With a loud bellow that Laurence Anderson may have been able to hear beyond the ice wall, Aslan at last overheated, the lion collapsing on the spot. With no more fire Pokémon with him, the Gym Leader was entirely reliant on the Avatar's Rotom for protection. He got as close as he could do the fire-type without touching it, knowing that doing so would thermally shock him to death.

Josh lamented being helpless against the ice phoenix. He wanted to help, but it was beyond his capability to. With Articuno able to pierce through even another legendary Pokémon's ice affinity, felling Hylda in one near absolute-zero blast of SHEER COLD, trying to help would be suicide. All he could do was watch the battle unfold, and say prayers to the Great One for the Ranger's well-being.

It also showed Josh that Avatarship was often not a symbiotic relationship. The Avatar was oft a puppet -- a slave, even -- to their Patron, and was prone to turning on the one they had blessed. Even if he could get a lead on Raikou, was it worth the price he would pay in freedom? He could not imagine being locked in combat against Raikou. From his understanding, the Johtonian god of speed could dodge almost anything thrown at him, even outrunning Aura Spheres and Swift barrages. They could pounce him in the blink of an eye. There would be no escaping the wrath of an upset electric tiger. Except by death.

His heart beat with worry for Lars, afraid this was the last he would see of one of the few people who truly understood why he desired an audience with the Johto Beast...

The water quickly turned to steam, which was condensed by the extreme cold of the cavern depths. The surge of water almost felt like a warm shower, and the Volcarona's presence helped in raising his body temperature to comfortable levels. Were he to enter the chamber Lars and Articuno were fighting in now, he would instantly perish from extreme thermal shock. That even the warm Pokémon were themselves starting to grow cold was a sign of just how powerful the ice god was.

Why was Articuno being so vindictive, though? Were all legendary Pokémon like this, willing to attack their Avatars over the slightest disagreement? Would Raikou be like this with Josh? There were so many terrifying thoughts going through his head as he watched the battle between them unfold. All it would take was Articuno to revoke their blessing, and Lars would instantly die, he felt. All he could do was pray to the Great One, Ho-oh, for his friend to be delivered from this peril...

Vesta's vibration took Josh by surprise. He wondered why Shalin didn't have one yet... at least to her knowledge. The bug-type species seemed like it would be right up his alley. The frost covering Josh and his Pokémon melted in the Volcarona's presence. The heat was certainly helping, at least raising the ambient temperature to above its natural level.

If Articuno was this fickle, maybe asking Lars for a joyride on the swift ice phoenix's back wasn't the best of ideas.

Josh was used to the PRESSURE of legendary Pokémon from being in Entei's presence regularly; while it wasn't the same as being on a real legendary Pokémon, getting used to riding kyle lopez 's ashen Raikou about once a season. This, though, was off the charts. He felt like he was sandwiched between Rayquaza and Eva Morales again, the PRESSURE pushing his skin back like he was seated in the emerald serpent's metaphorical saddle while traveling at escape velocity.

The battle beyond raged on, intensifying as time went on. He wanted to radio or communicate for help, but there was no signal so far underground. Josh backed closer to the slide leading upward, ready to climb it with one of his Pokémon... even if it wasn't a fire-type. If he could make it back to the surface, he would be okay. He couldn't abandon Lars here, though. He had to see this through... even if it meant reporting the former Head Ranger's death by way of his own Patron.

Between Vesta and the Rotom, Josh was regaining feeling in his fingers and toes again. He would need to file a report to the Rangers on this, perhaps upgrading the danger of Shoal Cave's depths. It was far too risky for Rangers to go this deep into the cave to answer tickets. People needed to know that if they went this deep in, they would be doing so at their own risk.

Josh gratefully donned the hand-warmers, his breathing normal for the first time since Articuno had sealed the tunnel. He couldn't imagine how cold it was in there. Motion had to be barely possible at all. Was the very nitrogen in the air condensing? It sure looked like it, what with how much fog there was beyond...

Josh's heart sank when he heard Lars offer his very life to his Patron. He wanted to scream. Lars was one of the people who truly understood Josh and his desire to befriend the fastest land Pokémon in the world. Was this why he had pleaded with him not to get involved in the supernatural?

A vindictive Patron who had cast aside the life of one Avatar before, about to cast the life of a second away?