Zisu couldn't believe it.
After waking up that morning, the last thing she expected to hear was "Frostbite the Skyfaller" being whispered around in hushed conversations.
It took some time, but she managed to get some questionable answers from several of her subordinates.
'Snowflake brutally beat Adaman in attempted murder.'
'The Diamond Clan tried executing him for it'.
'He ran away with Melli, who he may or may not be in a romantic relationship with.'
The jury was still out on that one. Nobody had a straight answer and each time she heard the story there seemed to be new details.
'Adaman is on death's door.'
'The Skyfaller is a demon in disguise.'
'Perhaps a Zoroark.'
'Or Man Eater himself.'
She had no clue what to believe, making her current situation worse. She was stuck in Jubilife. The Luxray culling was only a few days away, and her orders were to stay and protect the village.
It was infuriating!
A distraction was needed, and the kooky professor was always good for that. Hopefully he actually made progress on that Pokeball Ingo delivered.
If he hadn't, she'd make good on her word and personally take it elsewhere for prying open.
Zisu knocked on the closed office door, pushing it open before even getting a response.
"You better have some good news for me, Laventon."
No answer.
"… Laventon?"
Peering inside, she noticed his crafting kit open on the desk, tools messily spread around the damaged Pokeball. A few feet away, Rowlet laid face down on a tall pile of books. Stepping further inside, she realized his Oshawott was sprawled out on the ground right on the opposite side of the door, like it was trying to escape.
"Hey! Oshawott? You alright?" She dropped to her knees and scooped up the little Pokémon. It whimpered weakly, breathing labored and entirely limp in her arms. The poor thing couldn't even open its eyes.
What in the world happened here? Was Rowlet in the same state? And where was Laventon?! He wouldn't just leave these Pokémon like this!
"Laventon? Are you here?" Perhaps he was feeding the Galvantula?
She really hoped he was feeding the Galvantula.
Standing back up, something new caught her attention. Zisu's heart sank, seeing her theory proven wrong.
A dark form laid prone next to the desk.
Human sized.
"Laventon!" She bolted to the man's side, he was completely limp, pale, and barely breathing.
He looked like death.
"Hey, Professor!? Speak to me, Laventon!"
She placed Oshawott on the table, rolling the man on his back to examine instead. He mumbled half formed words, weakly reaching for the desk.
"Laventon! What happened?! Who did this?!"
His arm trembled, energy finally running dry. With an exhausted moan his entire body went limp, eyes rolling back.
"Laventon!"
No response.
He needed medical attention!
Galvantula's prison guards finally ran in, both staring in shock.
"C-Captain Zisu?! What happened?!"
"Are you two deaf?! I've been shouting!" Zisu growled. There wasn't time for this! "Get the Rowlet and Oshawott out of here! They're in the same state!" Scooping up Laventon bridal style, she rushed for the medical bay.
The two men quickly shouted affirmatives and followed their Captain, both Pokémon remained unconscious despite the jostling.
Cyllene stood from her desk at hearing the commotion, staring through the doorway between her office and the Medical Corps room.
"What is Sinnoh's name-" her eyes widened, seeing the man in Zisu's arms. "Captain? What's going on?"
"No idea." Zisu placed Laventon on one of the beds. Her subordinates left the Pokémon with Anise and headed back to their posts, asking for updates as soon as they knew more.
The medical staff seemed just as stunned as everyone else, even if they hid it better.
Cyllene and Zisu waited, praying their friend wouldn't be pronounced dead.
Thankfully, that wasn't the case.
"We will do what we can, though I've never seen anything like this before," Pesselle told them after a thorough examination of her patients. "They all show signs of severe exhaustion, but I doubt the Pokémon would be afflicted by Laventon overworking himself."
"It must be that… monstrosity in the closet," Cyllene's eyes narrowed. She grabbed her katana, already marching for the nest. "I'll take care of it this instant-"
"No you don't." Zisu pulled her back. "It's staying in a separate room, remember? The guards would be unconscious too if it were Galvantula."
Cyllene wasn't happy having her mission stopped.
"Then what do you suggest?"
"We need to look for changes in Laventon's office first. With Oshawott and Rowlett being affected too, whatever happened started in that room."
Cyllene sheathed her sword, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "He's been deteriorating over several days, since Ingo brought that THING here."
The two went through the hallway door, since the one between Cyllene and Laventon's office was now blocked by a desk.
Zisu crawled on her knees and tried looking under the table and sofa, unable to find anything other than piles of junk.
Just further proof Laventon was a pack rat.
"Did the monstrosity bite him? Perhaps it's venomous?"
"I didn't see bite marks on Oshawott, nor did Passelle mention any," Zisu stood back up, looking behind a few book stacks. "It had to be something else."
"I don't see how it COULDN'T be that creature. It's the only new thing in the Galaxy Hall… unless…" Cyllene stepped further inside, glaring at the damaged Pokeball abandoned on Laventon's desk.
Zisu stared too, reaching out to grab it. Cyllene snatched her wrist before she made contact.
"Whatever is in that ball, I am starting to suspect it's responsible."
"So it likely isn't dead after all…" Zisu's expression remained serious. "Can Pokémon affect things outside of their Pokeballs?"
"Not anything in the Hisuian Dex so far."
Zisu wasn't sure what else it could be. Pesselle didn't mention a disease shared between humans and Pokémon, so some sort of status effect from the Pokémon inside this ball seemed the most likely. She just didn't know how the Pokémon was doing it. "What should we do with it?"
"I say throw it in a box and bury it away from the village. We can't allow it to harm anyone else."
"But it's Warden Ingo's Pokemon." Zisu argued.
"And your point?"
"Why would he have something like this if it wasn't tamed?"
Cyllene pondered the words momentarily, shaking her head.
"At the moment, it doesn't matter. Until Ingo comes to get the Pokémon himself, we aren't releasing it. Your duty as Security Corps Captain is to the safety of Jubilife first, your friends second. Or have you forgotten?"
"No, you are correct," Zisu conceded. It didn't sit right with her, but she has people relying on her for protection. "Alright, buddy. Sorry to do this, but until Ingo returns, you are staying inside-"
"You can't bury it!" Rai stood behind them, completely distraught. He entered without either noticing, and overheard far too much. Raichu rushed up to Zisu wanting the ball, but she wouldn't hand it over.
"Then you've heard what it's done," Cyllene stated. "Whatever it contains poses a threat to everyone here."
"But if it's alive, we can't just-"
"Rei." Cyllene's commanding voice made him pause, a rare edge to it. "We don't have room for empathy. If we show this thing mercy and let it out, it may very well harm the entire village, just like it did Laventon," Her anger fell, voice returning to its normal serious levels. "You've suffered attacks from Pokémon before. Out of everyone in the Corps, I expect you to understand best. This is for the safety of everyone."
Rei looked at the ground, hands clenched.
Cyllene's voice softened, ever so slightly. "Sometimes difficult choices must be made."
"I-I know, but after working with my own Pokémon for so long… it just doesn't feel right. A-at least let me return the Pokeball to Warden Ingo-"
"No," Her answer was final. "With the mass hunt coming, I need you present and in good health."
"B-but-"
"As soon as Ingo returns to Jubilife, we can give him the Pokeball back." Zisu reassured. "In the meantime, we don't know if this thing will spread its status effects once released. It's the… safest option for everyone." As much as this decision hurt, she couldn't risk more people falling ill, and if removing the ball proved it was the source, then she'd know the correct choice was made.
The teen bit his lip, Raichu returning to his side looking equally distraught.
Eventually he relented, though he clearly wasn't happy about it.
Cyllene gave him new orders to keep him busy, while Zisu informed Kamado of the newest situation. Of course he agreed with Cyllene's decision, and she was forced to find a box to keep the ball in.
Having the task of burying it, the woman chose a spot not far from the Security Corps building on the opposite side of the defensive wall, though distant enough most people would never approach to begin with.
She didn't want to hide it too far away, in case Ingo returned soon.
Marking the spot with a wooden rod, the plot looked more like a grave than anything else.
It was sadly fitting.
She stood back up, catching movement in the corner of her eye.
Was that a Pokémon?
She held her lamp higher, staring out into the darkness. It jumped at her glare and ran off, far too small to be what she'd hoped for.
A Mime Jr. if she had to guess, based on the way it jumped and ran.
It was a shame too.
If that had been Man Eater, she wanted to kill it herself.
After the horror show that was the day, she really needed something cathartic.
Keeping a hand on her Pokeballs, she met up with the two accompanying guards and returned to the village gate.
Now to see if Laventon would recover.
XxxxxxxxxxxxX
Irida accompanied Calaba into the Diamond Settlement. They were scouring the landscape searching for any signs of Luxray activity, when a Diamond Clans member came looking for the older woman.
She hadn't expected to hear the most recent news about Adaman, and it filled her heart with absolute dread. It had only been two days since her last visit, and though he was sick, the man was functioning. Now his illness was far more severe, and his last hope lied in Calaba.
They of course wasted no time. Even if the Clans were rivals, she had a good working relationship with Adaman, and she couldn't let him die like this. Especially when everything with the Galaxy Team was so strained.
The Luxray attacks.
The upcoming culling.
Even detaining one of her Wardens.
Kamado's stubborn attitude didn't help matters.
Irida was blocked from entering the tent, though she heard Adaman's heavy coughs and wheezing breaths from outside.
It sounded dreadful.
She couldn't stay close to the medical hut, instead choosing to explore while Calaba stayed busy.
The sorry state of the settlement was surprising to say the least. It had been flooded, but with the amount of time since they moved back, she expected things to look a little more cleaned up.
The area still smelled of disgusting flood waters, abandoned debri piles everywhere with plenty of larger downed trees needing removed. People were either hidden away in their tents, or walking around looking absolutely miserable. There was one tent in particular with the door hanging off its hinges. People were walking in and out of it, tracking mud and filth inside.
Something must have happened in there, but she had no idea what.
Hopefully it wasn't another Pokémon attack.
Thankfully she spotted Mai sitting near one of the fire pits, watching the dancing flames.
Finally a familiar face.
"Hello, Warden Mai," Irida bowed her head in greeting. "It is good to see you are well."
"'Well' isn't the word I'd use." The other woman sounded tired, poking the flaming logs absently with a stick. Her Munchlax was right by her side, resting his arms and chin on her lap letting out long, sad sighs every so often.
"Was that your tent?" Irida questioned.
"No, it was Warden Melli's, and Snowflake's."
"The Skyfaller?"
"Yeah. That's the one."
"Oh no. I hope they are okay." Irida felt genuinely awful. Mai gave her a suspicious look, throwing another small log on the fire.
"Have you really not heard? It's already all over Jubilife." She heard the woman mumble something else, having to do with Warden Arezu.
"Heard what?" Irida scratched her jaw trying to think of any more recent news. "Do you mean the newest death in the Mirelands?"
Mai sighed.
"I suppose I should tell you, before you hear the over exaggerated version floating around Jubilife."
Irida took a seat, listening intently.
"Two days ago, a fight broke out between Adaman and Melli while discussing the Luxray cullings. Hurtful words were said, and Snowflake stepped in, challenging Adaman to a Pokémon battle."
"Adaman fought with the Skyfaller?" Irida blinked. She remembered Adaman bragging about him joining Diamond Clan, and watching that Pokémon battle with Snowflake and Zisu. Given how much he liked Adaman, the thought of them fighting seemed ridiculous.
Mai nodded.
"It was brutal, and Adaman lost outright. His health took a turn for the worse after that, and the clan members wanted Snowflake to pay." She prodded the fire more, not even noticing Munchlax grabbing the rice cakes from her belt pouch and trying to pass one to her.
Irida gulped. If people were going through their tent…
"Did they kill-"
"Nobody was going to kill him. Please don't warp the truth, like what's happening in Jubilife." Mai breathed, face flatter then usual. "They were planning on flogging him, and nothing I said would change their minds."
The Pearl leader gasped.
That was harsh. For a Pokémon battle loss, that was extremely harsh. Just what happened that Mai wasn't telling her?
"Luckily for Snowflake, he and Melli left shortly after that battle. They were both long gone before the decision for punishment was made," The Warden continued. "Nobody even saw them leaving, and some of the more inebriated clan members are still searching."
Irida let out a sigh of relief.
"I'm glad to hear it… Wait, your Warden is gone too?"
"Yeah, Melli ran off. I have a sneaking suspicion where they are headed, and Lord Electrode will keep them both safe. I just hope the other clan members don't try following."
"I can't believe Adaman would order something like that." Irida whispered. He always seemed so laid back, it was hard to imagine he'd take a loss so seriously.
"He didn't." The Warden continued. "Adaman's been unconscious since the battle… I was told his illness evolved into winter fever… I hope our medicine woman is wrong."
"I see," The Pearl Clan leader wasn't sure how to respond. If it was winter fever, his chances of survival weren't good. "You two must be close."
"He's my younger brother. Of course I'm worried."
Irida sat up straighter. "I didn't know he had any siblings."
"I see he never bothered mentioning me at your meetings." Mai grinned warmly. "He's my adopted brother, but he used to say I embarrassed him a lot. It's funny when he's flustered."
Irida couldn't hold back a laugh. "You've seen him flustered? He's always so calm and collected around Kamado and I."
Mai chuckled. "There are a few things that really get to him. Try asking about his hair, for one."
"His hair? Really?"
"Blue isn't a natural color. I dyed the top of it when he was a kid, and he's been doing it since. He hates when people ask about it," Mai grinned fondly. "It's hard to imagine it as that solid dirty blonde anymore."
The Pearl leader snorted. Of all the ridiculous things, though she supposed that would explain the odd colors.
She would have to tease him about it when… if he recovered.
Her smile quickly fell, looking down at her lap.
"So… your meeting about the upcoming culling didn't go well?"
Mai gave her a sympathetic look.
"I am the only Warden here willing to assist, and with Adaman bedridden, I'm the only Diamond Clan member offering my services."
"T-the only one?!"
"You already know what happened with Warden Melli, and the others are convinced Man Eater is a vengeful spirit here to punish the Wardens that helped calm the Frenzies."
Irida hadn't considered that before, and though it made some level of sense, she found it hard to accept. Why would the great Sinnoh have that child attacked in Jubilife? And it would have surely attacked one of the Wardens after three attacks.
She just… no!
"Our almighty Sinnoh would never want his Lords and Ladies to suffer so terribly. I-I can't accept that!"
"Even if Man Eater manages to kill one of your clansmen next?"
"That won't happen, because we are going to solve this," Irida's decision was set. "With you and Liam working together in the Obsidian Fieldlands, I hope you'll manage to capture as many Luxrays as possible. Ingo is hard at work capturing those in the Highland to meet the ten Luxray quota as we speak."
"You wish for us to capture them?"
"Yes. That will give us the most amount of time to figure this out, hopefully before they decide to kill the captured ones."
Mai nodded, throwing another log of the fire.
"I will do what I can. I pray a solution can be found by the Pearl Clan and Galaxy Team. With things as they are here, the Diamond Clan can't contribute much."
"I understand, and whatever help you can offer is greatly appreciated." Irida paused, seeing a young brunette rushing towards them. She was carrying a small satchel full of berries and hearty grain.
"I-I got the ingredients you asked for. Will they really help our brother get better?"
"Of course, Calens. You didn't gather these on your own, did you?"
"N-no! I had someone with me I swear!"
"Very well," Mai turned her attention back to Irida. "I have some cooking to do. I'm sorry to cut things short."
"It's alright," Irida bowed her head in gratitude. "Thank you for speaking with me. I'll leave you be then."
Mai offered a bow back, Irida watching the girl eagerly show off her haul before finally walking off. Those two looked nothing alike, and she assumed Adaman was the brother in question.
He had a big adoptive family here, and she never even knew.
Now he was threatening to leave it behind.
To leave Irida alone with this entire mess.
"Great Sinnoh," Irida whispered a short prayer. "In all your great wisdom and the expansive space you have provided us, please give Adaman the strength to pull through-"
She paused, hearing the deep strangled coughing from the medical hut again.
It broke her heart.
"Please. For all the people of Hisui, help us."
XxxxxxxxxxxxX
Snowflake panted heavily, needing to lean against the rock wall for a quick rest.
This was the farthest he's ever walked, hands down.
Worst of all, they were barely halfway up the mountain!
It was odd being back in the Cornete Highlands.
Unsettling.
Thankfully Caboose had a ribbon wrapped around his arm, using her empathic powers to help keep him calm.
It was working, though he wished she'd help Melli too. So far, Snowflake ignored every attempt on Melli's part to leave him behind at a Galaxy Camp. He was verrrry sneaky for such a tall man, but luckily Cooper had no issues sniffing him out… and trying to eat his hair again and again. Snowflake still had no clue what made Cooper so obsessed with Melli's hair, but it helped them stay together so he'd take it.
Things between them remained awkward since they left the Diamond Settlement.
He tried speaking with Melli multiple times, but the guy just kept walking ahead, or saying he didn't want to talk right now.
Snowflake understood, even if it was frustrating. He'd felt a similar way back when he first woke up half dead in thus weird place.
Even if he could relate to needing alone time, Snowflake still wanted to help. Even asking Melli to play his cool flute got him nowhere.
The silence between the two was suffocating, Snowflake having trouble handling it for much longer.
Or the burning in his lungs and legs. That was getting verrrry hard to ignore, but Melli wasn't stopping for breaks, and neither could he. The Skyfaller needed to show how capable he was, even if the air kept getting harder and harder to take in.
His shoulder also started bugging him as the elevation increased. He could feel the change in air pressure, as gradual as it was, and he wanted to just tear his arm off and get rid of the pain. A distraction would be wonderful, and what better way than training as they went along!
"Caboose. Tackle that rock." He pointed to an odd orange colored one by the cliffside. Caboose did as instructed, the thing shattering into many smaller pieces.
"What was that?!" Melli jolted at the noise, Coal already running around his legs frantically, nearly toppling the Warden in his panic.
"Training!" Snowflake smiled through his panting. "L-look! It broke into really pretty rock shards."
"Oh, that's the stone Akari collects," Melli went back to his flat tone once he realized there was no danger, shoulders slouching again.
"Why does she collect these?"
"Crafting material." Melli mumbled, getting back to walking.
Crafting material? Like how they used rock salts for cake lures? If that was true, then they should collect a lot more, since they would be asking Lord Electrode for permission to live near Moonview Arena.
Electrode would surely like the offering!
He leaned down and started grabbing up the rocks, Caboose quickly jumping in to help. They worked quickly, neatly packing them all in his shoulder bag before getting back to walking.
Thankfully Melli wasn't going very fast. He would be easy to catch up with if they slowed down a little.
And there were even more of those jagged rocks along the trail! Some were orange, others a shining black, and a few blue ones higher up the mountain. There were a couple super sparkly ones too, though he had no clue why they would shimmer.
Cooper needed some training too. With everything that happened recently, his chances to actually work with her were minimal.
An opportunity like this should never be passed up!
"Cooper! Double Hit!" Snowflake pointed at the next outcrop. The Ponyta did as instructed, gracefully approaching the rock and rearing up on her hind legs, coming down hard two times. It stood no chance.
"Great job, Cooper! Excellent form!" Snowflake cheered.
Cooper shook her head and practically posed, basking in the praise she was receiving.
Caboose quickly leapt in and gathered the usable shards with her ribbons, dropping them in Snowflake's pack with the rest.
"Bravo you two!" He turned his attention to the Zorua currently curled up in his sling.
"Let's go, Buggy! You can smash the next rock!"
Buggy looked up and huffed, neither eye really focused on Snowflake.
"I know you can do it. We believe in you!" Leaning down, he set Buggy on the ground, nudging him towards his rock target.
"Shadow Sneak!" Snowflake commanded.
The orange Zorua slowly morphed into his shadow, travelling close to the rock and delivering a hit.
The thing barely chipped.
Buggy reformed, seeing his lack of damage.
"That was verrrry weak, Buggy. Try hitting it harder this time." The Skyfaller kept his smile big, though clearly disappointed.
It was hard to remember Buggy was still a baby with lots of growing to do.
The small thing snorted, slinking back into his shadow and trying again.
And again.
And again.
Even with Snowflake giving him pointers and Caboose cheering him on, the little Zorua was merely chipping away at the thing.
In frustration he lunged and bit down on the rock, his mouthful of mostly gums not doing much damage.
Nothing he did made a difference.
"Hmmmm… maybe this one is just super hard? Caboose, Tackle."
"Breeeee!" His Sylveon did as instructed, smashing head first into the rock shattering it on impact.
Defeated, Buggy scuttled away, back hunched and head low. It was upsetting to see his high strung friend so sad.
"T-that's okay, Buggy," Snowflake attempted a supportive approach. The best he could manage at least. "You are still verrry young. We just need to train even harder and you'll be breaking all sorts of rocks!"
Buggy growled, quickly going from sad to annoyed. He pawed at Snowflake's pant leg until returned to his rightful spot in the sling, sulking and snarling every time his human threatened to pet him.
That's more like the Buggy he knew!
The group continued, Snowflake collecting more and more stones, and even some glittery pink ones shaped like stars. He had no clue what to use them for, so they went into his belt pouch for safe keeping. At one point he even transferred some things to Cooper's back to carry, after begging her for assistance.
The rocks had gotten too heavy after a while.
He even promised to get a nice saddle bag for her. Whenever he figured out where to find one, at least.
Melli led him on some looping detours, refusing to elaborate why they were going in such odd directions. It was nice not being purposefully left behind anymore, though there still wasn't any talking involved.
He wouldn't even share stories about Lord Electrode, and Melli LOVED talking about his Lord.
Snowflake was starting to wonder if he did something wrong, especially when they reached the third day of traveling.
"G-Great Melli?" Snowflake finally tried with his full official title. "I apologize if I've done anything wrong."
Melli stopped in place, turning around with the most baffled expression.
"What?"
"I-I, Snowflake, am sorry if I hurt you somehow," he looked down at the Zorua snoozing in his sling. It was hard to make eye contact. "Please tell me what I can do to make up for it."
Melli rubbed his forehead, needing a minute to collect himself.
"Snowflake… I'm not mad at you, okay?"
"You're not?"
"No, it's… I'm more upset with myself."
"Why are you mad at yourself? You did nothing wrong." Snowflake stated, though Melli just scoffed.
"I just… it's hard to explain."
"Please try." The two started walking again, their Pokémon close behind. The Warden looked at his feet.
"… I'm a fraud."
"But your the Great Melli. Not the Fraud Melli. You know this."
"I'm not great, alright?!" He snapped. "I'm an idiot and a fool!"
"But you're not."
"Yes I am!"
"No. You. Are. Not."
"Yes. I. AM!" Melli growled. "Why are you so annoying?!"
"Because you aren't making sense," Snowflake answered simply. "You are my best friend and verrrry kind. Not stupid. I will tell you that until you believe it." He grinned even wider.
Melli just glared, finally throwing his arms in the air and marching off.
"Whatever! Follow me if you want or go back to the last Galaxy Team Camp. I don't care."
"If you don't care, I shall continue on this track with you!" He followed close behind, the two falling back into that weird silence.
For the most part at least. Melli was mumbling unintelligibly to himself on and off.
It only took another full day to reach Moonview Arena, Melli circling back and forcing Snowflake away from certain ledges or seemingly easier areas to walk.
He didn't understand why, until spotting black and blue movement in the distance. That sent him running, passing by a weird looking altar and some banners through a small entrance in the rocks.
He still wasn't good at running, and it left him winded. Hand on his knee struggling to breathe, Melli eventually grabbed his arm and dragged him towards a flat rock.
"Sit down, breathe slowly. The air is thin up here," The Warden ordered, grabbing at Snowflake's shoulder bag. "And get all that stuff off your back! Why are you carrying so many rocks?!"
'F-for Lord E-Electrode," Snowflake rasped, flinching when Melli's tugging threw the bag weight on his bad shoulder. "W-w-we can… m-make cakes a-as thanks…"
"You want to make tumblestone cakes?" Melli gawked. "Electrode won't eat tumblestone cakes!"
"… b-but you… said these w-were for crafting-"
"Crafting Pokeballs! Not food!"
Snowflake looked down at his bag of stones, then at the drooling Zorua in his sling. Buggy was salivating all over his hand, the word "cake" getting his hunger response to activate.
He couldn't help but laugh.
"Hey! Don't laugh at me!" Melli squawked."Why are you like this!?"
"S-Sorry…" Snowflake panted. "I don't remember."
"That didn't answer my question!"
"C-can't help it… how are you not tired?"
"If you would have listened and stayed behind at a lower elevation, you wouldn't be having this trouble!"
"Then you would have gone by yourself. Your not supposed to be alone out here."
"That's-"
"Grrrrrr." Skuntank pawed Melli's leg, looking up at him annoyed.
"You don't have a say here! Stop judging me and go back to your boyfriend!"
"Groar."
"That is very rude!"
Snowflake smiled even wider at their antics, finally getting a look at his new surroundings. The small rocky entrance opened into a large clearing with ruined pillars scattered around and a large tree by the back, tall enough to reach the top of the surrounding cliffs.
A colossal orb dropped out of it too, wearing a big cocky smile on its face.
The shadow it cast alone was overwhelming.
Snowflake gulped, Caboose wrapping her ribbon around his arm and standing between him and the huge Pokémon.
"Lord Electrode," Melli bowed. "I have a request…"
He asked if they could live by the Arena, the massive Pokémon having no issues.
Once Snowflake was breathing normally again, he thanked Lord Electrode and joined Melli in building their new tent. Well, it wasn't new. This was the same tent they used at the temporary evacuation camp. It even had that fixed tear from the day Coal joined their lives. It wasn't as nice as the one they left behind, and he would miss that cooking stove and wood floor. He'd get used to the camp fire of course, and the rocky uneven dirt under his feet, His friend's safety and mental health was far more important.
Melli would never be talked down to by those Diamond Clan bastards ever again.
Snowflake would make sure of it.
They were finished assembling it before sunset, their new home finally standing and ready for sleeping.
Melli wasted no time, silently rolling his bed roll out and burying his face in Skuntank's fur, Coal whimpering and curled up at his other side. Snowflake's Pokémon got into position too, Cooper waiting for her blanket bed before daintily laying down.
Snowflake planned to talk more with Melli that night, but he didn't last long enough. As soon as his head hit his bed roll, his mind went blank. The blankets were too comfy, and Cooper's wonderful warmth made his mind fuzzy.
it could wait until tomorrow, when he wasn't so exhausted from all that walking.
XxxxxxxxxxxxX
Also yes, apparently in the game their is dialogue with a random child that confirms Mai is Adaman's older adoptive sister, and the one telling us this is the youngest sister.
Noooo they are catching onto the Pokeball! What was that Mime Jr. doing watching Zisu bury it I wonder….? Surely that won't lead to anything.
I am soooooo excited for the next two chapters you guys have no idea XD. Snowflake and Ingo are finally in the same area, and Lady Sneasler has been eyeing Shiny Ingo since he was hospitalized
The question now is how, and if they will have better luck this time?
Shit will happen. The set up is almost complete.
Leave feedback if you feel like it! Your theories and comments help fuel me to keep going