His first encounter with what the general populace called a ‘legendary’ was nothing short of fleeting. It happened so long ago—in fact, it felt like a lifetime to Lars, but in reality it was only a couple years back, during the Wintertide Ball.
He was just an ordinary, run-of-the-mill Ranger back then.
But now, after spending the better part of one and a half years righting his way and climbing through the ranks, he was… he was there. Finally, at the peak; the apex, the… pinnacle, one could call it? He worked hard for the Head Ranger title, but in retrospect he felt… small, tiny, compared to everyone else who had been doing bigger things. Greater things. Things that resonated around the region as a whole.
He wanted to make the Rangers ‘great again’, if one could call it that. But of course, the power of one person isn’t enough to turn the tide against all opposition. There would be help needed from any source, and he was willing to take it.
So when the rumors spread of the Shoal Cave’s normally icy conditions going absolutely arctic, there was something… strange about the place. He wondered what had happened to Senri, the other Ranger who was blessed by the arctic bird’s breath back then…
where was he now.
Following the words of those who had spotted some brave individuals plunging deep into the frozen territory, he made his trip during low tide, where the lowest floors of the place were accessible. If he was going to face what he believed was Articuno… he was going to do it,
alone.
No Ro, no Alpha—just himself, against the chilling wind of winter’s bite.
He’d sent out the Metagross and the Lucario to stand guard at the entrance—he knew that Alpha was going to protest, but he shook his head.
“No,” he said softly to the Lucario. His longest partner, alongside Ro.
“I need you two to stand guard here, okay? I know you’re both very capable of handling yourselves—but this is something I have to do by myself. I’ll… I’ll be back soon,” he reassured the two as he went over his last-minute preparations one more time.
He’d made sure to bring along the thickest pair of gloves, along with a suitable pair of hiking crampons for the trip—because who would even dare walk across ice on unprotected hiking boots? Definitely not him. Bundling himself up to protect against the cold, he plunged into the icy depths.
The wind, even at ‘base level’ of the Shoal Cave, was much colder than it normally should be. His brow furrowed, before he heard a hissing noise. Quickly making tracks across the ice, he found a safe space and sought shelter behind a cove of frozen rocks and heard the cries of wild Pokémon trundling by—
Leave no trace.
Disturb only what has to be disturbed.He then secured the crampons onto the bottom of his hiking boots, and pulled on the gloves before skirting and dashing across the ice. He had to move fast, he had to go quick—lest he be spotted by the wild Pokémon that had, for some reason, become insanely territorial due to the sudden shift in weather.
He had enough time to traverse down to the bottom levels—watching his step every so often. He’d almost been chased by some Ice-types who had spotted him, but his quick thinking allowed him to put as much distance between himself and the wild Pokémon as soon as he could.
He had to keep moving. Stopping in a place whose temperature dropped the deeper he went was tantamount to suicide.
He had to keep going.The thought of meeting what he thought was just a figment of his imagination was what kept him moving. Years of Ranger training helped him traverse the treacherous terrain, and avoid any lairs and dens of Ice-types that were wandering around, seemingly emboldened by the sudden turn of events within Shoal Cave. There was an incident involving a Glalie where he was chased across a particularly thin patch of ice, but luck—sheer luck, or maybe it was just chance—was on his side, allowing him to slip away at the very last second before the Glalie ended up devouring him.
Yikes, since when had they become
incredibly territorial?
The cold was seeping in through his clothes, his very being—but there was only one thing in his mind: moving forward. That was what kept him going. Lower and lower he went, until at last, he found the largest hallways of ice—three, no, five feet thick and still growing fast due to the strong, throbbing presence he could feel the closer he got to the lowest level.
He was tempted to run back for safety and return with his Pokémon to make the traverse, but there were some walks that he had to take alone.
And he was doing this for hopefully the right reason.
Even if the wintry chill would bring anyone to
death’s door in more ways than one, he finally found himself at the lowest level of Shoal Cave, rubbing his hands together as he looked up in silent awe at the entrance to the frozen cove. The incredible pressure building up was a sign he was getting closer. He could hear the hissing of the air as it grew louder ringing in his ears.
The moment he crossed the threshold of the entrance felt like he was crossing the rubicon, to be quite honest.
He wasn’t sure if this was the same Articuno that had chosen Senri long ago, but—
The frigid blast of wind was more than enough to send anyone reeling, but he steeled himself. It was adrenaline moving him forward at this point as he held up his hands to protect against the frigid blast before it eventually died down, revealing the bird of ice itself.
“I—I know that I may not have done much yet, but,” he began quietly, his voice stammering for a few moments before he forced himself to man up and face the Articuno head on, eye to eye,
“I always wondered, if I stood a chance against everything else. Even with my Pokémon, I know there are impossible odds, but—“Clearing his throat, he continued as his voice rang through the cave, mustering up all his courage.
“If you have been watching, then so have I. There’s much to be done, and I offer you—my life. Take it, if you must. I know that my companions, who are waiting for me outside, can handle themselves. But if you insist, and you want a test. Take it. I have but one life, one soul, to give you.”@tag
He’s a mad lad. Basically Metagross and Lucario are standing guard at the entrance of Shoal Cave while he made the treacherous trek down into the deepest parts by himself.
Rumours of an Articuno in Shoal Cave begin to chill the summer winds. The species is rare. An elusive enigma that descends upon the human race as if it were a deity. The last time one appeared, it had granted a man its powers. That man has long since disappeared, leaving some to wonder whether this Articuno is the same one.[break][break][break]
