Shadow POV

    "So what now?" Torch asked for the fourth time. I continued to pace our cave, not answering.

    "We could try to escape," he continued. "What do you think? Is escape the right word? Yeah. I think."

    Eventually I raised my voice and said, "Torch, I remember the tunnel I escaped from. Sort of. These caves are a little different, you know? Maybe... If I can find it..."

    "...we can escape!" Torch finished excitedly. "Awesome!"

    "There's just one problem," I said, frowning. "I don't think Mother will be too happy if she finds us sneaking around."

    "So? Just throw an illusion or something!"

    "It's not as easy as that. These are trained Zoroarks... Some can see through illusions."

    "...Oh. Not good." Torch frowned as well. "Well, that takes us back to the beginning. What do we do?"

    All of a sudden I came up with an idea. "Oh, I know. It's simple. We just walk around, and if anybody asks, we tell them Mother called for us. Then we just avoid Mother all together and get out."

    Torch tilted his head. "...Are you being sarcastic? I can't really tell."

   I sighed in annoyance. "No, I'm not. I seriously think we should try it."

    "No illusions?"

    "No way. That would look suspicious if someone caught us."

    "Good point." Torch grinned. "Well, let's go! The sooner we get out of this place, the better."

    Several minutes later, we were outside our cave, walking through the corridors with nervous steps. A few of the Zoroarks and Zoruas frowned at Torch, but surprisingly didn't question me.

    I tried to remember as I walked. Where was that exit? Didn't it slant downward, then swoop up again? Do I take a right or a left?

    "Come on," I whispered to Torch. "I think we're almost there."

    But suddenly I stopped in my tracks, glancing into one of the caves. It was the huge, huge one, with many Zoroarks sprinting around. The amount of illusionists seemed to have doubled since the last time we saw it.

    But I couldn't see what they were doing. They ran around, stopped to cast an illusion, then kept running. The thing was... There was nothing in there that they were casting on.

    What was going on in there?

    "Torch..." I whispered. "We need to check this out."

    My only friend looked uncertain. "Shadow... Are you sure?"

    "I'm positive," I responded. "Something's going on in there, and we need to know what."

    He didn't look like he wanted to, but he followed me inside anyway. The large cave reminded me of Liana's, I thought with a shudder.

    We snuck around onto a ledge, peering down at the mass of Zoroarks. They were surrounding a large, empty space.

    "Hey, I need some help over here!" One of them shouted.

    "Someone get the back!" Another exclaimed.

    "I want a sandwich!" Someone cried. I decided to ignore that comment,

    That's when I realized-

    -What if, that empty space right there, was actually something invisible? That would make sense! They must be using illusions to turn something invisible... But what?

    "Torch," I said quietly. I explained to him my theory.

    He looked interested. "That would make sense," he responded, brightening up. "What do you think they're hiding? Gosh, I hope it's not anything super dangerous."

    I quietly agreed. We observed the workers for a couple more minutes, then silently slipped out of the cave and continued sneaking down the hall.

    "Torch," I said excitedly. "I think this is it!"

    We turned a narrow corner and I remembered- running out the tunnel and funding glorious sunlight. This was it, I knew. This was the tunnel!

    But... There was one difference.
  
    A large, gray boulder blocked the exit.

    My eyes widened. "Nooo!" I cried. "This was our escape!"
  
    We both sprinted towards the tunnel. There was a small crack between the boulder and the exit. "Maybe we could squeeze through," I said.

    "You first," said Torch, but I interrupted.

    "Torch, you're smaller than me. Just try."

    He hesitated, then hopped towards the crack. He inhaled, trying to make himself as small as possible, and thrust himself between.

    My spirits rose when he popped through and stood up on the other side. He glanced towards the feeble sunlight at the end of the tunnel, then faced me. "Your turn."

    I copied Torch, but couldn't fit through. Several times I tried, but I wasn't small enough.

    "What do we do?" Torch asked fearfully.

    I paused. Think, Shadow, think... We need a strong Pokemon... Someone that could move this boulder.

    Didn't Dare mention a Beartic named Ace?

    I opened my mouth to tell Torch where to get Ace, but remembered he was a fire Pokemon, and couldn't stand the cold. I need another option...

    "In Silver Town," I said without thinking, "There should be a girl named Julie Kash who can talk to Pokemon."

    "Kash?" Torch cried.

    I didn't listen. "Ask her where Dare is, and go find him and his friends. If I'm right, there could be a Lucario with them, and she might be able to move this boulder." But she is a grouch who will probably refuse.

    "...Dare?" Torch stammered. "The Absol?"

    "Yes!"

    "Are you sure there's nobody else-"

    "Torch! I don't really like him either!" Do I? "We just need some help, okay? When we're done we can leave!"

    He hesitated, then nodded. "Okay, Shadow. I'll be back as fast as I can. Don't get caught!"

    He gave me a nervous smile, then turned and ran.