by KJ Harlow
The pink-clad nurse looked up at him. “So you’re going too then.”
“Yes. She’s a flying-type. She’ll be far safer on board here.”
“Pete and the others may not be safe when they tell her that we’ve gone to Agate Island without her,” Crystal mused.
“I give you permission to tie her to the bed. Actually, scratch that, that would probably piss her off even more. Just… tell her that we’ll be back soon.”
“Yoshi?”
“Hmmm?”
“We’re here.”
“What?”
Yoshi looked back. The cruise ship sat in the Downedge Sea, over a mile away. A sheet of navy ice so dark it was almost black stretched as far as the eye could see. In contrast, Agate Island was blanketed in whiteness. Cashmere-soft snowflakes pirouetted down, landing on Starry’s velvet hair. She was wearing her down jacket but her hood was drawn back.
“Sorry, I was completely out of it just now.” Yoshi tilted his head back and exhaled, clouds streaming from his mouth. The sight of Soph frozen in a block of ice was unsettling. The only clue he had to go off was her body language. She looked like she was ready to fight, but didn’t have a chance to attack. He created scenario after scenario, discarding each one into his mental wastepaper basket. Who could have done it?
“It’s so pretty!” Arlif took a tentative step onto the shore, crushing the ice crystals into the sand. “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“There wouldn’t be much snow in the Treehouse,” Crystal said. The rock-type raised a hand, letting a snowflake fall into her palm.
“Crystal, don’t move!” Ai bounced over to her and created a mirror image of the rock-type. “Daddy, photo time!”
“I think Crystal isn’t moving not because she wants to play along, but because she’s shocked by Ai’s… energy,” Starry mused, standing next to her trainer.
CLICK!
Yoshi viewed the photo and gave a wry smile. “Yeah, look at her face. Like a wild girlfriend in the headlights. One of the rare times that she’s been taken off guard.”
“Let me see!” Ai said, bouncing over. She almost bowled Starry over, skidding on the crunchy ice. “Hee hee, we’re so cute together, Crystal!”
The rock-type didn’t respond. She cut a solitary figure, back towards them. Yoshi gave his phone to his daughter and joined his rock-type. Together, they stood in silence, gazing up at the bastion of ice ahead of them. Crystal shifted ever-so-slightly towards Yoshi, her hand bumping into his. It was cool, but not cold.
“Think you’ll be able to take on an OP Legendary?” Yoshi joked, smiling at her. The rock-type didn’t answer, eyes glued to the tower of ice.
“I am strong against ice-types.” She looked at him. “I will not let them hurt you.”
Yoshi kissed her on the side of the head. “Relax. I never doubted you. Besides, we’re just going to have some fun, catch some girlfriends and grind. You haven’t really had a chance for your attacks to do some serious damage. Oh and don’t mind Ai too much.”
Crystal shook her head, her blond hair barely moving through the air. “I don’t mind her. I’m just not used to other girlfriends being so friendly towards me.”
“Speaking of which…” Yoshi took a couple steps back as the gym bunny bounded over.
“You really don’t feel cold, Ai?” Yoshi said, assessing her. Her orange carrot top shirt looked really out of place in such a barren environment.
“Nope!” she said winking at her dad. “Hold my hand.”
She reached out and Yoshi clasped it. Her fingers were warm and supple. He nodded and let go.
“No chance of getting Flick to come out?” Arlif asked.
“She really doesn’t like the cold,” Yoshi said, looking at her ring in his belt. “But don’t worry, I’m sure that once I ask her to come out and battle, she’ll be fine. You’re out and you’re a grass-type. You should be the one that’s in the ring.”
“That’s OK,” the leaf maiden said, “I know I’m not going to be very useful here, but I still want to explore the island with everyone.”
“OK, girls.” Yoshi clapped and they looked at him. “I already told Crystal, but I’ll repeat it for everyone’s benefit. We’re here to have grind, level up and have fun. It’s not every day that we get to visit a place like this, so let’s enjoy it.”
“We should bring something back for Soph so that she doesn’t feel too left out,” Starry suggested.
“Good idea.” Hopefully she had already been thawed out now and was drinking a cup of hot chocolate. Yoshi turned around, half expecting her to be tearing across the mammoth sheet of sea ice, ready to peck the shit out of him.
“It’s going to be slippery here, so watch your step. We might also have to face some of those trainers who flew across, but don’t worry, I stocked up on potions. Not that I think you guys are going to lose or anything but–”
“Shut up, Yoshi,” his girlfriends chorused together.
“OK.”
Starry walked deeper through the sand until she reached tundra. “It’s really quiet here,” she said, hugging herself. “It feels like someone’s watching us.” She turned around and beckoned everyone else towards her.
“They could just be further in,” Yoshi said. He gestured forward. The tundra went on for another 50 yards or so before a shelf of rock extended inward. “I guess we’ll know soon. Starry, Arlif, and Crystal, get back.” The three girlfriends disappeared into their rings. He looked at his daughter, bringing up her full stats:
NAME: Aion (Ai)
REL’SHIP: Daughter
NATURE: Vain
TYPE: Steel
ACC.: Carrot Top
LEVEL: 16
HP: 46/46
- ATTACK: 18
- DEFENCE: 26
- SPCL ATTACK: 20
- SPCL DEFENCE: 20
- SPEED: 19
MOVESET:
Shoulder Charge - Type: Normal - 30/30 PP (Ram foes with your shoulder)
Steel Heel - Type: Steel - 30/30 PP (Strike with the ball of your heel with enough force to break bones)
“You’re going to be the first girlfriend to face any enemies we find, OK?”
“Huh?” She was scrolling through the hundred photos she had taken in the last five minutes. “Hey!”
“Focus, Ai,” Yoshi said, snatching his phone back. “I want you to get stronger.”
“You just want me to fight for you, right?” She said, crossing her arms. “Got it.”
“You can be really powerful if you applied yourself,” Yoshi said. “You won’t get a better environment than an island filled with wild ice-types.”
“I said I got it!” The gym bunny bounded across the tundra, away from him.
“Hold on!” Yoshi barked. Spoke too soon about getting the hang of this whole dad thing.
Wild Naseema appeared!
“Ai!” Yoshi yelled, breaking out into a run. “Ai!”
“I’m OK,” the gym bunny said, eyeing the wild girlfriend in front of her.
The Naseema regarded the pair with fathomless, brown eyes. A sudden gust blew across, her stiff, frozen dreadlocks crackling in the breeze. Her olive-green tunic was ripped around her stomach and lower back, revealing dark skin and toned abs. “Another trainer,” she said, her voice deeper and slow. She glanced behind Yoshi, eyeing the cruise ship. “You should go back where you came from.”
“We’re not going anywhere.” Yoshi pulled out his GF-wiki and pointed it at her:
Name: Naseema
Entry #: 82
Species: Tribal Warrior
Type: Ice
Rarity: *
Naseema live out in the numerous islands dotted throughout Ohno. They are known for their ability to adapt to different environmental conditions very quickly, displaying the astounding ability to Type-shift and withstand extreme heat or cold.
One-star rarity. Means that I can defeat this one and worry about catching later. More important to give Ai some EXP.
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“If it is a fight you seek…” She extended her arms out in front of her. There was a whooshing sound as ice crystals flew from the air around her. “I will oblige.” Seconds later, she was holding a glistening ice spear.
NAME: Naseema
LEVEL: 20
HP: 58/58
“OK Ai, she’s a few levels stronger than you, but you have the type advantage,” Yoshi said, encouraging the gym bunny. “Steel Heel!”
The moment the command left Yoshi’s mouth, the Naseema started running parallel to the shore. “Ai, don’t lose track of her!”
The gym bunny bounded after her. With each bounce, her feet became clad a little bit more in reflective metal until it reached midway up her calves.
Naseema used Ice Barrier!
The tribal woman dropped the tip of her spear into the tundra and dragged it along. It left a sparkling trail that flashed, expanded to six inches in width and then climbed up into the air. It was the same, opaque darkness as the frozen sea water. The Naseema was hiding, but where?
Ai used Steel Heel!
Ai chose a random spot along the 10-yard long wall of ice, further to the right.
“Heeeyaaaaaaah!”
CRASH.
The glass-like ice shattered where Ai kicked through it, cracks spreading through the rest of it.
Steel Heel missed!
Naseema used Ice Spear!
Ai stood up, looking around in confusion. A spear of ice shot out from the left, striking her in the left shoulder.
It’s not very effective…
NAME: Aion (Ai)
LEVEL: 16
HP: 34/46
“Ai! Steel Heel!” Yoshi yelled.
The gym bunny rubbed her shoulder ruefully and looked up, presumably at the Naseema who was still hidden.
CRASSSSHHHHHH.
She roundhoused the rest of the barrier and the entire sheet keeled over, shattering on impact. The Naseema was five yards away from Ai, her arms raised instinctively in response to her Ice Barrier being destroyed.
Now!
The airborne steel-type did a forward somersault, driving her steel heel onto the Naseema’s shoulder.
Critical Hit!
It’s Super Effective!!!
NAME: Naseema
LEVEL: 20
HP: 17/58
“How d’you like that, huh?” Ai taunted, sticking her tongue out at the ice-type. Her ice spear had shattered into 50 pieces and she was on her hands and knees.
The Naseema didn’t respond. “Ai, finish her off! Shoulder Charge!”
The warrior’s head darted up and she sprung to her feet, running away from Ai and towards Yoshi.
“Whoa, what are you…?”
Naseema used Ice Spear!
Everything seemed to happen in slow motion. He could see each bezel along the shaft as it came right at his stomach. Both of his hands were reaching down to grab onto it. No, I’m too slow… I’m… not going to make it.
Ai used Shoulder Charge!
Critical Hit!
Yoshi’s daughter rammed into Naseema’s left, sending her sprawling into the unforgiving rock. The ice-type lifted her head and stared straight at Yoshi. “Don’t… hurt… her…”
Naseema fainted!
Ai gained 280 Exp. Points!
Ai is now Level 17!
“Good work, Ai!” Yoshi tried to smile, but ended up grimacing instead.
“Daddy! You’re bleeding!” Ai gasped.
Feathers were still floating to the ground where Naseema’s ice spear had sliced through his down jacket and into his side.
“I’m OK,” he said. “I might have been worse if you hadn’t criticaled with your Shoulder Charge.”
The gym bunny said nothing, unable to tear her eyes away from her dad’s injury. He swung his bag down and started rummaging through it absent-mindedly
“‘Don’t hurt her’…” Yoshi murmured. “I wonder who she meant?”
A new voice boomed from behind them: “Yoooooo, look who it is!”
32
Snow Fight!
“Franking Hell!” Yoshi yelped, jumping three feet in the air. He swung his fist behind him and the tanned trainer bent back, hands on hips to evade the retaliatory strike. “Ai, Shoulder Charge!”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa…” Caleb said, hands up in surrender. “Didn’t mean to scare ya like that.” He did double finger guns and pointed them at Ai.
“Yeah, not a good idea when I’ve just been attacked by a girlfriend,” Yoshi said, trying to keep the tremor out of his voice.
“Yeah, those damn Naseemas. They’re a bit wild,” Caleb said, looking down at the unmoving ice-type a few feet away. “But yeah, you were wondering who they said they were protecting. It’s the Ledge.”
“The Ledge? Like a cliff?” Yoshi said.
“Hahahaha!” Caleb guffawed, hands on his stomach. “You didn’t tell me how funny your trainer was, Ai!”
“He’s my dad.”
“I’m her father.”
Yoshi and Ai said in unison, glancing at one another.
“Oooooh,” Caleb said, “OK, so you’re the guy I have to ask for your Aion’s hand in marriage.” He shot double finger guns at Ai again, who giggled and blushed furiously.
“What Ledge are you talking about?” Yoshi said, arms crossed.
“It’s not a cliff or something, Mr. Aion,” Caleb said. “I’m talking about the Legen… wait for it…” He did a double-fist pump into the air. “…dary.”
How was it that a guy could be so cheesy and annoying at the same time? The Mr. Aion thing also made Yoshi feel 30 years older than he actually was.
“Right, people were talking about it on the Cruisy McCruiseface,” Yoshi said, “Did you end up seeing her yet?”
“Nope.” Caleb shook his head, his man bun bouncing side to side. “Just a whole lot of Naseemas. That’s it. Island’s full of them. Haven’t seen any other girlfriends yet.”
“Serious?” Yoshi said. “I came out all this way for nothing?”
“I’ve fought like a dozen of them before I started escaping.” He put his hands on his hips and looked up at the tower of ice. “I’ve seen… 40, maybe 45 wild girlfriends since. All Naseemas.”
Yoshi pursed his lips. “How about a rematch?”
Caleb crossed his arms. “No can do, Mr. Aion, I just versed another trainer who came off the ship and they cleaned up my girlfriends good. I’m going back on board to heal my girlfriends and get potions and revives and shit. You want anything?”
“No thank you,” Yoshi said curtly.
“Aite, see ya when I see ya.” He did double finger guns at Ai for the third time and winked at her before strutting back across frozen sea.
Yoshi sidled up to her starry-eyed daughter. “Seriously, Ai? Him?”
Naseema fainted!
Starry gained 280 Exp. Points!
Ai gained 280 Exp. Points!
Ai is now Level 18!
“Caleb wasn’t lying,” Yoshi sighed. “Every single girlfriend we’ve faced here is a Naseema. There are literally no other girlfriends to catch here.”
“We’re grinding and levelling up though,” Starry said, shoving her hands into her deep pockets. “That’s what you wanted us to do.”
“I know,” Yoshi said. “I just thought that there would a greater variety of ice-types.”
“I’m kicking ass though,” Ai grinned. “It’s awesome fun landing a critical super effective hit. And it looks like your photos are getting a teensy bit better.”
Yoshi smiled at his daughter and brought up her full stats:
NAME: Aion (Ai)
REL’SHIP: Daughter
NATURE: Vain
TYPE: Steel
ACC.: Carrot Top
LEVEL: 18
HP: 25/50
- ATTACK: 20
- DEFENCE: 28
- SPCL ATTACK: 21
- SPCL DEFENCE: 21
- SPEED: 21
MOVESET:
Sh
oulder Charge - Type: Normal - 19/30 PP (Ram foes with your shoulder)
Steel Heel - Type: Steel - 14/30 PP (Strike with the ball of your heel with enough force to break bones)
He then did the same thing for Starry:
NAME: Serenette (Starry)
NATURE: Reserved
TYPE: Interstellar
ACC.: Cat Eyes Tee
LEVEL: 25
HP: 51/75
- ATTACK: 24
- DEFENCE: 20
- SPCL ATTACK: 26
- SPCL DEFENCE: 25
- SPEED: 22
MOVESET:
Gaze - Type: Normal - 30/30 PP (Lower defence by staring into opponent’s eyes, stun effect for 3 seconds.
Siren Song Type: Interstellar - 22/30 PP (Devastates foes with a hope-dashing song, 40% chance of confusion.)
“Yeah, you’re right,” Yoshi said. “You guys are getting stronger, that’s important.”
“How many trainers did you say came off the ship?” Starry asked.
“I wasn’t really counting,” Yoshi said. “Ten? Maybe twelve?”
“And you have only seen Caleb,” Starry continued.
Yoshi shrugged. “Yeah. I guess the others have gone further in?” The interstellar-type didn’t say anything. The three of them shuffled through the snow in silence. Now that they were closer, they could see that the mountain wasn’t a mountain at all. It was actually a gargantuan ice tower. It glistened in the sunlight, close enough for Yoshi to see its structure, but far enough that Yoshi knew it’d be at least an hour before they got there, assuming the path continued straight.
They entered a valley. Stacks of snow piled up either side of them. It was almost like a monster truck-sized plow truck had driven through and created a path, just for them.
This must lead to the tower ahead.
On a whim, Yoshi turned around and started walking backwards through the ankle-deep snow. “What are you doing, Daddy?” Ai asked.
“I’m walking backwards.”