-Chapter 9: An Icy Mission-

-?'s POV-

"Master Victor, I have brought news of Team Firestorm."

"...Well? Go on, don't keep me in suspense."

"They have grown in size considerably. They are now ten members strong, and still growing, now that they are independent from the guild."

I paused, taking in this information, "...And what of Team Core?"

"After they learned that we were aware of their presence in Treasure Town, they have disappeared from our detection. Seth must have teleported them far… far away."

I grunted, "Well, tell Rogue to find them! They can't have travelled off of Immanis! Even that blasted Gallade's strength is limited."

"Right away, sir!"

-Connor's POV-

Over the course of the next few days, a few notable things had happened. Rose offered to lead Mirage and Nocturne to Luminous Spring to evolve, since she'd gone there already. Nocturne evolved into a Cacturne, becoming much taller and borderline scary looking. He learned mean look immediately after evolving, which basically paralyzed us if we looked into his eyes while he was using it. (1) He also learned Destiny bond, which, when activated, if he was to be knocked out or killed, the opponent would suffer the same fate. He said he'd save it for when he was facing some majorly tough opponent, then use a reviver seed.

Mirage evolved into a Vibrava, and now she was able to fly around wicked fast, but she didn't like that she had to give up her sand trap ability. She tried to dig a sand pit at the beach, but Vibrava weren't meant for that, so she came back upset, but Caroline cheered her up by saying, "Don't worry! You just have to use your speed to your advantage now to chase down outlaws and stuff!"

Also, Magnus' wing was healed up after he used roost a few times. He hadn't even thought about using healing moves until Rose mentioned it.

After they got back, we found a mission to Midnight Forest. After mine and Vulcan's experience with the Torterra in Mystifying Forest, we wanted somebody to recon it before we charged in headfirst with Vulcan at the helm. We originally went to Vincent for recon since he could transform to blend in, but he and Magnus had to go and capture a Pidgeot in some mini dungeon called Peaceful Meadow or something, since they were the only two that could fly, besides Mirage. But she wasn't that used to her body yet, so we let her train again for today.

When we found out that Midnight forest was pretty foggy, we chose Rose, since she had an item that made her practically invisible in that kind of weather. Also, we found a Tropius Bow for Magnus, which inflicted a random status condition on attacking enemies. He refused at first, saying items are for wusses, but after we told him what it did, he asked, "It'll put opponents to sleep if they hit me?"

We nodded, and he stared at us, "...Gimme."

He tied it around his neck, and Nocturne whistled, "That actually looks pretty good, Magnus!"

He nodded, "It'd better."

After that, Vulcan lead Magnus, Atlas and Nocturne to learn some new moves from Electivire.

Vulcan learned Dragon Dance and Dragon Rush, Magnus learned Bullet seed and Synthesis, Nocturne learned Drain Punch, Counter and Seed Bomb, and Atlas learned all three elemental punches.

When we put them to the test in the Dojo, their new moves were so good. Vulcan used dragon dance three times in a row while hanging back for a moment, then charged forward with Dragon Rush at blinding speeds, barreling through almost any opponent.

Magnus used Bullet seed to attack Ice types from a distance while he closed in with body slam, and on top of his solar power ability, when he uses sunny day, then synthesis, he is almost restored to as good as new. I could tell he really liked that, since he used sunny day anyways for a speed and power boost due to his abilities.

Atlas could use two elemental punches at once, making one fist flaming while another buzzed with electricity to tackle enemies that resisted one or the other. Few pokemon could resist his onslaught. Not even Dragon types could hold up once he switched to Ice punch.

Nocturne's drain punch was super useful for those pesky steel types. He used counter to dodge and parry all the opponent's attacks, then lash back with a massively powered up drain punch. He also figured out how to make different seed bombs, for different effects. He could make a smoke bomb, a flash seed bomb, regular exploding, and even status inducing seed bombs. They took some concentration to make, but he could still do it.

We also got promoted to super rank since we have gotten so many missions done, and it lead me to wonder how many ranks there are.

After a couple days, we were headed to Spinda's Cafe to discuss missions for the day, when we saw Mirage talking to Mr. Mime. She waved us over, and Mr. Mime kept talking, not bothered by our arrival, "-whose fame stretched across this entire world. He truly had a reputation that all explorers aspired toward. But Scizor went missing while exploring Blizzard Island, far in the southwest. Many exploration teams set out to find and rescue the great explorer, but one and all, they were turned back by the bitter cold and swirling blizzards until none dared try again. It is a tale from many years ago."

Vulcan raised his hand, "I got a question." Mr. Mime looked at him, and he asked, "If it's an island far away, how'd they get there in the first place? I know that crossing the sea is no mean feat." (2)

Mr. Mime rolled out his wonder map, "Oh, there are many mystery dungeons under the ocean that lead to anywhere you could want! Crisscrossing the sea, through islands, there are even entire underwater cities from an ancient civilization! Or so I've heard!"

He pointed to a spot between Drenched Bluff and Tiny Meadow, a small dungeon that I didn't know existed, "It's around here. It's shielded by high cliffs from the bluff and such, so it's easy to miss unless you're looking for it."

After Vulcan marked the location on our map, he rolled it up and Mr. Mime looked around, then leaned closer, "Also, there have been rumors. They say that the great explorer Scizor was looking for an amazing treasure." He stood up again, "You're an incredible team, Team Firestorm, with your saving the world and all. No exploration teams have gone to Blizzard Island since they called off the rescue efforts years ago. By any chance, would you be willing to go? I hear that the island is in the southwest of the map."

On the map, the clouds parted over an ice-covered island, and Vulcan thanked Mr. Mime, then whispered to Mirage and I, "Planning time."

We all went into the cafe and sat around the table with the rest of the team. Vulcan pulled out the map, "Alright, team… Mirage found us a new dungeon." Everybody leaned in, and he continued, "According to Mr. Mime, some famous explorer named Scizor went off chasing some crazy treasure in a place called Blizzard Island. The only problem is… He went missing. But he was alone; We're a team! We'll succeed where he failed!"

The whole team nodded and grunted their approval, and Vulcan looked at them all, "So… Who wants to come with us?"

"I can't stand up to the cold, or Ice." Nocturne started. Rose nodded, "Neither can I."

Vulcan said, "Alright… Magnus?"

He scowled, but eventually said, "...I'll stay here. Ice f***in' sucks. A lot."

Mirage sighed, "I want to go, but I'm super weak to Ice…"

I looked at Atlas, who shook his head, "No fur, man. I'm not about to get frostbite."

Alice offered, "I can-"

"No." Vulcan said. "Sorry, but I don't want to put you or Caroline in unnecessary peril. If this dungeon is half as dangerous as I think it is, then we're going to have trouble, even with me at the helm."

She nodded, "Okay. I understand."

I looked around, "Uh… That leaves Vincent, and… Vincent."

Vulcan seemed to realize the problem as well, "Wow… Almost all of you guys are weak to Ice-type environments… That's problematic."

Vincent nodded, "I got you, bosses. We can do this."

Vulcan nodded, "Alright. Three-man team it is!"

I looked at Nocturne and Rose, "Can you two train Alice and Caroline some more while we're out?"

They nodded, and Vulcan looked at the rest of the team, "Alright; Now for the missions…"

I interrupted, "Rose, by the way, did you recon Midnight Forest?"

She nodded, "Yes. Mostly bug types, with three grass-type species and a couple normal types. Vulcan. You or Magnus would be able to tear right through it. I was in and out without anybody knowing I was there."

I nodded, smiling, "Good. Now, about the missions, Vulcan?"

He continued, "As I was saying… Missions. We've got a Steelix outlaw in quicksand cave. I want at least two of you going up against him, just to make sure you can handle it. Steelix aren't pushovers. Atlas, you're obviously first choice against steel-types. I would also say Magnus… But… No offense, but you wouldn't be able to do much against this baddy. So… Mirage. This is your first mission with your new form. You up for it?"

She nodded and hummed, "Of course! Let's go, Atlas!"

Atlas took the letters, and the two of them left. Vulcan turned to Magnus, "Now… For you, I've got a challenge letter. I know how much you love a challenge."

He nodded, "Don't tell me its some prissy water type again. Give me a real fight!"

Vulcan replied, "I will. It's actually a Raichu in Amp Plains. You sure you'll be alright against such a strong electric type?"

He scoffed, "Of course I'm f***in' sure!"

He snatched up the letter and walked out. Alice looked at us, "All the white Gummies we find, I can have, right?"

I couldn't help but chuckle slightly, "Sure. If you want to evolve that badly."

She jumped up, "Yay!"

Nocturne and Rose took the new recruits to the Dojo, and Vincent looked at us, "So… To Blizzard Island we go?"

I nodded, "Yep. Let's boogie, before we come to our senses."


1- Cacturne can't actually learn Mean Look, unfortunately, but when I wrote it, I thought it could, so I'm sticking with it.

2- This isn't something that's addressed in the games. Connor can't swim that large of a distance, and Vulcan's a fire-type, so i'm using my fanfiction powers to make stuff up.

Alrighty! Chapter 10! As always, hope you enjoyed! Feel free to leave a quick Review if you did, and if you have any questions, feel free to PM me! Much Love!

-PL