Scent of disaster

Route 210 was unlike any other route. A solitary highland rose sharply from the surrounding landscape, its flat terrain contrasting with the rolling hills and forests nearby.

At the very edge of this plateau stood Grandma Wilma's Day Care.

The edge of the plateau dropped sharply, leading to a set of worn stone steps that descended into the unknown below.

Peering down, Allen noticed a thick blanket of fog rolling in over the canyon below, curling around the base of the plateau like a soft, white shroud.

The fog obscured everything beneath, revealing only half of the stairs that spiraled down from the plateau, making it difficult to discern what lay below.

Allen recalled his time playing the games; if trainers wanted to reach Celestic Town from Solaceon Town via Route 210, then a fog would suddenly block their view.

If they didn't have Defog to clear the haze and Rock Climb to navigate the steep cliffs, they might find themselves lost here, far from Celestic Town. 

In the entire Sinnoh region, Celestic Town could be considered the poorest town, but also the most self-sufficient. 

The people here rely on agriculture, farming their own food and minimizing reliance on outside supplies. They generate their own energy with the help of Pokémon and make use of the natural resources around them.

"Allen, do you think I should get an Eevee? They're just so cute," Cynthia mused as she gently stroked the Eevee nestled in her lap.

"Don't even start," Allen sighed, shaking his head with a helpless smile.

This wasn't the first time Cynthia had asked him that question. With her grandmother being a professor, there was no way she'd end up with just an ordinary Pokémon.

"Relax," Allen said casually. "Your grandmother is definitely preparing an amazing starter for you."

"Oh," Cynthia pouted before brushing it off.

"Vee~?"

The little Eevee in her arms perked up at her voice, tilting its head curiously as its big, round eyes sparkled up at her.

"Oh, little Eevee, your trainer is coming to pick you up soon… I'm going to miss you so much!" Cynthia cooed, pulling the petite Pokémon into a tight hug and rubbing her cheek against its soft, fluffy fur.

"Vee~!"

The tiny Eevee let out a delighted sound, its rabbit-like ears twitching before it eagerly snuggled closer, rubbing against Cynthia's cheek. It seemed just as happy as she was, enjoying the warmth of her affection.

CRACK! BOOM!

A deafening clap of thunder split the sky, followed by a blinding flash of lightning that illuminated the entire daycare yard for a brief second.

Cynthia flinched, instinctively tightening her hold on Eevee. The little Pokémon's ears twitched, its fur bristling slightly from the sudden noise.

Allen, who had been lounging nearby, sat up straight, his gaze snapping toward the sky.

"It's the snowstorm again," Allen muttered, watching as dark clouds rolled in from the horizon.

Eevee let out a soft whimper, burying its face against Cynthia's chest. She gently stroked its back, whispering, "Shh, it's okay, little one. Just a little thunder."

Another rumble echoed through the sky, and a sudden gust of wind sent the snow swirling around them. Grandma Wilma stepped out onto the porch, frowning as she looked up.

"Looks like a storm's coming in fast," she said. "You two better head inside before it really starts pouring."

"Yes, Grandma," both Allen and Cynthia said in unison.

It had been a year since Allen and Cynthia started coming to Grandma Wilma's daycare to study. Their usual routine was to attend class in the morning, finish at noon, and wait for Grandma Dracelia to pick them up and take them home.

But today, with the storm rolling in, it looked like they'd be staying a little longer.

It was going to get dark soon, and winter nights were especially dark, long, and cold. If Grandma Dracelia didn't arrive soon, they might have to spend the night here.

Thankfully, the other kids had already been picked up by their parents or grandparents, leaving only Grandma Wilma, Allen, Cynthia, Buneary, Chingling, Eevee, Altaria, and a few other little Pokémon that were being cared for at the daycare.

CRACK! BOOM!

DING~DING~DING~DING~

"Buneary~!"

The sound of a thunderclap, and soon after, the chime of Chingling's bells rang out, along with Buneary, who stopped playing. Sensing that the situation felt a little unsettling, both Pokémon quickly returned to their little owners for comfort.

Cynthia hesitated, glancing at the Eevee in her arms before looking back at Allen. "Should we—"

Grandma Wilma was already old, and the sudden flash left her dazed, taking her a little longer to recover.

Cynthia, being younger, adjusted more quickly, but she was too focused on the little Eevee trembling in her arms to pay attention to anything else.

It's also the same with Allen, but this time he didn't bother to answer Cynthia's question right away because, as he rubbed his eyes and blinked away the lingering brightness, a strange sensation washed over him—an uneasy feeling creeping up his spine.

As his vision cleared, he raised his head and looked straight ahead. And then he saw it...

Beyond the fence, past the snow-covered path leading into Mt. Coronet, stood a lone figure, barely visible in the flickering glow of the storm. Yet, despite the harsh conditions, he could see it clearly.

Allen rubbed his eyes and looked again—the figure was still there.

Staring serenely back at him was an Absol.

SWOOSH—The icy wind howled, sending a flurry of snow swirling through the air.

Then—BOOM!

Another flash of lightning illuminated the scene, casting a stark white glow over both of them, and now, Allen could see it clearly.

According to the wiki, the figure's face vaguely resembled the Wu Wei symbol. It had a humanoid face with almond-shaped, red eyes, a scythe-like tail, and a scythe-shaped horn protruding from the side of its head.

Absols were solitary creatures, never moving in packs. But more than that, they weren't the type to play pranks or attack humans without reason.

No… if an Absol was revealing itself like this—

Allen's pupils constricted.