Pokemon: Thunder & Fire

Episode XIII: Snow Point

A silent yawn escapes Akio as he slips out of his room, the wooden floorboards creaking softly beneath his feet. He rubs his eyes, still half-asleep, and relishes the peaceful stillness that usually accompanies being the first one awake.

The house is steeped in quiet, with no signs of movement from the others, only the faint hum of the refrigerator in the distance. Heading down the hallway, he makes his way to the shared bathroom, his footsteps light and deliberate.

Upon entering, he's met with a room shrouded in darkness, the cool air hitting his skin. He flicks the light switch, the fluorescent glow flickering to life and casting shadows against the tiled walls.

With a sigh, Akio begins his usual morning routine, the mundane task of brushing his teeth offering a moment of calm before the day begins.

A few minutes later, Akio leaves the bathroom feeling a bit more awake, his drowsiness replaced by a sense of clarity. He runs a hand through his hair, smoothing it down, and recalls Kenshi's advice from the night before 'Take it easy until the mission starts'.

There's no rush, no need to dive headfirst into anything yet. With that in mind, Akio decides to step outside for some fresh air, eager to soak in the tranquility of the early morning.

As he opens the front door, the cool breeze greets him, carrying with it the lingering scent of dew on the grass. The streets lie empty, the town still in a deep slumber, and the horizon shows no hint of dawn just yet.

The sky remains a soft navy, the stars slowly fading as night prepares to give way to day. Akio steps out onto the quiet street, feeling the stillness wrap around him like a comforting blanket.

Glancing at his phone, Akio checks the time. "Six thirty," he murmurs to himself, a hint of surprise in his voice. It's early, and he wonders if any stores would even be open at this hour.

Curiosity piqued, he pockets his phone and sets off down the quiet street, deciding to take a leisurely stroll through the sleeping town. The cool morning air feels refreshing against his skin, a stark contrast to the stillness of the house he just left.

As he walks, the town around him feels almost surreal; empty sidewalks, closed shops, and streetlights still casting their orange glow against the pavement. The silence is so profound that the sound of his own footsteps seems louder than usual.

After a while, Akio spots something in the distance, a small convenience store, its neon "Open 24/7" sign glowing faintly in the early morning light. A small smile tugs at his lips. 'Well, at least one place is awake.'

Akio steps into the store, and the automatic doors slide shut behind him with a soft hiss. Inside, the bright fluorescent lights seem almost harsh after the dim light of the street.

The store is eerily quiet, the only sound coming from the hum of the refrigerator units lining the back wall. No other customers in sight, just Akio and the endless rows of neatly stocked shelves.

He shrugs off the solitude, welcoming the quiet as he heads straight for the baked goods section. The smell of freshly baked pastries fills the air, and Akio's stomach grumbles softly in response.

He scans the shelves, grabbing an assortment of croissants, muffins, and a few doughnuts, tossing them into his basket. Then, he moves to the coffee section, selecting several different flavored brews; hazelnut, caramel, and his personal favorite, vanilla.

The warm, comforting scents make him eager for breakfast, and he can't help but feel like this little excursion is off to a good start. With his basket full, Akio makes his way to the checkout counter, only to find it deserted.