This is really just meant to be a lift-off prequel to a Palletshipping story I've been achign to write for around a year now, in which Ash and Gary suddenly get changed into a Pikachu and an Eevee while in Team Rocket Headquaters rescuing some Pokemon. While I was musing on the possibilites of how Ash and Gary would have got together around the Dimond and Pearl piont, this popped into my head and just refused to leave. So, enjoy!

And exuse any mistakes here. I'll admit I was less than completey vigilant in editing this story, considering the time I'm doing it at. And also excuse any wrong information about Snowpiont; I know it's a town, but it has mountains around it that could be called Snowpiont too, right? It's been ages since I last watched those D&P eps...

Title: What took you so long?

Summary: Exploring Snowpiont Mountain sounded like fun, but Ash wasn't prepared for a freak snowstorm to suddenly appear. Even worse, Pikachu is lost. While searching, someone unexpected comes to the rescue. Palletshipping.

Disclaimer: Nintendo owns Pokemon, those lucky bastards. And I'm no Nintendo (And thank goodness for that, too)

Blurry lights. Bighting wind. Voices. Shouting.

Ash wasn't sure what to make of them.

He turned his head this way and that, squinting against the continuous freezing needles biting into his skin, struggling to make sense of it all. Then, the voices changed. They weren't just calling now, they were screaming his name.

He suddenly grew colder, and the rush of snow and wind around him ceased for a fraction of a second, just enough for him to glance towards the voices in confusion and catch sight of the tumbling wall of snow heading towards him.

His eyes widened and he turned to run, calling Pikachu's name… where was he? He had been right by him, and now-

The snow hit and Ash gasped, his mind plunging unto simple shock. Freezing cold, and pain. It was-

'ASH!'

Ash's eyes shot open and he attempted to sit up immediately, but he found himself hampered by familiar gentle hands. He blinked against the warm glow of a small light shining against him, finally recognizing the voices with relief.

'Ash!' Dawn exclaimed happily, her blurry face swimming into view in the low light of the small but comforting brown room they were huddled in. 'You're awake! Oh, we were so worried! Are you alright?'

Ash managed a weak grin as she helped him sit up, finally managing to make out Brock standing above them holding a dim lantern, looking hugely relieved.

'Finally, Ash,' he said. 'We lost you for a few moments there.'

Ash nodded, finding himself remembering only snippets of before as he mind struggled to reboot itself. 'It was… an avalanche, right?' He asked as he snuggled down deeper into his thick snow jacket, shivering despite its warmth. He blinked wearily at his memories, finding them discontently jumbled. No doubt he had started the phase out even before the avalanche because of the sudden and completely unexpected blizzard that harshly rushed at them.

Dawn nodded in confirmation. 'Yeah. We had no idea it would get so rough. We only set out because the weather forecast was supposed to be perfect, right?'

Brock slumped to the ground next to them, looking around sheepishly. 'Yeah, and now we're stuck in some cabin in the middle of Snowpoint until this storm dies down…' Ash smiled softly and greatly at their quick and subtle recap. It made it easier to remember now, at least.

Ash sat up fully, pushing Dawn's hands away when she insisted on helping so he could stare around the cabin, his movements growing more and more erratic. Brock and Dawn both sensed what was up, and before Ash had even opened his mouth they looked stricken and guilty.

'Guys,' Ash started, feeling anxiety grow at their none too promising expressions. 'Where's Pikachu?'

When all he got was silence, Ash shot to his feet, his voice rising. 'Guys! Where is he? He isn't—'

Brock shot to his feet as well, only to grab Ash securely- and comfortingly- by the arm, staring intensely at Ash. 'Listen, Pikachu didn't get caught by the avalanche, because he was with us when it hit- we just lost him in the storm. He'll be out there somewhere, braving it out until it stops. We'll find him when it's over. It'll be fine.'

Silence followed, and Ash looked toward the ground, his shoulders shaking slightly. Dawn shuffled closer, looking miserable. 'Ash…' She started, reaching out a hand. Ash stepped away from her curtly.

'Brock, how can you say that when he could be out there, hurt and alone?'

Brock didn't answer, but his grip tightened. 'Ash, you can't just-'

Ash pulled his arm from Brock's hand and glared heatedly at the other man. Dawn's hands flew to her mouth. The storm battered the cabin outside, filling in the gaps.

'Try and stop me, Brock,' Ash grated out in a voice neither of the group had ever heard him use. And just like that, he was gone, leaving the door banging mournfully in his wake. Snow rushed in, battering the two. Brock dashed out after Ash as Dawn watched with wide eyes, frozen in spot.

As soon as Brock exited he was practically thrown back by the force of the freezing gale, and as he glanced around in panic, he found Ash's silhouette already lost in the blur of shapes and snow.

'Oh no,' he whispered to the howling wind, knowing there was no point now. 'Arceus help him…'

Pikachu bounded through the snow, ignoring the growing numbness within the tips of his ears and feet. He didn't care, because his mind was focused on one thing and one thing only…

…Finding Ash.

He had only been next to Ash in the blizzard, sniffing around for shelter in the terrible onslaught, and had turned to reach for Ash's pant leg, only to find Ash a way behind him, barely visible as a hunched figure against the wind. Then, that terrible rush of snow and Pikachu had been forced back to avoid it.

After that it was all a terrible blurry mess of calling and searching and running in the supposed direction.

Pikachu suddenly paused, spotting a dim glow of light through the curtain of thick snow. Snowy mountains like this one were known to have a fair amount of sparse and simple cabins dotting their trails for weary travelers and Pokemon trainers, just like them. If his human and his friends would do anything, it would be to seek shelter in one of these. His fur puffed out hopefully and his heart swelled as he sped up into a bounding dash. It had to be Ash and the others- it just had too-!

He reached the cabin within record seconds and threw himself tiredly at the door with a continuous squeal of 'Pikapi!' until it opened.

He tumbled in with a mess of snow and eager squeaks following him, his head whipping around for the familiar form of his beloved trainer. He immediately identified Brock at the door and Dawn kneeled a little behind the stocky man, but no Ash. Pikachu was too enthusiastic to notice their looks of horror, too focused on finding Ash for a relieved hug.

His trainer must have been deeper inside the cabin, because he could see him from here…

At Brock's warning shout, he darted between the rock trainer's legs and stood, looking excitedly around the cabin, his ears perked.

However, it suddenly became painfully apparent that the bright face he was looking for wasn't in here. Pikachu's ears slowly lowered and his rump and tail sunk to the ground.

With tense dread, he slowly turned his head to stare at Brock questioningly. The young man had neglected to close the door, and the bustling frigid air outside framed the older man, making him appear as some sort of death bringer, which wasn't far behind what Pikachu viewed him as if he was really going to confirm what Pikachu was thinking with dread.

'…Pikapi…Pika…Pikapi?'

Brock's lips pursed, and he looked down. Dawn's expression showed she was close to tears. 'We're sorry Pikachu. We tried to stop him, but…'

Pikachu's tail twitched as he felt determined heat pulse through his body. Dan continued talking, but he could no longer hear her. So what if Ash wasn't here? That just meant he was out there, and needed his help! And nothing could stop him.

He bolted. Straight out the door.

Brock sighed heavily, slowly closing the door after Pikachu.

Dawn sniffled from the floor. After a few moments, Brock joined her. 'Brock…' Dawn started, lightly leaning on him for support, both that of the physical and emotional kind. 'What can we do?'

Brock was silent for a few more moments, listening to the storm raging outside. 'Wait,' he supplied, gently wrapping a comforting arm around her. 'And believe in their bond. If they are both out there, they'll find each other.'

Ash was readily starting to admit this wasn't one of his brightest ideas ever. But, as soon that that occurred to him, he was quick to rebut himself with Pikachu's happy face. There was no doubt his little buddy needed him, and Ash was going to help him, even if it was the last thing he did.

Even if that was starting to look quite grim for his future as a Pokemon master.

Another startling shock of freezing gale hit him head on, and he stumbled meekly in the deep snow.

He steadied himself with a frustrated entire body shake, then slogged another few steps, not even looking at much of anything anymore, just acting on his determination and instinct to find Pikachu.

Damn, it was freezing. He couldn't feel his toes.

…Did he even have any toes?

Ash lifted his head, and was surprised to find that he found it unbearably hard to do so. What was even worse was that he found himself immersed in snow, and his mind wasn't doing much better. Fog seemed to have drifted into all of his senses, and all he could think about was Pikachu… and the cold…

He really hoped Pikachu was doing better than he was….

Not too far away, tucked within a warm little cave within the mountainside, an Arcanine suddenly lifted his head and turned it towards the small tunnel's entrance where the howling winds and snow were barely visible. The Arcanine's trainer noted his Pokemon's pricked ears and trained eyes with a raised eyebrow of curiosity and… worry.

'What's up, boy?' He questioned, shifting away from their small fire and closer to his Pokemon to scratch behind it's ears, his own eyes now trained on the entrance. 'Something out there?'

The Arcanine whined, shifting. A sleek Umbreon that had been sitting nearby curled against the trainer lifted her head and yipped shrilly, her eyes glowing as she bounded to her feet and to the small crevice.

Gary Oak eye's narrowed in thought at his Pokemon's behavior and abruptly stood, gathering his thick survival cloak around him.

'Arcanine, you hold the fort here. Keep that fire burning.'

The ever-loyal Arcanine answered with a confirming bark while Umbreon pranced slightly by the entrance. Gary withheld a laugh, hurrying to her side and peering out into the terrible stormy mess outside. 'Okay, girl,' he said, stepping out after her. 'What do you see out there?'

Ash slowly came too for the second time that day, already insanely happy that he had not awoken in the snow. But even though he wanted to express his severe happiness at not being lost in a sea of nipping hostile icicles, he found he couldn't. His strength seemed muted, or more directly, out of reach. He could feel it lingering, waiting to come back, but at the current point, his freezing body lacked even the strength to retrieve the strength needed to move. He found, upon mild panic, that it took a few turns to peel his eyelids open, and even then they were so gummed up he couldn't make anything out.

In response to the utter need to do something, he groaned instead. He was freezing.

'Well, well, well! Look what the Snezel finally dragged in.' A teasing and achingly familiar smooth voice suddenly cut through Ash's thoughts, and he started, redoubling his efforts of gaining full consciousness, this time with a sense of joyful rush.

It couldn't be… really?

'G… Gary?'

Ash was surprised at how quiet his voice sounded at first as he finally managed to drag his vision back and immediately saw Gary, sitting over him with a soft and obviously relieved smile on his handsome face. Clearing his throat a few times and feeling nothing but an icy grip on his throat, he tried again.

'Gary? What the… how are you here?'

Gary laughed, reaching out to feel Ash's temperature, and choosing to hide the anxiety that rose when Ash's temperature wasn't as warm as he wanted it to be.

'As observant as ever, Ashy-boy,' he grinned, slowly retracting his hand and turning towards the crackling fire behind him. 'I was passing through the mountains and got stuck in this freak storm. Then who should I find half frozen in the snow?'

Ash smiled weakly, tiling his head to drink in Gary's comforting presence, feeling himself at ease due to the older male comfortably close to him, even though he felt his body subtly shivering under the thick covers of Gary's sleeping bag. It seemed even despite the warmth of the fire near him and the furry covers, the cold was keeping him in a deathly grip. Because of that, he guessed he had only been out a small while before waking up again, before his body had fully recovered. He almost missed it when Gary started talking again.

'But that dosen't matter. Ash, what in Charmeleon's pits were you thinking? Out there, all alone? Where is everyone? Imagine what would have happened if Umbreon had not sensed you? Where would you be? Ash, you idiot!'

Ash's eyebrows rose slightly at Gary's sudden outburst, and he found his heart warming (even though he was still terribly cold) at Gary's angry- and completely obvious- concern.

'I was—'Ash stopped and frowned suddenly, the objective behind his rash actions suddenly rushing back to him. His eyes popped fully open and he attempted to jolt himself up, causing Gary to jump in surprise next to him, only to start yelling in anger and pushing Ash gently but firmly back down.

'Whoa, Ash! You need to get back in there, and stay warm. You aren't looking too good… Ash!' Gary redoubled his efforts with worry as Ash resisted futilely, shaking himself against the hands that gripped both of his Ash's frozen shoulders. 'Stop-Struggling-'

'No,' Ash panted out, feverish eyes gazing at Gary pleadingly. 'It's- it's Pikachu! He's out there all alone, maybe hurt, or freezing-'

Gary risked a quick glance towards the curve of the tunnel that lead to the entrance –and the raging storm outside- and turned back to Ash, pursing his lips. His eyes revealed sadness at Ash's plight, but he stubbornly refused to let go. 'Ash…' he started slowly, his eyes softening as he forced the dark-haired trainer to look at him. 'Pikachu will get through this, if he really is out there. You need to trust him.' From the other side of the fire, Arcanine rumbled in agreement.

Ash's struggled finally eased slightly, and he watched Gary, his eyes misting and face hopelessly desperate. The image stabbed sharply at Gary's heart. 'But Pikachu…'

Gary sighed, shaking his head. 'Ash, there's nothing we can do right now. Especially you.' And to prove his point, he gently placed his hand to Ash's forehead. But while what he found definitely proved his point, it also sent him into a slightly nervous mild panic.

…Ash was still completely ice cold. Okay, now he was REALLY worried. Ash was already displaying all symptoms of someone with Hypothermia; the shivering, the pale and cold skin, loss of concentration… He needed to warm the other boy up. Pronto. Or his temperature would continue to drop, and possibly shut down his body, section by section.

Gary cursed. Not good!

It took Gary less than a few seconds to calculate the chances and his options, and even fewer to come to a solid conclusion. Wasting no time, he sprung into action by gently grabbing his own sleeping bag- the one Ash was encased in- and dragged it just a bit closer to the fire.

Ash drowsily jerked at the movement and stared up at Gary, his teeth chattering. 'What… what are you doing?' he said, starting out with innocent curiosity, and ending with panicked embarrassment when Gary promptly started stripping.

Almost forgetting to be cold, Ash watched with wide eyes and an agape mouth as Gary quickly discarded his parka, jumper and t-shirt to reveal his smooth abs and his surprisingly bulky chest. Coupled with his tall stature, he was a perfect compliment to the human body. Ash found himself marveling just how much Gary had matured body-wise since the last time he had seen him, and further found himself not every surprised, but still shocked that he suddenly looked so good.

So immersed in these distracting thoughts he was that he didn't even notice when Gary crouched by him, lifted the covers a little, and, slipped his hands down the bag, grabbed his own shirt by the bottom hem. So he could start pulling it upwards.

Ash immediately clamped his arms to his body, squeaking endearingly in surprise. 'What-what are you doing?' he shrilly asked for the second time that day. Gary sighed in quick irritation and firmly ripped Ash's t-shirt off. As soon as the cool air of the mountain cavern hit his bare skin, Ash broke into a frenzy of shivers, and he huddled in on himself against the covers, his eyes fluttering closed.

That was, until a warm body suddenly slid down next to him and encased him in warmth from behind. He felt the covers being drawn up around him, and he blinked in surprise as his quaking eased somewhat, especially when the other's arm came up to wrap around him.

Ash almost gave a mewl of pleasure, and gratefully dug himself against the warm body.

A heated chuckle sounded above Ash's head, and he weakly tilted his head up. 'Body heat is one of the most effective sources of warmth in situations like these,' Gary suddenly mumbled into his hair, his tone apologetic at his sudden and somewhat strange actions. 'It is one of the main ways Pokemon in cold climates stay warm, so I figured we might as well give it a try. And to be effective, bare contact is needed.'

He shifted, and Ash nodded slightly in embarrassment, but understating. 'Oh…,' he said softly, struggling to focus as he felt every little bit of Gary's bare skin burn against his own. 'Thanks, Gary…'

Gary smiled, and his voice hardened into a protective resolve. 'I'm not gonna let you die out here, Ashy-boy,' he said resolutely. 'Not after everything we've been through together.'

He felt Ash nod mutely against him, and soon after went quiet. Raising his voice slightly, Gary called out Arcanine's name and with a short order the large wolf Pokemon settled on the other side of Ash, offering his furry warmth as well.

'Thanks, boy,' he whispered, briefly reaching out a hand over Ash to rub Arcainine's muzzle. The wolf reacted with a fond growl, settling down comfortably.

Gary moved that same hand around the press it against the skin of Ash's cheek, delighting when it felt cool, bordering on warm, and not terrifyingly freezing anymore as the combined heat of himself, Arcanine and the fire seemed to start having a comforting affect on the freezing boy. He smiled in pure relief, exhaling as well as he relaxed back into the sleeping bag, leaning his face into Ash's soft hair.

That's funny. He always figured Ash's hair would feel spiky due to its stubborn shape, but it was startlingly soft against his cheek, and quite pleasant to his nose. It gave off a unique scent of Electricity, the earth and Ash himself all mixed together.

But most of all, he felt Ash's body against his, his slender frame locking perfectly against Ash's slighter frame. He felt Ash shift uncomfortably, and started lightly guiltily upon realizing Ash was still awake. He made no move as Ash started pushing himself around, hoping he could pass off as asleep. That hope was thwarted as Ash finally pushed himself over and his goal became more clear.

Their eyes met, only centimeters apart, and after a few seconds Ash gave him a small, beautifully sweet and shy grin through sleepy, half-mast eyes, before he leant forward and buried his head against Gary's solidly comforting chest. Gary's heart swelled, and moving on pure instinct, unintentionally nuzzled Ash's hair as Ash snuggled gratefully in. Gary breathed deeply, feeling his eyes go heavy.

No words were exchanged as both of them smiled contently at nothing.

After all their years together, words at this point were just a handicap.

Pikachu, shivering, exhausted and on the brink of collapsing, finally stopped outside the thin shaft within the side of the mountain, feeling a soaring rise of hope within him at the sight of it… along with an undertone of dread.

What if Ash hadn't found anywhere to shelter, and was still out there in the thick of it, searching for him? What would he do if Ash wasn't here? He doubted he could make another trip anywhere at all…

Ash's hat continued to be yanked about from its spot between Pikachu's teeth where he had hurriedly grabbed it from the snow, and a rather large gust of wind suddenly beat down upon the trembling mouse Pokemon, who squinted at the crack in the mountain.

This was his last chance…

He dashed forward, shooting through the hole in a mad frenzy… only to be tackled to the ground by a small and black Pokemon with bright yellow eyes.

The hat was dropped, and his eyes bulged, not prepared to see this particular Pokemon here, of all places. 'Umbreon?'

Umbreon's soft growling slowly eased until she was staring down at Pikachu with strong recognition, before hopping off him promptly. 'Oh, it's you,' she nonchalantly said, nodding her head. 'What are you doing here?'

Pikachu blinked tiredly, pushing himself up from the ground and glancing around, slightly in a daze. Umbreon's voice washed over him, and he didn't do much to try and listen. He had never not liked Umbreon- it was just the outright aloof and arrogant manner in which she held herself that Pikachu disliked.

But this was good news. If Umbreon was here guarding something (and Arcanine, judging by the smell and deep rhythmic breathing Pikachu could hear from around that shallow bend) that meant Gary was here. And if Gary was here, that meant there was a very good chance Ash was here with the older Pokemon researcher.

Umbreon was quick to sense Pikachu's thoughts, and smiled gently. 'You are correct,' she assured Pikachu, steeping aside and nudging Pikachu forward so he had a perfect view of a fire deeper in the cave, with the soft rise of a sleeping bag between it and Arcanine. 'He is alive and well.'

Pikachu barely noticed Arcanine; it was the dark brown rise of a sleeping bag that caught his attention. 'Th…thank… you…' Pikachu quietly whispered as he grabbed Ash's hat and dashed desperately forward, hope rising from his chest.

As he quickly neared, Arcanine's head snapped up with a ferocious warning growl, but ceased upon the sight of Pikachu with Umbreon trotting behind him. Glaring at Arcanine, she dispassionately glared at him. 'Oh, shush. It's the runt's rodent. No harm. Now stop moving before you wake them.'

Pikachu inwardly bristled at Umbreon's comment- which not only offended him but Ash as well (which was the soft spot for him in most areas), and because of this it took him a few moments of staring at the sleeping bag in confusment before Pikachu realized where Ash was and what he was doing.

He felt shock, then surprised puzzlement as he caught sight of the a black-haired head mingling with a very familiar brunette within the sleeping bag, then he was hit with an overwhelming sense of happiness. It was about time-!

He padded forward and touched his nose to Ash's head, fondly taking in the sight of him tucked into Gary's embrace within the heated confines of the fluffy sleeping bag. Relief coursed through him. Breathing deeply, Pikachu dropped Ash's hat and dragged himself against the lump that was Ash within the bag and curled up, sighing.

It was a few moments before he lifted his head drowsily, noting that Umbreon had taken her place near the entrance and was watching him acutely, a content sort of kindness on her face. Pikachu gave a small start, then smiled at her. He was pleasantly surprised when she returned the gesture.

Like Gary, it seemed there were more layers to her than first glance.

'How did it happen?' Pikachu asked sleepily. At Umbreon's questioning tilt of the head, he indicated to their human masters entangled together in the sheets.

'Ah,' Umbreon stated, her face taking on a thoughtful angle. 'Oh, it really just happened. I think your master was dying, and in order to save him, mine jumped in to preserve their body heat.'

'Oh.' Pikachu yawned, pushing his snout against the soft fabric of the sleeping bag. That made sense. But he could tell it wasn't just that; there was something else within their actions and scents that suggested otherwise. Along with the light but smug smirk adorning Gary's face and the soft, contented smile upon Ash's, anyone could tell that this had been long overdue. Pikachu smiled lazily to himself, before shifting his head in order to see the back of Ash's head above him.

He exhaled heavily, glancing towards Umbreon again. She noticed him, and perked her ears towards him. 'Thank you,' he whispered again. 'I owe the both of you my trainer's life.'

Both of Gary's Pokemon smiled and bowed their heads silently. Arcainine lowered his head to snuffle affectionately along Pikachu's body. Pikachu, not prepared for the contact, jumped, then settled down with a comfortable chirrup.

'You're welcome,' he said quietly. 'Just remember, we owe you our master's happiness. Long has he pined for your master's company…'

Pikachu blinked, settling back. Somehow, again, he didn't find that surprising, but at the same time he couldn't help but find himself worrying. What would happen after?