Awareness was not kind.
It greeted him with a weird weight around his arms and chest, body cradled against something warm and solid.
Whatever it was, it vibrated, accompanied by an odd gutteral sound coming into focus as his hearing returned.
It was deep, verrry loud, and blocked out any other noise. Just a loud rumbling irritating his eardrums.
Then the sensation.
Rough.
Wet.
Heavy.
Something big and flat was painfully gliding against the top of his head, moving from back to front. When it reached his forehead it lifted, returning to the rear of his scalp and continuing the process.
His eyes shot open.
Claws.
Long, hooked talons attached to muscular furry arms wrapped around his shoulders and pinned his arms in place.
He recognized those claws.
The thing started it's ministrations again, echoing louder and making his skin scream in pain.
Hot breath violated his head and neck.
Putrid.
Gamy.
Something faintly sweet.
The memory that scent alone conjured hit harder than a bucking Rapidash.
He was back in the Highlands.
On the cold, rocky ground.
Injured.
Paralysed.
Bloody.
Ripped to pieces by a massive predator.
Inside ITS massive jaws.
Dragged with so much ease, dirt kicking up into open wounds making it all burn that much more.
It was back.
It was back.
It was back.
IT WAS BACK.
IT WAS BACK.
IT WAS BACK!
IT WAS BACK!
He wanted to scream.
Cry.
Beg.
Tell it to stop.
Only a pathetic whimper left his throat.
Any vision he had was darkening around the edges, muscles firing and tensing all at once despite being trapped. His trembling hands tightened around his cane like a vice grip, trying not to cry out from the painful pressure welling in his chest.
It hurt.
His insides burned while his legs and feet went tingly and numb.
Blood and heat welled in his throat, an out of control heart rate beating dangerously against his eardrums. The only sounds around him were that heavy internal pounding, the haggard breaths leaving his mouth, and that horrible, deep rumbling.
Squeezing his eyes shut, praying it would stop to no avail. Every muscle in his body remained taught.
The wide rough object came over his head again, and it finally clicked he was being licked.
THAT THING WAS TASTING HIM.
Over and over.
Back to front.
Back to front.
He was too terrified to move or speak. Just internally begging for the situation to end.
Please stop.
Please stop.
Please stop.
Stop.
Stop.
Stop!
STOP!
STOP!
"…. s-s… st…"
His lips moved, still nothing but air coming out. Even his hands were losing feeling from how tightly he gripped his cane. Painful sparks and spasms traveled up the bad arm from overusing that hand, but he was too scared to care.
The Noble kept going.
It felt like he'd been held hostage for hours, and there was no sign of her stopping.
He felt his skin growing raw and sore, the tongue moving from one side of his head to the other now.
Warm fluid had spilled from his eyes already, unable to hold back a ragged gasp any longer. He wanted to go back to that blissful ignorance sleep provided. At least then he wouldn't be suffering from uncontrolled panic knowing this was the end.
Lady Sneasler finally stopped, her resound and vibrations fading out.
Snowflake squeezed his eyes tighter, praying the breath moving to the side of his face would just STOP.
Sniffing.
He could hear her sharp inhales right in his ear, making a low noise and nudging him with her cheek.
Frozen.
His body stayed completely still, expecting those jaws to finally clamp down.
…
But nothing happened.
The weight overtop his arms lifted, Lady Sneasler standing to check on her babies.
Snowflake didn't dare move or speak.
He wanted Caboose.
And Cooper.
And Melli.
He was alone up here, and he was going to be ripped apart without anyone knowing what happened.
Were they waiting for him to come back?
What if they went looking and became victims of the same fate?
He didn't want Melli to die horribly either.
Why did this Pokémon have to ruin everything?!
"Snea?"
A soft, high pitched noise on his left.
Questioning.
Worried.
He flinched at the knuckles rubbing against his arm, finally peaking an eye open to find that light purple Sneasel, sniffing his face and mewing with concern.
She was looking between her dark gray friend and Snowflake, unsure what to do. The two chirped and mewed at each other, a conversation Snowflake had no understanding of.
Trying to breathe deeply wasn't helping, nor was being trapped here with Lady Sneasler still so close.
He squeezed his eyes shut again, willing all of this to end already. Maybe, if he believed hard enough, this would all be a really bad dream. Morning would come, and he'd wake up in Moonview buried under all their Pokémon friends. Melli would be trapped between Coal and Skuntank, mumbling odd words in a language Snowflake was still learning.
Thin, hesitant arms wrapped around his torso. The Sneasel carefully squeezed and rubbed her cheek against his arm. He couldn't help but tense, the Pokémon starting a high pitched purr.
This… this wasn't as bad.
He didn't want to be touched, but he didn't want to be alone either. The Sneasel was so much smaller too. Far kinder than that horrible tall one.
Snowflake slowly, very slowly, peeled his trembling arm away from his chest, cane still held tight in a fist. Encompassing the little Pokémon, he hugged her back.
She was a similar size to Caboose. Warm, solid and here. The brave little Sylveon that always stayed by his side, offering support and defending against any threat no matter the size.
He wanted his Caboose back.
"Sneee…"
That dangerous, low pitched noise came back.
Snowflake jumped, staring at the massive form of muscle and death. She was leering over them, making some horrific guttural noise.
Her claws were coming closer.
For the Sneasel.
For him.
No.
No!
NO!
"NO!"
He didn't register what happened next.
Arm swinging.
A loud crack.
Enraged snarls.
Blood.
His blood.
Escape!
Escape!
ESCAPE!
Clutching the confused Sneasel, he booked it for the cave entrance, a sickly sensation seeping through his entire body.
Safety.
He needed to find somewhere to hide!
The outside light was blinding. He stumbled into the harsh winds and knee deep snow, trying to just run as far as he could.
Until the ground disappeared.
"WAH!"
He fell, curling around the Sneasel just as they hit a powdery pile of snow.
Stumbling upright, the world flipped over and wouldn't stop spinning. He could feel his foot hitting another ledge, leaning back against the rock wall and inching his way forward instead.
Noises faded in and out, feeling his stomach churning as much as his vision. Dark figures rushed around in the mass of white and gray.
The wall disappeared, body falling sideways onto a cold rocky surface. His unwilling passenger struggled against his hold, Snowflake doing his best to get back up, leaning against the wall and tripping further into darkness.
He went until everything stopped responding, falling face first on the ground, head banging against hard rock making the world flash white. Extremities were now numb and stiff, the world fading in and out again, though he wasn't sure if it was from the head wound or whatever was making him feel sick. The Sneasel had worked her way from his grip, snarling and hopping on his back angrily before her demeanor softened.
Whatever the context was, he missed it when the world went black.
XxxxxxxxxxxxX
Screaming.
A loud crack.
And Lady Sneasler's enraged cry.
Ingo bolted upright, both from the noise and sudden sting of seven baby Sneasels digging their claws in from panic.
He scanned the den for threats, spotting a form escaping through the cave entrance, Lady Sneasler sat beside him holding her face, a bandage and broken cane on the ground, alongside splatters of blood.
"My Lady?!" Ingo quickly and gently handed the kits to Tanglejuana, sitting upright trying to examine the damage.
She was hit hard in the face, the area already swelling.
No bleeding.
The Nobel stood up and called, a deep cry she reserved for her kits.
All babies were accounted for, except for one of the twins.
Her shiny sister shakily approached the abandoned cane on the ground, grabbing the split handle and looking to Ingo for answers.
If only he had some.
He still had no clue what was going on, but if the unfamiliar bandage and cane were any indication, someone got into Sneasler's den.
A human.
Had the hunting group from Jubilife made their way to Sneasler's home? Were they trying to kill her? Or her babies?
Regardless of the culprit, Ingo wouldn't let this stand.
"My Lady. Please stay with the kits. I will dispatch the intruder at once-"
Lady Sneasler shook her head and growled. She looked more worried than angry.
She… didn't want the intruder harmed?
Why?
It wasn't the first time he wished they spoke the same language.
"I will bring him back alive then. Is that acceptable?"
His Lady finally nodded in agreement, Ingo rushing outside into a nearly blinding sight of snow. His Gliscor followed close behind, equally on edge.
White flakes fell from the sky in a wind whipped pattern, coating the mountaintops in more layers. The drifts made tracking easy at least, only needing to follow deep, messy tracks left by the culprit's poor attempt to escape.
It led directly to a drop off, a large hole in the snow directly below on a small outcropping, the trail picking up headed straight into the riftborn Sneasels' den.
Said Sneasels were in an uproar, rushing in and out of the den either terrified or angry, nobody sure what to do.
"Slow down everyone! Show me to this unruly passenger!" Ingo got the attention of all residents, several pointing while another took his hand and dragged him inside.
His guide bolted soon after.
It was dim, but he could make out a figure sprawled on his stomach near the back, the missing Sneasel shaking the man's shoulder and crying for assistance.
He wore a long coat, the giant collar making his face difficult to see. Despite laying still on the floor, Ingo could still hear weak, unintelligible murmurs from his mouth.
"Little Lady, are you alright?"
"Snea! SNEA!" She rushed for his pant leg, attempting to push Ingo towards the attacker.
"Are you sure? Did this man not hurt-"
"SNEA!"
"… very well." He had no idea why she was so insistent on getting help. Then again, he had absolutely no clue about anything currently happening.
The only person he could really ask was laying half dead on the floor.
Ingo took a step forward, the Sneasel rushing ahead and trying to rouse the man by shaking his waist. Apparently she hit something, a light under the stranger's coat signaling a Pokeball release. A lump formed under the fabric, clumsily fighting its way into open air.
A baby Zorua stood tall, perking at its human's sorry state and rushing to sniff his face. Its high held tail fell, movements getting frantic when the man only offered weak groans at the aggressive ear nips.
This guy had a Zorua of all things? Likely a member of Galaxy Team then.
They really had attacked his Lady-
"SNEEEE!" The little Sneasel tugged his coat tail this time, leaving another long tear in the fabric.
Hearing her distressed cries, the Zorua's tail tucked low, ears flattened.
"Slow down, passenger. We are here to help-"
"Grrrrrrr…" the Pokémon snarled low, taking a defensive position between Ingo and the stranger.
Sneasel chirped, attempting to speak with the tiny thing. Even Gliscor got on the ground, chattering softly.
The fox didn't care, summoning an illusory orb from its hair tuft.
It took the form of… Ingo's face?
At least… it kind of looked like his face, but split in half by an inhumanly large grin. Both eyes looked off in different directions… with a tongue sticking out.
Ingo glanced down at the little Zorua again, finally seeing its own tongue protruding from the side, and neither eye focused on the same thing.
He had to hold back a laugh, easily keeping the usual frown on his face and bending to one knee.
"Your human is injured. He needs treatment, or he won't make it to the next stop." Ingo offered his hand forward for the fox to sniff.
Teeth still barred, it leaned in closer to take in his scent, looking to all the other Pokémon behind him.
Its illusion dissipated, a new bubble over its head spreading out into a large Rufflet, wings sticking through the cave walls and claws extended ready to snatch and claw his target.
Oddly enough, the large tongue and bug eyes took away from the terrifying effect.
"I promise I'm going to help you. Please, allow me passage." Ingo tried more softly, keeping his hand extended.
"GROAR!" Zorua bit down on several fingers.
Hard.
Ingo winced, holding Snickers back when he tried jumping in.
His Gliscor was not happy.
"It's alright," the Warden steeled himself. It wasn't as painful as he expected. Mostly smooth and saliva filled even. It was missing a good amount of teeth. "I only want to help. I'm not going to hurt your guardian. I promise."
The Zorua carefully examined the man, eyes widening in confusion. Ingo remained calm, face neutral and body lax. It was only three or four months old at most. Even Zoruas still relied on a caretaker at that age, and this one was simply terrified it's adoptive parent wasn't waking up. The poor thing needed reassurance, and he wouldn't punish it for that.
Finally, the small fox backed off with a sad whimper, keeping a close eye on the Warden while he got to work.
Rolling the man over, he quickly found a wet spot on his arm, darkness staining the lighter colored fabric.
Lady Sneasler must have injured him.
"Sir, I believe you are suffering the effects of Lady Sneasler's poison." He tried to pull him more upright with minimal success. Grabbing a pecha berry and hunting knife from his pouch, Ingo started slicing the thing into smaller pieces while scanning for any other wounds. The cave's poor lighting made finer details hard to see, but he could tell this stranger had facial hair, and could feel a lot of ruts and raised lines in his skin while trying to get his head at a good angle. The sticky, wet blood on his face indicated a head wound too.
The little Zorua hopped onto its human's chest, licking his face trying to get a response. Sneasel examined the ripped fabric around his arm and pulled at Ingo's coat, while Snickers picked a spot on the ceiling to watch. The man finally roused somewhat when his Zorua's tongue entered a nostril. Not much, but enough to groan in pain.
"Bravo, little one, I'll take it from here," Ingo slapped the stranger's face. "You need to eat this if you want to live." Even with the pieces cut extra small for easy swallowing, the man kept trying to spit out what Ingo fed him. He was forced to hold his mouth shut until the man finally choked it down, coughing at the effort.
"Excellent. Now for the rest."
It was a never ending struggle, getting him to force down even a sliver of the berry. Thankfully, by the halfway point, he was becoming more coherent.
"… u… urrg…"
"Welcome back to the living world," Ingo greeted. "Please finish this and you'll feel-"
The man clumsily fought against Ingo's hold, not making much progress.
His Zorua whimpered, climbing back onto his chest and shuffling. That got the stranger's attention. He stopped squirming long enough to reassure the kit with his free hand.
"Snee!" The small Sneasel bounced on her heels seeing her kidnapper moving again.
"Lady Sneasler's poison is very strong, and you need all of this to completely counteract the side effects." He offered another piece of pecha fruit. Slowly the man relented, finally accepting Ingo's assistance in getting him propped up against the cave wall for easier consumption.
Tangrowth shuffled into the cave, curious now that she was free from child care.
"Tanglejuana, could you please make a short trip to the Lady's den for a torch?"
His Pokémon happily agreed, rushing back out of the cave while Ingo made sure the stranger finished his berry. Slowly he gained back control of his movements, trembling finally subsided for the most part.
Good.
"Sir, I need to get you back to Lady Sneasler's den. You have some explaining to do." Ingo stood up, grabbing at the man's left arm. He stiffened and struggled loose, his Zorua snapping at the Warden.
Not a surprise, but he'd hoped this would be easier.
"I cannot allow your transgressions against my Lady to go without explanation at the very least. I don't understand why you kidnapped one of her kits either."
The stranger didn't respond, pushing himself further back into the wall.
"I am afraid you don't have a choice in the matter," Ingo reached up to adjust his hat, realizing it wasn't there. Right, he took it off before falling asleep. "The train must keep going, despite your feelings about it. Please get ready to depart, as we will go whether you like it or not."
He couldn't just let someone who harmed Lady Sneasler go free, and his patience was wearing thin. Grabbing the man's arm again, Ingo pulled with a firmer grip, his Gliscor leaping down from the ceiling to restrain the Zorua before it snapped. The little kit screeched in protest, his human fighting Ingo trying to reach it. With a huff the Warden finally got him upright, though forcing him to walk was a different matter.
"N-No!" The man finally managed, voice shaky.
"I will bring Lady Sneasler here if you don't cooperate. I prefer not dealing with difficult passengers, so if you would please-"
A foot to the side of his knee forced him forward, the man using his chance to shove Ingo down and retreat further into the cave. Unfortunately for him, his progress was halted by the dead end only a few yards farther in.
Gliscor elbowed his trainer upright before he completely fell. It irritated his back, and he'd need another smoke later for that ache.
That was it.
"You are coming with me, or I will make you. Do not force my hand," He held up a Pokeball warningly. The man just stared, back against the wall, expression hidden by the dim lighting. His Zorua yipped and whined in Gliscor's grip, Sneasel standing back unsure what to do. "I won't ask again."
Odd hand motions was the stranger's response to Ingo's threat. The palm held in a sling faced the ceiling, while his trembling left hand hovered in the air, like he was questioning the next step.
Ingo stepped closer, this time ready to dodge if he fought back again. Worst case scenario he'd have Machoke restrain him. He knew that Pokémon hated long exposure to such cold temperatures, but he'd understand it was for Lady Sneasler's sake.
The stranger finally made his message clear.
No words were spoken.
Not a sound.
Still, Ingo understood without a moment's hesitation. The man's left hand chopping down into his right like an axe splitting wood.
'Stop!'
Ingo halted, frozen in place by the sheer absurdity.
He knew what that hand motion meant.
This guy did the weird twitching with his hands too. The Warden just assumed it was a bad habit held over from his previous life.
The movements had meaning though.
And he KNEW what that one meant.
"... Snickers. Let the Zorua go."
"Groar?" His Pokémon curled its head to the side questioningly.
"It's okay…. Just let it go." Ingo repeated, never taking his eyes off the man. He was trying to get a better look at him, but the other pulled fabric over his head making details harder to see.
If only he collapsed closer to the entrance.
Zorua bolted to his human, leaping right into his free arm.
Ingo took a few steps back, leaning against the rock wall and sliding down into a sitting position.
Could this really be possible?
Not even Akari understood Ingo when he showed her some of his hand motions. He hoped she'd understand what he didn't remember, but that wasn't the case.
Now someone did.
"You… know how to speak with your hands?" Ingo hesitantly questioned. He had no idea how to approach this subject, especially after being so rough.
The stranger didn't respond. Just holding his happy Zorua tightly, the thing currently licking his face making odd slurping sounds.
"Vrrrrrr!" Tanglejuana came back with an unlit torch, a low grumble indicating her arrival.
"Thank you, my friend. Let's make things a little brighter here, shall we?"
Using his flint to light the torch, it illuminated the den in warm light with darkly cast shadows.
He could finally see the man in more detail.
Even with his hood drawn, there were several things Ingo couldn't help but notice.
Same hair color.
Similarly angled mutton chops.
A heavy coat eerily close to his own, but in red and pink colors, with the same large collar and horizontal stripes.
"… what is your name?" Ingo questioned, having a feeling he knew the answer.
"… S-Snowflake…" it came out as a croak, no eye contact being made.
The world stopped for a moment.
Words from a certain professor and Security Corps Captain instantly came to mind.
'Hey, his jacket is a similar style to yours. Long coat with a big collar. I bet that was trending wherever you came from!'
Zisu's voice echoed, followed by Laventon's response.
'Unfortunately, our sample size is very small, but based on the observations I just presented, it's likely you and Snowflake have more in common than either of you do with Akari.'
He said they were from the same region and time period, both using similar phrases and having the same haircut preferences.
He'd been wanting to talk with Snowflake ever since that discussion, and now was his chance.
It was hard to see all of his facial features with his Diamond Clan hood pulled so far over his eyes, and blood running down the side of his face. but Ingo could make out scars branching across his skin, a slight uptick in the right side of his mouth, and even some areas around his neck where facial hair never grew back.
It hurt to look at. Guilt was welling in his chest, remembering how his absence in the Highlands resulted in this man's disfigurement. The damage was more than skin deep too, if the sling he still wore on his right arm was any indication.
"… How did you get this high up the mountain?" The Warden finally asked. "Even I struggle with the journey. It couldn't have been easy."
"…. L-La…" Snowflake gulped, looking a bit scared at just trying to say the name. He gave up at the first syllable, forming special letters with his hand instead.
'Sneasler.'
"I see," So Lady Sneasler brought him here herself. "My Lady has never done something like this before."
Snowflake seemed surprised that Ingo actually understood his hand gestures, but remained quiet.
"Why would she do that?"
The other shrugged, going back to petting his Zorua.
Snowflake wasn't much for conversation apparently.
That, or he was just having a shit day. Ingo had to admit, the guy looked like hell. Face streaked with blood and dry tears, hood and sleeve soaking through with blood from his injuries that continued to go ignored.
That wouldn't do at all.
"… I should dress your wounds before they get infected. No good dripping blood everywhere." Setting the torch between two rocks as a makeshift sconce, he pulled out a small fabric bag containing his medical supplies. Needle, thread, bandage wraps, and a few jarred ointments made by Calaba. Snowflake scooted further away when Ingo tried approaching. The Zorua's defensive snarling was enough to make him stop entirely, stepping back again.
Sneasel ran up and hugged Snowflake's leg, trying to encourage him.
Her efforts went in vain.
Ingo sat back down. What if Snowflake's memories were affected by his new head wound? There was only one way to check.
"Do you know who I am?"
'Warden Ingo.' He signed the name, not even bothering to try saying it.
At least he was coherent, and actually did recognize him. Still, Ingo didn't like how avoidant Snowflake was acting. He didn't mean to scare him, just bring him back to Lady Sneasler's den.
Then again, if Lady Sneasler was the one who brought him here and he harmed her, perhaps he didn't wish to return.
"I apologize for earlier." Ingo spoke and tipped his hat, once again forgetting it was in the other den.
His fingers met empty air.
Snowflake didn't react, looking down at his happily panting Zorua instead and giving it plenty of chin runs. The little thing had crawled into his sling at some point, head sticking out enjoying its prime seating.
Ingo would need to try a different approach.
Pointing at the Zorua, he cleared his throat to get Snowflake's attention. Placing one hand on top of the other, he rocked his arms back and forth like cradling an infant, followed by swirling a question mark in the air.
'Baby?'
Snowflake grinned a little at the motion, holding up his hand in a fist and tilting it downwards at the wrist.
'Yes.'
Okay. This was a start.
The Warden continued. First pointing at the Zorua, extending the middle and index fingers on both hands, taping the right two fingers on top of the left ones, and shrugging.
'What is its name?'
Snowflake's hand spelled the letters out slowly.
'B U G G Y.'
At the end he stuck his tongue out to the side and pointed at his mouth.
A name sign.
Ingo couldn't help but smirk. He responded by covering his mouth with a fist like he was hiding a cough.
'Orange?'
'Melli.' When he finished spelling it, Snowflake touched his chest daintily with an open palm.
Just like Melli does.
Laughing at the oddly appropriate name sign, Ingo motioned to the Gliscor currently hanging above his head, spelling out his nickname.
'S N I C K E R S.'
He tagged on a name sign too, a tiny smirk while touching a finger to one cheek.
Snowflake smiled even wider at the name. A lopsided smile thanks to his scarring, but an oddly familiar one.
It did remind Ingo a lot of Gliscor's own grin. That would likely account for the nostalgic feeling.
Snowflake gestured to Tangrowth, shrugging to ask about her name.
Ingo wasted no time spelling it out.
"T A N G L E J U A N A.'
He thought over a name sign for a second, deciding on pulling two fingers away from his lips like when he smoked his pain medicine.
Snowflake barked, unable to contain his cackling. Ingo joined right alongside him. They both laughed until their gut muscles hurt, struggling to gain control of themselves. The man in blue pointed at the little Sneasel still hugging his knee, motioning to Ingo for her name as well.
He shrugged. She was a wild Pokémon and didn't have a name. Snowflake scratched his beard, snapping his fingers with a fresh idea.
'A S H C A T.'
Ingo blinked, unable to figure out why the term 'ash cat' felt so familiar. It seemed fitting though, and the little Lady didn't have any objections.
"Bravo! Nice choice!" He applauded the suggestion, Snowflake basking in the praise. "How did you decide on such a name?"
"… I… I don't k-know?" His voice was still a whisper. Unsure.
But he was speaking, which was all Ingo wanted. They had a level of communication open now, and the bloody wounds were still bothering him.
"If it's okay, may I bandage your injuries now? At the very least your head?" He gestured to his own face. Snowflake placed a finger to his cheek, pulling back seeing it coated with partially dried, cracking chunks of blood. He grimaced, gripping the little Zorua closer.
After a moment's hesitation Snowflake finally nodded, letting Ingo approach and holding Buggy back.
"… I-I…" he stammered before Ingo could get started, trying to get words out this time. "… s-s-sorry…" giving up, he signed the rest.
'I don't know where my patch went.'
The Warden hadn't realized how timid this guy really was. He seemed at least approachable in Jubilife.
Then again, he wasn't as out of sorts back then either, despite still healing from being mauled.
"I think that's in Lady Sneasler's den. I'll see about getting it returned to you." Ingo carefully pulled Snowflake's hood back, seeing a small gash near the hairline.
His eyes are what really caught his attention.
One drooping, reflecting light in an odd way, while the other was angled and a striking silver colour.
Just like his own.
A thought occurred to him. Something he hadn't considered much since escorting Akari.
"A man that looks like me…" Ingo whispered.
"…. What?" Snowflake questioned, getting uncomfortable by Ingo's staring.
He shook his head, grabbing his canteen and rinsing the wound.
"S-sorry, I fear my train of thought was derailed for a moment," he quickly threaded his needle, making two stitches in the skin and pulling the gash closed.
Snowflake squeezed his eyes shut and stayed quiet. He simply sat and waited for Ingo to finish rubbing salve on the wound and wrapping a bandage around his head, pulling the fabric a little further apart himself to help cover his bad eye from view.
Ingo didn't say anything, too lost in thought.
This man did have some physical similarities, and the coat was too close to his own in cut and style.
But the red and pink colourations seemed wrong.
White.
White clothes and a large smile.
This man wasn't even grinning all that much.
But he had to ask.
"Do… Do you recognize me?"
""W-Warden Ingo? We… met in Jubilife?" Snowflake whispered, giving Ash Cat a nice ear scratch when she started demanding more attention.
"No, not from Jubilife, I mean…" he paused, trying to fix his phrasing. "When I look at you, I feel like I've seen you before. Before I forgot everything."
Snowflake turned and stared, mouth set in a thin line.
"I… I don't remember much about my past life before coming here. I know I had a partner Pokémon made of purple flames, and there was a man that looked like me."
"… Someone that looked like you?"
"Yes, and oddly enough, I find we share some physical traits. Do you remember anything similar?"
Ingo watched his confused expression for any changes.
There was no recognition.
No sudden realization or epiphany.
Just a near frown.
"No," His answer was firm. "I-I am sorry. I've never met you before Jubilife."
"I see…" Ingo closed his eyes, a bit disappointed but not surprised.
People shared hair and eye colors often. In fact, if Akari cut her hair short like Rai's, the two could practically pose as each other without much questioning.
Silver eyes and hair may be a common trait wherever they came from.
If Snowflake didn't recognize Ingo, then clearly he'd made a mistake.
Besides, it's not like they looked THAT much alike.
Snowflake had more hair on his head for one thing, and the scarring made it hard to tell what his former appearance was like. Even his better side was morphed a little by scar tissue, though Ingo couldn't unsee the similar facial structure to his own.
Shaking his head, the Warden scolded himself for such a stupid thought.
"My apologies. I must have mistaken you for someone else."
Snowflake breathed, offering a reassuring smile and bringing his hand up.
'I hope you find him someday.'
Even if it wasn't spoken, the message was a nice one.
"I hope so too," he turned his attention to Snowflake's bloody arm. It was concerning given he couldn't see the damage hidden by his thick coat. "The poison may be treated, but the wound needs to be cleaned."
Snowflake's smile tightened at the suggestion.
'It is fine.'
"I am afraid not," Ingo's frown deepened. "It is difficult to get off the mountain without Lady Sneasler or Lord Braviary's assistance. You could be up here a while longer."
That got his attention. His smile fell initially, quickly morphing into a faker grin.
'Melli will come.'
Melli will come? Does the Diamond Warden even know how to get here? Hopefully he was still waiting wherever Lady Sneasler left him. It wasn't safe to climb this high unaided.
He turned to Snickers, voice low.
"Go check the mountain trail. If Melli is coming, please assist as needed."
His Gliscor nodded, gliding over the audience of Sneasels watching from the entrance and into the whiteout of snow.
"Still," Ingo continued, "I can repair the tear in your coat while I'm at it."
"Tear?!" Snowflake verbally gawked, shrugging the sleeve off his arm and pulling it around to examine closer. His shoulders fell, voice low. "I-I didn't want it to get any worse…"
"Worse?" Ingo examined the coat more closely, noticing the weird splatter patterning, and how strong the red was. Initially he thought about blood splatter, but dried blood turns into a rusty brown color, not this deep crimson.
Pinching the collar and pulling it close to his face, he finally saw the sheer amount of patches and stitching where fabric had once been torn. The deep color did well to hide the damage, unless someone actively searched for it.
It took a moment for everything to finally click.
The Luxray attack.
Another pang of guilt gripped his stomach, but he couldn't shy away when this man needed help.
He was actually here to assist this time, and another failure wasn't an option.
"If we set that aside I can repair it once your wound is treated," He finally convinced Snowflake to remove his jacket, the man reaching up into the coat around his bad shoulder and releasing a clasp. A strap came loose, Ingo pulling the rest of the coat off without issue. "It's held on with a strap?"
It made sense why the thing stayed in place despite not having his arm in it. He had been a bit curious, though other things took priority.
Gently folding the clothing article and handing it to Tanglejuana, he set the work trying to get Snowflake's shirt off, only to get shoved back.
"No." The words were short but final.
He'd have to work around his sleeve then.
Cutting the fabric open a little more with his knife, he realized there was a white undershirt hugging his skin too. Ripping that open as well, he peeled the layers back to find a shallow cut.
Not deep enough to need stitches, but still swelling with blood whenever Snowflake moved.
"It's not as bad as I thought at least," Ingo rinsed it out with more water, Snowflake calming when he went straight for the ointment instead of a needle. He put the bandage over top of his sleeves. Melli could do a better job later…. As long as he hadn't fallen to his death by now.
Taking a seat across from his fellow Skyfaller, Ingo carefully pulled the coat sleeve loose from the rest of the folded bundle. The only thread color he owned was red, which he supposed would be a close enough match to the odd pink.
He began stitching the sliced edges together, noticing a lack of one thieving Sneasel that would have normally tried snatching something by now.
"By the way. Be on the lookout for a dark coloured Sneasel that likes stealing things. You may not get the pilfered items back."
Snowflake grinned, pulling a Pokeball wrapped in rope from his pouch.
"Is there a reason it's tied up?"
"No escaping before he's punished," Snowflake's smile took on a darker edge. "I have a cliff in mind."
Somehow, he knew those words were more than an idle threat.
"Perhaps that is being too harsh?" Ingo offered. "He is a thief, but he doesn't deserve that."
"Hmmmm…. I'll return him so you can-"
"NO!"
Snowflake froze at Ingo's exclamation. The Warden cleared his throat, hoping his embarrassment wasn't too obvious.
"I-I mean, that Sneasel isn't well liked among his own kind. I'm sure you've noticed how short his feather is."
Snowflake nodded, not making any comments.
"It's done as a display of dominance, and I fear he won't last much longer here," Ingo hoped his excuse was working. Though there was a partial truth with the feather docking, even if it was started by Lady Sneasler punishing him. "I think his best chance would be with a trainer. Away from the den, if you choose to take him on."
The other man twirled the ball in his hand, mulling his decision over.
"… I could train him, though if he doesn't listen to me, I'll throw him and his Pokeball off a cliff."
"Very good. I'm sure he'll do great with you to lead him." Ingo let out a small sigh.
Thank Sinnoh he wouldn't have to deal with that one anymore.
They sat in relative silence while Ingo finished sewing the sleeve. Knotting the thread, he took a good look at his handiwork.
"Here you are. Good as new." He passed off the long coat, Snowflake examining the stitch work closely.
"… you are verrrrry good at sewing."
"Thanks," Ingo shrugged. "I learned from Calaba-"
"HSSSSSS!!!"
Snowflake flinched hearing Lady Sneasler's enraged snarl. It was coming from outside the den.
"You stay here. I'll make sure the path is safe."
He didn't argue, cradling Buggy while Ingo stood and walked to the den entrance, Tanglejuana finally giving his hat back.
The familiar weight was always welcome. Plus, his head was getting cold.
Stepping into the snow, he found a very angry Sneasler, glaring at a half frozen Warden currently climbing the last few feet onto their ledge. Ingo rushed forward, reaching out and grabbing his wrist to pull the rest of the way.
Melli's stiff, blue hand was attached to an equally fridges body, layers of frost on his hood and eyelashes. A little shivering Sylveon held onto his shoulders and arms with ribbons to stay balanced, using him like some sort of mount.
Snickers appeared a minute later, helping pull Melli's Skuntank the rest of the way.
Lady Sneasler hissed again, Ingo standing in her way.
"My Lady. I do not understand why you brought Snowflake here, but you are not throwing Melli down for retrieving his friend."
His Lady glared at him, absolutely furious.
Ingo heard crunching in the snow, dodging a slow fist right as it tried decking him.
Melli stood trembling from the cold, teeth chattering yet ready to throw down.
"Y-y-youuuuu~"
"Melli!" Snowflake called for him from the den entrance. Melli shakily turned, face growing angrier seeing the bloody hood.
"W-w-what d-did y-y-you-"
Sylveon didn't let him finish, using Melli's head as a springboard and accidentally knocking him face first into the snow.
She gracefully hovered towards her human, crying in pure joy.
"CABOOSE!" He dropped to his knees upon catching her, the little Pokémon ignoring Buggy's snarls and wrapping her ribbons tightly around Snowflake. Ash Cat hopped trying to get a better look, only to be swatted away by a white and pink flesh ribbon.
It would have been a far more touching reunion, if Melli actually stood back up.
Leaning down, Ingo shook the man's shoulder.
No response.
"Tanglejuana. Could you please carry him to Lady Sneasler's-"
"PSSSSSK!"
"No. Your den is the one with a fire, and Warden Melli did nothing wrong," Ingo never disciplined his Lady before, but this was something she needed to hear. "You can make yourself scarce for now too. Snowflake doesn't want to see you."
That got her attention.
She looked over to the man dressed in blue and pink. Snowflake shied away at her gaze, the Lady's expression turning from confusion to devastation.
Letting out a low mournful call, Sneasler tried stepping closer, a snarling Caboose blocking any further progress.
Her shiny daughter chirped, still hugging the broken cane having finally caught up.
Without any further fanfare, Lady Sneasler hopped down the cliffside and dug her claws into the rock wall, going off to parts unknown.
At least they could get back to the warmer cave now.
"All aboard everyone! Our next stop isn't far." Ingo pointed to the den entrance above them, hearing an exasperated groan from a half conscious Melli.
Finally convincing Snowflake to move, the group headed to the fire pit, Ingo hoping this would be their last surprise visitor for a while.
XxxxxxxxxxxxxX
THIS STORY NOW HAS A BETA READER! Every chapter from now on is getting a second set of eyes on it and I am very excited
Everyone give a thank you to DuplicataData for joining in correcting grammar mistakes and odd wording that I miss!
ART LINKS
Several wonderful readers took the time to make amazing fanart of this story and you all need to follow the links!
Nyacat39 on Tumblr did this adorable piece of Snowflake and Ingo smoking in Lady Sneasler's cave, all while Buggy tries and fails to be intimidating. It got a good laugh out of me XD
Snowflake and Ingo Share a Tanglejuana Smoke
We also have three sketches from vlg-official on Tumblr. Two adorable sketches of the almighty Caboose, and Snowflake's "training" session with Buggy
https/vgl-official./post/686466619195736064/smol-sketch-of-snowflakes-caboose-hoping-to-make
https/vgl-official./post/686627330195636224/i-had-to-draw-snowflake-play-training-buggy-i-had