A Letter from a Delibird

"Gulp, gulp, gulp..."

After Sato finished the entire bowl of soup in one breath, the warmth spreading from the inside out made him let out a satisfied sigh.

"I can't even imagine life without Brother George," Mark said happily, hugging his bowl.

George smiled, picked up the soup ladle, and refilled both of their bowls. "Have some more if you like it. Climbing the mountain will definitely be colder later, so keeping your energy up is important."

"Mhm," Mark replied vaguely, eagerly lifting his bowl and continuing to gulp it down.

"Hoothoot~"

A bird's cry echoed faintly, sounding especially clear in the silent ice and snow. The group couldn't help but look up.

"It's a Delibird! I didn't think there'd be Delibird in the Sinnoh Region!" Mark stood up excitedly. Delibird were Pokémon exclusive to the Johto Region, and very rarely seen anywhere else.

"Goo!"

The Delibird cried out in startle, its wing-like arms flailing in a panic as it immediately flew away from the spot.

Yet this Delibird was clearly a bit foolish, and in its haste, it actually dropped the gift bag it carried with it.

Just then, a gentle gust of cold wind blew by, and the gift bag fluttered right up to Mark, who grabbed it in one swift motion.

"Goo!"

The Delibird was struck with dismay, its terrified facial expression not something an ordinary bird could possibly make.

With a sudden dive, it flew straight toward Mark and began pecking wildly at his head.

"Ow, ow, ow... Stop it right now!" Mark fled in panic, yet he still held tightly onto the gift bag, refusing to let the Delibird snatch it back no matter how it tried.

Rip!

A crisp, audible tearing sound rang out. Mark and the Delibird both froze, slowly shifting their gaze