Pokémon PrismGold

Chapter Fifty-Six: "A New Journey Begins"

Turning to look at the Shaman, Nate asked curiously. "What do you mean? Time for what?" The Shaman gestured them toward the back of the cave and the other locals bowed their heads as they passed with grim faces. Nate shared a concerned look with Mark but followed. Wedging through the narrow passage into the crystal cave, Nate saw the fossilized tree was shimmering with a soft rainbow light. It was beautiful and made the dim damp cave come alive. The crystals in the walls even pulsed with shimmering light. The Shaman moved up to the tree and told the three of them in a calm tone of voice. "There is one more thing we must do. A trade. A life for a life of peace." Nate took a step back, looking to the others. Sean looked the most distraught by it. While Mark appeared to have guessed something like this might happen. Nate shook his head, snapping out. "NO! I'm not ok with that! After EVERYTHING we have done... This is what we get in return?!"

The Shaman raised her hands to try and calm him, informing him casually. "I know it is not what you wanted to hear. But this must be done. There is no other way." Nate kicked at the loose rocks of the cave, snapping out. "And how are we supposed to make that decision?! It's not fair!" Mark reached out to touch Nate's shoulder, but Nate shrugged it off to pace. He didn't want to chose among his friends. He didn't have many and this felt like a punishment. The Shaman quickly stated out. "The chose has already been made. All you have to do is witness it." Nate stopped pacing to cut in darkly. "Witness one of our friends die? It's that easy, huh?! What kind of ritual is this?! Sounds like a cult!" The Shaman opened her mouth to say something, but Mark quickly told Nate to calm him down. "Nate, it is ok." Nate shook his head, his voice echoing off the walls as he snapped out. "NO! It's not! Why are you ok with this?!" Sean buried himself in Mark's chest as Mark replied. "Because this is what being Chosen means. We give our lives to save people."

Nate glared at Mark, bitterly retorting. "Being a hero SUCKS! It's never enough! When do WE get to enjoy the life, we worked so damn hard to save?!" The Shaman tried to butt in to say in a bit of a rush. "Boys, stop. Listen to me. The chose has been made and it's-" Sean lifted his head from Mark's chest to blurt out. "It's me." Both Mark and Nate looked to Sean and in unison with the Shaman said aloud. "What?!" Sean pulled from Mark, telling Mark and Nate seriously. "It makes the most sense. I'm not like you two... You're strong and confident in yourselves. Leaders. I'm... me. The Shaman brought something to my attention earlier. If this is my end... I just want to spend it with you two. I don't have anything else that I want to do... because I found what I was missing. I'm happy. I can go willingly." Mark grabbed Sean's arm, firmly telling him. "No! I won't let you. I had already made up my mind on the beach! It should be me." Nate rubbed his temples, scoffing out. "You two are crazy! Why would you do that?" The Shaman raised a hand, but no one was looking at her.

Mark turned to Nate, telling him seriously. "It's not crazy. It has to be done. And it's not fair to make either of you choose. So, I'll do it." Nate and Sean began to argue with Mark over the reasons why they all should or shouldn't pick each other, until Nate blurted out the one thing that he knew would shut them all up. "If it is going to be anyone! It should be ME because I've got no one else and nowhere to go after this!" The cave fell into silence and Nate shoved passed them to stand before the Shaman. Standing strong, he told her sternly. "I'll do it." Sean tied to lunge forward to grab Nate, but Tobias grabbed him by the arm to keep him back. Mark started to move up to grab Nate, until the Shaman placed her hands on Nate's shoulders. Giving him a warm smile, she cooed out like a mother to a small child. "Oh, Nathan. You have a lot of heart... But the choice is made." Nate grabbed her wrists, sinking to his knees as he pleaded with her. "Don't take him! I'm a better choice! Please!" Sean tugged against Tobias and Mark stepped up. The shaman waved Mark back though, taking a knee in front of Nate. Cupping his face, she told them all openly. "You three are so stubborn... That is not how this works. It can't be any of you."