Following Ash's loss at the Snowbelle City gym, we're now back because he's ready for a rematch. Entering the battlefield, everyone was determined to win today. Wulfric, who greeted us again, says,"Well, well. Back for another match? I can hardly wait. Let's get going," as he releases his first choice, which ended up being Mamoswine. As we watched from the bleachers, I say,"Huh. So he's starting with Mamoswine this time. How will Ash respond to this"? Ash knew who he would use first as Raichu was raring and ready to go. Clemont says,"I wonder if Ash will apply the same strategy he used with Avalugg with Mamoswine." I mention,"Well, there's no hail at the moment, so that's a start. Let's see how this goes." The referee called for the battle to begin as both sides were ready to give it their all. Raichu started with wild charge, much to our surprise. I thought it was going to attack, but we were wrong. Raichu was using wild charge for speed to try and confuse Mamoswine. Mamoswine tried to stop it with earthquake, but the speed and momentum allowed Raichu to jump high and landed a hit iron tail. Then, it jumped and unveiled a new move right before our eyes. Hitting in the same spot iron tail hit was a very potent brick break, dropping Mamoswine to the floor.
We were in shock as even Wulfric asked Ash,"When did you teach Raichu how to use brick break"? Ash said,"I didn't. Raichu learned it all on its own." Raichu was getting fired up, hence the huge sparks coming out of its cheeks. I say,"Using brick break, which is specifically effective on ice types was good. The best part was that it hit exactly where Raichu first used iron tail, which adds in extra damage." Mamoswine was shaky, but able to stand as it was not ready to lose. It went in with double-edge as Raichu jumped high and ended the battle with a swift brick break, making the ice battlefield shatter, revealing dirt once again. The referee announced that Mamoswine was now unable to continue as Ash praised Raichu for a great battle and for learning brick break. Wulfric returned Mamoswine before saying,"Clever Ash having Raichu use brick break like that. It's a powerful move, especially against ice." Ash responded back,"That's because we've been training hard since our last match. Ready to win this time." Wulfric smiled before releasing his next choice, which was Avalugg. Since there was no hail, ice body will have no effect, but it's still powerful in defenses and its avalanche is strong. So, either Ash will have Raichu stay in or substitute for someone else. Ash decided to call back Raichu as he pulled out another pokeball, which released Druddigon out for battle.
I seemed to catch the pattern as I say,"I get it. Raichu vs Mamoswine, Druddigon vs Avalugg. Ash is using the pokemon that lost to one of Wulfric's choices as a way for them to have another chance of beating them. Raichu easily got Mamoswine, but just how will Druddigon deal with Avalugg"? Ash started out by having Druddigon use dragon pulse, which Avalugg countered with stone edge, creating an explosion. In the explosion, Ash had Druddigon use bulk up three times in a row, drastically raising its attack power and its defenses. Then, it charged in and landed a clean hit with fire punch. Then, we noticed something that started to form. Avalugg just got the burn status and was now taking chip damage from it. Druddigon then used flash cannon, adding on extra damage before it could react. Katie says,"Ash is having Druddigon attack so much, Wulfric can't seem to catch a break." Clemont says,"A smart move, which allows Ash to wrap the battle up quick." Ash was ready to wrap it up as he had Druddigon charge in with fire punch as Wulfric had Avalugg intercept it with ice fang. However, it missed and fire punch landed the knockout blow, putting lights out for Avalugg. Ash praised Druddigon for a great job as it roared loudly to assert its dominance out on the field.
Bonnie and Iris were cheering as Clemont says,"Ash is on a roll, knocking out two pokemon in a row, especially Avalugg, which gave him a hard time before. This is not the same Ash from a couple days ago." I say,"One more win and Ash will earn his final badge. Now, let's see how it goes." Serena couldn't help but smile, happy that the Ash she knew was back and better than ever. Even Ember agreed as she cheered loudly for Ash. Ash returned Druddigon since he already knew who he wanted to use last. Wulfric returned Avalugg before saying,"Trust in your pokemon and there's no limit to what you can achieve." It was now 3-1 and Wulfric had one last pokemon left. As he let out his final choice, which was Abomasnow, it used its ability snow warning, and conjured up a hailstorm. Ash then let out his third choice, which was none other than Greninja. It was now time for a heated match to see who will win. Greninja started out by pelting Abomasnow with multiple hits from aerial ace before landing back to back water shurigens. Abomasnow formed an energy ball before Greninja destroyed it with cut and got blown back a bit. This battle was only starting for Ash and he wasn't ready to lose.
Abomasnow jumped and then landed a clean hit with wood hammer, but Greninja wasn't ready to bow down yet. Not this time. Greninja looked at Ash and they both agreed that now, it was time to synchronize, as one. Once the water vortex appeared, it absorbed and became a giant water shurigen on its back with the black tufts and red diamond. Ash-Greninja, the true one, has appeared. Now, things are really getting heated up. Greninja charged in and pelted Abomasnow with aerial ace once again. Abomasnow tried to counter with wood hammer, but Greninja blocked and landed some damage with cut. Wulfric, seeing this, says,"You know what? It's like a completely different pokemon than it was before." Greninja then launched a water shurigen that hit Abomasnow harder than before. Wulfric then asked Ash,"You were here just a few days ago. How could you've gotten so much stronger"? Ash responded with,"Working with my pokemon. That's how. Strong, together." Feeling inspired by their power, Wulfric revealed his keystone and had Abomasnow mega evolved. Soon, in its place was a bigger, more powerful, Mega Abomasnow. Since Ash and Greninja were fired up, responding with Mega Evolution is a courtesy in Wulfric's perspective.
Greninja launched a water shurigen as Mega Abomasnow destroyed it with ice punch. It then launched ice shard as Greninja dodged most of them, but ended up getting hit. Using the momentum, Greninja launched into double team as the copies all went in with aerial ace. Mega Abomasnow destroyed all the copies with wood hammer and ended up hitting the real one, doing more damage. It launched ice shard again as Greninja charged in with cut, evading them carefully. The blades of cut met with ice punch, which caused them to freeze. Mega Abomasnow went in with wood hammer as Greninja skated on the blades to dodge wood hammer and ice shard. It then launched a water shurigen, which was destroyed with ice punch. However, that was a diversion as Greninja pelted Mega Abomasnow with aerial ace one last time, ending the battle at last. Abomasnow returned to its original form as Ash was announced the winner. Greninja returned to its normal form as well as both it and Ash celebrated a huge victory after that heated match. We all came down and joined him in the celebration as we all fist bumped together as a group.
Wulfric joined us, saying,"That battle had heat. In the moment you clinched victory Ash, I saw a glimpse of Liz in you. You both share the same fiery spirit that I saw here today." In recognition of his win, Wulfric awarded Ash the Iceberg Badge, which totaled 8 badges he now possessed. That only means one thing: Ash can now enter the Kalos League. I say,"Congratulations Ash! Now, you can enter the Kalos League. I do hope that either before, after, or even during if it's possible, you and I can have that full battle I promised you." Ash says,"How about when the time is right? We'll both know when that is and when it comes, we'll have that battle and I'll win this time. I'll show you how we all have grown since we first met." I tipped my hat, grew a determined look in my eyes, and say,"I will be waiting Ash, and I can't wait for Liz-Sino to face Ash-Greninja. It will be a formidable showdown no doubt." We both shook hands as Wulfric admired us and says,"Now, this is the fiery spirit in you guys that I like to see. You two are mighty fine trainers destined for greatness." We both thanked him for his kind words as we started heading out towards the pokemon center, ready to rest up and prepare for what lies ahead.