There was a body on the floor, half sunk in the snow. Ghetsis could hardly believe in his eyes - the same girl who had ruined his plans and made him lose the essence of life, now laid in the soft snow, unconscious and with her skin as pale as the snow on which she was lying.
He realized that she was holding an object in her hands, and was holding it firmly, since she had not let it go even after collapsing.
It was the stick he left in the Giant Chasm.
Now, they were both near Icirrus City, in the biggest snowfall of the year. It was so white it hurt the eyes, and the city was unrecognizable.
'Silly girl.'
Mei knew Ghetsis had gone mad and disappeared of Unova. Of all the places she thought of looking for him, Icirrus City looked the more likely, since the battle with the Shadow Triad.
She did not expect that raging blizzard.
Ghetsis looked at her with some curiosity, but to remain in the constant cold was not pleasing him. He was not like Zinzolin - stand shivering in a freezer was not his style.
He crouched down next to her and touched her cheek, with a delicacy that was uncharacteristic of a man so cold. He slid his fingers down the cheek of the young girl, seeking to feel the temperature.
Despite the cold, she was burning with fever.
He frowned - what the hell was that growing into his chest? Was it concern?
No.
He shook his face slightly, in an attempt to expel improper thoughts invading his mind.
Two options remained: To go away, and leave the trainer freeze to death, or help her as a way to redeem the mad things he committed.
He chose the second option.
'Maybe I'm really insane..' he thought.
Already crouched, Ghetsis took her in his arms.
The girl was light as a feather, and, as she was raised, she was still holding the stick.
Now, where to go?
To the Pokemon Center? He would be arrested at the first chance they get.
Spotting a cave in the distance, he went there.
_
"Hydreigon, flamethrower."
Hydreigon did not bother with the monotone voice of his trainer, and simply obeyed him, casting flames from its mouth toward a piece of wood.
Soon, there was fire illuminating the small cave. He nodded to the dragon Pokémon, as if thanking it for its help, and returned it to the Pokeball.
Then, he looked at the sleeping girl beside him.
He raised an eyebrow, somewhat surprised.
She smiled in her feverish sleep.
All his grudge was gone, just looking at that smile. She seemed to be having a good sleep.
Ghetsis wondered what she was dreaming. Perhaps with her victory in the league, or with her Pokemon?
Despite not knowing, deep in his mind, he wanted her to be dreaming about him.
It haunted him deeply. He wanted to get out from there soon.
Staying so close to her made him feel strangely disturbed.
He looked at her once more.
Surprisingly, crouching near Mei, he left his lips wet the forehead of the young trainer.
This done, he turned away, got up, and went to the blizzard outside.
'I hope you'll forgive me someday ..'
When Mei awoke, she felt that something was missing. She looked at her hands.
The stick was gone.