Galar. Wild Area. Nightfall.
Galar's Wild Area. Home to different landmarks that benefit some Pokemon. From sandstorms, snow, bright sunny weather and rain, this area was tailored to the Pokemon and their every needs and replicates their habitats. The area was just that wide enough for that to be possible. It was just another example of how bizarre and wonderful this world.
"Cremie!" And at the snow-filled lands of the Wild Area, there was an Alcremie to be found. It was a Vanilla Alcremie, but there was no sweet on its head at all. Usually, every Alcremie has a sweet, but not this one. Not native to the Wild Area since there was nothing here that benefitted the Cream Pokemon. Alcremie was the odd one out since it did not have a natural habitat compared to the other Pokemon that live here. "Alcremie?"
The Cream Pokemon was shivering, feeling the chill of the night. Her body appeared to be unbelievably cold, covered in icicles. And she wasn't even in the snowy area but it didn't help that the Moon was up, only elevating that chill. "A-Alcremie...!" Trying to keep warm was difficult as she was trembling.
And from her body, she would emit a sweet aroma that was exclusive to her. The vanilla flavour of Alcremie was starting to spread, sending a delicious and enticing aroma through the atmosphere. And of course, this powerful aroma, which went further than what Alcremie was expecting, attracted some Pokemon.
Some Pokemon would wake up from the scent of Alcremie's aroma, attracted to it. The nocturnal Pokemon were already alerted. That delicious scent was too enticing to them, making it impossible to ignore.
"C-Cremie..." Alcremie simply wanted warmth but from the way her body was so cold, she has been like this for a while. A trail of frozen cream was behind her as it was only now that she showed up at the Wild Area. The Alcremie would simply continue on her way, attempting to find warmth somewhere in this cold night. Galar was a rather cold region at times, making this rather unfortunate for the Cream Pokemon compared to the other Alcremies that were just fine.
However, when trying to find somewhere else to keep warm, her scent attracted many Pokemon towards her. Alcremie paused for a moment, hearing a barrage of footsteps and wing flaps nearby. With just a head turn, she witnessed a swarm of Pokemon pursuing her, all itching for a bite.
"Alcremie!" Gasping from pure shock at this fierce swarm, Alcremie would try and jet away as fast as she could. Unfortunately, Alcremie was not that fast due to how she built. She couldn't run fast enough if her life depended on it. So, she simply hopped. She hopped with all of her might, using that to her advantage.
And she was fairly good at it, gaining some great distance. With her feeling like her life was in peril, she could leap spectacularly. But even with this escape, Alcremie's beautiful scent would be left behind. It wafted in the air, still waking up more and more Pokemon, even if she wasn't near them at all, showing just how powerful it was. Most definitely, wherever she came from received that delicious scent as well.
Circhester.
Circhester. A relatively large, old, peaceful city situated in a cold, mountainous part of the northeastern Galar Region. Buildings from an age long gone still stand about the steaming hot spring that covers the town. Arriving here at Circhester were Ash, Goh, Applejack, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. And in such a cold area, all of them kept themselves warm with jackets, hats and scarves.
"Yeesh! It's even colder here!" Ash said after embracing the chilling atmosphere of Circhester, wearing his Sinnoh Winter Clothes.
"Piiika!"
"How is it that some areas can be so cold to the point of snow with other places exempt from it?" Rarity wondered.
"It's Pokemon Don't question it." Applejack gave the best possible answer. In the world of Pokemon, it was best not to try and figure out why certain forces don't add up naturally. "But Galar's pretty cold on its own, ain't it?"
"Mhm. Which means we can view some Ice-Types and those are just as rare as Dragon-Types. There aren't that many Ice-Types now that I think about it." said Fluttershy. "What do you think we can find here?"
"Hmm...There's that restaurant again." Ash spotted the familiar restaurant that he saw in other cities and towns. He would then spot some hot springs up ahead even when standing at the very end of the city. The steam coming from those Hot Springs were rather visible for such a cold area.
"What's with everyone though?" However, Goh would be the first to notice something about this city and it wasn't the hot springs up ahead. Grabbing everyone's attention, they all viewed the people and Pokemon here, seeing how they were acting.
Strangely, they all had ecstatic looks on their faces. The people and Pokemon displayed signs of happiness that were only akin to tasting something delicious. Ash would know something about that, recognizing the looks on their faces. Some were drooling while others were laying around, looking like they were experiencing the greatest moment of their life.
"They sure look happy," Fluttershy said. "What do you think happened here?"
"They look pretty hungry though." Ash narrowed his eyes after spotting those faces. He and his friends would advance further into the town to investigate it and immediately, when looking through the window of the restaurant known as 'Bob's Your Uncle', the food in there had not been touched.
The people had left the food untouched, only resting their elbows on the table while having those pleased looks on their faces. Truly strange. They looked hungry yet there was a plethora of food right in front of them to fulfil their stomachs. Even the chefs had the same looks on their faces. Noticeably, they would pick up on a scent. And that scent was rather enticing. Strikingly enticing. It was also familiar to their noses as they felt like they have sensed this before. And it was not too long. Approximately 2 days ago to be exact.
"What's going on? Why's everyone so hungry and not touching any of the food at all?" Goh wondered. "Something's not right."
"It must've been something good to make them look like this. I know I would. Mom's cooking is just that good." Ash would soon have the same look on his face, thinking about his mother's cooking.
"Hmm...Whatever they're thinking of...Must be wonderful." Rarity was slowly starting to gain that same look on her face as well. The beautiful scent was reaching her and soon her friends. Applejack picked up on it too as her face would slowly transform as well.
But before any of them could get involved in this pleased expression, stepping outside of what appeared to be a Gym was someone was holding a Megaphone. And from that megaphone, a lady would shout as loud as she could.
"GET UP! ALL OF YOU!" The booming sound of the Megaphone elevated her voice, attacking the ears of everyone here. Some would fall off their seats or even when they were standing as they were all taken out of this trance. Windows would shatter at the force of this sound too.
Ash and his friends received the soundwave as well as they weren't even enchanted by this beautiful scent. Fluttershy and her Audino got the worst of it, having sensitive ears. Especially Audino, who was rapidly gyrating from what she heard, feeling the urge to fall over.
"A-Audino..."
"Oh. That's better." The lady who made that thunderous sound uttered before lowering her megaphone. "I thought I lost you all there."
"S-Sorry Mrs Melony." A woman said before dropping to the ground. "Ah but I still want to try it though..."
"This is just sad." Melony looked down at those who were on the ground. "I might need to whip everyone here into shape, get your mind off the scent."
"Say, uh, what's going on here?" Ash went up to Melony. "What's with here?"
"Oh?" Melony turned to face Ash and his friends, pausing for a moment. By staring at them, specifically Ash and Fluttershy, she would drop her Megaphone, forming a wide-open smile and a gasp. "It's you two! What a surprise?!"
"Um!" Fluttershy pulled back as Melony approached her with open arms, coming in strong all of a sudden. Just like that, she picked up Fluttershy, embracing the pegasus for a hug. The stunned Audino couldn't do anything about this due to how she was still feeling the effects of that Megaphone. Right now, her trainer was being hugged by this tall white-dressed woman. "D-Do I know you?"
"Ah, my apologies!" Melony would then hold Fluttershy up. "I've just been eager to meet both of you! I've heard so much from you! Fluttershy, isn't it?"
"That's me, yes."
"My daughter absolutely loves you! And so do I! This is a welcoming surprise." Melony would place Fluttershy down.
"Oh, really. Well, I don't blame you for that. I sometimes do that with some new Pokemon I meet." Fluttershy held her head as she was guilty of suddenly hugging someone. Her love for Pokemon causes such a reaction and Melony's reaction was no different since it was the same feeling.
"And you must be Ash. I can tell from that signature look. I've heard a lot about you from Bea and the others." Melony turned to face Ash next, also recognising him.
"Yeah, that's me," Ash confirmed. "I'm guessing by your outfit...you're a Gym Leader, right?"
"Indeed I am! Welcome to Circhester. I am Melony. This city's Gym Leader." Melony fully introduced herself as the Gym Leader of this city. "And I'm pleased to meet both of you. For you, Ash, it's all about your strength."
"You don't recognize us though?" Applejack asked wondering why Melony hadn't pointed her out along with Rarity.
"Right. Aren't we familiar just like Fluttershy?" said Rarity.
"Oh, you are. But I just prefer her. Sorry~" Melony apologized, shutting them both down. Applejack and Rarity were gutted by this. Melony and her unnamed daughter preferred Fluttershy over them. "But you're still popular. It's only because of the news that spreads fast, especially back at Equestria."
"If you're focused on my strength, you're in the Pokemon World Championships, aren't you?" Ash replied.
"That's right. I'm up there and I've been looking forward to challenging you." Melony winked. "I've heard great things from my fellow Gym Leaders after all. Climbing those rankings at a smooth pace, aren't you?"
"Oh yeah!" Ash pumped his fists. "And pretty soon, I'm gonna have another battle with Bea! I can't wait! Do you wanna battle now that I'm here?"
"Hm-hm-hm!" Melony would chuckle before patting Ash on the back impressive strength. "Ah, not yet! I'm higher than you and Bea at the moment so you'll have to get past her to get to me!"
"Oh!" Ash felt Melony's strength, stumbling and nearly falling onto the snow. "Huh. Alright. I'll remember that."
"But I can't wait to battle you either way. You're promising and I heard you're strong while also being carefree. That does stump me a bit." Melony placed her finger on her chin. "How's that possible?" She had the same question Bea did. How was it that he improved while also lazing around? "It's certainly not like my teachings or anyone."
"Just having fun, I guess." Ash gave a nonchalant answer. "That's how I teach myself. What about you?"
"Mrs Melony here has quite the strict teachings..." One of the people got back up after his ears finally recovered. "She's a coach and a harsh one at that. In Galar, she's the only known Gym Leader to have ever beaten Raihan, who is Galar's Strongest Gym Leader."
"I-Isn't he in the Masters 8?!" Goh and the others gasped. Melony here was stronger than they thought as she managed to defeat the p[owerful Raihan who was among the best in the world at the moment. Most likely, this was in the past as Raihan still maintained that position.
"Correct!" Melony herself confirmed it. "I teach myself and that's how I was able to win. Sometimes, you're your own best teacher, wouldn't you agree?"
"Maybe she's too effective with her work..." A woman said, slightly criticising Melony. She would then shudder after sensing Melony looking at her. The Circhester Gym Leader had a chilling aura coming from her body and face that looked gentle but packed great ferocity. Naturally, the woman would tremble in fear, not from the cold.
"If you want, I could coach you some time. But you seem like you can help yourself. If not, then you can be my successor and become Circhester's next Ice-Type Gym Leader. My son Gordie certainly won't take on that icy mantle. Neither will my daughter and three sons."
"Uh, no thanks. I'll pass." Ash passed on it. "By the way, why was everyone acting like that? And what's that tasty smell in the air?"
"Oh, this? This is fairly recent in Circhester but it's been going on for a few weeks across Galar." Melony would start explaining. "It seems that a Pokemon has left behind a strong delicious scent that entices everyone who picks up on it. They can't help but think about that taste and having a bite with it."
"It smells like an Alcremie, doesn't it"? Ash recognized the Alcremie scent. "Is that what that is?"
"Oh, it has to be. But this is strong. Terrifyingly strong." Melony pointed out how potent this scent was. "Across Galar, they've been hit with this enticing scent and it's rendered most town and cities inactive until something snaps them out of it. But the scent doesn't disappear. It stays around, bringing bliss to them. There's not wrong with such a wonderful smell but it's far too distracting. Especially when I'm coaching."
"Did you resist it? You managed to snap everyone out of it with that megaphone." Goh asked.
"Hohohoho! Only someone with a strong willpower can go on with their day while admiring the scent!" Melony let out a rather bodacious and mighty laughter. "It's a lovely scent and I do admire it but I can most definitely go on with my day.2
"That is a problem though. Inactive cities and towns never lead to great results if everyone is doing nothing." Rarity pointed out the drawbacks. "How could one Alcremie do this? The ones Opal showed us haven't left behind powerful delicious scents when they left, even when they were at Ponyville for a while."
"No clue." Applejack shook her head. "Must be a rare flavour of Alcremie then."
"No, no. It's most definitely a standard Alcremie. Vanilla is the most common after all. But that Alcremie's flavour is truly strong. Wherever it came from, it must've left quite an impact. It's my duty to keep everyone active even if the taste is still in the air. I certainly can't get rid of this scent by myself."
"Where's the Alcremie then?" Fluttershy asked.
"It came by here last night, so it made its appearance in Circhester recently. It looks like it's just moving along with how it leaves behind that enticing vanilla aroma. The only you can hope to find it is by following the scent. I would follow it but I have to take care of this city."
"Hmm...I can handle this one then." Applejack proudly said, stepping up. "I can make something just as tasty that'll toss that vanilla scent out."
"Oh, your apple pies do taste wonderful." Rarity nodded in agreement. "Splendid idea!"
"Really? Every other food here doesn't seem to grab their attention at all though."
"Don't worry about it. I've got full faith in my apples." A confident Applejack uttered. "I've got what I need in my saddlebag right here. Ash. Do ya think you can make that cake of yours that everyone loved?"
"I don't think so. I don't have the ingredients for that. And that restaurant's not for baking." Ash was unable to make his magnificent cake. "It's up to you then, Applejack. Do you want us to stay behind and help?"
"Ya'll can go ahead and find that Alcremie if ya want." The earth pony would approach the restaurant. "I'll make enough for everyone to notice."
"How wonderful!" Melony clapped with glee. "I'd love to try some authentic food from Equestria! I, unfortunately, didn't get the chance back at the Pokemon Festival which is a shame."
"We'll look for that Alcremie and see where else it goes. There's gotta be a reason why it's got such a wonderful aroma." Ash, Goh, Rarity and Fluttershy would choose to go on ahead, leaving everything to Applejack.
"You're leaving so soon? I thought you would've stayed behind at Circhester a bit longer?" Melony pouted, rather disappointed that they were leaving.
"We'll be back! Just gotta check this out for ourselves! See ya soon! "Ash promised that he and his friends would return as soon as possible. Besides, she had Applejack to keep her company and the chance to try her apple pies.
"Alright! But when you get back, would you mind joining my son's fan club?!" Melony bellowed while they bolted off. "It would be truly wonderful!" She then turned her attention back to everyone else who caught a whiff of the scent. Ash and the others didn't fall for the enticing scent, still being able to function.
They certainly had some willpower behind them. But to get everyone's will back in action, Melony would have to use the Megaphone once more. And Applejack seemingly had the method to fix that.
Route 10.
Ash and the others weren't the only ones looking for an Alcremie. Someone else came searching for one but not a specific Alcremie at all. Arriving at the Galar Region was none other than the Ruler of Equestria herself. Princess Celestia.
And she found herself in a cold area as well. Route 10. A route in Northern Galar that connects a train station known as White Hill Station to Wyndon. She found herself on a long snowy mountain road in the northern Galar, searching for Alcremie. Why? For her own personal satisfaction and her love for cake. The Cake Competition 2 days ago solidified that and the existence of Alcremie changed her worldview completely. The main challenge was finding an Alcremie, which was not that easy to do.
"Hmm...There's no exclusive location to find a Wild Alcremie at all." Celestia had a map, holding it with her magic. Unfortunately, there was no specific location for Alcremie as coming across a wild one was not that easy. Like some Pokemon, Alcremie are rather confined in civilization. Meanwhile, Arcanine was currently keeping Celestia and Gardevoir warm thanks to his body heat, making sure that they wouldn't have to shiver.
They had been moving for quite a while, leaving behind footprints on this mountain while spotting White Hill Station up ahead. Fittingly, despite being a cold area, the Sun would beam in their general direction, focusing on the Princess of the Sun.
"Gardevoir?" Passion leaned in, trying to see if she could spot anywhere an Alcremie might show up.
"Hmm...It looks like the only way to find an Alcremie is to find its pre-evolution, Milcery. And then we can give it a sweet to make it evolve. Route 4, Bridge Field and Giant's Mirror are good locations. Going by train is the best option, without a doubt."
"Al! Alcremie!" Suddenly, the cry of an Alcremie boomed nearby this snowy mountainside. Celestia's ears were alert. The Pokemon she was searching for could be heard. That was a surprise and the timing couldn't have been any better.
"An Alcremeie?!"
"Cremie!" But for this Alcremie, her situation couldn't be any worse. Spotted by Celestia and her Pokemon who looked over the horizon of this mountain, this Alcremie was the same one without a sweet on her. She was still bouncing as hard as she could.
Even after the night had passed and she left the Wild Area, she was still being chased down by the Pokemon. The Pokemon from the Wild Area were pursuing the Cream Pokemon, having that same ecstatic expression that the people over at Circhester had. It was safe to say that they did not have the willpower to resist but definitely the strength to move since the one causing that scent was within their vicinity. Alcremie was hopping for life, having her ears bawl out creamy tears as she has been fleeing since night.
And as for these Pokemon, despite looking incredibly happy, they had bags underneath their eyes. Clearly, some of them needed to sleep but Alcremie's scent negated that possibility and made them all ravenous and persistent, much to the dismay of the Fairy-Type, who was just trying to escape and avoid being devoured.
When in the air, one of the Flying-Types finally managed to reach her. A Noctowl opened its beak, trying to bite Alcremie. It grazed Alcremie, causing the Cream Pokemon to lose her balance when in the air. Her momentum had been disrupted as other Flying-Types would zone in, using their beaks to try and catch a bite out of her. But her falling saved her surprisingly as they missed her completely. That didn't mean they wouldn't give up. Alcremie would soon roll down the mountainside, gathering snow around her body.
"Oh my!" Naturally, Celestia was taken aback by this. She found the Pokemon she wanted but not in the way she thought. At this moment, Alcremie's life was in peril and it certainly was not her fault as the swarm of Pokemon was now approaching Celestia and her Pokemon thanks to Alcremie heading this way. All of these Pokemon were enough to fill the entire town of Ponyville with how many there were.
Her visit to Galar was already off to a surprising start. Searching for an Alcremie was easier than she thought but what followed behind Alcremie was a different story. Just what was with this Alcremie and its potent scent? As the journey continues.
Chapter 87 End.