The predawn cold stung the Jolteon's lungs, but he had too much on his mind to notice it. The silver snow crunched underneath him as he carved a path through the darkness, the world lit only by the moon. Though he strained his eyes, it would be a while before he could see much more than a few feet in any direction. He had accepted some time ago that he was at the disadvantage until morning, but he pressed on nonetheless.
Jolt thanked his luck that it wasn't snowing yet. The blizzards and snowstorms that gave this mountain its name had seemed to settle down just for him, but he was wasn't sure how long this would last and knew that he had to take advantage of the calm. The tracks he followed had been sloppy as they carved down the mountain, the one who made them having fled as fast as possible. The further Jolt went from the cave however, the more graceful the tracks became, meaning his quarry had slowed. While it meant he was getting closer, or at least he wasn't as far behind, it also made tracking that much harder. Even gentle breezes blew enough snow over the tracks to start filling them, so time was of the essence.
Jolt entered the mountain's forest midway through his decent. The trees, beautiful as they were, obscured the little light the moon granted him and caused him to miss a turn and have to backtrack on more than one occasion. He began to simply walk in the indentions of the tracks themselves, fearing that luck would only save him so many times. This slowed him considerably, but he had no alternative; there was barely enough light to keep him from smacking into the trees, and using his electricity as a light source would likely provoke whoever lived in them. He wasn't sure how alone he was, but a fight would slow him further and he couldn't afford that.
After a short ways, the trees began to thin into a huge clearing. Jolt looked up and was thankful to see the sky again, the inky blackness beginning to bruise with the deep blues and violets of the approaching dawn. He stared up at it for a while, mesmerized by the sight, and appreciated the natural tapestry he had taken for granted so many times. He let his mind clear for the first time since setting out and took a deep breath. The icy air stung just as much as always, but the lower elevation and the fresh scent of pine sweetened the air. When Jolt returned his gaze to the trail he was following, he saw a void in front of him that he could not comprehend. Then, the world exploded.
Jolt was vaguely aware that he had left the ground. Everything around him was a dark blur, speckled with white chunks of snow like a constellation of stars around him. Then with a heavy crunch, everything stopped moving. Luckily for him, Jolt's back remained exposed to the air after he landed, else he wouldn't have known which way was up. The Jolteon groaned and rolled over to refill his lungs with air. Taking inventory of himself, he wasn't in any pain, but the discombobulation kept him on his back for several more seconds until he forced himself to sit up. The darkness spun all around him for several more seconds until his senses returned. Once again, he glimpsed a small void before him, but this time saw that it was speeding towards him and heard the hiss of air as it sped past.
Rather ungracefully, Jolt commanded his body to flop out of the projectile's path and roll as far away as he could. He heard the impact barely a few feet away from where he had been sitting and felt the shockwave, but now he was on his feet and on high alert. He strained all of his senses to detect something, anything, that would give him a clue as to what was going on, but everything was silent and dark. Figuring that he couldn't simply remain where he was, Jolt took another step forward, only to be greeted with that familiar hiss of an impending explosion. All at once his body sprang into action. Jolt dashed forward and narrowly avoided the shot, feeling the rush of air on his side as it whizzed past him. He sprinted forward and used his natural speed to charge blindly ahead. Several more explosive attacks were launched, but either by dumb luck or design they all missed him, though each shot was far to close for comfort. Whenever a shot grazed him, it stung like a ball of ice shards needling across his side, which served to spur him on even faster.
Jolt was a blur himself when he finally focused on the inky black outline of something else in the clearing. With only a fraction of a second to think he guessed that this was his assailant and targeted the thing. Hoping that this thing wasn't a rock or a stump, he charged at it with every ounce of power in his body and tackled the thing as hard as he could. When he leapt and spread his arms out for more coverage, he spotted two crimson orbs just before he collided with something soft. The sheer force of the impact sent whoever he hit flying. They tumbled backwards, hit the ground then rolled a ways further before coming to a stop in a thick bed of snow. Surprisingly unfazed from the impact Jolt rolled onto his feet and sprang forward once more, pouncing blindly onto the silhouette in the snow. When he landed on its soft body, he clung to it tightly and pinned it under him. To Jolt's surprise, the figure hardly resisted this.
After a tense few seconds, Jolt once again saw the two crimson orbs that he recognized were eyes, followed by the gentle golden glow of bioluminescent rings that gradually illuminated the surrounding snow as they were activated. With light to see, Jolt found himself staring directly into the face of Midnight, swollen and puffy from obvious crying.
"Midnight…" Jolt said softly, speaking her name as gently as he could through his hard breathing.
He watched her glassy eyes regain their focus as she recovered from the impact she had taken and found herself staring up into the face of the object of her affection. She didn't speak or look away; instead, Jolt watched as fresh tears began to cave their way down her face and into the soft powder below.
"Jolt…" came her reply after several more seconds of holding his intense gaze.
Jolt couldn't tear himself away from her for what felt like hours, but her soft sniffles broke his trance. He carefully lifted a paw to her cheek and wiped several fat tears from it. It was then that Jolt realized the position they were in and started to pull himself away, but he felt Midnight stop him, then pull him down into her body. She held him so tightly that he doubted he could break free from her grasp, but it didn't hurt. Once more, Jolt found himself gazing into those bright, crimson eyes which seemed to glow in the darkness. When they closed, it was like a light had gone out. Then, Jolt felt a warmth on his face as Midnight's soft lips melded with his own.
Jolt didn't fight the kiss. He carefully pressed downward into it and kissed her back. Warmth flowed between the two as they held each other, and the snow and icy air seemed to evaporate for a while, leaving only a warm darkness that the two clung to each other in, lest they break apart and fall into oblivion. Midnight's rose petal lips felt delicate enough to break if Jolt moved a single muscle, but as time went on the Umbreon drew him further and further in, and before long her mouth had locked with his and her tongue was dominating him. Jolt couldn't summon the strength or willpower to resist her, much like how she had intoxicated him the night of their passion.
And then, all at once, the kiss and the spell that came with it was broken. Jolt blinked absently several times before coming to his senses again. The air felt so cold and dry on his face compared to the feel of Midnight and he was tempted to initiate another kiss, but he thought better of it and pulled away. Indulging himself and Midnight further would only complicate his task. Jolt carefully sat upright as Midnight released him from her grasp and came to a stop before her as she rose opposite of him. Jolt saw a tangible longing in her ruby eyes when she looked at him now.
'You could probably just run away with her, you know. Right now, if you so choose,' came a sudden voice from the top of Jolt's subconsciousness. The thought had been lurking in the dark recesses of the Jolteon's mind the entire way down the mountain, and the moment he had just shared with Midnight had drug it straight to the forefront of his thoughts. Truthfully, he had thought about it enough times to work out the details in his head. As Jolt held Midnight's gaze, he imagined taking her by the paw and just leaving the mountain behind, as well as all of their troubles. Together, they would travel the region until they found a quiet, secluded spot they could be together in. After this, an egg wouldn't be that far behind, and perhaps another, and another. Jolt could build the family he had never really had with someone who loved him, and someone whom he could love as well. Perhaps they could grow old together, surrounded with friends and a big family. Jolt knew he would be happy with this choice.
The sudden gust of icy wind blew straight into Jolt's chest and stabbed his heart with bitter cold regret. For each warm and wonderful thought of Midnight he had, there was an equally longing and regretful one of Snow, who had all but confessed her love for him when she stood up to Sparky. Even Midnight hadn't managed that, and compared to her, Snow was as fragile as the flakes of ice she was named after. The Glaceon had saved his life as well, not only from the bitter cold of the mountain but also from the dull monotony of the dingy alley he had resigned himself to. Without Snow, he would never have even met Midnight, or Sparky, or any of his new friends. Even if he decided to leave with Midnight, Jolt knew he would regret not being able to face Snow for the rest of his life.
"I want you to come back to the cave with me," Jolt finally spoke up, breaking the silence that had persisted between them. The flat resolve in his voice surprised Midnight, who averted her gaze to the snow around them.
"I… I don't know how I can face Sparky after I ran from her…" came Midnight's reply.
It was uncharacteristically weak coming from the strong, brash Umbreon, and Jolt realized the extent of Sparky's words. The other Jolteon had cracked Midnight's brazen outer shell and Jolt could just barely see the self-doubt she hid beneath it. Jolt felt another twinge of guilt knowing that it was because of him that this had happened.
"Together, with me," he responded as firmly as he could. "What Sparky did to you was cruel, and it hurts me to know that I caused everyone to start fighting."
"Stop that, Jolt," Midnight quickly retorted, but Jolt persisted.
"Everyone got along with one another before I showed up. Its only right that I set everything straight."
Midnight was surprised when her mate's warm paw took her cold one into his. She felt him pull her forward to her feet. She knew full well that he couldn't be stopped now and that struggling was pointless, so she allowed him to begin leading her back up the mountain. She really had no other choice but to trust in Jolt's ability to smooth things over, after her humiliating display. She trudged behind him quietly for a time, but eventually moved up next to him. They shared in each other's warmth as Midnight matched his steps, the feeling as painful as it was comforting.
"Why are you being so good to me, Jolt?" she asked, her voice as quiet and small as she felt in that moment. "When I'm honest with myself, I know that I took advantage of you that night…"
"I could have stopped you," Jolt quickly countered her. "I felt myself slipping and I could've stopped you, but I didn't. You didn't take advantage of anyone."
"Its strange that you can still find the will to be around me after that, though. After all, you… you love Snow, don't you?" Midnight hesitated as she delivered that line, the words choking her as if someone was standing on her throat. She wanted him to stop her right there and tell her she was wrong, that he only had room for her in his heart, that he was ready to be with her. In her heart of hearts though, she knew he wouldn't. Still, this knowledge didn't make it hurt any less when all she got in return was silence. The silence was more deafening and oppressive than the wind as they climbed higher.
"I'm sorry that I've hurt you…" came his quiet answer after a hellish eternity of walking. "I've crossed lines with you that we can't ever return from, and all I have to offer you now is that I'm not sure how I feel." Jolt sighed before continuing, taking care to make sure his breath didn't catch, lest he reveal the big, ugly knot that currently resided in his throat. "I mean… yeah. To be entirely honest, I do love Snow. But… Id be lying if I said that my heart doesn't race every time I see you, too."
Hearing this, Midnight felt guilt stab its dagger into her chest, right next to pain's. Because of her, his heart was torn in two. It hurt her to see him like this. As much as she wanted Jolt all to herself, she couldn't help but wonder if he would have been happier if she had never lured him out into that clearing that night…
The cave came into view not long after, the amber light of the central fire cutting into the silvery blues of the late dawn. Jolt wasn't sure if he was happy to be back and could reflect by himself, or if he would rather still be alone with the Umbreon.
"Listen," he said suddenly, almost desperately as they approached the entrance. "No matter what happens, no matter what anyone chooses to do… if you'll have me, I will always be your friend, okay?"
Midnight didn't answer. Instead, she threw her arms around him in one last desperate hug, as if he would be lost to her forever once she let him go. "Mhmm…" came her quiet reply eventually. It was all she could manage, being completely choked up by now.
When the pair finally stepped into the cave and shook off the cold, they were surprised to see several of the other Eevees already awake and talking amongst themselves in the central chamber. Jolt just stared at his feet, too ashamed of his own outburst the previous night to meet any of their gazes. However, they all stopped talking and quickly gathered around him and Midnight after Flame called out to them.
"Jolt! Midnight!" she shouted, her tone holding an urgency that suddenly snapped the both of them to attention. "Did you guys see Snow when you were out this morning?"
"No, why? Is something the matter?" Midnight asked with growing concern. The others looked uneasy, which scared the Umbreon a little. She found out why when Flame continued.
"When I went to wake Snow up for berry-picking this morning, she was gone," the Flareon explained. "She's never missed it with me before."
"Maybe she just went for a walk and forgot about it with everything that happened last night?" Jolt suggested, trying to stay positive despite the fear building in the pit of his stomach.
"Thing is…" Breeze said as she inserted herself next to them, "Sparky isn't here either."
Jolt didn't even register as the others called to him. His body had reverted to pure instinct. Even if he had heard them, he wouldn't have stopped. He was sprinting by the time he crossed the threshold and leapt into the snow, and there wasn't a force on that mountain that could stand in his path.