Not dead! And I finally figured out how to finish the story... one more chapter.


It was slow progress, but Lucas and Dawn were steadily getting nearer to Snowpoint. The sun was almost setting, the Starly and Staravia that made the thick forest their home beginning to settle down. Lucas felt the sharp sting of sweat trickling into his eyes - at least, the sweat that hadn't frozen already. Not trusting himself to keep Dawn up one-handed, he allowed it to continue the drip down his face.

By the time they were half-way there, Dawn still hadn't stirred. Her hat had slid down over her eyes, and if the situation hadn't been so serious he might have thought it was cute. The blizzard was weakening ever so slightly, but there was still a vast amount of snow covering the two of them. Both Lucas and Dawn's clothes were absolutely soaked; frost crackled and chilled his legs every time Lucas took a step.

He considered a break at Acuity Lakefront, but they were so close, and he got the feeling that if they stopped Dawn would be doomed. Now they just had to brave the tall grass. Fortunately, the time of day was in their favour - It was too late for the Snover and Medicham to be out, but it was too early for the Sneasel and Weavile.

Lucas trudged through the grass, his arms feeling as if they were about to simply give up. He'd slipped Dawn's coat back onto her before they'd started, but it was beginning to slide off. The grass served as a blessing in not only disguise, but heavy makeup and novelty glasses. The snow was shallower where growing stalks had pushed it away, and the tracks of a Snover were visible. It was these tracks Lucas followed, grimacing as the frost jabbed his skin.

The snow faded almost completely as he stepped into Snowpoint itself; it had long since stopped stinging his face. He shouted for help as he kept dragging Dawn to the Pokemon Center, but most people had the sense to stay indoors. He was forced to drag her the rest of the way by himself. His arms burned with exhaustion and cold, but...

Lucas gave a gasp of relief as he dragged Dawn into the Pokemon Center. Nurse Joy rushed over, lifting Dawn out of his arms and hurrying over to a bed. They tucked her in, and Lucas sat worriedly by her bed, biting his nails.
She was going to be okay.... right? He had the ominous feeling that she wouldn't wake up, that he would have to face the world by himself. That he was going to lose one of - no, the - closest friend he had ever had, that he would never be able to tell her... A chill ran through him, only partially related to the fact that his clothes were alternating between wet and frozen.

"....L-Luc...Lucas?"