Disclaimer: I do not own any of the material appearing in this story. The OC's belong to their respective owners
Moments After Balto Ran Away
Balto ran through the field as the wind howled and the rain fell like crazy. As far as he was concerned, the whole house was going to fall on top of them and wanted to lead his family to safety, despite how terrified he felt.
He turned his head but didn't see anyone coming with him, but no one came. "Growwww! Groooooww!" Balto howled to get their attention, begging them to get out of the house in case it collapsed because of the tree falling on it.
But the storm had other ideas and did not carry out his voice… in fact, it started to push him due to how violent it was. He tried to resist but the wind pushed him away. He had no choice but to turn around and keep running lest he gets flown away and gets killed by slamming into a giant rock or tree.
As he ran and dodged lightpoles and trees coming down and scattering the Bug Pokemon, he would soon come across a cave. Finally… shelter!
As much as he wanted to go to Gloria's, Hop's or even Professor Magnolia's, there was no way he could get to them in this weather.
He walked into the cave and shook the water off of him. He shivered and sprayed Embers on the ground, lighting up some sticks that were blown inside as a fire was made to keep himself warm.
Suddenly, a lightning bolt struck the top of the cliff as the whole entrance caved in, trapping Balto.
"Grow?! Groooowwwww! Grooooooowwww!" Balto howled for help.
But no one could hear him.
His only companion was the campfire. He curled up next to it and closed his eyes, hoping that this was all a nightmare.
The next morning…
Balto woke up and stretched… only to find out that he was still stuck in a cave with little sunlight pouring into the small cracks of the cave in. He let out a whimper before determination set in his eyes.
He wasn't going to wait around and have help come to him. There was no way anyone would come and try to save him. As far as anyone knew, it was an empty cave anyway.
He turned around and went right to work. He was a problem solver after all. He started digging as he dug his way through, occasionally going back to get some air before turning around and went right back at it until he popped his head out of the cave and shook his head to get rid of the dirt.
Balto barked happily as he climbed out. Sure, he had no idea where he was, but he surely couldn't be too far off from home. He ran through the forest, only his stomach started to growl.
Luckily, there were berries all around, so he helped himself to some Oran berries as he wandered over to a stream and started to drink some water.
"Ow… hooof… heee…"
Balto's ears twitched as he looked up to see a Wattrel nestled against a rock, looking over his wing.
He approached the Wattrel out of curiosity. "Are you okay?"
"No. You fly into Kalos after hearing from some Squawkabilly that human food is really good in Lumiose City and a freak storm happens to form right as you cross the border into southern Kalos and get carried all the way to here. Hurt my wing upon landing…"
"Oh, that's too bad." Balto responded as he walked off and came back with a Sitrus Berry, nudging it toward him. The Wattrel took a bite out of it, feeling a little better.
"Thank you, kind Growlithe."
"What's your name?"
"Wattrel. I'm assuming your name is Growlithe."
"My owners named me Balto."
"Balto? A strange name for a Growlithe, but I suppose humans like to nickname their pets all the time… some a bit more crass than others."
"Where are you from?"
"I hail from Paldea. Judging by your hospitality, I'd say you're from Galar."
"Yes."
"Well met, Balto. Wait… you said you have owners. Where are they?"
"Back in Postwick. A tree fell on our house, I panicked and ran outside. I wanted to bring my pack with me because I feared the house would collapse."
"How noble… but considering how violent that storm was, where would you have gone?"
"Gloria or Hop's house, of course! Maybe Magnolia's."
"I do not know who they are, but they sound friendly. …And yet, "Gloria" brings fear in my feathers and I've no idea why."
"I do not know where I am… I've never been this deep in Galar before."
"Well, neither have I. I'm sure we'll find your pack. Unfortunately, my wing is busted so I cannot fly as well for the time being." Wattrel climbed onto Balto's back. "Once my wing is better and I evolve into a Kilowattrel, I can carry you to your home."
"Sounds good! I'm sure we'll find someone who can take us there."
With a nod, the two set off as they walked through the forest while several Pokemon were getting themselves readjusted after the storm hit. Balto walked out of a forest, looking both ways before turning right and wandered off as a Galarian Farfetch'd picked up a leek.
"Not that one… rrrgh… where did that blasted leek go?" It wondered as a Zigzagoon wandered off with the leek in his mouth, giggling devilishly while a few Eldegoss floated around.
"I see a town up ahead!" Balto said.
"Well, let's see if we can't find help around there." Wattrel said as they wandered into town.
BGM: Hulbury (Pokemon Sword and Shield)
The duo wandered into Hulbury, where they saw umbrellas scattered around, some buildings having broken windows and blown out doors, boats were capsized and some places in Hulbury were flooded.
"Hmph… well, it's not as bad as it could be." A voice said as the duo turned to see Chairman Rose overlooking the damage.
"You're saying this because your favorite restaurant didn't suffer much damage." Oleana deadpanned.
"Ahehe~ Well… it could be worse." Rose chuckled as Oleana went over the list.
"Turrfield's farms lost a lot of grain… we're gonna have to ask folks from Kalos and Paldea to help out with that… Unova could help us out too. Motostoke got the full brunt of it and damaged buildings. The Wild Area has toppled over a few trees. Stow-On Side is under a landslide warning, Ballonlea has no exit points due to trees toppling over the entrance. Route Eight has been hit with a rockslide, Circhester is completely buried under a lot of snow due to an avalanche made by that storm, Spikemuth is… Spikemuth. Hammerlocke surprisingly didn't get too much damage, but the southern entrance from Wyndon is blocked off from an avalanche from Route Ten. In fact, Wyndon will need to go under renovation after that storm."
"And what of Postwick and Wedgehurst?"
"A couple of fallen trees but according to Magnolia, it's not as bad as it could have been."
"Arceus almighty… this storm is gonna keep us busy for a while." Rose mumbled.
"They look like nice people. We can ask them." Wattrel said.
"Yeah!" Balto walked over to them.
"What of the Isle of Armor and Crown Tundra?"
"The Crown Tundra's been hit with an avalanche, but since nobody lives there aside from a small community near the northernmost part of the area, nothing of value has been lost. The Isle of Armor meanwhile… it barely got touched."
"Oh, I see. Mustard gets grazed while we all got hit." Rose mumbled. "Lucky bastard…"
"It is what it is. We've got a lot of work to do to restore Galar from this storm."
"Good grief… at least no one was hurt from this storm."
"Grow! Grow!"
"Hmm?" Rose turned his head and spotted the duo. "Ah, a Growlithe!"
"And a companion. I've never seen such a bird before."
Rose knelt down. "I've heard about these Pokemon. It's a Wattrel. They're very common in Paldea but rare in other regions. Not every day we'd see a Wattrel in Galar."
"Hmm…"
Balto, meanwhile, sensed something amiss from Rose. He may seem all friendly, but something felt… off about him.
He let out a growl in response.
"Easy, lil' one. I don't bite." He smiled warmly as he extended his hand toward him. "See? I'm friendly."
Balto still gave him a glare as Wattrel wondered what's got him all antsy, but he, too, started to feel something off about Rose.
In fact, Rose got a little too close as Balto nipped him on his finger.
"Ow!"
"Chairman!" Oleana exclaimed as she glared at Balto and aggressively picked him up. "Naughty boy! How dare you bite the chairman!"
"No no, it's okay." Rose waved it off. "It's my fault, I invaded his personal space. No harm done. Lesson learned!" He smiled.
"Even so, this little one needs to learn some proper manners!"
"Now now, let's not get too upset."
Balto glared at Oleana when she called him naughty, not liking being called naughty when he wasn't. As such, he started to growl at her as well.
"This isn't a friendly mutt. It's got a vicious growl!"
"Well, it certainly wouldn't be called a Growlithe if the lil' guy didn't growl at all." Rose chuckled.
Oleana rolled her eyes. "Yes yes, you're hilarious…" She looked at the Growlithe. "I'm friendly too. You can trust me… you're lucky you're cute. I can forgive you for biting the Chairman." She said as she reached over to him. "I'm-"
CHOMP!
"Oooh." Rose winced as Oleana yelped and pulled her hand away. "I'll be frank, you did ask for it."
"THAT'S IT! I'm taking this one straight to the pound!"
"Now now, let's not be too cruel to-" Rose saw the name on his bandana. "Balto."
"His owners should know better than to let them run loose. This dog is getting locked up!" Oleana walked off.
Rose sighed. "Sorry, pup… nothing I can do with my hot tempered secretary. It's a shame."
As Oleana marched off, she took the time to take a few deep breaths as she looked at Balto. "What am I doing? It was my fault, not this little guy's." She said as she walked into the vet's office instead.
"Ah, Oleana. This is a surprise."
"This dog along with his bird companion is lost. Can you hold them here until their owners come to pick them up?"
"Oh, of course. I'll keep an eye on these two."
"They seem to be inseparable, so put them in the same kennel."
"Right. …What happened to your hand?"
"Pressed my luck, but I'll be fine." Olena said as she walked off while the vet put the two together in a kennel.
However, as soon as the vet's back was turned…
"Psst!"
"Hmm?" Balto turned to the kennel in front of him, seeing a Flareon in front of him.
"I know a way out of this dump. Come on."
"You do?"
"I escape all the time. It's about that time anyway." She said, glancing over toward the vet who got up, grabbed the newspaper and walked toward the bathroom. Flareon smirked and used Flamethrower on the cage, melting the lock as she pushed it open and used Flamethrower on Balto's lock, and once it was melted, she pried it open. "Come on!"
"Well, you seem to be a troublemaker." Wattrel said. "Do you have an owner?"
"Nah, my owner abandoned me for a "better Flareon" or something. It's cool though. The owner was garbage anyway."
"Then why do you escape?"
"To cure my boredom. He catches me, he puts me back in the cage after he finds my hiding spot, puts in a stronger lock… it's all fun!"
Wattrel sweatdropped. "Riveting."
"Sounds like a fun game!" Balto said.
"Don't encourage her!"
"Come on, let's go!" Flareon took off with Balto and Wattrel following her.
The trio ran outside as Flareon guided them over toward a small boat. "Over here! …Wow, that's a lot of overturned boats. Why is the place all flooded? I sure missed a lot during my power nap. Good thing my favorite boat isn't overturned!"
Flareon hopped in as Balto hopped on as well.
"So now what do we do?" Wattrel asked.
"We wait." Flareon giggled. "Can't wait to see his reaction~"
At that moment, they heard footsteps.
"Already? Huh, I didn't know he was a runner. Guess the tabloids weren't that interesting in today's paper."
Suddenly, the boat's engine ignited.
"...Wait, this boat is abandoned. No one turns it on." Flareon said.
"By any chance, did your favorite boat get moved during the storm?"
"There was a storm? …That might explain a few things."
"Today's a good day for fishing!" A fisherman said.
"Fishing?! Oh no! We're in a poacher's boat!" Wattrel yelped as the boat took off from the dock and started to leave Hulbury.
End BGM
BGM: Oh No! (Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time/Darkness/Sky)
"Oh wow! This is a lot more exciting than what I initially thought. Bonus~!" Flareon smiled.
"I wonder if this is how I reunite with my pack…" Balto wondered.
"HELP! HEEEEELP! WE'RE BEING KIDNAPPED BY A POACHER AND I ONLY GOT ONE GOOD WING! HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP!"
Under the water, a Wishiwashi swam around and heard the Wattrel's cry as the boat passed. "Poaching?! I must save those Pokemon!"
"Hmm?" The friendly fisherman stopped the boat briefly and pulled off the cover, seeing the three. "Oh! Stowaways…" He mused before smiling. "I better grab a lot more fish then~"
"He's gonna stuff us before he kills us!" Wattrel whimpered.
The friendly fisherman took off toward the deep sea as the Wattrel paced around in a panic.
"Chill, my bird compadre. We're on an unexpected adventure." Flareon said, laying on her back and relaxing.
"I don't trust that smile!"
"Are you always this paranoid?"
"No, but I've been wary around poachers. This is one of them!"
"Relax. We're just gonna go on a boat ride, eat some fish and then head back to Hulbury. We'll be fiiiine."
"Easy for you to say!"
Balto looked up at the water. "I wonder if I should bring some fish back to my pack…"
At that moment, Wishiwashi, in School Form, stalked the boat and picked up speed before flanking to the right and then picked up speed, slamming into the boat to capsize it and sent the three Pokemon airborne before landing in the water.
Wishiwashi then swam over and picked them up on their backside, surfacing to let them breathe as Wishiwashi swam off further away from Galar and the fisherman.
End BGM
The fisherman swam up to the surface and clung on to his boat, watching the Wishiwashi swim off.
"I've never seen a Wishiwashi kidnap Pokemon before… hmm… how peculiar."
Back at Hulbury…
"Hmm?" Rose noticed Leon attaching a poster on a building. "Leon, this is a surprise. What are you doing out here?"
"Oh, my friend's Growlithe went missing. Have you seen him around?"
Oleana perked up after bandaging her hand. "Hmm?"
"Actually, I've seen a Growlithe a few minutes ago. Temperamental little fella." Rose said.
"That doesn't sound like my friend's Growlithe. Well, if you find him, let me know." Leon said as he took off with Charizard as they both looked at the poster.
"Let's see… wears a blue bandana and goes by the name of Balto." Rose said before grimacing. "Oh dear. You went and put him in the pound."
"I've calmed down. I just had him put in a kennel at the vet's until his owners came along with that Wattrel. I'll go get him."
"Phew… that would've been awkward."
Oleana chuckled. "Yeah." She nodded as she walked back to the vet, and once she did, she noticed the distraught vet. "Hello~! I would like to get that Growlithe and Wattrel off your hands. We found the owner and-"
"Ah, you have horrible timing. They're gone."
Oleana's eyes widened. "What?!"
"Yes. They ran off with that troublesome Flareon, but they're not in Flareon's usual hiding spot. As far as I know, all three of them vanished."
"Vanished?!" Oleana grabbed the vet by the collar in panic. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN "VANISHED"?!"
Several hours later, at the Reykjavik Region…
Wishiwashi pulled up to shore and dropped them off, then all the Wishiwashi swam off save for the one.
"Are you guys okay?" The Wishiwashi asked.
"Yeah, we're fine. A little shaken up from that attack, but we're fine."
"Ah, I'm sorry… we were saving you from that poacher."
"Fisherman. They're not exactly poachers." Flareon said. "...Then again, they do fish up Water Pokemon."
"Where are we?" Balto wondered.
"You're at the Reykjavik region. You came at a bad time. One of its volcanoes are blowing up again." A Pyukumuku said.
"Reykjavik? Ha! This place definitely screwed over some opposing vikings and made landfall at that snowier region. Heard they made good friends with Abomasnow and Froslass. Hahaha!" Flareon laughed.
"Ooooh… we are definitely further away from the pack…" Balto groaned.
"What's with you?" The Wishiwashi wondered.
"A freak storm separated myself away from my family. A tree fell on the house and I ran off in a panic, but I also wanted to guide my humans to safety in case the house fell on top of them. They didn't come with me and… well… here we are."
"That explains the bandana… and why you wandered into Hulbury." Flareon said.
"We can take you back to Galar." Wishiwashi offered. "That way, you can go back to your pack and-"
"Oooh, looks like you're gonna have to postpone that." Pyukumuku said. "It seems as if this region's Legendary is making the pyroclastic flow move into the ocean and preventing anyone from leaving or going, that also includes Water Pokemon. Somehow he can manipulate it to go underwater too.
"How long are we stuck here?" Flareon asked.
"Oh… a few days… a few weeks… maybe a few months? Depends on how petty he's feeling. This whole region's under lock down."
Balto lowered his ears disheartenedly. "Oh…"
"Well, on the bright side… we got a whole region to explore~!" Flareon said as she wandered off. "Come on guys, let's go check this place out. We may be here a while!"
"You guys got a fish bowl I could go into?" Wishiwashi asked. "I like you guys."
"Hmmm…" Flareon pawed her chin before spotting a Pelipper. "Hey! You up there!"
"Hmm?"
"Could you get a fish bowl for us? Our friend here has a bad wing."
"What's in it for me? Actually, if I get you a fish bowl, I would like payment. That Wishiwashi over there looks mighty tasty."
"Eeek!"
"...On second thought, we'll pass." Flareon said.
"Fine… but I still get the Wishiwashi!" The Pelipper flapped his wings and started to fly toward the Wishiwashi, but Wattrel used Thundershock to knock the Pelipper out of the sky, KO'ing him.
"Oh dear…" Flareon gently poked him with a stick. "I think you killed him."
"Ooooogh…"
"Nope, he's still breathing. Darn, I was gonna bury him." Flareon walked off. "Oh well."
The group walked off with Balto feeling antsy about making it back to his pack. To his Aless and Cian. They were probably worried sick about him. Just like how he's worried about them.
"Excuse me! Could you give us a hand and find a fish bowl for us?" A Flareon asked a male Indeedee.
"What do you want it for?"
"Our friend." Flareon motioned her head toward Wishiwashi. "He wants to be around us."
"Ah, I get ya. Considering the Legendary Pokemon's acting up again, I don't blame him. One second." The Indeedee wandered off, finding a fish bowl on a window sill as he picked it up and took off running.
"Oh, you're gonna love this fish bowl I got you, Finneon! As soon as we give it water, we'll… AAAACK! WHAT HAPPENED TO MY FISH BOWL?! MOMMY! DADDY! MY FISH BOWL IS MISSING!"
Indeedee scooped the ocean water into the bowl as Wishiwashi swam inside. "Thank you!"
With a nod, Indeedee walked off only to come back with a small cart and rope as he hummed, proceeding to tie the rope around Flareon and put the fish bowl on the cart.
"Stay safe out there." Indeedee waved and then took off.
"...Man, why do I gotta be the one to pull him?" Flareon wondered.
"Would you rather carry a fishbowl on your back?" Wattrel asked.
"Okay, fair." She nodded. "Hold on tight, Wishiwashi. I'm quite the adventurous one."
"Okay!"
A few days later…
During their expedition, they came across some ice caps as they walked over to see anything that would catch their eye. They would see Seel and Dewgong swimming around, a Glaceon that was snoozing on a small iceberg while some Cetoddle and Cetitan swam around, a few Frosmoth flying overhead and one Snom that was daydreaming.
"You look like you're having fun." Flareon walked over.
"Oh, I haven't seen you here before." The Snom said. "But… yeah, I'm having fun daydreaming."
"Get in line. We got a Growlithe who's anxious to get back to his pack." Flareon said. "He daydreams being back with them so much that he nearly accidentally walked into a sleeping Snorlax."
"Oh?" Snom wondered. "How interesting… but my daydreams are different."
"How so?"
BGM: Dream (Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX)
Snom looked back. "I want to fly. I want to see the beauty in the world! I want to evolve into a Frosmoth and just… fly as far as I can! I want to see other regions to see how beautiful they are."
"Oh… that's…" Flareon put her paw over her mouth, trying to compose herself. "That's the cutest thing I've ever heard!"
"Maybe we can find your pack in the sky once I evolve! Wouldn't that be great?" Snom asked.
Balto smiled. "Yeah!"
"Speaking of flying…" Flareon turned to Wattrel. "How's your wing coming along?"
"I'm grateful for the abundance of Sitrus Berries. My wing is getting better."
"Hmm?" Snom turned around. "Why not just go to a Pokemon Center? I believe that's what humans call those buildings."
"We tried that." Balto said.
Pause BGM
"Excuse us!" Flareon walked in along with everyone. "Would you be a kind human and heal up our friends' wing?"
"Hmm?" Nurse Joy turned around. "Some stray Pokemon? Oh, aren't you the cutest!"
Flareon smiled. "We just want-"
"-Flareon Flare Flare Flareon Flare Flare."
"I don't know what you want."
Flareon pointed toward the Wattrel.
"Yes, it's a very nice Wattrel. Now run along now. Here's some berries for you~"
Resume BGM
"Apparently, Reykjavik doesn't have Chansey or Audino assistants that could help Wattrel. Talk about behind the times." Flareon said.
"Curious…" Snom mused. "Still…"
She scurried over to Wattrel and latched onto his back.
"I'll just have to make do until I evolve~"
"I guess we have another party member." Wishiwashi said.
"Brrr, it's a cold one!" Wattrel shuddered.
"Oh, don't worry about it. Being cold builds character." Flareon said as she walked off with Wishiwashi.
"Excuse me! I'm part Flying! We don't do well with cold temperatures and Ice types!"
"So build an immunity to it, ya big baby."
"Oh you…!" Wattrel growled as he walked after them.
"Ooooh, so this is what it's like to walk faster~!" Snom said with her eyes sparkling.
End BGM
A few days later, after Wattrel's wing got better…
"Alright, you ready to go?" Wattrel asked.
"Ready!" Snom nodded.
Wattrel flapped his wings as he flew high into the air.
"Woooooow!" Snom's eyes sparkled. "So this is what's like to be in the air! This is so amazing!"
"Hang on to my back! We're going for a ride!" Wattrel flew off as Snom let out happy cheers while their friends watched on.
"I don't think he should overexert himself…" Balto said.
"Oh, relax. I'm sure this is what they both needed." Flareon said.
"Yeah!" Wishwashi smiled as Wattrel landed on the ground shortly after.
"I just experienced ultimate joy~" Snom said with her eyes still sparkling.
"You're welcome." Wattrel smiled.
A few months later…
"Oh hey, the smog is finally lifting." Flareon said, munching on an Oran Berry. "It's a shame honestly. I grew attached to this place."
"You said you were bored because you explored every inch of this place and wanted to get out of here as soon as possible." Wishiwashi deadpanned.
"Ugh, I swear I was saying that in my head." Flareon mumbled.
"You weren't."
Wattrel, now a Kilowattrel, landed on the ground with Snom on his head. "I just got a look of the land, it seems as if we can now get out of this place."
"About time too. I was just about to go insane." Flareon said. "Yo, Balto! Get your tail in gear, we're out of here!"
"Coming!" Balto, now an Arcanine, approached. "You think my pack will recognize me?"
"Hey, I wasn't the one who mistakenly thought a Fire Stone was a burger when you were famished the other day." Flareon said. "Seriously, there were several Cherubi you could've eaten."
"I didn't want to eat them."
"Not like the Cherubi population would miss a few. Besides, I've seen Bird Pokemon scoop 'em up all the time." Flareon rolled her eyes. "Whatever, let's get out of here."
"Um… before we leave… can we find a new fish bowl for me? This fish bowl has gotten a little too small for me." Wishiwashi requested.
"How big do you want one?" Kilowattrel asked.
"A tank."
Kilowattrel sweatdropped. "Welp… I'll see what we can do about that." He said as he flew off toward an aquarium, where they spotted a few outside.
"Oooh, that one looks good!" Snom said.
"I agree." Kilowattrel agreed as he flew down.
"Hmhmhmhm~" A Magikarp hummed nonchalantly until Kilowattrel dove in and snatched him with his claws. "Huh?! Help! Heeeeelllp! I'm being fish-napped!"
"Official Kilowattrel and Snom business!" Snom said.
"I don't know what that meeeeans!" The Magikarp cried as he was put down into another fish tank that had a Lumineon in it. "Oh!"
"...Well, I did ask for a prince. I guess beggers can't be choosers."
"Huh?"
Kilowattrel picked up the tank and flapped his wings as best he could, picking up the tank and flying off, placing it down on Balto's back and strapping it on. "This good?" Kilowattrel asked.
"Perfect~!" Wishiwashi smiled as he leapt out of the fish bowl as Kilowattrel caught him and dropped him into the tank. "Oh, fits just right~"
They approached the beach as Wishiwashi hopped out of the fish tank and proceeded to call upon his friends, going into the School form as they hopped onto the giant Wishiwashi while Kilowattrel and Snom flew nearby.
"Alright! Next stop: Galar!"
They all took off.
Back at Postwick…
Balto ran across the fields as quick as he could, seeing his home up ahead with Flareon and the others trailing behind.
"Slow down…! Some of us aren't as fast as you are!" Flareon said, "Ugh, I can't believe I'm envious over a Wishiwashi!" She grumbled as she looked up to see Kilowattrel flying with Snom on board. "...Or a Snom for that matter!"
"Something wrong, Flareon? I thought you were "building character"." Kilowattrel teased.
"Hey! Don't make me Flamethrower your wings off!" Flareon glared.
Balto screeched to a halt, seeing the house in front of him. The tree was gone, but it was repaired. He smiled and then walked over to the front door, nudging his head to make it open up, thankful the door swung in.
However, as he walked in, it was dusty. He found the lightswitch and nudged it, turning it on… and seeing everything completely empty.
"What?!"
"Wow! Nice pad… it's a little… uh…" Flareon tilted her head. "Well, I'd say it's a fixer upper because… I swear human homes were a lot more stuffed."
"Where is everyone?!" Balto looked around. "Mom? Dad? Aless! Cian!"
He ran up the stairs, but to his dismay, the bedrooms were completely empty.
"I think your humans moved out…" Kilowattrel said sadly.
"Ooooh… where could they have gone?!" Balto wondered as he walked down the stairs.
"Maybe we can find them. Did you overhear them if they were moving away?" Flareon wondered.
"I paid no attention. I was busy playing with my pack or snuggling up to them."
"Oh… that's a shame."
"Well… we'll find them!" Kilowattrel said. "They're probably somewhere in Galar."
"Or maybe they went to a different region." Flareon said. "As I've heard from the caretaker, people tend to move out with better job opportunities or something."
"Let's move out. We'll find them. I'm sure of it!" Kilowattrel said.
"Right." Balto nodded as they ran out, Balto making sure to turn off the light and closing the door before they ran off.
"Hmm?" Hop spotted them as he wandered around. "Huh, interesting Pokemon squad there." He turned around with a shrug and walked off.
BGM: Great Sea (The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker)
Athens Region…
"You guys came here by Wishiwashi…?" A Gurdurr wondered as they explored some ruins.
"Yeah, it's a bit unorthodox. Have you heard of these folks named Alessandra and Cian?" Flareon asked.
"Haven't heard of 'em."
"Okay. Thanks for your time."
Nearby…
"Excuse us!" Kilowattrel landed in front of a conversing Coalossal, Abomasnow, Heatran and Tornadus. "Have you heard of this young lady named Alessandra?"
"Nope. Never heard of her." Coaloassal said. "But perhaps you could ask the Legendary Pokemon at Olympus. I'm sure they-"
CRACK BOOOOOOOOOM!
"Oh, sounds like they're having their daily disagreement." Abomasnow said.
"Daily… disagreement?" Kilowattrel wondered as he looked over to see lightning crashing into a wave of water along with fire slamming into them, along with the power of hearts being thrown about.
"Oooh, fun!" Snom said.
"Not fun! Turning around!" Kilowattrel flew away.
The Amsterdam Region…
"Hmm… I haven't seen anyone who fits that description." Florges said as they were in a flower field.
"Awww…" Balto looked down while Snom looked at some windmills spinning… until he got dizzy and fell off of Kilowattrel.
"Oooogh… dizzy…"
"Over what? I was just standing still!"
The Great Outback region…
"I am so sorry… I have not seen them in this region." A Kangaskahn said.
"Hey! We got a human walking around in our territory!"
"Humans never learn!" The Kangaskhan took off running.
"Are they gonna give that human hugs?" Snom wondered.
"AIYEEEEEEEE!"
"NOPE!" Wishiwashi whimpered.
"This place is hardcore. I love it! Can we stay here?" Flareon asked.
"I thought "The region where every hostile Pokemon will kill you" was just a joke in that pamphlet!" Kilowattrel grimaced as they took off running.
Johto…
"You haven't seen them?" Balto frowned.
"Nope. Sorry about that." A Butterfree responded. "May you find them eventually!"
"Well… I guess Johto's a bust." Wishiwashi said. "Come on, Flare-... Flareon?"
"What are these interpretive dances and why am I so entranced?" Flareon wondered, watching the Kimono girls dancing and putting on a show with the Eeveelutions.
"Come on, let's go." Kilowattrel picked her up and flew off.
"Aw come on! Five more minutes!"
End BGM
Seven years of searching later, including a few searches through Galar…
"Mmmm…" Balto wandered into a cave in the Crown Tundra. "It's been so long. Aless and Cian were nine years old when I met them and now it's been seven years…"
"I'm sure we got some years left in us!" Flareon said.
"I just want to be alone… we can't find them… I've got no hope left."
"Oh, Balto…" Wishiwashi frowned.
"Come on… let's give him some space." Kilowattrel said as they walked out, leaving Wishiwashi alone to try to cheer him up.
"There's got to be something we can do. Seven years is a long time to be searching for someone… but agh… maybe we're just not looking in the right spot." Flareon said.
"We've done a few thorough searches in Paldea, but heard of nothing." Kilowattrel said.
"Poor Balto…" Snom frowned. "Oh, I hope we find them!"
"Baltooooo! Where are yooou! HEY BALTOOOOOOO! I got a treat for you!"
"Huh?" The three of them got curious and went off to the source of the voice, seeing Kamek calling to him.
"Baaaaltoooooo!"
"Did you hear that?" Flareon whispered.
"That guy's looking for Balto! Is he friends with Alessandra and Cian?" Snom whispered.
Kilowattrel approached Kamek. "Balto, you say?"
"We overheard you talking about Balto." Flareon said.
"We did!" Snom agreed.
"I know I do not speak Pokemon but, this is worth a shot… do you guys know of a Balto?"
They all turned toward each other and with a smile, they turned to Kamek and urged him to follow.
Back at the cave…
"Cheer up, Balto. We'll find them again tomorrow!"
"I don't know…" Balto mumbled, but then heard footsteps as he perked up, seeing Kamek.
"Huh?" Wishiwashi turned around.
"I come in peace. No need to worry yourselves." He said. "I am looking for a Growlithe named Balto. Two kids by the name of Cian and Alessandra are looking for him."
Balto's eyes widened, perking up at their names.
"Have you seen the lil' Growlithe around?"
"My pack is still looking for me!" Balto said, letting out a happy howl as his bandana flashed out of his fur.
"Oh!"
Ibuki: Oh wow! We haven't had a talking Pokemon Gaiden since... Peach-chan's Ralts and Yang-chan's Cosmog's misadventure!
Deadpool: Has it been that long? Sheeeeeesh!
Yeah, I debated if I wanted to do that again and then went "Ah, what the heck."