Save Me

Why? That was the word that I ofen had to question myself with after I made every decision. This one though, required an answer I really couldn't even come up with. What I had used as my reasoning was more like an excuse and there is a distinct difference. An excuse is what I use to state a reason for for why I decide to do something, yet an answer is the real I chose to do it.

So why? Why had I accepted to travel with Steven to his hometown?

The exuse I had used to assure myself was it was an adventure, but even I knew that was just paritally it. For some reason I didn't want to leave him. I glanced over at him as he started to pack up his stuff; getting ready to leave Granite Cave with me.

He had offered...well more like stated he would help me out of the cave, but the sudden travel invitation caught me off guard. Did this mean he thought of me as a friend?

"I found it odd that you would be in here, it's not common to find a pretty girl in a cave."

Just thinking about what that line made my stomach flutter. To think those words had come out of his lips, to think those words were being said to me!

I caught myself quickly and crossed my arms. It wasn't like me to be lead on by subtle flirting, but I couldn't help it.

"Stop thinking it about, he's a guy, it probably just slipped out", I snorted at my own thought.
I wonder if I was turning into a guy, because that happened to me a lot.

"You all set?"

I flinched at the sound of his voice. "Yep", I squeaked.

"What's the matter? You look so flustered. You're not scared for the trip are you?" He said teasingly.

"Pfft, as if Stone." I said confidently, trying to hide my flustered-ness. "Im tough to the bone!"

The corners of mouth turned upward. "Okay, but just in case your lying you should'nt worry."

"Oh and why is that?" I asked amused.

There was a silence.

"Because You've got me to protect you."

"It slipped out, it slipped out!"

At that moment I began losing trust in that little voice in my head.
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"Why don't I hold onto your Pokeballs?"

"Excuse me?" I questioned as I was walked next to him in the cave.

"Well, were going to be doing some climbing soon and I don't know", Steven shrugged. " I always have this weird feeling that my Pokeballs are just going to fall out. I mean you don't have to give them to me,
but I like to put them in my back pack."

"Well... I guess that would be okay." I handed them over to him.

"Oh, keep at least one Pokemon with you", he said giving a random Pokeball back.

I opened the Pokeball and Mudkip appeared.

"Alright... let's get out of this cave then", Steven said zipping up his back.

"Are you sure you know where we are going?"

"Of course! Like I said, I've been exploring many caves. I know everything and place inside this cave."

"Okay, whatever you say." I said crossing my arms.

His confidence reassured me inside.

As we continued to walk I noticed Mudkip was not at my feet. I spun around quickly.

"Is...something the matter?" Steven asked.

I saw Mudkips about ten metres back, just sitting there with the fin on it's head pointed in the air.

"Yeah, yeah keep going", I said shooing him. "I'll catch up in a second."

"Um, okay." He said unsure. "Don't take too long."

I ran back over to Mudkip. "You little trouble maker, what are you doing now?"

"Mudkip!" It responded, and then galloped deeper into the cave.

"Ahh! Mudkip stop!" I wailed. I started to chase after it. I was really starting to get sick of this.

I started to get scared as we got further and further into the Cave. It was then I realised, I had no idea of how I would get back to Steven. I begged Mudkip to stop, but it only kept going.

Mudkip lead me to spot in the cave that had two holes, two different entrances.

"That's enough you!" I grabbed Mudkip and sighed. We were offcially lost, great.

"Steven!" I called out. "Steven can you hear me?"

"Ah, a trainer who is friends with Mr. Stone's son. This is will make my job much easier."

I jumped as I heard that voice. "Who's there?" I whispered.

A man emerged from the shadows with a smirk on his face. He was wearing a hooded maroon coloured costume and was very muscular.

"Another freakshow?" I thought to myself. "Could he be a crook like that team aqua character"

I backed up and Mudkip jumped in front of me.

"Who are you?" I demanded.

He laughed darkly. "If you must know, my name is Tabitha. How about you young trainer? Are you perhaps looking for Steven Stone as well?"

"As well?" I breathed. "What do you want from Steven?!"

"You bore me with your questions. Now be a good little girl and lead me to him."

"No! Answer my question first!" I glared at him defensively.

"Tch, you're an annoying one." His tone was irritable. "I don't want to have to do this by force!"

"Well, I'm not doing anything I don't want to do", I repiled stubbornly.

"Geez", he muttered. "Fine! Let's go Mightyena!"

The wolf like Pokemon growled at me and Mudkip.

"Come on Mudkip!" My heart began to beat faster. Mudkip wasn't that strong of a Pokemon. After recieving it from the Professor, I hadn't had the time to train it; at all.

"Mightyena shadow ball!"

As it loaded up I ordered Mudkip to dodge. I watched as the blast of black and purple just missed my Pokemon.

"Okay water gun!" I called out.

Mudkips water gun hit, but barely did any damage.

"Thanks", Tabitha said smuggly. "Mightyena needed a bit of a shower anyways."

"Ugh, jerk!", I blurted out.

"Mightyena, quick attack and then tackle!"

Mightyena tore down towards Mudkip and body slammed it into the cave wall.

"No Mudkip!" I shrieked.

"Finish it with shadow ball!"

The Pokemon snarled and then loaded up another shadow ball attack.

"Mudkip get up! Come one!" I called out.

But Mudkip didn't have the strength as it got hit by the shadow ball and fainted. I returned my Pokemon with panick rushing over me.

What was I going to do now?

Tabitha snickered and his Mightyena bared it's teeth at me.

"Looks like you're in trouble now sweetheart. I'll ask you nicely, where is Steven Stone?"

I scoffed and balled my hands into fists. "Like I'd tell you!"

He smiled eerily. "Fine you little brat, maybe this will help get some information out of you. Mightyena!"

The Pokemon growled and inched towards me. "Use shadow ball."

I watched horrified as his Pokemon got ready to launch the attack. I shut my eyes and braced myself.

"Steelix go!" My eyes flew open and I watched as a giant steelix slammed Mightyena into the wall of the cave. Steven emerged from the shadows, behind Tabitha.

"Whats your problem?!" He growled at Tabitha.

Tabitha simply chuckled. "Well , well you must be Steven then."

Steven's glare made me shiver even though it wasn't directed at me. His pale blue eyes seemed to pierce through Tabitha.

"I am, but who are you and how dare you try to hurt her?!"

Tabitha glanced at me. "Oh, so this girl means something you? I see." That same dark smile returned.
He came towards me and before I could react, he grabbed me harshly around the wrist.

"Team Magma needs your help, Steven", he said with his eyes locked onto mine. "I hope you choose to cooperate."

Steven approached us and Tabitha spun around, still griping me tightly.
First Team Aqua now team magma? This was getting weird.

I shrieked as Tabitha's grip was cutting off my circulation.

Steven cringed. "Let her go!"

"Will you help me then?"

Steven hesitated and I looked at him weakly.

"No, b-but let her go... I'll think...about it."

Tabitha sighed. "Not good enough. I let her go, you two get away. I've been in this business for a while. Don't play games with me."

Steven's glare returned. "I'm not afraid of you. Just let her go and I won't have to hurt you!"
His Steelix then swung out it's tail and in a split second Tabitha leaped back, just nearly missing being struck in the face.

"Tch". Tabitha's expression turned angry. "Cocky brat. I guess were doing this the hard way then."

I remembered watching Tabitha's hand turn into a fist and a sharp pain in my stomach.
I felt my breath get knocked out through my throat.

Before my eyes shut, I heard Steven yell. I tried to say something, but the pain became overwhelming.
It was deja vu as I lost consciousness.