9. Face to Face with Death!

It felt to Kel as if he and Aurora had been walking through the icy expanse of the huge mountain for hours. This was caused by the fact, that they had been walking through the icy expanse of the huge mountain for hours. The sun was already disappearing behind the horizon and Kel was aware that they would have to spend the night on the mountain. Although he didn't particularly like the idea, at least the cold wasn't a problem for him, unlike it would be for many other Pokemon. If there was one thing that Team Polarna vatra was prepared for, it was, fittingly, ice. But whether Kel wanted did not matter anyway...

"There's no point in traveling any further today. Let's rest here!"

Only a little time passed before Aurora interrupted the journey with these words. This time Kel had no problem with this decision either, so for once he didn't want to disagree and didn't get upset that Aurora had once again made the decision for both of them. A small pile of rocks lay by the side of the path.

"Let's use the rocks there as protection so we don't camp in the middle of the path."

With his current mentality, Kel was almost surprised when Aurora didn't object. So the team left the main path and set up a small camp next to the pile. While he tried to fall asleep, Kel looked at the night sky for the first time since Epsilon's big showing. He had a hard time really realizing that the night sky was still shining, just like it always had before, but the moon had simply disappeared. Instead, where the celestial body once was, there was a strange, rainbow-colored light.

"What do you think that light is?"

Kel was startled at first when he heard the question, as he had fully expected Aurora to have already fallen asleep. But he quickly recovered.

"I don't know. Maybe it's remnants of the moonlight or something like that. At least it gives off a little light, like the moon itself."

Even though she had obviously heard his answer, Kel noticed how lost in thought Aurora was.

"Have you ever thought about what the Plot actually looks like? Does it have any form? Whenever I imagined the Plot, it almost looked like that light in the sky. What if it's the Plot that wants to give us light after Epsilon stole it?"

This contrast Aurora saw between the machine-like tyrant and this legendary power seemed illogical to Kel, after everything he had experienced in this world.

"Do you really think that the Plot would oppose Epsilon?"

He had obviously brought up an even more sensitive topic than Tyrantrum's unforgettable look.

"You have no idea about this world! The Plot is a force of good! It would never have help out Epsilon!"
"But how do you explain his endless power? Where would Epsilon get the power to change reality if not from reality itself? And if the Plot has all this power you're talking about, why wouldn't it stop Epsilon? It just doesn't make any sense!"

Kel knew that once again his arguments made sense, probably too much for Aurora to be able to counter them. But obviously, her belief was strong enough so that she herself believed that she didn't need to.

"That's exactly what I want to find out! Epsilon's power is to create Plotholes, after all, so he's probably found a way to get around the Plot itself. And I will find out how he did it to stop him with that knowledge!"

This endless euphoria about stopping the Plot Emperor really bothered Kel. How did Aurora think she could defeat a being with the power to change reality? Besides, if he ever had to take part in a fight like that... could he even bring himself to stand up to Epsilon? Epsilon was the reason for this second life, while Aurora hadn't brought Kel much other than frustration and stress. But on the other hand, she was the only Pokemon he somewhat knew, and he too had to accept that the attack that past night was not a sign of a messiah. But first and foremost he hoped that it would never come to that... after all, there were so many Pokemon, why would Epsilon be fighting with this small team? With these thoughts he slowly drifted off into a rather restless sleep.

The next morning he saw the sun rising on the horizon, while Aurora still was asleep. Today they would probably reach the top of the iceberg and hopefully find an Ice Stone without any more problems. But it wasn't really a question for Kel: Why shouldn't anyone deliver any more of the stones if there were no problems involved? At that point, however, he couldn't imagine just yet how serious these problems would really be...

It was only a matter of minutes before Aurora rose up as well. She was pretty motivated, as she noticed her teammate also being awake already.

"You are already up? Then we can continue our journey! We should reach the top of the mountain in a few hours, afterwards we can head home!"

Kel was, of course, very happy about the thought of returning home, but less so about the rest. More hours in the monotonous, eternal, icy landscape... it was different from what Kel was used to, but that didn't change how quickly the view of a single color could become boring. But instead of complaining, he decided to start the journey without saying a word. Complaining would only waste time. Aurora took the lead again, which had convinced Kel that she at least partly knew where the path should lead.

The proof of this came at the latest when, after about two hours, a path to the top came into view. It was only a straight path and nothing and no one had stood in the way. The conflicts between Kel and Aurora were to remain the only obstacle on the way, fortunately for both of them, even if these conflicts were of course problematic enough.

"See? It wasn't that bad, was it? We'll be at the top in minutes now, I'll evolve, pack some stones for the shop and that's it. Do you still see another reason to complain?"

The malicious tone in her voice displeased her teammate, but again he stuck to the same motto: Complaining would only waste time and every additional minute on this mountain was a wasted one.

"And I even have some good news for you! There's a tunnel from the top that takes you to the foot of the mountain in just two hours! It's unusable from below, before you complain about not using it before."

Every minute on this mountain was wasted, a shortcut would minimize this waste. But it was only fair that everything should work out for Kel for once in his life. So, the team followed the path as Aurora began to speak up again.

"Oh, and Kel?"
"What do you want?"
"Well... I know myself that I'm not really nicest most of the time. Even though you deserve it for some of the things you say. But I've at least thought about what you said to me before the last Plothole when we got here. And well... maybe you're right. I'm speaking a little too much for both of us. You're completely new to this world and don't really speak up that often, so I just kinda got the idea that you don't want to speak for yourself anyway. But I'll at least try to better myself, alright?"

Kel's past memories came back to him. Could Pokemon and humans be so different? He couldn't believe that Aurora actually recognized mistakes and apologized. It went against everything Kel knew. Understanding was not a real character trait, at least in his eyes. But despite this feeling, despite his terrible experiences, he wanted to at least try and keep hope. Maybe it wasn't all a lie after all...

The two Pokemon reached the top of the iceberg. A small cave was located in this place. From afar, both could see the seemingly endless mass of elemental stones that decorated the walls of the cave. Full of enthusiasm, they entered this natural wonder, completely ignorant of any possible danger, but at the same time thinking that truly threatening creatures would not be in such a remote place. And immediately this carelessness was to be punished when an icicle fell from the ceiling and narrowly missed both of them. However, the situation became really serious when three creatures descended from the hole left in the ceiling. Two of the three were already known to Team Polarna vatra. One of them was Marshadow, the servant they had already fought. The unknown creature seemed much stronger than him. It was a kind of giant, pink-red dragon. But the creature in the center remained the greatest threat. And both league fighters knew immediately why no one was delivering the evolution stones. Epsilon.

"Two ordinary Pokemon invade a place like this? What drives you is beyond my comprehension. Nevertheless, Marshadow, Eternatus, you can leave. These two pose no threat to us, I'll take care of them!"

Marshadow and the second Pokemon, which was obviously called Eternatus, disappeared into thin air, leaving Team Polarna vatra alone with the Plot Emperor.

"I see. Team Polarna vatra..."

The shock in Aurora's voice was clearly audible.

"Where... how do you know us? How do you know who we are?"

A mechanical laugh rang out.

"You are unaware of my power. I know every being that travels these lands. The Plot rules them all and so I must know who I must judge! But I do not think that I truly owe you an explanation, much less that it will help anyone. For this place has been forbidden to you mere mortals! You will have to receive punishment for your transgression! And I will be the judge of that punishment!"

Thunder roared as Epsilon pointed his sword towards the sky.

A shudder ran through Kel's body. He couldn't stay here, not with Epsilon! He noticed Aurora jumping to the side, right onto a wall of the cave, while icicles grew again on the ceiling. And just as she had planned, as soon as Aurora came into contact with the wall, she also touched one of the Ice Stones. The evolution stone that could make her stronger than ever before! Epsilon's attention was immediately drawn to the bright light emanating from Aurora. Her big moment had finally arrived!

The light faded and the little fox had become an elegant and strong Ninetales. With her new strength, Aurora also found new confidence.

"Epsilon... we will defeat you, no matter what you think of us! Get ready!"

All this enthusiasm, however, vanished the moment Epsilon spoke again.

"We? It is brave of you to speak in a majestic plural. Because you are standing alone!"

Aurora's confused looks showed her what Epsilon meant. While both others were distracted, Kel had seized the moment. He had not stayed for this fight, but had fled. Aurora did not know where to. She only knew that he had left her alone in this situation of mortal danger. The mechanical laughter rang out again.

"In this moment I actually have to feel pity. You got involved with beings who are weak in spirit and will. Always around you, wanting to have a say, to make decisions, but when it really matters, when you have to face great danger, in these moments he leaves you all alone. Kel does not have your strength, whether evolved or not. It is not physical strength that makes you strong! But now, face to face... Aurora, let me make you an offer. Many have already followed the call of truth. Many praise the Plot as the highest power in this world. They obey and are rewarded. You have strength that truly counts. Determination! Join my side, fight for the Plot, and help us create a world free of traitors and tyrants! Aurora! I can see your potential! Your desire for justice. Your very soul! You and I, we are not that different. So, join me! Join me and become part of my Elite! Aurora, become a warrior of the Plot!"