Nothing like writing and eating chocolate ice cream while wearing a Pikachu shirt and watching old pokemon episodes while writing…sigh. An afternoon spent like that is never a waste!

Pika! Pikachu! Pi pi pi kaaaaaachu! Chu chu Pikachu!

In less poetic terms, read review and enjoy!

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

"Nnnnggg….wha? HEY! Why the heck am I naked?"

"And good morning to you too…."

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

"Murph's pendant?"

Pamur, Kate and Keith sat around the table drinking hot chocolate once everyone in camp was up. Time to begin the investigation in those Tears of the Princes.

"Yeah, Murph said it was a present from you." Kate sipped her drink.

"That it is. I just wish I could visit him more often." Pamur sighed. "The pendant was handmade from Mrs. Winter, who lives nearby."

"Who'd want to retire in a frozen ice cube?" Keith muttered.

"I suggest you talk to her, since she'll know more about the pendant than I do. She's a sweet old lady who loves having company." Pamur said.

"Then we'll have to pay her a visit." Kate turned to Keith. "Ready to go back into the snow?"

The scowl was an obvious no.

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

Hia Valley looked amazing in the snow! And it seemed even better during daylight. Granted the clouds and everlasting snow didn't make too much a difference. But it was a lot easier to see. Chia and Wave seemed happy to bounce around in the snow. The cold must've perked them up. Kate wished she could say the same for redhead, who was still trying to wake up. Luckily a snowball or two would fix that…

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

"Oh? It's such a rare occasion to see a ranger around here! Never thought I'd see two!"

An elderly lady greeted them at the door. Her hair was as white as the snow outside, with pale skin. She was definitely old but looked as though she still had the flames of life burning strong. Keith had a feeling she didn't go out too much and lived alone for awhile.

"Keith and Kate." He introduced. "Would you mind if we asked some questions?"

"It regards to the pendant you gave Pamur's son, Murph." Kate added.

"Ah yes. When I was little, I used to find those stones…er…shards…all over the valley. They were called 'Tears of Princes' and considered to be very good luck." Mrs. Winter explained.

Keith noticed Kate fingered her sharpedo tooth necklace.

"They related to an ancient folktale. Used to be in a childrens book. But the book disappeared and the story faded over time. Eventually, the story was forgotten." Mrs. Winter went on. "Even I can only remember it vaguely. Would you like to hear it?"

"Go ahead." Kate answered. "I've always loved legends and stories."

Mrs. Winter sat down on a chair, with the two rangers sitting nearby.

"I believe it was titled 'The King of Almia and the Three Princes'. Long ago, darkness arrived in Almia. A prince clad in blue stood. He willed himself to turn into light and shined, turning darkness into light. The prince then disappeared, waiting a day where….er…." Mrs. Winter retold but paused. "…hmmm…I think that's how it went. I'm not too sure what day he waited for or what the other princes were doing. Sorry about that."

"No, no! It was great!" Kate clapped.

"Is there anything else you know?" Keith asked.

"Yes. The 'Tears of Prince' shards relate to that fairy tale somehow." Mrs. Winter answered. "I remember I found mine on the shores of the lake that surrounds Almia Castle when I was very little. People believed it came from a bigger crystal."

A bigger crystal?

"Many adventurers went looking in that castle. But no success." Mrs. Winter continued. "They all turned back. And in time, the rumor of that crystal was forgotten as well."

"Thanks for the info." Keith rose from his seat. "I'm thinking we'll inspect the castle and see if that blue gem really is just a legend."

"I'm game." Kate jumped right up.

"Then I wish you two the best of luck!" Mrs. Winter chuckled heartedly. "I suppose two determined rangers can do anything if they put their minds to it. Even going into Almia Castle."

With a goodbye, Keith and Kate left Mrs. Winter's house and went to the north. The walk wasn't long at all. Soon, they reached the shores of the lake. Way out in the middle was the castle. Looked like it was frozen over completely. Seemed like an irresistible challenge. Which was what Keith was hoping for.

"So how do you think we'll cross?" Kate asked.

The water had to be freezing cold. And there were icebergs, whirlpools and strong currents. Had to be stronger than a floatzel. Like….

"An empoleon!" Keith pointed to a nearby empoleon, which had been walking around.

Before Kate could react, he got to where the penguin pokemon was and started the capture. Tough thing….kept unleashing water attacks and ice beams. Keith thanked his lucky stars that he wasn't caught up in those. At least Wave was able to distract it while he made the final loop.

"Capture complete!" He shouted.

The empoleon got into the water. It waited for Keith and Kate (whose pokemon hung onto their heads) to climb onto its back. Once complete, empoleon rushed off into the lake like a speed-boat. Keith made sure to hold on right, especially to Kate who clung on for her dear life. Oh…arceus…she was so warm…

"No! Not now! Just focus on crossing the lake." Keith scolded in his thoughts.

As they grew closer to the castle, Keith felt an overwhelming sense of déjà vu. Where had he seen this castle before? Why did something about it strike a bell?

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

OFF TO THE CASTLE! Dun dun dun daaaaah!

Join us next time, in a very quick-to-come update, where they journey forth into the mysterious halls of an abandoned castle….oooooohhh…..how awesome….!