Pokémon PrismGold

Chapter Five: "Lost In Time"

Sean cleaned and wrapped up Nate's leg wound as best as he could. He always carried a first aid kit for emergencies in his backpack. Working around the caves was always hazardous. Unrolling his aluminum bendable splint, he wrapped it firmly against the fracture. With it in place, Sean let out a sigh of relief and sat back on his heels to tell the others. "I've done what I can... but I'm no doctor." Mark patted a recovering Dragonite, saying hopefully. "Can we try digging out? Or do you think it will be waiting on the other side?" Sean slowly rose to his feet, dusting his legs off as he replied cautiously. "If my Noivern wasn't injured, he could shatter them... but even with him, I wouldn't try it. Look." Sean pointed to the crack over the cave in. Moving closer to examine the crack, he reluctantly huffed out with disappointment. "Those rocks are supporting the ceiling... We move them and much more of this tunnel is going to fall in on top of us. I wouldn't risk it." The Masked Man gave up on his fire, tossing the small rocks aside as he snapped out. "You know. We wouldn't be in this mess if you all had just listened to me in the first place."

Sean rolled his eyes, growling back sourly. "Oh, get off your high horse. We don't even listen to each other. Why the hell would we listen to YOU?" Mark crossed his arms, asking the Masked Man curiously. "What kind of Pokemon was that? Why was it chasing us?" The Masked Man ignored his questions, storming past as he stated aloud. "Have any of you been in this cave before? Is there a way out?" The man was so anxious that it gave Sean a bad feeling, but he answered honestly. "No. But most of the caves on Shamouti have been excavated. So, this tunnel might link up to one that will lead us out." The Masked Man nodded, boldly suggesting. "Good. Then let us be on our way." Mark rushed between them, holding up a hand to gesture for the man to stop as he asked Sean nervously. "Wait a minute. I don't like the way you said that... 'It might?' For the sake of argument, what if it doesn't?" Sean was hoping they hadn't caught that. Taking a deep breath, Sean told them softly. "If it doesn't... We're in trouble. We are not packed for travel. With no food and no fresh water... and with the cave sealed off... We may run out of oxygen. Which will be quick if Pokemon like Rapidash are left out. Since Fire types eat up lots of oxygen to survive."

Mark bent over to put his hands on his knees, taking slow jagged breaths. Sean licked his lips, before adding in reluctantly. "That's not the worst of it though..." Mark lifted his head, chuckling out half-heartedly. "What could be worse than that?" Sean shuffled his feet, mumbling out. "Well... We've found that cave Pokemon can be quite aggressive. Specifically, the Zubat. In large numbers they can drain you dry... And if we just sealed ourselves in with some..." Mark slowly straightened up, chuckling out. "You're just full of good news." Sean shrugged, openly saying. "You asked." Mark waved a dismissive hand, firmly retorting. "Forget I asked." Sean walked back to Nate, hefting up his backpack as he added lightly. "If we are going to explore. We should do it quickly. At the very least, we should move from this entrance." Mark started to shake his head, looking rattled. Sean stayed calm and rational though as he pointed to the crack in the ceiling upon saying coolly. "If that thing or anyone hits those rocks, it will bring this place down. We can't stay here. Our only hope for rescue is to find a safer place to hole up. Or we find another way out." Sean then pointed to Nate, asking Mark hopefully. "Help me put him on Rapidash."

The Masked Man groaned, grumbling out. "We should leave him and come back for him. We are wasting time and resources." Sean glared at the man, informing him dryly. "We need Rapidash for his light. The last thing you want to do is wonder blindingly in these caves. They can go on for days and are built like layered mazes. One wrong turn and you could end up deep within the earth or so high that you walk off a mountain." The Masked Man waved his hands dismissively at them but stayed within the dim light. Mark helped him lay Nate over Rapidash. Mark flipped Rapidash's reins over its head, getting ready to lead him as he told Sean. "We'll have to go slow. Otherwise, he could fall off and hurt himself more." Sean nodded, then took the reins of the two Dragonites to lead them on. Chad zig-zagged across the floor, before climbing up Rapidash's leg to sit behind Nate. Mark narrowed his eyes on Chad, snapping out. "Hey! Get down!" Chad's costume shook its head and Mark pointed to the ground, growling out like a stern parent. "Chad... I'm going to count to three."