PMD: Fateful Saviors
Chapter 15: A Chilling Nightmare
"Ughh… pleh…" I groaned as I opened my eyes and spat the snow out of my mouth. My mind was hazy at the moment, but the last thing I remembered was flying out of Howard's grip after being struck by a blade of wind. Right after that, I was unconscious. I pulled myself out of the snowdrift and looked up into the monotone grey skies, where a cliff edge loomed overhead. Must of fallen down from there. I was one lucky girl to survive that.
"Hopefully Alfrin and the others made it out alive" I trudged out of the snowbank and back onto the main path of the forest. I had no idea where I was now or where I needed to go. All I saw up ahead was a tall mountain, which I assumed was Mt Freeze. I should be able to meet up with our teammates there, although I wondered about my chances of survival going around alone like this. Strong as I was, I was weakened and alone. Any hungry, lusty or what-have-you Pokemon would be eager to snatch me up for lunch… or worse. Additionally, I was covered in blood and injuries from my fall from the cliff.
"Wonderful. No Oran Berries in my toolbox" I grumbled as I checked the dented box still strapped over my shoulder. The lid was open, meaning my items must of flew out while I fell. I scanned the ground around myself and found one Oran Berry lodged in the snow. I picked it up and gave it a test nibble. It was utterly frozen and barely gave me the familiar warmth a regular Oran Berry would. As I expected, the healing was minimal, so I threw it back down. Maybe if I was lucky, I would find a settlement to heal up in.
"My back aches a bit and I'm covered in cuts and scratches, but nothing serious" I murmured to myself as I assessed my injuries "I should be able to make it to Mt Freeze to meet back with everyone. Time to move"
Unluckily for me, my cloak was shredded from the fall and I had nothing else in my toolbox to keep myself warm. A cold gale blew by and chilled me right down to my bones. I drew the remains of my cape close to me, shivering and chattering. I didn't know what time it was, but if night drew close, then I was finished. There was no way I could prevent becoming a frozen Pikachu. In my state, I could barely manage a burst of short-ranged lightning, much less a bolt capable of sparking a fire. All I could do was keep moving.
"Just keep walking. Just keep walking" I repeated to myself as I trudged through the increasingly-deeper snow on the path. The snow wasn't this high before. A snowstorm must of blew by while I was out. Or maybe Articuno's Blizzard caused it.
"Articuno… another disillusioned deity thinking we're in the wrong" I grit my teeth, both to warm myself with anger and placate my frustration "If I see her again, I'm giving her a piece of my electrified mind, if Alfrin hasn't already with a Rock type move"
My thoughts went to Alfrin after that. Thinking back on it, I was shocked by how much he's developed over the last few months we've been together. At first, he was an amnesiac rookie, barely knowing the most basic concepts in this world, as befitting one who used to be human. In a quick span of time, it seemed like he got used to his role as a Pokemon and became a much more capable fighter, as well as a Pokemon in general. If it weren't for this quest, I would have thought he to be a normal Mudkip by now. In no time, he became my co-leader and right hand, a role I didn't expect the first inexperienced apprentice to take up.
""For now, I'll consider you a trainee and it's my job to train the trainee"" I muttered to myself. That was something I told Alfrin way back when we first took on Mt Steel after he asked if he was a burden to me. So insecure back then and such a far cry now. Lately, I've been so focused on the quest and fighting that I didn't even have time to think about my experiences for the last month. With Alfrin being so trustworthy, reliable and earnest now, I wondered if I even…
"Foolish fop. You're freezing to death and here you are, wondering if you even love him" I scolded myself before laughing lightly. I was definitely going crazy now "Well, if keeps me distracted at least. Surely there's somewhere to rest just up ahead"
I brought my gaze up and only saw pale white mist obscuring my view amidst the rapid fall of snow. No sign of Mt Freeze and the storm around me seemed to grow stronger by the minute. I peered forward into the fog, shivering both out of fear and chilliness. I hated normal black darkness, but white darkness scared me even more. The very thought of clear, grey-ish ghosts were enough to send goosebumps down my neck.
"Argh… maybe I should just… rest a bit" I yawned and began to sit down before I slapped myself. I couldn't fall asleep now. I had to continue going forward and I knew that if I fell now, I would never wake up again. Keep moving… keep moving… keep moving…!
"Team Lazulian's leader would never be defeated so easily…" I told myself "Keep going. Keep… pressing forward. Your team… needs you…!"
Every word felt harder on my tongue as the storm grew stronger and threatened to overwhelm me. Snowdust fell upon me, sprinkling me with snow and just for a brief moment, I saw the visage of a grey shadow up ahead. My heart stopped. The shadow seemed to notice my presence and turned to approach me.
"N-no… come no closer…" I stepped backwards in fear. My will to fight died with my fall off the cliff and I felt no strength, no confidence and no pride like I once did before. My greatest fear came to light: dying alone with nobody to support and find me. I was going to die to my darkest nightmare: a pale silver ghost with no face that left my paralyzed in place "B-begone! Or I'll… I'll…"
The shadow said nothing and continued to move towards me. I could barely discern it in the falling snowstorm. Quivering, I rose my hand up to the specter.
"I-I said, go away! Don't even-" I backed up until I hit against a tree "Don't eve- Gah!"
The ghost suddenly snatched me by the neck and picked me up into the air, choking me. Briefly, I glanced down at it's faceless head and saw Gengar's face laughing at me.
"You really are weak, aren't you? A simple dig through your mind gave me the secret to utterly breaking you. Keh heh heh" The ghost gloated "And to think, your greatest fear is a figure on a white canvas. You're a baby, Erdalla! Keh heh heh!"
"Gengar…! You'll- Ghurkk…!" The ghost's grip on my neck tightened and black spots danced across my eyes "Can't… breathe…"
"Keh heh heh! Don't even have the will to fight, huh?" The ghost slammed me against the tree and I crumbled to the ground, my consciousness slipping away "What happened to that fiery confidence and vigor, huh? What happened to the mighty leader of Team Lazulian?!"
With every word, he punched me over and over in the face. I felt my bones crack and blood gush out of my nose and mouth. Yet I could do nothing but endure as exhaustion overtook me and darkness began blanking out my vision.
"And to think this was the way to end you all along! Keh heh heh!" Again and again, the silver ghost viciously hit me, covering it's fists with my blood "No elaborate plan and no assassination needed. Just a pale silver ghost to render you completely useless! Keh heh heh… HA HA HA!"
I was already dizzy and hazy with pain. One strike… two strikes… a third strike…
"Let's finish this. I'll be sure to send Alfrin to see you!" The ghost gloated "GOODBYE ERDALLA! FOR NOW AND FOREVER! AH HA HA HA!"
The ghost's hands grabbed my head, preparing to snap my neck. But at the mention of Alfrin, something snapped within me as well.
"No… I'm…" I whispered "I'm not done yet"
Before the specter could react, I pressed my hand against it's chest and launched an intense burst of lightning that blew it back, smoldering. It couldn't even recover before something stabbed it in the back, making it dissolve into particles of silver dust.
"Erdalla! Are you okay?!" Salazar ran up to me, with Natalie and Erina in tow. I was already collapsed to the ground and unconscious, broken from exhaustion and injury. My world faded to black, with the panicked faces of my comrades being the last memory.
…
"Erdalla!" I cried again, shaking the broken Pikachu. She turned to Erina with a desperate look in her eyes "She looks really hurt. Can you heal her?"
"I restored your left arm, Natalie. It's nothing I can't do" The Chansey reasoned and got to work next to the fallen Pikachu, kneeling in the snow to begin her work. Me and Salazar stood back and simply watched, silent. I twisted around her left arm experimentally. As I thought, it was still relatively sore, disjointed and impossible to strain. Had I have to use it in battle, it would be useless. Thankfully, my jaws were all I needed.
"When we came out to the forest in search of Erdalla and the others, I didn't expect this" Salazar said quietly beside me. Erina was already cracking open an egg from her pouch, letting soft gold light wash over Erdalla's battered body "If a specter did Erdalla this badly, I fear…"
"The others are fine" I assured boldly "Erdalla isn't the only strong Pokemon in this band"
"Then where are the others…?" Salazar looked around themselves slowly "They wouldn't leave Erdalla to bleed out here"
"I…" I was at a loss for words. Why did they leave Erdalla alone here with the ghost? Was she sent ahead to simply scout and got caught or… "Maybe they got separated somehow. We can ask Erdalla herself once she wakes up"
"True. Let's at least take her somewhere to rest. If the way your arm is treating you…" Salazar poked my arm lightly, making me twitch "Then I doubt Erdalla's beating is instantly fixed"
"What place could we possibly find for her to rest in?" Erina asked "This entire place is just a frozen wasteland"
"An overpass or something will do. We just need to make Erdalla comfortable while we rest" I bit my lip, quivering in the cold "And the longer we spend talking her, the faster we'll freeze. Let's go"
"Fine. Natalie, you carry Erdalla. Salazar, watch out for hostile Pokemon and I'll act as the healer, like usual" Erina's tone was more serious than Salazar ever heard. Maybe it was the absence of Howard, but more so because of the dire situation. Team Lazulian's goal was right in front of them: Mt Freeze. The destiny of their entire cause was about to be decided once they reach the top. As such, there was no time to lose. I scooped up the freshly healed Pikachu the best I could, aware of my sore arm and stiff shoulder. Losing an arm wasn't what I expected when I joined these guys.
"How long do you think it'll be before Erdalla awakens?" Salazar asked Erina. The Chansey glanced at the Pikachu in my arms before approaching me, swiveling the torn cloak fastened around Erdalla's neck to cover her "Erina?"
"I heard you" The Chansey grumbled "Her wounds are fresh and she wasn't out for long. Ordinarily, she'd wake up after a few minutes, but…"
"But what?" I asked worriedly.
"There were more wounds than I expected" Erina replied gravely "Scratches, gashes and cuts… things you wouldn't expect a punch-happy ghost to be able to deliver"
"A ghost sliced off my arm" I said matter-of-factly and the Chansey only shrugged.
"Who knows? We only witnessed the ghost punching Erdalla" Erina replied "Regardless, these extra injuries were etched in frost and time, so she's more hurt than when we found her"
I found myself subconsciously tucking Erdalla's ruined cape closer into her to attempt to warm her up. I couldn't lose her. I couldn't. Out of all the people here, she was the one I felt the most connected to, outside of Alfrin. Because of that one moment atop Mt Blaze…
"So she's probably going to be out for at least a few hours. Hopefully less than that" Erina broke me out of my thoughts.
"Even then, I'm sure she'll have a hard time walking after a beatdown like that" Salazar added glumly. I agreed silently. I had such problems myself after waking up from my slumber. After staying in bed for so long, I stumbled and fallen countless times. Pathetic, since it's only been two days since the incident, but that's how it happened. I just felt… so unbalanced after losing my arm and getting it back.
"Hopefully we reunite with the others soon. It's hard enough on Salazar protecting us two" Erina glanced to the Scyther, who only nodded impassively "Now we have Erdalla incompaciated and Natalie burdened. Pray that nothing finds us appetizing"
"They won't if they see me" Salazar assured "Nobody walks away from a Scyther without a couple slashes"
Erina smiled "Thank you Salazar"
The trip ahead was uneventful from that point on. Nothing felt like challenging them. Or more like, nothing WAS there to challenge them. Getting closer and closer to Mt Freeze, we saw less and less Pokemon. In fact, it looks like nothing lived here.
"What's with this place?" I asked, surveying our surroundings again. I was on high alert, especially with Erdalla in my arms, uncomfortably stirring as if she was in a nightmare "There's nothing here but trees, snow and nature. I thought I would have seen a Piloswine or a Mightyena around by now"
"Predators, especially Mightyena and their pack, don't like the deeper part of the forest" Salazar answered "Too cold here. Nothing for them to hunt. Even fluffy ones like Furret withdraw to the lower reaches of Frosty Forest and that's where the hyena pack strikes"
"What DOES live here then? Nothing?" I pressed and Salazar frowned, looking around as if asking himself the same question.
"I guess. I'd imagine that anything atop Mt Freeze would be too hard for the Mightyenas to attack, especially since they're fighting on lower ground coming in" The Scyther informed "Seems like we'll be safe here"
"Good. Let's take a rest then" I spotted a small clearing nearby nestled between a tall tree and a fallen log. Maybe if we cleared the snow, we could use it for a short while "Over there"
I led my comrades to the spot and set Erdalla down on the log, making her as comfortable as I could on a cylinder-like piece of wood. We cleared the snow away and sat down, catching a breather. The blizzard that ravaged our entrance into the forest subsided gradually and now, a gentle snowfall fell over the deserted forest.
"Beautiful and yet…" I thought aloud. The snowfall was a hypocritical omen, considering the situation we were in. Erdalla was hurt, our friends were nowhere to be found and the weather had the audacity to look like a peaceful time. I balled my hand into a fist and then released, not knowing where my anger was even going to. The gods? They've scorned me enough, so it wasn't worth it.
"We're getting close to Mt Freeze" Salazar stared ahead from our vantage point. A hint of worry was in his voice "And yet, we still haven't found any of our companions. Not a trace of footprints in the snow, so I doubt they're already on the mountain"
"Footprints can be covered up fast" Erina suggested, but Salazar shook his head.
"It's not snowing so hard that their footprints would be covered in less than a day" The Scyther replied "Maybe…"
"Maybe we're ahead of them" I offered "That would explain why only Erdalla is here. Maybe they got delayed"
"That's possible…" Salazar closed his eyes, deep in thought "But shouldn't they have caught up with us by now? Erdalla IS here with us and I'm sure they would be frantic if she was missing. Especially Alfrin"
"True…" I bit my lip, thinking of another possibility "What if-"
"Ughh…" I heard a groan beside me and I jerked my head to the source. Erdalla's eyes were blinking awake.
"Erdalla! Are you alright?" I rushed to the Pikachu's side, helping her down to the ground so she could see the rest of us better. Erdalla's eyes were hazy, but as she blinked them more, more colour returned to it.
"Natalie? Salazar?" The Pikachu sat up, wincing a bit from her past injuries "What… what happened? What are you guys doing here?"
"Natalie recovered faster than we thought and she insisted on coming here to join you" Salazar replied while Natalie hugged the Pikachu tightly "Me and especially Erina protested due to her condition but she threatened us with her jaws so…"
Erdalla sighed as she embraced me in turn "I guess there's no ordering you back to safety now that you've come so far. Thank you all for rescuing me. I don't know what would have become of me if you guys didn't come"
"Speaking of which, where is everyone else?" Erina asked "We didn't encounter them deeper into the forest and nothing suggests that they reached Mt Freeze yet"
"... I don't know" Erdalla replied sadly as she let me go "Last time I saw them, we were fighting Articuno in a clearing of Frosty Forest"
"Articuno? Like the final legendary bird? The one that resides on Mt Freeze?" Salazar asked, surprised. Erdalla only nods.
"Seems like Articuno doesn't follow tradition. It attacked us and sent me flying over to a cliff edge" The Pikachu adjusted her eyepatch which has miraculous survived everything that has happened to her lately. Her other eye belayed a sad and icy interior, scarred by all the events leading up to now "Alfrin ran to help me and I told him to take my Hunger Seed to defeat Articuno. He did and went off to save Zeplin while Howard helped me up. However, Articuno shot a blade of air at me and sent me tumbling down the cliff"
Erdalla held up her fingers, which were soaked from the snow and slush "Before Erina healed me, these fingers were sliced open from the slash. The rest of my body took serious damage from the fall"
"So that was why you were so injured before encountering the ghost" Erina realized "What was with it anyways?"
"I'm getting to that. The ghost found me after I wandered for an hour or so in the forest. It… was Gengar, manifested as my worst fear" Erdalla said darkly.
Natalie gulped "Your worst fear…?"
"A pale ghost, barely visible in the light I perceive to keep me safe. An apparition with no face so I don't know what I'm even fighting. Something formless, yet strong enough to throttle anything. Something… that makes me crumble to my knees" Erdalla closed her eyes, not even caring that she bared so much weakness to her companions. She just needed to let it all out "A funny fear, isn't it? To be scared to death by a ghost wearing a sheet"
"Erdalla, that's not-"
"Mm regardless, a fear is a fear. I can't change something so deep within me" Erdalla stood up "I think we've earned enough rest. Let's press on to Mt Freeze"
"What about Alfrin and the others?" Salazar asked as he stood up too.
"If Alfrin was smart, he would lead Zeplin and Howard to Mt Freeze. This quest concerns him, after all" The Pikachu answered simply "And if Howard's as sensible as I make him out to be, he would advise against finding me"
"That's… cold" I stammered.
"I prefer having logical companions over emotional ones" Erdalla shrugged "I shouldn't have survived that cliff fall. None of us could of"
"Still, to abandon you like that…"
Erdalla simply looked away from me, refusing to continue "... Let's move. Hopefully we'll meet up with the others soon"
…
"ALFRIN, THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE. BZZT!" Zeplin buzzed in front of the dazed Mudkip "ONCE WE ENTER MT FREEZE'S DUNGEON, THERE'S NO GOING BACK TO FIND ERDALLA. BZZT!"
"You already know my answer Zeplin" I snapped "I'm not going back to find Erdalla. Howard said so twice. Nobody should be able to survive that long of a fall and even if they did, they would freeze to death from these conditions"
"DO YOU NOT HAVE AT LEAST A LITTLE FAITH IN HER? BZZT!" Zeplin replied angrily "COME ON, ALFRIN. SHE'S BEEN YOUR PARTNER EVER SINCE YOU CAME TO THIS WORLD. WOULD IT NOT KILL YOU TO AT LEAST FIND HER? BZZT!"
"That would be a waste of time. This forest is huge. She could be anywhere" I replied coldly "And there's the chance that she was eaten by Mightyenas already, froze to death or died to permafrost. We'll be wasting time on our mission for nothing"
"NOTHING? YOU CONSIDER ERDALLA NOTHING?! BZZT!" Zeplin was really getting angry now "ALFRIN, WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?! BZZT!"
"Erdalla happened" I growled back "And now she's gone"
"WELL I DON'T BELIEVE SHE'S GONE. BZZT!"
"Good for you"
"WHY AM I THE ONE BELIEVING SHE'S ALIVE, WHEN YOU'VE BEEN HER CO-LEADER AND PARTNER?! BZZT!" Zeplin yelled "YOU SHOULD BE THE ONE SEARCHING FOR HER, TO AT LEAST CONFIRM IF SHE'S ALIVE OR DEAD. BUT HERE YOU ARE, MOPING AND ACTING COLD. BZZT!"
"Zeplin, this is MY quest. My destiny rests in this dungeon. Meeting Ninetales here will change everything!" I shot back "And if I waste time searching for a dead girl, the world will continue to be ravaged by disasters. Gengar will continue to wreck havoc on our lives. Now is our time to change that and we don't need Erdalla for it!"
"YOU… YOU REALLY BELIEVE ERDALLA'S DEAD? BZZT!"
"YES!" I screamed, causing Howard and Fiona to step back in fear. The two have been silent for the entire journey towards Mt Freeze. Only Zeplin was brave enough to stand up to their now-cold leader.
"FINE. BELIEVE THAT. I'M GOING TO SEARCH FOR ERDALLA ON MY OWN. BZZT!" Zeplin twitched with anger. He couldn't believe Alfrin, a friendly and mostly mild guy, has been transformed to this cold, edgy beast after Erdalla's presumed doom "YOU DON'T NEED ME ON MT FREEZE IF YOU DON'T NEED ERDALLA. I'M GONE! BZZT!"
Without looking back, Zeplin departed from my side and flew off into the vast frozen forest, disappearing quickly from sight.
"Are you sure we'll be fine without him? Mt Freeze isn't a dungeon to mess with, you know" Fiona warned in a small voice.
"We'll be fine" I grumbled back before forging ahead so I was alone. I slapped my forehead and moaned out in frustration and anger.
Oh gods… what have I become?
Alfrin's Team:
- Alfrin, Mudkip - Icy Co-Leader
Level 30
Moves: Water Pulse, Ice Beam, Ancient Power and Mud Shot
- Howard, Breloom - Strung Bodyguard
Level 32
Moves: Mach Punch, Bullet Seed, Spore and Absorb
- Fiona, Absol - Forewarner of Calamity
Level 29
Moves: Slash, Faint Attack, Ice Beam and Swords Dance
Erdalla's Team:
- Erdalla, Pikachu - Broken Lazulian
Level 31
Moves: Thunder Punch, Thunderbolt, Quick Attack and Thunder Wave
- Natalie, Mawile - Rehabilitated Ex-Criminal
Level 27
Moves: Vicegrip, Bite, Headbutt and Faint Attack
- Salazar, Scyther - Lazulian Defender
Level 28
Moves: Slash, Pursuit, Fury Cutter and Quick Attack
- Erina, Chansey - Pious Healer
Level 26
Moves: Egg Bomb, Softboiled, Refresh and Lucky Chant
Ha ha ha. I say things, but I almost never mean them. I literally told you guys and myself that we're going to Mt Freeze this chapter, but nope, filler so the cast is back together and to further develop everyone's characters. Oh and also check up on Erdalla, but that's not important (jk). Coming up next is definitely Mt Freeze and the climax of the the story probably. If you want to be notified of when new chapters come out, favorite and follow. If you want to leave constructive criticism or praise, leave a review. Until next time!