Chapter 7: Research
The glow of the morning sun was barely visible on the horizon when Absol stepped out into the courtyard. The twilight of predawn still made her uncomfortable, but somehow it was not nearly as debilitating as the overwhelming terror of dusk. She sat in front of the door, the stalwart bulk of the manor surrounding her comfortingly, and breathed in the fresh scent of the morning. There was no reason to be up so early; it was still too dark in the library to read, and she had nowhere to go, nothing else useful to do, but she was too restless to sleep any longer.
This wasn't how Absol had expected things to go. Sometimes the heroes in the stories made the wrong choices, or had to backtrack, but they were always doing something; exploring mystery dungeons, searching for treasure, bargaining with legendaries. She was stuck here in Team ACT's library, reading and waiting, and after more than week, they still had no idea what was going on.
"Going out?" a deep voice rumbled from the shadows in the garden in front of her.
Absol started back in surprise, bumping into the door behind her. Immediately she recognized the voice as Tyranitar's. She could pick out his outline in the shadows now, seated on a bench by the stream not ten meters away; he had been so still, and she so absorbed in her own thoughts, that she had not noticed anyone else was in the garden with her.
"Sorry. Didn't mean to startle you."
"That's okay. I was just getting some fresh air."
"Join me for a walk?" Tyranitar offered, gesturing toward the hill behind the manor, "we can watch the sunrise from the top of the ridge."
"That sounds wonderful," Absol said.
Tyranitar led them out the gate. A narrow trail diverged from the main path and wound up the side of the hill; it wasn't wide enough for the two of them to walk abreast, so Absol dropped back, following a few paces behind. She hadn't had much opportunity to speak with the big lizard since she'd come to Pokémon Square; after her first meeting with all of Team ACT at Whiscash Pond, he'd only been in town a day before leaving again with Team Razor Wind to search for Darkrai, and he'd spent most of it out in the courtyard tending the garden, while she's been in the library.
The two of them walked in silence until they were almost to the top of the hill. The sun had broken the horizon now, sending streaks of red and orange and gold across the sky.
"I didn't know you were back from Mystifying Forest yet."
"Got in an hour ago," Tyranitar said.
"You didn't find Darkrai, then?"
Tyranitar shook his head.
"You still think it's him?"
Tyranitar shrugged. "Only theory we have so far. Won't know till we find him, or you and Charizard find us someone else."
They emerged from the trees onto a rocky ledge where a rockslide had cleared a path through the trees to the east, leaving them a clear view of the rising sun. Tyranitar sat down, unslinging his treasure bag and leaning back against a boulder, and Absol sat beside him, pulling her blanket tighter around her shoulders. He took a dark glass bottle from the bag, popping the cork with his talons, and took a long drink.
"Want some?" Tyranitar offered, holding the bottle out for Absol to sniff.
It smelled like berry wine, old and strong. Absol's nose wrinkled. "No thanks. That'll put me back to sleep."
"Tropius's secret recipe," Tyranitar said, "I think he uses his own fruit."
They watched the sun climb slowly, illuminating the town below and sparkling orange off the river. From here, Absol could see a score or more of other buildings tucked in the trees on the outskirts of Pokémon Square that she had not noticed before.
"How many people live here?" She asked.
"In Pokémon Square?" Tyranitar considered for a moment, "maybe three or four hundred, depending on how far out you count. There are houses scattered through the woods to the north and west, plus another forty or fifty traders and travelers, at any time."
"That's a lot of Pokémon."
"I thought so too, when I first came here. It's the second-largest town on the continent, after Treasure Town. Probably in the world, I don't know."
They talked a while, as the sun crept higher and the colors faded, trading stories of home. It was more than Absol had heard him say since she had arrived in Pokémon Square. Tyranitar talked about growing up in Northern Desert; working and traveling at night, and taking shelter from the heat and sandstorms in the day; tending the orchards around Oasis Town, and fighting off bandits. Tyranitar sipped from the bottle as they talked, his words becoming progressively less distinct, and his stories more rambling.
Eventually Tyranitar's voice trailed off mid-sentence, and Absol looked over to see that he had fallen asleep, head leaning back against the rock. That was understandable, Absol thought, if he'd been traveling all night. She checked the bottle, found it empty, and laid it down between the rocks, where it could not roll down the hill and break, before starting back to the manor. She should start doing this every morning, Absol thought; the outing had been as effective at waking her up as putting Tyranitar to sleep. She hadn't been getting enough exercise since she'd been here, laying in the library all day.
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"Team Poképals should be reaching Hidden Land in two to three days," Alakazam said, "however, as Hidden Land exists in its own timestream, they will be unable to communicate with us until they return."
"And Darkrai?" Grey asked.
"Team Raiders and Tyranitar returned from Mystifying Forest early this morning," Alakazam said, "they found nothing out of the ordinary. Team Razor Wind and Butterfree teleported to Red Rock Village near Mount Travail yesterday; Espeon there is scheduled to link with me for the return trip tomorrow evening. Team Hydro should be at Miracle Sea by now, and Team Dragon should reach Crevice Cave today or tomorrow. Unless they badge for help, we shouldn't expect to hear from them until they return."
"I've nothing new to report," Delphox said, "We haven't received a response from Ninetales yet, and there's nothing noteworthy from the Federation network.
Grey sighed. "Absol and I have identified 381 books in the library as potentially relevant," he said, "Collections of stories, histories, biographies of any of the Legendaries who are thought to have any relation to the weather, the sun, darkness, or the stars. Between ourselves and the other teams who have stopped by to help, we've skimmed through almost a hundred so far, and read twenty or so in detail; other than the Time Gears crisis, we haven't found anything similar to the situation which Absol described. I've also been talking to Chimecho at Wigglytuff guild; apparently, they have an extensive archive of exploration team reports dating back several hundred years, but Wigglytuff is reluctant to give us access." Grey glanced between Alakazam and Delphox. "I was hoping one of you would have some influence, there."
"Wigglytuff isn't the most…rational…Pokémon," Delphox said, "but I'll send a request on behalf of the Federation. If we do get access, you're probably going to have to go supervise the effort."
"Anything else?" Charizard asked the group, "Absol?"
"Whiscash hasn't remembered anything useful, either, and Xatu still doesn't see anything in the sun," Absol said, "but, he's predicting snow this week." She shivered, pulling he blanket more tightly around her shoulders. "He says it's really rare to get snow this late in the spring. I hope we're not too late."
"It is pretty unusual," Charizard said, "I'm not sure I can remember a time."
"Fifty or sixty years ago," Alakazam said, "the year that big tree fell on Team Dragon's base."
"Even if it is the beginning of…whatever disaster you saw," Charizard said, "I think we have some time, yet. Its going to take a lot more than one storm."
"I know. It's just…"
"It's okay," Charizard said, "we're all worried."
"If there's no other news," Alakazam said, "Let's get back to work."
"You doing okay?" Charizard asked after Alakazam had left, taking a seat across from her at the cluttered table.
Absol nodded, wondering whether she looked as frustrated as she felt, or if Charizard was just trying to make conversation; either way, she appreciated the distraction. She had read at least a thousand pages in the last week, maybe more that she had read in her life; Team Easy and Delphox and Charizard had been busy too, but it didn't feel like they were making any progress. Her eyes hurt from starting at the pages. Her head ached, and her back was stiff from laying or sitting all day.
"Mother and Ninetales told me so many stories, about adventures and heroes and things. None of them mentioned all the reading, or all the waiting."
Charizard chuckled. "No, that's not the glamorous bit, is it?"
"Is it normally like this?" Absol asked
"You mean, normal for a worldwide existential crisis?"
"You're a Rescue Team. This is what you do, right?"
"Honestly," Charizard said, "It really isn't. We chase off local bandits, find missing Pokémon, rescue Exploration Teams who get in over their heads. Occasionally we pick up bounties from Team Magnezone. Other than the Meteor thing, we're never been involved with anything big like this before; and, well, we didn't do a real admirable job there."
"Oh," Absol said, a bit disappointed.
"Team Go-Getters had a fairly clear path forward, even if no one knew what was happening at first. Now, we don't even know where to begin; we're just searching blindly for clues. We also had months of smaller disasters leading up to the Meteor Incident, and this time, there's nothing obviously wrong, yet. So to answer your question…I don't think any of us know what's 'normal' for this sort of thing."
Absol frowned. "Do you think I could be wrong?"
"It doesn't matter what I think," Charizard said, "do you think you could be wrong?"
"I don't know. It seemed so urgent, when I had the dream, but now…"
"Something happened to you, and something happened to Ninetales. Something's still happening to you. It's a lot cooler on Mount Freeze than here, but you haven't had that blanket off since you got here. I saw your face that first night when we kept you out too late by Whiscash Pond."
"What if it's just something wrong with me, though? What if I've misinterpreted everything?"
"Absol, there's a whole lot of Pokémon working on this thing now. If you think there's another possible explanation, anything at all, we need to know; but if you're sure about what you saw, don't start doubting yourself now."
"I'm sorry. I'm just frustrated, I guess. I want to do something."
"You know, whether or not these teams who are out now find Darkrai, there's going to be more missions. If you get to know some of the local teams, I bet they'd let you come along."
"I'd like that; everyone seems so busy, though."
"There's a field on the southeast side of town, above the cliffs," Charizard said, "a lot of days, Pokémon meet out there in the afternoon to play ball or hide-and-seek or tag. If nothing else, it'll be a break from all this."
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The field was a large oval clearing, stretching from the edge of town nearly to the cliff, a kilometer or so long and half as wide, with grass almost as tall as she was. At the close end of the field, an area about a hundred meters long was cut shorter, and at either end were nets made of saplings woven together. A group of Pokémon stood in the center of the field; there were three Nidorans who were probably siblings, three Mightyenas, probably brothers, Flareon and Jolteon, who looked like a couple, Persian, Liepard, Cyndaquil, Machop, and Rapidash, holding a ball the size of a large Pumpkaboo between his forelegs. Mostly quadrupeds; that was good, Absol thought, this wouldn't be a game where hands were important.
It was the first time in a week she had been outside without her blanket, and Absol felt strangely exposed. Intellectually, she knew that this was ridiculous; she had never needed or wanted to be covered before. No Pokémon did, unless he was ill. Still, the feeling was undeniable.
No need to be nervous, Absol told herself. This was probably going to be just like playing with all her friends below Mount Freeze. She wasn't sure what the nets were for, but it couldn't be that different from the games they'd played at home. How many ways could a group of Pokémon play ball?
The Mightyenas leaned together, whispering amongst themselves, then trotted toward her, fanning out to block her path. Absol slowed uncertainly, waiting to see what they would do. Their bearing was supremely confidant, but not aggressive; each stopped a bodylength away from her, and they sat down almost in unison.
"We're Team Mighty," the center Mightyena announced.
"We're the best pawball team," said the left.
"With the most wins," added the right.
"We only play with the best players."
"And the cutest females."
"Do you want to be on our team?" the third Mightyena's voice trailed up hopefully.
Absol laughed, relaxing. She didn't think she'd seen the trio around town before. Maybe they were one of the teams that Alakazam had invited from Treasure Town to help with their search, or they'd been out on a job all week. They were a bit odd, but she couldn't have asked for a better invitation.
"Certainly! I've never played pawball before, though. Can you teach me the rules?"
"Pawball is the easiest game."
"With the simplest rules."
"And the most fun."
Each time, they spoke in a different order, but every sentence flowed together as if they'd planned it in advance; Absol wondered whether, despite being Dark-types, they might be a bit Psychic as well.
"All you have to do is hit the ball into the net."
"And guard your net."
"Without popping the ball."
"But you can't use moves."
"Or pick it up."
"Or knock anyone out."
Absol was sure there must be a few more rules than that, but it would be easier to learn as they played than try to get these three to explain in detail.
The remaining Pokémon split off into teams, with Persian, Liepard, and Cyndaquil joining Absol and Team Mighty. Machop passed out scarves from a bag; green to Absol's team, and red to his own. Someone needed to get the Mighties their own colored scarves, she thought, so she could tell them apart like Team Easy. Perhaps it didn't matter, though, since the three of them seemed to consider themselves interchangeable.
An 'X' had been scuffed into the dirt at the middle of the field; Rapidash placed the ball in the center and took a step back. Liepard faced off against him on their side of the field, her tail twitching in anticipation. The remaining Pokémon on each team spread out in semicircles around the center pair on their own sides of the field. There must have been some sort of signal Absol missed; Rapidash and Liepard darted for the ball at the same time, and most of the Pokémon on both sides rushed in, shoving and hitting and tackling one another to reach the ball. Absol hung back, waiting to see what would happen. Eventually, the ball shot out of the mêlée, bouncing toward the woods on her side of the field. Absol ran after it.
Rapidash and Jolteon broke free of the chaos to pursue the ball, followed by one of the Mightyenas; Absol saw that she would reach it first, but she was still unsure what she was supposed to do with it. Thinking fast, she slowed her pace, allowing Rapidash to close the gap between them, then turned suddenly to snarl and snap at his face. Instinctively, Rapidash shied away, tripping over Jolteon, and all three of them went down together in the grass. She could hear Mightyena laughing as he ran by.
A flailing hoof caught Absol in the ribs as she stood, knocking her breath away. Rapidash and Jolteon were both limping. She hoped she hadn't been too rough, but neither of them seemed upset. By this time, Mightyena had made it to the far end of the field with the ball. Everyone else was clustered around the red team's goal. Just as Absol reached them, a mighty kick by Machop sent the ball sailing over everyone's heads and into the woods.
The other Pokémon all stopped fighting, turning to looked at Machop in annoyance. They began to sit down, panting and licking injuries, making it clear that they considered fetching the ball to be Machop's responsibility; the big biped headed after it, grumbling as he walked.
"He does that all the time," Jolteon said, sitting down beside Absol, "Also, nice trip back there."
"Oh, sorry. I hope I didn't hurt you."
"Nothing that won't heal in an hour or two," Jolteon said dismissively, "everyone plays pretty rough here."
Flareon broke away from the group and came to join them, giving Absol a friendly nod and butting heads with Jolteon.
"Shall we go help Machop?" she asked, "remember how long it took him last time?"
Seeing Absol leaving, Team Mighty was suddenly eager to search for the ball as well; they swarmed around her, cutting between Absol and the Eeveelutions and falling in to a triangular formation around her as if to claim ownership before charging off into the woods.
By the time they returned with the ball fifteen minutes later, the Nidorans had wandered off and Pichu had joined. Persian switched sides to even out the teams. They played for about twenty more minutes before losing the ball again; by this time, everyone was tired and injured, and no one wanted to go looking for it, so the game ended abruptly on a score of one to one. They all trooped back to town to visit Aromatisse.
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Delphox was still there when Absol returned to the library, papers spread across the desk in front of her. She looked up as Absol entered, waving her over.
"I think I've got something, here," Delphox said, "Remember those strange Ice-types who were bothering that village a couple weeks ago?"
Absol nodded.
"They've shown up again, this time at River Town. Same as before; sneaking around the village at night."
"They're looking for something."
"I think so too. What book did you find them in before? Was there any more information?"
"It was that book about the Ice-Continent expedition where most of them starved. I'll find it again."
There was a sketch in the book, and a brief description of how the Cryogonals had frozen several expedition members, but nothing which seemed relevant to their current situation.
"Where are Charizard and Team Easy?" Absol wondered.
"Dinner. I think they'll be back later."
Delphox sorted through the piles of books and found several books about Ice-type they had set aside earlier that week, and the two of them skimmed through them until Team Easy returned.
Grey climbed onto an empty chair, and Pink jumped up on the table to examine the picture in the book. Again, Absol thought that there was something strange about the way Grey moved.
"I think we saw something about Cryogonals the other day," Grey said, "but I can't remember where."
"Ooh!" exclaimed Pink, "It was the one where the whole team knows Sacred Sword, and one of them wants to duel Kyurem, and he runs away, and Kyurem is grumpy so he freezes everyone, and the Cryogonals chase them-"
"That was it," Grey said, "Kyurem and the Sacred Swords, or something like that."
"It had better pictures than this book," added Pink, "and lots of pretty colors."
Grey clambered up the shelves, took a book larger than his head from the fourth row in his jaws, and jumped down, seemingly all with little effort. Absol had seem him do that trick several times, and she still didn't understand how he could do it so easily, or how he could even see the books on the higher shelves from the floor.
Grey handed the book to Delphox, and they all gathered around to read. At first, Absol thought that it would take them all night to get through the book, but the lavish, full color illustrations on every second or third page made the scenes with Cryogonals easy to find. Still, it took the four of them several hours to read just those parts; by the time they were done it was fully dark outside, and they were reading by the light of the Luminous Orb which Delphox held above the pages.
"So, Ice-types whom no one here has seen or heard of before are searching for something in two different places within weeks of Absol's vision, and they might be working for the strongest Ice-type in the world," Grey summarized.
"That's probably not all coincidence," said Delphox
"No," Absol agreed, "I think we're onto something here."
"And I found it," Pink claimed proudly. No one acknowledged her, not even Grey, but she didn't seem to care.
"What now?" Absol wondered.
"Now we just need to find Kyurem," Grey answered, looking around the table, "ideas, anyone?"
"Let's summon the others," Delphox suggested, "this is too important to wait until the meeting tomorrow morning. Team Easy, can you guys fetch Xatu? I think Tyranitar went for a walk, and Charizard is probably down in town; Absol, can you…nevermind, it's dark out. I'll contact Alakazam, and go look for Charizard."
After the others left, Absol turned back to the beginning of the book and began to read. She would need to read the whole thing eventually, she thought, to be sure they hadn't missed any other clues. It took more than an hour for them to return with Xatu, Charizard, and Alakazam, and Tyranitar.
As Delphox explained the situation, Charizard lit a fire in the small chamber of the stove and started a pot of tea.
"So you think Kyurem is the source of the trouble?" Alakazam asked, once Delphox had finished.
"I think it's as plausible as Darkrai or Palkia or Dialga," Delphox said, "and it's something we can act on now, if we had an idea where he is."
Charizard looked to Alakazam. "We translated a book, years ago. The one from Joyous Tower, I think…"
Alakazam frowned, one hand reaching up to stroke his mustache as he thought. "Legends of the Mysterious Ruins," he finally declared.
"Yes, I think that was it," agreed Charizard.
Alakazam drifted to the shelves. He raised a hand, and wide cloth-bound book floated down to him, then across the room to their table. The cover opened, revealing Charizard's neat script. Charizard sat down and began to flip through the book, and the others gathered around to watch.
Scores of ancient stone structures were scattered around the world. Some of them Absol could remember from Mother and Ninetales' stories; Sky Tower and Temporal Tower, both still intact, or Buried Relic, half-collapsed and abandoned. Many more were nothing but rubble. All of them were old, so old that no reliable legends remained of their creation, but many of them shared certain similarities of workmanship which let people to speculate that they had a common builder.
Each chapter began with a rough map and a sketch of the structure in whatever condition the author had found it, and sometimes an attempt at recreating what the structure might once have looked like. This was followed by a description of the structure, its inhabitants, and surroundings. The remainder of each chapter contained a collection of local legends about it's history and use.
Neither Charizard nor Alakazam could remember exactly what they were looking for, so they ended up going through the whole book page by page. Tyranitar, sharing little of his partners' enthusiasm for reading, quickly grew bored with their efforts. He departed without comment during the second chapter, and returned nearly an hour later with a basket of freshly picked berries and a plate of cookies.
"The Meowths at the bakery mostly work at night," he explained to Absol.
By the time they were finished it was nearly morning.
"Sounds like we have two possibilities," Grey said, "Turbulent Tower, or Hoarfrost Tower."
"Hoarfrost Tower is in the Northern Range. That's a…fifteen to twenty day walk," Alakazam said, "then you'll have to find Hoarfrost Tower. I don't know anyone who's been there, but you may be able to hire a local guide."
"This would be a good one for Team Mighty," Charizard said, "they can cover a lot of ground in the mountains."
"Meowstic is the Federation representative in Snowcliff Village," Delphox said, "we can get a message to him by Pelipper in five or six days; call it six, and he can link with someone here to guide a Teleport in."
"Who else is available with Teleport?" Alakazam asked.
"Just Xatu, I think," Charizard said, turning toward him, "if you don't mind working with Team Mighty?"
Xatu laughed. "I don't mind the Mightyenas, but I'm far too old for this sort of adventure any more. I think I should have to wait in Snowcliff Village."
"I will shuttle them myself, then," Alakazam said, "you or Delphox can guide me back."
"That leaves Team Raiders for Turbulent Tower on Mount Thunder," Alakazam said, "Gallade knows Teleport; Delphox, is there a Federation representative in Boulder Town?"
"I believe so; I'll have to check, I've not worked with him before," Delphox answered.
"Are you still interested in joining a mission, Absol?" Charizard wondered, "we could send you with Team Raiders."
"Actually, Team Mighty invited me to join them on their next job," Absol said, "but I'm worried that I'll slow everyone down."
"I don't think Team Mighty will mind waiting for you," Charizard said with a grin.
"That's not a bad idea," Delphox agreed, "if you can tolerate all the flirting and three-part sentences."
"It'll be colder there, too," Absol said, "I don't know if I can do it."
"We still have to wait for the Pelipper to get to Meowstic," Charizard said, "so you have six days to decide. Why don't you start training with Team Mighty, and see how things go?"
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The next day, Absol spent all morning in the library again with Team Easy, Delphox, and Charizard, searching for any other information about Kyurem which could be of use to the exploration teams. They found several versions of the legend of Zekrom and Reshiram. There were stories from the northern villages of Kyurem hunting Pokémon who strayed from town in the long nights of the northern winters, or appearing without warning to freeze whole villages.
While Kyurem seemed angry and cruel, Absol thought, there was no indication that he possessed anything like Darkrai's intellect or capability for intrigue. He seemed more like a wounded feral, lashing out at any convenient target in thoughtless rage. That didn't mean, of course, that he couldn't be responsible for the current problem; given their lack of direction, any clue was worth following up.
In the afternoon she joined Team Mighty in the meadow again; the game was tag today, which she much preferred over pawball. Afterward, they lay down together to talk, Absol in the sun and the Mightyenas in the shade. Alakazam had already briefed them on the job, and they seemed more than willing to have her along, even after she explained her difficulty with the cold and nighttime.
"It will be the excitingest job," the Mightyenas said.
"With the biggest bounty."
"And the best company."
Absol thought they would be just as excited to have any other Field-group female along. That was okay, though; they might not be the brightest, or the best conversationalists, but she didn't think that she would find any team more willing accommodate her curse, or more eager to protect her from danger.
Returning to the manor, Absol joined the others for dinner in the courtyard, and they headed back into the library for a few more hours of research.
"This came in this afternoon," Delphox said, talking a seat next to Absol and placing an opened letter in front of her.
Little one,
We're both so glad that you made it to Pokémon Square safely. Team ACT lack the Go-Getters' cleverness, but they are good Pokémon, and smart. Ninetales has continued his observations, and he is certain that the alignment of the planets and stars is unnatural, but he can't say what it means. The weather here has gotten colder since you left, and we're all worried. I have begun to feel a chill in my own horn, but I've had no visions, just a horrible feeling that something is wrong. I've moved into Ninetales' cave, so you can have the Pelippers find us here; we're both worried enough to want company, I suppose. I wish that I had some sort of guidance to offer you, little one, but by now, you probably know more than we do. Please keep us informed, if you're able. Remain strong, and trust yourself and your gift.
Love,
Mother and Ninetales
"You read it already?" Absol asked.
Delphox nodded.
"Do you have any idea what happened to Team Go-Getters?"
"Rumor is they went off on some exploration with Gengar - yes, that Gengar," Delphox confirmed, before Absol could ask, "but they were pretty secretive about it."
"But why would they join Gengar?"
"I don't know," Delphox said with a shrug, "he left Pokémon Square after the Meteor incident. Team Meanies broke up; Medicham and Arbok joined teams out of Treasure Town. Then this spring he showed up again, met with Go-Getters in private for a few days, then they all disappeared."
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The next two days went much the same; walking with Tyranitar and working in the library in the morning, playing with Team Mighty and the other Pokémon of Pokémon Square in the afternoon, and back to work in the evening. Absol was feeling much more confident now, and she began to think that maybe she could travel with Team Mighty as more than just a burden.
The next day, the temperature dropped precipitously. As Absol and Tyranitar stepped outside in the predawn gloom, the cold wind, which had been nearly imperceptible within the sturdy walls of the manor, assaulted her, lifting her blanket from her back and nearly pulling it free. She turned without hesitation and bolted back inside.
"I'm s-sorry," Absol said as Tyranitar followed her back inside, "I can't do this today." Her ears folded back as she looked away, ashamed at her her helplessness.
"It's okay," Tyranitar grunted. He knelt down to re-tie the blanket around her neck.
"Thank you."
After Tyranitar left, Absol returned to the library. She wanted to burrow back into her bed and cry, but instead she forced herself to fetch the Luminous Orb and return to the table to pick up the work she'd left off last night. Team Raiders should be nearing Turbulent Tower, and Team Mighty, without a psychic, would be out of communication tomorrow, once they teleported to Snowcliff Village. They all deserved any information she could find, any advantage she could give them, even if she couldn't be there with them.
That afternoon, Team Mighty came by unexpectedly. Their coats were wet and their paws caked with snow and mud as they trooped into the library, laughing and jostling to reach Absol first. Charizard rose angrily and shooed them back out into the entryway to dry off.
They returned several minutes later, much drier, and crowded around Absol, one leaning against her on each side and one looking over her shoulder.
"It was the worst game without you today."
"So we came to visit."
"What are you doing?"
"I'm reading about Hoarfrost Tower," Absol said.
"We're going there tomorrow."
"It will be the best exploring."
"Are you coming with us?"
"I want to come," Absol told them, "but I don't think I'll be able to in the snow. I've found some maps and things, though; let me show you."
She turned through several of the books, showing the Mightyenas maps and sketches of the tower, and reading aloud from the accounts of several exploration teams who had failed to find Kyurem in the past. The Mighties crowded closer against her; Absol wasn't sure if they were paying attention or not, but she hoped that they would remember something useful, at least.
Even if they weren't listening, the Mightyenas' warm bodies pressed up against her felt wonderful, driving back the chill in the room that only she could feel. It wasn't long, though, before the three of them grew restless and began to fidget. Absol understood; they had the same boundless energy that she had always had, before the vision.
"That was the best story," they said eventually.
"But we have the most important job tomorrow."
"And the most getting ready."
"Come visit before you leave tomorrow," Absol said. Team Mighty would be at the manor tomorrow morning anyway to meet Alakazam, but she didn't want to have to wait out in the snow to see them off.
"I don't think they've ever been that close too a book before," Charizard joked after the manor door creaked closed behind Team Mighty, "You must be a good influence."
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A rustling of papers woke her the next morning, and Absol poked her head out of the blankets, hoping that she hadn't missed Team Mighty's departure; but no, it was still dark out. Alakazam sat at one of the tables on the other side of the room, illuminated by the cool blue glow of a Luminous Orb, staring at something in front of him on the table.
Absol yawned silently and pulled her head back under the covers. There was no reason to get up now, she thought; there wasn't much she could do at this hour, and if anyone needed her, they would come wake her.
She woke again to the faint orange glow of dawn in the windows above; it was about the time she'd meet Tyranitar for their morning walk, if it hadn't snowed last night. Still, she thought, she may as well get up and wish him good morning.
The manor was empty save for Absol, but his scent lingered in the main room, along with Charizard and Alakazam, all about half an hour old. Perhaps they were all outside?
The courtyard in front of the manor was churned muddy with footprints; she didn't want to brave the cold to inspect them, but from the doorway she guessed that there must have been three or four teams. What could have happened? she wondered. Had one of their exploration teams badged for a rescue? Had they found Darkrai or Kyurem? She couldn't think of any other reason they would need so many teams in such a hurry, but why hadn't anyone woken her?
Remembering Alakazam's visit to the library earlier that morning, Absol went back inside; perhaps he had left a note, or perhaps whatever he had been looking at would provide a clue.
Wanted: 1,000,000-P-
Arcanine
By Team Magnezone in Treasure Town
For Murder, Arson, and Theft
The wanted flier lay on Alakazam's desk in the library, half covering the open book he had been reading the night before. Beneath the name there was a drawing of a fierce-looking Arcanine, his muzzle smeared with blood, surrounded by flames. There were some kind of unusual markings drawn on his back and sides; Absol could not decide whether they were intended to be mud, or scars, or burns. The paper was folded in quarters and smelled musty, and the date, written in the top corner in Alakazam's handwriting, was five years ago.