Author's note: It's here, but just a serious reminder if you like my fanfiction I'm glad, but please….
DON'T advertise your skills to me via PM it's annoying, I'm selective and I don't have the funds, especially after having to deal with not one, but three pushy artists one was Murphy Adam. The answer is still no, respect my boundaries.
If you truly DO like my fanfiction, you leave a positive, in-depth review like my loyal posting here. Thank you, now onto the chapter.
It was a bright day, with our heroes continuing onwards. Pikachu walked cheerfully ahead of the four humans. Laoise brought up the rear with her noise canceling headphones on listening to 'On my way' by Phil Collins.
As the travelers continue on their journey, they figure their future is favorable.
Pikachu soon stops at a fork in the road and he turned questioningly to the others. "Pikachu."
Brock consulted the map as Laoise walked up to the group.
"I say we go that way!" Ash pointed to the right path in the fork.
Brock shook his head. "No way! That trail heads straight up a mountain!"
Misty protested, "I don't wanna go mountain climbing!"
Ash shrugged. "What's a little hill? Come on, Pik!"
Pikachu merrily followed after Ash.
"I've never been mountain climbing or a ski trip yet, just an overnight camp." Laoise said. "This is something I wanna try." Laoise said, she'd just rotated one of her pokèmon for this occasion.
Misty grumbled. "Alright. But I hope you know what you're doing!"
So they walked to the right side of the road fork before long they see that they've walked into a snowy area.
"This isn't a hill!" Misty pointed out, "We need a ski lift to get up this thing, Ash."
Brock suggested. "I think we better just turn around and go the other way."
"A Pokémon master stays on course no matter what the challenge! I'm not gonna let a little pile of snow stop me!"
Pikachu curled his front paws into determined little fists. "Pikachu!"
Soon, our heroes are traversing the mountain. Brock and Misty had blankets wrapped around themselves, having felt the cold more intensely, compared to Ash and Laoise.
Misty shivered. "I'm freezing! How much further is it till we get over this thing?
"According to this map, we should be close to the top." Brock then checked his compass, but the needle spun round and round.
What's more, the mountain they have stumbled upon is actually a part of a huge mountain range and Brock's compass was going haywire from electromagnetic interference. As Brock declared that they are lost, Misty shouted at Ash, Misty shouted at Ash to get them off the mountain.
Laoise, who had been quiet up until now, quickly shushed her, "If we make too much noise we could cause an avalanche."
Ash then got an idea. "I know! Pidgeotto, I choose you!"
Pidgeotto materialized. Ash asked his Pidgeotto to find another route, and it soon returned with news of a good path up ahead.
In the meantime, several yards behind Team Rocket was trailing them in a snow covered forest. While James and Meowth complained they are both freezing, Jessie declares that she loves the snow as it brings back memories of eating "snowgasboard"; a meal completely made of snow. She said that it was one of the few memories of her wretched and poverty-stricken childhood. However, James and Meowth are grossed out. James then says that they can head off the group by using the Meowth balloon. They then recited their motto, but stop when they notice their balloon drifting off in the wind. They chase after it without any luck, losing all of their food and supplies are on that balloon. Jessie started to look at the snow and then tells them she can make snow rolls. James and Meowth don't want them, and Jessie wanted to walk further to where the balloon is so she can get some soy sauce.
Dark clouds gathered over our heroes and the temperature dropped. Laoise was glad she was wearing one of her warmest T-shirts and her favorite blue hoodie.
To top it off, it had begun to snow, which could turn into a snowstorm.
And if they try to use any fire Pokémon to warm things up, it would melt the snow on the side of the mountain and underneath them, resulting in slippery paths and an avalanche.
The light snowfall has now turned into a full-on blizzard, so the group contemplate setting up camp.
"I think we better stop and set up camp for the night!" Brock suggested.
Ash protested, carrying Pikachu in his vest. "But that trail's gotta be close!"
Brock said, "Come on, Ash! There's no way we can find anything in this blizzard!"
"No choice. We'll turn to ice statues by the time we find it!" Laoise cried.
"I'm not scared of the snow! Let's keep going!" Ash said.
Brock insisted. "No way, Ash! When a storm gets bad, it's best to dig in and let it blow over! And besides, the sun's gonna set soon. Not even the bravest Pokémon master would wander around in a snow storm in the dark.
Ash had to agree. "I guess you're right."
"Good! Let's start digging a cave in the snow."
"Okay." Ash nodded.
Suddenly, a large gust of wind blew in, knocks Ash down, and blew Pikachu away.
"Pikachu!" Ash got to his feet and hurried after his pokèmon, "Pikachu!"
"Ash! Pikachu!" Laoise chased after them.
Misty wailed. "Wait!" She intended to follow after the two, but was held back by Brock.
"Stay here! We'll get lost out there!"
In spite of the awful conditions, Ash trudged blindly through deep snow while repeatedly calling for Pikachu .
"Pikachu?! Where are you?!"
"Wait for me, Ash!"
It felt like a thousand tiny needles blew against Laoise's face. The howling wind whipped snow into Laoise's eyes, blinding her. She blundered onwards, arms outstretched, calling desperately for Ash and Pikachu through chattering teeth.
Ash fell face first into the snow as Laoise finally catches up with him.
"Ash! Are you okay? Say something!" Laoise frantically shook Ash, and was relieved to hear him groan.
"Laoise!" Ash sat up.
"I can't see anything in this blizzard." Laoise hugged herself.
"We can't give up."
Soon, Pikachu is heard and Ash stood up immediately.
"Is that...?" Laoise hoped.
"Pikachu?!" Ash looked around wildly.
Pikachu's voice is heard again, somewhere behind them. Both Ash and Laoise pushed their way through the snow even as it began to reach their thighs.
Ash cried, "Pikachu!"
"Where are you?!" Laoise called.
Suddenly, a ledge breaks and both slid down.
They then heard Pikachu's voice close by. Ash then sees the small yellow Pokémon and he is hanging by one arm from a ledge on a very high cliff. Ash tried to grab Pikachu, but he falls down the cliff, yet manages to grab onto another ledge. Ash quickly came up with a solution, and sends out Bulbasaur who uses Vine Whip to grab Pikachu. But Pikachu cannot hold on and he slips further down. Bulbasaur acts fast and grabs Pikachu with its vines just in time. They pull Pikachu up to their level before Pikachu and Ash embrace.
Laoise was relieved, "Thank the Maker!"
Ash had tears leaking out of his eyes, "You had me scared, buddy. I was afraid I lost ya."
Pikachu's eyes were shining, "Pika Pi. Pikachu."
"We gotta find the others, and quick!"
Pikachu does a facial expression of Brock and in doing so, reminding Ash and Laoise that they need to get up the small cliff to get back to Misty and Brock.
"Oh, Brock! We better go back!"
Both Laoise and Ash tried climbing back up the cliff, but to no avail.
"It's no use! We can't get back up!" Ash said.
"Misty! Brock! Can you hear us?" Laoise tried calling out to them.
"Hey, Brock! Misty!" Ash joined in.
The howling wind blew and there no sound of their friends.
"We can't stay out here all night!" Ash declared, holding Pikachu in his vest.
"Our only chance is to find shelter or build one!" Laoise said, worriedly.
"Hey! We can dig a snow cave like Brock said!"
And so both Ash and Laoise started to dig through the snow. Soon however, they began to feel lose some feeling in their hands.
"My hands are getting too numb to dig in the snow anymore." Ash stopped.
Laoise pulled her hands away, opening and closing them. "Mine too. What do we do now?"
"Hey! Charmander can help!"
Charmander materialized.
"Charmander, use your Flamethrower to blast through the snow!"
Charmander emitted a gusty Flamethrower that rapidly melted the snow, allowing Ash and Laoise to dig out a shelter with numb hands. Soon they had formed the basic structure of a sturdy snow cave.
"Great work, Charmander!" said Laoise gratefully. The little lizard beamed at the praise.
"Whoa! Not bad!" Ash said then called out his other pokèmon, "Squirtle! Bulbasaur!"
Squirtle and Bulbasaur materialized.
"You too!" Laoise said. She called out her own Bulbasaur "Bulby", "Storm" a female pikachu, Tricky the Gengar and her new Ponyta (the same one she caught in the Safari Zone).
"Let's hollow this out for shelter and get inside, all together!" Laoise instructed.
"Okay, everybody. Let's get to work and seal off this cave!" Ash told his pokèmon.
Laoise and her pokèmon finish hollowing out the makeshift shelter while Ash and his team got to work sealing off that cave.
Finally, they crawled inside weary but triumphant, shaking snow from their clothes and hair.
"That oughta do it!" Ash said.
"We're out of the blizzard, but it's still cold." Laoise noticed.
The pokèmon were all shivering . Even Tricky, who was usually happy-go lucky was trembling.
"All we have to do is warm this place up. Let's all get around Charmander's flame." Ash suggested.
"Or gather around..." Laoise looked at her new Ponyta. "Is it alright if we gather around you for warmth?"
The Ponyta nickered softly, tail swishing. She pawed the ground, indicating agreement to help warm the shivering group.
"What a kind girl you are," praised Laoise, giving the fire horse an affectionate pat.
Soon all the Pokémon had curled up together around Ponyta, basking in her pleasant body heat with contented sighs.
Warmth began to seep back into their bodies.
Ash's pokèmon gathered around Charmander's flame. While Ash worried over Misty and Brock's safety. "I hope they found shelter too," he fretted, oblivious to the chill.
Laoise observed sympathetically. "I'm sure they're okay - just gotta have faith in them." She patted the ground invitingly.
While Ash and his Pokémon gather around Charmander's flame, Bulbasaur suggests to Charmander to turn up the heat a bit. Charmander does so.
"The heat is on!" Ash said.
"Pika." Pikachu nodded.
Laoise took some snow to melt into water and passed a few paper cups full of it to everyone around. It was more preferable then eating snow, for if you ate snow, it would lower the body temperature.
Meanwhile, Team Rocket is huddled inside an igloo. Suddenly Meowth's last candle goes out, and Jessie's offer of snow rolls doesn't lift anyone's spirits. Meowth reveals that he has three burnt out matches left, the Rocket trio try using their imaginations to get warmth. Jessie then notices her teammates fast asleep, but she slaps them around to stop them from freezing.
As the brutal snowstorm rages on, Charmander's tail flame starts to weaken from trying to keep everyone warm.
Laoise looked worried. "Charmander's flame, it's lower!"
Ash looked to his fire type worriedly "Charmander, are you okay?"
Charmander was panting, but nodded to Ash with a weary smile. Even then, there were beads of sweat on the little fire lizard's head.
Laoise gasped, and then quickly looked to her Ponyta, who had her legs folded underneath with chin resting on the ground. "Pontya!"
The other pokèmon look just as worried.
"Charmander, your flame's all used up!" Ash pulled out Charmander's pokèball. "Come on, get back in your Pokéball and rest."
Charmander shook its head in refusal.
Ash insisted, "Come on, you have to conserve your energy."
Charmander forcefully returned to its Pokéball. Laoise fetched Ponyta's pokèball. "Okay, you're going back in to rest too."
Her ponyta shook her head.
"You've got to! Ponyta, return!" Laoise recalled her fiery steed back.
Ash was thoughtful as he studied the pokeball. "Come to think of it, the Pokéballs ought to be pretty warm."
Laoise looked at him. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"
Ash looked to his pokèmon. "Okay, you're going in your Pokéballs."
Bulbasaur and Squirtle refused as well.
"You have to! You'll be a lot warmer inside your Pokéballs than out here in the cold."
Bulbasaur and Squirtle are forcefully returned as well.
"Pikachu, in you go."
Pikachu refused as well and jumped right up into Ash's arms.
"Pikachu!"
"Oh, Pikachu." Laoise watched soberly as did her pokèmon.
Ash looked at the electric type, "Pikachu. You, want to stay out to help keep me warm?"
Pikachu confirmed nuzzling under his chin.
"Pikachu." Ash hugged him.
As the blizzard continued outside, They all shivered.
"I hope my Pokémon are warm enough." Ash said as he and Pikachu shivered against one of the cave walls.
Laoise thinks the same thing. "Okay gang. Ash's right, it's best if you rest in your Pokéballs."
All of her Pokémon refused.
"What's gotten into you?" Laoise was stunned. "I mean it, you've got to get in the pokèballs to stay warm."
With great reluctance, her pokèmon are recalled.
Ash soon got an idea, and took off his jacket. He put his remaining Pokéballs down on it and wraps them up to keep his Pokémon warm. "That should help. Come here, Pikachu."
Pikachu jumped into Ash's arms. Laoise placed her full pokèballs into her sleeping bag and huddled it close.
With their Pokemon tucked safely away, Ash and Laoise turned to each other for warmth. Pikachu snuggled between them as they sat huddled close, trying to stop their shivering.
"T-think the st-storm will stop s-soon?" Laoise stuttered through chattering teeth.
"I h-hope so," replied Ash. He blew on his numb fingers futilely.
Suddenly, the cave entrance breaks a bit, causing some cold air to come in.
"Oh no! We got a draft!"
Ash went to block the draft with his own body.
"Ash!" Laoise cried.
Ash shivered. "It's so cold!"
Pikachu went to him. "Pika!"
"Listen to me, you gotta get in your Pokéball now, Pikachu!" Ash said sternly.
Pikachu refused, shaking his head. "Pikachu!"
Laoise began pulled over her supply bag.
Ash said, "I'm serious! Get in your Pokéball, now!"
Pikachu refused again.
"Pikachu!"
Pikachu grabbed Ash's leg.
Ash said, "I promise I'm gonna be okay. As long as I know you're safe."
Pikachu refused to let go.
"Pikachu, it's an order!"
"Then I gotta reinforce this!" Laoise said, she pulled off her pastel blue hoodie, revealing a white T-shirt with the Irish flad and a green clover on it.
"Laoise stop! You're gonna freeze without it!" Ash cried.
"You cant cover that hole up all by yourself!" Laoise fired back. "Gotta keep you and Pikachu here warm!"
Suddenly, all of Ash's Pokémon materialized much to Ash's shock and Laoise's surprise.
"Squirtle? Bulbasaur? Charmander? Pidgeotto? My friends!"
Squirtle leaned in against Ash's left side, Bulbasaur laid down on Ash's forelegs, Charmander leaned in against Ash's right side and Pidgeotto gently took to Ash's shoulder.
Laoise's pokèmon appeared to have the same idea and they burst out of their pokèballs, materializing.
Bulby the bulbasur, Storm the pikachu, Leafy the Oddish, Metapod, Tricky the gengar and the new Ponyta.
They went to Laoise, Tricky carried the Metapod to her as the pokèmon did so.
First, Storm jumped into her arms to nuzzle Laoise and the Metapod. Leafy leaned to her left side, Bulby against her right side as the Ponyta laid down in front. Then Tricky pulled open the Sleeping bag to extend it as a quilt for them all.
"They don't want to leave us alone in here." Laoise correctly guessed.
Ash was touched and teary eyed. "You win. Guess we'll all be cold together."
It looked as though this could be the end for them all.
Laoise's eyes filled with tears. "I love you all so much."
The Pokémon all cooed and nuzzled their trainers, trying their best to share what warmth they had left. As the howling winds battered the fragile snow cave, Laoise began to sing softly.
It was an old lullaby from her homeland, about brave souls facing the storm together. Her pure voice seemed to lift some of the lingering chill, at least in spirit.
Soon Ash joined in on the chorus, then the Pokémon added their melodies. Together in song, their little family found new strength and comfort.
Both humans and their Pokémon prepare for a possible end. Thinking they would most likely meet the Maker sooner than they thought.
The next morning, Brock and Misty emerged from their bivouac to search for Laoise, Ash and Pikachu. They wandered about, when the faint sound of singing catches their attention. Someone was singing Tori Kelly's Hallelujah.
I did my best, it wasn't much.
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch.
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you...
Exchanging hopeful looks, Brock and Misty hurried where its heard the loudest.
And even though it all went wrong
I'll stand before the lord of song
with nothing on my tongue but
Hallelujah...
When the last note faded, Laoise noticed Ash's lips were no longer quite so blue. Some color had returned to his cheeks too. And something sparkled by the small of Ash's back.
"Ash..."
He and the pokèmon stirred, and they all looked to where she was pointing. The clouds were breaking to reveal rays of light.
"Ash, I think it's the sunrise. And help might find us now!"
Charmander and Ponyta melted the snow away, and everyone came out to look out as the sun rose steadily.
"The blizzard's over!" Ash confirmed, looking out at the horizon. "Sure is beautiful."
"We made it all together." Laoise sighed, looking up at the sky giving a silent thanks to the Maker.
Soon, they heard voices calling out to them.
"Laoise! Ash!"
"Up here!"
Everyone turned to see Misty, Brock and his Onix. Then Onix lifted Laoise, Ash and their Pokémon up to the others' friends' level.
Misty asked. "How'd you two get through that storm?"
"We made a cave. Did you two make that bivouac thing?" Laoise asked.
Brock confirmed, "Yeah, Onix made us one by digging a hole for us."
Misty added. "And you'll never believe this but we found a hot spring underground! We really hit the jackpot!"
"Lead the way, Misty!" Laoise beamed gratefully at her friends. "We could do with soaking those aches and chills away before moving on."
Brock nodded. "Right this way, folks. Our trusty Pokémon dug us a cozy camp spot complete with natural hot tub!"
Onix guided them down into the hidden valley where steam rose alluringly from a spring-fed pool. With happy reunions all around and the storm's threat past, spirits were soon reinvigorated in the soothing waters.
Laoise sighed contentedly as Ponyta nuzzled her hair. "You know, sometimes the hardest journey brings the sweetest rewards."
Ash smiled. "Like new friends, and hot springs! I'll take an adventure like this any day."
Refreshed and reconnected after their ordeal, our heroes looked ahead to what new experiences awaited down the road together...
"Speaking of blizzards, look what the one from last night blew in!" Brock added.
They all turned to see Team Rocket's balloon.
Ash gaped "That's Team Rocket's balloon! I wonder how they lost it."
Laoise looked around., "And no sign of Team Rocket anywhere!"
Misty grinned, "Finders keepers!"
Brock said. "It's outta fuel, but I know how we can fix that. Go, Vulpix!"
He sent out his Vulpix, and has it use Flamethrower, and the balloon is now flyable.
The attack filled the balloon with hot air and our heroes boarded it, finally they're airborne.
Team Rocket stopped pinching each other's cheeks when they spot the four in their balloon. They chased after them, only to fall into a hot spring and are declined to move, as they are very comfortable.
As Team Rocket spoke, our heroes heard their voices.
"Hey, did you guys hear what I just heard?" Ash questioned.
Misty titled her head, "Huh? I didn't hear anything."
Laoise shrugged, "It almost sounded like Team Rocket." Then she remembered the date. "Hey that's right. I think it's almost..."
Brock spotted something "Hey, look!"
There was a small town down at the snowy base of the mountain. A sign that read "Thornfield Grove."
It wasn't the town they were headed but it would be a good place to stop for supplies and rest. They didn't know that things in the town aren't quite what they appear to be.
To be continued...
Author's note: As you can guess they haven't reached Stone Town yet. Next chapter is an original Christmas chapter I have in mind so it might be a while before it's done.