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((Haha, actually, it's my turn. I'm gonna be short and to the point though. I've been really sick...))

As they marched into the Ice Palace, the group noticed the whole structure was made of ice and stone, with high peaks carved into the likeness of Regice, Articuno and Suicune. They felt as if they were being swallowed by an enormous beast as they went through the front gates. Again, the air chilled and they felt as if they walked into a freezer. Interestingly, this ice seemed unaffected by the recent heat-wave altogether. They were taken into a courtyard, however, there was no yard as such as a giant gaping pit with slender bridges of ice, no rails, gracefully arcing over the chasm. Twin Weavile and a Glalie stood guard by the door. Seeing the guard, the Glalie promptly turned around and opened the front door. Again, they were lead forward and into a glittering, blue corridor, with stone torches lighting the place in pale flickering light. Gem and Nando look anxiously around, but couldn't make hide or hair of any direction in the place. Thrice, they were led through a hidden passage, and thrice up a flight of stairs. Finally, they got to the last set of doors. Standing guard here, were two Midice. These menacing beast simply stood there, in solemn silence as the group entered the chamber. Inside, sat the least likely pokemon they ever thought to see.

"Hello everyone..." Shuāng smiled nervously, as his father, a great Glaceon, stood in the throne.

((Yeah, I decided to make him a prince. Was debating that or the kings prisoner last time, but in the end, I thought this'd be a little more fun...))

Gem sat there, shivering for several minutes, unsure what to do, then she heard a lonely violin playing from their foyer. She stepped into the icy room to see Nando playing in front of an extinguished fire. She listened to his bow masterfully run up and down the Ariados threads, and the sweet sound lifted her spirits. They sat like that, in silence for a time until Nando finally stopped. He then turned to her and smiled, saying:

"Well, nice to see you up. I couldn't really sleep and went to check if the King had come. The Page said he had, but we were asleep, and he put it off 'til tomorrow. I hope my music didn't disturb you."

"Not at all," replied the Espeon, kindly, "It was very sweet." Nando smiled, but put away his violin, with care. The pretty wood gleamed in the moonlight coming from the high window. It was chilly, but not horribly so, rather cool, and refreshing. Neither could honestly sleep. Then Nando decided to bring up what had been bothering him.

He walked over to the large stone door, "Don't you find it odd - I mean, what Glacier said. He's a prince too, so shouldn't he have a royal quarter? You saw what that passage looked like. It was as if he was walking into a dungeon!"

Gem, however, had seen the reddish gleam in Glacier's eye, and remembered her conversation with him at the icy lake. She took care to not appear interested and simply shrugged. Curiosity, though, has an interesting way of gnawing at those who try to avoid it and eventually, the Neutri's constant questioning got to her too.

"Let's open the door," she said. Carefully, she used her psychic power to open the lock's internal mechanism. The lock clicked, and the heavy chains fell on the floor. The clatter and loud boom of the chains scared the two, and they stood perfectly still in fear that the Page would come running in, however, Snorunt have bad hearing, probably because of their constant shivering, and it appeared the sound had gone unnoticed. Nando pried open the door with some difficulty and the two plunged into the dark, winding stair.
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Elsewhere, a shadowy Blaziken appeared in front of Exodus. The dark one laughed, and pointed. The shadow nodded and flew into the air. It turned, and became solid. It's right arm suddenly calloused and turned a dark, scaly colour. Thick claws erupted from it's hands and a blade engulfed in fire shot from it's forearm. A booming voice said, vilely:

"You are the 15th dead pokemon to enter my service. I welcome you into my world. Feed on darkness, blot out the light. Become the assassins of my shadow army and assist the Gork in their deeds. You are named Fire Reaper, and will reap the burning souls and blot out the light. Now be off, there are some things you must take care of."

And the shadow flew off.
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Nando peered around the corner and stopped. He heard a feral growl and looked to Gem. Gem had a feeling she knew what they'd find, and remembering her promise to Glacier, she said to Nando:

"Wait here for me, and I'll call you if it's safe. I don't know where Glacier is, but he can't be far." Nando was unsure whether to stay or not, but they suddenly heard yells from above. Voices travel far in stony passages, so the Pokemon were some several stories above the two, however, it was obvious the Scyther knights were coming.

"I'll hold them off!" yelled Nando, "You find Glacier!" And with that, he ran up the stair, sparks flying off his feet.

Gem watched as he left, but then decided she had better run. She walked around the corner and found a door. She layed a paw on it, and it swung open. There lay Shuāng, in a pool of crystal water, eyes wide open, but rolled back, so only the whites were showing and his mouth sagging slightly. The right one still had a tinge of red, and there was dark purple covering a good half his body, and a new patch had appeared lining the lid under his left one. Upon his head was a crown of ice. Gem tentatively took a step forward and peered into the water. Then she saw a red eye beneath the surface and a voice boomed in her head.

THiS CHiLD BeLoNGS To ME!

Startled, she stepped back. Then she watched in horror as the water slowly engulfed Shuāng and froze over. The ice began to build up until it stood 10 feet above her. She gasped and stepped away. A giant ice dragon with icy white eyes roared in front of her, Shuāng at it's heart, like a chained prisoner. The shadow had disappeared from his body, but there was something menacing in his white eyes. His face jerked down at her, suddenly, and he opened his mouth. An ear-piercing scream bombarded her, and the dragon moved in for the kill.

At that moment, Nando rushed into the room, having had to flee from the guards. He saw the beast with Shuāng at it's heart and gasped. He did not know what happened, nor did Gem have any intention of telling him, but Shuāng needed to be saved from this beast... And so did they.

((Sorry, I had to move the story a bit, but I hope it's okay. So yeah, tell me if you enjoyed it!))

((Nah, it's the Blaziken that the group killed. The one Chopper sent in earlier that wished to become a shadow pokemon as it died. Oh, and I guess the dragon's now a Midice, but it's not a normal one either way. It was born of the water by Exodus' power, so it's more like just a monster that was shaped by Exodus, taking form of a Midice. In other words, no it's not alive - although it's using Glacier as a life-force.))

((Wasn't sure what you meant by "edit it now" so I held off posting but I guess we gotta advance this one way or another... Now where has Gracidea gotten too? Ugh.. Nevermind, I can't think... I need to sleep or the bloods gonna keep oozing from my mouth. Hate surgery right now. Seriously though, Gracidea should post the next one when she finds time.))