Snow Way Out

The gang were traveling until they reached a fork in the road which led a trail up to a mountain.

They had stopped by a Pokémon center earlier to restore their Pokémon's health after the whole Jynx situation before heading back on the road. Ashlyn had sent Kadabra, Persian, Seadra, Dewgong, Marowak, and Growlithe to Oak's coral. Then got her female Eevee, Tauros, Vulpix, Shiny Farfetch'd, and Rockruff onto her team.

"So what should we do?" Misty wondered.

"Why don't we just take the path that leads to the mountain?" Flint suggested.

"I don't know, remember it's a mountain. Anything can happen up there." Ashlyn said.

Brock nodded, "Ashlyn's right."

"Well what other choice do we have?" Flint asked.

Ashlyn took out her phone and see which would be the most fastest way. She sighed at which direction to go. The non mountain way would take them two weeks to get to the next town while the mountain trail would get them to the town in less than a week.

"Not much I'm afraid." Ashlyn said, "But aren't you a Fire-Type user, Flint? Can you really stand the cold?"

"Of course I can! Just because I'm a Fire-Type trainer doesn't mean I can't handle the cold!" Flint exasperated with a vein pop on his forehead.

With no other choice, the gang went up the trail that led onto the mountain. They started walking for a few minutes.

"Brock, where are we?" Misty asked.

Brock was looking at the compass needle, "Well...according to my calculations...we're completely lost."

Ashlyn sighed, "I figured, I'll send out Pidgeot." She threw a Pokéball in the air and out came the bird Pokémon, "Pidgeot, I want you to find a trail if there is one." Pidgeot nodded and flew off trying to find a trail for them to take and after about 5 minutes the bird Pokémon came back, "You found one?"

The bird Pokémon nodded.

"Good, lead the way!" Ashlyn said.

Pidgeot nodded and flew in the direction where she found the trail acting as their guide while the rest followed. 10 minutes hadn't even passed and the gang was blasted by a full on snowstorm!

"Where did this blizzard come from?!" Misty yelled.

"Don't know but we need to set up camp soon, otherwise we'll freeze to death!" Brock yelled.

"I agree, we should set up camp somewhere!" Ashlyn agreed with him.

Brock looked around, "We need to find a way to dig a cave somewhere."

But before they could do anything the snowstorm intensified and knocked Tesla and Levina off of Ashlyn's shoulders.

"Tesla! Levina!" Ashlyn yelled.

She ran after her Pokémon not wanting them out in the cold. Volkner followed after her.

"Ashlyn! Volkner!" Misty yelled about to go after them but Brock and Flint stopped her.

"Don't." Flint shook his head.

"He's right Misty, besides the storms getting much worse." Brock stated as the wind intensified.

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Ashlyn and Volkner were looking for Tesla and Levina calling out their names all the way.

"Damn, where are they?" Volkner was looking around trying to see something, anything in this blizzard.

"I don't know." Ashlyn was getting worried what if something happened. Before she could worry anymore she heard something, "Wait, do you hear that?"

"Hear what?" Volkner wondered and that's when he heard a 'Pikachu!' "It's them!"

Ashlyn's eyes tried to find them and unknown to her, her eyes glowed blue and she was able to see where they were, "I found them!"

"Where?!" Volkner exclaimed.

"They're hanging from a small cliff!" Ashlyn went in the direction where she saw them with Volkner following right behind her. Spotting the small cliff they could hear them a lot better now and spotted them hanging for their lives, "Tesla! Levina!"

Both electric types smile up at her, "Rai!/Pika! (Ashlyn)!" they both cried out in happiness.

Ashlyn brought out a Pokéball, "Ivysaur, come out!" out came the grass type.

"Ivysaur (I'm here)!" Ivysaur said.

"Use Vine Whip to help Tesla and Levina!" Ashlyn pointed to the two electric types.

Ivysaur nodded and extended his vines grabbing them both and bringing them up and both Pokémon embrace their owner.

"Thank Arceus you're both okay," Ashlyn rubbed her cheeks against Tesla and Levina's, "Thanks Ivysaur."

"Ivy (You're welcome)." Ivysaur nodded.

"Chu, rai rai raichu (Ashlyn, we need to dig a cave)." Tesla told the girl.

"You're right we do," Ashlyn wondered then looked down, "Maybe we can use this cliff to make one, what do you think?"

"Sounds good to me." Volkner agreed.

They climbed down slowly and Ashlyn had sent out both Vulpix and Wartortle so they could help make the cave. When they finally made it just the way they like it, they headed inside then proceeded to seal the cave.

Ashlyn looked at Natsu, "Natsu, is it okay if we can use your tail flame for warmth?"

Natsu nodded. He sat down and boosted the flames from his tail a little brighter so they could be warm.

Ashlyn and Volkner sat down near Natsu hovering their hands over the flame, "That's great, thanks Natsu."

"Growl (You're welcome)." Natsu grinned.

Ashlyn let out a sigh of relief, yet frustration at the same time.

"I'm sorry." Ashlyn apologized.

"For what?" Volkner asked.

"We should have chosen the other trail. If we hadn't chosen the mountain trail, we wouldn't be in this blizzard." Ashlyn replied.

"You were just trying to find the quickest way to get to Viridian City. That's fine." Volkner assured her.

Ashlyn smiled at that. Then the two went into their bags and brought out their winter coats. Unexpectedly, Volkner brought his arm around Ashlyn and pulled her close, letting her head rest against his shoulder.

"Hey Volkner, do you remember the day we first met?" Ashlyn asked, trying not to blush.

Volkner chuckled, "How could I ever forget?"

Flashback:

{A/N: Ashlyn 9 yrs. old and Volkner 12 yrs. old}

"Volkner, where are you?!" Flint called out, unaware that Volkner was hiding in the bushes near him.

Flint had been dragged Volkner all the way to Alamos Town to enjoy a festival that was going on. To Flint's state of mind, he believed that Volkner needed a break from all the technology at his gym. Volkner knew that his friend meant well, but sometimes he can be overbearing.

Once he could no longer see Flint, he let out a sigh of relief and walked out of the bushes. He heard a noise nearby and saw a pair of legs standing on a tree branch.

"Almost." A female voice grunted.

Curiosity getting the best of him, he walked towards the voice and looked up in the tree and saw a girl trying to reach an Aipom who was holding her hat. By some luck she was able to grab from the Aipom who was shocked.

"Got it!" The girl smiled, holding her hat.

Suddenly the branch underneath her feet began to crack and then the branch snapped, causing the girl to fall. He quickly got underneath the branch and caught her in his arms. A bunch of leaves fell around them. Volkner looked down at the girl as she looked up at him. His breath caught in throat as he stared into the girl's ember colored eyes and her long black hair tied back in a ponytail.

"Sorry." The girl apologized.

"It-It's okay." Volkner assured her.

"Um, would you mind letting me down?" The girl asked.

"Oh, sure." Volkner gently placed her onto her feet.

"Thank you," The girl thanked him, "I'm Ashlyn Ketchum, by the way."

"Volkner Denzi." Volkner said.

"Pleasure to meet you, Volkner." Ashlyn greeted with a closed eye smile.

"Rai!/Arf!/(Ashlyn!)" Voices of Pokémon called out.

Ashlyn and Volkner turned to the voices and saw three Pokémon coming towards them; a Raichu, Lucario, and Boltund.

"Oh there you three are." Ashlyn knelt down in front of Tesla and Boltund and petted them.

"(I see you got your hat back.)" Lucario said, standing beside Boltund.

"Yeah, that was one tricky Aipom. Volkner luckily saved me when I fell out of the tree." Ashlyn explained as she rubbed Lucario's head.

"(Thank you for saving Ashlyn.)" Lucario bowed towards Volkner.

"Uh, you're welcome." Volkner said, "So who are these three?"

"Oh, this is Tesla, Lucario, and Boltund." Ashlyn introduced her three Pokémon.

Tesla and Boltund called out their names while Lucario did a small wave.

"So what are you doing here in Alamos town?" Volkner asked.

"Oh, we're here with Prof. Oak. He wanted to see the festival and he brought us along." Ashlyn replied.

"Prof. Oak? How do you know Prof. Oak?" Volkner questioned.

"Well I'm his assistant." Ashlyn answered.

"No way! Really?" Volkner asked with wide eyes.

Ashlyn nodded with a smile, "Yup. I've been his assistant since I was six."

"That's amazing." Volkner stated.

"Thanks. Hey, could I offer to get you some ice cream? As a thank you and an apology for almost falling on you." Ashlyn offered.

"Sure, I like that." Volkner accepted, "Would you like to explore the town with me?"

"That would be great." Ashlyn smiled.

They had a good time as they explored the town. Volkner talked about him going against weak trainers and only gets a challenge from Flint. Ashlyn talked about her Gary problems and her trips with Prof. Oak. Unfortunately, she had to leave the next morning. Instead of making a sad end of the day for the both of them Volkner brought Ashlyn over to where they got a good spot to see the fireworks. As the fireworks ended, the two promised that they would see each other again some day.

Flashback Ends

"You were another person who accepted me as a strong trainer, not just some famous gym leader. For that I'm grateful, Ashlyn." Volkner said.

"I'm glad that you think that, Volkner." Ashlyn smiled.

Volkner nodded, "You know, I'm glad that Flint dragged me to Kanto or else I wouldn't have met up with you again."

"You'll probably have to thank him later." Ashlyn teased.

"Maybe." Volkner chuckled.

Soon enough, the two trainers fell asleep. Unknown to them, most of their Pokémon came out of their Pokéballs and cuddled around the two trainers to keep them warm.

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The next morning, Ashlyn and Volkner woke up to see most of their Pokémon out of their Pokéballs and were cuddled around them. Both of them smiled softly at their Pokémon. When the Pokémon sensed that the two trainers were awake, they were up as well.

"Thanks you guys." Ashlyn thanked them.

The Pokémon cried out in thanks as well.

Soon enough Vulpix let out a Flamethrower at the blocked entrance of the cave which melted the wall that covered it. When the wall was completely melted, they saw the sun break over the mountains. They all walked out of the cave.

"Looks like the blizzard's over." Volkner said.

"And the sky looks beautiful." Ashlyn added.

"Ashlyn! Volkner!" A familiar voice called out.

"Up here you two!" Another familiar voice called out.

Ashlyn, Volkner, and their Pokémon looked up to see Brock, Misty, Flint, and Onix on the slope above them.

Ashlyn smiled, "Brock, Misty, Flint, it's great to see you three."

Onix helped lift the two trainers and some of their Pokémon onto the slope while Natsu helped bring the others.

"Man, we were worried about you guys." Flint stated.

"How did you two get through that storm?" Misty asked.

"We made a cave just like Brock said." Ashlyn replied.

"And our Pokémon cuddled us while Natsu kept his flame burning throughout the storm." Volkner added.

"Well, lucky for us, we didn't have to freeze all night in the one I dug." Brock stated.

"Huh?" Ashlyn and Volkner blinked, confused.

"Onix dug into an underground hot spring." Misty said.

"And you wouldn't believe how comfortable we all were." Flint chuckled.

Ashlyn and Volkner sighed.

"Oh and take a look at what the blizzard blew in." Brock said.

Then he showed them Team Rocket's balloon.

"That's Team Rocket's balloon. They must have lost it when they were probably following us." Ashlyn stated.

"Well finders keepers." Flint grinned.

"It's out of fuel and I know how we can fix that." Brock took out a Pokéball and released Vulpix, "Go Vulpix!"

Vulpix came out of her Pokéball, "Vulpix, Flamethrower now!"

Vulpix released a stream of fire from her mouth and into the balloon. Soon enough, the balloon was filled with gas and strong to carry them. Ashlyn and Volkner retuned all their Pokémon to their Pokéballs except Tesla and Levina.

"Up up and away!" Brock cheered as they all gathered in the balloon and headed off to the town.

While they were flying, Ashlyn felt like she heard Team Rocket nearby. But she knew that the trio were in a hot spring at the moment and won't be coming out of it very soon. When the balloon rose above the mountains, the gang was able to see a town in the distance.

"Hey look!" Brock smiled.

"Rai!/Pika!" Tesla and Levina cheered.

"It's a town!" Flint smiled

"We made it!" Misty cheered.

The gang gazed at the town with relief and happiness.

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And so, Ashlyn and her friends have survived the storm and they're headed towards their next adventure. However it will be a while for Team Rocket to leave the mountain.

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Pokémon on hand: Raichu (Tesla)(F), Lucario (M), Pidgeot (F), Ivysaur (M), Shiny Charizard (Natsu)(M), Shiny Gyarados (Rory)(M), Wartortle (M), Pikachu (Levina)(F), Dragonair (F), Eevee (F), Tauros (M), Vulpix (F), Shiny Farfetch'd (F), Rockruff (M), Pokémon Egg

Prof. Oak's Lab:

Mienfoo (F), Jolteon (F), Flareon (M), Vaporeon (F), Sandslash (M), Butterfree (M), Pink Butterfree (Momo)(F), Gengar (M), Raboot (M), Braixen (F), Kingler (M), Magnemite (Genderless), Muk (M), Nidorina (M), Nidorino (F), Cubone (M), Kangaskhan (F), Tauros (8), Porygon (Genderless), Shiny Suicune (Azure)(F), Shiny Entei (Searius)(M), Primeape (M), Scyther (F), Clefable (F), Jigglypuff (F), Aerodactyl (F), Boltund (M), Shiny Rapidash (Comet)(M), Shiny Raikou (Thor)(M), Shiny Umbreon (Mani)(M), Espeon (F), Glaceon (F), Leafeon (F), Shiny Sylveon (Parisa)(F), Shiny Farfetch'd (F), Amaura (Aurelius)(M), Amaura (Istas)(F), Kadabra (M), Persian (F), Seadra (F), Dewgong (M), Marowak (F), Growlithe (F)