Paragon

Hisui Incursion [16]

Apologies for the delay, this is a longer chapter! The longest in the fic so far actually! So please enjoy!!

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PARAGON

Hisui Incursion Arc [16]

Chapter 68 : Expedition's End

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Hisui Region - Alabaster Icelands

Snow whipped across Ash's face like grains of glass, the cold stinging, yet feeling refreshing against his skin. The scent of woody bark and winter slush filled his nostrils, cragged pines standing watch over the rocky exit from Mount Coronet. The sun glinted off the white snow, making the landscape nearly blinding, yet granting little warmth.

"Well, first I think a thank you is in order for the hero who got us out of that mess," Laventon declared, crouching down. "Thank you, Shieldon." He tried to pet Shieldon, but Shieldon reared away and snorted.

Yura giggled, scooting away so he couldn't hide behind her.

"And thank you too, Yura," Laventon continued. "We couldn't have done it without you."

Yura turned even redder, her cheeks already rosy from the cold. "O-Oh, yeah."

She glanced at Sabrina for a reprieve from her embarrassment, but Sabrina beamed at her too. The psychic raised her hand to caress her cheeks, and Yura recoiled the moment they touched her.

"Cold!"

Sabrina blushed and yanked her hand away. "Sorry!"

"Let's get bundled up, yeah, Professor?" Akari said, slinging down her backpack.

"Ah, yes," Laventon said, mimicking her. "Time for our winter clothes. I'd have had us change sooner if I'd known we'd be reaching the outside so soon. Let's make sure we stay warm."

The woolen coats and gloves certainly warmed Ash up and putting them on was a welcome lightening of his load, heavy as they were within the packs.

Pikachu's breath condensed in front of him and he shivered on Ash's shoulder.

"Sorry, buddy. You can tuck inside if you want."

Pikachu shook his head and flexed his arms, electricity crackling on his cheeks.

Ash grinned. "Suit yourself."

A pair of boots trudged up beside him. "Ash, I can carry my bag now. Really, it's fine."

With a woolen cap on and her hood on on top of that, lined with fur as it was, Sabrina's face looked tiny in comparison with the rest of her burly form. Ash had to stop himself from grinning too much at the sight of her.

"Nah, don't worry about it, I got it," he said. "But thanks." Honestly, with how many layers she had on, it'd probably be even more difficult than before for her to carry her own pack.

"Thank you," she mumbled.

"So, do you think you can get us back on track?" Riley asked Laventon as he laced up his boots.

"Oh, yes. The foothills were the hard part. Now that we're outside again, we should be able to find our way much easier. The Icelands have a number of defining landmarks that make navigation quite simple."

"Unless there's a blizzard," Rei chimed in, and Laventon grimaced.

"Yes, unless there's a blizzard. But the skies look clear enough. With any luck, our biggest worry will be the pokémon that prowl this land."