The group made its way past the crowd and to the cave. Tracey examined the map and found that by going through the east side of the city, they could reach their destination through a small wooded area on the outskirts of the city.
"Man, it still looks terrible out," Ash said as they made their way through a dense patch of trees. They were in the middle of the woods, and the foliage got thicker and thicker, but the kids could still see the mass of clouds overhead.
"I know," Misty added, still feeling unnerved about the unknown danger. "But we're almost there."
Brock, who was at the rear of the group, stopped in his tracks. "What was that?"
"What do mean?" Tracey asked.
"I heard the leaves rustle," Brock replied, looking up at the treetops. They moved back and forth in the breeze.
"It's just the wind," Misty said.
Just then, one of the trees started to shake more than the others. The four teens turned quickly to face it, backing away and gasping as a figure jumped down, landing on both feet. The figure stood tall after a second, revealing itself to be a girl about Misty's age. She had raven hair tinged with blonde streaks reaching just past her shoulders and had deep blue eyes. She was wearing cargo pants and a white shirt with pink stripes down the shoulders.
"This is no time to be out for a stroll in the forest," she said.
"Who are you? And what were you doing hanging out up there?" Ash asked as he and the others sighed in semi-relief.
"Lia Feran," she answered, brushing herself off. "But there's no time for that. You need to get out of here."
"We can't! There's something going on back in town, and we have to see what's causing the trouble!" Brock yelled, a serious departure from his usual flirtatious nature around women.
"That's right! There are people and Pokémon hurt and dying! We have to help." Misty said.
"I've been trying to see what's been going on too, but unless you guys are Pokémon trainers, I'd suggest you leave," Lia said, not wavering. "Even then, I would back off."
"We are!" Tracey cried. "And who are you to be telling us to go away?"
"I've lived in Feron Grove my whole life. Things have never seemed this wrong this fast. I know this place."
"Then let us help you, Lia," Ash said. "Or we'll just have to go past you and leave you behind."
Lia stared at the four in front of her. The way they looked, it was as if they had experienced things like this before... What could she lose?
"Alright, but we'd better hurry," she said, extending her hand.
Ash nodded and shook her hand. "All right."