PMD - Cost of time

The Flaming Mountain

The inside of the volcano was predictably hot, but not to a point where it was too uncomfortable, or got in the way of anything. The magma flowing around on the inside wasn't as hot as it would've normally been, as if cooled down by the magical aura of the mystery dungeon to a point where you can go near it without it being too dangerous. That is, as long as you don't actually touch it.

The five pokemon went through the cave with varying levels of enthusiasm. They had a couple of encounters with wild pokemon, but usually outnumbered them and could beat them without much trouble. All seemed to go well enough, but then they came to what appeared to be a dead end. A big stream of magma stood between them and the way to the next floor.

"How do we get over that?" The kabutops asked.

Cole got closer to the magma, almost touching it. "Well, depending on how cooled down the magma is, I might be able to swim through it, but I don't think I want to risk that."

"That wouldn't help any of us either." Tierra remarked.

"No, there's another way." The blastoise said, before suddenly shooting a hydro pump into the magma, leading to some of it turning to stone. The kabutops also sprayed water, although that wasn't nearly as effective. Still, with combined efforts they were able to create a way over the stream.

Cole was the first to walk over, being the lightest one, it was probably the least risky. Next was Tyke, and then the kabutops. Tierra insisted that the blastoise should go before her, and so he did, however, he could feel the bridge giving up below him, and soon enough it started cracking and breaking into pieces. The blastoise jumped, although not very far, it was still enough to get him to the other side. He turned around, and hydro pumped the magma again, to create a new way for Tierra.

"Uhh, we're getting some company." Tyke said, and before the blastoise could even react, he had a flamethrower shot at his back.

The blastoise was sturdy enough not to tumble, and when he turned around, he saw the magmortar attacking, accompanied by two magmar.

"I fear you'll have to wait a bit longer." The blastoise told Tierra.

"Take your time." She only responded, and watched her teammates jump into battle.

Cole was the first to fight back, charging at the magmortar with a quick attack. He hit, but was then met with a fire punch in return. Tyke took this as an opportunity to attack the big distracted pokemon with a sludge bomb. The poisonous sludge hit the magmortar in the back of its head, turning its attention to him. But right as it charged up a new flamethrower, it got hit by muddy water shooting out of the blastoise's cannons, which was actually directed at one of the magmar. This of course turns the magmortar's attention yet again, now turning to the blastoise.

Meanwhile, the other magmar was being held busy by the kabutops, which shot at it with a barrage of rock blasts from a distance. Tierra also occasionally helped with long ranged dragon breaths, although that of course only worked if no one was between her and the enemies.

The Magmortar ran at the blastoise with a thunder punch. The blastoise tried to dodge, but got hit in the shoulder and tumbled backwards. He could stop himself before falling into the magma, but by then the fire type already raised it's fist for another thunder punch. This time it went for the head, which was sure to knock the blastoise into the magma, if he hadn't avoided it by retracting his head into his shell. He then tried to push the magmortar away,with his head still in his shell, but it was too heavy for that to work. That's when Tierra shot a dragon breath right where the blastoise's head just was, to hit the magmortar right in the face, letting it lose its stability and get shoved backwards.