Remember that in life we find love that is often short lived in our lives, but it is in death that we truly realize how important that fleeting period of love is worth~
=Love's Destiny Bond=
= Human (Derek) / Pokemon (Snowflake) =
(Snowflake's PoV)
"Stay back, I'm warning you!" The frightened human yelled fearfully, shaking a hot iron poker at her, his only defense against the advancing Froslass.
Snowflake grinned as she levitated closer, before wrenching the poker away and snapping it in two, removing his only means of defense that he had found so far. She's been waiting for this moment for so many years, how long she's conspired to bring him here, how much effort it has taken her and so many other nearby ghost Pokemon to ensure they would not be disturbed?
At long last, her revenge was at hand as she drove him into the damaged kitchen.
(You took from me Human… so now I will take from you!) She whispered malevolently to him through telepathy, letting him hear every syllable of her hatred. (You will die here… alone… and nobody will ever realize it. I will be the last thing you see, I will be your last memory before you go to the underworld!)
"St…stay away!" He panicked, grabbing anything within arm's reach and throwing it at her, but because she was a ghost type, all the objects did was pass through her body harmlessly.
Then he grabbed a hidden flare gun that had been buried under a cooking pot. Realizing he had a weapon, he took a panicked aim at her at point blank range, and fired.
-Peeeeeeew-
There was silence as she felt a burning hole in her chest, right where her metaphorical heart was. The heart that contained her love for the one that owned this refuge, that always let anyone stay for free, and always warmed her up with just a mere touch.
*It feels… warm…* She thought as she slowly backed away in pain, losing height as she felt the pain growing.
Then she collapsed on the ground, feeling the world growing dimmer, as her body became weaker from the incendiary round.
The only weapon in the entire building that could possibly have killed her, its original purpose was meant to signal for rescue. Now it would signal her death.
The death, she has been waiting for, for so very long.
=Several Years Ago=
*Narrator*
[In the Kalos region, along Route 17, many travelers find themselves facing difficult times while traversing the snow ridden roads along the route that often suffers from snowstorms. So hard the snow falls that one cannot walk a foot without their footprints being concealed by ever increasing snow fall. A traveler can also barely see an inch in front of their faces in some of the harsher snowstorms. However there are some that find such places comforting and perfect for living, such as can be found in the famous Route 17 Lodge, run by a person from Hoenn along with his ghost Pokemon.]
[This lodge became known as a haven for those traveling the route as a resting place, where travelers could stop for the night and enjoy the comforts of a warm, welcoming home in the snow storm areas. Many stopped there for the comfort of a warm bed in a cold night, or for the sweet smelling food that was cooked there every day. No matter what though, all of them agreed, that one of the main reasons they stopped there, was because of the warm, homey feeling seeing Snowflake the Froslass, and her Trainer Derek, working together and making everyone feel like one big family. There were other reasons as well, but they all simply loved staying there while traveling.]
[To many, they acted like a husband and wife pair with how they spoke and worked together. Even the many ghost Pokemon roaming the area, guiding travelers to their lodge for the night, their 'children'. But what they see on the surface, is merely what these two let them see.]
(Derek's PoV)
"Alright everyone, soup's on!" He yelled from the kitchen as he finished adding the spices and stirring the large pot.
The smell of Remoraid meat soaking in Salak Berry juice with cinnamon spice and other smells wafted through the kitchen and into the dining room. As he opened the lid and took a whiff, he felt his mouth watering.
(Derek!) He heard a warm voice calling in his mind. (Our visitors are getting hungry, shall I bring out the plates?)
"Yea Snowflake, start pulling out the plates while I take this out!" He yelled as he put on his heavy mittens to carry the pot safely.
He grunted as he lifted the pot up and slowly walked into the large dining hall of their lodge.
In the large dining hall were several dozen tables and chairs, with a small fireplace burning off to the side, and several radios blasting warm music to listen to while Trainers and their Pokemon lounged around and warmed up as the snowstorm raged on outside. Around the various tables were tabletop games, like checkers, cards, even a foosball table for guests to while away the time. "Hey everyone, ready for dinner?" He asked as a Froslass floated out of the nearby storeroom with plates, forks, spoons, and cups.
"Dinner, man we've been starving for a warm meal since we left from Anistar City three days ago!" One young man said as he ran over with his Glaceon.
"Yea, tell me about it, a warm meal out there is like, not frozen!" A young woman said as she walked over with her Mightyena.
"Pal, we owe you so much for running this lodge." Another young man said as he and his Weavile walked over calmly. "Are you sure you don't want to charge us a dime for this treatment? I don't mind paying to stay the night here."
(No need my fellow snowflakes, its free!) Snowflake said with a smile as she handed out plates for everyone. (If you really want to though, there's a tip jar over there you can leave any donations to help us keep this place going.)
"Yea, but don't feel like you have to pay if you can't spare any money!" Derek said as he spooned out soup for the trainers and their Pokemon. "I understand that you need to pay for things in the Pokemon League, like medicine and other supplies. We'll still get by as we've always done!"
"No man, we owe you for simply having this place out for trainers like us!" The girl with the Mightyena said as she took her soup and cup of hot chocolate. "Come on Zapper, let's go make a donation before we eat."
"Grawr!" He said with a nod as they walked away.
It warmed his heart as they all walked away and over toward the tip jar and stuffed it with money. In truth the tip jar was really how they paid for everything here at the Route 17 Lodge, it paid for the food, beds, electricity, everything. But for him, the true value in this lodge was the trainers and their Pokemon that returned again and again while traveling.
"Alright Snowflake, let's go get that pie out!" He said to her.
(Alrighty!) She said with a smile.
They left the main dining hall and back into the kitchen, heading to the stove and opening it, revealing a beautifully made Oran Berry Pot Pie. It smelled wonderful, exactly the sweet needed on a cold night. He pulled it out and carried it off to the dining hall, before looking around and smiling at the various trainers staying there.
His lodge had enough beds upstairs to hold roughly eight visitors for the night, but if he must he could always make room down here. However there was another reason why this lodge existed, especially in such a remote area of Route 17.
He smirked and walked back to the kitchen where Snowflake was pouring him a glass of prune juice. She looked so cute to him, wearing an apron around her dress-like body, but this only made him want to grip her tightly, which he did, and spin her around. Caught off guard she gasped in surprise, but quickly giggled and leaned in for a passionate kiss.
(So naughty darling.) She whispered as her cold lips met his warm ones. (So daring as well… what if someone peeks in on us!)
"Oh I don't think anyone will interrupt us!" He whispered as he pointed to the kitchen entrance.
She smiled and with him, peeked around the corner to look at their guests. All of their guests, which was really four trainers, one of whom was late in getting soup for her and her Flygon, were in their little corners of the dining hall enjoying dinner. Each of the pairs were sharing loving snuggles, pecks on the cheeks, or even being bold as to kiss each other on the mouth.
The reason why he had made this lodge was partly because he wanted to have his own lodge on Route 17, but also because he wanted a place where couples like 'him' and 'Snowflake' could be together.
It was true, they were indeed a couple, a secret couple like so many around the world, and he wanted them to have a place where they could be together without fear of being shunned. While occasionally a trainer that wasn't like them entered here, they could easily tell one another at just a glance, so it was pretty easy to keep their secrets secret. He had even gone ahead and made each of the rooms soundproof so that if any pair were in the 'mood' for activity, they could do so without fear of being heard.
This actually improved his business there, as he became a sort of father, and Snowflake a mother, to these couples. They always stopped here time and time again, and word spread around others like them about this place, so that each day he had company and customers to his lodge.
(Your right… they aren't going to interrupt us.) She whispered quietly before tugging him back into the kitchen. (Now where were we?)
"Oh I don't know… you with your arms around mine, and mine around you." He said as he leaned forward and kissed her again.
While they made out she tossed her apron down so that it wasn't in the way. Then he began to get bolder and slipped his hand down her back, rubbing it sensually while drawing closer and closer to the opening under it.
But she grinned and bopped him on the nose, making him stop. (Not right now love… we have guests after all!) She whispered. (Be patient… we can wait until everyone's gone to bed. Besides, we might have more guests with the Shuppets not back yet.)
"Alright Snowflake, but it's been so long since we last did it!" He whispered to her, still kissing her on the lips and holding her close.
(I know… but you can be a little more patient… I promise… tonight alright?) She replied.
"Alright…" He said with a smile, taking off his apron and going back to the storeroom to check on their supplies of blankets.
(Snowflake's PoV)
She smiled as her lover left the kitchen to check on the storehouses, leaving her the task of cleaning dishes from lunch. But she turned from the dishes and looked back out at the dining hall to look at their guests. One of her favorite hobbies was spying on how their guests made out with one another when they didn't have to be afraid of being ridiculed. It gave her ideas for how to 'heat up' her own relationship with Derek, especially in bed.
The Glaceon and her trainer were currently having a tugging match with their mouths over a piece of meat, each grinning at each other as they battled for it. But it ended as they opened their mouths and clamped them together, the piece of Remoraid meat forgotten as they each took a half and swallowed.
The Weavile was currently below her trainer with her clawed hands locked together and her legs clamped around his waist, enjoying a lip locking session that seemed to have no end. She figured those two would be having 'fun' later with how his hips were moving ever so slightly against her groin.
She turned her attention to the female trainers now, and saw that the one with her Mightyena was currently having a tongue wrestling match with him. She always wondered how humans and quadruped type Pokemon did it. Did they do it 'doggy' like she figured, considering the Mightyena species was a 'dog' Pokemon?
She glanced over at the other female human and the Flygon, and saw that they were enjoying rubbing each other's necks while the Flygon's tail was straight as a line and as stiff as a board. She giggled as she realized another couple was also going to be 'in the mood' tonight. Though she prayed to Arceus that the Flygon would control himself… or at least not destroy the bed.
She remembered the last time their lodge allowed a Dragon Type to stay here, that Salamance destroyed half the room with his trainer. She can only scarcely imagine how a young female woman could take such powerful 'thrusts'. It took them a week to fix the room up for a new guest.
Still, it warmed her heart seeing so many couples staying there tonight. She knew that they came here solely for the reason that this place was the only place, in all of Kalos, that she knew of anyway, that welcomed Pokemon and Human couples of any kind. She knew so many couples out there in the world, hiding their feelings and who they are because they don't want to be discovered. If they were found out, the trainers would be arrested, the Pokemon taken away, and their lives together forever lost.
They worked hard to keep the image of a simple lodge, but in secret they used the lodge as a front so Pokemon and Human couples had a place to go, where they could be themselves.
*I know that we can't help everyone, but if even these couples can be happy here for one night together, that's all that matters.* She thought happily as she returned to the dishes.
As she picked up the first dish she got the surprise of her day as a Shuppet floated in through the wall. She nearly dropped the dish and smashed it, but recovered as she glared at the visitor.
"Don't do that!" She said angrily. "You know how we hate it when you Shuppet do that, use the back door or knock before you enter through the wall!"
The Shuppet giggled as it looked at her. "Sorry ma'am." He giggled as several other Shuppets flew in through the wall. "We just came back from our patrol, there aren't any other travelers out there. What we've got here is all we're getting tonight!"
She nodded and went back to the dishes. "Alright, then just go to the storehouses and enjoy your quiet time like always." She said. "And stay away from our room tonight, and the other rooms as always. We don't need you scaring the couples when they're feeling romantic tonight."
"Oh we won't ma'am, we don't like those emotions." Another Shuppet said as they floated out of the kitchen and into the storeroom.
She was actually glad that Shuppets sought out dark emotions, like envy and jealousy. It meant they would always avoid the feelings of love. She often wondered why Derek brought the Shuppet with him from Hoenn, but she knew all too well.
Those particular Shuppet had grown up around his family back in Hoenn, and wherever he went they seemed to follow. Not because he was jealous or envious of others, but simply because he liked them, and they seemed to like hanging out with him. So when he moved from Hoenn to Kalos, and consequentially to Route 17 to make this lodge, the Shuppets followed him.
In total there were seven Shuppets following her and Derek. She also wondered what they did in their spare time.
Fifteen minutes later she had finished the dishes from lunch, and watched as Derek walked in with the empty soup pot and dishes from dinner. He dropped them in the sink, and proceeded to pull her into a loving and passionate kiss.
*Oh… he's so warm…* She thought as she held him tightly with her arms. *So warm… it feels so good~!*
As a Froslass, she had quite a few weaknesses because of her species, but despite one of them being fire and heat, she loved the warmth of her human lover. Whenever his hands caressed her body, his lips touched her own lips, or his tongue wrapped around her own, she felt herself melt in his embrace. She simply couldn't get enough of being in his warm embrace.
She could still remember the day they first became a couple, back in Hoenn. She knew about his feelings for her for several years while they traveled around, trying to find work, but she figured it was simply because she looked 'beautiful'. So she ignored him and disregarded his feelings. But then one day he nearly broke his leg, and she panicked and worried over him for a month.
That was when she found that she had feelings for him as well, and after confessing to him, they became a couple, first simply good friends but slowly they became lovers. Now here she was, years later, and just as in love with him as she was before.
(Not yet Derek… just be a little more patient!) She whispered after they kissed for several minutes, pushing him off her with a grin. (It won't be much longer… I promise!)
"I know." He said as he hugged her close again.
She blushed slightly, but only slightly, as he held her close again.
They separated again and began working on the dishes, occasionally pausing to sneak in kisses on each other's cheeks. Then they heard the sounds of footsteps in the dining hall walking around and up the staircase near the kitchen.
"Hey Derek, we're going upstairs for an early night!" A young male's voice said, but he sounded slightly distracted. "Uh… you'll understand if I ask you to uh… not disturb us alright? We kinda need to sleep… we're really… really tired. Really!"
"No prob man, have a good night!" Derek said with a grin as the footsteps left.
She grinned as well as she heard the last footsteps leaving the dining hall for bed. (I'll finish up here Derek, you go and turn off the lights.) She said to Derek. (I'll see you upstairs~.)
"You got it." He said with a smile, taking his apron off and walking into the dining hall.
With that she was all alone in cleaning dishes, but she didn't mind, this was how they had lived for the last few years here on Route 17. It was their corner of paradise, their little Hall of Origins here in Kalos.
As she finished the dishes she dropped the apron on the kitchen counter and left into the main dining hall. All of the lights were off, but the fireplace still burned. She floated toward the storehouse door, opened it, and down the various shelves to where the Shuppets were staying.
All seven of them were playing cards, something they learned to do by watching her and Derek.
"Yes ma'am?" One of em asked as she floated over.
"I need you to keep the fire going throughout the night, as always." She said with a smile. "I know it's a bit much to ask, but keep putting wood on the fire so it stays going. This place needs to be warm for our guests, especially if we get any midnight travelers."
"Got it ma'am!" Another Shuppet said as she floated out. "Hah, read em weep!"
She heard the other Shuppets groaning and complaining, causing her to giggle while she floated out and toward the staircase to go upstairs. As she went upstairs she paused at the top to see four of their nine rooms had their doors closed. She smirked as she went to the first one and put her ear to the door's keyhole.
"OH yes, right there!" She heard a female Weavile's voice moan loudly while the bed creaked and groaned. "Yes, right there… oh yes… give me your seed, I want to have your egg!"
She giggled slightly as she moved away to let the couple have their privacy, and moved on to the other doors. The second door she only heard snoring, as did the third door tell her. But the fourth door she heard yet more moans and groans coming from two individuals, and of course the bed.
"Right there Drake… yes… harder, HARDER!" She heard a human female voice yell out, but she also heard the sound of wood groaning.
She left the door and shook her head in amazement. She figured Dragon Types had that effect in mating, but how can a human female possibly take that much 'pressure'?
*I better start ordering a new bed for that room in the morning, if that Flygon is anything like the Salamence!* She thought as she passed by the vacant rooms to hers and Derek's room.
(Derek's and Snowflake's PoV)
She tapped on the door and opened it, and saw her Derek lying on their bed with the lamp on and reading one of their old magazines. She smirked as she levitated over to him and he put it down. (In the morning, we need to order a new bed I think.) She said warmly to him as he sat up.
"Oh?" He asked politely. "How come?"
(Oh… you know…) She giggled as she leaned closer and pressed the forehead of her Skull Mask to his forehead. (When you get two individuals in love together in bed… things tend to get… 'Bouncy' between them.)
"Oh, how 'bouncy' are we talking?" He asked her as she leaned closer and wrapped her arms around him, and he wrapped his around her.
(I don't know… how 'bouncy' can you get?) She asked more quietly as she began sliding his pants down with one hand. (Actually… better yet… why not show me.)
"You're on." Derek said as he pulled her into a kiss while she continued to slide his pants down.
Her lips felt cold, as expected from a dual Ice and Ghost type Pokemon, but it was the kind of cold that he actually enjoyed. It was sort of soothing to the touch, and the fact that it was from a Pokemon that he loved only made it that much more pleasurable to him.
Snowflake meanwhile was enjoying the warmth of her lover's lips, it was soothing and comforting to her. Despite being an Ice type, she loved the warmth far more than any snowstorm or any sort of cold. His warm lips made her feel loved, and she simply couldn't get enough of it.
But the most important part of him that made her truly love the warmth of her lover, his member that she was slowly massaging to readiness, so that it would stand its full six inches. She has had sex with her lover many times over the years, and each time felt just as wonderful as the one before.
While she massaged his member, he slipped his hand under her body and up toward her sex. The reason why Froslass dresses were so tall, was because for their species, it was a sort of defense mechanism when it came to mating. The dress sort of protected their sexes from intruders, meaning the only way one could possibly mate with a Froslass was if she let them.
She felt his hand push up against her sex, which she would never let another soul besides him ever touch or see, and began rubbing it to make her wet in preparation. But his efforts weren't really needed, because she was already eager for their own love making to begin.
(I think someone is 'ready') She whispered as she parted from his lips and glanced down at his erect member, which she was still massaging.
"I think so as well." He smirked as he picked her up and positioned her over his member. "Have I been patient enough?"
(Oh… I think you have been~!) She replied as she lowered herself and let her dress spread around him, before feeling his member slip ever so easily into her welcoming passage.
She gasped at the feeling of warmth inside her body, he felt so warm to her, and feeling his warmth on her body couldn't compare with feeling it inside of her. She looked up at him and nodded, signaling him to begin.
"Frosssss…" She moaned happily as she hugged him, before he began moving her up and down.
She simply relaxed and let him take the lead, since she didn't have nearly as much strength as her human lover did. Instead she chose to let herself be moved up and down on his member which was starting to become wet from her cold fluids, but still it made her feel extremely warm inside.
They continued their slow and steady pace while staring lovingly into each other. They didn't need to be as wild as the Weavile and her trainer, or as rough as the Flygon and his trainer, for them slow and steady as well as gentle was the perfect pace.
"You're quite cold you know Snowflake." He whispered with a smile as he continued to bounce her up and down. "Making me wait so long."
(Oh, stop being so hot!) She whispered back, feeling him get just slightly bigger inside of her as she tightened around him. (You need to cool down some times, if I didn't know any better, I'd think you wanted to do this every day!)
They both grinned and leaned forward to kiss each other again, just as he began to pick up his pace, thrusting her up and down even faster than before.
Soon their bed was starting to make creaking noises from their activity, but they didn't care, they had made love in this bed so many times that it was used to this kind of action. Then they began to go even faster as Derek felt himself starting to get close.
(Oh~!) She moaned happily as she felt herself getting close as well. (Yes~… right there… oh you feel so good~!)
"And you feel amazing!" He said as he hugged her cold body close to his own and pulled her into one more kiss. "Are you ready? I'm about to cum!"
(Yes… I am!) She said. (Together my love… together!)
A few thrusts later and he hilted as far as he could into her body, releasing his warm seed into her cold body. She shuddered and gasped at the warm feeling swirling around inside of her. No matter how many times they did this, this was the ultimate feeling of love and pleasure she got each time.
(Oh… you're so… you feel soooo~…) She whispered as they both laid down on the bed.
"Good?" He asked her with a sigh as he pulled out and laid next to her.
She looked at him and smiled lovingly, before whispering one word to him. (Warm…)
(Snowflake's PoV, The Next Day)
The next day started as normal, she and Derek woke up and went about their day, stoking the fires and making sure everything was in place for any guests that showed up that day. Their previous night's guests had left after breakfast for their next destinations, but said they would stop by again on their way back.
They decided to leave their donations jar alone until Derek could estimate how much would be needed for the rooms needing fixing.
While Derek worked on chopping wood for the fires, she went into the Flygon room to examine the damage done.
*Yep… that is the last time we let a Dragon type do whatever it wants.* She said with a smile as she spied the destroyed chair, and bent legs of the bed. *I guess some girls like that kind of 'roughness'?*
On the table was a small pile of money with a note from the female trainer. It said that she was sorry for the 'unexpected damages' that her Flygon caused in his 'sleep', and left the money to pay for the damages.
*Well, best tell Derek that we need to pay for a new bedframe… again!* She thought as she left the room to go and find the brooms and dustpan.
As she headed downstairs the first thing she saw was that they had a new guest. He looked to be some kind of hiker the way he appeared, wearing a heavy jacket, ripped up jeans over another pair of jeans, old hiking boots, and even a scarred face.
At her appearance he glanced over at her with a stare, and something about the way he looked at her set her off.
Still she shook it off, smiled back and floated over to the donations jar, and dropped the money from the girl into it. As she did, she failed to notice that the man was eyeing the jar, but quickly looked away when she turned to look at him. She thought nothing of it as she capped the jar and went back to the kitchen.
Guessing that her guest was probably thirsty and hungry, she decided to pour him some hot tea that they always prepared in the morning for passersby, as well little bagels. Once she had the plate ready she took it into the dining hall and placed it before him.
He looked like he was about to say something, but she shook her head and smiled back, before pointing to a small sign on the wall.
It was their lodges' motto, engraved on a small plaque.
"Derek and Snowflake's Route 17 Lodge, stay a while or stay the night, the foods on us, so go and warm up by our fire's light!"
With that she went back to the kitchen to arrange the dishes that would be needed for making lunch and dinner.
Minutes later Derek walked in carrying several logs. She smiled and waved at him before joining him to go to the storeroom where they stored all of their logs and other foods.
(Did you see our latest visitor?) She asked him. (Never saw a hiker like him, he looks like he's got nothing but the clothes on his back.)
"Yea, probably just needed a place to stay while traveling." He said. "Alright I'll get started on lunch, can you be a dear and bring those fruits and the meat for the soup and pies later?"
(Of course.) She said warmly, but her attitude changed when they heard the sound of breaking glass in the dining hall.
"Must've dropped the glass you gave him." He said before leaving. "I'll handle it, you get the food!"
(Got it!) She said again, before turning to pull out the frozen Remoraids that they kept stored in there.
But as she took the Remoraid and grabbed some fruits and potatoes, she heard the sound of chairs being overturned and something breaking in the dining hall. Hoping that their guest hadn't tripped over his own shoes, she put the food down and went back into the dining hall.
Then she gasped and stared at what she was seeing. Their guest was running to the door, knocking over anything in his way. In seconds he had run out the door and let in a flurry of snow. She looked around and saw that tables were turned over, chairs strewn everywhere, and where the donations jar had been was now shattered glass, and a few coins left.
But worst of all, her Derek was lying on the ground with a slash on his throat, and blood beginning to pool under him.
(DEREEEEEEEEEEK!) She screamed, floating over as fast as she could to him.
The wound was too deep, and he was losing too much blood, there was nothing she could do. But she couldn't believe what her mind was comprehending, her Derek was dying before her.
(No… No… no… no!) She whispered as she gripped his hand, feeling its warmth beginning to grow weaker. (No… no… don't leave me!)
Derek's eyes looked over to her, and slowly, ever so slowly, they began to close shut.
(NOOOOOO!) She screamed desperately, before using one of her most powerful abilities on him in desperation. (Destiny Bond!)
She felt a golden thread between their bodies link together, and hoped that it would take her with him. But as she felt the string weaken, she saw Derek beginning to slip even further away.
(Destiny Booond!) She yelled again, using her ability, trying to bind his death to her in a way her ability was not meant to work.
Then she watched as Derek's eyes closed shut, and his breathing becoming weaker by the second.
(Destiny Bond!) She pleaded, begging her ability to not leave her alone, to take her with her beloved human.
Then she felt his grip weaken altogether, and he took one final breath, before he became still, wearing a content smile on his face. (No… no…. please no…) She whispered feebly, trying to shake him awake, begging this to be some sort of nightmare. (No…. Noooooooo!)
As if on cue, seven Shuppets floated in, sensing the distress and negative emotions she was feeling, and as one stared in shock at Derek lying dead on the floor.
But for Snowflake, nothing else mattered, her human was dead.
She was alone, alone, without his warmth.
She wept, crying crystal tears, feeling cold but at the same time, still feeling the warmth she once had in her heart.
*Narrator*
[News spread fast about the murder, and soon the police showed up with dozens of trainers and their Pokemon to conduct a manhunt. From the descriptions they learned that the killer was a thief that was wanted in Anistar City, as well as a few other areas, notably along Route 17. They searched far and wide, but could not find him.]
[Later that day, a grave was built outside of the Route 17 Lodge, and Derek was buried there, next to the lodge he had loved almost as much as he loved his Froslass. The trainers who always visited the lodge had attended the funeral, forcing their way to arrive on time to pay their final respects to one who gave them the only place they could be themselves in secret.]
[For Snowflake however, she merely wept as her Derek was buried, and when all of the trainers left, she found she had but one purpose left in her life. Without her Derek, running the lodge was impossible, and she would not share its ownership with anyone. Instead, she had a plan, and with the Shuppet's help, she would exact her revenge.]
[For the next two years, she and the Shuppet's tracked and followed their Derek's killer, whom they learned was named Jamison. They made sure he was never found by the police, secretly slipping him away under their radar each time. But they always kept pushing him closer and closer to Route 17, where Snowflake was waiting. Finally one day, on the harshest snowstorm imaginable, they managed to force him toward the remains of the lodge.]
(Snowflake's PoV)
She looked around what used to be a warm place, a welcoming place, but ever since Derek's death it no longer had the feeling of a loving place. Without Derek, the customers stopped coming, the building fell into disrepair, and everything of value pillaged by salvagers.
And she had just let it happen.
Then, as sunset approached, and the howling wind picked up, blasting the once cozy lodge with gusts of strong winds and flurries of snow, a Shuppet flew in from the old storehouse. "Everything that we can save, is in the storehouse!" It said with a frown. "Is this really necessary?"
She nodded and pointed at the plaque, the last thing left. "Take that as well, you and the others will be safe in the storehouse." She said.
"As you wish ma'am'." The Shuppet said, going over to the plaque and ripping it off the wall with his powers, before taking it into the storehouse as well.
She frowned as she looked around, glad that she had put everything burnable in the dining hall. There were what remained of their beds from upstairs, a few with dusty mats and blankets, torn up pillows and broken chairs. She could even smell old burning liquid that they used for the fireplace, which was lit and had a hot iron poker in it. The windows were all boarded up, preventing anyone from leaving or entering, and providing the only respite from the fierce winds outside.
Everything was set, now all she had to do was wait patiently.
Then, as the sun set, she heard someone panting outside and knocking on the door. She took her position next to the door so that she would be blocked when it swung open.
"Hello?" A man's voice yelled. "Is anyone in there?"
She stayed quiet, waiting.
The door opened, and he walked in. Derek's killer.
He walked in and knocked the snow off his boots while looking around.
"This place will do for now, cops won't think to search for me here!" He said as he eyed the fireplace. "What the… is someone else here?"
As he said that, she used her powers and slammed the door shut, hearing its old lock clunk into place.
"Huh…." He stammered as he turned around suddenly, seeing her there.
(Hello traveler…) She whispered coldly, floating closer to him. (Welcome to Derek's and Snowflake's… famous… Route 17 lodge!)
"Wha… what the…' He stuttered as he began backing up slowly from her cold expression.
(Would you care… for a GLASS OF TEA!) She yelled, before using he powers to pick up a broken cup of smelly, old tea, and threw it at him.
It missed by a hair's inch as he ducked, still backing up frantically. "What the!"
(Oh… I'm sorry, our tea's not good… how about a warm SLICE OF REMORAID MEAT) She screeched, levitating a smelly and rotten Remoraid and flinging it at him, making sure the exposed bones almost hit him.
He began panicking and backing up again, retreating to the opposite side of the room where the chairs were.
(Oh… you look tired…) She said in mock comfort. (Here… TAKE A SEAT BY THE FIRE!) She now threw broken chairs at him, driving him away and toward the fireplace.
(I'm sorry, but you can't stay for the night upstairs… our rooms are out of SERVICE!) She yelled now, flinging the remains of their beds at him and the door, blocking any hope of escape now. (You don't mind staying down here do you? Our floor is ALWAYS WELCOME TO GUESTS!)
He coward by the fire now as she advanced upon him, determined to make him suffer for as long as she could. "What are you… why are you doing this?"
In response she picked up a small picture, the only thing she had left that wasn't in the storehouse. (Do you see this human?) She asked coldly. (Do you?) There was silence as he stared at the picture of Derek. (DO YOU?!)
Without giving him a chance to answer, she pointed at the picture and glared malevolently at him. (You murdered… my lover… took him from my life… you robbed this lodge of its source of warmth!) She growled as she shoved the picture at him. (I hope you enjoy your stay here… Guest… because you'll never leave here… alive!)
In fear and desperation he picked up the hot iron poker and tried to defend himself against her, and its end was scorching hot to her, but she had planned this. She pretended to back away but made sure to keep him between her and the kitchen. "St… stay away!"
She began advancing again, pushing him closer and closer to the kitchen.
"Stay back, I'm warning you!" The frightened human yelled fearfully, shaking the hot iron poker at her, his only defense against her.
Snowflake grinned as she levitated closer, before finally wrenching the poker away and snapping it in two, removing his only means of defense that he had found so far. She's been waiting for this moment for so many years, how long she's conspired to bring him here, how much effort it has taken her and the ghost Pokemon to ensure they would not be disturbed?
At long last, her revenge was at hand as she drove him into the damaged kitchen.
(You took from me Human… so now I will take from you!) She whispered malevolently to him through telepathy, letting him hear every syllable of her hatred. (You will die here… alone… and nobody will ever realize it. I will be the last thing you see, I will be your last memory before you go to the underworld!)
"St…stay away!" He panicked, grabbing anything within arm's reach and throwing it at her, but because she was a ghost type, all the objects did was pass through her body harmlessly.
Then he grabbed a hidden flare gun that had been buried under a cooking pot. Realizing he had a weapon, he took a panicked aim at her at point blank range, and fired. But as he turned, she made her move, just as he made 'his'.
-Peeeeeeew-
There was silence as she felt a burning hole in her chest, right where her metaphorical heart was. The heart that contained her love for the one that owned this refuge, that always let anyone stay for free, and always warmed her up with just a mere touch.
*It feels… warm…* She thought as she slowly backed away in pain, losing height as she felt the pain growing.
Then she collapsed on the ground, feeling the world growing dimmer, as her body became weaker from the incendiary round.
The only weapon in the entire building that could possibly have killed her, its original purpose was meant to signal for rescue. Now it would signal her death.
The death, she has been waiting for, for so very long.
"Hah… HAH!" He yelled triumphantly. "Think you can kill me do you?"
Then he clutched at his heart and collapsed in pain, to which she grinned at him. (Destiny… Bond!) She whispered proudly. (I will be the last you see… the irony!)
She floated up with what little strength she could muster and looked down on her prey. (Go ahead and take me down… because my guest… you're coming with me!) She gasped painfully as she used her arms to try and keep her up, hearing the sound of something burning behind her. (When I draw my last… is when you draw yours… I will see my beloved in Arceus' Hall of Origins… but you won't see us there. No… because I hear Giratina has plenty of space for scum like you… in the Distortion World!)
With that her revenge was complete, she floated with the last of her strength into the dining hall, ignoring the flames going up and burning everything the flames could touch. She grabbed her picture of Derek, and collapsed to the ground, pretending she could feel his warmth.
She closed her eyes as things began to get dizzy, the heat making her feel weird.
"You sure do know how to warm things up Snowflake." She heard Derek's voice in her mind.
In wonder she opened her eyes and saw, Derek, sitting above her, stroking her head lovingly with his warm hand, but at the same time she saw the flames behind him surrounding her. "Derek?" She asked. "How?"
"When you used your Destiny Bond on me, years ago… you took a piece of my soul by accident into yours." He whispered soothingly. "Since then, I've been here, waiting for you, so we can go together."
"You mean…" She whispered happily as he leaned forward and kissed her, feeling his warm lips against hers. (Yes… let's go… together.)
Her last thoughts as they held each other while the flames enveloped them, and the building around them was a single feeling.
*I feel so… warm.* She thought lovingly, ignoring the screams from the other room while the flames continued to tickle her body.
=One Year Later=
*Narrator*
[The lodge burned down, and a passing by trainer who frequented the lodge saw it happening, and despite his best efforts, could not put out the flames. Later it was discovered that a Froslass' skull mask was found amid the ashes, the only remains left. Realizing who it was, he and the others who also visited the lodge, returned to pay their respects again to Snowflake, as her mask was buried alongside Derek's.]
[In respect for them, and wanting to keep their spirit alive, that man and his Glaceon spent all of their money, and gathered every donation they could and rebuilt the Route 17 Lodge. The storehouse had been saved, and inside were the Shuppets who had taken shelter with several items that had been spared the flames. They stayed with the Lodge to help it out in the future, and with their help, the Lodge soon became the same as it was.]
[On it's opening night, every single person who ever visited it, who was also involved with their Pokemon, came one more time to welcome back something from their lives. As well as to thank the ones who gave them a home, in a world that shunned their emotions.]
(Evan's PoV)
"Alright everyone, settle down!" He yelled as he looked at the dozens of trainers all sitting at the tables, waiting to dig into the food with their Pokemon. "Before we begin… thank you all for coming here on the opening night!"
"Glaceon!" Jingle his Glaceon girlfriend said cheerfully.
Everyone said their welcomes.
"Now, before we dig into our food… let's take a moment of silence to remember Derek and Snowflake… our parents… who never once frowned on us for being… who we are inside." He said sadly, looking over at the wall with a picture of a Man and his Froslass, both smiling as they stood outside of their lodge when it was first opened. "We can't ever replace Derek and Snowflake, but I and Jingle will keep this place open for everyone and anyone who wishes to spend the night. We'll keep their motto and how they ran it, just as they would have run it.
Sighing as he remembered visiting so many years ago with Jingle, he took her in his arms and walked over to the picture and said two words to them. "Thank you."
"Glaceon…" Jingle said solemnly.
Then they looked at each other, and in full view of everyone and especially the picture, kissed his Glaceon lovingly as she kissed him back.
It was the only thing he could offer them, to show his gratitude for what they started.
One by one after he and Jingle sat down, the guests walked over to the picture and repeated the gesture, thanking the first couple to offer them a warm home and sanctuary, and then showing their love before everyone without fear.
After everyone paid their respects, they dug into their feast, and when the night began to reach its peak, they all went up to their beds upstairs. Thanks to the donations, they were able to add a third floor for extra bedrooms.
But they left the dining hall just as it used to be, with the fireplace where it was, and as the fire began to dim and die out, a Shuppet floated out carrying firewood. It placed the wood in the fire and stoked it, bringing it back to full blazing life, before going back to the storehouse.
This was Snowflake's last order for the Shuppets, which they followed to the letter.
(If this place is ever rebuilt, continue to help it out as you used to… and remember… keep the fire going… it must always be warm for our guests!)
As for the picture on the wall, under it was a pair of plaques.
[Derek and Snowflake, Founders of the Route 17 Lodge! May they find peace in Arceus' Hall of Origins.]
"Derek and Snowflake's Route 17 Lodge, stay a while or stay the night, the foods on us, so go and warm up by our fire's light!"