To say Melli was annoyed would be an understatement. After the shit show of clearing out that weird Pokemon's nest, he just wanted to head home, wash the sticky webbing out of his frizzy hair, and go to bed.
It was a long journey home too! For some reason he half expected Snowflake to not cause any problems.
How naive he was.
One job.
Snowflake had one job!
All he had to do was stay out of trouble for a few days, but what does Melli find? A pile of mud covered towels, a pot of dirty water with brown puddles all around it, and Snowflake in the middle with a pestle and bowl full of crushed berries. Blue colored juice soaking into the wooden floorboards mixing with the filthy puddles.
The guy wasn't even looking at Melli, too busy talking to something.
At first he thought it was Caboose, until spotting the little Sylveon grab an Oran berry from the shelf and carry it over.
He couldn't take it anymore!
"What did you DO?!" Melli had a hard time keeping his voice in check. Snowflake shot upright, turning his head and smiling.
"Oh! Welcome home, Melli!"
"Don't 'Welcome home Melli' me! What is all of this?!"
Snowflake glanced down at the mess of berry mush all over the floor. Skuntank finally waddled inside, unsure what to make of the sight.
"Ah, that." He was sweating a bit, but his grin remained big. "You see, I was watching the flood waters the other day, and found a Pokémon in need of assistance. I took it to our home station, and am currently performing all of the necessary mechanical repairs! Though… I could use some assistance myself…" his smile turned tight. "It is verrry difficult to give a Pokémon a bath with one hand." Melli wasn't sure what to make of that, instead removing his shoes and walking closer to his roommate.
That's when he saw it.
Snowflake held the creature in his sling, swaddled in a blanket cocoon resting on top of his dead arm. Its wet head protruded from the front of the wrap, tongue lolling out the right side of its mouth. Snowflake used the little finger movement he had in that hand to encourage swallowing, rubbing its chin when he presented the crushed berries covering his fingertips.
"Come on little guy. You can eat. Just a little bit."
The tiny creature coughed, a wet sound that made Melli's heart squeeze painfully.
Though, why he had sympathy for a Zorua of all things, he still didn't know.
The fox peeked an eye open, too groggy to really take in its situation. Sniffing the berries it managed to clumsily lick up some of the juice, swallowing with great effort. The tongue quickly fell out of its mouth again.
"See, just like that! Bravo, little one."
The smile on Snowflake's face was even worse. Knowing what Melli had to do now. The guy would be so devastated.
If this was any other Pokémon, this would have been a non issue.
Heck, he'd take fifty fairy type Pokémon in his tent over a Zorua any day.
But it was a Zorua.
Sinnoh almighty, why did it have to be a Zorua?!
"Y-you can't keep it." Melli tried to keep his voice level. The consequences of the other villagers finding the newcomer harboring this thing could be dire.
They might assume Melli was just tricked by the monster. Snowflake wouldn't be so lucky. Being an outsider already, they may very well assume he is a Zorua himself, or perhaps a slave to them. He'd be run out of the settlement, if not outright killed.
There was just no easy way of doing this.
"I don't intend to keep him," Snowflake stated. "Just nurse him back to health. Then he can go wherever he wants. Though, if he wishes to stay, I certainly wouldn't be opposed."
"That's not what I meant." Melli sighed. "You can't even keep him that long. We need to get rid of it right now."
"But he'll die if we throw him out. He's barely able to eat already."
"It's… you don't understand. That's a Zorua."
"Aren't Zorua strong Pokémon? Good to have on your side for battles."
"No, I mean yes, but… that's part of the problem!" Melli rubbed his temples already feeling a headache forming. "This isn't up for discussion. The villagers are scared of Zoruas and Zoruarks. They both have histories of killing my brothers and sisters. Those in the Pearl Clan have not been spared either."
"What do you mean? Why would a Pokémon do that?" Snowflake asked, holding the small creature a little tighter.
He didn't like how the man's posture turned defensive.
"Zoruas cast illusions to lure their victims into traps, killing them in horrible ways. They hate humanity, and once this one recovers it will likely destroy the entire settlement. That's why it must be placed back in the wilds. Let nature take its course."
A long pause.
Snowflake bit his lip, fingers and hand twitching. Melli waited for the other to get his words together. He knew what this was, having seen it a while ago right before Snowflake was moved to Jubilife.
"… h-he's like me though…" He moved his good hand to the groggy Pokémon's mouth, opening it enough for Melli to peer inside. "He's missing most of the teeth on his right side, and his jaw is broken… I can't leave him to die…"
The Warden winced. That looked really painful. How the heck did this thing get injured so badly and survive? Most Pokémon would have died soon after such a severe trauma.
Of course, this was a Zorua. The most spiteful, human hating Pokémon around.
"He was trapped in a raft of debri. His body was realllly stiff… I don't want him to suffer like that again…" Snowflake continued.
A raft of debri? That may explain how a Zorua made it here, though it's a very long way between the Mirelands and Alabaster Icelands. Unless this one lived further down the mountain range? He had a hard time believing a Zorua could remain hidden in any area other than the Icelands.
Its hatred must have kept it alive. That's the only explanation Melli could come up with.
"If Adaman or the rest of the villagers find out about this, they'd kill him."
"But they didn't kill me when you brought me here the first time."
"That's because you're not a Zorua. Honestly though, if they find you with that thing, they may turn their spears on you next."
"So… the Diamond Clan normally kills babies?" Snowflake's smile completely disappeared. He wasn't even pretending to be happy.
"I don't know if that's technically a baby…"
"I know the difference between an adult and kit. This is a verrry young boy. He's still got a couple baby teeth on the left side, though most are adult ones growing in," He put the lip back in place, letting the small creature snuggle in. "He probably misses his parents."
"Zoruas aren't born like regular Pokémon! They are vengeful spirits manifesting into a form that can harm humans! Their spite is what gives them life!" Melli growled. "Just listen to me for once!"
"That… that doesn't sound right. That's not how Pokémon are born."
"It's how THIS type of Pokémon is born! We kill them when they get too close to us! It's the only way to protect our homes!"
Snowflake's stared down at the Zorua, smiling wide and fake.
It was a bit disturbing.
"So you people just fear them instead of trying to understand… they can't help being who they are, and you people just kill every one of them…" He hummed, glancing back up at Melli. "That settles it. I'm going to help him."
"That was not the point of my warning!"
Snowflake hesitated a moment, fingers jittering, but ultimately pulled the bandage wrap off his head. He looked up at Melli with scars on full display. The droop to his eye, an iris that didn't reflect light the same way as the other did. Raised and pitted scars like little rivers and mountains extending up into his hairline and facial hair, with a slight permanent upturn to the right side of mouth thanks to how the skin healed.
"He can't help who he is… please don't force him out for that."
"Breeee…" Caboose wrapped a ribbon around her human's hand, looking up at Melli with those damn Baby Doll Eyes.
That manipulative little shit.
Both of them! Manipulative shits!
How DARE Snowflake use guilt to get his way!
"GAHHHHH! You're going to get us both thrown out of the Settlement! You know that, right?!"
"You can say I forced you. It's okay if they throw me out… I mean, it would be verrrry sad, but I can live in Jubilife. I just don't want to abandon him…"
The stupid bastard!
Melli FINALLY had a friend he could talk to, and Snowflake was willing to throw it all away for a sick and injured Zorua?! He didn't CARE how cute that little monster actually was!
No, Snowflake wouldn't just abandon Melli like that.
He hoped.
The Zorua must be using its powers on Snowflake!
That idiot may be fooled, but the Great Melli was not stupid enough to fall for such magic! He'd rescue his friend from the spell of this creature, and he wouldn't let either of them get caught!
"You are NOT getting banished from the village! I won't allow it!"
"But-"
"Stop talking! The Great Melli needs to think!"
Snowflake went quiet at the order, Caboose and Skuntank both staring at Melli like he grew a second head.
He ignored all of them, pacing around the tent trying to think. If anyone came in and found a Zorua, they would instantly tell Adaman.
But what if it didn't look like a Zorua?
"Can it disguise itself as something else?"
Snowflake tried to rouse the gremlin. "Hey, little Buggy. Can you transform yourself?"
The monster coughed, growled and shut its eyes again.
Melli cursed under his breath. Maybe it was too sick to do more than just exist? Illusion casting was out.
How could they disguise it instead?
"… Arezu is out with her Lasy… she should have some hairdresser supplies in her tent…"
"What are you thinking?"
"Don't disturb me! The Great Melli is onto something! Stay here!"
"Okay!" Snowflake saluted.
Melli rushed outside. If he was sneaky enough, he could hopefully steal some combs and hair dye without anyone noticing.
XxxxxxxxxxxxX
"Done!" The Warden stood back, admiring his handiwork. The once grey coloured Zorua was now orange, its tail and head tuft carefully curled despite the difficulty he was having getting it to stay.
He even reset the broken jaw with a piece of wood and some string! A far better job than Snowflake managed on his own.
His friend bent down, humming and examining the dye job.
"Soooo… what Pokémon is he suppose to look like again?"
"Are you blind?!"
"Half blind, yes."
Melli slapped his forehead in frustration, accidentally splattering orange hair dye all over his face. "VULPIX, Snowflake. From now on it is a little injured Vulpix."
"Oh… don't Vulpix have eight tails?"
"We are going to tell anyone who ask that seven of them were eaten by a predator. He's in rough shape already, so hopefully nobody will question it."
"But… won't the hair around his neck fluff up once he dries?" Snowflake scratched his chin.
Melli snapped.
"Then we just comb it back down! If you are going to be this critical about all the work I just did, maybe I should drop it off with Adaman and get this over with!"
Snowflake waved his hand in surrender, voice flustered.
"I-I'm sorry! Y-you did a great job! Thank you for all your hard work!"
The little monster didn't agree, letting out a low snarl. It was wet and shivering from the recent bath, but how else was Melli supposed to dye it?! Hair dye, as he recently learned, is liquid.
Okay, maybe the color was a little splotchy, but it's not like the dye came with instructions!
Snowflake quickly wrapped the Zorua back in a towel, stuffing it into his sling for warmth.
"See little Buggy? Not too bad. You'll be fine."
"Grrrrrr-" The Pokémon growled, but its displeasure was interrupted by a loud sneeze.
Caboose and Skuntank just watched from Snowflake's bed. They were the only smart ones not getting involved.
Wait, what the heck did Snowflake call it?
"What's a Buggy? What the heck is that about?"
"Oh!" Snowflake's smile finally returned in full force. "I didn't know what he was, so I named him Buggy in the meantime. I think it's fitting."
"Well don't name it! Once you do, you'll get attached!"
"Too late for that," Snowflake scratched behind the thing's ear. "But if he wishes to return home when he is better, I won't stop his journey to the next destination."
"Whatever!" Melli huffed and grabbed a towel, drying the dye off his hands before ripping his web covered shirt off and throwing it in Snowflake's dumb face.
The idiot deserved it!
Melli had been so busy taking care of that stupid beast, there was no chance for his own bath, and he was done waiting!
Snowflake blinked, peeling off the silk sticking to his own hair. Melli ignored him in favor of finding clean clothes and a towel.
They had ONE clean towel left.
"You are doing laundry tomorrow! This mess is your fault!"
"I can do that. But Melli, you have something weird stuck to your shirt-"
"I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT IT! WE ARE DONE TALKING ABOUT EVERYTHING TONIGHT!"
"… if you say so!" He could practically hear the smile in Snowflake's voice.
Storming out of the tent before saying something he'd regret, Melli focused on his bath.
He wouldn't let his guard down. Not while that THING controlled Snowflake!
Thankfully, it was in very bad shape. The odds of it surviving the night were low. If he was lucky, that stupid Zorua would be dead by morning.
XxxxxxxxxxxxX
It didn't die.
The Zorua laid in Snowflake's sling that morning, looking slightly stronger than it had before.
All thanks to Snowflake breaking into Melli's supply of remedies. The Warden made all of the herbal medicines himself, and this guy just gave it to that little gremlin!
The idiot was definitely trapped under its spell.
It was both a blessing and a curse, how quickly Pokémon could heal with the assistance of some herbs or fruit. He wished humans had that power. Then Melli wouldn't be in this mess with Snowflake.
Instead, that Zorua would recover from a broken jaw within a few days, and it could use all sorts of ghostly attacks.
It was waiting for the opportunity to strike.
Melli knew it.
He just needed to get rid of that thing when Snowflake wasn't looking, before it was too late.
Unfortunately, he kept running into the same problem with his plan.
Snowflake never left its side. The gremlin was riding around constantly in his sling, growling and occasionally biting his fingers.
"That beast is dangerous! It's actively trying to eat you!" Melli exclaimed after witnessing another series of bites from the Zorua. Snowflake was only rubbing his sore shoulder, and that thing just snapped for no reason!
"No he's not," Snowflake waved him off. "His jaw is still broken, so it doesn't hurt."
"Your fingers are bleeding!"
"Buggy is just anxious, and his remaining teeth are verrry sharp! He will get better with time."
"Why are you letting it hurt you?"
"Training a Pokémon is sometimes painful for both parties. The journey can be bumpy, and the tracks may need repaired, but the destination will be worth struggling through." The idiot was so nonchalant about this, all while putting the Zorua on his bed so he could clean the new bite wounds.
A loud strike of lighting and cracking thunder sent the Zorua into a panic, rolling around the bed trying to hide under the blanket. Its stupid tongue hanging out the whole time and eyes facing different directions.
How the heck did it manage to navigate?
"You're going to get an infection and die if you keep letting it bite," Melli deadpanned. "You literally nearly died a few months ago from non stop infections, and you're putting yourself at risk again."
"I just need to clean the wounds verrrry well, and I'll be on my way in no time." His smile was infuriating.
"And I'll be saying 'I told you so' when you're stuck in bed again on the brink of death-"
Bang.
The two paused hearing a loud noise, followed by several more in quick succession.
Knocking at the door.
Both men panicked, Snowflake quickly pulling his hood up.
"Who in Sinnoh's name is visiting in this downpour?!" Melli exclaimed. If they saw this stupid Zorua in here, it would all be over! Snowflake would be killed and who knows what they'd do to Melli.
They needed to hide it!
"Quick! Throw it in a pot or something!"
"Come on Buggy. It's just for a few minutes." Snowflake tried grabbing the trembling Pokemon, nearly getting his good hand bitten in the process.
The atmosphere suddenly turned dark, Caboose rushing off her mat and cowering behind the stove. Melli could swear the light vanished around Snowflake, leaving a visible darkness radiating from his body.
Melli could feel his leer without ever seeing it.
"I. Told. You. THIS HAND," Snowflake held it up, an impossibly wide smile nearly splitting his face in two. His voice was pure ice. "Is off limits. You can bite the other. But NOT. THIS. ONE."
The Zorua squealed in fear, clumsily scurrying off the mattress and hiding under the bunk bed.
An even louder series of knocks.
"Melli! I can hear you! Open the door!"
It was Adaman's voice.
They needed to stay calm.
Just stay calm!
Throwing the door open, Melli stood in the frame awkwardly, trying very hard to look relaxed.
"Hello, Adaman! What brings you here today?"
The clan leader was standing on the front step, wearing a drenched cloak in the downpour of rain.
"A dry spot would be nice."
"Right! Come on in!" Melli stood to the side. His smile could probably rival Snowflake's. Adaman gave him a weird look, stepping inside and removing the drenched fabric that was supposed to protect him from the weather. He stuck it through the door frame and squeezed out the excess water after Leafeon entered.
They both looked miserable.
At least his Leafeon had the energy to rush over and greet Snowflake. By comparison, Adaman was barely able to move.
"I don't mean to sound rude, but I wasn't expecting you to visit." Melli could feel sweat beading under his hood.
"Sorry about that," Adaman sighed. His voice was hoarse. "I need to talk to you. The waters are dangerously high. I've made the decision to start evacuating if the rain continues through the night."
"O-oh. That is terrible."
Melli could safely say he wasn't happy about it at all. Not with Snowflake's stupid guest.
"Did you hear that, Snowflake? I'd recommend packing essentials tonight for a potential move in the morning."
"Yes sir! I will be sure Melli and I stay on schedule." The man saluted, grin still large.
Like he hadn't just put the fear of Sinnoh in that little Pokémon.
Adaman's expression turned curious, looking back at Melli.
"Were you cooking? I thought I heard you say something about a pot."
"Nothing! I said nothing about a pot!" Melli waved his hands, only for Leafeon to alert his human to something under the bed. Skuntank and Caboose remained seated around the stove, choosing not to get involved.
Probably for the best, given Adaman was about to find that stupid Zorua.
Hopefully the clan leader would fall for the dye Melli did the other night.
"So you're hiding something instead?" Adaman knelt to the ground when he heard the scuffling of nails on wood.
"IT'S JUST A VULPIX! S-SNOWFLAKE FOUND IT IN THE FLOOD WATERS THE OTHER DAY! NO NEED TO CHECK!"
"A Vulpix? In the Mirelands? Those live in the Coastlands, don't they? The flood waters from the Coastlands shouldn't end up anywhere near here."
Melli froze. He hadn't even considered that.
"W-wait! Adaman!"
Too late. He was already peering under the bed.
"… Hello little guy." Adaman tried to hold back laughter. "Come on out. I won't hurt you."
Melli blinked, unsure what the hell Adaman was talking about.
A small form inched its way towards the edge, just enough for Melli to see.
It looked llike a normal, orange Vulpix.
Well, almost normal.
Its tongue was hanging out the right side of its mouth, ears pinned back and eyes looking off in two different directions. Just like the normal expression that stupid Zorua made.
That little bastard!
And Melli wasted all that time colouring its fur too!
"Huh. I see you have a new friend." Adaman couldn't help but snort.
"Oh yes! His name is Buggy. He is injured, but will recover," Snowflake smiled. "He is verrrry funny."
"I see that. What is that on its mouth? They shouldn't be holding their tongues outside their mouths either."
"He has a broken jaw, and is missing a lot of teeth," Snowflake explained. "We don't know what happened to him."
"I'm sorry to hear that. You behave yourself little guy," Adaman offered the Pokémon a warm smile. "Snowflake is great with Pokémon. He'll have you back at full strength in no time."
Melli couldn't help but feel jealous. Why did Adamam recognize Snowflake for this? He wasn't a Warden. He hadn't been a caretaker to the local Pokémon like Melli had for years.
It was difficult to hear.
"Anyway. I need to warn everyone else about the evacuation." Adaman wrapped the drenched cloak around his shoulders, shivering a bit at the cold heavy weight on his back. He headed out without much fanfare.
Melli almost offered to help warn the other villagers, but he couldn't bring himself to say anything.
Not after that.
He just shut the door, quietly filling up a few bags for the journey. It wasn't too far of a walk.
They were just moving to higher ground.
"Melli?" Snowflake's voice was quiet. "Are you alright?"
"Fine. Just get your things together."
Melli didn't look up. He could feel Snowflake watching him. All the Pokémon were staring too.
"… I am Snowflake, and you are my friend. I want to be of assistance."
"This… this really isn't something you can help me with." Melli grumbled. He couldn't drag Snowflake into it. What was he supposed to do anyway? It's not like he was good with conversations either.
Snowflake's footsteps got louder, the man leaning over him to grab his clothes off the shelf.
"Will you tell me one day?" He looked down at Melli, mouth set in a line.
It felt so wrong seeing him like that.
Almost like he was looking at somebody else…
No. They had similar facial hair and eye colors, but otherwise looked different. Snowflake had all that scaring, while Ingo was clean.
He didn't know what Snowflake looked like before the attack, and he wished he did. The scars changed the shape of his face a bit, even on his better side.
Melli had to wonder though if they were related, but that would be stupid. Snowflake couldn't remember anything, and he'd met Ingo before in Jubilife. They clearly didn't recognize each other back then, so they couldn't be related.
And what would the odds be of two guys in the same family falling through that rift?
A stupid idea.
Though Snowflake had been yelling for Ingo before the attack-
"Melli?" Snowflake asked again. He was waiting for an answer.
"Yeah… maybe one day." Melli looked away, unable to handle the intense gaze. Snowflake smiled and returned to collecting the few items he owned.
The Warden stayed quiet, even when Skuntank tried nudging him.
As kind as Snowflake's offer was, his issues were with Adaman alone. One day he'd confront the guy about their problems.
He just didn't know when that day would be.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxX
The temperature had dropped significantly overnight, forcing Melli into another layer of clothing. Snowflake wasn't handling it well either. The man sat on his bed trying to hide a grimace, tightly holding his scared face while Caboose worriedly massaged his shoulder. That Zorua was peeking out of his sling again, looking dazed and confused. It and Caboose seemed to have a brief conversation amongst themselves, to which Melli ignored in favor of dousing the stove fire.
It was time.
"Are you ready to leave?" Melli asked, eyes trained on the floor.
"S-sorry," Snowflake muttered. "I shall be ready to depart in a few minutes."
Melli couldn't stand watching. At this point he wondered if staying in Jubilife permanently would be better for Snowflake's health. The rainy season was a bad time for the man to come live here. He didn't know how drastic the weather changes would be this year, nor how they'd affect someone in Snowflake's situation.
There were plenty of people in the Diamond Clan with scars or old wounds, but not to the extent this guy had.
He'd never seen anyone else struggle this much.
"Snowflake… I've been thinking," Melli murmored. He didn't want to say it, but Snowflake would just continue to suffer if he stayed here. "Perhaps it would be better if you moved back to Jubilife."
His face split into a tight smile.
A fake one.
Melli was getting good at distinguishing the real smiles from the false, and this one wasn't real.
"W-what do you mean?"
"You're in pain all the time because of the weather. It's not good for you to live in a place like this."
"N-not all the time! It will wear off verrry soon! I promise I am fine!" Snowflake stood up, any pain he was still experiencing hidden behind his smile.
A mask.
"Then why are you always rubbing your shoulder when you think I'm not looking?"
"That started hurting regardless of- I SAID I AM FINE." He caught himself before saying more, but Melli already figured out the original meaning. If his pain was constant even without the cold, then this was a bad place to live.
"Jubilife has more consistent weather. They don't even get as much rain this time of year-"
"I am FINE!" He snapped. Melli hadn't heard that level of anger since he disciplined the Zorua.
"Snowflake, you aren't-"
"I. AM. FINE." His face darkened, shutting Melli up immediately.
Some battles just weren't worth fighting.
Clumsily Snowflake pulled his coat over his shoulders, pushing past Melli and out the door. Caboose cried worriedly, looking to the Warden for help.
"… he'll see reason eventually."
"Breee…" ears flopping sadly, she followed her human into the rain.
Melli stayed quiet, hooking a cloak around his neck.
He'd watch Snowflake carefully. If the guy couldn't make this short journey, Melli would need to consult Adaman about it.
He didn't want Snowflake to go.
It would be horrible, losing the only person that actually liked hanging out with him.
Still, was it really worth watching that same person constantly suffer in exchange? It didn't feel right.
Melli grabbed his own sack and stepped onto the front step, seeing everyone gathered in the center of the village. Snowflake was on the outskirts, bag strapped over his shoulder and cane held tightly in hand. The Zorua remained well hidden under the sling and coat, though it was maintaining its stupid Vulpix illusion.
Rain was still falling, and the ground nothing more than a mud pit.
This was going to be a slick journey.
Adaman took the lead once they had a full head count. People and Pokémon followed right behind, carefully navigating the rocky trail upward while the cold showers pelted them mercilessly.
They were headed to the Shrouded Ruins where a temporary camp would be waiting. It was on much higher ground, and as long as the wild Pokémon remained at a distance, they should be safe.
It was just a matter of getting everyone there at this point, and some weren't in very good physical shape.
The path started getting narrow, one side a shear hill with the other a steep drop to rushing waters.
This was the dangerous part of the journey. Snowflake was breathing heavy, but forced himself to keep up. Melli watched closely, though his focus kept getting drawn away by Adaman's shouting. He was barking orders to the guards while struggling to keep everyone on the same course. People were slipping and falling, others having to stop and offer assistance slowing the entire Clan down.
Perhaps… Melli could help?
This might be his chance to actually prove his worth. Adaman would finally see him in action, and actually recognize him for all the hard work he does.
Maybe he'll want to hang out more often afterwards?
The thought left him giddy.
Decision made, Melli quickly stepped around the slick rocks, walking past Snowflake and a dozen other Clan members just to reach the front.
"Adaman!" The Warden waved, stopping the group in its tracks.
"Melli? What's wrong?" He glanced around looking for any problems further down the line.
"Nothing is wrong! I just thought you could use my assistance. I am very great at navigating mountains after all!" He put his hands on his hips. "The great Melli shall assist in any way you see fit!"
He didn't like Adaman's expression.
Annoyed.
Tired and annoyed.
"If you really want to contribute, get back in line and help anyone that looks like they're struggling."
… that's all?
"I-I know I can help more-"
"You should have asked before we started walking, now hurry up-"
A high pitched yelp.
Everyone turned around. A child had slipped, teetering over the edge of of the path starting the tumble forwards.
A quick movement stopped her fall into the waters. Snowflake hooked the hand grip of his cane around the kid's shoulder, pulling the girl stumbling back into his stomach.
"Slow down young one! These are not safe tracks to travel so recklessly!" Snowflake attempted to calm her with a smile, though it really wasn't working. The little girl was still in shock, too dazed to say anything while her parents collected her.
… Melli could have helped with that.
If he hadn't left Snowflake to talk with Adaman.
"Get back down there and help or move so I can work!" Adaman glared Melli down.
He felt smaller than ever.
Turning back, head tucked low, he made his way down the path, just as Snowflake brushed himself off. Caboose fussed, while the "Vulpix" was biting his hand at getting crushed by the kid, though his human had enough sense to wrap all vulnerable fingers in thick gauze before they left.
"A-are you okay, Snowflake?" Melli was barely audible over the sound of rainfall. Snowflake stood straighter with a wide smile on his face.
The kind he used to mask pain.
"Hello, Melli! As you can see, I am perfectly fine and ready to keep going! Shall we continue?"
"I, we…" He couldn't bring himself to say more. Not after Snowflake's selfless display.
The guy probably irritated his shoulder pulling the kid to safety, or at least when he caught the child. If Melli had been there, he could have done it instead.
Saved his friend the extra injury.
Idiot.
"Yeah, let's keep going…"
Snowflake started climbing again, Melli staying behind him.
How was he more uselss than the cripple?
He knew he shouldn't think that way, but he couldn't help it. His friend was able to throw himself in harm's way for people he barely knew, without seeking attention or recognition afterwards.
Why couldn't Melli be like that?
Well, technically he was like that in his younger years.
Back when everyone forgot he existed.
Quietly Melli traveled at the back of the line, not wanting anyone to see him.
Something he never thought he'd want ever again.
XxxxxxxxxxxxX
Syntax-N on wrote a very lovely Poem related to this story. She writes Sinnoh related fics. Let's see if I can make the link show up.
https/docs.google.
com/document/u/0/d/1mhTkAZYHRaAeSdJUwfSqEiaXe151j8o7A5NfnvMKs2c/mobilebasic" rel="nofollow
Also some art of the characters I did.
My T u m b l r is @homestar1812 if links still don't show up.
https/homestar1812./post/683239848113520640/meet-buggy-the-zorua-he-is-emmets-newest-pok%C3%A9mon
https/homestar1812./post/683239853849182208/some-art-of-emmet-aka-snowflake-after-finding