"Okay, I'm all set." Goh said, having put on a warm coat. "Are you going to be warm enough in that Ash?" Goh asked.
"Yeah, this should be fine." Ash said. He was wearing a gray hooded sweater dress with a white fur inside, along with black fleece leggings, and some fur lined boots.
"Cute, as long as you'll be comfortable and warm, I think it's fine." Chloe said, wearing the coat from Sinnoh. "We have to walk from here, just remember that."
"nom." The Snom said, from Ash's hood.
"Yeah, hold on." Ash said, reaching into his bag, pulling out a small cookie.
"You understood that?" Chloe said surprised.
"Not even a little, but Snom always seems to be hungry." Ash said, Snom having already finished the cookie.
"You're spoiling the little guy." Goh said.
"Oh, what's the harm, we'll reach Circhester, and then he'll evolve and be on his way." Ash said.
"If we want to make it, we should be going, the festival is tomorrow, it will take us most of the rest of today to get there." Chloe said.
"Great, more tourists for the Snowflake festival." A boy around their age said, sarcastically.
"We're here to see the evolutions, what's your problem with the festival?" Ash asked.
"Because my mom makes a huge deal out of it every year, and I get stuck helping her out, even though I want nothing to do with it." The boy said.
"So, I work for my dad, and you don't see me complaining." Chloe said.
"Do you enjoy it though?" The boy asked.
"For the most part yes, I mean there are days I don't like it, but the bad days let me know he cares." Chloe said.
"She parades me around the entire time, despite no one caring that I'm a trainer." The boy said.
"Then why don't you stick with us, if you're with guests, what can she say." Goh offered.
"That, might actually work, I'm Gordie by the way." Gordie said.
"I'm Goh, this is Ash, and Chloe." Goh said introducing the group.
"Hi." Chloe said meekly.
"Nice to meet you." Ash said, extending his hand.
As they were leaving, Goh and Gordie were having a friendly conversation in front, as Ash and Chloe lagged behind.
"Seriously, him?" Ash said.
"What do you mean?" Chloe said, trying to seem uninterested.
"I mean, first there was Gladion, and now Gordie. You like em' broken." Ash said, nudging Chloe.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Chloe said.
"I'm surprised you haven't swooned for Goh yet." Ash said with a laugh, awaiting a punch. "Oh, no way."
"Don't tell him! It was years ago, we were six!" Chloe said.
"Okay, my lips are sealed." Ash said.
"What do you think they're talking about up there?" Chloe asked.
Up with Goh and Gordie
"Jasmine or Valerie?" Goh asked.
"Jasmine, no question." Gordie said. "My turn, Ash or Chloe."
"Neither, I kinda burned those bridges." Goh admitted.
"So you're saying they're single?" Gordie asked.
"Chloe, yes. As for Ash I have no clue." Goh admitted. Personally he thought Ash fabricated the story about having found Serena, he hadn't seen any solid evidence that it had happened.
"Cool to know she's available." Gordie said.
"Which one?" Goh asked.
"Either, this festival is at least good for the charms." Gordie said with a smile.
Back with Ash and Chloe
"Where'd you get that necklace?" Ash asked, seeing the icicle shaped necklace.
"You know, I can't remember where, but it looks nice at least." Chloe said, taking a closer look at it.
"Oh Gordie! Can we get a quick interview!" A woman with a microphone asked.
"Hold on guys." Gordie said to Ash and Co.
"So Gordie, word has it you'll finally be taking over the gym after this festival, is that true?" The woman asked. "And if so, will you plan on keeping it as your mother's ice type theme, or going with a new type?"
"No comments." Gordie said angrily.
"Then how about a battle. With you being the next big gym leader, a battle would do wonders for publicity!" The woman said.
"I said no comments." Gordie said a bit more angry.
"Well, if they want a battle, how about one." Ash said calmly.
"What, you think you're worth their time?" Gordie said. "If my mom wasn't a gym leader, I wouldn't even be on their radar."
"How's this for being worth their time." Ash said pulling up his phone, and showing his world coronation rank, "Rookie year by the way."
"127! As a rookie!" The woman said, "This is a big scoop!"
"Okay, Ash. Let's do this." Gordie said with a smile.
"Dragonite! I choose you!"
"Come on out Shuckle!"
"Heliolisk! Let's go!"
"Klinklang! Let's roll!"
"Ash, I have a plan, can you keep them busy?" Gordie asked.
"Keeping people busy is what we do best." Ash said.
"Dragonite use Dragon Claw!"
"Shuckle use Iron Defense!"
"Heliolisk use Parabolic Charge!"
"Klinklang use Shift Gear!"
Electricity spun around Dragonite and Shuckle, as Dragonite struck Klinklang, who began spinning faster.
"Dragonite use Hurricane!"
"Shuckle use Iron Defense!"
"Heliolisk use Iron Tail!"
"Klinklang use Zap Cannon!"
As Dragonite spun the Pokémon around faster and faster, Ash turned to Gordie.
"Any time now." Ash said.
"Trust me, this'll be worth the wait." Gordie said. "Now Shuckle use Iron Defense again!"
"Dragonite use Hyper Beam!"
"Heliolisk use Thunderbolt!"
"Klinklang use Flash Cannon!"
Dragonite might have been strong, but even he had his limitations. While Gordie and Shuckle were busy doing their master plan, Dragonite had sustained enough damage to be defeated.
"Dragonite return! Come on out Leavanny!"
"Shuckle use Power Trick!"
"Leavanny use X Scissor!"
"Heliolisk use Iron Tail!"
"Klinklang use Flash Cannon!"
Leavanny and Heliolisk collided, with Heliolisk being sent flying, defeated, finally turning the battle in a positive direction. Where Shuckle was, the Flash Cannon hit directly, and when the smoke cleared Shuckle was fine.
"Heliolisk return! Come on out Noivern!"
"Ash! I need them close together, we can take them both out!" Gordie exclaimed.
"How!? You haven't attacked once!" Ash shouted angry at his battle partner.
"Just trust me!" Gordie exclaimed.
"Okay! Leavanny use String Shot!"
"Noivern use Acrobatics!"
"Klinklang use Shit Gear!"
"Shuckle use Gyro Ball!"
Leavanny struggled to keep the Pokémon in place. Ash only hoped Gordie knew what he was doing. Shuckle wasn't known for its offensive strength. Shuckle spun into the strung up Pokémon, knocking both out immediately.
"That's how you battle." Gordie said, striking a pose.
"Togedemaru! You're up!"
"Leavanny use X Scissor!"
"Shuckle use Gyro Ball!"
"Togedemaru use Zing Zap!"
Shuckle's lost defense caused it to go flying from the attack, knocking it out immediately. While Leavanny struck the attacker back.
"Shuckle, return. Coalossal let's go!"
"Leavanny use String Shot!"
"Coalossal use Heat Crash!"
"Togedemaru use Rollout!"
Leavanny tied up the crazily spinning Togedemaru, as Coalossal slammed down on their opponent.
"Exactly what we'd expect from a future gym leader." The woman said. "Can we get an interview now?"
"No, I'll keep saying this until you understand." Gordie said angrily.
"I'm not saying they aren't crossing a line." Ash said. "But there is a camera on us, think about what you're going to do next."
"I'm going into town, you guys coming." Gordie said.
In town
"Thanks for joining us Gordie, maybe we'll see you tomorrow at the festival." Chloe said.
"What? Do you really think you're staying at the Pokémon Center? After that battle, you guys can stay at my place for the night." Gordie said with a smile.
"Thanks Gordie!" Ash said.