Route 44
Jackson, Leafeon, & Lyanne had made it to the entrance of the Ice Path. They looked at the frozen exterior around the entrance, and saw the opening ahead.
"Looks like they cleared the way forward, didn't they?" Jackson noted, recalling their last visit.
"That's right. Team Rocket was here to blow up the entrance to prevent anyone coming through." Leafeon recalled, "I still wonder why they did that in the first place."
"Probably to stop people from reaching Mahogany Town and finding their base." Lyanne assumed.
"Makes the most sense." Jackson agreed, looking at the path, "Fortunately, the pathway's clear, and we have a straight path to Blackthorn! The only issue we have to deal with is you two." Lyanne and Leafeon looked to Jackson with confused expressions. He looked back at them as he stated, "Well, Leafeon didn't enjoy this place when she was an Eevee, and it would be worse since she is a Grass-type. And let's not forget you are a Dragon-type, Lyanne. If you were having a tough time in Pryce's gym..."
"You still have my jacket in that bag of yours." Lyanne recalled, "I can just put that on to deal with the Ice Path."
"And I am better at dealing with places like than I did before." Leafeon noted.
"That being said..." Jackson stated, "We'll still need a guide who knows the Ice Path quite well. Therefore..." He pulled out a Pokéball, tossing it up as he called out Weavile in front of him. "Who better to guide us through than a former resident?" he finished asking.
"My old home, huh?" Weavile asked, looking at the entrance, "It has been a while."
"Yeah. Bet things are a bit nostalgic, aren't they?" Jackson asked.
"A bit." he answered, "Brings back memories."
Just then, one of Jackson's Pokéballs activated, and out came Dewott, standing prominently next to Weavile. "Dewott?!" Lyanne gasped.
"Not again..." Leafeon sighed.
"So this is your home?" Dewott asked, "Hah! Bet I can rock this place better than you can!"
"Dewott, now is not the time for your rivalry." Jackson told him, "Just get back in your ball and be-."
"Ain't gonna happen, Jackson!" Dewott replied, "Besides, where else can I have a chance to be better than my rival than in his home turf?! More importantly, I'll prove I am the better Night Slash user here!" He drew out the said move with his scalchops, ready to fight.
Weavile looked to him, before huffing as he stated, "Fine then. I have just the opponent for us to take on to see who would win."
"You do?" Jackson asked.
"Yeah. As a matter of fact, there is a formidable group in the Ice Path that every Pokémon living there respects and fears." Weavile answered, looking to the group in general, "They are known as... The 'Frost Divas'.
(Insert 'STAND UP' by Twill (full version))
Music Intro
(Traveling through shining golden tunnel of energy, leading out into space with many world, all of which different colors, with the central world being the Pokémon world. The logo 'Jackson in Johto' appears on screen, before the camera passes through the arch of the 'n' from 'in, going into the world, through the clouds, where the glowing shadow of Ho-Oh can be seen, to the sea, where the shadow of Lugia is flying beneath the waters, before reaching the shoreline, getting blinded by the sun.)
Yeah, stand up boys!
Come on, face forward
(Jackson stands up, with Quilava at his side, followed by Dewott, Weavile, and Ledian, all of which expressing their unique personalities to Jackson.)
The call enveloping you is your guide
Step towards tomorrow
(Dewott gets angry at Weavile for trying to act so cool, while Jackson rolls his eyes before he, Quilava and Ledian took off ahead, with Weavile following behind, ignoring Dewott, who panicked and ran to not be left behind.)
Yeah, stand up girls!
At the end of what's more than real
(Leafeon rises up with Lyanne as Jackson and the boys pass by. The two look to one another, before giggling at the sight of the boys, before looking to the sky.)
We'll grab a light that's been covered by thick clouds
(Camera goes up to see Gardevoir appear in a sparkling light, landing right next to the two girls, smiling pleasantly at the two before they raced after the boys.)
How we spend our days before isn't good enough
(Camera passes by still images of all the companions and gym leaders that he has met or will meet in the future, including Cypher at the end of the pictures, while Jackson, Lyanne, Leafeon, and the rest of his current team walked along the bottom of the screen.)
At full speed
We can blast through
Even the highest wall
(Team Rocket suddenly appears, with the four admins of Team Rocket standing together, with the images of their ace Pokémon at their side, and the satellite system right above them.)
Stand up for your dream!
(Jackson draws his sword, while Lyanne turns into her Latias form, and the rest of his team ready to fight together.)
Be enthusiastic at what you do, no matter what it is
(Jackson rushes forward as he slashes his blade against Team Rocket grunts, followed by a spin kick, sending them flying, while Leafeon leaps up and unleashes a forward somersault Leaf Blade, taking out their Pokémon.)
Push your way through to make an opening
(Weavile unleashes an Ice Punch as Dewott throws a Water Pulse at a different direction, followed by the pair unleashing simultaneous Night Slashes. Quilava leaps through their attack, going into a Flame Charge.)
No matter how far
The answer you're seeking is
Stand up for your dream!
(Ledian flies in, striking with a couple Ice Punch, before unleashing a Bug Buzz. Latias flies above him, unleashing a Mist Ball, sending it ahead. Gardevoir flew forward, using Psychic to catch the Mist Ball, spinning it around her before shooting it forward, adding a Moonblast alongside the attack, creating an explosion.)
Even if my feeling show weakness
Your voice that I hear close by
(In the burning Ecruteak City, a serious Jackson raced along the path with Leafeon and Quilava at his side, towards the two towers, where a deranged Ho-Oh and Lugia were at, unleashing Aeroblast and Sacred Fire onto the city.)
Gives me courage and strength
I can go the distance
(Jackson leaps high, landing on Latias's back as they flew off, with the rest of the team leaping with him before encased in a stream of their signature colors, before the screen turn white, with a crystal blue Pokéball with a gold and silver sword crossing behind it the only thing remaining.)
The team entered into the cave together, Jackson and Lyanne in their winter coats, Dewott and Weavile leading the pack.
"So, who are the Frost Divas?" Leafeon asked.
"A pair of Pokémon who reside in the lower parts of the Ice Path." Weavile explained, "If Pokémon would ask who are the strongest in the Ice Path, it would be this formidable pair.
"Really, now?" Dewott asked with a smirk, "You mean they were able to kick your butt, too?"
"I never had anyone else to partner up with to take them on." Weavile answered, "They only prefer fighting together rather than one-on-one battles. I could never face them because I considered myself a loner back when I was a Sneasel."
"I thought Sneasel were known to hunt in pairs." Lyanne recalled, "Even Weavile are known to hunt in packs, as well."
"We do. I had a partner, once." Weavile answered, "But...we had different opinions on things, and after a fight, we parted ways."
"You said 'she'." Leafeon noticed, "Was this Sneasel...your mate?"
"Dude, Leafeon!" Jackson exclaimed while blushing.
"No." Weavile answered, "At least, not at the time." He remained quiet after this, and everyone knew not to pry. Well...almost everyone.
"I didn't know the 'cool and collected' Weavile had a soft spot." Dewott stated in a slight mocking tone, "Were you too cool for her or something?"
"Dewott!" Lyanne snapped at him, causing him to stop and look to her. Jackson, Lyanne, and Leafeon all gave him harsh glares at him. "There are some things you shouldn't mock about!" the disguised Latias snapped at him.
"Agreed. You have more tact than that." Jackson told him, "There's rivalry with Weavile, and then there's just putting him down. You are better than this!" The three past by Dewott, who got a whack by Leafeon's tail as she passed him.
"It was just a joke..." Dewott huffed, following the group from behind.
"Sorry about him, Weavile." Leafeon apologized, before diverting the topic, "Why don't you tell us about these Frost Divas. What kind of Pokémon are they?"
Weavile made no acknowledgement to Dewott's words as he answered, "Well, the stronger of the group is a Jynx. The other is a Delibird."
"A Jynx, huh?" Jackson asked, pulling up the dex entry for it. "Jynx. The Humanshape Pokemon. Jynx walks rhythmically, swaying and shaking its hips as if it were dancing. Its motions are so bouncingly alluring, people seeing it are compelled to shake their hips without giving any thought to what they are doing."
"Sure looks like a diva." Jackson muttered.
"You also said a Delibird was also the other diva?" Lyanne asked. Jackson thought back to Bryce's Delibird, wondering how something like that would be considered a diva.
"Don't underestimate them. They are strongest for a reason." Weavile told Jackson, "Let's keep going down." He continued leading the team, with Dewott bringing up the rear.
Moments later, they finally reached the bottom of the Ice Path, sliding about to reach their destination. They climbed down man-made ladder that was frozen over, making sure to keep an eye on their footwork. When they reached the bottom, they heard an explosion, and quickly turned. A Piloswine and a Delibird were suddenly sent flying towards their direction, crumbling to the floor, unable to continue.
"Whoa!" Lyanne stated, running to them to check their condition.
"Looks like we found the Frost Divas' latest victims." Jackson assumed.
Weavile looked to the Delibird, and was surprised. "Hold on... I knew it! You're one of the Frost Divas!"
Delibird rolled face-down, and pushed herself upwards. "Thanks for remembering I was part of it. Guess you don't know what has happened."
"Well...I hadn't been around for a while." Weavile noted casually.
Delibird glared at the opponents ahead, stating, "Yeah, well... I got replaced." Weavile looked ahead, and was shocked. Standing on a higher platform of ice, Jynx was there, as was another Weavile. Based on the feathers near its ear, it was female. However, there were telltale signs that made him assume who she was.
Jackson and the other arrived at his side as they looked to the female Weavile and Jynx, a human-looking Pokémon with purple skin, long blonde hair, fat lips, and a red and gold-trimmed dress.
"Hold on. It's another Weavile!" Lyanne noticed.
"Guess this one replaced Delibird, didn't it?"
Jynx gave an ojou-sama laugh as it proclaimed, "Looks like my fun isn't over yet, is it? A trainer has appeared before me with a bevy of Pokémon at his side! This should be entertaining!"
"Talk about being high and mighty." Dewott scoffed.
Leafeon looked to Weavile, seeing his expression, and asked, "Are you doing okay? You've never made a face like that before."
"No..." Weavile answered, "I think I know who replaced Delibird."
"I'm surprised you can actually recognize me." the female Weavile scoffed, "I almost didn't recognize you, at first. You tried to play the cool card so much of our time together."
"Weavile, I take it that's your partner?" Jackson asked.
"Yeah..." Weavile answered, "She was the Sneasel I hunted alongside with."
"Before you decided to just up and ditch me." the female answered, "You were so focused on making your personality right, you forgot about caring about me!"
The team looked to Jackson's Weavile. "Is that true, Weavile?" Jackson asked.
"No. She got tired of hunting with me, and fought with me during our last hunt." he answered.
"Only because you constantly wanted to finish your opponent on your own terms!" she retorted, "What does it matter on HOW we hunt, as long as we succeed in the hunt?!"
"Now, Weave..." Jynx stopped her, "This is not how a diva acts! You must have more passion, and less anger." The female Weavile gritted her teeth, trying to contain her anger. "As for you lot, you'd better be here for more than just to see our gorgeous faces." Jynx continued, blowing a kiss to them, making Dewott and Leafeon flinch.
"My Pokémon are here to challenge the strongest of the Ice Path." Jackson called out, "We heard you were the strongest in this place."
"Our reputation proceeds me." Jynx stated, "But you would be correct. Do you plan to challenge me?"
"You bet, I will!" Dewott answered, stepping forward, "I've got a deal to make, here! I'll take you on!"
"My, aren't we feisty?" Jynx noticed, "But I must tell you that I only do double battles with my partner, Weavile. You'd better find yourself a partner, little man."
"I'll do it." Weavile stepped up, getting a look from Dewott, "If my old partner is here, I believe it is only fitting I join in."
"That's fine. I wanted to settle the score with you." the female Weavile responded, "I hadn't just evolved. I also gotten stronger. I will prove myself better than your cool attitude!"
"Fine. We'll just stand back and watch." Jackson responded, before pulling out a Pokéball, "We should probably keep ourselves warm while we watch. Quilava, go!" He tossed out a ball, and out came his Fire-type.
"Need a light?" he asked, igniting his backside. Leafeon and Lyanne got close to him, first.
"Ah, that feels SO good." Lyanne sighed in relief.
"You won't be commanding them?" Leafeon asked Jackson.
"They can fight without me." he replied, looking to his two partners, "Besides, this is not only a test in their experience, but also a good test for Dewott. He needs to put his ego aside, and work together with Weavile."
"That...will be a challenge." Leafeon and Quilava muttered simultaneously.
"Swords Dance!" Dewott called out, creating energy blades around his body, which boosted his physical Attack. At the same time, Weavile launched forward with a Metal Claw, ready to strike. However, his old partner leapt up and unleashed Dark Pulse, sending a stream of dark rings down at him. He side-stepped the attack, jumping up to attack her.
"Come here!" Jynx called out, grabbing Weavile before he struck Weavile, pulling him close to her, and planting a kiss on his face. Everyone looked uncomfortably at what she did, until Lyanne noticed the energy that came off of the kiss, and gasped, "Oh, no! That's Lovely Kiss!"
"Doesn't look lovely to me." Jackson muttered.
"No! It's a special move of Jynx's." Lyanne explained, before the team saw that Weavile had suddenly dozed off, "It puts the target to sleep!"
"And now time to Wake Up, young man!" Jynx told Weavile, tossing him up and giving a hard, glowing hand slap that woke him abruptly, sending him crashing into the icy floor hard.
"Wake-Up Slap?!" Jackson recognized.
"Putting him to sleep before doing that will double the damage." Lyanne noted, "And for an Ice-type, that is nothing less than deadly!"
Dewott looked to see Weavile get back up, taking heavy damage from the attack. He was startled at Weavile getting bodied so easily from one attack. He then heard both the female Weavile and Jynx laugh at Weavile's state. "I am impressed that you could even get up from an attack like that. Jynx stated, "But you do know that one more hit will end you, right?"
"You really got soft since we last left." the female Weavile scoffed, "You were tough before, but trying too hard to be cool made you weak. You are completely uncool." Jackson and the other watchers looked irritated at the two mocking him.
"SHUT YOUR MOUTH!" Dewott snapped, shutting them up. Everyone looked to the Discipline Pokémon, who looked angry at them. "You wanna talk tough?! Back it up!" He unleashed a Water Pulse at the pair. The female Weavile used Dark Pulse again, counteracting the attack, creating an explosion. Both Weavile and Jynx looked at the smoke carefully, waiting for him to appear. However, Dewott was clever, and instantly got underneath them right after firing the Water Pulse, rising up with both scalchops, using Razor Shell to slice both opponents, knocking them off their upper platform.
"Nice!" Leafeon cheered.
"You cheeky brat!" Jynx huffed, attempting a Psychic attack on Dewott. However, he jumped away to avoid getting stricken by the attack, landing back down next to Weavile as he struggled to get up.
"See that?! That's how you get the better of your opponent, Weavile!" Dewott mocked him, "You didn't make a good plan, and just went straight on for an attack! That's why you failed, and I succeeded!"
"Seriously, Dewott? You are hitting him while he is down?!" Jackson asked.
"I'm not finished!" Dewott argued back, before looking at Weavile, "The fact you are making it easy to get beaten is humiliating! Are you THAT focused on your ex that you forgot your usual ways of fighting?! Remember how cool you are, or else I won't feel good beating you in your own home!"
"He's really laying it on him!" Quilava stated in shock.
"But I think it's more than that." Leafeon noticed, "If you understand what he is saying, he's sort of encouraging him to get up to fight. He wants to beat Weavile at his best."
"Dewott's rivalry with Weavile is not of animosity. He really wants to beat at his peak, and any less would be shameful." Jackson stated, looking to his two Pokémon. Weavile got to his feet at last to look at Dewott, seeing the seriousness in his eyes, and nodded in understanding. Jackson smirked at this, stating, "I had Dewott all wrong. He hates to lose to him, and that's why he taunts him. But he hates it more to see him weak."
Weavile looked to Jynx and his old partner, before smirking as he stated, "Guess I got carried away. I was not that cool, was I?"
"When were you ever cool?" Dewott asked.
"How about right now?" he asked, ready to fight, "I'll prove I am far more cooler than I have ever been!"
"Better not be all talk!" Dewott answered, getting into another fighter's stance.
Jynx made another ojou-sama laugh, stating, "I've never seen such a relationship in my life. Is this what they call 'bromance'?"
"Honestly, it's irritating." the female Weavile answered, "That dumb Water-type is supporting him? I can't stand the both of them!"
"Remember what I told you." Jynx reminded her, "Passion over anger. And passion is what we shall deliver!" She unleashed a Blizzard attack down at the two Pokémon, who simultaneously drew out Night Slash blades, and slashed the attack out of existence. Jynx looked surprised.
"Just for now, let's...team up." Dewott suggested, struggling in the last words.
"You don't need to make it hard on yourself." Weavile answered.
"It's not hard! I'll prove it!" he argued, and they simultaneously moved, criss-crossing as they raced towards their opponents.
"I'll give him some passion up, close, and personal!" the female Weavile proclaimed, jumping down to meet them, unleashing Ice Shards that quickly shot at them. Weavile used Metal Claw, while Dewott used Razor Shell, slashing away the Ice Shards that came close to them using their taught swordsmanship.
"Time to Beat you Up!" the female Weavile snapped at her male counterpart, preparing her Beat Up attack at Weavile. She punched forward to attack, but he leapt over her, avoiding the fight.
"You are not worth my time." he told her as he flew over her, as Dewott came in and struck her with his Razor Shells, making her reel back in pain.
Weavile's target was Jynx, who saw him coming, stating, "Looks like someone's ready for another kiss! Come here, young man." Weavile switched to his Ice Punch, readying both fists as she grabbed him. She planted another Lovely Kiss on him, putting him to sleep once more. However, he was more prepared for this, as he had placed his freezing fists on his face, using his wake-up trick to keep himself away after going to sleep.
"What?!" Jynx gasped.
"This is how I keep cool." Weavile stated, pulling out a Night Slash.
"Weavile is far stronger than you could ever be!" Dewott told the female Weavile, drawing out his own Night Slash.
The two dark blade users dashed past their opponents, unleashing a single strike with their blades. They dismissed them as one, as both Jynx and the female Weavile collapsed to the ground, unable to continue.
"They did it!" Leafeon cheered.
"THAT'S how it's done!" Jackson proclaimed.
Weavile turned away from Jynx as she struggled to get back up. "Never...have I had such a man...lay me out like that." she told him, "You certainly showed me good time. Where have you been all my life, young man?"
He didn't answer at first, but he came to a halt, answering, "On a path of self-improvement. One you are not allowed to take with me." Jynx felt her heart flutter as Weavile jumped down, leaving her behind.
Dewott waited for Weavile arrive, while the female Weavile strained to get back up. "I...refuse to give up!" She grimaced.
"Well, you're just gonna have to." Dewott told her, "If you can't even beat me, then you stand no chance at beating my rival, either."
"But I got stronger!" she argued, flashing a glare at Weavile as he stopped to look at her, "Ever since that day you abandoned me!"
(Flashback) Back when they were both Sneasel, they had just taken down a Golbat together, which had laid on the ground behind them. The male Sneasel looked confident at the win they got, while the female was irritated.
"What was that?!" she asked, "I had that final attack! You just stepped in and took the glory!"
"Sorry, but I was wanting to finish off first." the male answered.
"Let me guess; because it's such a cool thing to do, isn't it?" the female asked, "Can you stop trying to do that?! Why are you fixated on trying to act 'cool'?!"
"It's in my nature." he answered, "We are both Dark and Ice-types. Dark are suppose to be evil characters, feared among most Pokémon. I do not see myself as such, and rather be more than just feared. Instead, I shall pair it with my Ice half, and consider myself aloof. A cool character that is not wicked, nor a showoff. One who does everything in the best way possible, and not caring about how he does it or what the results are, as long as they are cool."
"That is absolutely ridiculous." the female scoffed, "What does it matter HOW we do a hunt as long as we do it?! Me? I prefer being merciless and efficient, rather than care about my abilities appearances."
The male looked to her, before turning away. "That's just you going along with your Dark-type nature. You are not developing yourself that way."
"Okay, that's it!" she snapped, brandishing her claws, "I am tired of this attitude you have! You want to act so cool?! Then do it on your own! And after I scratch you up!" She launched forward, her claws turning metallic as she prepared a Metal Claw. However, the male Sneasel saw her coming, and back-stepped away from where she was gonna land. She turned as he summoned out his Night Slash, and dashed right past her, slashing her with the attack. Within an instant, she crumpled to the floor, heavily damaged from the attack.
"You wanna end our partnership? Fine." the male answered, "I had a feeling it wasn't gonna work out. You are too violent and predictable for me."
He dismissed his Night Slash, walking away as she got back up, holding her side from where the attack struck her. She gritted her teeth, before shouting, "YOU ARE FAR FROM COOL! YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY EGOTISTICAL AND AGGROVATING TO BE COOL IN THE SLIGHTEST! I'LL BE FAR STRONGER THAT YOU! JUST YOU WAIT!"
The male Sneasel stopped, looking back at her. He then raced on ahead, making sure to get away from her. The hard truth to him was that she was right. He wasn't cool yet. He needed a way to become the ideal Pokémon he wanted to be. Maybe he needed a mentor to teach him how to be one.
Little did he know that a bit later, on that very day, he would encounter the very mentor for him.
"I trained to hunt on my own!" the female Weavile snapped, "I was even able to evolve at one point! You humiliated me, and I wanted to enact my vengeance, even so far as to surpass Delibird in order to join Jynx as the Frost Diva! Yet STILL I failed to defeat you! Scratch that; I failed to defeat a COMPANION of yours! WHY?!"
Dewott and Weavile looked at her spiteful expression, seeing how much she struggled to get this far. And yet...
"Did I not tell you repeatedly?" Jynx asked from up high, getting everyone's attention. She had regained the strength to get back up and look down on everyone. "This is NOT how divas act! I only let you join me so I could improve the woman you can be. But you are so clouded by anger, you are putting the title to shame! You have no passion, unlike that Weavile or that Dewott."
The female Weavile looked startled at not getting any support from anyone, before hearing Weavile start, "Even if you and I were to fight one on one, you would fail the exact same way as you did before. You almost remind me of Dewott, here. When we first met, I felt he was just an aggressive Pokémon intending to show off."
"Hey!" Dewott snapped at him.
"But he had a dedication like no other. A passion like no other." Weavile continued, ignoring him, "He wishes to become the best Night Slash user of all. He may not admit it, but his anger towards me is only due to the fact that I am a better Night Slash user than him."
"Not true!" Dewott snapped again.
"But since he and I have been together in my master's party, we have been given direction. Dewott has channeled his dedication into utilizing Night Slash as his final attack, and using more than just that move to make himself an incredible fighter. I have true understanding on what it means to be cool; working with your allies without reward, and getting stronger for them. Dewott may be aggressive, but his dedication, and his strong will..." He looked to Dewott as he finished, "...makes him the best rival I could ask for."
Dewott was perplexed at the praise given to him by his rival. Jackson and the others down below heard Weavile's speech, impressed at his words, especially since he never spoke this much since they met him. Jynx folded her arms and nodded in approval to his words.
"What, you just plan to rub in my face that you got yourself a better life thanks to meeting that trainer?" the female Weavile asked, "That's what I meant before by 'egotistical'. You only care about what you want, and what you got from your achievements. You haven't changed at all!"
Weavile looked at her face one last time, before turning around and walking away, stating, "I HAVE changed. You never did."
Dewott saw the expression on the female Weavile's face, before stating, "Before you talk about anyone else's ego, better fix yours." With that, he walked away, leaving the girl to feel frustrated, and abandoned once again.
The two reunited with Jackson, Leafeon, Lyanne, and Quilava. "You two were pretty amazing when you work together." Jackson pointed out.
"Yeah, well, don't get use to it." Dewott huffed, "And since we ended that fight in a tie, taking down the two at the same time, I'm still not satisfied!"
"Even after all that, you still don't give any kindness to Weavile, huh?" Leafeon sighed.
"You never change, do you?" Quilava asked.
"You think one fight would do that?!" Dewott demanded. He looked to Weavile, thinking about what he said before about him being the best rival he could ask for, before stating, "He is the most aggravating rival I could ask for." He pointed his scalchop at him, producing a Night Slash blade, growling, "I will definitely surpass you and your Night Slash one day. Don't you forget it!"
Weavile looked to him, before smirking, quick-drawing a Night Slash in response, and tapping his rival's blade, stating, "I'll constantly surpass you, but I'd like to see you try." Dewott looked irritated as he grinned at him. He hated him, but he respected him.
"Can we get out of here, please?" Lyanne asked, "I don't know about anyone else, but I've had enough of the cold!"
"Yeah. We still have a gym to go to." Jackson stated, turning around to see the ladder they climbed down, "Let's get back on course!" With that, the team raced their way to climb out, while leaving the coldest heart in the Ice Path alone.