As Ash and company continue on their journey, they make a quick pit stop at a Pokemon Center before continuing on their way to Snowbelle City where Ash hopes to win his eighth and final Kalos gym badge, in hopes of entering the Kalos League. Its starting to get dark outside, so the group had decided to call it day for the night and stay at the Pokemon Center.
"Just a little bit longer, Pikachu!" Ash said with a psyched tone. "Just a little bit longer and that last badge will be in our hands! You excited too, buddy?"
"Pika Pikachu!" The Electric type squealed in excitement.
Serena couldn't help but giggle at the two. "You two sure are fired up."
"Of course!" The young Pokemon Master replied. "After winning our next gym badge, the Kalos League is right after that! Just thinking about it gets me so pumped!"
"After leaving the Pokemon Center, we should be able to make it to Snowbelle City by tomorrow afternoon." Clemont chimed in. The group continued to talk for a bit longer, discussing their plans for the following day until a familiar voice rang in Ash's ears.
"Well, well." A male voice said. "If it isn't Ash!"
Ash turned to the source of the voice and an excited smile instantly spread across his face. When he turned around, he saw another boy with a black shirt, black backpack, a Mystic Water necklace around his neck, brown spiky hair and black eyes.
"Gary!" Ash ran toward him, shaking his hand upon reaching him. "Fancy meeting you here!"
"How's it been, Ash?" Gary asked smiling.
"It's been great!" Ash said. "We're on our way to the Snowbelle City gym to get our last gym badge for the Kalos League!"
"That's great, Ash!" Gary complimented. "Good to hear your trip through Kalos is going great."
"Who's this, Ash?" Clemont asked.
"Oh yeah, I haven't introduced you guys yet." Ash said. "This is Gary Oak. We grew up in Pallet Town together and were rivals during our journies through Kanto and Johto."
"It's nice to meet you, Gary." Serena said. "My name is Serena."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Gary." Clemont said. "My name is Clemont."
"My name is Bonnie!" Clemont's little sister chimed in. "And this Dedenne as well as Squishy."
"De nene!" A small Pikachu-like mouse Pokemon waved its paw at Gary along with a green blob like Pokemon with a red belly and one eye popping out of Bonnie's bag.
"It's nice to meet you as well." Gary smiled and then noticed Squishy. "What kind of Pokemon is that?" He started to take out his Pokedex, but no data turned up. "No data, huh?"
"We're not quite sure yet, either." Clemont said. "Professor Sycamore in Lumious City is still looking into it for us to determine just what kind of Pokemon Squishy is."
"I see." Gary said.
After getting more acquainted, they all go to the Pokemon Center's cafeteria for dinner and conversation. "Gary, I couldn't help but notice your last name was 'Oak' when Ash introduced you to us." Serena said. "Does that mean you're related to Professor Oak?"
"Yep." Gary nodded. "Professor Oak is my grandfather. And just like him, I decided to become a Pokemon Researcher. So after my journey in the Johto region, I decided to do that." Ash's three companions gave a look of interest as Gary continued his explanation on what he had been doing.
"So what are you doing here in Kalos, Gary?" Ash asked curiously.
"I actually just arrived here from Hoenn yesterday after doing a bit of research on Groudon, Kyogre and Rayquaza." He informed. "After I was done there, I decided to come check out the Kalos region."
"What for?" Clemont asked.
"There's a group of mountain ranges just to the northwest of here known as Icy Peak. And apparently, the Legendary Pokemon, Articuno is said to reside there."
"Articuno!?" Ash and Clemont reacted.
"Yeah." Gary nodded. "So I came to check out."
Serena, knowing nothing about this Legendary Pokemon decided to look for it in her Pokedex. "Articuno, the Freeze Pokemon. Articuno lives deep within the mountains and can create blizzards by freezing the moisture in the air. Along with Zapdos and Moltres, it is known as one of the three Legendary birds of the Kanto region." The encyclopedia informed.
"It looks so cute!" Bonnie exclaimed when she saw it's picture on the screen.
"I was planning on going to those mountains tomorrow and see for myself if Articuno really is there." The Pokemon Researcher informed.
"If you don't mind Gary, could we come with you?" Ash asked. "It would be so amazing to see Articuno in person!"
"I'd like to see Articuno as well." Clemont asked.
"Same here!" Serena exclaimed.
"Yeah, sure." Gary nodded. "The more merrier."
After a few more hours of conversation, the group finally hit the sack and waited for the day to change before going to the mountains to see the Legendary Freeze Pokemon.
~Meanwhile Elsewhere...~
"Your request is the Legendary Pokemon, Articuno? Icy Peak? Very well. I look forward to doing business with you."
Somewhere unknown, a woman with silver hair, black goggles over her eyes and wearing black and red clothing had just hung up the phone with a sinister smirk on her face. She was known none other as Pokemon Hunter, J. Very successful in what she does, which is stealing rare and valuable Pokemon selling them for high prices to those who employ her.
"Alright, men!" She said waving her hand horizontally giving an order. "Ready the ship for Icy Peak in the Kalos region! Our target is the Legendary Pokemon, Articuno!"
"Yes, sir!" They all said simultaneously readying the ship.
"Beware Articuno...You will be in my hands soon enough..."
