Chapter Seven

Articuno's Feather

The next day, we awoke on time and joined the usual morning meetings. Shaymin had left already, leaving Cloud and Yuuta in charge again. I was surprised he left so soon, but I guess that's the life of a pokémon trying to complete a world map in the atlas. Being a mythic pokémon though, that makes sense. I cannot believe we are his own priority.

"Team Thunder will also be out helping in Novaus," Guild Leader Blaziken spoke, his voice booming over the small number of guild members. "Which means, our guild will be short a team, thus you all will be required to pick up extra mission requests. Fae will also be helping out with tasks as I attend a meeting," Blaziken spoke, seeming rather annoyed. "While I am out, you will be required to respect Fae like you would respect me and do as she shares. If she requires a team with her to help with a mission, I expect you to finish what you need to finish and join her." The large fire pokémon scanned the room and then his gaze locked on me. "Aria, I need to speak with you please," He called me out.

I felt instantly warm with embarrassment, almost like my fur turned into a fire-type pokémon. This was extremely nerve-wrecking and I could barely bring up the courage to reply, "Y-yes, Blaziken."

"Good, everyone else is dismissed," Blaziken called out with a quick flick of his hand, he dismissed the meeting.

My gaze instantly dropped and I was feeling rather shaky. "Did I do something? Maybe he's kicking me out? Why would he kick me out?!" I muttered under my breath.

"Ooh you're in troubleeeeeeee," Zorua teased beside me with a laugh.

I felt a bit dizzy when he said that. I replied shakily, "What did I do?!"

"Don't listen to the likes of him," Vex huffed, gazing at his buddy with a stern look. "He probably just needs to talk to you about joining the guild," He reassured me.

"Or he's kicking you out," Zorro chuckled.

"I am not kicking her out," Blaziken's voice sounded above us.

My entire body was sweating at this moment.

"You on the other hand? Perhaps," Blaziken murmured, voice full of seriousness. "You are dismissed, please move along with your missions," He commanded the two of them.

"What about Aria?" Vex demanded back from the boss-pokémon.

"She will join you when your leader is done speaking with her," Fae's voice sounded up from behind Blaziken. "Now, please move along. We all have a very busy day." The pokémon stared down at Vex and Zorro, their gaze was cold. She shook her head and sighed. "We've all got to pitch in until we can bring more attention to our guild and expand in our area," She explained. The large horse-pokémon turned away and exited the guild.

"Goodluck," I heard Vex whisper to me before grabbing Zorro and charging out of the guild.

I gulped. I was still nervous. I haven't had much interaction with Blaziken, and he seemed rather mean in my opinion. Maybe that's just his strong-leadership look though. He had to be stern and strict to run and keep a guild organized. I could barely raise my head to lock gazes with this fire-type. Everything about him made me nervous. "Is everything ok?" I asked him, trying to keep my tone steady.

Blaziken nodded and motioned me to follow him. "Come with me," He spoke. The large fire pokémon went to the entrance of the guild and went up the stairs.

I tilted my head in curiosity. I figured we were going to speak somewhere private, such as his room, but I assumed wrong. I took a deep breath to do my best at calming my nerves and I forced myself up onto my paws. Following this pokémon, I felt a bit more reassured that it wasn't as serious as it first did. Since we were leaving the guild – oh Arceus, is he going to cast me out of the guild? Maybe make me disappear forever? No witnesses?! I instantly felt nervous again.

A soft chuckle left the bird pokémon which completely turned me. "You're not in trouble and I'm not chasing you out of the guild," He looked over his shoulder and smiled at me kindly.

WHAT? DID THIS pokémon JUST SMILE AT ME?

My nerves completely disappeared as I froze at the bottom of the stairs to the exit of the guild. I was so bewildered at this expression, I don't think I've smiled in the few days I've been here! Then again, I haven't seen him but maybe once or twice. He just seemed like such a strict pokémon. Like, he didn't have time to smile! I couldn't fathom the words, just forced myself to go after the leader.

After we left the guild, Blaziken took me through town quietly – minus the few pokémon that greeted him and a few of the young new pokémon that would ask him about being the leader of a guild.

"There's Blaziken! Wow! Look how big he is, so cool!" A voice squeaked.

I looked down from where the voice came from and came to view a small green pokémon and a small blue pokémon. I tilted my head and watched as they interacted with Blaziken, who got down to their level, smiling at them.

"Well hey there, little Troublemakers," Blaziken greeted them, putting his hand out to the two pokémon to pat them on their heads.

"Blaziken, can we join the guild yet?!" The little green pokémon squealed at him

"Really! We've been practicing a lot!" The blue pokémon cheered, flames coming out his back.

"Ah, Flora, Cynder! You can't just run off like that!" Another pokémon came up from behind them, breathing rather heavily, I assumed from chasing these two little pokémon. "Hello Blaziken! Sorry about that," The larger pink and white pokémon huffed. "You know how they are, they see the leader and they run! They could see you miles away!" She chuckled.

"Greetings, Bissey. It is nice to see you again, I hope things are well. And these two are no trouble at all," He replied softly to her. His gaze then lowered to Cyndaquil and Budew. "However, when you do join the guild, you won't be able to just run off like this. I would suggest staying by your teacher," He told them sternly, giving them a strict look.

"Oops, sorry Miss Blissey!" Both baby pokémon exclaimed in union.

"Come, you two. We must get back to the rest of the class," Blissey spoke, guiding them away from Blaziken and I.

"Goodbye," Blaziken said with a small wave, standing up straight and turning his attention back to me. "Sorry for the intrusion," He shared. "Those two are very interested in the guild, they are just a bit too young to join us right now."

I nodded and asked, "Is there a class here?"

"It's a small training class, to help them understand our region a bit better and the dangers that can be here. It's for any new pokémon that would like to learn. Blissey and another pokémon help teach it while also keeping pokémon distracted during the day," Blaziken explained to me as he took the path beside the Café.

"That should help a lot when it comes to pokémon preparing to join the guild," I replied.

Blaziken didn't reply, just nodded and continued walking down the dirt path lined by snow. It looked as though we were headed to the beach area, if I recalled correctly when Vex and Zorro were explaining the area of the town.

The forest was quiet as ever, with the only sound being of the leader and I crunching through the snow. It seemed not many pokémon lived in this area. Maybe just this area that was leading to the ocean-area. The distance wasn't too far between, just about a 10-15 minute walk. You could see the ocean beach through the trees that lined the area. When coming from the top of the small, you could see more of the ocean. I gazed around, as I have not been this way yet. I've been wanting to see the ocean up close since waking up, but we've been busy with missions back to back. It was kind of rough staring at it from way above and being unable to come take a look at it myself. I wanted to just dart across the snow-sheet to the ocean because I was just excited. All of my nerves were gone. I was so distracted that I didn't realize I had taken the lead of walking by the time we got to the beach. I didn't even acknowledge that though, I was so distracted by the large beach-side and gorgeous ocean.

Laid out in front of me was a white-snow sheet on top of the sand, leading out to a big, beautiful blue ocean. The snow made it look even better! The little bit of sun that was shining through the clouds bounced off the snow and ocean and just tied it all together. It was almost like a painting – how gorgeous it was. I was so excited, I began to pace back and forth and my tail was shaking. Everything was just so pretty. I completely forgot that I was with the leader of the guild. Honestly, at this second, I didn't care. He was just another pokémon. I finally sat down in a spot and just watched the ocean, smiling. I glanced over my shoulder, almost as excited as those two little pokémon and gave a huge smile. The pokémon was standing there, arms folded across his chest. His gaze was soft and he seemed to be extremely relaxed.

Embarrassed, my excited grin kind of faded and I flattened my ears. "Ah, I'm sorry," I murmured with embarrassment.

Blaziken shook his head and shrugged, replying "Most pokémon's reaction to this beach is about the same."

I still felt super awkward and turned my attention back to the ocean so I wasn't awkwardly looking at the leader. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, calming myself. He was just a guild leader who needed to address a concern with me – that was all. Nothing was going to happen, no one was going to be hurt.

"Aria," Blaziken's voice spoke up again as he approached me. "When we found you on the mountain, there was a pokémon that was there with you."

My eyes grew a bit wide with shock. I remember Vex and Zorro sharing this with me, but I wasn't sure if anyone had seen this pokémon, as the two of them had mentioned it was heavily foggy and cloudy. "That's what I was told, yeah," I replied quietly, staring at the ocean. I did not want to make eye contact, as I was still embarrassed he saw me act like a baby pokémon in reaction to the ocean.

"Do you have any recollection of this pokémon or looks, sounds, smells, anything at all?" He asked, the large fire pokémon sitting down next to me and melting a spot in the snow from his heat radiating off his body.

I tried to remember back to when I heard voices. The only voices I could remember were Vex's, Zorro's and Blaziken's. I didn't see anything. I only remembered the smell of blood. I couldn't even smell any pokémon nearby – just the blood that was surrounding me. When I opened my eyes, even the tiniest, all I saw were my legs and I was too shocked to take in any other scene around me. I frowned, that scene flashing back in my head and I shook my head. "Blaziken, I don't really remember anything." I murmured.

"There's nothing you can recall?" Blaziken asked me. "Perhaps if you were able to recall some of what happened before Team Aster found you, we could help with your memory building."

I shook my head again. "I'm sorry, Blaziken. If I knew, I'd let you know. I just remember waking up to their voices and that it was just super cold. I'd love to collect my own memories," I said bluntly. My gaze returned to the ocean laying out in front of me. I wanted to remember so badly, and these recent flashbacks I've had when someone's touched this emblem, are they memories or are they nightmares?

"It's unusual for a pokémon to wake up at the Shattered Shrine that you were at. In fact, most pokémon do not go there at all, it's pretty much a blocked off area," Blaziken explained. "It's very dangerous, and pokémon believe it is home to an ice legendary. We are unsure of who is there, but we know not to disturb them."

"Has anyone explored up there before?" I asked him.

The fire-type shook his head and sighed sadly, "Every time someone has tried to explore, they've disappeared or just cannot make it to that area due to the heavy winds and snow. It's considered a danger-zone and we've restricted any access up there. I was extremely surprised someone as young as Vex was able to find you with his aura skills." He sounded shocked when he said that, which made me think that maybe Vex is a lot more powerful than we know. "He has been working on his aura tracking for a very long time, though. I've watched him grow since he was a lot smaller than he is now," Blaziken spoke proudly. "In fact, I've watched a lot of the pokémon we have in the guild since they were as little as Flora and Cynder. I've been a part of this guild since I was a Torchic," He explained out of the blue.

I listened to this pokémon speak to me, the area around him melting even more the longer he sat there. I smiled, glad that he had told me this story of him. I thought of Blaziken as someone who was extremely strict and very stern, but he seemed so relaxed right now. I wonder what made him feel like this. Then it hit me.

"Blaziken," I asked, "When I woke up a few days ago, you knew my name." I was stern with my own tone, letting him know this was a serious question.

A small chuckle escaped from him, and he leaned back, putting pressure on his hands as he replied, "Something just told me that was your name."

I huffed, that was not the answer I wanted. "Blaziken," I demanded.

I guess that was the wrong tone of voice, because his gaze quickly turned on me. I was stunned with the fierce look he gave me, but then I noticed his eyes weren't focused on me. They were focused on something behind me. I tensed up. I was about to speak and move, but he flashed a quick glance at me and shushed me. I stayed still, nervous. The first thing anyone would do when someone was focused on something else, would be to turn around and look at whatever the other was looking at. The next thing I knew, Blaziken quickly leapt up onto his feet and looked around the area, scanning it.

"Heh, heh, heh," A voice hissed into the area, breaking the silence. "Sharp as ever, Blaziken," The voice whispered through the air.

"Why are you here?" Blaziken growled, his eyes narrowing and following something.

I couldn't see anything or feel anything. But Blaziken's entire body was tense and ready to go. He was standing tall and in a fighting position, hands ready to go. I was on all fours, ready to go as well, but I couldn't even see what he was looking at.

"Palossand, search the Vulpix," The voice sneered.

I suddenly was shoulder deep into the sand that Blaziken had melted around us. I couldn't move, my entire body was being swallowed up by the sand. My head was just barely above the sand, and I could hear rummaging through my bag. "Hey, let go!" I squeaked, struggling to move. Every time I went to wiggle my body, I felt as though I were sinking more.

"Let her go, before I blast you to Giratina's realm," Blaziken growled, his body radiating extreme heat.

"You won't touch us, or my little friend in the trees will… Well, let's just say your guild member would be unconscious again – but forever!" A voice laughed maniacally.

Blaziken growled in annoyance, his fist tightening.

"You know Arrow doesn't miss," The voice giggled.

I kept my mouth above the sand as best as I could. What was going on?! I was so confused and also scared. I was being swallowed up by sand, and my bag was being rummaged through by… More sand! My gaze fell onto Blaziken with fear. Why wasn't he doing anything? Why was he just standing there?

"Don't struggle," Blaziken whispered over to me. "The more you struggle, the easier it will pull you under." He looked at me with a reassuring gaze. "Show yourself, Koyuki," He demanded. "I have sights on Arrow, you, and Pallosand. It wouldn't be hard to take all three of you at once."

"True words from the Guild Leader of Snowberry," The voice whispered.

"There is nothing in her bag, Boss," a voice came out from underneath me. "Just some junk. She doesn't have it."

"Great Giratina, are you sure you don't just have sand in your eyes, Palossand?!" The voice snapped. Immediately, a floating pokémon positioned itself right in front of me, which caused Blaziken to stomp the ground with a mighty-force – which shook me out of the sand. He immediately took a stance and kicked upwards at the white and blue pokémon, his foot inches away from its face, brightly on fire.

The heat radiating off his foot was immense. The snow around us on the beach was melting even more. I felt like I was melting too, just because that fire would probably put me out of existence. I took a deep breath, glancing down at the ground below me. I could see something moving in the sand, and watched where it was going. It had taken all of my stuff out of my bag, including the scarf that Vex and Zorro had gotten me. I frowned, my fur covered in sand. What was that? I think they called it a Palossand, or something. I don't think I've heard of that pokémon's name before.

"You have two seconds to tell me what you're doing here on our territory," Blaziken demanded, his foot inches away from this floating white and blue pokémon.

This pokémon just rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. "Blaziken, the second you set fire on me, I will kill your guild member," She quietly told him. "Do not tempt us,"

Blaziken glanced over to the trees, then back at the floating pokémon. He lowered his foot and the flames died down. His body, still tense and radiating heat, he glared at the pokémon in front of him. "Koyuki, why are you here?" He demanded once more.

"I don't need to share anything with you," The pokémon replied, a huge smirk showing on her face. Her eyes, ice-blue with hatred and cold like her ice-ghost type self. It was a Froslass, very well known in any snowy-region and very sneaky and known to hate travelers.

"Leave, now," Blaziken demanded. "I am faster than you and your pathetic excuse for a Decidueye in the trees." Anger filled the area.

"Pathetic?" The Froslass coughed, "Arrow is faster than you!" She retorted, offended and stunned that he even said that. "He's literally a Decidueye, known as one of the fastest attackers! His arrow would reach you before you even had a second to think!"

I watched the two pokémon bicker before turning my attention to where I saw Blaziken glancing at. I couldn't see any pokémon in the trees like he was watching. But whatever this pokémon may be, I'd better not move. Blaziken says he's fast, but if they're threatening my life? That was the first time I've ever heard a pokémon use the word 'kill' so easily. It had me shivering in my fur, and I'm an ice-type! What was even happening, why did these pokémon attack me and what swallowed me in the sand? Was it a pokémon? I glanced around, taking my gaze from the trees to the ground below me. I could see a few rocks and seashells moving around us, and what really stuck out was a thick stick out of the ground. It would move in the sandy area that had been melted, but also disappear under the sand at the same time. It then stopped moving beside me, and I could see two black spots with little white dots in them. "Eep!" I jumped, as it blinked at me. This had spooked me to the point where I had actually bumped into Blaziken, which caught him off-guard and his attention turning to me.

When Blaziken turned away to look at me, Frosslas took this opportunity to disappear again.

"I've heard rumors of a pokémon waking up in your guild with no memory and claiming they were human? Is this she?" The pokémon asked from the ghostly realms.

Blaziken was turning around, his gaze locked on the presence of this ghost pokémon. "Who's asking?" He demanded.

"Oh no one in particular," She giggled, her laughter echoing the beach area. "Just trying to confirm this is she! But you just did that for me. Now that I know who it is, I need to know where Articuno's Feather is."

My eyes grew wide when she said that. My body began to tremble a bit with fear.

"Feather?" Blaziken asked. "Why would anyone in my guild have a feather of Articuno? No one has seen the legendary bird in many moons," This sparked interest in Blaziken, as he continued to follow the presence of the ghost type.

"Oh, but… Didn't your guild members have this feather? I'm pretty sure someone had it," The ghost pokémon spoke, fading in and out of the area.

The Palossand began to move again, which brought my attention back to the pokémon to ensure I wasn't going to be attacked again. I couldn't focus on Blaziken's conversation and the Palossand who could easily take me under – now that the snow was gone and it was just a big pile of sand that this pokémon just blends into. I flattened my ears as I listened to Koyuki and Blaziken. If I expose Vex and Zorro, they wouldn't forgive me. I had to keep my mouth shut, and focus on this Palossand. I didn't like this situation, I felt like everything was just falling apart at this moment. I was being threatened with death by this Froslass and hidden pokémon in the trees, but also this Palossand that could easily take me under. I couldn't do anything at this moment.

Blaziken's gaze narrowed and his hands balled up again.

"Aria?" A voice called out to me.

I jumped up, straightening my body and glancing towards the forest where I could see two pokémon running down the hill that led to the beach.

"Vex, don't!" Blaziken called out, putting his hands up. Suddenly, I saw something shine from the trees and aim in the direction of Vex and Zorro.

"NO!" I yelled out to them, watching that shiny thing strike. An arrow quill from the trees, with a shadowy aura surrounding the tip of it. I watched as the arrow looped around Vex and Zorro, pushing them together, before striking the ground in front of them, creating a burst of blue fire-like energy around them. This fire-like energy lit up the ground around them, making an almost circle around them.

"Ah, more guest arrive," Froslass's voice sounded creepily in the shadows.

This was it, this is what made Blaziken jump. The fire pokémon leapt upwards, a golden light emitting from the pokémon as he jumped up. Watching Blaziken light up made me nervous, what if this pokémon of the trees decided to strike again? But with a blink of an eye, I saw Blaziken transform into something else. His body turned from red and yellow to a striking black and red, long ribbon-like flames surrounding his wrist. I could only imagine that the fire was hot. His 'hair' went from laying down flat to standing up right. It's almost like he evolved, without evolving?

I needed to help out Vex and Zorro who were surrounded by the flames, but they also were calling out that they couldn't move.

"What is this?!" I heard Vex call out in confusion. "There's an arrow here, but I can't move!"

Blaziken darted into the trees, chasing another pokémon out of them. It was a large brown and green pokémon, his face covered by leaves and his talons sharper than sharp. The two pokémon went flying through the trees together, constantly going at each other. This "Arrow" pokémon was fast. He was almost as fast as this evolved form of Blaziken. I just couldn't keep up with how fast they were moving. Nevertheless, we were in trouble and we needed to take care of this best we could! But, what could I do? I was trembling with fear, the Froslass's words digging into my brain. She could kill me, she said. I was so scared. I frowned, remembering that sinking feeling from the pokémon that had basically taken me into the sand. What could I do?

"Scared, little one?" Koyuki's voice circled me, but I couldn't see her. "Palossand, tend to those two, check their bags." She commanded the pokémon with the stick that was moving.

In front of me, a large pokémon formed. This pokémon was massive. It was literally a sand-castle, with shells lining its face and a stick out of, what I assumed, was it's head! This is a literal sand-castle that some pokémon had built on the beach. I didn't even know this pokémon existed! That just spooked me more! Were there more pokémon in this sand that could get me? I trembled with fear. What was going on? Why was I so scared?

"Oh little Vulpix, you shouldn't be scared. You should embrace this," Koyuki's voice whispered into my ear. I was so chilled to the bone, that I couldn't even look at her. I knew she had reappeared and shown her body, making her vulnerable. The thought of actual death was scary. Maybe she was just toying with me? Perhaps I wouldn't die, but just badly injured again?

"I know what pokémon was watching you," she giggled evilly to me. "You should be so grateful that such a powerful pokémon was watching you," she taunted.

I gazed over to her, and was now utterly confused. "Powerful?" I replied.

She smiled, locking gazes with me. "Of course, the all-powerful Articuno," Koyuki replied.

I'm not sure if this Froslass was messing with me or if she was being serious. Was Articuno responsible for my injuries in the mountain? Perhaps this pokémon in front of me may know something about where I'm from. Or what I'm doing here. I watched her float around me before my gaze fell on Zorro and Vex again. I frowned, they were still surrounded by the flaming arrow, and I could see a yellow-sand pokémon over there. Palossand was holding them down like he held me down. Realization struck me finally. I had questions, but my friends were in danger. I shook my head and turned to them before I saw something shiny and blue stick up in the fire area.

"No! Give that back!" Vex yelled, distraught.

I could see the small blue and black pokémon trying to move, but he couldn't. I didn't see any sand around him though, so I'm not sure what was holding him down. Perhaps the Decidueye did something when he launched his arrow? I noticed that Froslass had disappeared and reappeared over Zorro and Vex. My entire body turned to the icy-ghost pokémon and darted across the sandy beach and into the grass area. The flames had subsided, which I took the guess of Blaziken finally taking down Arrow, or at least getting him far enough that his move shouldn't even matter anymore. I quickly approached Vex and Zorro, who were still being held down by the sand pokémon. My gaze flickered from Palossand holding up that light blue feather, to Froslass and then back at my friends. The feather had a slight glow to it too.

"So, he failed his mission then," I heard Froslass murmur.

Mission? What mission?! My attention turned to the pokémon and curiosity just kept rising. No! This wasn't the time for questions, I had to help Zorro and Vex! I could feel an icy chill creep inside me and towards my mouth, as soon as I opened a cold gust of wind swept around us. This Icy Wind immediately affected the Palossand, and he ended up dropping the feather while I was using icy wind. Froslass, being an ice type, didn't even flinch. Her gaze was locked on the feather in the middle of all of us.

"Agh, that ice is cold!" Vex grimace.

"Get that feather!" Froslass screamed out and jumped into the middle of the group fast.

Zorro was the second fastest to jump in. Palossand was still trying to recover from my icy-wind, but I didn't let up on that icy-wind. Perhaps if I could just keep pushing out that cold, icy wind, it would slow down Froslass.

Zorro had picked up the feather quickly with his mouth, and turned away, fading into the area surrounding us. I finally let up on my icy-wind when I realized both ghost pokémon had disappeared. My gaze scanned the area quickly, hoping I could find any trace of either pokémon. I couldn't see them at all.

Vex's gaze was locked on something though, and he was watching it. His body was full of rage, and anyone could see that. His teeth were bared and his eyes were narrowed, and I could see the hatred behind them. I've never seen him so angry. The small black and blue pokémon kept turning with what I assumed was Froslass and Zorro fighting over this feather, and he was trying to prepare an attack. The small blades on his wrist started to glow a bright silver, and they began to transform into something sharp. His usual red eyes, blue as he watched these two pokémon and where they were. The pokémon was focused with anger. While his nubs on his wrist were turning into small blades, he began to bounce back and forth one his two feet, speed picking up as he did so. He was ready to strike, getting faster at the land of a foot. His body had a slight purple tint to it, and that was that.

Zorro appeared in front of Vex and ducked, screaming, "NOW!"

Vex jumped up over Zorro, his red eyes bright blue with hatred towards this pokémon. He lifted his two hands in the air, and came striking down on Froslass who appeared just a quick second after Zorro did. The riolu crashed hard on top of Koyuki, striking her with his sharp metal claw.

The white and blue ghost pokémon let out a high-pitched screech as Vex came crashing on top of her, her body crashing hard into the ground when Vex lashed at her with his metal claws.

As he did that, Zorro turned quickly from running past Vex and focused on the pokémon who was laying on the ground stunned for a quick second. One of his front paws was glowing a dark black-shadowy look. The ghost pokémon charged into Koyuki who was laying on the ground, his paw rearing back and then smashing forward into the ghost pokémon, hitting her with a sucker punch.

I watched as she tried to disappear back into the shadow-realm, but was too slow for his sucker punch. It critically hit her, sending her flying backwards a bit. The pokémon let out a loud groan when she came to a stop in the snow, muttering something under her breath. Two super-effective moves hitting this pokémon perfectly – it was impressive. The pokémon shook off the dirt on her body and then floated back upwards. She disappeared for a second, and then the next second, a loud high-pitched scream sounded and there was a veil of rainbow-colored aura.

This aura seemed to knock Vex out of his rage with his bright blue eyes, because he was looking around and trying to pin-point where Koyuki was. He was gazing around the area, trying to locate her but the aura was messing with his aura, clashing into one another. Vex's head even seemed to be hurting him, as he put a hand to his head, but tried his best to stay focused on the clearing. A cold blow of snow gusted against us, and the wind was then turned into several crystals hitting against our bodies, causing us to flinch. This wasn't an Icy-Wind, I knew it wasn't. It didn't feel the same as my own icy-wind. But the wind from this gust picked up hard, and the crystals seemed to have formed larger during the duration of this frost-breath. This move was dangerous, always resulting in a critical hit.

The frost breath pushed against Vex and Zorro, and the only thing the two could do was try their best to block it.

The crystals slammed against my body, hard. Luckily it was just ice, and it wasn't that strong against me but it sure had some punch in it. I could barely move against the gust of wind that was throwing the crystals at us. I was able to force myself into the wind, stepping in front of my partners. My gaze was now focused on where the frost breath was coming from, now being able to pinpoint the ice-ghost pokémon, in hopes to stop her from this strong move. I could feel my skin under my fur being ripped into by these ice-crystals. It was painful, but I needed to stop her. I was able to have one eye open, looking at the main direction of the frost-breath, and there she was. Froslass, singing her song of frost-breath. Grinning, I could feel a weird energy develop inside my belly. It wasn't that cold feeling I would get from icy-wind or ice-shard. In fact, it was something else. Something told me I needed to protect these pokémon. She was using an attack, and everything in my body felt determined to protect. After channeling the energy inside me, I narrowed my now-glowing blue eyes and focused only on Koyuki – everything else around me had kind of disappeared.

Koyuki's body became outlined in blue, and she began to feel as though she were stunned. The pokémon's mouth closed, and she wasn't able to use her frost-breath anymore. "W-what are you doing? Are you seriously using disable?! YOU –" She was cut off, now unable to move at all. The only thing she could do was move her eyes. Those eyes locked onto mine and I could see the anger in them – she was not a happy Froslass. "How dare you!" She snapped, trying her best to move but she couldn't. She was completely disabled in the air.

I was just as surprised as she was - I had no idea this was a move set of mine. But I did not lose focus on Koyuki. Instead, I shook my tail towards Vex and Zorro and told them to run.

"We're not leaving you here," Zorro snapped at me.

"Just go find Blaziken and make sure he's okay!" I badgered him.

"Come on, she's disabling the Froslass, let's go." Vex nudged him. "She'll be fine."

"Vex, are you kidding me? The second that disables snaps, she's going to fall to that pokémon!" Zorro exploded on the small blue and black pokémon.

"Just go!" I raged at the two bickering pokémon.

"Gah," Zorro muttered. "I don't like that," He coughed and turned away with Vex who was pulling on him.

Perhaps Zorro was right, the second that disable did snap, I could be in major trouble. The channeling energy inside me began to die out and I could feel the disable loosen its grip around the Froslass. I had to turn tail and leave as fast as I could. I didn't know this forest well enough, but I was pretty sure, at least I hoped, I could outrun this ghost pokémon who was weak from the attacks. Perhaps disable will do more than just keep her Frost Breath locked for a few minutes. Maybe it'll disable her speed or something, I wasn't too sure.

That's when the grip was completely gone and Koyuki was free. As soon as that disabled dropped, I jumped backwards and turned as quickly as I could. I took off, not towards the village, but towards the south of the beach-forest area. Maybe I could lose her in the snow. I wasn't all that injured, it seemed. I was able to run without flinching very much. My paws slammed against the snow covered forest and all I could do was focus on the path in front of me. The snow was thick, but my paws gilded over it. I was running as gracefully as a Ninetales would across a pool of flames. It was a wonderful feeling. I was light as a feather.

Oh no. Feather! I came to a stop and looked over my shoulder. I didn't see Koyuki chasing me or any other pokémon. There was nothing behind me except the forest trees. Even through the little bit of pines and leaves on trees, or the snow covered branches, I could see nothing but white sheets. There was no sign of Koyuki, not even her presence. I looked around the area real fast, but there was no trace of feathers either. I pray to Arceus that Zorro or Vex grab it. Then again, it was a feather. How much damage could a feather do? I sat there in the middle of the snow sheet, knowing that I was alone. I don't know how far I ran in that short amount of time, but I did not recognize this part of the forest. I couldn't see Snowberry either – or the beach anymore. I guess I had run pretty far and fast, because I had no idea where I was.