Explorers of Origin: A Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Fanfiction, Volume 2

Chapter 3: Aeroassault

Facts are events that remain untouched. Opinions are events that are tampered.

"Nnnngh... what a long nap that was... huh? How did I get inside this bush...? Oh, right. It has to be her doing. That little girl really pulled a rabbit out of her jaw. I guess those kinds of creatures are rather clever in their own right."

Arising from a deep slumber, Glaceon observes the warm sunset that radiates across the dark orange horizon. Her flat face stares as the gray cirrus clouds that coast along the aerial ocean, coming to terms with what just happened.

"I must admit, she's a tough cookie. I guess my abilities do not have a favorable matchup against her kind. Regardless, I must become stronger for his sake. But first, I need to completely understand this persona of mine..."

Glaceon slowly reviews every inch of her paws, clenching them over and over to fully grasp the frigid mist that pampers their toe tips like a delicate coating of nail polish. Twitching her ears, she embraces the gentle gust that raises her goosebumps that jump across her body.

"A chill in every step... I never thought it would feel this good, let alone in a human body..."

In the middle of her self-staged monologue, Glaceon's nose reacts to a familiar scent lingering from the dirt. She carefully inhales the scent, closing her eyes to concentrate on its contents.

"He walked by this area. He had to. His friends are keeping him company for sure."

Glaceon proceeds to march east, following Pikachu's scent diligently to keep herself on the right path. Strolling along her newly set route, she monitors the empty terrain that has welcomed few guests since the Amartoloí crisis started taking major tolls on communities across the continent. The emptiness of her immediate surroundings caused Glaceon to ponder on a similar environment she had previously resided.

"This place looks just as abandoned as back at my old home. Almost like that pandemic that killed off many people around the world because of our government's lack of care for the infected. If these creatures think that way... I will not forgive them."

Affirmed with her resurfaced resolve, Glaceon's body exudes a large, chilly radius that freezes the nearby bushes solid and crystallizes the patches of grass into artificial micro-stalagmites. The expulsion of her tension comes to a halt when she detects the flapping of steel wings.

"Who's up there?"

"At ease. I do not wish to fight."

"Huh. You're rather friendly. Do you mind telling me why you came here?"

"There are surges of Pokémon deaths at the hands of the purple Amartoloí. I insist you be on your guard."

"Oh, those are what those things are called? Thanks for the warning. Just one thing, though."

"Hmm?"

"Have you come across a group that includes a yellow mouse lately? I need to know where they have marched to."

"Though I have made contact with them not too long ago, it was only to warn them about the worsening of our crisis. I'm afraid I do not recall their destination."