PMD: Warped Skies Arc 2 - Shadows Rising

by Team Ion

Time was saved but the world is far from safe. Some pokemon of the lost time have returned but someone is missing. There is more going on within the shadows than pokemon realise as no one, not even Scout, truly knows what is going on. Who is friend and who is foe? And why does Darkrai have such a nice voice? SI-OC/Isekai

13. The Blizzard Island

"Wait… seriously?"

"I have no time for jokes."

Sean stared up at Armaldo in wonder. The intimidating fossil pokémon stared back with his usual expression of mild annoyance.

Sean blinked and spoke. "Repeat it, please."

Armaldo huffed, rolling his eyes, but acquiesced to Sean's ask. It was why he was only telling this to one member of Team Sunrise, trying to involve any of the others would inevitably attract them all. He'd be answering questions, receiving threats, and getting interrupted all day.

"To recount my words," Armaldo began, "your team's trial period has ended positively. Proving that Dusknoir does appear to be under control, perhaps even genuinely remorseful, and exemplifying the guild's values in your work has been a success."

"Trial period?" Sean asked when Armaldo took a breath. He just wanted to be sure of everything.

"You weren't explicitly told so," Armaldo answered. Every word he spoke was entirely level, almost bored sounding. "But the loosened restrictions was its own kind of trial. Due to Team Sunrise always returning, as per the agreement, even if you played with the limits on occasion." He gave a slight glare, and Sean stifled a smile. "You have proven yourselves."

Despite the fact that you technically could have simply left. These words were left unspoken, but both of them felt them hanging in the air around them.

"So…?" Sean began slowly. "What does this mean going forward?"

"It means you and your team are being upgraded to the benefits and restrictions of being an apprentice of the Wigglytuff Guild," Armaldo explained. "You will be eligible to go on expeditions, you are free to choose your own missions, you are expected to work six of seven days a week."

He paused there, Sean felt his nerves rise. Which was silly, Armaldo had already told him.

But the wicked Bug-type was almost smiling. "And you do not have to return to the guild every day." There it was. Freedom. "You still have to return after each mission," Armaldo added. "And it's required you do not go far without at least alerting the guild. But those are the new terms. Team Sunrise has proven themselves trustworthy, and Team Magnezone has agreed to this."

Sean nodded slowly, unable to stop the smile rising over his face. He did restrain the cheers, however. Just barely. "And the Clefable Guild?"

"Hasn't said a word," Armaldo replied.

"O-okay." Sean nodded faster. "Okay! This is great! Thank you so much!"

Armaldo snorted at him. "Don't thank me," he snapped. "If you must assign gratitude to someone, give it to the Guildmaster."

"I'll let everyone know," Sean said, speaking quickly and not hearing that at all. "They'll be so happy! Saniya might come and hug you later, I don't know! Bye!"

And then he raced off before Armaldo could instruct him that Celebi was not to come anywhere near him with any snotty cries or dreaded hugs.

Armaldo dropped his claws and debated on his next move for a few moments. He decided the most sensible thing to do would be to climb out the side of the cliff and bury himself in a cocoon of string.

He had paperwork to do, however.

---

"Surround Sea?"

"7.8/10, too much water."

"Mt Travail?"

"I don't feel like climbing another mountain."

"It'd hardly be climbing. And you float anyway!"

"Noooo."

Team Sunrise was hard at work, figuring out what they should do for work. Sean's announcement had filled the team with unyielding excitement. They were allowed to go almost as they pleased now!

Guardian was hesitant, as was Striker, neither of them was trusting enough to accept that things were so wonderful just on someone's word.

In a compromise, however, they agreed to let Sean and Saniya pick their first long-distance destination while they did a mission for the day.

Saniya was not an agreeable partner, however, and she and Sean could not agree on the destination. She continued to offer suggestions like Yellow Petal Town and Blackstone Village. "Fine!" Saniya said. "I'll just ask Chimecho directly then."

"We shouldn't chase down Team Ion," Sean protested. "We could mess their whole mission up!" But Saniya was not listening. "Saniya!" he yelled. Still not listening.

Sighing with aggravation, Sean went for a walk to clear his head.

It did not take long for Saniya to find Chimecho. It helped that the Psychic-type rarely left the guild and the guild was not overly complex to navigate.

"Celebi!" Chimecho beamed. She was in the little tiny office that Armaldo had finally convinced her to use. Chatot had tried to give her an office for years but tended to give in to her abject refusal. Armaldo just dug the thing out for her and made her use it.

"Chimes!" Saniya beamed back. "Have I got a question for you!"

"You have?" Chimecho asked, setting down the papers she was working on. "Let's hear it," she said, floating up. "As long as you promise to listen to me afterwards!"

"You want to talk?" Saniya asked, surprised. "Wow! Okay. What's up?"

"Didn't you have a question?"

"Nah, just messing with Sean," Saniya giggled, but a little guiltily. "I was giving him a hard time about where we should go for our first real getaway mission. Miiight have gone a little far though, I'll apologise later."

"Make sure you do," Chimecho advised. "But I am glad you came around to find me. I was thinking, with Team Sunrise going to be leaving for who knows how long soon, it may be useful if you can connect to the Psychic Network."

Saniya blinked. "I've heard a lot about that thing, but I still don't get what it is."

"Oh!" Chimecho gasped, quite surprised to hear that. "I can explain." Saniya took a seat. While in the air. It honestly took more effort to do that than simply float, but she was committed. "The Psychic Network is the broadcasted range of various Psychic-types across the Grass Continent. We are specially trained to find the exact frequencies others in the network send out, these frequencies go much farther than your normal Psychic move after all."

Saniya raised a hand. "Can you attack through it?"

Chimecho frowned at her as if that was an unusual thing to immediately think of. "I do not believe so. Many pokémon in the Psychic Network are not fit for battle either. Similar to teleporters, it takes a great deal of specific training to tap into the network well enough to be employed in this field."

"How am I supposed to do it, then?" Saniya asked. "I'm a very poor student. You could ask Giratina, but you can't. Because they're not with me anymore and wouldn't remember me anyway."

For a brief moment, Saniya looked deeply upset. The moment passed between blinks.

"So, yeah. I like to battle."

"Indeed…" Chimecho examined her a moment before shrugging it off. "But as a pokémon of legends, I believe you would have a reasonable shot of at least being able to tap in occasionally. The Psychic Network is primarily used to send rescue requests to available guilds or teams fortunate enough to be close to a representative, but it is also an excellent way to pass other information to pokémon who need to know."

Saniya opened her mouth to ramble on about something but paused. Scout's words and the threat of Darkrai floated up in her mind, and she tasted the idea a while longer. "Hmmm… well, I could give it a shot at least."

"Wonderful." Chimecho beamed. "We can start now if you're not busy."

"I'm not," Saniya agreed but glanced at the paperwork behind Chimecho, "but, uh… aren't you busy?"

"Oh, I can put this off for later," Chimecho giggled. "It's simply a little thing I do to help keep the cogs of the guild running."

"I'll say," Saniya said. "You make the food, manage the jobs, connect to this Psychic Network thingy, keep count of the stuff. What don't you do in the guild?"

Chimecho blushed. "Oh… you're overestimating me."

"Seriously?" Saniya continued. "How are you still an apprentice? Haven't you been here for years? I would have thought they'd have at least promoted you to… some important position?"

"I've been offered," Chimecho admitted, face still a little red. "But I prefer to remain where I am. I can have friends this way, it'd be different if I weren't an apprentice." And that was that. She changed the subject back to Saniya and closed the door, beginning Saniya's lessons on connecting to the Psychic Network.

---

"So, have you determined a destination for us?" Guardian asked over dinner later that night.

"Nope!" Saniya beamed. "I practised mind linking with Chimecho!" Saniya had made some progress, surprising Chimecho, but was still far away from being able to reliably connect to the Psychic Network. The rarity of encountering something she did not master immediately left her excited for more.

"Every location I suggested was refuted," Sean said, still rather ticked off. Saniya stuck her tongue out at him, but he didn't look amused at it.

"Perhaps we can determine one together?" Guardian suggested. "After dinner?"

Team Sunrise was just another group of pokémon in the Wigglytuff Guild by now. Even Guardian didn't get any odd looks, they were used to him by now.

Although the concept that The Great Dusknoir was now an official apprentice of the Wigglytuff Guild filled many pokémon in Treasure Town with mirth and amusement.

Bidoof had thought so and had Bell giggled at the news as well.

"You four," Armaldo said, as dinner was being finished up. "The Guildmaster wants to talk to you afterwards."

Not to keep Wigglytuff waiting, they joined him and Armaldo in Wigglytuff's greeting room.

"How have you been, friendly-friends?" Wigglytuff asked, resting on his throne with a great smile.

"We're great!" Saniya beamed back. "Unless you're here to tell us we can't go wherever we want, in which case I may swap your perfect apples for imposter apples!"

"No-no," Wigglytuff laughed, a little nervously. He snuck an apple behind him. "Armaldo and I just had a little suggestion for your adventure!"

"Meowth's information has been interesting," Armaldo said from behind them. He had followed them into the room but had loitered by the door until Wigglytuff addressed him. "And he left us with a few more things that he remembered before Team Ion departed."

"Really?" Guardian said. "May I ask what he left with you?"

"Just some clearer details on Darkrai as well as some other stuff that he said was this and that." Wigglytuff gave a so-so gesture. "But one important thing is Blizzard Island!"

"According to Meowth," Armaldo continued, as Guardian frowned at the name of the island. "At the deepest point within a 'Crevice Cave' lurks a froslass which has frozen and imprisoned an explorer known as Scizor. He is, apparently, still alive and could be saved."

"The entire island is quite inhospitable," Wigglytuff continued. "Very few pokémon go out there, so it could make sense that this poor adventurer has never been found. The last in town to traverse out there was Team Tasty I believe."

"If this scizor is as Meowth's vague description implies then there is someone historically important trapped there," Armaldo added. Three sets of eyes and one cycloptic eye glanced at him in curiosity. "Meowth's memory isn't the clearest, he says, and there is the matter of his information being flawed in the past, but there was enough there to theorise who this explorer is."

"According to Meowth, this Scizor was an honorary member of the Pokémon Exploration Team Federation," Wigglytuff said. "This is the same federation that gives guilds like ours an official status. That scizor was also the only known student of The Legendary Lucario." Even Wigglytuff said the name with a degree of pressure and reverence.

"We've tried to get into contact with her," Armaldo said, continuing on. "But she is a very difficult pokémon to find. Probably for the best regardless. If this information is not accurate, I wouldn't want to be the one to raise that hope and dash it."

Wigglytuff looked down sadly. "It's said that Scizor vanished shortly after the defeat of the tyrant Dancer. Many theories have been posited to his disappearance but all that we know is that Lucario does not speak about it and any who try to press her swiftly regret it. She has been spotted on Blizzard Island before, however, over the last forty years on the rare occasion."

"So, if Lucario has been searching there," Armaldo finished out. Even he said Lucario with a note of respect. "That leads more credence to Meowth's memory."

"That's where you come in!" Wigglytuff beamed. "You may be able to find Scizor! You four are quite strong and clever. If he is truly there, you may be able to save him. And that's what Wigglytuff Guildmembers do!"

"Is Blizzard Island the large island to the southwest of here?" Guardian asked before anyone else could speak.

Wigglytuff nodded, pulling a map out. "Right here." He pointed, and three of four of Team Sunrise grimaced for a moment.

"That's… Frozen Island, isn't it?" Striker asked, very softly.

"Yeeah," Saniya said, dragging the word out. "Oh, wow. What a place."

"Is there a problem?" Armaldo asked. Sean also looked curious.

"It's where…" Guardian began but trailed off.

"Guardian changed back," Striker said, choosing to focus on the positive. Not the almost-erasure of his soul.

Sean's eyes widened, Wigglytuff and Armaldo shared a look.

"Well, that's quite the test, tee-hee…," Saniya giggled without energy. "Ah, memories… that I wish I had trouble remembering." She still remembered everything about that. Being paralysed by Spiritomb, able to do nothing but watch as Striker screamed and screamed and screamed.

"I'm sorry," Wigglytuff said, face morphing into sadness, "I didn't realise. I didn't intend."

Guardian raised his hand, and Wigglytuff fell silent. "There is no need for apologies," he said. "Perhaps looking at it from Grovyle's point of view… the place where I finally chose the right thing to do is the better way."

Wigglytuff nodded, and Guardian glanced to the others. "Should we do it?"

"Scout mentioned Scizor once to me!" Saniya said. "Even though he's a bug, he's gotta be nicer than this one!" Armaldo sneered at her. "I say we do it!"

"I am fine with it," Striker said, nodding to Guardian and looking him right in the eye. The cold didn't bother him.

"And I'd like to see the place," Sean said. "I only saw part of it… and it ended on a cliffhanger for me." He gave a crooked smile. He had once thought the last he'd see of Striker, Saniya, and Guardian was Striker being obliterated by electricity and Guardian having a crisis over it.

Guardian was the last to nod. "Very well. Guildmaster Wigglytuff and Armaldo, we will find Scizor and bring him back safely!"

"We know you'll do great!" Wigglytuff said. "It's going to be cold and icy, so take everything you need to make sure you'll be alright." Striker and Saniya nodded to that. "And Froslass will probably be there, so you'll need to fight her to save him."

"Not a problem," Saniya said, raising a fist.

"Good to hear! Now, go to bed."

The four bade the pair goodnight and moved on, destination determined and a plan in their heads.

---

"Knock-knock?"

"Who's there?"

"Your."

"Your who?"

"Your best buddy bidoof around!" Timber said, grinning at the familiar wooden door. There was no pause before she laughed at his joke, he beamed proudly.

"That's a new approach," she said, voice smiling from the other side of the door. "I like it."

"Yup-yup!" Timber replied. "To tell the truth, I get help with this one, I reckon it helped though."

"Oh?" Her voice dripped with interest. "Finally converting someone to our cause?"

Timber laughed. "Nah, she already liked knock-knock jokes," he answered, happily.

"She?" Her voice was coy. "You're not going to replace me, are you?" A touch of sadness entered it then, and he gasped.

"Never!" Timber said, kindly but utterly resolute. "No one and nothin could replace you, Bell."

On the other side of the door, the audino cracked a smirk at his words. "You're sweet," Soothe said, hearing Timber bluster on the other side in embarrassment. "Who is this new friend, at least?"

"I wouldn't believe it myself, but it's Celebi!" Timber said, and Soothe grew very still. "She, uh…" Timber hesitated, guilt entering his voice. "Asked if she could meet you." She took a sharp breath, loud enough that Timber actually heard, but he was already hastily adding. "Now I told 'er that you are shy and all that so it probably wouldn't happen, you hear? But she asked me to ask you."

She was quiet for a moment, composing her words in the best way. "You've been talking about me?" she asked, softly and shyly. That wouldn't be good, especially around Celebi.

"Not really," Timber insisted, "I know ya like your privacy. Just Celebi, she asked about knock-knock jokes, and I mentioned I liked to think of a few with someone."

"I see," she replied, considering exactly what this meant. Timber wasn't exactly known for thoughtfulness in regards to holding his tongue. It wouldn't surprise her if he'd told Celebi all about her by now. At least he would have called her a mimikyu.

Hearing nothing, Timber shuffled a bit on the other side of the door, clearly apologetic. She let him shuffle about before replying. "I really don't know about meeting anyone else, Timber. I'd be so much happier if it was just you and me, like always. You can tell Celebi I was the bad guy, though. I'm sorry."

"N-not at all Bell!" Timber insisted. "I reckon you wouldn't like the idea, I'm sorry."

"There's no need to apologise," she replied. "You're only looking out for me. Oh, gosh. You must think I'm a complete basket case."

"You value your privacy," Timber insisted. He was sweet, she'd give him that much.

"Thank you," she replied, softer than usual. "Should we change the subject, then? Has anything interesting been happening outside of my little house?"

"Yup!" And then he began to talk. Soothe listened mostly, adding in little sounds to show she was listening or small questions to prod him along. Not much had changed since the last time he'd come around.

Sunflora had learned and subsequently spread through her gossip rings that Charmander had evolved and he and Machoke had begun to see each other.

Flaaffy was also getting along better with Paras, which Timber thought was a pertinent thing to mention. The sheep was even complaining less, which was a miracle if there ever was one.

Loudred was as aggressive as ever, and Croagunk continued to watch them all sleep. Team Ion was apparently around Towny Town, while Riolu and Grovyle wouldn't explain why that was funny and-

"Towny Town?" she asked, sharper than she intended. That was near….

"Uh… yup! Bit of a funny soundin' place I gotta admit."

"Yeah," she said, her mind elsewhere. "Funny. Sorry about that, you were saying?"

The topic had returned to Team Sunrise eventually, despite Timber shying away from it. And then he mentioned something very interesting.

"How long are they going to be gone?" she asked, hearing that Team Sunrise were heading into the Frozen Island/Blizzard Island area.

"Not sure," Timber replied. "They're gonna take Lapras over, I hear. That could take a couple of days. I guess it'll be however long it takes them to find the guy they're looking for."

"I wish them luck," she said, glancing behind her. "Especially since two of them are Grass-types."

"I reckon they're pretty strong, yup-yup," Timber replied. "They'll do great!"

"Yes… say, Timber. I know it's a bit sooner than normal, but I was wondering if you would get me a few things?" she asked, getting up from the door. "Wait for just a moment."

She dashed into her house, kept nice and clean for the most part, but her table had quite a mess of things covering it. Near the top, only kept below a few things for paranoia's sake, was the map to Wish Cave.

If Team Sunrise was going to be gone for a few days, this was her chance.

She returned to the door, sliding a list of items under with some coins. "Would you be able to get me these things?" she asked sweetly.

"I sure can!" Timber said, beaming from the other side of the door. She saw the list slip the rest of the way and then a moment of silence.

"Are you… going somewhere?" Timber asked. Part of Soothe was impressed that he could determine that from the items requested, he wasn't dumb after all.

She had to answer this delicately. "I've been a slight bit restless," she said, speaking a little breathlessly and nervously. But not too nervous, didn't need him thinking he had to come with. "I thought I could take a short trip to get some new materials. I could make us some matching scarves again!"

Timber smiled excitedly at that. "That'd be very kind of you, yup-yup." It wasn't the first time she'd asked him for dungeon tools, nor the first time she'd left for periods of time. He'd learned not to offer to come with, she always said no.

But the idea that he'd have a new scarf was exciting, so he happily agreed. "I'll get em right now, yup-yup!" Timber beamed, and he could feel the smile from the other side.

"You are too kind to me," she replied. "Putting up with me and everything I demand of you."

He hated it when she talked down on herself. "I don't mind at all," Timber insisted. "We're friends, it's what friends do for each other. Even if we don't talk face to face, that doesn't matter." He said so with such conviction, she was silent for a moment.

"You're a good pokémon, Timber. Thank you."

"I'll be back in a jiffy," Timber said, already counting out who he needed to talk to in order to get the items. "Bye, Bell."

"Goodbye, Timber."

And he was off, back to Bidoof as his friend prepared to go. He considered asking where she was going to go. Sometimes when Bell left she was gone for a couple of days, sometimes for a couple weeks. He did wonder about her.

Where she went. Why she went. And why she wouldn't let him see her. But mimikyu could be dangerous just to look at, he gathered she was just trying to protect him. Even so, there was something small within him that wondered otherwise.

Soothe sat at her table and read over the copied map again. She had read it so many times that she could draw it while asleep. Timber wouldn't be long, she knew, but she had to do something to pass the time. Timber was fast. Timber was reliable. He wouldn't talk, no I mean he was always a loyal creature. Brown and kind and so very trusting. Soothe began to bite my lip as the thoughts began to rise up in your head.

Purple fingers twitched towards the iron barb laying on her table, innocently sitting there coated in the blood of victims.

Victim. One. OnonononlyDarkrai.

. . . I.

Killer.

Kill.l;lAKill.

Soothe tasted blood as her lip broke under the sharpness of her teeth and Soothe breathed hard and fast, nearly hyperventilating.

She slowly picked up the iron barb, completely clean of any blood. She carried it over to her fireplace and moved to drop it in the ashes, body extremely stiff.

Her whole body shivered occasionally, and wisps of shA̡d̕oW flowed around her fingers. She brought her left hand up and grabbed onto the extension feeler of her left ear and pulled, tugging her head to the side and pulling until she could almost feel it begin to tear. The pain helped ground her to reality.

Then she stopped. A light flash of pink around the same paw undid the damage she had inflicted on herself, and she gave one large body shake to rid the awful feeling she was left with.

"I am going to Star Cave," she said, out loud, to no one and nothing. "I will not be stopped."

Laying hidden but always remembered under a pile of fabric a light glinted. "Whyever would I stop you?" Came a saccharine voice that slithered along her ears, seeping like cold oil down the back of her neck. "Be careful you don't run into any… aggron out there."

That seemed too specific to simply ignore. She stared at where the light came from, rigid like a statue until the light faded away.

She sat down at her table, waiting for Timber to return. Her hands curled on the iron barb, she didn't remember retrieving it from the fireplace, and she didn't remember dropping it in the fireplace either, but she found that it didn't matter.

She traced a pattern on her table, the map to Star Cave, as she waited. No one and nothing waited with her.

---

Preparing for Blizzard Island had been a whole heap of fun. Guardian, greatly concerned about the difficulty Saniya had the last time they had come to this place, had effectively emptied the guild of yache and aspear berries.

"The last time we were there, the winds only started moving near the end of our stay," Guardian said, as he loaded up their bags, along with an extra Treasure Bag, with blankets. "Windchill is a very real and extremely dangerous thing for pokémon unlike me."

"I'm a goddess, bitch!" Saniya yelled, from underneath the blankets.

"I will swaddle you, and you'll never risk the cold again," Guardian said, threatening her with warmth and security until she complied.

Striker had also been a target of Guardian's wrath but had accepted the blankets without fuss as he knew that arguing with Guardian was like telling a stone wall off.

It didn't listen, and you looked foolish for doing it.

With Sean possessing fur he was granted only slightly less stifling protection and they were soon ready to set off.

Lapras agreed to take them but let them know that a trip that far to somewhere that wasn't the Hidden Land would take a day or so, even with the mysterious lapras magic he utilised. There were islands on the way, thankfully, but the bulk of their trip was spent in a very cramped position with nothing to do.

It was of considerable relief when they arrived.

"Oh, YES!" Saniya zoomed off Lapras as soon as she spotted the distant land. "Smell you later."

"Come back," everyone yelled at once, successfully peer-pressuring Saniya into at least slowing down.

She remained ahead of them as Lapras sped up, perhaps a little eager to get them to their destination as well. The waters were colder here than they were at Treasure Town. He found it was a nice change of pace, but so long with Saniya wore on anyone's patience.

And at long last, they were there.

"This place is cold," Saniya complained, almost immediately.

"Put another scarf on," Guardian suggested. Except it wasn't a suggestion and was, in fact, something, he was already doing to her.

"Too many of these and I'll just fall," Saniya said, muffled by the scarf. She appeared more akin to a floating sphere than a celebi at this point. Guardian put a pink bow on her just so they knew it was her. "This is discrimination."

"I think I'll need one of those before long," Striker said, teeth chattering slightly. He wasn't sure why Guardian was in such a motherly mood, and he wasn't going to ask.

The scarves exploded off Saniya, several landing strategically on Striker, and Saniya kept just one for herself. Guardian wrapped one more around her, and they were finally set for the rescue mission.

There was a little legwork to be made first. The dungeon wasn't kind enough to exist right on the beach and the thick snow and biting winds slowed Sean and Striker significantly.

Guardian loomed ahead of Striker to protect him from the worst of the windchill, with Saniya floating strategically in his shadow as well, cuddling up to Striker.

Sean kept close as well, but with his fur, he wasn't as cold. To prevent the need to overstock on scarves, Sean had also dug out his old pants and wore them like a scarf.

Saniya declared him dashing.

"This place looks familiar?" Sean asked as they trudged along the icy road. There was a path, thankfully, and with the island being perpetually frozen, no grass or gravel had grown over it to obscure their direction.

Only ice, snow, sleet, and other cold things.

"Not particularly," Striker said, rubbing his arms under the blanket. "Beforehand there was little to gawk at, floating rocks, the usual sights."

"Based on what I could fathom from Scout's word, the map of this time, and what Team Tasty had to say," Guardian said, having questioned them briefly before they left. "We did not enter the primary dungeon on this island, due to arriving in the mountain range. But I believe Crevice Cave is close to the foot of the Vast Ice Mountain, or Mt. Avalanche as it is called in this time."

"We should be able to find Crevice Cave just by going through the Blizzard Island dungeon, right?" Sean asked, standing close to Striker. "I wonder why no one has found him then?"

"Maybe they have," Guardian said darkly, and their thoughts turned to who was apparently holding Scizor captive. Scout's description said he was frozen, it would be lucky if he was alive even then.

"We should rename this place," Saniya said, wanting to change the subject. "This whole place is Blizzard Island. How about Saniya's Burn?"

"So you admit your witty retorts aren't hot in the least?" Sean asked, shivering at the cold.

"I'll witty retort your face!"

"I believe the only one who gets the right to name it," Striker began, edging slightly ahead. "Should be the one to reachitfirst!"

He then sprinted off, leaving Sean and Saniya in his dust. Or, rather, snowflakes.

"Oh, you want to go, bro?" Saniya screeched and zoomed after them.

Alarmed at the two Grass-types rushing off, Sean and Guardian pursued as rapidly as they could yelling at them to slow down.

By the time Guardian caught up, Saniya was pouting, Sean was telling them both off, and Striker was flush with the glory of victory.

"Before you chew my leaves off," Striker said, holding up his arms to halt the tirade. "Running warmed me up."

"If you needed warmth," Saniya said, sliding up next to him. "All you had to do was ask, Strikey-wikey."

"Down reckless one," Guardian puffed, bracing against a chilly rock with one of his large hands. "Please don't ever do that again."

"Striker started it."

"I don't care who started it." He procured a sun stone from somewhere and both Grass-types sighed in relief as its warmth reminded them of a sunny day, banishing the chill for perhaps a moment.

Striker smiled apologetically. "It IS cold, I'd like to get this done before one of us wilts. Also, I think I'll name this place, Orb Central."

"Orb Central, eh?" A voice belonging to none of them called out and the four pokemon jumped. Blizzard Island brought back difficult memories, it felt more akin to walking the false future then elsewhere had and they were doing their best to distract each other.

People sneaking up on them was not appreciated.

"Ice or rock?" the newcomer said, coming into view. It was a lucario. Faded fur speckled with snowflakes left her appearing almost grey, her chest spike was worn to a nub and one of the one's on her paw was broken. She carried a sack tied around her waist and her eyes glimmered with some sort of casual amusement. "Cause you all just went really stiff," she added when she received confused looks.

"Who…?" Saniya was the first to speak. Striker guided Sean just slightly back, in between himself and Saniya while Guardian evaluated the newcomer quietly.

Saniya went into dazzle mode while the big guy sussed out what they were to say. "Oh, like, my gosh!" Saniya said. "You look so OLD!"

The amused glimmer went as flat as a quarry. "Fuck you," she said.

Although it lacked any real heat, Saniya gasped in offence. "You said the bad word!"

"Bitch, fuck, hooha."

Saniya gasped again. "Stop her! She will corrupt Sean's innocent brain with profanity!" She clapped her hands over Sean's ears, causing him to flinch.

"Ow!"

The lucario waved her paw. "Let's cut straight to the chase. What the fuck are you doing here?"

"We should be asking you that question!" Saniya retorted. "Actually, we are asking you that question. What the… frick are you doing here?"

Lucario shrugged. "I felt like a snowball fight."

"I'll snow your balls!"

Lucario raised an eyebrow as Saniya worked out what she just said. Her expression was akin to a buffering video. "I said what I said and I mean what I mean!"

She glanced to Guardian anxiously, hissing. "Are you getting anything yet? I can't keep up the appearance of lunacy for long!"

She said this loudly. Lucario's big ears twitched. Sean was staring at her. Striker's eyes flicked away to Saniya in disbelief. "Appearance of lunacy?" he asked.

"Exactly. He gets it." She patted him on the snout and then spun around to Lucario. "Begone foul wench of the woods!"

"There's not a tree in sight."

"I cannot WORK in these conditions!" Saniya began to shiver. "It is so FUCKING cold!" And clapped her hands over her mouth. "You cannot prove I said anything. For I never said anything."

Lucario just seemed to be getting amused at the show in front of her. "O-kay," she chuckled. "Team Sunrise, right?"

Saniya gasped. "We're FAMOUS! Do you want my autograph? I can assure you it is worth the MONEY!" She rubbed her fingers together. "All of the money."

Despite her excitemeny, she didn't leave their position and her eyes remained on Lucario at all times.

"We're here to find someone," Sean said, finally finding an opening to respond.

"Oh?"

"A scizor," Sean said.

Lucario paused at that and raised an eyebrow. "I see. Well, good luck with that."

"What are you doing here?" he asked.

"Just wandering around," she replied casually and began to walk again. "Heh, scream if you find him, okay?" And walked off into the snow.

The four members of Team Sunrise all exchanged looks.

"That was THE Legendary Lucario, right?" Sean asked.

"I would imagine so," Guardian replied at length. "The physical appearance is difficult to mimic, not that it is unheard of lucario to… mutilate themselves in either deference or attempting to pose as her. Encountering this one here and now is certainly… unlikely. Scout and his teammates did encounter her as well, I wonder if Scout said something to her…."

Striker gripped Sean and Saniya's shoulders. "Lucario or not, we're here for a reason. Let's go."

"To Orb Central!" Saniya agreed. "That's the worst name you ever could have chosen. I hope you know that." She poked Striker in the face a few times.

"Of course." Striker smirked and off they went.

"We sure this is the place?" Sean asked, pulling out the map. Guardian loomed down, tracing a finger down it.

"Yes, this should be the dungeon Armaldo marked for us," he said, having traced their hasty path. The distance to the dungeon wasn't supposed to be very far, but they could no longer hear the ocean. "Very well, are we set?"

"Ready."

"Of course."

"Sure."

The four nodded. "We're here to save someone's life," Sean reminded as they began to enter the dungeon slowly. "So, please, let's take this seriously."

"Azumarill's given me tips to control myself," Saniya said, happily floating along. "We totes got this."

"I regret teaching you that word."

Being a group made of four world-saving pokémon, Blizzard Island was a trivial dungeon for them to face. No amount of snover would pause Saniya's wrath, and no number of marill could halt Striker's Leaf Blades.

That's what they expected, at least.

"Why is it hailing when there is a ROOF?" Saniya shrieked when the roof began to just pelt them with ice.

"Dammit, slow down!" Striker yelled, slashing wildly at a sneasel that just danced a deadly dance and danced him into a corner.

"I don't know what you're complaining about," Sean laughed, smacking the Ice-type's like popping bubbles. He continued to laugh even when an altaria descended upon them. He stopped laughing after it blew him into a wall. "WHY ARE THERE DRAGONS HERE?"

"Take this, Shadow Ball!" Guardian roared, blasting a castform in its snowy guise with all his strength. A golduck appeared out of nowhere, and the weather disappeared, castform changing to a Normal-type just in time for the Shadow Ball to pass harmlessly through its body. "I see. So that's how things are going to be."

"A castform just vibe-checked Guardian," Sean shouted, alarmed. Before it cast Sunny Day, turned into a Fire-type, and roasted Saniya with a Weather Ball. "Ah. Saniya too."

"Boost me!" Striker said, running for Sean. He braced and lowered his paws, waiting right as Striker leapt up. His foot planted onto Sean's paw, and he wrenched up, boosting Striker with all the strength he had.

Striker's arm leaves glinted green only briefly. Too quick for the castform to even notice.

Then it fell.

"You know?" Guardian asked after the kerfuffle was over. "I'm beginning to see why no one's managed to find Scizor in all this time?"

"How many people get injured on this island of nightmares?" Saniya asked. "No wonder they called off the rescue attempts."

"I am curious about Lucario, though," Sean said, leading the way through the chilly dungeon. There wasn't any wind chill anymore, which cut down a lot of the cold. "Wigglytuff said she used to look, but if that really was her do you think she still is?"

"You can only search for so long," Guardian said softly. "According to history, it's been forty-four years since he went missing. Anyone could understand giving up against that amount of time."

"I guess…" His thoughts turned, however briefly, to his parents back in his old world. Were they searching for him even now? Or had the family 'pet' finished replacing him?

Sensing Sean's negative thoughts, Striker spoke up, "I believe the four of us may be somewhat out of practice," he said, instantly angering Saniya.

"Are you calling me fat?"

"No…?"

"Well, alright, then." She smiled. "Carry on."

"So," Striker said, turning to the others. "We may be getting a little chunky." He grinned before Saniya grabbed his face from behind and began to pull.

Guardian gave a chuckle at that, Sean did not. Simply turning away to ward off a piplup that dared to draw too close.

"In all seriousness," Striker continued, once Saniya had been removed from his face. "Our extended time spent with Dialga and in Treasure Town working menial tasks and the few close-by dungeons we've explored haven't really been pushing us. I couldn't help but notice Vigoroth wearing all of us down as well."

He raised an arm and swiped out, sending his famed Ranged Leaf Blade to leave a gouge mark in a wall. But not as deeply as he felt it should have been. "We're not having the easiest time here, thus far. We're out of practice."

"You are certainly correct," Guardian sighed, acquiescing to Striker's point. "But there are other factors. This is an older dungeon, and two of us are vulnerable to the Ice-type. With the number of sneasel around as well affects me, Saniya is having double trouble, and Sean can hardly hit them."

"Ugh…" Saniya grumbled, in Guardian's arms still. "Let me at em," she said half-heartedly.

"You'll just have to rely on me, then," Sean said, nodding back. "I've been getting stronger with Rai and Mane." To prove it, he dashed off and managed to tag a sneasel, sending it crashing into a wall. "Hardly hit them my tail."

It left a little bit of blood behind.

Sean nodded satisfied, the others shared a collective Look, and they carried on.

Despite Sean being in front with Guardian backing him, the dungeon was relentless. Saniya, impetuous and lackadaisical, flew ahead to scout out their next opponents.

Her shriek cut the frigid air.

Striker was the first to react, dashing ahead with lightning reflexes. He slid along the ice to further speed up and having arrived so fast he was able to catch Saniya before she hit the ground.

However, his momentum caused him to continue to slide, and Striker was forced to flip them around so that he crashed back-first rather than Saniya-first into a wall.

Stunned from the blow, with a sharp crack ringing out from his shoulder, Striker began to slide to the ground as Sean dashed into the room.

Already pawing through the bag, he revealed an orb that erupted with a wave of light.

The short-range on the foe-hold orb was still enough to catch three pokémon lying in wait. The glalie, castform, and smoochum were held petrified in place.

Then, Sean attacked.

By the time Guardian reached the room, Striker was up, and three pokémon were completely unmoving on the ground.

Sean growled at the bloodied glalie before stepping off to check on Striker and Saniya.

"I'm fine," Saniya was repeating, trying to free herself from Striker's tight hold by smacking gently at his hands. "I'm fine, Striker. I. Am. Fine."

Very reluctantly, he let her wriggle out of his hold. She tried to zoom up but found there to be a problem. "Oh, dammit!" she gasped, sharply in pain. "My wings."

Saniya's wings were not just for show. Thin and fragile, clear as ice and as thick as it too. Saniya's wings weren't an easy target, her wingspan only being about the width of her head. But when they were hit, she felt it keenly.

"I, uh… agh!" Saniya began to float up, wings moving, before she yelled in pain and dropped, Striker catching her. "Oh flip-dipping doodle sucker," she cursed.

"Your wings," Sean said, coming right up to her. He reached out but avoided touching them. There were bits of frost left on them, Saniya having been lanced by an Ice Beam from the glalie.

"No, it's fine, I can do this," Saniya insisted. And she rose out of Striker's arms no problem. "See!"

"You're not moving your wings," Sean pointed out. Her grin paused. "Are you using Psychic?"

"Yes," Saniya groaned and dropped back down. "Oh no, I can't really fly. My wings feel like someone is trying to rip them off when I move them."

"They're fragile," Guardian said, finally reaching them. "And you do not want to damage them. I'll carry you, you cannot risk them."

"I can fly with Psychic!" Saniya said, quickly, and rose back up.

She was met with a wall of unimpressed looks. "You can't do that forever," Guardian pointed out. "And it harms you. AND you can't be distracted, your attacks are still ranged, you can't be trying to juggle holding yourself up and fighting at the same time. What if a sneasel hits you with a Dark move?"

To that end, faced with iron-hard logic, Saniya relented and Guardian carried her onwards.

He fed her several of the berries they had brought to give her some warmth, but they were not risking her flying and breaking her wings.

Despite Guardian's arms now being armed by Saniya, she was still a capable fighter. Magical Leaf and Ancient Power made short work of the marill and delibird around them.

At least now Guardian could point her at the enemy that needed to be BLAMMED rather than hoping she'd do it on her own.

If only she'd stop pouting and giving snide remarks about his take-downs.

"Oh, another Shadow Ball. How riveting."

"Did you Shadow Sneak the same opponent four times? Where's the pizazz? I thought you were a famous explorer or something?"

"So, you can punch with one arm. Congrats."

"Are you normally this sassy?" Guardian asked.

Saniya giggled. "Nope! How am I doing?"

"It doesn't suit you."

"Fine." She looked over to Striker and called. "HEY, STRIKER! FIFTY POKÉ SAYS YOU CAN'T HIT THAT PIPLUP FROM HERE!"

"Your money's mine, pink," Striker called and sent four separate Ranged Leaf Blades. Three of them hit.

"You cheated!"

"You can't cheat if there are no rules." He strutted over and held his hand out. "Pay up."

She grumbled, muttering obscenities under her breath, and complied. She really needed to get a hang of this new gambling problem.

Painfully satisfied with himself, Striker acted a little thoughtlessly for once and basically swaggered his way through the room.

Right as a piloswine entered the room from a different entrance.

"STRIKER!" Sean screamed in warning, as an Ice Shard came for the back of Striker's head.

The attack connected, and warm blood splattered across the ice.

"S-Sean?" Striker gasped, wide-eyed and frozen as he took in the riolu. Sean had intervened in the path of the attack, taking the Ice Shard to his chest, the blades of ice digging through his fur and flesh.

A pained wheeze broke out of his chest as he fell to one knee, head tilting down to stare at the ice as more of his blood painted it pink.

The world seemed to melt away around Striker. The cavernous passages in the room vanished from his senses, the jagged ice and gusts of frigid wind. It all disappeared to him as he stood frozen, staring at Sean as the riolu wobbled, falling and bracing with a paw against the bloody ice. All Striker could see at that moment was Sean bleeding. And then… the piloswine.

Striker lost it.

Physically burning with green, Striker launched himself as the piloswine with a primal scream as Guardian and Saniya rushed to Sean's aid.

The first Leaf Blade sheared the fur away from its beady little eyes. The second one slashed right through its muscle and the third cut through the bone.

"Striker STOP!" Guardian roared, flying over as Saniya doused Sean in glowing dew, slowly closing the punctures. He grabbed Striker by the arm, forcing him to halt before he drove his claws through its skull.

Striker gasped for breath and allowed himself to be dragged away from the dungeon feral before he killed it. The beast gave a pitiful whine, slumping over stunned and bleeding into the snow.

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" Saniya cried, an actual curse spilling from her lips. She gasped at herself but didn't pause. Sean was bleeding, that was leagues more important.

"Where's an escape orb?" Striker muttered, rushing the overturn the bag Saniya was pulling medical aid from.

"Striker."

"Where is it?"

"Striker!"

Guardian grabbed him again. "Calm. Down."

His one eye met Striker's two, tears glinting in Striker's eyes but not quite reaching emotional, more panicked. "He'll be fine."

"I am fine," Sean gasped, pulling himself up. "I've taken worse." Saniya backed away a step, to give him space but hung close enough to grab him if he fell. She and him were sitting on the cold ground, and Guardian itched to pick them up.

Saniya had managed to wrap Sean's pants around his torso to compress what she couldn't just wave away.

"I can't believe I'm getting blood on these again," Sean joked. It was certainly not the first time he'd bled on his clothes.

Striker truly wished it'd be the last. "You shouldn't have done that," he said, voice shaking just the tiniest bit.

"You'd be in much worse condition than me if it had hit you," Sean countered, groaning as he got to his feet. His arms couldn't raise entirely due to the fabric around him, and he adjusted it a few times.

There was silence.

"What are we going to do?" Saniya asked, always the brave one.

"Continue, of course," Sean said as if it was obvious.

"You are injured," Guardian pointed out. He had stopped Striker from grabbing their escape orb, but he was reconsidering now that the emergency had settled.

"I am fine," Sean repeated. He hopped back and forth on his feet to prove it. "You know I've taken worse and I'm not as weak as you remember me being," he said positively, hiding a slight tremor.

"I don't like it when you bleed," Striker said quietly. He was distracted and didn't see the tremor. "I cannot stand it."

Sean glanced away. "Well, neither do I. Now, come on. We've got a job to do."

"I'll carry you," Striker said, sensing this was not an argument he could win.

"Absolutely NOT!"

"Guardian cannot," Striker reasoned. "As he still needs a hand to direct his attacks and he's carrying Saniya."

"You won't be able to fight at all if you're carrying Sean," Guardian pointed out.

"We can't just let him walk!"

"I CAN walk, thank you very much."

"I can still use Shadow Sneak without my hands. You are completely disarmed if you're carrying someone."

"No one is carrying me!"

"I have to make sure he's-"

"Okay!" Saniya said, sharply cutting into the argument. She, having just been sitting around on the cold ground, got to her feet. "I can walk," she announced, somewhat dramatically.

That stopped everyone cold.

Saniya wobbled slightly on her green legs, not used to balancing with her legs in the least.

"No… you can't," Striker said dumbfounded.

"How dare you!" Saniya gasped. "I can walk better than you can, Grass-boi."

"…We are both Grass-type's."

"Enough!" Saniya demanded, imperiously standing up. "You cannot carry Sean. Guardian cannot carry us both. I, however, can walk." And to prove it, she began to step forward as proudly and regally as she could.

The pride, perhaps even arrogance, was there in spades.

Regality, however?

Saniya's gait was wobbly and she fell over after taking three steps. "This is fine," she said, struggling to get back to her feet. She got up and immediately fell onto her behind. "Don't stare at me!" she snapped and got back up slowly. "Stop looking at me!"

She took one more step and nearly did the splits.

Then she began to fight back the tears. "I can't walk," Saniya whined, tears beginning to win the battle. "I skipped leg day every day!" Then she burst into tears. "Sean, oh my gosh you can't just do that! Striker takes attacks all the time I can't lose you again!"

Guardian quietly picked her up, no one commenting on what just happened.

Sean brushed Guardian's hand away. "I can manage myself," he assured, and they began to trudge onwards.

"I'm sorry you had to protect me," Striker said quietly after a time.

Sean turned a frown on him and opened his mouth to snap something, but then paused and swallowed it. "Sorry," he returned, on reflex. Sean shook his head and forced the wave of irritation he had been feeling all day back. "It was my choice," he insisted and gave a smile. "And I'd do it again."

---

They had fought through Blizzard Island, or Orb Central if asking Striker, and had stared into the gigantic chasm in the ice. "This looks… new," Saniya said, examining the jagged tear in the ice before them. It was like a gaping wound, or a maw that had split open in the ice, still filled with strings of frozen gum yet to decay away.

This was the place and so they trudged forwards.

Insisting she was capable of doing so, and that Guardian's arms had warmed her up, Saniya began to fly again. She couldn't quite do it for too long and had to rest on his shoulder often, but she began to regain her independence.

While being carried, she practised connecting to the Psychic Network. Chimecho had been surprised at her aptitude, but Saniya just stated she was amazing.

In an odd turn of events, she had been almost too powerful.

"You are very, very, bright in here," Chimecho had said as she looked into the Psychic Network, squinting against Saniya's magnificence. "If nothing else, I should be able to find you if you are broadcasting."

Saniya herself hadn't managed to connect to Chimecho even once, despite being right next to her.

"It takes time," Chimecho had soothed. "If something does happen and you need to contact the guild, try to broadcast. I'll look periodically and if I see you, I'll connect. Okay?"

Even so, she had told Saniya to practice anyway.

With Saniya flying again, Sean said. "Just don't take another hit to your wings." And she nodded. There was no question she'd be being more careful than Saniya was known for.

"Hey Sean?" she called, as they delved deeper and deeper into the dungeon. It constantly hailed, forcing Saniya to remain on Guardian's shoulder as her wings could not take a beating from the storm.

"Yes?" he asked.

"I'm sorry about today."

Sean blinked, turning back to Saniya. It was a rare time when hail was not pelting them, and she was floating on her own, Striker and Guardian busied themselves mopping up some enemies. "Uh… what for?" he asked cautiously.

Saniya shrugged, she was clearly uncomfortable. "Just… being a bit careless and getting hurt."

"You don't need to apologise for that," he said.

Saniya observed him with a bit of a surprise. "Really? You seemed really upset before."

Sean frowned and shrugged himself. "Heh, yeah sorry about that. I've been a bit grumpy today, I think I woke up on the wrong side of the bed or something."

"If we're apologising for things," Striker's smooth voice slid right in, and the grovyle himself walked over with Guardian in tow. "I should probably do so for losing it on that piloswine." He looked down at Sean, and the makeshift bandages on him.

"I guess I'm not the only one on edge?" Sean said, giving a laugh.

"I suppose that's the thing, isn't it?" Guardian asked, sadly. "We are on edge."

"Come on," Saniya said, floating over to nudge him with her elbow. "We'll save Scizor!"

That wasn't what he meant. And she knew it.

"This frozen scape isn't exactly the kindest of areas," Guardian said, sighing. "Not on our bodies. Or our memories."

Striker shook his head and rubbed Guardian's arm. "This is the place you changed, that you saved me, and we stopped Dialga. It's the place Saniya first saw a sunrise."

"It is the place I saw a sunrise!" Saniya beamed, as brightly as the sun she had so desired to see. "Or, well, this is the island I saw it on!" With the same bright eyes, she said more things. "It's also the place I had to watch, completely helpless, as Striker's soul was being annihilated so his best friend could possess his body to go into the past and end the world."

Saniya looked down, her expression was frozen in place. "Why do I have to remember that part?" she asked, her grin still fixed like a rictus on her face. "The spiritomb, I still remember what it was, holding me in place as Striker screamed in agony. I still remember every second of it."

Guardian had gone very still. "I do as well," he admitted. "Every moment."

"Yes," Striker agreed, his voice as quiet as the ice around them.

"We're all pretty fucked up, huh?" Sean laughed, tears hitting his eyes. "I wasn't even there, but I saw part of it. Thanks to time collapsing, I could see Striker in place, not knowing if he'd be okay."

"I'm…" Guardian began. Saniya glomped him.

"I don't need you to say sorry," she said, hugging him tightly. "I don't hate you, I never hated you, not for one second. I only missed you, and you're back now. Striker's okay, we're all okay now."

"We're hardly okay," Sean said, still giggling. Striker came over and hugged him as well, and Sean leaned into his chest and cried.

Team Sunrise did not often dwell on the future that now never was. It was not only unhealthy too, but physically difficult thanks to its erasure.

They all carried scars from that time, however. Time was erased, but nothing erased scars.

Team Sunrise all stood a little closer together as they made one final push.

Froslass's chamber was not what they expected.

Scout's words ferried through Armaldo had painted an unpleasant picture to be sure. Armaldo had warned them to be ready for changes, as Scout himself made a very clear point that his word was a guide at best.

There was not one pokémon frozen. Not just one.

The snow that led into the final chamber was… rougher than usual. It was not the sleek snow or clear ice of the rest of the journey, rather it seemed to be black ice that had been broken and reduced to a powder. Leaving an uncomfortable grittiness sticking to Sean and Striker's feet.

The first pillars of ice had been ignored, more like stumps long since snowed over. Any scraps of colour in them were not eye-catching. The next set were intact.

It was not just one pokemon that had been frozen here.

More like ten, fifteen, thirty, the count went on. There were pillars everywhere, possibly hundreds of them. Entombed in each one lay a pokemon with an expression of horror, terror, fury or hopelessness.

"What… is this?" Sean said, aghast at the nightmare that they had entered. The grittiness under his feet felt like little needles digging into his paws and he raised a fit, brushing the black powder off his paws, little fragments of white revealing themselves as they fell.

"Th-there are so many," Saniya whimpered. Pokémon are frozen in various poses, various colours of ice. She spied with her little eye a pokémon that started with p.

A pikachu, on one leg, lost to the ice.

A phanpy rolled into a ball, lost to the ice.

A pidgeot, wings stretched for battle, lost to the ice.

Striker's eyes flicked back and forth, he didn't want to look at the sculptures surrounding him, but he didn't dare look away. The shaper of this nightmare may still lurk close by.

There were pokémon with scarves, pokémon with Treasure Bags of an ancient model. Pokémon with glittering orbs.

There were a dozen battles that had begun and ended in a moment.

There were lives here that no longer breathed.

Guardian was the worst affected of the four of them. Sean had clamped his paws around his tassels before they could dare to raise and hit him with a deeper horror but Guardian's eye saw more than light reflecting.

He saw what that black powder really was. He knew he would never, ever, tell them what it was.

"Oh~" A voice bounced from sculpture to sculpture, ringing with pleasure. "Visitors. Oh… how it has been so long."

Team Sunrise immediately stepped back to back, every member watching a different direction. The grave-pillars stretched far as a strange wind began to blow through the chamber, causing an ethereal hum to drift around them as snow began to fall.

The voice tittered. "Do you think my art is pretty?"

"It's over there," Sean whispered, gritting his teeth as he let his sixth sense rise. They only twitched an inch and that was enough to leave him biting his tongue hard enough to taste blood, better than anything else around them. He could sense the darkest spot in this place and knew that must be it.

"I see a defined body," the voice sighed dreamily. "Sharp eyes, sharper leaves." Saniya edged closer to Striker. "And one of my own to deliver them to me."

"I am not here to do any such thing," Guardian growled, his eye a fiery red. Sean couldn't bring himself to feel the remnants but he could.

These pokémon were not just frozen. They were dead. Dozens of people splayed out in 'artistic' vision to express the last moments of life's struggle.

There was only one thing each life had in common, despair in their glassy eyes.

Guardian was beyond sickened. It was not a natural death, these pokémon had been fed upon by a parasite until there was nothing left to give. Only the final embers of what once were still flickered, but it was too late.

Both of his arms shook, but Guardian was not cold. Nor was he afraid.

At Sean's nod, they crept forward, staying locked together watching every angle.

They exited the grave-pillars and into the final clearing. In the end, was the crown piece. Scizor.

Winds blew snow up from the ground, and once it settled, Froslass floated before them.

"So cold you must be," she tittered, wavering in place, back and forth. Back and forth. "So lively. So strong. Let me touch your skin."

Guardian raised his hand, formed a Shadow Ball in a split second, and lobbed it at Froslass.

It was popped by a sharp beam of ice, dissipating harmlessly.

"A pity," Froslass whispered, even as the rest of Team Sunrise began to mount an attack.

Before Striker, normally so fast, could land a hit, she was gone.

The wind began to whip the snow into a blizzard.

"Sean!" Guardian roared. "Where is she!?"

"I'm looking!" Sean yelled back, his tassels quivering as the snow began to fall faster, harder.

"I'm right here," Froslass whispered, trailing a frozen finger down Guardian's back. He immediately sent shadows striking at her, but they tasted nothing but snow.

"Four sweet pokémon~" Froslass sang as the snow began to fall harder. "One small, I will have him." Sean gasped as something struck him, draining the warmth from his muscles and leaving his legs locked up.

"One bright, I will have her." Saniya screamed as something hit her. The chill robbed her wings of what little strength they had regained and she dropped hard into the gritty snow.

"One sharp, I will have him." Striker growled as something hit him. Then groaned as it felt like the heat of the sun he carried with him was sucked out of his lungs, leaving him shuddering like the scared treecko he had once been.

"One large." Her hands touched Guardian again, and she crooned. "I will have him."

Striker slashed out, blinded by the snow he struck a heavier body instead. Froslass was already gone as Guardian reeled back.

"Dammit!" Striker cursed. "I'm sorry."

"I'm fine," Guardian grunted, more grateful than angry. The snow was falling so hard now, they could barely see.

"Saniya! To your left!" Sean screamed, he couldn't see with his eyes but with his aura senses churning he could feel where they were. The more he leaned into it, however, the more he saw what had once happened here. Murder of a most craven kind, a terribly slow death over months and years. He could feel the chill creeping in his chest like it had to so many others, slowly drawing the warmth out until everything was cold.

It was almost enveloping him, leaving it impossible to focus on the void that flitted between it all.

Sean gasped as something collided with his back and stuck, knocking him onto his belly. He could hear Saniya yelling out something, trying to attack everything around her, but Froslass was already gone. Sean rolled over, scrabbling at his back.

The snow on his back began to give, but his paws sunk into obscenely sharp tacks of ice that had been buried in it. He couldn't feel his back, but he could feel the blood now, mixing with the snow.

"Pink snow!" Froslass crooned, sweeping a finger along Sean's spine and drawing a line of burning ice. He screamed.

He tried to hit her, but his fists just passed through her. She smiled at him and stuck the bloody snow in her mouth. Her grin widened as something slammed into Sean's back.

Ancient Power.

"Got herrr… oh no." Saniya zoomed in as Sean laid in the snow. "Oh crap, I hit Sean!"

"Stop using ranged attacks!" Guardian's voice roared over the snowstorm. "We're only going to hurt each other. Gah, what?" Something began to hit him. And Sean. And Saniya. And Striker.

Hail was being mixed in with the snow, pelting them as well as blinding them.

"Snow, snow, go away," Froslass sang, waving along behind Striker. By the time he attacked, she was freezing Saniya's feet. "Come again another day."

Sticking with Saniya now, as Striker stuck with Guardian, Sean copied her Ancient Power as best as he could and aimed for where he knew no one else was. His arms trembled, he was having trouble standing.

"Snow, snow, go away," Froslass repeated, her voice bouncing around them in the snowstorm. "Die again now, today." A blob of darkness thundered through Guardian, but he didn't let out a sound.

"Would you like a story to slip off with?" Froslass whispered right into Striker's ears. He nearly hit her. "It's been so long since I've told it."

"Fight me face to face!" Striker yelled. "Coward!"

"Of course." She appeared right in front of him. He slashed out, but she grabbed his face with her hands. Her hands were so cold. "Sweet dreams." She breathed something pink right into his face and Striker staggered back, his movement becoming ponderous and dazed.

Froslass tittered again before the snow lightened just long enough for Saniya to blast a storm of stones at her. She vanished and they collided with Striker, knocking him flat into the snow.

"Ah! I hit Striker." They both ran forward, and Guardian too managed to follow until they all reached Striker. Not before Froslass, however.

"Shh," she said, cradling Striker. Her hands lifted razor-sharp blades of ice to his neck as Striker breathed heavily, head dazed and eyes rolling. "He's going to sleep."

"Think very carefully about what you are doing," Guardian warned as everyone froze.

"Oh, I am," she replied. "Would he look best standing up, or dying down? The cold does such things to Grass-types, natural positions are the most beautiful I think."

"Striker, what are you doing?" Saniya yelled, Striker was not responding. "Striker! DO SOMETHING!"

"Oh, he can't hear you now," Froslass replied, teasing them with a sing-song to her voice. Striker was grinning, almost dopily. "All he can hear is me. You want that, don't you?"

"Yesss," Striker slurred, face flushed even as his hands and legs went numb. Froslass began to run the blade along his neck.

"STRIKER DON'T YOU DARE FALL FOR THIS FLOOZY!" Saniya shrieked as she burst with light, a Psychic phenomenon that froze the storm around them, becoming as bright as the sun and taking ALL the attention onto her.

Striker's glazed look began to crack as Froslass winced from the light, shielding her eyes and removing her blade from his neck in that brief moment.

A barb of pure darkness speared Froslass in the abdomen and forced her off Striker as Guardian found his opening. With Saniya distracting Froslass, he had been able to turn Froslass's truly dark shadow against her.

She disappeared into the snow with a hiss, and they ran to Striker's side. Sean and Saniya got him up, but he only looked confused now.

"That's ENOUGH!" Guardian backhanded Striker across the face, snapping him out of whatever Froslass had done to him.

"Wha-what?" he spluttered, but Guardian was already turning around.

"Positions, everyone," Sean ordered, and Striker pulled himself back together when Saniya passed him an orb to clutch onto.

They each faced a different direction, refusing to allow Froslass to trick them into hitting each other again.

"Cold and dawn, the wind does blow," Froslass sang. "Bleak the morning early. You are covered with the snow. And the winter's now come fairly."

"Where is she?" Guardian hissed, but Sean could not pinpoint her location down. She moved too fast, too often.

"I see some snowmen, short and fat. There are your scarves and there are your hats. When I see the snowfall hear me shout. All of you children, please… come… out~."

"Well she's the creepiest thing I've seen all week," Saniya scoffed, holding close to Striker.

He nodded, neck sore. "Whatever she did to me, I did not want to refuse anything she asked. Do not let her get close."

"Too late," Froslass hissed, driving a blade of ice into Sean's leg. He screamed but rather than let the cold disable him again, his paw snapped out, coated in a Copycat'd darkness from around Guardian to latch onto her body.

"NOW!" Sean bellowed, holding onto Froslass with all the strength his numb paws could give.

As one, Team Sunrise bombarded her with what they had. Saniya's Ancient Power finally hit home. The eruption of Rock, Grass, and Ghost moves all at once tore Froslass from Sean's grip and sent her screaming into the winds around them.

"I have an idea," Sean said, breathing weakly as he bled from his back and leg. Froslass wasn't coming for them again so boldly, but she also didn't have to.

The storm was so cold. The trip to get here was so cold. The hits she had scored on them weren't the worst of wounds, Sean was putting several pieces together. Froslass wasn't nearly strong enough to take them on in a direct fight, and likely not all the pokémon frozen here either.

The brutality of Blizzard Island and Crevice Cave exhausted everyone that came here. The cold was so debilitating, and then to be wrapped in it completely with a taunting enemy that could hardly be hit.

The elements would take them out before she would, Sean, Striker, and Saniya could barely feel anything around them by this point.

Guardian could, but the cold was even beginning to affect him.

"What?" Saniya asked.

"Attack the sculptures," Sean said, bitterly. He was not blind or useless. There was nothing in the sculptures behind them, except a frozen memory. Only one pokémon in here had life to them yet, and that was in front of them.

"What?" Striker asked.

"Don't argue," Guardian said, raising his hand and firing a Shadow Ball. "Just go for it."

The Shadow Ball ripped through one of the sculptures, shattering it completely. The poor pokémon frozen within was more ice than anything else and shattered with it.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" the very winds around them seemed to scream.

Another sculpture shattered, and another.

"STOP!"

The veneer of calm, of control, of civility faded in an instant and Froslass, came directly for them, utter murder in her eyes.

"Vermin. FILTH!" she screamed, reaching for them even as Saniya and Striker began to bombard her with their Power. "You do not deserve to be preserved forever in majesty! You will be food, nothing more!"

Saniya attacked the air above them, destabilising the winds and with Froslass not controlling them anymore, the storm began to cease.

"Guardian!" Sean yelled sharply.

"I have her," Guardian replied, calmly. Far too calmly.

His belly mouth opened, revealing the Shadow Ball he had been forming. Froslass saw it as well and recoiled. Chunks of her body had been ripped away by Saniya and Striker's attacks.

"Saniya, hold her!" Sean yelled, and Saniya reached forth and gripped Froslass with Psychic. Sean copied the move, double Psychic to restrain Froslass. "NOW!"

Guardian unleashed the charged Shadow Ball.

Froslass' scream shook the sculptures, but there could have only been a relief to what was left. By the time the scream faded, there was nothing left of her.

Guardian panted for breath, slowly lowering his hands. He shook, his whole body trembling violently before he calmed down.

"She dead?" Striker asked.

"Yes."

And that was all they were going to speak on the subject.

"Quickly," Sean urged, running forward to where Scizor stood, frozen. "Everyone else here is gone I… I know it. But Scizor is still alive. Somehow."

"She fed on the life force of the frozen," Guardian answered, coming up behind him. "Feeding on them like a parasite until there was nothing left but their material corpse. She must have wanted to preserve Scizor, however. There is still a flicker in there."

"The trophy of trophies," Saniya said, sadly.

They began to work on the ice. Guardian burned away thinner areas with Will-o-Wisp, and Sean copied it to work as well. Striker carved at the thicker areas with his blades. Ultimately, it was Saniya who pulled Scizor out, carefully prying him from the hold of the ice with her Psychic.

Then she slapped him.

"Uwaa," Scizor slurred, he had jolted briefly from the slap, raising his head, before he sagged again and went still.

"We've got to go, now," Saniya said.

"Let me carry him," Guardian said. "Holding him like this can't be easy on you, or healthy for him." She slowly, carefully, released her hold on him, closing one eye as she did so. Once Scizor was secured in Guardian's arms, Saniya was picked up by Striker, and they began to quickly make their way out.

"Someone should come back here to give these pokémon a proper burial," Sean said, sadly, after making their way through the maze of bodies.

"Let's focus on getting back," Striker suggested. "So we don't have to organise one for Scizor as well."

Crevice Cave was exited easily, as Froslass' cavern was the final area. However, Blizzard Island would have to entered."

"Good thing we kept a hold of the escape orb," Sean said.

"It'll deposit us where we entered," Striker countered.

"Dammit, I forgot."

"Try to contact Chimecho," Guardian said to Saniya, as they exited the dungeon later. "The guild is going to have to be prepared for an emergency by the time we get back."

"Is he going to last the trip?" Sean asked worried.

"I have a better idea," Saniya said. "That lucario said to call for her if we found him. I know she wouldn't have bet on us, but if that is Lucario then…" She took a deep breath in warning and the three covered their ears.

Saniya's scream echoed for miles.

Snow shifted from the reverberation of her cry until silence slowly faded on them.

Strangely they didn't have to wait long, dragging themselves forwards hoping Lapras would be there at least.

"What's up guys?" a familiar voice from earlier reached their ears, even Sean jumping as he picked up nothing even with his tassels still flared.

They turned as one as Lucario approached. She strolled forwards as if on an evening walk before she froze in place.

Her eyes slowly widened, her mouth parting slightly at the sight of five.

She blinked and counted. One, two, three, four, and five.

Riolu, Celebi, Grovyle, Dusknoir….

Scizor.

"Lucario?" Guardian was the one to speak. "Are you?"

She remained frozen, as if her body had suddenly registered the cold all in one and frozen like the pillars in the cavern had been.

Her tassels hung limp, not even twitching an inch as she stared at them.

Finally, after a very long moment, she moved.

She moved with such speed, such force, that the snow was quite formidably blown away from them, leaving them standing on rock as the sound of snow falling wooshed around them.

"Cara?" she whispered, a trembling paw reaching for Scizor before she stopped. His eyes fluttered and he stirred with a pained sound. She flinched back, taking a step back and raising her head.

Her expression was guarded, disbelieving, it was bordering on anger and if left to simmer could grow apoplectic. The pressure of her stare became intense. Team Sunrise had been on guard when she appeared earlier, they were a group who literally fought a god and stared its madness down without flinching.

Perhaps they were tired and shocked from Froslass. Or perhaps the gaze of Lucario was worse than Primal Dialga's as she spoke. "What is this?"

The words were spoken simply, not soft but not loud. Almost more of a statement than a question. It stated danger if answered incorrectly.

Sean was out in front and found his tongue drying in his mouth. Striker managed a half step forwards, pressing a taloned hand on Sean's shoulder as if to pull him back but he too froze under her stare.

Saniya was the one who was getting closest to responding, working her mouth even as her lungs resisted. Every instinct screamed DANGER. That she had to take her friends and run.

Mercifully, none of them had to respond. Scizor continued to stir and finally raised his head. His eyes were dazed and unfocused for a moment before they sharpened on Lucario. He stared back at her, strangely untouched by the sheer pressure exuding from her presence.

"Keira?" he whispered.

Her eyes shot wide, she gasped as if shot in the chest and almost stepped back. The pressure disappeared into panic, and then hope, before it returned tenfold.

Guardian, who quite literally could affect pokemon with the Pressure of his presence, groaned and nearly sagged holding Scizor. His own weight felt feeble against this, if there was any doubt in his mind of who this lucario was it was banished the moment she had moved earlier.

He had heard stories, of course. Of Lucario's power. Her charisma. Her presence. It was difficult to take entirely seriously, how one pokemon could truly do all that. Be all that. He was swiftly changing his mind, barely able to hold himself steady as her power grew more rampant. Her tassels were twitching now.

Team Sunrise were shaking and it had nothing to do with the cold.

Lucario's expression was difficult to put into words. She had slipped into a snarl, but it didn't reach her eyes. Her eyes were wide and almost crazed rather than narrowed and focused. Her pupils had constricted to pinpricks, her body was trembling as well but it could not possibly be the primal emotions she was inflicting on Team Sunrise.

And yet, Scizor continued to look unaffected, eyes still somewhat dazed, confusion ringing as he looked over her. He repeated the word, the name, "Keira?"

Sean twitched as that name, spoken twice, registered with him. He gasped and stepped back into Striker's hold, but Lucario's eyes never once moved to him.

"Prove it," Lucario, or was it Keira, whispered.

"W…what?" Scizor croaked, throat sore from disuse over frozen years.

Lucario's paw clenched and then spears tore through the rocks. Not a single one so much as grazed a member of Team Sunrise, but they were encased in dozens of shining bones that split the earth in their arrival, even around Saniya locking her in place.

Striker was the first to react to that, his arms bursting with green energy as fight or flight finally kicked in. Before he could act, shining blades appeared.

A ring of ethereal swords, moving as if like a dream. They tapped the spears and popped, leaving cracks that more struck to break.

He could only manage a second of it before he groaned, slumping in Guardian's grip. The spears vanished as well, however.

Lucario's eyes had filled with tears. "Cara?"

Her expression of fury faltered, confusion and then hope banishing the anger. She took a step forwards, hesitant for the first time in living memory.

Then she ran to him.

Like an exchange of light to dark the pressure exuding from her vanished. Cut free of the feeling of danger, the four members of Team Sunrise just staggered. Sean dropped against Striker who fell onto his behind and Saniya falling onto Sean.

Guardian fared the best, still tilting down but he was caught and steadied by Lucario when she reached them. Her paws cradled Scizor's head, visibly shaking. Her mouth worked but no words came out. She looked up at Guardian and then down to Scizor, affirming he was still there.

"We found him," Guardian groaned, releasing Scizor as Lucario pulled him out of his grip. Scizor's legs couldn't support him, but they didn't need to. She was holding him against him, frigid carapace clanging against her rounded chest spike.

Lucario was blinking a great deal, looking down at Scizor breathing against her and all of them in complete astonishment.

"How?" she managed after mouthing the word silently for a long time. "How?"

"How long?" Scizor groaned. He managed to raise his head to look at her. "How long?"

Her eyes twitched, she hesitated.

Scizor stared back.

"... forty-four years," she said. His eyes widened and then closed with a groan of pain. He pressed his head to her chest.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered. "You must have thought-"

"Don't talk," Lucario said authoritatively. "Don't. You need… you need to take it easy, alright? We can talk later. Just… hold on."

He nodded weakly against her.

She picked him up bridal style and then turned to Team Sunrise, a host of emotions crashing across her face. In time, Guardian especially would feel honoured to have witnessed such bareness from The Legendary Lucario but for now, they were cold and tired and in pain.

"Where did you come from?" she asked firmly.

"T-Treasure Town," Sean managed.

She nodded to him and shook her hip, flicking her bag out and catching it in another paw. She rammed her paw into it, sinking somehow to the shoulder despite barely being bigger than her paw. She rummaged for a moment before drawing something out.

"Wanna do something illegal?" she asked, drawing out a strange card-like object.

"That's… an Entercard!" Guardian gasped, braced on the ground with the others. "Those are illegal! To a massive degree!"

"I'm The Legenday Lucario," she said confidently, activating the card and laying it down on a rock. "And even if I weren't, making sure he's alive is more important than a little lawbreaking. We can destroy them later."

Reality around the rock began to bubble and seep like smoke, creating a tear in reality in front of their eyes.

"If you follow me, do it now," Lucario said as the dungeon began to form and she readied herself. "Magnagates are places of absolute fucking horror. Just walk forwards, stay on the path, and do NOT listen to the voices no matter what they say or sound like. If you get lost you're lost forever. There is a very good reason these are illegal. Hold hands, people."

She began to walk forwards but did stop at the rim of the dungeon to look back at them. "Either way, I'll see you in Treasure Town. We have stuff to talk about, Team Sunrise." She gave Sean a meaningful look and then stepped in.

Team Sunrise stared at the Magnagate in horror a moment before Saniya said. "Welp. No time like the present." They linked hands and followed her in.

---

The original version of this chapter was more like two chapters in one, flipping between Team Sunrise doing this and Team Ion doing another thing. It made far more sense to split it into two.

Also, Lucario again! And a name, Keira~