Bitter Cold, Gentle Warmth
is a Pokémon: The Original Series fanfic written by DrummondType2 and published on August 13th, 2024. It is a brief fic, described as being a memorial to Rachael Lillis, who had passed on August 10th of that year. It focuses on the characters of Jessie and Misty, both of whom Lillis voiced, with both of them stranded overnight in an icy cave and having to rely on one another to survive.
The story contains examples of the following tropes:
- Affectionate Gesture to the Head: When Misty asserts that anything Jessie can handle, she can do just as well, Jessie gives her a playful flick to the forehead, but acknowledges the accuracy of the statement.
- All-Loving Hero: Misty points out to Jessie that Ash cares about people just as much as he does pokemon, and that he'd be just as worried about Jessie's safety as hers.
- Aw, Look! They Really Do Love Each Other: When Jessie emerges from the ice cave, she's quickly glomped by a relieved James and Meowth.
- Crouching Moron, Hidden Badass: Misty remembers that for all of Team Rocket's usual Harmless Villain moments, they had a few where they were scarily competent, and also that Jessie, who is trapped in the cave with her, was usually the driving force behind those moments.
- Deadpan Snarker: Misty and Jessie each have their moments. When Jessie points out that if the pair fought she had the advantage, due to being bigger and meaner, Misty mutters under her breath that Jessie would have the weight advantage, too. Unfortunately for her, Jessie heard it. When Misty tries to suggest a fight, Jessie points out that since Misty only carries Water-type Pokemon, they won't do her any good in an iced over cave.
- Death Glare: Jessie shoots one to Misty after the younger girl makes a remark about the other's weight.
- Everyone Has Standards: While it seems like Jessie is sorely tempted to simply knock Misty out to avoid trouble, she also acknowledges that the two of them would likely wreck their chances for survival in the ensuing struggle.
- Intimate Healing: Downplayed. There's nothing romantic or even affectionate in Jessie and Misty huddling together for warmth, though once they commit to that course of action, they're much less antagonistic of one another.
- Locked in a Freezer: Misty and Jessie are trapped in an snowed over and frigid cave.
- Opening-Up Moment: When Jessie suggests they try to sleep, Misty says she's worried about how her sisters will react if they don't make it, and talks to Jessie about the fact that her parents ran off from the Cerulean City Gym, leaving her and her sisters alone. Jessie, in turn, tells Misty she grew up in cold climates like the one they're in with her now Missing Mom, trying to assure Misty that she thinks they'll be okay.
- Pet the Dog: When Jessie relents that fighting would probably just ruin their chances of survival, and says she'll try to make due on her own, Misty relents and huddles with Jessie so they can keep each other warm.
- Teeth-Clenched Teamwork: Jessie and Misty aren't exactly friends, but to survive a night in a cave with freezing temperatures, they've got to cooperate. While Misty intially refuses, Jessie points out that she'll put out just as much heat knocked out as she will awake. Misty counters by saying that's not going to get her to cooperate, though she relents in the end.
- Terms of Endangerment: Jessie tries to assert dominance by addressing Misty as "Little Girl" and "Squirt". Misty counters by referring to Jessie as "Old Hag".
- Vitriolic Best Buds: After surviving the night, Misty and Ash start bickering over who snores louder.
