Ash's Story (Part 5: Modern Sinnoh)

Chapter 64: Choice in the Snow

Route 217 did not feel like a road at first. It felt like a white wall that kept moving away from us whenever we tried to walk through it.

The snow reached past my boots in some places, and the wind kept dragging loose powder across the path until every footprint looked older than it was. After Squallville and the Battle Hall, I thought I understood northern Sinnoh's cold better.

Route 217 proved I still had a lot to learn.

We stopped near a line of bent trees to train before the weather became worse. Torterra planted his feet against the snow while Monferno bounced in place, flames flickering carefully so they did not melt the ground into slush.

"Monferno, keep your Flamethrower controlled," I said. "Torterra needs pressure, not a wildfire."

Monferno gave a sharp nod, then released a steady stream of flame that Torterra blocked with a wall of roots and lifted snow. The heat and cold met in a burst of steam.

Lillie watched with her hands tucked into her coat sleeves. "They are getting better at working against difficult weather."

Gladion looked at the sky. "The weather is not making it optional."

A blast of Powder Snow suddenly hurtled from the trees.

"What the?" I gasped, spinning toward the white burst.

The attack swept past Torterra and Monferno, struck the path behind us, and froze Dawn and Daniel in thick ice before either of them could move.

"Dawn! Daniel!" Lillie cried, rushing toward them.

"Monferno, Flamethrower, low heat!" I called. "Melt the ice, not them!"

Monferno's eyes widened, but he steadied himself and breathed a careful ribbon of flame over the ice. Tox rushed beside Dawn and Daniel, checking their faces as the frost cracked.

"Slow thaw," Tox said. "No sudden shock. Keep their airway clear."

The ice broke apart, and Dawn stumbled forward into Lillie's arms. Daniel shook so hard his glasses nearly slipped from his face.

"Thanks a lot," Daniel said, teeth chattering. "Just what happened?"

"I don't know," Lillie said, her eyes shining despite the danger. "Maybe it was an Ice-type Pokémon."

Gladion muttered from behind his scarf. "Oh great, not again."

Dawn rubbed her arms while Tox checked her fingers. "I like Ice-types better when they introduce themselves politely."

Tox looked at her hands with clinical focus. "Color is returning. Keep flexing your fingers. Do not pretend you are fine because the surprise is embarrassing."

Dawn gave him a tired look. "You noticed that too?"

"Everyone noticed," Gladion said without looking away from the trees.

Pikachu's ears twitched toward a nearby bush.

Pikachu's meaning sparked with alert curiosity. "Something laughed. Not cruel. Lonely."

That made me pause. "Lonely?"

Before I could ask more, Tox and Gladion stepped forward and both hit the snow at the same time. A Grass Knot rose from under their boots and sent them sprawling.

"Brother! Tox!" Lillie cried, hurrying toward them.

Tox pushed himself up with a flat expression. "No injury. Pride bruising is not medical."

Gladion brushed snow from his coat. "Speak for yourself."

Daniel looked toward the trees, still shivering. "The laugh came from that bush. The traps are controlled, but not lethal. The intent may not be simple aggression."