Chapter 45:

Do you wanna Catch a Snover?

Location: Dendemille Town

With Mamoswine saved and Trevor having got his Key Stone, it was time to head to Anistar City. Thankfully, me and Trevor wouldn't be going alone. The rest of the gang had arrived

"Hey!" Shauna said. "What's with beating us to Dendemille?"

"We had a job to do," said Tierno. "But look at this!" Tierno showed off his Key Stone on his Mega Ring.

"Amazing!" Serena said. "In fact, I met the Professor today…" She showed off her Key Stone. "And guess what? I was even given the Absolite! I can Mega Evolve Absol!"

It got us all excited. Tierno and Shauna hadn't received theirs yet but knowing them, they wouldn't be moaning if they didn't get it anyway. But I hope they do in the future.

Location: Route 17

It was easy to see why you needed Mamoswine to get through. The snow was incredibly built up that no human could theoretically dig through.

"Get your Mamoswine!" said the warden. "We have five available!"

"Wait," I said. "Not to be rude, but if there are five, why did you close down the route because one went missing?"

The Warden stroked one of the hulking Ice Types legs. "You see, Mamoswine live in herds. They are very close so if one gets lost, they will lose the will to do anything. But because you helped the Mamoswine you're riding on return to its group, they're ambition is back!"

"Great!" said Tierno. "Okay, let's go!"

With us on top, Mamoswine charged through the snow slowly. Mamoswine was a good choice; it was strong, resistant to the cold and easily noticeable from a Starly's eye view if something goes wrong.

Speaking of Flying Types, that is what I encountered in the snow. It was red with white feathers. It looked like Santa Claus!

Delibird (Cadoizo)

#090 (Mountain)

Ice/Flying Type

Delivery Pokémon

0.9 m (2'11")

16 kg (35.3 lbs)

It carries food rolled up in its tail. It has the habit of sharing food with people lost in mountains.

Delibird has no known evolutions.

"Sableye, go!" I shouted. Delibird used Present on Sableye but being a Normal Type move, it did nothing. But you know what did do something! Sableye's new move! "Okay Sableye, Power Gem!" Sableye fired a crystal at Delibird. It was a Critical Hit and Sableye went down in one.

"To think there are Pokémon that appear in this thick snow," said Trevor as his Mamoswine continued onwards. We all followed suite.

"So," Serena asked me. "Why was Mamoswine hanging out in the Frost Cavern anyway?"

"Team Flare," I said. "They lured it in there so that they could stop our progress."

"Those tyrants!" Shauna replied. "Stopping our progress for their own ambitions! Could you possible sink any lower?"

"Guys," Trevor said. "I found a Pokémon." This Pokémon was white and brown with green hands and a green tail.

Snover (Blizzi)

#088 (Mountain)

Grass/Ice Type

Frost Tree Pokémon

1 m (3'03")

50.5 kg (111.3 lbs)

In the spring, it grows berries with the texture of frozen treats around its belly.

"Snover evolves into Abomasnow, which can Mega Evolve! Yeah, I'm catching this. Go Floette!" shouted Trevor. "Moonblast!" Floette, using the power of the moon, fired energy at Snover. It almost went down. Snover then brought its hand down onto Floette for a lot of damage, though at the expense of damage to Snover itself.

"That's Wood Hammer!" Tierno said. "A strong but risky move!"

"Okay. Go Ultra Ball!" Trevor threw a black and yellow Pokéball. Snover went inside… and stayed in!

"Alright!" Shauna said, hi-fiving Trevor.

"Let's just continue," Tierno said. "I'm getting c-c-cold!"

"Fair enough," I said. "There's the exit!"

We continued on, but one more Pokémon interrupted us. It was black and had red feathers on its head.

Sneasel (Farfuret)

#091 (Mountain)

Dark/Ice Type

Sharp Claw Pokémon

0.9 m (2'11")

28 kg (61.7 lbs)

Its paws conceal sharp claws. If attacked, it suddenly extends the claws and startles its enemy.

"Blastoise, I choose you!" I shouted. Sneasel came forward with Slash, but it missed. Then Blastoise, increased the Defense on its shell.

"I think that's Iron Defense!" said Tierno. "It's a Steel Type move that raises Defense!"

"Brilliant!" I said. Another Slash didn't do that much. "Now use Surf!" Blastoise created a large wave that hit Sneasel, almost knocking it out. Sneasel then punched Blastoise in the face.

"That's Punishment attack!" Tierno yelled.

"One more Surf!" Blastoise swamped Sneasel one last time, knocking it out.

After that fiasco, we made it to the end. We returned the Mamoswine to the other Warden and heading into the next settlement.

Location: Anistar City

The air in Anistar City was light. Situated over a river, the most eye-catching thing about the place was the large pink sundial with a hole in the middle.

"Wow!" Shauna said. "It's so pretty!"

"The Professor told me," Trevor said. "It had something to do with Mega Evolution. Maybe this is what Team Flare was keeping us away from."

At that point, the evening sun came down behind the sundial. It started glowing, and a mechanism started spinning. It was beautiful. As we watched, a slightly touched Serena's hand, then pulled it away, realizing how stupid I looked doing it.

"Here we are," I said. "The location of our seventh Gym battle."

"I would like to go first," Trevor said. That was something we thought we would never hear from him.