Chapter 10:

We ended up walking down a long, winding trail after leaving Mount Blaze, to the point that we had to rest up as we looked into the distance to see that we'd gone very far from the mountain. Now, from how far we were, we were the same size as it in terms of visuals.

"Wow, look how tiny Mount Blaze is... you really think that anyone will be able to get past Moltres? Maybe we're finally in the clear?" Roll asked.

"Negatory," I frowned, the group looking at me in confusion.

"Listen, that fight was pretty tough and we wouldn't have stood a chance without you two helping out, so who in their right mind could beat Moltres?" Medicham asked.

"Team IQ, for starters," I frowned, the group then nodding at that.

"Tsk... yeah, she's right on that much... okay then, we've rested for a good bit, time to continue on," Genji said.

"Yeah, we've got to reach Mount Freeze before Team IQ gets the chance to catch up to us. Northeast is what Moltres said we should head to, so let's go," I said, our group then moving out and going across a couple more mountains and even some putrid swamps that had poison in them before we started to notice that the scenery and temperature was starting to get very chilly and freezing. We were definitely in the northernmost parts of our continent now, as evident when even Roll was starting to shiver.

"Aren't Ice Types supposed to love snow and cold climates?" I asked her as we entered a forested area with snow falling around us. She responded by sneezing and her nose running soon after.

"Ugh... it's different if you have Ice Body as your ability... your insides always get cold and you can't produce your own heat... if only I had some kind of coat to wear..." Roll said, me smirking as I reached into my bag and pulled out the next best thing as I then placed a lot of my wool on Roll's body, her smirking at the feeling of warmth around her again.

"Thanks, Cher... that's better," she smiled.

"Yeah, and it'll stay on you until you pick it off on your own," I smirked, her sighing happily as we ventured forward some more and we saw that the sun was starting to set in the distance.

"Okay... I'd say that now would be a good time to set up camp again... it's nearing nighttime and we've come a very long way since Mount Blaze. I highly doubt that Team IQ would chase us through the night, especially through those swamps and across those mountains. Too many dangerous crags to watch out for," I said with a sigh.

"Okay... I'll stand watch again, but we should probably build a fire... it's freezing," Ekans said with a shiver.

"Got ya," I smirked as I then pretty much knocked down an entire tree with my Body Slam move and Genji then sliced into it with Shadow Claw until we got a good bit of firewood and kindling. I then zapped the kindling with a thunderbolt attack and got it to start burning, me then adding some wood after it caught and all of us feeling relieved at the warmth we now had.

"Ah... this feels better..." Genji said as he and everyone else fell asleep soon after, me doing the same as I fell into slumber as well... but like I expected, I didn't have any dreams. And when I woke up the next morning, I saw that Genji was nudging me awake and I saw he looked very happy.

"So... what did you two talk about?" I asked him.

"I... I've never felt so happy since becoming a Ghastly... Gardevoir forgave me for the stuff I did... and said that she took the curse to protect me... and... she said... she loves me... now I really want to save her..." Genji said with a small bit of tears escaping his eyes... which turned into ice cubes when they hit the ground.

"We should get ready to head out, soon. It's almost sunrise and Team IQ is probably already getting up wherever they're camped at," Medicham said. I nodded as we moved forward... only for me to see something in front of us on top of a hill. It was a Pokemon that I knew for a fact might be out to get us.

"Absol..." I gawked. But before we could ask it any questions, the Disaster Pokemon escaped into the frigid forest ahead.

"What was that?" Roll asked.

"That was Absol, a Pokemon that can sense natural disasters," I frowned.

"R-Really?... I'm scared, to be honest... what if he tries to kill me?" Genji asked.

"Honestly, I have no idea how Absol will react. True, he does sense natural disasters, but if he ran away from us rather than attack us outright, I don't think he's going to be a threat. He might actually have some kind of truth we could seek as well, you never know," I smiled.

"Yeah... by the way, that forest up ahead looks different than the ones we've been walking through... almost like the trees are frozen solid in a pink-colored snow!" Medicham smirked, us looking in that direction and smiling. He was right, the sight was actually very pretty.

"It may look pretty, but I have a feeling this may be another place that's been undergoing threats of the natural disasters," I frowned as I touched the snow in front of me and saw it was very soft for how far north we were. "And I was right... this is one of the furthest points north in this continent, yet the snow is very soft and not at all frozen... I have a bad feeling that we might have to face off with Articuno at some point on our journey through this forested area..." I frowned.

"What makes you so sure?" Ekans asked.

"Think about it. Zapdos was enraged at the abnormalities of the thunderstorms and absence of wind. Moltres was enraged by Mount Blaze being more active and more filled with lava than usual. And if these forests full of frost and ice are also at risk of melting in a region as far north as this, Articuno may be royally pissed as well," I frowned.

"Hmm... you make very sound logic. We'll have to exercise caution on our way through this place... I believe the name of it is Frosty Forest, which is a very fitting name, in my opinion," Medicham said.

"Then let's proceed. After this forest, it shouldn't take too long at all in order to reach Mount Freeze," Roll smiled with my wool still on her body. We then did just that and proceeded into the forest, finding it was home to the adorable Azurill, the sturdy Nosepass, and even the little blobs known as Ditto. But surprisingly, there weren't many ice type Pokemon in the forest. The only ones we came across were Snorunt and Piloswine, which I found very odd and yet another example of the impact of the warming in this forest.

"Few Ice types mean that they're not used to the warming of the forest's ice. That just proves how sound Cher's logic is," Medicham said.

"If we do face Articuno, I do wonder if we'd be able to convince her to let up on us... it'll be pretty impressive if you two were to beat all three of the Legendary birds of the elements," Genji said.

"I know, but we've gotta try," I said with a smile as we got into the deeper parts of the forest and then, after nearly 13 floors, we finally reached what looked like the edge of the woods. "Okay, time to move out..." I said... and just as I suspected, the winds suddenly got harsher as the skies grew dark with a snowstorm.

"This forest... it cries...
the tears of the melting snow...
is it your doing?" asked a calm voice... in Haiku.

"No, we're trying to find a way to clear my friend's name and then we're going to find a way to stop these disasters from happening the world over," I said, also in a calm manner.

"I wish your words true...
but I don't believe a word.
TIME TO DO BATTLE!" the voice exclaimed again as a frigid tornado appeared in front of us as the giant bird of ice and snow appeared from within.
"I'm Articuno!
The forest begs for relief!
Your destruction comes!" she exclaimed once more in Haiku as we knew we had no choice but to fight.

"Let's dance," I said as I then used Cotton Spore on Articuno just as I did with her brothers, making her slowed in the process. Roll then connected a Ice Ball at Articuno, managing to hit her three times before missing the last one. Genji then followed up by using, get this, Will-O-Wisp, which burned Articuno after it connected. Medicham then used Rock Slide, which Articuno got very badly hurt by, since it was quadruple damage! Ekans then used Acid, which lowered Articuno's stats. I then used one Thunderbolt followed by Roll using Brine again, and we had defeated Articuno as well, the ice bird falling to the ground and looking very tuckered out.

"Hah... ack... you dare..." Articuno said with a huff.

"We're not the enemy here. This forest isn't the only place that's experiencing disasters, Articuno. Your brothers' areas are also under siege from the disasters and we had to defeat them in battle too," I said, Articuno's expression changing to surprise after I said that.

"Y-You're truthful?... You say my brothers... Zapdos and Moltres... are also experiencing issues?" Articuno asked.

"The Mareep speaks the truth," said a voice from out of nowhere as it then jumped down in between us and Articuno.

"A-Absol?" she gawked.

"The areas of natural disasters, indeed, loom all across the world, not just in this forest. Zapdos's areas of Silent Chasm and Mount Thunder are wracked with thunderstorms without a single gust of wind, while Moltres's domain in Mount Blaze is more active and violent than before, spewing magma constantly," Absol spoke.

"Hmm... I choose to believe every word of it... I allow you passage, on two conditions," Articuno said.

"And they are?" Roll asked.

"That you try to find some way to eliminate these natural disasters as quickly as possible and, once you do so, I join your team. To be honest, I was impressed by your power in that fight. Able to defeat me when I'm giving it my all and to have done the same with both of my brothers. I'd be honored to join your group the moment these disasters finally subside. Until then, I bid you farewell," Articuno said as she then flew off into the distance, a large aurora wave following her trail.

"Thanks for that, mister Absol," I smiled at him.

"Indeed... and I know your true identity, both you and the Gengar," Absol spoke, Genji being worried and hiding behind Roll for safety. "There is no cause for alarm. I know that your curse is the reasoning for these disasters, but I also know that your demise would change nothing," Absol spoke, me sighing a breath of relief at that.

"Finally... someone who can vouch for us..." I said with a smile.

"Indeed... and to help your group uphold your promise to stop these natural disasters, I feel we must join forces. I will join you in your adventures from here on out, humans," Absol spoke.

"Well that's just perfect! We'd feel safer with a Pokemon as tough as an Absol on our team!" I smiled widely.

"Hmm... we must set off for your destination as of current. We must continue to the furthest point northeast of here. Mount Freeze is only a 5 mile journey from this forest. We will have to endure some harsh weather conditions in order to reach there, so be sure you are well prepared," Absol spoke.

"Okay, guys, it's time to roll out again," Roll smiled.

"For you, that's quite literal," Ekans smirked, Roll smirking at him and me smiling.

"So you know, Roll, I would've made that joke myself at some point, but Ekans just beat me to it," I smirked at her.

"Hehe, I believe it," Roll smiled as she kissed me on the cheek and I smiled at her. "Only a little bit to Mount Freeze and then we can finally speak with Ninetails... let's go." And after that, we pushed further to the north and to the east. And we soon discovered what Absol meant by the conditions getting harsher. It seemed the further we traveled to Mount Freeze, the more intense the freezing temperatures got and the more harsh the storms in front of us. Absol was barely fazed by it, but everyone else in the group was getting pounded by the hail and rushing snow. It only made it all the more rewarding when we finally got to our destination, that being a large mountain coated in ice from top to bottom. And once we found it, the storms finally eased up on us.

"Phew... we're finally here... that storm was wicked tough, though... anyone need some Oran Berries?" I asked.

"I think I could use one... and an apple..." Genji the Gengar said. I then got out an Oran Berry and apple for him, Genji eating them and sighing afterwards. "I'm going to be honest with you... I tend to get hungry when I'm nervous... I'm very worried about what Ninetails will react with when she sees me... after all, I pulled her tail very hard back then and then I abandoned Gardevoir out of fear... she has every right to finish me off if that's what she wishes," Genji frowned.

"Don't worry. If Ninetails does anything bad to you, we'll try to back you up," I said, Genji smiling at me.

"Are you sure? Her curses are extremely potent... I mean, look at what she did to me and Gardevoir..." Genji sighed.

"She wouldn't put a curse on an innocent person willingly, I'm sure of that," Roll smiled, me nodding at that.

"Right, you have to give it a chance as well as stop being so down about what you did in the past, Genji. You can only look to the future and try to help make it better... even if you did make a group of people called Team Meanies, you could still do great things with it," I smiled at him.

"Naw... I'm thinking of cutting the team and having us join you guys instead... especially if we can convince Ninetails to tell us how to free Gardevoir from her curse... I don't care about what happens to me, I just want Gardevoir to be herself again," Genji sighed.

"I see... we'll help you out, Genji... okay, time to start going through the mountain. We still have no idea how close or how far away Alakazam and his group are from us, after all," I said with a smile.

"Right... let's get going, Genji," Ekans smiled.

"We're gonna help ya too, so let's get those legs floating," Medicham smiled. We then proceeded into the mountain itself. In this mountain, we found Mount Freeze was filled with some pretty tough competition from Pokemon. We had to endure some bulky and powerful Slaking, the explosion-loving Pineco, the poisonous Seviper, and even, of all things, Cacnea! Which was a big sign that even Mount Freeze was home to some kind of distortion from the natural disasters.

"Okay... how the hell can Cacnea be in a frozen mountain and actually like it? That just oozes confusion," I frowned as we got to floor 15 and came across some bigger hitters such as Shelgon, Glalie, and even a giant fatty called Lickilicky, which I had to explain to everyone that it was Lickitung's evolution, which it could only evolve into after learning the move Rollout. And he was by far the toughest customer of the group, but we handled them as we reached the 20th floor, which was where we found we were at the peak of the mountain.

"Okay... this is supposed to be the place where Ninetails resides... I'm still super nervous..." Genji said with fear as he shuddered a bit. And it turned into absolute fright when we heard a voice from behind us.

"And so you should be," said the voice of Alakazam! He and his team were right behind us!

"Alakazam... I have to hand it to you guys, your team doesn't mess around... and you're even more persistent than we were," I frowned at them.

"It matters not, anymore. We have a mission to do... to hunt down and destroy the human that was cursed by Ninetails. So, Gengar... or whatever your human name was. Prepare to die," Alakazam said as we got in front of Genji with our battle stances.

"Not happening any time soon. If we were all powerful enough to defeat Moltres and Articuno in a fight without them landing a single hit, you'll be easy as cake to take out," I frowned at them.

"Take another step closer, and we shall begin the fight," Absol said with a roar.

"Hmph," Charizard said as he and his group took a step forward and I immediately answered by shooting a Thunderbolt at Alakazam along with Roll using Powder Snow on the whole room, everyone of our group protecting Genji and fighting back against Alakazam's team with pretty vigorous attacks. Though we were tough, it was clear that the trio of fully-evolved Pokemon had an advantage in experience and strategy... but before anyone could get knocked out, something happened.

"STOP RIGHT NOW!" I heard a loud, female voice exclaimed as a large white Pokemon in the shape of a fox with a lot of tails fell down to our location directly in between our group and Alakazam's.

"Ninetails..." Genji gasped as he shuddered in fear.

"Stop your foolish fighting right this instant! I will not have you destroying my home with your petty quarrels!" Ninetails exclaimed, me approaching her with caution.

"Um... Ninetails... we have a couple of questions to ask you... we traveled all the way from the western side of the continent in order to ask them... so please, answer our questions, please?" I asked her, Ninetails looking at me with a smile and then looking over at Genji and frowning.

"I have a feeling you'd show up one day, human," Ninetails said, Genji gasping and hiding behind Medicham and Ekans for comfort. "Peh. Still as skittish and fearful as always, I see... what questions do you have to ask me?" Ninetails asked.

"Well... our first question is one for all of us... is it true that, if Genji gets killed, then the natural disasters would be stopped completely?" I asked.

"The answer to that question, in human speak, is 'hella no, bitch'... at least, that's what I can gather from the memories I see in your head," Ninetails said, me smirking at that and Genji sighing a breath of relief at the words that were spoken and Alakazam actually cracking a small smile at the answer she gave.

"Humans have an odd way of speaking, depending on where they come from..." I smiled at him.

"I concur..." Alakazam smirked.

"And... uh... I want to... ask the next... um..." Genji said, Ninetails looking at him with a glare that was ice cold. "I... I... I'm... I'm sorry..." Genji was barely able to say without passing out. I could tell he was very scared of Ninetails. "I... I was a pretty pathetic person before... I only viewed Pokemon as toys for entertainment... even my best friend Gardevoir... I didn't treat right... when I pulled your tail, it was just the stupidest thing ever... and when Gardevoir took the full force of your curse... and I saw her form disappear into nothing... I ran away because... I was scared... but while I did so... I couldn't stop crying... my carelessness and my arrogance... caused my best friend to be cursed... I'd do anything to get her back..." Genji said with tears in his eyes, something that I very rarely saw for him since meeting him. And I could tell that Ninetails was a bit surprised by Genji's words.

"Genji... that is your name, right?" Ninetails asked, getting his attention. Genji then nodded. "Unfortunately, as of right now, it would be impossible to free Gardevoir from her curse... the only way to be able to do so safely and without issue is to destroy the meteor that will come to destroy this world. That is the force that must be destroyed in order for the natural disasters to end completely... as for when it is to come, even I do not know. But with all the recent disasters and distortions as of late, such as the Cacnea roaming my frozen mountain and the many cracks it has received from the howling winds, it is sure to happen soon... go back to town with this," Ninetails said as she gave me something... odd. It was a piece of ice that felt... warm to the touch.

"That ice will allow you to travel to far-off distances that you know the locations in a snap. Just say your destination out loud and it will warp you there. And the best part is that the ice is imbued with some of my magic, so it will never melt or break. Have that on your person and you and your friends can prove that you have met with me and that I have told you the truth," Ninetails spoke, me looking at everyone and nodding at that.

"Okay... it's just as simple as that, huh? Okay, then let's-" I was about to say before something shocking happened. The ground started to shake vigorously, almost like it were the earthquake of the century! I gasped as I fell on my ass and everyone, even Charizard and Tyranitar fell down from the force of it.

"W-What's going on?! Why is this earthquake happening in the middle of a mountain?!" Roll asked in shock.

"It can only mean one thing... the disasters have awoken Groudon, the titan of the earth we trod," Alakazam said, me gasping at that.

"Groudon?! That's one of the biggest and strongest Legendary Pokemon out there! It's very presence causes the sky to be lit up with intense sunlight... and it was said to be powerful enough to create the continents!" I gawked.

"Correct. If we can't stop Groudon in time, then he will tear the planet apart with his furious Earthquakes. Me and Team IQ will head out immediately to stop him. Meanwhile, Snowfleece and Genji's group, you should head back to Treasure Town. You deserve a good rest after all this walking," Alakazam said.

"Got it. And thanks for not killing us... though, I have to be honest, it seemed we were on even ground, didn't it?" I smiled.

"Indeed. Your group is very tough, especially for having three Pokemon that haven't evolved yet," Tyranitar smiled as the earthquakes finally stopped.

"Okay... let's go back home everyone," I smiled as I then rubbed the ice and had my group next to me.

"Send Team Snowfleece and Team Meanies to the Town Square of Pokemon Town," I said, the ice then glowing brightly as we got blasted with a powerful light and... when we opened our eyes... we were back in town... and right in front of a lot of different Pokemon.

"W-What the?!" some of them asked in shock before Absol looked around and spoke for us.

"Everyone, listen," he said, the crowd looking at him in confusion. "I am Absol, the Pokemon that knows of disasters. We have just came here from the frigid Mount Freeze after a meeting with Ninetails herself," he said, the crowd of Pokemon, even Shiftry, Lombre, and the Kecleon brothers, were shocked.

"W-What did she say?!" Shiftry asked.

"She has said that killing Genji the Gengar would do nothing to stop the natural disasters. The only way to stop them completely would be to destroy the force that's coming to blow the planet up. When the time comes, we need to find a way to destroy the meteor that will fall on this planet," I said.

"R-Really?... Are you being truthful, Cher?" Snubble asked.

"Yes, I am. And we have proof that we have met with Ninetails," I said as I held up the piece of ice, it glistening bright red in the sunlight. "This piece of ice has been imbued with Ninetails's magic and it was able to warp our entire group back here in an instant. And Ninetails herself is on our side, as well as the three elemental birds," I said, everyone gasping at that.

"What?! You mean... Zapdos, Moltres, and Articuno... they're part of your team?! ALL OF THEM?!" Shiftry asked in shock.

"They all agreed after our group fighting them that, once we stop the natural disasters, they would all join Team Snowfleece. Because we're just that awesome," I smirked.

"Anything else you want to brag about, hon? Because it sounds like you had quite the adventure," Kangaskhan smiled widely.

"Well, yeah. We actually had to fight against Team IQ before Ninetails interrupted our squabble. And they all agreed that, despite our group being non-evolved, we were on even ground with the three of them," Roll smirked.

"Whoa... a Newbie Rescue Team that's able to contend with the likes of Team IQ! You're absolute legends!" Bellsprout gawked at us as I then looked at Team Meanies and I smiled at them. "And we also have some new team members on our side. If not for their help, I doubt we'd have gotten as far as we did," I smiled as I went over to Genji, Medicham, Ekans, and Absol. "Good to have you guys on the team," I smiled at them.

"Good to know that you're so accepting of us," Medicham smiled.

"Okay? Is everyone clear on this? That Genji is to not be killed?" I asked aloud.

"Yeah, we agree!" everyone in town said in their own unique ways... and pretty soon, Pelipper came form the skies with some newspapers that we read and we saw that he had some news. It was basically news that said that Genji and our group was innocent and that we were going to try our absolute hardest to stop the natural disasters from happening.

"Wow, news around her sure is fast," I smiled at that.

"Oh, and one last thing we wanted to mention," Genji said, finally speaking. "Team IQ is going to go take on Groudon, who has been the cause of the massive earthquakes we've been experiencing. We have no doubt in our mind that they'll succeed, considering they were the only rescue team that was stubborn enough and strong enough to follow us the whole way to Mount Freeze," Genji smirked.

"Well damn right! Team IQ is awesome!" Snubble smirked.

"But not as awesome as Team Snowfleece!" Caterpie smiled from nearby with happiness in his eyes.

"Quite right, Team Snowfleece, despite their adorable-sounding name, is by far one of the best teams this town has ever had for a long while!" Butterfree smirked happily. It made me quite happy to see how popular our team was, as well as the fact that we had managed to save Genji a whole lot of trouble with everyone wanting to kill him. I sighed a breath of fresh air when we finally got to our house and we saw that the moon was starting to come over the horizon.

"Okay... inside... bed... now," I smiled, me going inside with Roll and all of our newfound friends and all of us sleeping in a group huddle. We earned this good night's sleep after the crazy adventure that we'd just embarked on.