Chapter 35 - The Ice Fall Festival

Olga finally agreed to slow down as they left the crowded section of the beach. Both she and her Vanillite seemed less angry, and when they reached a secluded area, Olga turned her attention to a small house nestled among the rocks.

“Are you sure you don’t want to look for Rey and the others?” Celeste asked, stepping to her side. Olga halted, casting a weary glance at her before resuming her walk towards the house with a groan.

Celeste bit back a retort. Instead, she let Olga head to her “shrine” alone while she waited for Pat, who was lagging behind due to Aria’s added weight. Even after her Pokémon caught up, Celeste considered leaving. Maybe her friends had the right idea when they bailed earlier after all…

She glanced up at the path ahead, and, with a sigh, decided to follow Olga. Turning back now, after coming all the way here, seemed pointless.

As she approached the stone structure, Celeste noticed it was covered in moss, clearly old but not abandoned. There were no decorations or markers indicating its significance, yet it was well-maintained for all it was. Its simplicity actually had a certain charm.

She entered, curious if the interior would contrast with the modest exterior, expecting perhaps some hidden opulence. She was ready to be amazed.

And she was... in a way.

Much like the exterior, the interior was unadorned. No signs of extravagance or religious artefacts of any kind. No candles for Arceus, no offerings for Solgaleo, no sacrifices to Yveltal. Nothing like the temples Celeste had visited before. Instead, there was a spacious, empty room with a central statue of a man and murals on the walls. In the corner, a small workbench cluttered with wood pieces and carpentry tools sat alongside a box of candles.

The only other people inside were an elderly couple. The man chatted cheerfully with Olga, commenting on the recent cold spell. By the workbench, the woman sifted through the candle box, complaining about not finding the perfect one.

Olga, surprisingly, was kind to them. She engaged in small talk without her usual groaning and helped the woman search for a candle.

Celeste found this new behaviour almost endearing.

Absentmindedly petting her Vulpix’s soft puffs, she approached the statue in the centre of the room. It wasn’t particularly remarkable, but the careful craftsmanship and central placement suggested importance.

Her eyes drifted to a small plaque below it.

Captain Oliver Silverwind, founder of Polaris.

Aria tugged at the hem of Celeste’s pants, wanting up. Celeste chuckled at her curious little Pokémon and helped her up to her shoulders as they approached the murals. Olga’s Vanillite hovered in front of the leftmost one, and his expression filled with… sadness? No, that wasn’t quite that.

The mural in question depicted people and their Pokémon gathered before a ship. Judging by their clothes, that had taken place two or three centuries ago. In the background, Wingull and Pidove circled above the ship’s mast.

Celeste’s eyes shifted to the people in the painting, many standing alongside their Pokémon. One man with a Pansage caught her eye, as did a strangely familiar pink-haired woman with an Audino. There were others too—children, men, and women of all ages.

The crew appeared large and diverse.

She blinked at the images a few times. She vaguely remembered something about humans and Pokémon not coexisting well in the past. Was that before or after these people’s time? Despite all the history lessons she got from travelling with her parents, Celeste had always struggled with remembering specific dates.

She shook the thought away and refocused on the mural.

One figure in particular drew her attention. In the centre, she immediately recognised the man from the statue and the puppet play—Captain Silverwind. His dark skin contrasted beautifully with his long, silver hair, pulled back into a ponytail. He wore a wide grin and his green eyes gleamed in the sunlight.

“He looks a lot like Rey,” Celeste muttered to her Pokémon, and then noticed a tiny Vanillite perched on his shoulders. She peered back at Olga’s Vanillite.

It couldn’t be…

Celeste laughed at her own silliness and turned to read the small sign by the mural.

“Gateon Port—the start of a journey,” she read aloud, then looked at the Vulpix in her arms. “You wouldn’t know where Gateon Port is, would you?”

Powder tilted her head, making Celeste giggle. But unexpectedly, she actually got an answer.

“Orre,” Olga said, approaching her Vanillite and showing him a small candle. The Vanillite perked up at the sight. “Gateon Port is in Orre.”

Celeste turned back to the image. Despite her extensive travels, she knew little to nothing about Orre, which was odd. But she remembered Unova teeming with Pidove, and Orre… was supposed to be a big ass desert by Unova… right?

“This is the story from that puppet play, isn’t it?” Celeste asked Olga as they moved towards the next mural. This one depicted a storm, with Captain Silverwind standing confidently on the ship’s deck, arms wide open. The inscription read, Challenging Fate.

“Orre was as ravaged back then as it is now,” Olga explained, stopping by the mural. “Some say it was due to civil war, others believe Thundurus and Tornadus fought across the region. In the end, it doesn’t matter. Silverwind and his crew of like-minded people set sail, seeking safer shores in the far east.”

“Wouldn’t it have been easier to go to Unova?” Celeste asked, still studying the artwork. “I can’t imagine a journey like that centuries ago.”

Olga shrugged. “They were explorers, adventurers. Every land had its problems, so they sought a new place to start over.” She gestured to the mural. “Unfortunately, they sailed into a terrible storm. Legend says they fought to keep the ship afloat for days, but eventually, it began to break apart, and their supplies ran out.”

Celeste’s smile widened. “But Oliver didn’t surrender, did he? He challenged fate.”

Olga snorted. “To a puppet play, you pay attention, eh?”

They moved to the next mural, titled Meeting the star. It showed Captain Silverwind on his ship, but the storm was gone. A gentle halo encircled the vessel, with a shining star hovering before him.

Olga turned to Celeste, her expression softer now. She took a moment, carefully choosing her words. “According to the story, Silverwind prayed to the skies, and a star descended to guide him and his crew. He called it Polaris, and it led them to the new land they dreamed of.”

“Polaris?” Celeste repeated, recalling the inscription on the statue.

“That’s the name people give to the North Star that guides sailors to safety. That or maybe he just really liked the sound of it,” Olga said with a shrug, leading them to the final mural, titled A New Beginning.

The image depicted the stone building that would become the “shrine” they were in, still in its unfinished state. In the scene, humans and pokémon, mostly ice-types, worked together in its construction. In the background, Lapras glided through the sea, carrying crates and essential resources like wood and long strands of algae. On the land, Seel, Swinub, as well as the Pansage from the first mural, pushed rocks. The humans helped the Pokémon out, carrying the rocks and gathering food.

It was touching, actually. To see such harmony.

Silverwind wasn’t the central figure this time, but he stood in the background, lifting a rock to the wall being built, his Vanillite floating beside him.

“As you might have guessed, the land they found was an island mostly inhabited by ice Pokémon,” Olga continued. “The island was so cold they thought they had travelled all the way to the Arctic regions. But they were happy. Despite the temperature, the land was bountiful, and they could finally have their new start.”

Celeste smiled. “That’s a nice story. But I still don’t get why did you come here today? Wouldn’t last-minute ice-cream sales be more important?”

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Olga studied Celeste’s expression carefully. “Because today marks 279 years since Captain Oliver Silverwind and his crew, along with the ice Pokémon, built the first building of Polaris Village.” To reinforce her point, she gestured to the unfinished structure in the mural—the very building they were in. Practical from the beginning, it now stood as a shrine honouring Polaris Village’s founders and the star that guided them.

Celeste nodded, understanding the significance of the place.

And then it hit her.

“The town was called Polaris?!”

“In honour of the star… and probably because of the cold. And, like I said, Oliver liked the word.” Olga’s softness vanished in an instant.

“But this is Four Island, not Polaris,” Celeste argued.

“Do you really think anyone would name their town after the number four?” Olga crossed her arms, irritation creeping into her voice.

“Well, it could make sense if this was the fourth one they found,” Celeste shrugged and looked at her Pokémon for support. Powder had lost interest after the first mural, clearly preferring the puppets over the story. Pat blinked a few times and stared at the wall, equally disinterested. But Aria nodded vigorously, at least trying to follow along.

Olga let out an annoyed sigh. “When Kanto was annexing the Sevii Islands and making them their overseas territories, they changed the names.” She turned around to the workbench and examined two pieces of wood in there before half-turning to Celeste. “It was forty years ago, I think. The government thought it would be easier for the Kantonians if the islands’ names followed some simple dumb logic. Then people from the mainland moved here, and the name stuck.”

She gestured for Celeste to pick a candle from the box. Once she did, they both stepped outside. The sun was setting, clouds slowly cloaking the sky and making dusk darker than usual.

“Since the founding of Polaris Village, we’ve celebrated the Ice Fall Festival on this day. The festival’s name has changed over the years, but its essence has always remained,” Olga explained, walking towards the ocean. She stopped just past the waterline in the sand, squatting down without minding her pants getting wet.

“The… essence?” Celeste asked, crouching beside her.

“To remember. To be grateful,” Olga said. “We’re grateful for our history and the path that brought us here. We’re grateful to the stars that guided us, just as they guided our ancestors.”

She carefully placed the candle on top of the wood and retrieved a lighter from her pocket. The candle’s flame flickered to life, bright against the growing darkness. Olga waited a moment, letting the wax melt and adhere to the wood, securing the candle. She then motioned to her Vanillite, who floated near the candle, and gently released it into the water.

“We light this candle in gratitude for those who guided us to this moment,” Olga said, her voice taking on a reverential tone. The gentle waves lapped against the wooden raft as Vanillite floated nearby, using its ice powers to navigate the wave breaks and ensure the candle’s safety. “We also light it with hope, to guide those who may be lost on their own journeys. May our candles burn as bright as our spirits.”

In silence, Celeste watched everything unfold, feeling a bit bewildered and out of place in what was clearly an intimate moment. She was startled when Olga handed her the other piece of wood and gestured to the candle in her hand.

Celeste nodded, carefully positioning the candle on the wooden piece. She lit the flame, mirroring Olga’s earlier actions, and held the candle in place as the wax melted.

“The journey that led us here, huh,” she muttered to herself, watching her Pokémon gather closer.

She had broken her hand on her first day out. Before that, she had faced poachers and had felt fear and a sense of being lost more times than she could count. There were things around her she couldn’t explain… terrifying things. Yet, when she was scared, she met Powder in the mountains, and when she was lost, she found Pat in the sea. She had made friends—Delia, Luan, Lori, Mia, and even Rey. She had grown stronger. She had lost some battles, but she had also won some. She had even won a whole tournament.

Glancing to her side, Celeste noticed Olga observing her.

Perhaps most importantly, she had found a mentor for whom she would always be grateful. Despite their rocky start, Celeste believed she had made a friend for life in the quirky owner of the tackiest ice cream shop in the world.

The journey ahead was long, but she felt pride in how far she had already come.

“Pat,” she said softly. “Do you think you can take this candle past the shore break?”

The Slowpoke stared at her for a moment before letting out a cheerful “po.” With the wooden plate held gently in his mouth, Pat slowly made his way into the water. Celeste watched with a hint of nervousness, but Pat surpassed the breaking waves and released the wooden plate.

Olga sat by the water, content to simply watch their candles drift towards the setting sun. Celeste carefully joined her and let herself enjoy the gentle, yet chilly, breeze blowing. Nearby, their Pokémon cuddled together, also enjoying the moment.

After what felt like both a long and incredibly brief amount of time, Olga shifted her gaze towards Celeste. Her eyes seemed distant, carrying a hint of resigned sadness. “Thank you for being here with me today.”

Celeste’s heart sank. Olga had wanted her son to come...

“Not everyone values our history and traditions,” Olga said tiredly, answering the question Celeste had in her eyes. “To me, for better or worse, this is the ground we stand on as we build our future. To others, it’s a hindrance—an outdated practice that brings nothing to the table,” she sighed. “A waste of time.”

Celeste remembered Rey, and then the Mayor, calling the people who did this fanatics. She sensed that the so-called fanatics just wanted to be left alone to perform their rituals in peace.

“I think your traditions are beautiful,” Celeste said quietly, then attempted a smile. “As the daughter of two historians, I’m pretty sure I can come up with a bunch of arguments in favour of preserving them.”

Olga chuckled. “When I was younger, this was quite the show, with dozens of candles lighting up the ocean. I think you’d enjoy it.” With her gaze distant, she closed her eyes, letting the breeze wash over her. “I lived in Paldea for a while, studying under a chef in Cascarrafa. But no matter how far I was, I’d find a way to come here this time of year... I tried to teach Rey the importance of celebrating this date with his family, but he thinks I’m holding him back, keeping him close when he could be out on his journey.” She turned to Celeste, her eyes filled with sadness. “I started making up excuses for him to come, telling him I needed help with the business and that he was the only one good enough to solve my problems.”

“Olga…” Celeste whispered.

“It backfired, obviously. He gets really entitled sometimes.” She looked away and muttered, “I never apologised for that battle he made you fight, did I?”

Celeste smiled. “I really thought you were going to fire Delia back then...” she said, her eyes still fixed on the candles. “But it motivated me to start training more seriously. In the end, it turned out to be a good thing… I’m thankful for that.”

Olga’s eyes softened as she looked at her young protégé. She stood up, extending her hand. “Come on, we can’t have you being late for your big award.”

Celeste took her mentor’s hand, lifting Powder in her arms before following Olga towards the town.

“By the way, Lori told me something about north stars and following them a few days ago,” Celeste nudged Olga, letting her grin widen. “She said it was your advice… I’m curious about your… inspiration for that.”

Olga simply looked down at her, raised an eyebrow, and chuckled. “Don’t pry.”

—*——*—

“I am so sorry for bailing on you, Miss Olga!” Delia exclaimed the moment she saw Celeste and Olga enter the arena-turned-stage in the centre of Articuno Plaza. She was flustered, words tumbling out quickly. “I swear I only went along with them because I thought I could convince Rey to turn back… I…”

“Don’t worry about it, kid,” Olga waved her hand dismissively, her attention already drifting towards Mia and the other adults arranging snowflake-patterned boxes on a table. She left the girls and joined the organisers.

“Hey Cee, I’m really, really sorry I bailed on you too,” Celeste teased, mimicking Delia’s voice. She then raised her eyebrows at Luan and Rey, who were standing beside Delia. “Since when are you two friends?”

“We are not.”

“We… He… Yesterday?”

The boys spoke simultaneously, Luan blushing as usual, while Rey shrugged and walked off, carefully avoiding his mother as he left.

“Peace offering for leaving you behind earlier?” Luan said, raising his hands and pointing to a box on the table. “First prize was going to be this new incense kit Razzo is launching and a voucher for a spa day in Cinnabar’s Hot Springs. Mia thought this was lame, though, so you’re also getting a Protect TM. Pretty neat, huh?”

“Why not an ice move?” Delia teased. “I’d hate to get a TM for a move Shelly already knows.”

“I… uh… didn’t think about that…” Luan stammered. “I settled on a TM with a move most Pokémon could learn.”

Celeste giggled. “I’m happy with it.”

“What about the second place prize?” Lorelei asked, approaching the group.

Luan scratched the back of his head. “Just the voucher for the spa… sorry?”

She chuckled. “Good thing I’m heading to Cinnabar next. Maybe you should come along, Celeste?”

Celeste exchanged a quick look with Delia. Their plan had been to go to Pallet Town. Back in September, she had promised Professor Magnolia that the first thing she would do in Kanto would be to visit Professor Oak. She had even declared that absolutely nothing would distract her from that.

Well… it was November now, so there might have been a few distractions.

“That’s… one idea.” Celeste glanced at Delia again, but her friend remained silent.

“Ladies, gentlemen, and jammers of all ages!” DJ Jiggly Jams yelled enthusiastically, interrupting their conversation. “Please go to your seats, as our closing ceremony is about to begin!”

Lorelei gestured for Celeste to wait around the corner with her, suggesting it would be better to stay nearby for when they were called. Followed by their Pokémon, they started to move. Powder was still in Celeste’s arms, but Aria was using Pat as a glorified car, like she had done all day. As the crowd moved toward the stands, Celeste lingered behind to make sure her Slowpoke would move away and not let anyone trip on him.

When Pat finally started to walk, Celeste noticed a boy dressed as a ranger moving toward Lorelei.

He looked oddly familiar.

Celeste moved closer to her friend, trying to place a name to his face.

“There you are, Lorelei,” she heard the ranger say. “I hope you still remember what you said before, that you were taking me to the Lapras.”

The way he said “Lapras” hit Celeste like a bomb.

She remembered him. How could she not? After all, when the Lapras showed her their vision, Celeste made sure to commit the poachers to memory.

There was a woman with black hair and a piercing laugh.

There was Gozu, the large man she had also met on Mount Lanakila.

And then there was a boy…

He wore an oversized beret. She hadn’t seen his face well, but she remembered his voice... and his name.

Ryder.

Who looked and sounded a lot like the ranger casually talking to Lorelei about the location of the…

Of the Lapras...

The few that escaped his first attack.

Celeste’s heart pounded, and she felt the world closing in. There was no time to waste.

Powder sensed her trainer’s tension, and Celeste signalled for her Vulpix to get ready before placing her on the ground. She was ready to act on command. Aria and Pat followed suit, also sensing the urgency in the air.

“Hey Ryder!” Celeste yelled, hoping she was wrong.

But he turned to her, responding to the name. “What?”

She gritted her teeth. “Freeze him with Powder Snow and Water Gun. Aria, if he tries to run, use Swift. Now.”