Pokemon Regression

Chapter 25: Pitch Black

I desperately wanted to panic, but I knew better than to let my emotions control me like that. The first thing I had to do was get an understanding of my current situation. First, I checked on Yeller's condition. 

[Yeller

Rattata* (Level 11)

Hp: 3/29
Atk: 22
Def: 14
Sp.Atk: 9
Sp.Def: 14
Spd: 23

Status Points (1)

Skills:

-Empty-

Moves:

Tackle
Tail Whip
Quick Attack
Focus Energy
Bite]

Unfortunately, Yeller was exhausted after using all of those bites and evading the rocks. He'd been doing a lot of work carrying us through Mt. Moon before we got captured by Team Rocket too, so it was no surprise he was exhausted.

I tapped at my flashlight a few more times in the vain hope that it would miraculously begin working again, but I had no such luck. Fortunately I still had one other source of light, although it was very weak. 

The PokeDex I'd been given by Professor Oak.

I retrieved it from my bag and used the light from the display to take a look at Yeller. The poor guy was completely bruised up and tuckered out. He was still willing to give his best for me, but I was doubtful that he even had many move uses left. "Rest up for now, buddy." I offered, holding his Pokeball out to him. 

And in a flash of red, he was contained in the Pokeball, able to rest to his hearts content. He'd need at least a few hours of rest before he was in fighting condition again.

I took a deep breath, trying to slowly advance down the cave by the faint light of my PokeDex. I was walking for about 30 seconds before the device suddenly started buzzing like crazy. I frowned, and realised I was receiving notifications from the messaging app. 

Chee! I opened the app in a hurry, only to be met by a swarm of short messages. 

'Cyan? Are you there?'
'Hello?'
'I fell down somewhere, and my leg hurts.'
'Cyan'?
'I'm scared.'
'I'm scared.'
'I'm scared.'
'I'm scared.' 

Every few seconds she sent the same message again, and I hurriedly typed out an answer of my own.

'I'm here! Are you okay?'

'I'm scared.'
'Cyan! Where are you, I can't see you!'

'I didn't fall. I managed to get out in time. Are you okay?'

'I'm scared.'

'I know that. Are you okay, physically?'

'My leg hurts.'
'I'm scared.'

I felt my brow furrow as she continued to repeat the same message over and over. I wasn't used to communicating purely by text, but unlike when I usually communicated with her, I couldn't pierce through and see what she thought in response to my questions, I needed her to answer me. I'd have to ask followup questions.

'Can you still move that leg?'

'Barely. It hurts a lot when I move it.'

'Is it bleeding?'

There was a tense moment of silence before she finally responded. 

'No.'

I breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Despite the height she'd fallen from, it seemed that she hadn't hurt herself critically. Not walking was bad, but she should still be alive even if it took me a while to find her.

'I'm going to try and find you.' I responded. 'Hang in there.'

'I'm scared.'

I frowned as I slowly advanced through the cave, using my free hand to feel the walls and make sure I was sticking to them and not walking in circles.