Chapter Nine

Attack in the Night

The next night, high above the skies, two siblings are racing to escape a mystery attacker.

"We can't shake this guy," said the older sibling.

"What are we going to do now?" asked the younger sibling.

"We have to split up for now," said the older sibling, "I'll lead him off, while you can escape. It's the only way."

"No, I don't want to leave you bro!" protested the younger sibling.

"Just go little sister, it'll be alright," said the older sibling, "After I lose this guy, we'll meet up somewhere. I'll call you on the Eon Pearls when it's safe."

The younger sibling splits from the older sibling, and the older sibling taunted the pursuer, and was able to distract it long enough for the younger sibling to escape from view.

The mystery attacker then launched a powerful attack, and the older sibling takes a direct hit from it. He falls to the ground with a loud thud.

"So, we finally have you," said the mystery attacker, "Latios. Now, where did your sister go?"

"You'll never find her," said Latios weakly, "Latias is far away from here now, you'll never find her."

Latios gives a faint smile of victory, but then blacks out.

"Hmm, we will see about that," said the mystery Pokémon as he picked up Latios and took off for an unknown place.

The only thing left on the ground was Latios's Eon Pearl.

Latias, frightened and alone, continued to fly as fast as she could away from the place she had separated from her brother. She flew through the night. But soon, fatigue began to set in. Latias could barely keep her eyes open.

She began to descend, unable to fly any further. She tried to pull up as she saw she was about to crash into the Soft Snow Woods. She couldn't, and just braced herself. She hit several tree branches, and hit the ground hard. She couldn't move, and slowly started to black out…

Back at Wigglytuff's guild, Team Justice had just woken up when Chatot came in and gave them a special mission.

"I want you three to head out to the Soft Snow Woods," said Chatot, "Some of the Pokémon around town say they saw something go down over there."

"You can count on us Chatot," said Keldeo confidently.

"It seems more Pokémon attacks are occurring recently," explained Chatot, "I just hope this isn't one of those cases."

"The Soft Snow Woods?" asked Shaymin.

"Yes, that is what I said," said Chatot.

"Could I sit this mission out?" asked Shaymin, "Where I grew up, it was always warm there. So I don't deal well with cold."

"It's alright Shaymin," said Keldea, "We understand. Besides, you would be at a disadvantage. The Soft Snow Woods are home to many ice type Pokémon."

"So, you two should depart immediately," said Chatot.

We're on it," said the duo together.

And with that the twosome departed for the Soft Snow Woods, not knowing this would be another meeting of fate.

As the duo entered the Soft Snow Woods, there was no snow falling at all.

"The Pokémon who saw the crash say they saw it near the center of the woods," said Keldea.

"Then that's where we have to go," said Keldeo.

Just a little ways into the forest, the duo are attacked by a group of Sneasel.

"Quick, use our Double Kicks," said Keldea, "They're super effective against ice and dark types!"

"Right," agreed Keldeo.

The duo unleashed their double kicks and sent the pack of Sneasel running.

"Come on, but be ready," said Keldeo, "If there was that much trouble just entering the woods, I can't imagine what else could be waiting."

As the two continued through the woods, they faced more groups of agitated Pokémon, until they found their way to the center of the woods.

"Well, this is the center," said Keldea, "and look over here!"

Keldea had found signs of a crash, with broken tree branches everywhere.

"A Pokémon definitely crashed here," said Keldeo.

"But where is it?" asked Keldea.

It was then that the twins noticed the snow falling quickly.

"Uh oh," said Keldea, "This is the time of year that blizzards start."

"It's just a light snowfall, Keldea," said Keldeo, "You need to not worry so much."

Then the two heard a weak moan from a clump of bushes nearby.

"Hello, is anyone there?" asked Keldea.

The two looked beyond the bush to find the Pokémon Latias, struggling to stay conscious.

"Just hang on," said Keldeo, "We're a rescue team, we're here to help you."

The snow was coming down heavier now.

"Keldeo, there's a cave over there," said Keldea.

"Alright, help me get her over there," said Keldeo.

The group made it into the cave just as the wind picked up and the snow poured down.

"I told you we should be careful," said Keldea, "I told you it was blizzard season."

"I think we might be here a while," said Keldeo.