Ash the Iron Trainer

by Mar 'Darry' Darren

It was a freak storm. One that separated Ash from Misty and Brock but not with Pikachu. And yet Ash was able to find an entire new region and be reunited with a friend that he never thought he will see again. With four young Pokémon found in a crate as eggs, Ash will take this new region and in the future, Kanto with skill and Mega Evolution!

22. The Lady Like a Blizzard

Disclaimer: I don't own Pokémon.

"Pokémon" – Normal Speech

'Pokémon' – Thoughts

Pokémon – Flashback

Pokémon – Move Names and Pokémon Abilities

{Pokémon} – Pokédex

Ash, the Iron Trainer

The Lady Like a Blizzard And The Ever Winter of Snowbelle!

Previously on Ash the Iron Trainer;

Ash then noticed that they were short of one person, turned around and saw Lysandre still on his knees. He was still sulking defeat despite the rocks falling around him. "Hurry! You will get killed! Come on!"

"Go!" Lysandre turned around and showed the eyes of a man lost to himself. "It is too late for me! Make Kalos and the whole world beautiful! And may you find more happiness than I ever did!" Ash cried out until a boulder cut them off, and the trainer was forced to run to get out. What ever happened to Lysandre, it happened swift and painless; and somewhat peaceful for the man who forgotten what it was like.

Thankfully everyone that was present at Geosenge Town when the large fired, they were at a safe distance. And they all watched with shock and awe to see that the weapon did fire, on itself! Once that happened, instead of being destroyed, the weapon submerged down the large sinkhole, from which it first emerged. Other than the sinkhole now filled with rubble and boulders, Geosenge town was barely touched by all that destructive force.

"Thanks again kids, it was a big help that stopped this weapon from firing anywhere else in Kalos." That same agent from Lumiose City and the entrance to Lysandre Labs was also at the scene while the police cleaning up the Team Flare grunts and breaking apart the blockades to allow the civilians back to their homes in the town. "I am confident to say that we arrested just about every listed member of the terrorist Team Flare. And I understand that the founder, boss and nobleman Lysandre perished in the rubble?"

"…Yes." Ash answered with a heavy heart. "He looked back to what he done and felt that unlike himself, we deserve to live and learn. Lysandre just didn't see how he can face the land of his ancestors after he tried to destroy it, throwing away three thousand years of duty to protect it."

Everyone listening it also felt the same way and the agent just nodded, finished his report and placed his notes away. "Take as much time as you need to recover kid, there is no rush to make the Kalos League just yet." Ash nodded and said nothing, even when the agent placed his hand on Ash's shoulder. "If a man asked for a wish like Lysandre did then you did the honorable thing, no one will hold that against you."

"…Thank-you sir, for everything." With that the agent dismissed himself and joined the police forces that are just about done loading the grunts and other criminals under Team Flare into their prison vans; those terrorists will have to swerve their time for everything they did under Lysandre.

"I understand that you have another issue, young man." The Nurse Joy of Geosenge Town, looking a lot like the one in Santalune City, was outside at the moment. "Was it about you capturing Xerneas and Yveltal?" Ash nodded, he had planned to release them but there was just thing at the back of his head nagging him to reconsider.

"I feel like I committed a crime, like I caught them out of selfishness and greed. All because it was either that or them fighting a losing war against all that rubble." Ash said, pointing towards the almost filled sinkhole to empathize on the 'rubble'. It got the point across for sure. "You and your cousins are nurses and owners of the Pokémon Centers but you also are responsible for sending captured Pokémon when a trainer has a complete team. Sending them to Sycamore's lab will not only cause damage and confusion but also get them unwanted attention. Who knows what kind of people will break in to try and take the two Legends for themselves?"

"Then I am glad that you asked of me for a favor young trainer." Nurse Joy of Geosenge Town said with a stern tone. "My cousins and I don't discriminate. I knew that it will be a big issue when I was noted of you capturing two new Pokémon. The computers nearly blew my mind to see the two Legends as your two latest Pokémon. I haven't sent them out of Geosenge Town yet, there is no outcry just yet."

Ash didn't say a word but he did let Nurse Joy knew from the look in his eyes that he is grateful for her efforts. And after a while, the silence and suspense was killing everyone's nerves. "I only wish for these legends to be where no one can capture them or steal them for what Lysandre tried to do in his madness." Ash finally spoke and grasped both Ultra Balls. "But I still can't keep both, it will never work with Xerneas and Yveltal forever in conflict; only when a certain presence is also present to calm them."

"Like in the power room and when we were faced with the door at the entrance?" Serena asked and Ash turned over to her. "I noticed that there was this green glow but I knew better than to ask at a moment like that one." Ash smiled and nodded in acceptance.

"I guess so. Somehow, it was suddenly clear on how to open the door and I understood the look, almost like I personally made it and set the combination." Ash responded. "It felt familiar, almost the same as when we were about to enter the Terminus Caverns. I think that there is someone in the deepest room within that gave me the insight and the power to call for the two Legends to fight against Lysandre."

"…And you don't feel it anymore. You haven't glowed since you captured the two in a hurry to escape the place collapsing." Serena pointed out and Ash just gave her a silent, sad answer with another nod.

"That is why I had been thinking when you asked me about the power room. Would you like to take care of Xerneas?" Serena didn't know what to say and was about to protest. "No offense to you or anything but would you prefer Yveltal to be your Pokémon?" Serena thought hard and couldn't say the words so she shook her head in shy embarrassment.

And so, that was the solution, to share the two Legends between the two trainers. After a hard and long discussion, as to which of Serena's Pokémon she will trade with Ash's Xerneas, they chose her Swirlix. She did want to evolve for a while after being captured during their trek on Route 7. And Serena remembered the Whipped Dream that she came across a while ago in Cyllage City; she might have forgotten since that place brought up bad memories.

According to the Pokédex, Swirlix and its counterpart Spritzee both evolve only when they hold a certain item once they are traded. Spritzee will evolve into a Aromatisse if the former was holding a Sachet. And so, Swirlix evolve with a Whipped Dream held. Into a Slurpuff like Serena's.

{Slurpuff, the Meringue Pokémon. Slurpuff's keen sense of smell is especially sensitive, much more than people's.}

Slurpuff is a white bipedal Pokémon with a red collar with a spot of red below it, and pink fluffy hair. On top of its head is a red sphere. It has two small, pink feet, a pink face, and a really long red tongue that is usually sticking out. When it opens its mouth, a pair of fangs can be seen on its upper jaw. It has an exceptionally keen sense of smell, being 100 million times that of a human, allowing it to distinguish even the faintest of smells.

But to tell the truth, Serena had both a Whipped Dream and Sachet as well as both those Fairy type Pokémon that can evolve to make the transfer happen. But while going through the Pokédex, Ash liked the Slurpuff slightly better with her new ability to use heighten senses of scents and smells. And Serena's Spritzee wasn't in a hurry to evolve like her former Swirlix. The two trainers won't have it any other way.

XXXXX

With that said and done, both trainers will train and carry one of the Legends on their teams. Xerneas was more benevolent as a Fairy type and as the Pokémon of Life. Meanwhile, Ash will handle the rash and destruction-loving Yveltal. This will prevent them from ever coming into conflict they both should be sent out from a trainer's two Ultra Balls. They were now ready to get back on track with Team Flare no longer interfering with their journey.

Their first stop was Anistar City, to tell Olympia of what happened. She deserved to listen to what happened, and that she was sadden to learn of the news regarding Lysandre a little too late. "And you said that there was this green glow, allowing you to break open a thick door with a puzzle for a lock, and pressure the two Legends of Kalos to fight besides you?"

"Yes. Have you seen this before? With your connections to the stars?" Not that Ash was skeptical, he will never call any of this rubbish right after what happened in Team Flare's Secret HQ.

"I have seen happen in a vision, sometime after I got that messenger from the madman Lysandre." Olympia answered. "But I have never seen this happen before. It is not anywhere in our books. There is still this one thing that I can think off; it must be linked to Zygarde, the Order Pokémon and the one with the power to cease any conflict between the two Legends of Kalos."

Intrigued, Ash decided to give the Pokédex a go and found the name. It said,

{Zygarde, the Order Pokémon. When the Kalos region's ecosystem falls into disarray, it appears and reveals its secret power.}

Zygarde has a serpentine body with green and black markings. Most of its back is black, while the underbelly and the tip of its tail are green. Its eyes are comprised of four green hexagons, similar to an insect with compound eyes. Across the back of its neck is a large frill made of five long, flat protrusions. There are three short tendrils on either side of its chest, and its tail ends in five tendrils. It has many small, green hexagon markings on its body that can glow. Zygarde is thought to monitor those who destroy the ecosystem from deep with its cave. Should the region's ecosystem fall into disarray, it will appear and reveal its power. Zygarde is the only known Pokémon capable of learning the moves Land's Wrath, which can hit targets adjacent to the user (useful for horde encounters and anything other than single battles).

"And I do know that Zygarde was thought have made its home and resting place in Terminus Caverns, north-east on Route 18…" Olympia went on and then noticed how Ash and Serena looked shocked. "You went near the entrance, did you?"

"Yeah, we were about to enter the caverns when this voice told us about a disaster coming and showed us what Team Flare was about to do. So, we decided to check out the caverns later." Ash explained and Olympia nodded. They both, along with Serena and Pikachu, decided to leave it at that until a future date when Ash and Serena will try Terminus Caverns again.

Once that discussion at Anistar Gym was finished, it was just a short trip through Route 18 and a little stop in Couriway Town, where they had to stop short once they were told of Lysandre; they had to get back to Lumiose City in a hurry. It was a quiet town with a lake and a few waterfalls, prefect to get back on track.

After they were relaxed, Ash and Serena left the town for Route 19. It was swamp like but not as much as Route 14, with plenty of grasslands and flower fields to cover the stinky marshlands. And as for the wild Pokémon, there were barely any new ones except for one that appears rarely in Horde Encounters.

{Gligar, the Fly-Scorpion Pokémon. It glides using the membrane attached to its arms and legs, and attacks the face of its prey with its claws.}

Then there was the other new addition to the Pokédex, found only by rare chance with a Super Rod like the one from Route 17.

{Politoed, the Frog Pokémon. It gathers groups of others as their leader. Its cries make Poliwag obey.}

But there was this one more thing about Route 19 that got the attention of both trainers. "Here we are, at the next Battle Chateau." Ash said, the look of it took his breathe away and it already finished with Serena. Unlike the previous Battle Chateaus that were taking place in castles, this one was look like a palace (including Parfum Palace).

"Here, we can try for Duke and Duchess." Serena added causing Ash to chuckle,

"Won't we look more like a king and queen in that uniform?" Ash teased Serena and she blushed at the picture of it all but didn't try to deny it. Even Pikachu could see that Serena was smiling to herself, hidden with the hand she used to try and cover up her blush. "Come on then, let's get started." Serena then allowed Ash to grasp her hand as they hurried inside the Battle Chateau

And they have been in there for the entire day, battling and challenging the other trainers that are at the Marquis level. Then, by the last light of day, Ash was in front of the other trainers with a new cape and a new title. "Everyone, welcome to our newest Duke! Ash Ketchum!"

The crowd cheered for how awesome Ash looked with the outfit and medals of a Duke. Especially with his latest evolved Pokémon behind him, his new Chesnaught. Serena knew what the Pokédex said but wanted to hear it anyways so she scanned Chesnaught with the volume at its lowest aside from mute.

{Chesnaught, the Spiny Armor Pokémon, and the final evolved form of Chespin. Its tackle attacks are so powerful, it can overturn a 50-ton tank.}

Chesnaught is a bipedal, mammalian Pokémon with some plant-like features. It possesses a prominent domed, armor-like shell similar to that of a chestnut. The armor is pale beige in coloration with four large spines jutting out of the back. The armor is trimmed with red and green bands, with the green on the outermost edge. There is an additional spine protruding from the armor over each of Chesnaught's shoulders, which are connected by a green breastplate. Its body is colored similarly to the shell, and its long limbs and tail are banded with plates of armor. The top surfaces of the tail and arms are protected by green armor, and the arms have two small spines. It has three brown, clawed digits on its hands and feet. Its hands can fuse together to create a spike-covered "shield". Chesnaught has fluffy white fur on its belly and fringing its face like a beard. It has a small, pink nose with a three-pointed patch of brown fur extending up its short snout. It also has four pointed teeth and a plate of beige armor atop its head, similar to a helmet.

Chesnaught is renowned for its tank-like body; it is capable of throwing a Tackle that can flip a 50-ton truck. Once it gets into its defensive stance with its hands covering its face, it can stand up to a bomb's explosion. It will not hesitate to use its sturdy body to shield its allies from danger. Chesnaught is capable of learning Spiky Shield, a priority move (like Quick Attack) that will both protect the user and do damage to the opponent if they should use a physical move.

"Thank you all for coming! And the evening is not over yet! Because we have a treat today!" The Turner of the Battle Chateau of Route 19 announced. "While young Ash, the rising star from the Battle Chateaus before this one, have become our next Duke, we have a special visitor to our humble establishment; a Duchess!" Seeing that it got the crowds to cheer, Turner smiled. "Now let's greet the Duchess with praise to her skill that she displayed against all odds; she battles with the coldness and fierce might of a blizzard, Madam L'orage! (1)

"When I said that I will visit for a good match, I never meant to wait this long!" With hair white as snowflakes and ice blue eyes, L'orage will easily pass off as an ice-cold lady. And her outfit was one of high class, of great status and wealth, with a color scheme of blue and white. "Now what rookie can I crush before I can go!?"

"Yes, yes Madam." Turner tried to calm her down before turning to the watching trainers. "This match is special since the winner against L'orage will immediately become a Duke or Duchess. If not, then the trainer will retain their title and hope to attain the next one the long way."

"And do you think that a Duchess like me will lose!?" L'orage shouted off another rant. "If you are going to waste my time then-!"

"I will battle you!" Both L'orage and Turner halted to hear someone call that out. All eyes then turned over to Serena who was trying to keep her composure together from all the attention towards her direction.

"You?" L'orage said before getting a much closer look at Serena. "Hmm, you must be the other rookie that is rising through the ranks along with your boyfriend. I've heard about how you won and lost but still made it this far." Serena said nothing, not even with the whisperers and especially the jeers at her. Ash couldn't be there to help her this time.

"Okay, I will do it." L'orage then said. "Don't think that I am impressed by your record. But you have guts, something that all these useless commoners lack in. I always enjoy a battle with a trainer that has guts." Serena nodded as the ice-cold Duchess turned to the shocked Turner, "Well!? Show where we can battle!"

"YES MADAM!"

Turner led both L'orage and Serena to the field surrounded by a pool of water. It was a nice evening, with only the moon seen in the night sky. It was prefect for a late Pokémon duel.

"Begin!" The proctor announced and both trainers reached for their Pokémon.

"Come my darling, Vanilluxe!"

{Vanilluxe, the Snowstorm Pokémon, and the evolved form of Vanillish. Vanilluxe forms internal clouds of snow by swallowing lots of water and can cause violent blizzards when angry.}

Vanilluxe is a two-headed Pokémon covered in a swirled, white substance that resembles ice cream. Each head has two light purple eyes and a slightly darker purple mouth. There are light blue ice crystals to the side of each eyes and two under each mouth. It has two stubby arms and three spikes under its body, all of which resemble icicles. The middle spike under its body is the largest, and there is a hollow, straw-like structure on top of the left head. On the back of its two heads there are many small ice crystals. Vanilluxe ingests large quantities of water, which it uses to create internal snow clouds. When angered, it expels a powerful blizzard.

"Go, Audino!" Serena chose the Normal type that she caught and kept since Route 6. "Start with Simple Beam!" Audino concentrated and sent out a beam that covered Vanilluxe, changing its ability to Simple. Whatever ability it might have had, it now has its stats changed doubled (both positive and negative).

L'orage didn't even twitch to this action. "Hmph! Use Acid Armor." She decided to take this change in tactics into this direction. Now Vanilluxe has its defenses drastically increased. "Now Blizzard." Vanilluxe blew out a large gust of icy wind and snow at Audino.

"Protect!" Serena quickly called out, "Now do Secret Power!" Audino soon glowed pink and attacked Vanilluxe. The Snowstorm Pokémon then cried out when lighting sparks appeared; Vanilluxe is officially paralyzed.

"You fight like a little kid, expecting to win now that you have paralyzed my Pokémon." L'orage still wasn't impressed. "Now Hail!" The Snowstorm Pokémon then sent something into the night air to create a cloud of hail that was secluded to hover above only the battling Pokémon. Vanilluxe is immune with its Ice typing while Audino has to take the damage from the hail stones. "Now break out of it and use Ice Beam!"

Vanilluxe cringed to hear that tone but, through willpower, broke through the paralysis and shot out a beam of icy power, threatening to freeze Audino in a block of ice. "Time to stop holding back, Fire Blast!" Audino nodded and released the infamous attack of flames in the 'fire' Kanji shape.

This one not only burned through the hail stones but also the Ice Beam and then hit Vanilluxe hard. "Now that is interesting." L'orage only sounded different in her tone. "Knowing that Normal types learn the most moves in variety for this match? Most just go for the Fire and Fighting types for the S.T.A.B. bonus."

Serena said nothing and L'orage didn't want it any different. "So now, do you Mirror Coat!" Somehow, Vanilluxe was still burning from the Fire Blast and yet it surprisingly held in and sent its power back with a rainbow glow. But Serena had a backup plan,

"What to see what Audino can do?" She asked and not waiting an answer right away, "Use Psychic on the flames!" Audino glowed pink and so did the returned Fire Blast, halting in midair. "Now surround Vanilluxe with it!" This wasn't like the real thing but Audino improvised and created a makeshift Fire Spin.

"Nice moves. But this will just take all night, time I don't have so let's get this over with!" L'orage shouted and yet Serena wasn't offended and reached for her the choker on her neck. Apparently, there was a flash bottom to it while the outer layer had an opening that was big enough for a marble to fit through. And then everyone saw it, the small sphere with a portion of a double helix.

It created a shine through the moonlight that alerted Audino so she shook her fur to reveal an accessory hidden underneath. It was a bigger stone with the common pattern found in the glass marble called a toothpaste or cats-eye marble. The colors were milky and light pink. That meant it was a pair of Keystone and Mega Stone!

"Audino, out friendship will show material form. Unleash the power buried within and show our true might, together!" Serena shouted off her own chant while activating both stones, causing her Pokémon to shift between bright lights, shining brighter than the moon and stars themselves.

"Serena, you, sneaky little mink. Then again, I am such a bad influence~!" Ash snickered to himself. He then promptly scanned this Mega Evolved Pokémon.

{This Pokémon has undergone its Mega Evolution. It is now Normal and Fairy type. It retains is Healer Ability.}

Now as Mega Audino, she became both heavier and taller. The patterning on her stomach, now completely cream, is covered by what resembles a flared lab coat. Most of her body becomes white with pink tips in four places, one on each ear and near the edges of her "coat". Her eyes turn pink and her ears stand upright with longer, curlier feelers. Audino's tail becomes larger and a smaller tuft of fur is centered on its chest. Two additional, curled feelers extend from under this extra tuft of fur. White fur covers her feet with two small tufts on the heels. Mega Audino can release pulses that reduce hostility, and the secondary feelers can put those who come in contact with them into a deep sleep.

"I hear that pesky boy, scanning all my darlings and starting at them like zoo exhibits. Now your Pokémon is a Fairy type, use Mirror Shot!" Vanilluxe then shout out a volley of shiver colored sparkles that hit Mega Audino hard, and the blinding light had lowered the Mega Evolved Pokémon lose some of her accuracy.

"Fine that you are going to be using only that move, Misty Terrain!" Serena called out and covered the battlefield with a pink mist which tingled everyone present. "Now use Secret Power again!" Audino glowed a bright pink this time and created the same wind from the Fairy Wind attack, which also lowered Vanilluxe's Special Attack power.

"If you are going to fight that way any longer than take this one, Sheer Cold!"

"Dazzling Gleam!"

Both trainers shouted and Vanilluxe tried to freeze Mega Audino but missed completely and the latter was able to avoid it, sending out a power ray of sparkling light that really damaged Vanilluxe. "Now use Fire Blast!"

L'orage could only grit her teeth when Vanilluxe was hit by that powerful fire attack and this time, the Snowstorm Pokémon couldn't do a thing about it at that weaken state; only to lose conscious and fall to the misty ground, and the hailstorm disappeared at the same time.

The Duchess silently returned her Pokéball but the match isn't over just yet. This match was three-on-three so once a team runs out of available Pokémon, that is when the match will end. "Go my winter beauty, Froslass!"

This time, Serena did the scanning since she was unfamiliar with the name or the Pokémon that came out of its Pokéball,

{Froslass, the Snow Land Pokémon. It freezes foes with an icy breath nearly -60 degrees Fahrenheit. What seems to be its body is actually hollow.}

Froslass is a humanoid Pokémon with a hollow torso that resembles a kimono. It wears a red band around its waist, reminiscent of an Obi. Its body lacks feet and it floats in the air. Its arms are connected to the sides of its head, and flare at the wrists. The flared portion has dappled, light blue coloration. Its hands consist of three small fingers. Froslass's head is shaped similar to a sideways water droplet, and is topped with two ice crystals that resemble horns. Its head has several holes on it, resembling a mask. Through two of these holes, crystal blue eyes with yellow sclera can be seen. It also has a mouth below this "mask".

Froslass lives in snowy areas and has the ability to freeze foes with its -58 degrees' Fahrenheit breath. It is thought to display its victims secretly after freezing them. It can create illusions to manipulate others. Froslass is a female only species, and is said in legends to be the spirit of a woman who was lost in the mountains.

Serena could have kept her Audino in action but decided against and returned her Mega Evolved Pokémon for another on hand. "Come, Kangskhan!"

L'orage just couldn't figure out Serena just yet. "Using another Normal type, against my Ghost type Froslass? Maybe you are just a lucky rookie."

"And if you don't take the first move than I will. Fake Out!" Serena retorted and called out for her Kangskhan to charge for Froslass, actually hitting the Ghost type and causing the Snow Land Pokémon to flinch. "Now Power-Up Punch!" Taking the moment of chance, Kangskhan sent Froslass flying with the Fighting type move which increases the user's Attack power for every hit. "Keep it up!"

"HOW!?" L'orage lost it for a moment, seeing Kangaskhan punch at her Froslass when Normal and Fighting type moves are supposed to be not effective at all against Ghost types. But then it came to her, "Scrappy. Of course, you were so confident in your Kangaskhan."

"We've been found out Kangaskhan, use Outrage!" Serena called out so her Parent Pokémon glowed blue with rage filled power, something rather disturbing to the two trainers but they kept it to themselves. Hey both watched Kangaskhan charging for Froslass,

"Stop that Pokémon with Blizzard!" L'orage shouted out and Froslass got out of her shock to try and push Kangaskhan away with a mighty wind with snow and ice. But while Froslass was still hit by that mighty attack, Kangaskhan was sent back anyways. Of course, she had to hurry and eat her Persim Berry to prevent the confusion effect from causing any damage.

"Confuse Ray." L'orage got calm again and so did Froslass who know looks confident enough to get the edge away from Kangaskhan and her Scrappy ability. By her glowing eyes and mysterious movement of her fingers, Froslass intended to force Kangaskhan to be confused anyways.

"Safeguard!" But this trashed that plan when Kangaskhan created the rainbow dome, somewhat similar to Protect. Safeguard is a move that temporary prevents the user from getting confused, paralyzed, burned and even frozen. "Another Power-Up Punch!"

"Ice Beam to stop it!"

Froslass sent out a beam of icy energy at Kangaskhan, her arm reeling in for another super-effective hit. But it was only to no avail and all embarrassment when Kangaskhan had gotten the idea on the fly to use the ice on her arm like a make-shift club. "Time to end this Kangaskhan. Use your new Focus Punch!"

Both L'orage and Froslass knew what that move was; and by a Pokémon like Kangaskhan, this one will finish off the match up with Kangskhan as the winner. L'orage saw that Kangaskhan had mastered Focus Punch that she had her arm glowing with energy within seconds and charged with it. There was only one thing L'orage can command to turn the tide again.

"Destiny Bond!" L'orage called out and Froslass looked at danger right in the face, creating a connection between both her and the Parent Pokémon. Once Kangaskhan landed that finishing hit on Froslass, hew own remaining health had left her; a double knock-out if there ever was one.

"Thank you, now it is time for the lovely star to take the stage! Glaceon!" Ash scanned this one from his position in the stands.

{Glaceon, the Fresh Snow Pokémon and the evolved form of Eevee. Glaceon can freeze the fur on its body, and make it stick out like sharp needles.}

Glaceon is a quadruped, mammalian creature covered in light-blue fur that can be frozen into sharp quills. It has long, pointed ears, dark eyes, and a small nose. Glaceon has two dark blue, rhombus-shaped markings on its back, and the tip of its tail and feet are the same shade of blue. It appears to be wearing a teal tuque on its head and it has two teal dangles, one on each side of its head. This Pokémon is able to create small ice crystals around it by controlling its body temperature. Glaceon is usually found in urban areas under the care of humans. It is rarely found in the wild.

And when Serena was about to release another Pokémon, one of them let themselves out onto the field. "Cubone?" Serena was surprised to see the 'littlest' of her Pokémon actually want to battle, especially against an Ice type.

"Go Glaceon and freeze those fools with Ice Beam." L'orage wasn't going to take any of these better than Serena. Glaceon opened its jaw and let out another beam of icy energy that got the attention of Cubone. He then threw a bone made of dirt, a Bonemerang, to block the Ice Beam before getting out of the way of the attack. "Let's see you dodge this, Ice Shard."

"Use Bone Club as much as you can!" Serena called out and Cubone threw a valley of Bone Clubs that blocked most of the Ice Shard, with a couple of them hitting a leg and arm while a few hit Glaceon. "Now use Double Edge!"

Cubone then charged at Glaceon, trusting its Rock Head ability to do its magic. The energy around Cubone made him look like a white missile of sorts. "Use Barrier!" L'orage shouted out. Glaceon created a transparent wall that blocked Cubone and its Double Edge. "Now use Icy Wind."

"Hurry and use Flamethrower!" Serena sounded like a frantic girl when she shouted out that command, everyone was looking at her like she had gone made or something. But no anymore once Cubone expended a stream of flames from his mouth, to neutralize the Icy Wind, attack Glaceon and propel himself from the Fresh Snow Pokémon.

"WHAT IS WITH YOU AND YOUR POKÉMON!?" L'orage couldn't take it in anymore. She has never come across a trainer that battled a little too easy against her, as if Serena had been keeping tabs on her and her team. "AND ANOTHER THING-!" Something then happened that caused L'orage to swallow her words.

It was Serena's Cubone, he was evolving! Everyone knew that familiar glow too well. But the surprise was that Cubone should have an evolution, this one definitely wasn't familiar to everyone, because they were muttering and whispering of the subject.

"Cubone?" Serena could only ask as everyone was also shocked. They were expecting Cubone to evolve into something of its previous color scheme and judging by how he resisted that last attack, he is definitely not a ground type anymore.

Ash then felt like something was suddenly in his hands, a little chip. Ash took a good look at it, resting in the palm of his hand, and saw that it felt into the side of his Pokédex. Seeing nothing to lose and that no one had a clue, Ash placed the chip into the open port. His Pokédex then sprang to life and showed some new data on the screen, evening changing the picture of the new Pokémon to match to one against the Glaceon.

{Marowak, the Bone Keeper Pokémon. Marowak is the evolved form of a Cubone that has overcome its sadness at the loss of its mother and grown tough. This Pokemon's tempered and hardened spirit is not easily broken.}

{This Pokémon is from the distant region of Alola, where several other Pokémon have forms found only there. Marowak found in the other regions are pure Ground type while the ones found in Alola are Ghost and Fire types. Also, both can have the Ability Lighting Rod, that attracts and neutralizes any and all Electric attacks, but while the standard Marowak has Rock Head, preventing the user from suffering recoil damage, the Alolan Marowak can have Cursed Body, randomly causes an attack to be disabled if so used on the holder.} (2)

In the Alola region, Marowak was faced with an abundance of its natural enemies, Grass-type Pokémon. This harsh environment led it to bond closely with its friends, which is said to have created a sort of sixth sense and caused it to take a new form. Alolan Marowak rubs the bone it wields against its forehead to light the ends in a green flame, and then twirl the flaming bone. It specializes in an attack where it releases a weak ball of flame from its bone that will relentlessly pursue its foe. Alolans would fear it for a conjurer, due to its rarity and the fearful sight of it dancing with its bone. Alolan Marowak's body is black, and its skull has a dark, flamelike mark between the eyes. Its eyes are also a pale gray. Compared to regular Marowak's squatter, thicker body, Alolan Marowak is relatively thin, making it lighter. White markings echoing shoulder blades, vertebrae, and hip bones also line its back. It and its pre-evolution, Cubone, are the only known Pokémon that can learn Bone Club and Bonemerang.

Upon evolution, Marowak has overcome the grief of its mother's passing. Now ferocious and violent, Marowak is an adept combatant, and uses the bone it carries as a weapon and a boomerang. Marowak have also been recorded pounding on boulders with the bone club it carries in order to tap out messages to others. It lives in mountains to test its skills.

'And I agree. You are no longer just a little Cubone anymore!' Serena thought to herself. "If you know a new move, try it out!" Serena called out to her Marowak who nodded and charged for Glaceon with enhanced speed and hit the Fresh Snow Pokémon hard. Ash knew that was neither Bone Club or Bonemerang, so he tried to look it up; apparently that clip also had info on Pokémon moves that can be used by this foreign Marowak.

{This Pokémon has used its new signature move, Shadow Bone. The user attacks by beating the target with a bone that contains a spirit. This may also lower the target's Defense stat.}

Glaceon sure looked like its defenses were cracked slightly. "Now let's try something a little risky Marowak, Flare Blitz!" Serena called out and got ready in case her Pokémon looked back like she lost her mind. It seemed to be her lucky evening instead when Marowak got engulfed in flames before charging.

"Aqua Tail!" L'orage decided to give it all in this last attack. She knew that Glaceon can either fall now and get the match done or make it through just to face another Pokémon and prolong the battle. And Glaceon jumped with water forming on its frozen tail, hoping to land a good hit on this Marowak.

But instead, Marowak charged so fast and so strong that the flames around him soon took the shape like when he previously used Double Edge. This actually destroyed the Aqua Tail and landed the Flare Blitz on Glaceon! That was it for the Fresh Snow Pokémon.

"Let's hear it again for our next Duke and our next Duchess!" Turner called for the crowds to go wild again, and they did with cheers so loud that they can wake the dead if they wanted too. But the two trainers didn't care, it was a big day for them both; and things are getting even tougher later on, for sure.

XXXXX

Ash and Serena were glad to have kept their winter clothes from when they visited Dendemille Town, explored the Frost Caverns and traveled through Route 17. It was because they didn't name it 'Snowbelle City' if it didn't have any snow. It was just too bad that the trip to the Snowbelle Gym was as cold as the weather.

"I am sorry kids. But the Gym Leader is not present so the Gym is closed until he returns." One of the trainers hired for the staff of the gym told Ash and Serena who looked a little down. "But everyone in Snowbelle City knows Wulfric, he always goes through the forest of Route 20. He visits the Pokémon Village, a hidden natural reserve, that only he figured out how to find."

"How come?" Ash said, more interested in this than the Gym Battle as of now. "Is it really hidden in the forest?'

"Like I said, only Wulfric knows where the Pokémon Village is." That trainer replied. "That's because the forest on Route 20 is those lost woods you often read in novels. Unless you know where you're going, the forest will confuse you and you will just walk in circles. Not to mention that the Pokémon there will also play pranks on you, or do worse if you get too close to the Pokémon Village."

"Thanks, but I still need one more badge to challenge the Pokémon League of Kalos. I am a guy who wants to get eight badges and time left over to back in extra training." Ash said confidently and the trainer of Snowbelle City nodded.

"Fine. I can see how mature you are for your age." He said and then pointed off from the Gym entrance. "The exit out of Snowbelle and onto Route 20 is to the south. You won't miss it when you face it. Good luck."

And so, the two trainers took a good look and saw that, to south of Snowbelle, was a large forest. There was nothing but darkness between each tree. Nevertheless, just standing and staring wasn't going to solve the problem any faster so the two trainers entered anyways.

It was a forest alright and somehow, sunlight barley cuts through the spots were the trees form a clearing. But Ash was amazed to see the large boulder with moss on that was found in the very first clearing. Ash decided to try looking it up and found that a Mossy Rock, like one they found, can cause Eevee to transform into Leafeon.

Other than this discovery there was the large amount of Pokémon that they both added to their Pokédexes;

{Jigglypuff, the Balloon Pokémon. When Jigglypuff's big eyes begin to quiver, everyone becomes sleepy as it sings a lullaby.}

{Noctowl, the Owl Pokémon, and the evolved form of Hoothoot. Noctowl's eyes have a special power that allows it to see in the faintest light, as if it was the middle of the day.}

{Hoothoot, the Owl Pokémon. Hoothoot stands on one leg, but uses both its powerful eyes to see clearly even through the darkest night.}

{Gothorita, the Manipulate Pokémon and the evolved form of Gothita. Gothorita uses starlight as its power source. It arranges rocks in the same way as the stars, and can use its Psychic powers to control people and Pokémon.}

{Gothita, the Fixation Pokémon. Gothita's Psychic powers are made stronger by its ribbon-like feelers. When Gothita becomes fixated on something, it's looking at something only it can see.}

{Amoonguss, the Mushroom Pokémon and the evolved form of Foongus. By swinging its Poké Ball-like arms while dancing, Amoonguss is able to lure its prey.}

{Trevenant, the Elder Tree Pokémon. A Ghost and Grass type, Trevenant is able to control trees. It traps those who cause harm to the forest and never lets them escape.}

And the rarest of the single encounters,

{Zoroark, the Illusion Fox Pokémon. Each has the ability to fool a large group of people simultaneously. They protect their lair with illusory scenery.}

Then there was the real rarest find in the whole forest,

{Sudowoodo, the Imitation Pokémon. Disguised as a tree, it's the evolved form of Bonsly.}

{Bonsly, the Bonsai Pokémon. Being a Rock-type, it can get weak if its body contains too much water, so it secretes that water from both sides of its body to regulate it.}

Finally, after twists and turns and even backtracking, Ash and Serena made it to the other side of the forest. To a clearing that had little to no trees and thick grass covered most of the field except around the river and the top of the waterfall. There was also this figure near the river that looked a lot like a large man with a sweatshirt worn on the shoulder blades.

This means that Ash and Serena will have to walk through the grass to ask him about the Gym Leader 'Wulfric'. Like on Route 19, there were only a couple new Pokémon since most first appeared on Route 20. They did encounter a very interesting Pokémon, compared to most they encountered in Kalos.

{Ditto, the Transform Pokémon. Ditto has the ability to reconstruct its entire cellular structure into whatever it sees.}

In its natural state, Ditto is a light purple or magenta free-form blob with vestigial facial features. It also appears to have two vestigial, handless 'arms' protruding from its body. It is capable of transforming into an exact replica of any physical object. However, if Ditto tries to transform into something based on memory, it may get some of the details wrong. Ditto will also be unable to remain in a transformed state if it starts laughing. Ditto cannot mimic the strength of another Pokémon, but it will adapt the form and abilities of its foe. When two Ditto meet in the wild, they will attempt to transform into each other. Ditto will also transform into a rock when sleeping to avoid attack. Ditto is never far from civilization or people.

Ash and Serena were fascinated by this Pokémon so they caught one for themselves, amused by how these Ditto loved to try and mimic their Pokémon, and especially the trainers themselves. And then there was another Pokémon that encountered the two trainers. Serena could only tolerate it so Ash was the one who caught it, a Banette.

{Banette, the Marionette Pokémon. Strong feelings of hatred turned a puppet into a Pokémon. If it opens its mouth, its cursed energy escapes.}

Banette is a dark gray, doll-like Pokémon that is possessed by pure hatred. It has three short spikes on its head and a long zigzagging ribbon trailing off the back of its head. A zipper acts as its mouth, and it has purplish-pink eyes with slit pupils. Its long, flat arms have three-fingered hands, while its legs are short and stubby. It has a yellow, brush-like tail.

Being driven to life by a powerful grudge, it keeps its life force safely in its body by the means of its zipped-up mouth. If unzipped, it would lose its energy. It lays curses on others by using its body as a voodoo doll and sticking pins into itself. It lives in garbage dumps and dark alleys, where it searches for the person that threw it away before it became a Pokémon.

"Excuse me sir, are you Wulfric?" Ash asked as soon as they done their little trek through the grass. And the man with the large belly turned to face them with a smirk,

"What makes you so sure to ask me?" He replied with another question and Ash had an answer,

"Because the Pokémon here in the Pokémon Village trust you, so you must be a trainer. And I can practically feel the wisdom, experience and skill of a Gym Leader. I helped to have meet the previous seven up close." Ash explained and this got the large man to laugh.

"I don't know about that first reason but yes, my name is Wulfric. I am the trainer licensed to be the Gym Leader of the Snowbelle Pokémon Gym." The man finally answered and the two trainers were glad to have found the man. "Let me guess, you two will like to challenge me?"

"Not me sir." Serena then said. "Ash is the one who wishes to try out the Kalos League so he is challenging the Gyms and collecting the Badges. He wants to challenge you." Wulfric laughed again,

"Oh. You are the young man, Ash Ketchum 'The Iron Trainer, eh?" Wulfric asked and noticed that Ash groaned to hear that name.

"It is just a moniker that the Master of Steel Pokémon came up with. So please just call me Ash." Wulfric smiled to hear such modestly from a boy who is like a celebrity without the fancy cars and fangirls after his signature and the such.

"Whatever the case, I will accept the request so I will be returning to the Snowbelle Gym. Take as much time as you wish, I will be waiting." Wulfric said his goodbyes to the Pokémon within the village who were startled to see him leave already.

Then they swarmed around Ash, giving him a couple of feathers. They must trust Ash since Wulfric is causal and trusting of him too. Ash and Serena couldn't have any other way to say goodbye to the Pokémon Village. Once the rush to try the Kalos League was over, perhaps they will return to visit them.

End of Chapter 22.

*I wanted to announce it first thing last chapter and now I have gotten my ideas straight. Here is the format, the sequence of stories under the name of Ash The Iron Trainer;

1. Kalos arc (Based on Pokémon X and Y)

2. Alternate Hoenn arc (Based on Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire)

3. Kanto Return and Redo arc (More around the Anime Series)

4. Alola arc (Based on Pokémon Sun and Moon)

This is my plan for what to do after I get this story done. Please let me know about what you think and I will get started on the next arc sometime next year or New Year's Eve the soonest. Have a good one and don't forget to be home for Christmas! *

1. I tried to find a French name for 'Blizzard' but came up on dry so I tried to find the next best thing. And according to the site, L'orage means simply as 'The Storm'. I wanted to give her a name to describe her style of battling.

2. I hope you don't mind but I felt like this will be a good way to introduce Gen VII a lot early than planned. After all, Cubone just appeared in the caverns. There was still a good chance of him coming from another region like Alola!

Pokémon on Hand;

Ash – Pikachu (Male), Aegislash (Male), Bisharp (Male), Mawile (Female), Durant (Female), Greninja (Female), Chesnaught (Male), Rotom (Female), Yveltal (Genderless), and Snover (Male).

Serena – Delphox (Female), Mr. Mime (Female), Marowak (Male), Kangaskhan (Female), Phantump (Female), and Xerneas (Genderless).

Off Hand;

Ash – Ledian (Female), Kadabra (Female), Snorlax (Male), and Smeargle (Male), Sableye (Male), Lucario (Male), Luvdisc (Male), Talonflame (Male), Gogoat (Male), Lapras (Female), Ferrothorn (Female), Gourgiest (Female), Shuckle (Male), Venusaur (Female), Charizard (Male), Blastoise (Male), Slurpuff (Female), Banette (Female), Poliwag (Male), and Ditto (Genderless).

Serena – Furfrou (Male), Spritize (Male), Audino (Female), Luvdisc (Female), Plusle & Minun (Female), Weavile (Female), Gourgiest (Male), Ditto (Genderless) and Poliwag (Female).