The first thing that really surprised me was to actually wake up.
I was laying on what seemed to be a thick, white foam mattress. At that moment, I realized that I was lying on a bed of snow! I could feel it where my back touched it. I mean, I WAS lying on a bed of snow! Where the hell did that come from?
Then I noticed my wounds were gone. I tried to shake off the snow that was stuck on my body, but I was too weak to do anything.
Besides, it was very cold and my hands were literally numb. So I decided to sit up.
Once I sat up, I realized that a blue and white figure seemed to have its glance fixed on me. Once my sight adapted a bit, I was left with no words.
"Y...You...Are...A..A.."
That's right! The legendary ice bird was indeed staring at me!
"I'm Articuno! Nice to meet you!" it said in a cheerful tone. "It's good that you woke up!"
"What?" I said. "How the hell did you get me here?"
Articuno looked away. I don't know why, but I could feel that it was embarrassed. It was an odd feeling, but since I had tried to see Articuno for a long time, I didn't notice the little details.
I slowly stood up, but Articuno told me, "Don't move!"
I followed its orders, while trying to figure out what was going on. Maybe I wasn't supposed to move, as it thought that maybe I needed more healing.
I obeyed as I wondered how the heck did this happen. But then I realized that it probably wasn't Articuno's will at all. There was nobody to blame, except for myself.
Because I wanted to see this beautiful creature, the one whom I desired to watch so much, I got myself all the way here, to the island. I was in danger, and Articuno probably came to save me from a certain death.
As I remembered all the previous experiences, I started to panic, asking myself, "Am I dead?"
"You should calm down," Articuno told me.
Then I remembered where I was, and I breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank God!" I whispered to myself.
Once I managed to calm down, I asked, "Where are we? Is this your home?"
Articuno answered, "This is my home. And yes, this is my nest."
"Nest?" I asked.
"Yes," Articuno replied. "My nest. You see, I'm a bird after all, so I need a place to rest from time to time. When I migrate, I build a little hut near the coast, but you can't call it a home, because I'm not living there. I just need somewhere to rest from time to time."
"A hut?" I asked. "And how did you make this place? I'm impressed by your powers."
"Well, I'm not exactly sure how it happened," Articuno said. "I needed a place to rest, so I created it suddenly one day, like that."
"So you're saying that this is magic?" I asked, excitedly.
"No, no, no, not magic," Articuno said. "It's called the power of nature. Humans can't control it well, but I can use it sometimes, like now."
"Oh, I see." I said. "You used your powers? Wow, that is amazing!"
"Well, I'm not the only one," Articuno said. "There are others who can use them."
"Who?" I asked.
"Other pokemon from all types!" Articuno replied. "Some are born with the ability. Others have to learn it."
"Wow, that's even more impressive," I said. "I don't understand how humans can't use such abilities."
"I don't either," Articuno said. "I'm able to manipulate the laws of physics. For example, if you want to create a lake, you just need to focus your energy to change the shape of the water's surface. It's quite simple."
"Wow, you are so smart," I said. "Are you a god or something?"
"Not exactly," Articuno said. "Actually, I'm just special, as far as I know."
"Special?" I asked. "How?"
"Well, I think you already found out about my powers," Articuno said. "But there are some other things that you might not know about me."
"Like what?" I asked.
"For example, I possess the power to create and freeze anything," Articuno said. "I can also create things, like ice and snow, forming icicles or glaciers. I can also make icebergs, but I restrain from doing so, as it causes severe damage to ships during storms. Also, I can cause changes in the weather itself, creating rainstorms, snowstorms, and winds."
"Really?!" I exclaimed. "That sounds incredible!"
"It does," Articuno said. "And I can do many other things."
"Can you tell me more?" I asked. "I mean, I want to learn more about you."
"Sure," Articuno replied. "But will you promise to be loyal to me?"
"Of course I will!" I said. "I'll never betray you!"
"Good boy," Articuno said.
I continued: "Now, let's get back to the question at hand: Where are we?"
"We're in Kumere Archipielago. It's somewhat distant from Doran," It said. "You can't see it from here."
"Really?" I asked. "Yes. I saved you and brought you here. You were lucky enough to survive the storm that hit the island."
I was speechless.
"Well, Doran is three-hundred miles away from where you collapsed," Articuno explained. "You were lucky to survive. Apparently, people usually die when they try to travel through the mountains during the winters."
"I guess so," I said. "It was nonsense to try to do what I did. But I'm glad to be alive after all."
"You should thank me," Articuno said. "But it's not over yet. We still have to get to Kanto."
"Kanto? Why?" I asked.
"I have to go there to rest in order to survive," Articuno said. "I depart from Doran in no time. Anyway, you should hurry up. You must be prepared for the great migration."
"The great migration?" I asked. "What do you mean?"
Articuno explained to him: "Every year, I go from Kanto to Doran to spend winter. When spring comes, I head back to Kanto and wait until autumn. In the end, it's my own cycle of life. Well, maybe not entirely, since I'm limited by the migrations of the birds."
"Wow, that's amazing," I said. "So, anyway, why are you telling me all this?"
"Because I want you to come with me," Articuno said. "By the way, you can call me Arti."
"Thank you!" I said. This was a true miracle!
"Thank you, sweetie," Arti said. "Let's go."
"Where?" I asked.
"To Kanto" she said. "I'll flight you there!"
"Wait!" I said. "But... If you migrate to Kanto... How far it's Kanto from here?"
"It's in the other hemisphere, about 10000 miles away."
"WHAT?!"
"That's why I said you should come with me," Arti said. "I'm flying us there."
"What?!" I shouted. "Can you fly with me riding on you?"
"Yes," Arti replied. "Don't worry, I won't crash. I'm a very experienced flier. In addition, I do the great migration twice a year. Now, if there's no more questions, get ready to take off."
"Okay!" I said.
"You'll be fine. As long as you hold on to me, you won't fall. I promise."
I smiled at her. "Okay! Let's fly together!"
"Great!" Arti said. "Just hold on tight!"
And so it took off in the air, carrying both of us. I looked at the ground below and realized that we were moving at an incredible speed. The wind blew all around us, and the ground got further and further away.
"Are we really going to Kanto?" I asked.
"Well, yes," Arti replied. "It takes time for me to cross the ocean and land on the other side. But I'm sure we'll make it in time."
"Oh good!" I said. "How much will it take to get there!"
"It takes five continuous days of soaring above the clouds."
"Wow..." I exclaimed. "Well, we have enough time to meet each other then!"
"Good," Arti said. "But remember to hold on to me as tight as possible. You're not used to this yet!"
"Okay!" I said. "I'll try!"
It flew for a while without saying anything, until it suddenly talked again.
"Do you like being up here?" she asked.
"Yes!" I replied. "It's amazing!"
"I know," Arti said. "Flying through the clouds is one of my favorite things to do."
"I love it!" I said. It was already at night, and the moonlight reflected on the clouds which laid below us. The sky was full of stars, and it was beautiful!
"I like it because every time I go through the clouds, I feel free."
"Free?" I asked.
"Yeah," Arti said. "Free from all the rules that bind other terrestrial pokemon. There are no laws in the skies above, and nobody can stop me. I'm flying wherever I want, whenever I want. That's why I love to fly."
"Wow!" I said. "It's wonderful!"
Articuno looked at me with big eyes.
"You're really cute, sweetie!" it said. "Thank you for coming with me!"
I smiled. "Thank you for taking care of me!"
"Don't mention it," Articuno said.
Hours passed by while we flew together. We were heading towards the other side of Earth.
But what was the most mind breaking fact for me was that Arti was able to glide without flapping her wings for hours! It was incredible! How could she do that?
"How does it work?" I asked.
"Well..." Arti said. "The wind currents miles above the ground are very strong. They drive me through the air like water does with a boat."
"So you just fly on top of them?" I asked.
"Yeah," Articuno said. "They're so strong that I can stay aloft forever."
"This is really amazing!" I exclaimed. "I wish I was born the same species as you!"
Arti laughed. "Sweetie, there's nothing more beautiful than living your life as yourself! You should never try to be someone else. Live your life as you want and just focus on being happy!"
"I agree," I said. "That's what life is all about!"
It nodded. "When you're happy, that makes me happy too."
We flew for hours, enjoying each other's company. We kept looking at the stars, and talking.
I couldn't believe my eyes when the sun started to rise! We were still thousands of miles away from Kanto, but we had made a lot of progress.
It was clear that we had already left the continent, as all that could be seen was the sea below us.
"This is amazing!" I shouted. "I don't even know where I am right now!"
"You're in the air," Arti replied as it laughed at its own joke. "We must be nearing the equator by now."
I looked around. To my surprise, everything around me seemed to be bright blue! The clear sight of the ocean extending as far as my sight could reach was truly breathtaking!
Arti was flying towards the other side of Earth. I felt so scared, and yet excited at the same time. This was something I never expected to see!
"Arti, where will we exactly land?" I asked.
"We will land at Seafoam Islands. It will take about four days more to get there," she said. "Then, we'll have enough time to enjoy our holiday until next year."
"What?!" I shouted. "A whole year?!"
"Yes," Arti replied. "We can live together for that long. Together forever!"
"Oh wow!" I exclaimed. "Arti, this is amazing! Thank you so much!"
"Don't mention it," Arti said. "Now hold on tight and enjoy the flight, sweetie!"
And so we continued our journey through the sky. We kept talking and laughing as we flew higher and higher above the clouds.
During the next hours, I discovered some interesting things about Arti, such as it had two 'siblings' and that it was a female. I was a bit shocked at the fact, as there was nearly no data about the legendaries' genders.
Meanwhile, Arti would keep up with her speed for endless hours, as the sun set, and another night passed. I was starting to feel the effect of the lack of sleep, as I was logically unable to sleep, holding on tightly to Arti's body
But I didn't care anymore. I was enjoying myself. I just wanted to fly with Articuno for as long as possible!
"Arti..." I said. "I'm really enjoying this..."
"Me too," she replied.
I smiled then. "Flying through the air like this is a dream come true!"
She laughed a bit and answered. "Sweetie, when we get back home, you have to meet my family!"
I frowned. "Are you sure?"
"Yes," Articuno said. "They're really nice birds! They'll love you!"
I nodded. "Okay..."
We continued flying together for three days more. We laughed and talked all the way! It was so much fun to be around someone who understood me completely! And I couldn't believe that we were going to spend a whole year together!
Finally, after what seemed an eternity, I could devise land far away, near the horizon. It must be where we were heading to!
"Arti! I can see land over there!" I shouted.
"You're right!" she said. "That's where New Poke City is!"
"Oh my god!" I exclaimed. "It looks amazing! Kanto is not so far from here, right?"
"No," Articuno said. "It's only a twelve hours' flight. We can start flying lower, if you want."
I nodded excitedly. "Yes! Let's go!"
We started flying lower as we approached our destination. It was incredible to see the city from high above!
I could see some very touristic landmarks from above, such as the Still Woman of Liberty or the Pokemon State Building.
"Are you ready for the final part of your journey, sweetie?" Arti asked.
"Yes!" I said. "Let's take it slow until we arrive in Kanto!"
"Okay," she said. "We are about to arrive, sweetie!"
And as she said earlier, twelve hours later, Arti told me about a pure white island which could be seen far away.
"Is that Kanto?" I asked her.
"Yes!" Articuno said. "They are the Seafoam Islands!"
I felt my stomach turning inside out from the thought of how far from home I was right now. "Ready for the last part of the journey?!" She said in a jokey tone.
"Yeah!" I shouted. "Let's go!"
We flew towards the islands, which were barely visible from afar. Suddenly, as we were just above them, Arti started to fly completely upwards, for minutes, as high as she could!
"What?!" I shouted. "What are you doing?!"
"Just watch!" Articuno replied. We were flying so high that we were reaching the outer limits of the stratosphere!
I also started to feel the lack of oxygen at high altitudes and began to feel sick. Soon, I couldn't even breathe anymore! My body was starting to get colder and weaker.
Then, Arti just stopped in mid-air and started to dive as fast as she could!
"Waaaaah!" I screamed. "Arti! What the hell are you doing?!"
She didn't answer. She only continued diving downwards. I closed my eyes, as I saw the ground quickly getting closer and closer. I felt my heart racing faster than ever before!
"No!" I shouted. "Arti! You're going to kill us both!"
Then, as I thought we were about to crash, Arti suddenly spread her wings and slowed down our fall.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, we landed on top of the tallest mountain on the island.
"We made it!" Articuno said. "We're here."
