A few days after the battle with Electrode, the group were soon standing before the commander.
"Well…the time has come. We have received word that the lightning has struck the lord of the Alabaster Icelands." Kamado said.
"Alabaster Icelands, eh?" David asked.
"Yes. The lord there is known as Avalugg. It hasn't attacked anyone so it's unsure whether it should be quelled or not." Kamado said.
"Hmm… That is quite the situation isn't it?" David asked. "But even so, it might still be worth checking out."
"Going there means we'll have some chances to catch Ice types. And there might be some other Pokémon there too." Hope said.
"Right. Depart for the Icelands at once." Kamado said.
Meanwhile, also in the Icelands in the forest…
"Come on…that all you got?" Jexi asked as he and Richard faced off with Esmeralda and Glacius watching.
"Hmm… It would seem they're keeping up quite well." Glacius said.
"This ain't going to go to you this easily!" Richard remarked, as his Zeraora dodged several attacks from Jexi's Pokemon.
"I'll admit…this wasn't the kinda battle I meant but…this was still fun. But…that should be all for now." Jexi said as they stopped the fight. "Hey, what's the score this time?"
"You both have 200 wins. Still a tie." Esmeralda said.
"Getting a tie with you of all people. That's already fairly impressive for myself." Richard huffed.
"Yeah…I gotta keep up…cause I still need to see Arceus to understand this ultimate fight he was…" Jexi said as they heard a small cry. "Huh?"
They looked to the forest as a small white fox-like creature appeared.
"Is that a Pokémon? A Growlithe? Maybe a Vulpix?" Glacius asked.
"No…the coloring is off. From the structure…I think…it's a Zorua." Esmeralda said.
"It is!" Richard exclaimed, as he reached for another of his Pokéballs. "It might be a regional variant, but it's definitely one!"
"A…Zorua? But I have never heard of one like this." Glacius said.
"Hmm…" Jexi said before hearing something. "Get back!" he said as they jumped back as a larger fox like creature stood before them with multiple hairs moving like wisps. "Of course…see Zorua…you get Zoroark."
"This Zoroark looks a lot more feral than normally." Esmeralda said. "Hmm… It might be a side effect of the climate here."
"Side effect?" Glacius asked. "Wait, now that you mention it… It definitely feels different from ones in Unova."
Richard's hand hesitated on the Pokéball that he was holding, as he slowly turned his head towards Jexi.
"...Jexi, do you think that if I release a distant kin of theirs… would it help to deflate tensions?" He asked softly, so as not to provoke the regional Zoroark.
"Guess it's worth a try. They'd be the same Pokémon, just from different regions." Jexi said.
Richard nodded softly, before he then pressed the release on the Pokéball, as Zoey came out of it, in her Pokemon form, as she looked around, before noticing the regional Zoroark looming over her. However, she didn't feel a sense of fear or worry, instead feeling fairly soothed by their presence.
The regional Zorua began to mewl towards Zoey, who did the same back, as they began to banter a little, as the Zoroark spoke a little as well to Zoey, before the Zoroark turned to the group, as its presence seemed to be fairly less aggressive than before.
"...Huh, Zoey, what did they speak about?" Richard asked his Zorua, as he picked her up into his arms.
"I convinced them that we're just passing by, and that you're my friends." Zoey responded back. "It's not that hard. That other Zorua took interest in me, and asked if I could be a friend for it. I said maybe if Richard could take her with him. The Zoroark doesn't seem to mind, so long as someone beats him in battle."
"And it has to be me?" Richard responded back, as Zoey shook her head. "Huh, well, who wants to have a fight? I'm sure this kind of fight would be insightful into this kind of Pokémon."
Zoroark let out a roar as it was ready for battle.
"Well, I guess he's not too patient." Richard stated, as he pulled out Elena's Pokéball, putting the female Pikachu out for battle. "Elena, counting on you for this fight."
Elena gave a short nod, as the Zoroark merely let out an amused huff in response to the challenger sent towards him.
Elena immediately took the initiative, as she landed a Spark right onto the Zoroark, as he flinched from the attack, before retaliation with a strange attack that formed ghostly apparitions that attacked Elena, leaving her frostbitten, as her body was slightly iced from the attack.
"What was that?" Glacius asked.
"My new friend says it's a move only the Hisuian Zorua and Zoroark know. It's called Bitter Malice." Zoey said. "It's good for locking down opponents who rely on their powers."
"So it can dampen one's Special Attack." Richard remarked. "...Well then, this still changes little. Elena, I'm sure you know what tricks you're going to use."
Elena, despite her frost-bitten condition, immediately began to weave around the Zoroark, refusing to let him predict her attack, before she leapt into the air, as her tail hardened with steel, launching an aerial Iron Tail move on the head, that made the Zoroark flinch greatly, as it fired several Shadow Balls to try and weaken Elena, although she dodged them quickly.
Elena then jumped into the air, as her body crackled with thunder, while the Zoroark decided to counter the attack with his own, as it raised a claw, before both Shadow Claw and Thunder hit their targets, as Elena slid across the icy lands, fairly damaged from the attack.
However, the Zoroark was unresponsive for a moment, before he then fell onto a knee, defeated.
"Good job, Elena." Richard praised his Pikachu, before returning her to his Pokéball, and then turning to the Zoroark. "...You fought well, that hit was a critical blow, and hurt Elena quite badly. Just a bit more strength, and you would have taken her down in a double KO. I;m sure that you earned your place here very much."
The Zoroark merely sneered back, and let out an amused growl.
"He's thankful." Zoey responded back.
Richard then walked over to the small Zorua, who looked at him with astonishment.
"I can promise you that you'll meet a lot of new friends. Some brothers, some sisters, but all fellow Pokémon who would see you as one of their own." Richard stated, before pulling out an empty Pokéball. "Here, take a push of the button. I'm sure that whatever is inside will suit you."
The Zorua wasted little time pressing the capture button on the Pokéball, as she was sucked in with a flash of red light.
"I say that is a nice gain for Zoey." Richard remarked, patting the Zorua in his arm with his own hand, as Zoey let out a satisfied mewl in response. "She'll be happy having a fellow sister to dote on. Not like Frosterra ain't one to her already."
"Yep. A happy addition to your little family." Jexi said before sensing something.
"Something wrong? More enemies?" Glacius asked.
"No…quite the opposite." Jexi said seeing the main group entering the icelands.
"They're here…" Esmeralda said, giving off a bit of a smirk. "Well, it was only a matter of time before they made their way here."
On the other side of the Icelands…
"Oh wow… Just look at this place." David said.
"Judging by our position at the northmost part of the region, this has to be the future location of where Snowpoint City is." Hope said.
"Honestly, it looks so peaceful. Just take in this air." David said.
"This is also where the Pearl Clan settlement is." Senku said.
"So where do we go?" Hope asked.
"From what we were told…over there." Hayase said, pointing to the large icicle in the distance.
"Don't seem hard to spot. Now let's…" David said before he slipped and fell into an icy cavern. "Oof… Should've watched my step there."
"You alright?" Ace called.
"Yeah. I'm fine. I just fell through a hole." David said.
"You need me to come help you up?" Siege called down.
"Nah. I'll climb my way out near that icicle on the surface. You guys go on ahead without me." David said.
"Alright. Don't take too long ya hear!?" Rutega yelled down.
"Also be on the lookout. I hear lots of Ghost Pokemon live down there!" Ayase said.
"Got it. Don't worry. I'll catch up to you guys soon!" David said.
Rutega's attention was soon caught up by two Pokémon off in the distance. "Yes! That's who I want to finish my team! You guys head on ahead, I'll be baaaack~!" Rutega exclaimed as she dashed off.
"Man, she is full of energy." Scorpia said.
David was traveling through the caves, looking at the layout.
"This cave seems so frigid. Hard to believe an underground passage really existed so long ago." David said before Froslass' Pokéball burst open. "Huh? Froslass? What's wrong?" he asked before Froslass started floating ahead. "H-hey, wait! Where are you going?" he asked as he went after Froslass.
After some chasing around, David finally saw what his Froslass was going after.
"Oh my… An Alpha Froslass, all the way down here?" David asked. "Froslass… Why did you bring me here?"
The Alpha Froslass soon took notice and let out a cry as a frozen wind blew behind it.
"Gh… Opening with hostility already, huh?" David asked. "Alright, then. I can play that game. Shadow Ball!"
Froslass unleashed the Ghost type move, Hadouken style. This was super effective as the Alpha was left reeling from the sudden attack.
"Whoa… I think we really caught her by surprise." David said. "Well…since I'm here." he said throwing a Pokéball at the Alpha as it was drawn inside and captured. He soon immediately let her out. "Hey there… Sorry if that was a little too hard." he said as the smaller Froslass came by and held her hand up.
The Alpha replied in kind as they shook hands.
"Good to have you on board. By the way, I'm trying to reunite with my friends at that giant icicle on the surface. Think you can help us navigate our way there?" David asked.
The Alpha nodded as it led the way for David.
Meanwhile, on Rutega's end of things, she was looking around for the Pokémon she saw earlier, before sounds of a battle caught her attention as she got closer to it, revealing not just one, but two Alphas. A Machamp and a Lucario, duking it out against the other. Rutega, sensing her chance, smirked as she threw her Pokéballs in an attempt to catch them… only for them to break free!
"Oh! So they're not gonna go down easy." Rutega smirked as both Alphas looked her way as she laughed. "Come on then, let's Duke it out!" She yelled as she sent out Zana and Zamo. "Bring it!"
The Alpha Machamp and Lucario both roared out as they charged, both leading in with Close Combat, which Zana and Zamo both easily dodged.
"Alright now! Finish it up with Behemoth Blade and Behemoth Bash!" Rutega yelled, both legendaries nodding, transforming into their Crowned states and charging right into the two Alphas, sending both skidding back and onto a knee. "Alright, take 2!" Rutega called and threw her Pokéballs, this time in success. "Haha! Team is finally done!" Rutega fist pumped before sending the Alphas back out. "Sorry about the scare. I wanted both you guys on my team."
Both Alphas seemed to be non-hostile and accepting of it, both taking a monk-style bow to Rutega.
"I got a bit separated from my friends. Think you guys can guide me back?" Rutega asked, to which the Alpha Lucario nodded, sensing their aura and leading on, to which Machamp and Rutega followed.
Back with the group, they soon reached the giant icicle in the middle of the icelands.
"It's even bigger up close…" Perfuma said.
"Yeah, this is where Avalugg is supposed to be right?" Mari asked.
"Wrong!" a voice said as a muscular man with cyan hair and a Pearl Clan mark on his chest stood before them.
"I take it you're Avalugg's Warden." Hayase said.
"Yes. My name is Gaeric. I'm a Warden for the Pearl Clan. Now…a question. Why do you come to quell Lord Avalugg?" Gaeric asked.
"We received word that it was in a frenzy. That weird lighting struck it, but it hasn't attacked anyone. We wanna try and quell it before it goes on a rampage." Hope said.
"You just answered your own query. The Lord of the Tundra has done nothing to trouble any person or Pokémon." Gaeric said.
"We're not trying to cause any harm. We just had to be sure if it needed to be quelled or not." Ace said.
"Ace! Look, we just don't want people to live in fear of a giant Pokémon." Hope said.
"Hmm…there is some logic to that. Fine…I'll just have to test you to see if you are worthy. Come! Glalie! Froslass!" Gaeric said as the two Ice type Pokémon floated to his side.
"All right…a battle it is." Tsubaki said. "Come! Ninetales! Quilava!" she said sending out both Fire type Pokémon. "Ninetales, Fire Blast! Quilava, Flame Wheel!" she ordered as both Pokémon attacked, taking out the Ice types in record time.
"Hmm…impressive. You may have the strength needed to tangle with Lord Avalugg." Gaeric said. "However, I cannot prepare your so-called balms for you."
"Why?" Hayase asked.
"Because the ice Avalugg enjoys sits at the top of this icicle." Gaeric said.
"Well can't Sneasler climb it?" Hope asked.
"No. The ice is too smooth for Sneasler to climb." Sunset said.
"But there is another Pokémon that could help you…Braviary." Gaeric said.
"Braviary huh?" David said as he soon rejoined.
"Hey, you made it out. Nice." Mark said.
"I…had a little help." David said, showing the Alpha Froslass that was carrying him.
"Yeah…that…is something. Now where can we find Braviary and its warden?" Sunset asked.
"Snowpoint Temple. All the way up there." Gaeric said, pointing to the temple standing high in the mountains.
"Woofh… that's a loooooong way up." Siege stated.
"I think we can make it." Hope said.
"My new Hisuian Arcanine can warm us up at certain points of the way." Allison offered.
"And off we go." Ayase said.
The group marched through the snow filled icelands, while looking at certain Pokemon they passed by on the way up. It wasn't long before they reached Snowpoint Temple and went inside.
"Oh…I think I remember Raine talking about this place once. It's related to the Regi's." Perfuma said. "And some big one. What was it?"
"Regigigas." Sunset said.
"It could only be awakened when the three Regi's were present." Mari added.
"Sadly around this time, the three Regi's were all the way in Hoenn." Ayase said. "Besides, Regigigas isn't the focus…least right now."
"Yeah, we can worry about that later." David said. "For now… We have to reach the top."
"Top?" Hope asked.
"He means the top floor. The temple has several floors." Sunset said.
"And each floor has a puzzle that opens the way to the next. Hope your memorization is on point." David said.
"I'm sure some puzzles won't slow us down." Scorpia said.
And they did not. The puzzles were based on the number of statues before them as they traversed through the temple before reaching the top floor where a young girl with green hair stood.
"Ah, you made it! My clairvoyance told me I would be getting visitors. My name is Sabi. I saw some of you flying with Braviary. Do you think you'll pass my little trial?" she asked.
"Whatever you've got for us, bring it on." Hope said.
"Okay then…" Sabi smiled. "Get Ready! Rhyperior! Magmortar! Electivire! You three are up!" she said as three powerful Pokémon stepped out.
"Three trade final evolutions at once!" Scorpia said.
"I'll handle this one." Siege said, stepping up to fight this battle. "Empoleon! Torterra! Garchomp! Let's go!" Siege exclaimed, sending out the two starters plus Garchomp.
"Nice choices, Siege!" Hope said. "I'm guessing you caught Piplup and Turtwig in their respective areas and trained them up, but where did the Garchomp come from?"
"Let's say I did a bit of venturing when you guys weren't paying attention, and also partially incorrect. I caught Grotle, Prinplup, and Gabite in their areas and trained them from there up. Now they're ready to take on a true test of their abilities." Siege stated. "Sabi, I give you first move."
"Oooh, this'll be fun!" Sabi said. "Magmortar, Flamethrower! Electivire, Thunder Punch! And Rhyperior, High Horsepower!" Sabi said as the three moved towards Siege's team.
"Counter it! Garchomp, go underneath that Rhypherior with Bulldoze! Empoleon, shield Torterra from the flames and unleash Hydro Pump! Torterra, render that Electivire helpless with Leech Seed!" Siege ordered as the trio of Pokémon expertly dodged and blocked accordingly, connecting with their attacks.
"You're pretty good!" Sabi smiled.
"Heh. I have to be, in order to be a proper leader for my own team!" Siege exclaimed. "Now, Garchomp, your speed has come into play for this moment! Time to unleash the Sync power we've made together! Obliterate and conquer with the bonds of friendship!"
FULL RAZE DRAGON RUSH
Garchomp sharpened its claws as it dashed, gaining a large amount of draconic energy, jumping up before slamming down into Rhyperior, as draconic flames razed the spot Garchomp hit, causing major damage! Rhyperior collapsed quickly after that.
"Torterra, Empoleon! Combine your attacks! Torterra, Earth Power! Empoleon, catch them in the air with Whirlpool!" Siege exclaimed, as Earth Power launched Electivire and Magmortar into the air, and Whirlpool caught them in midair.
"Whoa…" Sabi said as both Magmortar and Electivire were soon dropped down in defeat. "I'll be honest, I see lots of things but I did not see that coming. Okay…I think you people are worthy enough."
She lead them out to the outlook as she played her flute. They watched as a large bird-like Pokéon with two psychic-like feathers on its head flew right towards them.
"So that's what a Hisuian Braviary looks like." Hope said.
"And a Psychic type at that." Mari added. "Least from what I can see."
Braviary let out a loud cry before giving them the Sky Plate.
"We thank you." Hayase said. "So…this bird will take us to the top?"
"Yep. It'll take you to that icicle. Just let it know when to descend." Sabi said.
They allowed Braviary to carry them one at a time to the icicle where they went about harvesting the ice needed for the balms before getting off.
"Excellent. Now…as for where Lord Avalugg is…meet me there…at Avalugg's Legacy." Gaeric said.
They headed up towards the path where they saw Gaeric waiting with Rutega, Jexi, Richard, Glacius and Esmeralda.
"I'm not even gonna ask." Ace said.
"Wow…what a warm reception." Glacius said.
"Besides, we weren't waiting too long. Just a few minutes." Jexi said.
"Anyways, it's good to see you guys are alright." David said with a bow.
"With that, looks like we got everyone together." Sunset said.
"And hey, maybe after we quell Avalugg, that rip in the sky will mend itself." Perfuma said.
"Maybe… But what would that mean for us?" Tsubaki asked.
"It won't mean we'll be stuck here." Hope said. "Sunset's plan will work."
"Hope… You remember the last time we tried out that Time Machine, right?" David asked.
"It was a trial run. Not everything works right the first time." Hope said.
"But still… I can't help but feel an ominous sense of dread from all of this… It's like something else is going on around here. But… I can't tell what it is." David said.
"I'm not the only one then." Siege mused. "Also, nice to see you here, Richard."
"Either way…we quell Avalugg and we got all the lords." Scorpia said.
As they started to approach however, the ground shook as a mountain broke down as a large iceberg-like Pokémon emerged with rock-like limbs and frozen tusks emerged with a loud roar.
Lord of the Tundra
Avalugg
"It was camouflaging?!" Mari asked.
"Typical! But clever…" Rutega mused.
"It's huge! The size of an actual mountain." Ayase said.
"Don't be scared. Just avoid its attacks and wait for an opening." David said.
Avalugg started to take in cold air before it started firing icicles at them.
"Fire Bolt!" Ace called, firing three fireballs at the icicles.
"Firaga!" Allison yelled as she fired off more fireballs at the icicles.
"We won't get anywhere if we can't get through this ice field!" Siege yelled as he sent out Reshina. "Carve our way! Blue Flare!" Siege yelled as Reshina melted the entire attack. "There! Start throwing balms!"
The group threw balms at the towering Pokémon. Despite its size, the balms seemed to be working. It then began to charge a large Ice Beam right at them.
"This…might look bad. We gotta stop this!" Tsubaki said.
"Avalugg appears to have Rock type traits along with Ice. So Steel and Fighting type Pokémon would do the trick." Ayase said.
"Allow me!" Rutega smirked as she sent out her Alpha Machamp and Lucario. "Combo attack time! Machamp, Seismic Toss! Lucario! Slam it down further with Aura Sphere!" Rutega ordered.
Nodding, the Alpha Machamp ran up to the Avalugg and grabbed it, and managed to leap up with it in hand, before sending it slamming down into the arena, as the Alpha Lucario leapt up, charged massive amounts of aura into an Aura Sphere, and fired it down for major damage!
"Booyah!" Rutega fist pumped.
"Now the final blow!" Jexi said, tossing a balm as a glow flowed from Avalugg's body as its frenzy soon subsided.
"Nice, nice work!" Siege clapped as he was impressed. "You're becoming one hell of a trainer, Rutega!"
"Hey, what can I say? I'm the kind of gal who adapts to any situation!" Rutega smiled.
Avalugg looked at the group before leaving them the Icicle Plate before venturing deep into the mountains.
"Here it is." Glacius said.
"The Plate that brought you both here." Ace said. "That only leaves…"
"Can we please not focus on the plates right now?" David asked.
"He's right. We've quelled all the Nobles. Now maybe things will become a little more normal." Hope said.
"Ishihara… You're feeling this sense too, aren't you?" Esmeralda asked.
"Yeah… I have a very distinct feeling… Things are only going to get worse before they start getting better." David said.