• Clans
    Ice Clan
    Territory: Lake Acurity/ rt. 217-216 pop. 27

    Leader: Has power over the clan/#Blizzardprint: Easygoing & old; grateful for the warmth of his clan. Wears a Zinc band. Rookie:*Purephase
    Lietenant: Responsible for organizing the clan; takes position as leader later/*Breezetail: Wears a plain glittering sliver scarf with a white Ice symbol. Rookie:#Bouncephase
    Healer: Heals the clan's wounds and deciphers signs sent from Star Clan/#Frostbite: Trustworthy & smart; Loves to be in the nursery with the pups so much he actually moved his chamber in there. Wears a Persim scarf.
    Warriors: Pokemon who've devoted their lives to protect, defend, and feed the clan /*Diamondtail: Inconsiderate & skillful; mother of Crowfood; killed her sister & brother in a atempt of power, but failed. Wears a plain glittering crimson scarf with an Ice symbol. (elder) Rookie: *Snowphase
    *Featherstorm: Wears a plain glittering onyx band with an Ice symbol. Rookie:#Whitephase
    #Icefang: Wears a plain glittering light colbat scarf with an Ice symbol. Rookie:*Crystalphase
    #Fringeheart: Wears a plain glittering gold band with a white Ice symbol. Rookie:#Articphase
    *Cloudpaws: Wears a plain glittering bronze band with a white Ice symbol. Rookie:*Cottonphase
    *Bluenose: Wears a plain glittering copper scarf with a white Ice symbol. Rookie:*Hollyphase
    *Frostpelt: Wears a plain glittering matallic pink band with a white Ice symbol. Rookie:*Crowfoodphase
    #Raggedtail: Wears a plain glittering matallic sliver band with a white Ice symbol. Rookie:#Clawphase
    Mothers: Females caring for their young in the nursery/*Mirrorpelt: Wears a plain glittering metallic blue scarf with a white Ice symbol. Fathering Icefang's pups. Pups/ Night & Kelp.
    Elders: Retired Warriors/*Moonpool #Lepardpelt
    *=Female #=Male
    Chapter #3
    Snowpoint Temple


    Articphase was just waking up to the cold, yet bright dawn. He ruffled his fur and began washing his face.
    "Good morning." He whispered. Trying not to wake the snoring rookies. "Ready to go?"
    "...Ready to go where?"
    "Don't tell me you forgot already!? Remember, the other day I told you I would show you something amazing after your rookie ceremony." I nearly forgot. It's hard to think straight after a frightening nigthmare like that.
    "Were leaving this early? Won't we get in trouble?"
    "Not if we bring back some prey for the clan. Don't worry, everyone will think we were out hunting before the dawn patrol." I wasn't to kin on the idea of sneaking out of camp to explore so early in the morning. But Articphase was exprienced, he probably done this a hundred times before. And besides, the clan will get fed in the end. Maybe this wasn't a bad idea after all.
    "Alright." I whispered back. "Let me go see if Snowphase wants to go too."
    "...Oh." Articphase stared down at ground. Making little swirls in the thin snow. "That's fine...I mean...if you want too."
    I slowly creeped towards Snowphase. Gently rocking her awake. Articphase watches with interest. Snowphase groaned with effort to sit up. "Articphase is taking us to that place he promised us earlier." I murmered to the drowsy Snowphase. "Do you want to come?"
    There was no excitement gleaming from her eyes. No fear.... There was nothing. "I think...I'll pass."
    "But why? Your were eager to go before."
    "I said, I didn't want to go!" Snowphase silently growled, the fur on her back rose. I was shocked. Snowphase never so much as to even shout at me before. "Sorry, I just don't want to go right now." Snowphase let her fur lie flat and placed her head on her paws. Her back turned towards us.
    Articphase gently nudged me and throw his head back at the door. Before I turned to leave I gave a longing glance at Snowphase. Then disappeared into a curtain of leaves.
    The sun rising lazily over the snow covered trees tinged the land in a pregolden light. The snow softly crunched underneath my paws as Articphase and me marched thourgh the forest. Articphase occasionally looked back to see if I was keeping up but, I put on a strong face to hide how hurt I was.
    Snowphase was like the sister I never had. We always did things togetheir, and still have. She was the light that helped me thourgh the dark tunnel. And now I felt alone. Articphase slowed his pace to match mines and pressed his fur agianst mine. But I'm not alone. I contemplated. And togetheir we stride forward.
    Distant chatter steadily came to ear while troting forward. It didn't sound like any pokemon I've ever heard. "Where are we going?" I asked
    "We're going to an icy ruins called Snowpoint Temple." He replied without taking his eyes off the path. "But first, we have to get thourgh Snowpoint City before we get there. There are tall creatures called 'humans' who lives in the city."
    "The humans will let us thourgh their camp that easily?!" I was surprised. You'd think the humans would put up a fight when two intruders wandered into their camp.
    "Yep. The humans are willing to share their camp like it's not their territory to begin with. Icefang and I gose to the city every so often. The humans seem nice enought to even gives us scarps of food from time to time."
    "That still dosen't mean they are safe to be trusted."
    "That's the same thing Icefang said."
    We soon fell silent to the quiet chatter of the Swablus chirped their sweet song in the trees over head. After some time, giant square towers silhoutted inbetween the trees. Almost believed to look like monsters. Articphase leaped head first into an upcoming shrub, I on the other hand, took a more subtile approach. Cautously stepping through the shrub.
    At once, the first to catch my attention was the heap of rubbish located at the far east side. "What is that?"
    "I don't know myself." Articphase admitted. "Icefang says that that yellow monster with the hook was called a crane."
    At first it was difficult to locate the crane in the pile of broken monsters. When a flat cloud drifted out of the sun's veiw, casting a faint sheen on the heap, it wasn't long until I spotted it laying on the top. What looked like a once bright yellow coat, was now being eatened off by the winter snow. Along with the other rusting monsters.
    "I wonder what happened to them?"
    "Who knows, it's not important anymore." Articphase concluded. "I must've taken the wrong trail. Now we're outside the city instead of around. Oh well, this way is shorter anyway." Articphase glanced at the rising sun. "Most of the humans should still be asleep by now."
    We then left the abondoned monsters and trudged through the snow.

    After padding through a dense forest, and around a 'building' Articphase called Snowpoint gym. We soon came to face with a building that seemed to overlook all the buildings in the snowy city. This was Snowpoint Temple.
    The stone temple was being supported by four giant pillars, brittle and frozen soild in cold snow. With seemed to gleam a faint, melonchaly sheen across the surface. I was standing in front of temple awe strucken in it's ancient beauty. A chilly wind blew from the relic temple ruffling my fur, scraping past my ears. I could feel the history flowing through my pelt.

    "I sense thee prences of thee star. Come forwardeth," The wind whispered. "Wielder of thee star."

    Is the wind talking about the star on my paw? I question. The wind suddenly shifted to a different direction. Instead of blowing lightly into our faces, the wind was now pulling snow into the temple. The wind grew stronger every passing sec, trying to suck us in.

    "What's happening!?"
    "I don't know! The temple didn't do this before. Grab on to something!" Sadly, there was nothing but loose snow beneath our paws to grip.

    "Do not let thee wind beseech ye. Walk into thee temple."

    My paw left on there own accord. Almost as if they are guiding me into the ancient temple.
    "Crowphase! No!" Articphase leaped onto my back trying to push me down in the snow but, Articphase lost his grip. The wind picked up our light weighted bodies and carried us into the old temple.


    I awoke to find myself lying on the hard ground surounded by an icy floor. Thought cold this particular part of the ground wasn't frozen to bone like the rest of the floor. I heard snoring and twisted my head to see Articphase was laying asleep next to me. I hope we haven't been here for a while. I ran my eyes along the stone walls. Such a cold, isilated place...I wonder where that voice came from. While I pondered that thought the ground began to shack.
    Articphase bolted up to his paws in a confused state. "W-w-why is the ground shaking?" As soon as the quake started it stop. "Wow...what's going on?"

    "Are you the one who posses the power of the star?" This time the voice was more loud and clear than before. Even Articphase jumped at the sudden noise. After pinpointing the voice, we were standing before a giant statue sitting in a stone throne. This chamber most be at a good temperture because, there was moss growing at the base of it's feet and conners of it's head.
    Articphase step back. "Wow...the statue...the color...it's changing!"
    The gray statue was morphing into a shade of white and yellow and, black lines stripes streght all over it's body. Three sets of eyes gleam red, sliver, and blue in the gloom. This was no mere monument...this was a living, ancient pokemon and it was awakening from it's frozen slumber.
    "I can sense the presence of thee star in this chamber." The ground trembled as the statue slowly lifted it's massive arm. The statue pointed one of his only three fingers directly at me. "I am Regigigas." The statue announced. "Do you harbar the power of the stars?" It asked.
    Articphase defensively stood between us. "Don't you dare touch her you hunk of rock!" He snarled.
    I wasn't amused. Compared to Regigigas, we were brown puffy specs. No amount of taunts or treats could intiminate such a large creature whom had the strenght to crush so easily. I padded rather coldly around him, settled down and raised my paw. Revealing the white star that magically appeared on the day of the nightmare at the bottom of my paw. "Is this what you're looking for?"
    "Ah...thee star weilder. I have awaited for your arrival, for I have known that your curiousity would one day, lead you into thy temple. Your brethern from long ago have fortold a prophecy in the stars. That would one day, reappear in the frosty sky." Articphase flashed a bewildered look. I stared in confusion at Regigigas. Had the decendents of Ice Clan predicted the prophecy beforehand? And how did concluded that the prophecy was meant for the future generation instead of them? Regigigas continued. "Your leader, Iceheart, realized that the prophecy was given only to her clan, she and thee healer decided to keep it secret from thee clan, even from her lietenant, Hailstorm. It was Iceheart who came to the decision to enter thy temple and desired that I should preserve the prophecy as a 'time capsule,' in thee name of the stars. I was honored to assist her in her odd request."
    Despite how lost Articphase appeared to be, I was surprise to see that it didn't stop him from asking questions. " Regigigas, what is your relationship with the stars? Or even Star Clan?" Their was an edge of annoyence in his voice. "And not to be rude but, what does our clan affairs has to do with you in the first place?"
    There was a long silence until Regigigas finally replied: "Even I do not know the answer to most of those questions. Though we are all indivisual and independent, yet we are all connected by time...space...and a thread of blood in thee stars eyes, that much I can tell you. But I can answer you question of why it concerns me. After years of frozen slumbers, thy flying friends has given me news of the outside world. And at this very moment, I have finally decipher the very distanted promise." The ancient statue raised it's gigantic arm to a hole thourgh what looked like at least three floors above the temple. Revealing the stars fading in the early predawn light. "Thee stars have shown their vivid glow...blancing the flow of darkness and light in thee night sky for centeries. Yet thy flying friends has discovered that thee star's shine has grown pale and black clouds are covering thee moon and taking form over the land in black shadows in only two monthes time." Articphase nervously glanced at me. Obviously remembering the 'disappearing moon'. "Thy flying friends also explained that thee pokemon of thee outside world are acting strange and more aggressive ever since the black clouds appeared. Star weilder, the stars have chosen you to rid this unnatural balance of darkness that is spreading across the land, and shine thee mark of thee stars on thee darkness lurking in thee hearts of other pokemon."
    "Wait, are you talking about the prophecy now? 'A single star will rise from the shadows and save the 7 clans from the darkness lurking in there hearts'." I qouted for the upthet time." I understand the prophecy but, I don't get how this star can help me lift the darkness in others hearts."
    Regigigas's six eyes glowed fearful but it's voice remained calm. "That is for you to figure out for yourself and for me to go back to thy sleep. Thy cold...eternal...slumber." Regigigas's eyes cooled and it's color rusted back to a pale gray color. Returning into a lifeless statue once more.
    Articphase looked utterly confused. "A prophecy? Star Clan sent you a prophecy?!"
    I stared down at my paws. "Star Clan didn't exactly sent me the prophecy. I overheard Frostbite telling it to Blizzardprint and Breezetail when they seeked advice about the 'disappearing moon'." I felt a fresh wave of shame remembering how I nosed into Frostbite's private conversation.
    "Then it must be true but Crowphase, where did you get that star? I don't recall ever seeing that star before."
    "...I'm not sure myself," I twisted my paw to gaze at the star. "Last night I had a nightmare about getting lost in pitch darkness then, I remembered this bright light...and then when I woke to wash my face this white star appeared."
    "Aren't you scared? This is alot of responsiblily for you out of the blue."
    "...A little." I couldn't admit how terrified I am like a wailing pup. I have to be brave and take on whatever life threw in my face with pride. That is a warrior's way after all.
    I lifted my head and our eyes met. His black round marble eye angianst mine. His warm breath soaked into my fur as he spoke, "Your not only...I'm with you 'till the end."
    My face rapidly felt hot with embrassment. I slowly turned my head toward the temple's stairs. "W...we should go soon. The clan will start to worry." As I go up to leave I turned my head to Articphase. "Thank you for taking me here. This place gave me more help then anywhere else." With one final glance at Regigigas, we both left the temple in a silent yet content trot.





    Chapter #4
    Icy Waters


    "Too low!" Frostpelt shouted. "Try to positioning your hind paws underneath your body so when you pounce, you can knock over large prey like Furrets, Stanlers, and Altarias with great force."
    As Frostpelt instruted, I shifted my paws under my body, rocking my hips from side to side. Ready to jump. Then, I leaped in the air only to fall in a heap of snow.
    "Too slow. You need to pick up the pace if you want to at least cuff something in your paws."
    I licked my paw the wash the snow from my face. It's been two weeks since I had that nightmare. I nearly shivered when I remembered how I flailed helplessly in the darkness and slammed agianst the freezing black waters. Wild and Hawk wouldn't even so much as to appear in my dreams anymore, so asking them is out the question. And since Articphase and Snowphase are busy with their training, I don't have the time to hang out with as much as I use too any more. I haven't felt this alone since mother left the nursery. It's been a while since I tasted the bittersweet tang of lonliness. Even so-I stopped washing to gaze at my paw-this star...I feel conforted by the presence of this mark for some reason...I wonder why...?
    "Hey!" Frostpelt's stern voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "If your not too busy daydreaming I'd like to continue training."
    "Maybe some other time," Diamondtail was trotting up toward us along with Snowphase padding confedently behind her. After a while, I guess Snowphase realized that she'll be mentor by a murderer, and that getting depressed won't get her anywhere. "I've been given direct orders from Breezetail. He wants me, Snowphase, you,"-Diamondtail glanced at me-" Crowfoodphase, Featherstorm, and Articphase, to go on a hunting party before we leave for the gathering. We will all meet at the camp entrance and hunt by the lake. We leave at sunhigh." Diamondtail then padded off. Snowphase smiled and followed her mentor.
    The Gathering is a meeting where all the 7 clans comes togetheir in a secret forest located inbetween Leaf Clan and Thunder Clan territory. Frostbite explained to me once that the Spring path holds a sacred power that is said to be home to a god whom lives in a strange world. One that strecthes far below the fabrics of time and space.
    Unfortunaly, for Ice Clan, the trip to the lake will take days. So leaving early is essentail. I tasted the air. Frosty and cold. Winter is coming. And of all times, the upcoming days we're planned to leave. I gazed up at the sky. The Waxing moon faintly shone in the pale sky.
    "Twelve days." I murmured half to myself. "We'll have twelve days to get to the gathering."
    "Don't worry." Frostpelt flashed a rosy smile. " I'm sure you'll go too. The clan isn't going leave you behind in a dark, half empty camp." Somehow, Frostpelt's words didn't ease anything to my troubling thoughts. "We still have time, let's practice the 'Hunter's Pounce' once more. Now crouch down like this..."


    "What took you two so long?!" Diamondtail demanded as Frostpelt and I approached the waiting party. Mother paced about while Articphase, Snowphase, and Featherstorm curled togetheir, keeping each other warm.
    Something struck me as odd when I glanced at Snowphase. She didn't seem like her usual, cheerful self much anymore. Now she's more quiet and solitary. Somehow I couldn't help but feel parts of her oldself was dying away on the inside. And a faint scent of human rubbish hit my nose. Was this awful coming from Snowphase?
    As we confronted the party, mother intensly glared down at me. "Is it because of--her!"
    "No we-!"
    "How dare you interfer with the duties of a warrior!"
    "But mother, I'm trying to tell you that-"
    "Do you have any shame, or is that one of the faults of having a failure like y---!!" Frostpelt stepped between us.
    "Calm down Diamondtail." Frostpelt sooth. "We were only practicing some moves and simply lost track of time. Look"- Frostpelt glance up at the sky-"We have plenty of time before sunset, but arguing here won't do us any good. Shall we?"
    Mother stared for awhile until she calmly replied. "Your right." She swung her head towards the others. "Let's make haste while the sky is still blue." Then trotted confidently away.
    Featherstorm made no comment and padded off. Snowphase glanced nervously before, she to, padded away. Articphase on the other paw, was furious. I could see him baring his fangs and the fur on his back rising. Frostpelt gazed in sympatheticly at him. And reluctantly, he let his fur lay flat. Then we all left togetheir.

    Despite the argument that occured earlier, the hunting party is doing surprisingly well. Snowphase snaged herself a Swablu, Featherstorm and Diamondtail took down a Furret. And Frostpelt was laying at the edge of the lake, showing Articphase and me how to drag a fish out of the water.
    "...With winter drawing closer, fishing won't be much of an option any more. So you need to make use of what water we have before the lake freezes over. Magikarps are the easiest fishes to catch. Not only are they slow to react, but they are also love to swim dangerously near the edge of lakes and oceans, because they enjoy eating the moss growing off the rocks." Articphase and I listened with interest as Frostpelt explained the vital details." Goldeens are kinda simalar to Magikarps except they have brighter scales and puts up more of a fight. They use the horn on there heads to defend themselves. If your not careful, you can get nasty scarps."
    As Frostpelt talked, a Goldeen swam cautiously to the bank. Frostpelt lifted her tail for silence and waited. The Goldeen slowly edged himself closer to the rocks that grew richer moss, only speeding forward towards drifting ice to shield himself. This apparently was one smart Golden, and dosen't want to be caught so easily. But he was unaware of Frostpelt staring down at him, waiting for the right moment when the Goldeen would leave the safety of the ice to another. Frostpelt rocked her hind quaters, positioning herself to leap. And then, she spotted her oppurtunity and pouced.
    The Goldeen shook ferouosly, he splashed in and out of the cold water. Flapping in the air to shack Frostpelt off. But Frostpelt dug her long claws and fangs into the fish's flesh, refusing to let go. The lake was running red the Goldeen's blood. But it too refused to give up. He tried scraping Frostpelt off agianst a large shard of ice like an annoying wet tree leaf that won't come off your pad. Suddenly the Goldeen stopped struggling and slowly started sinking in the freezing water.
    Worried, I slowly stalked to the lake and scaned the water. The lake was dyed scarlett red. There was no sign of Frostpelt. My fur stood on ends. Where could she have gone? What if something terrible happend to her! Soon Frostpelt was padding wearrily out of the water a few tail lengthes away with the dead Goldeen in her jaws. Her beautiful blue pelt was soaked to the skin with red water. And she was limping on her right front paw. A small gash run down her leg. When all her paws touched the cool snow she colasped in a heap.
    I hurried over too her immediantly. "Frostpelt! Are you seriously injuried?!"
    Amazingly, all she could do is smile. "Not too bad." Frostpelt grunted in her pain as she rose. "I probaly just damaged some muscle tissue. That's all." Frostpelt winced. Featherstorm and Diamondtail abandoned their prey and dashed over to the injuried warrior's aid. Featherstorm swung her head towards me.
    "What happened here?" He demanded.
    "She hurted herself when she was wrestling with a Golden." Articphase explained.
    Featherstorm stared down at Frostpelt. "Again?!" She growled. "Haven't you learned your lesson from last time?" Agian!? I thought. This happened before?!
    Frostpelt wearly laughed and turned her head away from the anger emitting from her. "I guess not..."
    Mother sighed. "It's no use getting upset about it now. We might as well take you to Icefang." Mother looked at Snowphase. "Go inform Icefang that we've got an injury."
    Snowphase nodded then griped the Swablu and scampered off. Frostpelt leaned angianst Diamondtail and Icefang and limped at a slower, steadier pace.