Chapter 3: Changing state of mind


Serena glared at the door, willing it to open, with Ash behind it. When Clemont walked in, looked to where she was looking, and then back to her. "He still isn't back yet, then?" He asked.

Serena clenched her fists in her lap. She then got up. "That's it. I'm going looking for him!" She said finally. Clemont frowned, but tossed her her coat anyway. "You go get him, and come back quickly, alright? If you don't come back, i'll come too." He sighed.

Serena nodded and dashed out the Pokemon Center, pulling her coat on as she ran. "Ash, please... I know you've lost the battle after a streak of losses, but please... You can't just sit around like this, it isn't like you..." she thought.

After about a couple of minutes, She saw a blue figure, sitting on a damp log, staring into space. "Ash!" She cried.

Ash looked up, and made eye contact with his friend. "Oh, hey Serena. Sorry if I worried you or anything." He sighed.

Serena sensed his frustration. "Listen, if you're feeling down, you can talk to me, okay?" She told him.

Ash shrugged. "I don't really want to drag you down in my issues. Especially when I can sort them out myself."

Serena shook her head. "It won't drag me down! Besides, we can give you advice, or help you-"

Ash glowered. "Advice? Sorry Serena, but I don't need advice right now. What I need is to stop being so useless."

"No Ash, you're not useless!" Serena exclaimed.

"Then what am I, Serena?!" He snapped. Serena took a step backwards. Ash had never raised his voice at her before. "When I can't even help Greninja achieve his power-"

"So that's what this is about?!" yelled Serena.

"Of course it is! If I can't raise my Pokemon to reach their full potential, what good am I a trainer, huh?" He seethed.

She tried to manage a sincere smile, but her voice was shaky. "Ash, don't be so hard on yourself! All of us have been in the same position as you're in right now! Clemont losing control of Clembot... Even me! Remember when I lost-"

Ash jumped to his feet, his face contorted with anger. "Shut up! You don't have a clue how I feel! Especially you!" he raged.

Serena was crushed. Tears welled up in her eyes as she realised she currently had no respect for the boy standing in front of her. She had no faith in the reason she started travelling in the first place.

He carried on. "You and your pokemon are in perfect sync with each other! You won your showcase! So don't even act like you know what i'm feeling!"

"So just tell me about it!" She shouted. "You have that with your Pokemon, but you're just being blind right now!"

Ash glared at Serena, but he saw her upset face and felt awful. He knew he was in the wrong, that he had brought it on himself and he had just taken his frustration out on his friend, who was only trying to help.

He turned around, now just furious with himself. "Why can't you just leave me alone..?!"

A tear rolled down Serena's cheek. She couldn't see a trace of the old, kindhearted Ash in the current one.

Ash felt something cold and hard hit his head. He unconsciously felt the back of his head and turned around to see Serena holding a snowball in each hand. Her eyes were shadowed by her hat, her posture rigid.

"The Ash I know..." She muttered. "He would never be as cold and pathetic as you! The real Ash is usually very optimistic, works hard to do his best, acts like a leader and never gives up until the end!"

Ash's eyes widened. She chucked a snowball at him again. "You, aren't the Ash that I know!" She screamed, throwing a second snowball with tears in her eyes, this one hitting him square in the forehead, knocking him over. She spun on her heels and ran back the way she came. Ash felt like calling after, but he was too dazed by her words. "The real Ash?" He repeated to himself. "The real Ash... Hnrrgggh."

His hands flew to his temples. "Arrrghhh!" He screamed. Several Furrets who were watching him got scared and scampered. "What have I done?!" He punched himself, but it was too cold for him to feel anything. "Oh boy... I gotta stop acting like this!" He declared loudly, not really talking to anybody. "Maybe if I go for a run, i'll snap out of it." He said casually. With that, he got to his feet and charged through the forest.

He hadn't noticed above him was a Pokemon looking down on him. His Greninja was watching over him, and he followed Ash from above, in the trees.

Ash ran.

And ran.

He hadn't a clue where he was going - he just knew that he wanted to continue until he ran out of breath, and then he would head back. He just wanted to cool his head for now. Figuring out how to get past Wulfric would not work if his mindset was too narrow.

"Although, how AM I going to beat that Avalugg?" Ash thought while running. "Every time I attack, it uses avalanche. When I dodge, it covers the field with gyro ball."

"I know!" He exclaimed. "If I can somehow knock it over when it uses gyro ball, that'll create my opening- waaahhh!"

Ash was too wrapped up in his thoughts to realise he had just ran off a cliff, and slipped down into the snow. He tumbled down and the gravity threw him again, making him land on his backside.

"Oof..." he grunted. He got up, and took in his surroundings. "Well, oh boy, I'm lost, aren't I." He moaned.

Just when he thought it couldn't get worse, he felt a cold prick on his arm. Then another. He looked to the sky, and realised it was snowing. The snow started to roll in faster. He grunted, and went to go back the way he came. But he couldn't see his footprints - the snow had covered it up!

Ash groaned. "Oh great, now i'm stuck in a snowstorm with no shelter." He zipped up his jacket and started to run, looking for anywhere that wasn't forest. Soon enough, he spotted a cave, and made a b-line to it.

Once he was inside, he dropped onto his knees, and sat down. "Guess i'll wait for the snow to settle, then i'll head back." He said to himself. "I've really messed up this time. I hope the others aren't looking for me, thats for sure."


Meanwhile, back at the Pokemon Center, Clemont ran out onto the patio. He saw Serena on a bench outside, staring at the clouds with resentment.

"Serena, has Ash come back yet?!" He questioned, almost frantically.

No reply - not even a look in his general direction. Clemonts face fell as he realised she was definitely angry at Ash. Did they have an argument when she saw him?

Instead, he tapped his feet, to show impatience. "The forecast said its gonna be a blizzard. If he's still out there-"

He was interrupted by the sound of Serena punching the bench's arm. "Argh! I get it, I get it!" she yelled. got up and sped off again. This time, Clemont and Bonnie were behind her. Pikachu ran outside and gathered Fletchinder and Noivern.

"Pikapika!" He exclaimed to the Pokemon. They seemed to understand what it meant - 'Help me search for Ash!'. They took to the skies, and Pikachu sprinted after Serena, Clemont and Bonnie.


Ash was watching the snow fall for a while, but then he noticed there were several Pokemon staring back at him. He smiled to them. "Hey!" Some of them reared back. "Wanna stay with me? It's warmer in here!"

The Pokemon looked between each other, and very gingerly paced towards him. Soon the group huddled around him: An oddish, scatterbug, furret, budew and a zigzagoon in his lap. His mind immediately flashed to a memory from the summer camp he met Serena - when he was in a cave during a storm, he stayed warm with another group of Pokemon by his side. He smiled, remembering how that experience from summer camp was why he wanted to be a trainer. He stayed like this, his eyes on the weather, but then he noticed something strange about one of the trees outside the cave he was in. He checked closer - There was a group of Spewpa, all shivering, sat on the branches!

It took Ash two seconds to figure out what to do - He put his cap back on and left the cave, telling the Pokemon to stay and wait for him. He reached the tree and scaled it, picking up one Spewpa at a time and lowering them to the bottom of the tree.

"Alright, one to go." He muttered to himself. He climbed the tree again and crawled onto the branch, which had started to creak. "Come on Spewpa, come to me and i can get you back to your friends, into the warmth!"

The spewpa stared at him admiringly, and went to take a jump - and Ash caught it! "Yes! That was awesome!" He beamed. Unfortunately, the branch was cracking - and it quickly snapped.

Ash started hurtling down the mountainside with the Spewpa in arms, but then suddenly, the ground stopped rushing towards him. He looked up to see Greninja, his tongue stopping him from falling any further. "Greninja!" He yelled, relieved, but then his fingers numbed and his grip on Spewpa loosened. "No! Spewpa!" He called out. Suddenly, his vision sharpened, and to his eyes, the Spewpa fell in slow motion. It was the same feeling as Ash-Greninja; they had activated it once again. Greninja became cloaked in water, and it rushed down the mountainside.

Ash viewed it from Greninja's eyes, and directed his Pokemon out of the trees that rushed up too fast for him to notice. "To your left! Now stay right! Dodge it!" He told him. Greninja successfully navigated its way down, and caught the Spewpa in midair, returning to the top and transforming back into normal.

Ash sighed in relief. "Greninja, thanks a lot for helping me." He scratched his nose. "And, uh, sorry, if I worried you."

"Greninja!" The Pokemon said, raising its flipper for a high five. They placed the Spewpa group into the cave, just in time for the storm to finally die down.

"You know, Greninja, I did this once before, when I was a kid." He recalled. Greninja listened intently. "Yeah... Being with Pokemon made me so happy, i just knew I had to become a trainer so I can meet lots of Pokemon."

He hesitated, and then sighed again. "Greninja, I really was blind, Serena was right. I wanted my eighth badge so badly, that I got too worked up about it, and it ended up coming to bite me after all. I thought I should do it all as the trainer, and I lost focus of what teamwork is really about." He smiled at his friend. "When we saved Spewpa together, that was real teamwork. I could only do it because you were with me. So, if you would, I would really appreciate it if from now on, we worked together."

He stuck out his hand. Greninja's eyes wavered, and then he smiled, grasping Ash's hand firmly.


Serena, Clemont and Bonnie were in a cave also, waiting for the snow to stop, and when it did, they immediately left. Serena bit her lip. "I hope Ash is okay..." She muttered, but when she looked up again, there were two figures in front of her, their identity hidden by fog. They stepped closer-

"Ash!" Serena cried.

Ash smiled sheepishly. "Hey, Serena. Sorry about all the trouble I caused, and especially what I said before."

Serena stepped down. "Don't be, Ash..."

He shook his head. "No, I definitely should be. You were completely right, and I was just being awful. I've finally got it all back together now."

She beamed. "In that case, I forgive you. I'm glad you're back. The real Ash."

He smiled back at her. "I owe you one." And he leaned over to pat her on the shoulder, causing Serena to blush intensely. Bonnie stifled a giggle.


He swung the doors to the Snowbelle gym open again. "I'm back, Wulfric!"

The gym leader grinned. "You think you can beat me this time?"

Ash grinned back. "Think? I'm sure this time."

Wulfric guffawed. "Now that's what i like to hear! Well, let's get this started then! Bring out your first Pokemon Ash!"

The referee ran into position. "Wait, I need to explain the rules first!" He interrupted.

"Bah, what does it matter? We already know them! 3 Pokemon only, you lose if all three are knocked out! Isn't that right Ash?" He dismissed.

Ash nodded, scratching the back of his head. "Well then, Pikachu, i choose you, buddy!" He said to his partner next to him. Pikachu got onto its fours and pounced into the arena.

"Go, Bergmite!" Wulfric boomed, throwing a pokeball, to reveal his Pokemon.

"Bergmite, huh? Alright Pikachu, use Electro Ball!" Ash shouted.

Pikachu lobbed a electrical sphere off its tail at Bergmite, who expertly slid on the ice. Ash grinned. "I knew it! Alright Pikachu, use Iron Tail!"

Pikachu jumped above the icicle Pokemon, and its tail turned silver.

"Bergmite, Icy Wind!" ordered Wulfric. It fired a rush of cold wind at Pikachu, but that didn't stop the electric mouse from crashing a blow on Bergmite's head. The Pokemon staggered back.

"Pikachu, keep on it with Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted again.

Pikachu charged its specialty, and unleashed a torrent of lightning upon the ice type.

"Alright Bergmite, use Sharpen!" Wulfric grunted. The Pokemons body hardened, the icicles on it building up until it was completely encased in ice. "Now Rapid Spin!"

With surprising speed, Bergmite sailed towards Pikachu, knocking it high up into the air and dealing major damage.

Clemont gritted his teeth while watching. "Sharpen is a move that increases the users attack power by sharpening its edges!" He explained intensely to his companions.

Ash looked at Pikachu. "You alright, buddy?" Pikachu turned back and nodded.

Ash took a moment, and then an idea came. "Alright Pikachu, circle Bergmite with Quick Attack!"

Pikachu complied, charging towards Bergmite, but veering off around it. Bergmite chased after it, but the ice caked on Pikachu's legs melted away. "Now hit it!" Ash yelled.

Pikachu spun on its back paws and tackled the Bergmite, knocking it over. "Quick, use Iron Tail!" Ash called.

Again, Pikachu's tail went metallic and he swung it into Bergmites head. The damage was too much - it fainted.

"Bergmite is unable to battle!" The ref declared.

Wulfric returned his pokemon. "Impressive." He growled. He stared at his next Pokeball, and threw. "Go Avalugg!"

Ash faced Pikachu. "Alright buddy, now here's where the battle really heats up! Thunderbolt, go!"

Pikachu leapt into the air, and fired a powerful ray of lightning at Avalugg, inflicting damage.

"Avalugg, use Avalanche!" Wulfric boomed.

Pikachu was hit by the falling snowstorm, but managed to get out. "Pikachu, run!" Ash shouted.

Pikachu sprinted to the side. "Avalugg, stop it with Gyro Ball!" commanded Wulfric.

Avalugg started to spin towards Pikachu; It looked like there was no escape. However, Ash grinned. "Pikachu, nows our chance! Strike the ground with Iron Tail!"

Pikachu obeyed, its tail turning silver in colour and smashing against the battlefield. The ice cracked and shot up, causing the iceberg to topple over.

"What?!" Wulfric exclaimed, shocked. "Alright then Avalugg, use Stone Edge!"

Avalugg got to its feet and struck the ground, causing rocks to come out of the earth. Pikachu barely dodged them unscathed.

"Pikachu, Quick Attack, and then run!"

Wulfric exhaled sharply. "Gyro Ball, go!"

The two Pokémon collided, but Pikachu was easily overpowered by Avalugg's sheer weight. He was thrown ruthlessly onto the ice, unconscious.

"Pikachu is unable to battle!" Stated the referee.

Ash rushed over to Pikachu, and gently picked him up. "You've done really well, buddy. You can take a good rest now." He soothed. Ash carried him to where his companions sat. "Hey Serena!" He called. "Can you take care of Pikachu?"

"You got it!" Said Serena, picking up the electric mouse and placing him in her lap.

Ash rushed back, Pokeball in hand. "Greninja! I choose you!"

The frog Pokémon emerged, prepared for battle.

"Okay Greninja, let's do this." Ash grinned. "We're gonna grow stronger, together. Let's win this!" Once again, Ash felt his senses heighten and his adrenaline race. Greninja transformed immediately, once again enveloped in water.

Clemont watched on, awed. "He's done it! He's figured out how to trigger Greninja's true power!"

"Now that's the true Ash, the one that I know." Serena glowed.

"Greninja!" Ash said, from within Greninja's own mind. "Use Cut!"

Greninja charged forward, and Wulfric couldn't predict what move Greninja was using - the blade connected with Avalugg's head; a direct hit.

"Avalugg! Avalanche!" The panicked Gym leader bellowed.

"Okay Greninja, dodge it by moving forward!" Ash said, hoping that the luck part of his plan would work in his favour.

"Big mistake!" Laughed Wulfric. "Avalugg, Gyro Ball, now!"

Avalugg prepared to spin, but it couldn't. Wulfric's eyes narrowed in horror. He focused on his Pokémon, and noticed it was sparking with electricity.

Clemont jumped up and punched the air. "Incredible!" He cried. "Pikachu's ability, static, must've activated when Pikachu was hit by the Gyro Ball, meaning Avalugg can't move and thus can't punish dodging Avalanche, which must've been Ash's plan all along!"

Ash smiled. "Finish him off with Aerial Ace!" He shouted. Greninja sprinted forward again, so fast it wasn't visible for a split second, and hit the iceberg Pokémon, breaking the icy stage around its feet, knocking it out.

"Avalugg is unable to battle!" Said the referee.

Wulfric's determined grimace turned into a satisfied grin. "I must say, that was a remarkable strategy you pulled off there, Ash. Let's see if you can carry this on! Go, Abomasnow!"

Wulfric whipped out a pokeball and threw it into the field. Out came the Abomasnow Ash fought against before.

Ash focused. This wasn't over yet; he couldn't get complacent now. "Greninja, use Water Shuriken!" He told his pokémon.

Greninja leapt into the air, a huge Water Shuriken expanding on its back. He clutched it, and threw it at the Abomasnow, who staggered backwards.

"Abomasnow, use Wood Hammer!" Wulfric commanded. Abomasnow summoned the hammer, but couldn't move. Like before, its feet were frozen!"

Ash saw his chance. "Greninja, Cut, now!"

The fleeing Greninja made a U-turn and prepared another Cut, so powerful it broke the ice at Abomasnows feet when it hit.

"Follow it up with Aerial Ace!"

Wulfric tried his last. "Abomasnow, Blizzard!"

It was no use. Not even the entire move could stop Greninja - it impacted the Abomasnow and sent it reeling back to Wulfric. The final knockout.

The referee stuck his hand in the air. "Abomasnow is unable to battle, so the victor is Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town!"

Ash leapt into the air and high fives his frog Pokémon. "We did it! We beat Wulfric!"

Wulfric stepped over to him, holding out the badge. "Congratulations, Ash! That was an exciting battle you gave me. You've earned this Iceberg Badge." With that, he dropped the badge into Ash's open palm.

Ash closed his hand around it. "Yes!" He yelled at the sky. "I've got, the iceberg badge!" all his Pokémon joined in the cheer as well.


Ash waited at the Pokémon for his two Pokémon to be healed. After a while, Nurse Joy wheeled out a cart with Greninja's Pokeball and Pikachu. "Pikachu!" Ash cried, holding his friend in his arms.

Clemont looked pleased. "So Ash, all eight badges!"

Ash grinned. "That's right! I'd better train hard for the League!"

"Ash, Clemont, look!" Serena said. She showed the two her map, and Bonnie took a look as well. "The League's taking place in Lumiose City!"

"Awesome!" The three exclaimed in unison.

Ash got up. "We've gotta get there now then!" He shouted. "Let's go!" He turned around and rushed out of the Pokémon Center, followed closely by Serena and Bonnie, and not so closely by Clemont.


Whew! This was pretty difficult to recall from memory! In fact, I completely made up the last part of that battle with Wulfric. Thanks for reading, and have a nice day!

Reviews:

Well this seems a bit interesting, needs more amourshipping moment my dude

I do agree - this is quite lacking of amourshipping moments sadly - I've tried to incorporate more into the story (without it becoming filler) but I've written it to be quite strictly in line with the real story. but, I will try, after all this is an amourshipping fiction!