The Tale of Seven: Kidnapped Hope

[Rikugurl]

Axel sighed before shrugging. "I don't think we can buy the time for another." He rubbed his hand down Rapidash's neck and patter her a few times before looking over at Arcy who was looking at the woods where Aqua, Fuu and Ven had gone. She seemed worried. The redhead slowly left the horse's side before walking up to the motherly Pokemon. "Don't worry, Arcy. They'll be out soon enough." He smiled as he started to pet her as well.


Ven nodded, a small smile running over his face before he felt the weight and helped the bluette up. His eyes narrowed as their hands came apart, growling as she made fun of him. "HEY! I didn't cry, what the hell are you talking about!? And don't fucking call me pri---WAH!" He called as he was tugged in, ready to get a.... a HUG-EEEERNO!!

"AAAAH!" He cried as he was hit hard with knuckles and squirmed before being let go. He almost went tumbling on his ass if his feet weren't so large. "Ugh..." He mumbled as he started to fix his blonde hair before turning away. "Whatever you dumb bitch..." He huffed as he walked back through the woods and towards the party.

Fuu blinked before smiling, thanking Ven mentally as he walked off. She guessed that it depended on the person to make things right again. She glanced at Aqua before taking her hand in hers. "Come on... we need to hurry."

[Reno]

Aqua sighed, watching as Ven retreated but smiled then, happy he had come here to say that. She glanced at Fuujin... and was deeply relieved the woman didn't seem miffed at all that it was Ven that made her spirits perk up rather then her. It wasn't that Fuu couldn't, or that she had any problems trusting her words it just seemed more... believable coming from Ven. Her lover knew it all of course. Even that story of Glaceon back at the hotel, no matter how hard it was to choke past her tears and guilt, she managed to even tell her that one.

But she heard it years later, when Aqua was already healing, already being better. She wasn't the one to open the door and find the proof laying on a forgotten towel, shaking and limping whenever she walked. Wasn't the one that had to pick up the trembling, freezing blue fox and take it to the center just to make sure she'd be okay. Wasn't the one to return to that hotel to get in a screaming match with the true owner until his voice was gone and a vicious black bruise was blossoming on the girl's right cheek an attempt to do something, anything to get those uncaring eyes to change.

It was just something you had to see to really believe, To experience to truly grasp. While she hadn't been as bad as some Rockets... she had been getting close. Turning abusive and spiteful like... like her mother. She owed Ven for helping to get her head somewhat straight.

But Fuujin gave her things Ven couldn't as well. She told her the way to gain forgiveness. Showed her the path that would help her to start healing, to start being better. She was the one who was there not only to listen to her childhood past, but fearless enough to hug her right after. She was the one who showed her there really was such things as second chances. She was also the one... who heard her dream and not only encouraged her to leave the rescue center training (a job she had taken up upon Axel's insistence, simply because she had nothing else) and instead coaxed her into following her true dream. A life on the water, on the sea. A place where she knew it all and could live her life the way she pleased.

And more amazing... Fuujin came with her.

There weren't enough years in her life that could repay her debt to the silverette woman.


Round ears drooped a little and the dog sighed, sitting on her rump. "Arrrr..." She growled softly, letting the fire teen pet her, not finding it weird or strange to allow someone that was not her master even close to her. Her loyalty strung out as far as her master's did (which sometimes she wondered if it was the whole world!)

Her ears perked some though when she heard stomping and a blonde came out, before two women holding hands did as well. Her tongue lolled, tail wagging happily as she felt a more peaceful air around them all, even if Ven was putting on his bad puppy attitude. She'd give him a bite on the scruff if he had one!

"Finally! Are we ready to go?" Terra said, exasperated.
"Yeah, Yeah Casanova. Allll set." Aqua said and before Terra could ask her why the hell she was referring to him as a womanizing author, but Axel and Roxas both were quick to jump in and tell them all they needed to keep going.
So they all mounted their Pokemon once more and took off but at least this time they had an idea of where they were headed.


Musical wings were silent, the full green and red-trimmed appendages held straight on the updraft, having no trouble following it after years of practice. But the wind blowing at all angles, swirling around them like the devil's kiss was becoming unbearable. "Goooon..." Cried the Pokemon again, sounding almost in pain. He didn't do well in the cold and flying in it for ten minutes was painful enough.

"S-S-Stop being a baby Flygon it's just a cold draft!" Terra chatted some, his body shivering some though glad for the presence against his back. Though Ven too was feeling the cold. It just didn't make any sense though, what was causing the stir in the air? "Shouldn't be this fucking cold this time of year." He reached up for the communicator, his fingers trembling and he spoke, "Are you sure you guys don't feel anything?"
"For the fifteenth time Terra no." Came Aqua's exasperated reply.

Why the fuck did he bother asking? They were on fire Pokemon, they probably couldn't feel the change. But didn't heat rise?! Ah fuck it was just - ugh!
Before he could get too muddled in his thoughts, Flygon suddenly lost some altitude his wings finally weakening under the onslaught. "Ah shit! Flygon get a hold of yourself!" He tugged on the reins and Flygon called before flapping them furiously to get towards the updraft again. Ven suddenly made a comment, pointed to where the trial curved far up ahead.

Terra squinted at the gleam far up the road, something he hadn't noticed as they were in the updraft, out of it's sight. It was like... a gleam of metal off of solar panels making him at first think they were at the town. "I think I see Solaceon." He announced into his communicator, having a strange feeling in his gut about it. Axel seemed to be pleased by this, saying something about how he badly needed a cup of coffee.

"Hang in there Flygon, were almost there." He encouraged the dragon, feeling the other get a little boost as he managed to hit into the updraft again and soar. But Terra kept his blue eyes locked on the horizon were that gleam was, now gone because of their angle. There was just something so distinct about it. Something familiar...

A glittering caught his attention towards the sky, his eyes narrowing towards the clouds where he thought he had spotted... something. He noticed the suns rays poking through the cloud's in a heavenly display and dismissed it. He reached out, running a comforting hand along his dragon's dark green antennae comfortingly. Come on Flygon... you can get there. He had already dismissed Ven's idea of switching to Moana or Torterra, they would just have similar problems. Flygon had a lot of stamina and moved fast enough to generate some of his own heat. And now that the town was in sight....


......


But no. No it wasn't.

As they got closer, Terra finally realized it wasn't metal he was seeing reflecting the sun. It was too blue in tint.

It was ice.

Ice. Ice everywhere. Covering the trial like weeds, built high like monuments. It stuck to trees, frosted the ground. There was no snow, and if he didn't know better he'd say the Pokemon from Snowpoint city came to visit. But, with a hard swallow and a tightening in his chest, he reached for his communicator once more. He never even got to speak as his breath suddenly choked as the air got deathly cold.

"FLY!" Called Flygon, and down below horse and dog ears flicked, and a little ball on a blonde's belt started to shake.
"Ah Axel stop! Zan's predicting!" The red-head tugged instantly, and it was a good thing he did because just as he pulled, blue lightning seemed to scream from the sky and hit the ground. But rather then scorching it, a wall of ice was erupted in it's place. Arcanine gave a cry, luckily able to slide to a halt before she became one with the structure.

And then there was a stunning, almost melodious cry in the air, and blue feathers cut through a cloud, diving and cutting off Flygon. She flapping her wings, zipping around him like a vulture, her movements working up a freezing temperature that circled them, Flygon gritting his teeth as he struggled to simply stay in the air. Behind this new creature, was a wonderful flowing tail... little sparkle from off it that could easily be rejected as a trick of the light.

Red eyes narrowed as she came to hover in front of them, grey beak opening as she called, "CUUNO! ARRRTICUNO!!" 'Get out! Out of my sky!

[Rikugurl]

Green eyes lidded as the sound of horse hooves moving filled his ears. They had been traveling for hours and he knew within the next, they would have to stop and rest, make a nice fire and get the two fire pokemon back to strength. They had made good time though, almost reaching their destination but it was hard to say. Even Axel was starting to crave his guilty pleasure. What worried him though was that Terra kept asking them if they felt the cold.

Cold?

It was a sunny day and even if the rays wouldn't last long, the air should of been fine.
However, when he heard Terra stating that he saw the town.
"Oh, thank Arceus! I am dying for a coffee!"
He hit Rapidash's reins a bit and the horse picked up some extra speed. "Don't worry girl! We'll be there soon!"

But he was wrong. They all were.

"What!?" He called suddenly before pulling back on the reigns, making the horse call as she reared onto her back legs and stopped right in front of the wall of ice. She quickly backed up and heads all moved to look up at where the cry had come from. "OH SHIT!"
It was Articuno!?
First Zapdos and now...! They were in big fucking trouble!
His teeth grit as his hand reached down of his last pokeball, feeling its warmth. Moltres...


"HOLY FUCK!" Ven cried as the large ice bird came right out of fucking NO WHERE! WHO THE FUCK WAS NEXT!? Wait... he didn't want to know!
"SHIT, TERRA! SHIT!" His blue eyes widened in horror as he saw those red eyes pierce into him.

"You guys! Get down here! We have a better change at fighting it on the ground!" A female voice came through the communicator but everyone seemed to be frozen in place.

[Reno]

"Holy shit!" Aqua said, her eyes wide as she looked at the sky.
"Oh Arceus...." Roxas whispered in fear.
"Arrr!!" Cried the tiger dog in worry for the three above. This... this was very bad.

Like his lover, Terra's mind was muddled with curses and panic, wide eyes staring blankly at the large ice bird. While not as massive and impressive as her aflame sister, she still had an air of strength about her. She was going to take them down.
He swallowed again, hearing the call in his ear, faint to his dim understanding. But it finally registered, his hands tightening on the reins ever so slightly.

He wasn't sure if Articuno noticed his movement, but suddenly she was alarmed. "ARRRR TICUNO!" "I said out!!" And then her wings flapped, and she blew freezing wind suddenly slamming into the poor dragon hard, blowing them off the the trail some
"Gooon!!" Flygon tried to fight it, managing to stay hovering only a few feet lower then before, but his wings and body were dusted in snow, as were the two atop him. He hardly had time to recover before-
"CUUNNNOOO!" Another beam like electrical energy came shooting from her.
"FUCK! FLYGON DRAGONBREATH!" Terra cried frantically.
The dragon just barely managed to conjure up his breath and shoot out the flying flame-like green blast. The two attacks collided, but Articuno's quickly overtook the weakened dragon's, pushing the other's attack further away and closer to them. Flygon shut his eyes pulling all his power into the attack. Finally there was a reaction, the forces exploding. Unfortunately it was closer to Flygon and upsetting his balance, wings flapping furious to regain it...

And then another beam shot for them cutting through the smoke of the explosions and without even needed to aim it hit Flygon's left wing, freezing it instantly. The next thing Terra knew he had lost control, and Flygon cried as they suddenly made a dive, his body spinning like a downing airplane to the trees below. He couldn't stop it from happening... all he could do was yell. "VEN!!!"

The rest of the team watched in silent horror as the battle above took merely three seconds... and suddenly Ven and Terra were out of sight.
"NO! Axel, call Moltres!!!" Roxas screamed jumping off Rapidash and running for the forest. He never got far, another wall of pure ice erupting to cut him off and expanding far down the trail. "Ah!" He stumbled backwards to avoid smacking his face in the cold, losing his balance and falling on the ground. He was up in seconds though, running towards the walls and pounded his fists into it. "VEN!!! VEEEN!!!"

[Rikugurl]

Ven's eyes shut tightly as the bird called out and they were suddenly blasted. "AAAH! FLYGON!" He called as his grip on Terra tightened... and then he felt a strain coming from the poor dragon as he let out an attack. He shivered some as he felt the cold wind around them. Fuck, he hated the cold! WHERE WAS HIS PINK JACKET WHEN HE NEEDED IT!?

"AAAAAAAAAAAH!" They were blasted again... but he quickly realized that there would be no more fighting as... they started to fall.... out of control. "FUUUUUUUUUCK!" He screamed before quickly reaching to his belt and tapped it against his hip. A red energy came down below them and another dragon appeared. "FLLLLLLY!" She called but as she looked up, the eyes under her red protection grew. Her mate!

"JUMP!" Ven called before putting all his weight onto one side of his lover, making both of them fall off the half frozen pokemon. Moana knew quickly what to do as her master and mate started to fall, flying up quickly and... catching them. "GON!" He winced from the weight as her wings fluttered quickly to even herself out.

Another beam shot out towards the falling dragon and he disappeared.


Axel's eyes closed as he heard Roxas's yell. No... I can't....It will make things.... worse.
"UGH!" He yelled before throwing out a few balls, seeing a Typhlosion, and Camerupt appear. He got off of Rapidash and slapped her rear. "All three of you go melt the ice!" Quickly, they all headed out, fire blowing on the glimmering coldness and melting it the best they could.

"AXEL!?" Fuu called. What was he doing!? Why wasn't he calling Moltres!?
"YOU FU---"

"ZAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARD!"
"CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!"
"CAAAAARIZAAAAAAAAARD!"

Three calls came from above, making red eyes shift through silver hair to look up at the ice legendary again. To her shock though... there were three Charizards circling around the Articuno, blowing fire at it from all different directions.

[Reno]

They were going to die. Fall through the trees, snap their necks and be dead. He pulled at the reins insistently, even knowing Flygon was partially unconscious and even if he wasn't his wing was frozen and he would be unable to fly. This wasn't the way he wanted to die. And Ven....

There was a blast of red light far below, a green Pokemon much like his own appearing. "JUMP!" The order was screamed in his ear.
AND VEN WAS FUCKING CRAZY!
"Ah SHIIIT!" Terra screamed as he stupidly did as he was TOLD and jumped from his dragon into midair. Arceus! Talk about facing your fears.

He didn't fall far before the female dragon had them both, but he was still shaking. Still, he managed to conjure up enough of himself to grab his Pokeball and recall his falling friend. He held the Pokeball close, frowning, almost feeling the hurt from it. Flygon needed to get to a center... or at the very least a very warm fire.


Roxas continued to hit at the ice until he felt a calm at the panic that had once been there. Ven. It was Ven and he... he seemed to be okay?
He glanced up, hearing Axel's call before looking over, seeing the three fire Pokemon burning at the wall. He grit his teeth before grabbing his first one on his belt. "Flareon help them with fire spin!" He called as he threw it.

"The hell are you doing Axel?!" Aqua snapped as she got off the dog's back with Fuu, the Arcanine quickly going over to aid the other Pokemon in burning down the ice. "You need to-"

But whatever Axel needed to do was never known as Aqua was cut short by the roars above her. Heads tilted back, then widened in surprise as three large Charizard appeared out of NO where to help them!!

"ARRRR!" Cried the furious bird as she was hit on all sides before she took a big breath and blew out a strong blizzard attack at the one directly in front of her. How DARE they!

[Rikugurl]

Moana flew down and reached the other side of the trail, still covered in ice but she seemed to land ok. She whimpered however as she shifted on her feet, the ice stinging them as her master and lover got off. "That was close." Ven said as he hopped down, watching his flygon nuzzle the ball in Terra's hand in worry. "BUT AWESOME!"
"GON GON!" The flygon looked back at her master and frowned, hitting him with his tail. "WAAH!"

The blonde stumbled over but before he could nag, his eyes widened, looking up at the battle that was overhead. "Where the fuck did they come from!?"


It didn't matter... because it seemed like they were helping them... a lot. Fuu frowned though as she watched one duck under the bird as a wave of ice tried to hit it. They were rather skilled... but she wondered if they were wild charizard who were disrupted when Articuno shot down all this ice. Then again... where do you see a trio of wild charizard around!?

"AXEL! DO SOMETHING!" She called again as she pulled her eyes from the battle, glaring at the redhead.
"NO! I WON'T LET HER FIGHT HER SIBLING!" He called back, seeming to hold his ground but still looked rather indifferent about it.
"YOU'D RATHER US DIE!?"
"WE AREN'T BEING THREATENED YET!"

"CHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!" One of the larger charizards reared its head and shot down at the large bird, smashing into it before seeming to explode in fire. The fire wrapped around the ice bird and blew up, making everyone shield their eyes before looking up again, seeing nothing but smoke and the two other dragons flying around.
"Wha---"
"It used Overheat..." Axel replied, knowing that it was the most powerful fire attack.

[Reno]

The brunette sighed in relief as they landed, slipping off the dragon's back but smiled sympathetically as she nuzzled the Pokeball in his hands. He pet her gently. "He's gonna be fine Moana."
God he hoped he was right about that...

Terra paled as he heard Ven's response. Oh god... he could just imagine...
"Teeeeerra? "Oooooh Teeeer-Raaa! You know what I wanna do today? Flygon hopping!"
"NO VEN!"
"But why not?! It's good for the fucking adrenalin rush and the danger and you know they'd fucking catch us if they had to!"
"No means NO!"
"....."
"....."
"But they look like lilypads!"
"We aren't fucking POLITOADS Ven!!!"

He shook his head from the fantasy, looking up to see the raging battle above. The fuck...?


Roxas watched the fight, gaping silently at the sky. This was insanity. What could of spurred these dragons to fight for them (if they WERE fighting for them?) Or maybe the Pokemon were all reacting, rebelling. It's possible these Charizard lost their homes to the waters or ice. Many strong ones lived in the Charicific Valley, and it was rumored to be around water. It must be underwater by now...

He blinked when he heard his lover's yells, slowly looking at him. What... what was he saying?! "Axel!" He started to yell, trying to urge his lover to call her again. They were siblings - they'd work it out!! He doubted nay of them would KILL her, unlike the rest of them! Unlike those Charizard...

The dragons however made a loud ruckus up above, showing they could EASILY handle themselves up against Articuno, and then there was a huge blast. Overheat. He knew it too. Had seen it performed by many fire types from Terra's gym to a random TV show.

"CUUUU!" Came a pained cry before a brilliant bird flew from the black smoke, her flight a little uneasily. She gave another angry cry before taking higher into the skies and clouds, flying away from them.

[Rikugurl]

"AWESOME!" Ven cheered as he saw the huge explosion and then the legendary flying away. "YEA! YOU GUYS ROCK!" He called jumping up and down. Maybe if they were wild, cheering them on would make them less wanting to eat them!
His eyes widened though as his cheering stopped and... saw that the three large dragons where heading towards the trail. "OH SHIT!" He cried before running behind Moana.


The dragons did indeed swoop down but they didn't call as they did so. The one that had used Overheat had black marks all over it but it seemed to be flying alright. Fuu grabbed Aqua's arm, pulling her into the forest around them as they got closer. Maybe Axel could do something or Aqua could battle them but... if they were fearless to go up against a legendary...

They landed, making the ground shake a bit before walking... right pass Axel and started to help the other fire pokemon with melting the wall.


Behind Ven and Terra, a voice called from down the trail. "Are you alright!?"
The two lovers looked back, seeing a man walk down the trail. His clothes were odd, loose and wavy as he walked towards them... though he seemed to look like he was somehow a part of an army... or higher up the way he held himself.
As he came closer, he looked at the charizard that were helping before noticing that the largest one seemed a bit banged up.

A pokeball was grabbed from his belt and... the dragon was recalled.
"The name's Volkan."

Ven blinked as he looked up at the man who seemed to be the same height as Terra. "Any relation to Volkner?"
The man growled before glaring at the shorter. "None. I run the Pokemon Rescue Center in Solaceon."

[Reno]

Terra shook his head at Ven's ridiculous display - and even more ridiculous fear! "Ven! Stop being a coward! They're just some bloody Charizard!" His fucking Leafeon could take them!!

He didn't really care either way though, his eyes dropping back to Flygon's Pokeball. For once he felt very guilty... for pushing him so hard. How could he of been so stupid?

Blue eyes looked up however when he heard a new voice, turning to see a man walking down the trial towards them.


"H-H-Holy..." Roxas stuttered as the dragons landed, leaning far as he could against the ice lining the adjacent side of the trial. He watched the three walk across the ground, there step heavy enough to make it shake but they made no vicious moves towards either him of Axel or even their Pokemon.

They simply started to help...

He nearly fell to the ground though when Flareon took a pause long enough to smile at the dragon closet to her, giving a greeting to the fire beast in her Flareon-esque way. He was just glad the damn thing didn't bite her in two!!!


"Ignore him, he's an idiot." Terra told Volkan, plainly ignoring his lover as he burst into yells about how he was certainly NOT an idiot. He rose his hand, covering the snappy blonde's mouth. "We're fine but... Flygon..." He hesitated then glanced back towards the wall separated him and the others before looking back at the man.

"A rescuer right? I know you probably don't specialize since Charizard aren't technically dragon-types... but my Flygon's hurt. Fucking bird froze his wing..." And even still he couldn't bring himself to say that he could use his help, but he had come damn close!

[Rikugurl]

Axel sighed happily as he wasn't eaten either. Just because he was a fire trainer didn't mean he could calm down pissed dragons! RESCUER OR NOT! He looked over at Roxas, frowning some before looking at the ground. He knew... they would have to talk tonight about Moltres...

Fuu sighed before walking out, still a bit unnerved around the dragons as she walked to Axel. "What the hell was that about? You could of gotten us killed."
Axel looked down at her, his green eyes narrowing. "But I didn't... I know what I'm doing and last time I checked, calling on Moltres made Zapdos attack us to being with!" He snapped before walking off, not usually like himself.

"WHAT!? I'M NOT A FUCKING IDIOT, YOU IDMMMMMPHNNNINGMPPPH!!" Ven flailed as his mouth was covered, his eyes dark and angry.

The other man looked down at the pokeball that the brunette had shown, listening to what the trainer had to say. "I see." He took the pokeball and placed it into one of his pockets. "And I don't really specialize in any sort of pokemon. Those three," He nodded to the two as they continued to met down the ice. "where all abandoned when their mother was killed in a battle by Teams. When they hatched, there was no one to take care of them or keep them warm. When I found them, they were almost dead so I brought them home and raised them together."

He crossed his arms, his eyes closing as he smiled. "You're lucky that they were on patrol when Articuno found you. There has been a warning around these parts to stay inside because the legendary has been a real pain the last two days." His eyes opened and his arms fell to his side once more. "Then again, we've been having so many people showing up to find refuge from all the flooding that it's hard to even keep everyone inside."

He turned to Terra before his head tilted. "Is your group fleeing as well?"

Before Terra could answer, there was a loud roar and the ground shook again as one of the Charizard blasted through the snow, allowing him to pass down the trail towards them.

[Reno]

"Fucker don't yell at her!" Aqua growled at Axel, automatically on the defensive for her girlfriend. Friend or no, she wouldn't allow him to yell at Fuu! The red-head, either being smart or not hearing her at all, didn't respond so the fight could blow out of proportion. At least not for them...

But she wasn't the only one to hear that sour tone. "Axel!!" Roxas cried, running after the red-head. How could he... what was WRONG with him?!

It was Moltres he knew but... but what exactly?

On the other side of the mirror, Terra was a bit surprised to hear the man didn't specialize. That was unusual he knew. Roxas told him most people had to specialize because otherwise the information and workload would be overwhelming. Water rescuers especially had to divide themseleves even further by egg group.

He lowered his hand from Ven's mouth though, listening to the man share his story about the dragons. He glanced back at the two, feeling badly for them. He wondered who there mother must of been...
They would never know.

He glanced back at Volkan, about to answer him when suddenly with a loud cracking and crash, the ice was broken through. The area trembled as the dragon landed in front of the man, and then the other Pokemon and people were climbing, jumping and swooping through the large hole with ease, many calling back exhausted fire Pokemon.

"Not... exactly..."


Blue eyes stared daggers at nothing in particular, unable to stay still for longer then a mere few minutes even though they had been given a nice sitting area to stay in and talk. For once, no one really bothered the brunette gym leader, knowing he was merely upset and nervous for his dragon who Volkan had given to the hands of a true dragon specialist named Fulgencia. With a mother-like radiance around her, she seemed kind and very wise, reassuring the brunette all would be fine before disappearing down the hall.

Another woman joined her, a woman named Diliza, darkly dressed but beautiful. She didn't speak much to them other then a terse hello, but Volkan filled them in that she was a wing expert - meaning she handed anything from butterflies to bats to dragons. She was also very good at handling 'rogue' Pokemon. That made Roxas and even Axel shudder some. Rogues tended to be the nastiest of the bunch, Pokemon's who natures were so over-turned by cruelty and hatred they were almost beyond help.

If she wasn't so scary, Roxas would have commended her.

But now here they were just... sitting about and doing nothing.

Well not nothing. They were arguing.
"You should of called for her Axel! Look at what the hell almost happened to Ven and Terra! They could be DEAD!" Aqua was growling, pointing to Ven who sat nearby then Terra who was standing at the window, just staring outside. Unfortunately, Roxas had trouble giving her a proper retort.
"Guys stop it this isn't the time!" The blonde finally decided on it, knowing his lover might just get fed up and leave and they DIDN'T NEED THAT RIGHT NOW. "We need to focus on finding Demyx!"
"Yeah if we even fucking make it there." The water trainer snarled.

[Rikugurl]

It was a good thing that Roxas had stopped Aqua when he did because Axel was about to snap. Even still, he stood and walked out of the room. No one asked where he was going, because it wasn't like he could go far. He seemed like he just needed to walk something off.

Fuu frowned as Axel left, glancing at Roxas. "Something is bugging Axel... and it has been ever since we met with Zapdos. Do you think it has to do with Moltres?" It was kind of a stupid question really. Of course it was Moltres.

However, before Roxas could say much, the owner of the small rescue center walked out from the back. "Did you say Demyx?" He asked, seeing everyone look over at him.
"Y-yea, we were looking for him because we heard that he knew how to... I mean uh.... well..... he's a great trainer!"
"You're looking for a 'great trainer' at a time like this?" Volken rose an eyebrow but Ven growled. "What better time than now!?"

The man stood there for a moment before laughing. "Well, he happened to call here the other day."
"WHAT!? What for!?"
"Apparently he and his group fled to Snowpoint when their city was starting to flood. Happens to be a hometown to one of the members or something. If you need to get there, I can have my Charizard fly you. They have no problem in the cold."

"That sounds great!" Fuu said as she stood, smiling some but blinked when both identical twins became silent. "What?"

"That's just so far away... from Sora..." Ven frowned, knowing that... Sora had always wanted to go there since they were young so he could keep playing in the snow all year round.
"I can have another one of our pokemon pick him up." Volken offered but Ven shook his head. "No... he's in Hearthome Hospital."
This seemed to interested the man, making his glaring eyes normal again. "Oh... I'm sorry to hear that then. Do you know who his doctor is?"

"A woman named Dr. Riri." Fuu answered but gasped a bit as he started to smile happily.
"Don't worry then, Sora is in good hands. Dr. Riri is my daughter-in-law and knows what she's doing."

[Reno]

A bit of frustration welled in Roxas' heart as the other left, wondering why Axel hadn't told him there was something wrong beforehand. Why he hadn't even talked to him...
How were they going to make a marriage work if they couldn't make a mission work? At hearing Fuu he gave an exasperated sigh, wishing for something that could cure the growing headache pulsing at his temples. "I would guess that if..." He started to say when instead they were interrupted.

They looked up seeing the man who had helped them this morning saunter in suddenly and speak. Roxas had been the one to answer the question he originally aimed at Terra, letting him know what they were up to. He was as withheld about it as Axel was with Eskel and Kuku thought, letting the other know only they were out to help a legendary. But now if he overheard about Demyx he probably overheard about Moltres...

He wasn't sure if that was a bad thing or not, since the man would assume that's the legendary they are helping. He listened as the other explained about how he spoke with the blonde-haired man. Strange, he had gotten rather close to some rescue centers hadn't he? He wondered why he never even heard about him... It was the mention of the gym that made him swallow and look away.
"Now you know it's cold up there, so you better wear sweaters!" There mom was saying chastisement, looking at the three boys crowding the screen. They were together for once, in Celestic Town. They had to get together... after...
"Why's that?" Sora asked softly, his bloodshot eyes a bit distant as if he didn't seem to care about anything at all.
"Because from what I hear it snows up there allll year long."
Blue eyes shifted, looking up at his mother, letting the words register then.... "ALL YEAR?!" A grin suddenly grew, and it was great to finally see it again. "You mean as in snowball fights, hot chocolate, snowman-angel-making ALL year?!"
"That's what I hear~"
"Ah! I'm gonna go pack!!" The brunette rushed off in excitement, leaving his brothers watching in astonishment.
"E-Er... thanks mom..." Ven finally said, his twin still speechless.
Bryna smiled confidently. "He'll be fine boys. It'll take time but... he'll be just fine."

It had been a little vacation away from home, traveling up to Snowpoint as travelers rather then trainers, despite the gym there. They had only been able to have a vacation for a few days before Ven had to go, saying it was an emergency. Now he knew that wasn't quite true...
But at least he had been there.

Too bad he stayed long enough to see Roxas get his butt whooped at the gym though and not long enough to see his victorious win (with a bit of helpful input from his brunette triplet).

While the blondes seemed to be a little lost in their own worlds, Aqua smiled as she heard Volkan announce who Dr. Riri was. "Wow, small world."
"Yeah...." Blue eyes blinked before Roxas slowly shook his head and smiled faintly to Volkan. "Any help is greatly appreciated thanks..." He stood suddenly. "I need to go find Axel."

[Rikugurl]

Volken nodded as he heard the blonde's request, watching him walk down a hallway that led into the front of the center. It wasn't all that large, this room where they were gathering was actually the largest in the building. He turned to Terra and sighed softly. "Unfortunately all the hotels have been all booked up because of the surrounding towns. I'm afraid you'll have to camp here since this in the only room you'll probably find."

Ven blinked before letting out a long sigh. "No chocolate tonight either..."

Fuu sighed and shook her head, hearing what Volken had said before looking at Aqua. "Guess that leaves us to go contact Snowpoint." They got up and walked the opposite that Roxas and Axel had headed, finding a phone easily. However, it wasn't a TV phone but just a regular pay one. She reached into her pocket and pulled out some coins before looking down the list of rescue call centers.

Looking under S, she found it quickly. The coins went in, the phone was up and the numbers were pressed. She listened to the ring tone a few times before a man picked up on the other end.
"Good evening. You've reached Snowpoint City Rescue Center. Can I help you?"
"Um... hello. My name is Fujin and I'm.... looking for a man named Demyx. I know he went to---"
The phone was muffled before she heard a call in the background. "DEM!? PHONE CALL!"


Axel didn't make it far. He was in the door frame of an opened door that went out back. Obviously getting some air. When he heard loud, familiar feet, he sighed and pulled his glasses off before rubbing his eyes. "I should... let her go, Roxas..."