Chapter 55:

Maylene, don't be scared to take my Frozen Hand

I would usually describe what the current Route that I'd be at looks like, in this case it would be Route 217. However, I couldn't. The blizzard that blows down from Mt. Coronet was so vicious that I could barely see 5 feet in front of me. I wouldn't notice a tree until I had passed right by it a minute later.

I was going to get hypothermia, I was certain. But my ambition to beat Team Galactic helped me continue.

"There must… be another place to stay for a bit" I thought to myself, or at least tried to as I trudged through the polar cold winds. Everywhere around me was like a bottom sheet; completely white with the occasional tree shadow. I wished I had a Fire Type on me. But I was right; I was optimistic that there would be another place to stay for a bit.

Slowly I continued to make my way through the blizzard. I wasn't sure how much I could take of it, but I knew that if I didn't beat it, Team Galactic would prevail.


After another hour of what felt like only half a mile, I I saw a shadow on the ground. I ran over, which in this would be the equivalent of walking on a normal Route. Upon closer inspection, the shadow was a person. A person with pink hair, a short blue shirt and a bandage on her nose. I knew just who it was.

"MAYLENE!" I shouted the best I could with my frozen lips, but she didn't respond; if I struggled getting through this, someone with thin martial art clothing like what Maylene wears could freeze to death. I just hoped Maylene's Fighting Type spirit was keeping her alive. I put her arm over my shoulder to lift her up.

"L…..Lucassss?" she whispered, shivering. She could barely open her eyes.

"Let's find somewhere warm" I told her. I now had extra weight on me, but that was fine. I could still do it. But I needed some extra help. "Sorry to go through your stuff." I found Maylene's belongings and rummaged through. I found Lucario's Pokéball and sent it out. Lucario seemed like the right choice; Steel Types were resistant to Ice Type moves, hopefully the same logic could apply to actual blizzards. "Lucario, remember me? It's Lucas! Maylene's in trouble, help me carry her north! That's where I'm going, we can't be far."

Lucario took the other arm and we carried her through the cold.


It seemed like forever getting through the blizzard, now with a hefty load on me. Lucario helped a lot though and before we knew it, another house came into view. My face shone, though it was hard to smile considering the fact that my cheeks were frozen stiff.

"Let's go in" I told Maylene. All Maylene could do was smile back subtly; she was close to passing out.

I banged on the door. "HELP! We have the Gym Leader of Veilstone City with us! She's close to fainting from the cold!"

The door opened to reveal a Hiker. He saw Maylene and instantly his face flooded with worry. "My goodness, come on in! I'll sort out some nice hot chocolate for both of you."


This Lodge was just like the one from Route 217, however it had more modern amenities such as central heating rather than a fire place. There was pretty much no TV signal though. Thankfully the owners of this place had plenty of movies and a Blue Rayquaza player, so they didn't seem to mind. Even with all this luxury, I still didn't feel comfortable until Maylene was better. She was lying on the sofa with a hot water bottle, complete with a furry covering with a Torchic pattern on it.

"Is she in a coma?" I asked.

"She's just tired" the Hiker said, who was named Warren. "Maylene is very smart, she would know that Route 217 would be too much for her. Thank you for bringing her in. You potentially saved her life."

At that point, there was a knock on the door. Warren went over to find a quadruped white Pokémon with long ears.


Glaceon

170

Ice Type

Fresh Snow Pokémon

Region of origin: Sinnoh

2'07" (0.8 m)

57.1 lbs (25.9 kg)

By controlling its body heat, it can freeze the atmosphere around it to make a diamond-dust flurry.

Eevee -Lv up near Ice Stone- Glaceon


Glaceon was carrying a copy of the Daily Buizel in its mouth and plopped it on the table. "Thanks Glaceon" Warren told it, petting it on the head. Glaceon smiled back.

"Where did it get that?" I asked. "There isn't somewhere that sells the news in this barren wasteland."

"Ah" Warren told me. "Maybe because Snowpoint City is closer than you think."

My ears twitched. Was I really almost there? How much blizzard would I have to wade through?

"Just an hour walk from here, you'll reach the Acuity Lakefront. The snow falls very lightly from there so it's smooth sailing to Snowpoint when you reach it."

I knew I didn't have time to waste, but I wouldn't leave until Maylene was awake. Just then, Glaceon also plopped a HM on the table. It was HM08 Rock Climb.

"Ah, I wondered where that went" Warren said. "Thanks Glaceon. Lucas, why not put on a movie? Maylene will be awake soon."

That didn't seem like a bad idea. I wouldn't be out of here until Maylene wakes up. I needed to warm up myself to actually. Surprisingly, it was only 10:30 am, and Barry was probably already up there.


Halfway through watching the animated movie Ratataouille, Maylene slowly opened her eyes. She sat up slowly and looked around to see me.

"Lucas?" she asked again.

"I saw your laying unconscious in the snow so me and Lucario took you in. You're in a Cabin now. You'll be safe."

Warren entered the room again to see Maylene awake. "Maylene!" he said.

"Thank you for your company" she said. "But I need to go."

Maylene threw the blankets off her and went for the door. I grabbed Maylene by the wrist. "Maylene you can't go out in that again. We're going to Snowpoint City together."

Maylene looked out the window; she knew where I was coming from. The blizzard was unbearably song.

"Okay, I will" she said. She didn't even hesitate.

Warren came over and gave me the HM that Glaceon found. "You deserve this" he said. "Once you beat the Snowpoint Gym, you are capable of using this move outside battle. It will help you scale rocky walls, just like the one to Lake Acuity."

I gave him a nod. I stroked Glaceon as I told Maylene to get under my coat. "This will give you some protection. We'll get a move on; it's an hour of walking before the snow calms down."


An hour of both of us trudging through the snow was intense. Snowflakes hit our face as if we were being hit by Icicle Spear. It really hurt, and the lack of temperature didn't help. Finally though, the snow died down revealing the cliff of Lake Acuity.

"The Acuity Lakefront" Maylene said as she got out my coat. The weather seemed bearable at this point.

"HEEEEY! LUCAAAS!" A familiar voice came from the rocky cliff face.

"Barry!" I shouted back as I noticed the familiar blonde hair waving at me. "You must have won your 7th Badge! Congratulations!"

"No sign of Team Galactic though" Barry told me. "I'll stay here and guard the Lake!"

"I'll join to!" Maylene replied. (Quick note, Gym Leaders can use HM's regardless of Badges).

"Hold on" I said. "Let's get to Snowpoint City first. You need a good nights rest."

Maylene scratched her chin. "But, what if Team Galactic appear?"

"Listen" I said. "Barry may not be the most organised ever, but he has 7 Badges. Leave him to it for today, then join him tomorrow."

Maylene nodded her frozen face, and we walked to the snow covered City.


At long last, we had reached Sinnoh's northernmost settlement; Snowpoint City. All the buildings were covered in snow; the log cabins, the Gym, Pokémart and Pokémon Centre. On top of this, there was a large stone temple to the northern point of the City.

"I never get tired of this" Maylene told me.

"I know how you feel" I said. "Come on, to the Center."


After I healed my Pokémon, I told Maylene about Team Galactic. Of course, she was aware anyway. She lived in the City where their operations take place after all.

"I can see why they chose you" Maylene said. "6 Badges, wow! Are you going to battle at the Gym tomorrow?"

"I need to" I said. "But, there is something I want to do first. I want another Pokémon, one that can learn Rock Climb. I don't want to teach it to Empoleon."

Maylene understood. Empoleon already knows one HM move, it shouldn't learn anymore.

"Good luck" she said. "We'll walk to the Lake together tomorrow."

Right now though, I could use a hot bath.