" Agh!" Gary exclaimed as he turned. " Get down!"

Suddenly, Ice shards went everywhere. All four shielded their faces.

When the shards were gone, there was a magestic bird flying there.

" Artacuno." Ash whispered. " It's actually Artacuno!"

" Wait!" A small yet strong voice shouted, their voice echoing through the cave. " Don't battle it!"

The person skidded to a stop in front of the ice cliff and spread her arms out protectively.

" Wisty?!" Ash exclaimed. " What are you doing here?!"

" You know her?" Horace asked.

Ash nodded. " She's my little sister."

Wisty crossed her arms. " Ash."

" What?"

" Don't you dare battle her."

" But Wisty, we need to battle it to get into Project Mew!" Gary reasoned.

Wisty's eyes narrowed. " Project Mew, you say?"

She caught sight of the drone. " Eevee, Jolteon."

Ash's eyes widened. " Wisty, they need that!"

Wisty whirled to her brother. " I know what I'm doing!" She yelled.

Ash blinked. Never had he seen Wisty this protective.

" Wisty....-"

" GARY OAK DON'T YOU DARE!"

Gary put his hand up. " Sheesh, sorry."

" But why can't we battle it?" Horace asked.

Wisty looked up. " You'll see."

"  Artacuno!"

Wisty turned. " You can't!"

" Artacuno!"

Wisty shook her head. " It's too risky."

" Artacuno! Artacuno!"

" Even IF I were, you're still weak!" Wisty cried desperately. " You know what's happening! If you battle them right now, I'm afraid they'll all be gone."

" What will go?" Ash asked confused.

Wisty turned. " Ash, not now!"

" If you told us, maybe we could understand!" Goh exclaimed.

Wisty sighed. " Artacuno is a she."

" And that has to do with us fighting because.......?" Gary prompted.

" Because Artacuno has eggs. It's Artacuno breeding season, so she doesn't have strength. If you guys battle her......."

Wisty's voice trembled slightly as she continued, her gaze locked onto the majestic Articuno soaring in the cold cave. "If you battle her now, you'll put her entire brood in danger."

Ash blinked, taken aback by this revelation. "Wait... eggs? Articuno has eggs?"

Wisty nodded firmly, her protective stance unwavering. "Yes. It's breeding season for Articuno. She's not at full strength because she's guarding her eggs, and if you push her too hard... she might not make it, or her eggs could be destroyed."

Gary, ever the strategist, frowned, processing the new information. "But this could be our only chance. We need to complete the challenge to join Project Mew!"

Wisty's eyes blazed with fury. "And at what cost, Gary? Joining Project Mew by risking the life of an innocent Pokémon and her unborn chicks? That's not what being a trainer is about!" She glanced at Ash,   knowing he would understand what she was saying on a deeper level.

Ash hesitated, torn between his loyalty to his friends and his sister's plea. "Wisty... I get it, I do. But Project Mew is a big deal. We've been working towards this."

Wisty's expression softened slightly, though her resolve remained ironclad. "Ash, I know you. I know you care about Pokémon. Articuno doesn't deserve this, especially not now. You've always been the one to protect them, not put them in danger for personal gain."

Horace, who had been watching silently, glanced up at Articuno, who was hovering above, her shimmering wings creating a frosty wind. He sighed. "Wisty's right. It doesn't feel right to fight her, not when she's vulnerable like this."

Gary crossed his arms but nodded slowly, the realization dawning on him. "Alright, fine. We won't battle Articuno."

Wisty visibly relaxed, though her guard didn't fully drop. "Thank you." She turned her attention back to Articuno, who had been watching the humans with wary eyes. Wisty stepped forward, her voice soft. "Articuno, you're safe. We're not here to hurt you."

Articuno let out a melodic cry, her icy aura calming slightly as she flew closer to the cave's entrance, keeping an eye on her eggs in the nest behind her.

Ash stepped forward, looking at Wisty with newfound respect. "You always have a way with Pokémon, huh?"

Wisty smiled faintly. "I just listen to them, Ash. That's all."

Gary adjusted his bag and turned to Wisty. "You saved us from making a huge mistake. But... what now? We still need to complete this mission."

Wisty shrugged. "There are other challenges, other ways to prove yourself for Project Mew. But risking the life of a legendary Pokémon and her eggs isn't the way to do it."

Ash, Gary, Horace, and Goh all shared a look. Despite the disappointment of not battling Articuno, they knew Wisty was right.

"Okay," Ash said, stepping back. "We'll find another way."

Articuno let out one final cry, this time more peaceful, before flying back to her nest. Wisty looked up at her with a warm smile. "Stay safe, Articuno."

As the group turned to leave the icy cave, Gary smirked at Wisty. "You know, you could've just told us that from the beginning."

Wisty shot him a playful glare. "I tried! But someone doesn't listen very well." She glanced at Ash.

Ash raised his hands defensively. "Hey, I listen... sometimes."