Pokemon Heroes: Sinnoh Saga [Book 1]

Chapter 14

"This Pokémon World of ours never ceases to amaze me. It always keeps you guessing as to what it has in store for you next.

That constant amazement and wonder that it provides is part of the reason I explored as much of the world as I did. As I write this, they say that there are 649 known species of Pokémon—I don't believe it.

I think—in fact I know—that this world of ours is large enough that there are thousands still to be discovered. I remember the time when we travelled through Oreburgh Gate, and came across two ancient Pokémon, whom people believed were extinct for thousands of years."

* * *

Sam, Niya, Alyssandra and Jeremy stood at the entrance of the cave, staring into the darkness of the two separate tunnels, flashlights in each of their hands. They had just entered the cave not too long ago, and they had already reached a fork in the road.

"You know, it's not too late to turn back," suggested Alyssandra. "I'm sure there's another way around the mountain."

Jeremy flashed the light between the two branches. ""Only if you want to climb it or take a boat across the southern shores of Sinnoh, and then walk north to Oreburgh, but of course there's some foothills there."

"You know, I'm starting to get the feeling like you don't like caves," joked Sam.

"How could you tell?" asked Alyssandra sarcastically. "It's just—I'm a tad bit claustrophobic; caves irk me because of that."

"Well, unfortunately you heard Jeremy," said Niya. "The only other ways around are impractical or too slow."

Alyssandra groaned. Her stomach rumbled. She didn't want to want to keep going, but she knew that no matter how much she complained, she would need to.

"This fork must be new," added Jeremy. "It's not in any of the maps."

"Onix shift the tunnels all the time. Anyone who claims to have a map of this place is scamming you," explained Niya.

"So how are we going to navigate this? Backtracking will take too long if one is a dead end," said Sam. "But splitting up could be dangerous if there's a cave in or something."

"The way I see it, we take the lesser of two evils," suggested Jeremy. "If we split up, we can cover more ground. Even if something's goes wrong, there will always be another group ready to go to the rescue of the other."

Sam nodded. "Fair enough, who's going with who?"

"I'll go with Jeremy this time," said Niya instantly. "No offence, Sam, but I had my bonding time with you. Time to bond with Jerry over here."

"It's Jeremy," said Jeremy blankly. "You've known me since we were children, how do you not know my name?"

Niya shrugged. "I like Jerry better. That's what I'm calling you until we're out of here."

Sam shook his head. Niya was as unapologetic and blunt as ever, but that was one of the qualities he admired about her. That's also what made her a good teacher to him and Alyssandra. She was harsh and brutal, when she needs be, while also being supportive and kind when needed.

"In that case I guess I'm going with Sam," said Alyssandra. "And since I'm stuck with him, I'm picking first. I choose the left tunnel."

"What do you mean 'since I'm stuck with him'?" asked Sam. "Am I not good enough for you?"

"Aww," said Niya sarcastically. "Of course, you aren't, whatever gave you that idea?"

Everyone laughed.