Back at the Moon Palace, the monsters reveled in their progress.
"Everything is going according to plan, Empress." Goldar growled. "The Adder monster is spreading his deadly toxin on the island and it's about to really take effect!"
"Splendid!" Rita said, cackling. She took a look into her Repulsascope and added, "But I think it's time we livened things up a bit more." With that, she raised her staff and cast a violet ray of energy toward Feron Grove. The earth began to tremble violently. Buildings shook and began to fall. People ran about in disarray, trying to find safety. It was utter chaos.
At that moment, the group of five finally pushed past the trees and saw the entrance to the cave, each one stumbling and struggling to maintain their balance.
"There's the cave!" Misty exclaimed as Ash helped her to her feet.
"We need to find a safe spot though!" Brock yelled, bracing himself against a tree. "This earthquake feels very serious!"
"Worse than that," Lia said. "This isn't just an ordinary earthquake."
As the teens tried to move forward, they were suddenly locked in place. They were totally frozen for some reason.
"I can't move…" Tracey said, straining to move his legs.
"What's going on? Tracey!" Misty tried to get to her friend, but she was just as immobile. "Wait, I feel it too!"
The tremors shook some trees from their posture. One started to fall right toward the group.
"Hold on!" Ash yelled, feebly attempting to move his leaden arms to block what was coming at them.
In that instant, all five teens felt a tingling sensation course through their bodies. Then, with a noise that almost sounded like the crack of lightning and the force of a cannon, they shot straight into the air and were gone as soon as they felt everything, leaving no trace.