Inside one of the many bright red tents the Joy Clan had set-up for their needs, Ethan stood in front of one of the few people he could actually say he didn’t get along with. In his mind, he was pretty easygoing. Not many people could get on his bad side.

  But Bill Joy? The man who would dismiss every question, concern, or helpful piece of advice solely because the rules are the rules, no ifs, ands, or buts, about it?

  Ethan didn’t like this man, and the feelings were mutual. Once, Ethan had asked if Bill and his construction crew wanted to use some of the trees around Berry Falls to save them from flying in planks and beams from afar. In return, he was awarded with a derisive scoff, a lecture about why this specific wood they were using was up to code and a plethora of other guidelines it followed, and a shoo away for speaking about changing any of his plans.

  So, when Joyce led him into this tent and reunited with her Uncle, sharing a quick hug and a very emotionless chat about clan politics, Ethan dreaded the next topic. Joyce tucked a strand of her very bright pink hair behind her ear and did just that. “So Ethan here doesn’t own a tent—”

  “No.” Bill cut her off, voice emotionless and devoid of any joy his name should bring. He knew what was being asked.

  But Joyce carried on like he didn’t object. “---So I was thinking that he could share with you and stay in your tent. Afterall, you’re one of the few people he’s acquainted with around here…”

  “No, Joyce. He may use one of the emergency tents provided for those found, as it’s written that they may be used for trainers aiding recovery operations, but he won’t be sharing with me.” Bill finished, voice flat.

  Surprisingly, Joyce shrugged as if saying ‘what can I do? I tried. Oh well.’ She turned and locked arms with Ethan and began to leave. “Looks like you’ll be staying with me Ethan.”

  Bill moved faster than Ethan had thought possible for a man with a stick up his ass and stood in front of the door with the first bit of emotion lacing his features.

  It was fear and shock. “N—Now let’s not be hasty. The emergency te—”

  “Should be used for emergencies. I agree.” Now, it was Joyce's turn to cut Bill off. “Ethan can stay with me. I just thought you’d prefer that the two males be with one anoth—”

  “Joyce….” Bill warned/pleaded, hand held up, but she carried on.

  “---er, but I already stay at his ranch and he’s been very kind. I can trust him not to—”

  Bill ignored her and tried to break apart her hold on Ethan’s arm. Ethan, seeing a chance to stick it to Bill, latched on tighter and gave him a devilish look. One saying that he’d very much like to share with Joyce… Because he would, just not for that reason. He just didn’t want to stay with Bill.

  “Mr. Reed, you may place your things underneath the cot and I will provision another for my use. It’s lights out by nine and—” Bill listed out a list of rules and expectations for being his tent-mate as Joyce smiled at her success and let Ethan go.

  A few minutes later, Ethan had his things stored. Joyce left to go settle her own things wherever she was staying, so he and Bill were left together… alone. To say the situation was awkward would be downplaying it. Bill stood and fidgeted as Ethan moved stuff around and placed Gloom on his cot. Bill looked like he wanted to word vomit the eleventy-seven rules Ethan was breaking for allowing a pokemon into the tent, on the cot, out of his ball, the type of pokemon it was, the three exceptions which he did not have, and a host of other assorted crimes in his mind.

  But he stayed blissfully quiet, hands clenching and unclenching as he watched the ‘disaster’ unfold before him.

  Ethan stood from his crouch when he finished setting up his cot and grabbed Gloom, resting him on his hip like a kid. “Bill. Thank you for bending the rules and allowing me a place to rest.” He blandly announced, extending an olive branch.

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  “Yes.” Bill replied, eyes roaming around Ethan’s spot as his eyes twitched—distracted and holding in his compulsive urge.

  “I’ll be on my way then.” Ethan said, scooting by Bill to exit the tent and away from this ugly situation. To be honest, he would have preferred using one of the aforementioned emergency tents, but the look on Bill's face when Joyce suggested that he and she share? That was too good to pass up.

  As Ethan tucked Gloom back into his coat, he caught his leafy friend giving Bill the stink eye. He was an Oddish back when Bill had first visited the ranch, and as he could sense Ethan’s emotions, he must have felt his dislike of the man.

  Gloom was a good pokemon. One of the best, really.

  Ethan made his way down, walking fast, faces past, until he came across the lines of bonfires which separated the tents from the bleak winter hellscape of their surroundings. His first tutor meeting would be at noon, and he still had a few hours to kill before the true start to the day. He breached the camp's outer fires and stalked off into the vast white snow for a solid minute.

  One sufficiently away and happy with how his winter clothes were handling the increased strain of whipping winds, Ethan released all of his pokemon. Snowlax was first, creating a large dimple in the ground with his girth as he apparated from his ball. His large friend blinked a few times, twisted his head in confusion, then fixed Ethan with an incredulous look.

  Ethan shrugged and tilted his head. “I didn’t think it’d be this bad over here either. I think the trees of our forest keep the worst away from us.” Ethan came forward, sat in Snorlax’s lap, then released Gloom from his coat. Gloom snuggled up to the walking furnace which was Snorlax with a nod.

  Ten seconds later, all of his pokemon—sans one—were huddled around Snorlax for warmth while giving Ethan the look he expected from them. They did not like the weather—Chatot especially.

  “Cold! Too cold! Back in ball!” She chatted, tightly holding her wings against her body as if to keep the warmth close.

  “In a minute. We need to talk about why we’re here.” Ethan grabbed Chatot and tucked her into his coat like he’d done for Gloom. Pachirisu, of course, zipped away from Snorlax and dove into his coat from his waist. Smeargle was holding a gout of flame from his tail in a miniaturized Flamethrower as he leaned against Snorlax’s heft.

  “I’m going to be tutoring for most of the trip. So, if all goes to plan, you won’t be needed out here in this snow… but, while I’m teaching, if you want to search for people and pokemon trapped beneath the icy snow…” Ethan trailed off, giving them the choice.

  Snorlax banged his chest and roared his name, “SNOOOOOOORRRLAAAAXX!” Signaling his commitment. Smeargle gave him a nod and a smile, content with his fire to at least take a trip along with him. Gloom shook his head, not willing to trapeze around when he’d freeze to death. Gloom would help him teach, but no more than that.

  Chatot and Pachirisu…

  Pachirisu grimaced but nodded, which caused Chatot—who was halfway into a headshake—to still and send him a glare. Ethan simply gave her his attention and waited as she had a mental battle within herself.

  It took a few seconds, but Chatot looked at him and… shook her head sadly. It seems that even their rivalry would not have his colorful bird soar in these conditions. He ran his hand down her head and gave her a pat. “No worries. I’ll probably only go once or twice. If there’s some emergency, I might ask you to fly back here. But, Smeargle should have us covered.”

  “Smear.” Smeargle nodded with a smile, confident at his chances to save them if the worst came to pass.

  “Now,” Ethan stood and dusted off his pants. He shook the two pokemon out of his coat. “Back into your balls for now.”

  Eagerly, Pachirisu and Chatot were recalled. Smeargle and Snorlax not long after. (Ethan had to wait for Snorlax to finish eating a clump of snow.) When it was once again only him and Gloom, Ethan tossed out Ursaring. She appeared in the divot which Snorlax’s large body created and looked around with interest, arms folded. “You know…” Ethan started. “You’re probably my strongest pokemon.”

  Ursaring spared him a glance and sniffed, as if saying that was obvious. “We may not be the closest, but I do trust you with my life.” That caused Ursaring to unfold her arms and give him her full attention. “I also trust you to watch over the others when I am away. Right now, you’re not there for them. You’re here with me.”

  Ethan released a breath, a plume of foggy air escaping from his mouth from the cold. “I want you to search for people and pokemon trapped in the snow with another trainer while I’m tutoring.” Ursaring raised a brow and frowned. Ethan explained, “You’re wasted here in your ball or by my side when teaching. You have the power and moves to do what others probably can’t.”

  He walked forward and gave her a hug, squishing Gloom in between them. “You won’t go with a random person. You’re going to go with someone you’ve actually met before. I saw them when walking here.”

  As Ethan explained his plans for Ursaring, a Pokemon Ranger preparing her things for another rescue mission sneezed. Her Umbreon sent her a worried look.

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