Pokemon Heroes: Sinnoh Saga [Book 1]

Chapter 76: The Ice Fields of Northern Sinnoh

"Once we left the Frozen Woods of Route 216, we made it to what was known as the Great Clearing. These were the icy, snowy fields of Northern Sinnoh. Route 217. The forest that covered most of this area actually split into what used to be ancient rivers and ponds. Most of these have long since been frozen, since time immemorial. The water still ran out to Lake Acuity, but several feet of ice stood between those who walked above this route, and the water below. If Team Galactic were going to stage an invasion party, or set up a camp in this area, it would be here, in this seemingly abandoned route. Yet still, after days of travelling through the ice and snow, making igloos or finding caves to sleep in, there was still no sign of Team Galactic. We had started to wonder if they had given up, or if Azelf had been distracting them from coming for the other Legendary Pokémon. If only we had known..."

For the second time in a few days, Sam and Alyssandra had been left alone.

They hadn't spoken much since their talk a few nights ago in the igloo.

Just today they had left the forests of Route 216, and now they were exploring the open fields of Route 217.

They had set up camp somewhere in a hidden cave in this small valley area and had split up to scour the area for a possible Team Galactic encampment.

They had a few good hours of sunlight left—there was supposed to be a storm brewing, and it would soon make it impossible see anything at a distance, and dangerous to travel.

Somehow, through the drawing of straws—though Sam was certain it was the manipulation of Niya, Jeremy, and the latest player in this game, Lucario—Sam and Alyssandra had ended up together again.

Sam kept an open mental connection with Lucario—the latter had promised that if Sam was stuck alone with Alyssandra, he would at least monitor the conversation to make sure he hadn't said something stupid. Sam was worried he had said the wrong things last time, when explaining to Alyssandra the story of Palmer and Cynthia.

"I've examined your memories and have concluded you did nothing wrong," sighed the Pokémon, "You're worrying for nothing."

"I'd rather be safe than alone," Sam hissed in his mind, "Couldn't you just tell me what she thinks of me by reading her aura?"

Lucario made a sound somewhere between a growl and disgust. "I could not. That would be an abuse of my powers, and the trust I share with your—sorry, our—friends."

"Not even a hint?" pleaded Sam.

"Not even a hint," stated Lucario flatly.

Sam turned back to Alyssandra.

She hadn't spoken to him much since their last discussion, the two of them almost seemed to be distanced from one another.

To be fair, they had been busy trekking through several feet of snow and ice, but even so, Sam was starting to worry he had said something wrong.

"Just say something," shot Lucario, giving Sam a mental nudge.

Alyssandra was looking out across the frozen plain, looking for any sign of a fire or encampment that could indicate a Team Galactic campsite near Lake Acuity. So far, the group had found nothing, and relayed as much to the other teams at the other lakes.

Sam shoved Lucario back with another mental nudge and turned to Alyssandra. "Lyss," he started.

She didn't turn and respond.

"Lyss!" called Sam, though not too loud, trying not to alert anyone nearby to their position.

She turned around finally.

"What's wrong," he demanded.

Lyss shrugged. "What do you mean?"

"We haven't talked in days," Sam's frustration and worry was boiling over, "What's wrong, did I offend you? Did I say something wrong?"

Alyssandra sighed. "No...no it's me," she started, but Sam wasn't done, he couldn't finish, he couldn't stop.

"I'm sorry that I lied to you, and to everyone," he pleaded, "I'm sorry I hid the truth about Professor Alexios, and I'm sorry I didn't tell anyone about the gun, or my plans to kill the Galactic leadership. I'm sorry I broke several of my promises to you, and I'm sorry I violated your trust. Just...if you're upset with me because of that, and the story with Cynthia and Palmer reminded you of that, I'm sorry. Please...please forgive me. You're my—"

Sam couldn't say it.

He wanted to. She was his friend. She would always be his friend, but something in his mind was preventing him from saying the word.

Was Lucario interfering? It didn't feel like it.

Was it a guilty conscience trying to force out the truth? Who knew.

Sam circumnavigated the block with some quick thinking and word play. "—You're someone very important to me. You mean a lot to me, and I can't bear the thought of us not talking anymore, or me angering you. I'm sorry."

Alyssandra stood there, bewildered and a little embarrassed.

Her face turned a light shade of pink. Then she smiled softly.

She ran forward, threw her arms around Sam, and hugged him tightly, pressing herself into his chest and squeezing him almost hard enough to break his ribcage.

"You were laying it on a little thick," snickered Lucario in Sam's mind, "I might be sick from how cute this is."

Sam was beginning to regret teaching his Pokémon about sarcasm.

"I'm sorry," Alyssandra said finally, pulling out from the hug, "I...it was me, something to do with me. I forgave you and your stupid reasons a long time ago. You...you've been going through your own things, your own feelings, even if you were just being an idiot. Looks like I was being an idiot this time, I'm sorry."

Sam chuckled. "I was definitely being an idiot."

Relief washed over him and for a brief second he felt warm for the first time since they'd reached Northern Sinnoh.

"I...I don't know what I said to cause you to get upset—" started Sam.

Alyssandra covered his mouth. "Nothing you did or said. This is a me problem," she answered, making it very clear to Sam, "I hope you can forgive me."

"There is nothing to forgive," smiled Sam, removing her hand from his mouth.

The two laughed.

Lucario echoed through Sam's head, but he didn't heed the snarky comments of his Pokémon.

"Actually, there is something I need to tell you," started Alyssandra as the two walked back towards the ledge.

"What's that?" wondered Sam.

Before Alyssandra could open her mouth the ledge on which they were perched they found the ground beneath them had begun to cave in.

To this day, Sam wished he had listened to Lucario's voice earlier. It had been a warning about where he was walking and how it could collapse.

Without thinking, Sam grabbed Alyssandra's hand and brought her close, in case they both fell into the chasm, they'd fall in together and not be separated.

The two ran as fast as they could, the snow collapsing faster than they could run.

Sam didn't remember what happened after that. All he knew was he and Alyssandra fell deep into the chasm, they didn't even know how long they had fallen for before they hit something hard.

Alyssandra had rolled away from him, but she was within sight, but before he could go over to her, he felt his vision start to swim.

Shit.

He was stuck somewhere.

It would be a while before Lucario could find him, and Sam couldn't even reach out with his mind to his Pokémon. He hit his head during the fall and the pain was making it hard to focus.

Shit.

This was it.

Everything went black.