The research lab was in bad shape. With Chloe missing, Goh in therapy, and Ash had blamed it all on himself. The Cerise family was distraught over their missing daughter, leaving Ren, Chrysa, and Eva looking for Regice on their own.
"We can try the other spots." Chrysa offered.
"We've seen it can create an exit anywhere, we need to be able to predict where he can show up but not leave." Ren said.
"Speaking of showing up, and not leaving, Ash!" Eva shouted, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt. "We need as much help as we can get on this, I know you feel responsible, but sulking isn't going to bring Chloe back any quicker."
"And neither is that algorithm." A voice said. "Regice is older than time itself, you're looking at a current world map."
"Guys meet Brandon, an expert on all things Regi, and a frontier brain." Ash said.
"Hey guys, I know I had a breakdown and all, but why is there a Pyramid parked in front of the lab?" Goh asked, thoroughly confused.
"As I was saying, you're looking at how the earth is, not as it was. Ash shared the information, and I can say with certainty the Regice will appear next underneath Driftveil City." Brandon said.
"That's great and all, but I'm not sure the two of you will be enough to rescue Chloe." Chrysa said.
"Then it's a good thing Ash has a lot of friends willing to help him." Brandon said.
"Did you find everyone?" Ash asked.
"Yes, but this is a strange group of people for this job, even for you." Brandon said.
"We're not catching or fighting Regice, we're on a rescue mission, and they have the skills needed for this." Ash said. "Trust me."
"I'm going with you." Goh said.
"No you're not. You aren't cleared yet, and we don't need another break down right now. You're needed here." Professor Cerise said. "Promise me, you'll bring her back."
"I won't return without her." Ash said.
"Bolt!"
"Vee!"
Chloe's Pokémon ran up to Ash, ready to help get her back.
"Okay Brandon, let's get going." Ash said.
Boarding the battle pyramid Ash saw everyone he knew could help.
"N, it's good to see you." Ash said, greeting the strange boy.
"It's a pleasure to help you as always." N said.
"Long time no see Ash." Solana said walking up.
"I'm going to be honest, this isn't going to be easy." Ash said. "We need to convince Regice to let someone free."
"Strange for a legendary to take a captive." N said.
"It might be controlled, or it was enraged." Solana said.
"That part might be my fault, but I'm taking a non violent approach this time." Ash said.
"Then why am I here?" Tobias said, stepping forward.
"You have experience with catching and training legendary Pokémon, if things go south with the peaceful plan you and your Darkrai can take care of it. You still have your Darkrai right?" Ash double checked.
"Dark." Darkrai said floating forward.
Ash's eyes glowed out of fear, just in case.
"Ash, this is weird, even for you." N said calmly.
"Sorry, I've had a bit of Darkrai troubles recently, one's been out to kill me." Ash said.
"Well I can assure you, this one sees you as a worthy opponent, and is happy you and Pikachu are still together." N said happily.
"Well, at least there's one not out to get me." Ash said relieved.
"This is your captain speaking, we are now approaching Driftveil City, be prepared to drop." Scott's voice said.
"Wait what!" Ash shouted.
"Nowhere to land, so we're parachuting down, and Scott will come and get us after the fact in his truck." Brandon said calmly.
"None of that should be half as calm as you said it." Ash said, sending out Dragonite.
"Ready." Solana said, backpack on.
"Same." Tobias said, with Latios.
"Dragonite may I ask for your help getting down." N said calmly, as Dragonite hugged him. "Quite a friendly giant aren't you." N said with a smile.
"Okay Scott, we're all set down here." Brandon said.
Moments later, the floor fell out from underneath them, dropping the strangest team Ash had ever been a part of into the city below.
"Okay, follow me." Brandon said after they had all landed. "I got a map that should lead us there."
"He's oddly prepared for this." Solana said.
"It's his life's work looking into these things, can you blame him for having the necessary information?" Ash asked.
"Fair enough." Solana said back.
"Glalie use Ice Beam!" Ash called out, scaring off another oncoming group of Pokémon. "How much further to the chamber?"
"It should be just around the corner." Brandon said, looking up from the map. "And that's a door?"
"Of course there's a door, why wouldn't there be. It's not like Chloe could be dying or anything!" Ash angrily ranted.
"Ash, hold on, a co worker of mine had a trick for things like this." Solana said. "Everyone stand back."
Everyone moved out of the way as Solana took a running start, shouting "TARGET! CLEAR!" Only to be bounced off of it.
"Never mind, anyone else have any ideas." Solana said, a bit dazed.
"Yeah, Latios use Luster Purge!" Tobias called out.
Even the high energy from the attack wasn't enough to break the door.
"Tobias, together!" Ash said.
"Dragonite use Hyper Beam!"
"Latios use Luster Purge!"
Still not even a scratch.
"Let the archaeologist handle this." Brandon said, walking up with a chisel and hammer. Both tools broke before even scratching the door.
"Mind if I try something?" N said calmly walking forward. "I believe it's a pull."
The door easily opened from that point.
"I knew that." Solana said, standing up.
"Same, just thought it might be locked." Ash said, as Tobias agreed.
Entering through the door, they found the room to be empty.
"I thought you said Regice would be here!" Ash complained.
"I'm positive this is where he'll appear." Brandon argued.
"Where? There's no ice!" Ash argued.
"Not exactly." N said looking at the now shut door.
"The door is the ice!" Ash shouted. "Get out of the way!"
The five ducked as a mirror shot flew out, hitting the back wall.
"Regice, I understand you're angry, but we just want to talk." N said trying to reason, as a Mirror Shot fired at him.
"I can't calm him if he isn't physically here!" Solana shouted.
"Drawing him out, I can do!" Ash said, running forward, and hitting the ice. He quickly ducked as an Ice Beam fired where his head was.
Regice began sliding out from the ice, firing another attack.
"Alright! Capture on!" Solana said, releasing her capture styler.
"Regice, please we mean you no harm." N said, approaching the Pokémon.
"Look out kid!" Brandon said, tackling N to the ground as a Hyper Beam was shot off.
"Forget this! If we don't stop it, we're all gone." Tobias said. "Darkrai use Shadow Claw!"
"Stop!" Ash shouted, an aura barrier appearing in front of Darkrai. Taking a deep breath, Ash began. "I woke you up, didn't I. Back in Hoenn, you aren't like the other Regice I've met, you're older. When I touched that ice, you got angry, and then we kept finding you, and you kept getting angrier, am I right."
The Regice was simply waiting, listening to what Ash was saying.
"I'm sorry I woke you up, but you took one of my friends, and I'd really like her back." Ash said. "Please, don't take your anger at me out on her."
Regice turned, gliding back towards the ice door, putting its hand up to it. A figure slowly made its way out.
"Chloe!" Ash exclaimed running up to her.
"So cold." Chloe said, shivering.
"Thank you Regice." Ash said.
With that Regice left back through the door, it shattering behind him.
"I guess this Regice wants to stay hidden." Brandon said. "Come on, let's get you kids back where you belong."
"Actually, I live here in Unova." N said, trying to help.
"Okay, that's one down. Tobias was it? You're up first." Brandon said.
In the Battle Pyramid
"So, how are you feeling?" Ash asked.
"Cold, but how'd we end up in Unova?" Chloe asked.
"Don't you remember Regice kidnapping you?" Ash asked.
"I remember it grabbing me, and then waking up in front of you and those other people." Chloe said. "How long was I out?"
"A couple days, rest now, I'll let you know when we're back in Vermillion." Ash said.
"Okay Ash." Chloe said laying back down. A necklace with an icicle in the center dropping down, hanging from her neck as she did.