In hindsight, the last chapter's title was better for this chapter, so I've changed the last chapter's title and have moved it to this one. Same as last time, I just couldn't help myself with the title, because it suits it so well.

Chapter 12: Beware the Frozen Heart

-Rose's POV-

I used Confusion on another Barboach, knocking him into the wall before tossing him into the water. So far this job has gone smoothly. I can only hope that it stays that way. If I do well on this, then maybe I'll be able to help on some of the other missions.

"Oh, I've got this one!" The client (a Geodude) used Rock Polish and charged to attack a Tangela. I caught up to him by enhancing my running speed and got to the Tangela first. I used Confusion and threw it across the room.

I turned around to Geodude and said, "Sir, I insist that you stay under my protection." He wasn't really listening though, his jaw was wide open.

"How'd you do that?!"

"Not important. I would appreciate it if you stayed by my side. You asked for help from an exploration team, and that's what I'm here to provide." I smiled reassuringly, hoping he would just drop the subject.

"Fine; the chamber is this way."

I had continued endurance training under Damus for a while, but after a while, he said that my training schedule was up to me now. More often than not, instead of training at the dojo as usual, I would leave town and go to an open field to practice my psychic-athletics. (Unfortunately, this allowed Vlad to slip past me in strength, since I didn't train against other opponents.)

My running was the hardest part. If I tried running for too long a distance, then I was too exhausted to do much else for the rest of the day except limp back to Treasure Town. I learned that, for running, it was better to run short distances and save long distances for teleporting. Though, lately I've tried to rely less on teleportation, and focused more on developing my new ability. So far, the longest distance I can run without any fatigue is a little over three meters.

I tried applying the same principle to my arms for a strong punch. Bad idea. I tried punching a thin tree with a psychic boost. All I got out of it was a few leaves fallen off and a sore hand for the rest of the day. Even with the boost, I still have stick-thin arms. I could probably knock an opponent my size off-balance, but not much more than that.

"We're here."

"Hm?" I looked around and we were in a regular corridor. Geodude had his hand against the wall.

"Hold on. I need to open it." He jumped up and down, waving his arms in a strange dance. At first I thought my client had lost his mind, but then he flipped and slammed both fists to the ground. The section of wall he had his hand on a moment ago crumbled away. He went inside and then came back out holding an Escape Orb.

He grinned, "Thank you for your help! Let's get out of here."

I nodded and held up my badge leading us out of the dungeon.

-Penny's POV-

I stood in front of the staircase leading underground. After being warped to the guild, Chimecho pointed me to Spinda Café, saying that the other recruits would be here.

All right, all right, you can do this! These will be your teammates, so just stay cool and introduce yourself!

I took a deep breath, puffing up my chest in confidence and marched down the steps. I looked around and saw a few teams gathered around. They all had their badges, but they were different colors. I noticed that the Pokémon hanging close together had the same colored badges. I looked down at my own badge; a bright yellow. I looked around and saw two Pokémon with the same-colored badge. I walked over and, before I lost my nerve, called out, "Yo!"

Both of them stopped talking and turned to me, with an eyebrow raised. A Machop and a Pinsir? Kind of a small team, if you ask me. Counting the ones that were there on the island, that's only 6 before me. Well, I guess if they're all strong, you don't really need a lot of members. From the bandages on the Machop's arm, I'm guessing he's been through some fights.

The Machop spoke, "Uh… Hello?" Then he saw the badge that I had, "Oh! Are you a new recruit?"

I put up an air of confidence, "You catch on fast. Call me Penny. I was sent here from Blizzard Island; shows how tough I am."

He reached out and shook my flipper, "Name's Hogan; that's Savage, welcome to Team Righteous!"

I looked over at the Pinsir, "'Savage'? What kind of name is that?"

He glared, the vein on his forehead throbbing, "What kinda f***ing name is 'Penny'?"

I turned back to Hogan, "Sheesh, who spit in his food today?"

He waved his hand, "Don't mind him; he's always like that."

A new voice behind me called, "Hogan!"

I turned to the new voice, and only saw a blur of white and green. I turned around and a Kirlia was next to Hogan, looking at the bandages on his arm. Did she just… RUN over there?! Not noticing me, she said, "What happened?! Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine. Just a bit of a burn, and in the end, it did give me the boost I needed to finish off the challenger; guess I'm just lucky. How did your mission go?"

The Kirlia crossed her arms, "Okay, but don't go making a habit of it. My mission went fairly well, thank you for asking. Your items took a lot of the pressure off. Speaking of which," She turned to take off the bag and noticed me, "Oh! Who's this?" As she turned to face me, I noticed the badge on her other shoulder, which had been facing away from me.

Hogan pointed with his unburned hand, "Rose, meet Penny, the most recent recruit; Penny, Rose."

Rose put the bag on the table and walk/glided over to me, extending a hand with a smile, "Very nice to meet you!" We shook hands and I noticed that she had an unusually strong grip for a Kirlia. After the greeting she looked around, "Where's Siltram? Wasn't he on standby?"

Another one? How many Pokémon are on this team?

"Yeah, he was on his way out when we got back," Hogan explained. "Said he wanted to squeeze some training in at the dojo since he was on standby anyway. I think he also went out to go sniffing for new leads, but that's just me."

Such an efficient team… To have separate squads at work at the same time… I better not slouch.

I cleared my throat and said, "If you'll excuse me, I think I'll go in for some training too." Then I walked off to go find this dojo in the town

-Siltram's POV-

Phew, that's enough training for today… Dang, I'm getting rusty.

I found that it was harder to fight the way I used to with this new form. Unless I used Minimize, it was hard to dodge by bending or splitting if things got close up. I'll need to come back to the dojo and keep training until I can figure out what to best use. Can't rely too heavily on past strategies; I've gotta figure out how to best use my new form.

While I was waiting around, I withdrew some money to open the boxes in storage for rare items and kept an eye on the items up for trade at the Croagunk Swap Shop, getting the ones for our team members, trading in items that we wouldn't need. I managed to find my item, a Slimy Bow, which lets me absorb damage from psychic attacks. For Vlad, I found the Slip Scarf, which lets his attacks "slip" straight through allies. I'm not entirely sure whether or not to give it to him (He might misuse it to just shoot attacks through us for fun); I should probably ask Meowth about it first. I also found the Pinsir Sash for, you guessed it, Savage. This lets him ignore Reflect and Light Screen, which he didn't see the use of since he has Brick Break anyway, so it sits in storage. Last, I managed to find one low-tier rare item for each of the bosses and the Evolve Charm for Cathy, which is supposed to help her get more out of her training. After putting them in storage, I waited around the café a bit more, and then decided to go training. I even bumped into Hogan and Savage on the way out.

Even though I found a ton of rare items, so far, I had only found one outlaw mission to Craggy Coast during the time that I was waiting. Not very much, but the reward is a Thunderbolt TM, among other items. Since all of Dash's electric attacks need direct contact, I think he'd appreciate some range. Other than that, though, I don't feel like it's been a good day for finding some good missions.

Leaving the dojo, I used Minimize, as usual, to make myself a more friendly size. As I slithered through town, a Piplup ran by, nearly bumping into me. She said a quick "'Scuse me" then ran off, looking around at the intersection before turning towards the dojo.

Shouldn't be many Piplup around here… Maybe that one was part of an exploration team; pretty sure I saw a badge gleam while she was running by.

Tossing the thought away, I continued to Spinda Café, ready to call it for the day, but I heard steps and looked to see Corphish scuttling down the stairs leading to the guild.

I waved my arm, "Hey, Corphish. How's it goin'?"

He looked up, "Hey, hey! You're one of Rio and Meowth's recruits, aren't you? I'm not doing so good… I just had to get away from the guild. Sunflora keeps going on and on about someplace called the Surrounded Sea." Corphish opened and closed his claw to mimic a talking mouth.

I leaned closer, "Really? Well… I… was just on my way to go look at the mission boards. See ya later." I slithered up the stairs toward the guild. Maybe today could be a good day after all.

-Meowth's POV-

Crevice Cave had more powerful versions of the enemies outside, and a few new ones. The Weavile, Slaking and Mamoswine were the toughest, since they were so strong, but Rio made quick work of them with our help. We had a pretty close call with a monster house on the 8th floor, but a Petrify Orb made things much easier. And we found a TM for Hyper Beam in the room! That's powerful!

But there was still the one thing in the cave that was worse than any opponent. As we moved deeper and deeper into the cave, I kept getting that chill down my back that told me we weren't alone. I could tell that the other guys could feel it too. Man, I should've asked Penny about it before she warped out!

Alright, Meowth, think! Ya feel like ya could freeze over any second! Where've ya felt this before? It's right on da tip o' your tongue!

By the time we got to the rest area, even Damus looked a bit uneasy. His eyes glowed for a moment, but he shut them and said, "Something's blocking my Future Sight; I can't see the end of the dungeon…"

I wrote in the journal and slid it back into the mouth of the statue. I turned to everyone, still shivering, "A-alright, everyone, l-let's move on. W-w-we're almost at da bottom." I cleared my throat and tried to shake off the feeling, just for a moment, "So let's see what there is ta see!"

They all nodded and we moved as a group down the cave. Going down, we had a hard time with the constant hail. But we toughed it out. After four floors, the path ahead widened into a room.

Rio looked around, "Is this the deepest part of the dungeon?"

I stared at the far wall, "Looks like it…" I saw something in the wall. A block of ice.

Hold da phone… A Scizor is frozen in there!

We moved closer and Damus said, "This must be the famous explorer Scizor… It seems that he was frozen here when he arrived. But by what?"

A snowstorm started picking up in the cave. Vlad shielded his face and started shivering, "You ask a stupid question…" A tinkling laugh echoed through the cave. But not a tinkling laugh like Celebi's… This sounded evil; or crazy, one or the other.

"Visitors… what a rare sight…" More snow swirled around and something appeared right in front of us.

I screamed. Now I remember! One o' these almost turned me inta a Meowt'sicle back in da day! Dat's why da feeling was so familiar!

The Froslass laughed creepily, "Tee-hee… Welcome… I'm Froslass. I play host to the infrequent visitors to this frozen hinterland!" She clasped her hands and tilted her head, "It must have been awfully exhausting for you to fight those blizzards. Please do come closer…" She waved for us to move forward, "You must be chilled almost down to the bone… So let me freeze you solid! All the way down to the bone!"

I looked at the explorer frozen behind her, his eyes wide with shock, and I said, "Thanks, but no thanks. I don't tink I wanna be a parta your little tea party…" My Shadow Claws readied as I got ready for battle.

Froslass spread her arms and a purple wind started blowing toward us. I gasped, "Vlad, get behind me!"

I felt Vlad behind me, which was good. This move, Ominous Wind, it's a Ghost-type move; deadly to Vlad, but just wind to me. Rio and Damus were holding up on their own. I heard Vlad say, "Nothing to worry about, I'm already manning the torpedoes."

One of his hands shot out of the floor and hit Froslass using Sucker Punch. The instant the wind stopped Vlad peeked out from behind me and shot a Shadow Punch from his other hand while the first returned. It hit Froslass square in the face and sent her reeling for a moment.

"Now," Rio shouted. "Let's rush while she's off balance!"

Rio charged forward first, activating Foresight and shining blue light on Froslass. Then he tried to land a Force Palm, but Froslass turned and breathed on his arm, freezing it so that his Force Palm was made useless. Rio jumped back before anything else got frozen.

Seeing it, I shouted, "Dang! Everyone, watch out for her breath! It'll freeze you solid!"

Still behind me, Vlad said, "So keep our distance? Way ahead of you."

Damus's eyes glowed blue as he readied Future Sight. Then his horn glowed as he gathered power for Razor Wind. Rio, with a well-placed punch, managed to break the ice around his arm and moved his fingers around before holding out his hands and firing a weaker version of Reversal. Froslass turned and fired an Ominous Wind, cutting down the force of the attack. While she was distracted, I sent my Shadow Claws along the ground to try to score a hit. She floated out of the way and started weaving back and forth. She fired another Ominous Wind at Damus, but he fired Razor Wind, cutting straight through and hitting directly.

"Now's my chance!" Vlad came out from behind me and rushed over to Froslass. He waved his hands and black waves came off of him. The Froslass just turned and used Ominous Wind, hitting him directly. He bounced against the ground and grinned, "Too late." The Froslass spread her arms as if to use Ominous Wind again, but only a flicker of purple went by before snuffing out.

"Rio…" Vlad called. "An Oran Berry, if you please. I have about three seconds before this lady tries to freeze me…" He caught the Oran Berry and started to crawl away, eating it. Froslass lunged forward, but I thought fast and put my paws to the ground, sprouting the Shadow Claws around Vlad, reaching to attack Froslass. She gasped and tried to back away, but I got her with one of them. Vlad grinned, his energy back, and then slipped into the floor.

The wind started picking up and I knew what was coming, so I dropped to all fours and ran away as the ball of energy hit Froslass. She was knocked back, but kept her balance.

Rio was holding his semi-frozen arm and concentrating. Soon, the frost started melting off and his fist glowed bright blue. He started charging forward, fist wound up, and going for Froslass with Focus Punch. But Froslass turned and blew her ice breath. Rio kept charging forward and soon I couldn't see him in all the frosty air. The breath stopped and I thought that Rio had hit her, but when the air cleared, Rio was frozen solid with the glow on his fist snuffed out and a look of determination on his face.

"Rio!"

Froslass laughed and patted the block of ice, "Such a good expression… Most are too scared to consider that I want to immortalize them…"

I growled and readied my Shadow Claws around my paws, "You'll pay for dat, ya ice-witch!" I started to run forward, but Damus got in my way, his horn already ready with another Razor Wind "She's baiting you; keep your distance." He slashed with his horn and sent a spinning blade of wind at Froslass. This time she just dodged it. I extended my Shadow Claws across the ground and tried to hit her, but she dodged through them, coming closer.

Crap! I know what she's up to!

I chased her with my claws, trying to catch her before she got to us. Soon I just called them back and formed them around my paws, but it was too late. She started with her frost breath and while Damus took most of it, my feet were frozen to the ground. As Damus froze, I heard a high-pitched screeching noise, like claws on a chalkboard. Froslass ignored it and turned to me, breathing her frost. As the ice crawled over my body, I had one last thought.

Vlad's still in da room somewhere… He's our only hope now…

And I blacked out.

-Vlad's POV-

From my position in the wall, I saw Froslass put her hand on Damus and Meowth's ice prisons, respectively. She shook her head, "Tsk tsk tsk… Such poor expressions… Far too angry and terrified to be a good display…"

I felt affronted at her disregard for my teammates, but I made sure to not give my position away. I saw what Damus did. The moment he was frozen, his item activated. The evidence is in how Froslass is clutching her chest. Now it is only a matter of time before she faints, and then I can get everyone out of here.

"I know you are still here…"

I shivered, but remained silent, so that she would not be able to track me.

"You know… You are the reason that I kept watch on your team… To see how you interact with them… You are not at all what you pretend to be!"

I grit my teeth, but remained adamant. Empty threats! None of them are conscious to hear this, so it does not matter what she says! Go on; shout it through all the frozen wastes for all I care!

Froslass started to cough, clutching her chest tighter, "I was interested, because you were not born a Gastly… You became one… I can tell… But only certain kinds of emotions can allow that… So, why not tell me?"

After I remained silent, she just continued, "Are you looking for someone…? A loved one, perhaps…?" I clenched my fist and my knuckles cracked. She tilted her head, "Ohhh… Did I touch a nerve…? Who is she?"

"Enough…" I was shaking from an entirely different emotion now.

"Haah… So you're wandering around looking for someone… haah… Are you hoping that she'll accept you, even in your new form…?"

"Enough!"

"Koff…Or perhaps a more accurate question would be who was-"

"SILENCE!"

I charged out of my hiding place. I was behind her, so I managed to get to her as she was turning around. She opened her mouth, but I slammed my left hand over it, sinking my claws into the sides of her face. Sure enough, my hand froze, but it acted as a muzzle. With my right hand, I used Shadow Punch and knocked her to the ground. I flew over and continued punching her into the ground with my one hand. My frozen hand cracked and shattered from the multiple impacts, but my essence returned to me, forming a new hand. The Froslass chuckled, "So… koff… You reveal your true nature…"

I held up my hands and readied a Shadow Ball, "That's quite enough out of you, wench."

Her eyes sparked with fear and she screeched, I fired my Shadow Ball, but a flurry of snow swept by and she disappeared before it could hit. Cracking sounds suddenly filled the air and I looked around to see all of the ice prisons, including Scizor's, cracking.

The ice shattered and everyone looked around. Damus sighed in relief and said, "Thank goodness that worked… It was a forlorn hope at best. Good job, Vlad, surviving for the rest of us."

Doing the only thing I could without prompting complicated questions, I grinned and said, "Indeed! I slept that cold off in the wall!"

Rio, thankfully, offered a quick subject-change, "I think that Scizor is waking up."

Scizor shook his head, "Ur… Urf… Wh-where…?" He looked around, "Ah, yes. I recall now. I had been exploring when I was set upon by that beastly Froslass…" He turned to us, "Oh! You're rescuing me, I presume? Forgive me for my lapse in etiquette. My name is Scizor. I am an explorer."