With two Oracles of the Ice Temple rescued, only one stands between our heroes and the Ice Captian. What challanges await the secound half of the Ice Temple?

Ben, Takumi, Arata and Fei entered the temple. This time Ben brought a Sneasel along. The room they stood in was…odd. The land they were on was a large ring circling around a smaller landscape.

"I can see a green WarpZone over there." Terriermon pointed to the distant land. "And that Pokemon with the weird lips is glowing."

"That's a Smoochum." Ben replied.

"Ew."

"But how do we get to it? I don't see no bridges or anything."

"Let's look around." Arata replied.

They circled around the ring. A lone Koffing attacked them but Ben caught it with little difficulty. "I still don't see a way over anywhere." Fei said. FanBeemon rammed her head against the invisible wall that stopped her from flying over.

Everyone was staring at the island they somehow needed to reach when a glistening caught Takumi's eye. "Huh?"

"What's up, Takumi?" Arata asked.

"Hang on." The sleuth walked over to the edge. He lifted his foot and brought it over to the gap. When he set it down, he felt something solid.

"Is there a gap in the barrier?" Fei asked. "Then FanBeemon can fly over-

"Hang on." Takumi slowly brought his other foot in front of the one over the gap. It looked like he was standing on thin air.

"How are you doing that?!" Ben asked.

"There's some kind of invisible floor here."

Terriermon ran over and stood next to him. "Wow! He's right!"

The others walked to the invisible bridge. "Sheesh. First warp pads now invisible floors? These temples are just flippin' bonkers." Fei said.

"Well, at least we can cross." Ben said. "Come on."

They crossed over and confronted the Smoochum. "Alright pinky, bring it on!"

"Terriormon, wait!"

Takumi's Digimon ran towards the Smoochum and swung his ears at it. It jumped over the attack and kissed Terriermon on the cheek. Terriormon's eyes became swirls as he got dizzy. "Wow…when did the temple start spinning?"

"Terriermon?!" Takumi ran over to his Digimon. "What happened?!"

"Sweet Kiss." Ben said. "A move that inflicts confusion."

"That's annoying." Fei scowled. "Oh well. We just need to keep our distance."

"Crazy Giggle!" Keromon shot a purple sphere from his mouth. Smoochum jumped away from it, but while in mid-air it was helpless to do anything about the Night Slash from Sneasel. It was knocked to the ground and couldn't recover before Ben completed the capture.

Meanwhile Takumi held up Terriormon and shook him. "Terriormon, snap out of it!"

The rabbit shook his head as he came to his senses. "Huh? When? What? Who? Where? Why?"

"You okay?"

"Uh, yeah, just put me down and promise not to tell anyone about this."

After going through the WarpZone they came to another room. It was shaped like a square. "Angry Ambipom at nine o'clock!" Ben warned.

"But it's not even noon!" Terriermon said.

"No, I mean-Just move!"

An Ambipom jumped up and came towards them, but they moved out of the way and started running with it chasing them. "Oh, come on! Why do I always get dragged along for the worst parts of these Temples?!" Arata yelled.

Summer was taking a good look at her Styler. Since the gadget did not exist in the time period she was in there would be no means for her to repair it, so she had to be extremely careful not to damage it.

"Hey, Summer?"

She looked up from it to see Ravio looking at her. "Oh. Hey Ravio. Did you need something?"

"I just wanted to know more about Pokemon Rangers."

"Didn't Ben tell you anything?"

"Yeah. When Celebi first brought him here. He said Pokemon Rangers are tasked with protecting people and Pokemon. At first, I thought it might be like the temple oracles, but it seems like it's something else entirely."

"Well…I can't say for sure. I've never seen what these oracles are really like and what they do normally. You know, when they aren't being controlled. But I can tell you this: For Pokemon Rangers, it is important to do whatever it takes to complete our mission."

"To protect everyone and the world?"

"Yup. And well…I guess every Ranger has their own things that makes them special. Like how Ben's so brave and how he never gives up. When I was captured I was so scared. I nearly lost all hope. But Ben kept going and chased after our enemy until he saved me and stopped them."

"Oh, that's right! When Ben came here before, he said he was in the middle of a mission and his friend was captured! He must have meant you!"

Summer sighed. "Ben's incredible. Honestly I can't think of any good traits of my own in comparison."

"Ben doesn't think that way."

"He doesn't?"

"No. I talked to him once while you were out in the Forest Temple. I asked him how you two know each other. He said you two met in a flower meadow as kids."

"That's right. When we were looking at the Pokemon gathered around we swore we'd become Pokemon Rangers."

"I know. Ben said he had no idea what he wanted to be until you came up with that. He said whenever he saw you claim a Pokemon without your Styler or your cheerfulness, he felt inspired and confident."

"Really?"

"He also told me he wouldn't have anyone else for a partner over you."

Summer's cheeks reddened a bit. "D-Did he really say that?"

"Bi! Bi!"

Ravio looked to his left to see Celebi shake his head. "What's wrong Celebi? Oh, that's right!" The boy brought his hands over his mouth. "Ben told me not to tell you! Sorry, promise you won't tell him I told you!"

"Sure, sure."

"Anyway, can I ask you one more thing?"

"What is it?"

"I always wanted to be an oracle like my dad…but…do you think…do you think I could be a Pokemon Ranger like you?"

"Well…I honestly don't know. Pokemon Ranger's were formed long, long into the future. But I don't see why you can't be something similar. Like an Oracle Ranger or something!"

"But I need to have one of those Styler's to be one, right?"

"Not necessarily. Capture Stylers are useful, but they don't make you a Ranger. You only get these once you've become a Ranger. But you need more then that."

"Like?"

"Well, you need to be good to Pokemon. That you clearly have covered if your connection to Celebi is any indication."

"You think so?"

"Definitely! He would be a great Partner Pokemon!"

"Partner Pokemon?"

Hearing the topic come up as his que, Staraptor flew over to Summer. "Normally once you are finished with having a Pokemon help you, you must release it back into the wild. But Pokemon Rangers each have a close friend Pokemon that always stays by their side. Ben has Ukulele Pichu, and I have Staraptor."

Ravio looked at his friend. "Hey, Celebi? Would you be my partner?"

"Bi!" The Pokemon happily nodded.

"Great!"

"And also remember, Ravio." Summer said. "The most important thing is to be brave no matter what. Even if things get dangerous and scary."

"I got it! Just you watch!" Ravio and Celebi ran off. Summer giggled at the enthusiasm.

"Ravio…He's a perky one. But what he said earlier…Ben really must have been worried about me…It's almost a little embarrassing. I hope nobody else heard that…"

Just behind a bush Nokia and Ami giggled. "Yup. Nooooobody at all." Nokia snickered.

The Team rose up the elevating platform and stood in front of a Steelhead with an Empoleon. "I've been waiting for you."

"We don't have time for small fry." Fei said. "Call your captain over."

"If you wish to face Captain Pagos you must first defeat me."

"You asked for it! CannonBeemon!"

"Rapidmon!"

"Infermon!"

Three Ultimate Digimon charged towards Empoleon. The penguin roared as three massive sprouts of water rose from the ground. Two of them knocked Infermon and CannonBeemon away. Rapidmon flew around them and closed it on Empoleon only to be batted away by its claws.

"Aye. Long distance or close up, that thing's a pain." Fei said.

"Let's change up our strategy." Takumi put his goggles on.

"Rapidmon Slide Evolution! Zudomon!"

After changing forms, Ben's Digimon charged again. Empoleon cried out and pillars of water formed around it in a spiral. The attack stopped Zudomon in his tracks but didn't knock him back in the slightest.

Takumi put his googles back on his forehead. "There we go! No matter how many attacks he has, it won't do him any good if you got the defense to tank them!"

Once Zudomon passed through he charged again and jumped into the air. "Vulcan's Hammer!"

Empoleon jumped away before the hammer came down on it. It came towards Zudomon with its claws but one hammer swing, he batted its arm away. The next claw swipe however knocked the weapon out of his hand. It brought both it's claws forward, but Zudomon caught both it's arms with his hands. While they grappled Ben started tracing his Styler around the Pokemon.

"Nitro Stinger!" From behind it CannonBeemon shot a jet of blue flame at Empoleon's back. While distracted by the pain, Zudomon threw him to the side.

"Destruction Cannon!" Infermon shot a purple blast at its head. Sneasel ran past its legs and tripped it. Pichu then jumped on top of it and gave it a shock. After it finally had enough, Ben finished the capture.

"H-how…?" The oracle dropped to the floor.

"Phew. Well, that's that." Arata said.

A Heart Slate appeared on the floor. Ben walked over and picked it up. "Poleon!" The Empoleon ran over to the oracle.

"Huh? What's with him?" Ben asked.

"We can sort the Pokemon out later." Fei replied. "Let's just drag this guy back to the plaza. Ben, give me a hand here."

"Right." Ben walked over to him and he an Fei each put an arm over their shoulders. As they walked away, however the Empoleon followed them.

"Uh…guys?" Takumi's eyes were trailed on the Pokemon.

"It doesn't look like the bird wants to fight." Fei said. "Leave it be."

"Hey guys?" As everyone surrounded the Steelhead on the floor, Ami looked at the Empoleon. "Something you want to tell us?"

"Uh, he followed us home." Takumi sheepishly replied.

Kira turned to Ben. "Ben…What's with this Empoleon?"

"Beats me. The oracle was controlling it, but even after we freed it, it refuses to leave his side."

"Poleon!" The Pokemon nudged the oracle.

"Uwww…" the man lazily got up. "…Empoleon!"

"Pole! Poleon!" The Pokemon jumped for joy, startling everyone with its sudden actions.

"This Empoleon followed us all the way here from your post in the Ice Temple." Ben explained. "I think he was worried about you."

"I had no idea…I don't remember clearly, but I think I treated my Empoleon so badly…Despite that, it still cares about me…"

Ben put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't blame yourself. It's happening to all the oracles in every temple. That's why we're here. We're trying to save all of the Pokemon."

"I'd like to support you! I'll go back and try to calm as many Pokemon as possible with my Empoleon!"

"Don't push yourself too hard." Kira warned.

Ravio smiled as the oracle left with his Pokemon. "That was wonderful…"

Kira turned to him. "Did you say something, Ravio?"

"Empoleon and the temple oracle are bonded so strongly. It moved me so much. It looked to me like the bond between them was more than just the armor's power."

Summer smiled. "These oracles are starting to seem more like Pokemon Rangers to me…"

Ben nodded. "Yeah. They appreciate the Pokemon that lend them their power. Just like us."

Celebi nodded. "Bi! Bi! Bi!"

Kira smiled. "Celebi feels that bond with you, Ravio. I think that's what Celebi said."

"Of course! Celebi is my friend and my partner now! I want to be like you and your friends, Ben. A brave and smart Pokemon Ranger who understands Pokemon's feelings!"

Arata raised his hand. "Hate to break up the moment. But we still need to face the Ice Captain. And we still don't know who attacked Tanvir. Did you hear back from your oracle friends yet?"

Kira shook her head. Ravio ran over to her. "Kira, I'll go check Teakwood Forest for Tanvir!"

Kira ran in front of the door. "You're too little! It's too dangerous!"

"Don't worry! Celebi's here to help me if anything happens. I want to help everybody!"

"I appreciate your enthusiasm, but you should stay here."

Ravio looked behind him. "Hey, look! A flying Pie!"

Arata glanced at him. "Seriously kid? Who would be dumb enough to-

"Really?!" Yuuko looked behind her.

Kira shoved past the others. "Wh-what? Does it have eld berries?!"

"What berries?" Terriermon asked.

Everyone looked at Kira Yuuko as they looked around. "Well that answers my question." Arata mumbled.

"First Burkhart now you? Does everyone in Oblivia believe in flying food?" Keramon asked.

"See ya!"

"Bi! Bi! Bi!" Everyone looked back at Ravio who opened the gate and ran off with Celebi.

"Ravio, wait!"

Ravio and Celebi looked around as they wandered through the forest. They stopped when they reached a small clearing and Ravio looked at his Pokemon friend. "Celeci, did you notice? There are no Pokemon around here."

"Bii!"

"I wonder if they are all hiding, sensing something…"

"Bi…"

"We should split up. Celebi, go check that way!"

Celibi nodded and headed north while Ravio went east. "Just you watch everyone! I'm going to become a great Oracle Ranger and get strong and brave just like Ben and Summer!"

"Ravio! You shouldn't be wandering alone in a place like this."

The boy was startled from his thoughts when he ran into a man in a black robe. He was surprised to see who it was. "Sabios…"

"I can feel an evil presence in Oblivia. Think of how Ellios would feel if anything happened to you, Ravio…"

"But…It may be my dad who's doing evil things, controlling the Steelhead…"

"Do you honestly believe your father would do such things? He can inspire people with his heart, but controlling others is not his way at all."

"I know. I think so, too…but…" Something then occurred to Ravio. "By the way, don't you think you should protect your own temple, Sabios?"

The man shook his head. "I was one of the first to notice this. I'm here to investigate what's behind everything."

"Why don't we work together, then?"

Sabios shook his head. "I must reject that idea. I am the Dark Captain. While you are actively working on this case, I need to watch what's going on behind the scenes. That's where evil sources often hide themselves, and we are short on manpower there, naturally…"

"I'm not quite following that…But I guess you are right, Sabios."

"I certainly am. By the way, where's that reliable pair, the ex-armored ones?"

Ravio frowned. "Kira is fine, but…Tanvir was attacked by someone."

"Oh my…"

"But he's okay now. He wasn't injured badly, and we have Ben, a Pokemon Ranger, and his friends on our side!"

Sabios's expression shifted more seriously. "Pokemon Ranger? That term is not familiar to me…Are they the people who have been investigating all those temples?"

"That's right! Ben and Summer are called Pokemon Rangers from the future! And their friends came from another world or something and have these cool creatures called Digimon! They're a lot like Pokemon but they can evolve at will! And they can talk! If not for them, we'd have a hard time stopping this evil act!"

Sabios was surprised at first. Then a wicked grin appeared on his face. "Now I've finally found what's behind everything, thanks to you."

"Sabios? What are you talking about?"

Two Steelhead approached from behind Ravio. Then two more behind Sabios.

"The evil source is, I believe…None other then these friends of yours! These Pokemon Rangers and their Digimon users!"

Ravio was overwhelmed with shock. "Sabibos?! Is my dad controlling you, too, Sabios?"

The man laughed. "Quite the opposite, Ravio. It's a piece of cake for me to control anyone, including Ellios and the other captains using my spell. Why don't I prove it to you right now?"

Ravio looked around franticly as the Steelhead closed in around him.

Back at the plaza, Yuugo, Nokia, and Ami were staring at the floor, while Summer, and Arata were pacing nerviously. Yuuko, Kira and Fei had their eyes glued to the door. "Takumi and Ben haven't come back yet…" Nokia muttered. "Still no sign of Ravio either…"

"That does it, I'm going too." Summer said.

But just as she stepped towards the door it opened, and Celebi flew inside. Ben and Takumi ran in after it.

"Bi! Bi!"

"Celebi, you're okay!" Nokia ran over to it.

Ami looked in Ben and Takumi's direction, waiting to see if Ravio was behind them. "Where's Ravio?"

"We couldn't find him." Ben sighed. Celebi was lost in the forest on his lonesome."

Summer looked down. "Darn it…This is my fault. I was the one who got him so psyched."

Kira turned pale. "It can't be…Guys we need to find Ravio!"

"But we're finally closing in on the Ice Captain!" Arata said. "If we don't finish the job soon, they'll strengthen their guard and we'll be in a bigger mess!"

"What?! Arata, you cold jerk! CJ for short!" Nokia yelled. "You want us to abandon Ravio?!"

"Nokia, I agree with him. For once." Yuuko said. "Ben and Summer should go after the Ice Captain now or we might not get another chance. The rest of us can look for Ravio."

Ben nodded. "Okay. We'll take, Nokia and Fei with us. The rest of you find him."

"Leave it to us." Takumi replied. "Good luck."

"Same to you."