As they went up, both the wind and the snow increased. Ice began to coat the rocks more frequently, and it got harder to even stay on the cliff face, let along climb up it. Typhlosion began to slide back down as his claws slipped. He dug them in harder with a low growl, straining his muscles to go on.

Typhlosion snarled at the challenging terrain, and pushed himself harder. The elements continued to rage more and more ferociously, and it became more and more difficult to stay latched to the rocks. They were about halfway up, but there was still a long way to go. Lyra noticed that they were having trouble climbing on the small slippery ledges. She called a command into Typhlosion's ear to make sure it didn't drift away, and moved down the Pokemon's back as they stopped. A fire suddenly roared on her Pokemon's neck, the fire licking at her. A hissing sound echoed, and the fire died down back into the Pokemon's internal system. Lyra clambered fully onto her Pokemon again, hesitant to see what would happen. Rocks could have been sealed to the mountain by ice, and breaking that bond might've sent a rockslide upon them. However, all seemed normal, except for the rough storm. They continued more quickly.

The top was in sight, Lyra noticed, after peering through the storm nonstop. Snow and ice had frozen in her hair and eyelashes. Even Typhlosion's heat couldn't seem to fight back the cold as she began to feel his body temperature drop with her own. "Almost there!" She cheered, and he grunted in response. His claws scratched rhythmically into the surface, the continuous sound seeming to mix into a melody.

She smiled slightly.

CHHHH...

Typhlosion stopped short. His claw was digging into a rock that seemed oddly bulging from the mountain. He tried to pull it out slowly, which resulted in slow crackling sounds. He stopped, but the sound didn't. The slope began to fall away above them, and cracks began to split in between Typhlosion's paws.

Typhlosion barely had time to push off the cliff and jump to the side, where he gripped his nails once again into the ledge. The entire right side of the cliff began to fall away, and Lyra screamed down to the bottom of the slope. She thought her words were lost in the howling blizzard, but a familiarly large, white glow faintly became visible, and she smiled. Houndoom had heard her and was able to use Protect in time. Typhlosion was also looking down. He nodded, satisfied, and continued up the mountain. It took about twenty-five more minutes, but none other unfortunate events occurred, and Typhlosion finally grappled the edge of the cliff with his claws. He clambered up the remaining slope, and Lyra gifted him with a thankful hug before continuing on up a mild slope.

Soon the wind began to die down, and two rock walls appeared on the edges of the mountain. Between them the wind was eerily calm. The snow also subsided to a slow decent, and as Lyra shuffled through the soft layers she noticed a grey, stone path of carefully placed slate. It was the first touch of human existence on the mountain. Near the edges of the path were odd berries that seemed to look like cherries, and she plucked a few. Green would want to look at them.

The end of the sheltered path came into view steadily. Lyra and Typhlosion could see that the sun was going down, and shadows began to creep from the rocky ledges.

Finally they made it to a clearing that seemed strangely flat, besides some steps and another platform made of stone. It overlooked the whole mountain, and looked as if it fell off into the snowy nothingness. Lyra suddenly froze, Typhlosion, who had been following behind, following suit as they both stared in awe. A figure was watching the sun set below the clouds, standing utterly still. His back was to them, but they could see his thin frame, jet-black hair, and red jacket easily. Red was alive.

Lyra stood as still as a statue, not daring to take a breath. Red didn't seem to notice her presence, yet her heart thundered with excitement and nervousness. She took a hesitant step forward. No reaction. Lyra didn't know if that was good or bad. Typhlosion stayed at the mouth of the valley-like tunnel.

Steadily she continued onward, stepping carefully and trying to keep her snow boots quiet. The soft snow muffled most of the sound, though, and she was able to make it to the steps without being noticed. Red hand seemed to twitch as she set her boot on the stone, making a small thumping sound against the rock. She looked to the movement, and noticed something about his hands that made her flinch. They were blackened by the cold, most likely frostbite, but she had never seen it in person. It looked painful.

His head moved soon after, and he barely took a glance over his shoulder at her before bluntly ignoring that she was even there. His eyes were shockingly cold for how they blazed with red color. She stepped forward nervously, and came to stand next to him quietly. He refused to look at her, and stared into the array of colors that was the sunset. Lyra glanced at him.

"You're Red, right?" She asked quietly. He twitched irritably. She thought to herself that her question was a stupid one. Lyra looked down at her hands, where his hat was clutched in her fingers. She blinked at it, and held it out to him. "This is yours."

Red finally decided to look at her, and his gaze looked venomous, but as he glanced at the item in her hand his eyes softened. He tried to take it, but came across a bit of trouble; his fingers seemed frozen stiff. Lyra smiled softly, bashfully bringing the hat to his head for him. Red surprisingly let her, and she secured it firmly on his head. Lyra's hand brushed his cheek as she pulled away, and he flinched.

It ... burned. Red's knees abruptly went weak, and he collapsed to the snow smeared rock. Lyra gasped beside him, and kneeled quickly, timidly grabbing his shoulder. "Red…?"

His eyes flickered closed.