//------------------------------//
// Comfort in the Cold 
// Story: Sunset Shimmer’s Journey Through Kalos 
// by Brian Sheil 
//------------------------------//

Sunset is still getting over what Henrik did to her. She's still tearing up with embarrassment. Her friends tried to comfort her. Behind a tree, a shadowy figure watches with a Poké Ball in hand. 
"That Henrik!" Sunset grumbled. "Why does he persist in listening to Garble and his boys?”
"Calm down, Sunset." Sunny said. "You did have help from the Pie family after all."
"I know. But, it makes me boil with fury the way I was attacked."
The mysterious person threw the Poké Ball and called out in a female voice. "Dedenne, use Nuzzle on her."
Out pops a small mouse like creature with whiskers that look like antennas. Sunset saw this critter crawl up and rubbed against her leg. Then, sparks came out and shocked Sunset. She soon passed out from the shock.
"What happened to Sunset?" Sunny asked nervously. 
"Where did this Dedenne come from?" Izzy asked.
"It came from me." Said the same voice who gave the Pokémon the order.
When Sunny and Izzy saw who it is, they were very surprised. 


COMFORT IN THE COLD


Sunset woke up slowly. She finds herself in a room. "Where....wh...where am I?"
She then heard the voice of her friends.  
"You're awake!" Sunny gasped. "Thank goodness."
"We were so worried about you." Izzy added. "While you we out cold, we brought you to the Pokémon Center."
"Pokémon Center?" Sunset said still a little dizzy. "Where?"
A young female voice answered that question. "In Snowbelle City."
The former bully saw Zipp Storm walking up to her.
"Hey, Zipp." Sunset said. "Good to see you again." 
She then realized that she can't move her arms. They feel like they're wrapped around her body. That's when she figured what happened. "Who strapped a straitjacket on me?"
"It came from me." Zipp said. "I also bound your ankles together. Seeing that you were getting rattled from another embarrassment, I had my little friend paralyze you temporarily."
The little rodent Zipp sent jumped on the table near Sunset. 
"While you were out cold," Sunny said, "I cataloged this Pokémon in your Pokédex."
"Oh yeah." Sunset realized. "I told you guys how to use the Pokédex if I'm not able."
Izzy took out volume 6 of her book collection. "Sunset, here's who this Pokémon is. Dedenne, the Antenna Pokémon. Dedenne uses it's whiskers to examine its surroundings. They also deliver electrical shocks."
Sunset looks at Dedenne with interest. "You are pretty strong for a little critter. I should introduce you to my Pikachu."
"Once you calmed down, Sunset," Zipp said, "I know of another way to calm you down. If you're interested."
Sunset Shimmer looked at Zipp with interest. "What do you have in mind?"





Pokémon Quiz

This is Sunset Shimmer here with you. Which Pokémon is the largest Pokémon ever seen in the water?




Later, after the restraints were off, Sunset was walking in some wooded area. Zipp Storm was walking with her.
"Where are we?" Sunset asked. 
"This is Route 20." Zipp explained. "It's known as the Winding Woods. I figured that a walk around here will simmer you down."
"It's a good thing we have our winter gear on. I wish my friends would be with me."
"Sunny and Izzy figured that they should visit parts of these woods on their own while I help you get your act together."
"I guess you're right."
Just then, a girl with black hair dressed as a fairy tale type princess greets the duo. "Will one of you accept my invitation to a Pokémon battle?"
"I'll accept." Sunset replied. "I'm in need of some practice for my gym battle."
"Excellent!" The maiden takes out a Poké Ball. "Come, Granbull."
Out pops a large lavender bulldog with two massive tusks.
"A Granbull." Sunset gasped as she pulls out her Pokédex. "That's Snubbull's evolved form."
Granbull, the Fairy Pokémon and the evolved form of Snubbull.  The Pokédex said. Mostly friendly. But, not afraid to clamp onto opponents with its massive jaws.
Sunset made a decision. "Aron, I choose you."
Aron pops out, ready for action. The maiden looks at it with interest. "So, you have chosen Aron, the Iron Armor Pokémon."
"That's right." Sunset replied. 
"Granbull, attack with Headbutt!"
Granbull charges at Aron. But, being a steel type, Aron isn't affected that much. Sunset strikes back. "Aron, Metal Claw!"
With its front legs glowing,  Aron struck Granbull hard. Just then, Aron stepped back. It's head glowed as it headbutted Granbull to the point of fainting.
"Goodness me." The maiden said. "It appears that your Aron just learned Iron Head."
"WOW!" Sunset gasped. "Way to go, Aron."
The maiden recalled her Pokémon and gave Sunset a polite curtsy. "You have dueled honorably. Take care, my friend."
Later, Sunset and Zipp made their way to a clearing occupied by many Pokémon. They also see a bulky man with white hair and a mustache and beard. He has on a white tank top, blue jeans, and black boots. He has on a coat over his body. He sees the duo.
"Hello, friends." The man greeted. "Welcome to Pokémon Valley."
"Pokémon Valley?" Sunset wondered. 
"It's a place where Pokémon hide from vicious people who mistreated them. They feel safe here."
Sunset looked at the area, and can understand what the man is talking about. "It's beautiful. Just the place for Pokémon to be at peace."
"I come by here once in a while to check on the Pokémon." The man replied. "My name is Wulfric. I am Snowbelle City's gym leader."
"So, you're Wulfric. I was hoping I would meet you. I would like to challenge you to a gym battle."
Wulfric looked at Sunset with interest. "You have fire in your eyes. I always like to face a challenge. Come to my gym first thing in the morning."
"Yes, sir." Sunset said. "I'll be there. See you tomorrow."
Sunset and Zipp went back to the city while Wulfric continues to watch over the Pokémon. Later, at the Pokémon Center, Sunset tells Sunny and Izzy about her experience. 
"Zipp Storm helped me quite a lot." Sunset said. "Did I hear that you guys explored that forest."
"Believe it or not, we have." Sunny replied as she took out a Poké Ball. "And, look what I caught."
Out popped a small green spider. Sunset is surprised as she pulls out her Pokédex. "How about that? A Spinarak."
Spinarak, the String Spit Pokémon and the pre-evolved form of Ariados. The Pokédex said. The thread that it's web is made from is often used to fix up fishing nets.
"So, that's what Ariados starts off as." Sunset said. "But, I thought you don't like bugs, Sunny."
"You're right." Sunny replied. "But, this little Spinarak is kind of cute. I guess some bugs aren't that bad once you get to know them."
This has been quite a day. Sunset Shimmer has been comforted, and Sunny Starscout caught a new Pokémon. The girls are ready for a good night's rest. Because the next day, Sunset goes for her final badge.


End of Chapter 37






Pokémon Quiz Answer 

Okay, everyone. If you said that it’s Wailord: The Float Whale Pokémon, you’re right.