Chapter 52: Subhail Wonderland
The sound of barking causes Ash and Alice to wake up after a deep sleep inside of the hiding area that Alice used to stay in when she was little. They look around and notice how Paul and Paula are keeping them warm and the same goes with the two small Rinolar. As they move their sights, they notice that they are hugging each other tightly and their face starts to heat up and steam is coming out from both people's ears.
"How are we hugging each other like this..." They both think the same thing, but they seem to enjoy the cuddle. Their thoughts are interrupted when they hear the barking sound once again.
"What was that sound?" Ash asks, "Was it Huskhold and Husky?"
"Maybe." Alice says as they break the hug and go find out the sound, only to see that Huskhold and Husky are licking at a small Huskpup, who is barking in affection. Alice gasps a little and she says, "Wow, the egg hatched..."
"Wow, you are parents now, Huskold, Husky." Ash says as the two dog Pokemon bark with affection. They decide to let Ash and Alice get close to the small Huskpup, and the small puppy just wags his tail and rubs Ash and Alice's legs. After a short while, it then goes to play with the two Polarpaw and the two Rinolar. Pikachu also wants to play as he doesn't want to be left out, and it causes them to laugh a little.
Ash and Alice decide to go outside the cave, only to find that the blizzard has stopped and they can see the city up ahead. Alice says, "That's the Subhail City, which means we are close."
"Wow..." Ash says, "It means that we are going now."
Alice turns to the Polarpaw and Rinolar, she says, "Thank you for giving us shelter, but we need to go as we have some other things to do."
The four Pokemon don't want them to leave as they enjoy their company, so Ash suggests that they join their team, and they also agree.
Colcub: The Polar Pokemon: Ice Type. Colcub are taught to swim at a very young age. They feed mainly on fishes, though occasionally they would opt for Yache Berries.
Subearo: The Polar Pokemon: Ice and Fighting Type. Evolved from Colcub at LV:44. Subearo's claws are permanently coated in cold air, leaving frost marks on whatever they slash at. Some trainers employ them to create intricate ice sculptures.
Polarpaw: The Polar Pokemon: Ice and Fighting Type. Evolved from Subearo with Ice Stone. Despite living in completely different climates, Polarpow exhibit extreme aggression when fighting Magrizzly. This phenomenon is still being studied.
Rinolar: The Rhino Pokemon: Ice and Ground Type. Rinolar were alive and abundant in the ages long past, but since then they have only ever been found frozen in a giant glaciers or inside ice caves.
"And what are we going to do with this place?" Ash asks as he looks at the place, and Alice says, "How about we use our Aura to create a door so that people know that this place belongs to us?"
"Good idea." Ash says as they all start to work on it, once they are done, they decide to continue heading over to the Subhail City.
Once they finally arrive at Subhail City, they see that Rodney and Keira are at the Pokemon Center sitting and waiting for them. Ash says, "Hey guys."
Keira gives them a high five and says, "Hey, Ash, Alice. You finally made it."
Rodney says, giving a brotherly hug to Alice, "Yeah, we were worried since there was a blizzard yesterday. I thought you two might be getting into some trouble."
Alice says, "Don't worry about that, do you forget that I am an Ice Type Gym Leader in this region? I am not going to let a blizzard bother the two of us. Besides, I will like you to meet my old friend."
Alice sends out Paula, and she gives a roar that causes Keira and Rodney to look with shock.
"That Polarpaw is quite outstanding..." Rodney says. "It will be exciting if I face against it in the Gym battle." Rodney says.
"That's right. Hey, I think I know a way to warm us up. How about we have a battle with you? Ash?" Keira says.
Ash says, "Sure, do you want to come as well? Rodney?"
"You bet, I am not going to lose for this time." Rodney replies with a confident smile.
"You guys can go ahead." Alice says, "Since I am a Gym Leader, I would need to talk with Mr. Chiu about my returning to this City. So I'll see you later."
"Okay, your teacher is worried about you, right? Just tell him that you are fine." Ash says as Alice nods and leaves the three trainers alone.
Once Alice goes back to the Subhail Gym, she sees Mr. Chiu who is putting some things in his backpack. Alice says, "Mr. Chiu, I am back."
Mr. Chiu turns around and he smiles at Alice, he says, "Hello, Alice. I see you have returned to Subhail Gym."
"Well, Ash has six badges and he is here to battle me for the seventh badge." Alice says, "That's why I have come back."
"Sounds like your boyfriend really is a great trainer." Mr. Chiu chuckles a little. "So how is your journey? Are you having some fun?"
Alice says, "Of course. I manage to see all kinds of Pokemon as well as the environment besides the snow and ice. Even though Ice is still my favorite type, I am glad to see a lot about this new world and how I can grow as a trainer."
Mr. Chiu laughs and says, "I see. It has been a while since I see your smile, ever since the tragedy happened to you back in your old school, I haven't been seeing you laugh just like you did."
"Really? You mean I am smiling as you wanted me to?" Alice beams. "Thanks to Ash, as well as the Queen and King themselves, I manage to learn a lot. I can't dwell in the past for too long and I should never give up until it is over. The best way to overcome obstacles is to face it."
Mr. Chiu walks over to her and pets her hair. "And that is why you can become a perfect Ice Type Leader, I am glad that I have chosen the right student to take over the Subhail Gym."
Alice notices the bags behind Mr. Chiu and asks, "Mr. Chiu, why are you packing your stuff? What happened?"
Mr. Chiu knows that it is time as he says, "Alice, there is some news that I need to talk to you, just take a seat and hear what I am going to say."
Alice nods as she takes a seat, and Mr. Chiu just gives her a solemn look.
After battling against Rodney and Keira, who obviously lost to Ash because of his strong bond with Pokemon, Keira says, "Wow, you are still too strong for me..."
"Yeah, but don't you think that we are stronger?" Rodney asks, wanting to hear the prince's approval.
"You are." Ash says. "And I am starting to worry if you manage to beat me in the League."
The others laugh and Keira says, "That might be true, that will be a great dream come true."
"Anyway, what are your plans for now?" Ash asks. "Alice has to prepare and she might be taking some time, what are you going to do by the way?"
Rodney says, "I think I will go to the Subhail Icecaps first. That's a really nice area to catch an Ice-type Pokemon, you will love it."
"Well, I already have a lot of Ice Types, but we can get more friends and see if I can find my Noctowl." Ash says with a frown in the end.
Rodney knows what Ash is thinking of and he asks, "Is Noctowl the only Pokemon that hasn't returned to you?"
"Yeah, but I am very sure that he might be close by, after all, he is smart and he won't give up finding me as well." Ash says.
"Though why hasn't Alice shown up yet? I start to think something is wrong with her." Keira says.
"Don't worry, if she hasn't shown up, then we just need to go find her." Ash says as they all head to the Subhail Gym.
Alice says, "Don't worry, you see, sensei. I can manipulate Aura, so I can make myself a second copy." She then shows the second copy as Chiu says, "I see, a substitute, huh?"
"Yeah, in that way I can travel with Ash as well as taking care of the gym here." Alice says. "Thanks to Ms. Ketchum, she can help me out."
"Then I don't need to worry. The ship will be from Subhail Icecaps, so I will go there and board the ship now." Chiu says.
"Wait, don't you want to see Ash and my friends? They are outside." Alice asks.
"Well, I can see them, but not for long since my ship leaves in 2 hours." Mr. Chiu says.
Then they go outside to meet Ash, Rodney, and Keira, the three people greet the said teacher and Alice told them that he is going to Alola Region for retirement and then the gym will be truly hers. And they nod in agreement and helped him take the luggage to the ship and watch the ship sails away.
"I am going to miss him..." Alice sighs, "He taught me a lot. And I didn't get to show him my skills."
"Well, things like that happened often." Ash says. Rodney says, "Indeed. But we can have our Gym Battle."
But just as they are going back, they see a fisherman rushing to them, "What should I do? I was fishing with my son on the icecaps when some wild Noseal and Isealcle attacked us! I manage to get away but my son is trapped by the Pokemon..."
"That is horrible." Keira says. "We will help you out."
"Thank you, thank you so much! He is at the very end of the icecaps, I will show you the way! By the way, my name is Finley." Finley says as they follow him.
As they manage to reach to the fisherman's child, who is calling for help after the seal Pokemon are surrounding them. "The Noseal and Isealcle don't let me go!"
"Don't worry." Ash says as the four of them take out their Pokemon to battle. In the end, Ash and Alice capture the Isealcle while Keira and Rodney defeat the two Noseal.
Noseal: The Big Nose Pokemon: Ice and Water Type. Noseal's rubbery nose are used by them as a sense organ; They would rub their nose against everything they come into contact with to get a feel on what they are.
Isealcle: The Big Nose Pokemon: Ice and Water Type. Evolved from Noseal at LV:45. Isealcle dig their tusks into frozen lakes to open holes, from which it can jump into the water below and hunt for food even on the coldest days.
"Oh my god, thank you so much." The kid says as then the father rushes to him and hugs him. "Thank goodness my boy is okay..."
"No problem." Rodney says, and then the fisherman takes the kid back home and bids them farewell.
"Now that's done, should we go to the gym now?" Alice asks.
"Sure." Ash says. "By the way, what are you going to name your Isealcle?"
"Ciel of course." Alice says as they walk back to the gym.
Ash and the group finally arrive at Subhail City, and then they save the fisherman's child. I hope you like it.
New Pokemon: Polarpaw, Rinolar, Isealcle
