The Saint Festival was another huge success. All merchandize sold out as well as all tickets sold out for the whole week. The most favorite seeling merchindize was Ashy's new hat, I lost count of how many of them Ashy had to sign in bertween battles. The fans are loving this new Ashy, who has no issue mingling with them. Once Ashy was finally able to overcome his shyness and discomfort of his new fame, his charismatic self was able to win even more the hearts of his fans. As for the money earned, once again it was given to Orre- they need all the help now that they are rebuilding.
I've also enjoyed my time in Alola. Not only was it the perfect vacation spot, but also had beautiful romantic spots for dates at every corner. I ended up decidingg to join my group of friends trend and caught me an Alolan pokemon. A Drampa! A Normal/Dragon duel-type pokemon. It's been a while since I've last caught a pokemon, so I was excited to start our training. He will be an excelent Ace under the sleeve for the Battle Frontier once he is fully trained. Throwing a rare pokemon like that against a strong contender, will surely bring me the victory. Then again, Alola has become quite well known thanks to Ash, so it might nor be as surprising.
Well, it doesn't matter! I have a new team member and I am going to enjoy his training fully!
Now that the whole festival is over we were back to Icirrus City and ready to challenge the Icirrus Gym. When I say we, I mean Max and Ash. Unlike my Ashy I am done with gym challenges, unless they are contenders for the Sevii Islands Battle Frontier. But I have to give it to Gym Leader Brycen, his gym was beautiful. It was a bunker-like building near the forest. The massive metal doors of the gym slide apart and released a chilling cloud of cold air. Everyone but Iris and Fraxure immediately went inside and began shivering from the cold. Iris had came prepared, however, she was wearing full winter clothing and Fraxure had a scarf and a cap in the style of a chullo. I, of course, was also prepared and was wearing a blue Kalos-style winter coat. I rapidly gave Ashy a matching coat, but in red.
The battlefield was an ice rink with ice formations jutting out of the floor and standing surrounding it. Brycen's voice greeted us from afar as a spotlight was turned on, revealing the Gym Leader at the other end of the stands.
"What do you think of the icy battlefield and the challenges you will face as a lone trainer?" Brycen asked Max firmly.
"If that's the kind of battle you are looking for, then you will be dissapointed!" Max claimed boldly, taking his place as the challenger, while the rest of us took a seat at the stands. "I have been mentored by Ash since I was seven! I battle with my pokemon, never alone!"
The answer seem to please Brycen and I noticed Ashy smiling proudly. He has become quite the mentor, I was very proud of my partner. The Gym Leader officially accepted Max's challenge, and the battle began. The battle judge explained the rules and then declared the three-on-three battle was now underway.
"Spirit is all good, but it will take more than that to defeat my Ice-type pokemon!" Gym Leader Brycen declared, releasing his Vanillish with a battle cry.
Max took out his Pokedex and scanned the pokemon: Vanillish, the Icy Snow Pokemon. An Ice-type pokemon and the evolved form of Vanillite. It conceals itself from enemy eyes by creating many small ice particles and hiding among them. Snowy mountains are this pokemon's habitat. During an ancient ice age, they moved to southern areas.
"That pokemon has always looked like a cone of ice-cream to me, no matter what people say," Ashy mumbled next to me, making my laugh. "Now I am hungry!" In return, Max called out Scraggy for his first gym battle. "He is using Scraggy? Bold."
"It seems like he has picked some of your bad habits," I teased him in good nature.
"It seems like he has," Ashy replied with a fond smile. "Let's see how much he will surprise us."
"You can do it Scraggy!" Iris shouted from behind us.
"A Fighting-type... wise choice," Gym Leader Brycen complimented Max.
"Thank you," Max replied. "Scraggy use High Jump Kick!" However, Vanillish swiftly dodged to the side, making Scraggy crash into an ice formation and hurt himself. "Scraggy!" The baby pokemon picked himself back up and used Headbutt, but Vanillish dodged the attack again and Scraggy nearly slipped upon landing.
"Use Icicle Spear!" Brycen ordered Vanillish.
Vanillish pointed the lower half of her body at Scraggy and she started to glow light-blue. Vanillish then spun around and fired multiple icicles from the bottom of her body at Scraggy. Max rapidly toldd Scraggy to be defensive. The Fighting-type lifted his loose skin and blocked all the incoming icicles. Vanillish, then, whipped up a Blizzard while Scraggy began to form a Focus Blast. Scraggy threw the Focus Blast, but his aim appears to be off, missing Vanillish.
"Not a very good aim," Gym Leader Brycen remarked, but suddenly the blast returns and hits Vanillish in the back, stopping the Blizzard.
"That was a successful blow!" Iris jumped on her feet cheering for her apprentice partner.
"It looks like Scraggy is improving," Cilan complimented.
Not that Gym Leader Brycen agreed. "Lucky shot," the Gym Leader dismissed it as luck.
"Scraggy, use Headbutt!" Max ignored the Gym Leader in favor of finishing the battle. Before Vanillish could pick herself up, from where she had crashed on the battlefield, Scraggy pounced on her and knocked her out. "Well done Scraggy!" Max and his pokemon celebrated as Scraggy jumped on Max's arms.
"Look, Scraggy has become strong, but so have you," I heard Iris tell Fraxure.
"A good start, let's hope Max will be able to keep up the good work," Riley commented as we all watched Gym Leader Brycen return his fainted pokemon and release his second, a Walrein.
"Take a break Scraggy," Max returned his Fighting-type pokemon and released his second pokemon. "It's time for you Raichu!"
"Well, at least Raichu has learned to levitate correctly," I commented, as I watched Max's Alolan Raichu literally surf on the air.
"You have no idea about how many crashes it took to reach that level of mastery," Ashy chuckled next to me, as his Pikachu sniggered. "He's still not as fast on the air as he used to me on the ground... but he'll get there."
"An Alolan Raichu, not bad... but not surprising as you are Ash's apprentice," Gym Leader Brycen commented, thoughtfully. "Walrein, use Ice Beam!"
What followed was Walrein shooting Ice Beam after Ice Beam, forcing Max and Raichu into a defensive countermeasure. With the use of Psychic and Agility Raichu was able to surf his way around the beams and remain unhurt, if exhausted by the end. What turned the battle around was a well-timed Psyshock. Alola Raichu crouched his body together and three thick masses of light blue, blue, and purple energy formed around the front of his body. Raichu then fired the masses at the upcoming Ice beams, one after the other. The blast created a mist that covered the whole battlefield and the aftershock was strong enough to distract Walrein, giving Alola Raichu enough time to knock him out with a Volt Tackle. Which gave Max another win.
"You are a worthy oponent, Max Maple," Gym Leader Brycen praised him solemnly as he returned his fallen Walrein.
"Of course, he is! I trained him and he is my little brother!" Ashy shouted as his Pikachu cheered. "Also, that Raichu is my Pikachu's little brother too!" Ahsy translated for his starter, making us all laugh and made Max blush.
"But! I am not done yet!" Gym Leader Brycen declared dramatically, as he summoned his last pokemon. "Weavile, you are next!"
"A Weavile, eh," Max said thoughtfully.
"Rai-rai-chu!" His Raichu pumped his fists in determination, ready for a second round.
"Yes, I can see the familiar resemblance," I murmured in amusement, eyeing Ashy's Pikachu.
"Sorry partner, but this is Kirlia's battle," Max apologized as he returned him and summoned his starter.
"Weavile! Use Agility and Metal Claw!" Gym Leader Brycen started the battle with a bang.
Not that Max would allow him to grab the advantage so easily. "Kirlia, Light Screen and Reflect combo!" Weavile practically flew as he skated on the ice, his claws becoming longer and shining a metalic grey color. However, he was met with Kirlia's pink-violet shields and was bounced off. "Now, keep him down with Disarming Voice!" Kirlia opened his mouth and released a beam of pink soundwaves surrounded by hearts and musical notes from it at Weavile. The poor Dark/Ice duel-type pokemon, who was struggling to get back on his feet, was crushed mercilessly by the attack, losing his balance and coordination. "Now, take advantage of the situation and use Hypnosis!" Kirlia teleported right in front of Weavile and put him to sleep. "Let's finish this, with Dream Eater!"
The was a pause... then our whole gorup got on their feet and cheered in celebration of Max's victory.
"Wow... the way he used his opponent's moves against him and waited for the right moment to strike, they have grown so much!" Riley commented breathlessly.
"The way he took advanatge of everything and methodically calculated every move, it was as if I was observing one of Ash's battles!" Cilan said, before starting to sing a poem about the grace and beauty of Kirlia and Max's bond.
"They are ready," Ash commented seriously next to me. "I'll give them the permision to use the Dawn Stone that I had given Max as a birthday present. Kirlia is ready to evolve."
"Good, I was starting to notice Kirlia feeling replaced after Bayleef had evolved into Meganium," Riley's Lucario commented.
"But it was what pushed Kirlia to train harder and reach this level," I replied.
"Well, we can discuss this later!" Ashy jumped on his feet in excitement. "Now, it is my turn to battle!" He jumped off from the stands to the battlefield, with Pikachu, as always, on his shoulder.
"I hope he never changes," I shook my head in fond amusement.
"Ash? Never!" Iris assured me wholeheartedly, before turning to Max and congratulating him as he reached the stands.
"Who do you think Ash will use against Brycen?" Cilan inquired with curiosity.
"Emboar, Krokorok, and Lucario," came Max's answer. "Those were the new pokemon that he has been training lately."
"Good choices, it will be an interesting battle," I commented as Emboar and Cryogonal made their appearance on the battlefield.
Iris took out her Pokedex and scanned Gym Leader Brycen's pokemon: Cryogonal, the Crystallizing Pokémon. An Ice-type pokemon. They are composed of ice crystals. They capture prey with chains of ice, freezing the prey at -148° F. When its body temperature goes up, it turns into steam and vanishes. When its temperature lowers, it returns to ice.
"That's a snowflake," Max deadpanned. "What is it with Ice-type pokemon in this region?"
"Don't we all would like to know," Iris sighed. "Menaces every single one of them!"
"Is it me or are all Dragon Specialists dramatical as Distortion World," Lucarios said to no one in particular.
"Language!" Riley turned to his partner scandalized.
"What?! I am an adult Riley, don't act like a grandpa!"
I laughed at their interaction, but turned my attention back to the battlefield after I heard them start the battle.
"Emboar, Flame Charge!" Ashy ordered.
However, Cryogonal defended themselves with Reflect, cutting the damage in half. Emboar then uses Flamethrower, which barely glanced against Cryogonal as they Rapid Spins into Emboar.
"Cryogonal can deflect attacks and take minimal damage while their use of Rapid Spin," Cilan informed Max and Iris, as the battle raged on.
"Cryogonal, use Frost Breath!" Gym Leader Brycen commanded, which did little to Emboar, but then goes into Rapid Spin again.
I noticed Ash rethink his strategy at that moment. "Emboar, Fire Pledge! Aim it at Cryogonal's center!" Pillars of fire erupted from the ground and hit Cryogonal's underside, knocking them out. "Amazing! Great performance Emboar! Ash celebrated and praised his pokemon.
"Not bad, but will you be able to defeat my Ace?!" Gym Leader Brycen asked, as he released his Beartic. "You've both shown the bonds between you and your pokemon, but right now it is my time to do the same!"
Ash told Emboar to use Flame Charge again, but Beartic used Brine and extinguished Emboar's attack. Before Emboar could get back up, Beartic used Icicle Crash and landed a direct hit. Emboar was now struggling to get back on his feet, but Beartic was merciless launching himself with arms spread wide and walloped him with two hits from Aerial Ace, knocking Emboar out. Ash was utterly shocked by the quick loss and Beartic's use of Aerial Ace.
"Beartic's Brine and Aerial Ace are to counter two of his weaknesses, Fire and Fighting-types, respectively," Cilan reasoned, educating our young trainers.
Ash returned Emboar and thanked him. "You know I should have not been surprised by those moves being used by your pokemon, even if they are rare to see a Beartic use." Ashy commented shaking his head. "Lugia knows, my pokemon have come up with rarer moves in middle of a battle. But! I will not let it keep me down!" Ashy's eyes were shining with determination. "Krokorok you are next!"
"A Ground-type pokemon?" Gym Leader Brycen hummed. "Then again, you are known for not caring abour type disadvantage. I will not underestimate you!"
"Kroko rok, use Stone Edg e!" Ash commanded.
However, Beartic's Icicle Spear landed in front of the Stone Edge with the icicles acting like a defensive wall. The stones strike the icicle wall instead of Beartic. Some of the stones even ricochet back at Krokorok, but he hastily dodged them all. Krokorok took the initiative again and used Crunch, without Ash's prompting. But Beartic countered with Ice Punch. After a brief moment with Krokorok's mouth Crunched over Beartic's Ice Punch, there was a small explosion and Krokorok's snout became frozen.
"Beartic, finish it off with Brine!" Gym Leader Brycen ordered.
But Krokorok was not going to take it laying down, he used his tail to jump up and dodged the super-effective move. Krokorok leapt onto an ice formation, proceeding to jump even higher into the air, and managed to break the ice immobilizing his jaws.
"That's terrain manipulation if I've ever seen it!" Max cheered. "What's even more amazing is how Krokorok did not even wait for Ash's orders to move."
"One thing I'm sure about that pokemon, is that he is a natural in terrain manipulation," I commented. "Most Ground-type pokemon are."
From his strategic location up high in the air, Krokorok used Stone Edge successfully on Beartic. The super-effective hit excited Iris, but Cilan was quick to remind her that it is not over yet and Krokorok must be tired by now. Which was rirght, I can easily see the exhaustion settling in.
"Krokorok, use Dig!" Ashy finally took command of his pokemon and Krokorok obeyd.
He dug into the ice and hit Beartic from below. However, Beartic quickly grabbed Krokorok by the tail, spun him around, and threw him at an ice formation. The impact crumbled the ice to pieces as we looked on in amazement. Krokorok quickly exploded out of the pile of ice and looked as confident as ever.
After seeing this, Ash turned to Gym Leader Brycen in confidence. "Krokorok will not give up because he knows that Beartic is strong and wants to be strong too. That's the spirit of my team and I! Because of this, we will not lose!"
"Then use that passion to beat me!" Gym Leader Brycen urged, as Beartic responded with a mighty roar.
I could tell that Ashy was thinking of a new plan, then he noticed the chunk of ice that looks like a stone from Stone Edge. I knew that look on his face, he had a new plan!
"Krokorok, use Stone Edge!" Ash commanded and Beartic defended himself with Icicle Spear, as before. However, it was not over yet. "Krokorok jump up and grab the stones that ricocheted into the air!" Krokorok leapt from an ice formation and grasped two sharp stones in each of his claws.
"Isn't this the tactic from Bianca's battle with her Emboar in the Clubsplosion?" Cilan gasped in realization.
Beartic counterattacked with Aerial Ace, launching from the ground with his arms spread wide, aiming right at Krokorok. The two pokemon striked in midair and landed on opposite sides of the battlefield. Eventually, Beartic succumbed to the damage and collapsed. The battle judge declared Beartic unable to battle and proclaimed Ash to be the victor of the battle. Ash and Pikachu shout with joy, but Krokorok had no energy left to celebrate.
"Well, done, that finishing blow was especially incredible," Gym Leader Brycen congratulated them, as he recalled Beartic.
"Thank you," Ash replied, also recalling his pokemon- Krokorok was too tired to continue battling. "Lucario, you are up next!"
"Abomasnow, come on out!" Gym Leader Brycen released his last pokemon. "Let's Mega Evolve!"
Abomasnow glowed as the sprouts on his back gew into great shafts of ice and his fur became longer and shaggy over his entire body, particularly around his head. Green fur or sprout remnants surrounded the base of the large icicles on his back, while white fur covered the middle. It was a truly scary sight, no wonder he is known as the Ice Monster.
"It's been a while since I've had a Mega Evolved Gym Battle," Ashy said with excitement. "Let's joing the party!" He took out his Key Stone Necklace from under his shirt and kissed the stone. "Lucario, let's Mega Evolve!"
As Mega Lucario, his cream fur became longer, and his thighs slimmed down. He developed more spikes on the back of his paws and feet, which had turned crimson. His shoulders also possess a spike each. His previously red eyes are now orange-colored and his aura-sensing appendages grew longer, and two of them are tipped in crimson. His aura heightened throughout his body, which formed black markings on his blue fur. I can see why this formidable and honorable pokemon is known as merciless once Mega Evolved. The way Ashy's baby is looking at Mega Abomasnow is downright scary.
"What is it with Mega Evolved pokemon being so scary?" I mumbled to myself, luckily no one heard me, too focused on the battle.
"Mega Abomasnow, Wood Hammer!" Gym Leader Brycen commanded.
"Bone Rush!" Ash countered.
Mega Lucario put out his paws together and spread them apart, creating a light green or yellow bone of energy. He then rushed forward to intercept Mega Abomasnow's Wood Hammer. Mega Abomasnow tried to trip Mega Lucario with the use of Grass Knot, but Mega Lucario's intuition and aura perception had grown with his Mega Evolution. He used Trailblaze to destroy the Grass Knots. The clash of Wood Hammer and Bone Rush continued, until one clash was strong enough to send both paries flying into opposite sides of the battlefieldd.
"Mega Abomasnow, Outrage!" Gym Leader Brycen ordered.
"Mega Lucario, Meteor Mash!" Ash shouted. Both attacks clashed and neutralized each other, but Outrage had left Mega Abomansow confused. Something that Ash took advantage of. "Finish it off with Steel Beam!" An orb of bluish-silver energy formed in front of one of Mega Lucario's hands. He then fired a beam of energy from the orb at Mega Abomasnow. The pokemon immediately fainted. "Wooo!"
Lucario stopped his Mega Evolution and forgot about his objective of being mature, going back to his early Riolu days and jumped on Ashy's arms. Not that I blamed him, he had just won his first Mega Evolution battle. I clapped and smiled at my adorable boyfriend when he turned to me and beamed, holding up his Freeze Badge with pride.
Oh, I will miss him so much, I thought with longing. But I need to return to Kalos now and Ash is counting on me to keep an eye on Alain. I will not let him down!