Ink's Notes:

It's been kind of a happy accident that the Days have been lasting as long as their number (Day 1 lasting 1 chapter, etc), but I don't think that's going to keep happening as the day number increases. Anyway, once again I had problems sleeping, so we have another chapter. This is... sort of becoming a thing. I probably shouldn't make a habit out of it.

Also, I don't know if I made this clear when it first came up, but it comes up again here so I figure I'll mention it - I'm like 90% sure they don't have clocks in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon setting, so times are referred to based on where the sun is. 'On the horizon' is dawn or dusk, which I assume is about 6 in the morning or 6 in the evening, 45º overhead is either 9 AM or 3 PM, and 90º overhead is noon (12 PM). The prior readings are when it's rising while the latter readings are when it's setting. It's just something I figured would make sense - Pokémon clearly have days and time frames (as noted when they point out they've been running for days, or they have a certain amount of days until something happens), but I don't think they actually have clocks and other methods of telling time aside from the position of the sun. (And everyone probably goes to bed once it's set, so keeping track of time during the night wouldn't have much of a point, either.)

Anyway, that's enough random worldbuilding from me. On with the chapter!

Day 4 - Part 1

Much to his dismay, Blue quickly discovered that the newest members of Team Rangers were early risers, and when he sat up, groggy after a restless night, Pink had paused her morning workout to inform him that Red and Yellow had already headed out to the request boards to pick their next mission.

This had been enough to pull him into a state of alertness, and he was about to go outside to make sure they didn't pick a stupid mission when the two returned with a notice from Chatot. They handed it to Pink, who quickly discovered that while being turned into a Pokémon had given her the ability to speak their language, she couldn't actually read it. Pink passed the note to Blue, who rubbed his eyes to clear his vision and began reading it out loud.

"Rescue Request... Issued by Chatot. Yesterday, when the sun was 90º overhead, a Treeko by the name of Green entered the guild and asked for a map to lead him to the Icy Cavern. We have not heard from him since then and are requesting that you travel to the Icy Cavern to make sure he has not met with a terrible fate."

"Icy Caverzzt?" Yellow questioned, crossing her arms in contemplation. "That place... I think therezztanother Regi there. Probably Regice, if us meeting Regirock at the Rocky Cavern was any indicatiozzt."

Red nodded. "It was one of the places that came up when we were researching locations with strong opponents, alongside Iron Cavern," he recalled. "Why don't we check that place out tomorrow?"

Pink nodded. "These Regis might know something..." she muttered. When Red and Yellow turned their gaze to her, she quickly waved her hands back and forth in front of herself. "Just thinking-! They may know about more strong opponents we can get stronger by fighting!"

This seemed to satisfy them, and they turned to look at Blue as he muttered, "If they can even talk," as he put the request into his bag. "Come on, let's go stock up on supplies."

The four headed to Treasure Town, where they learned while shopping that this 'Green' character had apparently packed a lot of supplies for a dangerous dungeon or battle. They decided to follow his example, and before long Red had been relegated to second supply bag carrying duty.

When Team Rangers went to meet up with the Rapidash, they found a Ponyta with them as well. One of the Rapidash informed them that she was her daughter, and explained that she was training to carry Pokémon to and from dungeons like her family before her. Pink thought this was very noble and honorable of her, and decided to help her by giving her practice with a passenger, while Blue took one of the Rapidash and Red and Yellow shared the other. Before long, they were all well on their way to the Icy Cavern.

Once they arrived, the group quickly discovered that the Icy Cavern was called that for a reason - it was covered in ice and thus cold as anything. The team quickly huddled around Red, finding that he had a peculiar natural warmth as a fire-type. Once they had warmed up a little bit, Team Rangers traveled into the cave, sticking together as they looked for Green... or at least, that was the plan.

No sooner than they'd found a large room in the cavern, they saw the telltale signs of a major battle having taken place recently. Slash marks and leaves were scattered around the area, looking very fresh, while crystalline ice decorated other places. The ice that the cavern was covered in was cracked in several places, some of the cracks covering more area than others.

"What in the world..." Blue breathed out, only to be shooshed by Pink. He was about to get upset when he realized she was on high alert, looking around the area.

"...The fight's still happening," she frowned, her gaze falling on a pathway off to the side. "It's faint, but... I hear cries, and running... it's echoing off the ice and the walls..."

Red nodded and began leading the way, the group following him largely because they didn't want to get split up and because they didn't want their source of warmth running off on them. As they turned a few corners, the sounds started becoming more and more clear, until they stopped somewhat abruptly. The group came to a halt, looking around in confusion, when suddenly a pair of vines wrapped around them and pulled them into a small alcove.

Yellow was about to yell in anger when a foot pressed into her mouth to shoosh her. She paused, blinked, and took in the same thing her teammates were processing at that moment in time.

Standing before them was a Treeko who looked exhausted, like he'd been beaten senseless, and was struggling to stand. Two vines were protruding out of his back, though he wasn't doing it by choice any longer - his entire torso, including his arms and the backpack that was likely filled with supplies that he was wearing on his back - had been frozen solid.

The Treeko offered them a weak grin, before pulling them out of sight and glancing out of the alcove just as the golem of ice floated past, scanning the area for its prey while releasing an ear-splitting screech.

"REEEEEEEGGGGIIIIICCCEEEE!"