asked.

The young male chuckled, Deeper. Our hunting ground is close to the bottom of the sea. If you ask my father, he might allow you to join our pod.

You really think so? Karen asked.

His voice chuckled in her mind. More than likely. If not, I'll deal with him.

Karen swam closer toward the pod. The old male spotted her and turned to face her. Who are you, intruder? He asked.

I am not an intruder. I am seeking a pod. I am alone.

Right. And I'm a Ho-oh. You have to do better than that.

Please. I beg. I have no family. I am all alone.

The old male wasn't buying Karen's excuses. He opened his mouth and a blinding blast of energy hit Karen. She had no time to use a barrier. FATHER! The young male left the pod and swam to Klara. He looked at her carefully. Blood seeped from a wound on her neck. If his father had been younger and his aim better, she would have been killed. Father. Why did you attack her? She's alone.

The old male rumbled deep in his throat. You do not understand. If you wish to be by her side, then you must leave our pod. I cannot have anyone threatening this pod.

But Father! The young male looked at the weak Karen. She had passed out. There is no way she's a threat to us!

I cannot risk that. You might be right, my son. However, you might be wrong. You are of age to leave this pod anyway. It is time that you start your own.

The young male lowered his head. Very well. He watched as his family swam off in the distance. By this time, Karen began to awaken. Good. I'm glad to see you're recovered your senses.

What happened?

My father attacked you, then…my family left. I chose to stay here. You need someone to protect you. Right?

Karen gasped. The young male was…flirting with her?! Uh. Yeah. I guess. That's all she could think of to say.

Good. Oh, I suppose I should learn your name. May I ask? The male asked politely.

Yeah. I'm Karen. And you are?

Mercury.

Mercury? Why Mercury? Karen looked puzzled.

Quicksilver. I'm fast and I'm silver. Mercury. He explained.

Karen felt stupid. She should have known that. Oh. So now what?

I'm not sure.

Karen glanced at Quicksilver. He was handsome. But he was a true Lugia. She was one that had been transformed. A human. That made her feel sick.