Thinking back, Snowflake had known something wasn't right. He'd been training for several hours with his team and new Magikarp, the river staying relatively chaotic until five minutes prior. He hadn't experienced this much background noise since… since before he could remember. Not even when dozens of Voltorb gathered in Moonview did they rival this level of activity. The chaos was familiar, but also tiring, making focusing on his Pokémon far harder. He could power through if necessary, as drained as that left him by the end of the day.

When it became too overwhelming he'd step away with Caboose, letting her calming presence and powers help him settle, then get right back into training. It was an efficient system, everything running smoothly with no bumps to report.

Then the fish thinned out in numbers, from a mass migration to some stragglers swimming any which way. That should have been his first clue, though at the time he was just relieved by the decreased volume. He managed to get far more work with Stoker, Buzz Button and his new Magikarp accomplished thanks to the lull. It was nice finally being able to just breathe again after the barrage of activity.

Until a large fin breached the waters.

He didn't have time to process.

One second there was just a flowing river, then a massive set of fangs lunging right for him.

Attached to a bright blue body.

Time oscillated, his eyes widening at the collosal maw coming closer and closer at lightning speed.

His Rapidash knocked him clear from danger, saving him by the skin of his teeth. Whatever air he held left his chest, hitting the ground with a hard thud. A jolting pain shot through his right shoulder on impact, despite the brunt being taken by his back. It took a moment of just cradling the old wound and forcing air into his abused lungs to process what had happened.

Something attacked him.

Snowflake sat upright hearing Buggy squeal in terror.

His Pokémon were in danger.

He was in danger.

And that monster was still there.

Hard coughs wreck his frame when he tried to stand. A solid hoof to the chest was not something he planned for, but neither was nearly getting eaten by a giant Gyarados.

He'd been too close to the water. It seemed obvious now, but when it was only Magikarp there wasn't anything to worry about other than the noise and occasional wayward leaping carp.

Now he was being glared at by a massive carnivorous dragon fish, levitating a few feet above the ground and flicking its tail in agitation.

Snowflake wasn't sure if he should laugh, cry or scream his head off. For now his shocked mind settled on silence, still trying to rationalize what floated before his one good eye.

Dangerous sharp eyes, spiked back fins, and a huge maw with long fangs hung wide open.

Ready to turn him into minced meat.

The Gyarados postured angrily, snarling at Stoker and Buzz Button. The Sneasel got low under its intimidating presence, backing up submissively, only stopping with a worried whine when he realized Snowflake wasn't retreating. His Voltorb was more shocked than anything else, waiting for an order that wasn't coming.

Snowflake's trembling hand twitched, reaching for something on his head that wasn't even there. The mix of terror and frustration was all encompassing.

Why did it have to be an aggressive, carnivorous blue Gyarados?

For a moment he thought…

He thought it was Man Eater.

His heart was pounding in his throat, body trembling at a flash of memories that had long passed, though still felt far too fresh.

Terror.

Teeth.

Blood.

Pain.

Numbness.

Noise.

Horrible, horrible noise.

It was overwhelming, and fiddling with the fabric of his hood wasn't providing the relief he hoped for.

"U-Unruly passengers are not welcome on this carriage." It came out a lot quieter than Snowflake intended, not that he was paying much attention to his own volume. Shakily standing upright, he fought the urge to run and hide. All of his Pokémon were in danger.

He couldn't abandon his team.

His beloved family.

His passengers.

"Troublesome guests will be dealt with as needed." It felt rehearsed, like he'd said the exact same thing many times before. He looked to his left, expecting to see some beside him.

The spot remained empty, and that scared him more than he'd like to admit.

Who was he looking for?

Melli? That felt like it should be the correct answer, but deep down he knew it wasn't.

So why did it bother him so much now?

The Gyarados roared again, earning a hard flinch from all in range. The thing was deafening, and it caused him physical pain just hearing it.

Don't freeze.

Don't run.

Keep going.

For his Pokémon.

With robotic, rehearsed motions, he clapped his feet together and pointed directly at the massive creature.

"Buzz Button, Electro Ball! Stoker, Poison Jab!" His Pokémon fell in line with his orders, Buzz Button taking point and throwing a large ball of lightning, Stoker ducking to follow right behind it. The wild Gyarados reared back at the impact, recovering quickly with an enraged snarl. Readying his claws Stoker made to swipe, getting hit by a powerful gust of air before his attack made contact. He was thrown backwards straight into Buzz Button, the two hitting the ground and tumbling farther back. The winds weren't letting up, nearly knocking Snowflake off his feet too. His coat flapped in the typhoon, arm providing little protection from the winds and debri. He was barely able to keep his eyes open from the whipping stinging air against his eyeballs.

'Hurricane.'

He knew this move, and only high level Gyarados could learn it. That would explain why the large fish looked older and scarred.

This was bad.

Despite the type advantage, Buzz Button was nearly unconscious from that single hit alone, all while Stoker stumbled in circles completely confused.

They were still too low level, and already exhausted from training all morning.

"Return!" He held two Pokeballs up and recalled them, Kernel hopping off his ride upon its disappearance.

The little insect jumped on Snowflake's chest, burying himself in his coat for safety. Its trembling fuzz against his skin was almost grounding, and solidified his resolve. Despite his wobbly knees and lightheadedness, he couldn't faulter now.

Cooper stood between her human and their opponent, choosing to defend him herself. Charging with an unprompted flame wheel the Gayrados just growled at the hit, leaving little damage behind.

This honestly wasn't ideal.

His Rapidash would have a hard time despite being at a similar level. The type disadvantage could end this far too soon, and Caboose wasn't anywhere in sight-

Wait.

"C-Caboose?" He turned around frantically searching, nearly forgetting the giant dragon fish charging a Hydro Pump. "CABOOSE?!"

Where did his baby go?!

The little Pokémon jumped out of some felled shrubs right before the water beam fired, gripping his Alpha Magikarp with her ribbons.

Snowflake and Cooper could only watch slack jawed as she chucked the fish like a giant bat, whacking her opponent square in the face. It reared back from the impact, Caboose latching onto its brow with her teeth while the Gyarados thrashed wildly. His Magikarp flopped towards ground, trainer thumbing for its Pokeball trying to save the thing from more harm.

It hit the dirt, erupting in dust and wind.

Snowflake covered his face with an arm, mouth stuck in a crookedly tight smile as his newest Pokémon grew far larger than their opponent.

This was very bad, and very loud.

Far too loud.

Snowflake covered his ear at another low growl, eardrums ringing painfully with all the excess noises. He couldn't take his eye off the creatures. The older wild Gyarados was huge, but his own Alpha put its size to shame. Colossal was the best way he could explain its stature, and his mind was screaming at him to run.

Was his Magikarp really that close to evolving?

He knew it was likely to happen eventually, as they evolve around level twenty.

There was no reason, however, to think it would happen a few hours after capture.

It still didn't stand a chance level wise, and the other Gyarados wasn't backing down. They roared back and forth, snapping their jaws and showing off their fins trying to display dominance. The two shook their tail fins, splashing up river water hitting both Cooper and Snowflake square on.

Now he was drenched, overwhelmed and trembling from the mounting stress.

Snowflake tried to speak, but only managed a pathetic squeak. The world was tilting at an odd angle now, heart pounding to the point of escaping his chest cavity.

Escape.

He needed to go!

One step back towards the tree line, then another. He was working on a third when his foot hit something solid. He fell backwards hearing Buggy yelp, the small thing already booking it for the bushes before Snowflake hit the dirt.

"GRRRRR…." That deep rumble reverberated through the ground itself, the Skyfaller trying to clumsily scoot away without losing eye contact.

As soon as he did those things would pounce.

As soon as he shut his eyes those things would level the whole treeline.

He couldn't help but recall the attack that took his arm and face away. That Pokémon was also bright blue with massive fangs.

Dripping with blood.

His blood.

The Alpha Gyarados shifted its head slightly, Snowflake unable to hold back a sharp wince. He brought a trembling arm over his face and squeezed his eyes tightly closed, as if shielding himself would do any good against a creature this large. Cooper created a flame wall as a divider between them, though the Alpha didn't seem interested. Instead it glowered at the wild one's challenge, roaring lousy and shaking out its scales once more.

Caboose had moved positions without Snowflake realizing, now standing on the Alpha's head screeching angrily at their challenger. He had no clue why his two Pokémon were working together, and at the moment he didn't care. All he wanted was his Sylveon safe in his arms and to hide somewhere far away under a rock where he wasn't constantly treated as food.

Posturing finished, the two dragons began slamming into each other, trying to bite and rip the other's fins while knocking over any trees in their path. Caboose somehow managed to stay mounted, launching Magical Leaf attacks whenever her footing was steady enough.

Each collision, loud bellow and cracking tree sent his head ringing. He couldn't think up any tactics to attack when every thought swirled into chaos.

The world was starting to buzz, sound muffling like someone shoved cotton in his ears. The two goliaths blurred into one another, Snowflake's eyes unable to focus on anything. Moving became difficult, his fidgeting hands unable to relieve the mounting stress and words now impossible to form.

Snowflake tried.

He tried to speak. Give a basic order or general direction for his Pokémon to follow.

All in vain.

Everything was too much at once and he couldn't sort through the influx of nonsense overwhelming his brain. It felt like box upon box was being stacked on top of his head, the weight crushing down and he was never able to see or comprehend the contents. An ever higher, ever heavier pile that threatened to push his mind under completely.

Too much.

Too much and none of it was slowing down.

He tried fighting off the weight as long as possible. His Pokémon needed commands, some sort of instruction. They were all looking to him for help and he couldn't say anything. The calming presence he needed wasn't here. Despite glancing around for the person meant to bring his mind some form of peace, they remained absent.

It hurt him, because he didn't even know who he was looking for.

Unintelligible shouts soon joined the already insane noise levels, two human figures and several more Pokémon rushing onto the scene. He knew them, and the man with long purple hair quickly turned to yell something at him. It wasn't nice, and made his eardrums shrivel under the additional screeching.

Snowflake's good hand found his ear, shrugging his shoulder to shield the other. His wincing expression didn't make the shouting stop, until a higher pitched voice joined in getting the other to move.

He needed to get away from the noise. Between Akari and Melli's shouting and the two giants slamming each other, his mind felt like a steel trap, the echoing painful booms and screams threatening to blow a fuse.

Away.

Get away from the noise.

Melli and Akari could handle things from here, but he couldn't.

His mind needed a rest and it wouldn't unless he left.

Standing was a challenge, his body functioning on autopilot. Limbs moving stiffly like a Golurk's, hand held close to his head trying to block out the shouting.

Banging.

Cracking.

Screeching.

Roaring.

He made it to the other side of a large crooked boulder about sixty feet away, seeing it was covered in shade and a decent shield from the falling debri. It was the best cover he could see in the vicinity away from other dangers, and handling more wild Pokémon was not on his priority list.

Snowflake leaned his back against the rock, slumping down slowly into a sitting position with knees tucked near his chest. The noise still hurt, and Buggy had followed him, now nipping at his hands trying to get attention.

The light biting sent bolts through his fingers, despite mostly being chewed on by gums.

Not now. He couldn't take it right now.

He quickly returned Buggy to his Pokeball, covering an ear when one of the Gyaradoses roared again. He dug his right ear into the rock, trying to muffle the sound on that side with the cool solid surface. When the call finally trailed off, he let his forehead fall into his knees.

His arms stayed taught around his legs, refusing to cooperate anymore.

Done.

He was completely spent.

Despite that, his mind kept circling back to the situation that led him here. First that Luxray, then Lady Sneasler, and now he was being tormented by two massive carnivores still trying to kill each other. He really felt removed from the situation now, like he was watching himself from a distance. Everything muffled and everything blurred.

His pants were getting wetter from the water leaking out of his own eyes, and his limbs were growing numb from being in the same position for so long. Despite experiencing these things physically, his mind remained distant, not registering too much of his current surroundings. The noises of the battle eventually ceased, shouting from his human friends taking over the silence until they found him.

Lots of panicked and angry yelling before more silence, Snowflake's eyes remaining buried in his knees the entire time.

Eventually a familiar pressure snaked up his arm, though he didn't feel the need to try and shake it off, if he could even bring himself to move.

The feeling was comforting rather than overwhelming, and it helped settle his mind a little. It let his heart calm far faster, thoughts going from overactive to sluggish.

Eventually things slowly grew more focused, voices turning from garbled background noise to something his brain could finally process. Something burned, and Melli was mumbling repeatedly in his native tongue.

Though he was much better at understanding the language then when he first arrived, Snowflake still had a hard time when the syllables weren't clearly separated. Something about "Hear my prayer," and "Almighty Sinnoh," along with some chants Snowflake recognized from Melli's religious worship. The smell of smoke was growing stronger, enough to make his nostrils flare.

He didn't know why there was a fire, curiosity winning over his tired body.

Tilting his head to the side for a better view, he noticed Akari busy salting some Magikarp meat and cooking their corpses over a fire. Melli was off to the side, prostrated on his hands and knees with a smoking bundle of herbs placed on a makeshift rock altar. Skuntank and Coal laid close by, both clearly agitated and seeking comfort in one another.

It was odd. Normally Melli didn't stop to have full out prayer sessions while away from Moonview, preferring to do so at his small altar and away from potential interference.

"Breee…" a familiar, sad trill sounded. Caboose was currently curled up against his hip, ribbons wrapped tightly around his arm.

That would explain the pressure.

Slowly he stroked her from head to tail, the little Sylveon arching slightly with each stroke.

"Snowflake! You are alive!" Melli screeched, finally seeing his friend's small movements. He crawled away from his prayer spot, grabbing at Snowflake to check him over. Caboose slapped his hands away.

Snowflake hummed his acknowledgment, not having the energy to really speak. He did wince at the volume, that grating voice still hurting his eardrums.

"My prayers to Lord Sinnoh have been answered!"

"I kept telling you he just needed some peace and quiet." Akari sounded hostile when she said it, arms crossed glaring at Melli.

"Two hours of it? Clearly it was my prayers that brought him back!" Melli sounded almost smug, though Akari wasn't having it.

Snowflake winced hard, bringing a hand to his ear hoping to get his point across.

Speaking felt impossible, and Melli couldn't understand his hand gestures.

"What?" Melli blinked, confused by his reaction.

"He's trying to say you are being rude and way too loud." Akari had seemingly teleported right next to them.

When did she move?

"What? Why am I rude? I don't see what I did wrong." Melli huffed, though he did keep his voice down. The girl rolled her eyes, giving Snowflake a small smile.

"Are you alright?"

Snowflake nodded, also grinning as Melli wracked his brain at Akari's words. It eventually registered, the Warden turning sheepish and scooching back a few inches.

"S-sorry. I was really worried and forgot you don't like being touched."

Snowflake wouldn't have minded a hug right now, or just using Melli as a head rest, but he couldn't put it in words. For the time being he settled on stroking Caboose, thoughts returning to an odd feeling he recalled earlier.

When standing up to the Gyarados, he had been searching for someone's support, but couldn't figure out who's. Seeing Melli, he knew for sure that person was someone else.

But who?

The only logical answer lay with his past life, but he couldn't remember anything from it.

But the longing, like someone fundamental to his very existence wasn't there when they should be, worried him to no end. Previously he relied on Melli to help fill that role and hadn't even realized. Snowflake hadn't wanted to think too hard about his past before. It was painful to do, and only brought back memories from the Luxray attack.

This was important though. Deep down, he knew this wasn't something to ignore.

It was just hard to focus at the moment. He was feeling emotionally drained and completely fried.

"Can we head back to Moonview?" Melli eventually asked. "I don't intend to do any more fishing today, and I don't wanna salt all these fish so close to the river."

Snowflake nodded, though moving wasn't an easy feat. Still mechanical in nature, he slowly stood upright despite wanting to drop again. The pain in his stomach from Cooper's kick was flaring up again too.

Sinnoh almighty he was tired.

His friend seemed hesitant on what to do, looking to Akari for answers, though she could only shrug.

"M-maybe Cooper can give you a lift? Make the trip a little easier?"

He motioned to the unicorn, currently munching on grass several yards from Snowflake's hiding place.

They could try? Though he wasn't sure if they would make it work.

He wasn't sure how to ride a horse, much less bareback-

A giant blue dragon looked down at him from over the boulder, sending his trainer careening backwards in shock. Melli caught him before he fell.

"Sorry. We figured by it's behavior it was one you caught, but we didn't want to grab at your Pokeballs while you were… stressed," Akari waved her hand trying to think of the right wording. "Oh! You should see what Cabose showed him to do though. Go on!" Akari eagerly motioned to the Sylveon, little Caboose happily hopping on top of the large rock and trilling.

She snapped her mouth closed, the Alpha Gyarados slowly doing the same. Caboose cried happily, turning around and flicking her tail. The dragon gently mimicked, fanning the entire group in a light breeze of wind. She then dropped on her chest, her new friend following along and completely laying flat on the dirt.

Snowflake just blinked, watching the odd game of Simon Says, still freaked out a bit, but also felt amused by the whole display.

He'd never witnessed a Gyarados do such a thing, and it was making his lips pull up the slightest amount.

"We are having a talk about the Alpha later." Melli said it as a clear warning. The Skyfaller smiled, fishing out his Magi- Gyarados's Pokeball and returning him to it. He let out a long, shaky breath.

Today had been a lot, and he was ready to head home.

He didn't think he'd get much more training accomplished today.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Of all the places the journey known as life could have brought him, being put in this exact situation wasn't one he expected.

… for a second time.

Perhaps it was simply denial that his back would ever be thrown so badly again, or pushing out thoughts of the inevitable.

Now he lay face down on his Wrydeer pelt mat, face buried in a rolled up fabric pillow, and tensely waiting for the next back crack Zisu would perform.

The red head wasn't adjusting anything yet, having slowly worked with Ingo to get his shirt off allowing her to see the damage hidden underneath. Now he was shirtless, trying to hold back grunts any time she gently poked a sore spot.

Little Lady was watching her younger siblings, her twin recently taken by Irida. It was sad seeing her go, but the newfound peace it brought the den did wonders for his constant headaches.

The headaches that really started after being rejected by Snowflake.

It was his own fault.

He should have remembered the man didn't like touching or shouting, yet Ingo did it anyway. He'd gone over the situation in his head a million times, what he could have done differently. The words he should have said instead.

Despite knowing it wouldn't change anything, he still couldn't help but blame himself.

When he wasn't being self deprecating, Ingo spent as much time as possible trying to remember. He an entire life with his brother before Hisui, and somehow forgot all of it.

Though Snowflake forgot their past too, so perhaps he shouldn't be as angry with himself.

Still, any stray word or vague image that flashed through his mind was immediately recorded in his journal.

It was the most progress memory wise he's made in years, and he feared losing any more of it.

"So, do you want the good news or bad news first?" Zisu stated after what felt like an eternity of prodding.

"Is that sarcasm? Or is there really good news?" Ingo's voice stayed flat, much to Zisu's amusement.

"I wouldn't say so if there wasn't any. That's just cruel," she grinned. "Good news, I don't think your spine is broken."

"That's something at least."

"I call it a miracle. You've got some visible bruising that's starting to heal on the surface, though most of your lower back muscles are extremely tight and still swollen. It's a wonder it isn't worse."

"You could have fooled me," he grunted, unamused by her attempted joke. The fact he hasn't been able to sit up unassisted in days was the worst in his humble opinion. He was half wondering if just breaking his spine would finally solve the unyielding pain problem. "What about the bad news?"

"You knocked your upper spine out of alignment again, and a vertebrae popped out a bit in the lower region. I'm gonna have to slide that back in place."

He was wrong apparently. It did just get a lot worse.

"… I suppose you should get it over with then."

"I want to ice it a little first." She placed a cloth and a handful of snow on his lumbar region, the damp coldness slowly seeping through his muscles.

He had to admit, it felt very nice.

Zisu took a seat by the fire, tossing on a fresh log. "I don't think I've seen you this grouchy before. Is it the whole Snowflake situation? Or has your advanced age finally caught up with you?"

"I take it Irida told you?"

"Don't be too upset with her. She was just worried."

Ingo didn't feel the slightest bit angry. Zisu was a good friend, and he would have gone to her for advice eventually. This just saved him having to explain everything all over again.

"In hindsight, the familial relationship between you both was pretty obvious. The clothes, having similar accents, and your same preference for facial hair," she rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "He even pointed a lot while battling, though his posture is a lot better than yours."

"Old age and back injuries will do that," Ingo mumbled. "Is he doing well? Have you heard anything recently?"

"Sorry, I haven't seen him since he left Jubilife. I just know whatever Akari shares after her visits to Moonview," she stood up, removing the snow from his back and checking the swelling. "I believe Akari went to visit while I came here, though who's to say what she'll do next."

"She does travel many unblaized trails," he was a bit disappointed by the news, though not surprised. The Cornet Highlands were already remote, and Zisu's position had her glued to Jubilife. "Hopefully I will see him soon once my cab is in working order. I have many duties to attend to after being stuck in the hold for so long." He still needed to apologize, then promise to never disturb either Melli or Emmet ever again.

"Sorry Ingo. I actually need to escort you back to Jubilife." Zisu almost sounded apologetic.

Almost.

Well, that wouldn't work at all.

He had things to do here, mainly staying isolated from everyone and hunting down a certain man eating Pokémon, which could only happen when walking was possible. There was no time to waste, especially if that meant Emmet was still in danger.

"Though I appreciate your assistance, I fear my presence is needed here-"

"No, you are very much needed in Jubilife," Zisu interrupted. "Those eggs hatched, and that Galvantula of yours is doing poorly health wise. If she passes, we lose any semblance of control over her babies. Then they'll completely throw the village and its electric types into chaos."

Ingo's gut filled with dread, only getting a few key things from her entire explanation.

Galvantula is dying.

She needs him, and he's been injured and sulking in a cave this whole time!

"We must leave at once!" He tried to stand up, though a hand on his shoulder stopped that progress.

"You aren't going anywhere when you can barely sit upright."

"Carry me then!"

"That may make everything worse," she was feeling around the problem vertebrae now, warm hands against cold skin making his sore muscles tense. "Why don't you tell me about your brother? If you remember anything."

Ingo tried to breathe, more frustrated than anything else. He needed to get to Jubilife!

… though perhaps sharing some of his more recent memories would help solidify them in his mind. And a second person would be able to relay them if needed.

"… his name is Emmet. He is my younger twin brother."

"Emmet? That's an odd name. Though I thought the same about Ingo at one point." He could hear the laugh in her voice.

"It's foreign," he sighed, reaching for his journal. "Though some things are slowly returning, there are still many missing pieces," he flipped to one of the last pages in his journal. It would need to be replaced soon, this one nearly full. "We talked about Pokémon and battle strategies often, and occasionally battle side by side."

"A battle where two trainers are on the same side barking orders? That seems needlessly complicated."

"On the contrary, it provided excellent opportunities for various combinations of attacks, and new strategies to try. I don't believe I was very good at it, but Emmet was a mast-AYE!"

POP!

A solid palm on his lumbar region shoved down hard, her other hand holding his upper body down preventing unnecessary squirming.

It felt like lightning traveling from his back through his legs and toes, everything turning hot and screaming for several long seconds.

When the pain finally started to weaken, his face hit his pillow hard, everything going limp.

"Ingo? Do you still have feeling in your legs? Can you wiggle your foot for me?"

"…" He groaned in defeat, shifting a few toes. Oddly enough he wasn't feeling any numbness or pain in his leg anymore.

"Oh good! I did that correctly."

He didn't say anything, honestly too miffed by her surprise attacks. He'd endure though. If that meant getting to Jubilife faster.

For now Ingo only hoped Galvantula would hold out a little while longer.

XxxxxxxxxxxxX

Sorry this one took extra long to do.

Special thanks to Yuukirita on AO3.

If no one has picked up on it, I've been coding Snowflake as autistic since early on, though having no experience with it myself I hadn't committed to outright stating that was the intention, since I wasn't sure if I was doing a good job or not. They helped me out by reading over the story and telling me where I can improve and answering any questions I had (as the internet was not very helpful). Overall their contribution really helped this chapter immensely (and the rest of this story going forward). Depicted here was a Meltdown situation, which I would have been terrified to try otherwise.

In case anyone was wondering what a closed mouth gyarados looks like, here you go.

http/i/funnypics/pokemon-35

Yeah this is basically Locomotive (the official name of his new Gyarados, though not officially stated yet), at least what I was thinking of when he was conceived several month ago (Stoker was originally named Locomotive, but when Emmet needed an Alpha to go toe to toe with Ingo one day, Locomotive seemed way more appropriate for the flipping Gyarados).

Feedback is always appreciated!