Frozen Resolve

Chapter 17 : Desperation

(Randy's POV)

Can't move...

I lay on the ground after Enduring the attack, the thumps approached me. My chest stung, and my new-found arms felt numb. You had to be careful enough to launch those Icicle Spears at me. If you're cautious enough to do that, I'm sure you're careless enough to ensure my death close up.

Stomp! Stomp!

"C'mon, Kyurem...C'mon...just a little closer..." The thumps grew louder and louder as my consciousness blurred, yet clear enough to gather my remaining strength in my paw. "NO! Please!" the vague voice of my partner shouted. Blossom! Get out of the way!

The warm presence stood beside me, and I couldn't launch my final attack. At this rate, I'll either pass out from blood loss or hit both with Stone Edge! I'm sorry, chief, but I hope this doesn't hit you! Just when I was about to fire it, a pair of warm paws wrapped around my neck.

Everything went black.

"It's okay, Rands! It's okay! Everymon is okay!"

I woke up with my collar fur drenched and familiar faces surrounding me. "Hi guys, where and...uh...what?" were the only words I could make out. "I'm so glad you're recovering alright, Rands!" the blue feline exclaimed and pounced onto me, hugging me and furiously licking my cheeks.

"I'm glad to see you too, Blossom. Now get off me." I pushed her off and rubbed my head, only to see her pouting with teary eyes. "Some things never change, do they?" Ivy said with a smile. "Randy, we're at home, but you seem to owe everymon some "thank you"s and "sorry"s!"

"Wow, Icy! Haven't seen you in a while! How was your trip?" I greeted. "Cut short, I'm glad you're still alive," Icy replied with a sigh. "Hehe, as humble as you usually are, Icy! If it weren't for her warning us, you wouldn't have been alive, Randy," Ivy added. "Warning of what?"

"To keep it brief, you might be the last human alive," she replied shortly, filling my head with questions. "But more importantly, you need to thank and apologize to Blossom!" Duff added. "Okay. Thanks, Blossom, for saving me?...and sorry for pushing you away."

"Wow, keeping it that short? How ungrateful!" the door of our house slammed open, and in walked a limping chipmunk. "Kuro! You alright?" Duff hurried to his side. "I'm alright, bud! Speaking of which, chief, are your bite wounds healing alright?" he shouted. "Huh? Bite wounds?"

"Yep! Thanks, Kuro!" she exclaimed. "Randy, in case you don't remember. She not only protected you from Kyurem, but also defended you against a pack of Mightyenas!" Duff hissed. "Blossom...you...did that?" I muttered in disbelief. "I was so worried! What if you couldn't make it through and...let go and...just became a light and...sniff..."

"OkayokayokayI'msorryBlossom!" I blurted out and hugged Blossom. She hugged me back, and we stayed like that for what felt like an eternity. "Kuro, what about your wounds?" I asked, still hugging Blossom. "Ask yourself, rockhead. What kind of dream made you smash me into the wall?"

"I did...what?"

My friends continued to fill me in about what happened, starting from Icy returning from her journey and telling everymon to search for me. Kuro and Duff found Blossom defending me from a pack of hungry Mightyenas after a beacon of electricity.

"But why search in the desert? That's the opposite direction of where we set off!" I questioned. "Who knows? I heard some voice speaking in my head, urging me to go to the desert. After asking Duff about it, he heard it too, and we both set off to the desert.

And I doubted him the entire way.

"Seems like even after his body was destroyed, his will still persisted, didn't it, Rands?" Blossom booped my nose. "Um-yeah? Why wouldn't it? He's part of the Voice of Life, isn't he?" I blanked out at the nose boop. "Yep! So he's probably gonna show up anytime now!"