Contest Entry: Fighter's in the Snow

As another Valentine’s Day loomed over the Sinnoh region, the cold winds of winter continued to howl uncaring over the land. The 3 Great Lakes were frozen solid, snow topped the roofs and trees of the forests and cities, and the flakes continued to rain down slowly upon the people and Pokemon. But the special days promises kept the hearts of the people and Pokemon warm indeed. As was the case for our lovers this cold winter’s day. . .


Will You Love Me . . .

“Brrrr I hate this cold. You’d think that as a Ghost type I wouldn't feel the cold but cripes it’s cold!” said the shivering Edna. The young Mismagius floated around the grounds of her ranch looking for something interesting to do. Valentine’s Day was always perfect to get favors from the numerous love birds among her friends. Speaking of love birds, out of the corner of her eye she spotted the cool blue fur of her teammate Vincent the Lucario.

“Bingo!” Edna said to herself as she floated over to him. Upon closer inspection she noticed that he was sitting on a fallen snow covered log with a red and blue Pokemon Center winter hat placed on his head, that had holes for his large ears. He was leaning into his paws and honestly looked slightly down.

“Heya Vincent, whatcha doin?” asked Edna as she floated over to him. She took note that he didn't much stir at her presence which he usually did.

“Hey Edna, nothing much just . . Sitting . .” said Vincent.

“Hey Valentine’s Day is soon. What are you gonna do for Veruka this time, You gonna dump a bunch of  Luvdiscs on her like last year, or give her flowers with Bug Pokemon inside like the year before that, Oh wait wait don’t tell me, your gonna sing her that annoying human song that’s like an internet meme? So which one is it!?” asked Edna excitedly as she floated around the Lucario.

“None of that.” said Vincent.

“Ohhh so you have something new up your sleeve for this year.” said Edna.

“Nope.” said Vincent still looking down. Edna was beginning to feel perplexed.

“So then what are you planning for her?” asked Edna.

“Nothing. Don’t you get it Edna? I’m not doing anything for Valentine’s Day.” said Vincent. Edna gasped at Vincent as she held her Ghostly cloak up to her mouth in surprise.

“Your not doing anything for her!? But why, you always do something for her!?” asked Edna in surprise.

“ But that’s just it. Every time I do something it always goes horribly wrong and all I end up doing is getting her upset or mad. This year I’m just gonna leave her alone. She hates when I do that anyway.” said Vincent as he sighed deeply. Edna couldn't help pitying the poor guy. When all of a sudden, alight bulb went off in her head. She approached Vincent face to face  as she smiled mischievously at him.

“You know Vincent . . . I could give you an incantation . . . A very pleasant one, involving you and a certain hothead . . .” said Edna. At this Vincent’s head perked up and he met her gaze, the usual naive innocence replaced the sadness that had been on his face as he spoke,

“Incantation . . Me and . . Veruka?” asked Vincent? She threw the bait and he took it, Edna had him. But she drew in close as she held Vincent’s perplexed and reddening face.

“But it’s not free . . .” said Edna as she knew she had him just where she wanted him. Vincent swallowed hard as he thought about Edna’s words.

“Wha . . What do you want?” asked Vincent. At last Edna let his face go and floated on his shoulder as she spoke softly into his ear.

“Nothing much. . Just . . Your secret stash of cookies . . “ said Edna.

“But But, I've been building up that stash for like 6 months!” pleaded Vincent.

“ It’s okay, I understand. Your cookies are more important to you then seeing a vision of your one true wish. It’s fine, I’ll just leave you be.” said Edna as she began to stroll off slowly. She counted in her head knowing what she was to hear.

“ 3 . . 2 . . 1” thought Edna.

“WAIT!” said Vincent. Edna smiled mischievously as she turned to face Vincent innocently.

“Yes?” asked Edna. Vincent twirled his fingers as he sheepishly spoke.

“Alright, you can have my cookies.” said Vincent as he avoided her eyes.

“Excellent, now come right here. Sit and don’t move.” said Edna as she sat Vincent back down upon the fallen tree.

“Close your eyes and just relax.” said Edna as she caused a swirly mix of purple gas to envelop Vincent. The Lucario did as he was told and closed his eyes and attempted to relax. Soon he felt as if he was no longer on the tree stump. The cold winter air disappeared and he felt like he wasn't where he was.

“Hello? Where . . Where am I?” asked Vincent as he looked around. He couldn't remember how he had gotten to where he was just that he had no idea where he was. But all too soon a pair of warm hands hugged him from behind.

“I was waiting for you.” said the voice. A familiar voice.

“Veruka is that you?” asked Vincent as he turned to face her. But no sooner had he did she took his face into her hands and spoke sweet words to him. He had no idea if this was a dream or not but he didn't care. He was probably dead cause he was in heaven. He felt her lean her nose on hi and no longer cared where he was, only that she was there with him . . .


“There we go. Enjoy the dream Vincent.” said Edna as she admired her work. The Lucario sat there on the tree with a blissful smile on his face. His normal Cherry Red eyes were a light purple indicating the incantation he was under, and he didn't move a muscle.

“ Now for the second part of my plan.” said Edna as she floated off away from Vincent leaving him to enjoy his dream.

Meanwhile

“ Ugghh I just hate this holiday.” said Veruka the infer nape as she sat on the tire swing, swinging it lazily back and forth. She adjusted her dark blue scarf around her neck as she grumbled.

“Well whose fault is it that you don’t have a boyfriend or mate?” said Rupert the Toxicroak. As he leaned on the tree nearest her. His black earmuffs keeping his ears warm.

“ IT’S NOT THAT SMART ALEC!!” said Veruka annoyed.

“Then what is it?” asked Rupert as he opened up a can of Payapa Soda.

“It’s Vincent, he’s always trying to impress me or bring me some present that always goes horribly wrong. It’s getting way out of hand!” said Veruka.

“I gotta admit, he sure has gone off the deep end these past few years.” said Rupert as he too a sip.

“Maybe I should just hide so he can’t find me, no no that’d never work, or maybe I can just tell not to get me anything, no that’d just hurt his feelings.” said Veruka to herself as Rupert just quietly listened.

“Hey you two.” came a voice out of nowhere. Neither flinched as they were used to Edna’s antics.

“ Hey.” said Rupert raising his can to her.

“Hello Edna.” said Veruka who was still deep in thought before an idea sprung on her.

“That’s it. Edna can you please tell me what Vincent’s planning on getting for me? I know you won‘t do it for free but I‘ll owe you one.” asked Veruka. If one could read Edna’s thoughts at that moment one could have heard her maniacal laughter at the perfection of that moment.

“This is gonna be easier then I thought.” thought Edna.

“Well can you please?” asked Veruka.

“That won’t be necessary.” said Edna.

“Really Why?” asked Veruka.

“Because I already know what he’s doing for you for Valentine’s Day.” said Edna. At this Veruka leaped off the tire swing and approached Edna.

“Seriously!? So what’s his plan, chocolates, some elaborate heist, something that won’t-” said Veruka before Edna cut her off.

“His plan is nothing.” said Edna. The flame on Veruka’s head suddenly grew fierce.

“What do you mean nothing!?!?” said Veruka as she suddenly made fists without even realizing it.

“Vincent told me he’s not getting you a single thing for Valentine’s Day.” said Edna.

“WHHHAAAAT!!!???” said Veruka in angered shock. Edna back offed slightly uncomfortable from her outburst and watched as she began to pace back and forth speaking to herself.

“Of all the . . . Grrrr how dare he just suddenly not get me anything. What does he not care about how I feel? I mean the audacity!!!!” said Veruka as she ever so slightly pouted at the thought of this realization.

“I thought you just said you hated Vincent doing that kinda stuff to-” said Rupert before Veruka cut her off.

“ That’s besides the point. Now he’s just not getting me anything at all, like that’s totally rude!” said Veruka as she snatched the can of Payapa Soda from Rupert and took a long and frustrated swig before shoving it back into Rupert’s hands before the Poison and Fighting type gave her an annoyed glare. Edna couldn't believe what she was seeing, was Veruka actually upset that she wasn't getting anything? This was so perfect that she could have cried!

“I mean where does he get the gall to-” said Veruka before she was cut off as Edna raised her cloak to silence her.

“If you would have let me finish speaking you would have heard the rest.” Said Edna. At last Veruka calmed down from her fit to listen.

“Well why doesn't he wanna get me anything.” said Veruka.

“It’s because you hate them.” said Edna. The sudden realization must’ve hit Veruka hard because she soon looked down.

“ You've always shouted at him or got really mad at his presents and attempts at attention from him to you. So he decided the best way to make you happy was to just leave you alone. Isn't that what you wanted Veruka?” said Edna as she circled around the shocked Infernape.

“ I’m such a fool . . . How could I . . . I’m terrible.” said Veruka as she looked down sadly. At this Rupert approached her.

“Come on Veruka, your being too hard on yourself your not terrible.” said Rupert.

“But I am, I’m always pushing away his affection and admiration and then have the nerve to be upset when he wants to back off . . . And come to think of it . . I've never once gotten him anything. . .” said Veruka.

“ So you've made some mistakes, don’t beat yourself up about it . . . There’s still time to fix it.” said Edna working her usual charm. Veruka looked away, embarrassed and saddened at her actions before looking to Rupert who nodded his head at her and smiled.

“ You know the drill, it’s gonna cost ya though.” said Edna

“Name it.” said Veruka, the Mismagius approached her ear and whispered into it, her price caused the infer nape’s eyes to widen.

“Why that?” she said.

“ I have my reasons, so is that a deal?” asked Edna. Veruka, sighed out of her nose in annoyance before nodding yes.

“Excellent, check the location I told you about, you’ll know what to do after that. He’s in the woods not far from here. Said Edna before she marched off in a hurry.

“So, you got the letter?” asked Rupert approaching Edna.

“ Sure do, got the stuff?” asked Edna.

“Yup. Right here.” said Rupert as he produced a special can of Pecha Cola. Edna soon procured a letter which Rupert happily snatched away and hugged close to his chest as he tossed the can to Edna.

“Ahhhh my sweet dear Vanilla.” said Rupert as he dashed off to read the letter in private.

“Man Cotton was right, this Cupid thing is really fun hehe and I get benefits from it as well.” said Edna as she popped the top off of the soda.


“Where did that Lucario run off too, Edna said he wasn't far.” said Veruka as she leapt from tree branch to tree branch. The show had once again begun to fall after it’s brief reprieve but luckily it was falling slowly in a poetic manner. But it wasn't slowing down Veruka one bit. She carried a small burlap bag in her tail. Something she hoped would make up for her wrongs.

“Ahh there he is.” said Veruka spotting his blue fur that stood out n the snow. But as she approached him she was perplexed to see he had fallen over from a tree log he had been sitting in and the snow had begun to coat his fur a frosty white.

“Vincent how did you fall over?” she asked him as she helped him up and began to dust the snow off of him. But she received no response.

“Vincent?” she asked again, but received again no response. She looked into his eyes and noticed a purple glow.

“Uggh Edna, you got him to owe you too. Look at you Vincent, your positively freezing. You could have at least gone inside for your vision.” said Veruka. She took him to the trunk of a nearby tree and sat down with him. The snowflakes that fell began to pick up but not enough to cause blurriness. It looked quite nice actually. She laid her back onto the trunk of the tree as she held Vincent close to her. Knowing her natural Fire Type body heat would heat him up.

“You are nothing but trouble you know that?” said Veruka sarcastically to him but mostly to herself as she held him. Upon closer inspection she noticed just how peaceful his face was. Secretly she always thought he was quite the cute young Lucario.

“ I wonder what Edna made you dream about?” said Veruka as she held him close to her chest.



Vincent meanwhile was in pure bliss. He held the beautiful Infernape in his arms and kissed her lips over and over. He held her soft face in his paws and kissed her warm lips over and over. He did not know what they were laying on or where they were but it mattered not to him. He was kissing the most beautiful girl in the entire world, and she was kissing him back. At last he broke his kiss and gazed at her. He gasped slightly for breath as he had kissed her for so long.

“ You have no idea how long I've waited to do that” said Vincent. He watched as she sat up and gazed into his eyes.

“Have you now.” said Veruka. He looked at her with the most longing eyes before he grabbed her hands.

“ Veruka I . . . Look I know that you think I’m just some goofy clumsy kid but . . . Will you let me love you?” asked Vincent . . . He spoke straight from his heart what he had always wanted to say to her. And awaiting her response was agonizing.

“Vincent . . “ said Veruka

“Yes?” asked Vincent

“Vincent. .” said Veruka again.

“Yes Veruka what is it?” again asked Vincent, as he held her hands close to his paws.

“Wake up.” said Veruka softly.

“What?” said Vincent before suddenly feeling his vision go blurry and his body almost fade away.

As he blinked he realized he could hear her voice again.

“Come on Vincent wake up, you've been under that spell for a while now wake up.” said Veruka.

“ Spayell?” questioned Vincent. But as he attempted to speak he realized his tongue was stuck on something metal. Also he realized what had happened. He remembered Edna, the spell, giving up his stash of cookies. And the dream, the most wonderful dream he ever dreamt. He never expected Edna’s incantation to be so . . Intense.

“Vincent are you okay?” asked Veruka.

“I’m fine.” said Vincent as he struggled to speak. He soon realized that his body felt lukewarm as if he’d been in the cold for a while but that he’d been warmed up as well. He looked around and realized he wasn't far from the tree trunk he’d sat on when the spell was cast. And that he realized that Veruka must have found him and was holding him to keep him from freezing. And he realized how beautiful her sparkling green eyes were as the snowflakes gently landed on her eye lashes and evaporated. But what he realized more then anything was that his tongue was stuck on her cold gold chest plates.

“Come on Vincent, get up now we should head back.” said Veruka as she attempted to stand up but found that Vincent’s tongue was stuck to her chest plate.

“Vincent what are you doing let go!” said Veruka perplexed.

“I uhhh I. . kyna cant.” said Vincent. Veruka upon realization of their predicament proclaimed “Uh oh”.

20 Minutes Later

“Hot water is on it’s way. . “ said Cotton the Lopunny as she looked on at Vincent and Veruka’s embarrassing predicament.

“Thang gad!” proclaimed Vincent with his tongue still stuck to her chest plate.”

“ Veruka, please don’t kill him it was an accident.” said Cotton concerned.

“Just tell Rupert to hurry up with the damn water!” said Veruka blushing, embarrassed, and annoyed.

5 minutes later

After enlisting the help of Cotton the Lopunny and Rupert and making the swear they’d
ever tell another soul, Vincent and Veruka were back at the tire swing speaking, and both admittedly a little embarrassed.

“Sorry Veruka, I swear it was an accident.” said Vincent as he rubbed the back of his head.

“ I know Vincent I know.” said Veruka.

“ So uhh . . Did you just look for me to make sure I didn't freeze out there?” asked Vincent.

“Actually no, I . . I wanted to.” said Veruka. As she struggled to speak her face reddened and she tried to avert his gaze.

“ What is it Veruka?” asked Vincent curiously?

“ I uhh . . Got ya this . . Happy Valentine’s day.” said Veruka as she presented him with a burlap sack from her tail.

“ What’s this?” asked Vincent.

“Open it.” said Veruka. Untying the ribbon that held it closed, he gasped he he eyed it’s contents.

“ LAVA COOKIES! You got me the Lavaridge Town Lava Cookies!!!!” said Vincent.

“ I thought you’d like em.” said Veruka. But Vincent was beside himself with joy.

“ You . . You got ME . . A Valentine’s day present!?” said Vincent in joyous shock.

“ I guess I did . . Look Vincent, I know I get annoyed sometimes bit don’t think it means I didn't appreciate any one of your gifts towards me over the years oka-” said Veruka but she was cut off as Vincent took her face in his and planted a loving kiss right on her lips. Veruka stood perplexed, shocked and her heart screaming at what was happening. Not believing that he was kissing her (And also slightly shocked at how good he was kissing her) But a reflex kissed in and she soon pushed him off her and gave him a good clobber.

“ DON’T KISS ME!!!!” exclaimed Veruka but her words went unheeded as the Lucario was seeing stars from her blunt force attack. She noticed he was clutching the bag of cookies still and turned around with her face as red as his cherry eyes. She held her cheeks, surprised at how she enjoyed the kiss.

“ He even taste’s like cookies. . .” said Veruka . .