What is going on Ladies and Gentlemen of 2018? I have arrived with the first chapter of the year! I don't know the circumstances for everybody, but for me personally getting the common cold is not a motivational scenario to be able to write as I have discovered. Hence why this one came out a little late.

Fortunately it is all now a distant memory just as the previous year and its many highs and lows will be as we progress into six years after the Mayan Apocalypse. I intend to make a high for the over 200 people who have fav'd and are now following this story, the chance to continue through this year seeing an epic journey build and grow into something even greater.

That being said, I hope you all had a blessed Christmas and were at least happy to see the previous chapter end with what I enjoy doing so much. And for everyone who stuck with this story and waited for this development, that harem promise is indeed about to begin next chapter so I hope it's worth the wait for you.

That's a long enough intro, you all want more of this Saga to rise, so let's actually rise and power into this next chapter of life!

Chapter 18: Hot As Ice

As the group left Ecruteak City first thing in the morning, Ash was treated to Sabrina latching onto his arm as they walked side by side on the road of Route 42. To the appeal of him and his followers, there weren't any Team Rocket squads jumping down in an attempt to gain some kind of payback for their mighty defeat yesterday.

Karen and Will were happy with the progression of their journey as they continued to observe the upbeat pair in their travel across the region. Karen pointed out, "Pretty soon we'll have just one more place to go before we compile everything we had the chance to observe."

Will agreed, "We will. But this will not have to be the end of our journey with Ash Ketchum either. It will still be quite a while before we even get to see him participate in the League."

Karen asked, "By the way, isn't it about time we told him?"

Will answered, "Things do seem to keep coming up don't they? Well he has his own passion to push onwards. There is nothing wrong with him maintaining this sort of dedication."

As soon as the four made their way to the gates of the Mahogany Gym gates, Ash turned to point, "Here we are. Another gym is about to go my way pretty soon."

Sabrina smiled when she agreed, "You do seem sure of yourself. It's almost like you know what to expect from this gym."

Ash smiled back, "I sure do. This is really just a small hurdle I have to jump over by comparison to the others."

Karen accepted, "Well let's see if you can put those words into action kid. I'm looking forward to seeing you deserve the right to be in the upcoming League."

As soon as Ash and his friends entered the gym, they saw a battlefield covered in ice with two people on the other side. He saw a trainer in skiing clothes nearby when he asked, "Hi, is the Gym Leader available?"

The skier named Clarissa answered, "Oh yeah. Just give me a second." Clarissa snapped on her skis before making a dash across the field and to the other side when she announced, "Hi Pryce. You've got a trainer here and I think you'll be happy to see who it is."

An older voice asked, "How? I've already got my share of door-to-door salesman's to freeze off today."

An older female voice told him, "Honey, you know that it's the hour where you start getting trainers right?"

The older man cleared his throat when he turned around to see Ash and his friends from across the battlefield. There was no mistaking that Ash was now face to face with Pryce of Johto himself. The older man greeted with an enthusiastic smile, "Welcome Ash Ketchum. It is nice to see you arrive. I had to anticipate this sort of challenge would eventually come around."

Ash stepped up his side of the field while Mew and Pikachu followed when he pointed out, "That's interesting to hear. You're probably the first gym leader I've heard who said he was waiting for me."

Pryce confirmed, "Not surprising to hear. You might have already come to expect this, but I've been in this business for quite some time. I've only had the chance to fight a League Champion once before in my entire career and I've been waiting for the chance to see it happen again."

Ash recognized Pryce's anticipation when he observed, "So you've been anxious to have a really tough battle. If you really only fought one League Champion before I guess I have a lot to live up to don't I?"

Pryce took a bow when he told Ash, "It is more from the blame of me never having the fortune to meet with other such ambitious trainers. Pokémon have many experiences in their lives, just like we do. I, too, have seen and suffered much in my life. Since I am your elder, let me show you what I mean. I have been with Pokémon since before your were born. I do not lose easily. I, Pryce - the winter trainer- shall demonstrate my power!"

Ash held up one of his Pokéballs when he agreed, "That's what I want to hear. Show me what you got!"

Clarissa stood in the middle of them when she announced, "All participants. We are now witnessing a two-on-two gym battle between Gym Leader Pryce Wormald and the challenger Ash Ketchum, Kanto Champion. Ready… Fight!"

Pryce threw out his first Pokéball when he ordered, "Go forth! Dewgong!"

Ash quickly followed when he ordered, "Go! Charizard!"

On the frozen battlefield, the two Pokémon stood each other evenly in the eye as they prepared for the first chance to begin their battle. Sabrina noted, "Pretty believable. I suppose Ash does still have two choices that are optimal fire types."

Karen added, "You got to remember, Dewgong has one thing over Charizard. Things might not have been predetermined."

Will commented, "If they were, this battle would be pointless. Why don't we see how Sabrina's "support" managed to assist him."

Sabrina in the meantime was only able to blush as she recognized what her two traveling companions were easily able to deduce from the morning before entering Mahogany City.

The battle in the meantime had only begun when Pryce ordered, "Quite the predicament you're in boy. Dewgong! Brine!" Dewgong followed on the order when she released a strong stream of water from her mouth with Charizard as her target.

Ash prepared himself, "Charizard! Use Air Slash!" Charizard's wings glowed light blue before he flapped them and released several light blue glowing saw discs towards the Brine attack Dewgong had offered. The discs of energy sliced through the powerful oncoming water attack before they managed to hit Dewgong in the head.

Dewgong fell back and lifted herself up when Pryce ordered, "Dewgong! Use Aqua Tail!" Dewgong followed on the order when she made her tail glow light blue before spinning it around. Her tail then summoned a spiral of water before she flipped her tail and sent it towards Charizard's tail flame.

Ash ordered, "Charizard! Use Heat Wave!" Charizard summoned a red-orange ball in his mouth before releasing a wind of flames towards Dewgong. Dewgong's Aqua Tail attack was reduced to steam while the ground beneath was reduced to water.

Pryce took the chance to turn the tables when he ordered, "Dewgong! Surf!" Dewgong landed on top of the melted ice before summoning a large wave that loomed over Charizard and prepared to crash on top of the draconic Pokémon.

Ash had no chance but to take this on the offensive when he ordered, "Charizard! Fly!" Charizard heard the order as he prepared his wings and legs as they summoned light blue flames from the ground before he flew up into the air and towards the ceiling of the gym. The mighty wave of water that Dewgong had summoned came crashing down but Dewgong was left surprised by how ineffective her attack was.

Pryce tried to adjust to the situation again when he ordered, "Dewgong! Use Brine seriously this time!" Dewgong lifted her head up as she summoned another powerful jet of water and aimed at Charizard far above her. Charizard was ready for the attack however as he tucked his tail and avoided taking any damage from the attack.

Ash responded to the narrow miss, "Charizard! Use Inferno!" Charizard lowered his head and released a stream of purple and blue fire down to Dewgong's area as he trapped her within a blaze of fire. The flames that had been lit across the field burned brightly for a short while before Pryce was able to view the results and saw Dewgong floating on the wet surface without any desire to continue fighting.

Pryce sighed when he accepted, "Well that's the first of it. Return Dewgong."

Ash found himself excited at having beaten the first half of the battle when Charizard set himself down to the ground and waited for the next order. Ash took out his Pokéball and announced, "Good job Charizard. Break time." With that, Charizard returned to his Pokéball while Clarissa and Sabrina were left in surprise by what Ash was doing.

Clarissa asked, "Does he have another super powerful fire type he wants to use?"

Sabrina answered, "If he does, I haven't seen him add it to his team today."

Will confirmed, "Who knows. Right now Ash does have the advantage. Things could change either way at this point."

Pryce prepared himself for the final dual when he announced, "Prepare yourself! Glalie!"

Ash then surprised many on the field when he announced, "You're next! Growlithe!"

The sight of the spherical ice Pokémon offering an imposing glare to the smaller canine Pokémon gave the on looking trainers a chance to anticipate an authentic battle. Glalie faced Growlithe with an intimidating look while Growlithe remained defiant and ready to stand against his opponent.

The tension broke when Ash ordered, "Growlithe! Flamethrower!"

"Glalie! Double Team!" Growlithe's Flamethrower attack hit the left target before it disappeared and gave Pryce the chance to order, "Glalie! Freeze-Dry!" A light blue ball of energy formed above Glalie's head before firing a light blue, white and purple aura towards Growlithe. The attack was a direct hit as it encased Growlithe in a block of ice.

Ash gave his best chance when he ordered, "Growlithe! Flare Blitz!" Growlithe managed to hear the order as his body was surrounded in light blue flames before shattering the ice that entombed him. The next part of the attack came as Growlithe, without hesitation, shot towards Glalie at the speed of a missile.

"Glalie! Use Frost Breath!" Glalie blew snow from his mouth while a wind with sparkling blue powder was released. The attack connected with Growlite's Flame Wheel as the might of the cold pushed away the heat that was endangering him. Growlithe was not however stopped in his attack as he continued to fly towards Glalie and hit him head first between the eyes.

Growlithe slid back on the ice while Glalie fell down with his eyes out of focus but didn't have him completely beaten. "Not bad. Won't be this way for long. Growlithe! Fire Blast!" Growlithe fired a star-shaped fire attack from his mouth as it soared towards Glalie.

The situation forced Pryce to order, "Glalie! Sheer Cold!" Glalie's body was surrounded by a blue aura while the inside of his mouth shined white. The ground beneath froze and Growlithe was about to be encased in the frigid clod beneath him.

Ash recognized this danger when he ordered, "Growlithe! Run with the Fire Blast!" Despite the rising of the ice that managed to make its way around the field, the fire blast attack was still soaring and undaunted as it seared its way through everything and melted a chasm towards his opponent. The growing amount of ice that had begun to grow was so tall that Neither Ash or Pryce could see their respective Pokémon making an attempt at continuing their attack.

Pryce smiled, "You did good kid. But not everyone is able to overpower me this easily. Glalie! Blizzard!" Within the chasms of ice, Glalie fired a blizzard from his face to the small space that Growlithe had to avoid the Sheer Cold attack.

The rising amount of snow did not deter Ash when he responded, "You'd be surprised. Growlithe! Flame Wheel!" Within the frozen chasms that Glalie had created, Growlithe's body was enveloped in flames as it melted more of the ice and proceeded to make another attack at the supposed superior he was facing. The attack built even more as Growlithe made his way through the frozen grounds and collided with Glalie.

Glalie went flying out of the small chasm of ice as he landed outside Pryce's feet but still ready to give an attack from the ground. Growlithe in the meantime stood defiant to his opponent and with a ready grin to offer a final attack that would decide the match. Pryce recognized these odds when he ordered, "Don't give up! Glalie! Use Freeze-Dry!" Glalie didn't rise from the ground but managed to have his eyes open to concentrate a light blue, white and purple aura as he fired on Growlithe again.

Ash determinedh is victory when he ordered, "Growlithe! Use Fire Blitz!" Growlithe's body was surrounded in light blue flames as he made a dive towards the attack head on. The aura made contact but did nothing to stop Growlithe's determined final attack as he landed headfirst into the opponent who now lay beneath him. The collision resulted in a mighty blast of shattered ice that flew across the room before both trainers could clearly see Growlith standing triumphantly over Glalie.

Clarissa announced, "All of the gym leader's Pokémon have been defeated. Ash Ketchum is the winner."

Ash grinned when he held up his Pokéball and congratulated, "Great job Growlithe! You're getting stronger all the time!" Growlithe returned to his Pokéball while Ash was allowed to wait for the opportunity to hear from the gym leader.

Pryce walked onto the ice as he slid across to Ash with a surprising amount of stability before telling him, "I am impressed by your prowess. With your strong will, I know you will overcome all life's obstacles. Ash Ketchum, you are indeed worthy of this badge."

As Pryce handed out the badge to his victor, Ash accepted the sign of his achievement with enthusiasm and added to his undershirt. He looked over his achievements when he told himself, "This is great! I'm just one away now!"

Pryce smiled when he congratulated, "Quite impressive that you have made it this far Ash. You will soon be able to qualify for the League."

Ash had the same enthusiasm when he agreed, "I sure do. I just need to find the next city I can go to and then I'll be ready!"

Will entered the conversation when he told Ash, "I don't think you'll want to travel to the nearest city however. You may be facing a mighty challenge that will take a long time for you to overcome."

Ash found himself unsure about Will's warning when he asked, "What's so bad about going to the next gym? I just need to beat eight is all and none of them are really harder than the others."

Pryce laughed lightly when he confirmed, "Sounds like you really are new to Johto and haven't paid attention to much around here. Seriously, I actually manage to be more up to date on something than a youngster for a change. You haven't heard about the up and coming greatest protégé that we are currently witnessing?"

Ash was slightly surprised to hear the comment when he told Pryce, "I don't think so. I've taken on a lot of gym leaders before, I don't think one more is going to be that much of a challenge."

Pryce corrected, "It is a bit different from that Ash. If you do plan to make your way to Blackthorn City you will be taking on the most powerful gym leader who may be rising to challenge the Johto Elite Four."

Ash was interested by the claim when he asked, "Who is the gym leader in Blackthorn?"

Karen answered, "The gym leader you're looking at is the up and coming Clair Christensen. A disciple and descendant from the Dragon Clan itself. She's been a gym leader for about 5 years and she has gone completely undefeated. From what everyone has said she only plans to challenge the Elite Four once her Dragonair becomes a Dragonite. We could be looking at the second Dragon Clan Champion of the world if her ambitions play out."

Ash could hear the sincerity in describing what sort of Gym Leader Clair was. In spite of everything Karen told him, he decided, "That sounds like the sort of challenge that I need to get ready for the League. If I want to pull this off, I'll have to bring my absolute best... I hope the Pokémon I have will be ready to face her."

Pryce told him, "There is one final chance that will allow you to stand a true chance against your final challenge if that is the case Ash. In order to enter Blackthron City from here, you must cross through the Ice Path."

Ash remembered reading the location on the map on his Pokédvice when he asked, "Does that place live up to its title?"

Pryce nodded, "It certainly does. The further down you descend, the more likely you will find a Pokémon that can stand against Clair."

"Okay. I've been in the cold before. I can handle this again." Ash turned to his friends when he told them, "I think I've got my first destination in mind. I hope you guys aren't unhappy about this."

Sabrina answered, "If you're dead set on taking on this challenge I can't do anything to stop you by now."

Will agreed, "It can be a nice to enjoy a breeze. I have a feeling that some of us might not be prepared to endure such conditions."

Karen brushed off the observation when she told him, "Sabrina's cold shoulder hasn't given me freeze burn yet. I think I can handle a cave."

Sabrina was slightly amused when she accepted, "At least I'll have the chance to keep him warm if he asks for it."

As Ash and his friends made their way down the Ice Path that was so close to Mahogany City, Ash viewed the frozen mouth waiting for his entry. The cold outside didn't faze him but the darkness and chilling void that was waiting for him was enough to send just one chill up his spine. He turned to the others when he asked, "So are you guys ready to see what we discover down here?"

Will answered, "I am willing to see. I believe we had best be quick however. The ladies seem to not approve of the conditions."

Ash saw Karen and Sabrina hug themselves in an effort to stay warm when Karen cursed, "Can't believe I didn't think we would have conditions like these to get through."

Sabrina gave an agreement, "It makes me wish I kept my previous outfit."

Ash offered, "The wind shouldn't be as bad inside at least. I'll try and find the first ice Pokémon I can capture and we'll be out of here before you know it."

The four made their way inside the Ice Path cave while Mew floated up to him and asked, "So just a one and done deal is it? Are you that confident you'll be able to stand against Clair despite the warnings?"

Ash nodded, "I think so. It's just a question of being able to get my numbers up and then I'll have a sure advantage."

Mew floated up to a few feet in front of Ash when she twirled around in a spot and had a light aura around her appear. Ash was curious before seeing her arrive back to his shoulder and told him, "Let's not keep everyone waiting then. Humans can only stand conditions like these for so long."

Ash nodded as he began to walk forward and tell her, "That's what everybody wants me to do. It might be a little while before we -" Before Ash said anything else, one of his feet flew into a hole that was covered only with light packing snow while Pikachu let out a yell of the imminent danger he was falling into. The slip left Ash to fall for almost a minute before finally landing on his rear. He felt the pain ring through his pelvis and then through his body while Pikachu caught his breath while clinging tightly to Ash's shoulder.

Ash was looked up to curse, "Mew! Don't tell me you had anything to do with this!" Before he could get a glimpse of Mew giggling at his situation, he felt himself moving along the ground. He didn't imagine there was a moving ground but lowered his hand to feel a hairy surface that he was sitting on. He continued to move before the surface of fur stopped moving and made a sudden stop.

Ash flew down the slope of hair that he had just found himself on before landing on top of the icy ground that he had expected. He landed headfirst on the ground and found himself face to face with a pink snout and his arms were lying on top of two icy tusks. The snout gave a mighty snort as it pushed Ash on his back before encouraging him to get up and realize what he was facing.

Instead of an odd example of ground, Ash realized he had just landed on the hump of a Pokémon he didn't immediately recognize. In front of him was a big furry Pokémon that had the mighty hump on its back. Pikachu was the first to point in his direction of the big discovery while Ash agreed, "Wow. I didn't expect to see a Piloswine even this deep down."

The Piloswine turned around as it searched for more The Pokémon he was facing was not an ordinary one either. The most differing characteristic was the sight of Piloswine instead having a golden yellow color of fur instead of the signature brown they were known for. "Oh wow. Is that one actually a shiny?"

Pikachu nodded, "Seems like that big guy is. Maybe we should just catch first and find out later."

Ash grabbed one of his Pokéballs when he agreed, "Glad I stayed ready for this. Kingler! Let's get him!" Ash's crustacean Pokémon stood behind the Piloswine as it went about its business digging through the snow for food. At the moment Ash could tell he had the opportunity of surprise on his side. Even better, the frigid cold of the depths didn't affect Kingler's exoskeleton as he was able to move in for the attack.

Ash began the pursuit when he ordered, "Let's get his attention with Bubble Beam!" Kingler scuttled up within range of Piloswine as he opened his mighty claw and fired a stream of light blue bubbles towards Piloswine. As he took the attack, Piloswine was pushed over the edge and fell on his face. The defensive Pokémon was not intimidated however as he turned around now agitated and prepared to attack Kingler with a charge of his tusks. Ash saw the opportunity however when he ordered, "Now! Hit him with Crabhammer!" As Piloswine came charging towards his target, Kingler lifted his mighty claw and slammed right in the snout.

Piloswine was visibly taking a beating as he endured the attack but didn't go down at the move. Ash was pleased to see his wild opponent persist when he observed, "A shiny should have more strength in them than normal ones. Kingler! Use Metal Claw!" Kingler heard the command and scuttled towards Piloswine while his attacking claw glowed white and prepared to make another attack. Piloswine didn't back down however as he breathed in and blew a storm of ice towards Kingler. Kingler saw the danger however as he nimbly made his way around the attack and only felt the ice graze his feet as he continued to make his way towards his target. Just a few steps later and Kingler slammed his claw into the snout of Piloswine again.

This time Piloswine was pushed over on his back where his underbelly was exposed and had difficulty getting up even though his willingness to fight had been largely diminished. This was exactly the opportunity that Ash had been waiting for. He grabbed one of the Pokéballs he planned to use and proclaimed, "Don't let me down Kurt! Go Dive Ball!" The aqua blue Pokéball flew towards Piloswine before turning him into a form of red energy that locked him within the small ball. The ball struggled as it bounced a few times with Piloswine struggling to maintain his freedom, but eventually stopped as it managed to register him as a Pokémon of Ash Ketchum.

Ash watched the Pokéball teleport its way to Oak's when he fist pumped, "Oh yeah! That was easy!"

Pikachu agreed, "And an effort well rewarded!"

Kingler chimed in, "And I got a great workout after a long while too!"

Ash agreed, "You did great Kingler. I'll be sure to use you again another time." He returned Kingler to his Pokéball and looked up to see Mew flying down to him.

Mew congratulated, "It was a good thing I had you drop in on him wasn't it? Another hour later and you would have missed the opportunity of a region."

Ash accepted, "Maybe you were on to something after all Mew. Although I would prefer it if you would give me some kind of warning about how you plan to help next time."

Mew told him, "That's up to you Ash. You need to keep your powers up to practice somehow."

Ash conceded to the reason, "Okay, as long as it's for those reasons. I guess I'll have to work on making my own way up now won't I?"

Mew nodded, "Yeah. Nothing like you haven't done before."

Ash looked for the hole he fell down as he watched Mew fly up and look down for his approach. Pikachu asked, "I sure hope nothing else she does is going to be this much of a chore for us."

Ash concentrated his powers when he simply told his closest partner, "She hasn't done anything to put us in harms way yet. I think she's still got our best interests in mind." As Ash's powers manifested, a column of ground ascended from beneath his feet as it raised him through the mighty hole he had fallen through. Very soon he would once again be on a journey to achieve greatness while his friends would guide him through the obstacles of Johto. This time there was only one supposed impossible task to overcome. One that would soon change his life in ways he didn't imagine.

Welp, there's another gym done. Ash having the advantage in this one probably made the outcome obvious but at least here it wasn't entirely one sided. And now with that Ash has one more badge to nab before he can enter the League tournament. But will he be ready?

And here a new Pokémon is finally caught! A shiny Pilowsine. Sort of goes well with the shiny Rhydon Ash already had. I'm thinking I'll do one per region just so things aren't too in favor of Ash's team.

Now for the part you probably have all been waiting for. Chapter 19. The chapter in which the final gym challenge of Johto presents itself. And I did say I would begin to deliver on the harem development didn't I?

I'll leave this bit of knowledge for now, this next chapter is actually about to be the introduction of an arc that I initially planned to do as a standalone story. Ultimately I decided that incorporating it here would be a good way to develop Ash's current situation as well as get the story essentially done. Perhaps you already know everything, perhaps you may be surprised. The suspense will all be mitigated in the next big portion of the story.

Until then, I look forward to seeing you all next chapter.