Chapter 33
Order
"It's Ice now! The Freezers are all-powerful! We're doomed, Cavetown's doomed!"
Wartortle cut in front of the Charmeleon yelling hysterically as he ran willy-nilly through Cavetown's tunnel network. Because he'd been paying no attention to how he'd ended up at Swinee's exit tunnel, he accordingly had no idea how to get back to Team Base. His eyes scanned the tunnel intersections and walls for the posted signs with picture directions.
Every Pokémon he passed was either on edge or in full-blown panic mode. News of the Ice boost had spread rapidly. Wartortle was surprised that other Pokémon had noticed it so soon. What was more likely, he reasoned, was that he'd noticed it late. The boost might have commenced as the storm clouds began to form. At any rate, Cavetown might soon be the battleground for a civil war. Wartortle could not recall seeing many Ice-types during his time in Cavetown but he would not consider himself proficient at identifying Type on sight. Even a handful of Ice-type Pokémon would have no trouble against thirty times their number in all-out brawl.
He passed through a larger cavern, a workout room. Bags of sand lay on the ground or hung from ropes. Solid disks and balls of rock with differing numbers of notches marked on their surface rested in racks or against walls. Other equipment that Wartortle did not understand was present, too, but all was untouched at the moment. The multitude of Pokémon in the cavern glanced at each other uncertainly, and at Wartortle as he ran through.
"Hey, Wartortle, is the Ice thing true?" said some high-pitched voice behind him as he ran.
"It's true!" was all he had time to say over his shell-back as he continued without stopping. Ahead, a Larvitar was talking to a pair of Geodude with an impatient tone.
"No, she said that Freezers are like Zappers now." All three turned to look at the nearby Snover, who looked down at itself curiously in turn. Even to Wartortle, it was an obviously an Ice-type. He passed them by and left the cavern. As he did, exclamations of surprise and fright followed him from within.
I need to find Quil and the rest. That's my priority. We know how each other fight. We're experienced at battling Pokémon with boosted moves in their arsenal. If I can find them, I'll be safe. Relatively. We'll go from there.
The Pokémon Wartortle passed were now running more often than not. Running to wherever they felt safe. Probably the Habitation Caverns, or some hidden nook that they believed only they knew about. He would have hated to be a refugee first arriving in Cavetown when this happened. Cavetown was supposed to be a safe haven amidst chaos. Twice, he spotted battles raging within the tunnels. What he believed to be Ice-type species were involved in both instances. These were not friendly contests. These were Pokémon attempting to subdue each other by force.
At last, he encountered one of the Smeargle-signs depicting the crossed-out lightning bolt. The arrow pointed him down a tunnel that he distinctly recognized. Before he'd arrived at Team Base proper, he bumped into the rest of the Resistance. Peroo, Loria, Bein, Viper, Hayzin, and Quil. Four of them began talking at once to make an unintelligible jumble of words. Wartortle thought he got the gist of what was being asked.
"Yes, it's true, I witnessed it myself in a Swinub. Ice-types look to be as strong as Electric-types now."
"No!" Quil and Peroo cried together. Bein thwacked his bone against the ground. Hayzin stamped a hoof.
"How do we help?" Bein asked simply, prompting a shower of hopeful scrutiny directed at Wartortle. He frowned and was about to object to all of them placing their faith in his ideas, when a small voice spoke in his head.
Now's not the time.
"For now, our own safety is paramount. We can't help anyone if we rush into a battle against an Ice Pokémon only to be knocked out or frozen solid. That being said, I suppose we can try to keep the peace as long as we're extremely cautious."
Viper's head bobbed about as she said, "So we take down any 'mon that's battling, and the battles stop, easy!"
"No," Wartortle said pointedly. "Fighting in order to stop the fighting would only add to the chaos. I suggest we try to break up the battles we see. I imagine most of them are either Ice-types defending themselves, or Pokémon preemptively attacking any Ice-type they see. I know a lot of Cavetowners still assume that a boosted Electric-type is a crazy Electric-type. They'll think the same of Ice-types now."
"Halt the battles," said Loria. "End the fighting before the winner emerges. That is your intent?" While her tone didn't suggest that the concept of breaking up a fight was unknown to her, it was evidently a foreign one. The others looked to be grappling with the idea and its usefulness as well.
"Of course if we come upon an Ice-type who really is crazy, attacking for no discernible reason, feel free to bring them down," Wartortle clarified. It didn't help. "Does anyone have any other ideas on how to help?"
"We don't know what has caused this new boost," Hayzin said. "Nor can we reverse it. I believe that attempting to 'keep the peace', as you called it, may be our best option."
"You could show us exactly what you mean with your plan, Wartortle," said Quil with enthusiasm. For having been utterly destroyed the day of the previous boost, Quil was remarkably chipper about the crisis.
No one had any further input. They all stood by, ready to assist. Wartortle double-checked his reasoning. By his estimate, this truly was the most sensible thing to do. Yet he'd left Team Base to work up the courage to quit this exact role. Leading others. Fighting the ill effects of the boost - now boosts. He looked around helplessly.
"You know that my plans can and have failed, right? You realize that stopping the fighting could be the wrong decision?"
"Don't go spangled on us now Wartortle!" said Viper with irritation. She hadn't seen this side of him after Karprest. "If this is the best idea we've got, let's go. Now is the best time!"
"You attack first," Loria put in.
In his frustration, Wartortle whirled on her. "No, no one is attacking-"
"It's a saying," Quil cut in with a voice that sounded embarrassed on his behalf.
Wartortle probably would have felt warmth rising into his face, if he wasn't already feeling a bit hot-headed from the crisis in Cavetown and his own personal dilemma. "Right, I knew that one. I forgot. If this is how it has to be, I'll do my best."
Coincidentally, the first battle they encountered was the Larvitar and one of the Geodude battling the Snover. More accurately, it was the Snover dodging their attacks and trying to flee. Wartortle confronted first the Larvitar. He kept pace with it as it chased the Snover and executed its techniques. All the while, he urged it to stop while maintaining a tranquil demeanor. At first the Larvitar seemed confused by the Wartortle that kept talking in its face when a battle was happening. Next it became distracted, its attacks half-hearted. Finally it seemed to hear what Wartortle was saying. The Larvitar stopped attacking.
"That Snover is not our enemy," he stated plainly, before moving onto the Geodude. If the Snover retaliated with an Ice technique now that the Larvitar had laid off the offensive, Wartortle might be caught up in it. He was playing a dangerous game.
The same tactic worked with the Geodude. He spoke to the Snover last, who explained that her fellow Pokémon had turned on her after she tried out the potency of some move she called 'Powder Snow'. As Wartortle had predicted, this Ice-type had only been defending herself. Fortunately for the Geodude and Larvitar, she'd stuck to evasion instead of requiting with Ice.
For the following hour, the members of the Resistance patrolled the tunnels and chambers of Cavetown. Every step, Wartortle tried to project an aura of assertive calm with his body language and tone of voice. He soon saw his companions following suit. Whenever they came upon a battle, they repeated Wartortle's pacifying technique. It worked better on some Pokémon than others. Sometimes the battles ended via pacifism, other times by a failed attempt that allowed the battles to take their course. Either way, the battles ultimately ended.
Ice techniques were definitely not entirely absent. The most common one employed was the same one that Swinee had used, which caused a rush of gale winds that instantly chilled the affected area. No matter how far Wartortle was standing from the technique when it was used, he could always feel the heat being sucked from his body to a some degree. The new power of the Ice-types was not as flashy or loud as the Electric-types, but it was equally frightening. Wartortle shuddered when he thought of being enveloped in those icy winds head on. The others of the Resistance were not immune to such thoughts either. He saw the way they looked at the Ice techniques in action.
The work was as rewarding as it was risky. Early on in their effort, Bein suggested he serve as a rear guard in case a panicked or angry Ice-type ran into them from behind. Wartortle enforced a slow pace from his position at the front for caution's sake. He wouldn't be responsible for leading them all into the midst of a raging battle that they'd not noticed until it was too late. After a close call with a Piloswine, Swinub's evolution, all of them agreed it would be prudent to immediately knock out any Ice-type that caught them by surprise, just in case. The prudence turned out to be unnecessary in the end.
The pandemonium of Cavetown settled into a tense ceasefire after the hour or so of work. Wartortle was proud to say that his plan had probably stopped the battling far sooner than it would have otherwise lasted. Judging by the reduced traffic in the thoroughfares of Cavetown, Hayzin suggested that some of its inhabitants either were hiding or had fled the town entirely.
"Oh, no one could have left," Wartortle said. "Let me show you the storm."
To his surprise, the climate outside the main entrance was now tame. The wind had died down to a steady breeze. The sky was overcast but free of any falling snow. The extreme cold had gone, leaving a nip in the air. Had Wartortle not seen the storm with his own eyes, he might have believed the reported severity to be exaggerated if it weren't for the foot of snow and hailstones blanketing the ground. The monotonous gray of the landscape outside Cavetown had been utterly transformed into pristine white. Not a single print marred the snow. No one had left Cavetown after all, unless they had levitated or flown.
As was to be expected, many of the Pokémon they passed in Cavetown asked them what exactly was happening and what they should do. Wartortle allowed Quil to answer with his own judgment, who told everyone to relax and wait until the Resistance spoke about the crisis later that day in the commons. Together, the seven of them retired to Team Base. Viper shooed out the small crowd that had already gathered so they could speak in private.
"Sealing off this cave and putting a door next chance I have," Bein muttered.
Each of them appeared wrapped in his or her own thoughts for a minute as they enjoyed the peace, Wartortle included. Viper soon posed the question that was on his mind.
"Now what?"
Wartortle deliberately leaned back where he sat on the bench to 'admire' the glowing fungi along the cave's ceiling. Leading discussions when he was trying to leave the Resistance was a poor move. Someone else would have to get the ball rolling. Quil rose to the challenge.
"Why don't we review everything we know?"
"Easy," said Bein. "Freezers boosted. Going to be twice as many requests for help."
"Not necessarily," Hayzin said. "In my travels years ago, I noticed that some Types are far more common than others. I neither met nor battled many Freezers back then. I believe it is a rarer Type to have."
Loria raised a forepaw. "Nonetheless, all bow to Ice. Cold is undeniable."
"You mean no Type is immune to Ice?" Wartortle asked. She nodded with her eyes steady on his.
Quil's voice revealed his distress. "Even though Freezers aren't common, no Type will be able to help us like Bein does against Zappers. This is even worse than the first boost!"
Bein tapped his bone against his skull helmet thoughtfully. "Are Zappers even still boosted?" He glanced at Hayzin.
"Hm. I don't feel any different. Shall we answer your question ourselves, Bein? Everyone please stay far back."
Wartortle's gut wanted to raise an objection, but the information would be valuable. Bein would neutralize the technique regardless of how potent Electric techniques now were, so he had no cause to worry. He joined everyone else in retreating partway down the tunnel.
Even though it was Hayzin using the move, his claws still clenched as electricity began to crackle in the Zebstrika's mane. The dreaded hum filled the cavern. The gathered electricity shone with a yellow light. Hayzin reared up onto his hind legs and a bright bolt of electricity jumped between him and Bein. The bolt was yellow with a blinding white core. The crack as the electricity split the air was deafening in the close confines of the cave and tunnel.
The light and sound only lasted a split second, since the instant the bolt met Bein's skin, they ceased. No echo and no residual electricity, as usual. Nevertheless, the intensity of the bolt while it had lasted was most assuredly still at a boosted level.
"Still 'supercharged', as Wartortle might say," said Hayzin with amusement. Juxtaposed against the crackling of his electricity, his voice sounded weak and distant. Bein grunted his agreement with the assessment as everyone filed back in.
Peroo sounded dubious. "Right, but is it just the same, do you think? Is every Freezer boosted right up to the same plateau as the Zappers? Is this one going to last forever too?"
"I don't know, no one knows," said Viper. She'd taken to circling the table in the middle of the room. "You'll sure find out if you keep those lookers wide open!"
"Already I see a pattern," declared Loria as her eyes roamed the others for confirmation or agreement. None was forthcoming. She explained further only after a few seconds of expectant silence. "The beginnings of a beautiful journey. Electric. Ice. The other Types will follow one by one. The ripples of a stone sent skipping atop the sea of all Pokémon."
Wartortle considered the hypothesis she had put forth with such certainty. Only two of the many Types had been affected thus far. Viewing that as the start of a huge pattern was perhaps premature. Why not though? No other rhyme or reason had been discovered for the boosts, so it was easy to suppose that every Type would soon meet the same fate.
If he recalled correctly, eighteen Pokémon Types had been classified. Wartortle had awoken on the first boost day sixteen days ago, if he hadn't miscounted. That meant at the current rate it would take...between eight and nine months until every Pokémon was boosted. That period of time would be rampant with chaos and exploitation as certain Pokémon far outstripped others in battling capability. One day, however, all would be equal again, if on an entirely higher level. He shared his thoughts with the others.
Hayzin looked sternly at him across the table. "All will be resolved within a year, so you are implying we should do nothing?"
"I can't let all the Pokémon around me suffer when I can help, for even a month," Quil said.
"Pattern might be wrong," Bein added. "Ice could be last. Or the next Type is, or the one after. Boosts might fade away too."
"Alright, fair points," Wartortle conceded. "We still don't know enough, and even if Loria is correct, we can't twiddle our thumbs."
At the same time, Viper and Peroo said, "What's twiddle mean?"
Wartortle winced. I've got to watch it. They might still think I'm from Steady Steppe like Quil, but not for long if I keep acting and talking differently than any other Pokémon.
"I mean, we should keep up our Resistance effort instead of doing nothing." He wracked his mind for a suitable distractor. "Does anyone know which Types perform well against Ice, and which do poorly?"
"Fire is strong!" Quil said.
"The blows of a Fighter like myself as well," Loria added.
"Good to know, though I bet there are more, right?" Wartortle asked. "We should consider interviewing an Ice-type or two today to learn their strengths and weaknesses from the Pokémon themselves. Let's be careful around Ice-types though. If one ever wants to take over Cavetown like Stolt or Raizula did in their towns, we'll be prime targets in their way."
Viper stopped her circling to say, "Yeesh Wartortle. That negativity right there could be an Ice move."
No one else seemed to share her blithe attitude. The room was quiet for a moment as everyone seemed to digest the implications of Wartortle's warning. Eventually, Hayzin suggested the Resistance keep operating normally and incorporate the inevitable requests related to Ice-type Pokémon into their missions. The conversation had resulted in no change to their overall approach. With nothing further to discuss, they all headed over to the commons to support Quil as he gave another brief speech to update the Cavetowners.
A blend of anxiety and shame churned within Wartortle all the way through Quil's address. He'd thought it over and made a definite decision to leave the Resistance, but now the game had changed. Exactly how much remained to be seen. The problems plaguing the lands would definitely worsen at any rate. The Resistance needed all the help it could get, now more than ever. And this was when he'd chosen to leave? Would he even have the courage to announce his departure to the others?
Wartortle promised to meet them later for the request selections with the excuse that he needed some time alone to think about the new development. While walking toward one of the commons' pools of water, he noticed a Glaceon and a Jolteon conversing near one of the cavern's walls. The dangerous duo had attracted the attention of other 'mon as well. The two Eevee evolutions paid the looks no mind. After a minute, they set off together deeper into the cavern's depths.
The luminous waters of the pool called to him. His experience in the water might be new and exciting now that he'd evolved from a Squirtle, but if he jumped in he'd lose sight of the Glaceon and Jolteon. Seeing an Electric-type other than Hayzin out and about in Cavetown was rare enough to hold his attention. Wartortle imagined the Jolteon was feeling less discrimination with the spotlight on the Ice-types. The sight of an Ice-type and Electric-type together like that had the gears whirring in his head. If the Glaceon focused on knocking out any Ground-types, and the Jolteon dealt with everyone else, they could become nigh on unbeatable. No Type had a solid advantage against such a duo to his knowledge.
These two seemed harmless enough. The Jolteon laughed at what the Glaceon was saying and batted at it with a paw. Their attention was on each other, not on the other occupants of the commons. Both seemed completely at ease. When they'd reached the dimmer reaches of the humongous cavern, where no other Pokémon could be found within at least two hundred feet, they drew apart and halted. The Glaceon faced the Jolteon as it settled down into a battle-ready crouch.
Oh. A friendly battle. That's all it is. Not a secret conference for plotting the downfall of Cavetown.
Wartortle was not the only Pokémon still watching while the two faced off. When the first Electric technique lit up the expanse of the cavern, even more heads turn to spectate the battle. The splitting crack of electricity resounded through the entire commons. The light of the electrical energy drove back even the deepest darkness of the stalactite-riddled ceiling. Wartortle hardly thought about the backpedaling he was doing. The first Ice technique from the Glaceon sounded deceptively delicate. A series of crystalline tinkles and reports from rapidly-forming ice crystals. The rocky floor from which the Jolteon had dodged was slicked with sparkling frost. A moment later, Wartortle felt the air on his skin cool slightly despite his distance from the Glaceon.
The Jolteon and Glaceon did not appear to be fighting with the intent of knocking out their opponent as quickly as possible. Neither did their expressions or body language suggest that one was toying with the other. No, the boosted Pokémon were exploring their abilities. Giving plenty of warning before each technique to allow the other to dodge. Building their techniques to their maximum potential before sending them onto the battlefield. A side-effect of that battling style was that it drew attention. The battle was like a show. Spectacular effects. Grandiose movements. A display of incredible power. Wartortle could not look away.
The extraordinary battle continued. Wartortle's mind wandered as he rested his gaze on the distant eye candy. He idly compared the similarities and differences of the two Eevee evolutions. The Jolteon's fur reminded him of Quil's flames. Spiky, jagged. Like a lightning bolt flashing for a mere instant through the sky. The fur might even be rigid, though he'd never had the opportunity to touch a Jolteon before. By contrast, the Glaceon's form was more graceful. Long dangles from its head and a tail like a streamer. The tail was so flat that he could picture it fluttering in the wind.
The very beginnings of an idea began to show its light in Wartortle's mind, like the first rays of the dawn. The Glaceon leaped into the air to perfectly avoid the Jolteon when it charged forward with electricity jumping between its jaws. Wartortle pictured the other evolutionary paths of Eevee. He could easily see all of them in his mind's eye, as they'd been instilled in him at an early age as a method for educating students of the Pokémon Types. Everyone loved the Eevee species and its evolutions, especially children. He could see each one of them on the battlefield in the distance. The suave darkness of Umbreon. The fins and frills of Vaporeon. The billowy fur of Flareon.
The idea had crested the horizon, now. The sun was not fully visible but its light was seeping into the sky, banishing the darkness and all its mystery. Imagining more than the two lone combatants on the battlefield felt right to Wartortle. The Flareon in particular fit right in, though he couldn't say why. The Fire-type matched the Ice-type and Electric-type on some level that eluded him. They made a fitting trio. The Glaceon's head swung back and a small gale of icy wind slammed against the shadowy ceiling with a resounding BOOM. The stalactites along the way were coated with scintillating frost crystals. Truly, these two Pokémon wielded legendary power.
He refused to blink. His eyes flicked between the Glaceon and Jolteon with increasing fervor. He added the illusory Flareon into the mix, imagining it raising pillars of flame with ease. A revelation was coming. A big one. Something about the jagged, yellow coat the Jolteon wore, along with the black accent of its ears. The icy crest on the Glaceon's forehead, too. Its flattened dangles and tail, lightly waving in a breeze. And the Flareon's mane. Its tail. The edges of the fur like the edges of a flame, always renewing into new shapes. Disheveled but passionate. Like fire in the wind.
The sun had risen.
Wartortle's mind filled with light. A distinct chill tickled his spine from the base of his skull all the way to the tip of his tail. He shook with the force of it, helpless as a branch's leaf rattled by the almighty wind.
He was right. All those days ago when he'd said that Legendary Pokémon had caused the storm, Quil had dismissed the idea from discussion with a fit of giggles. But Wartortle had been correct. He'd been right all along.
"I know what's causing the boosts," he murmured to himself. Testing the words. Daring to believe in them.
Electric. Ice. Next was Fire. The trio would be complete. The third boost would be the final one. The curious floating Pokémon with the orange 'V' atop its head had asked Wartortle for the whereabouts of the third and final Legendary of the trio. That was a crucial hint.
"I know what's causing the boosts," he repeated. A nearby Ralts turned its head toward him. A Buneary's ears flicked upright.
No other Legendaries that Wartortle knew of were associated with electricity, ice, and fire. Only one grouping made sense. Only three specific Legendaries fit the bill. They had to exist outside of fanciful stories. They had to be real. The explanation was too perfect.
"I know what's causing the boosts!" he shouted. All of the Pokémon around Wartortle stiffened and turned from the battle to direct their attention at him. Incredulous expressions became hopeful when they saw who had spoken. With manic energy, he dashed toward the entrance to the commons. A trail of stunned Pokémon stood in his wake.
Wartortle did not look back to see who had won between the Glaceon and Jolteon. The outcome of the little duel was unimportant in the scheme of things. Sure, they commanded terrifying power.
But the Legendary Birds were the source.