"...The saying, 'loose lips sink ships,' comes to mind," was the Leader's simple answer. "For Meteno, we got the plans as soon as they were finalized. It really depends on how relevant the operation is to Gym Leaders. For the vast majority of it, though, we only find out through the public domain, often years after the meeting itself happens. Freedom of Information, that sort of stuff. Details of the 2021 meetings only just got declassified."

Josh tensed up as soon as Lars started spinning that knife of his, the Gym Leader's right hand covering a Poké Ball on his belt while his left held Hylda's reins. Perhaps he was growing paranoid. They were so far underground and in such a cold area that no one would find him if something untoward were to happen. "W-what's that for?" he shivered.

"Rather keep it to yourself, or obligated to keep it to yourself?" Josh asked under his chilly breath. Was it a personal matter, or was it an AQUA NDA? Josh was no stranger to League NDAs. He was still under NDA for details of the Eris debacle, given what such a revelation would do to the League's already waning credibility.

When addressed about Rocket being so vocal, Josh raised his hand, taking it off Hylda's reins. "I chalk that up to spreading misinformation. We have our secrets, and Rocket almost certainly has theirs. Plus, Sootopolis is a natural fortress. The only ways in are underwater and by flight. There is no surface way in. But what does that have to do with your ice phoenix?" Lars still owed Josh a ride on the legendary, right?

The young Gym Leader's eyes shifted toward the weapon in Lars' hand. "You still didn't answer me," he asked, reining Hylda back with his left hand. "What's that knife for? It's not like you can cut your way through ice that thick with it..."

The freezing wind was numbing. Even in the Ranger's overcoat, the Iceborne Mirage's SHEER COLD chilled the young man to the bone. Even Hylda could not withstand the winds colder than conditions at the planet's poles, the Galarian horse FAINTING on the spot and causing Josh to stumble off. Was this the true nature of Lars' Avatarship: a haughty Patron that treated their Avatar like a puppet? Like property?

It was only the horse's act of bravery and loyalty to Josh that kept him from being speared by ICE SHARDS.

"What is their problem, Lars?!" Josh asked, starting to shiver even beneath the overcoat as he withdrew the Glastrier. "Th-th-they tried to kill me!"

It was just like at Meteno. Josh had stood his ground behind Laurence Anderson when the giant Kyurem's GLACIATE nearly froze half his team to death. Except this time it wasn't a Kyurem that was berserk.

It was Lars' Patron.

Perhaps he was telling the truth to Josh after all. If someone with as steadfast of a personality as Lars could not keep the Kantonian god of ice in check, where would that leave Josh?

Without a word, Josh took cover behind the Composed. On foot. He had Aslan's Poké Ball in hand in case things escalated further, not to fight Articuno with, but to flee. If the Iceborne Mirage's SHEER COLD could fell Hylda, another legendary Pokémon, what would they do to an ordinary one?

If not even Lars could control his Patron, that settled it for Josh. He was not getting another ride on Articuno's back, and certainly not in any kind of leisurely environment. He was quick to duck behind the Composed as ordered, frost forming all over the overcoat he wore.

The ice phoenix's shriek made Josh's ears ring, making him unable to hear Lars at all. The sacred bird's PRESSURE made the Gym Leader feel helpless. He could not even move, feeling like he was surrounded by a thick wall of ice about to collapse upon him. All he could do was take cover behind the Avatar, trying to bask in as much of his Pyroar's warmth as he could.

Josh couldn't hear a word Lars was saying, including the warning to cover his ears. They were already ringing from the first screech. It was perhaps a good thing he couldn't hear; were he to hear that Lars was contemplating joining Rocket, it would be devastating. Possibly deadly. If the two were to square off against one another in battle, the young man would be utterly helpless against the Iceborne Mirage. He knew what THE END OF THE WORLD looked like. It would encase him in ice as thick as what covered the Silent Icelands. Josh Devlin would be no more.

All he could do was cuddle as close to the brave, Shiny lion as possible, Aslan blasting FLAMETHROWER at his feet in an effort to keep them from freezing. Lars may have been able to feel a bit of the heat. Unable to hear whether or not it was bothering him, he hoped he didn't make his former boss upset.

Josh's ears were still ringing from the continued screeching, unable to heed Lars' warning. He and his Pyroar followed closely behind the Avatar, the lion's mane radiating heat that kept his heart beating. The lion's red mane was starting to glow from how hot it was getting. Even with that, he still was not sweating beneath all his layers. Were it not for his fire-type, the cold would have frozen him to death. Even a yeti would be encased in a block of ice with how cold it was in the depths of Shoal Cave.

The weight of the frost building up on the overcoat Josh wore was growing, too. It was as though he was wearing a cape of Never Melt Ice. Even reflections of the FLAMETHROWER would not melt the frost accumulating. The question now was which would overwhelm the Gym Leader and his Pyroar first: the cold, or the weight of what was protecting him?