Chapter 36 - Treacherous Hike
What would await Susanshi, Leo, Tokot and Jon at the end of the tunnel would be something that would inspire awe in all of them. They emerged onto a ledge positioned high up off any known ground. This ledge extended thinly across the right side, sticking to the side of the mountains. The sky was enveloped with many grays, obscuring all and any sunlight. A light snowfall descended from above, bringing both a chilly and calm feeling. Susanshi held her flipper out, catching one such snowflake gently.
"Wh-where are we?" pondered Leo. "Do I dare look out from over where we are?"
Although nervous, he was curious. He couldn't stop himself from stepping towards the edge and looking on.
"Wow! It's amazing!" he exclaimed.
Susanshi, Tokot and Jon also decided to inspect the scene. A whole field of winter laid below and beyond the ledge, seemingly expanding in all directions, with a tall cliff to the north, appearing somewhat taller than the mountain the group had just traveled through.
"It's...beautiful," commented Susanshi.
"I'd totally make snow angels down there!" stated Leo. "But where do we go? This ledge we're on continues to the right, so I guess that's the way?"
"I'm not seeing a way down there," mentioned Tokot. "No point going that way if it wouldn't lead us to where we must go. And it doesn't seem like we could even access it, you know. And safely."
"Well, the mountains continue to the right, according to the map. So that's where we need to go," reminded Susanshi.
"Hey, I think I see something down there!" alerted Jon.
"Huh? Really? What?" asked Susanshi.
"It looks like...a Pokémon," analyzed Jon.
Though it was distant, Jon had a correct analogy, for a Pokémon had indeed walked out onto the field below and into view. It was a dark-blue giant on four legs with a lengthy curling tail and small ice crystals on its body. Upon its towering neck was a head bearing a pair of aurora-like membranes that swayed on their own accord. They were a gorgeous yellow and lilac color.
"It's an Aurorus. They lived millions of years ago," educated Susanshi. "So, there's life, even out here in this frigid climate."
"Whoa, do you think there could be more of them here?" wondered Leo.
"Maybe," suggested Susanshi. "Aurorus tend to live in packs in places like this."
"Seeing that creature living away from more civilized locations, like the towns, kind of fills me with both happiness and sadness," stated Jon.
"Huh? What do you mean?" asked Leo.
"It's still fascinating to see Pokémon living a more traditional life in places not often visited by others, but that fact also makes me sad, because they could've had a great time living in more populated areas. Out here, they're cut off from much of the world, left to be more isolated. There are benefits to living where they can be with many more faces around them."
"I'd imagine that's all just part of life in Sacreca," added Susanshi. "Most Pokémon live together in a town or village, others dwell in natural habitats, like that Aurorus down there. And well, this place is perfect for their species. No hustle and bustle from crowded towns, just a peaceful landscape to settle down in. It may very well be the best living conditions for Aurorus."
"Wow... I kind of find it hard to imagine what it'd be like if every Pokémon in Sacreca lived like that," said Leo, completely entranced by the combination of scenery and words. "No towns, just open spaces with little limit. ...Although I can't imagine not having a bed to sleep in."
"I can," replied Tokot. "If anything, with my family's state, living in a natural habitat would be perfect. But nope, we had to be townsfolk. Bah, whatever."
"I wonder where that Aurorus is going," pondered Leo.
"Maybe it's looking for food," guessed Susanshi.
"Do you think it'll notice us?" Leo wondered, before shouting towards the wild cold-dweller. "Heeey! Over here!"
The Aurorus, having been slowly moving across the field, suddenly came to a stop, turning its head and staring up at the group, remaining frozen in place.
"Leo, what are you-" Susanshi uttered before being cut out.
"Hello there!" continued Leo as he waved his arms. "We're not from around here! We're traveling through the mountains and, uh... We come in peace, so have no fear!"
The Aurorus still looked on. Its current emotions and thoughts were impossible to judge. All it showed was a blank stare.
"Listen! You enjoy your life out here, OK?! Bye-bye!" concluded Leo, before telling his party: "Let's move on, guys."
"Leo, what the hell was that just now?" questioned Tokot.
"Just making contact, that's all," replied Leo.
"Oh, really? It seemed more like you were trying to scare it away, or even turn it hostile," argued Tokot.
"On the contrary, Aurorus are pacifist Pokémon. They don't reall-" Susanshi acknowledged, before Tokot interrupted:
"Nobody asked you, Susanshi."
"Relax, nothing bad will happen," assured Jon. "Look, the Aurorus is leaving."
And just like he said, the creature was on the move again, continuing its way across the snowy field, soon disappearing behind an obstructing mountainside.
"And off it goes," Leo said with a smile. "So long, big fellow."
"We should get going too," reminded Susanshi.
"Oh, of course," responded Leo.
"Well, my time to shine," spoke Tokot.
He proceeded to concentrate more of his internal energy into his tail fire, increasing it in size and giving off more heat than usual.
Everyone stuck close to the warmth as they walked across the ledge that appeared to go on for miles through the mountains.
"Got anything else to share with us, Jon?" inquired Susanshi.
"Ah, well, I do have more things I could speak of," replied Jon.
"What about the Wystians' powers?" suggested Leo. "I know they had psyche...psycho..."
"Psychokinesis," corrected Jon.
"Yes, that's what I meant," said Leo. "Uh... What is that, exactly?"
"The ability to control and manipulate objects with your mind," stated Susanshi.
"Wow. Just like what Psychic-types can do these days," added Leo.
"Precisely," agreed Jon. "But that was not their only ability, though it was supposedly the most abundant one. There was telepathy, the ability to speak to others using only thought. Levitation, which everyone should already be familiar with. Pyrokinesis..."
"Start fires," answered Tokot. "Pfft, even I know that!"
"Hydrokinesis..." continued Jon.
"Water?" pondered Susanshi.
"Well, you certainly do have some knowing," complimented Jon.
"It's all in the name. Hydro names water, so that's how I knew," explained Susanshi.
"And there's still more than that," mentioned Jon. "Like Magnokinesis, the power to manipulate magnetic fields and bend metal. Atmokinesis, the power of weather control."
"That one sounds really handy," stated Leo. "Especially for somewhere like here."
"Geokinesis allows one to manipulate the earth and similar matter, like rocks and minerals. Chlorokinesis grants the power to manipulate plantlife. And finally, Electrokinesis, which gives control of electricity."
"So that's all of them?" wondered Susanshi.
"Ten powers and abilities were documented, and yes, that's all of them," confirmed Jon. "Of course, similar abilities are still present in Pokémon today, although in more primitive terms. Like Water-types can produce water from within their bodies and expel to form attacks. But they don't have full control of water. The same thing for fire. The type that mirrors the Wystians the most is the Psychic type. They usually possess telepathy and psychokinesis, which has always been a natural power, even before the Wystians ever existed."
"If that's the case, then why bother giving them those powers?" questioned Tokot.
"You seem to forget that the mainland was only barely inhabited back then, and the Wystians were born in Sacreca's image. They lived under his own design and blessing. What mattered most was what was done by him, not what was made to be. Hadreca had very little involvement with the development."
"Maybe that's why Hadreca was so bad," guessed Leo. "Maybe it was all just a case of sibling rivalry."
"It is more than just that, Leo!" exclaimed Jon. "Ah, sorry for the rise in voice. I was just a little...carried away. Hadreca was indeed unhappy with his brother's apparent superiority, so much in fact that he wanted to try to overthrow him. He would try to seduce Sacreca's own followers into siding with him instead, feeding them with false beliefs, nothing but the false truth. He even...cheated in some ways. He would create his ways Wystians, matching Sacreca's own followers in power, but with his own designs in mind."
"Why didn't Sacreca try to stop any of this? Surely he, or even others, would notice all this, right?" questioned Susanshi.
"Hadreca was unusually reasonable with his followers. He always ordered them never to actually turn hostile towards Sacreca. Even so, he was still waiting in secret. Waiting for the time to strike and rule supreme."
"So, he gathered his forces together, waiting for the perfect time to attack... That's quite the impressive strategy," commented Susanshi.
"Even so, the two sides never had full agreement. They still lived together, but never got along. You could say they were like two neighboring homes, each side not enjoying the company of the other."
"This is kind of confusing me here..." mumbled Leo. "If Sacreca was suspicious, why not ditch Hadreca and leave him or banish him or something?"
"Because they're brothers, remember? Even with the differences in views, Sacreca could not turn against his own shared blood and godliness. Sacreca was as pure-hearted as gods get. Back when Hadreca and the followers he gathered launched their attack, Sacreca realized the future was in danger. That was when he finally dropped his mercy. He cared about his followers very much. They were his children, and he treasured them all. He had to protect them and ensure them all a bright future. His caring forced him to slay Hadreca, but not without being slain himself. It's because of his actions that we're here today. If Hadreca had won, Sacreca would surely have died by his vile wings regardless. Sacreca sacrificed himself for the future, refusing to ever relinquish."
"Oh my gosh... I am stunned to be hearing this," responded Leo. "And the fact that Sacreca had a brother... That still boggles my mind."
"So, Sacreca's the reason we're poor. Got it," Tokot defiantly uttered.
"Tokot! Don't say things like that!" exclaimed Leo in shock. "Where's your respect?!"
"Look, these stories just aren't what I'm much into. Yes, it's all really fascinating, but I'm not really bothered about it," explained Tokot.
"The reason this land is how it is...is because of a god's sacrifice," repeated Susanshi. "It all really is deeper than it all started off for me. When I first came here, I only knew about Sacreca being this figure of power that helped to shape this land. I learned more and more details over time, and now I know the full scale of what happened before."
"And to have all this concealed by one of Sacreca's own children is sickening to me," stated Jon. "I am both sad and angry at Wuodecus X for doing that, and now his own great-great grandson is also covering up the truth. It's also sad to know Mayor Gordon is being forced by him into silence along with him. I wish there was another prime minister who wouldn't fall under Wuodecus's controlling wingspan."
"I have to admit I do understand why Master Eag would do that, but he's clearly taking it too far," said Susanshi. "Even going as far as silencing us. We're just ordinary Explorers, like everyone else who joined the EA."
"No, Susanshi..." Leo muttered. "We are not normal Explorers. We're Team Revolution! We strive for greatness! It's too fitting that it's us that are fighting for the future in this present day! That's why we're out here! That's why we're on Vascious's tail!"
"I am pleased you are as determined as you sound, but Vascious must not be taken lightly, as I am sure you are aware. He's just as dangerous to Sacreca as Hadreca was."
"Yeah, but Vascious is just one Pokémon, he's no deity. But he wants to bring somebody capable of destructive power back to life. Then, the real threat would rise..." analyzed Susanshi. "I still don't understand how Vascious even knows about all this."
"...I don't know either," stated Jon. "But anyone who dares to bring back Hadreca should be taken seriously."
"The guy's just trying to intimidate everyone into being helpless, don't you see?" claimed Tokot. "He's just talking scarily to try to put us off doing what we're doing, preventing us from fighting back."
"But he still fights fiercely, Tokot. I should know, he would've killed me back at the ruins!" exclaimed Susanshi, sounding somewhat uneasy about recalling such events.
"But something made him stop," reminded Leo. "He just suddenly gave mercy and fled. Why do you think he did that?"
"I don't know!" Susanshi shouted, appearing troubled.
"H-hey! Take it easy!" responded Leo.
"I'm sorry... I just panicked a little."
To no one's attention, Jon raised a brow slightly at Susanshi.
After much more voyaging, it seemed as if very little progress had been made, for the ledge path was still going on. Susanshi had since calmed her unusual emotions.
"This path just keeps going and going and going and going..." Leo mumbled.
"Keep quiet. Complaining won't make our trip shorter," objected Tokot.
"Yeah, says the guy who complains more about long trips than I do," Leo replied with a smug face.
"We'll get through these cold mountains, kids. Just stick to this direction," Jon assured.
"Guys, it looks like the path ahead extends outwards," spoke Susanshi.
Up ahead, the ledge pathway ceased, ending at an expansive area covered all over in a chilly white snow blanket on the mountainside. Not only that, but icicles of many length variants protruded from out the ground, some in clusters and others solo. They all dotted the entire area, giving off an intriguing display of curiosity. The whole group stepped out into the area, stopping still to admire all that laid around them, with one such icicle cluster close by.
"This is quite the spectacle," Susanshi said.
"Though it seems weird to just see a ton of icicles coming out the ground all willy-nilly," mentioned Leo, before wearing a worried face. "Plus, those tips look really sharp. They could poke your eyes clean out..."
"I think that already happened..." muttered Susanshi, looking over to the collection next to them.
Noticing this detail, Leo also looked in the same direction. There, on the tip of one such icicle, was an unidentified Pokémon skull, its eye socket skewered through. Leo let out a shriek of horror upon making the grisly discovery. Everyone else gave him blank looks. He shifted his eyes back and forth, before letting out a small awkward giggle.
"L-let's just move on," he suggested.
With his scare over, he and his fellow travelers moved on, passing many more of the pointed ice structures.
"These are not icicles," Jon randomly said.
"What? Are you joking? Of course they are!" argued Tokot.
"They don't look quite the same as ordinary icicles," continued Jon. "It's crystallized Glacine."
"Glacine?" wondered Susanshi.
"It's one of the elements found in this world. They crystallize into Gems, which are the source of a mysterious power that boost the attack power of Pokémon, though only once. After that, they disappear into the air."
"Ohhhh! I remember!" announced Leo. "Yeah, back in the mines, where Gems come from! Alex told us all about it!"
"Yes, but not all Gems are formed in the mines," added Jon. "Ice Gems can be found out here, right in this area. Thankfully, demand for Ice Gems is very low, so it's not often that harvesting occurs here."
"Whoa, given the conditions one would have to travel through, that's convenient!" Leo said.
"But what about the elements that make the Gems? Where did they come from?" asked Susanshi.
"Such elements are natural," replied Jon.
"OK, but I don't think the power they hold is also natural," added Susanshi.
"You may be right, Susanshi. But these elements and Gems predate even the Wystians. It's still a mystery how or why it all happens. We really just take it for granted."
"Hmm... If you had my home's technology and knowledge, maybe it could be discovered... We have scientists that could probably do research into it. They would probably analyze the compound structure, or something like that. I don't really know too much about this stuff."
"Mmm? Sounds like your own homeland is far more developed in terms of science studies than ours. If they came to Sacreca, their knowledge could be passed on to us."
"Uh, hehehe, yeah..." muttered Susanshi.
And then, without notification, winds began to pick up in speed greatly. The snowfall also escalated.
"Oh dear... This doesn't look good," mumbled Leo.
"A snowstorm's beginning," announced Jon. "We can't stop now, we have to move!"
Everyone was forced to speed themselves along, with movement speed now emulating a light jog. Fearsome winds carried the blizzard to the west, dropping dabs of snow onto the group. They would have to shake it off periodically along the way. Tokot's tail flame was influenced by the strong winds.
"T-Tokot! It looks like your flame will go out at this rate!" exclaimed Leo.
"Oh no, don't you worry about that. No silly wind will be enough to extinguish me!" Tokot assured.
The storm continued raging, even after approximately ten minutes of travel time. The team were still moving at their fast pace, desperately looking for a way to shelter themselves. Leo was lagging behind the rest. He was greatly slowing down, appearing exhausted.
"I... I can't go on. Losing...energy," he groaned, before falling into the snow face-down.
The rest of the crew was forced to stop and backtrack to him.
"Leo, this is no time to play in the snow. We have to find shelter until the snowstorm eases!" exclaimed Jon.
Leo let out a faint groan, muffled by the snow.
"Leo, if you keep this up, you'll get frostbite," warned Tokot.
"What's that?" asked Leo.
"It's when your body parts get so cold they turn black and drop off," explained Tokot.
"AH! NO!" Leo screamed in terror, jumping out the snow and back on his feet. "Th-there's no frostbite on me, right?! My ears? My tail? My tufts?!"
"Relax, Leo. You're not affected by frostbite," assured Susanshi.
"I am not ready to get it! Move, move, move!" Leo shouted.
He was flooded with determination, and he and everyone else resumed their daring hike.
"Don't give up. We'll get through this," assured Jon. "Just stick together."
"We're a team; we always stick together!" announced Leo.
"Even in these harsh conditions... It's how Explorers live their lives," added Susanshi. "All part of the job, uh, privilege."
Only a few minutes passed since then, with Jon constantly looking over to the right-hand mountainside for anything that would be suitable as a shelter.
"Oh? There!" he spoke out, implying he had found such. "There's an alcove in the mountainside! Come on!"
"Oh, sweet Sacreca! Thank you!" bellowed Leo in joy, making a run for the alcove.
Once Susanshi, Tokot and Jon arrived at the alcove, they stepped within. At seven feet in depth, there was plenty of room for all of them inside. The snowstorm blew past the entrance, meaning the group were completely shielded.
The team had settled down within. Jon was sat at one side, with Susanshi and Tokot at the other, and Leo in the back with his eyes shut, his bag to his side and his arms around both legs, which he had placed in front of him. Things were pretty quiet for the most part as they all awaited for calmness outside. Tokot exhaled a long breath, suggesting boredom.
"We're not exactly doing much in here, are we?" he quizzed.
"Yes, but we are safe now," stated Jon. "There's no telling when this snowstorm will subside. But until then, we'll stay in here."
"Sitting down on solid rock isn't the most comfortable thing in the world, you know," Tokot pointed out.
"Then lay down on your side," recommended Jon.
So, Tokot proceeded to do just that.
"I still can't believe we're all the way out here. I never imagined I'd end up in a place like this. Bah, saving the world ain't a walk in the park all the way," he complained.
"We have no choice but to flee from town for a while. In order to keep us safe, we're on the run. We'll just have to hope we'll discover the final Fragment during this travel," explained Susanshi.
"Yeah, but what will we do for food? We never packed any!" spat Tokot.
"I don't know about that, but we're going to have to just hang on the best we can," stated Susanshi.
"Oh man, I don't want to starve away from home again..." sighed Leo.
"There's so much money on the line for this. If this is what I'll have to sit through to earn it, then I guess I'll just have to endure all these dangers, like this weather and going hungry," accepted Tokot.
"We should be thankful we have warmth. We would likely freeze to death out here without your tail, Tokot. With that, we can at least survive in the snowy region," detailed Jon.
"No need for thanks. Just basic survival tactics," Tokot claimed.
"We'll need any kind of survival tactic in order to last away from Sacreca Town," added Jon.
The group became quiet for a while after this conversation, staying within the midst of the heat from Tokot's tail fire, waiting patiently for the snowstorm blowing past their shelter to end.
"Jon..." Susanshi's voice sounded at one point during the wait.
"Hmm?"
"Do you know...that I'm not here by coincidence? That I'm here because destiny chose me to defeat Vascious and save Sacreca?"
"Yes, Susanshi. I do."
"Do you know why it was me and not somebody else? It doesn't exactly sound like something that could happen to anyone at any time."
"Sacreca chose you, Susanshi. He saw into the future to predict your existence. But why do you ask that question? Do you not at least have an idea why?"
"I do have an idea, but... It's something I don't want to say."
"You don't have to say it, Susanshi. But if it's what you believe, know that it may be the main reason."
Susanshi appeared to show slight discouragement.
"Susanshi, everything OK?" Leo asked, noticing the look on her face.
"Sort of," Susanshi replied. "It's just that... I have a terrible secret that I've never told anyone else. I really don't feel comfortable with discussing it, yet I believe it may be connected to my current situation."
"Oh... Do you think you'd share one day?"
"Maybe..."
"No pressure, OK? I know some secrets are hard to tell."
"So, someone suddenly turns up in Sacreca. That someone has a big secret. What could possibly go wrong?" Tokot spoke.
"Tokot, please have some respect. Susanshi's only a living being, like all of us," responded Jon.
"Well, you have to admit that it IS a little suspicious," added Tokot.
"Tokot, just stop thinking like that!" snapped Susanshi. "It's nothing that could ruin our relationship... I hope."
"Have no fear, Susanshi," comforted Jon. "Sacreca chose you for your righteous heart. If you didn't have one, then you wouldn't be here. It didn't matter what your origins are, for the prophecy foretold that you would be the one."
"It's such a big responsibility, but I've already accepted it," replied Susanshi. "Even though I'm still ordinary to myself. Yet, when I appeared in this land, I met Leo and Tokot. I told them my...troubles, and they've been with me ever since. I hoped joining with them would get me on track, and well, I guess it did."
"Yep! Even though she was a stranger, she was still someone in need. So, that's how we became partners. A team," explained Leo.
"Yes, nobody should have to fight alone. Not even those chosen by destiny," added Jon. "You are very lucky to have someone so loyal and trusting by your side."
"Meh, I'm indifferent," mentioned Tokot.
"I was talking about Leo," mentioned Jon.
"Yes, if I never met Leo, I wouldn't have gotten this far. I can't possibly imagine how things would be if I met up with someone else," said Susanshi.
"It would probably be no different," theorized Jon. "No matter who you were to side with, they'd likely want to assist too."
"Either way, I have so much to thank Leo and Tokot for, and even more when we complete the mission."
"No sweat, Susanshi," replied Leo.
"Yeah," Tokot answered with.
"Truly, thank you for everything so far, you guys," added Susanshi. "Let's not give up until it's all over."
"Absolutely!" exclaimed a prideful Leo.
Time passed by, seemingly sped up by conversation. After a while, things were quiet inside the sheltering alcove. Everyone had fallen asleep, unable to stay awake while waiting for the raging storm to cease. An unknown amount of time had gone by, and Susanshi opened one eye. She peered outside, discovering that the snowstorm that had once dominated the entire mountainous region had at long last disappeared. Deciding to take a closer look, she stepped out of the alcove. There wasn't even a single snowflake left to drop in the storm's aftermath, and the clouded sky featured gaps in it, seeping sunlight through. With the realization, Susanshi headed back inside the alcove and shook Leo to awake him.
"The snowstorm's over now, Leo. Let's go!" she announced, also waking Tokot and Jon.
"Ugh, finally. We can go back on the move again," uttered Tokot.
"Ahhh... That was a good nap," grunted Leo, stretching his arms over his head. "I feel refreshed and raring to go!"
He then began to shiver, wrapping his own arms around him.
"Brrrrr! I forgot how cold it was out here!"
"Good. We can continue on," spoke Jon. "We should hopefully be able to reach the base of the Ice-Crystal Mountains without any more delays now. Let's move out."
Once everyone was ready, they headed out the alcove and continued down the path to the right. The path itself was starting to descend slowly down, suggesting that it would end at the base of the mountainside.
"Ah, things seem so much clearer now," commented Leo, talking about how some sunlight was visible from above. "Should be smooth sailing, uh, walking, from here on out!"