Carrie shrugged her brown and orange pack over her shoulders. Her aunt and uncle gave their farewells and watched as their beloved niece made her way out into the Sinnoh region. A smile on her face, Carrie headed to the local Pokémon center.
While she wasn't going to challenge the Pokémon league itself the tournament, she still wanted to battle gym leaders. Carrie grew an interest in seeing other gyms and grew a desire to see how other gyms worked compared to Snowpoint City.
The doors opened. Walking in and kicking off the snow, she approached the front counter. Nurse Joy faced her with a smile.
"Hello! How can I help?"
"Hi Nurse Joy! I'm here to enter the gym challenge, no league tournament."
Nurse Joy simply smiled. "Okay! I just need some identification papers from you as well as a written recommendation from either a professor or gym leader!"
Carrie rummaged through her bag and handed over two legal forms as well as a letter Candice wrote, endorsing Carrie to challenge the Sinnoh gym leaders. Nurse Joy took the documents and began making copies and filling out registration forms on her end.
"Sign here, initial there, and one last signature at the bottom!"
Nurse Joy handed over a small stapled packet of registration forms. Carrie took the small packet of papers and pen, following Nurse Joy's instructions. Clicking the pen signifying she finished she handed it back to Nurse Joy.
"Thank you! Please wait ten minutes and I'll have a gym challenge license for you!"
Carrie nodded and sat on a nearby bench. Her scar running up her cheek felt like it was burning. People were staring at her face. She had rolled her sleeves up given the heat of the Pokémon Center, but she rolled them down to hide her scars.
People came and went. Some with friends, others alone like her. Some with injured Pokémon, others healed. Carrie simply soaked in the atmosphere around her. This was going to be her new life. She felt her heart beat faster as a smile hit her face.
"Carrie Price? Please come to the counter!"
The white haired teen approached the main counter. Nurse Joy handed a small pendant to Carrie as well as a legal card that signified she was challenging the Sinnoh gyms. The pendant was in the shape of the Sinnoh beast.
She remembered the statue in Eterna City.
"There you go! You're all set! Good luck on your journey! Show that ID card to have free stays at any Pokémon center in the world!"
Carrie bowed and thanked Nurse Joy. The nurse expressed appreciation for the teen. Carrie made her way back outside and took in a breath of fresh air.
This was it. This was really happening.
"Let's fucking go!" Carrie said in excitement.
Carrie made her way to the Lake Acuity lakefront. The forest felt so…alive. It was wonderful. Snow blew and Carrie giggled. This is what she wanted. This is what she needed.
She needed to find herself. She needed to find Chien-Pao.
Suddenly, Carrie saw a dark figure in the tree line near the path to the lake. Whatever it was, it was tall. A long cloak hid the features, but two emerald green eyes pierced out at her. She felt her heart skip a beat. Carrie blinked and it vanished. Another wind gust blew and Carrie didn't feel so strong.
"Moonya, c-come out please," she said somewhat timidly. Her faithful companion appeared and took in the area. The area around Lake Acuity was always her favorite. The Froslass smiled at fond memories.
It felt as if something got closer to them. Moonya got defensive and Carrie's skin got goosebumps. The cloaked figure stood closer to her, away from the tree line but still a good distance away. The arms were down and holding Pokeballs.
Carrie put on a brave face and made a battle stance. Moonya did the same, floating protectively in front of her trainer.
As quick as it came, it left. Carrie knew it was gone. Despite the November air, she didn't have goose bumps and she felt normal. No more threat.
"That was odd, let's keep moving. We have a long way to go if we want to get down the range and to the main areas of the region," Carrie said as she trudged forward. Moonya's eyes were fixed on where the being had stood. Blinking, she fell out of the minor trance and went after her trainer.
Moonya had a feeling that wasn't the last time they'd encounter that thing.
They pressed onward. Carrie's smile returned to her face. The sun shone and the wind was biting but this is what Carrie loved. The cold, the snow, wintery mixes, this made her feel whole and complete. Working under Candice as well, it wasn't a total shock she was an ice trainer. She lived in the perfect area to encounter them.
"Fros," the ghost type called to her trainer. "What's up Moonya?" Carrie turned, her white hair blowing in her face despite the beanie.
"Lass," she pointed in the distance. Snowpoint Ruins; a place hardly anyone went to. It was located west past the Lake Acuity lakefront, and they'd unknowingly made their way that way.
"Let's check it out. Maybe Boreas can help too? I'll call them out once we're closer," Carrie said. Froslass gave a worried glance. She felt they shouldn't go there. A great and terrible thing was there, something she couldn't put her icy hand on.
Trudging through the snow, the sun was starting to wane in the sky. The trees seemed to loom as the afternoon was disappearing. Carrie drank from her bottle and let Froslass have some.
"Pretty cool, isn't it?" Carrie said in wonder. Froslass nodded, unsure of how to explain her anxieties.
The entrance to the fortress was foreboding, much larger up close than the distance they had previously been at. Tall columns fortified the ruined entrance, which was wide open. The inky darkness inside was welcoming and the incredibly large doorway sure showed a lot of it.
"Nobody seems to be here. Why is it open?" Carrie wondered. Well, if it's open, maybe it's meant for them to go in?
Froslass already knew where her trainer was going with this.
"Lass!" She said frantically, floating in front of the doorway and waving her arms 'no'.
"Got a bad feeling?" Carrie floated out.
Froslass nodded in agreement.
"Me too. Something's wrong here. Boreas, let's get you out here too." She released her Type:Null who stretched it's legs. The Froslass smiled at her companion which Boreas returned.
"Alright you two, guards up. We are gonna go in, we're gonna need some sort of shelter. Moonya, think you can provide some light? Boreas, you're our guard and muscle."
Moonya slightly pouted but she knew the truth strength of Boreas.
"Don't pout, you know we need a light source."
Moonya nodded, knowing fully well the task at hand. What was at stake. Boreas nodded. Finally! Showing their true power. Whatever this place was, Boreas didn't like it. Something was here. Something big.
They turned to the entrance, and immersed themselves into the darkness. Moonya lit up the haphazardly arranged torches that lined the walls with mini Will-o-wisps. The stone was cold and quiet, nothing had been in here for years. It was just a straight hallway, some closed off rooms randomly appearing but nothing of intrigue.
"This is…weird." Carrie was used to the forest, always alive with the sounds of Mother Nature. But this temple, this ruin, it was too quiet. Too still.
"Let's turn back. We can camp outside behind a pillar."
A torch fell and rolled, landing near an oddly shaped rock. Carrie picked up both the torch and rock, using the orange glow to illuminate.
"Huh…interesting design." There was a wavy imprint. A fossil! "I've always wanted to find one! It's like it fell into our lap! Bitchin!" Carrie laughed. Boreas growled. She lowered the torch as Moonya took a battle stance too.
A Sneasel appeared. It looked tired, desperate, and hungry. Not savage hungry, but starvation hungry.
"It's okay you two," Carrie put the fossil in her bag and slowly approached. The Sneasel must've snuck in behind them she thought. It was pressed against the wall, eyes wider than saucers.
"Hey, it's okay buddy. Here, I might have a berry or two for you, everything's okay," she said in a hushed tone. Boreas and Moonya were aware of the sneaky and aggressive nature of such Pokémon. Both were ready to attack. Carrie calmly put her bag on the stone floor and pulled out a few oran berries.
"Here, might be a bit tart but enjoy! Hopefully you can find some more food," Carrie said with a smile. Sneasel looked at the food then looked at her. Gingerly, it ate the berries. Already looking better, Sneasel smiled and made a gesture, showing appreciation.
"It's okay dude, just take better care of yourself."
Sneasel nodded and tentatively left. Carrie stood up and shouldered her bag.
"I appreciate you both. Let's get back outside and follow that Sneasel. He might need more help by the time we get back. He was in bad shape."
Following the way they came in, the trio eventually found their way back outside. The temperature had dropped a bit, but Carrie had so many layers it didn't affect her too much. Froslass was thriving, but Boreas was not comfortable.
"Why don't you return buddy? We'll be okay, but you aren't used to this yet." Boreas begrudgingly nodded and Carrie returned him.
The wind howled outside of the temple furiously. Snow whipped and lashed at the ancient rock trying to break it. The trees refused to submit to the will of mother nature. Carrie smiled bitterly at the scene. Moonya looked out with her.
Carrie pointed to a pillar immediately to the left of the entrance. "How about we pitch the tent next to that one? It'll help keep us sheltered. I don't want to sleep inside here. No sign of that Sneasel either, hopefully he's okay. Not much we can do at this point." Moonya nodded in agreement. Something was off about that place. There was something else there hidden deep within.
Snow hit the tent furiously but Carrie felt calm. Winter was her favorite season. While it wasn't technically winter, the weather in Snowpoint City and the surrounding areas always felt that way. Her watch read 9 in the evening. She had pitched her tent to be attached to the pillar and the wall of the ruin. Wind gusts would occasionally hit but nothing she couldn't endure.
Carrie had multiple layers with her. A small portable heater too. It felt like her bag was bottomless and could carry everything. She had Moonya in her Pokéball so she was alone with her thoughts. She took out her journal and began to write. It had been a while since she wrote, but it always helped her feel better.
Now that she was alone, this had to be a companion too.
After writing and talking with her Aunt, she decided it was time to sleep. Her tent had a little window so she could see outside above. Sure it was just a stone ceiling but she felt close to nature.
The sun was harsh off the snow. Carrie tossed and turned. She didn't sleep too well but she was going to have to get used to this. The window made a blind spot for her as it brought in incredible amounts of lights. She sat up and stretched, lightly yawning.
Being on her own, she almost forgot about everything. She was living in the moment, as if she was normal. She didn't worry about her scars either. The ones on her face bothered her the most. Everything else could be covered up, but the ones on her face were out there. Especially the one on her check. It was one of the most gruesome ones she had. When she got to Snowpoint she had no understanding of makeup. It was futile since she arrived.
But now? She felt a bit more confident. Carrie couldn't change the past, but she was making her future in the present. That's all she ever wanted.
She brushed her hair and got dressed, making sure to brush her teeth too. She donned the beanie but brushed her ice white hair behind to protect her neck. She wrapped a blue scarf around her neck and chin and put on some sunglasses. Snow blindness is real.
Getting everything packed up, she zipped up her parka over her blue overalls and released Moonya. The Froslass stretched and smiled at her companion.
"Morning Moonya! I'm gonna let Boreas stay in his Pokéball a bit. I know he needs to acclimate to the weather, but I'm gonna wait for the afternoon when it's a tad warmer."
Moonya nodded and they set off. Carrie thought about the fossil she found inside of the ruins. "What do you think the Pokémon will be? It isn't a skull or armor fossil. Maybe it's a different one?"
"Lass?" Froslass just shrugged. Despite their close bond, there was a language barrier. Moonya couldn't really communicate with her besides simple gestures and basic pronunciations. But nevertheless, they were rocks for each other. She'd do the best she could for Carrie.
"Maybe. We'll have to go to Oreburgh to revive it. Oh this is going to be great!" Carrie said with glee kicking a pile of snow. Froslass simply smiled. It'd been a while since she had seen Carrie this joyful.
What really caused a mental decline was when Carrie's only friend, Jennifer, cut Carrie off. No word, no reason, just said they couldn't be friends. Carrie smiled through the pain until she got home.
Moonya was just happy to see her enjoying herself again.
"We're still here at Acuity Lakefront, wanna go see the water?" Moonya nodded. That'd be splendid!
Eventually they hit a fork in the road. One path led to Route 217, another to Snowpoint City, and the last way to Lake Acuity. Taking the path to the left, they went to Lake Acuity.
The path was straightforward. Towering coniferous trees added to the wintery atmosphere. Carrie felt home. Moonya enjoyed the weather too. It was perfect.
The water soon appeared. Carrie always enjoyed coming here. After what happened with Jennifer, Carrie came here often. The two approached the shore line where Carrie crouched down.
"This is the last time we'll be here for a while, Moonya."
The ice type floated down and placed a hand on her trainer's back. "Lass."
Carrie smiled at the touch. Her cheek scar felt like it was burning. "I know. We will be back. I'm just going to miss my happy place."
"Fross," Moonya said sympathetically. She'd miss this area too, but she was excited to explore!
"You're right, we should look forward to exploring! Plus we'll catch some new team members," Carrie said with a smile. She stood up and looked at the sky. The sun's warmth not able to cut through.
They stood there watching the small waves lap at the shoreline.
"Everything's gonna be okay, right?" Carrie looked at Moonya.
The Froslass gave a confused look. "Lass?"
"What I mean is, do you think this is the right choice?"
Moonya immediately nodded. "Lass, fros fros lass!"
Carrie smiled. "I agree, getting out and seeing more cities and towns will be great. It's gonna be scary. With you and Boreas at my side, we'll kick major ass! Think of all the new teammates we'll find too!"
Froslass smiled. "Lass!"
"Thanks Moonya, you always know what to say," Carrie said as she took a deep breath.
"Ready to head out?" Moonya nodded. Carrie gathered herself and gave one last look at the lake.
"We'll be back soon, hopefully. I'll see you again," she said fleeting words to the body of water. The waves simply hit the shore softly. Carrie smiled.
"Let's go, Moonya."
They left, going back to the crossroads in a short amount of time.
"Well, I guess we go to Route 217 and make our way to the main region."
Moonya floated next to her trainer. They got this, she was sure of it. The ice type had a feeling things were going to get interesting on their journey.
Together they made their way onto Route 217, heading to the heart of the Sinnoh Region.