Chapter 298: 298. Ice Cave

Words : 1157 Updated : Oct 13th, 2025

---- Following the guidance of the map, Kai and Sabrina spent two days traversing the vast and dense forest. After two days of braving the elements, enduring the complex terrain, and battling numerous Pokémon that attacked along the way, both their bodies and minds were utterly exhausted. Fortunately, their destination was now within reach just a few more mountains to cross, and they would arrive at Blackthorn City. Originally, Kai could have simply flown over the forest on his Charizard, making the journey much easier. However, he chose not to do so. The joy of travelling lies in working alongside Pokémon, overcoming challenges together, and appreciating the scenery along the way, strengthening their bond in the process. If he only cared about speed and convenience, then how would his journey be any different from Gary's fast-paced travels? After exiting the forest, the two continued eastward. However, they hadn't gone far before Kai suddenly stopped in his tracks. "What's wrong?" Sabrina asked softly. Kai tilted his chin forward, prompting Sabrina to follow his gaze. Ahead of them, an open space revealed two diverging paths. One path wound around the outside of the mountain, while the other extended into its depths. After studying the map for a moment, Kai said, "Both of these roads lead to the same destination, but they're quite different. The first one circles around the mountain though it's a longer route, the road is easier to travel. The second one cuts through a cave inside the mountain, known as Ice Cave. That way is covered in ice and snow, making it extremely cold, but it saves a lot of time and leads directly to Blackthorn City." After a brief moment of thought, Sabrina pointed to the road on the right. "Let's take the shortcut. The sooner we get to Blackthorn City, the sooner I can take a hot bath." Going two days without a bath was undoubtedly unbearable for her. Kai chuckled. "You might not have to wait until we reach Blackthorn City for that." He pointed at a location on the map. "It looks like there's a Pokémon Center inside Ice Cave. We can stay there for the night." Sabrina blinked in surprise. "A Pokémon Center inside a cave?" "That's right." Kai nodded. "Apparently, people frequently travel through this cave to reach Blackthorn City, so the League built a Pokémon Center there for safety and rest." Having decided on their route, they wasted no time and ventured into the mountains. At first, the landscape remained lush and green. However, as they neared Ice Cave, the temperature dropped significantly. The once-thriving vegetation gradually withered and faded. By the time Kai stood at the cave entrance, a gust of frigid wind swept past, making him involuntarily shiver. Unlike the other places they had travelled, the entrance of the cave was already coated in a thick layer of ice. "It's freezing. We should change into warmer clothes to avoid catching a cold." Sabrina had no objections. They retrieved winter gear from their bags and, being long-time partners with no reservations, simply asked their Pokémon to stand guard while they changed on the spot. Once they donned their winter attire, warmth returned to their bodies. Even so, upon entering the cave, the cold wind remained biting. To ward off the chill, Kai summoned Charizard, its ever-burning tail flame, providing a much-needed source of heat. Though officially named Ice Cave, the locals had a different name for it The Frozen Cavern. Just like the other ice caves Kai had explored before, its walls were smooth and crystalline, glistening under the dim light. Ice-type Pokémon lurked within, darting into the depths the moment they sensed intruders. Creak... Their footsteps caused the ice beneath them to crackle softly. The deeper they ventured, the thicker the ice became. Seeing Sabrina tread cautiously, Kai reached out and steadied her hand. "Be careful. It's really slippery here. Don't fall." To ensure their safety, Kai also called out Gengar, instructing it to assist if needed. With the combined illumination from their flashlight and Charizard's flame, they pressed deeper into the cavern. There was only one main path. Though small side tunnels occasionally branched off, they were too narrow for a person to pass through, making it impossible to get lost. Additionally, signs of previous travellers were evident Kai could still see footprints left by those who had walked here before. Following these traces, they continued for over two hours until they finally arrived beneath a massive ice dome. Sunlight filtered through the frozen ceiling, casting a soft glow inside the cave and brightening the surroundings. And there, on the icy terrain ahead, stood a three-story building. Even seeing it with her own eyes, Sabrina was still somewhat astonished. "I can't believe there's really a Pokémon Center in a place like this." What surprised her even more was that the lights inside the Pokémon Center were on, indicating that it was still operational. "Alright, don't overthink it. We're staying here for the night," Kai said. Recalling Charizard, Kai took Sabrina's hand and led her into the Pokémon Center. As the automatic doors slid open, a wave of warm air greeted them. At that moment, Kai felt the frozen blood in his veins finally come back to life. "Phew... Sorry for intruding!" Hearing the door chime, a Pokémon in a nurse's uniform emerged from a side door it was a Jynx. Huh? Instead of the usual Chansey, this Pokémon Center had a Jynx assisting instead? As far as Kai knew, Pokémon Centers in the Johto region typically employed Chansey. He hadn't expected to see a Jynx here. Not to mention... a Jynx in a nurse's uniform was rather eye-catching. "Loo jynx loo!" Jynx said something to them, but since neither of them understood Pokémon language, Kai turned to Gengar. "What did it say?" Gengar shrugged. "Nothing much, just a greeting." "I see..." Kai glanced around but didn't spot Nurse Joy anywhere. "Hello, Jynx. Is Nurse Joy around?" Just as he finished asking, Nurse Joy herself emerged from a back room. "Good afternoon, Trainers." Kai nodded. "Hello, Nurse Joy. We'd like to stay here for the night." "No problem! We have plenty of rooms available." Nurse Joy smiled and gestured for them to follow. "You must be exhausted from your journey. Come inside and have something warm to drink." As they followed her into the dining area, they were surprised to find that they weren't alone. A man and a woman were already seated at a table, enjoying their dinner. Hearing the approaching footsteps, the two turned their heads toward Kai and Sabrina. ---- Don't forget to drop some PowerStones!???????????? For early access to advanced chapters on p@treon. P@treon/iamxeno Thank you so much for your support and for reading!

Chapter 298: 298. Ice Cave

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