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The Seafoam Islands have always been cold, and Misty loves coming here to train during the summer. She traded her blue denim shorts for long warm pants, and although she still wears her familiar yellow crop top, a padded jacket kept her warm during her visits. However, the cold is biting today. Sitting on top of Lapras, she shivered as they approached the island.
Setting foot on the shore after hours of sailing, Misty hugged Lapras before waving goodbye. The Lapras she caught and released two years ago would come by every summer and meet her at Pallet Town shores for an adventure. Usually, it will stay and train with her, but its pod is waiting nearby for him. The Lapras looked at her worriedly, feeling the unusual cold, but finally left at her urging.
With a shuddered breath, Misty entered the island’s cave. She let out her current roster of Pokemon once she got to the broadest clearing of the cavern. Staryu, Psyduck, Politoed, Gyarados, and Wartortle let out a happy cry as their trainer freed them from the confines of their Pokeball.
“Okay, everyone! We’re at Seafoam Islands once again for training. We’ll begin with a little stretching before a mock battle, okay?!” The Pokemon cheered and lined up before imitating their trainer. It helped warm up the living creatures, and they became livelier.
“Let’s pair off, everyone! Staryu versus Psyduck and Politoed versus Wartortle!” The Pokemon faced their opponent and started their mock battle. “Make sure to be creative, my lovelies! Don’t just stand there and take your opponent’s attack. Dodge and counter!” Misty smiled when the Pokemon did just what she ordered. She turned to her Gyarados, “Come on, Gyarados. Let’s practice your Rain Dance and Hurricane Combo, shall we?” The atrocious Pokemon roared, and Misty giggled. “Half power for now, okay? We don’t want the cave falling on top of us.” He nodded and began practicing.
Misty turned just in time for Psyduck to stumble on its feet and struggle to get up. She shook her head at her silly duck. “Psyduck, roll over, my love!” She instructed when she saw Staryu attacked with a water gun. Psyduck rolled before the attack reached him. “Staryu, please use a Psychic to help him get up.” The star Pokemon did as told. “Okay, continue the match!”
A mini-earthquake rocked the Pokemon, sending Psyduck on its back again. Staryu helped its friend get up using Psychic again before they continued their battle. Misty smiled before glancing at Politoed and Wartortle. “Politoed, please don’t use Earthquake while we’re here. We don’t want to be buried, do we?”
“Toad!” He responded before trying to tackle Wartortle.
Her beautiful turtle responded with a Blizzard that made the place colder ten times.
“Stop! Stop!” Misty shouted. Her Pokemon ended their attacks to look at their trainer with bewilderment. “What’s with the changing of the environment attacks going on here? It’s cool to see your earthquake getting stronger, Wartortle. Maybe if we’re not in a cave, we’ll practice so it can be more localized and powerful, okay? But not here. As for you, my wing-eared blue monster, why would you use Blizzard? Mommy’s cold.” The Pokemon looked down in shame. “Aww… your Blizzard is more powerful than before, but let’s not use it for now, okay? Seafoam Island is freezing right now, I wonder why, but we don’t want Mommy to freeze, right?” Misty hugged her Wartortle, who returned it. “But under normal circumstances, it’s a great idea to use the Blizzard move. Everyone, listen!” Misty’s Pokemon stopped what they were doing to look at her. “The ability to judge when to dodge or what counter is good to use against your opponent before any instructions from me is a great skill. It keeps your instincts working, and that’s the reason why I let you do mock battles on your own. But now, I also want you to consider your environment. Observe what’s around you and use it to your advantage.” The Pokemon voiced out their approval, apart from Psyduck who looked on in confusion. “Except for you, Psyduck. You were doing great just now with your battle against Staryu, but we still need to work on decision-making, okay?”
“Psy~”
“Honestly, I’m not sure if the way I train you is ideal. Almost all trainers will call out their moves and their Pokemon follows them. We will still do it the traditional way when we’re doing official battles, but I would like for you to be able to surprise not only our opponents but also me. I hope everyone understands my reasoning.”
Gyarados let out a soft roar and nudged its head against her. She giggled and hugged it. “Okay! Individual practice next! Pick a move you want to improve and work on it! Then we’ll eat lunch soon!”
The Pokemon cheered and did as was told.
-*-*-*-*-*-*-
After an hour of new combination moves and strategies learned and semi-perfected, Misty let her Pokemon while she got their lunch ready. Most of the Pokemon foodstuffs were from Brock’s clinic. It’s one of her stops every time she visits Seafoam Islands. As for her lunch, it consists of hot soup and bread courtesy of Delia. Ash’s mother won’t let her leave without packing everything she might need. She’s grateful for the insulation in Delia’s lunch bag because it kept the food warm. Unfortunately, the temperature in the cave is extremely lower than the last time she was here. Hoping to eat the food while it’s warm, Misty called her Pokemon back for lunch. They ate with gusto and cleaned their bowls with a gentle water gun to help Misty clean up. Then, Misty returned them to their Pokeballs.
Misty decided to return to Pallet Town instead of exploring the rest of the caves today. The cold has settled under her skin, and she feels like she’ll freeze every time she stops moving. She walked towards the entrance and was ready to let Gyarados out when she saw the frozen ocean in front of her. It extends toward the horizon; it’s a wonder she hasn’t frozen yet.
“Just what is going on?” She mumbled. Misty took out her Pokegear and called Professor Oak. “Hello, Professor?” She called out when it connected.
“M-Misty, is that you?” Professor Oak had his usual attire on with a large jacket on top of it. “Didn’t you say you’re going to Seafoam Islands to train? I just saw a broadcast about the waters… It has extended to Cinnabar Island.” He sneezed. “And we can feel it here in Pallet Town, too.”
“I was calling about that, Professor! I don’t know what’s happening, but I’m stranded. I don’t think Gyarados will make it to Cinnabar Island, let alone Pallet Town with this weather.” She ran back to the cave as hail began pelting the island shore. “He’s still tired from the training, I- Hello, Professor?” Misty called out when the Pokegear’s screen stuttered before dying.
Misty sighed and put the Pokegear in her backpack. The redhead took out warmer clothes from the bag and put them on top of her crop top. The jacket was then zipped tightly. She glanced at the entrance before picking up the bag and walking back to where she was training her Pokemon before.
It’s cold, but I can’t just stay in one place. I need to get moving. Might as well explore this cave. Let’s see… we went down three times before… Does this cave get any deeper?
-*-*-*-*-*-*-
Walking kept Misty’s body warm. She only stopped when she reached the farthest area she was able to explore the last time she was here. She wondered why she hadn't met any wild Pokemon though. And how is it possible to be so cold, but her water is not freezing? When the entire ocean is…
She shivered again and thought that this is one of the times she wished she was a Fire Pokemon trainer instead. Oh well. She abandoned the clearing and began exploring again. The farther she walked, the more she felt her gut telling her that something was wrong. She reached for Gyarados’ ball and let it out. “Keep me company for a bit, Gyarados.” He nodded and hovered beside her. They kept moving until she felt the cave floor disappear under her. A terrified scream left her throat, and she closed her eyes waiting for her body to hit the ground. Or water. She gasped from the sudden soaking and opened her eyes out of shock. She saw her beloved sea serpent diving after her. She reached out and took hold of his fin. Once it knew that she was securely attached to him, Gyarados broke out of the water and brought her to a nearby landmass. Trembling, Misty hurriedly took off her wet clothing, unbothered by her nudity but extremely bothered by the cold. By now, her hair is freed from its hairstyle. Thank Arceus, my bag is waterproof . She changed into her spare clothing, not as warm as what she was wearing before, but at least they were dry. She shoved her frozen clothing into the bag after.
She turned towards her Pokemon when it started whimpering. There’s usually nothing that can make her blue beauty whimper. She glanced to where he was looking and gasped when she saw a bird lying on a grotto. It looks like it’s weakened and needs help. She climbed up Gyarados and ordered it to go near. Misty’s eyes widened when she recognized it to be the legendary bird, Articuno. She slid off Gyarados’ back and asked it to move away when the ice-controlling bird began hissing even though it was weak. She didn’t want it to hurt itself further.
“It’s okay. We won’t hurt you. We’re just here to help,” Misty said while approaching cautiously. She made sure they were eye-to-eye and only touched the bird when it called out softly to her. She picked up the bird gently and began to examine it for injuries, but there were no visible wounds. It’s just really weak and gives off extreme coldness. She can barely move her fingers after. She put it down gently and took potions and berries from her bag, hoping that they would help.
“Articuno, these are super potions. We use them for first aid. They won’t hurt you. I will need to spray them on you, and let’s hope it works, okay?” She picked it up again when it nodded. She flopped on the ice-cold floor and put it on her lap. She sprayed the potions all over Articuno and watched as it slowly recovered some strength. It’s able to control the cold it’s giving off from its body now.
“I have some berries here, too. I’m not sure if you’re hungry, but these should also help you gain strength.” Misty offered the berries. The bird eagerly eats them. Misty smiled. When it finished eating, it hopped off the human’s lap and crowed happily.
“I guess you affect the world’s temperature when you’re sick, huh, Articuno? Do you know the reason why you were so weak?” Misty asked.
The bird tilts its head before hopping toward a hidden area of the grotto. Misty stood up and followed. She saw an egg in a carefully woven nest. It shines like ice reflecting the sun. “You had an egg! Giving birth must have taken too much from you. I’m so glad I got here on time. We don’t want your baby hatching by itself, do we?”
Articuno hopped to its nest, rubbing its head on the egg like it is its most precious treasure. It probably is.
“Don’t worry, Articuno. I won’t tell anyone about you and your egg. People will want to know why the ocean suddenly froze, but I’ll do my best to keep them from finding both of you, okay?” Misty glanced at the waiting Gyarados. “I need to get going now, Articuno. I’m happy you’re okay now.” Misty smiled at it before turning away.
Articuno looked at its egg and then went back to the leaving human. It crowed gently before getting up and tugging the helm of Misty’s pants. It motioned towards the nest.
“Did you want me to stay?” Misty asked, confused.
Articuno shook its head and nudged the egg towards her.
Misty’s eyes widened. “You wanted me to take care of your egg?” Articuno crowed happily. Misty’s eyes watered. She picked up the egg gently. “I’ll take very good care of it as though I was the one who gave birth! Thank you for entrusting me with your egg, Articuno!”
Articuno nodded its head and settled back to the now empty nest. It closed its eyes, wanting to recuperate. It didn’t even open them when the Water Pokemon Trainer said her goodbye. Misty smiled before turning away, leaving it to its slumber.
Gyarados lowers his body and lets his trainer climb. He levitated back to the hole where Misty fell and they burst out to the floor above. Without stopping, it moves towards the path as directed by Misty, and soon they see the entrance. She thanked her Pokemon and returned him to his Pokeball.
The hail storm has stopped. Sunrays peek and kiss the still-frozen ocean. A loud flap of wings caught her attention.
“Red!” called a very familiar, very annoying, voice. She watched as Skarmory descended in front of her. Its rider hurriedly left its back and seized Misty’s arms. “Are you alright?”
“I-I’m…”
“Arceus! You would think I’ll be able to relax after a year of studying, but here you are getting yourself stranded in this awful weather. What were you thinking?” He shouted.
Misty pulled herself away from him. “Well, excuse me! It seems I can predict changes in the weather now!” She snapped. “Why are you here anyway?”
“Gosh, no need to shout. Gramps was just worried because he couldn’t get a hold of your Pokegear. He sent me to get you,” He replied, scratching his nape. He looked down and saw the egg in her arms. “Woah! This egg looks different from the others I’ve seen before. How unique!”
“Y-yeah, well. It’s mine. Don’t know what it will be, but I’ll take care of it.” She feigns ignorance. “L-let’s just get out of here. I want a nice hot shower and a fluffy bed after getting stranded here. Come on! I’m freezing!” She walked towards Skarmory who let her climb in.
Gary sighs and follows her, hugging her from the back, not noticing how their proximity warmed her more than what she needed right now. The trainer directed his Pokemon to fly them home, and they took off. He hugged Misty closer to him when he noticed her shivering again. “Let’s get you home.”