Last Time, the Clubsplosion ends with Steffen taking first place, the gang go on an afternoon stroll when Cody comes back, when he releases his pokemon however, they get angry and attack the gang, when all hope seemed lost, Oshawott evolved into Dewott and took them out, Cody steps in only to get hit by a Flash Cannon revealing his true identity as Derik, Derik returns all his pokemon and flees.
In a cave somewhere…
Derik had fled to Twist Mountain, he found a warm little cave, and was patching himself up, the Flash Cannon temporarily blinded his left eye, and left a tiny scar running down his right cheek, using a medical bandage he wrapped both injuries up diagonally.
"That should do it, I need to have a talk with them soon, but first I better report to Giovanni" Missile said, he opened a computer and got into contact with Giovanni.
"What's with the bandage?" Giovanni asked.
"Let's just say getting that stone was hard" Missile replied, not wanting Giovanni to know he blew his own cover.
"Hmm, then I must assume you have the Light Stone in your possession?"
"Yes, I do, it's right here" Missile said, pulling the glowing white crystal from out his bag.
"Very good, alright, I want you to stay where you are, we will send a team to collect you and the stone, after that you will remain in the rocket base until further instruction, understand?"
"Yes sir"
"Good, you are dismissed" The computer shut off.
"Well I guess I have plenty of time to talk with them" Derik said to himself, he released his pokemon one at a time, but hesitated when he reached Bisharp and Volcarona's balls, they had fought during the battle, and clearly had some tension between them. I'll release you two in a private setting.
Mienshao was the first to speak up. 'Sorry we attacked without your command Derik'
We? I don't think you helped much in the conflict. Eelektross thought, looking at Mienshao with a confused expression.
'And sorry about the Flash Cannon' Druddigon said, wincing at the large bandage on his trainer's face.
"It's alright I understand, you wanted me to keep my identity a secret, and I shouldn't have gone with such a risky move" Derik apologized.
'My only question is why?' Gothitelle asked. 'Why do something so stupid?'
"You've probably got a lot of questions, some of which I'd rather not answer" Derik said, he knew his pokemon well, he knew what they would try to ask, but couldn't because pokespeech.
'What about Bisharp and Volcarona?' Druddigon asked.
'They were fighting each other' Eelektross said. 'They're not even here right now'
'Infighting, the worst kind of fighting' Gothitelle said.
'I wish Volcarona got along with others better' Mienshao said.
"As for Volcarona and Bisharp, I need to talk to them alone, so if you could, please don't listen" Derik then walked away, leaving the four to each other.
Derik had gone a good few hundred meters from the others, and into a large damp and dark cave with a river running through it.
"Bisharp, you've been with me for the longest, you're probably my strongest, and most level headed friend" *sigh* "Did that all go away?" Derik released Bisharp first.
Immediately the leader of the group kneeled and bowed. 'Sorry, I couldn't keep them from causing harm to you, master'
"It's alright Bisharp, there's nothing more you could've done, what happened back there was purely my fault" Derik said.
'It's okay I understand why you did it' Bisharp said, putting an arm on Derik's shoulder.
"You know why?" Derik asked.
'That Servine, she's the same Snivy who saved me all those years ago, isn't she?' Bisharp said, he drew a picture of a Snivy on the floor with his blades.
"Bisharp you never cease to impress" Derik said. "You knew all along, and you resisted the urge to get vengeance, I'm not gonna lie to you, some of our teammates I think they real resent her"
'It's more than that, they're down right willing to kill her, if they found out' Bisharp said.
"It's not her fault though, it's still mine! They're willing to go that far just for me" Derik said.
'Unfortunately so, it's bordering on obsession, just like you, did with her'
"Bisharp, I'm sorry I dragged you into this mess, you were just a pokemon living your life, then I scooped you up and joined Team Rocket out of nowhere, I was acting out of my own selfish desire to curl into a ball and die, you guys just got wrapped into it, if you just want to leave then go ahead, I don't mind"
'No, never, you stood up for me when I was down remember? I can't just leave you here, I would never do that!' Bisharp said.
"Hmm, thanks Bisharp, about Volcarona though, what should we do with her?"
'It was her idea to rebel'
"She went way out her way, and put us in danger, but she did it out of intent to protect me though, what should I do Bisharp?"
'Well what are your options, what can you do?'
"I could talk it out, or keep her in, even release her, but for some reason I don't feel like doing either, on one hand, she ended up making everything worse, but on the other, she had good intentions"
'I think you should talk it out, deal with it now, instead of later, you know?' Bisharp suggested.
"Yeah, talking it out with you seemed to have worked, I guess I could try that, alright, I'll talk to her"
'That's the spirit'
"Alone"
'What? But why? I'm not saying I don't trust her with you, but she can be a bit of a loose cannon'
"She needs to have a place where she can talk to only one person, one nonjudgemental person, specifically one she'll listen too, like me"
'Alright, well do as you wish Derik, thanks for the talk'
"Thank you Bisharp, for letting me get out my feelings"
The two gazed of into the vast emptiness of the cave, silent and at peace.
It was the morning, and Ash and the gang were eating breakfast.
"Ash you okay? You're not eating as much as usual" Cilan asked.
"It's just that I really didn't think Cody was evil" Ash said. "Maybe if I noticed something I could've stopped that whole skirmish before it even happened"
"Well we were all fooled, he made a good disguise, if his pokemon didn't attack I don't think we would've ever found out" Iris said.
"Yeah I guess not, but just think about all that he could've done behind the scenes, he knows what we did for the past two weeks, and maybe even more" Ash said. "Now all that information is known by some evil team, and could be used against us, and everyone else"
"Speaking of which, why did he decide to blend in with us?" Iris asked. "Was it just for the info?"
"I don't think so" Cilan said. "If he just wanted info he could've just spied from afar, he wanted to be close in for some reason"
"I think I might have an idea" Ash said. "Remember just before you caught Petilil, he went off with Servine, alone"
"Are you saying he might have a connection with her?" Cilan asked.
"Maybe, I see no other reason why an evil team member would go after her, normally I'd think it be Pikachu they go after, but it's not" Ash said, thinking hard.
"Maybe it's a personal reason" Iris said.
"Hmm, maybe, back in Nacrene Servine did freeze up when asked about, previous experiences" Ash said.
"Well, let's just eat, gym's opening soon" Cilan said.
"Yeah" Ash said, getting back to eating. I need to talk to Servine, find out what's bothering her.
After eating Ash and the gang headed to the Iccirus city gym, which was already open, they went inside to find an icy battlefield, a man was doing yogic meditation on the opposite side of the battlefield.
"A trainer I see, have you come to challenge the gym?" The man said, standing up.
"Uh yeah, pretty much" Ash said.
"Very well then" The man said, jumping on a rock, landing with supreme balance. "My name is Brycen, and I have trained very hard in the frozen peaks of Twist Mountain"
"Wait, Brycen as in the famous movie star Brycen!?" Cilan said, suddenly ecstatic. "As in the one who plays Mechacop in the Full Metal Cop Series?! And Brycen Man in the Brycen Man series!?"
"You knew all of that? Yet you didn't know who the Iccirus city gym leader is?" Iris said, sweat dropping.
"Yeah, once a long time ago I was an actor, before the incident anyway, but now I am a gym leader, and beating me is not easy" Brycen said.
"Well I want to beat you for my seventh gym badge" Ash said.
"Alright, then we shall start, rules are simple, four pokemon on each side, and whenever a pokemon faints the opposing trainer can switch they're pokemon, however they will have to do so, before the fainted pokemon's trainer does, understand?"
"Yeah pretty much" Ash said.
"Alright, let's do this, Cryogonal show time"
"Whirlipede I choose you!"
"Cryogonal start off with a Confuse Ray"
"Dodge and use Rollout"
Cryogonal shot out a Confuse Ray which missed, Whirlipede slammed into Cryogonal twice.
"Cryogonal use Ice Shard"
"Dodge it!"
Cryogonal shot out a couple of Ice Shards, Whirlipede dodged a couple but got hit by one.
"Now use Flash Cannon!"
"Dodge and use Twineedle"
Whirlipede dodged the incoming Flash Cannon and poisoned Cryogonal with Twineedle.
"Whirlipede use Rollout again"
"Counter with Ice Shard"
Ice Shard hit first, cancelling the Rollout.
"Whirlipede use Pursuit"
"Dodge it"
Whirlipede dashed forwards and rammed into Cryogonal knocking it out.
"Hmm, not bad, well would you like to switch?" Brycen asked.
"Uh, well Whirlipede's gotten hurt, and her Rollout's really useful, sure come back Whirlipede, Pikachu I choose you!" Ash said, swapping Whirlipede for Pikachu.
"Hmm, a fatal mistake, Carracosta lights, camera, action!"
Carracosta got sent out.
"Hmm Brycen's brought out a water type against an electric one" Iris said.
"He either doesn't know what he's doing, or is really in control here" Cilan said.
"Pikachu use Thunderbolt!" Ash called.
"Carracosta use Dig"
Carracosta dug underground before Pikachu could shock it.
"Watch out Pikachu it could pop up anywhere"
"Now!"
Carracosta struck Pikachu from under and sent him flying.
"Pikachu use Thunderbolt"
"Counter with Ice Beam"
Pikachu shocked Carracosta a bit, but got frozen by Ice Beam.
"Now use Focus Blast"
"Try to break out of the ice!"
But Pikachu couldn't and got Focus Blasted to unconsciousness.
"Pikachu!" Ash yelled, gathering the mouse in his arms.
"Wow that was pretty smart to draw out Pikachu like that" Iris said.
"Since Ash already sent out Pikachu and Whirlipede, he only has two more choices left" Cilan said.
"I return Carracosta for my next pokemon, Vanilluxe show time" Brycen sent out Vanilluxe.
"Vanilluxe huh?" Ash said, he thought for a bit then chose his next pokemon. "Alright Whirlipede come on back!" Ash sent out Whirlipede again.
"Vanilluxe start with Hail"
"Don't let them get it off, Rollout now!"
"Protect, right before!"
Whirlipede dashed forwards, but was stopped by a quick Protect, buying Vanilluxe enough time to set up a hail, which pelted Whirlipede a bit.
"Watch out Whirlipede, over there! Use Pursuit!"
"Flash Cannon"
Whirlipede slammed into Vanilluxe before being Flash Cannoned, and pelted by more hail.
"Use Blizzard Vanilluxe"
"Dodge it!"
Vanilluxe shot out a Blizzard striking Whirlipede and knocking her out.
"Well that's two me, one you, I stay with Vanilluxe" Brycen said.
"Hmm, that Hail's a pretty big problem, hard to see, and it damages everyone, well almost everyone, Krokorok I choose you!"
"Hmm, unorthodox, but fine by me, Vanilluxe Blizzard!"
"Dig underground"
Krokorok dug underground before Vanilluxe could Blizzard.
"What are you planning now? Vanilluxe Flash Cannon the ground until that Krokorok pops up"
"Krokorok dodge around and wait for my command"
Vanilluxe shot the ground with Flash Cannons trying to strike Krokorok underground, but to no avail, it didn't help that the Hail was slowly whittling it down.
"Krokorok Brick Break now!"
"Protect!"
Krokorok shot up suddenly and slammed down on Vanilluxe.
"Blizzard it now!"
"Stone Edge quickly"
Before Vanilluxe got the chance to Blizzard, Krokorok shot Stone Edge at it, knocking it out, the Hail also subsided.
"Very clever indeed, will you switch out, or will you stay in?" Brycen asked.
"Ash has only got Krokorok and one other pokemon left" Cilan said.
"And Brycen still has Carracosta, and one other pokemon, what will Ash do here?" Iris said.
"I will swap with Dewott" Ash replied, returning Krokorok in place for Dewott.
"Very well, Carracosta, time for your sequel!" Carracosta got sent out again.
"Dewott start with Fury Cutter!"
"Dodge it"
Dewott instead used X-Scissor.
"Nice a new move"
"But that's where your luck runs out, Carracosta use Hydro Pump"
"Dodge it! And counter with Ice Beam!"
Carracosta fires a Hydro Pump which misses and is struck by Ice Beam freezing it's lower body.
"Carracosta Focus Blast the ice away"
"Dewott hit it with X-Scissor"
Carracosta blasted away the ice, but not before getting struck by X-Scissor.
"Carracosta Focus Blast"
"Dodge it!"
Dewott got hit by the Focus Blast, sending him flying.
"Carracosta use Ice Beam"
"Counter with your own Ice Beam"
The two pokemon shot their own Ice Beams fighting against each other.
"Dewott slash it's legs with Razor Shell"
Dewott swept the legs with Razor Shell, knocking Karracosta to the ground.
"Carracosta Dig"
"Dewott use follow it with Aqua Jet"
Carracosta dug underground, but Dewott followed it with Aqua Jet, and eventually caused it to resurface.
"X-Scissor once more!"
Dewott slashed at Carracosta twice, knocking it out.
"Nice one, you've taken down all but one of my pokemon" Brycen said. "Do you feel like switching?"
"No, I'll stay"
"Fair enough, Beartic time for the grand finale!" Brycen sent out his final pokemon, Beartic.
"Alright, let's do this, Dewott use X-Scissor"
"Dodge and use Bulk Up"
Beartic dodged the X-Scissor and got stronger.
"Dewott get in close and use Razor Shell!"
"Beartic counter with Icicle Crash"
Dewott attempted to slash at Beartic but was stopped by Icicle Crash.
"Now use Superpower"
"Dodge it"
Beartic slammed down on Dewott, he got up bruised and beaten, but still going.
"Beartic finish this with Stone Edge"
"Dewott block with Ice Beam"
Beartic fired a bunch of Stone Edges, and Dewott tried to destroy them with Ice Beam, but one got through, struck him, and knocked him out.
"No!" Ash shouted.
"Well looks like a one v one now" Brycen said.
"Ash only has Krokorok now" Iris said.
"That leaves him at a major disadvantage" Cilan said.
"Alright, let's do this" Ash sent out Krokorok.
"Beartic start with Superpower"
"Krokorok dodge and use Brick Break"
Beartic slammed down, but Krokorok dodged and jabbed Beartic on the side.
"Use Icicile Crash"
"Dodge it!"
Beartic fired some Icicles at Krokorok which hit, causing the croc to stumble.
"Krokorok use Crunch"
"Dodge it"
Krokorok chomped down on Beartic doing some damage.
"Beartic use Bulk Up"
"Don't let it get it"
Krokorok attempted to stop Beartic's Bulk up to no avail.
"Beartic use Stone Edge"
"Dig Krokorok"
Beartic shot out some Stone Edges, but Krokorok evaded them with Dig.
"Beartic look out"
"Krokorok Brick Break now!"
"Counter with Superpower!"
Krokorok shot up to sock Beartic, but was clobbered by Beartic's Superpower, the powerful attack launched Krokorok into a wall, he was left barely standing.
"Finish this with Stone Edge Beartic"
Beartic shot out some Stone Edges.
"Brick Break them back!"
Brycen's face turned to shock when Krokorok ricocheted Beartic's Stone Edge back at it, which struck the bear in the face.
"Get in with Brick Break!"
"Block with Icicle Crash!"
Krokorok shot forward, Beartic fired an Icicle Crash which Krokorok demolished, Krokorok jabbed into Beartic with a Brick Break, the big bear stumbled about, before finally falling down, swirls in its eyes.
"We won!" Ash cheered.
"Great job Ash" Cilan said.
"That was a pretty exciting battle, I was on the edge of my seat the whole time" Iris said.
"Well, that was a great battle" Brycen said, coming up to Ash. "You truly have trained your pokemon well, here is the Freeze badge, which signifies that you have beaten the Iccirus City Gym"
"Alright, I just got my seventh gym badge!" Ash shouted.
"That means you only one more to get before the Unova league" Iris said.
"Yeah, hey Cilan where should I go for my next badge?" Ash asked.
"Hmm, well the closest city with a gym from here is Opelucid City" Cilan said.
"Opelucid City really isn't that far from from" Brycen said. "I heard the place is located in a valley full of dragons, it's a good choice"
"Uh Ash are you sure you want to go there?" Iris asked, nervously.
"Well I don't see why we shouldn't" Ash said. "Do you have a problem with there?"
"Well, it's just that that's my home town you know, but I guess I don't really have a problem with going back" Iris said.
"Alright, then it's decided we'll go to Opelucid City next!" Ash said, loudly and proudly.
"I'm not as excited as you" Iris mumbled, not really sure about this.