Chereads / Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: The Unknown Hero / Chapter 21 - An Unexpected Turn of Events

Chapter 21 - An Unexpected Turn of Events

Katherine's P.O.V.

*******

Days finally passed, and it was finally Sunday. I smiled genuinely; for I was supposed to visit Shaunder today.

I woke up early in the morning, and grabbing my saddlebag, I emptied the equipment from its insides, placing them neatly on one of my drawers. I opened our basket, which contains the berries we picked.

Stuffing my bag with some of it, I hooked the latch and went out of my room, grabbing two bottles of Moomoo Milk on my way.

I scribbled a note on a piece of paper, for I didn't want them to worry about me. They promised me to take me out to town and pay for me at lunch.

We argued for that because of my reason that I can pay for myself. They ended up winning our so called 'debate', which means they'll pay for me at lunch, which was eventually fine with me.

I opened the door and went out, humming a low, slow tune. I pranced around the path, breaking into a song, and it seemed that some bird Pokémon started joining me in my singing.

{Different Summers: by Demi Lovato}

"We're like a melody with no words, 'till we figure it out, we sing la la la la, la la,"

I sang. Melodious chirps from bird Pokémon echoed through the forest, which snaked a cheerful smile on my muzzle.

"I know it's simple yeah, but it's worth; right until now, 'cause until now, yeah... Everyday's been like a dream world, oh whoah, but now you're not just in my head, oh no..."

That part made me somewhat blush, snapping me out of the song. Me and Philip? Was I seriously referring to him in that song?

I was blushing immensely, and I was trying hard to shake it off. What if I was in front of him?! That would be so awkward!

Embarrassed, I broke into a run, ignoring the saddlebag that was slapping against my flank.

It wasn't long before I reached the entrance of Silverlane Forest, the familiar blow of the whistling cold air striking against me.

I put a paw on the snow laden ground, and I started to blend in with the surroundings in the snow, for Snow Cloak is my ability. I grinned as I sprinted through ice and snow; it felt good to be in here as an ice-type.

I seemed to get more energetic and faster in here, leaping through rocks and ice structures, my long straps and scarf waving in the air as I dashed along. I've loved snow since I was a little girl, and being here is a lifetime's worth!

"Yeah!" I yelled to myself, as I passed through a Amaura. That is... until I realized... I knew it! I'm forgetting something important! I skidded into a halt, coming into an abrupt stop.

"Excuse me." I said as I approached the Amaura. "Do you know where the Beartic clan is?"

The Amaura just stared at me for a moment, then replied with a stutter, "H-Head east and if you reached a cave, head north. If you see another cave, then that would be the home of the family of Beartic,"

"Thank you." I said and went on my way. The saddlebag went slapping me on my flank again, and because of the heavy materials of the Moomoo Milk bottles, my side throbbed and ached all over.

I winced as the pain grew even worse, which forced me to walk. I stopped and took the saddlebag off, taking a glance from my side. It had a bruise which pained me to touch it.

Taking my saddlebag, I tightened the strap to prevent it from slapping against my flank again. I put it on my right instead of my left that had a bruise, which seemed like a solution.

I took off and ran again, closer 'till north.

"Shaunder, here I come." I whispered under my breath. I stopped to rest for awhile, panting severely. I sat on the snow, thankful that no blizzard has ever occured here. For a few minutes, I shot off the track again, feeling better than ever.

I grinned as I started to see a familiar figure walking through the distance.

"Shaunder!" I shouted with delight, happy to see the little Cubchoo again. Before I knew it, someone had rammed against me, causing me to hit the ground and lay me sprawled on the snow.

"Big sis! You're finally here!" The bear cub screamed. I laughed and ruffled his fur.

"Yeah, I missed you too, kiddo." I chuckled as I stood up from lying down. "So, is Icicle home?"

"No. She says she had to search for berries for us!"

"I brought some." I said, opening the latch of my saddlebag.

"Let's go inside, Big sis!"

"Okay then!"

I followed the bear cub inside Icicle's den, which was quick, thanks to the small distance. We sat on the cold cave floor, exchanging stories as munched on our food.

"Big sis?"

"Yes?"

"I got this for you," He said, handing me a pendant; a Never-Melt Ice that was carved into a shape of a diamond, tied to a small metal chain, bound together with a carefully knotted strip of metal.

"Aww... Thanks Shaunder. You're really sweet."

The Cubchoo grinned, revealing his cheerfulness.

"But where did you get this?"

"I found it in Crystalline Cave while you were gone! I thought I'll just give it to you, since Never-Melt Ice powers Ice type moves in battle, right? I really don't do battles, so I guess you were the best choice!"

"Okay, now I understand. Thanks anyway, kiddo."

"And um... its my birthday next week. What if... you're unable to visit me in that day?"

"What?"

Birthday? Birthday... Birthday?!

Slowly, I got up from sitting, counting on the days, weeks, and months I've been here. Then it hit me. Hard. My ears perked up. It's all coming back to me now, and I couldn't believe I almost forgot that.

It had almost been a distant memory, and to others, it was an important event for them, and possibly, even for me.

I can't believe it's...

"It's my-"

"BIG SIS!!!" Shaunder screamed.

Shaunder's P.O.V.

*******

I can't believe Big sis just paid me a visit today! We could play games and play in the snow all day! She was thinking about something, so I guess I'll leave her alone for a minute; it'll be rude to interrupt her on her thoughts.

I padded away slowly, out to the entrance. Suddenly-

"Hey kid." Someone whispers.

"H-huh?!" I gasped, seeing a Midnight Lycanroc I've never seen before. He was with a ton of dark-type Pokémon; about ten of them! I started trembling uncontrollably, seeing how immensely strong they were! What are they doing here?!

"We're looking for your 'big sis'," The Lycanroc growled. "Can you be a nice kid and show us where she is?"

"N-N-No I c-can't..." I stuttered. "Y-You w-wont d-dare to hurt her, r-right?" Oh no, he must be holding a grudge against Big sis! What am I going to do?!

"Show her!" He snarled. "Or deal with the consequences!"

"I-I won't let you h-hurt Big Sis!" I shouted, trying to sound brave but I wasn't.

"Then say goodbye, kid!" The Lycanroc said as he was charging up a Dark Pulse. I dropped to the ground and cried. This could be my end...

"BIG SIS!!!"

Katherine's P.O.V.

******

The sinister wolf was about to hit Shaunder with a Dark Pulse, but luckily, I arrived just in time and countered with an Ice Beam, overpowering the Lycanroc, forcing him backwards, thanks to the Never-Melt Ice pendant I wore in the depths of my scarf.

"Grrrt.... she's strong!" A Zoroark snarled. I leapt in front of Shaunder, and as I landed on my paws, I stood in a defensive stance, ready to take any hit just to protect Shaunder.

"Are you okay?" I asked, worriedly.

"I-I'm fine Big sis..." He sobbed.

"So, you're finally here...." The Lycanroc says, standing up from lying sprawled on the ground.

"You're some of Norsoe's servants, aren't you?" I spoke, as a low growl escaped from my throat.

"Tsk, so that's your best Glaceon impression, eh? Isn't that right, human girl?"

"What is he talking about, Big Sis?" Shaunder asked.

"I'll tell you later once we'll get out of this mess." I told him.

"Well, too bad," The dark wolf laughed. "You're not even going to make it out alive."

"We'll see about that."

Then we charged. Two of the group attacked me with Sucker Punch, which I merely avoided by leaping sideways and ducked just in time to dodge Zoroark's Night Daze, which I retaliated with Blizzard.

Protecting Shaunder, my body emitted a blue glow, coursing with my element's power, and I felt my muscles tense at the power of a certain move. I released it with a high-pitched scream, hitting three of them with a blast of absolute zero cold. Sheer Cold. The three fell and hit the ground, fainted.

"I've waited for a long time to use that move," I said, panting severely, due to the stress of Sheer Cold. "And I can do it again!"

"Nice try, but we can't lose!"

Saying this, Lycanric lunged at me with Feint Attack, which I failed to dodge. I was tired and weak, but I couldn't let that stop me.

I shot an Ice Beam at them, freezing one Pokémon, and as I leapt on the air, slamming one of them with Giga Impact, someone retaliated with Stone Edge. I leapt out of the way, which was late, and it stabbed me on my right foreleg.

"Big sis!"

I let out an agonizing scream as the rock dug deeper on my foreleg, as if to crush my bone until it was a bloody mess. Blood was drooling from my foreleg, and it pained me to move even the slightest inch.

"Ready to give up?"

"Never!"

"Foolish girl. Prepare to die, you pathetic heroine!"

I swung my tail as wildly as I could, with Shaunder crying behind me to see me in such terrible agony. I struck an Aqua Tail on Lycanroc's chest, and he struck me on my neck with Throat Chop.

I landed a punch on his stomach and he retaliated with Crush Claw, sending scratch marks on my flank, and grabbing me on my neck, he threw me away and I fell on the snow. Only five of them were left.

I staggered to my paws and stood up on three legs, eyeing them with a broken expression, due to the pain of the rock that was stabbed on me.

They had been using Shaunder as bait. And all of them started to attack me. I took the hits, unable to fight back. I barely even had enough energy to scream. Shaunder was crying hard.

They stopped attacking, and they left me lying on the snow as a bloody heap. My vision became blurry, and everything hurt. It hurts. I could tell Shaunder running to me, the little Cubchoo's face stained with tears.

"B-Big sis!"

"I-I-m sorry Shaunder..." I whispered. "I'm... s-sorry..."

And that's where I knew... I had to do something...

They were easily distracted, and using my last ounce of energy, I summoned a howling Blizzard, causing an enormous hailstorm.

Before they knew it, I was already gone, running away, carrying Shaunder.

--------

I gently dropped the Cubchoo on the ground. We were inside a cave, far away from danger. I was limping on three legs, injured, and weak.

"I... I'm sorry for b-bringing you into this m-mess..."

"It's okay Big Sis..." He sobbed. Pain then slowly smashed itself back to me, and I couldn't take it anymore. I was weak and tired, and I couldn't feel my legs. Then everything went black. All I could recall is falling on my side, before losing consciousness, hearing Shaunder calling my name.