Hey guys, so I decided that I would change the update schedule. Now I will do a chapter of OMAA then a chapter of this. I used to write a chapter of this then two chapters of OMAA. Be sure to vote in my poll. It is on my profile. I have five votes and I know there are more readers than five ;). thanks to those of you that have voted. Now let's get to the reviews!

Monpoke: I picked the Pikachu line because I like the evolutionary line. I also think that Pichu and Raichu are kind of underrated when compared to Pikachu. That is why I went that evolutionary line. Austin and Emily are not boyfriend and girlfriend and I have no intention of making it that way. That would feel somewhat wrong. However, it doesn't mean that I won't make some funny scenarios out of this situation. Thanks for voting.

Philip Harbindinger: I glad that you really liked this chapter. It was extremely fun to write. I plan on making this part a little more lighthearted for a bit.

Everything is funny, as long as it's happening to somebody else.

Will Rogers

Chapter 9

Emily's POV

"Rise and shine everyone! I have a lot to teach you and not very much time to do it!" I heard Jeffric shout. I groaned and rolled over, trying to ignore his prodding. I heard Austin and Devin moan and knew that I wasn't alone.

"Dude, it isn't even light yet. Go back to sleep you stupid cat." Devin muttered sleepily. For once I agreed with him.

"Fine, but don't come running to me when you are being attacked by something and you can't defend yourself." Jeffric snorted. "I guess your sleep is more important than your safety."

At this, I heard Austin literally jump. I groaned as I peeked to see what he was doing. He didn't seem tired. Instead, he seemed more energetic. "Come on guys! We are going to learn moves now!" Austins shouted with glee.

"Whoopee, I get to learn how to hurt myself even more than I already can." Devin said grumpily. He tried to turn over and ignore Austin, but by now, Teresa had gotten up and swept him from the ground.

"I think that it is a great idea for you to learn how to defend yourself. There are a lot of dangers that come with being a Pichu as small as you are." Teresa said.

"I didn't ask for your opinion! And put me down!" Devin yelled angrily.

"Devin! Am I going to have to put you in time out?" Teresa asked warningly. Devin faltered before shaking his head. Teresa smiled softly while Devin pouted.

By now, I had gotten up and was waiting for Jeffric to tell us what to do. He looked at us and I saw that he was trying to decide where to start.

"The very beginning would be good." I suggested seeing how long it was taking him.

"I know that, I just don't know how to teach a couple of humans. I wish my wife was here. She would know how to do this. Heck, she taught me." Jeffric replied slightly stressed.

"Wife?" I asked.

"I'm like you three. I used to be human, but that is ancient history, literally. My wife, or mate, whatever you prefer, taught me how to use moves and the how to be a Pokémon. The problem is, that I am not good at using moves. Most of the time, they sputter out or they aren't the ones I was trying to use. I think the only time they do work is when I am am extremely stressed or angry."

"Like two nights ago." Devin cut in.

"Right."

"So, if you aren't all that experienced, how are you going to change us back? How do we know that you can do it without screwing it up?" Devin asked, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

"I don't know." Jeffric admitted.

"Devin, he will be able to do it. Just have a little faith in him. Alright?" I said, hoping to get Devin to back off.

Devin studied my face for a few seconds. "Fine, whatever." Devin replied.

"Alright, Teresa, I am going to need some help from you. You are a mother, so teaching kids is easy for you."

"I beg to differ. Teaching children is a very hard thing to do. They don't tend to listen and give up if they don't get something right the first time they try it." Teresa glared at Jeffric.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend." he apologized.

"It's alright." Teresa sighed while shaking her head.

"The first thing I want y'all to do is to run with me for about half an hour. Being warmed up is the first step for any kind of physical activity." Jeffric said as he took off. Austin and I bounded after him.

Devin's POV

"Don't worry Devin, you get to stay with me." Teresa spoke as I squirmed to escape her grasp.

"I don't really care about that. I just want to get away from you." I shot back.

"Just because you can't go with them, doesn't mean you can be snarky." Teresa scolded. She then smiled at me causing to cringe slightly. "Besides, we have something that you need to work on more than moves. You are going to learn how to walk."

"You're kidding me right?" I asked incredulously. Teresa's smile flickered slightly, but it returned almost before I noticed it fade.

"I guess you would rather just be carried everywhere. I can arrange that, but just think about what your brother would think. He could have a field day with that, and I wouldn't be able to stop him."

I knew that she was baiting me, but I knew she was right. I wouldn't be able to live the embarrassment down. "Fine, we'll do it your way." I muttered almost inaudibly.

"Good. Hope is going to be practicing with you also since she really hasn't done any of this either." Teresa added as she placed me on the ground. Teresa then pulled Hope out of her pouch and placed her next to me. To me, she was like standing next to an adult as a five-year-old, even though she was only a few months old.

"Teresa, why do I have to have her learn with me. She can't even talk!" I groaned. Teresa grinned at me mysteriously making me feel slightly unnerved.

"I can talk!" huffed a quiet voice. The voice surprised me, causing me to fall backward and landed on my tail.

"Ow!" I grimaced as I rolled off the offended appendage. I dusted myself off, before it struck me. "She can talk!"

"Yes, she has been able to for quite a while now." Teresa chuckled.

"My name's Hope. I heard Momma tell you about me a little." the mini dinosaur introduced.

"All good I hope." I grumbled.

"No not really. She says that you are a snobby know-it-all and that you need to learn some manners."

"Is that so?" I asked menacingly, sending a glare to Teresa. Her expression was priceless. She had this horrified look stuck on her face as she desperately tried to stop Hope from continuing.

"Yeah, and she said that she has seen Snorlax with better personalities than you. And…"

"Alright Hope it's time to stop joking. We need to get started." Teresa interrupted, the embarrassment clearly showing on her face.

"Teresa, are going to wish that you didn't teach me how to walk because I am going to make your life miserable." I vowed under my breath.

"Ok, so there is no way to really teach you two this. You both will just have to practice alright?" Teresa said grabbing my attention.

"Wait, what?I thought you said you were going to teach me." I said with an accusing glare.

"And how would you like me to do that? You are technically a quadruped. You walk on all fours. You can also walk on two legs but that is only for short distances less than a foot. Hope and I are biped. We walk on our two legs everyday. You are just going to have to learn yourself. I am sure your parents didn't teach you to walk. You picked it up yourself." Teresa replied casually.

"Sometimes, I really hate your logic." I replied.

Austin's POV

The run was pleasant and helped me stretch for a bit. It was weird running on all fours but I got used to it rather quickly.

After a while, Jeffric stopped and turned to us. He seemed to be deep in thought so Emily and I didn't say anything. After a couple of minutes. Something dawned on him and he smiled.

"Alright, guys. Today, you two are going to learn the basics of electricity. I have seen both of you accidentally use electricity, yesterday. You, Austin, used it when you were talking to that Growlithe. And you, Emily used it when you freaked out yesterday morning. I want you both to tell me what you felt when you used electricity. Both physically and emotionally."

"I was scared honestly. I didn't know what would happen if that Growlithe found our stuff, then I felt this pulling sensation and I saw the electricity shoot from me." I admitted.

"Good, and you Emily?"

"I felt a mix of shock and fear. I didn't know what was going on and… well, it just happened." Emily answered.

"So, you both felt the just about the same thing. I know that each Pokémon control their moves through different emotions. Some, like yourselves, through their fear. Others through their pride, and still, others through their hate. Each Pokémon is different and it is very hard for them to control their moves through different emotions. Also each emotion that control the moves make each move slightly different. When fulled by pride and hate. The move tends to get a boosted effect but it doesn't last as long. Moves fueled by fear tend to be weaker, but last longer. Moves from those with conflicting emotions are often sporadic and moves from those with little emotion are rather balanced. It all depends on personality." Jeffric explained.

"I think I understand. Is there a way to use moves without being scared?" I asked thoughtfully.

"Yes, but it takes a lot of practice and a lot of meditation in order to do that. Unless, however, you are intensely feeling that emotion. That mostly happens with anger and is probably the most dangerous thing anyone can do." Jeffric replied. He then added, "Most Pokémon just decide to use their emotion in a different way. Basically, if you are scared for your life in the wild and you get caught, most of the time a Pokémon will redirect that fear towards the fear of what would happen if they lose."

"Oh ok. So how do we start channeling our emotions." Emily asked.

"You start by using your emotions. Eventually, this all becomes second nature and your powers will draw off the emotions subconsciously. Next, you should feel an energy pull toward your cheeks or other parts of you body depending on the move." Jeffric closed his eyes and held out his palms. A small, blue ball of psychic energy formed in his paws. He opened his eyes and grinned shyly. "See?"

"That's cool!" I exclaimed, thinking of all the moves that I could use.

"Ok, both of you try it now."

I closed my eyes and summoned up my emotions. I am not normally a scaredy-cat. I usually try to face my problems head on. The only exception to that is, was, Devin. That being said, being afraid was not something that came naturally to me. That, made things difficult. I tried as hard as I could; not a single ounce of electricity sparked. I kept trying. I was trying so hard that I nearly forgot how to breathe.

"Ok, kid, you don't need to suffocate yourself." Jeffric sighed as I finally breathed in.

"I am not a naturally scared person." I replied.

"I know, but your species is. Very few Pikachu are brave. Even ones that are caught by trainers never lose their fear. They just deflect it from survival to letting down their trainers."

"I'm sorry, but that just isn't me."

"Look, you said so yourself, you were afraid when you used your electricity." Jeffric pointed out.

"That was a one time thing!" I yelled back.

"I guess I am going to have instill some fear into you to prove my point." Jeffric said with a dark grin.

"W-what do you have in mind?" I asked nervously.

Jeffric snapped and an antique Pokéball appeared beside him. Using, his psychic abilities, he twisted that cap and the ball popped open.

"You are going to go up against Elweard." Jeffric said coolly as Elweard appeared.

"Master Austin. I see that Master Jeffric was telling the truth about you." Elweard spoke as he got into a fighting posture.

"Elweard! What are you doing!" I yelled seeing him tensing up.

"I told Master Jeffric that I would help train you if he couldn't teach you, last night when he talked to us. The way I was taught was through fighting, even though I was not ready to fight."

"This is inhumane! Come on let's try something else!" I yelled frantically.

"Ready or not, Master Austin, because here I come!"

Elweard launched at me and I scrambled. There was no way on this green earth that I was going to be sticking around. He slammed into the ground fist first just an inch away from where I was. The ground cracked and chunks of rock, some the size of my head, flew past. My eyes widened, realizing that hit could have sent me to the hospital!

"Elweard! Can't you go easy on me!" I pleaded as I ran away with a stream of craters rapidly appearing behind me.

"This is how I learned to fight. Hit or be hit." Elweard grinned.

"You are a terrible teacher!" I yelled.

Emily's POV

"This is really starting to seem pointless." I said as Austin ran for his life.

"It really isn't having the effect that I thought it would." Jeffric agreed as we watched.

"Are there any other ideas?"

"No, not really. I figured that Elweard would be enough of a scare to force Austin into using his electricity." Jeffric shrugged. "We'll give it ten more minutes."

Ten minutes passed and absolutely nothing happened aside from Austin getting the crap scared out of him. He didn't produce a single thread of electricity. Jeffric stopped the "fight" and brought the two "combatants" over to the side of the battleground.

"Master Jeffric, I thought you said that he understood the basics of moves." Elweard said accusingly.

"I explained them to him before you got here. I told him everything. You know, how to use their emotions like fear to power the moves…"

"Wait, you told them emotions power their moves?" Elweard asked incredulously.

"Well, yeah. What else would I tell them?" Jeffric asked slightly perplexed.

"Jeffric, how well do you use Pokémon moves?" Elweard asked slowly, his eyes narrowing.

"I am not very good myself. However, my… mate taught me most of what she knows."

"Jeffric, you are a fool if you thought emotions powered the moves!" Elweard said heatedly. "Why, the very idea that they did is… is ludicrous!"

"That was the way I was taught and it hasn't failed me once!"

"Have you ever been in a battle? Have you ever been in a friendly competition? There is no fear involved!" Elweard replied.

"What do you say we go and check on Devin? This sounds like it will go on for a while." I whispered to Austin who was still panting.

"Sounds like a plan to me." puffed Austin as we began to sneak away from the arguing teachers.

"You know, those two aren't good teachers if they argue with each other." I said out loud when we were out of earshot.

"Uh, yeah. I'll tell you what, Elweard definitely scared the life out of me. One hit and I would be roadkill."

"He definitely gave you your exercise. I bet Devin would have paid good money to see you get tossed around like that." I chuckled. Austin shot me a dirty look before smiling.

"Yep, he would give anything to be the one to do that himself." he agreed.

Devin's POV

I got the hang of walking pretty fast, just not as fast as Hope. She beat me to it by twenty minutes and it was really burned me. It made me look like an idiot and I vowed to show her up. I decided that the best way to do that was to be the first one to run. I started out walking just a tad faster. As soon as I was comfortable with that speed, I sped up. I repeated that process until I had become quite confident. I ran a few test laps to make sure that I was ready and decided that I was.

"Hey Teresa, watch this!" I called as I picked up speed.

A good ten seconds into my run, and the bushes to my left began to shake. Austin and Emily stepped right in front of me! I tried to stop, but I tripped instead! I rolled head of heel and collapsed in a heap just in front of them. Teresa looked over just in time to see my epic fail.

"Devin! Be careful. You don't have to push yourself. If you go too fast too soon, you could hurt yourself." Teresa scolded worriedly.

I began to explain that Austin and Emily just surprised me, but I was interrupted by another call. "Momma! Watch this!"

It was Hope! She came out of nowhere running as fast as her legs could carry her! My mouth dropped as Teresa praised her! I closed my mouth and shot daggers at Emily and Austin. "Thanks guys. You just got me shown up again!"

"We just came by to see how you were doing. Are you ok?" Emily asked as she helped me up.

"No! I just got shown up again and you guys were the ones to cause it!" I yelled back angrily. I scampered off not wanting to be around them any longer.

I didn't go far before finding a nice place to mope. It was an old stump that had been partially hollowed out. I reflected on the day's events, but couldn't bring myself to admit that Emily and Austin had stepped in front of me by accident. I knew that it was childish, but I couldn't forgive them. Not yet. I my emotions shot everywhere. I was disappointed and sad and angry all at the same time. Eventually, I broke down. I started crying, unable to control myself anymore. I didn't even know why I was really crying. It just felt good. I released the pain that was building up inside me.

"Oh, you poor thing, are you ok?" a voice asked. I stopped crying and looked around frantically. Standing a few feet behind the stump, was a large, orange mouse. It was the same one that Jeffric had become yesterday morning.

"I-I'm fine. J-just go a-away." I cried.

"Oh child, you don't seem alright. Why are you all alone? Where are your parents?" the obviously female mouse asked worriedly.

"T-they are g-gone. I a-am with m-my brother and… s-sister." I partially lied.

"I see, it is a terrible thing when youngsters like yourself lose their parents. Where are your brother and sister? Are they apart of the colony?"

"W-what c-colony?" I asked tearfully.

"I guess that answers my question." the large mouse muttered to herself. "Do you know where your brother and sister are?"

I didn't know where they actually were, nor did I really care. I only knew the direction I had come from. I didn't trust this newcomer, so I didn't even want to tell her that much. However, I was conflicted and didn't know what to do.

Finally, after several torturous seconds, I made up my mind. "I know where they are."

"Alright then, can you take me to them? I would like to talk to them about something." the bigger mouse asked sweetly. She was treating me like a kid and it was getting on my nerves.

"Maybe. How do I know that I can trust you?" I asked suspiciously.

"Child, we chus have to protect each other. It is too dangerous for us not to be able to trust each other. You have my word that I will not harm you or your family." the mouse vowed.

"Alright, but I'll be watching you." I warned.

"I know you will, child. My name is Aurelia. What is your name?" she asked.

"My name is Devin." I replied.

Teresa's POV

"Devin! Devin, where are you?" I yelled. "That boy will be the death of me."

"Momma? Why did Devin run off?" Hope asked from my pouch.

"Well, he was just upset. He fell and he thought that his brother would make fun of him." I explained to my little one.

"Momma, I think it's my fault. He… he was r-running and I got jealous. When his brother came out and he tripped, I thought that I would beat him again. I knew that it would make him angry!" Hope cried. I picked up the crying child and tried to comfort her.

"Dear, you didn't know that he would do that. It is not your fault. I know that you feel guilty, but you had no control over what he does." I explained.

"Teresa, let me take over the search. I can find him easily. You go take care of your kid." Elweard said from behind me. Elweard stood behind me, looking somewhat downtrodden.

"No, I want to keep looking for him. It would be better if he saw me first." I replied, turning back in the direction the boy had gone. "Go back to the others and tell Emily and Austin to stay calm. Don't let them run off. We don't need to lose them as well."

"I am sure Jeffric can handle those two. At least let me help." Elweard replied.

"Elweard, you better not be feeling guilty." I admonished. The Lucario stared at the ground for several seconds before looking back up at me. "You are feeling guilty, aren't you."

"I should have..." Elweard began but I cut him off before he could really have started.

"Elweard, you are as bad as the children. You didn't have any control over anything that happened. At least Jeffric didn't try to take responsibility."

"He tried to, but I wouldn't let him. That's why I came out here to help. If I didn't, he would have torn down this entire forest." Elweard explained. I shook my head out of disappointment.

"Am I the only one who' not feeling guilty about Devin running off? I know that sounds harsh, but I have no control over his actions; neither do the rest of you." I lectured.

"Alright, alright, I get the point. Let's just find the kid and get back to the others."

Devin's POV

I cautiously led Aurelia back the way I had come. I still didn't trust her. I mean wasn't I doing the one thing that you are not supposed to do? I was in the woods by myself with someone I just met.

"We are almost there." I said quietly. I heard the sounds of several voices up ahead that I quickly registered as Emily, Austin, and Jeffric. I pushed toward my final stop and found myself being stared at with disbelieving looks.

"Devin! Where have you been!" Emily shouted while tackling me in the process.

"I just wanted to get some time alone." I murmured as I struggled to get out from underneath her.

"You scared us to death! What if you were kidnapped again? What would we have done then? Last time we were lucky, if it happened again, then you could have been killed! You could have been somebody's dinner!" Austin added.

"I… I know. I'm sorry." I replied quietly.

"Devin? Who is your friend?" Jeffric asked. I turned to see Aurelia standing behind me staring in bewilderment at Jeffric.

"Guys, this is Aurelia. She found me when I had ran off." I explained.

"Master Mew…" Aurelia uttered. Jeffric smiled softly and walked over to the stunned mouse.

"I am a Mew, however I am not your master. You can call me Jeffric." Jeffric smiled.

"Master Jeffric… forgive me. If I had known that a Mew was in these forest, I would have let the colony know. We would have offered you hospitality." she said apologetically. Jeffric's smile faltered slightly at the mention of the word master, but quickly returned.

"You don't need to apologize. My friends and I made an unexpected stop here." Jeffric replied. Aurelia nodded, but still seemed to be brooding over Jeffric's appearance.

Teresa's POV

"Are you sure that we are going the right way? This is the way back to camp." I asked.

"Yes, this is the right way. It seems to me that Devin turned back." Elweard replied as he continued to track the boy.

"I wonder what made him go back?" I muttered.

"I think he was being chased by someone. There is a second aura trail here. The aura Devin left behind is filled with apprehension." Elweard said, shifting uncomfortably.

"Maybe you should head back to camp and see if he made it back. I will make sure that he didn't veer off somewhere." Elweard suggested.

"Alright, hope you are right and he did head back to camp."

Twenty minutes later, and I was nearing the camp site. Devin's voice broke the silence allowing me to breathe a sigh of relief. I walked through the brush to find everyone safe and sound. Then the sound of electricity flying towards me ruined my relief. I stepped back, bewildered. The source of the bolt was a Raichu.

"Hope, stay down in the pouch." I muttered as I got ready to retaliate. The Raichu, with fangs bared, charged at me. I wasn't afraid, but it was a little unusual that a Raichu, which is normally prey, would charge a predator. The Raichu jumped at me, but she never made contact. A barrier separated me and the Raichu. A barrier that she had hit head on. She slid down the barrier and onto the ground. She looked at Jeffric with confusion.

"Master Jeffric… why did you stop me? Kangaskhan are predators. They will hurt the child." she muttered through her daze.

"I am not a child!" I heard Devin shout.

"Teresa is different. She will not hurt you or the others. Besides, she is Devin's caretaker and they have grown quite attached." Jeffric explained. "Trust me, she will not harm you."

"I don't like Teresa, and she isn't my caretaker! She just keeps me from doing whatever I want!"

"Shut up, Devin!" Jeffric, Austin, and Emily said in unison. Devin began pouting. I smiled softly and scooped the little Pichu up. Despite the protests, I cradled him gently in my arms.

I hope y'all liked the chapter. It was fun for me to write. I thought about a colony for a long time and I hope this turns out well. I have quite a few things planned for the next few chapters and I would really like everyone's input. Everybody be sure to vote on the poll that is on my profile as well. If y'all have anything to say, be sure to leave a review or pm me. If you are enjoying the story, be sure to smash that favorite/follow button! This is shieldliger001, signing off.