Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity

Chapter 22

Chapter 22: A Path of Ice

The ground is cold. No- freezing. It's core crunches angrily under my partly-formed, scaly pale feet. It twists and turns up my lower body. It plows up my neck. Then it laughs a murderous laugh as it numbs my face and head. The cold sweeps throughout my entire body, hungrily taking my body heat in. They say fire and warmth melt ice and Bittercold. They are wrong. For they aren't as obviously idiotic as my friends and I. They don't go off to explore giant glaciers and almost turn insane by a darkrai, only to come back later for more; another chance at death. Or are we the wise ones? ...no.

I shuffle my small toes in place, feeling the satisfying crunch of broken ice. I let out a tiny smile to that. I will crush the Glacial Palace like that. I silently vow. That would be a sight to see: chips of glittering, frozen, gem-like shards flung throughout the world like pebbles.

Noises behind me- more of a rustle. A blinding, soft blue light shades the edge of my vision. I take the moment to shield my eyes while my group of others are transported to... here. Once the sheer blare of the entercards dies out, I sigh and stop covering my eyes. I take the chance to look around.

We stand within a large, deep purple chamber. The ice I've been crushing for fun is slushy and oozing the disturbing purple hue. Eeeeww. Glancing at the floor makes me want to puke, so I take the chance to look at the walls. Not much better. The purple ice things swamp the whole cavern my friends and I stand in. But at least they aren't oozing more purple. Then my meager breakfast would be gone then and there. The only thing that assures me I'm in the right cave is the cold tingle under my feet... and the sense of power nearby.

"Ugh... where are we?" A moan growls behind. Without turning around, I already know it's Umbre. The black feline had sounded discouraged to be returning to the ice, and the fact that Lady Munaah is evil surely didn't help his already sour mood. Maybe some adventuring will clear up his annoyance, but I doubt it. Fat, pastel-colored hogs tend to make people angry. And Umbre must be plain fed-up.

More landings clamber around. Soft or hard, I can still make out the faint sounds of splashing into that horrid water. "I believe we've all landed. I guess I'll do a roll call," Ah, good old Espa. Her smart voice rumbles through the small chamber as the espeon calls out Pokemon names. As she does that, her light purple eyes glance the direction of that Pokemon, reassuring her everyone's here.

"OK, we've got Llana, Zoey-" A light squeak cries in protest when another gross splash echoes- "Uh, Virision, Elijah, Jenna, me, Umbre, and Tim. Gosh, that's allot. Hmm..." When her voice dies out, I assume the light lavender cat is deciding groups. "Since we can't go out and simply walk through the glacier like a stampede for the last berry, I'll decide some teams that should be suitable for everyone's needs. Ahem... we'll go with me and Umbre, Virision and Elijah, Jenna and Zoey, and..." Most other voices in my head drown out after "Zoey."

It's only fair that she gets put with someone else... I guess... But that means my chances of seeing Zoey in the dungeon before we either save the world or die is too small! What if I never see her again! What if I die by my partner or some- I look over and catch his deep, blue eyes. Oh right, my partner's Tim... Then I glance to the left, where the sickening splash had occurred. I smile when I see a small, otter form stuck in a puddle and a light blue dragon attempting to pull her up. Her river blue eyes quickly shine from underneath the sludge, and Zoey attempts at reflecting my small smile onto her face. This result is choking. And a certain dinosaur getting forced within the goop. But soon both blue females emerge from the ice, and I don't bother to exactly help.

I feel it: the slight whoosh of him there. Coming. His body next to mine gives me comfort, strength. One last glimpse of Zoey and I let him steer me away. He turns around and slides to his knees so we can see face-to-face. It's embarrassing to be this small... I can't help but let the thought glide by for a moment before I look into his deep, dark blue eyes. Let him take me to wherever.. "I trust... I trust we don't have to split up anytime soon," Tim murmurs to me, his light gray fur close to me, a nice insulator from the cold. Good, because I'm a grass type. Because I'm afraid now, I get silently reminded. I give his cheek a slow kiss. He gives my scaled fingers a squeeze before getting up again, where I'm reminded that I'm only tall enough for my head to barely reach his shoulder. But he's there. I know it.