Disclaimer: I only own Tristan.
Merry Christmas or happy whatever holiday you celebrate!
"It's freezing!" Ash complained.
It's hot! Ari complained, throwing her jacket at Ash.
"Put that back on! You'll catch cold!" Tristan snapped.
With that thing on I'll faint from heat stroke! Ari snapped. Hurry up! At this rate, we'll never make it to the top of the mountain!
"How did they get up there so fast?" Ash groaned.
"They probably didn't realize how fast they were going," Brock said. "Come on, we need to find Misty."
"Pika!" Pikachu agreed. "Pika, pika!" Pikachu pointed at the sky.
"What is Moltres doing?!" Ash shouted. "She'll fall!"
"Ash, don't shout, you might start an avalanche!" Brock hissed. "Ash!"
"Hey, be careful!" Tristan shouted after Ash as the teen went running by him with Pikachu in tow. Ari frowned and ran after them.
"I am not losing her!" Ash said through gritted teeth.
"Ari! Ash!" Tristan groaned. "Come on Brock,"
"Moltres, stop!" Ash shouted.
"Ash, stop shouting, you'll start an avalanche!" Brock snapped. Moltres looked back at them, making eye contact with Ari.
You fool, what are you doing? Ari thought. "Look out!" she screamed. Moltres's head snapped to the side and it narrowly avoided a net.
"Ari!" Tristan said, rushing to her side. "What's going on? Why can you talk?" He wiped off a small trail of blood that came out of her mouth.
"So weak…" she muttered. She tried to grab her throat but Tristan held her arms down.
"Hey look, it's the twerps plus two," Meowth said.
"How about we send them a little wake up call?" James grinned.
"Let's do it!" Jessie said, hitting a button that sent a torpedo flying at the heroes.
"Wait- don't do that!" Meowth said.
"That will teach them!" James grinned. "Um, are we moving?"
"It's an avalanche! You started an avalanche!" Meowth hissed.
"Team Rocket's sliding away again!"
"Ari, can you walk?" Tristan asked. "Open your eyes!"
"We need to get out of here," Brock said. "Come on Ash, Misty will be safe with Moltres-"
"Misty!" Ash shouted when a newly fired net caught Moltres. Moltres, in its surprise, dropped her.
"Ash!" Brock shouted when Ash jumped off after her.
"Pika!" Ari pulled away from Tristan and followed Ash.
"No!" Tristan shouted, trying to catch her but he missed. A blizzard whipped up and Tristan was forced to cover his eyes. "Ari!" He sunk to his knees. "She's gone..."
"Ash! Misty!" Brock shouted. "Tristan, look!"
"A-Articuno!" Tristan said. On the Pokemon's back were Ash and Misty.
"Hey!" Brock said. "Are you guys okay?"
"We're fine," Misty smiled. "Although I don't think I'll ever go for another ride on a flying Pokemon again..."
"Where's Ari?" Tristan said.
"Ari? What are you talking about?" Ash asked.
"Ari jumped down after you, Ash," Brock said. "You don't think..." Articuno nuzzled Tristan as Ash and Misty slid off the giant wing span. Tristan put his hands on the Pokemon, giving it attention but not looking at it. Articuno made a noise of protest and pushed Tristan to the ground with its beak.
"Hey!" Tristan said, standing up. "What was that-" he stopped when he saw red eyes... and ice blue feathers. "Ari?" he asked. The legendary bird Pokemon nodded. "How...?"
"Guys, I hate to interrupt the moment, but the avalanche is coming right towards us!" Brock said. Articuno eyed it and opened its beak after shoving everyone behind it.
"That's ice beam!" Brock said as the oncoming snow froze to form a barrier. Articuno lowered itself. "Come on, that barrier won't hold forever," Brock said, helping Ash and Misty onto Articuno's back before getting on himself and extending a hand to Tristan. "Come on Tristan." Tristan took his hand, still in shock from finding out the girl he had a crush on was a legendary Pokemon.
"Moltres!" Misty shouted. "Look, its Cassidy and Bush!"
"It's Butch!" he shouted.
"Give us that Articuno!" Cassidy said.
"Ari- Articuno," Tristan said. "Drop me off here. I'll save Moltres."
"I'll stay too," Ash said.
"No, go back," Brock said. "I'll fight. You and Misty need to get that orb back to the shrine. We'll get the orb here and then make our way back to you. Then Articuno needs to rest." Articuno flew closer to the edge, letting the older males slide off. It protested as Tristan began to walk away.
"I'll come back to you... Ari," he said.