I said I would be Chikorita by the time I got to this chapter, but I was wrong. Same applies as last chapter, I'll write it with my current team, and edit if need be. Enjoy.

Chapter 18: Underground Battle

The next morning...

Chelsey woke up, yawning and stretching before heading outside to meet with her partner. Hope smiled at her.

"Good morning, Chelsey! Did you sleep well?"

The Chikorita nodded.

"OK, this is it! Let's do our best and save Alakazam's team!"

Hope turned, and started off. Chelsey started to follow, but stopped after passing the mail box, lost in her own thoughts.

(Gardevoir said... She will tell me everything when this adventure is over... Is going underground the adventure she meant...? Will she tell me if we rescue Alakazam's team...?)

"Hello!"

Hope's voice snapped her back to reality, and she spied the Torchic take a few steps towards her.

"Are you asleep still? Let's get going!"

She obliged by closing the gap between them, and the two set off for Magma Cavern...

Lava flowed through little cracks along the walls as the pair reached the enterance. They glanced around a moment, examining everything.

"This must be it... Groudon is in this underground cavern. Whew... Look at the streams of lava. It's going to be scorching hot in the dungeon, I think."

No joke, Chelsey thought, already feeling a trickle of sweat roll down her face. Hope turned, and so did she.

"There should be other rescue teams making their way through even now. Let's try our best like always!"

With those words, they entered...

The place was even hotter on the inside, causing more sweat to trickle down the grass type's face. Luckily, they found the first flight of stairs without a hitch. Second floor had a Raticate waiting for them, teeth bared. Prefering to save Razor Leaf for when it was really needed, she used Tackle instead. The Raticate immediately retreated, allowing the two to continue on...

The narrow passageways and limited lighting didn't make the journey any easier. The steady stream of enemy Pokemon attacking them also started to take its toll. The pair were certainly relieved when they reached the Kangaskhan Rock, almost collapsing in front of it. While they sat there, Chelsey checked their inventory to see what had been untouched. A few Reviver Seeds had become Plain Seeds, but many were still in tact. Their Gravelrock was still plenty and the Escape Orb was untouched, having no need yet. Perhaps they could do it...

Chelsey and Hope exchanged a glance, then a nod. Closing the Tool box with a snap, Chelsey stood, and so did Hope. Hearts beating stronger, they pressed on... Only to find Onix and Steelix waiting for them. Team Titans' twosome smiled before poising to attack.

"They don't stand a chance..."

The groaning and moaning from the pile of Pokemon a moment later ultimately proved that statement to be true... Thus, they continued unopposed until they reached the stairs. Hope looked around.

"Let's see... I wonder where we are? I'm certain we've come quite far already..."

They had to have been. It felt like hours since they had first entered the dungeon... A rumble shook the area, causing both to pause.

"Waaah! Qu-quake!"

The place shook a little more, then stopped. Hope sighed in relief.

"Whew! It's over."

As he glanced around again, however, something caught his eye. Two somethings, both familiar.

"Hey! Chelsey! Over there!"

Rushing forward, they found two familiar faces: Charizard and Tyranitar, down and possibly out.

"Hey! Are you OK?!"

Charizard groaned in reply. "Urrrrgh..."

"What happened to you?"

"We challenged... Groudon... And wiped out..." the fully evolved fire type managed to answer.

"G-Groudon?!" cried the stunned Torchic.

Tyranitar spoke next.

"Grrgh... We... It crushed us..."

While taking that in, Hope looked around. Someone was missing...

"That's right. What happened to Alakazam? Where is Alakazam?"

"Alakazam is... Still battling Groudon..." Tyranitar replied.

That was all they needed to hear. Hope quickly turned to his partner.

"Chelsey! We've got to hurry!"

Hurry they did, though Charizard said one final thing before passing out.

"...Be careful!"

Upon reaching the next floor, they spotted Alakazam, still on his feet, but wavering.

"It's Alakazam! Are you OK?!"

"Hm! So it's you!"

The ground shook.

"Stay back!"

It continued to shake as the Psychic type continued.

"This opponent... is no laughing matter!"

A loud roar punctured the air as the shaking grew worse.

"H-here it comes!"

"Coming...?" Hope asked. "Wh-where?!"

There was a flash, a cry from Alakazam, Hope calling out the psychic's name, and when the light vanished, he was gone. Hope desperately looked around for him.

"Alakazam is gone! Maybe... Was he defeated?!"

It seemed so. After all, Chelsey and Hope were the only two left. Hope flinched.

"Urgh... It's our turn next. But I'm not going down without a fight!"

There was another flash.

"Chelsey! Let's do our best!"

Now the pair could see their opponent. Of course, compared to them, Groudon was huge, and they planned to use that to their full advantage. Chelsey opened with Razor Leaf, since the grass attack would be extremely useful the first few turns while Groudon lumbered towards them. The team's opponent roared each time a Razor Leaf struck, but when he reached the pair, Hope joined in with Ember. While not very effective, it probably would have done better than the other attacks...

Using Ancientpower, Groudon hurled rocks at the Chikroita and Torchic. Being small, the two were quick on their feet, and managed to dodge most of the huge rocks that fell around them, even if they had to shove one another out of the way. Doing a quick flip, Chelsey fired another Razor Leaf while Hope sprang up and fired another Ember. Groudon roared.

"Shall we finish this?" Chelsey asked her partner as the now further enraged Groudon fired another Ancientpower. Hope nodded as he leapt aside, dodging another large rock. And once the rocks had landed, and now provided a bit of cover, the two nodded.

"I'll aim high." Hope had said.

"And I'll go low. Be sure to hold on."

Hopping onto Chelsey's back, Hope tensed, gripping tight. The Chikorita nodded, scrambling up to stand atop the rock. With her partner clinging for dear life, she leapt high into the air.

"Now! Razor Leaf!"

"Ember!"

Leaves and tiny fireballs flew through the air, striking both Groudon's chest and stomach. With a final roar, the legendary Pokemon collapsed. With the battle was won, Groudon sprawled out on the ground, there were three little starry balls of light. They became Alakazam and his team.

"Look! It's Alakazam! Charizard and Tyranitar too!"

Groaning, the three staggered to their feet, turning to face Groudon.

"Did you do it? Groudon?"

Ignoring Charizard's question, Hope stepped forward.

"Are you OK?"

"Yes, fine." Alakazam replied, turning to the pair. "We will be fine. But we must get out immediately."

"What about Groudon?" Hope asked, worried. "Will it be OK?"

"Your concern is unneeded. It will awaken soon enough. It had lost control only because it was enraged from having its sleep disturbed. It should calm down."

The ground began to rumble once more.

"Waah... Another quake!"

"Out! Quickly!"

They needed no other encouragement. They turned tail, and fled, the rescued rescue team behind them.

Having calmed Groudon, Chelsey's team left the dungeon... And returned to Pokemon Square together with Alakazam's team.

to be continued...

Hope you liked this chapter, even though the Groudon battle probably could have turned out a little better.,, My hands hurt. ^^;

Mini-Marianne