Wow, chapter eleven already. Sorry for not updating these past few days. School has been messing with my mind. _ Like, seriously…Anyway, I'll be working on this as well as a few other things that I just recently got back into. I've already put a few up, and it's done. Now I gotta get back into this. My dad is being really controlling, so I won't be on as much to update. Gomen nasai!

…CHAPTER ELEVEN: The Mighty Oak's Secret

A scream tore the night. Treecko had never heard Solay scream before, but he automatically knew it was her. Shadow had shot off immediately, and with a quick glance at Mudkip, they, too, went to find her. Behind them, most of the Guild was trudging as fast as they dared to her rescue.

As they ran blindly through the forest, Treecko realized they had a problem. They had no idea where Solay was. They were just swerving through trees trying to find her. What good was this doing? She could be in a completely different direction. He looked ahead to Shadow, who was leaping between trees…with his eyes closed?

Treecko nearly tripped. How could he be doing that? He had his eyes shut tight, and the little black raindrop-shaped things on the side of his head were sticking straight out. Treecko blinked a few times, then it occurred to him. Shadow could sense aura, couldn't he? Yes, that was it. He was using his ability to pinpoint where Solay was. Treecko let out his breath. Good, so they did know where they were going.

"Something wrong, Treecko?" Mudkip asked from beside him.

He shook his head. "Nope. Just had a thought for a second, but I have an answer now."

Shadow led them all the way to the largest tree in the forest. It was the same clearing where they'd met Gallade earlier. Now, Shadow swung his head back and forth a little, scowling.

"Where is she? I can't sense her!"

"Over here," called a quavering voice. It was coming from the other side of a gigantic root, which was at least four times Shadow's height.

Treecko went first, having the best climbing ability. He poked his head over, looking down. Solay was looking up at him, standing on her back paws, front ones places on the root.

"Hi," she said.

"Hi," Treecko replied. "You're not hurt, are you?"

She shook her head. "No, I was just surprised. Who's with you?"

Before Treecko could reply, Shadow leaped up to join him, nearly toppling over without a hand from Treecko. "Solay, are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine," she repeated. "Who's with you?"

"We're all here," Shadow replied.

She looked surprised. "Really? Did I scream that loud?"

"Yes!" Mudkip called loudly from the other side, causing Solay to smirk.

"Well…I found something." She lowered her front paws, going back down on all fours. Padding over to the tree, she placed a paw on it. The tree indented under her pawprint, and soon, her whole leg disappeared into it. Within a few moments, Solay was gone.

"OHMYLORDARCEUS!" Shadow fainted, and would've fallen if Treecko hadn't caught him.

"What? What's going on up there?" Mudkip called. "Come on, Treecko, tell us!"

Treecko couldn't find his voice to answer right away. It took him a few times, glancing on both sides of the root. "Well…Solay…went into the tree."

"Excuse me?"

"Just what I said," Treecko said shortly. "She went into the tree. She reached up and touched it and kinda…melted into it."

There was an awkward silence from everyone until Solay leaped up to join Treecko, startling him because he'd been facing the other way. Her back paws scrabbled for a grip, and she hauled herself to the top.

"I guess I should've warned you."

"Like heck you should've!" Treecko argued. "Oh, and Shadow fainted," he added after a slight pause.

"So I see." She studied him for a minute, then grinned diabolically and blew a little flame on him.

Shadow woke up instantly, limbs failing in every direction. "I'M ON FIRE! I'M ON FIIIREEE!" He fell off the branch and did a face-plant into the ground, which spawned laughter from everyone but him. He lifted his head from the ground, glaring up at Solay and Treecko. "I hate you."

"I know you do," she giggled. "Now, come on, everybody. We have a melting tree to investigate."

By some miracle or another, everyone managed to get around or over the root. When they were all assembled, Solay raised a paw again. It sunk right into the wood, and she was pulled in. There were gasps and murmurs. No one else was quite sure about following her. However, when Solay poked her head back out, looking quizzical at why she wasn't being followed, one by one, they all let themselves be taken in.

Inside the tree was miraculous. There were intricate carvings in the inner structures, and it looked almost lived-in. there was no clear ceiling, and jagged steps spiraled all the way up to the top before disappearing from view. There were little lights in "windows" that glowed in many different colors. Square-shaped boxes came out of the side of the tree, which the stairs led right to. They assumed this is where Pokémon could live.

Solay let them take it in. "I know," she said. "I only glimpsed it when I got sucked in the first time, but now…it's breathtaking, isn't it?" Her gaze was intrigued, but calculating and with a hint of frost. She didn't really trust this place.

"Whoa…" Mudkip went forward a few paces, head swiveling in all directions. "I wish I had eight more eyes."

"We all do, yup yup!" Bidoof said from somewhere behind her.

"I know it's late, but we should explore this place now," Solay said. "While it's fresh in our minds. Shadow, Treecko, Mudkip and I will head up the stairs. It looks like there's a passage ahead of us. Well, let's split in half. Bidoof, Corphish, and Sunflora, you guys come with us. We'll go up, the rest go down."

With the plan settled, the groups split. Solay led her teammates up, while Wigglytuff led his down. They hadn't been walking very long when the path branched in two. Bidoof, Corphish, and Sunflora voted to take the right path, which left Solay, Shadow, Treecko, and Mudkip with the left. Five minutes later, and also fairly high up in the tree, the path forked again.

"Hmm…" Mudkip tipped her head to the side. "What do we do now?"

"We could split up," Shadow offered. "Two of us go left, and the other two go right."

Treecko nodded. "That sounds good."

"I call Shadow!" Mudkip said automatically. "Treecko, you and Solay go left. Shadow and I will go right."

"But, wait, wouldn't it be better for you and I to go together, Mudkip?" Treecko asked, not really wanting to be stuck with Solay.

"I think it's a great idea," Solay replied cheerily, as if she hadn't heard. "Okay, see you two in a bit." She started off, without even looking back. Treecko glanced down the right path at the retreating backs of his friends, then hurried after her.

"Well, wait up!"

…

What awaits at the top of the Mighty Oak? Stay tuned for the next chapter!