Me: Sorry this is late guys! I had school, then I realized I needed to plan some things, and-

Verto: Raven, if you're going to flip out, do it… not at eleven at night.

Me: Shut up. Anyway, Verto! Want to take the reviews?

Verto: You guys should have seen Raven when there was a review bug that didn't let anyone read the new reviews the page said she had! She was hysterical, checking the site very few minutes and-

Me: Okay! That's enough! Brightclaw237! No, Hannah does not like Oran Berries. She did not eat any of them. Glad you liked the chapter!

Me: Anna-matronic! Nice to see you back in the reviews once more! That's not "mean critic!" Don't worry!

Verto: Yeah! Lame! Go in there and tear her soul apart!

Me: Shut up!

Verto: No.

Me: Shieldliger001! I'm glad you liked it, and I got the idea from an old, retired Digimon fanfiction, though it was vastly different.

Verto: Nova Ozuka… I like this guy.

Me: Of course you do. Anyway, enjoy! Sorry for the long wait! Chapter start!

Chapter 10

Michael's POV

Michael followed his friends, as he watched the stupid swirling colors. Ditto had explained that there was no way to turn it "off" so long he had the energy. He could always tell what people were feeling. He could feel them in a sense, even though they did not affect his emotional state. Yet when he did not use any significant amount of power for a certain amount of time, he saw swirling colors representing emotions. He hated it. All the colors he saw from everyone was so annoying, not just because of how hard it made identifying colors right next to people.

Hannah emanated a slight purple, but also some orange, seeming to indicate fear and excitement respectively. Danny was mostly excited, as well as happy they might be able to do something else, emanating strong pulses of green and orange as his excitement hammered Michael's skull. He had not gotten used to the stupid, full time flood of others emotions, something Ditto was trying to help him with.

Rachael felt a light layer of fear she was focusing on shoving down. She was fairly good at it, too. She had always been prone to panic, but she could force down her emotions almost to the point where Michael could not sense them.

Absol seemed, for the most part, emotionless. Michael, though he appreciated it, was unsure as to why Absol even continued helping them. Every once in a while, when Michael sensed something from Absol, it was immediately shoved down by him.

Ditto was a completely different situation. His emotions could change at the drop of a hat. Generally, a happy green surrounded him when he was teaching Michael and his friends how to use their new abilities. When he was talking with another pokémon, he seemed somewhat grouchy. Sometimes Michael could sense him being angry or upset but always forcing it down even when he was teaching. Right now he was rather irritated, glowing his common pale red.

The tree was just as beautiful on the inside as it was the last time. Those lanterns Ditto had called dragonfire lanterns were still burning as brightly as before, casting their ethereal blue glow upon Torterra.

"Hello, young humans," he greeted in his wise, old voice. He was somewhat happy, sad, and afraid all at the same time. "I must apologize for Eelektrik's attacking you."

"D-don't worry about it!" Hannah declared, fresh, harsh fear wrapping her, filling Michael's vision with purple. She tried to put on a brave face. Michael knew this, but she was terrified. The event had probably scarred her mentally to some degree. She seemed to be in pain quite often, too. Michael was going to kill that Eelektrik if he got the chance.

He vividly remembered hearing Hannah scream as she was getting pulled under. He tried to jump in after her, but Ditto stopped him because of the electricity in the water. If he ever saw that Eelektrik, Michael would make sure he regretted what he did to Hannah.

"I have had some psychic pokémon build up energy. They are now ready to transport you to a place where you may be able to gain some closure," he explained bluntly. "A pokémon named Snowfire is the pokémon most likely to have some answers as to what has been going on with you, and the pokémon of the village."

"Snowfire?" Danny asked. This was the first any of them had heard of a pokémon with what must be a nickname that was not a trainer's pokémon.

"Yes. Snowfire is a Ninetales that lives up at the top of the Elemental Mountain. Elemental Mountain is not very tall, but it is somewhat dangerous, especially for humans."

"I remember Elemental Mountain from school. It's a mountain that has several different environments for many different kinds of pokémon, but it is impossible to teleport there with psychic types, and nobody has been able to climb it. Whenever someone tries to swim the water around it, the area fogs up, and he or she somehow get turned around. People can take pictures from far away, but they can't get past the waterbed, even if they are flying."

"Yes. Snowfire put a curse on the mountain, causing it to bring a heavy fog that turns humans around to protect the many pokémon there. However, because all of you have pokémon genes in you now, you should be able to make your way up to her. I had you learn some basic abilities so you have some means of defense if the pokémon there become defensive." Purple flooded Michael's vision as Hannah panicked, though she kept a straight face.

"Ditto will be going with you, as well as Absol, if he wishes to." Torterra continued. There was some anger and happiness at the same time coming from Ditto, as well as some relief. A little sadness leaked from Absol, but it was quickly forced down.

"But why… Snowfire? Why would she be able to help?" Rachael asked. Michael almost groaned. Why couldn't he talk yet? It was getting irritating, not being able to ask his questions, hence everyone stealing his thunder.

"It is my belief that whatever is affecting you four, be it a curse or otherwise, is what has been affecting the entirety of the village. I am not sure what is causing it, but it seems to be spreading like wildfire across the village, and getting worse. The psychic barrier we have put on the… virus, so to speak, is weakening. Have you four been struggling physically, mentally, or otherwise?" Torterra inquired.

"Well, other than Michael and I still changing, no. We've been fine. How've you been, Birdbrain?" Danny asked Rachael humorously.

"The only sanity I'm losing is due to the complex and well-though out names you've made up." She retorted, not even looking at him. "There were never any psychic types messing with my head, either."

"Interesting… so it seems to be weaker against humans." Torterra deducted.

"But what about me? I'm… not exactly human anymore." Rachael's sadness could have woken a Snorlax if they could sense emotions. Blue flooded Michael's vision, as everything blurred. He shook his head.

"Michael? Is something wrong?" Rachael asked, noticing his discomfort?" Michael shook his head, and gestured to the feelers on the back of his head: the source of Riolu's sensing abilities.

Rachael emanated a surprised yellow, as she forced down the despair she felt.

"Even though you are mostly a pokémon, have you not retained some amounts of your human self? Namely, your hair color and eye color have remained the same. You also seemed to have retained your personality instead of adopting that of a Starly's." Michael felt a small surge of pleasure from Rachael.

"Why do you want us to go?" Hannah asked. "No offense, we are grateful for all you've done, and we don't mind going, but why would you trust us with this task?"

"The pokémon here are uneasy. We currently are not letting any pokémon leave except for Ditto and Absol. We are going to try and renew the Psychic barrier blocking this strange virus of sorts, but it will take more effort on the Gardevoir healers behalf."

"Don't worry, Chief. I got 'em. I'll do it tonight at the base of the mountain." Torterra nodded.

"Very well. I wish you the best of luck. Ditto, will you be able to bring everyone back with you?"

"I might be able to get us close if I turn into a Hoopa. He's a minor legendary, so I won't be out for more than a day." Torterra nodded once more.

"Once again, I wish you good luck, humans."

Michael noticed Absol bound off in some unknown direction. He frowned. He sensed panic from Absol, as though he were in a hurry.

The psychics were waiting at the clearing. After they had all spent a few minutes grabbing their supplies, and Danny grabbing some lunch, (AKA, some Oran berries from one of the nearby bushes) they went to meet them, Absol already there waiting for them. There were five, total. An Alakazam, a Sigilyph, a Meowstic, a Reuniclus, and a Gothitelle. They formed a circle with no greeting. All of them were afraid and angry, though the emotions were dulled, like they were doing this out of obligation.

The group walked into the circle. "Close your eyes." The Alakazam demanded. Michael did as he was told, waiting tensely. He heard a zip! A fear unlike any Michael had ever felt surged through Hannah. He was about to react, but he couldn't move. All at once, there was a bright flash, the temperature changed, the wind speed changed, the ambience changed, but Hannah's fear could still shake mountains.

Michael snapped his eyes open, as the purple from Hannah flooded his vision. He could still make out what was frightening her though. He could see it plenty well. It was Eelektrik, the bright blue eel levitating as he glared at Hannah. Hannah was terrified, as she scrambled away from him, before tripping. She curled up into a ball, shivering.

"What the hell are you doing back in my sight?" Ditto shouted, as he transformed into a Tyrantrum, the mighty dinosaur towering over the Eelektrik, who just glared in response.

"What a weak human." He commented, looking at Hannah. "I'm here to… uh… Apologize to you. I want to join you guys on your travels." Ditto's eyes widened, as he let out a mighty roar.

"Are you insane? You think we would let you travel anywhere near her after what you did?" Rachael bravely commented, Eelektrik looking at what was a small bird to him mockingly.

"Hey you- uh… yes. It was… uh… wrong of me to attack you, but I need to go to Element Mountain. I'm sorry."

"You're freaking mad! You nearly got her killed! Now you want to travel with us? You're disgusting!" Danny shouted.

"Oh no. My feelings. You must be the bruiser of the group." Eelektrik quipped angrily. "Fine! I'll return home by myself!" He darted off in the direction of the mountain Michael just noticed. Eelektrik splashed into the waterbed.

The mountain was amazing. It was by and far the largest mountain in terms of sheer size Michael had ever seen! It wasn't as tall as some of the ordinary mountains that surrounded them on all angles. Those formed a large circle, each mountain reaching incredible heights, as if guarding the smaller, yet more special mountain in the center. A large lake surrounded it, easily several miles large. It would take them a while to reach the other end. The water was a sparkling blue, untouched by human pollution. Michael could sense a lot of faint emotions from down there, signifying it was indeed inhabited by pokémon.

"So… how are we gonna get across?" Danny asked.

"No problemo, compadre. That's all the Spanish I know… Anyway, I got this!" Ditto jumped into the water. A bright glow came from the water; before long, something large began to surface. The water splashed all over the group, getting everybody soaked. Danny's ears loped. Absol's expression didn't change, though Michael could feel a small, borderline unnoticeable amount of annoyance before he shoved it back down.

"A Wailord? Good idea!" Rachael complimented Ditto.

"Yeah! And it's a stage one pokémon, so it won't sap my strength!" Ditto's somewhat high pitched voice sounded strange coming from a mighty Wailord. Danny was chuckling, making that strange laugh Michael had heard a while back when the changes first started.

"Can you carry all of us?" Danny asked, trying to smother his laughter.

"Kid, or kit, I guess. Haha. Anyway, I can carry you guys until at least nightfall. Don't worry about me. Hop on." He lowered to the point everyone could easily mount him. Michael got on after Absol had jumped on, as he turned to look at Hannah, who was still on land.

"Are you coming, Hannah?" Michael shouted to her. She nodded, but instead of climbing onto Ditto, she freaking jumped into the water. A moment later, there was an azure glow, and Hannah surfaced once more, this time with the Milotic tail. There was a surge of joy as green emanated from her. She loved being able to do that. She loved being able to breathe underwater. Michael watched her as she dove deeper and deeper under the water, until he couldn't see her anymore. The lake felt somewhat unnatural, given how deep it was so quickly, much like the one in the village.

He watched the water, looking for any signs of that stupid Eelektrik. Michael shivered as he remembered seeing Ditto pulling Hannah up onto the surface. He had apparently turned into a psychic type for a quick instant to call in Audino. Rachael had been in a full blown panic right after Ditto went to follow them. Once thirty minutes had passed, Rachael had started flying in circles to distract herself. Danny had been trying to keep morale up, constantly saying they probably found a cave to surface in. He also cracked a lot of ill-timed jokes that did not go over well with Rachael. Michael couldn't do much more than sit and watch the water as they had waited for hours, until finally, Ditto had surfaced with her.

She had been bleeding so badly. Michael was sick when he first laid eyes on her barely conscious form. He then saw the tail, which he didn't think too much about. He hoped nothing this…awful happened to any of them again. She tried to hide it, and honestly, she did a pretty good job of hiding it, but that Eelektrik had terrified her. Michael wondered if he had caused irreparable damage to her mind.

All it had taken was one pokémon, and Hannah had almost freaking died! It was terrifying. At least Michael and Danny had some form of defense, and to a lesser degree, so did Hannah with her Aqua Tail. However, what about Rachael? Ditto was never able to get very far into the training with using moves.

Michael had spent several hours trying to perfect his limited aura abilities. Riolu didn't have much power in the ways of aura, and Michael still didn't have all pokémon abilities. He decided to practice while Ditto was swimming. He held up his fist, and tried to guide the aura energy that made a Riolu's force palm.

When he had first tried it at his home, he had forced the energy to his hand-er… paw. This was why it had drained him so much. His energy was spread throughout his body, so he needed to only guide enough energy to his paw palm thingy in order to use the attack. He didn't want to force it up, or he would take energy from all over his body, rather than tapping into his reserve.

Michael let his extra aura power drain out as he glanced at Danny, who was lazily looking at the sky. He hadn't had much luck with illusions, though his dark-type moves such as dark pulse were getting better. They were up there with a Blissey's tackle.

Michael gingerly walked over to Danny, being careful not to slip. He sat down next to him. "What a day, huh?" Danny asked absentmindedly.

Michael nodded, and grunted in affirmation. "Still not talking, bro? I wonder why." Michael shrugged it off. "You can't fool me. It's killing you inside, and we all know it." Michael's shoulders slumped.

"Speaking of fooling… Rachael's been able to put up quite the act. I expected her to have four emotional breakdowns by this point. It's kinda impressive, really. I never took the birdbrain as an actor." He added with a wry grin. Rachael was sitting near Ditto's head as he instructed her on using moves. She seemed to be listening intently to his words.

Michael shook his head, unable to give a better queue. "Uh… she is not putting up a good act and is torn up inside?" Danny guessed. Michael shook his head. "Um… alright… she is permanently wrecked inside and is forcing it down to where it's hard for you to sense?" Michael shook his head again. "No way… does she actually enjoy being a Starly?" Michael's gave an ironic smile.

"Wow. Never thought Birdbrain would be the one to enjoy it. It must be the flying." Michael nodded. There was a loud chirp of frustration. 'Though given that, I'd say she isn't doing too well on the moves?" Michael shrugged.

"On a side note, did you know that alone a Zorua's body isn't strong enough to hold all the dark type energy that goes into illusions? I sure didn't. That's why you can always see a tail on a Zorua that has up an illusion. The tail is where all the energy is kept, and it has to be fed outwards. Since I don't have the tail yet, I can't really use illusions yet."

Michael nodded. He stared intently at Danny, still letting his force palm burn on his fist. He could still sense Danny's emotions, but the colors were starting to become less… prominent.

"What do you think of all this, Michael? I have mixed emotions about the whole thing, really." Michael shrugged. "Don't know, huh? The irony." Michael rolled his eyes.

"Do you think she'll want to turn back?" Danny was curious and worried at the same time. Michael thought for a few seconds. Would she? She was the type to analyze everything and act accordingly, so what conclusion would she reach? Would she choose to fly and be free, or to be with her family, and to have all the perks that came with not being a bird?

"Not sure? I'm sure we're all unsure about everything right now. I can see Hannah not removing the tail though, even if she could. Lucky bugger can still pass as human." Danny stood up and stretched. "Well, I'm gonna go give Rachael a tough time." Danny was smug as he carefully made his way across Ditto's back to Rachael.

Michael sighed, and looked around. In the very back, facing the other direction, was Absol. Michael found himself forgetting Absol was with them a lot of the time. Michael sat down next to Absol. It was irritating not being able to say anything, and Absol probably couldn't read, since most Pokémon couldn't, so writing was out of the question.

"Hello. Are you in need of me?" Absol deadpanned, not even looking at Michael. Michael blinked, and shook his head. Michael tilted his head, and gestured to Absol in an attempt to communicate.

"You wish to know how I am?" Absol guessed. Michael nodded. "I am alright. I'm keeping watch for that Eelektrik. It would not do to have him harm your friend."

Michael sensed no emotions behind his words. Why was that? Michael grunted, and gestured to the feelers behind his ears. Next, he pointed to Absol.

Absol was surprised for a short instant, but the little surprise he felt for that short instant was forced down. They were interrupted by a quick, panicked squawk from Rachael.

"Guys! Heads up! Incoming pokémon!" A large rock pillar shot upward from the water, the resulting wave causing Ditto to lurch sideways. Michael fell backwards as he lost his footing. He regained it a moment later, as he started searching fervently for their attackers.

Six pokémon were flying in pairs, each one focused on a different person. He charged his force palms in preparation. The two Skarmory focused on him shot flash cannons while diving towards him.

Michael let out a quick gasp, and dove out of one beam's way. Michael let out a raspy shout as the second beam slammed into him, as he was thrown backwards. Michael groaned and stood up, trying to ignore the pain. The Skarmory's wings glowed azure as they charged Michael as he lit his fists' force palm once more.

The Skarmory let out shocked squawks as Michael lurched to the left, hitting the Skarmory with his powerful punches, sending them crashing into each other. The two pokémon flailed in the air for an instant, before regaining their balance as the reassessed Michael.

They circled him, this time keeping their distance. Michael whipped his head around, trying to keep track of his opponents. One of the Skarmory was hit in the back by a powerful dark pulse from Absol, being knocked to the side. Michael tried to run to him, but was stopped by the other Skarmory when he felt an acute pain in his back from its wing attack.

Michael was knocked to his stomach, the Skarmory's talons dug into his back. "Don't try anything, human!" the Skarmory screeched, his metallic voice ringing in Michael's ears.

"Help me!" Michael heard Rachael shout. Michael could only watch as one of her attackers, an Aerodactyl, clamped his jaws around her wing, another Skarmory grabbing her in his talons. Michael saw Danny in a similar position as him, pinned down by a second Aerodactyl. Three Skarmory, including the one Absol shot down, surrounded, as they launched flash cannons towards him simultaneously, with a loud and bright explosion.

"Alright! We're out of here!" Ditto shouted. Michael felt himself falling, the talons detached from him. The next thing he knew; he was submerged in water. Michael swam to the surface, as he let out several rough coughs. The last thing he saw was Absol and Rachael being carried away before a bright purple flooded his vision.

The next instant, they were all in a cave. Michael coughed and looked around. The only source of light was a strange, large, glowing ring, with a purple vortex in it.

"A- alright… I'll heal your wounds, then I-I'll be out for a while." Michael heard Ditto slur.

"I'm so sorry I couldn't help! I saw the rock pillar, but I was too late by the time I got there!" Michael heard Hannah shout apologetically.

"Don't worry about it, Hannah… Where's Rachael?" Danny muttered as Ditto, in the form of a Chansey, healed them all.

"She…" Hannah's voice broke. "The pokémon took her and Absol…"

"What!" Danny tried to stand up, but his feet gave in as he fell back down. Michael felt everyone's sorrow magnify his own. He curled up. He felt everyone's sadness slam into his own, making him feel hopeless and sad beyond belief.

"N-now for rest…" Ditto blearily muttered, before he felt his mind slip away into unconsciousness.