She was in a room when she came to. A strange room to say the least. The frame of the canopy bed seemed to be composed of ice while the curtain was a dense mist. She curiously pushed back the sheets and the comforter that was keeping her body warm, made from actual bedding, and pulled back the curtain. She was greeted by the cold air as soon as she was exposed. Steel quickly looked around for her clothes, when she noticed she was wearing just a white dress.

A dress that she had no idea where it originated from. Noticing a white wooly robe and a pair of slippers resting on the table top next to the bed, she pulled them onto her body and left the room. The various rooms and halls, even decorations, seemed to be carved from ice.

Where was she? She was in the Seafoam islands, last she could recall… how did she end up in a place like this?

How strange…

“So,” Simon looked at his Sentret, who was conversing jovially with Linda’s Buneary. “Uh, if you don’t mind me askin’, what is being blind like? I mean, I know it’s just dark all the time, but I don’t know anyone who’s blind and. Yeah.” Linda smiled and angled her head towards her lap, thinking it over.

“Well, that’s a little broad of a question, but,” she paused again. She could hear Buneary squeaking with Sentret. “I was born blind. So, I don’t know what colors look like. When you say ‘red’ I see black. I haven’t seen numbers or faces or anything. I can only imagine what Buneary looks like. My dreams are all black too. But, like, I can hear better than most people, y’know? It’s like… my body adapted to not having sight. So, that’s that, I guess. Buneary helps me around, and that’s why I have my cane.”

“Oh,” Simon blinked, taking it in. “Well, um, what’s your home like? You said you came from Sinnoh, right? I come from Johto, it’s pretty swell!”

“Well, Hearthome’s really nice. I’ve heard the buildings are all really old, so they’re different from the other buildings in Sinnoh. The people are really nice too. I’m sure you’d enjoy it if you visited.”

“Yeah,” Simon said, smiling. “That sounds like it’d be nice, but…”

“But?”

“Hearthome is a big city, isn’t it?”

“From what I’ve been told. Let me guess, you don’t like big places?”

“No, I don’t mind big spaces, I just don’t like being around many people.”

“There’s nothing to be afraid of, while some people can be mean… not everyone is.” She suddenly felt something against her side. If she didn’t know any better it was probably Simon. She reached out and touched his head, ruffling his hair. “And I’d be glad to show you around.”

Shortly after she left the room Steel was located by… the maid of the castle? Well, the Jynx was cleaning when she came by… but why was a pokemon cleaning? As soon as the pokemon noticed her it dragged her off, down corridors and spirally stairs to a spacious room. In the center of the room was a giant nest. Sleeping inside the nest was the legendary bird Articuno. A pokemon spoke of myths and legends.

The Jynx approached the giant bird and stirred it awake with a slap. What bold move! Amazingly, the Articuno took no offense and stretched its wings, unleashing a gust of wind. Finding it’s self awake the pokemon finally took notice of Steel, who was trying to fix her air from the gust.

You’ve arrived. I’ve waited to meet you for so long…

“Waited for me?” Steel raised a brow. Why would a pokemon like this wait for her of all people? “Why…?”

Long ago, we battled, together. As one being.

“As one being? You don’t mean…”

Soul, or as it’s been named in recent time, PokeSoul? Yes. I do mean that. That was many many years ago, too many to count. There was once a time where people and pokemon’s souls were connected and they battled as one. Those times were so peaceful but a figure soon arose trying to control such a skill… We combated with many other skilled warriors… and things happened to get out of hands…. I do not wish to recall…

The pokemon shook her head as she spoke, mauling over memories of past.

We sealed away the power in an ancient tablet in hopes it wouldn’t be found. Recent times has only proven our hopes in vain. An individual found the tablet and according to the word of various pokemon, this person is trying to make an army of Soul users.

Steel took this all in slowly. An army? Well, it did make sense she supposed. Rune did steal and kidnap various types of pokemon and trainers for their experiments. Sabrina was a good, not to mention successful, example of this.

“But, why are you telling me this? Do you… intend to battle once more…?”

We cannot idly stand by. You’ve seen what that fiend is able, have you not?

“Y…yeah. But… I dont know if I can fight. And Mewtwo scares me… she’s so strong…!”

So will we, I will teach you everything you need to know. Do not doubt yourself, nor be afraid. You will not fight this enemy alone. Both Moltres and Zapdose will join us in battle.

Steel slowly exhaled.

“I… I trust you… If you really think I can do it I’ll try. But… how does this work?”

That is quite simple, I’ve already acquired the information to allow the Soul transformation. Show me your mother’s ring.

Steel blinked. She glanced down to the silver band on her ring finger. Why would she…? suddenly it came to Steel, the dream she had in Lavender Town with the tiny bird. The key is also an important item… was that what the dream was trying to convey?

Maybe it really was.

Maybe this was fate, the true heir was to live and shepherd a counter attack against Hilda.

Steel lifted her hand to the bird and a cyan light enveloped the two. Slowly the body of Articuno vanished, cold winds spinning around Steel’s body like a twister. Lights faded and the spinning ceased. Steel knew she was changed, but how much was the real question. She glanced down at the reflective icy tiles and gasped as she touched her face. Was this really her?

She looked so different!

Her hair was suddenly a paling blue wavy short cut and light blue spiral curls rested on her shoulder. Strapped to her head was a pair of silver goggles. Her skin was paler than usual and makeup was applied to her, black eyeliner, blue eyeshadow and lipstick. Nails were even pained a blue and hands protected with white hand gloves.

She was donned in a light blue short cut jacket and vest along, both decorated with silver buttons. Under the best was a white dress shirt and ascot made from soft white hide. Her skirt reached halfway down her upper thigh. The blue bow attached to her skirt reached floor length and even dragged. Silvery boots reached her knees, which were covered with knee guards. To finish it all off, around her neck was a glowing white cape

“I hardly look like myself at all!”

But of course. It would be for the best to conceal your identity.

“I guess it would be.”

Now, let us go. We must locate your friends.

Steel’s face nearly fell. Why did Galvin and Brass only come to her attention now.

Ah. Wait. Before you go, can I request you take my maid with you? I’ve spent so much time with her.

Steel glanced to the Jynx. She smiled and nodded.

“I can do that.”

Two boys laid in the snow. Cold and weary as consciousness faded. For a moment, Galvin saw a figure before him. It looked like a woman but he wasn’t so sure of it.

Later he woke up with a fuzzy mind but he was no longer in the snow or in the Seafoam caves, instead he was on the back of Bubbles with Steel and Brass on the waves.

“Steel! Youre all right!” he exclaimed, forcing himself upright. She smiled.

“Of course I am, I just got a little lost!”

“You let go of my hand…”

“Nah, I just got lost.” she smiled. “We should just be happy were all okay.” Galvin sighed and glanced to Brass, giving him a few pokes. The downed boy grunted, indicating he wasnt dead or anything.

“I suppose so.”

“She’s very nice! I bet the two of you would get along!” Lina smiled. The pair continued down the hallway to their respective rooms.

“Really?”

“Yes, Mrs. Ariana is very nice!” Simon stopped dead in his tracks.

Ariana? She couldn’t…. No. That wasn’t possible…

It couldn’t be that woman…

“Is something wrong Simon?” Linda asked curiously when she noted a lack of footsteps. The boy jumped slightly.

“N-no… I’m fine.”