Episode 62: Breaking the Ice

Ash, Brock, and Brenda are entering a familiar city. Ash declares, "Alright, we're finally back in Versal City! Fourth gym badge, here I come!" He runs off. Brock and Brenda run after him.

As you've probably already figured out from Ash's excitement, our heroes have arrived back in Versal City, with hope that the Versal City gym leader will also be back and ready for a battle. If so, Ash could have his fourth Tenno League badge coming his way soon. Ash stops dead in front of the gym. A sign declaring that the gym is closed is hung on the door. Or not.

Ash hangs his head in sorrow. "Not again…"

Brock and Brenda catch up. Brock comments, "That's strange. I thought it would have opened back up for sure by now."

Brenda asks, "What do we do now? We've come all the way to Versal City twice now. It seems like a waste just to leave emptyhanded for the second time in a row."

Brock pulls out his Pokéssistant and starts tapping around on it. After a moment he says, "Hey, I've got an idea. Why don't we go to Frostover Island?"

Ash questions, "Frostover Island?"

Brock nods. "According to this it's a small island off the coast of Versal City. Apparently it's situated right in the middle a patch of ocean known for extremely odd weather patterns, leading to subzero temperatures on the island year round, despite the otherwise semitropical nature of Tenno, so it's completely covered in ice and snow all of the time. Apparently it's a place that trainers go to test their skills and train in a harsh environment."

Brenda shivers at the thought. "Doesn't sound like a vacation I'd want to go on."

Ash, on the other hand, seems psyched. He proclaims, "Sounds great! Let's go there!"

Brock nods. "According to this, a ferry leaves for the island twice a day. It's not long until the next one leaves, so let's go."

They've all gotten onto the ferry, and are sailing out at sea. Ash points out ahead of them. "Look, that must be Frostover Island." Off in the distance, an island of pure white can be seen. Despite the clear skies and calm weather around them, dark storm clouds seem to be hovering over the island.

Someone behind them affirms, "Indeed it is, that's our destination." They turn around to see one of the boat's sailors approaching them. He's holding up three heavy winter jackets. "Here, you three might want to put these on. It may be warm and sunny here, but things are going to get a whole lot colder the closer we get to Frostover Island."

The three accept the jackets thankfully and they all don them. Brenda comments, "It must be hard sailing between two completely different temperatures."

The sailor nods. "Indeed it is. The entire crew has to keep winter wear at the ready on the way there, and has to shed it on the way back, or it gets unbearably hot. It certainly is a unique job we have. I can't begin to tell you how many tourists and trainers we've ferried over to the island who refuse to believe how drastically the weather changes. They all claim that the temperature is warm and there's not a cloud in the sky, so they have no need to dress for winter weather. By the time we're preparing to dock they've all swallowed their words."

Unbeknownst to them, a periscope pokes up and out of the water behind the boat. The periscope is connected to Team Rocket's Magikarp submarine. Looking through the periscope is Meowth. He says, "Yeah, the twerps are on that boat alright."

James declares, "Then full speed ahead!" He begins to pedal faster.

Jessie shivers. "Is it just me, or is it getting cold in here?"

Meowth plays it off. "No way, we're driving through tropical waters right now, it's nothing but warm out there, and that keeps this sub warm. Good thing too, seeing as we can't afford a heating mechanism."

After a little while more of sailing, a voice announces, "Attention passengers, we are now making are now pulling into Frostover Harbor. You will be free to disembark once the boat has come to a complete stop. Please don't forget to your jackets."

Ash, Brock, and Brenda have all changed into the winter coats they borrowed from the sailor. Snow is actually falling all around them. Brenda marvels, "Wow, who would have ever thought that you could go from sunny beach to snow in such a short time?"

Brock agrees, "They sure aren't kidding when they say how cold it is here."

Ash exclaims, "And it's that harsh temperature that makes this place perfect for some special training."

Brock observes, "Looks like people are getting off the boat now. Let's go." They head off towards the boarding ramp.

Brenda asks, "So where are we going to go?"

Brock answers, "I don't know. I read that one of the main attractions of the island are the massive glaciers that fill its center. Maybe we should head there first?"

Ash nods. "That sounds like it could be a great place to train. Let's do that for sure." They get off the boat and head off.

Off the coast of Frostover Island, the Magikarp sub still follows the boat. Inside, Team Rocket are all dramatically shivering. Jessie stammers as she shivers, "W-w-whatever-r-r-r hap-happened t-t-to tro-trop-tropical waters?"

Meowth stammers back, "I d-don't know…this-s-s-s c-c-cold is just pl-pl-plain unseasonable. It's-s-s t-t-turning me into a Meowthsicle."

James stammers, "M-maybe w-w-w-we sh-should just t-t-turn around-d-d now, wh-while we st-st-still c-c-c-can feel our legs."

Jessie and Meowth both nod in agreement. They all attempt to pedal at once, but the pedals won't budge. Jessie complains, "H-h-hey, wh-what gives!?"

Meowth pulls down a view screen and observes it. His eyes open with shock. "Not good."

James asks, "Wh-what's-s-s wrong Meowth?"

"The pr-propeller's all fr-fr-frozen up. It's-s-s covered in ice!"

Jessie asserts, "Th-then y-y-you bet-better f-f-f-find a way t-to d-d-deice it!"

Meowth moans, "Easier-r-r s-s-said th-than done…"

Then Wobbuffet appears. It begins to happily declare, "Wobbu-" but suddenly cuts itself off with shivering when it realizes how cold it is. "W-w-w-wobuffet…"

Who's that Pokémon!?

This Pokémon's armored body makes all attacks bounce off. The armor is too tough, however, making it heavy and somewhat sluggish.

Ash, Brock, and Brenda now walk through the ice- and snow-covered island. They're following a path that has been dug out in the snow. Brenda suddenly stops. "Hey, I've got an idea." She pulls out a Pokéball and tosses it up into the air. "Come on out, Frostcicle!"

Frostcicle appears. It looks around, taking in its surroundings, and then exclaims happily, "Frost frost!"

Brock grins. "Great idea, Frostcicle hasn't been in an icy environment since you caught it. I bet this place reminds it of home."

Frostcicle floats back and a forth, practically dancing through the falling snow with joy.

Brenda grins. "I'm glad you like it, Frostcicle." Seeing Brenda grin makes Frostcicle even happier.

Ash suddenly exclaims, "Hey, look ahead! There's the glacier!" Sure enough, ahead of them is a large wall of pure ice that stretches as far as can be seen. "They're huge!"

Brock nods. "The permanent winter weather here means that the glaciers from the ice age never left this island. You're looking at ice that is thousands of years old."

Brenda eagerly says, "Hey, let's go get a closer look!" She runs off, Ash is right behind here. Brock takes a moment to grin and then runs after them as well.

They make it to the edge of the edge of the glacier and look over it in awe. Brock points out, "Just think about how many things these glaciers have been through. When they first formed the Pokémon living here were a whole lot different. Most of the species that existed during the ice age don't anymore, and are only found as fossils."

Ash points off to the side. "Hey, look over there." He points to some sort of tunnel that leads right into the glacier.

Brock consults his Pokéssistant and explains, "Apparently one of the things these glaciers are known for are their ice tunnels. They're pretty much caves that traverse through the entire length of glaciers."

Ash guesses, "I bet some pretty cool Pokémon must live in those."

Brenda laughs, "Cool in more ways than one I'd bet."

Ash laughs too. "Why don't we check them out?"

Brock says, "I don't see why not. Let's go." They all head towards the tunnel Ash pointed out.

Once at its mouth, they stop and look inside. Brenda says, "Wow, it really is a cave made entirely out of ice." She looks to Frostcicle, who floats behind her, and asks, "Is the sort of place that you like, Frostcicle?"

Frostcicle nods. "Frost frost."

Ash asks, "What are we waiting for? Let's take a look." He heads in first and the others follow.

As they walk through the tunnel, Brenda shivers and says, "Wow, it's so much colder in here."

Brock comments, "Well, what do you expect? We are in the middle of a glacier after all."

Ash wonders aloud, "I wonder what sort of Pokémon live in a tunnel like this. Obviously they must be Ice-Types."

Brock is about to make a comment when someone shouts, "Hey! What are you kids doing in here!?" They all freeze up. From farther up the tunnel a man walks into sight. He's an older man with snowy white hair which almost seems as if it was blown backwards by wind and then frozen in place by ice. He wears a heavy white and light-blue winter parka with the hood down, along with matching snow pants and gloves.

Brock apologizes, "Sorry sir, we didn't realize we weren't supposed to be in here. We thought these tunnels were open to the public."

The man nods. "Really? Have they not blocked off the entrance yet? Those good for nothing workers. It's impossible to get good grunts anymore. I'm sorry for shouting at you then, but this tunnel has been closed to the public due to a recent discovery. We need to keep it preserved, so these tunnels are now strictly off-limits."

Ash asks, "What is it that you found?"

He answers, "That's really none of your business."

Ash prods, "Come on, I bet it's something pretty cool if you've got to close down the entire tunnel."

The man thinks something over for second and shrugs. "I suppose there wouldn't be any harm in showing a couple of curious youngsters. If you three really want to see, then follow me." He turns around and leads them deeper into the tunnel. He's stops after a moment and warns sternly, "You must be extremely delicate though. Do not touch, or even approach what I am about to show you." Ash, Brock, and Brenda all nod. He leads them off.

While they're walking, Ash introduces himself, "By the way, I'm Ash, from Pallet Town, and this is my partner Pikachu."

Brock adds, "And my name's Brock."

"And I'm Brenda."

The man nods. "Ash, Brock, and Brenda. I'm called Halley."

Brock asks, "If you don't mind me asking, Halley, what are you doing here in this ice tunnel?"

"I'm a winter-weather specialist. I the person that people consult when they need an operation to be pulled off in subzero temperatures. In fact, I was the one who designed the insulation used in all Tenno Region astronaut's spacesuits. I have a long and…" he pauses for a moment to look for the right word, "…complicated history with the cold weather. I'm here as a consultant on a project right now."

Brenda asks, "And what's that?"

Halley grins. "You'll see in just a moment." They walk a little longer and then he stops. "And there you have it." He beckons at the wall of ice in front of them.

At first no one notices anything noteworthy, but then they realize what is frozen within the wall of ice itself. It's some sort of Pokémon. It's a large wooly mammoth-like Pokémon, complete with a trunk, tusks, and shaggy brown fur. A tuft of this fur on the top of its head falls down and obscure the top half of its eyes. The two large tusks seem to be made from crystal-like ice. The Pokémon is extremely large, measuring at least seven or eight feet tall.

Ash, Brock, and Brenda are all left speechless by the sight. Ash marvels with disbelief, "It's a Pokémon…"

He pulls out his Pokédex. "Mahemoth, the Mammoth Pokémon and a Rock and Ice Combo-Type. During the time of the Ice Age, over 10,000 years ago, Mahemoth could be found all around the world. As the weather began to warm, these Pokémon found themselves unprepared for such climates and soon died completely out. Evolves from Massodon at level 38."

Brock steps up to get a better look. He asks with disbelief, "Is that actually a Mahemoth?"

Halley nods. "Indeed it is. I discovered it a couple weeks back when exploring these tunnels. It must have lived on this island during the Ice Age when these glaciers were only first forming."

Brenda asks with dismay, "You don't think it's still…you know…alive…do you?"

Halley grins. "It's impossible to say for sure, but it is possible that the ice has kept in in a deep cryogenic sleep for all those thousands of years."

Ash says with amazement, "Wow, a Pokémon from 10,000 years ago…"

Suddenly the very tunnel begins to shake violently. Halley looks around with concern. He shouts, "We need to get out of here, now!"

Ash, Brock, and Brenda don't hesitate to listen. They run off. Brenda slips in the process, but Ash, Brock, and Frostcicle catch her and help her return to her feet. They all make a dash for the exit, all while the tunnel continues to shake around them.

They safely make it out and breathe a sigh of relief. Ash asks, "What was that? An earthquake?"

Haley shakes his head. "No, it's called a glacial surge. Glaciers will normally move at a slow but steady pace, but they will sometimes go into periods of instability when they are prone to sudden and rapid movement. It was one of those such events that lead to my discovery of the Mahemoth, as the movement of the glacier was so great it actually changed the layout of the tunnels. I was attempting to map these new tunnels when I stumbled upon the Pokémon." He looks to the glacier and sees that the movement has ceased. "Alright, it looks like it's safe to go back in now. I think we were fortunate; this surge wasn't as drastic as the last. The tunnel should remain intact." Without another word he turns around and heads back into the tunnel.

Ash, Brock, and Brenda all look to each other and shrug. They follow him in. They go all the way back into the room containing the frozen Pokémon and find Halley stopped with utter shock. They look to see what has him so surprised. On the other side of the room, standing atop a pile of shattered ice, is the Mahemoth, fully alive and conscious. It looks around with disarray and questions, "Hemoth?"

Everyone is absolutely speechless. A moment later and Halley says with utter disbelief, "The surge…must have broken it free…" He slowly takes a step towards it. Ash begins to follow, but Halley turns back and snaps in a whisper, "No, stay back. That thing has been frozen for 10,000 years, it's almost certainly confused and disoriented." Ash silently nods and steps back. Halley continues to approach the Pokémon slowly. He says in a gentle voice, "Hello there Mahemoth…I know this must be awfully strange for you…but you need to remain calm." Mahemoth eyes Halley cautiously, but doesn't move. Halley makes his final approach and is reaching out to touch Mahemoth when suddenly it trumpets a loud roar. It then begins a full on charge for the exit, which Ash, Brock, and Brenda are blocking. Halley leaps out of the way and shouts, "Kids! Get down!"

The three all leap to the side as well, just in time for Mahemoth to stampede past them. They look with dismay as it runs through the tunnel away from them.

Halley shouts, "Quickly, after it!" They all break out in a run to chase it.

Brenda asks while running, "What's wrong with it?"

Brock answers, "Mahemoth has been frozen for over 10,000 years, not only is it dazed and confused, but a lot has changed as well. It probably never even saw a human before, as humans were much rarer during the Ice Age."

Ash says, "So we have to figure out a way to calm it down."

Halley nods. "Yes, or it might hurt someone."

Mahemoth makes it out of the glacier and into the open. It stops momentarily to gather its bearings, and then makes a beeline towards the coast.

Brock observes, "It's heading towards the ocean, why would it go there?"

Halley thinks for a moment and realizes something. "The land bridge!"

Brenda questions, "The land bridge? What do you mean?"

"During the Ice Age, the abundance of ice and glaciers meant that the sea level was lower. Because of that lower sea level, Frostover Island was actually connected to the Tenno mainland. I bet that that Mahemoth lived on the mainland, but traveled over here one day, only to be caught in the glacier."

Ash realizes, "So it's trying to get home."

Halley nods. "Exactly. The problem is that Mahemoth can't swim, so it has no way back. We have to calm it down, or it's going to go even more berserk when it realizes the land bridge is gone. And even if it could get to the mainland, it wouldn't be good for it. Mahemoth went extinct because of the increase in temperature. There's no way Mahemoth could survive the tropical temperatures of Tenno."

After running a little more, they chase Mahemoth all the way to the frozen beach. Mahemoth skids to a halt once it realizes there is nothing but ocean in front of it. It looks around with panic and dismay. It raises its trunk and trumpets, "Maaaaheeeemoth!" It then frantically begins to run back and forth across the beach, attempting to look for any way to get back to mainland. Several people nearby flee in terror.

Halley shouts, "Mahemoth, calm down! The land bridge is gone! I'm sorry!" Mahemoth ignores him and continues to rampage. Halley grunts. He begins to take a step to get closer, but thinks better of it.

Ash watches the distressed Pokémon with distress of his own. "Mahemoth…it just wants to go home…" He suddenly clenches a fist with determination and looks to Pikachu. Pikachu nods, as they are both thinking the same thing. Ash makes a sprint for Mahemoth.

Brock shouts, "Ash, don't! It's dangerous!"

Halley bursts, "Foolish child! What are you doing!?"

Ash runs right into the path of the charging Mahemoth, plants his feet firmly in the ground, and takes a wide stance with his arms out. Mahemoth is running right at Ash, but he doesn't flinch. He shouts with conviction, "Mahemoth, stop! I know all you want is to get home, but your home is gone! I'm sorry, but there's no way you could ever go back! Please, you have to understand! There are people here and you're putting them in danger! Stop this now!" Ash continues to stand his ground.

While charging towards him, Mahemoth looks Ash in the eyes. Suddenly, a connection is made. A wave of realization crosses over Mahemoth's face. It gradually changes from a full on charge, to a run, to a slow walk, and then it stops right in front of Ash. It looks at him questioningly.

Halley is absolutely stunned while Brock and Brenda show relief. Halley asks, "What…did he just do…?"

Brock grins. "That's Ash for you. He can connect to any Pokémon."

Ash slowly steps towards the massive Pokémon, which stands at nearly twice his height. He reaches out a hand and cautiously begins to stroke Mahemoth's leg. He smiles, "Thank you Mahemoth."

Mahemoth smiles at Ash, it seems to like the petting.

Ash begins to explain, "The thing is, you've been frozen in ice for 10,000 years, and the world is a completely different place now. I truly am sorry, but your home is gone. It's too warm for you to live there anymore."

Mahemoth obviously understands this, as it hangs its head in sorrow. "Hemoth…"

Noticing this, Ash changes his tone and suggests, "But hey, it's not all that bad. You've got new friends now. You've got us. I'm Ash, and this is Pikachu."

Pikachu smiles. "Pika pikachu."

Mahemoth smiles slightly. "Mahemoth."

"Yeah, that's it!"

Out of nowhere, Mahemoth reach out with its trunk and wraps it around Ash. It begins to lift him up.

Brenda shouts, "Oh no! Ash!"

Brock shakes his head. "No, look. Mahemoth isn't attacking." Sure enough, Mahemoth lifts Ash and places him on its back. "I think that means Mahemoth trusts Ash.

Halley shakes his head with disbelief. "Wow, that kid is something else."

Ash thrusts his arm into the air and cheers, "Yeah! This is awesome!" He rides Mahemoth over to the others and waves to them. "Check this out guys, I'm riding a Mahemoth!"

Ash and Pikachu spend the rest of the day playing with their new friend. All three of them seem to be very happy.

A little while later, Halley is watching as Ash, riding on Mahemoth, is chasing after Brock and Brenda in some sort of game of tag. Halley says to himself, "That boy is incredible. This Pokémon is completely out of its time and knows nothing about humans, and yet he has managed not only calm it down, but befriend it. I've seen a lot of things in my life, but certainly nothing like this." He takes a moment to look around, and then calls out, "You better be finishing up soon, the Sun has almost set, and once night comes the temperatures will drop even more. You won't want to be out here when that happens."

They all stop. Brock realizes, "We've completely missed that last boat back to Versal!"

Brenda asks, "What are we going to do?"

Halley chuckles. "Don't worry, I have a cabin not too far from here. You're all welcome to spend the night there. Come on, follow me." He leads them off.

It's Shelgon!

Night has fallen. At the base of the island's central glacier is a cabin, just as Halley said. Halley, Brock, and Brenda are inside it. Ash is outside talking with Mahemoth. He's petting its leg and saying, "Alright Mahemoth, I've got to go inside and get some sleep and stay warm, but you love the cold, so you'll be alright out here. So why don't you sleep here, and then we'll play some more tomorrow, alright?"

Mahemoth nods. "Hemoth."

Ash grins. "Good. I'll see you in the morning then." He turns around and enters the cabin.

Mahemoth looks around a little and then finds a soft patch of snow. It bends down, and then rolls onto its side in order to lie down.

A little later into the night, Mahemoth seems restless. It's moving around as if trying to get comfortable and seems to be having trouble sleeping. After a little bit of this it gets back up. It walks over to the cabin in peers in through a window. Inside it sees Ash sleeping on a cot. It then looks out towards the ocean and sighs, "Hemoth…" It looks back to Ash, appearing uncertain of its self. It then takes a deep breath, turns around, and heads off for the ocean.

A little later, Ash suddenly wakes up. After a moment, careful not to wake up Pikachu, he gets up and walks to the window to check on Mahemoth. He is shocked to see that Mahemoth is gone. He quickly runs outside and looks around. He sees Mahemoth nowhere. Being outside in only his pajamas, he shivers. He runs back inside and shouts, "Guys, Mahemoth is gone!"

This wakes everyone up. Brenda rubs the sleep out of her eyes and asks groggily, "Are you sure?"

Ash nods. "Absolutely. I looked all around, it's gone."

Brock asks, "But where would it go?"

Everyone suddenly realizes at once and exclaims, "The ocean!"

Now dressed for the cold again, they all run up to the shoreline. They look frantically around. Ash asks, "Where could it be?"

Brenda comments, "It shouldn't be so hard to find such a massive Pokémon."

Halley points out towards the ocean. "Look, there it is!" It would appear that Mahemoth is walking across a frozen segment of ocean out towards mainland.

Ash asks, "What is it doing?"

Brock suggests, "It must be using an Ice-Type attack to freeze the water and create a bridge!"

Ash objects, "But it can't survive on the mainland!"

Halley points out direly, "That's not even the most immediate problem. That ice may be holding up Mahemoth's weight for now, but it won't hold forever, especially as Mahemoth gets into warmer waters, the ice will weaken."

Ash declares, "We have to stop it." He runs towards the point where Mahemoth's ice bridge meets the shore. The others follow. He shouts out, "Mahemoth! You have to come back here! You'll never make it to the mainland like that!"

Mahemoth pauses and looks behind it. It sees Ash, but avoids looking him in the eyes. It turns back forward and continues to slowly and cautiously march across the bridge. After a couple of steps, it stops and uses an Ice Beam attack from its trunk to extend the bridge further and continue on.

Brenda says with despair, "It's no use, Mahemoth is too determined to get home to listen to reason."

Halley asserts, "We have to find a way to convince it to come back."

Brock states, "I think Ash is already ahead of you on that, look." Everyone looks to see that Ash has begun to carefully walk across the ice bridge. He treads cautiously so not to slip or break the ice.

Brenda shouts, "Ash, don't do that! You're only putting yourself in danger too!"

Ash stops and shouts back, "I have to! I need to stop Mahemoth!" With that he turns back and continues walking.

Halley curses, "That fool! What does he think he's doing!?"

Brock says, "There's no stopping him now, he's already set his mind to this. All we can do is hope for his safety."

Ash continues to inch his way out. "Come on Mahemoth, you've got to listen to me. You've just got to." Mahemoth tries to ignore Ash and continues to walk forward. Ash begins to catch up with Mahemoth. "Please Mahemoth. I know you want to go home more than anything else. I know the pain you're in. But please, you can't go home. It's just not possible. If it were, I would be the first person to help you get back. I really would be, but I can't because that's impossible. You're only going to hurt yourself if you keep this up. Please Mahemoth, come back to Frostover Island. It may not be your old home, but there's no reason it can't be your new home." He is now caught up with Mahemoth. He places a hand on Mahemoth's hind leg and strokes it. Mahemoth tenses up for a moment. "Come on Mahemoth, let's go back to your new home."

Mahemoth sighs. "Hemoth…" It slowly turns around to face Ash.

Ash smiles at it. "Does that mean you'll come back with me?"

Mahemoth doesn't respond at first. A moment later and it nods. "Mahemoth."

"That's great. Thank you Mahemoth. Come on, let's go." Ash begins to lead Mahemoth back, and it follows.

Suddenly, the ice beneath their feet begins to creek. Ash's eyes go wide with shock. He notices a crack forming in the ice in front of him. Ash shouts, "Run!" He and Mahemoth make a dash back to the shoreline. The crack spreads and the ice bridge begins to break up.

Brenda shouts, "Oh no! Ash!"

Brock says with distress, "That bridge can't take both of their weights!"

Halley says angrily, "He should have never gone out there in the first place!"

The two continue to run, but the cracks in the ice catch up with them. The entire bridge falls apart underneath them and they are dropped into the water.

Mahemoth's massive weight causes a surge of waves when it hits the water. These waves fling a chunk of ice out of the water. In this chunk of ice is the Magikarp submarine. A muffled, "We're blasting off again!" can be heard as the frozen submarine disappears into the sky.

Ash has grabbed hold of a floating ice chunk to support himself and Pikachu, but Mahemoth is struggling to stay above the water. It trumpets in distress, "Maaaaaaheeeeeemooooooth!"

Ash shouts, "Mahemoth, you've got to stay calm!" He looks around frantically, trying to figure out a way to help. He says to himself in a panic, "I've got to figure something out to help Mahemoth." He sees some of the floating ice chunks and gets an idea. "Hey…ice floats!" He looks back to shore and calls, "Brenda, you've got to send out Frostcicle!"

Brenda asks, "Why?" But then realizes what Ash is suggesting. She pulls out her Pokéball and throws. "Frostcicle, get out here now!" Frostcicle appears. "Go help Ash!"

Frostcicle looks over to see Ash and nods. It then floats across the water out to where Ash is.

Ash looks to Mahemoth and explains, "Alright Mahemoth, I can save you, but you need to trust me. I'm going to have to freeze you again."

Mahemoth's eyes go wide with even greater panic. It doesn't seem to like this idea at all.

"I know there's nothing you want less than to be frozen again, and I hate to do it to you, but it's the only way I can get you back to shore. Do you trust me Mahemoth?"

Mahemoth pauses for just a moment, and then it nods. Immediately it returns to flailing about, attempting to keep afloat.

Ash nods. "Alright Frostcicle, use your Icy Wind."

Frostcicle immediately uses its attack on Mahemoth, causing the water around it to begin to turn to ice. Slowly but surely, Mahemoth is entirely encased in ice. Now being entirely frozen, the ice around allows it float.

Everyone breathes a collective sigh of relief.

A little while later, they've managed to get Mahemoth back to shore. Ash, in soaking wet clothes, asks Pikachu, "Alright, can you break it free with Iron Tail?"

Pikachu nods. It leaps at the ice and attack. "Chu pika!" It slams its tail down on the ice, causing it all to shatter apart.

Mahemoth looks around with dismay. Once it realizes what has happened, it happily trumpets, "Maaaaaheeeemoooth!"

Ash smiles. "Welcome home, Mahemoth."

Mahemoth goes silent for a moment. Then it smiles and nods. "Hemoth."

Ash chuckles to himself and comments, "Now if only the Versal gym leader would be home for once."

Halley does a double take. "Did you just mention the Versal gym leader?"

Ash nods. "Yeah, we've been to Versal City twice now trying to challenge him, but he hasn't been their either time."

Halley begins to laugh.

Ash is confused. "I don't see what's so funny."

"The funny thing is that I'm the Versal gym leader."

"What!? You're the Versal gym leader!?"

"Indeed I am. I suppose I must apologize, but this here Mahemoth has been keeping me away from my gym. I'll tell you what. Why don't we help Mahemoth here get acclimated to living on Frostover Island, then we'll head back to mainland and I'll accept your challenge."

Ash smiles. "That would be great. I'm ready for it!" Suddenly he sneezes.

Brock says, "Bless you. Maybe you're not so ready. That freezing water may have given you a cold."

Ash looks mortified. "No…I can't wait any longer! I can't get sick now!"

Everyone, including Mahemoth laugh at Ash.

It can't be easy learning that everything you know has completely changed, but having good friends must be a great comfort in such a time. And as Mahemoth has the greatest friends, it certainly will be fine moving forward, as it explores this new world, and the journey continues.

To Be Continued…