I slipped away from the cottage silently. Anthea and Concordia were nice and caring, but I couldn't sit still. Not while my friends were out there hunting down Team Plasma. My pokeballs bounced lightly against my waist, my gratitude towards N's sisters immense as they had taken great care of them while I had been out.

I shivered as I made my way through the pine forest. The November air was chilly, especially up here in Northern Unova. But if judging by my Pokedex's map, there was a town not far from the cottage. Lacunosa Town was where I needed to go. If Team Plasma had done something, that's where I could find out what since Anthea and Concordia were being tight lipped.

"It doesn't matter if I'm still not fully healed," I muttered. "I can still help."

Not long later I emerged from the forest and was met with a wall. Following it I soon found the archway that led into the city upon a cobblestone road. The temperature had risen only a little, so it was still pretty cold, but there were quite a number of people going about their day as usual. I made my way to the town's Pokemon Center and located the TV. I watched it for a few minutes, but nothing significant was being featured.

"They might be keeping a low profile," I muttered as I walked through Lacunosa's streets. "Ghetsis' plan is to rule and dominate, but without the Dragons, all he has is his flying frigate, and that wouldn't be enough. Heck, I don't even think the two Dragons would be enough. There has to be something else going on..."

Something silvery gleaming in the light caught my eye. I stopped, finding myself standing just outside the town's cemetery. There was an old woman wearing a brown shawl crouching in front of a gravestone off to the side, her silver gray hair gleaming in the sunlight. Something about her just felt so familiar. Then she began to speak and I could just barely hear her words.

"It's been five years now, yet it feels like yesterday I saw your smile," she said, her voice sounding strong despite her age. "You were the only one to believe me, all those years ago. Well, there is the boy. He's such a kind boy. He always loved hearing my stories. But maybe that's all they were to him. Just stories of a terrible, frightening monster of ice. But I know better. He-"

"Excuse me."

She startled, turning back to look at me behind round glasses. I smiled awkwardly. "I couldn't help but overhear-"

"Youngsters these days can't mind their own business," she glared at me, shaking her head ruefully.

"Uh, sorry-"

"I'm just pulling your leg," she gave a reedy laugh. "I was always very nosy in my youth." She smirked. "I still am. Now, what did you overhear?"

"The, uh," I rubbed the back of my head, unsure how to proceed. "This monster of ice you mentioned. Could you... describe it?"

"Oh." She eyes me as if seeing me for the first time. "You saw it, didn't you?"

"Sort of," I admitted, sitting down on the hard ground.

"Hm." She nodded. "Tell me, do you know of the legends of the Monster of Lacunosa Town?"

I shook my head. "Can't say I do."

"It's a legend that's been with this town for as long as it's stood," she spoke with a mysterious air to her words. "About a great beast that stalks the woods outside the city during the long winter months. It comes forth from the Great Chasm and steals away humans and Pokemon alike who stray beyond the edge of town. With this monster comes chilling winds that are beyond that of even the harshest winters Unova has known. That's why the citizens of the past erected the wall surrounding the town, and why no one will venture outside at night beyond even their homes, even though many claim to not believe in this story."

I frowned. "You said you knew better. Why?"

I was met with a crooked smile. "Because I do. When I was young, I was an incredibly foolish and rambunctious girl. I was one of those who didn't believe in those silly stories. So one cold, winter night I went looking in nothing by my nightgown. It was terribly cold, and stupid, but I was determined to prove this monster didn't exist."

"But, you only proved that it was real, didn't you."

A twinkle gleamed in her eye. "And he was majestic. He was a great beast, as if sculpted from ice by an amateur, but he was beautiful nonetheless. Oh but I had stayed out far too long at that point. I was deathly cold and frostbite wasn't far off. But he saved me. I remember him picking me up in his jaws and the next thing I knew I was back in my house. I was bedridden for weeks, but once I was well enough, I went back to look for him."

"Sadly, I only ever found him once more," she said somberly. "And no one believed me. Well, except for my husband." She looked behind her for a second to stare fondly at the grave. Before I could get a look at what it said, she turned back to me. "Some other men came asking about him not long ago. A scientist, I think."

My heart skipped a beat. "Did you tell them?!"

A snort. "Of course not." She hit me lightly on the head. "Do you take me for an idiot? I can tell when someone is shifty. But the townsfolk were more than happy to regale them with the legends and that was enough I suppose since they left soon after." She looked suddenly very old, much older than before. "And the nights haven't been as cold since. I've been meaning to visit the Giant Chasm, but these old bones wouldn't be able to make the trip I'm afraid."

A beast made from ice. Team Plasma's frigate shooting ice cannonballs. And the Giant Chasm...

I blinked. Surely not? I stood abruptly. "Ma'am, this 'monster', could it be a dragon?"

She blinked at him. "I... suppose so. It's possible."

It was enough for me. And that meant I had a pair of Gym Leaders to visit.

"Thank you so much for your time," I bowed my head to her slightly. "But I need to go." I turned and began running out of the cemetery.

As I crossed the gate, I heard her yell from behind, "Zeno!"

I slid to a halt. She knew my name? I hadn't given it to her. Looking back, I saw her kind smile. "Take care of that boy for me, will you?"

"I-" I didn't know how to respond, so I just nodded before taking off and powering on my X-transceiver. I needed to let Alex and Robert know what was going on. That's when a large shadow fell over me and I looked up to see Team Plasma's frigate flying over the town.

"Geez, youngins always rushing about these days," the old woman grumbled as she got comfortable again by her husband's grave. "We certainly weren't like that back in our day, now were we?" She smiled fondly at the headstone and the name carved into the stone.

Robert Aspen

"Wait wait wait, you're what!?" Alex's voice screamed through the speakers. "You're supposed to be on bedrest!"

"Sorry not sorry!" I shouted as I clung to Arcaneis' back as he bounded across the bridge. "But I can't pass this chance up. Whatever they're up, it can't be good. I'm heading west, crossing this bridge that's also doubling as a town."

"Oh, Village Bridge!" Robert's voice exclaimed. "I know where you're at!"

"Good, then get over here as fast as possible!" I shouted over the roaring wind. "I think... They might be heading to Opelucid! Maybe they need Drayden!"

"Wait, why Drayden?" Alex's voice cut back in.

"For the dragons!" Arcaneis sped off the bridge and pelted onto the countryside. In the distance Opelucid City came into view. "I heard something really interesting about that third Dragon from the legend he told us and that Draconid woman! At least, I'm pretty certain it's the third dragon! Everything lines up! And I think they already have it!"

"They do." Robert's voice was solemn. "They're calling it Kyurem. Ice based dragon, right? There were signs of it at their abandoned lab. I was even able to download some info on it. Zeno, their endgame is most likely them trying to merge Kyurem back with Zekrom and Reshiram. I'm sure I don't need to tell you how bad that would be?"

"No." My face had settled into a grimace. "If they were able to draw out enough power from an 'empty husk' that Kyurem is supposed to be for their Frigate, then with all three combined... Just hurry up and get here faster! I don't know if- if-" My eyes slowly widened. The frigate had stopped over Opelucid in the distance.

"Zeno! Zeno! What's wrong!" Alex yelled.

I watched as the frigate's lower cannons turned onto the city below. It happened in an instant. An ice beam shot down into the city, an immediate cloud of frost shooting into the air. Moments later the earth shook, nearly knocking Arcaneis off his paws. The beam continued as the ground shook and horror-struck, I witnessed the buildings of Opelucid become entirely frozen.

"-eno!" Alex's voice became clear again.

"They just-!" I felt rage bubble within me. "They attacked the city! It's frozen! Arcaneis, faster!"

Arcaneis howled as he sped up, the ground becoming even more of a blur than it already was. I could no longer hear my friends, so I disconnected the call and leaned into my Pokemon's fur. Grass, trees, people, Pokemon, all of it blended together as we tore through the countryside and into Opelucid. Once Arcaneis slid to halt, panting and out of breath, I slid off and nearly slipped hadn't it been for Arcaneis there to support me. The cobblestone streets were thick with ice and I saw people and Pokemon frozen in place, all staring up at the sky, having in their last moments wondering what a flying ship was doing over their city.

Said ship was hovering in place near the city center, ropes dangling from the sides. I took a step forward and winced, holding my side. The ride here hadn't been the most comfortable and agitated my wounds. But I would live.

"Take a rest, buddy," I told Arcaneis as I returned him before sending out Lucario and Lycanroc. "Lycanroc, tear up the ice the best you can and make us a way forward. We need to stop Team Plasma before they get what they came here for."

Lycanroc howled and took off, glowing claws tearing up the ice as he went. Lucario and I followed his trail, making our way through the frozen city. Soon enough I heard the telltale sounds of battle pierce their way through the unnatural silence that had befallen the city. Then from an upcoming street came Drayden, carrying a frost covered Iris in his arms while both his Haxorus and Iris' followed from behind, firing twin pulses of draconic energy beams. Then the street exploded in front of them and they were blown backwards.

Drayden caught sight of me. "Zeno!?"

"LUCARIO!" I shouted, light enveloping him. "MEGA EVOLVE!"

Lucario shot forwards with a burst of speed, his form shifting as the mega energy seeped off him. He formed twin bones in his paws as he hurled them down the street just as a platoon of Team Plasma grunts turned the corner alongside their Pokemon. The bones crashed into two lampposts, bringing them down in front of the large group.

"Not a step further Plasma!" I yelled as I hurled another pokeball into the air. Mahina let out a mechanical roar, eyes blazing as she and Lycanroc bounded forward.

"Zeno get out of here!" Drayden commanded as he neared. "They're after you!"

"Huh?" I turned to look at him, but all of a sudden a gut feeling had me spinning on my feet as a figure materialized out of thin air, a fist just barely missing my head. I latched onto it and yanked it towards me as I jutted out my elbow into their gut. They stumbled back and I saw him to be one of the members of the Shadow Triad.

He rushed back at me, getting past my defenses and getting solid hits on my shoulder and stomach. I coughed violently as I fell back onto the ice. I felt a trickle down my jaw and I wiped at it to see blood.

"You were foolish to come out of hiding." My opponent stood over me. "And while you're still injured. Our Lord Ghetsis hadn't believed you'd be this foolish and come this quickly."

"Well, I'm usually right where I need to be," I said between blood stained teeth. Drayden had caught up, his breathing labored as he stood behind me. My Pokemon were currently holding Team Plasma back, but if backup arrived...

"Two birds, one stone," the Shadow Triad member spoke as his eyes darted to Drayden. "Give up the DNA Splicer and no one else has to get hurt. As for you, Zeno, give yourself up. You're in no condition to resist." The wind picked up and the frigate came to hover above us. I watched as the cannon came to rest in a downwards facing position.

"Give yourself up and they'll go ahead and kill everyone in this city just because they can," Drayden said as he clutched a shivering and unconscious Iris closer to his chest. "Your promises mean nothing!"

"Maybe they don't," the Shadow Triad member agreed. "But do you have anything else to lose?"

"..." I glared at him in silent fury. "Give it to them, whatever it is they want, Drayden."

"What!?" Drayden sounded shocked.

"Just do it!" I never took my eyes off the member of Team Plasma. With a heavy heart, I stood and held up several Pokeballs and returned my fighting Pokemon. "I'll figure something out. I always do."

"So you think." He moved suddenly, a quick blow striking my head. I stumbled back, spitting out blood as I fell to my knees. I found myself staring up at the cannon. "Ghetsis... Colress... I will..." I fell forwards, my consciousness fading to nothing.

"Please! I just want to see you!"

The girl's voice was lost in the roar of wind and snow as her blonde hair whipped around her. The darkness was kept at bay of the lantern held in her grasp as she stood knee deep in the snow. She shivered. It was cold, but nowhere near as cold as the time she'd been stuck out here in nothing but her nightgown.

Suddenly a roar echoed throughout the forest and the snowflakes parted from her and formed a wide circle around her and leaving her staring in shock. "Oh," she uttered as she took in the misshapen face that greeted her. The creature lumbered forward, piercing yellow eyes trained on her own as it came closer.

"I'd wondered," she whispered, reaching out a tentative hand to touch it. She hesitated, but when she saw no reaction, she went all the way and placed it upon his head. "But you really do exist. You're amazing." She was breathless as she stared at this magnificent creature in awe. She leaned towards it, pressing her head against its own. "You're nothing like they said you are."

"Nothing..."

Robert awoke in a cold sweat, eyes wide as he glanced around wildly. After a few moments he realized he was still on the boat. Then another moment later he realized he'd fallen asleep when he hadn't meant to. Hurrying out of the cabin, he emerged into the sunlight. "Did I miss anything!?"

No one answered him. They didn't need to. Alex, N, and Marlon were staring at the city in the distance. Opelucid City had been entirely frozen and Team Plasma's frigate was nowhere in sight.

"Zeno," Robert realized and turned to Alex. "Were you able to...?" He let the question hang.

"No response." Her voice was tight. "The other members of the Elite 4 are in the city, and they haven't found him. He's probably..."

"Right where he needs to be," Robert finished, trying his best to put the confidence in his words. "We'll do our best here on the ground to figure out where they are. Giant Chasm should be one of the first places we look. But while we do that, we have to trust that Zeno can handle himself, and that he'll be able to get us to him if need be. Just trust him, Alex."

Alex took a deep breath and slapped her cheeks with both hands. "You're right. Absolutely right, for once."

"Hey-!"

Alex whirled around, red and blonde hair spinning as she grinned. "If they have Zeno, then they're in for a world of hurt!"