Been a little while, sorry for the unexpected hiatus. And we're back with…a supremely long chapter!

Without the author's notes, this chapter was over 17,000 words. Why so much? Well, it's quite simple…TO PROTECT THE WORLD FROM DEVASTATION! Ok, yeah, that's not it at all. Apparently, my new goal has become to just obliterate however much I wrote last time in order to get new records, idk.

Anyway, this chapter is long enough on its own, so enough from me! The prophet arc will commence! Set aside a major amount of time and enjoy the latest!

...

[Greninja]

Delibird led us down the halls toward the throne room. Once we returned to the main hall, he glanced back and watched the four of us shiver and shake from the icy surroundings.

"What's the matter?" He smirked while asking.

"O-Oh, come off it, D-Delibird," managed Alakazam. "N-Not all of us are c-completely resistant t-to the c-cold."

I glanced back and watched as Chesnaught hugged himself tightly, failing to keep warm. Sliding over to him, I tried to press myself against him, only to feel our wet bodies squish against each other. We both quaked from the contact instead.

"S-See?"

"Well, you're the mage." Delibird shrugged. "Warm yourselves up."

"…Um. R-Right."

Alakazam lifted his arms before himself and turned to the rest of us. Concentrating on them, he created a ball of fire. Carefully, he expanded it as he muttered incantations.

"Please, if you're going to do that, you might as well leave it to me."

We spun around as Delphox stepped from behind a column, wearing fresh robes and wand ablaze. He motioned his hand and the fireball launched from the stick, split into four smaller flames, and floated around us.

"Thank you, Delphox. You have great timing." I smiled at him, to which he smirked and nodded.

"Managed to find your way around?" Alakazam chuckled. "Good work."

"Yeah, well—"

"The lost lotus will find its way back to its roots, eventually." Mienshao stepped forward from behind the same column, smiling with certain…smugness to him. "Delphox only needed to ask for some assistance."

"Uh-huh." Alakazam knowingly grinned.

"…Ok, fine, I got lost," snapped Delphox. "Mienshao found me was really helpful at escorting me around the palace."

"Told you they wouldn't believe us."

"Well, no one asked you to spout one of those stupid proverb lines," barked Delphox. "You could have at least made it less obvious! Everyone from here knows you only use those when you're fooling around!"

"True." Mienshao shrugged and chuckled. "If it's any consolation, I did quite enjoy spending my time with you."

"Oh, I'm sure…wait, you did?"

"Certainly," continued Mienshao. "Perhaps there was the air of familiarity between us, but I find you most engaging, and quite intelligent as well. Your attention to detail was also pleasing, as I do enjoy going over them with others."

"You do?" Delphox picked at his robes and kicked a little at the floor. Mumbling, he added, "I thought you were just being courteous the whole time."

Delibird cleared his throat. "As much as I'm sure everyone would love to listen to your tour of the palace, I do believe that we were summoned for more pressing matters, Mienshao."

"Mm." A slight disappointment in his eyes, Mienshao let his arms dangle as he nodded and stepped forward. He halted and perked up. "We're all needed, correct?"

"It's about the prophet, so what do you think?"

"Ah, then Delphox will be coming with us." Mienshao beamed back at our fox mage, who shyly smiled back and picked at his wand.

"Obviously. Why?"

"Just checking."

"Uh…sure. Anyway, we'll—"

"My, my." Scowling, I turned and watched Golduck strutting over to us. "We're all gathered now, how fascinating. And quite dressed for the occasion."

He lined up to stroll right up to me, and Chesnaught looked about ready to swing a punch, but Machamp was the one that stepped in the way. Annoyed, Golduck frowned down upon him.

"Can I help you?"

"Not really." Machamp grinned and folded his lower arms. "Need something?"

He eyed me past the four-armed knight and shrugged. "Perhaps, though not at the moment." He then glanced past the other side of Machamp and smirked at Alakazam. "Though, maybe I could use—"

"Don't even think about it."

Machamp maintained his smile, but his voice was far more intimidating than I had heard before. Golduck laughed and backed up, still eyeing Alakazam, who had halted Delphox's fireball in position to launch it forward.

"Such hostility," mocked Golduck. "Anyone might think you two were—"

"Golduck, just shut up, will you?" Even if I wanted everyone to start pounding on him, I'd rather my friends not get into trouble over someone like Golduck.

"Mister Popular making tight new friendships, huh?" He folded his arms. "Outclassing their loyalty to a seasoned knight around this palace. You'd think they'd have stronger ties to someone they've worked with longer."

"Bonds are something we're still working on," noted Alakazam. "And we've certainly not established them with the likes of you."

"Haven't you?" Machamp faltered a bit while Alakazam's fireball crackled. Golduck laughed. "My, this tension is delicious."

"Come on Golduck," whispered Delibird. "Lighten up, will you?"

"Sorry, what was that?" Delphox lit his wand again and pointed it at Golduck. "Light him up? Gosh, this ear fur can make it so difficult to hear sometimes."

"Ok, ease up." Delibird stepped between Golduck and the rest of us. "We don't have time for these arguments, nor does Golduck have the energy to get assaulted by a fraction of our army."

"Pretty sure I could take all of them—"

"You really want to have a bad time, huh?"

"Delibird is right," intervened Mienshao. "Emperor Empoleon must be waiting on us."

"More accurately, he'll be waiting on just a few of us."

Touching my shoulder, Alakazam tilted his head at Chesnaught, who blinked and locked his hand into mine. A bright flash lit around us and we were suddenly before large, dark blue doors in a quiet, isolated hallway. Though banners sporadically decorated the walls, there was little here that stood out in particular.

Releasing me, Alakazam teleported away. Momentarily, he reappeared with Delphox and Mienshao. Teleporting back and forth once more, Alakazam returned with Delibird and Machamp. He panted and dropped to a knee against the floor.

"…Seriously?" Delibird folded his arms and tapped his foot. "You're just going to leave him back there?"

"Ah, it's…not that…far." Alakazam exhaled, and then took in a deep breath. "Besides, he was…acting uncouth."

"Are you ok?" I leaned down and studied Alakazam. He had grown paler and seemed to droop lower to the ground.

"Teleporting…takes a bit…out of me…used in excess," explained Alakazam.

"Haven't I told you not to do that?" Machamp bent down and scooped Alakazam up. "Just once, can't you listen to me?"

Weakly, Alakazam laughed. "I'll work on it." He slid his arms around Machamp's back to steady himself, and Chesnaught nudged me as Machamp's face flushed over.

Mienshao stepped up to the door and knocked. He turned back and smiled as he brushed his whiskers. "Shall we?"

Together with Delibird, he opened the large doors as Machamp led us in. To make up for the simple hallway, Empoleon's throne room was grandiose by comparison. Upon entering it, the ice became sturdier and much more supportive, as though more carefully crafted. The whole room itself appeared to glisten, in spite of the little light. It was wider than Nidoking's throne room, with multiple pillars lining the ends of the walls in the distance, and decorated by frozen droplets that circled around them. In the center was a fountain with a wider basin below the water that shot into the air and fell into its smaller basin.

On the lower level, four ice sculptures of Empoleon were placed along the sides of the room, with two larger ones before the small stairway and overhang created by the stretched out extra level. Along the second tier, banners draped over a railing, with the castle crest across them. Curtains hung along the wall behind it, with what I imaged was a pair large portraits covered up by them. Centered and aligned perfectly with the fountain was an iceberg that led up a few steps to the massive cerulean throne atop it.

From it, Empoleon pushed himself up and down the stairs, as each of us bowed to him. He waved his wings and I glanced back to the lower level, where Weavile and Poliwrath emerged from the far right, while Frosslass and Politoed came from the left. From below the second tier, Abomasnow crouched slightly as he stomped forward. He blinked as he surveyed the group that entered.

"You're short a few folks," he rumbled.

"They should be coming along," reported Mienshao. Glancing back, he smiled somewhat more menacingly than before, and added, "Right, Delibird?"

"Y-Yes, of course." The small penguin gulped. "Carracosta was with Quagsire, and I passed Golduck along the way to gather this large group."

"There will not be much time to wait for them," murmured Empoleon. He shook his head slightly and blinked, staring blankly at us. "Um…the four of you were…at the hot springs?"

Turning to Chesnaught, Machamp, and Alakazam, I couldn't tell whose face was the deepest red between the four of us. Quietly, Alakazam crawled out of Machamp's arms and sank to the ground. Delphox bubbled with suppressed snickers.

"Er…right then." Empoleon cleared his throat and jabbed a flipper at Delphox. "And what's with the fire floating around, Delphox?! Are you trying to destroy this palace from the inside out?"

"Um…no." Delphox coughed to stop his laughter. "It's, uh…to warm the others up."

"Aw, how sweet," teased Froslass, and Weavile cracked a smile at Delphox's annoyance.

"Actually, sire, the ice still seems in tact," pointed out Abomasnow. "And you know how much I hate fire, so…"

"Indeed! Well spotted, Abomasnow," complimented Empoleon, relaxing. "Now then, you all already know that the prophet was sighted recently."

As he began, the doors behind us burst open once again, with Carracosta and Golduck dragging Quagsire into the room. The salamander's eyes barely looked open.

Weavile was the first to ask: "What happened with him?"

"Blasted fool wanted to sleep the damn day away, if we'd let him," grumbled Carracosta. "Apologies, your highness, we should have left him. Or, rather, I should have, but Golduck happened to spot me and helped bring him here."

"Lucky that Golduck was around for that," applauded Empoleon.

"Yeah…lucky." The duck glared at Alakazam, who smirked slightly.

"As it happens, you three are just in time," explained Empoleon. "In fact, Carracosta, wasn't it someone that you had spoken with that sighted the prophet?"

"Um…y-yes. There was a sighting and I was pointed in the right direction," elucidated Carracosta. "Weavile and Froslass were of great assistance in chasing this prophet."

"He's definitely a Psychic," reported Weavile. "He tried to attack us with Psychic bursts, and powerful ones."

"Too bad for him that we resist them," giggled Froslass. More seriously, she continued, "Though…his speed and strength were much more than we were anticipating."

"If you were expecting anything less, that's foolish," chastised Golduck. "This prophet has eluded capture for ages now. Of course he would be a force to be reckoned with."

"No kidding," deadpanned Weavile. "However, we did manage to confirm that he very likely is male, judging by the grunts we heard. He's also quite tall, well over both of our heights. On top of that, he cannot teleport, as we previously imagined, or if he can, he held back on doing so."

"We also froze his tail, so we now have a good idea of which direction he traveled in," noted Froslass. Solemnly, she continued, "Though…the anchored path led out to the Frozen Fields…"

"Could someone explain that more in depth for us?" Delphox folded his arms and sighed. "Besides just the place we go to presumably never return?"

"Specifically, we can't explain much to it beyond that," expounded Alakazam. "The reason that we know so little is because most of us don't take the time to stay far out there. We go out for the crops, medicinal herbs, and minerals that will only be found within that part of the region, but it's also heavily hampered by scattered blizzards." Alakazam glanced down to the ground. "Beyond that, we know of nothing out there. It goes on to the sea, but what's in between it…we're not completely sure. All we are certain of is that there is a great amount of snow, stones, and space between the vast stretch of land." He looked back up at Delphox and us. "It's easy to get lost out there, and if you're out for too long…well, the odds of your survival are lowered each day."

"Fantastic," deadpanned Delphox.

"The path is marked for us," Weavile informed, "so we can resume whenever we're prepared to pursue."

"Excellent work," commended Empoleon. "It's late in the evening now, and travel at this hour would be unwise. However, there is enough time for another bout of training, as well as enough to make final preparations before the morning."

"It'll be best if we train together in a larger group this time," instructed Abomasnow. "We'll need to refresh group tactics as well, but we'll keep things interesting."

"More like unfair," Chesnaught muttered.

"Since the wind is picking up tonight, we'll head over to the indoor arena. Not as varied as the terrain outdoors, but it'll do."

"Should be fun," quipped Golduck. I glared back at him to meet the leer I knew would be fixed on me.

"Very good. Get to work, everyone; I'm expecting nothing less than your best at finally seizing this elusive mastermind."

"Sire, hold on a moment, please," piped up Machamp. "Where are the bears?"

"Per Abomasnow's recommendation, they are en route to the Grass Fields Kingdom," revealed Empoleon.

"Wait, what?" Chesnaught stepped forward. "Why would you send them back?"

"In exchange for you three," continued Empoleon. "Nidoking was short several soldiers, and as I explained on your arrival, I needed to trade him soldiers of my own. General Abomasnow recommended that I send Pangoro, Ursaring, and Beartic to them."

"But you were going to evaluate things further, weren't you?" Chesnaught shook his head, annoyed. "If anything, the only reason they were chosen was because they lost in our practice with General Abomasnow."

"Hmph. How accusatory of the southerner," snapped Abomasnow. "I selected the group that I determined would be a well balanced trio, exactly what we were given with you three. The trio that works best together would be the bears, and they're exactly who I recommended that the emperor send over."

"That should explain it for you, Chesnaught." Empoleon nodded. "It was a calculated choice."

"…R-Right." He's very unconvinced. "My apologies."

"Quite all right, you're merely looking out for the empire's best." Empoleon chuckled. "You're still learning, not a problem. If that will be all, then everyone should get to training and preparations."

Each of the knights nodded, saluted, and bowed to Emperor Empoleon. We turned to leave, but as the throng reached the door, the emperor rang out again.

"Greninja, Machamp, wait; you two will come with me."

Glancing at Machamp, he shrugged and we turned back to the emperor, nodding. Chesnaught and Alakazam hesitated as Delphox turned back.

"Don't we all need to train, sire?" Alakazam turned his head and blinked. "It's important, isn't it?"

"Machamp is notably one of our strongest," corrected Empoleon. "Greninja is highly skilled as well, to which I witnessed in our training earlier. They'll be fine and can adapt to the situations that they'll face alongside the rest of you tomorrow."

"If…you are certain, sire."

"Quite. Now, take Chesnaught and yourself to fetch some proper clothing and armor, but be quick about it. Off with you lot."

Alakazam locked eyes with Machamp before nodding and walking away with Delphox. Chesnaught remained still and watched me, still hesitant to leave. I smiled and nodded, to which he returned before following the mages out of the throne room.

"Well, before we continue on," sounded Empoleon as he approached us, "we will need to get you two clothed as well."

Machamp laughed as our faces flushed over. Somehow, though, I gathered that it would be the least of our worries.

[Chesnaught]

After another couple of teleportations, Alakazam and I arrived at the training room, just as everyone else had walked over there as well.

"Teleporting may make you fast, Alakazam," rang out Carracosta. "But how exactly did you and Chesnaught get your clothes on just as quickly?"

"Actually, I kind of struggled getting into all of mine," I admitted. "Alakazam imagined we might be a few minutes late."

"Lucky you," rumbled Abomasnow, eyes lowered. "Right on time again."

Glaring right back at the General, he broke it as he turned to open the door to the training room. Delphox elbowed me and scowled at me as the door swung forward.

Our group strolled inside to the fairly spacious room. The arena was marked with carvings across the center of the room, with small icebergs spiked out of the ground to promote alternative terrain vantages. Beyond that, the field itself was purely ice and snow, sans the circular pool in its midpoint…and, studying the field a little more, I caught four additional holes for extra exit points from the water, forming a box near the inside of the arena.

General Abomasnow waited for everyone to filter in, and counted each of us out. "Twelve total, minus myself." He nodded. "Very well, I'll sit this one out. Meanwhile, we'll have two bouts, six fighters participating in each. Delibird has gathered weapons for us, but you are not limited to them. Compete until only one of you remains standing. Whoever yields must leave the arena, but you are to fight until you lose all energy to continue. Work with or against whomever you like. Any questions?" He tugged on the fur that covered his mouth, waiting as no one spoke up. Delphox shook his head when I opened my mouth to do so. "Right then. First up will be Alakazam, Carracosta, Poliwrath, Politoed, Quagsire, and Weavile."

Each one moved over to Delibird, who opened his tail-sack as they searched through the weapons he brought. Frowning, I realized that I had just been set up to fight against Delphox soon after this match. Still, I smiled as Alakazam brushed past me with a smirk.

Enjoy the show, came his voice, but…his mouth didn't move. …Telepathy. Right.

Weavile pointedly walked across the other side to stand next to Alakazam in the middle. Carracosta lined up with the two of them, adjacent to Quagsire. Though Poliwrath and Politoed lined up next to one another, they kept narrowing their eyes at one another. The pool swirled between the six as they formed a circle around it.

Stepping forward, General Abomasnow lifted a small gong from Delibird's sack, holding it up. "Once it rings out, you may begin. Knights at the ready?"

"Yes, sir!"

Taking a closer look over them, I watched Weavile grip her bow, dagger on the belt and a quiver of icy arrows. Poliwrath spun two sai around, tucked between his fists. Politoed pulled out nunchaku, spinning them around. Quagsire smiled while pushing his hands through two katar daggers. Carracosta clapped his flippers together, which held metal bands around them. They were called tekko; I think Greninja showed me them once before.

Oddly enough, Alakazam reached into his robes and pulled out two spoons. I raised a brow in confusion at his choice, especially when compared to the others.

Roughly, Abomasnow bashed the gong and it rang out. "Fight," he announced.

Forward first, Weavile swiftly, unexpectedly swiped out with her dagger, and Alakazam backed away from the slash. She lunged forward at him again, to which he winked and Teleported away.

Both Poliwrath and Politoed surged forward at her next, to which Weavile retreated. Fixating on each other instead, Poliwrath hammered down with his sai, to which Politoed leapt aside.

He twisted around his nunchaku and twisted them around Poliwrath's legs. Grinning, he pulled them from his brother's legs and tripped him, causing Poliwrath to crash down hard onto the ice.

"Aw, that was quick, even for you," ridiculed Politoed.

Firing back up, Poliwrath threw a heavy punch at Politoed, who yelped and jumped back once again. The larger knight chuckled.

"Still too jumpy to stand your ground properly," scorned Poliwrath.

Before he could continue his taunting, Poliwrath glanced back just in time to spot Quagsire stabbing forward with a katar. He swung his arm up to evade the attack and hammered down with his fist.

"Bah, too easy, Quagsire!"

Groaning, the salamander lay still on the icy floor. Carracosta waited patiently as Politoed swung his nunchaku at Poliwrath again, and then slipped into the pool before him.

"You think you're so damn tough," snapped Politoed. "But you've just got big fists! That's all you can really use to back yourself up."

Swiping across with one sai, and then the next, Poliwrath grunted and glared at his brother's nimble evasion.

Spotting an opening, Politoed swung his nunchaku forward and smashed Poliwrath right in his armored center. The breastplates loosened and revealed the white and black swirl behind them.

Grinning, Politoed laughed. "Really, brother, you're not that strong."

"And you're not very smart."

Tackling Politoed, Poliwrath grabbed onto his brother and recklessly dove at the ground. Slamming Politoed with a Submission, both brothers cried out, with the green frog yelling out louder.

Pushing up from the ground, Poliwrath shook his arms, dropping his sai. Weakly, Politoed forced himself up as well, leaving his nunchaku on the floor.

"See? You think you can taunt me," lectured Poliwrath. "But what do you have to back yourself up? Nothing."

"Not true," snapped Politoed. "I've got an edge on you!"

Bouncing into the air, Politoed flipped about and rocketed back down, kicking his feet square into Poliwrath. Yelling out, Poliwrath stumbled back and fell to the ground again.

"Pathetic," mocked Politoed again. "You really thought you were going to defeat me?"

"Don't need to think," managed Poliwrath as he pushed himself back to his feet.

"Perhaps that's the problem altogether," teased Politoed. "That's what it's always been with you. Never thinking, always acting."

"Like this?!"

Rolling forward across the ice and building shards around himself, Poliwrath tackled at Politoed again and slammed an Ice Ball into his face.

Politoed crashed to the ground and whined, rubbing his bruised face. Poliwrath folded his arms together and laughed.

"Who's pathetic now?"

"Both of you, really."

Turning too late, Poliwrath watched as Carracosta sprang from the corner opening and surging forward with an Aqua Jet. He tackled both Poliwrath and Politoed, and the two flew back into an iceberg.

Skidding against the ice, Carracosta twirled around and leapt forward, slamming his tekko-covered flippers into the brothers. They both yelped out and groaned as they slumped further to the ground.

"What happened?" Carracosta huffed. "Weren't you two full of bluster before?"

Staggering to his feet, Politoed rolled forward into the ice, creating his own Ice Ball. Raising his hands near his swirl, Poliwrath launched out a Bubble Beam.

Slipping past the bubbles, Carracosta hammered his flipper down on Politoed's Ice Ball. Gasping and attempting to fire out a Bubble Beam as well, Politoed hiccupped and only spat out a few bubbles, none of which harmed Carracosta.

"Shame." Carracosta smacked Politoed back and into Poliwrath again, smashing the two back against the ice before they sunk to the ground.

Pausing to look around, Carracosta then stepped forward. "I believe you two have a hypnotic combo that might have actually work, had you cooperated." He crouched down as the brothers squinted at him. "Guess you two will need to wake up first."

Groaning, Poliwrath and Politoed slumped down again. Carracosta waited again and turned around as an icy arrow launched out at him.

Almost casually, he sidestepped it and watched it shatter against the iceberg above the brothers.

"That's not going to work, Weavile," called Carracosta. "You'll need a much better distraction than the brothers."

"How about me, then?"

Whirling around, Carracosta watched as Alakazam slid forward and shot a bolt of lightning at him. The prototurtle yelped as it connected and he fumbled back.

Another arrow shot out, and tore through Alakazam's sleeve. He lowered his eyes and shook his head.

"Really, Weavile?" He sighed. "These look so awful when torn."

Carracosta leapt up from the ground and swiped his flipper at Alakazam who backed away from it. He threw his arms forward again, but the mage continued to dodge the attacks.

Three arrows zipped through the air this time. Annoyed, Carracosta raised several frozen rocks around him, using…I couldn't even begin to guess. Magic?

"Arrows only work so many times, Weavile!"

Launching the stones through the sky, I watched them crash around the archer on the other side of the field, surrounding her in her snow patch.

"Thanks."

Carracosta jumped as Alakazam spun his spoons around. A peculiar ray fired from them, with purple waves bursting at the turtle knight.

It connected and Carracosta wailed as he was forced backwards. The ray let up and the turtle's head spun around.

"What was that?" I blinked and shook my head.

"Psybeam," noted Delphox. "Carracosta is now confused."

Dazed, Carracosta lifted his flipper and stomped forward. Alakazam chuckled and sidestepped as the turtle rushed into a wall of ice.

Laughing, the mage twirled his spoons around, and flicked one against the turtle's head. Carracosta swung at him, but slammed his flipper back against the icy wall, hurting himself again.

"The spoon gimmick is weird," I murmured.

"Oh, that's no gimmick," explicated Mienshao. "Those spoons help Alakazam focus his energy and enhance his powers. They're like his personal staves, so to speak."

"So, he can just concentrate his energy through them?" I shrugged. "I guess that's useful. But, really, couldn't he be better equipped?"

"Perhaps, but you're just watching him in action. Observe."

Shaking his head, Carracosta growled and summoned icy stones once again. He launched them at Alakazam, who skated past one and…

My mouth dropped open. Another stone had slowed as Alakazam raised his spoons at it. The stone came to a halt as Alakazam rotated his hands around it, drawing it closer to him.

Using the spoons, he coated the stone with a fuchsia aura, patting the air around the rock and scooping more energy around it. Once he finished, he lifted his right hand, with the stone floating above his spoon.

"Ancient Powers are a bit outdated for me."

Lobbing the rock back at Carracosta, the turtle's eyes widened as he ducked down into his shell. The stone slammed into the wall behind him, with the force of the impact pushing Carracosta forward.

Waiting, Alakazam twirled his spoons around. He glanced at the brothers, still down on the ground from their earlier beating.

"Why didn't you two just work together?" Alakazam picked at his mustache. "You'd have performed far better had you cooperated, as…yes, Carracosta already told you."

He turned back around as Carracosta pushed his head back out and forced himself up from the ground.

"Still standing?" Alakazam jerked his head away from another arrow that flew past him, which Carracosta batted away. "Cute."

"Please, I could crush…"

Eyes widened, Carracosta stared past Alakazam. Blinking, the mage turned back as Quagsire slammed his katar daggers into the floor.

Rumbling filled the arena as it shook and quaked from Quagsire's attack. Alakazam looked about wildly, searching for a safe spot, but Carracosta charged forward.

"What are you—?!"

Slamming the ground and raising his flippers, Carracosta lifted several layers of ice that blocked the oncoming waves of Quagsire's Earthquake.

Gaping, the salamander stared as his widespread attack was blocked by Carracosta's icy shields. Alakazam folded his arms and nodded.

"Well done. I hadn't realized you had been perfecting your Wide Guard."

"It can be helpful in specific situations," claimed Carracosta. "You're welcome, by the way."

"Right, thank you."

Pushing up from the ground, Politoed had stepped forward and croaked softly. Both Alakazam and Carracosta turned as the frog's eyes glowed in a soft blue light, along with the swirl on his stomach. He rotated his hands around it and sent out a blue, swirling rings at the opposing pair.

Their eyes drooping, Alakazam shook his head and teleported away as Carracosta slumped to the ground, his Wide Guard falling with him.

Stomping over, Poliwrath raised his hand and slapped roughly across Carracosta's face, snapping the turtle away and crying out in agonized pain.

"Bravo," deadpanned Poliwrath. "You actually made us work together."

"And we hate you for that," chimed in Politoed.

Wincing, Carracosta glanced past the two and snickered as he ducked away. They blinked and turned to find Quagsire focusing on his fist.

"Uh-oh," they murmured together.

Flying forward with a burst of energy around his fist, Quagsire launched his Focus Punch at the brothers, slamming them back and into the wall. They fell back to the ground, groaning before falling silent.

"Mm…powerful." Quagsire yawned and shook his fist. He smacked his lips as he turned to Carracosta, who stood back up from behind an iceberg. "Hello."

"Um…hi, Quagsire." Carracosta glanced at the unconscious brothers and shrugged. "Well, they were starting to work out well. Nice work on your part."

"Thank you."

An arrow whizzed out and sliced against Quagsire's armor. He groaned and fell backwards as around barrage launched out.

Ducking behind a glacier, Carracosta watched as several icy arrows crashed against Quagsire and knocked him to the ground. The salamander covered his head and moaned again as the arrows slowly stopped.

Peeking back out, Carracosta blinked at the downed Quagsire, surrounded by shattered bits of ice all around.

Gasping, Carracosta was telekinetically lifted high from the ground as Alakazam emerged from his own hiding spot.

"Well, it's been fun, Carracosta," taunted Alakazam. "But, this does have to end soon." The mage nodded. "But hey, you did great."

He picked up his spoons and concentrated on the turtle. The peculiar ray picked up around the spoons again…

But then Alakazam sputtered. A dark claw slashed across him and came down as Weavile dropped her arm.

"Sorry, Alakazam." She shrugged. "I know we usually work together on bigger fights, but it was too easy of a win this time around."

"Funny," grunted Alakazam. "I actually…trusted…him."

Her eyes widened at Alakazam's smirk, catching on too late. Weavile watched as Quagsire pushed up and gripped the ground, launching another Earthquake.

Around her, the icy floor caved in and opened to the pool below. Weavile slipped in and scrambled back to the surface, gasping.

"You think I can't swim by now?!" She brushed her face dry as best she could. "That's nothing, Quagsire!"

Chunks of ice collapsed around Weavile, who flailed in the water. She reached back for her quiver, but couldn't feel any prepared ice arrows.

Shutting her eyes, the ice crashed down around Weavile and she sank back under the water.

Clutching his chest, Alakazam focused on the pool and locked his hand ahead. He quaked as he rose it, lifting Weavile back to the surface.

Throwing her limb form aside, Alakazam turned as more ice crashed around him and Quagsire. Using his spoons, the mage redirected some chunks to hit the salamander, but took heavy blows from others that crashed around him.

My eyes widened at the ruined arena, with water crashing against the broken ice arena. Weavile was flat on her back, not moving. Neither Poliwrath nor Politoed budged either. Both Alakazam and Quagsire pushed up from the ground, but glanced up as Carracosta fell back down.

The quaked slam sent out a slight force that pushed Alakazam and Quagsire back down. Blinking and whirling around, Carracosta stared at the other five knights, waiting for one to move again. None did.

"Congratulations, Carracosta," rumbled General Abomasnow. "You win."

"Um…hooray?" Carracosta hesitantly waved his flippers around. "This…doesn't feel like a win, honestly."

"Tough." Abomasnow hammered on the gong three times, eliciting groans from the fallen knights. "All of you, back up and over here. Clear the field for the next match."

"Field?" Delphox shook his head. "You mean the ruins."

Stepping forward as the knights came back near the door, Abomasnow raised his arms. Icy blasts burst forth as they coated the room almost completely. The General disappeared behind clouds of hail as ice slammed and shattered. I glanced at Delphox, who shrugged to me.

We turned back and watched as the blizzard lifted, with the arena somewhat cleaned up of broken ice chunks. Some of the floor was still smashed open as the water swayed softly.

"Golduck, Mienshao, Delibird, Froslass, you four are up with the newcomers." I scowled at him not even calling us by name. "The six of you, take weapons and your positions at the center and get ready for the gong."

Walking over to Delibird's open sack, I glanced at the few weapons that remained. Mienshao picked up his Kabutowari and walked off. Delphox followed him, already armed with his wand. Froslass placed an icicle staff into the small weapon pile and giggled.

"Just kidding, that's mine!" She picked it back up and floated over to me, patting my head. "Would be fun to see you try to whack me with it, though!"

Erupting into another fit of giggles, she glided into the arena to meet the others. Looking back down, I spotted a broadsword that resembled my own and reached for it. Quickly, a webbed hand gripped it and scooped it up.

"Whoops." Golduck snickered. "Sorry about that, little knight."

"…Really?"

"Yeah. Every inch counts."

"That's not…whatever."

Grinning, Golduck waltzed off to the center. Glancing back down, my options were limited to a bō staff and a flail. Picking up the staff, I twirled it around; not very heavy or long, but I could work with it.

Turning, I watched Delibird take the flail and roll up his tail. He inspected the weapon, which had a dulled head for training, and lightly spun it around away from his body. Judging by the perplexed expression, he didn't seem to know how to use it very well either.

Slowly, we joined the others that surrounded the pool in the middle. Delphox made a point to distance himself from me, positioned past Mienshao on one side. Froslass floated near me as well, and I cautiously eyed her. Delibird stood some distance from Golduck, who walked over to stand opposite from me.

"Same rules, and you start again at the gong," called Abomasnow from the door. "Knights ready?"

"Yes sir!"

Propping up the staff, I pointed it forward, and Golduck smirked. He wouldn't be the first to attack me, but he definitely wanted to toy with me. Again, I glanced over at Froslass, who tapped at her staff. Past her, Delibird started swinging his flail again. Shifting my eyes, I watched Mienshao lift his arms, the kabutowari concealed beneath his long fur. Delphox lit his stick, caught my eye, and nodded.

Once again, Abomasnow bashed the gong, and even from a distance, it loudly rang out. "Fight!"

Thrusting her staff forward, Froslass aimed at the water, cast a spell, and began to freeze it over. It was Mienshao who leapt at me first, twirling around and lashing his long arms down. I jumped back and jabbed forward with the bō, which he deftly evaded.

Glancing past him, I watched Delphox hurl a fireball out at Delibird, who sidestepped it to keep the flail's momentum rolling. Golduck ran forward and dove into the freezing pool, barely escaping beneath its surface.

Returning my attention to Mienshao, he came running forward again and swiped at me with the blade-like weapon. Barely, I tilted my body opposite from his blows, slipping past each strike. Ducking after his last swipe, I dropped one hand from the staff and punched forward at his gut.

Connecting my punch, I forced Mienshao back and he dropped his kabutowari, clutching at his stomach. Turning back, I rolled aside as Froslass launched another icy spell.

She missed both of us as it shattered against a nearby iceberg. Cackling, she waved the wand again, creating a small tornado. I backed up, knowing that she was aiming for me.

Before she could attack, a fireball flew out and went straight for her head. Yelping and ducking from it, she let the tornado dissipate. Froslass and I both turned to see Delphox readying another fireball.

"Don't look so startled, Froslass," taunted Delphox. "I thought you enjoyed playing with fire."

"Fair point." She grinned wickedly and raised her arms. "But two can play with weaknesses, my foxy!"

Thrusting her arms forward, an eerie purple gust picked up around her and rushed toward Delphox.

Smirking, Delphox sped off from the Ominous Wind's onslaught, and reached an opening. Froslass's eyes widened as he twirled his staff around and jabbed it forward. Purple and red fire billowed out and streamed at Froslass.

Desperately, she waved her icicle staff and water burst from the frozen pool, breaking through its frozen surface. It flooded in front of Froslass, but too slowly, as flames broke through and scorched her.

Abruptly, a palm thrust into my arm and I cried out. Whirling around, I caught Mienshao spin back and grab his weapons again.

Quickly, I lifted the bō and jabbed it up at him. It knocked him back and the weapons from him once more. Thrice more, I poked at him, increasing the force of each blow. Two connected as he scrambled to his feet, only to slip back on the ice.

As he fell, I jumped up and slammed down with the staff, ramming Mienshao against the ground. He yelled in agony as the ice cracked beneath him.

Pausing, I turned to find Delphox backing away as Delibird wildly swung his flail around. Missing a few blows, his free wing coated over in frozen ice chunks as he swung an Ice Punch at Delphox, missing that as well.

"Hold still so I can smash you!" The red and white penguin wildly swung the flail around, waving it at Delphox.

"That's…really not how it works."

Spinning and sliding forward, Delphox swiped his leg under Delibird. The penguin lost his balance and crashed against the floor.

Turning, I watched Froslass wave her wand at me, whipping up the twister again. She launched it forward at me as Mienshao forced himself back up from the ground.

Diving aside, I slammed down and turned back as the wind rushed past me. Mienshao's eyes widened as it flew at him.

"Why me?"

Unable to evade it, Mienshao was hoisted from the ground and thrown around, slamming into the nearby iceberg. I winced as he slid down and slumped to the ground. Froslass shrugged and disappeared from sight.

My observation was cut short by a loud scream. I spun around and watched as Delphox burned Delibird against the ground, a stream of purple and red fire coating the surrounding area.

Splashing sounded as Golduck leapt from the northwest hole. His tail was covered in water and he slammed it down on Delphox.

The mage yelped and rushed aside, ending his attack against Delibird. Dousing the penguin up, Golduck scooped Delibird up and steadied him. He shook and was charred from the burns, but Delphox hadn't put everything into the attack. Nevertheless, the penguin appeared to be on his last breath already.

"Thanks…Golduck," he panted. "But…I don't…think…"

"Right."

Kicking Delibird's feet from under him, Golduck pulled back, coated his hand with frosty shards, and hammered the penguin into the ground. I gaped as Delibird stayed against the ground, not moving.

Growling, I stormed forward and back toward the pool. Golduck turned to me and grinned, pointing his blade in my direction.

"Ha. I knew you couldn't resist."

"What?"

Running forward, he jumped up and swung the sword down at me. I rolled aside and thrust out with my bō, but missed him.

Lowering his eyes, Golduck concentrated on me and smirked. The red jewel on his head began to glow as his eyes shined a light blue.

"Poor little knight just can't resist getting in over his head," he mocked.

"Where are you even coming up with this?"

Swinging my bō staff overhead, I slammed it down at Golduck, who backed away from the blow. My mouth parted as he ran forward and jumped at me, his head thrust out.

Delivering a strong head-butt, I shouted and backed away, groaning. My head was spinning as he pulled back with his sword.

Gritting my teeth, I raised my arm slightly as the grass tingled across it.

His eyes widened as he caught on too late, and I hammered a Needle Arm into him. Fumbling back, Golduck staggered from me while I slouched, leaning on the staff to remain standing.

Breathing heavily, I clutched my head and shook it a bit, trying to fight out the dizzy spell setting onto me. What did he…?

Gazing across the way to Delphox, the mage was now creating a screen and backing up from Froslass's alternating gusts of Ominous and Icy Winds. A few shots broke through and hit Delphox, but the mage refused to let the ghost get the better of him.

Whipping his wand back and thrusting it forward with a fireball, Froslass gasped and took another hit, shrieking from the burn.

Again, a rough thrust slammed into me and I groaned. Turning, I watched as yellow bubbles of energy zapped away from me and into Mienshao. He smirked and breathed in, refreshed. I gasped and slumped to my knees.

"What…what did you…?"

"Drain Punch." Smiling, Mienshao lifted his balled fist from under his fur sleeve. "I took some of your chi and used it to recover my own."

"That's…disgusting."

"But effective."

"Very."

We jumped at Golduck's speedy return, and he reared back with an Ice Punch. Sluggishly lifting my staff, I turned to face him.

Instead, he slammed his fist into Mienshao, and forced him back into the icy wall near us. I blinked as he dropped his hand, letting the ice bits fall from it. He turned to me with a twisted grin.

"It's no fun if he does all of the work for me."

"You're sick."

"Nah, just eager."

Thrusting forward with his sword, I leaned back as it shot out past me. He turned to slice at me again, but I blocked it with my bō. His jewel glinted again as he forced himself closer to me.

"Funny, you thinking you can actually do better than me."

"Considering that I don't waste my time taunting, I should hope—"

"Oho, no, not this." He laughed as I shoved him away from me. "I was referring to our mutual love interest."

He…what.

"You're not dating Greninja anymore," I snapped, and swung my staff at him. Without effort, he used the broadsword to block the stroke.

"Aw, did I hit a nerve?"

Growling, I swiped at his legs and knocked him off balance. He toppled to the ground and I slammed the rod into his stomach. The wind was knocked out of him, but he still grinned.

"Look at you! There's a fire beneath that soft face," he ridiculed.

"Do you want me to make this hurt?"

"As if you could." He laughed. "Now I understand why Greninja likes you: you're soft and easy to handle."

Snarling, I lifted the bō and thrust it down over his head, to which he rolled away from. Still, I prodded after him, striking at him even as he jumped back to his feet.

"Relentless, huh?" Crouching, he threw a punch at my stomach, but I barely flinched as I hammered down with a Needle Arm. Aggravating me, he evaded it with a chuckle. "Slow, but durable. I guess that's a fair trade-off."

Golduck stroked upward with his blade, which I batted down to the ground and from his hands. Holding up his hands defensively, I pointed ahead with my rod.

"Funny enough, his father might have actually liked you," noted Golduck. Menacingly, he added, "If you weren't gay for his son, that is."

Ramming forward with the bō staff, I knocked him upside the head. Golduck reared back, shaking his head. I spun the rod around to smack him again, but he spat a shot of water at my face, and I fumbled back.

"And unlike me," Golduck carried on, "you're not even a Water-type to cushion the blow."

"Don't you ever get tired of being so damn insufferable?!" I wiped the rest of the water from my face. "Seriously, no wonder Greninja absolutely despises you!"

Striking a nerve, he leapt forward with an Ice Punch, which I staggered away from. Glaring, he swiped at me with his webbed claws, which I easily dodged.

"Now what's got you worked up?" Smirking, I went for the jugular. "Wow, don't tell me you seriously still care for Greninja. You? Really? He wouldn't even consider ever getting close to you again, even as a friend, let alone anything more—"

That scored me a rough punch across my face, and he quickly followed up with a concentrated head-butt. I trudged back, watching the gleam fade from his gem.

"Fighting types are all the same, weak in the head," sneered Golduck. "You especially."

"Where did that come from?" I forced a laugh. "So, you can dish it out, but you can't take it when push comes to shove? Greninja's even better off to be rid of you."

Hissing, his tail soaked up in a blue glow and Golduck smacked at my body with it. Swiftly, I latched onto him and bashed him again with a Needle Arm.

"Hold him steady, Chesnaught!" Delphox. I turned as he charged a bolt of lightning on his wand, a grin gradually appearing on his face. "Nice and still."

"Right, like you're going to stop me."

Throwing his head back, Golduck knocked into me, and I lost my grip. He twisted around my arm and held me in place until a shock surged through me.

"Damn it!" Fire crackled across from me, as I doubled over and sank to my knees, dropping my staff beside me. "Hang on, Chesnaught!"

"Oh, this is just laughable."

Picking my head up, I watched Golduck race over to Delphox. He twisted around and slammed his Aqua Tail against the fox mage, eliciting an agonized yelp as Delphox fell to the floor.

"Delphox!"

Golduck just laughed as he walked back over to me. Picking up the bō, he twirled it around and pointed it at me.

"This is just too rich."

"Better cheapen it for you!"

Appearing before me, Froslass summoned another pair of powerful winds. Golduck eluded both attacks and smacked her down with my staff.

Slamming the ground, I forced myself up. My knees buckled and I grinded my teeth, but I glared ahead at the duck. Mienshao had gotten up and walked behind Golduck, ready to attack as well.

"Please."

Forcing it backward, Golduck thrust the rod into Mienshao, who failed to catch it in time. He then shot it up, whacking Mienshao under the chin, before following through with the attack overhead and down against me.

Unlike Mienshao, I snagged the bō before it crashed down over me.

"Keep deluding yourself," managed Golduck. "If you really think you're any good for Greninja, you'll be able to prove it. Just let me know when you fail, ok?"

Ripping the rod from him, I twisted the bō back around to jab at Golduck, but he hurried forward to slam into me with one last head-butt. I stumbled back and he tackled me to the ground, ramming my head against the ice.

"Bah. It was almost too easy provoking you."

At first, everything went dark and faded for me. I heard Golduck laugh, weakly, but then he cried out. Froslass giggled again before I slipped away, unable to hear anything else.

For a short while, maybe a couple of minutes, I imagined I was resting. The pain surged across me, though, and I slightly opened my eyes to squint.

Not too far from me, Golduck fell to his knees. A rough whack rang out and he fell to his side. I blinked and saw a stick drop beside purple robes.

Opening my eyes a little more, I watched Delphox turn back to Froslass, who drifted across the air near him. Debating on standing again, I waited a moment as the mages readied their rods.

"Realize that you can't win this, foxy!" Froslass giggled, weaker than before.

"Recognize that this fight is already over," returned Delphox.

An Ominous Wind gusted out from Froslass's side, and a stream of Mystical Fire surged from Delphox's. Crackling, the fire burst and grew brighter, breaking past the purple wind and blasting Froslass.

She floated back before she sank to the ground, groaning. I shut my eyes and waited.

"Congratulations, fireball," called Abomasnow. "You nearly melted the whole room, but whatever works to win it."

Panting, Delphox dropped to his knees. Leisurely opening my eyes as the gong rang out, I turned to see him heaving over the floor, brushing his sweaty fur. His fine purple robes were torn in several places, but he still seemed mostly together otherwise. Picking his head up, he watched as Mienshao pushed himself back up. He then turned to me and forced himself up, staggering over.

"Hey…hey," he managed, "are you…ok?"

"Ah…I will be." I scratched my head as Delibird poked at Golduck, while Mienshao helped Froslass back up. "What did I miss?"

"Um…Froslass wiped Golduck down with a few brutal hits after you went down," recalled Delphox as he rubbed his head. "We fought in a three-way, but Golduck was basically pelted with a series of spells. Still, he managed to fend off Froslass for a bit, but then I just beat him with my stick." He breathlessly chuckled and patted his wand. "After I smacked him in the head, Froslass and I fired out some heavy spells at one another, but I turned up the heat and fried her." He smiled and shrugged. "Yay me?"

"Definitely! Great work, Delphox." His shoulders relaxed a bit after I patted him lightly on the back.

"Ok, mages, get to work on patching everyone up quickly," ordered Abomasnow. "And after that, we prepare for your hunt tomorrow."

Frowning at that, I turned quietly to Delphox, who had tensed up again. Glancing at Alakazam, the mage folded his arms and stared quietly at the floor before returning my gaze.

[Greninja]

Quietly, Machamp and I had followed Emperor Empoleon through numerous corridors. Climbing up numerous icy stairs, passing banners and pictures that had all begun to blur together, I had reached my limit of silence.

"Where exactly are we bound?" I refused to remain clueless the whole time.

"The bell tower," revealed Empoleon.

"Up there?" Machamp shuddered. "Sire, that room has been mostly off-limits since…since—"

"My wife and child left," finished Empoleon. "That is correct."

"Was it an important room to them?"

"It was…my son's favorite, when he was young," murmured Empoleon. "And where I proposed to my wife, coincidentally." He opened his beak to discuss it further, but clamped it shut. "Currently, it is only used for emergencies upon invasions of the empire. Which, thankfully, have been seldom."

"So this is the highest point in the Iceberg Empire," I realized, as we neared the end of our ascent.

"Correct." Empoleon smirked. "You noticed it upon your arrival, as all typically do."

"Impossible not to," chimed in Machamp.

Ascending the remaining steps, we soon reached a dark blue door, with the usual ice misted up, preventing us from peeking inside.

"Now then." Empoleon turned to us and away from the door. "Machamp, you will remain outside while we discuss private matters."

"Private…what could be so private that one of your top knights shouldn't know, whereas I'm invited in to hear this?"

"It concerns your former king and his history." He returned his attention to Machamp. "Now then, you'll wait out here. I highly doubt we'll need to be guarded, but you're welcome to it."

Though the four-armed knight nodded, I could see a glint of uneasiness in his eyes. Catching my eye, he shot me a smile, but I shook my head.

"With all due respect, your imperial highness…that's not happening."

Frozen mid-pivot, Empoleon waited for a moment while Machamp's eyes practically burst from his head. He opened his mouth, but Empoleon swung back around before he could speak.

"You won't come to hear something this important?" Empoleon tapped the tip of his wing against his beak. "It's vital for you to listen to this."

"No," I persisted, "not unless Machamp comes with me."

"Even if I order you to?"

Glaring, I folded my arms.

"…Very well. Machamp, you may join us."

Machamp's arms fell and his mouth dropped open.

"It is critical that Greninja is open-minded to this discussion," Empoleon murmured to him, not really hiding his words from me, but…hiding it in general. "Should Alakazam search your mind, you are to limit the information to him alone. That's an exception, not an allowance. Do not speak unless I grant it, and do not freely discuss it again."

"Yes, sir."

"That goes double for you as well, Greninja." His voice returned to a normal tone, still authoritative. "I'll allow Machamp in as well, but this stays between the three of us. If Chesnaught must know, you limit what I'll inform you to him alone. Not even Delphox is to learn about this."

"Sire, he's a Psychic type," I pointed out the obvious. "If Alakazam is capable of prying the information from Machamp, Delphox is just as likely to do so. And if Chesnaught learns of this, then that only provides one more candidate for each of them to pick at."

"…Right." Empoleon chuckled, and then softly laughed. Machamp's noticeable wince made it clear that this wasn't a frequent enough occurrence. "Forgive me, I had planned this out more poorly than I realized. …My wife would like you." He cleared his throat and nodded. "Very well. The five of you and myself will be the only ones that can know this information. That, however, is as much as I am allowing, and thus ends our negotiations on the matter."

A chuckle escaped me as I nodded, but Empoleon seemed content with the results himself. Only Machamp remained stupefied over the results, as Empoleon opened the door and bid us to enter.

My mouth parted and my tongue slipped down from my face as I gazed inside, or rather, out. The bell tower was finely crafted, with the decoratively carved icy columns symmetrically spaced around the room. While the room itself had raised walls that kept us inside of it, there were long windows up further in the room, in each of the four cardinal directions. Within the space of each window, four bells crafted of crystals hung neatly and evenly, each tethered by dark blue ropes that led back down to the floor.

Above us, in the room's center, was a fifth bell, grander than the other four, with snowflakes and droplets lightly carved on the outside. Closer inspection revealed that it contained some of the same creatures from the empire's crest, such as the great orca and the shifting dragon. Stepping beneath it, I gazed into the mouth and stared at its long clapper within. Another dark blue rope descended from the top of the bell, much thicker than the ones for the bells in the windows. It was tied around the roof at the top, with one long and powerful strand for pulling not far from the floor.

"Spectacular," I murmured. "I can understand the fascination of this room."

"Nothing short of majestic," agreed Empoleon.

Quietly, he strolled over to the north bell, touching its rope lightly. He gazed out beyond the window and stared across the vast white land and distant waters with fixated fascination.

"Sire?" Machamp broke the emperor's concentration after a long couple of minutes. "Is that…?"

"His favorite, yes. Well, besides the grand bell itself." Empoleon's smile quivered. "He was so curious to know just how far beyond the sea went, if it would be a short or long journey to the land beyond this continent." He turned and took a few steps to the middle, pausing. "I proposed to my wife by the southern bell. She always loved gazing over the city below, admiring its full view from up here. Second to actually being in the city itself for her."

A soft, yet chilly, gust blew through the room. Though the bells swayed, they did not ring out, not even with a slight clank.

"…Apologies." I blinked and turned to the emperor. "I would offer to ring one, but none should be unless it is an emergency."

"They used to sound lovely," mumbled Machamp.

"Indeed."

Silence shrouded over us as the wind hushed from its gentle breeze. Continuing to the southern window, Empoleon gazed out of it, his eyes lowered. The city was lit with several soft lights, some flickering out as the minute passed.

Unexpectedly, Empoleon broke the silence. "Tell me, Greninja, what do you know of Nidoqueen's passing?"

"Uh…that she did pass. From…an illness, I think." There was a pause that insinuated I knew more. "Um…it tore Nidoking's heart apart. To, uh, the point that he questioned his ability to rule? It took Rhydon to get him out of that depression."

"Is that all you know?"

"Well, if you'll excuse the curtness, sire, I don't make it a point to ask people about their troubled pasts."

"No, no one does," he agreed. "Though, perhaps that's the problem." He shook his head and lowered his eyes. "Was it an undetermined illness that took her swiftly?"

Anyone else would claim that the room caused me to freeze, but his words made me tense up. I blinked and eyed the emperor curiously.

"How…did you know that?"

"Nidoking managed to give me some details during her last days," explained Empoleon. "Tell me, though, what type runs through Nidoking?"

"Ground, sire," I mentioned. "Ground and Poison."

"Precisely, though he is dominantly a Poison type." Empoleon folded his wings behind his back, glancing at a nervously shivering Machamp before continuing. "Did you happen to know that Nidoqueen had the same typing?"

"Well, I imagined so, sire," I rattled off. "They had similar names and appearances, so I imagined that was one more thing that they shared."

"Intelligent observation," complimented Empoleon. "And correct. But explain to me, how often have you heard of a Poison type falling to an illness?"

If the emperor hadn't shaken me enough before, he had done the trick now. My eyes widened as I stared blankly at him.

"It's…I…rare, sire," I managed. "Typically, Poison types have an immunity to diseases, but they're not completely…free of them."

"Right, but even still, how often do such illnesses plague those with Poison for an extensive duration of time, much less kill them quickly?"

"I…wouldn't know, sire," I forced out, chills tingling down my back. "But I, uh, wouldn't imagine it to, um, be very frequent."

"You would be correct in that assumption." Empoleon studied me carefully and nodded. "Would you like to know my theory on the matter?"

"Certainly. Um…sire."

"She was cursed."

"The queen…cursed?" I swallowed hard and adjusted my tongue scarf. Cursed?

"Yes, I do believe that this was the case," clarified Empoleon. "The probability that she had died so easily from sickness alone is dramatically, laughably low. A curse, however, would be a much more likely explanation."

"Sir, that would…don't curses leave traces?"

"Yes, but which type recognizes and reads them?"

"Type? I…" Hesitating, I thought a moment to myself. "…Ghost type, sire?"

"Correct. And tell me, which type is easily plagued by spirits, besides the Ghosts themselves?" Narrowing his eyes, he added, "Which type is the most common to practice casting spells?"

"That's the…Psychic type, sir."

"Indeed, both of which are the top of Nidoking's employ," noted Empoleon. "Neither of which would presumably have been able to identify a curse."

"Wouldn't they recognize it quicker, sire?" I couldn't let him accuse Delphox or Gardevoir of a slip-up. "If it does more harm to them, surely, they would have noticed it immediately—"

"Not if the Ghost that cast it wanted it hidden."

"But…another knight, Golurk—"

"Was absent at the time," disclosed Empoleon. "Perfectly awful timing, I might add."

My eyes practically popped out of my head from these revelations. It couldn't be so simple, and yet…was it?

"As astounding as it may seem, I have no evidence to back my claims," divulged Empoleon. "The only way to have done that would have been to…examine the deceased with the proper type."

"Froslass." I nodded. "You would have had her…?"

"Indeed, but when I suggested it to Nidoking, he refused, at first still believing that his wife would live, and then again after he knew she would not. I don't blame him, as it might have defiled her, and I would imagine that he couldn't bare seeing any more harm come her way."

"It…makes sense, sire."

"True, and I've been looking to explain it to Nidoking for some time, but talking to him about the matter is…difficult." Empoleon scratched behind his head and sighed. "It pains me to have this notion and keep it to myself, but perhaps, should you get a chance to speak with him again, you would be able to tell him? I would hate for you to bring it up at the wedding, of all places, but—"

"Sire, I couldn't." He didn't have a chance at getting me to not only break Nidoking's heart all over again, but also devastating Rhydon in the process. "I'm sorry."

"No, no, you're right, that was a foolish suggestion," corrected Empoleon. "Though, I will need to have you explain this to him in the future."

"Why me, sire? Why not Chesnaught?"

"Of the two of you, who is better at concealing sensitive information? Even if neither of you truly are, between a ninja and a knight, who is the better option to trust?"

"Even if I cannot argue that point, sire, I…still, he should have been the one to hear this. Nidoking had specifically selected him for peaceful negotiations."

"Truthfully, I did want him at first," admitted Empoleon. "However, that closeness to his king might have left him close-minded to my theory, and currently, it is only that. You, however, were not originally from the Grass Fields Castle, according to what I've been told, correct?" I nodded. "Not to suggest that your loyalty to your former kingdom should falter, nor should you lose faith in them now. And yet, I knew that, of the three, you were the most likely to listen through to my thoughts, which admittedly border on the line of madness."

"Not madness," I corrected. "Wild guessing, I could give, but…the idea does seem plausible, in spite of being farfetched."

"These are vital pieces of information for you to know, Greninja, in order to understand my motives." Empoleon sighed and slouched, deflating his typically sturdy and powerful stance. "I sent my wife and son away from this place in order to keep them safe, hidden from harm's way. While I am on this throne, I am directly in the path of attack. My family, however, shall not pay a price for my participation in the coming war." He shook his head. "They will not only carry my lineage and legacy on, but I love them both far too much to put either one at risk. As soon as I had heard of Nidoqueen's sudden 'illness,' I made plans to hide my family away. After her death, I did so, and had sent the two somewhere unknown to me."

My heart sank. "That would mean…you haven't seen either of them in years."

"Correct."

"But…how can you stand that?"

He lowered his head and turned away from me. "I cannot. I simply continue to."

"Emperor," Machamp softly started, unable to piece words together. Still, Empoleon briefly nodded and smiled to him.

"Our only option…really, my only option—"

"You had it right, sire," jumped in Machamp. "Ours."

"…Thank you, Machamp." Empoleon nodded again and turned away. "Our best option is to continue moving forward, regardless of however painful it may be."

"Which…leads to tomorrow." I shifted around on my legs, noting the topics that came together.

"This prophet, working with us, our alliance, could procure safety and good fortune upon those in our lands. However, should he fall in with the wrong side, those that have a hunger and thirst for power, I can only imagine dark times ahead of us."

"That's why you'll stop at nothing to catch him," I realized. "You not only want to see your family again, but know that this seer could very well doom them and everyone else."

"Precisely." Empoleon turned back to Machamp and I. "You have only been here a short time, and I apologize for dumping this into your lap so suddenly. But I need you and your allies to understand and cooperate with us."

"But…what will you do, should we find and bring back this…prophet?"

"Execution has crossed my mind, as I would imagine it would ensure safety." I gasped, but Empoleon rested a wing on my shoulder. "That will not be done, however. Along with the rumors that his ability will be passed on, I have also grown to understand that this would be an unfavorable motion overall. And…your challenge of my methods has recently helped push that idea from my mind." He heavily sighed. "Enough death runs through this empire, like a plague of its own. I would prefer to minimize the casualties."

"So then…?"

"It will have to be a process that I continue to plan out," decided Empoleon. "We cannot force the prophet to work for us, I realize, but I can plead for an alliance."

"Do you think he will be open to listen, sire?" Machamp placed his lower hands on his hips. "He has been unpredictable thus far."

"Not entirely," countered Empoleon. "And thus far, I have not noticed any form of hostility or malevolence from the prophet. As such, I'd imagine that he could be reasoned with. But there is only one way to find out."

"Bring him here," my voice echoed.

"Correct." Empoleon studied me quietly for a moment, glanced to Machamp briefly, and then nodded as he whirled around to gaze over the darker city. "It's only grown later into the night, and the two of you will need rest. Please, calm your minds and get to that."

We nodded to Emperor Empoleon and pivoted around, leaving him to his lingering thoughts and memories as we exited the tower.

For our return descent to the palace, my mind wandered as I processed over Empoleon's conversation. Astoundingly, it was the most open I'd ever seen the emperor, and from Machamp's reactions, it was about as emotional as he would ever be. Why he limited this to just us, and continued to want it limited, baffled me.

"We should share everything with the others," I decided as we neared the halls to the bedchambers. Machamp, predictably, shook his head.

"Emperor Empoleon implored us to share only if it was vital," argued Machamp. "They can learn it in their own time, not before."

"Before we go hunting for the prophet?" I shook my head. "Look, you can question whether or not to tell Alakazam, but my friends need to understand this to be on board with the idea."

"It's not something Alakazam would want to listen in on," decided Machamp. "If it comes from you tomorrow, maybe, but…not from me."

"You'd be surprised what he'd listen to you about," I countered. He shot me an inquisitive look, and I bit my tongue. "It's…something that the two of you need to work out, really."

"There's a lot we need to work out," grumbled Machamp. He exhaled heavily and leaned against a wall. "To think, he wanted to discover the gelid roses with me at one point, before we arrived here, before…well, I'm sure you heard the story."

"Your shared story, yes, but…gelid…roses?" I tilted my head at this. "Chesnaught has reviewed numerous flowers with me before, but…I've never heard of those."

"Oh, no? Well, I suppose it's unlikely, since the stories are most prominent here in the north." He cleared his throat and shifted his legs. "Well, it's an old legend, but there's a story that was known years ago about two friends, typically a Grass type and an Ice type, though there are variations of the story to allow for a Bug type and a Water type, and the pair is usually changed based on who tells it, though I believe the best fit pair would be a Snover and a Sunflora, as in my opinion, they're…"

He blinked as my head drooped from the details.

"Sorry, not important. At any rate, the couple began simply as cheerful explorers, looking to find hidden treasures scattered within the land. Their first find were seeds that grew into deep blue roses, though oddly in their pattern. They grew best during the winter, and yet, there needed to be some substance of warmth for them to grow just right." Machamp smiled before continuing. "Many rumors ran around about how the friends were best in growing them because of their close relationship, which…as it would turn out, blossomed into love."

"Had to go for the cheesy line, huh?" I giggled as he stuck his tongue out.

"It's part of the story, honest!" Machamp laughed before continuing. "At any rate, the lovers would continue to explore, moving further north as they continued to search for treasures and chased rumors behind even older legends." His shoulders dropped as his smile faded. "One day, however, the Grass type…"

"Just go with Sunflora and Snover, for a clearer story," I murmured.

"Right. Well…one day, Sunflora went out exploring alone, while Snover had been a bit ill. Sunflora ventured far into what we have come to know as the Frozen Fields and…well, some assume it was an avalanche, others believe that there was a killer out there, and the rest just imagine the explorer had gone out too far under a harsh blizzard, straight into the sea. But…Sunflora failed to return after that day."

Machamp lowered his head, tapping lightly on the walls. My breath tightened and my shoulders dropped.

"It was especially eerie for us, considering that someone else practically mirrored the story, just a year ago," darkly murmured Machamp. "But…that only makes a sad tale even more depressing, so…anyway." He cleared his throat again. "Snover waited a while and went out searching after recovering, but…never found Sunflora. The poor and lonely explorer fell into a long period of anguish after that, some even suggest that it lasted for a lifetime. However, though Snover had fallen into despair, the explorer decided to plant seeds somewhere out in the Frozen Fields, hoping that there might be a day for Sunflora's unfeasible return. Legends state that the gelid roses will only bloom and reveal themselves to a pair of lovers that share a strong love for each other, attaining an impossible love together."

He straightened up and stepped away from the wall as I hastily brushed my wet eyes.

"Nowadays, blue roses are mostly a myth, with seldom claims that anyone has actually seen something so mysterious and elusive. Marketers love to create their own, especially Roselia and Roserade, who have access to their own blue roses, separate from the tale and typically not from the wilderness, nor do they flourish in frigid environments." He shrugged. "Blue roses have gone on to still bode the same meaning of mystery and attaining the elusive in today's world, but the true gelid roses are all but a myth. Merely, they make lovely decorative pieces in art and furniture for most today."

"I-I see," I managed, and coughed to bury my cracked voice. "Um…wow."

"Yeah, that's the gist of it." Machamp nodded and patted my shoulder softly. "Sorry, I'm only making bedtime even more nightmare inducing than Empoleon's stories alone did. I just…it's a sad story, but…the charm is in discovering those roses. That's what we would focus on."

"You and Alakazam?"

"Wait, I, uh…oh…well, yes." Machamp scratched behind his head and weakly chuckled. "Ha…well, you do know our story, right? Chesnaught told you?"

"Ches…right, yeah," I lied.

"Ha, thought so." Machamp nodded. "That's good, I'd prefer he helped fill you in on what's going on between Alakazam and I."

"And that would be…?"

Machamp nearly rocketed into the sky. We spun around to find Alakazam strolling right over to us.

"Hi there, Alakazam." I smiled and waved as he approached, to which he returned to me.

"Hello Greninja, sorry that you couldn't witness Chesnaught and I get our rear ends handed back to us during practice." He laughed, but stopped as Machamp and I froze. "…What?"

"Who hurt you?!" Machamp stomped forward and observed Alakazam, who appeared unharmed.

"Oh, everyone, it was practice," reiterated Alakazam. "I was actually pretty close to winning my match, but Carracosta was the winner in the end, mostly thanks to myself and Quagsire, but a win is a win."

"What about Chesnaught? Is he ok? Where is he?"

"Relax, Greninja, we're all fine and recovered now," soothed Alakazam. "Anyway, Chesnaught did pretty well holding his own in a match, but Delphox ultimately won that one. They're still gathering some equipment for you. I just finished for Machamp and myself, which by the way, you're welcome, Machamp."

"Thank you!"

"Delphox won? That's…good," I managed. "He didn't hurt Chesnaught too much, did he?"

"Not at all, no," shared Alakazam. He blinked, frowned, and folded his arms. "But, uh…Golduck did."

"…I'll kill him."

"That would be treason, which I highly advise against," cautioned Alakazam. "But, if you beat him up a bit when you get a chance, I'm all for it. And…would be open to assisting you."

"What? Alakazam, as annoying as Golduck can be, he's still our ally," chastised Machamp.

Barely audible, I whispered to him, "How hard would you beat him if he hurt Alakazam?"

"Within an inch of his life, if that," muttered Machamp. Louder, he continued, "At any rate, we do need to cooperate tomorrow, so…just hold out on that."

"Yeah, yeah," I grumbled.

"Anyway, what did I miss with you two?" Machamp and I glanced at one another. "Ah, right, time with the emperor. Did that go well?"

"Mostly," I determined, though I wasn't sure of it.

"Alakazam, I…want-wanted to, uh, t-talk to you about s-something."

"Would it be whatever's on the back of your mind?" Alakazam twirled his mustache. "You have thoughts that are basically screaming, 'don't tell Alakazam, don't tell Alakazam, don't…' you get my point."

"Ah…that's, uh-um, about something else entirely," nervously laughed Machamp. "No, it's…s-something…different."

"Well, that certainly should be interesting, considering you now have two things you're not telling me." Alakazam folded his arms and narrowed his eyes. "Go on."

"It's just…I wanted you to un…understand that, you see…the time, a while back when we…look, I wanted you to know that I…" His face flushed and terribly flustered, Machamp wildly shook his head. "Forget it. I…don't think you'd want to hear it right now."

"Try me."

"Didn't I?" Machamp sighed. "You're not open to it right now, and rightfully so. I'll just…save it for later. Goodnight, to both of you."

Quickly, Machamp spun around and hurried down the hall, retreating to his room. Alakazam huffed and turned his head away.

"Alakazam, why would you do that?!" I folded my arms as he dropped his. "Machamp might have been planning on telling you how he really feels about you!"

"Yes, I know that it involved me, and that it had intimate intentions in mind." Alakazam let out a forlorn sigh and his shoulders slumped as he hugged himself.

"Then why wouldn't you listen?!"

"Because now isn't the time," decided Alakazam. "Tomorrow, we're going out to hunt down this prophet. If he were to tell me that he wasn't really interested in me, or only saw me in…well, you know what way, then I would be a disaster case tomorrow. And, if he truly confessed to me…" Alakazam swallowed hard and shook his head. "I would be an absolute fool tomorrow, focusing more on him than our assignment."

"Or, you might have that out of your head entirely," I suggested.

He thought for a moment and shook his head again. "Perhaps, but I've already learned how to keep my pining for him balanced or buried by my work. If that were to change, I don't…I'm not sure how I would act, let alone how he would."

"I…see."

"You still wish to contend with that point?"

"Yeah, I do."

"Why?"

"Because you're doing what the empire does best: repressing your emotions." I shook my head and lowered my arms. "Alakazam, I can't force you, but keeping your feelings for him bottled up is a poor choice."

"Do you really think I want to?!" Alakazam covered his mouth, and then his eyes. "Greninja, I'm sorry, please don't hate me for that."

"Calm down, it's fine," I soothed, but had to chuckle. "At least you're showing emotion now, though."

"Oh…well, I suppose." He giggled, but then coughed to cover it up. "Believe me, Greninja, I want to get this over sooner, not later. But…we have a priority." He wistfully sighed once more. "Truly, I want to tell him, and I want so desperately to know his answer. But my emotions have always been the bane of my intellect, able to trump them beyond my control." He weakly laughed. "I really wish I could get rid of them, sometimes, but…at the same time, I don't know how I would be, if I were void of them." He looked into my eyes and frowned. "I don't suppose you've ever related to that idea before?"

"Believe me, I have."

"Really? Wow, you seem great with them now, though."

"It took some time, but I figured things out." I smiled and placed my hand on his shoulder. "You will too, I'm sure."

"Hopefully." Alakazam smiled. "Thank you, Greninja. Anyway, I believe a certain someone is on his way in, so…have a goodnight. And, ah, don't stay up too late."

With a wink, Alakazam turned and traveled to his room. I blinked and twirled around, waiting for a minute before Chesnaught and Delphox appeared down the hall.

"Greninja, hey!" They hurried over to me, and Chesnaught tugged me into a hug. "I missed you! And…well, I know it was only a few hours, but—"

"How hard did he hit you?"

"He…? Oh. Alakazam caught up with you first, then?"

"Yes, he did." I folded my arms. "How bad?"

"It was more his comments than his actual beating," admitted Chesnaught. "And I got a few nice shots in as well."

"Relax, Greninja," assured Delphox. "I made sure to soundly, and brutally, take care of your ex." He patted his staff in his open palm with a grin. "Hope you don't mind."

"Clocked him outside the head?"

"Yep."

"Shocked him silly with a spell or two?"

"You know it."

"Good enough." I sighed and put up a smile. "Thank you, Delphox. And congratulations on winning!"

"Aw, thank you, Greninja!" His beam grew brighter. "Froslass was tricky, but I managed to overcome her in the end. I wish you were there to witness it! And that Chesnaught and Mienshao were conscious, but, all's well that ends well, I suppose."

"Sounds about right," I laughed. "Oh, but uh, tomorrow, about hunting the prophet?"

"Hunting?" Chesnaught shook his head. "What did the emperor talk to you about? You're sounding as savage as they can." Delphox sucked in his cheek before nodding.

"Sorry, but we definitely need to bring this prophet in," I explained. "Empoleon has a theory that…wait." I stared down the hall and shook my head. "Hang on, Delphox, come into our room for a bit."

Though he opened his mouth to protest, Chesnaught yanked the mage after me as I walked over to our bedroom and opened the door. Scanning the hall, I nodded and shut the door behind me.

After filling them in on everything that I discussed with Emperor Empoleon, Chesnaught and Delphox sat quietly on the bed with me, mouths dropped open.

"…Look, I know it's a lot," I caved, "but I think it's plausible."

"Queen Nidoqueen murdered without Gardevoir or I noticing?" Delphox hugged his stick and numbly shook his head. "That can't be…we couldn't have missed that. We wouldn't."

"You've mentioned that curses are really difficult to pick up on, at least to me on one occasion," recalled Chesnaught. "But…gracious, the poor emperor's family. Separated for years now, and he has no idea where they are or when he can bring them back home…"

"And leaving the prophet out in the Frozen Fields could result in either his death, or someone else capturing him against his will," I reiterated. "Even if we don't agree on some of the policies here, Empoleon was desperate to get me onto believing him with these theories. He's really cautious about it, but definitely wants to help."

"Can we be sure it wasn't him?" Delphox steadied himself again. "I mean, Froslass doesn't seem the type to curse a queen and plot to catapult the kingdoms into a colossal war, but…Empoleon could have."

"That's the only Ghost type here," I countered. "And I don't think Empoleon has the motivation to do that. Why would he go out of his way to hurt Nidoking? Chesnaught was still starting out in the kingdom at the time, I wasn't even around, and though we know you're a great mage, they seem wary about fire around here. Empoleon has only gained the three of us from his exchanges with Nidoking, and we cost him three soldiers of his employ." I shrugged. "It's not outside of the realm of possibility, but considering that he sent his own wife and child away after the incident, I think Empoleon isn't the one to look out for."

"Greninja makes a good point," agreed Chesnaught. At Delphox's questioning brow, he added, "Look, we may be boyfriends, but I really do agree on the points he brought up."

"Yeah, yeah, I do too," confessed Delphox. "It's just…I don't know. I can't imagine that I failed King Nidoking so miserably." He sighed and deflated. "Gardevoir is going to be horrified if we end up determining that Empoleon is right."

"We'll take it one step at a time," decided Chesnaught. "For now, we'll focus on finding the prophet and getting him back here safely. Regardless of what Empoleon's intentions are, regardless of the orders that follow, it'll be up to us to keep the prophet safe." Delphox and I nodded in accord. "Great. At least we've got each other in on this. Glad he gave in to you telling us everything, Greninja."

"Me too. I wouldn't have kept it from you guys, but I…I guess it's easier knowing that Empoleon is at peace with having a few of us know." I sighed. "I just need to find a way to let Alakazam know tomorrow."

"Leave that to me." Delphox smirked and tapped his head. "Psychics have a way of passing information without speaking, remember?"

"Right." I smiled, but then yawned. "Sorry."

"Don't apologize, it's late." Delphox hopped off the bed and walked over to the door. "We need to get some rest and be prepared for tomorrow, come what may, or as prepared as we can be." He scratched his ears and nodded. "See you two in the morning." He opened the door, but stopped midway from exiting. "And you two better get some rest!"

"Ha, we will," assured Chesnaught before he let out a yawn himself. "I had more than enough of a workout for the night, so I'm ready for rest. Goodnight, Delphox!"

Chuckling, Delphox waved before closing the door behind him. Chesnaught took off his last pieces of armor before rolling over on the bed. I curled up next to him and sighed, longer than I meant to. Chesnaught pulled me in closer and gazed into my eyes as I stared back.

"Everything ok?"

"It's a lot to take in." I shook my head. "Machamp even told me this sad story about roses that only grow in colder climates, but its origin was from two lovers that were separated."

"How were they—?"

"One, um, died."

"…Oh." Chesnaught frowned. "That's depressing."

"Definitely." I buried myself into his chest fur and breathed into it. "Let's stick together tomorrow, ok?"

"Without a doubt," reassured Chesnaught, and he rubbed my back. "We'll stick close to each other."

"Yeah. Oh, but the roses in the story," I recalled, "they were blue, and they're meant to blossom only around lovers who attained an impossible relationship with each other." I cuddled into him. "Think maybe we might find one out there?"

"It'd be nice," mused Chesnaught. "I like to think that our love is that great."

"Me too." I yawned again. "Ugh. I wish we had one more night. And I hope that I can get a good night's sleep."

"I'm right here if you need anything."

"Thank you, Chesnaught." I scooted up and kissed him on the lips, which he returned. We held it and licked each other for a bit, but broke apart at Chesnaught's yawn. "Ok, guess it's time for bed."

"Unfortunately." He kissed my cheek and brought me closer into him. "Goodnight, Greninja."

"Goodnight, Chesnaught."

Nestling into him once more, I fell in sync with his breathing as I shut my eyes.

[Chesnaught]

Morning came a little too quickly, and it hadn't helped that Greninja tossed around for the first hour after we fell asleep. It was helpful to have our equipment ready ahead of time though, and Greninja was happy to slide his tachi blade around his back, along with several shuriken strapped to his belt. Though, he was perturbed about spare silver pauldrons I forced him to wear.

"They clank and I can't move my arms freely," he complained. "On top of these cloaks that we're all wearing for the fields, it's too much."

"It's barely any kind of defense as it is, and you need some protection," I argued. "Plus, they're not that noisy and don't inhibit your movements that badly."

"Oho!" I cringed at Golduck's jeer from behind me. "Trouble in paradise after all, I see. Told you so, little Chesnaught."

Whirling around, I turned just in time to watch Greninja haul off and punch Golduck straight in the bill. The duck fumbled back as he glared at Greninja pinning my Miracle Seed on my armor. Smirking, I slipped his Mystic Water around his neck, earning a soft kiss on my cheek.

"Whatever," hissed Golduck as he trudged off.

Sheathing my broadsword, I placed it behind my shell, along with an extra shield and a bō staff. Greninja tilted his head and blinked at me as I added some shuriken and a dagger to my belt.

"It was pretty useful during practice," I clarified. "And unlike you, I can't move quickly, so I might as well carry extra weapons."

"Good, I'm not the only one!" Carracosta wobbled over to us, gripping his tekko and struggling with his vambraces. "Stupid things and their laces."

"Here, let me." I twisted the laces around and tightened them on the prototurtle's flippers. "How's that?"

"Feels like they'll stay on." He smiled and nodded. "Thanks, Chesnaught."

"You're welcome."

A harsh clatter made the three of us cringe, and we turned to find Delibird had fallen over by a stack of spears, while Quagsire yawned and slumped down next to him.

"And…that would be my cue." Carracosta sighed and made his way over to help the pair clean up.

Checking with Greninja, we moved to follow him, but stopped at another shout. We glanced over to see Mienshao stepping between Poliwrath and Politoed.

"It's not like he was ever going to stay with you, anyway!" Politoed huffed and folded his arms.

"He might have if you hadn't gone around trying to swipe from me!" Poliwrath slammed his fists together.

"Ok, that's enough," interrupted Mienshao. "Brothers should get along, don't you think?"

Together, they shouted, "No chance!"

Sighing, Mienshao waited for the two to storm off before shaking his head.

"Hey, happy couple!" Machamp walked over to us, with Weavile tagging alongside him. "How are you two doing this morning?"

"Still a little tired, but we'll be good to go shortly."

"Great, we'll be heading out soon." Machamp wore his signature beam, keeping his spirits lifted. "I think we'll do really well if we're all working together."

"Yeah, how fun," deadpanned Weavile. "We're such a stable and cooperative group."

"We could be, you know."

"Doubtful." She folded her arms and sighed, before turning her attention to us. "…Glad to see that you two are still holding your own around here. And together, no less."

"We wouldn't have it any other way," Greninja answered for both of us.

"…Cute." Weavile couldn't help but smirk. "Maybe…"

A shrilled laugh rang out and Weavile shivered. Froslass flew over to us from the distance and excited floated around each of us before stopping in front of the archer.

"Weavile!" Froslass excitedly swayed Weavile's arms around. "Ready to finish what we started?"

"Sure, but we better grab him this time." There was more than a hint of determination in Weavile's voice, brief as it was.

"Well, let's certainly hope so."

Our group turned to watch Delphox and Alakazam approach. Instead of his heavier set of robes, Alakazam was wearing some blue garments around his waist that traveled up to his stomach, but left his legs, arms, and chest bare. Though he wore vambraces, pauldrons, and short grieves, I still shot him a quizzical look.

"Look, I'm best when I can move quickly," he explained. "If this prophet really wants to go all out, I'll give him an easy first choice."

"That's ridiculously dangerous, Alakazam!" Machamp's face was flushed over, and everyone stared at his bare and exposed chest, matching the mage's. "W…What?!"

"Everyone unanimously agreed that you're the last one who should be arguing armor selections," teased Alakazam. Machamp's blush only deepened. "Regardless, it's fourteen against one. Not to say that this will be an easy task, but I like our odds."

"Hopefully, we won't need to fight very much, if at all," I murmured.

"We need to do what it takes," affirmed Alakazam. He stepped aside and chattered with Machamp and Weavile, while Greninja slid next to me, blinking in confusion.

"Machamp filled him in this morning," whispered Delphox. "I went to, but he explained that to me just after I started."

"That's good," Greninja mumbled. "Not that we're working against anyone here, but the sooner we figure this out, the sooner we can sort out the rest."

"Right." I nodded and we separated as the other knights made their way over to the Grand Hall's entrance.

General Abomasnow waited there for us, quietly nodding. He moved his arm to open the door, but paused.

"Every last one of sticks together, understand?" His volume had its usual bluster, but something about his tone was…softer. "You work as a cohesive unit, no matter what you face out there. We've tried having everyone prioritize himself or herself before, so let's see if you can all make it home together, regardless of the turnout."

"This is…unlike you, General," cautiously noted Golduck. "…Are these Emperor Empoleon's orders?"

Not answering him, Abomasnow pushed the main doors open. "Get out there, and do this Empire proud. Above all, get back here, and that's an order."

Silently, the General stomped away from us, refusing to look back. A few murmurs buzzed around as we exchanged unnerved expressions, but after a minute of debate, we regrouped and set out across the palace's bridge under the pale morning sky.

Briskly, we marched from the steps and into the capital city. We passed a few igloo houses, one of which Carracosta halted in front of and took a step towards. Quickly, he fell back into pattern with the rest of us, but I stared the quiet igloo as we left.

Soon after, I noticed a pair of pink Pokemon watch us. I tilted my head and blinked at them. By the higher pitch of their giggling, I imagined both were female. Glancing back over, I caught Froslass blowing them kisses while Weavile glared behind her.

"Well, while we're briefly parading through this place," started Greninja, "I don't think we ever got the name of it."

"Ah, that's poor form on my part," apologized Machamp. "This is Winterburgh, which naturally spawned the nickname of Iceburgh from funny and clever folk."

"They missed such a great opportunity when naming this place," moaned Delibird.

North of a market square, we proceeded forward and through the frosty trail. I shuddered as the cold air picked up, and tugged up on the cloak around my armor. Greninja moved closer to me, and then wrapped his arms around my waist to close the gaps. Unfortunately, it didn't help as much as I wished it had. Twirling his stick around, Delphox produced a small ember and had it sail around us.

"Thank you."

"No problem."

Eventually, we reached the outer limits of the city, approaching the northern boundaries. Icicles were pegged into the ground with dark blue rags tied on them, which were Weavile and Froslass's markers for where the prophet had been. Everyone stood quietly as we gazed across the vast snow coated fields before us, extending far into the distance. A long breeze howled past us as we waited.

Golduck broke the silence. "Well, we can wait until the sun sets, or we can move while there's still daylight." He stepped forward and waved us after him. "Come on."

Most of us hesitated to follow him, but after Delibird hurried along, followed by Quagsire and the frog brothers, the rest of us picked up after him, and from the city.

About one hour of traveling later, Delphox had cast more fireballs to float around half of our group. All around us blurred white snow banks, boulders, and walls of ice. There were some small caves that we passed and searched inside of, finding nothing helpful in any of them. Snowflakes danced down overhead, with more falling down the further out we ventured. Reaching the last of Froslass and Weavile's icicle markers, we paused and stared at the remaining stretch of the Frozen Fields before us. Ahead, there was still mostly frosted fields going forward; behind us, only the faintest glow of the city let us spot our way back.

"There has to be a way we can move forward," called out Alakazam. "Are you two certain these are the last of the markers?"

"This is as far out as we could get," shouted Froslass. "The prophet just disappeared after that."

"We'll keep moving then."

"Bad idea," cautioned Golduck. "Look around, there's nothing out here. We move out further, we'll only get lost." He shook his head. "I understand that the Emperor wants us to find this prophet desperately, but he visits the city, however irregular his appearances have been. Our survival isn't guaranteed out here."

A chorus of agreement rose up from half of the group, with my friends notably not agreeing with them.

"My knight is right," bellowed a voice. "It was a worthwhile effort, but you lot should return to the palace."

Whirling around, we watched the massive Abomasnow stroll out to us in the Frozen Fields. Though it was a little more difficult to see him, something about his eyes was a bit…brighter? He carried a

"General?" Mienshao stepped toward him as he approached. "Why are you out here?"

"Retrieving you knights," he thundered. "The Emperor has come around to my point of view, and requires that you return immediately."

"You actually persuaded him to bring us back?" Politoed tilted his head. "That's impressive, to be honest."

"Indeed," agreed Abomasnow. "Now, come, you've been out here for far too long already."

"But…we haven't made much progress," called Poliwrath. "Wouldn't the Emperor want something to show for our effort?"

"Not if it costs you all your lives," rumbled Abomasnow. "Do I really have to order you lot to return?"

Everyone exchanged puzzled expressions with one another. Delibird shrugged and began to walk toward Abomasnow, but Golduck held up his arm.

"The kris dagger is an interesting choice to bring out with you, General." He frowned and narrowed his eyes at the wavy blade tucked into Abomasnow's belt. "And that great axe behind you wouldn't suffice?"

"Extra preparations are required out here," he bellowed. "Anything else?"

Still holding Delibird back, Golduck continued, "Yeah. Did you leave just one of the bears with Empoleon, or are all three of them still with him?"

"All three, of course!" Abomasnow folded his arms. "I wouldn't leave our Emperor completely defenseless."

With a chill rushing down my back, I unsheathed my broadsword, as the rest of the knights brought out their weapons as well. Abomasnow backed up, unnerved but…with a twisted grin under his facial fur.

"W-What do you think you louts are doing?! I order—"

"Drop the act," snapped Carracosta. "The bears are en route to the Grass Fields Kingdom already, courtesy of the real General Abomasnow's orders."

"…Blast. I knew we should have run one more check in with the palace."

With a wicked laugh and a burst of snow rushing past him, the massive form of Abomasnow flashed in a carmine light. It faded and before us stood a smaller figure than the General, but one around my height. Beneath a massive red mane with black tips, a dark gray fox snickered with a twisted smirk fixed on his face. A black cloak flowed from him, nearly matching the length of his mane to the ground. It billowed from another gust of wind.

"Who are you?!"

"Zoroark is my name," cackled the illusion crafting fox. "And this should be such a delight, with your entire roster out here!"

"All of us against just you?" Golduck laughed and pointed his knightly sword forward. "I don't think that's much of an issue."

"Whoever mentioned that I would be alone?"

Another howl of wind picked up as a larger, green figure soared next to the fox. The dragon touched down as the blue and black jackal hopped down beside him, drawing a sword and readying a spell.

"Damn it," hissed Delphox.

"Bravo on deducing our master of illusions," mockingly congratulated Lucario. "Minor setback. Now we'll just have to deal with all of you sooner than anticipated."

"You're joking, right?" Golduck laughed. "There are still only three of you. What do you expect to accomplish against the rest of us?"

"Oh, you're actually asking?" Lucario smirked. "Hmm, where to begin? Zoroark is masterful not only with trickery, but excels with that shiny dagger of his, along with using some tomes for spells. I myself can use this sword and a larger variety of spells on my own. And Flygon? Well, he's a dragon."

"Wow, really?" Flygon beat his wings and folded his arms. "Look, I'm a lot more than just the big dragon of the group, ok?"

"Aw, it's ok, baby," soothed Zoroark. "We know you're more than that, but dragons in general strike fear into the hearts of enemies."

"Not a chance," challenged Machamp. "Draw your weapons, but you'll be overwhelmed easily."

"Numbers do not win wars," warned Lucario. "Flygon?"

"What, now?"

"Yes, right now!"

Greninja and Delphox raced forward, rushing to strike at Lucario. He raised his free hand and the earth beneath them rose, causing both to jump aside.

Zoroark grinned and raced at Greninja, kris drawn. I threw a shuriken at him, which he deflected aside, as I charged to Greninja's side.

Teleporting to Lucario, Alakazam lifted his spoons as the Mountains Knight fired a blue energy sphere at him. Catching it, Alakazam redirected it back at Lucario, who sidestepped it.

"Ooh, how skillful," jeered Lucario. He stepped aside again as a volley of ice arrows flew past him. "And if I wasn't paying attention, those might have actually landed."

Froslass drifted over and launched powerful purple gusts at Flygon, who flew around each burst of wind. Delibird threw a bright ball that exploded around the dragon, but he glided past it, unharmed.

"Eyes front, knight!"

Driving his dagger back and slicing forward, I quickly formed my Spiky Shield, which surged out and pierced him at the last second.

He screeched upon getting stabbed by the grass needles, and leapt backwards as I helped Greninja up, who threw another two shuriken at the retreating fox.

"Flygon, any day," boomed Lucario, jumping back from both Poliwrath and Mienshao, who swiped their blades at him. Politoed tried to hammer down with a nunchaku, which the jackal rolled away from.

"Hold on, I need to get the right angle!" Flygon flew back as Weavile shot another volley of arrows at him, with Carracosta jetting forward to slam him. "Keep them off me, will you?"

"That's a little more complicated, darling," yelped Zoroark, who jumped aside from Quagsire's Aqua Tail and kicked the salamander away.

"There's no chance that we're letting you pull something off," shouted Machamp as he hammered down at Zoroark, who slipped away from the attack. Mienshao raced up and thrust a sharp palm into the fox, who yelped and hurried away.

Delphox twirled his staff around and summoned a stream of fire, with some embers scorching Lucario. Golduck rushed in and swung his blade at the jackal.

Unfortunately, Lucario parried the attack and fended Golduck off, in spite of the recent burn. Greninja and I tossed a pair of shuriken at him, missing, but then turned our attention to the dragon that soared overhead.

"We need it now, Flygon!" Lucario managed to find some space as Greninja aimed a Water Shuriken and tossed it at Flygon, scoring a direct hit, but failing to damage the dragon greatly. "Use that blasted Hyper Beam already!"

"Just another—"

"Now!"

Flapping back as I cleaved my blade at him, Flygon rushed forward and swept Greninja from his feet. I doubled back and helped him back up from the ground, but turned in time to see Flygon fire a bright and powerful energy beam from his mouth. It was a scarlet or magenta ray, the last bit that I could process as I scooped Greninja up and lifted my extra shield in front of us.

Doing us no good, Flygon's heavy blast rocketed up off of our feet and sailing through the sky. Clutching tightly to both the shield and Greninja, I tried using every ounce of my will and strength to hold on.

But the rush and might of the Hyper Beam knocked the wind out of us both, and my eyes slid shut, just as I heard a long skidding against the snow. Soon after, my mind slipped away.

...

Boom goes the Hyper Beam! Wow, talk about intense.

Ok, so…going by each section seems like a good approach. Recap time! (The very abridged version, anyway.)

To start, we picked up from the last chapter, in which everyone was to be gathered for news on the elusive prophet. Turns out that he's been sighted and was just lucky enough to evade capture once again. Also, Mienshao and Delphox struck up a friendship of their own, yay. Meanwhile, Beartic, Pangoro, and Ursaring were all sent south to the Grass Fields Kingdom, as Empoleon finally completes his trade with Nidoking.

After that was the big sparring session, in which a number of Pokemon had additional chances to shine, including Alakazam for combat, and some small character development for Poliwrath and Politoed in particular. For this, I was looking to focus more on the actual Pokemon attacks, because wow, I haven't had as much of a focus on that before. Also, Delphox got to win something, hooray! He's not a total comic relief chew toy after all, honest! Golduck, however, is a total jerk that knows how to rile up his opponent. Even still, it was nice giving Chesnaught another weapon to work with.

Meanwhile, Greninja learned of Empoleon's theories about Nidoqueen's death, underlying politics that could be brewing and stirring up the war, the Emperor's motivations, and some history of the empire and folks across it as well. Also, we finally got to the flowers of the title, at long last! They appeared before as quick references, but this is the first time that they were explained in detail, courtesy of Machamp. But ugh, he and Alakazam still couldn't share their feelings.

And the journey was beginning again, this time across the Frozen Fields! And yet, that couldn't be easy, as the Mountains Trio of Lucario, Flygon, and newcomer Zoroark, appeared to spoil the fun expedition. Because they're mischievous fellows that show up at the most inconvenient times, apparently. Hmm, sounds familiar somehow…and Zoroark's disguise…? Nah, couldn't be. And yet…there was blasting off. Except, this was by the main heroes, unfortunately!

But yeah, I really wanted all of this stuff to seamlessly tie together. Was it possible to split this chapter apart? Maybe. Would the separation have weakened the overall strength and number of curveballs that I included altogether? It sure would! So, I figured it was best to keep the whole thing packaged together. Besides, it's more fun when lots of stuff happens!

Who knows what will happen next, after Greninja and Chesnaught took a heavy blast head-on. And what come of the prophet, with a very strong interest in his capture rising between two, technically three, of the four kingdoms? …Just when will this fellow make an appearance, you're wondering? Soon, as the arc continues with the coming pair of chapters.

A few guests jumped on the review train last time, so, thank you guys very much for that! It was nice to hear from folks that don't have accounts, but still wanted to encourage the story's progress thus far. It's a lot to develop, but it's fun as things come together!

Anyway, feedback is super helpful for me, and I'd love to hear what people are thinking of the story so far. Comments, criticisms, and questions are welcome via message or review, and really appreciated. So, whether you have an account or not, I'd love to hear something from you, even if you're not on this website, but rather, another! (Tumblr is my default example, haha.)

That's enough for now, and I do hope that people are still interested in reading this! It's tricky to find time working on this, since I want to make the details a bit more in-depth, yet also, I enjoy adding in real world elements to it, such as the weapon choices. Hopefully you guys enjoy it too! And that'll do it for the opening of this story's second half, which has become more dramatic. Wonder how that'll progress…heh. Thank you once again for reading, and sticking around, or possibly, joining in!