Rudi and I turned around seeing something I never thought was possible. It was like two Pokémon combined into one. I've heard stories that there was a device that could merge two Pokémon together, especially when Team Plasma was still around, but I have never seen it with my two eyes.

I'm not talking about the device, but rather what it was capable of doing. That Pokémon stood on two feet, looking similar to a Reshiram as this new Pokémon was white and shared similar features. Unlike Reshiram, this new Pokémon had more of a mechanical face, with shards of blue ice poking from it's mouth. I think it was safe to say I had never seen anything more terrifying before.

That was until I tore my gaze away from the new Pokémon at towards the man that stood in front of it. His voice was familiar, and it didn't take long to realize why. This man was the same one who trapped me in the basement in the Pokémon Center. His voice gave him away, but seeing him face to face was even more terrifying. This man had broad shoulders, ones that seemed to nearly poke out of the long black coat he wore.

My eyes didn't look anywhere further than his face as a scar ran from one side of his face to the other, dropping down to his jaw line. It was as if he didn't treat it right, causing him to forever bare that scar. His bald head made it the stand out feature on his face, making me feel bad that I ever even stared at it. To make matters worse, his eyes were red. Not just the iris of his eyes, but his entire eyes were just red.

If I thought his eyes were bad, it was nothing compared to who he had in his clutches.

He held a girl with blue hair escaping it's bun that it was usually in. A black bandana wrapped around her mouth, acting as a gag, preventing her to speak. Her arms didn't even need to be tied as she tried pulling the arm, that was closest to her neck, away from her. I watched as her eyes widened in fear, not knowing what would happen next.

Rena had every right to be scared. This man had one arm wrapped around her stomach to prevent her from going anywhere. If that wasn't enough, he held a knife to her throat. Never have I ever seen anyone use weapons other than forcing their own Pokémon to do their dirty work.

This complicated things a bit.

I turned to look at Rudi, who froze. Seeing his sister being used as leverage had to be hard. I took a step in front of him.

"Let her go, she has no part in this," I warned.

"Oh, but you're wrong. Had we not found her, we wouldn't be here," The man explained, "I'm thinking of keeping her around a bit longer."

The fear in Rena's eyes widened as her body trembled. I could tell Rudi was about to attack the man. My hand grabbed his arm to prevent him from making some stupid, hasty decision.

One wrong move, and his sister could be gone.

Instead of letting him talk, I spoke up, "And you got here," I reasoned, "so what's the point on having her. You got what you needed. Don't drag someone else into this. Please."

"Well since you said please," The man said, as he tucked the knife in his back pocket and pushed her towards the ground.

Rudi started running towards his sister as she stumbled to get up. Unfortunately, the bald-headed man had other ideas.

"White Kyurem, use ice beam," He instructed.

We all froze as Rena looked up at the white Pokémon. It opened it's mouth as it's tail blazed in red. A beam of ice escaped, knocking Rena down to her feet and wrapping her legs and upper torso in ice, trapping her to the ground. She had nowhere to escape as the color of her face started to fade.

Her brother froze, and I took that as an oppertunity to run towards him and pull him back. He didn't need to be frozen as well. The only way to get this man to stop was to gently talk him out of it.

At least, that was my plan.

"Now, that I got your attention," The man said, jumping up onto the white Pokémon, "You'll all witness the start of a new world, one that will be frozen over so it can be sculpted into new, ridding all of the poison and darkness of this world."

"How could you say that!" I shouted, "When you're the ones to do that in the first place."

The man laughed, causing my body to tense. Rudi places his hands on my shoulders, as if trying to steady me. At least he was there for me, returning the favor to prevent me from doing anything crazy.

"Do you know who I am? I'm Taipan, the leader of Team Miasma. That's all Unova will ever remember me as. Not as a nine year old freak who was sent away region after region. Only, I don't forget. The pain others threw at me. It's time for everyone to feel what I had felt long ago. I will start with everyone in this room."

Swanna and Braviary flew in front of us, as if knowing what would happen. I took a step back, bumping into Rudi. Neither of us moved, allowing me to feel the deep breaths he took.

"White Kyurem," Taipan demanded, "Freeze them all."

"Braviary," Rudi called, "Protect!"

"You too Swanna!" I yelled.

For a moment, everything went white. If I thought darkness was something that could hide everything, I was wrong. This white light made anything go away. I couldn't tell if anyone was around me. I couldn't even feel my entire body.

Did Taipan's attack with the White Kyurem work?

I turned around, at least, I think I did. While I did, I still couldn't sense any of my surroundings. Rudi didn't feel to be anywhere close to me anymore. The only thing I felt was this brutal cold, like sharp needles that have been stuck in a freezer for a hundred years poking me.

This cold was unbearable, but more so than any of the fear I felt, which surprised me. Every time I felt alone, I was afraid. In tight spaces, in the dark, I felt that same fear rushing over me, but that changed the moment the light turned to white. With this white light, I didn't feel afraid as everything wasn't caving in on me.

It was just the opposite.

As the light faded, I noticed everything was covered in ice. The walls, the machine, even the few grunts that had stuck around. It's sad to say that I don't think they would be able to make it, even if someone were to unfreeze them with a fire type move.

I turned my head, seeing Rudi hovering over his sister to protect her. The only ice that covered was the thick layer that had trapped her legs. At least they didn't suffer the same fate as the grunts.

Being as careful as I could, I ran over towards them, sliding down to see her. Rena looked up at me, showing me her face that nearly matched the color of her hair. It didn't take a medical genius to tell she had gotten frost bitten. She needed to be treated ASAP.

I didn't think as I took the cloak off my shoulders, revealing a blue and white t-shirt and a pair of black jeans. While it was plain, it worked with the whole "Swanna Girl" act. Now with the cold, I wished I would've dressed in something warmer. I just couldn't let that be an issue right now.

"Rudi, does Braviary know any fire type moves?" I asked as I wrapped my cloak around her shoulders.

He didn't answer as he shot me a look, saying that I was crazy. Unfortunately, he didn't give silence as an answer either.

"Are you insane? Here I thought you were a Pokémon Nurse! Braviary can't learn a fire type move. Don't they teach that in basic training or something?" He asked.

"No! I'm lucky enough to even know how to battle," I yelled, "I'm doing the best I can right now!"

Before I could say anything else, I felt a touch colder than anything I've ever felt. Well, it would've been, had I not been exposed to whatever that White Kyurem sent at us.

Turning my head, I saw Rena giving me a weak smile as she open the palm of her hand. Inside of it laid three Poké Balls. She must've hid her own somehow from Taipan. Either way, it was enough for me to understand what she meant.

I carefully took the three Poké Balls as Rena tried to speak, "Hydreigon kn-kn-knows f-f-f-fa-fire fang. C-c-c-Cottonee knows ra-ra-razor leaf. Lil-Lilligant kn-kn-knows heal b-b-bell."

Nodding my head, I grabbed the Poké Balls and stood up. Rudi didn't leave his sister's side as he wrapped his arms around her, trying to provide any addition heat that he could. We didn't have much time.

"Come on out," I yelled as I clicked the center of each Poké Ball to enlarge them and the threw them out.

When all three of them popped out, they all looked worried about their Trainer. Lilligant ran over towards Rena, cupping her Trainer's face with the leaves she had for arms. Cottonee floated around her, trying to get a sense as to what was going on. As for Hydreigon, well, the dragon Pokémon turned to look at me, giving me an accusing look.

He wasn't wrong though. Had I not come up with a reckless plan that involved Rena to help rescue Rudi, she wouldn't be in this mess. She insisted on going, but I should've been more adamant on her not going.

"Rena's in trouble, so please, listen. I need you to lightly use fire fang on the ice," I told him.

The Pokémon shot daggers at me through all three pairs of eyes.

"If you don't, she'll freeze," I warned, "So do it for Rena."

Hydreigon turned around, looking at his Trainer. The blue pigment of her skin was starting to blend in with her blue hair. It was then the Pokémon realized what he had to do as he motioned for Rudi to get away from her.

Rudi didn't look like he wanted to depart from his sister, but he didn't have much of a choice. He stood up and took a step back. Hydreigon lowered all three heads, and with the center head, he used fire fang to melt most of the ice.

Meanwhile, Cottonee floated towards me, knowing it was his turn next. We waited for Hydreigon to be done melting a majority of the ice. Rena was smart with her plan. She didn't even need to explain. With Hydreigon melting most of the ice, Cottonee could use razor leaf to shave off the rest of the ice.

"Now, Cottonee, use razor leaf," I instructed.

Cottonee sent a razor leaf attack towards his own Trainer, though, I could tell how reluctant he was. No Pokémon should be force to use a move like that on its Trainer.

While this happened, I noticed Lilligant already using the final step needed. Power flowed from her body, doing her best to heal Rena. This also helped reduce the pain of the razor leaf that hit her.

Once all the moves were done, Rena curled into a ball. Rudi ran to his sister, helping her sit up and wrapped his arms around her. Lilligant and Cottonee snuggled up to her, trying to keep her warm. Hydreigon, on the other hand, kept his distance and gave me a skeptical look.

I walked towards Rena, noticing the blue slowly fading from her face, but it wasn't fast enough.

"You need to get to a hospital," I warned, "I don't think there's anything else I can do to help."

Rena looked at me, shaking her head, "No, Sylvia, you've done more than en-en-enough. I'll have Hydreigon take me to the nearest hospital. You and Rudi ne-need to go and stop Taipan before i-i-it's too late."

"No," Rudi protested, unwrapping his arms from his sister, "I'm staying with you. I lost you once, I'm not doing it again."

"Rudi, don't be ri-ridiculous," Rena shot back, looking back at him, "If Unova is de-de- destroyed because of you, I will make sure you never have a Ca-Castelia Cone ever again."

That was all it took for Rudi to shut up, but not me.

"I agree with Rudi," I said, causing both of the Rhea siblings to stare at me in disbelief, "It's not safe for you to fly to a hospital alone. Rudi should go with you there. He can come back as soon as you're inside. I'll take care of Taipan. I need to, for Swanna."

Both of them were silent for a moment, not expecting for me to say what I did. I couldn't help it. My most trusted partner has disappeared because of Team Miasma. It would be pessimistic to think she died. Without a body, I couldn't tell. Either way, I had to keep that option open.

Because of it, I know what it's like to lose someone, and Swanna wasn't the first person, or Pokémon, for me to ever lose before. I didn't want Rudi to lose something, or I guess someone, close to him. The less death that happened today, the better.

Thinking positively, there wasn't a body. For all I know, Swanna could still be out there. I had to think positive, for right now at least.

Surprisingly, Rena nodded her head, "Okay, but take Lilligant. She's strong."

"But what about you? You'll need some help too, in case something happens," I warned.

Rena gave a weak smile, "I still have Cottonee. Trust me, you're going to need all the help you can get," The blue haired girl affirmed as she held up one of her Poké Balls to me.

I nodded my head as I bent down and grabbed the single Poké Ball from her. My hand brushed over the Poké Ball, which was odd. Not long ago, Rena was about to chew my head off for what happened to Rudi. Now she trusted me with her Pokémon. It was big responsibility.

A hand brush against my cheek. The warm touch was comforting. As I looked up, I saw Rudi smiling as he sat in front of me.

"Leave some bad-guys for me, okay?" He said.

I forced out a laugh, knowing he was just tying to be funny, "Only if you get her to safety first."

"Don't worry about that," He assured.

We all stood up. I returned Rena's Pokémon as she tossed me my warm cloak. I felt bad for taking it back, but I didn't argue as I clipped on all the Poké Balls to my belt.

I watched as Rena jumped onto her Pokémon as Cottenee cuddled beside her. I was about ready to do the same with my Swanna when someone grabbed my wrist and turned me around. My face was only inches away from Rudi's. His navy blue eyes were more worried than I had ever seen them before.

For a moment, time stopped. I forgot everything that was goin around us—Rena's condition, the cold, even Taipan himself—as the only person I saw was Rudi. He let go of my wrist as he slid my mask to the top of my head.

I don't need to see as I closed my eyes. We inched closer before I heard someone clear her voice. Rudi and I turned our heads to see Rena looking at us as she was on top of her Hydreigon. When I looked down, I noticed Braviary giving me a look as if he was going to kill me if we would've gone through with that kiss.

Guess we had other issues to worry about. This could wait.

"Make it back safe," I heard Rudi promised, "And we'll finish this conversation."

I looked back at him as he leapt on his Braviary. I turned around just in time to see him and his sister fly away.

I took a deep breath, realizing I couldn't get distracted right now. Once this was all over, then we could, but there were more important things that needed to be done, especially since the world was now at stake.

Author's Note:

We are nearing the end of the book. Wow. I'm just curious, what has been your favorite/least favorite part of the book so far? Are there any characters you absolutely love or hate or maybe even love to hate? I can't wait to see what you all have thought of this book so far (good or bad...honestly, I don't mind).

Would love to hear from you all. Until next time...bye!