[color=8dc73f]"Right, the base."[/color] Froad commented, coughing awkwardly into his paw. [color=8dc73f]"It kind'a fell apart before I left to find and tell ya. I don't even see the mailbox anymore, the snow must'a buried it."[/color]

[color=f7941d]"How-"[/color] Pontus paused for a moment, turning his head to stare at Froad. [color=f7941d]"How did you forget to tell me about this? All of our shit's buried under rubble!"[/color] Pontus shouted, standing and approaching the rubble before tossing small bits and pieces aside trying to find what few possessions they had. He began humming a little song to himself, trying to push through this hopeless situation they were now in.

Froad rolled his eyes, approaching Pontus and helping him dig through the remains of their home. [color=8dc73f]"Not much of a chance, what with ya jabberin' on about the expedition and what-not."[/color] The Politoed explained, snickering. [color=8dc73f]"Look at the bright side; It didn't cave in on top of our 'eads. If it had, we might not have got to punch that Gala bastard in his ugly mug, roight?"[/color]

A small grin creeping onto his face, Pontus nodded. [color=f7941d]"I guess. We're still screwed, though."[/color] He replied with blunt honesty, sighing. 

[color=8dc73f]"Wotever. We've been through worse than this, we'll be fine."[/color] Froad retorted, a moment of silence overtaking the two as they focused on digging. It took them a fair fifteen minutes of tossing rubble, but they managed to uncover a small, dusty chest. The chest they stored basically everything in, since they didn't have that much to begin with. A small amount of excitement was shared between the two as they opened it up, glancing inside at their belongings. 

[color=8dc73f]"Thankfully the chest didn't get damaged with all that junk fallin' down."[/color] Froad said with relief, reaching into the chest and pulling out their Wonder Bag. Which also had Froad's normal-rank exploration badge on it. He opened up the bag and peered inside, smiling. [color=8dc73f]"My berry stash is still in 'ere~"[/color] Froad chimed, pulling back somewhat as Pontus glared at him. [color=f7941d]"You had a stash of food hidden in our Wonder Bag? When were you planning on letting me know that we had food?"[/color] He questioned, Froad laughing nervously in response. [color=8dc73f]"W-Well, it was for emergencies like this! Now at least we won't starve, yeah?"[/color] 

[color=f7941d]"Right..."[/color] Pontus replied skeptically, looking back into the chest. He brightened up a little as he pulled out a scroll and a small piece of paper. [color=f7941d]"Cor, Froad! I almost forgot we had these!"[/color] He said, continuing as Froad glanced over. [color=f7941d]"It's our graduation scroll from Slowking's Guild! And the first job we took back when we first became an Exploration Team!  Remember that Slacking construction worker that was having trouble with those Digletts?"[/color]

[color=8dc73f]"Oi, I do! I'd make 'em pop out of their holes with Water Gun and you'd kick their little punk arses!"[/color] Froad replied, the thoughts of their current situation somewhat fading in the cold wind as he laughed. [color=8dc73f]"Their mums' got awfully mad about it, though. Still can't believe y'said Nigglet right to that gal's face!"[/color]

[color=f7941d]"She was askin' for it..."[/color] Pontus shrugged it off, snickering. [color=f7941d]"Is there anything else in the box?"[/color]

Froad peeked into the chest and reached in, pulling out a small pouch. Glancing inside, it contained a small amount of money. [color=8dc73f]"Looks like this is all the Poké we have. Not enough to get us anywhere to sleep t'night..."[/color]

[color=f7941d]"Great. We're gonna be sleeping outside."[/color] Pontus complained, sighing.

Froad thought about the predicament, paw scratching his head as he glanced about. [color=8dc73f]"Maybe not, Pontus. There's always someone we can ask for help, remember?"[/color]

[color=f7941d]"Who?"[/color] Pontus questioned, [color=f7941d]"There's nobody around willing to help us after that shit! We look like a couple of thugs-"[/color] Pontus paused, going silent for a moment. He stared at Froad, then behind him towards a small house. Pontus could feel himself flaming inside as he glared at Froad. [color=f7941d]"Fuck. No."[/color]

[color=8dc73f]"Ya don't have much of a choice, lad. We either ask 'em for help, or we freeze out here."[/color] Froad replied, watching as Pontus pondered about what he wanted to do. Freeze his ass off, or deal with that guy? 

After a moment of silence, Pontus shoved everything in his hands into Froad's possession. [color=f7941d]"Put that shit in the Wonder Bag and let's go."[/color] He said, tone emitting defeat.


--------------------------------------------------

The duo quickly made their way to the small house, though slowed as they approached the door. Their neighbor, a Stoutland named Heltroph, was the town loon. Most of what came out of his mouth was yelled at the top of his lungs, and the stories he told were too over the top to be true. At least Team Rune thought so. They usually avoided the guy, but hey, times were rough. And he wasn't exactly *hateful*. 

They stood at the door, Pontus nudging Froad with a strait face. [color=f7941d]"I ain't knockin'."[/color] He stated bluntly. Froad sighed, and slowly raised a paw to the door. Before quickly knocking.

The two cringed as they heard something breaking and a howl from within the house, the duo assuming they startled the old bastard. 

[b]"SON OF A BITCH! THOSE WERE MY GLALIE ICE'D CUSTOM PLATES!"[/b]

[color=f7941d]"Oh no."[/color] Pontus muttered.

The door swung open, the old Stoutland staring at the two with his old, grumpy face. [b]"Pontus! Froad! How're ya?"[/b] Heltroph seemed to not be angry towards them about the plates. Froad pondered what happened inside, but simply decided to leave it alone. 

[color=8dc73f]"Well, uh... Good. Kind of."[/color] Froad replied, gesturing to their base.

[b]"HOLY SHIT! It finally fell to pieces! I've been waiting for that to happen for months!"[/b] Heltroph replied, laughing loudly. 

[color=8dc73f]"Uh, yeah... Well, y'see, we don't really have anywhere to sleep. We were hoping we could rest here for the night so we can figure out what we're going to do tomorrow."[/color]

[b]"Of course, lads! Get in the damn house, it's freezing out here!"[/b] Heltroph went deeper inside the house, Froad and Pontus following. 

[color=f7941d]"Gonna be a long night..."[/color] Pontus sighed.

[color=8dc73f]"Just try an' endure it, pal. We'll figure somethin' out tomorrow."[/color] Froad tried to assure his partner. Though Froad had his own doubts. Things looked bad. Really bad. They needed a way to get ahead of everyone else on this expedition, otherwise they'd end up with nothing. And giving what happened, Pontus might get taken in for assaulting a Federation officer. Froad wouldn't just let that happen though, his buddy wasn't going anywhere. Even if he had to end up fighting against the whole damn Federation! 

The two inside, preparing to settle down. 

[b]"OH MY GOD!"[/b] Heltroph shouted, startling them both.

[color=f7941d]"What?!"[/color] Pontus yelled, irritated by the sudden shout.

[b]"Watch out for the ice shards on the floor."[/b] Heltroph finished, leaving Pontus to look down and notice the sharp pieces of what was Heltroph's Glalie Custom Plates.

[color=8dc73f]"Watch yer' step."[/color] Froad commented, chuckling. 

[color=f7941d]"Shuddap."[/color]