Cold Heart (Part A) by Michael Keens/ Exodus  

“I love you...”  
“I love you too...”  
The two lovers hugged each other, and then gave each other a passionate kiss, 
they were utterly smitten with each other, and weren’t afraid to express 
themselves.  
“Oh get a room...” thought Emily, but not out loud, she was sick of running 
into couples that were so happy, because she could never find love herself.  

Her first love, Sebastian Raine, was a dreamguy of many girls’ dreams, but 
Emily’s so-called friend Bianca had already snatched him up, and Emily was sort 
of led on by him.  
Bianca was overcome by jealousy, and exiled Emily from her group so as not to 
leave any chance of a breakup between her and Sebastian, but she also left 
Emily feeling like nothing.  
Emily then fell into the arms of Tetsubo Capture, her childhood friend that, 
until a while ago, she hadn’t seen for years, and though he retained some 
shyness from years ago, he had matured, and never backed away from anyone in 
need, they were on and off for a while, confused about how the other felt, but 
willing to remain friends either way.  
Emily’s relationship with him had been the most meaningful, but she had been 
lied to from start to finish, and not a simple lie, but one that could have 
stripped Emily of her Pokémon, taken advantage of, or killed, and though 
Tetsubo didn’t realise it until it was too late, Emily couldn’t forgive him for 
being so thoughtless.  
And finally was a creep that in her mind, didn’t deserve to be named, he 
flirted with Emily when she was down, and she rushed into things since she was 
on the rebound, and the creep took advantage of her, led her on, and used her 
to make his real girlfriend jealous.  
Emily got blamed by the jealous girlfriend for stealing her guy, upon her 
discovering the two together, and the guy just agreed with his girlfriend and 
let Emily be subject to insults and shouting, before abandoning Emily for his 
girlfriend that, until recently, she knew nothing of.  
It was an ironic event, Emily had seen the female when identifying the couple 
in Saffron City, and if she’d looked a little closer, she’d have seen the guy 
that would later sweep her off her feet.  
She had been strangely happy that the couple weren’t getting on, but now 
realised that they’d work things out and leave her lonely, upset, and the odd 
one out.  
He could never be forgiven for what he had done, and neither could Sebastian, 
for being a coward and letting Bianca act so horridly towards her because of a 
truth she didn’t know.  
The only one that might someday be forgiven, was Tetsubo, the lie he had let 
her believe, was a forced one, from a bully that had taunted him for years, and 
was now working for Team Rocket.  
Bryan had always been second best in comparison to Tetsubo, and had eventually 
resorted to cheating to get the better of him, but he was caught and disgraced 
his family, and the only things he had left were his skills, and a desire to 
make Tetsubo suffer, but he exploited Tetsubo and nearly stole the Pokémon from 
the college, if it wasn’t for Elite Rocket’s blundering, he’d have gotten away 
with it, would Tetsubo have let it go that far in that scenario? Emily didn’t 
know what to believe.  
And then he took advantage of Tetsubo’s honesty, and captured Emily, in order 
to steal Tetsubo’s Pokémon, and though he led an impressive rescue, Emily 
rejected him.  
Tetsubo claimed to love her, yet he couldn’t be totally honest with her, yes, 
it was a secret that might have had her well-being on the line, but they faced 
danger every day, and overcame it together.  
Emily sighed, her Nidorina, Poisoness, hadn’t performed at its best because she 
had been selfishly taken away from her partner, the Nidorino that Tetsubo 
owned, and Emily had promised that she’d go back to Tetsubo, and unlike him, 
she wasn’t in the habit of breaking promises, no matter what the situation.  

Emily was wandering the beaches of the Seafoam Islands, alone as usual, she 
had seven Gym Badges, and one more would force her to follow through on her 
promise, something she wasn’t sure if she was ready for.  
She’d have to win another badge before long, she wasn’t backing out of 
participating in the Pokémon League, how else would she get back at Bianca the 
only way she could?  
Emily had a lot of Pokémon now:  

Blossom, Emily’s first Pokémon, had evolved into a Gloom a while ago, along 
with Tetsubo’s, Blossom didn’t have a problem about working alone, but she did 
miss the company from a fellow Gloom.  
Discharge, a Magneton that didn’t show any extra happiness or sorrow, it never 
really showed emotions, but since an incident at the Power Plant, it had shown 
initiative and independence, and evolved.  
Lucky, an overhelpful Chansey, she had often been brought onto Emily’s party, 
not for battles (she wasn’t the best battler and she knew it), but for 
companionship, Lucky looked out for Emily since no one else would, and took 
care of her physically, making sure she was eating well and not succumbing to 
any illnesses, Lucky could see that Emily was depressed, and didn’t want 
anything happening to her.  
Buzzer, Emily’s Beedrill, had remained at home with Professor Beech, he was 
worried about her, as was the professor, but Emily wouldn’t open up about these 
things.  
Poisoness, the Nidorina that was nearly as upset as Emily, she too had lost 
someone close to her, but it wasn’t hers or Needle’s fault, but the trainers 
that owned them, Poisoness had become more enthusiastic about battling since 
being promised a reunion with Needle, but Emily wasn’t.  
Solar, one of Emily’s close companions, she wouldn’t have even met him if 
Tetsubo hadn’t introduced her to Melanie, Solar’s original keeper.  
Solar had evolved into an Ivysaur during a brief trainer battle, and though was 
disappointed in the lack of attention, stayed by Emily’s side until things got 
better.  
Miles, a performing Mr Mime, again, Tetsubo was with her when she first met 
him, because of her alone time, Emily relied on her Pokémon for company, and 
Miles had the chance to perform more often, and stopped craving that sort of 
attention during Pokémon Battles.  
Graveyard, a Marowak as of recently, well, Emily owed Tetsubo 100% for this 
Pokémon as he took on her wish to catch it for her, but he accomplished about 
90% of this task and brought it to her without actually capturing it, but by 
telling it about her and letting it see for itself.  
Emily had to convince it, but was pretty sure it wanted to go with her, 
otherwise it wouldn’t have bothered coming along to see for itself.  
Graveyard was a powerful Pokémon, and though a little stern, accepted Emily’s 
love and grew because of it.  
The last two Pokémon had little memories of Tetsubo and had been called upon 
more often.  
Harmony, a singing Jigglypuff, well, a Wigglytuff now, thanks to the Moon Stone 
that Tetsubo had given her, she liked Miles a lot and performed with him, she 
was an adorable Pokémon that wanted to be stronger.  
And Tails, the most recently evolved Pokémon, a Ninetales, after the battle in 
Jade Town, there was no doubt that she had matured and grown, and was eligible 
for evolution through a Fire Stone.  
She was still adorable, but very beautiful in her evolved state, Emily 
particularly wanted a full team of Pokémon before returning to Tetsubo, just to 
show that she wasn’t dependent on him.  

Emily sat on top of a cliff, and watched the sun setting, Tetsubo never really 
found the time for that, he was too busy keeping to schedules, it was a good 
thing for Emily, as she constantly lost her way without sensible guidance.  
With her today were Blossom, Discharge, Lucky, Miles, Tails and Harmony.  
Blossom was at her side, and had dozed off again, Discharge floated in a 
stationary position, though more dependent now, had relied on Emily for a 
general path to follow.  
Lucky was close to Emily, observing her for signs of trouble, Miles was quietly 
practising its act for the next performance, but quietly, so as not to disturb 
Emily, along with Harmony, who was quietly singing and helping Miles with his 
rhythm.  
Finally, Tails was resting, and using her new long tails to briefly keep Emily 
warm.  
“Soon Tetsubo, we will meet again, but on what terms?...  I suppose that’s my 
decision...” thought Emily out loud.  
“Gloom?...” muttered Blossom.  
“Mime.” said Miles happily.  
Some of the Pokémon were a little excited to be seeing their old friends again, 
but they kept their exclamations subtle.  
“With Tails as my Fire-type, and the other Pokémon at better Stages, the only 
Pokémon I feel I need now is a Water-type, and I know there’s plenty around 
here, I suppose I’ll look tomorrow...”  
Tails fell into a slumber, and her tails fell away from Emily, a cold wind past 
by, and Emily shivered, and then sneezed.  
Lucky immediately got up and dashed over to Emily, but something rose from the 
ground and caused her to fall over.  
“Chan...” she sobbed.  
“Lucky, are you getting clumsy again? You’ve got to be more careful...” said 
Emily concerned.  
“Chansey!” argued Lucky politely, as if to say ‘It wasn’t my fault’.  
“Shellder!” squealed the clam Pokémon, as it shook itself out of the sands.  
Emily’s mouth widened a little, this was too good.  
“... Then again, I live for today.  Blossom, I choose you!”  
“Gl?!” spluttered Blossom as she woke from a brief nap, “Gloom!” she said 
guiltily, and leapt up for a battle.  
“Shell-Der!” screamed the Shellder and stuck its tongue out at everyone.  
“Gloom?...” questioned Blossom, looking a little confused.  
“Shellder!” he squealed.  
With that, it leaped off the cliff and bounced down.  
“Return everyone.” said Emily, juggling five Pokéballs and successfully 
recalling all the Pokémon without dropping any of the balls.  
“Blossom, you’ll come with me.”  
“Gloom!” squealed Blossom excitedly, and scrambled to climb Emily and get a 
hold of her.  

Emily clambered down the steep rocks carefully and entered a small cave that 
the Shellder had entered.  
Emily felt a cold chill, and covered her arms as she shivered, “I’d better 
catch this Shellder as soon as possible and get out of this cave.”  
“Shellder!” squealed the Shellder as it bounced along down the path.  
“Hey come back here! Please?” pleaded Emily, but the Shellder disappeared once 
more, Emily continued running, until she reached a narrow passage that led to a 
small alcove, where the Shellder sat on some rocks.  
“Go Discharge!”  
“Mag-Na-Ton!”  
“Use your Thunderbolt attack!”  
The Shellder dived onto another pile of rocks as the electricity destroyed the 
one he was on, and then again, and once more, but landed on the floor and 
bounced away, Discharge floated towards it, but the rocks it had destroyed were 
part of a small support structure and much debris fell and buried Discharge.  
“Shell-Der!” said the Shellder triumphantly, sticking its tongue out again.  
“Mag...” moaned Discharge.  
Emily sighed, “Return.”  

Emily once again charged on, but ran into someone, he had short brown hair and 
was dressed in a beige uniform with a rounded hat on his head.  
“Huh? What’s a girl doing down here?”  
“Please, I’m only trying to catch a Shellder.”  
“What Shellder?”  
Emily peered into the next room but saw no sign of the Shellder.  
“Oh...  It got away.”  
“A Pokémon Trainer...  Since you’re here, would you please help us? It’ll be 
worth your while.”  
“I guess so.” said Emily, she would usually be a little more cheerful, but 
aside from the Gym Leaders, Emily hadn’t had a great deal of contact or 
conversation with people recently.  
In the next room, bigger than the last, were a group of people wearing the same 
uniform as the man, they were all pushing against a large rock, along with a 
Machoke and a Golem.  
Usually these two Pokémon alone could handle it, but this was an unusually 
bigger rock than most.  
“We’re onto an important discovery, that a legendary Pokémon rests down here, 
if you helped us, I’m sure you’d be able to witness and record it, then you’d 
be the talk of the year among all your friends.”  
Emily sighed, “What friends?...” she thought.  
“Benjamin, you found help?” asked a lady with long flowing black hair.  
“Uh huh, a Pokémon Trainer.”  
“Well then, bring out all of your Pokémon and we’ll see if any can use 
Strength.”  
“Strength?” questioned Emily.  
“A secret technique that allows a large Pokémon to push and lift up huge 
boulders, if you have one, it could help us out, and it would permanently keep 
that ability for Pokémon Battles.”  
“I guess there’s no flaw in that.” said Emily dropping her Pokéballs.  
“Mag-Na-Ton.”  
“Nine!”  
“Mime!”  
“Chansey.”  
“Wiggly-Tuff!”  
“Gloom.” said Blossom, jumping down from Emily’s shoulder.  
“Okay...  Well, your Normal-type Pokémon should have no problem learning it, 
so...”  
“Use it on my Wigglytuff.” said Emily decisively, “Lucky isn’t strong enough 
for this sort of work, she’s a healer, not a fighter”  
“Chan...” agreed Lucky sadly, as if she should be ashamed.  
“Tuff?”  
“Go ahead Harmony, this will help you in battle, provided you do a little work 
today.”  
“Wiggly!” smiled Harmony, and approached the lady with a silver cube, a red 
glitter sprayed out and consumed Harmony before disappearing.  
“How do you feel?”  
“Wiggly!” cheered Harmony, and scurried over to the other Pokémon and flexed 
her muscles, she didn’t actually have any, but she obviously felt stronger and 
more confident.  
“Return, everyone else.” said Emily, recalling the other Pokémon, apart from 
Blossom, just in case the Shellder showed up again.  
The Pokémon stood at the back of the huge boulder, and the people were at the 
sides, pulling the rock from grappling hook ropes that had been shot into the 
boulder.  
Pulling from the front, opposite the Pokémon, would just be a crazy idea.  
“And... go!”  
Even Blossom joined in, she didn’t add to the group effort a great deal, but at 
least she didn’t look lazy.  
“I think we’re getting somewhere...” said Benjamin tiredly.  
“Um, sir, what exactly are we pushing the rock for?” asked Emily as she was 
straining to help.  
“We need to push it towards that hole, directly underneath this floor is a 
river with rapid currents, we can’t sail up that way, but this rock will block 
the path with the currents and leave the lower area as a simple sail to the 
underground island.” explained Benjamin.  
“Well, as long as we’re doing this for a good reason...” groaned Emily.  
“Shellder!” Emily heard, and then looked up, the Shellder was on top of the 
boulder.  
“Think you’re smart, eh?” grinned Emily, “Blossom! Use Mega Drain!”  
“Gloom?” questioned Blossom, before seeing the Shellder and shooting the 
absorbing beam at it.  
It leaped off and landed on Emily’s head, causing her to fall over, and then it 
scurried down a tunnel near the hole.  
“Agh...” moaned Emily, before leaving the group, “Follow me Blossom...”  
“But what about...” questioned Benjamin.  
“I’ll leave Harmony with you!” shouted Emily, “I just need to catch this 
Shellder!...”  

The path that the Shellder had run down led to a dead end.  
“Now I’ve got you, nowhere to run and nowhere to hide.” said Emily confidently, 
she wouldn’t usually resort to forcing a Pokémon into capture like this, but 
the Shellder had been deliberately trying her patience by luring her around and 
then running away.  
“Shellder!” squealed the Shellder shooting an Aurora Beam.  
“Blossom, use your Petal Dance.”  
“Gloom!” she squealed, spinning into a dizzying tornado, the beam was strong, 
and the spiralling wind was broken by the cold ice that was sucked inside.  
Blossom burst out the top hastily and flew out uncontrollably, Ice-type attacks 
were one of the Grass-type weaknesses, she collided with the Shellder and both 
flew into the cavern wall, causing a small shaking.  
“Pokéball, G-  Agh!” screamed Emily, as the shaking got louder and stronger, 
the ground started to shake, and a distant rumbling could be heard.  
“We did it!” shouted one of the archeologists.  
“They must had succeeded in pushing the boulder down, but its causing a tremor 
around the whole cave...” thought Emily out loud, just before the floor 
crumbled, and she and the two Pokémon fell down into the cold waters below...  

End of Part A  

Part B
Back to the Side Stories
Back to the Pokézone