Chapter 8

Training

Gazing around, I tried to smell the air best I could. The air was thick from the fog rolling in and clouds getting ready to snow. Being that the air was so dense, I couldn't pick up the smells around me, not even from my own trail! I huffed in annoyance and took in my surroundings.

Oh what do you know – Trees.

Trees and more trees. I guess Winterry Region was a wintery mountain area, thus the name. Makes sense. Literally the region of winter. If I could recall, I do believe that the guild said this was a rather small region that was usually avoided – thus why there was one 'main' city here, Snowberry. Was this region that tiny or did I misunderstand when they said, 'region.' As far as I could remember, regions consisted of many cities spread throughout. Perhaps the land of pokémon was different. Talking pokémon, might I add. A strange world indeed.

I trudged forward though. Maybe I could find a sign of Snowberry somewhere nearby. Or any pokémon perhaps that knew the way back to the town. The fog made it hard though. Luckily, being an ice-type, the cold didn't bother me anyway. My muzzle lifted into the air once more and I opened ever so slightly to see, perhaps, if I could taste the air. Get a whiff of something? No, nothing. My ears flattened against my head as I continued to look around. The forest was certainly beautiful and I was grateful to be around here. Though, trudging through this snow still brought me to my question as to why I was here. There is no way, woke up on a mountain of some other, well, dimension, in a spot no one goes! And what that crazy Froslass, Koyuki, was saying made me even more confused. She said I was in the presence of Articuno, the legendary ice bird. Is that the legendary that lives atop the mountain that no one has seen. Or maybe she was just pulling my leg. I was confused and now lost. What was even happening? What is this emblem on my chest and why does it show me flashbacks of my past? That got me thinking. When I met with Gallade and he accidently swiped at the emblem, it showed me something. I was in some kind of weird lab with a partner pokémon. Two scientists appeared in my vision and were talking about how I was 'right' about something. About someone being somewhere. What was something and where was it? That lab showed nothing but a gray tube in the middle with liquid that my partner had destroyed.

I wanted answers, I wanted answers so bad. I wanted to know why I was here and how I got here. What is my connection to these memories or this emblem?! Anger filled me as I flooded my brain with so many questions. Every time I got overwhelmed with questions or tried to remember something from my past, it hurt my body and made me angry. Just thinking about this in the middle of the forest made me angry.

The heat of anger and confusion filled me.

"Why –" I chose a random tree and darted at it, lashing at the tree, growling, "Can't I–" My right paw reached back and I stretched out my little claws, swiping at the tree, "REMEMBER ANYTHING?!" My claws connected with the tree and struck it hard. I could feel little bark chips inside my talons of claws. "This isn't fair!" I snarled at the tree, bringing my left paw up and striking at it as well. I instantly jumped back and felt another rage of energy forming inside me. I stared at the tree and felt like I could get this energy up and out, but when I went to try and form this ball of energy, it never came. Whatever move that was, it didn't want to work. I felt more enraged that this move didn't work.

I narrowed my gaze on the poor, defenseless tree in front of me. I tried to focus on the spot where that energy was forming. It was a dark energy that was forming in me. It felt stronger as I focused on it more. I could see a dark aura surrounding me as I took this energy out of me.

That's when I heard something crack behind me, and all my attention completely flipped. I turned quickly and unleashed this dark power on whatever was behind me. Dark purple-blue rings formed and hit this target of whoever stepped on a twig. When the energy left me, I felt a bit weak.

"N-N-Nice Hex!" The voice groaned in pain. "Heh, if I wasn't so well trained, that might've hurt a lot more. Ugh."

My eyes shot open wide when I recognized that voice. How did he find me? And why did it have to be him? I would have preferred literally anyone else to show up randomly. But I will be honest, it felt great to actually hit him with something. Arrogant, little … … …

In front of me, the large green and white pokémon was leaning against one of the trees, arms crossed. The psychic, fighting type lowered his gaze to match mine. "However, you could work on your aim – a lot," He commented with a shrug. "Honestly, you could use a lot of practice. Watching you against Koyuki was painful," Takao the gallade voiced out his opinion. "If you'd like, I could teach you."

My breathing was heavy as I stared at this gallade who was deriding me. I could feel the darkness inside me fading out, my body trying to calm itself down. Weakness flooded over me, because I was still trying to recover from my half battle against Koyuki and her team. But this pokémon irked me in so many ways. My teeth bared into an annoyed smile, and I lowered my head to hide my face. If a vein could pop out of the top of my head, it would. I turned my gaze and eyed this pokémon out of the corner of my eye, cold.

Takao put his hands up in a defensive position and plopped down. "Come on, I won't move," He encouraged with a huge wide smile.

The little claws stretched out, sheathing the ground and clawing slightly at it, bringing the snow in under my paws. THIS pokémon HAD GUTS. How dare he enter my angry phase and still encourage my anger?! My eye was twitching, as I turned my gaze away from this pokémon.

"Mmm, are you sure you're not a fire type?" He teased, "You're sure fired up like one. I can feel your anger just radiating heat!" Takao raised the tip of his chin some, looking at me sideways and down on me. A small smirk appeared on his smug face.

"You know something, Takao," I muttered, avoiding eye contact and pacing back and forth in front of him. "I thought Gallade's were noble pokémon, ones who are protectors like a… Knight in shining armor?" My voice cracked.

A small chuckle escaped Takao, as he covered his mouth slightly with his hand. "I'm not like any other Gallades," He spoofed. "Come along now, hit me with your best shot. Let's see what your strength is." Takao was sitting on the snow-covered forest floor, one leg propped up with an arm resting on it – the other hand resting on his crossed under leg. His eyes even closed.

I was left there frozen in astonishment. Is this pokémon really asking me to hit him while he is sitting down?

"Come along before the blizzard thickens up, I'm not fond of the cold." He motioned with one hand for me to hurry up.

That anger came back and filled me again. I cannot believe I was being made a fool in front of this pokémon! I didn't even think, I just opened my mouth and used the ice-shard of anger that was filling me. I used my anger to attack this pokémon who was just sitting in the snow.

Takao didn't even budge. He just lifted an arm, using the blades on his elbows to slice the puny ice-shard. His eyes didn't open, he didn't flinch – nothing. The only thing that he did, besides slice up the ice-shard in front of me, was smirk and mocked, "Predictable."

"Excuse me?" I snarled, a huge growl rippling in my throat. I dug my claws into the snow below me. This pokémon sure was something else – definitely not like any Gallade should be. I felt as though the anger took over my body, because I began creating random ice-shards and launching them at the pokémon.
This noble-warrior pokémon just sliced at every single ice-shard flying in his direction. The pokémon's red eyes opened and connected with mine. "You can't just stand in one place, Aria," He shared with me, narrowing his eyes and pushing himself up on his feet.

The way he said my name was rather annoying. Perhaps he was right though, standing in one spot made me predictable because anyone could see where my moves were coming from.

"You are an Alolan Vulpix, use that to your advantage," Takao guided me, putting his hands up in the snow that was whirling around us. "You are surrounded by snow, there is a blizzard forming – which by the way, is pretty dangerous," He stated blatantly. The pokémon took a few steps towards me and then stopped. He put out his arms in a defensive position and nodded, "Go. Move and think. Stop letting your emotions guide you," He directed.

My anger felt like it was subsiding as he approached me and I locked gazes with those intense red eyes of his. I looked over this pokémon and my gaze stopped on something that was wrapped around his wrist area, tight. It was a piece of fabric with a symbol of a sun on it. Perhaps it represented his clan in Novaus. Then within a blink, Takao was gone. I gasped and looked around the thickness of the fog, trying to locate where this pokémon had gone. Maybe I could smell him – but as I tested that theory, I caught nothing. I frowned, where did he go? How could he so easily disappear and that quickly?

Perhaps my ears could hear something though. I focused all my senses on my ears, trying to listen to my surroundings. I heard mostly wind, but that was about it. I then felt a light push, but strong enough to bowl me over and force me to lose my grip. I rolled once into the snow and just laid there for a second. I gazed up, shocked and in disbelief that this pokémon was that fast and that well blended in, even with his bright green portions of his body. "How did you –"

"When you were distracted, I took advantage," Takao commented, holding out his hand to me.

I gazed at his hand and shook my head and ignored it. "I'm fine," I muttered. I forced myself back up on my paws and shook the snow off my white fur. My attention turned back to Takao, who was smiling at me. But it was a soft, serene smile. Not that cocky smile he had earlier.

"You try," He encouraged.

"Try what?" I asked.

"Use the beginning of this snow-blizzard to your advantage. The wind howls, but use it to your advantage with being swift on your feet and light. Depending on the way the snow is blowing, try to go against it and get your smell to blow away from your target so that a pokémon may not smell you," Takao explained, motioning to the surroundings. "You are an ice-type, you are at your strongest now."

Listening to this pokémon, I realized and understood he was here to help me. He wasn't here to force me to do anything, but just help. If he really did watch the battle of Koyuki and her goons, he watched the way I attacked and went after them. Even if it wasn't a lot of attacking or using the snow to my advantage, he was a lot stronger than I was. The Hex hardly phased him, even though it was considered a super-effective move against his types. I finally nodded in agreement to Takao and readied myself. I took a stance in the snow and waited for the right moment. It was kind of awkward waiting on the right moment, only because I didn't know when the right moment was. I had to think for a second. I took in my surroundings really quickly and noticed how thick the blizzard had gotten in the past few minutes. An idea struck, and I tried to get a good idea of how far back I could be before I blended into the fog. I couldn't see Takao anymore as I had taken my steps back, but I understood where he was. I focused my senses on my ears and listened to my surroundings. I couldn't smell Takao, nor could I hear him. Perhaps he was just good at quietly breathing in the middle of a blizzard?

That's when I felt something. I felt a presence, a warm presence. I focused on that dark energy and where it came from earlier before I unleashed the Hex on Takao. I knew how to summon it, but that's because I could feel it. My body understood where this move was coming from, allowing me to charge it. I perked my ears, in hopes I could hear the pokémon around me. I'm sure he had moved, why wouldn't he? That's when I picked up a very soft and faint sound. It was the sound of running. It was so faint though, I was unsure where it was coming from. But I knew the sound was getting louder as it neared me. The presence of Takao grew strongest from above me. That's when I heard a tree branch slightly snap again, but this time from above me. I turned my head so fast, that dark energy filling me as I unleashed the dark blue rings of Hex at Takao. It was a direct critical hit. The only reason I knew it was that way was because of the way he flinched and the pressure of the hex versus his defensive blades slightly pushing back and knocking him out of course.

"Ah! I did it!" Excitement filled me as I watched the pokémon land on his back.

"Did you?" Takao muttered, rubbing his head slightly. "Ow," his voice was so quiet and I could barely hear his pain.

A smile teared through me as I looked over Takao who pushed himself up off the ground, brushing the snow off. He gazed around the area and shook his head. "Well, the blizzard has really hit," Takao coughed. He scanned the area as though he was trying to find something, but not even I could see anything in this blizzard. "Do you have your atlas?" He asked.

I gasped, my atlas! I totally forgot about it! I could've used it earlier to find my way home rather than getting lost out here before I attacked the tree. I nosed through the satchel on my back and grabbed out the atlas. But I heard a clunking noise as I nosed my way into it. That wasn't a good sound. The bag slid off my neck and onto the snow, revealing the little items I had. The atlas was broken, the golden shell outside of the blue orb that was no longer lit up.

"Seems like we'll have to do this the old fashioned way," Takao said, collecting the pieces of the atlas.

"Does your guild have an Atlas like ours do?" I asked him, trying to over talk the blizzard roaring around us.

"Shaymin has not gotten enough Atlas out to our guild. It requires special parts he's always on the lookout for," Takao explained. These things do not come easy, you probably won't get a replacement for a while."

I frowned, will Shaymin be upset since I broke it? Well, I guess I won't see him for a while. I'll have to use Zorro's and Vex's. Ah, I hope those two are doing ok.

"Come on, if my memory serves right, the beach is this way and there's a cave along it. We can use it until the storm settles down a bit," Takao motioned me in a different direction and began to force his way through the roaring blizzard.

Meanwhile, at the guild...

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE SHE IS?" A loud voice boomed inside the guild, almost as loud as the blizzard outside.

"Vex, I daresay, do not yell at your Leader! Show a bit of respect!" Fae's voice was stern when she spoke to him, standing tall over him.

"Respect?!" Vex raged, his eyes looking angry as heck. "I can't even get a hold of her through the atlas! How do I know she's ok?" The pokémon demanded, staring up at the tall horse-like pokémon, his fist clenched with fear and anger.

Blaziken took a deep breath and crossed his arms, matching Fae's stern look at the smaller pokémon. "Vex, I understand your frustration–"

"Do you?!" He snapped.

Awkwardly sitting there in this room full of tension, Zorro flattened his ears. These pokémon were loud, but Vex was being annoying more so than ever. He couldn't believe how disrespectful Vex was to their leader, especially since Blaziken wasn't able to chase off Arrow and chase after Aria. Besides, if it weren't for Blaziken, Aria could be in a lot worse condition than she was when they found the two on the beach. The type of pokémon Arrow was, a Decidueye, is extremely quick with it's moves. It's special move, Spirit Shackle, can do a lot. And if he wanted to, he could just fire one of his quills at anyone and just do basic damage to anyone. Just getting caught in the energy-flames of the Spirit Shackle made Zorro uncomfortable. Knowing that his shadow was hoisted to the ground… He shuddered in fear of what else could have possibly happened. More than likely, he had an easy shot on Aria if Blaziken hadn't cooperated.

Blaziken let out another sigh, and locked gazes with the Riolu, intimidation in those blue eyes of his. "Vex, you will stand down and you will not speak to me the way you are," He condemned. "I understand you are frustrated but there is only so much any pokémon can do in this weather. This blizzard was unexpected," The fire-bird spoke, standing up straight and shaking his head.

Vex went to open his mouth again but Zorro quickly silenced him, and spoke up himself, "Thank you, Blaziken. I'm sure she is fine, we'll try our best to keep reaching out to her on the atlas."

Vex growled in annoyance and turned away, storming out of the room and down the guild hall to their room.

"Heh, sorry about him," Zorro spoke, flattening his ears with an embarrassed grin. The white and red pokémon turned and chased after his friend.

"Kids," Muttered Blaziken.

"Blaziken," Fae asked once they were left alone in the previous room. "Are you sure she will be okay with Takao, given their history?"

Leader Blaziken barely nodded his head, but completely avoided all eye contact. "If what he says is true, then they should have no issues."

Back out in the forest, I had followed Takao through the blizzard to a cave that was near the beach. The blizzard winds were so strong, I felt as though I was going to get swept up off my feet if I hadn't shouldered myself through it. The cave was built into the surrounding mountains of the Winterry Region, climbing up high and far to the tip-top of the mountains. After gazing at it, it seemed like Winterry wasn't a very large region at all - as I had suspected. Of course, I couldn't see the top of the mountain but I don't think we had traveled very far and the guild is built into the far side of the beach. Maybe the mountain was huge though, I had no idea. Now, the only thing I had to deal with, was this arrogant Gallade in front of me who was sitting down in front of a fire that he had put together, and was meditating.

I didn't speak up to Takao, just took in my surroundings of this cave. The cave itself seemed almost like a tunnel, but I didn't dare travel into a dark tunnel that could take me to just pitch black. The part of the cave we were in had a tiny little tunnel for a mouth that pokémon, such as Takao, had to crouch down just to get through. A thin entrance, luckily, the cold is mostly blocked off by the other half of the tiny entrance. What also helped a lot was the moss that grew in front of the cave and hung down, covering off the entrance and almost hiding it. It was quiet, and I couldn't hear much but the faint and distant sound of very soft water. My ears seemed very sensitive, as I could hear a lot. Or perhaps it was just that quiet.

I was tired and my body ached. It felt as though I had a million different needles stabbing me in different places. I guess fighting back to back wasn't a good thing for a pokémon who was new to pokémon life. I had stopped pacing back and forth around the cave and began to gather a few of the moss pieces growing around the cave. The moss was there to absorb any snow that was melting off of me from outside, but also lay on something soft. I nudged a few of the pieces I had snatched up together into a small, round, bed. Smiling softly at my small creation, I began to circle my bed to get comfortable before plopping down with my back against the fire. It was warm against my ice-type body, but it wasn't overwhelming because the cave itself was still cold. I was tired, yes, but I also didn't feel like I could fall asleep. The events today replayed in my head. I had so many unanswered questions on top of other unanswered questions, my main question still being how did I get into this pokémon world? Followed up by, how did I turn into an Alolan Vulpix?! Then it always boiled down to, how did I end up in another dimension?

Just after today, why was Articuno looking over me when I was found up on Shattered Shrine? What mission did Articuno fail?! Gah, I hated this! Why did Koyuki have to get into my head the way she was. I had never even met this pokémon, and she was making me question everything – not that I wasn't already questioning was so much that was happening. I just want to take some time and explore, like Zorro and Vex have been. I didn't want any more drama. It'd be great to figure out why I was here, but I had to be here for some reason, right? There would be no way I was just randomly teleported to this world with no reason. I'm guessing in due time, my answers will come to me. I will have to keep exploring.

I guess I caught Takao's attention because I noticed the pokémon had shifted and turned towards me and spoke to me, quietly, "We should only be in here until the morning, if we're lucky." His gaze was focused on the fire, the tiny flames dancing in his eyes, and off the white parts of his body.

Hearing his voice, I shifted my body to the other side and faced the fire all the way, now my back against the stone-cold walls. I flattened my ears as he said that though. Being stuck in a cave with a pokémon I barely know anything about seemed a bit annoying. Though, I am rather grateful I was found by a Tier SSS Member, even if it is someone from another guild from another region. I'm sure I'd still be running around outside in this snow by myself. I lowered my gaze, focusing on the fire dancing in front of us. "Takao," I muttered awkwardly, "Thanks for the help." My voice was extremely quiet and I could barely hear it myself.

This rallied Takao, and he flashed me a quick grin, poking fun by saying, "What was that? I can't hear you."

I rolled my eyes at this arrogant pokémon and spoke a bit louder, raising my head above my white furry paws. "Thank you," I chuckled, offering a genuine smile.

Apparently, that gesture looked as though it offended Takao because his grin faded away and he coughed some, avoiding eye contact with me. "N-no worries," stammered as though I had caught him off-guard.

After sitting next to this fire, my body was fully calmed and relaxed. My body still aches some, but at least I felt safe. This was a Tier SSS Member of a pokémon guild in the next region over. He's been around a lot longer than I have, and more than likely a pokémon all his life. I could feel my eyes growing heavy while watching the fire, but I decided to ask Takao a random question, "How did you become a Tier SSS Member?"

This seemed to spark Takao's interest, because I noticed he had perked up a little and straightened his posture. "Well," He said with a soft sigh. "I've actually not been one very long," this pokémon explained to me. "Honestly, I've not been in Novaus Guild very long."

Interested, I took in his story, but he wasn't speaking much.

"I joined Novaus on a search for something that I had lost a long time ago," He said, a mysterious smile showing. He closed his deep, maroon colored eyes and leaned back on his hands. "I actually found it recently."
"What did you lose for so long?" I asked him, curiosity sparking inside me.

"You'll learn about it one day, Aria. For now, how about you try and get some rest?" He encouraged, his gentle gaze lowering back to me.

I huffed, biting my tongue for a second. He was right though, I needed to rest.

"Eat up a bit though," The noble guardian pokémon encouraged, rolling a few berries in my direction.

Quickly, I scarfed up the berries which helped my body feel a bit better than it was before. It also filled some hunger. I could still go for a full course meal, perhaps at the Cafe. That warm food would be perfect. Thinking about the delicious food, I curled tight into a ball around the bag I was given by Zorro and Vex and the scarf that they had also given me, drifting off into deep sleep.

Back at the guild, Vex was pacing back and forth in his guild room. He was thinking about the small battle he had to come upon with Blaziken, Aria, and Koyuki's squad. He didn't even know Koyuki and her gang had even existed until today. He may have heard something about them in the past, but nothing that even remotely related her to attacking Aria and Blaziken. Why didn't Blaziken stop the fight anyway? Wasn't he the most powerful pokémon in town? There was no way he would be out-damaged by the three pokémon that were there.

Zorro was watching Vex, agitated with his pacing. Tiny little beads in his eyes, flickering back and forth. Zorro was just as unhappy as Vex, but he wasn't the one who urged them to leave the scenery. In fact, Zorro wanted to stay and help Aria, but Vex said they needed to leave.

"I can't believe no one is looking for her," Vex exclaimed again, getting rather rowdy.

"It's the middle of a snow blizzard," Zorro muttered under his breath. "She's an ice-type, she'll be fine."

Vex turned quickly to stare down at Zorro, who was curled up on his bed in the window-sill corner of his room next to his books. "But she could be hurt!" A frown showed upon his face, and he continued to pace back and forth. "I should've never agreed to letting her go with Blaziken without us going with them."

"He's the leader of the guild, Vex," The hisuian zorua pointed out the obvious.

"She almost got hurt because of him!" Vex growled, more and more anger showing.

"Almost, but I didn't. Blaziken had the entire situation under control. He's just as fast as any Decidueye."

"That's not the point!"

Zorro about had it, and he jumped to his white fluffy paws and snapped, "Vex, we left because of you. You're the one who was like, 'ah let's get out of here!" The intensity from this pokémon filled the air.

"We also wouldn't have made sure she was ok, if it weren't for me!" Vex snarled back at him.

"She was okay until you and I approached the scene!"

Vex froze mid-pace and shook his head in disapproval at Zorro. The pokémon was filled with misery, what if Aria wasn't ok? What if Koyuki caught up to her? Surely the froslass wouldn't have done much more than attack her with a few moves. But then again, froslass are known for their jealousy. What if she took Aria? The thoughts of Aria being abandoned in an ice-cold room by herself frightened him. He shuddered in fear for his friend, and collapsed to his knees as something came haunting back to his memory. The pokémon even started to tear up a little as this specific flashback filled his memory.

Seeing this pokémon completely break down in front of him, Zorro felt a bit selfish the way he acted. Zorro knew of Vex's history, and everything about his partner-pokémon. They have been best friends since the day Zorro woke up on the beach – almost like brothers. Brother was the issue though. The small ghost pokémon knew that Vex had a fear of abandonment due to the past. Perhaps knowing that another pokémon may be getting abandoned scared him.

"Ah, I'm sorry Vex," Zorro muttered, approaching his buddy and patting him on the back with his paw. "I didn't mean anything by that."

The riolu clenched his fists on his knees that were resting on the floor, and spoke extremely quietly, "You really think she's ok?" His voice quavered.

"Of course she is," Zorro reassured the pokémon, patting his head with one of his paws. "She's part of Team Aster, we're stronger than the stars themself. Look, we'll look for her as soon as this blizzard is over. More than likely, she made her way through the blizzard and into the caves alongside the beach. Perhaps she even met up with someone, who knows."

Vex nodded slowly, still staring at the ground, obviously still hurting. "Ok," He murmured.