ϟϟ(๑⚈ ․̫ ⚈๑)

"It's okay, bud. We'll be fine on our own from here," said Lloyd, petting  Corviknight's beak. The giant bird only chirped in response before flying off.

He stared at it for a while, then back at his friends. Considering they were literally halfway up a cold mountain, they weren't in the best mood. Though they were complaining about something else this time.

"Great, so we've got four sleeping bags and five people," he heard Kai's voice say. "Well, four people and a talking Pikachu."

"Hey!" Jay yelled.

Lloyd looked back down at Candy, who was ready to fall asleep and sighed. He nudged her side a bit till she woke up and he gestured at his Pokeball. After she gave him a small nod, he put her back in her Pokeball before going to the others.

"Say, you don't think you can fit in a Pokeball, do you?" Nya told Jay. Even he wanted to laugh, but managed to hold it back hearing Jay's protests.

"You will not catch my friend!" Cole countered. "Just share a sleeping bag or something, he's not that big."

"Guys," Lloyd finally decided to intervene, making everyone's attention turn to him. "Kai can just take out Pyroar. Jay should stay warm by him."

"Flame? You want me to fall asleep next to a lion?!"

Everyone just glared at him, making him finally shut up and admit defeat. Kai called for Flame to come out. He stared down at Jay with a stern face, though he quickly laid down next to him, wrapping its warm tail around him.

As everyone got into their sleeping bags after putting all their Pokemon back in their Pokeballs, only Jay and Flame were left awake.

As they both felt the cold night's wind get to them, Flame suddenly snuggled closer to him, almost crushing him in the process. Although tight, it still felt comfortable, like a big soft pillow.

"So this is what being a Pokemon feels like..." Jay murmured to himself. "You know, maybe this isn't so bad. I get to be carried around all the time and I get cool electricity powers." He looked at his little hands and tried to focus, smiling when small sparks started coming out from his red cheeks. "Yeah, I can get used to this..."

Putting his arms behind his head (well, as far as he could since they were so short), he started closing his eyes, and soon enough, he fell asleep.

That didn't last for long, however, for a strange sound woke him up. Slowly opening his eyes, he looked at Flame, who was asleep next to him. Everyone else was sleeping as well.

The sound only grew louder. Looking around, he got up. Although they were just near the top of the tall mountain, they were still surrounded by trees and freezing rivers. And although everything was dark, he could barely just spot two glowing eyes in the distance.

"Guys?" he said with a trembling voice, but no one heard him.

As the creature came closer, he started panicking. "Come on cheeks, shoot bolts already!" He started rubbing his cheeks uncontrollably, but to no avail.

The creature charged at him immediately as he was tackled to the ground. But when he looked up, he saw... a Ninetales. The cream-coloured, nine-tailed fox was staring down at him with suspicion. It wasn't growling, just staring with its fierce red eyes.

"Guys?!" Jay yelled a little louder.

One head raised up; it was Cole's. "What is it again—" The moment he noticed the Ninetales, he started nudging the others till they woke up. He got up and took slow steps towards the two. "Easy there buddy..."

The Ninetales only stepped back, looking at them all. Flame suddenly got up as he started growling at the strange Pokemon. Kai held a hand in front of her, though he was ready to attack as well. Lloyd and Nya were ready to take their Pokemon out as well, but they all stopped once they saw a strange sight.

A strange aura started surrounding the Ninetales, and before they knew it, it was gone. In its place was a raven-haired girl. She had fangs, but she also had weird markings on her face, almost resembling whiskers. Even her clothes, especially her hood, resembled a Ninetales.

"Is this another weird fever dream?" Jay said, his mouth slightly agape.

"Come," was all the girl said, gesturing to a nearby cave.

"How can we trust you?" Lloyd crossed his arms. She didn't respond, she only kept walking farther away. They all looked at each other, quickly putting all their sleeping bags in their backpacks before they followed behind her.

Lloyd and Nya were on Flame, with Jay sitting on top of his head. Kai and Cole, meanwhile, walked beside them as they kept looking at the strange girl with a knowing look.

"So what's your name?" Kai said, raising an eyebrow.

"Akita," the girl said. "I'm assuming you're looking for Zane."

"We're looking for Dr Julien, actually," he corrected her. "You see, Cyrus turned my friend into a Pikachu and we need a metal thingy to get him back to normal."

"I see..." she said. "Borg has been trying to recreate the ability of my people for a long time, turning into a Pokemon is no common trait," she rubbed her chin, thinking. "I'm glad to see he finds succeeded. It's a shame Julien isn't here to see it..."

Despite only leaving them more confused than before, they didn't question it. Instead, they followed her into a large cave just a small distance away from their camping spot.

When they went in, however, there were no Pokemon anywhere to be seen. Where under normal circumstances, they would have been already attacked by nearly a thousand Zubats, blue, bat-like Pokemon, the place was surprisingly peaceful. When they got past it, however, they were met with an even stranger sight.

A lone cabin in a small opening in the woods, barely lit up. She gestured them to follow her along the rocky path, and soon enough, they were at the entrance. She knocked on the door lightly, and it didn't take long till it opened.

A pale, blue-eyed young man was standing on the other side. His pale blond hair was styled in a crew cut, meanwhile his clothing was almost completely white.

"Akita? What brings you here?" he said in a friendly yet confused tone.

"Zane, they want to see you," she moved away to show everyone behind her. Some were smiling sheepishly, while some others were just staring, equally as confused.

"Oh, yes. Please come in."

Kai put Flame back in his Pokeball as they headed inside.

Everything was pretty simple. It was just a living room, a bathroom, a bedroom and a workshop. There was even a small kitchen.

As they all sat down in the living room, next to the cozy fireplace, Akita and Zane were talking in the back. Before they could eavesdrop on them though, Akita suddenly left, closing the door behind her.

Zane walked up to them with a smile. "You're lucky Akita found you, it's freezing out there," he said, sitting down at one of the couches. "She told me about your problem. Mind if I take a look?"

They all looked at each other for a second, before Lloyd picked Jay up and put him in Zane's lap.

He laughed. "Oh, no, not your friend. The metal piece, I meant."

Lloyd nodded, taking the strange metal out of his backpack, handing it to him.

"I'm sorry my father can't accompany you right now. He's...somewhere else..." he apologized, gesturing to follow him into the bedroom. Although they didn't question it, they all already knew what he meant.

When they went into the bedroom, they all gasped. In one of the beds there was a large, blue bird laying underneath the covers. Its long, flowing tail reached the floor, as one of its large wings had a bandage wrapped around it.

"Wait, you have a Legendary Pokemon in here?!" Jay was the first one to speak.

"Yes, it was my father's." Gently shaking its head, it woke up with a chirp. "Good evening to you too, Articuno," Zane smiled, petting its injured wing.

Once the Pokemon finally got up, it started flapping its wings, flying around the room.

"Is he okay?" Nya asked.

"He is now. He had a small injury after an accident," he gestured at his wing. He finally turned to Articuno, showing him the metal piece. "Please?"

The Articuno flew back down, inspecting the metal before looking back up at Zane. He nodded, and the Articuno blew a soft, cold breeze from its mouth. Suddenly, the metal started glowing a bright blue.

"Here you go," he handed it back to Loyd.

"He just made it colder..."

"He powered it up. Articuno's ice is a great source of energy. That's why you can't find this metal anywhere else."

There was a silence after that. They just looked at the Articuno flying around for a bit, and then one by one they started heading to the living room.

Lloyd stayed with Zane. "Say, do you want to come with us?"

"Where?"

"You know... Places. Just explore the outside world."

"I'm afraid I can't leave Articuno on his own."

"You can take him with you then."

Zane stayed silent. He looked back at Articuno with a sigh. Suddenly, Lloyd handed him an empty Pokeball. He nodded, gesturing at the large bird.

Articuno walked closer to him, his head leaning against the Pokeball. Zane glanced at him, frowning. He stepped back.

"I can't do this. It's one of a kind, it needs to be in it's natural environment. He's not my Pokemon, he's my friend."

"Can we also be your friends then?" Lloyd looked at him and smiled.

"Of course. We can leave at dawn if you want to."

"What about Articuno?"

"I'm sure he'll be fine on his own..." they looked at each other and smiled. "Now, let's get you settled in."