Chapter Four - Pretty Girls Shouldn't Be In Caves

"Return Silverwing!"

I stood outside Granite Cave knowing somewhere inside, Steven was awaiting.

Brushing back my hair into a ponytail I entered the cave with Espeon by my side. It wasn't as bad as I had imagined. Although a tad bit eerie, the cave was fairly lit and moist.

While I was walking along I kept thinking about Steven, wondering what he looked like and what kind of pokemon he had. Mr. Stone had mentioned he was also a very powerful trainer.

"If he's so good why would he waste his time digging in caves?" I pondered.

I was so lost in my own thoughts that didn't even notice Espeon perk up. It's ears were pointed towards the ceiling, it's tail hung low and it began slowing down. Not paying attention to this I stepped on it's tail which freaked it out. Espeon cried out loudly and startled, I stumbled backwards.

"I'm so s-", I froze mid-sentence. A swarm of wild Zubat had awoken.

"Uh oh", I whispered.

The swarm got bigger and started swirling rapidly, right above us!

"Let's run Espeon!"

"Espy!"

Springing to my feet, we dashed away in the opposite direction into a section of the cave that was darker. My heart thudded as I could still hear the Zubat behind us.

Quickening my pace their cries grew distant. Soon enough my started to give out. Feeling faint I stumbled once again, tripping and pummeling into the ground. I moaned as pain surged through my body. God I needed new shoes!

I could feel Espeon on my back nudging me.

"Blah, sorry about that Espeon", I mumured still on the ground. I shifted my body weight slightly, trying not to trigger more pain in the sore area's of my body. Unexpectedley the rubble beneath me began to crumble and I could feel it giving away. The surface cracked and down we went with the rock.

"Oh noooooooo!", I cried as we fell through. Tumbling down a hole of darkness, everything started spinning and I felt like screaming, but not a sound escaped out of my mouth. After that...my world turned black.

What was that sound? The noise wouldn't cease as I tried my hardest to listen. It turned out to be a voice.

I could hear the voice but it was so faint that I couldn't understand. Suddenly I felt someone nudge me.

"Espeon", I whispered. I struggled to open my eyes, but my vision was blurred and everything began to spin again.

"Hello? Hello? Are you alright?" The voice grew louder.

It took a lot of blinking when my eyes finally adjusted to the dim lighting.

"Where am I?" I questioned, dazed.

"You're in Granite Cave, but would you like water or food or something? That was quite a fall you took."

I hadn't even noticed that he was so close to me, but I remained still. A man with hair shining silver was knelt down next to me. His one arm around me for support as I sat up.

"No, but you must be Steven." I never removed my gaze from his eye's as he nodded.

"I am, but are you alright?" He asked in a soft tone.

The concern that showed in his facial features caused me to smile.

"A little sore, but I think I'll be fine."

"That's a relief", he said getting up.

"Wow, he certainly doesn't look too much like his dad" I thought sheepishly. The only resemblence was the hair, but Steven's was a much lighter shade than his father's. He was also very tall and had a broad structure. He certainly was attractive.

"Yeah, but I have something for you from Mr. Stone", I said reaching into my bag.

"Oh I see, that explains it." He then smiled. "I found it odd that you would be in here, it's not common to find a pretty girl in a cave."

His remark made me blush, I didn't know what to say so I just there smiling like an idiot.

He just kept grinning and for second it looked like he was admiring me. It was probably just my imagination.

I gave him the letter and he excused himself as he read it. While he did so, I looked around. We were in a small secluded section of the cave that was dimly lit due to a lamp light Steven had placed in the corner. Mr. Stone had been right about the small area thing after all.

"Espy!"

"Aron!"

I looked behind me to see Espeon and another pokemon.

"What's that?", I pulled out my pokedex.

"Aron, the iron armour pokemon. Aron has an impressive defense power and it eats iron ore in order to build up the metal in it's body."

"Cool, hi Aron! Aren't you a little cutie."

The pokemon said it's name and came closer.

"You're a friendly one too", I said patting it's head."Oh and Espeon! I'm glad you're alright!" Espeon ran into my arms and I craddled it.

"That's quite an Espeon you got there, I can tell it really loves you."

"Thanks Steven, is this your Aron?"

"Yes", Steven said kneeling next to me again. "This little guy likes to help me find stones."

"True, your dad told me you like to collect rare stones. I could never do that", I said shuddering.

"Being alone in a cave is now one of my phobia's."

"Well, they are fun to explore...but it does get a bit lonely at times."

For a second I pitied him as his expression fell. Digging alone in caves was basically isolation from other people.

"But it's worth it", he said with his grin returning. "Finding stones is a good reward for my suffering, the fact that their rare helps too."

Abruptly I looked up. I expected to see a giant hole right above us, but instead it was a solid rock ceiling.

"Omg Steven! Did you rescue me?"

"Hm?" Steven followed my gaze. "Oh, yeah I heard the commotion of the levels crashing and I went searching for the reason. When I found you, you were passed out and your pokemon was lifting rocks away with psychic. So I brought you back with me, hope that's alright with you."

"Are you kidding?!" I exhaled. "You saved me! I owe it all to you!"

He laughed, "Nah, I was just doing what any person should have done in that situation. This cave is dangerous though."

"I know" I said rubbing my leg. "I found that out the hard way."

Steven glanced at me slyly, "Well you're lucky you didn't break any bones."

"Indeed I am", my eyes wandered over to Steven's Aron. "So your little buddy over there is a steel type, am I correct?"

Steven's eyes became lustrous. "Yes you are, I love steel pokemon. In fact, all of my pokemon are steel types."

That way he beamed when he said that made a little switch go off in my head. Steven really was a lot like me. Not only did he have a preference type, but he seemed so proud and happy of his pokemon.

I felt drawn to him as he continued to talk about his pokemon, but once again I found my gaze drifted back to where it was before.

The way they shone, his eyes reminded me of steel.

Usually when you compare something to steel you picture something to be as cold as ice, but those eyes of his had a warmth that with just one look, made you feel safe...made me feel safe.

Well looking at my all the visitors I've had to this story and not a single review, I'm not sure chapter five will be released. I like hearing feedback because not only does it help me, but it motivates me to write more. Please let me know what you think or I'm just going to get the impression this story isn't worth continuing :/