As we reached the edge of the snow flats, the frigid turbulent air stilled. It came as a relief as I was finally able to warm up. We were headed back to the town to drop off the two Pokémon we had just rescued. I was concerned they hadn't woken up, but I appreciated how much easier it was to transport them unconscious. I had given up trying to warm our passengers with my flames and left it to the lanterns. I was too worn out to keep going. Instead, I turned what energy I had left to helping Flake push the sled across the frozen wasteland.

Ahead of us lay the edge that would drop us off the snowy plateau and into the forest below. We would reach the village soon and I wouldn't have to worry about their safety anymore. I couldn't wait to rest at the village. I hadn't taken a break since I joined up with Flake months ago. I could easily spend an hour bathing in fire after the ordeals I'd gone through.

As we crested the hill and dove into the forest, I asked, "so what will we need to do in town." Even if I wanted to relax, we should still prepare for the next outing.

"We're not going into town."

My thoughts froze, leaving me with only the chill of the air.

"We'll drop them off and return to patrolling." She said sternly.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Sure, I wanted to save those trapped out in the snow, but I couldn't keep going forever. I was freezing every waking moment in the Snow Flats and I needed some time to actually warm my body up.

"Don't you think we should at least take a break to gather our energy…"

"NO!" Flake's sudden adamant refusal stunned me.

We walked in awkward silence for a few moments while I tried to recover.

"No," Flake said calmer than before, "It's dangerous in the town and, besides, we'd spend too much time there. We need to move out immediately after we drop them off."

"I…" At first, I struggled to speak my mind, but as I continued, my words became more fluid. "I want to save Pokémon, but I can't keep going on like this. It's been months since I've rested."

"We can rest on the flats," Flake said, frustration rising in her voice.

"You may be able to, but I can't." I couldn't stop now. My bottled up emotions came roaring out like a tidal wave.

"It doesn't matter, we're the only ones who can save them," Flake argued.

"I can't save them if I can't even feel my own legs."

"You can!" Flake shouted.

"I can't!" I shouted back.

The village came into sight just beyond the trees.

"Fine then," Flake detached herself from the sled and emptied our passengers onto the floor. "Go rest. I will help the others." And like that, she walked back the way we had come and was quickly out of sight.

I felt a lingering sense of regret as I was left alone in the snow. Despite how I felt, I needed to focus. There are two Pokémon that need my help. I was able to toss the Accelgor onto my back, but as I examined the Pangoro, I realized there was no way I could carry him alone. Perhaps I should ask a member of the town to help me?

As if answering my call, I heard the hurried footsteps of a Pokémon approaching. I looked ahead to see a Sawk struggling to reach us in the snow. When he came up to us, he looked at me in awe before turning his attention to the downed Pangoro.

"I will carry him for you," the Sawk said, he lifted the huge mass onto his shoulders without breaking a sweat. Or it could have just been too cold for him to sweat.

We made our way into town. As we stepped through the street, I felt the familiar feeling of being watched by everyone. I ignored it as I still had a very important delivery to make. I didn't actually know where I was going, so I let the Sawk take the lead. Sawk entered the guild outpost embedded into the wall. Once again, the blissfully warm air greeted me, although it didn't feel as good as I remembered it.

We entered the room filled with straw beds. It felt like an eternity since I had woken up here after Flake saved me. I gently lowered the Accelgor onto one of the beds.

An Audino quickly dashed her way into the room and attended to the Pokémon without giving us a second glance.

I couldn't help but ask, "Will they be okay?"

"Don't know yet," the Audino didn't even look up from her examination.

"It's best if we just let her do her work guardian. She has helped dozens of rescued Pokémon." The Sawk said.

Yeah, I shouldn't get in her way. I started to step out of the room, my legs growing weaker with each step. Wait?! Guardian?! I stopped and looked down at the Sawk who returned my gaze with admiration. "Uh…" I squirmed, not really knowing how to respond. Then it hit me all at once, a wave of fatigue and relief crashed down upon me. My legs buckled and failed under the weight. I could hear the shouting of voices, but the beckoning call of sleep drowned them out and pulled me deeper into the inky blackness.

A dull pain seethed in my stomach and slowly woke me from a dreamless slumber. My whole body ached as I slowly stirred, not wanting to wake yet. Eventually, my hunger got the better of me and I forced my eyes open. The room was quiet, still and bathed in darkness. Moonlight streaked the room from the window on the far wall. Though my aching body protested, I got my paws under me and began to stiffly search for some food.

I quietly limped out of the bedroom and into the foyer. I felt a joy I hadn't had for months, a wave of heat encasing my body. It burrowed into my limbs and eased the pains of rising. I stepped up and huddled into the bonfire in the center of the foyer. It's crackling flames illuminated the darkness, making the walls dance with shadows. The warmth of the fire radiated blissfully into me. I wanted to revel in that feeling a bit longer, but fate and my stomach had other ideas.

"I see you're up." A Brelom came up to me as it spoke, "You gave everyone an awful scare the other day."

"I scared you?" I asked confused as to how I scared the town.

"Yes, when you collapsed yesterday. Not to mention, you look a lot like our town's Guardian."

I don't want them to confuse me with Flake, "I'm not the Guardian…"

"We already know that," the Brelom said, "our spirit channeler confirmed it for us. Still, you helped save those two so you're a hero in my book. I'm Bresob, nice to meet you hero."

Even though he extended a claw, I was left so speechless that the only thing that responded to him was the growl of an impatient stomach.

Bresob chuckled, "If you're hungry, I'm sure I can whip something up for you. I am the best chef around these parts." He boasted proudly.

I sheepishly nodded as my cheeks burned with a red intensity I had all but forgotten.

"Then I'll whip up a fast one for our hero," he started off for the mess hall.

The image of hero in my mind was that of a powerful team of explorers that took down criminals in the name of justice. How was I a hero when I couldn't even convince a single Ninetales to take a break? What kind of hero am I if I can't save those that need it? Images of the frozen Furret filled my mind. I quickly tried to bury those images under the snow. "I'm…I'm no hero" I timidly protested.

With a gleeful smile he said, "Whatever you say hero."

But still, being called a hero sounded nice.

The morning chill was bearable. I sat outside on the frozen ground, resting my back against the walls of the old outpost. Snow obscured the ground except on the main pathways. The sky above me didn't allow a speck of sunlight through its thick layers, blanketing the land in grey. The freezing winds nipped at my sides, but it wasn't as bad as what I remembered. I took a deep breath and let it out. What came from my mouth surprised me, a grand fireball filled the air and lingered for a few moments like a confused spirit. But I guess that's exactly what I was.

I remembered the argument I had with Flake the other day. It seemed like so long ago. What made Flake so angry? What made me so angry?

I blew a little flame to heat my chilling paws and accidentally set fire to the ground around me with an unexpectedly powerful blaze. Fortunately, the flames died quickly. I think I was mad because I was cold and tired, but…

I looked up at the sky, so grey and devoid of life. The image of the lone Furret once again invaded my mind, its last expression frozen in ice forever. Was it one of shock? Pain? Or was its relief? I didn't know. But one thing I did know, I was scared. Deep down, I saw myself buried in his stead. Would I ever be like him, trapped in ice, frozen for eternity? What life did he leave behind? Would his family have been sad to never hear of him again. Yes, it's not uncommon to hear about Pokémon disappearing in mystery dungeons never to be seen again, but who would weep for this Furret? My mind went to my own family, or lack thereof. They aren't here to weep for me if I end up in Furret's place. My existence will just end without anyone knowing or caring.

For the first time since I came outside into the freezing air, I shuddered and felt cold.

The dark clouds above me finally began their assault, but rather than the raging blizzards I was used to, all that came was a slow, gentle fall of snowflakes. I remembered a phrase I once heard back in the guild, that when it snows, it muffles sound and quiets the lands. Perhaps that isn't as good or beautiful as he made it out to be, being muffled by the falling snowflakes never to be heard from again. Flake. Will she be consumed by the snow too? From the dark terrible part of my mind, I saw Flake buried where the Furret should have been. That image made my blood run cold. Why was she so insistent on running back out there when she could die! As if someone was pulling levers in my body, I felt my blood turn red hot and then chill as I remembered something she said during our argument.

"It doesn't matter, we're the only ones who can save them."

"We're the only ones who can save them?" Those lost souls that were misguided straight to their deaths by those guild masters. That Furret never knew. Sure, he could have known the danger. Even our veteran team knew that the snow flats were dangerous before going in, but he never knew that this would have been his end. And we can stop their end from being here.

"I just don't want us to end here as well."

"Sounds like quite the conundrum," a sickly old voice said beside me.

I immediately jumped half a meter and made an audible "WHAA!" Once I composed myself, I looked up to see a Mismagius had snuck up beside me. I remembered her from the last time I was in town. "You scared me," I said while trying to calm my breathing, "again."

"You think that they end here," The wispy words confused me at first, "but they don't."

My eyes went wide when I finally made the connection, "How…how did you read my…" She didn't let me finish.

"You of all should know, that they still follow us to this day. Travel to the spirit world isn't always wanted. They live among us either for hate or love, haunting or helping. They are always with us." She then floated away and disappeared into the snow riddled stack of buildings.

Who is she? I always found those connected to the spirits to be rather crazy, but not only did her words make sense, but she seemed to read my mind. Putting aside my uneasiness at the possibility of being mentally violated, I thought about what she said. We won't end here, and they won't end here. Even in death, we will be helping others. It doesn't mean we should throw our lives, or the lives of others, away.

I started to shake off these thoughts until something whispered in my ear, a voice without sound or words. But those that have passed, may still be with us even now. I thought of my family long since gone, the Furret and all the others lost in the snows. Perhaps, just maybe, we're not the only ones who can save them.

I took a deep breath in and out. On the exhale, a stunning fireball shot from my lips. For a moment, I could have sworn I saw the fire dance in front of me.

The days grew mundane as I rested in the town. Eat, sleep, think. Maybe the occasional firewood collecting or stoking Pokémon's firepits. I felt like I was getting luxury treatment as even the food was free of charge. I felt bad about taking advantage of the town for so long, but right now I was so surprised to have a visitor in the dining hall that my thoughts dwelled only on him. He was larger than life, his tall figure nearly scratched the rocky ceiling and he took up the seats of three Pokémon. The green spines on his back made everyone else in the room wary of passing behind him. The mammoth Tyranitar was speaking with another Pokémon, a Weavile, at the end of the table. I recognized the Weavile as being one of the residents here. What scared me more than anything else were the rumors, they say they are always wild and that one Tyranitar can level a mountain. Whoever this Pokémon is, he could easily destroy this entire village, let alone me. Their conversation was weird and confusing, often not making any sense, so I stopped listening in. I felt two sets of eyes on me, even though I couldn't see them. I felt the booming and shaking of the ground beneath my feet as the Gigalith-sized Pokémon stomped towards me, but my overwhelming urge to run couldn't compete with the terror that rooted my paws.

"Ahem," For a moment I felt like I was about to hear thunder, but instead a very calm and polite voice greeted me, "Would you happen to be Valixalyle?"

I turned to see a green tower above me. "Y…Yes, that's me."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Tyran," he extended one of the spikes attached to his side. Not wanting to get on this beast's bad side, I took the spike with my paw.

"W…What brings you…" To talk to me.

"Oh, I'm just visiting. I come every once in a while, just to check on things. I used to take regular exploration trips up here and I'm quite fond of this little town."

His eyes didn't always seem to be on me. That's when I noticed that the dining room was rather populated today. An unusual number of the town's Pokémon filled the room. The air was tense, and I could feel emotions flying high. The emotions ran the gamut of hate, anger, concern, worry, lust and greed. I couldn't make hide nor hair of the situation, but if I could feel their emotions, it meant it was all directed at me. Even though I'd grown accustomed to living amongst them, and gotten friendly with a few of them, every bone in my body was screaming at me to bolt out of the room.

"What about you," the Tyranitar asked, "what brings you to this quaint little town."

The room fell silent as the tension grew. Now the hulking Tyranitar wasn't what scared me the most. "I…I was sent here on a mission…"

"Oh, a mission? That sounds grand," his jovial voice didn't match with the emotions I felt from him. "I don't want to get in the way of your mission, so why not tell me which guild sent you? So, I can steer clear and all."

Is he after me because I deserted my guild?! No, no that doesn't explain everything else. What is going on here?! How…how much should I tell him? I remember…Then it dawned on me, what Flake had said when we parted, "It's dangerous in the town" I never thought that this is what she meant. I've got to pretend, maybe I can use my old guild's name as a way to hide… "I'm from Sertila's Bounty Hunter Guild…" My voice trailed off as I saw the Tyranitar visibly tense. I didn't need my sixth sense to tell me that name made him angry.

He quickly regained his composure and jovial attitude as he spoke, "I see, I see. He sent you to explore the north, didn't he?" A bead of sweat ran down my cheek as I thought of Flake, "and you were turned around by the white death?" More sweat ran down my face as I thought of my desertion.

Then I caught something that sounded unusual, something I only heard Flake say, "White death?"

Tyran shifted for a moment. "It's an old name. I'm the one who started calling it that."

If Flake is the only one I heard call it that, and he's the one who named it, does Tyran know Flake? Maybe he's trustworthy, I thought, but all the vibes coming off Tyran told a different story.

I had never felt anything like this in my life. It felt like my own skin was being violated by thoughts that weren't even mine. I could feel that half of the room wanted to protect me, while the other half wanted to keep me for themselves. I couldn't separate who wanted to do what as it all mixed together in a cauldron of volatile emotions that forcibly wormed its way into my mind. All I wanted was for it to stop. What did they even want? There's nothing beyond the Snow Flats except…

A chair scraped in the background. Tyran's eyes were diverted for only a moment, but it was enough to silence the room. "Anyways, are you planning on going back? I can understand why you don't want to if you failed. I've had my run in with the white death many times, but back then there were a few Pokémon who helped me out when I couldn't handle it on my own."

I suddenly remembered the outpost. I remembered Flake's mentor Glacier. Is…is that what they're after? A part of me was horrified to think that they wanted to capture other Pokémon. Then it dawned on me, I came from a bounty hunter guild. Are there bounties on their heads and that's why they're out here? More importantly, does that mean there are bounties on my head? The sudden realization had me panicking. The tense atmosphere made sense. I was being targeted.

"Valixalyle!" I heard my name being shouted from the hall. Keckleon appeared by the door with Bresob by his side. I couldn't have felt more relieved to see a friendly face. He was catching his breath and trying to maintain a calm, casual voice. "Valixalyle, I have a package for you."

Tyran turned to face the intrusion. Relief flooded through me as his attention turned away. I could see him shooting daggers at the Keckleon. The Pokémon returned his glare with more courage than I could ever hope to muster.

"Come, don't keep me waiting Vix," Keckleon tried to be causal, but I could hear the edge in his voice. Eager to escape the monster house, I practically jumped to his side.

"Hey!" Tyran's voice froze me in my tracks. I turned to see only half of him facing me as he said with a smile, "Tell those two runts I said hi."

I had no idea what he meant, but I didn't wait to find out. I quickly followed after Keckleon as his pace quickened. "Thanks for getting me out of there," I exclaimed as we stepped out of the hall and into the snowy town. Keckleon didn't slow his pace, ducking between buildings and into the forest.

"Don't thank me yet, Flake hasn't shown up to pick up the supplies this month." My blood ran cold. "Normally I wouldn't worry, but considering Tyran's here, I fear she may have been caught."

"Who is Tyran anyways?"

"He's one of the oldest and strongest guild masters ever, as well as being the only non-wild Tyranitar." His voice dropped ominously, "He is not someone to mess with."

"You certainly did. Are you going to be alright?"

"Heh," he chuckled, "He knows better than to go up against the Keckleons who run all the general stores."

We arrived at a sled covered in supplies, hidden in the snowy trees. "I hope that Flake didn't get caught up with them," Keckleon said, biting his lower lip.

"Don't worry, I'll find her." I started to dress myself in the bandages that Flake had lent me. It was a good thing I kept them around in my saddle bags wherever I went. While I was preparing, I asked, "Who were the two runts Tyran mentioned before?"

"Don't entirely know the whole story myself," Keckleon explained as he helped me with my dressings, "but the guild that owned this outpost collapsed and I think the two runts he was talking about were the guild masters at the time." Keckleon held one of my snow boots so I could tie it into my suit.

"Guild masters?" I asked, confused at the idea of more than one.

"Yeah, there were two, only time it ever happened." The last of my bandages were applied. Keckleon rushed me to the sled, "Quickly before they find us."

I nodded and got behind the sled's push bar and forced the heavy load above the snowy ramp. I could see Keckleon wave a quick goodbye before darting into the trees. When I crested the snowy slope, the bone chilling breeze of the Snow Flats met me and I responded with a whisper, "I'm back, now where's Flake."