Chapter Two
Sonorous
I chased after the two into town, further and further and noticed more lights and decorations were being put up. They led me to, what I assumed was, the square. The towns square was an opening with a tall pine tree in the middle of it. Serval pokémon were surrounding the tree, which was huge and decorated with lights, strings, and small ornaments. At the tip of the tree sat a bright, white star. The towns pokémon seemed to be getting ready to celebrate something. A holiday, perhaps? I blinked when it hit me and I smiled brightly. It was Christmas! I couldn't believe it was already that time of the year! That was fantastic! I ran up to the tree, careful not to bump anyone or anything. I approached the pine tree and stared up at it's gorgeous lighting and decoration. I then lowered myself when I saw my reflection. The reflection spooked me and I realized I was staring right back at… A white Vulpix. I lifted my paw to my cheek and the reflection did the same.
"Having fun?" A voice sounded from beside me.
Too invested in staring at the Vulpix reflection, I simply nodded.
"That's wonderful! Did you put your print on it yet?"
That question grabbed my attention and I turned to face the voice. I came face-to-face with a small red pokémon. He was rocking back and forth on his feet, smiling brightly as if he was hyper-active. Studying his face a quick moment, I realized what he was. It was a Chimchar! Responding to his question, I shook my head and asked, "What do you mean, 'print'?"
"Your print, silly!" He picked my paw up with his warm hands and smiled, exclaiming "Paw print! All pokémon in this town make a paw-print or some other print on a small piece of clay and hang it up!" The Chimchar chuckled and then bounced away to a small booth over to the side.
I trailed after the pokémon and approached the table booth he disappeared behind.
"We got a winner, Muddy!" The Chimchar cheered as he hopped up with something in his hand and sat it on the table. "So what you will do is just put your paw, since you've got one, in the middle, hard!" He explained. "I'm sure you can handle that right?"
I blinked and gazed down at the small piece of clay. Smiling and nodding, I replied, "Yes. That's really neat!" I stood up on my hind paws, putting my front ones on the table edge. Lifting my right paw, I pressed it against the claw and put pressure down. The claw was soft and squishy, it totally felt weird on my paws.
"Annnnnnd, stop!" Chimchar exclaimed as I lifted my paw away. "Stand back!"
I did as I was told, taking a few steps back and bumping into another pokémon, knocking him down. "Uh, I'm very sorry." I gasped, turning to look at the pokémon to try and help it up!
"Watch where you're going!" The silver and gold pokémon snapped at me. "And don't touch me, you're freezing ice!" The pokémon pushed himself up off the ground and brushed the snow off his body, giving me an ice-cold glare.
I caught his gaze, only to glare back at him. "I said I was sorry," I growled at him.
"Sorry doesn't fix the fact you're an incompetent fool," He replied.
"It's not like I did it on purpose," I replied, now agitated at how rude this pokémon was. "And I can't help that I'm an ice-type, are you blind?"
He gave a snarky look and smirked, "Your cold self can go back to the mountains. That's what you can do."
I huffed, my cheeks puffing up with anger. How dare this pokémon?! How many ruder pokémon can I meet today! They should be grateful they're meeting me! I locked gazes with this dragon pokémon, but I noticed that his attitude changed.
His gaze lightened up and grew of curiosity. He then shook his head and muttered, "Whatever. Just watch where you're going." The pokémon then turned away, still brushing snow off his scaly body.
"Hey Aria! There you are! Are you okay?" Rui called, running up to me followed my Zoro.
I frowned, watching this silver/gold pokémon leaving. That was so weird too. Not only was he rude, but he was weird. "I'm fine," I muttered to Rui, wondering why he was so concerned with me. Five minutes ago he wanted nothing to do with me joining his team thing.
"Hakamo-o's are definitely not a common pokémon in this area," Chimchar said awkwardly on the other side of the booth.
"Hakamo-o?" Zoro asked, coming up beside Rui, voice stern and concerned. He looked at us and then his gaze landed on Chimchar. "Was anyone hurt?" He demanded.
Chimchar shook his head, replying, "No. He just got bumped into your friend here. You know, I would've jumped in if he started any trouble," Chimchar cheered, gently patting puffed out chest and grinning proudly.
"Hrmph," Rui muttered, gazing away in the direction of the prints left in the snow. "Good thing no one was hurt."
"That's right! She's our newest member, Kasai!" Zoro grinned at us. "Our new cleaner!"
I turned sharply on the Zorua and pushed him over with my paw. "I'm not a cleaner!" I snapped at him.
Zoro laughed and gazed at us in the snow, "Right."
"Zoro, stop," Rui demanded, glaring at him. "Aria is a team member just like you and I."
"Thank you, Rui," I replied.
"Ah, it's a pleasure to meet you Aria. I'm Kasai, obviously a Chimchar on Team Platinum!" The Chimchar smiled pleasantly. "Did you guys get your paperwork to go through yet?" He asked Rui.
"No, not yet. Marowak sent us to pick missions up though," Rui explained to Kasai. "So we were just headed that way when she ran off."
"I did not run off!" I obligated, feeling accused and personally victimized by Rui. I huffed, turning my head up and pointing my muzzle in the air. "I simply went to go make my decoration," I told him and picked up the clay that Chimchar had finished for me. "Shee?" I said, through the small ribbon that was attached.
"Oh that's hideous," Zoro muttered, chuckling slightly.
I glared at him and was about to reply when Rui cut me off.
"Come on, we don't have all night. Let's get this taken care of," Rui walked up to the tree. "Since you will be a part of our team, you should put it next to our prints." The Rockruff approached the tree and I followed him. He stood up on his back paws, balancing himself. "Give it here," He asked me.
Hesitating, I raised a Vulpix-eyebrow at him. "Can't I put it up myself?" I asked him.
"I was just trying to be helpful," he murmured to me.
Trying to copy the Rockruff, I stood up slowly on my back paws. My balance was completely off and I nearly tumbled to the side when Rui had balanced me.
"Can you not be so heavy?" He asked.
"Oh hush," I muttered as I steadied myself and then gently put the clay ornament on the tree next to two other paws, which I was assuming were Rui's and Zoro's. I smiled brightly and then glanced over my shoulder down at Rui and teased, "I'm surprised you made one."
Rui raised his eyebrow and then took a step away from me, causing me to completely lose my balance. "Whoops," He muttered as I fell face-flat on the ground. The pokémon then turned away from the three of us and began to walk away.
"Grr, Is he always like this?" I demanded from Zoro.
"Rui? No, he's usually a lot more respectful and talkative. He's usually very bouncy and outgoing. I don't know what's gotten into him today," Zoro explained, flicking his ears as he watched his friend leave. "I think he's just upset from earlier."
I frowned and then sighed, "Well, his attitude better change soon or I'll change it for him!" I declared this. I wasn't going to be stuck around a mean Rockruff all day long. "
Zoro shrugged, "Meh. It's fine. He'll get over himself. We'll see you back at the guild, Kasai," The Zorua turned away after saying bye to the Chimchar and began to walk ahead.
I frowned as he left me there by myself with the Chimchar. I quickly thanked him and chased after Zoro. Once I caught up to him, I kind of stayed slightly behind. I was a little worried about how he felt about me joining the guild, but I refused to say anything to anyone. Both pokémon were annoyed, I could sense it. I felt bad too for feeling like such a burden on them. I tried to clear my head and followed him quietly. But where did Rui go? As annoying as that pokémon can be, I did worry for him.
"Rui probably saw someone or something and went to get say hello or something along those lines," Zoro explained, gazing over his shoulder at me. "Don't worry about him. He's a tough pokémon. Unless he's stupid to get singled out by a group of pokémon, which he might be. He's stubborn like that."
I nodded, listening to the small Zorua who was leading me somewhere.
"Besides, Kasai offered to go and look for him with his teammate. So we've got nothing to worry about but focusing on getting you to our Shamans," Explained Zoro.
I frowned. It kind of sounded as though Zoro wasn't too concerned. At least he asked Kasai was going to go and find him. I assumed that Kasai was a part of the guild, since Zoro did just state he had a teammate. I wonder who his teammate is. Hopefully, the two of them will find Rui. Zoro's mood changed completely though! Maybe he's bi-polar. Probably shouldn't get on his bad side then. I guess I hardly knew him, but seeing him act the past few hours made me curious.
Continuing up the rocky path, I could feel the temperature drop again. It was cold, but luckily it wasn't as bothersome to me. I guess that's the perk of being an ice-type. The rocky path came to an end when we entered another huge clearing with a large building on it. There was a stone wall around the building on it's sides and behind. The front of the stone building was a mailbox and the door to the building. There was also a sign on the other side that said 'Guild of Sonorous.' This building was rather small to be just a guild, at least with the way everyone was speaking about it.
"This is the guild," Zoro said, walking up to the door.
"Ahh Zoro! A pleasure to see you again. And who's this? A friend?" A pokémon spoke from above us.
I gazed up at towards the top of the building to quite the large flying bird type pokémon with a large, colorful beak.
"Greetings, Toucannon! Yes, this is Aria, she's looking to join the guild. Has Zyana returned yet?" Zoro asked, gazing at the pokémon.
The colorful beaked pokémon, Toucannon, gently fluttered off the roof to land beside us. "Zyana? No I have not seen her return yet, and welcome to the guild, young lass." The pokémon outstretched one of his wings and bowed in greeting to me.
I blinked, a little taken back by this pokémon's respect. "Um, hello," I murmured softly.
"Where is Feather? I thought she usually took over for the night," Zoro asked.
"Uh, Feather? Alas, she was quite eventful tonight," Toucannon replied, looking away. "I do believe her and Mr. Unfezant had gotten into a…. so you say, quarrel?"
"Unfortunate," Zoro replied and shrugged. "We will let you return to your post. We've got a couple things need to get taken care of tonight." The Zorua walked up to the door, and with a click, the door unhatched and opened.
"Have a lovely evening, and it's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Aria." Toucannon said with another quick bow before flying back to the top of the building.
I watched as the door opened, wondering if they kept it locked at night for certain reasons. Surely, they did, but maybe something was going on? Who knows. I was rather excited to see how this guild looks. It was rather small on the outside, but perhaps it was larger on the inside. Through the door, a staircase. We walked down the stairs that was lined with Christmas lights and pictures of pokémon and groups. Each one of them labeled with a different team or, I'm assuming, leader. There were so many pictures! Almost like a walkway of fame. The stairs took us further down and I could hear voices. They were rather soft voices, but I could understand since it was getting late.
At the bottom of the stairs, we came to a wide opening. This opening was neatly decorated with Christmas lights, ornaments and stockings. It was gorgeous here! In the center of the room, a large pine tree, just like the one in town. You had several gifts underneath it and I smiled. Just like Christmas! Excitement just ran through me and I beamed with happiness. "This is gorgeous!" I exclaimed.
Zoro nodded. "Yeup. Just like town, we have own our tradition. Most of these presents will be donated to the younger generation in town," He explained to me.
In the main room, I could see several tunnels that were lined with Christmas lights as well. Those must lead to different areas in the guild. Turning my head left, I noticed a glass paneling with a large door in the middle. It said, 'Delivery & Flight Room.'
"That is an easy access room for flying pokémon to leave and come as they please. Heavily monitored though. It takes you right off the cliff. It's also where our pokémon go to deliver mail and receive mail," Zoro explained.
Nodded, my gaze fell on tunnel directly ahead where I could see a glowing blue light.
"We'll get to that room in a moment," Zoro explained. "Come with me." The Red and black Zorua turned away and headed in the opposite direction of the Delivery and Flight room, towards a widened tunnel that had a board above it saying, 'Lunch Room.' Down the tunnel, a strong sense of food hit me. It smelled delicious, but I guess I was also hungry. "This, obviously, is the lunch room," He explained. "Our cooks do make more than just lunch. They do serve Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, but you must get there early enough to save you a seat. Over here we have the tunnel to the Recruits hall. Most recruits do stay here, if we have the room for it. This is where you will be staying with Rui and I." The pokémon motioned to a tunnel with a flick of his tail that was next to the lunch room. "Over here," He turned away and motioned to a tunnel that was next to the Delivery/Flight Room and explained, "Is the tunnel for some of our older team members. Their rooms? So much better than ours!" His voice dropped and he snickered, "That's because most of them are getting old."
"Why, I never!" A pokémon gasped beside us.
Both of our gazes turned to a large white and blue pokémon, a Swanna.
"Not you though, Miss Hiroka. You're still young! I say, you look better than ever!" Zoro grinned widely at the pokémon.
"Better be careful with your wording, Zoro. Hiroka is going to get you," A voice chuckled beside her.
My gaze rested on the large pokémon beside the swanna. It was a large brown furred pokémon with a black-and-red mane and tail. His hooves were large and red as well.
"I am Mudsdale," The pokémon introduced himself with a faint smile. "I'm assuming your new around this area, as I can say I've never seen an Alolan Vulpix. Welcome to Sonorous. It seems you've got your hands tied with Zoro and…. Rui? Where's that little pokémon?"
"It's nice to meet you, Mudsdale. I've never seen a pokémon like you before," I explained myself, examining the large equine horse closely. Never seen a pokémon like him before.
"We're unsure, actually," Zoro replied and shrugged. "He'll be back though!"
"He's always disappearing at nights these days. Ah well, he can take care of himself," Mudsdale explained, seeming like he wasn't too interested.
"That little runt is always causing a ruckus for our guild! I swear if he disturbs my sleep again, I'll surely teach him a bad time!" Hiroka grunted, turning away from us and walking down another hallway.
"Ah, have a lovely night. We've got to get up early tomorrow and pick up Decidueye. He's been quite distant lately," Mudsdale trailed after his teammate.
"Decidueye?" I murmured softly, watching them leave.
Zoro nodded, and shouldered me, "He's just a grass and ghost type pokémon. Very mysterious. You never see him at the guild. Come on, I want to show you the Atlas." Zoro trailed to a staircase that was directly opposite of the staircase that lead us down here.
This staircase was large and wide, quite tall too. At the top, I could see the blue light getting brighter and brighter. After climbing the flight of stairs, we can to a regular opening with windows surrounding the entire room. This room had a huge floating globe in the middle of it, held up by some golden like tables. It was rotating slowly, often poking out holographs of other pokémon and items. My eyes grew wide. Wow, pokémon world surely had advanced technology! This was the coolest thing ever! (It's basically the Nexus.) There was a pokémon's back at a desk, scrambling around some books and paperwork. I could hear her mumbling to herself.
"Where is it? What did I do with it? What did he do with it?!" She was mumbling. She frantically stood up and began pacing back and forth in the room, gazing around quickly trying to find something.
"This is Yuzumi," Zoro introduced, as he took a step back from the glowing blue globe. "Yuzumi," Zoro called out to her. "We'll come back!" The Zorua turned away from the pokémon and the Atlas and sighed, "She's always like that."
"Interesting. So what is the Atlas?" I asked, glancing over my shoulder before we went down the stairs.
"It's a blue glowing blue orb," He muttered sarcastically.
"Oh really? Thanks, I guess my eyes couldn't see that," I replied, shaking my head.
He nodded, "It's just something that helps the explorers do their job. If a pokémon needs help, they simply put up request and the request get updated in the system by Yuzumi. I mean, we are limited to some certain area as other guilds do exist. But we cover the entire mountain range. It's also something where the explorers check in to at certain points in their explorations. It can be risky, in the mountains as it does lose signal a lot. The mountains are a dangerous place, with unexpected blizzards and cave ins, avalanches. We have a dedicated team or two that is strictly a rescue team for the guild. I mean, sure they can take up other rescue missions, but it's strictly rescue missions only. They're a very skilled team, never seen at the guild."
"Wow," I murmured softly as he closed his explanation.
Grinning, Zoro nodded. "It's pretty awesome," He laughed. "Anyway. I'm going to bed. We're the third room on the right down that hallway," The Zoura pointed with his tail in the direction of the hallway that noted, 'Recruits.' The pokémon paused a quick second, "Also, don't get in any trouble. Please don't make us look bad when pokémon don't even know who you are. Oh, and if you want, the Shaman's are in that room next to the Guild Master's Room," He explained, pointing in the direction of a door that noted 'Shaman.'
"Uh…. Great?" I murmured, flattening my ears and nodded.
"Oh and here, go get you something nice to eat if you want. Dinner is finished by now and closing up," He explained. The pokémon then turned back to me and maneuvered out of the satchel, forcing me to put it on. "If you get in any trouble, just yell for help. Someone's bound to be nearby."
"Uhh…." I groaned, "You trust me just like that? You don't think I'll run off with your stuff?"
Zoro shrugged and yawned, "No. If you do, that's stealing and you'll technically be arrested." The pokémon flashed a mysterious grin and laughed slightly. "We know what you look like anyway. You'll stand out in a heartbeat."
I nodded slowly, "Uh. Okay…"
"The café is that place that was the most lit up on the square, right before entering town. It was half in water, half on land? Yeah. That place. Go there, get you something to eat. Maybe you'll run into Rui too. When you do, tell him to get over himself and hurry back to the guild. We've got missions to complete tomorrow." The Zorua then turned away and walked away down the Christmas lit hallway.
I was left alone in the middle of the room, surrounded by nothing but lights. It had to have been late, as only a few pokémon were up and moving around. Maybe they had a night exploring team too. That'd be neat. Only ghost pokémon maybe or dark types. I wasn't sure. I shrugged and took the money that Zoro had so kindly offered. What a good pokémon! Smiling, I left the guild and headed up the hallway.
"Ah, be careful tonight miss!" Toucannon called. "If you need any help, let someone know!" The bird pokémon called from above the guild.
I turned my head to look up at him and nodded. "Thank you Toucannon. Don't forget me when I come back soon! I'm just going to the café," I explained to him.
"Of course! Enjoy your late night meal," He bowed his head and then disappeared behind the ledge of the guild roof.
I smiled to myself and trotted back towards town. I looked up at the sky, which was no longer crystal clear. In fact, a few clouds have rolled in and snow was starting to flutter down. "Oh lovely," I muttered to myself annoyed. I've never been such a big fan to snow, but I guess I had to get used to it now since I was, somehow, a pokémon who was ice. I basically control the snow.
Getting closer to town, I started hearing soft voices of pokémon who were out and about. There wasn't many. So it was peaceful. Some of the Christmas lights have been turned off, assuming to preserve electricity. It was still pretty! The lights reflecting on the snow made it glisten and it warmed my soul. This was wonderful. I don't remember ever being in a town full of such joy in my life. I guess this was a nice change? I almost made it to the café when I saw something glisten up by the willow tree that basically marked the start of town. Curious, I quickly skipped by the café and toward the old weeping willow tree. I stayed low to the ground of the snow, kind of using it to blend in. I guess I blended in. It was rather dark at the start of town with no light or guidance except from the bit of moon that was poking out. As I came to the tree, I saw a few shadows and heard laughter. Pushing against the snow, I stayed still and fixed my ears towards the tree.
"I was wondering when we'd see you again," The voice hissed.
Instantly, I recognized that voice! It was the same as one of the three pokémon from the scene when I woke up earlier. I fixed my gaze on the pokémon and also noticed a pokémon pressed up against a tree, held by something.
"I told you I didn't have it," The voice, I picked up on immediately.
"Rui!" I whispered to myself. I was able to fix my gaze to see the rock type pokémon held against the tree by what looked like to be vines with sharp thorns. Worry overwhelmed me when I saw this scenery. Rock types were weak to grass, and those thorns made by that Roselia were very dangerous against him.
"That, my friend, I don't believe. You know why? Because Zyana demanded we give you back your feather," Flint whispered, while crawling closer to the pokémon. "Do the thing, Ivy," The fire pokémon demanded.
"Anything to get back to warmth," Ivy sighed and put her hands out. Suddenly, a bunch of leaves came flying at Rui, causing him to groan in pain.
"I'm telling you, I don't have it!" Rui whimpered.
"Search, Kabuto," Flint demanded.
The fossil pokémon scattered down from the willow tree and slashed the bag off the pokémon, causing it to fall to the ground. He then scurried inside it.
I frowned. I had no idea how to help, but I needed to. Maybe I knew a move or two? Surely I did. Think, Aria! What kind of moves do young pokémon know!? Maybe if I just opened my mouth wide or something, ice will fly out. Or if I lift my paw, ice will go in their direction? I don't know! I've never done this before! Okay, deep breaths. I can do this. I gazed at the ground. I could use the snow to cover me, since it was dark and I basically blended in. I nodded. Okay, here we go.
Thinking carefully, I crawled forward in the snow while pressed against the ground. As I neared the Weeping Willow Tree, I felt a desire to help Rui. I needed to. He helped me, and now I must help him, as much as a jerk as he is! Once I was closer to the tree, I opened my mouth and roared. But nothing happened.
"Company?" Flint muttered, turning her gaze to face me.
"Whoops," I murmured and coughed. "Leave Rui alone!" I demanded them, giving them a sharp gaze and growling.
Flint scurried up to me and within a second, she was already in my face, laughing, "You're that crazy pokémon Rui was muttering about! He said you thought you've never been a pokémon before! That's so pathetic and funny! What, do you think things just turn into pokémon?"
I flattened my ears in shock. He was talking about me? I shook my head and frowned, "I don't know what I was. But I wasn't a pokémon! At least, nice an Alolan Vulpix? Whatever that is!" I tried my best to stand my ground, but my cheeks were red with embarrassment.
"I never said anything about you!" Rui hollered over to me and then let out a yelp when the thorns and vines on him grew tighter.
Flint just laughed in my face, her wicked little beady purple eyes full of taunt and amusement. "I've never seen an ice-type Vulpix, so maybe you're just a mistake," She laughed.
"Don't listen to her, Aria!" Rui whispered.
Ivy giggled to herself manically, "That's pretty sad that you think you were something other than a pokémon."
"I-I was!" I growled, glaring at her. "And don't you dare ever say anything about me again. I know what I wasn't. I mean, look at you. You're hardly a Roselia!" I snapped, now jus throwing words out. "You're flowers on your hands are almost dead because of how cold you are. Why are you still out here with Flint? If anyone's pathetic, it's you for listening to her!"
A low growl sounded from in front of me.
I had almost forgotten Flint, a fire type, was a few inches away from my face. The next thing I knew, I felt a hot burn on my entire body. I took a step back, feeling the flames burn into my fur and seep into my body. It was so hot! Way too hot for me! I groaned in pain and then felt my legs feel rather weak. Fire was super-effective on me! Finally, the flames died off and I could feel my paws again. Growling in anger, I lifted my head and glared at the pokémon.
"Whoa, her eyes are red," I heard Ivy whisper to the Kabuto and Rui.
"And?" Flint laughed and replied, "Did you see she almost fell at a simple ember?"
I turned my gaze sharply on the pokémon, narrowing my eyes with anger. How dare this pipsqueak insult me? I was probably 10x stronger than she was, not to mention better looking too! I dug my claws into the snow below my feet and whipped my head around, opening my mouth and seeing a bright blue light forming. I could feel my chest stirring with cold as I formed Ice Shards and flung them at Flint. Of course, ice wasn't very effective on a fire type. I did see her look though! She was rather shocked. I smirked, rather proud of myself.
"Oh that's it!" Flint snapped and charged at me, her mouth growing a blueish color.
Blinking at the surprise of the Dragon Rage that was forming, I yelped and began to run away from her, not sure how the damage will affect me. Fear rose in me as I began to dodge her dragon rage. I could feel it barely skin my side, but it was enough to make me limp and fall to my left. As I tumbled in the snow, I finally came to a halt and was a few feet away from the pokémon. Flattening my ears, I tried to think. I then felt a sudden warmth on me as the moon poked out a little bit. Gazing up, I felt a strong energy surging inside me. I focused on that energy and glared at the Salandit. Slowly, a bright pink energy ball began to form at my mouth. I closed my eyes tightly after getting a glimpse at where Salandit was and fired the Moonblast at her. Hearing a yelp, I'm assuming I tagged her with it.
"Yes! A direct h—"
"Shut up, mutt," Ivy snapped.
"You know, Ivy. I don't know what Zoro sees in you, but you sure are a bi—" He was cut off when a vine covered his muzzle and dug thorns into it.
I could see that he was in pain and I needed to stop Ivy. Salandit was down for a few seconds, but it would only be a few seconds before she recovers. Quickly, I jumped onto my paws and used the snow as help to run at Ivy. While running, I focused my inner power on that cold feeling of Ice and began to throw Ice Shards in the direction of the pokémon who had Rui tied up.
"Hey! That is uncalled for and very rude. Also quite disgusting!" Ivy snapped at me, turning to face me. While she did, the vines on Rui began to loosen up. The pokémon lifted her hands and pointed them at me, white beams beginning to form.
The snow was good to slide on as an ice pokémon, and I was using it to the best of my knowledge. It made me quicker, and blended me in.
"Keep still, you ugly furball!" Ivy growled, firing pin missiles at me.
I froze and turned my head as two were flying right at me. Ow, ow! I whined as they knocked me back a bit by force. I tumbled in the snow and landed hard against a rock. "Oww," I whined. I lifted up my hurt head and realize that she was still aiming at me. This time, she wasn't firing thorns but fluttering a yellow powder at me. I couldn't move now as my body was still recovering from the blow against the rock. I realized what that powder was, it was stun spore! I flattened my ears quickly and turned my head, only to feel a cold feeling surround my entire body. I opened one eye to see that I was surrounded by a wall of snow. It was quickly circling me and I realized that I was using blizzard! This blizzard took the stun spore gas into the snow that was surrounding me and began to float in a circle with the blizzard. I grinned and narrowed me eyes at Ivy as the snow began to disappear.
"What?!" Ivy gasped, growling with anger. "How dare you!" She was very angry and was now completely focused on me.
I noticed the vines on Rui had dropped and were now disappearing into the ground, freeing the pokémon. I could sense a few drips of blood, but that is most likely just from the thorns. He was in no real danger.
"Freedom!" Rui cheered as he focused on the Kabuto that was digging into his bag. "You little fossil!" The Rockruff, full of anger, opened his mouth and then bit down on the shell of Kabuto, which probably wasn't the most brightest idea as that pokémon is literally shell.
I could see it made a slight impact. I was then distracted again when I heard seeing the bright white pin missile flying at me. Noticing it quickly, I rolled in the snow and watched as the pins hit the rock. I growled, now annoyed with this brat. "Can you stop? You're nothing against me!" I snarled at Ivy and stood up on my feet again, feeling rather weak. However, I then felt that sudden burning flame again on my body. I growled and tried my best to hold my ground, but the ember was quite strong. I could feel a sharp pain run through my body as the smell of a disgusting scent came to me. That was poison. Lovely. Can this fight get anymore unfair?
My entire vision was blurry and I could feel pains left and right. Between the fire and the poison running against my body, I could barely move. The only thing I could do is summon that strength of blizzard to get me surrounded by the cold, and hopefully blow out the ember. The flames died down again and I felt very wobbly. My vision was rather blurry. I gazed over my shoulder at a strange pokémon who was now pinning down Salandit. I couldn't see who it was, but it was a gray colored pokémon, fighting the Salandit.
I looked towards Rui who was now throwing rocks in the direction of Ivy, distracting her. I could see that he had dodged her Leaf Storm and was quickly running at her. The Rockruff then jumped up high and a big shadowy black claw extended from his right paw. Landing, he slashed her hard with the Crush Claw, causing her to fall back and on the ground. I noticed that her flowers no longer had any power in them, she was useless now, not a single threat. The only pokémon I didn't see was Kabuto. The little fossil was nowhere to be seen. My vision was slowly coming back and I could see a dark figure scattering in the snow. I tried to call out to Rui to stop him, but it seemed Rui was finishing up Ivy with a powerful rock throw, throwing her further away from him. The rock pokémon then turned towards me and I could see him running in my direction.
"Let them go, Ivy!" I heard Flint called out, as she quickly outran the silver pokémon who gave up chasing her half way.
The silver pokémon's gaze locked with mine for a split second, and my head was clear for a moment. That pokémon was the Hakamo-o I met earlier! The rude one! Shocked, I couldn't believe he saved Rui and I.
Ivy whined and nodded, crying, "I'm sorry!" The grass pokémon slowly got up and began to limp away, crying as she gazed at her flowers on her hands. "My poor flowers," She whispered as she picked up the speed, running after Kabuto and Flint.
"They've got the bag!" I whispered with a raspy voice.
"That's okay," Rui sighed, coming up beside me. "The feather isn't in there. Zoro has it." The Rockruff stood beside me and crouched down a bit, sniffing at me. "You smell of poison," He murmured softly. "Stay here, I'll go get us—"
Hakamo-o cut him off with a growl, "Here." The pokémon muttered. "Don't think this is an apology from earlier, I just saw your stupid-self needed help. Don't get yourself into trouble like that again, especially if you're still trying to recover." The large dragon type dumped a couple berries on his ground. "Eat and go back to the guild!" He commanded before quickly running off towards the mountains.
"That was weird. You seem to know him more than just a onetime meeting…" Rui questioned me, nudging the berries closer to me. "Eat this one first," The pokémon gently spoke to me.
I watched Hakamo-o run off, watching him until I couldn't see him again. I tilted my head and frowned. Why did he seem so familiar? His voice, I knew I've heard it before.
"Aria," Rui questioned me, gazing down at me with a concerned gaze. "Are you okay?" He asked.
I nodded slowly, transferring my gaze from the forest up to the Rockruff. "I'm fine," I murmured softly, taking a bite on the berry I was told to eat first. "Blah!" The taste was disgusting, and I immediately spit the bite out that I took. "This is gross!"
"It may be, but you need to eat it so we can get you back to the guild," Rui said, laying down across from me. "Why did you come all the way out here?" He asked me.
"I was hungry. Zoro gave me some pokémon coins to go and get something to eat at the café," I explained, avoiding his blue gaze. I felt a little flustered he was so close to me. I didn't like it, he was way to close. I was grateful that he and Hakamo-o were able to help me fight off the three. I flattened my ears and closed my eyes as I took another bite of the disgusting berry. "I didn't come out here to see you. I just… Saw something shine and wanted to check it out."
Rui chuckled and nodded, replying, "I didn't need your help or anything. I had it completely under control."
I gave him a sideways glance. "Those thorns that had you trapped said other," I huffed at him.
"Well," Rui sighed and sat up straight. He awkwardly lifted one of his paws and put it behind his ears. "I'm appreciative…. Of you… Seeing something shiny and helping me?" The pokémon looked away and I could see his cheeks were completely red and full of embarrassment.
I smiled. He looked vulnerable when he was embarrassed. "Anything to help out a guild member, but don't think I'll do it again!" I told him with a huff. "You need to take better care of yourself and not run off by yourself like you did tonight!"
"Yeah yeah," Rui muttered and rolled his eyes. "I guess I need a strong roar to help me out." The Rockruff busted into laughter, grinning widely.
"I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS WORKS!" I snapped at him, "And how dare you call me crazy in front of other pokémon!" I scolded the pokémon, cuffing his ear hard. "If I ever hear you talking smack again, I promise I will freeze you!"
"If you learn how," Rui laughed and shook his head. "Come on, let's go get something to eat." The Rockruff got up and shook his fur out, shaking the snow off of him. "I mean, if you can walk. You seem to have trouble with walking." The pokémon looked over his shoulder and grinned at me.
I locked gazes with Rui and I stared into those blue eyes of his, I noticed they were so true. They shared all of his emotions. He was an easy pokémon to read. Rather pathetic, I thought. I flattened my ears and looked away. "I can walk on my own," I muttered, standing up slowly. I was in a bit of pain, but I could feel my strength come back to me with the touch of the snow from the ground and the flakes falling from the sky.
Well….
I heard a voice inside my head. I froze instantly and looked around. There was no one else around but Rui. "Did you say something?" I asked him, gazing straight at him.
"No?" He muttered in response. "Come on, you're probably just too cold. Even though you are an ice-type. You were also just cured of poison. Maybe it's still effecting you a tad." He explained.
I nodded slowly, and frowned. That voice was clear and loud. What was it? Who was it? Maybe Rui was right, maybe I was just hungry or cold or something. The poison was no longer hurting me, but maybe it effects pokémon differently than whatever I was.
…
…
…
"Hakamo-o! What were you thinking?!" A pokémon growled with annoyance at the silver dragon type.
"I was thinking about saving her life!" Hakamo-o snapped back, glaring up at the large pokémon he was talking to.
"They told us not to interfere with her yet!" The large pokémon was sitting in the middle of a cave, annoyance and anger rising in him.
Hakamo-o gave a cold glare to the large fire-type.
"You knew better!" The large, fire type sighed and shook his head, plumping down on a small bed. He dropped his head into his hands. "Does she know who you are?"
"No, she doesn't know who I am! I even treated her like dirt, if that makes you feel better. Besides, you would have done the same thing if you were in my position! Except, you would have done it to impress her!" Hakamo-o snapped, turning his face away from the orange and yellow pokémon.
"Impress? Are you an egg? Why would I want to do that? We're not here to impress anyone!"
"Oh shut up, you lying fire-brain! I know and you know you would have done it to impress her!"
"And what do you know about impressing anyone? Obviously nothing! Or else you would have saved her in a more fashionable and reasonable way instead of intruding on her fight!"
"Boys, hush your loud voices please. I'm trying to sleep," A soft and sweet voice murmured in the cave.
The two pokémon turned their heads toward the pokémon who was curled up on the back of the cave with a blanket on her.
"We would both be sleeping if pea-brain over here didn't decide to interrupt something that wasn't our fight!" The large fire type sighed. "Whatever, since you woke us up, you're on food duty tonight."
"That's not fair! I'm always on food duty!" Hakamo-o whined, glaring at his friend.
"Hakamo-o, go," The sweet voice whispered in the back of the cave. "It's only fair." The pokémon lifted her head and beamed brightly, "Now please go. I'll be hungry in a few hours."
Hakamo-o growled, and clenched his fist and locked gazes with the pokémon in the back of the cave. "Fine, Silver. I'll go."
The pokémon smiled at him and she closed her bright blue eyes, waving goodbye to the pokémon with her ribbons that flowed from her body. "Have a good night!" She cheered.
"Try not to get distracted again, Hakamo-o. We really cannot risk exposure right now," The large red and orange pokémon sighed.
"Yeah, yeah, Hinote. I won't," Hakamo-o sighed and shook his head at the large Blaziken before leaving the cave and back into the cold muttering under his breath.
