Beta read by DuplicataData. Thanks for helping smooth it out.

Note to everyone from Ingo.

"Take care of your spines and stretch regularly." Beta read by DuplicataData. Thanks for the look over

MELLI's TEAM ART

CreatureCave_C made an accompanying. Piece to their last fanart of Snowflake's team. This time it's all of Melli's Pokémon and I can't get over how beautiful their art style is.

EVERYONE TAKE A MOMENT AND FOLLOW THE LINK FOR GORGEOUS POKÉMON ART (The way they drew Skuntank gives me /creaturecave_c/status/1569291501301288966?s=46t=kGP0kouozLNcP629f3MXtQ

If anyone feels inspired enough to make artwork/writing based on this story, link it to me so I can gush over how awesome you all are and share it

XxxxxxxxxxxxX

Irida was more than a little worried. Lady Sneasler came to her alone, frantic and growling in agitation. After practically being kidnapped, the clan leader made sure to notify her Wardens of a potential issue before obliging by Sneasler's requests.

Now they stood outside her den near the mountain peak, Irida was unsure what to think. She didn't know why being brought here shocked her so much. If this was an emergency then surely Lady Sneasler would take her wherever necessary. Still, this place was off limits to everyone except her Wardens. Normally this would be considered a great honor, though she feared the circumstances behind the Lady's choice.

Glaceon caught up quickly, climbing up a final few rocks and taking her place at Irida's side. Following Lady Sneasler was a tense affair, sensing the other Pokémon watching her movements. Glowing yellow eyes stared down at her from the cave ceiling, a wide smile glinting in the light streaming in from outdoors. The Gliscor's tongue clicked, head tilting back and forth before finally deciding not to oppose Irida's passing. She bowed in thanks, traveling deeper where the air turned from dry and frigid to warm and inviting.

An Alakazam sat meditating by a dying fire, occasionally using his psychic abilities to throw more wood on the flames. Two fighting Sneasels held apart by Ingo's Tangrowth were on the other side. Lady Sneasler's nest sat by one wall with several long oddly colored sticks inside, while the other side housed a setup of furs and ripped tent fabric, along with a still figure lying motionless on a Wrydeer pelt surrounded by baby Sneasels.

It took a moment to recognize the lump buried in kits.

"Ingo?!" Irida rushed over, pushing some of the babies away and feeling his forehead for warmth. He wasn't cold like a corps, nor feverishly hot. Clearly the man was alive, though lying down using his tattered coat as a blanket and closely holding a notebook and white bundle of fabric to his chest.

She let out a small sigh, finally taking in his full demeanor.

Irida had known Ingo since she was nine, the man being dragged to the Pearl Settlement injured and confused, speaking a tongue no one understood at the time. Even with the language barrier and injuries, he'd never given off a weak disposition, always standing strong and willing to face whatever obstacles were thrown his way.

Now, curled up on his side sporting a thousand yard stare, he looked smaller and more fragile than a Pokémon egg.

Old.

Weak.

Exhausted.

It twisted her gut in ways she didn't know possible.

"… m-my apologies, Irida…" he sounded winded, like talking alone was a struggle. She waited for more of a reply, but he wasn't giving any.

"Ingo? Are you ill? No one has seen or heard from you in a week." The young leader frowned, still unsure what was wrong. It wasn't unusual to go long periods without hearing from her Wardens, but with the Man Eater situation, expectations changed.

The fact he wasn't meeting up with Galaxy Team members assigned to accompany him, or even trying sending her a note. She wanted to slap him for making her worry, but also knew something deeper was going on.

He didn't say anything initially, which just worried her more.

"… here, how about you get up and we can talk properly. Are you able to sit?"

Ingo blinked, almost hesitant.

"… I can't really say."

She had no clue what he meant by that, though there wasn't any harm in trying.

"Come on, I'll help you." She grabbed his arm and pulled, the Warden yelping when his side started to bend. Irida dropped him immediately and pulled back. Lady Sneasler keened and whimpered, rushing to his side attempting a reassuring series of scalp licks.

"I… don't think sitting up is a good idea." He rasped, gently pushing his Lady away.

"I don't think so either," Irida carefully took a seat near Ingo's head. He didn't bother turning to make eye contact like usual.

Another bad sign.

"Are you injured? Will this require treatment? I can bring Calaba here if necessary."

"I don't think there is anything she can do for these wounds. They likely aren't what you're imagining," his face maintained a deeper frown than usual. "Well, perhaps partially how you think."

She stayed quiet, watching him yexpectantly for more.

"… I recently remembered… parts of my past."

"That's good, isn't it? You've been wanting to remember for a long time."

"What I discovered proved more of a curse than blessing. Though, I suppose I deserve it for my recent failings." His words trailed off, eyes staring off at something Irida couldn't see.

"Failings? Ingo, I don't understand."

He paused, one of the babies trying to claw at his hands for affection. It hadn't expected a warning swat from Ingo, quickly retreating to its mother for safety.

Ingo just gripped the white fabric tighter.

"… Snowflake, the third Skyfaller, is my brother… my younger twin…"

She couldn't hold back a gasp. The men's coats were a similar style, sure, on top of having the same hair color and preferences for sideburns. Sadly she hadn't been around Snowflake enough to really compare their features.

"So why are you up here and not with him?"

Ingo tilted his head, flinching in pain at the motion before giving up. He looked much older all of a sudden, and very sad.

"… H-he doesn't remember me…" Ingo's voice was barely audible, Irida needing to lean in just to understand his mumbling. "I-I took so long… a-and I hurt him… I hurt him badly…"

Ingo's frown grew deeper, pulling the white piece of fabric near his face.

"H-he hates me now, and I deserve it…"

"I'm sure he doesn't hate you." Irida offered. Ingo just shook his head.

"You didn't see his face… h-how he pushed me away, and… and then he ran…" squeezing his eyes shut Ingo pushed Lady Sneasler away once again, though she let out a growl of protest this time. "H-he wants me to leave him alone… so I will…"

The young woman sighed, scooping up one of the Sneasel kits sniffing at her shoe. It was a little boy, eager to explore her small shoulders.

"Ingo, you forgot your former life for ten years."

He didn't respond, fingers trembling around the wad of fabric he seemed oddly attached too.

"Snowflake has been here less than a year. Like your mind, his is scrambled and still healing," Irida smiled warmly. "I'm sure, given time, your brother's memories will return too."

"… at this point, I question whether I'll be around or not to see it."

"Why do you say that?" Irida was almost scared to ask. She'd barely resisted the urge to rip his coat away and search for blood as is.

"I… fear I threw my back out a few days ago… it's never been this bad before…" he let out a humorless laugh.

"You're hurting from an injured back?"

"Well…" his face flushed a bit in embarrassment. "I-I made a decision that was… rather foolish in hindsight…"

Lady Sneasler nudged him with a knuckle, sneering at his silence. Somehow Ingo managed to shrink even more under her judgemental glare.

"B-before my back had recovered completely from an earlier injury a few days prior, I attempted to… return to my duties, and while trying to navigate some icy rocks, I, uh-"

"Did you fall and hurt yourself worse?" Irida was already growing annoyed. Not only was he being extremely vague, but his obvious reluctance to get to the point over sheer embarrassment was making her angrier.

"… I've been stuck in this position for two days."

"What?!" Irida screamed. "Why didn't you say something sooner?!"

"We were discussing other things-"

"Do you know how dangerous that is?! Everyone get up, I need to take a look!" She shooed the Sneasels away despite Ingo's protests. Thankfully he was lying on his side, giving her at least some access to the mess that was his back.

Pulling up his hoodie and undershirt she tried feeling around his spine. His body tensed where her fingers gently touched some swollen spots on either side of his lumbar region, hand traveling upwards able to feel either a misalignment or swollen bump in his upper back. Whatever the exact injury was called, it was prominent.

Prominent enough to make her heart sink.

"Can you feel when I pinch your leg?" She reached down and grabbed his ankle. The kits all gathered curiously, Lady Sneasler needing to ward them off this time.

"Yes. I can feel it." He twitched his foot for good measure.

Irida let out a small sigh of relief. She knew how important the spine was. The few Pearl Clan members she saw without feeling after back injuries all died soon after.

"I've had… tingling sensations running down my leg since the fall, however, and severe pain and muscle locking when trying to move…" he made a motion to hide his face with his hat, suddenly seeming to realize it wasn't on.

"I wish I knew more about this type of medicine. I'm not sure how to assist with an injured spine. I don't think Calaba can either."

"… Zisu knows how to fix it…"

She raised a brow questioningly, but he didn't elaborate more.

"You're absolutely sure about this?"

"… she fixed it last time?"

Letting out a long suffering sigh, Irida shrugged off the kit from her shoulder and stood, reaching for some charcoal and paper from her belt pouch.

"I'll see about getting her up the mountain. You wait here."

Ingo just gave her a deadpanned glare, but she pretended not to notice. Calling upon Lord Braviary with her celestial flute, she bowed to the large bird as he came in for a landing.

"I apologize for asking this, but I fear you are the fastest method of communication we have," she tied the quickly written message to his ankle. "Please deliver this to Captain Zisu in Jubilife Village. She needs to come right away."

The Lord cried, ruffling his feathers before diving off the mountainside. Waiting until his figure disappeared over the landscape, Irida returned to Ingo, shrieking at the flaming metallic beast now floating above him.

"W-what is that?!"

"Miss Irida, this is Lumière the Chandelure. She is my former partner Pokemon from a distant land." Ingo quickly explained. The ghostly specter chimed and twirled in an oddly beautiful display, offering hellos before returning to its human.

"… I see," She looked for Glaceon, seeing her friend curled up with a still meditation Alakazam. "It isn't something more sinister in disguise?"

"If she were, I'd be dead by now." Ingo coughed, careful to keep the white fabric away from his mouth. Clearing his throat he rotated it in his hands, revealing a hard bill and button similar to the ones on his own hat.

If she had to guess, it was likely his brother's.

She grabbed her water sack and took a drink, noticing a clearly empty one by the wall. Ingo did say he hadn't moved in days.

"… wait, when was the last time you ate or drank?"

"…. Something that wasn't melted snow with traces of Sneasel venom?"

"Oh for Sinnoh's sake!" Irida grabbed his Wrydeer hide canteen and stopped by the cave entrance, finding a clean section of snow and stuffing as much as she could through the mouthpiece. Several dark colored Sneasels were watching her, not daring to follow inside the cave. Taking it back inside she hung it on the ghost Pokemon's metal arms. "Please keep that close until it melts. Your human needs clean water."

The Pokémon made a haunting sound, like knives being clanked against each other, or the chime of a foreign bell from Jubilife.

"Anything else you've been neglecting?"

Ingo remained quiet, trying to roll over on his own, hissing in pain before finally giving up. "… do you have a cure for getting old?"

"I'm afraid not," Irida shook her head. "But I can help you change your position."

"Your assistance is very much appreciated."

Irida struggled on her own, but his Alakazam used a psychic move to help. She almost wasn't surprised to see a healing black eye on his formerly hidden side. It was frustrating just seeing the state he got himself into, despite her best efforts to keep her people safe.

Clearly he was far beyond her help already.

"So that's what all that noise was…" Ingo's brow furrowed, finally able to see something other than the cave wall. "It seems they are reaching that age, as sad as it is…"

Irida knew what he meant. Sneasel kits always struck out on their own, usually fighting more often with their siblings beforehand. They'd be ready to leave the nest soon.

"… do they normally use large sticks in the process?"

"The sticks are new," Ingo's frown deepened, watching them swat each other clumsily with the long purple rods. "They've been waving those things in my face most of the week, and my Lady keeps making new ones. I'm not entirely sure why though."

"Snea!" Lady Sneasler sounded exasperated, standing up and scooping the sticks away from her daughters. She brought over the full stack of six, holding the long purple dyed pieces out for Ingo to examine.

"… they are very nice?"

"Grrrrrrr!"

"Take it easy!" Irida intervened. "Ingo, clearly somethings going on. Have you investigated any?"

"… how?"

"Fair point." Irida blushed, already forgetting about his predicament. Standing up she examined the sticks herself. They were taller than her, all carved in slightly different ways at the ends with a dark purple substance staining the wood allowing natural grain lines to show through. She took one in her hand, impressed by how strong the wood felt.

"It reminds me of a walking stick…" she tapped the end of her staff to the ground, getting an eager nod of confirmation from Sneasler. "Oh! So it is a walking stick! She must be trying to help with your back issues."

"… I-it's not for me…"

"Huh?" Irida's smile wavered at the look on Ingo's face. His frown remained the same, but his eyes were wide with fresh realization. Lady Sneasler tapped his forehead hard with her knuckle, getting several mumbled apologies in return.

"I am a fool…" he put the white hat down and lightly touched his Lady's claws. "I don't know why you wish me to still be your Warden."

"Snea."

"You deserve better."

"Snea."

"Does that stripped Mamoswine pelt have something to do with this too?"

"Snea."

"I am very, very sorry."

"Snea."

The Noble basked in his pathetic apologies, seeming smug to finally have her point understood.

"… I'm sorry, I have no clue what's going on." Irida interrupted.

"There was an incident with Melli and Snowflake not long ago, and I told Lady Sneasler she needed to apologize. I was too stupid to realize she's been working on such a nice gesture this whole time."

She did recall hearing something about that from Calaba, though the summary was vague.

"Hmmm… Perhaps you should apologize too."

"I beg your pardon?" Ingo looked at her in confusion.

"You said you felt bad about whatever happened between you and Snowflake the other day," she shrugged. "I'm sure an apology is in order."

Lady Sneasler growled in agreement, Ingo pondering Irida's words. He gently rubbed the pristine button on the white hat, expression finally laxing with a heavy high.

"… You are right. He deserves that much from me at the very least," the Warden tried sitting up again, winced in pain and slowly laying back down. "… Though I can't do it in person anytime soon..." He grabbed his notebook and started writing instead, stopping only when Ash Cat jumped on his stomach trying to escape her sister. The Sneasel hissed, waving around the end of Snowflake's old cane in a threatening manner. Tangrowth was holding Little Lady at bay, the shiny furiously trying to free herself.

Ingo just groaned at the impact, looking more miserable than anything else.

"… perhaps it is best to separate these two…" he seemed saddened by the idea, but it was inevitably going to happen. The new question was, should they wait for them to leave on their own? Or could Irida come up with a better solution?

There was someone not far that may be able to help, if he would accept. Worst case scenario she'd be willing to take one of them with her.

If only for Ingo's sake at the very least.

She didn't think he could handle much more heartache at this point.

Or back injuries.

XxxxxxxxxxxX

"Amazing," Snowflake watched the spectacle before them. "I've never seen so many Magikarp in one place! Or traveling in one direction! They must all be headed to the same destination!"

The river leading up the mountain waterfall was stuffed full of Magikarp, all trying to leap over or swim around each other in their mad dash against the current. Some were even forced on land amongst the chaos, flailing around frantically trying to make it back to the water before a stray predator snagged them.

"You definitely aren't wrong," Melli scratched his chin. "It's the annual Magikarp migration. They all head upstream to lay eggs, then return downstream. If they survive at least."

"Because they won't eat until the breeding frenzy is over, yes?"

"Precisely." Melli nodded. "Many Magikarp won't make it, which makes it an excellent time to catch food preserves for the winter."

"Is it cold enough in Moonview for storage?"

"That's why we collected all that salt, remember? We are going to preserve the fish with that."

Snowflake pondered his explanation. He wasn't sure how exactly the process worked, but he'd be more than willing to learn!

"How does that sound, Buggy? You wanna catch some fish?"

The Zorua ignored him, sitting on the ground and licking his nether regions repeatedly, back leg sticking high up in the air.

"Hmmmm…. Caboose? Are you ready?"

"Breee!" The little Sylveon trilled with excitement, twirling around his legs eager to get started.

"Have you ever spear fished before?" Melli started, holding out one of the long sticks he'd sharpened to a point that morning. "Wait, that was a stupid question. You'll be learning how to spear fish."

"Can't I use Pokeballs? I still have some empty ones."

"No! Because then you'll want to keep them all! And I will NOT have my tent smelling like fish!"

Snowflake looked at the Magikarp again, humming under his breath.

"… what if I only keep one of them?"

"That's a slippery slope and you know it!"

"I promise just the one."

"No."

"Please? I don't have any water types yet."

"And why would we need a water type?" Melli raised an eyebrow.

"Easy source of clean water, and great in case of a fire. Safety first, after all." Snowflake smiled wide, Melli just giving him a deadpanned glare.

"… it is not allowed anywhere NEAR my tent! Got it?! I will cook it alive if you break that condition!"

"Thank you Melli. You are a verrrrry good brother."

"Whatever!" He huffed. "Are you going to learn spearfishing or not?"

"Why don't I just give you all the Pokeballs with Magikarp I've caught instead?"

"We already went over this!" Melli growled, but Snowflake wasn't bothered. He didn't want to stab any fish if he could help it. At the very least he didn't want to deliver any killing blows. The thought made him oddly uneasy.

"Fine! Use your stupid Pokeballs! I've got actual work to do!" The Warden grabbed his knife and carved spears, stomping further down the stream. "While you waste your time 'capturing' Magikarp, I am going to get some actual fishing done away from all your noise. Cooper, Caboose. Make sure he doesn't get caught up in anything stupid."

The two Pokémon made sounds of agreement, Melli walking just out of sight where the fish weren't so frazzled by all the land activity.

"Since this is a frenzy, I see a great opportunity for some of our weaker friends to grow stronger. Come on, Buggy! You first!"

He used his foot to push Buggy a little closer to the water, getting a small growl of agitation in return.

"Use Bitter Malice!"

Buggy just chewed his back leg instead, completely ignoring him.

"Come on, Buggy. I know you can do it!" Snowflake pointed at one of the smaller Magikarp that just landed on the shoreline. "Let's go! Use Bitter Malice!"

The little Zorua finally walked forward with a huff, crouching low and building up a well of dark energy. His fur bristled, tongue even flapping up and down from the stored power. With a snarl he lunged forward, delivering a hard blow that knocked the Magikarp right back in the river. The carp splashed Buggy in retaliation,disappearing back in the crowd of fish. Defeated, the sopping wet 'rat' returned to Snowflake with his tail tucked between his legs.

"That was great! We should try that again."

The shivering pathetic blob of soaked fur didn't care, scratching at Snowflake's leg wanting up.

"Awe… fine, that will do for now," he picked up his gremlin and placed him in the sling, noticing how tight the fit was getting. "You know, you're getting verrrrry big. Soon there won't be room in here."

"Grrrrrr…"

"It's for my arm. My arm gets first priority."

Buggy attempted to give a puppy dog pout, eyes bulging and looking in two different directions as usual.

Damn his freaky charms.

"I mean… I've been gaining better function… alright, I'll let you have full priority for now, but if this doesn't work out you lose sling privileges."

A little annoyed yip was all he received as thanks. Rolling his eyes, Snowflake let his arm hang so Buggy had full access to his favorite spot, the Zorua making himself comfortable now with the extra space. He shivered pathetically at being all wet, nipping Snowflake's fingers when he attempted giving head scratches.

Snowflake took a minute and attempted stretching his bad arm a bit, pleased with the progress made so far. He still couldn't lift it high without pain, and the movement in all but a few fingers was limited. Still, he could grip and hold heavier objects then he ever thought possible, which to him counted as a win.

The training of himself and Pokémon would continue! Starting now!

"Very well. If Buggy is taking a short rest, I'll work with the others instead. Stoker! Buzz Button!"

He tossed out two Pokeballs, his Sneasel and Voltorb taking form.

Kernel came out of hiding from Snowflake's shirt sensing his wet nurse, leaping down to the ground and scurrying over. Button waited for his Joltik friend to get comfortable in his head hole, readying for action.

"Time to conduct this journey. Stoker, Poison Jab! Buzz Button, Electro Ball!"

The Sneasel picked a Magikarp leaping out of the water, staying low and running in with a small amount of poison building in his claws. He stabbed hard, knocking the fish onto the opposite shoreline. As Stoker retreated, Buzz Button rolled closer, leaping in the air and charging a yellow sphere of electricity, blasting it forward. The impact brought their target near fainting, Snowflake throwing a Pokeball.

The Magikarp was engulfed, ball shaking three times and a small firework shot out the top.

Success.

"Excellent job everyone!" He attempted clapping in celebration, his bad arm not raising enough to do it properly. He settled for a golfer's clap instead. "Caboose, collect our newest passenger!" The Sylveon gracefully hopped over the current of chaotic fish with ease and bringing back the Pokeball with a happy trill.

"And this one goes in the Melli pile." He put the Pokeball away for safekeeping, turning back to the river. "Let's keep this train rolling! Again everyone!"

They continued to attack and capture Magikarp, Stoker and Buzz Button gradually improving various attacks.

Poison Jab, Ice Punch, Shadow Claw.

Electro Ball, Energy Ball, Wild Charge.

The two Pokémon worked in tandem under Snowflake's instruction. Stoker led off with an attack knocking their targets onto the shore line, allowing Buzz Button to finish them off.

Repeat again and again.

Snowflake was really enjoying using two Pokémon at once. It allowed for even more combinations than single battles, and just strategizing how his Pokémon could bounce off each other for improved attacks was exhilarating.

He'd need to come up with even more strategies! Perhaps Buggy would do better with an attack partner instead? Not that he'd be willing to try again any time soon. He was still too grouchy after getting drenched.

Still, he was verrrry happy with the progress Stoker and Buzz Button were making by themselves.

Throughout the training session he remained vigilantly looking for a good Magikarp to take under his wing. Sadly after six captures, Snowflake still hadn't found the right one. None of them had what he was looking for. So far he only found dull scales and short whiskers. All signs of poor stats and distributions.

It wasn't till the seventh capture that he spotted it. A massive fin twice the size of every other Magikarp around it.

Huge, dominating, and headed straight for the waterfall. Though only a dozen or so Magikarp made it up the falls so far, the Alpha was not deterred . It leapt into the air and attempted climbing the water, making it a few feet and falling back down. It kept going and going, each attempt failing while other smaller Magikarp had an easier time getting up river.

Snowflake hummed. As hard as it tried, that strategy would never work out. Based on its size alone, it wouldn't have a prayer of ever getting up the waterfall alone.

He had to help!

"Stoker, Fury Swipes on the large one! Buzz Button, paralyze it!"

The two charged in tandem, taking the large carp off guard and unleashing attack after attack. Despite the Alpha's best efforts, it wasn't able to compete with two Pokémon at once, being captured with little fanfare.

Snowflake was absolutely giddy. The shine of its gills, the shape and length of its whiskers.

A truly beautiful specimen with excellent potential!

He let the Magikarp out of its ball. Most wild ones did their best to swim around the goliath of a fish, giving them a small space of water to work with. Snowflake leaned down low while the large fish looked at him confused.

"I am Snowflake, and I will help you get up that waterfall."

The fish gaped questioningly.

"Based on your size alone, you have to work extra hard against the force of gravity to swim up, and despite your muscles being stronger thanks to your size, your heart doesn't benefit the same way. In fact, it needs to pump much harder than a normal Magikarp's for performing the same task."

"Karp?"

"Sorry about the anatomy lecture. Basically, if you will work with me, I can help you reach new heights! You will climb that waterfall without issue in no time!"

"Karp!" The fish splashed around with fresh excitement.

"Excellent!" Snowflake pointed his left hand forward, smile big. "Now! Stoker! Buzz Button! Time for some sparring practice against each other! Full speed ahead!"

XxxxxxxxxxxxX

"Melli?"

A familiar feminine voice questioned.

One that always grated on his nerves.

"What do you want?"

Akari was taken aback by his bluntness. Melli didn't have the energy nor willpower to give a more flamboyant greeting.

Snowflake wasn't there to insist he act "normal," so Melli stayed focused on his current task instead.

With how large Magikarp already were, normally three fish would be enough to sustain him and Skuntank through the whole winter.

Their family was a lot bigger now, and he'd likely need to snag at least ten. He didn't have much faith in Snowflake catching more than one or two before getting distracted by Pokémon training.

"S-sorry to bother you then…" Akari turned to leave, a fresh wave of guilt surging through Melli's chest. He didn't mean to hurt her feelings, but he was still annoyed with the disruption.

"Wait," he turned to face her. "I didn't mean to sound so rude about it. Why are you out here? Alone?" His face turned to an annoyed grimace at the realization. They hadn't assigned anyone to babysit him since he and Snowflake became roommates, and he wasn't gonna let that stupid buddy system policy start up again.

"Oh, Zisu needed someone to call Lady Sneasler for her, so I accompanied from Jubilife," Akari returned, though staying more distant than before.

"Lady Sneasler? What does she want from that Jubilife woman?"

"Apparently Warden Ingo was injured badly and she can help. I don't know how exactly, as Lady Sneasler wouldn't let me come."

"Huh. Seems like she's brought everyone to her den except you at this point."

"I know and I'm jealous!" The girl groaned. "I wanna see baby Sneasels! How the heck did you get permission?"

"… I didn't want it to begin with." Melli turned back to fishing, plunging his spear in the water barely missing. He needed to adjust the angle a little more.

Akari watched him work, leaning over trying to get a better look before sitting on the shoreline.

"Do you remember that nest of eggs we found in the forest? The one you helped transport to Jubilife?"

"What about it?" Melli rolled his eyes, jamming his spear down as another Magikarp passed.

A direct hit!

"Skuntank!"

The poison type jumped in immediately, yanking the impaled Magikarp from his spear and positioning a paw over its flailing midsection. With little fanfare he clutched the head in his mouth and killed it with a swift yank.

Akari gawked.

"Why would you do that?!"

"It's a hard, secluded life as a Warden, and it's time to start preserving rations for the winter," He gave the girl a glare. "Not that you would understand. You can go back to Jubilife whenever you want and they always have food. Actually, have you ever needed to hunt? Or just relied on the scout camps and picking berries for dinner?"

She squirmed in disgust, but did her best not to say anything more on the topic. Melli hung the massive fish up by a hook and rope for Coal to guard, returning back to the water.

Nine more to go.

"…u-uh… the eggs, yeah," Akari looked away when he stabbed his spear into the water once again, just nicking a Magikarp by the fin. "The eggs hatched a couple weeks ago."

"And how's that working out?"

"Not great," she shrugged. "At first it was a mixed bag of reactions, some loving the insects and others fearing them. Recently they've been latching onto every electric type they can find, and using Galaxy Hall as their base," she frowned. "I don't think the mother is doing well. She seems tired all the time, and doesn't move much anymore."

"Huh. I am sorry to hear- HAH!" He stabbed again, this time catching a smaller fish near the base of its tail. He clumsily handed the Magikarp over to Skuntank once more, repeating the processes of killing and tying it up before returning for more.

Akari looked ready to vomit.

"You better not get sick near my food! You'll ruin the meat, and that is just wasteful!"

"I won't!" She scooched away from the carcasses and sighed. "I needed to talk to you about something else…"

"And you didn't start with it, why?"

"I wanted to see how you were doing first after, you know…"

Melli paused right before another jab.

"I heard about what happened in Diamond Settlement, and I don't think it was right."

"I don't need your pity, now get to the point or leave me in peace."

"I-its… I really need to talk about Adaman."

Melli gave her a questioning glare, Akari not making eye contact. She was anxiously twiddling with her scarf waiting for his reply.

"… why?"

Akari breathed, weighing her words carefully.

"So, according to Adaman, Snowflake said he wouldn't let him near you again… unless he could best the guy in a Pokémon battle."

"He said that?" Melli gawked. Snowflake never mentioned anything like that, and he just assumed Adaman was staying away of his own volition.

"Yeah, it's the main reason I wanted to see you…" she cleared her throat, tracing a finger through some grass strands. "Would you consider initiating contact instead?"

Oh. So she's just here to stick her nose into his private life.

"I have no interest in doing that. If Adaman wants to speak with me, he can take Snowflake up on his challenge." Melli was honestly flattered Snowflake would do something like that for him.

Then again, they were brothers now. He did put his neck out telling Ingo off, so it makes sense Snowflake would do the same.

"But-"

"We are done talking about this."

"This is more about keeping his Pokémon safe, okay?"

Melli waited, Akari looking even more fidgety.

"It's just… I've been cleared to explore the Alabasta Icelands and need to leave soon, but Adaman is, how to put this… a terrible Pokémon strategist," Akari threw her hands up in exasperation. "Seriously, I've tried to teach him everything I can, but he's so stubborn, or just clueless! His current Pokémon have no synergy nor decent coverage for weaknesses! He thinks four Pokémon is a full team! I fear for the safety of his newer Pokemon if he goes through with it."

"So… you're saying Adaman's gonna get himself beat again, and his new Pokémon will likely lose all respect for him afterwards."

"More than just respect! I've heard what a dangerous trainer Snowflake can be. I don't want him sending the poor things to almost die. If you would meet Adaman half way on this-"

"My decision is final," Melli threw his spear down hard, landing right in the eye of a passing Magikarp. Skuntank wouldn't need to kill this one. "I spent years trying with him, and he only puts in the effort to make things right after Snowflake beats him into submission? If it really takes that much for him to even pretend he cares, then I don't want to see him ever again."

"T-that's not… I…" Akari tried arguing, but couldn't deny his point. She eventually nodded, the two falling back into a long bout of silence.

Well, besides the disturbed water splashes as Magikarp made their journey upstream.

"Hey… where is Snowflake?" Akari looked around more, not spotting him.

"He's just around that bend in the river," Melli pointed in his general direction, plunging a spear in the water, but missing again. "Caboose is watching out for him."

"I guess it's better if his Pokémon are there…" the girl mumbled.

"Knowing him, he's probably already forgotten about fishing and decided to start training whatever Magikarp he caught."

"You let him keep one?"

"Only one!" Melli said with finality. "I said no fish are allowed in my tent, and if he can't respect that rule then I'm cooking it for dinner."

"… you told him no Alphas, right?"

Melli froze.

He hadn't said anything about Alphas, and knowing how Snowflake was, he'd definitely take that as an opportunity to catch one!

A gust of air and dirt kicked up just beyond the trees, bellowing roars shaking the ground sending all surrounding bird Pokémon flying in fear.

Melli knew exactly what made that noise, and he cursed himself for believing they wouldn't appear so early in the migration.

Caboose and Cooper could handle it, but he didn't think Snowflake would hold together long under such aggressive predators.

He needed to hurry!

"SNOWFLAKE!"

Gripping his spear tighter Melli ran at the danger, praying he wasn't too late.