"Aaron!" Rhea gasped, helping him up. Crystal stared at him in shock while West pushed the grunt guy away from her and sent out his Houndour

"You bastard! You were just about to hit a girl!" The grunt snorted, removing his gloves and crack his knuckles

"I'll admit, this accent isn't real, but that doesn't mean I'm going to let some girl in shorts and a t-shirt tell me about class" Crystal blushed at the outfit West gave her of Rhea's clothes when she left them at his place. Never had she exposed so much skin in a long time

"Don't pretend like you're any better than I am. Someone in the high class, such as a Viscount or Duke, knows better than to hit a lady" she held West's shoulder to move him out the way so she can take out her Poké ball "I'm not in the best mood to begin with. Let me teach you how to treat a woman properly! Dewgong! Let's go!" Dewgong escaped from its Poké ball and landed on the concrete tiles "ice shard!" The large ice type threw shards from its mouth lightly enough to create holes in the grunt's clothing

"M-my clothes!" He whined "do you know how expensive this was!?" He shouted with a red face and ran past her, slamming his shoulder onto hers. She gave this no attention and walked to give back the egg to the shaman and his daughter sitting on the floor

"Here you go" The woman's eyes sparkled when seeing Crystal again

"Oh... Thank you so much, princess!" not knowing why she was called that, she went over to check on Aaron getting his face cleaned by Rhea's hankie

"What was that?" She crossed her arms, "I thought you hated me. What's with the sudden hero move?" He looked away stubbornly

"Nothing I have to explain to you" he sighed "I just... didn't want anything happening to you. You didn't do anything wrong, and what reason is there for you to get hit? I know I want to battle you for taking my Eevee, but you're still a girl and... and West seems to like you, so I thought to be reasonable and block the attack for you" she smiled a little

"Can't think for yourself, you have to look at your cousin for motivation, huh?" She walked over to Dewgong while Aaron threw a fit at her teasing. She honestly doesn't know how to show sympathy all that much. She would show gratitude, but thought to tease him instead

"You bitch! That's the response I get for saving your ass?! I could have let you get hit and you'll be the one with the busted lip!" Dewgong shot a water gun at him, making him gargle. Crystal went back to Aaron and squatted down as soon as it stopped, and smiled small, taking his cheek. He froze on contact

"I don't know how to show gratitude all that much, so I'll say thank you, I guess" she bowed her head. He looked away, blushing and pouting

"No sweat" she rolled her eyes and sighed, shakily standing up to walk over to lean on West's torso, exhausted. He chuckled and patted the back of her head

"You were great" she smiled. Not knowing what it was, there was something about West that she liked. Whether it was his soft expressions or gentleman-like behavior, what stood out most to her was that he was taking care of her, and it didn't annoy her as much as it would with Wyatt

"I didn't even do anything" she said

"But you stood up to that guy like a man!" Not something she wanted to hear.

The shaman walked over to them while in the arms of his daughter "I am thankful for your help. If it weren't for you, he would have caused more harm than he already did" Rhea walked over and bowed for respect with West and Aaron. Crystal stood there, watching the woman staring at her in awe like she was made of diamonds or something

"Wasn't he leaving when we came? How could he caused more harm?" Crystal muttered to herself

"Father Thomas, I'm glad to see you are unharmed" Rhea stood up "that guy just threw you like a sack of potatoes!"

"I am fine, thank you for your concern, but it's going to take a lot more than to hurt this old man" he bowed. His daughter giggled

"My papa is a very strong and healthy man despite his age!"

"What exactly happened? Who was that guy?" West asked, walking Crystal to a nearby bench close to Dewgong already playing in the water. The woman jumped up excitedly and went over to join Crystal

"He's part of an evil organization who calls themselves Team Victoria, or Team Victorian. They are a team filled with different types of classes whether it be the poor or rich. The young man came in here to find the scepter of ice."

"What's that?" Crystal asked, overhearing the word ice

"It's a staff that had a hold of a mighty Ice orb made of cold diamond. Not only is it very valuable to people who would like to sell it for a high price, but it also has the power to awaken the legendary Pokémon of Kannena when combined with the Fiery orb made of burning ruby. I fear those people are planning something terrible..." an orb made of cold diamond... that sounds like the orb Crystal saw in the old lady's stand when she was given the pocket watch

"Why did they assume something like that was here? Isn't that thing cursed?" Aaron asked. The woman next to Crystal stood

"This shrine was known for protecting the sacred ice orb, but we haven't had a hold of it in the past 20 years. It's unknown to this day of where it might be, and I fear for the sake of the F
iery orb... but as long as they stay separated, there's no need to worry about Team Victoria"

"What a lame name" Crystal said

"Isn't it? But I actually would like to know your name. Mind telling it to me?" Crystal scooted away a little "oh, pardon my manners! I haven't even told you my name!" The woman bowed "my name is April. I am a spirit maiden who cares for this lake and help worship the legendary Pokémon who protects our region. It's better to have it worshiped than to have it awaken" she nervously laughed

"What's with all the commotion?" A tall man walked into the shrine with a brown bag of fruit in hand "some weird guy came out running from this direction" he looked at everyone "did we miss anything?"

"Oh, Marshall! You guys should have been here! Papa almost got hurt by a Team Victoria member if it wasn't for these brave trainers appearing to save us!" Crystal waved her hand, sweat dropping

"We did nothing, that guy was going to leave even if we didn't show up" she finally pointed out

"I suppose you're right... but still! You taught that guy a lesson! Give yourself some credit! You were so cool!" Crystal sighed and shrugged it off, taking her pill she needed at the hour

"Team Victoria? That out of date fashion gang? In that case, I'm glad to see you all are unharmed. That gang is said to be quite violent at random times. It's best to not get involved with them. What could they possibly want from our Shrine?" Marshall asked

"The scepter of ice" April smiled happily. He sighed and walked up next to her to face the trainers

"Good thing we don't have something like that here... I might not know what exactly happened, but thank you for being here while I was out" he bowed "My name is Marshall, the shrine's protector. I keep others from coming into the temple when they are not welcomed. I'm pleased to be your acquaintance."

"It's an honor to meet you all in person! I'm Rhea Kimana!" Rhea said, smiling widely

"Aaron Kimana" Aaron mumbled, touching his busted lip

"And I'm Westly Kimana!" He looked at Crystal to wait to see if she'll say her name, but she was too busy introducing Dewgong to Froslass.

"It's a pleasure" Marshall bowed again. April went over to hug Crystal by the shoulder

"Hey, Marshall! Look at this young lady! Doesn't she remind you of the Princess of Ice?" Crystal brought her attention back to reality and questioned the woman

"What are you blabbering about now?" Again with this princess nickname? It's already starting to get old.

"Doesn't she? Papa?" April asked Father Thomas. Father Thomas thought for a moment, staring at Crystal's bored eyes

"Yes, I believe so... but you have to remember that the Princess of Ice is only a legend" he looked at Marshall "speaking of young ladies, where is my daughter?"

"She said she has some things to do in the marketplace, so she'll be back later. While we wait, how about we go inside and I'll make us some tea?"

"Once it's cleaned up" April waved

"Actually, the reason why we came here was to battle. This girl and I have some issues we have to settle" Aaron punched his hands

"You know you can't battle here, why bother explaining?" West said. Crystal hid her arms behind her back

"There are no issues... I honestly just wanted to battle to shut you up. I want to use my Dewgong in battle, so this lake would be perfect" she glanced at all the feathers of the lake and reached out to pick one up

"Don't touch them!" April gasped "They are feathers of the legendary Pokémon! They're hot to the human touch! It's the main reason why we don't allow visitors..." Crystal stood up to have one in her hand "...huh?"

"Doesn't seem so hot to me" she stared at the feathers completely dry, even when bathing in the water "So we can't battle here?"

"That's right" Father Thomas stepped up "it's forbidden and against the rules. It will be like disrespecting the legendary Pokémon that protects us" he nodded "but I'll make an exception."

"Really?" Aaron gasped. Crystal sighed and put the feather back in the lake. Froslass held Crystal's hand to walk her back to West reaching out to her, noticing she was wobbling in place

"Yes... only because this young lady reminds me of the Princess of Ice, also known as the Snow Princess" she never heard of a legend of a snow princess, even if it sounds like her

"She reminds you of her?" Rhea asked

"There will be a first ever battle in the Red Feather shrine!" April cheered "Let's take care of that first before we head inside for tea and discuss that! I wish I can watch, but unfortunately, I have to clean up what that guy caused. Like something as important as the ice orb would be somewhere in a house. He checked the shrine, but of course, it wasn't there. This is the first time someone tried this" she pouted. Father Thomas pet her head

"Do not worry about it any longer. They know it's not here, so we'll remain safe from now on."

"I feel bad for not being here when you needed me the most" Marshall frowned

"Not to worry" Rhea jumped over to take Crystal's arm

"Come on, princess! Let's get ready for your battle!" Crystal groaned silently, not understanding how this girl's personality works

"So this will be a battle between Aaron and..." April waited for Crystal to say her name.

"Don't worry about it."

"Awe come on, don't be like that. What's the harm in telling your name?" West asked

"Fine..." she sighed "my name is Hiyori, my last name actually" deciding to use Wyatt's last name, it'll keep them from knowing sooner

"Hiyori, huh?" Rhea smirked

"That's a pretty name, but that's not what we asked for" Crystal huffed and walked away from everyone to hop on some rocks above the surface of the water and followed Dewgong swimming in her path

"W-wait..!" April gasped at her hopping over the lake

"Careful! You can fall!" West shouted

"Don't tell me what to do!" He chuckled and looked at April staring at her like she was made of jewels

"She's really cool" April awed

"Right?" Rhea smiled

"Weren't you the one that was giving her an attitude earlier?" Aaron sweatdropped

"What? How horrible!" April gasped

"I-I... I have a reason for that! We're on good terms now! If she doesn't decide to screw it up."

"Meaning..?" West asked

"I-I can't tell you!"

"Oh? We have visitors? Did I miss something while I was gone?" A woman with a maid uniform walked into the shrine with some paper bags of food. April gasped and hurried over

"We do! And you did! Marshall will explain everything while you two clean up the house that a Team Victoria Grunt messed up earlier!"

"What!?" She looked at everyone around "I'm assuming you're trainers. Did you three have something to do with this?"

"They were here when it happened. It's all fine now" April waved "we're going to hold a battle here! So why don't you go inside and fix everything up? And make some tea after you're done" the woman pouted

"Look, I know I'm a maid, but haven't you figured that I just got home? You can't just keep teasing me like this" she huffed and walked to the house "I'll clean, but only because I kept Marshall here from protecting the shrine" she bowed to the shaman "I'm sorry, papa" he lifted his hand

"It is alright. Please go, not only do we have guests, but we also have a special one in the shrine. Please treat these guests with care" she looked at the trainers confused "not these three. The other one rushed off" the woman nodded and faced them

"Nice to meet you all. I must thank you for being here for my family. My name is Brenda. I have nothing to do with this shrine, but I am the daughter of the shaman. It's a pleasure to meet young trainers who are willing to risk themselves against a dangerous villain like a Victorian grunt" she looked up and noticed Rhea gasping loudly

"Hey!" Rea said "aren't you that maid from-" Brenda bowed and scurried away with her husband "huh..."

"What's wrong? Have you met her?" West asked. April giggled, hugging her egg

"Enough about that! Let's get this battle started, and then we can talk later!" The shaman agreed and walked everyone to the edge of the lake where Crystal was standing on a large rock in the water close to middle of the battlefield. Her Dewgong swam around while she made some hand movements to do some tricks

"You better be ready, princess!" Aaron shouted, about to jump on the rocks as well before the shaman grabbed his collar "what is it, old man?!"

"Do not jump on the rocks."

"Why not?! That girl did!" The shaman shook his head "fine" he ran off to the side of the lake and faced his opponent. Crystal looked bored the whole time, making him angrier than he already was "I'll make sure this battle will entertain you!"

"It's rare for that to happen, but I like to see a change" she snapped her fingers at Dewgong, making it ready

"Haunter! I choose you!" A ghost type escaped its ball once thrown. It stared at the water, ducking its head so no one could see it. Dewgong popped its head out of the water, curious to know what's going on

After a few seconds, Haunter made a goofy face that made Dewgong uncomfortable. Everyone on the side of the lake laughed at its funny face while the opposite opponents didn't find it amusing

"What's wrong?" Aaron tried hiding a chuckle "Why aren't you laughing?"

"Am I supposed to?" Crystal sweatdropped

"What are you? Some sourpuss? Everyone laughs at Haunter's faces! It's the only way it can keep my battles from getting too serious!" She shrugged

"Sorry, but I don't know how to laugh like a normal person would..." his jaw dropped "I'm actually surprised you own a ghost type... it's not any more different than controlling a psychic type. Can you even order an attack?"

"O-of course I can!"

"Okay, because I've seen trainers who can't even control their own Pokémon. Those Pokémon would either be too powerful for them, or they would be ghost types, psychic types, or dragon types. Anyways... let's get this battle started"

"Good luck!" April waved happily. Crystal looked over at West watching her. Looking back at the water with her blood rushing to her face in embarrassment, she pointed at her Dewgong only having its head visible from the water

"Dive!" Obeying, it was impossible to know where the seal Pokemon would be hiding

"Haunter! Float high so that you won't get hit!" Haunter just floated there, laughing and continued trying to make Crystal laugh, but not a single smile cracked. It was annoying more than anything "Haunter! Go up! Fly up!" The ghost type finally understood what he meant and floated high where it can't get hit

"I stand corrected... even a ghost type like that won't listen to you so easily" he groaned at her smart mouth "There's no dodging... Dewgong! Aqua jet!" Dewgong flew out the water while surrounded by a jet of water carrying its body in the air "attack!"

Dewgong repeatedly kept attacking Haunter as it floated there, letting itself get hurt. Aaron had no control and couldn't demand an attack it'll listen to!

"Haunter! Use shadow ball!" It finally listened and threw its special attack

"Aurora Beam!" Dewgong fell towards the water while shooting an ice type beam through the shadow ball and attack Haunter, ending the battle after a splash of water