"Ah…finally…we made it." Shun'ei said as they stood in front of the Gym building on the mountainside of Glaseado Mountain.

"Why did they have to built the gym so far from civilization?" Mari asked.

"Apparently the gym leader is a former snowboarder. This is the perfect place to run a few snowboard runs." Frosta said.

"Oh yeah. From what I read, he won six times in a row at major Paldean competitions. But he was forced to retire after sustaining an injury from an accident." Mari said.

"Yeah, career-ending injuries could do that to you." Shun'ei said.

"Well, there was an Elite Four member in Alola that is a golfer. I guess sports really are universal." Genis said. "You know, thinking on it… If David had a Pokémon Gym, I'm pretty sure this is how he would envision it."

"It would seem fitting of David's cryokinetic prowess." E. Constance said.

"Uh…sure." Shun'ei said as they entered the gym building.

"Okay…you've come to challenge our gym. Meaning your test is…hitting the slopes." the attendant said.

"Going down the slalom course? Sounds interesting." Shun'ei said.

"Guess we'll see how good with a snowboard you are." Mari said. "Could be good practice if you ever want to join for the next Winter Olympics."

"That's not gonna be for a long while, though." Meitenkun said.

"I know." Mari said.

"Wait…I don't have a…hmm…" Shun'ei said before getting an idea as he approached the course, riding on Cyclizar.

"He's gonna go through the course on Cyclizar? Doesn't that seem a little…unusual?" Rinwell asked.

"A little, but it could be done." Genis said.

"Alright, Cyclizar. Are you ready for this?" Shun'ei asked. "Then let's go!" he said as they started sliding down the course.

(Cue- Snowboard Cross- Mario and Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games)

"Careful, Shun! If you miss the gates, you'll get a time penalty." Meitenkun said.

"Got it. Though I think for this test, the time is very generous." Shun'ei said as he was hitting all the gates.

"Hmm…he's doing good time. Go and crush it!" Frosta called out as Shun'ei passed the finish line.

"He made it!" Meitenkun said.

"Yes…you certainly did." a voice said as a man in winter gear emerged. "You did well." he said as Shun'ei made it back up.

The Sub-Zero Shredder

Grusha

"I take it you're the gym leader?" Shun'ei asked.

"Yes. My name is Grusha. I'll be your last opponent before you go face the Champion Test." Grusha said.

"You certainly exude quite a powerful aura. I'll need to watch myself with you." Shun'ei said.

"I look forward to seeing how you battle." Grusha said as they headed into the battle court.

"This is gonna be intense, I can feel it." Rinwell said.

"So… I take it you already know a lot about me. I'm a snowboarder. Used to be pro, actually. Now I'm a Gym Leader. Winter mountains are dangerous. They can throw your life right off course, easy as that. Same thing with Pokémon battles, really... It's always the most dangerous when you're just starting to get the hang of things." Grusha said.

"Yes…now…shall we?" Shun'ei asked.

"Of course." Grusha said. "Let's go, Frosmoth!" he said as he sent out Frosmoth.

"Alright. Time to send out one of my new ones!" Shun'ei said as he sent out a black Tauros with red accents.

"Hey, that looks like one of the Pokémon the other groups saw Rinkah using!" Frosta said.

"Let's see….Tauros, Paldean Form. Blaze Breed! The Fighting Bull Pokémon! A Fighting and Fire Type! When heated by fire energy, its horns can get hotter than 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. Those gored by them will suffer both wounds and burns." Mari said.

"Yikes. Sounds like something that shouldn't be messed with." Rinwell said.

"Let's start this off right. Use Flame Charge!" Shun'ei said.

The Tauros coated itself in flames as it charged into Frosmoth, dealing four times the damage as it fell with one hit.

"Return!" Grusha said. "Talk about a hot head. Let's cool them off, Beartic!" he said, sending out Beartic.

"Careful, Tauros. He's got something planned with this one." Shun'ei said. "Let's use Swagger."

"Aqua Jet!" Grusha said as Beartic rammed into Tauros before the Swagger could be pulled off.

"That Beartic's fast!" Frosta said.

"No, Aqua Jet just let's the one who's using it move first." Perfuma noted.

"Looks like someones done their homework." Grusha noted.

"Can you still fight, or do you want me to switch to your buddy?" Shun'ei asked.

"Wait, buddy? He has another one of those?" Rinwell asked.

"He must've picked up the other Breed of Paldean Tauros." Perfuma said.

Tauros was barely able to stand, grunting at Shun'ei to switch.

"Very well." Shun'ei said as he switched it out for another black Tauros, this time with blue accents.

"This must be the Aqua Breed." Mari said as she scanned it. "Tauros, Paldean Form. Aqua Breed. A Water and Fighting Type. It swims by jetting water from its horns. The most notable characteristic of the Aqua Breed is its high body fat, which allows it to float easily."

"Go, Double Kick!" Shun'ei said.

Tauros bellowed as it charged at Beartic with two kicks right to its body.

"Beartic, fight back with Icicle Crash!" Grusha said as an icicle fell on Tauros, doing very little damage.

"Quite a durable fella. Now, Zen Headbutt!" Shun'ei said.

Tauros then headbutted Beartic as it fell over.

"Return! Now…come, Cetitan!" Grusha said sending out a large whale like creature.

"Okay…Cetitan, the Terra Whale Pokémon and the evolved form of Cetoddle! An Ice Type! Ice energy builds up in the horn on its upper jaw, causing the horn to reach cryogenic temperatures that freeze its surroundings." Mari said, looking it up.

"Oh man, I need that thing!" Frosta said, looking at it starry-eyed.

"Let's get that thing out of here. Body Press!" Shun'ei said.

Tauros jumped up as it body slammed Cetitan.

"Fight back with Ice Spinner!" Grusha said as Cetitan spun on its feet before ramming into Tauros.

"Hmm… Yeah, I think it's time to switch to one of my aces now." Shun'ei said as he switched out his Aqua Breed Tauros for Ceruledge.

"Huh… this could be a problem." Grusha said. "Better get it done the best I can. Cetitan, use Liquidation!" It was very effective, and Ceruledge was left standing.

"Time to show your trump card. Bitter Blade!" Shun'ei said.

Ceruledge focused his bitter feelings towards the world of the living and unleashed it as a powerful slashing attack, and in the process healing his wounds.

"Return!" Grusha said. "Well…we're down to the wire now. This has me very excited! Go, Altaria!" he said, sending out Altaria.

"Get ready, Ceruledge. He's putting out all the stops now!" Shun'ei said.

"It is strange." E. Constance said. "Seeing Shun'ei fighting against Grusha, it is almost like he is facing David himself."

"I don't know... I mean, this guy strictly uses Ice-types." Genis said.

"Yes and it's about to be even more colder as we have snow storms ahead." Grusha said as he held up his Tera Orb before tossing it as Altaria Terastallized into an Ice Type.

"This is gonna be an interesting matchup. Ready, Ceruledge?" Shun'ei asked.

"Don't give them an inch, Altaria! Use Moonblast!" Grusha said as Altaria attacked Ceruledge with fairy energy.

"Now, Flame Charge!" Shun'ei said.

Ceruledge met the blast head on, charging into it swathed in flames. This dealt huge damage to Altaria.

"Don't take it lightly! Fight back with Ice Beam!" Grusha said as Altaria fired a powered up Ice Beam.

"That was a pretty hard hit, but still not very effective. One more Bitter Blade!" Shun'ei said.

Ceruledge dashed at Altaria as it landed a flaming slice, taking down the cotton bird for good.

"Well…seems I went and wiped out." Grusha said.

"That was still a great battle. It really opened our eyes to many possibilities." Shun'ei said with a smile.

"Just like how I used to be…" Grusha said to himself before looking to Shun'ei. "Oh, never mind. I should give you the Ice Badge."

"Thank you, Grusha." Shun'ei said.

"And with this, Shun now has all 8 Badges!" Meitenkun said.

"And that means he's ready for his Champion assessment." Perfuma said.

"But before that, I'm sure Rinkah will wanna get one more battle in with him before he challenges the Elite Four and all." Frosta said.

"Yeah, she would. I could use a little warming up before the Pokémon League." Shun'ei said, chuckling a bit at his joke. "Best to get my Pokémon healed up and switched around first."

A bit later after Shun'ei had healed his team up and reorganized them for the battle ahead, he met Rinkah at the Glaseado battle court, who was all set to battle as she smiled at Shun'ei, arms crossed.

"Congratulations on getting your 8th and final Gym badge. Now you're all ready to take your Champion Assessment." Rinkah praised. "But, that doesn't mean I'll give you any Leeway. You want to prove you can handle the Elite Four and the final test yourself? Show me how strong enough you are to take all of them on!"

"With pleasure. Let's get right to it!" Shun'ei said.

(Cue Rinkah's Rival Theme: vs. Zinnia (Traditional Japanese Version))

Shun'ei is challenged by Flame Warrior Rinkah!

"No holding back anything! Go, Coalossal!" Rinkah said, sending out the Rock/Fire type.

"Starting with this one, huh? Alright then. Let's get to it, Tauros!" Shun'ei said as he sent out his Aqua Breed Tauros.

"First, use Dig!" Rinkah said as the Coal Pokémon burrowed its way underground and prepared to strike.

"Okay, we're not gonna hit anything right now. Buff yourself up with Work Up!" Shun'ei said.

Tauros roused itself, raising its offensive stats, just as Coalossal burst from the ground and hit Tauros with a rising strike.

"Now, use Aqua Jet!" Shun'ei said.

"Meet it with Heat Crash!" Rinkah called as the two collided in a burst of fire and water. Being priority, Aqua Jet hit faster, though both came away with damage. Coalossal though, took the quad effective move, and due to it not having Steam Engine, didn't get a boost of power.

"Now, finish it with Double Kick!" Shun'ei said.

Tauros ran up to their opponent and, using its front legs, kicked Coalossal twice, sending the weakened Coal Pokémon to the ground. Rinkah returned her first Pokémon.

"Alright, one down." Shun'ei said. "No time to relax just yet."

"Not bad! And you're right, the battle's only just begun!" Rinkah said "Go, Salazzle!" she said, sending out the Poison/Fire type.

"Keep your focus, Tauros. Don't let her distract you. Zen Headbutt!" Shun'ei said.

"FIRE LASH!" Rinkah called as Salazzle lashed out and stopped Tauros from charging while also doing damage and lowering the Aqua Breed's defense. "Now follow up with Poison Tail!"

"Go for it, Aqua Jet!" Shun'ei said.

Both Pokémon hit each other again, and this time, while Salazzle took damage super effectively, the damage done to Tauros was enough to take it down.

"There goes your first Water type." Rinkah smirked. "Now what'll you do?"

"Don't worry about me. I still have plenty more fight left to give!" Shun'ei said as he pulled out his second Pokéball.

"Good to hear. Let's go!" Rinkah said as she sent out her Talonflame. "I take it this is where you send out your Garchomp, huh?"

"Not this time. I prepared someone else this time. Let's amp it up, Toxtricity!" Shun'ei said as he sent out an Amped Toxtricity.

"Toxtricity, huh?" Rinkah remarked. "This one might be trouble, but I'm not letting down. Fire Blast!" she called as Talonflame unleashed the strongest fire attack in the form of a powerful fireball as it formed into the kanji for fire.

"Ready? Now, Thunder Shock!" Shun'ei said.

Toxtricity let off a jolt of electricity that surged into the Fire Blast, creating a ball of flaming sparks that let off their respective elements towards their targets. Talonflame was struck by small bolts of lightning while the Punk Pokémon was washed in flames. The outcome left Toxtricity with more damage, but Talonflame has electricity dancing on its feathers; a sign of paralysis.

"Yes, got him!" Shun'ei said. "Now, Shock Wave!"

The Punk Pokémon agreed to the move, striking Talonflame with a quick jolt of electricity that brought the Scorching Pokémon to the ground, causing Rinkah to return them.

"That's three down…" Rinkah said. "But don't think I'm on the ropes! Let's go, Armarouge!" she said, bringing out the Fire Warrior Pokémon. "Use Expanding Force!" she called out as Armarouge unleashed its psychic energy into the ground as it erupted under Toxtricity. The already hurt Punk Pokémon, hit with an effective move, was brought down under the psychic assault.

"Return, Toxtricity!" Shun'ei said as he brought Toxtricity back in and brought out Ceruledge. "Now, Shadow Claw!"

Armarouge braced itself as it took the attack and some damage.

"Not bad. But let's see which is better…the cannon…or the sword?" Rinkah said. "Use Dark Pulse!" she said as Armarouge fired a Dark Pulse at Ceruledge.

"Dark Pulse? Seems you changed up your Pokemon's moveset. Impressive." Shun'ei said. "Guess I'll have to match that. Shadow Ball!"

The two attacks collided before the Dark Pulse won over and struck Ceruledge, dealing effective damage.

"Okay… Plan B. Night Slash!" Shun'ei said.

Ceruledge dashed in and slashed across Armarouge, dealing effective damage to it in return.

"Now, finish it up with Shadow Claw!" Shun'ei said.

Ceruledge soon followed up as he dealt three ghostly claw swipes in a single stroke, dealing another effective hit.

"Alright…it's all or nothing now!" Rinkah said as Armarouge revved its flames. "LET YOUR FLAMES BURN TO VICTORY!"

Vigorous Power Armor Cannon!

Armarouge fired its Armor Cannon right at Ceruledge, the power of the Sync Pair allowing it to do massive damage. Added onto the damage dealt by Dark Pulse, it proved to be too much for Ceruledge, who fainted.

"Well, guess we are now even." Shun'ei said. "I'll need to change that." he said as he sent out Garchomp. "That Armor Cannon lowered Armarouge's defense stats. Take advantage of that with Bulldoze!"

The Mach Pokémon gathered up Ground type energy and ran right into the weakened Fire Warrior, knocking them down and out.

"Not bad. I see you know how to take the initiative." Rinkah said. "But let's see how it fares against this!" she said as she sent out her own Ceruledge. "Here we go!"

"Here we go is right. Rock Slide!" Shun'ei said.

Garchomp began to hurl large boulders at Ceruledge.

"Reflect!" Rinkah said as the damage done by Rock Slide was reduced. "Now Night Shade!"

"Don't let them psych you out. Dragon Claw!" Shun'ei said.

Garchomp unleashed a powerful draconic claw swipe that dealt normal damage to Ceruledge, at the same time slashing through a frightening mirage only they could see.

"Focus, Garchomp. Try to run him down with Bulldoze!" Shun'ei said.

"That won't work twice! Use Flare Blitz!" Rinkah said.

The fire attack was launched, but there was barely a scratch on Garchomp, thankfully for Ceruledge, he didn't suffer much recoil damage as Garchomp's attack continued, dealing effective damage to the Fire Blades Pokemon.

"It's not over yet!" Rinkah said with determination. "Use Bitter Blade!"

"One more Rock Slide!" Shun'ei said.

Ceruledge gathered his bitter feelings into a sword of purple flame as the boulders came hurtling in. The Flame Blades Pokémon sliced through the first boulder…leaving it open to the others, getting hit by all of them.

"(That move is weak.)" Ceruledge thought as it began to fall into unconsciousness. "(Those bitter feelings…they're so small now. I can't say…I'm sad about it…)"

Ceruledge fell onto the ground, the Flame Warrior returning them.

"Only one left." Rinkah said with a grin. "You know what's coming. Let's do this, Reazah!" she declared sending out her Hisuian Arcanine. "And now…!" she continued as she and Reazah activated Battle Bond.

Rinkah-H. Arcanine

"Are you sure you can handle the strain this time?" Shun'ei asked.

"Sure! Last time I was using two at once. One on its own barely phases me!" Rinkah assured her rival. "Let's start with Extreme Speed!"

Reazah began zipping towards Garchomp in a zigzag pattern, making it hard for the Mach Pokémon to keep their eyes on him until he ran straight into them, bringing them into the red in terms of endurance.

"One last Bulldoze for the road!" Shun'ei said.

"Wait for it…" Rinkah said as Garchomp raced towards Reazah at full speed. "Now!"

The Fire/Rock type leapt out of the way of the Bulldoze and hit them with a Flamethrower to the side, knocking the Mach Pokémon out at last.

"Well, guess I gotta bring out the big guns, too." Shun'ei said as he sent out Quaquaval. "Water Pulse!"

With Shun'ei's starter against Rinkah's ace, Reazah now resorted to following commands from the mind. Reazah used Extreme Speed again to dodge the attack, and then got ready to unleash a supercharged Raging Fury.

"Aqua Step, now!" Shun'ei said.

Quaquaval dodged out of the way and toyed with Reazah as he attacked with light and fluid dance steps, dealing effective damage.

"Now, go for a Water Pulse!" Shun'ei said.

Quaquaval unleashed ultrasonic waves in the shape of water rings, dealing even more effective damage, and Rinkah felt it all via the effects of Battle Bond.

"Ngh… you haven't beaten us yet!" Rinkah said as Reazah went for one last attack, and a strong one at that. Which was a combination of Raging Fury and Flare Blitz, Raging Fire Blitz!

"Ready, Quaquaval…? Now, Counter!" Shun'ei said.

Quaquaval went unusually still as Reazah hit the Dancer Pokémon full force, causing massive damage…but the Water/Fighting type still stood before they spun around and hit the Hisuian Arcanine with a Counter-infused kick to the face. That hit caused Reazah, and Rinkah by association, to be sent flying backwards! The battle was over!

(end song)

"Well…guess there's no denying it. You're definitely ready to take on the Elite Four." Rinkah said.

"If I can handle all of that, then yeah. I suppose so." Shun'ei said.

"That's good, because the Pokémon League is a gauntlet against the Elite Four and the Champion with no breaks. But you will have chances to heal your Pokémon between matches." Genis said. "And you are going to need those chances, because if you lose against any of them, you'll have to start again from the beginning."

"Right…and nothing will get in my way." Shun'ei said as the ground seemed to shake all across Paldea for a moment.

"Wh-what was that?" Meitenkun asked. "An earthquake?"

"I dunno…but why do I get the weirdest feeling people from our groups are responsible?" Perfuma said.

Meanwhile…

"What…the heck…did you do?!" Twilight said.

"(I already explained it.)" Bisharp, now a Kingambit, said. "(In my quest to become the Emperor I was meant to be, I stumbled across those odd looking stakes you were talking about… all 32 of them. Then, recalling your talks of how you continuously redeem those you once considered foes, I decided to free the Ruinous Powers under the belief that they could be tamed. Did you get it that time?)"

"(Kingambit, you utter fool!)" Corvisquire, now Corviknight said. "(They were sealed away for a reason!)"

"Yeah…these guys messed up big time. I knew some of us would meet back up at one point, but not like this." Cinderace said.

"(You idiot. The Ruinous Pokemon nearly destroyed Paldea centuries ago! Did you even think this through at all?)" Meowscarada asked.

"(The beast tamer wanted to set them loose in the first place, and claim one as her partner, did she not?)" Kingambit asked. "(I simply sped up the process you would have no doubt undertaken yourselves.)"

"Ugh…wanting a partner in them is not an excuse for doing something like that." Chopper said.

"Can't we just put the stakes back in again?" Kaminari asked.

"Those things were thousands of years old. They likely crumbled the moment they were pulled." Twilight said.

"(Why are you all discussing these matters? There are Legends to bring under our heels!)" Kingambit said.

"...I'll deal with you later." Mark growled. "But…he's right. The only thing we can do now is go after those four."

"Uh…I don't think that's gonna be a problem…" Dhar said as four energies moved towards where the Starfall and Legends group were standing. "Cause they appear to be coming to us."