o-o-o- Chapter 12: Surprise, Surprise –o-o-o

When I opened my eyes, I saw that Froslass and I were at the entrance of Cryptic Cavern. I looked around and found my companion staring into the Cavern's mouth.

"Froslass?" I called softly. She turned her head and I was not surprised when I saw tears escaping her eyes. "Oh, my dear…" I fluttered to her and held her close, despite how cold she felt.

It was kind of awkward, what with me being smaller and such, but it didn't matter. Froslass began to sob, at first soft hiccupping sniffles, and then she started to wail so much that she eventually lost her voice and settled for wailing soundlessly. It broke my heart to see her like this. Sure, I barely knew her, but I could tell this was definitely different from the usually graceful, composed and almost regal Pokemon. I said nothing and merely continued to hold her as she cried. I didn't need to ask why she was crying; I sort of figured it out earlier.

After a while, she calmed down, sniffling softly instead. "T-thank you, Celebi.."

My gaze softened and I made her look at me, "It's no problem, Froslass. Are you feeling better?"

She gave me small, grateful smile. "Slightly, yes. I'm sorry for the inconvenience, however-"

"Nonsense!" I interrupted, "You have nothing to apologize for, my dear Froslass." The said Pokemon's small smile grew wider, and she pulled me into a hug, to which I hugged her back. "I'm glad you're here, Celebi," she whispered, her soft voice conveying the truth behind her words.

We pulled away and I grinned. "I'm glad I was able to help."

Froslass straightened and dusted herself off. I noticed something in her hand. "Froslass," I asked slowly, "what did Mewtwo give you earlier?"

Our gazes fell on her hand, which held a pink gem, as she showed it to me. "This… is a Psychic Gem. It empowers a move of the same type, but it can only be used once." The said item glittered in her hand. "It's one of Mewtwo's most prized possessions, because from what I've heard, this came from another world."

I blinked. "Another… world?"

Froslass nodded. "Yes. A world where humans are abundant and live side-by-side with Pokemon. At least, that's what I've heard."

Amazing… I thought. "But how did he get it?"

She shook her head, "I honestly don't know, Celebi." Glancing back at the Psychic Gem in her grasp, she said, "All I know is that he gave me this to help me master a certain move I've been having difficulty with."

"Oh okay," I said. "Well then, looks like Mewtwo wants you to do your very best, especially with that move!" I giggled while my companion merely smiled at me.

"I suppose we should be heading back, don't you think?" Froslass said as she kept her Psychic Gem and began to float away. I nodded enthusiastically. The thought of resting back at the headquarters sounded so good.

It was a while before anything really happened. After what occurred with Mew and Mewtwo, which Froslass and I decided to keep between us, we were able to get some much needed rest back in the Planetary Investigation Team Headquarters.

When we were refreshed, Froslass showed me around and even introduced me to the others bosses that Boss (the Typhlosion) mentioned. After the tour, I decided to stay a while as Froslass' roommate, a decision both Froslass and Amphy were ecstatic about.

Since I wasn't technically part of the P.I.T. (which is what Boss told me to use instead of the whole name), I spent my time either napping or exploring. The room I shared with Froslass was simple and comfortable. There were two haystacks lying separately near the wall, with a side table in between. My roommate told me that normally, she covered the room in a layer of ice, even creating a door made of the element (since there weren't any doors) and that her bed of hay was usually a bed of snow. When I tried to apologize for causing her to change her room, Froslass merely waved me off with a small smile. "Do not fret over such measly concerns, Celebi," she had said, "I like the change of setting, honestly. As well as the company."

Although most of the time, the part-Ice and part-Ghost type was away on a mission or another, unlike the other bosses I knew – both of which spent their time frolicking around with each other. Apparently, each boss was a representative of their respective types. Amphy was the leader of the Electric types, and her assistants were a Raichu and an Electrivire, both of which seemed too badass compared to their boss. Boss, obviously, was in charge of the Fire types, and he earned the nickname 'Boss' because of how well he was able to contain his fiery – yes, I'm sorry, pun intended – companions. The Blaziken and the Infernape I saw the first time I came were his assistants. Froslass, on the other hand, being a dual-type Pokemon, became in charge of two types – both Ice and Ghost. Boss said it was because out of all the bosses, she was the best manager, and they couldn't find anyone to fill the role for the Ghost types. "There are few Ghost types who still linger, anyway. Most of them are under Dusknoir, sadly," the Typhlosion had explained.

I couldn't help but think of how hard it must've been for Froslass.

It seemed even Amphy had been thinking along the same lines. "I'm worried that with two roles to fill, she's pushing herself too hard. Arceus knows she's never really been one to – you know, chill – oh my Darkrai, I didn't mean for that pun to come out, sorry." After having a laughing fit over it, she continued, seriously this time, "Anyway, before you came along, she usually shut herself out, barely talking with anyone. Heck, the only Pokemon I know she has contact with are me, Boss, the Sneasel Sisters, and one mysterious Pokemon who occasionally visits. I never met him though." I did, I thought sadly, trying not to think of the Psychic duo we parted with.

"But what about now?" I asked the Ampharos. She shrugged, "Well, she's doing better. I can't believe she introduced you to the other bosses before we could, but hey, I'm not complaining. I just wish she would take some time to relax for herself.. you know what I mean?"

I nodded. I understood. After our little talk, Amphy stalked off in search of her mate, leaving me alone. I decided that after that little Mewtwo episode, Froslass needed a break. And I knew just what to do.

"Froslass! Hi!" I greeted the Ice/Ghost type when she entered our room. She gave me a weary smile, "Hello, Celebi." Judging from her exhausted state, I knew she had been dealing with a rather obnoxious group of Ghost-types under a mischievous Gengar. The Gengar was sort of infamous, according to Amphy. He liked pranks. A lot. While he wasn't bad like, in league with Dusknoir or anything, he was a general nuisance. Especially since he didn't respect Froslass and thought he should be in charge of the Ghost-types. I didn't need to ask Boss why they didn't just let him; it was obvious that Gengar had no leadership skill whatsoever. Wait, back to the point! I thought before negative thoughts about annoying Ghost-types started to overcome my genius plan.

"Listen, can I ask a favor?" I asked, fluttering closer so that I could look into her yellow irises. She merely blinked. "What would that be?"

"Could you, perhaps, take a break and accompany me somewhere tomorrow?" I batted my lashes at her and pouted cutely. "Please, please, please?" I had no idea whether this would work or not, but I'm betting on Froslass' favor and my cuteness combined.

Froslass looked at me warily. "Pretty please with a Cherubi on top?" I added. She stared at me a bit more before sighing in defeat. "Oh, all right, fine. But where are you planning to go?"

I grinned, "Somewhere special."

And so, the very next day (well, not really day as day day but – you know what I mean) we set off for the special place I mentioned. For non-Psychic Pokemon, the journey would be a nuisance. You'd have to go and ask help from a Pokemon named Porygon first, somewhere, but for even a half-Psychic type like me, travelling the distance from the Main Land to Frozen Island would be no problem.

That's why as soon as Froslass announced she was ready, I teleported us to the destination in mind.

We arrived in one piece and even though I could feel the drop of temperature, I grinned at my companion. The shocked look on her face just made my grin grow wider. With a flourish, I raised my arms in a grand gesture and said, "SURPRISE!"

My destination in mind was simple. Frigid Field. It was an open field covered in glittering snow, and before time stopped, it always had light snowfall. Now, beautiful snowflakes remain suspended in the air, waiting for their time to land. Not many knew of this place, especially since one (usually) had to go through Icicle Forest to reach it. I only recently found out from Lulu even. She had said it was one of the most peaceful places in Frozen Island, so I figured Froslass would like it.

Froslass' reaction was rather slow, in my opinion. Her mouth kept opening and closing, as if she were trying to say something to show her heartfelt gratitude but couldn't find the words. And when her lips remained as a thin line, her eyes blinked almost owlishly at me. "I… I… You.. H-How…?"

I gave her one of my signature winks, saying, "No need to thank me. This was a great idea wasn't it?"

"How did you find out my birthplace?" she asked sharply, her eyes ablaze. I blinked. W-wha-?

"Answer me, Celebi," Froslass spoke coldly, "How?" Her bright yellow irises glowed almost ominously and they gave me goose bumps. Froslass was scaring me.

"I-I didn't!" I yelped, my voice small and high-pitched, so it came out as a sort-of-squeak. "I mean, I didn't know! I just figured you'd like the prettiest place on Frozen Island! I'm sorry, I didn't know!" I cowered, curling into a fetal position as I fluttered to the snow covered ground. Touching the cold substance did not help me at all, and instead caused me to start shivering like mad. I was shaking from fear of this new side of Froslass already, then couple it with the cold? Well, you get a shivering – no, shaking Shiny Celebi on a silver platter.

My eyes were closed in fear, and I gasped sharply when an ice cold hand touched my arm. I couldn't stop shaking now and I was starting to sniffle when I heard a calm, soothing voice talk to me. "Shh… it's okay Celebi, you have nothing to fear. I'm sorry…"

I peeked. Froslass was watching me worryingly. "I apologize, Celebi.." she murmured. "This… place. It does not hold good memories for me. I was mistaken to assume you knew the reason why." I gulped and shook my head. "I-it's okay," I said. "We both didn't know, so it's all just a big misunderstanding."

We hugged to make sure that things were still okay between us. I guess my surprise sort of backfired on me…

"But, Celebi," my companion smiled, "Thank you."

I grinned and fluttered up to meet her eye to eye. I opened my mouth to say something when a voice rang out in the clearing.

"Well, well, well, what do we have here?"

A/N:

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year guys! This is actually my first time greeting my readers when it's so close to Anyway, I hope you don't mind too much that my present for you all is a cliffhanger. While I am seriously excited for the upcoming chapters, I cannot start yet because of holiday plans. I will not promise anything because I'm scared of breaking that promise. I won't even try 'New Year's Resolution'.

On another note, thank you to all those who reviewed the last two chapters! Your support is sincerely appreciated

Even if I'd love to say more, I can't, so I leave you guys with this:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7 NIV)

Sincerely, Empress