This story will be a series of one-shots based on moments from Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Avalanche Buddies. If you want more context, please read the main story. That being said, I do not intend to release any bonus scenes that spoil the main story.

This first secret scene takes place during Chapter 3 of the main story, which I released earlier today.

I would love to hear what you think of this, as well as the base story. Enjoy.


The Lucario panted as he dashed back towards the condo. Really, "dash" is a bit of a strong word, considering the stitch that had formed in his side.

Not to mention his chest. Kaz's chest felt as though it had been crushed, a reminder of the "Darwin Award" he'd nearly won yesterday. Never be so foolish again, it seemed to say.

His mind racing with thoughts of the Golden Beacon, that mythical artifact that some claimed existed, some flatly denied, Kaz reached the front door of the condo. It was the sort of chalet typical of Central Sinnoh, consisting mostly of wood and stone. In other words, the perfect Christmas building.

It might be Christmas Eve, Kaz thought bitterly as he climbed the steps, but I don't feel like celebrating.

Still short of breath, the Lucario scanned the ground for the key. Really, though, it was foolish to think the key would be on the front steps. If he'd owned this condo, he would keep the key in as remote a location as possible, to make sure nobody could break in without his permission.

I'm not going to do any damage to the door. But if I don't, it seems likely that I locked myself outside.

Kaz kicked himself, both literally and metaphorically, for not thinking to take that one simple action that would have prevented so much anguish. If he hadn't left it inside, he wouldn't be trapped outside now.

Oh, wait. There's a key taped to the grill - didn't the guy who rented this place to us tell us that before we arrived?

Indeed, the key was exactly where their "landlord" said it would be. Kaz face-pawed at this simple mistake.

Once back inside the warmth of the condo, Kaz decided that the best thing to do would be to start a fire. He'd tend to it, making sure it didn't get out of hand and threaten to burn the condo down, but it would be the best way to calm his racing brain…right?

Well, not exactly.

One look at the germ of flame that rested on the logs was enough for him to understand just how narrow a margin they all lived on. In other words, if one small thing were to go wrong, a 'mon wouldn't live to tell the tale.

It was that simple.

Kaz pulled his laptop out of his backpack and opened his email. He frowned as he saw that there were several missed messages.

They miss me back home, don't they?

One email was from his mother.

Dear Kaz,

I hope this message finds you well. I'm writing to express my hopes that you're having an excellent time in the Coronet Range. Hopefully the others are treating you well.

Admittedly, I was a bit squeamish at the thought of you going on a trip like this. I know you're twenty-one now, but that doesn't mean I'm not still your mother. That doesn't mean I waive my right to worry about you.

Stay safe, okay?

Love, Mom

Some of the messages, namely those from the other housekeepers, could be left alone. This wasn't one of them - Kaz felt a moral obligation to ensure that this message was addressed.

Tears filled the Lucario's eyes. As much as he wanted to project bravado (not that there was anyone watching him right now), there was something rather emotional about getting a message from home like that. It was more than enough to break you down if you let it.

More than that, Kaz understood that he'd let his mother down. He hadn't kept his vow to stay safe that day - the dented spike on his chest served as a reminder of that unfortunate fact. It was a broken promise, a betrayal.

Trying not to sniffle too much, so as not to wake Alicia, Raine, and Donatello, the Lucario typed a response to his mother. His digits were quaking so much that he made numerous errors, but the product would be worth it once he'd corrected them, so he persisted.

Dear Mom,

I'm doing fine. You're still on my mind every day I'm out here. People from humbler means than us say that they never forget where they came from. Well, that applies to me too.

I'm sorry that I'm not home for Christmas. I hope you'll understand that I wanted to do something apart from the family for a change, and I wanted to prove that skiing's still my sport. That being said, I love you to the end of Nexus.

Love, your son, Kaz

For Kaz, even typing that message felt like stabbing himself in the heart, which would have been extra-painful for obvious reasons.

He was telling a lie. Perhaps it was a lie of omission, but that didn't absolve him of guilt. Far from it; with a lie, his mother would still probably suss out that it wasn't true. A lie of omission was a far more egregious deception.

I'm making a mistake yet again, aren't I?

As soon as Kaz sent the email, he felt like he'd been punched in the gut. He sank back into the armchair, tears streaming down his snout.

Not long after that, Kaz sank into a winter's nap, visions of Mystery Dungeons dancing in his head.