"This is as far as we can go." Riding on Togekiss's back, Cynthia looked down at Cheng Tian in the snow below, deeply worried.
"Are you sure you don't need me to come with you?"
"No, I can manage alone. I'll head back as soon as I can."
"Then... all right... stay safe."
Watching Cynthia leave, Cheng Tian pulled the scarf around his neck a little higher. Then he took out the Heavy Ball and Fast Ball.
"Roar!!"
With a flash of red light, the massive Aggron and fierce Noivern appeared.
Bundled in thick clothing, Cheng Tian climbed onto Aggron's back. Gengar emerged from his shadow, conferred with Noivern, and then the two flew off in different directions.
"Let's split up and search like this. It'll be faster..." Cheng Tian patted Aggron. "Let's go."
"Roar!"
Riding Aggron was a very clear choice. The snow here was deep enough to swallow his knees, and every step meant struggling to pull his legs out of it. He would have exhausted himself before getting very far.
Aggron, on the other hand, was tall and burly and did not have to worry about that at all. Having Aggron out also meant protection at any moment. After all, despite the harsh weather and climate here, the possibility of Pokémon being present could not be ruled out. And any Pokémon still active in weather like this were most likely no kindly creatures.
On the vast, desolate mountaintop plateau, Aggron maintained a Protect energy shield to keep the snow off Cheng Tian, moving slowly onward.
Everywhere he looked was an expanse of white. The enormous footprints Aggron left behind were soon covered and vanished.
Twenty minutes later...
"Let's rest for a moment..."
They had found no traces along the way. They had only encountered an Abomasnow,