EPISODE 40: Uno!*

The mystic veil surrounding the sleeping Articuno inside its spherical chamber, lures and attracts us closer to it. It is as if our minds are being controlled for our concentration is focused on the mirage of ice. My guard is down, and neither to my friends nor my surroundings did I cease to notice. I feel a magnetic pull, dragging me closer and closer.

"Articuno, the legend is true. The mirage of ice is surrounded by a mystical veil and only through interruption will the Pokemon awaken with anger. If we were to capture it, we must awaken it first." Virgo utters like a person being mind-controlled as she walks closer.

"How do we awaken it?" Charlotte questions, speaking like a person being mind-controlled too as she and I walk closer to the mirage, sleeping humbly on its spherical chamber.

"Only I can awaken it." A voice echoes, snapping us back to reality. Are lowered defense due to the Pokemon's attraction has completely disappeared. Our focus shifted to an abrupt voice.

Our eyes circulate the cave's surroundings. I could feel someone, running a rapid pace but with footsteps producing little to no sounds at all. Virgo shouts, "Who is there? Show yourself!" to the voice. Certainly, this not a member of the Society nor is it any grunt or agent at all.

"Tale as old as time, written in the books of old, the mirage falls under those who deserve it. The worthy ones." The voice echoed once more. The three of us feel someone's presence yet our eyes are not able to calculate his or her location.

"Worthy ones?" The three of us query at the same time, as a man bearing an old age, leaps down from the ceilings of the cave, blocking Articuno with his staff. His beard is the finest, painted in the color of snow. Very long beard he has, reaching the floor. On his neck, is an obvious Ice Stone. It is a stone used to evolve a certain species of Pokemon.

"Tell me your purpose with Articuno." The man demands, pointing his staff towards us.

"Articuno is for Team Rocket. We need it." I reply.

"Thou shall not claim Articuno for it will fall under the hands of evil, thus its harmony will be disrupted. If one of the mirages were to fall under evil, the harmony of ice, fire, and lighting, foretold in the prophecy, would be crippled, and thus these titans shall wreak destruction upon Earth in which they clash.

I could not let such chaos commence. Leave immediately." He introduces, protecting Articuno with all his might despite having an age of old.

"We will only borrow it. Once we're done, we promise to set it free." I plead for the old man to give the bird.

"Have you not comprehend my words, lady? As elders, it is our duty to protect the mirages from causing destruction when the harmony between them is disrupted. You are not capable nor worthy of handling such power, the mirage of ice holds." Uno persists to block Articuno, protecting it dearly.

"Then I guess we have to take it by force." I proclaim, ready to throw my Pokeball.

Charlotte grabs my hand again and whispers to my ear, "Luna, calm down. He's older than you, we must show respect. Do not argue, we could think of other plans."

"I only respect those who deserve to be respected, regardless of their age," I whisper back, persisting to toss my Pokemon out, however, just like back in the well of Azalea, the two restrain my hands as me and the elder glare.

"Persistent you are, I have no wish of fighting with a young lady like you, please leave." Uno gestures kindly despite my wrathful nature towards him.

"Charlotte, is Luna going to be alright?" Virgo questions with worry, tightening her grip to my left hand.

"Luna, focus. Remember what the Professor said? Avoid conflict. We could talk things out." Charlotte persists to wrap me with comfort, driving away the wrath and anger. I breathe heavily, thinking about my abrupt actions, deciding to put them to a halt.

"Forgive me." I murmur, apologizing to the old man. I am too young to do such harm to an old man like him. My friend has a point, I should keep out of conflict's way, controlling my aggression as much as possible.

"Now leave immediate-" His words are suddenly cut in half as an ice shard flows directly through his chest, piercing his heart.

<Weavile!>A familiar Pokemon cry bursts to our ear as the three of us watch Uno stumble down to the ice, dying. This is not the work of my hands, but the work of the enemy. I look behind, and there I saw Ebony, her sister, their Pokemons, and a few more men, about three or so.

"Weak. You pitied an old man, and yet Kanto and the Pokemon Police Department fears you?" Ebony chuckles hysterically.

"If you are devoted to Team Rocket, you would not let anyone soften your heart, even if it is an old man. Tsk... Tsk... I respected you Luna, but what you said back in the cave of Icefall is true and just. We are different.

You have a soft heart, whereas I do not. Articuno is ours for the taking!" Ebony adds.

"Sister, you're going too far." Emily interrupts, trying to calm her.

"Me? Going too far? Oh, Emily. The fun has just begun!" She utters sarcastically, chuckling hysterically afterward. I guess this means, the gamble for the mirage of ice has only reached its pinnacle.