Once this idea took root in her mind, Lorelei was eager to search the cave immediately. However, with the sky now full of stars, she restrained herself, deciding to wait until dawn the next day to make her move.
Although day and night made no difference inside the cave, the physical fatigue they felt still needed to be cured by sleep.
Late at night, Natsui lay on the bed in his guest room, unable to fall asleep for a long time.
The moonlight outside the window was beautiful.
By the bright moonlight, he took out the Ultra Balls containing Zapdos and Articuno from his belt.
Holding the Ultra Balls up high, he murmured to the two Legendary Pokémon inside, "Since the start of the Indigo Conference, it's been a long time since you two have been out for some fresh air. But don't worry, once I find Moltres, I'll definitely let you spread your wings and battle to your heart's content!"
However, as soon as he finished speaking, the two Ultra Balls began to shake simultaneously. The next second, they suddenly opened, and Zapdos and Articuno appeared in the room at the same time.
The temperature in the room dropped sharply. As they shook their feathers, not only did snowflakes begin to fall, but sparks of electricity also flashed around the room.
SKREEE!
Seeing them open their mouths to cry out, Natsui was horrified. He quickly clamped his hands over their beaks, one for each.
"Hey, hey, hey, why did you two come out!? This is someone else's house, don't mess around!"
He didn't need to think to know what had happened. They must have been cooped up for too long, and hearing that they would soon battle Moltres, they couldn't resist coming out for a breather.
But since they were already out, Natsui didn't immediately recall them. Instead, he decided to let them move around the room for a bit.
However, the two Pokémon were far too restless. Curious about everything, they wanted to touch this and peck at that. Zapdos, in particular, was extremely agitated and, with a flap of its wings, swept everything off a bookshelf onto the floor.
Fortunately, the floor was carpeted, so the falling items didn't make too much noise. Even so, it still caught the attention of others.
The sound of footsteps came from outside the door, growing closer. Without thinking, Natsui instantly grabbed the Ultra Balls and, with the lightning-fast speed of a thief comically trying to cover his ears while stealing a bell, recalled Zapdos and Articuno.
A moment later, Lorelei's voice came from the other side of the door.
"Is everything alright in there? I thought I heard a noise."
Natsui, while tidying up, replied, "It's nothing, I just accidentally bumped my foot on the end of the bed."
"Is that so? By the way, I've brought you a glass of milk. Is it a good time for me to bring it in?"
Natsui turned his head and, seeing that everything was back in order, got up and opened the door.
Outside, Lorelei was wearing a set of pajamas, clearly having just washed up. In her hand, she held a steaming glass of milk.
Her gaze quickly swept around the room, and seeing that nothing was out of place, she handed the milk to Natsui.
"You should drink it while it's hot. This house is close to the cave by the lake, which is where the cold draft comes from, so it gets very chilly at night. Something warm will help you fall asleep faster."
Accepting the milk with a smile, Natsui nodded at her.
"I was actually having a bit of trouble sleeping. This milk is just what I needed."
After Lorelei left, Natsui closed the door, downed the milk in one gulp, and then couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.
Although quite a few people already knew he possessed Zapdos and Articuno, out of an abundance of caution, he was always careful to protect his secret. After all, the fewer people who knew, the safer he was, and the more advantageous it was for him!
...
In the morning, after breakfast, the three of them put on warm clothes, prepared their lighting equipment, and left Lorelei's house to venture into the cave.
As the one who had first discovered it, Lorelei naturally had the naming rights, and she had given it a very fitting name—Icefall Cave!
When Natsui entered the mouth of the cave, he found that, like many others, the entrance was narrow. But once they went deeper, it opened up into a whole different world.
However, since they were constantly descending and the ice was very slippery, they had to be careful with every step, paying attention not only to their footing but also to the sharp icicles hanging from the ceiling above.
The beams of their flashlights shone on the ice surfaces, reflecting a bluish light.
Lorelei walked in front, carefully leading the way, while also reminding them, "Be careful, the ice is very thin in some places and can easily break. You must be cautious."
"We understand."
Thanks to his experience in the Seafoam Islands, this was familiar territory for Natsui.
He followed closely behind Lorelei, and whenever they reached a dangerous spot, he would naturally turn back and offer his hand to Sabrina.
Although Sabrina could use her psychic powers to fly over these broken patches of ice, for some reason, she chose not to. Instead, she took Natsui's hand and carefully walked across.
When Lorelei happened to turn back and see this, a knowing, "I knew it" expression appeared on her face.
A single man and a single woman traveling together... given what she knew of Sabrina, she wouldn't believe for a second that Sabrina didn't have some feelings for Natsui!
She just couldn't imagine what this cool and aloof psychic would be like when she was in love.
Hehe, I wonder if she has a gentle, softer side?
Their steps crunched on the ice.
Tightening their clothes, and seeing Natsui and Sabrina looking around, Lorelei couldn't help but smile. "This cave actually extends down several hundred meters and is divided into several layers. At the very bottom, there's an undercurrent that connects to the sea."
Hearing this, Natsui asked, puzzled, "Since it's an undercurrent, how did you discover it? Don't tell me you personally swam through it?"
Lorelei laughed heartily. "What's the big deal? It's a form of training, after all!"
You're something else!
Hearing this, Natsui couldn't help but give her a thumbs-up.
What normal person would go for a swim in such freezing water just to see where a current leads!
You'd have to be incredibly bored to just jump into the water for no reason!
They continued downward, and only after walking a great distance did they see a few wild Pokémon like Dewgong and Cloyster.
Neither Natsui nor Sabrina were interested in them, so they let them disappear from sight. Only Lorelei, despite not finding any trace of Team Rocket, frowned deeply upon seeing so few Pokémon after walking for so long.
In fact, even Natsui, who was setting foot here for the first time, could tell something was wrong.
"Is it always this quiet here?"
After a moment's hesitation, Lorelei shook her head. "Of course not. This place used to be teeming with Pokémon. But now... sigh, you're right. I think the reason their numbers have dropped so drastically is that something must have happened down below!"
With that, the three of them quickened their pace. But the further down they went, the colder it became, and the cave was a network of branching paths, like a natural maze.
It was a good thing this place was so remote.
If someone entered here without a guide and took a wrong turn, they would definitely be trapped here forever!
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