The Cobalion limped into the cave.
Kenya and I watched from a distance.
"Well?" I asked.
Kenya leaned against a tree, eying the cave.
"Well, what?" She turned to me.
"Are you going in?"
Kenya considered it for a moment.
She started for the cave.
"Is this the Mistralton cave you were talking about?" I asked, following her.
"Duh," Kenya said. "Told you I'd find it."
The two of us approached the mouth of the cave.
Kenya sent out Darumaka.
Darumaka's fire illuminated the cavern.
Cobalion was deeper in the cavern, its wide eyes landed on us.
I tensed up. Kenya held up an arm.
"Don't move," Kenya warned.
We watched Cobalion for a moment. It was frozen in place, staring back at us.
Kenya slowly reached into her bag and revealed a potion.
"Hey, Cobalion," Kenya said slowly. "I have a potion."
She waved the potion in the air.
"You're hurt, aren't you?"
Kenya took a step forward.
Cobalion barked. The sound reverberated through the cave.
"Kenya," I warned. She shushed me.
She took a hesitant step forward. Her face illuminated by Darumaka's firelight.
Cobalion barked again. It turned and ran further into the cave. Kenya sighed.
"Maybe we shouldn't follow it," I suggested. Kenya bit her lip.
"Its hurt," She said. I glanced between her eyes. She was focused, her eyes locked on the darkness ahead.
It's getting cold in the cave. I hadn't noticed. Recently, I'm almost always chilly. Could it be nighttime?
"What time is it?" I asked. Kenya shrugged.
I took out my Xtransceiver.
It was 7:30. It would be dark by 8.
I scratched my head.
"I guess we should make this quick."
Kenya smirked at me.
"Come on."
Kenya rushed ahead, Darumaka on her heels. I followed behind them, digging into my bag.
We chased Cobalion through several tunnels, leading deeper and deeper into the cave.
We reached a crossroads and Kenya scanned the three different paths.
"There it is!" Kenya shouted. She and Darumaka darted down one of the paths. I was running out of breath starting to fall behind.
The path opened up to a large space. Kenya and Darumaka spread out, quickly flanking Cobalion.
Cobalion was backed to a wall. It growled.
"Be careful," I warned. I let out Musharna.
"We just want to help you," Kenya said. She approached Cobalion.
Cobalion lunged, aiming its horns at Kenya. Kenya dove to the side.
"Musharna, hypnosis!"
Cobalion was too fast, charging at Musharna.
"Fire Punch!"
Darumaka jumped in the way, punching Cobalion in the face. Cobalion staggered to the side. It paused for a moment, glancing between us and our pokemon.
It roared, jerking its head to the side. It fired a sphere of energy at Musharna. Musharna was hit. The blow sent her spiraling through the air.
"Get it to sleep!" Kenya shouted. "Darumaka, get back!"
Cobalion rushed past Darumaka. In a swift movement, it slashed Musharna with its horns.
Musharna hit the ground, knocked out. Cobalion growled at me.
I returned her. I sent out Emboar and Unfezant.
"Cobalion!" Kenya called out, waving her arms. She'd returned Darumaka. The cavern sunk into darkness. "We don't want to hurt you! We just want to help!"
I doubted it would believe us at this point.
Cobalion appeared from the darkness and lunged at Emboar, slashing with its horns.
Emboar stumbled back, swinging at it. Unfezant flew in, slamming into Cobalion.
Cobalion rolled across the ground, disappearing.
"Andrew!" Kenya shouted. "Quit attacking it!"
Unfezant landed on Emboar, nearly knocking it over. The two of them looked at me.
I hesitantly returned them.
"Talk to it!" Kenya insisted. "You said you could talk to pokemon, remember?"
Cobalion was up.
"Cobalion!" I raised my hands. It drug a hoof across the ground. As my eyes adjusted, I could make out its form. "Please calm down."
I gave Kenya a nervous look. She slowly inched towards me. She nodded at me.
I took a breath and started for Cobalion. I tried to hide my fear.
Should I be making eye contact? Avoid eye contact? I wished Bianca or Cheren were here. I stared at Cobalion's hooves.
Cobalion growled again and I paused. It took a few steps forward, sniffing at me.
What are you?
I blinked and raised my head.
"W-what?"
Kenya gasped.
"Are you talking to it?" She asked in a hushed voice.
What are you?
"I'm a human," I said.
You can reach me.
Cobalion moved closer. I stiffened, taking a step back.
Kenya walked over to me.
"What's it saying?"
I wish to be left alone.
"He wants us to leave him alone."
"But you're hurt!" Kenya snapped. "Let us help you!"
I do not need your assistance.
"He doesn't want our help."
Kenya steamed.
"I didn't ask for your permission," Kenya mumbled.
The two of you require assistance. You are in more danger than I am.
"What?" I asked. "What do you mean?"
How will you get out of this cave?
I furrowed my brow.
"Hey Kenya," I nudged her. "Do you remember the way we came from?"
"Why?"
Cobalion turned and walked away.
The two of us watched it disappear into the darkness.
"We've got to get out of here."
.
.
.
"Thunderbolt!" Fennel ordered.
The bolt of lightning struck Gigalith.
Gigalith roared, trembling. It stumbled a few steps before collapsing.
Mary stared at Gigalith.
"Looks like I win," Fennel said. "Please leave." She returned Gothitelle.
"I know you're cheating," Cheren said. Mary returned her Gigalith. "You're amping that Gothitelle somehow."
Fennel scoffed.
Cheren, Bianca, and Mary left the gym.
"Let's get Andrew to challenge her," Cheren said. "I don't know what she's doing but she's definitely cheating!"
"Where is Andrew?" Bianca wondered. "Kenya too."
The three of them split up, searching the city.
It was an hour later when they reunited outside of the pokemon center. It's nearly dark.
"I haven't seen them anywhere," Bianca said.
"Maybe they're training," Cheren said.
"Maybe they're dead," Mary said.
Cheren and Bianca shared tired looks.
"I'm sure they're fine," Skyla stepped out of the pokemon center, yawning. "They seem tough."
The three stared at her for a moment.
Skyla walked past them.
"Hey, wait up!" Bianca ran after Skyla. Mary took off after her.
Cheren glanced over his shoulder at the gym building.
What would Fennel have to gain from this stunt?
He watched Bianca and Mary swarm Skyla.