"…help others when you can"

My eyes slowly opened as the last wisp of a memory floated through my head. Dazed, I tried to take in my surroundings. Ice covered the walls and roof like some kind of igloo. However, the floor did not feel like ice and a quick glance showed it was made of wood. Inside the dome, my two companions lay around a single lantern with a golden flame. I started to call out to them, but the words died in my mouth as I noted they were unconscious.

I got my paws under me and sat up. My whole body shivered from the intense cold. The little lantern offered minimal protection. On the other side of the structure, it opened into a white field…wait, the field is moving?

I stepped towards the door and looked out. My jaw nearly hit the floor with surprise. A Pokémon, near perfect reflection of myself with a coat as white as the snow around us, was pulling us through a never ending void of white. I could barely distinguish between the snow and the wavy, blue-tinted fur of the ninetails. The confusion continued as my attention turned to the fact we were being pulled. On something. Going somewhere.

A puff of cold air had me recoiling back into the dubious warmth of the igloo, but as soon as I did I felt the jolt of a stop. I glanced at the entrance and was startled to see a pair of deep blue eyes staring back at me. With their coat blending so completely into the white surroundings, it unnerved me how much it looked like a pair of floating eyes.

I thought we were going to stare at each other forever. "You're awake." the surprisingly feminine voice caught me off guard.

"Uh, yeah…who are you and where are you taking us?" Was the only response I could muster, but then again, perhaps it was the best response when being dragged away by some random stranger.

"I'm Flake, a rescue explorer. I'm taking you back and I'll drop you off at the nearby town." She turned around and went back to pulling us. "Why don't you tell me why you went into the snow flats like an idiot."

The hostility in Flake's voice bewildered me, "W…Well, we were promised a great reward for scouting the north…"

"…And you thought money was worth more than your life," She completed with disdain.

I was taken aback, "Wh…what?! No! I was just following orders. I don't want money."

"Then what do you want?" She asked in an accusatory tone.

"…I…" I carried a long pause as I tried to think of the question she had asked. Why did I come out to this horrid place? "I don't know."

She didn't respond. Her attention remained fixed on the snow-covered horizon. My body felt numb. I could feel the flame burning inside me, trying desperately to bite back frostbite as I sat inside the dome of ice. I shuffled as close to the little lantern as I could and noticed little portholes where heat radiated out. It wasn't a lot of heat, but anything was better than nothing.

"We're here, help your friends out of there." Flake firmly stated. I had done nothing but soak up the heat of the lantern the whole way. With my body still numb, I gathered the remainder of my strength and went to lift Ferilar out of the ice sculpture. He was the only one I knew I could carry.

Flake came in and, seeing me grab my friend, bit down on Brow's hand and dragged him out. I clenched my teeth as the sound of metal scraping on wood grated in my ears.

I stepped outside behind Flake. We were in a clearing in the snow-covered forest. Flake and I stood atop a hill that overlooked the small town that my group had traversed not too long ago. I could hear a bell clanging in the distance.

Flake let Brow go and started to leave, pulling the sled with her. "By the way," she turned to me, "we never met." And like that, Flake slipped into the tree lining and was out of sight.

I heard footsteps behind me and turned to see a Sawk climbing up the hill to me. For a moment, when he reached the crest of the hill, he looked at me with awe. Then he shook his head and tended to Brow, who was face first on the ground.

"We need to get them to our medic."

I couldn't agree more, I thought, as I felt the wind chill bite at my back.

I hadn't lay in a proper bed for months and reveled in it's warm embrace. The room was apparently their infirmary, but other than the beds there was nothing to distinguish it as a medical room. A single Audino was the only assistant this place had, but I was grateful for that. Not every fringe outpost had a medic. The Audino quietly worked on healing my wounds. I was thankful for their warming light, but there was a niggling sensation that gnawed at the back of my mind as I looked at the other two.

"Will those two be alright?" I asked trying to hide the concern in my voice.

"After they've recovered, yes, but ones a cold-blooded reptile and the other is completely made of steel. They're going to have trouble recovering. Honestly, they're lucky to be alive."

I thought back to the deadly event. There was no way we could prepare for such a fierce blizzard. Once again, I'd become a burden for another explorer. What was I supposed to do, not follow my group in? Now that I think about it, the members of this town did say something about dying if we went out there.

"Hey," I asked the Audino, "how many Pokémon have explored the north?"

"You mean the Snow Flats?" Is that what it's called? Uncreative name, "I've seen dozens of explorers try to chart the Snow Flats, but only three Pokémon that I know managed to cross it."

"Wait, you mean others have come up here? Were they sent on jobs by the guild?" My mind raced with accusations, but I tried to reassure myself that this wasn't the case.

"I'm just a medic, you'd have to ask some of the other town members. They're retired explorers who went on these expeditions. All I know is what I've told you and that some Pokémon don't ever come back." Her ominous words lingered in the air before she finally stepped back and said, "You're all patched up, feel free to leave when you're ready." If anything, I felt worse than before.

I stepped out of the medical room and found the mess hall door directly in front of me. I decided to see if I could chat with the other Pokémon as Audino suggested.

Making my way into the now familiar mess hall, I noted the presence of Kangaskhan, Ampharos, and Snover. They were chatting at the table with a Brelom preparing a meal. The conversation fell silent as I stepped into the room. The Snover looked up at me with reverence for some reason.

"Mind if I sit here," I politely asked as I picked out a spot on the table.

"Not at all," Kangaskhan said with a bright smile. "We're happy to have you." The other two Pokémon at the table smiled politely.

"I have a question, do any of you know about the job postings to explore the far north?"

The room was silent for an agonizing second and I felt like I had said something wrong. Then the Ampharos piped up, "That would be a question for me. From what I know, the explorations have been attempted for longer than I've been up here. As for why, I couldn't tell you for certain. There are only rumors about what exists beyond the Snow Flats."

"I heard that some Pokémon have successfully made the journey. Don't they know?"

"Only three that I know of. Two of them were a team and guild masters. However, they were highly secretive and hid a lot of their findings. Some of the rumors say that they stashed their findings beyond the Flats to avoid capture when their guild collapsed, but it's hard to say that's true because there are older rumors about treasure that have been circulating since before the guilds creation."

"This is the first time I heard of this," Snover said with the squeaky voice of a child aimed at the Kangaskhan, "What are you talking about, what are these Pokémon and what's this guild?"

"Sorry dear," Kangaskhan apologized to the little Snover "I barely remember anything about them. The toppling of their guild was a big thing at the time, but it didn't really affect my business, so I didn't much care about it. I believe that their guild was the Researchers of… something? Something to do with ruins anyway."

"Where are they now?" I asked, curious.

Kangaskhan replied, "they haven't been seen or heard from in years. However, they are still hunted for the knowledge they keep hidden."

"What about that third Pokémon?"

"I believe you've met the third Pokémon," Amphoras stated with a slight grin.

"I've met…" my confused brain tried to put the ideas together before it finally clicked, "Oh!"

"That's right," Snover interjected before I could continue, "the great Ninetales that saved you."

"She is our town guardian, the one who saved all of us from that frozen wasteland. She's like a white angle coming through the snow in times of peril and rescuing us on the verge of death. And in case you were wondering, no you can't meet her. That Ninetales only appears in the Snow flats."

My thoughts were racing trying to grasp all this new information, "Okay. Thank you," I tried to grab at a name, but realized one didn't come to mind.

"Name's Ampero," Amphoras said as if picking up on my lack of knowledge.

"I'm Khan the third, but you can just call me Khan." Kangaskhan politely added.

"And I'm Trevsnow. I was born here!" The little Snover had youthful energy gushing from his words.

"Nice to meet you all," I politely acknowledged them.

"What's your name, mister?" The Snover asked.

"My name is Valixalyle."

"Will you be staying with us Valixalyle?"

"…I…I…" I didn't even think that was an option.

"That's enough Trevsnow," Khan interjected, "Come Valixalyle, let's have something to eat."

"No thanks. I need some time to think."

Khan nodded, "Take all the time you need."

I left the dining hall and sat in the main foyer next to the roaring bonfire. The rage enhanced heat pulsated inside me and I let it out with a swirling Flamethrower into the bonfire. He knew! That slimy Shiftry knew that we may never return and yet he sent us in anyway! There is no way he couldn't have known! How many teams has he sent up here to never return! Are we that expendable! I sat alone venting the inferno of emotions into the firepit.

After a few moments, my fire quelled. My mind was quiet, but the voice of Flake penetrated the silence, "Then what do you want?"

I don't want to work for Shiftry anymore. But then what do I want? I tried to recall why I became an explorer and a single voice answered in return,

"Help others when you can."

I want to help, no, I want to rescue those that need it. I want to…

"I thought it was getting a little hot in here."

The voice of another Pokémon completely derailed my thoughts and made me jump.

"Fire's gotten a little out of control." A Vileplume walked up beside me and inspected the blaze. I couldn't help but notice that two of the front leaves and one of the back leaves were completely missing, making his whole face seem a lot more exposed than other Vileplumes. He also used some kind of wooden crutch that drew my eyes to his legs, or rather leg. I tried not to stare.

"I heard you came by our town a little while ago. Nice to meet you. My friends call me Plumage and I'm the mayor of this little town."

I recoiled in confusion, "Mayor? Isn't this a guild outpost?"

"Was a guild outpost," he corrected, "it was abandoned years ago when the guild running it collapsed. So, you seem to have a lot on your mind. Is there something you'd like to talk about?"

I was hesitant to divulge my thoughts to a complete stranger, but something about his demeanor put my reservations at ease, "I'm just thinking about what to do next."

Plumage nodded at the fire, "Difficult question indeed. I'll just warn you that if you do decide to break your contract and leave your guild, you will most likely never be able to return to Guild City."

I had considered that, but I hadn't thought about all the ramifications. How do I rescue those that need it without a guild? There is one Pokémon I know…

"Plumage," Plumage's gaze didn't leave the fire, "I want to meet with Flake."

"And who might this Flake be?"

Wait, he didn't know? "You know, the Ninetales that saved us."

Plumage's eyes went wide as he turned to me and loudly said, "No. I'm sorry I don't know about that." Plumage then grabbed me by my chest fur and yanked my ear to his mouth before whispering, "I don't know, but Kecleon is the oldest Pokémon here and I think he knows a lot about that Ninetales. His stall is outside."

Plumage let go and went back to speaking in a normal voice. "I'm sorry I can't help you, but I wish you good luck in your future." Plumage then limped away further into the bowels of the carved out mountain.

Odd, why would he be so secretive about it?

I stepped out of the toasty lobby and into the frozen air. I scanned the scattered buildings and stalls searching for Kecleon. Everything was covered in a thin layer of snow. The weather-worn structures seemed to huddle against the cold. I remembered which shop was his and headed off in that direction. As I approached his stall, I could see he was working on something.

Kecleon swiveled to face me, "Welcome to Kecleon Shop!" He said in a sing song voice, "How can I help you?"

I glanced over a variety of items that would be useful for any exploration, but that wasn't why I was here. Though I did make a mental note of a few of them. "I'm here to ask about Flake."

"Not here," he said still in his cheery voice, but with finality. He put up a closed sign before moving deeper inside his shop, gesturing for me to follow.

Stepping inside, I couldn't help but notice how cramped this little store/house was. I had to hold up my tails so they wouldn't touch Kecleon's merchandise. A single torch mounted on the wall prevented the room from freezing.

"Whisper," Kecleon said quietly.

"What's up with all the secrecy?" I asked, getting a little annoyed at all the hoops I needed to jump through just to talk to one explorer.

"There are many rumors about the area beyond the Snow Flats having vast amounts of treasure. Flake is my friend and one of the only Pokémon who can traverse the Snow Flats. She has a huge bounty on her head. So, why would I tell you anything about her?"

"I didn't know there was a bounty on her. I just want to talk to her." I tried to be as sincere as possible.

Kecleon looked me up and down. I would be sweating with nerves if I wasn't freezing my butt off in the cold weather. "What's your name?"

"Valixalyle" I simply said.

"The fact that you know her name adds to your credibility, but I don't know where she is. Stay here a while and I'll find her for you."

I hugged Kecleon, partly out of an uncontrollable urge to show gratitude to him and partly just to hold something warm.

"H…hey?! Get off me!"

I quickly retracted as my checks went from frozen white to burning red. "I'm sorry, just got a little carried away."

"Yeah, just don't do it again and get out of my shop!" He said loudly, but winked at me afterwards.

I nodded and hurriedly raced back inside the outpost where I could warm up.

I sat in the foyer, eyes riveted on the dancing spires of the bonfire. My fiery heart felt a kinship with the flames, at one with them. I had thought I was the master of the blaze, but the more time I spent staring into it the more that slipped away. I felt untethered and at the mercy of the swirling vortex of heat. A mountain, a secret? Images began spilling out of the white-hot inferno, as if enticing me. Then with a single flicker, everything was gone. Both the allure of the fire and its secrets disappeared without a trace. I felt hollowed out and empty as a feeling of dread washed over me. What just happened?

"You can sense the spirits."

I jumped up and spun around so quickly that I stumbled straight into the fire. I breathed a sigh of relief as I starred at the face of a Pokémon, a Mismagius. Perhaps I shouldn't be so relieved. "You scared me," I said, while stepping out of the firepit, brushing off embers. It was blissfully warm, but now's not the time to bathe in fire. "What did you say about the spirits?"

"You can see the things that others cannot," the deep cryptic voice spoke with wisdom, "You have the gift, as do I. The gift to see beyond what our mortal eyes can perceive."

"Oh," I said, still trying to calm down, "Yeah, I can see the spirits. I've always seen them, Ninetales are gifted that way. I just didn't expect to see spirits up here."

"The spirits live in places where their mortal flesh rests. It's why graveyards are so spiritually active and it's also why I'm here."

I was trying to gather what they were implying, but as I turned my head a blue form caught all my attention. Ferilar stomped out of the medical room with Brow in tow.

"There you are Taily," He used that irritating nickname again, "come on, we're leaving this frozen death trap." Ferilar walked towards the exit, not giving me a second glance.

I instinctively lifted a paw to follow, but I checked the impulse. I can't let myself be swayed here, I have to be strong. I put my paw down and simply stated, "No."

"What?" Ferilar said more confused than anything else. Mismagius stepped out of the room.

"I'm staying here," I stated firmly.

"You know you'll be defying the guild?" he threatened.

"I know," I tried not to let my voice reflect the nerves twisting my stomach in knots.

Our gaze locked, Ferilar stared me down with murderous eyes. I tried my best to keep my gaze firm.

"Do as you please. I'm not spending another second here," he grumbled before stepping out of the outpost. Brow didn't give me a second glance.

I let out a sigh of relief. Whelp, now I'm officially a traitor.

Kecleon walked in behind Ferilar, "Valixalyle, I've got a special package for you."

I took a deep breath and walked up to Kecleon. "Is it what I asked you about?" I tried to be coy with my question.

"Yes, right this way." Kecleon didn't seem to notice or care as he chatted to me in his usual sing song voice. I followed him.

We walked out into the dreadfully cold environment and went behind Kecleon's shop. There, a sled with a push bar in front, was packed to the brim with supplies.

"Help me with this, will you?" He asked, as he stepped behind the push bar.

Surprised, I asked, "What's all this for?"

"Help me push it," was all he said in response.

I surrendered and helped him push the sled across the snowy terrain into the forest.

When we were out of earshot of any preying ears, Kecleon sighed, "I have to be honest with you, I already knew where Flake was going to be."

"Wait, what?" I asked with both surprise and annoyance as to why I had to wait, "Why did you need time then?"

"Two reasons, first I give these supplies to Flake once a month on the exact same day." I looked and marveled with newfound appreciation at the stack of supplies behind me; food, water, and gear. "Two, I needed to know who you were."

I turned to him quizzically, "Who I was?"

"Valixalyle joined the Sertila Bounty Hunter Guild straight out of Exploration school. Works alongside Ferilar and Brow. You three don't get along all too well nor do you have any particular loyalty to your guild."

Despite the freezing air, I couldn't help but feel as though my cheeks were burning, "How…how do you know so much?" I asked flustered.

Kecleon smiled and said, "Trade secret." Ah, of course. The buzz word used by everyone now-a-days.

I tried to calm myself, but when I looked at the beautiful white Ninetales I couldn't help but feel as though butterfree was fluttering inside me. She was practically invisible with the snow around her and the only real way I was able to spot her was by the giant saddle bags and backpack she wore.

We pulled up into the clearing that Flake sat in patiently and she turned to face us. "Kecleon, and…you…" She said with a hint of distain when she looked me in the eye.

"Hello Flake, nice to see you doing well. I got the supplies you wanted and a special package." He turned to face me as he said that last bit.

I couldn't tell if my paws were shaking from nerves or from the fact that they just went numb. "I…" What do I say here? What can I say to tell her what I really want? Thinking back to the time that I spent with Flake I said, "Remember when you asked me what I want to do?" Cautiously, Flake nodded, "I think I figured it out. I want to rescue Pokémon here." Once I started, there was no stopping the torrent as my thoughts became words before I could understand them, "I don't want any Pokémon else to have to go through what I did. I don't want any Pokémon else to…to die alone here. I want to help those that cannot help themselves. I want to help."

The three of us stood in deafening silence with Flake staring at me. It was as if the snow was gobbling up all the sound like a ravenous beast. I wish that beast would gobble me, too. I couldn't stand this silent judging. Flake looked at the supplies, then me. I tried my best to pick apart what she was thinking, but came up empty pawed.

She gave me one last glance before opening her mouth, "Fine, but you have to do what I say." At that one word I felt so relieved that I could now feel just how cold my body had gotten. I started shivering uncontrollably.

Flake looked at me quizzically, "Are you cold?"

"Y…Y…yes…its…freezing out here…" I said in between chattering teeth.

"But, aren't you an ice type?"

"I've done some asking around Flake," Kecleon said seemingly unphased by the cold weather, "and it seems like most Ninetales aren't like you. Ninetales are usually fire types."

"Fire types huh?" She said staring at my embarrassingly shivering form. "You'll do better than most but you can't be crossing the Snow Flats in nothing but your own fur." She reached back into the massive bags that she carried and pulled out several white bandage-like things. She stepped towards me with the cloth, "It's a little tricky to get it on, especially when you have paws, so just hold still. Keckleon can you help me with this?" Flake and Keckleon began wrapping the cloth around my body as if it was a full body cast. I couldn't help it, my cheeks warmed with embarrassment. I was being handled like a Vulpix.

They stepped back and proudly admired their handy work. I felt unexpectedly and uncomfortably squished by the cloth, like there was something thick in between my skin and the air. I looked down at my paws. In their place were these massive pads bigger than a Nidoking's feet, all wrapped in the same badges. To top it all off, I felt the heat bloom again in my chest. The last thing I expected. "What's all this for?" I asked, still adjusting to my new form.

"It's to protect you from the storms and make it easier for you to walk in the Snow Flats."

"Don't you need something like this then?" I asked not seeing a single piece of cloth on her.

"I'm a particular kind of ice type that the cold doesn't affect as much."

Flake turned to Keckleon, handing him a small sack of coins, "Thanks for the work you've done Keckleon."

"It's my pleasure to help, really." He smiled the first honest smile I've seen from a Kecleon before departing through the trees. "See you next month," he called over his shoulder, "See you again, too, Valixalyle."

Flake and I waved back as he left, despite my paw shaking the whole time it was up.

As I was getting accustomed to my new, suffocating skin, Flake surveyed the dense forrest. "We have to get going." She then got behind the sled's push bar and started moving. "Help me with this."

I did as she asked, standing right next to her and pushing the heavy sled of supplies up the inclined snow bank onto the Snow Flats.