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!

23. The Final Gym!

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 Final Gym! May The Path To Power Be Clear And True!

Previously on Ash the Iron Trainer;

"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.

It was rather clear path through the forest of Route 20, the two trainers barely encountered any Pokémon as they returned back to Snowbelle City. It was just as well, Ash need to rest and ready his Pokémon for his final Gym Battle with Wulfric.

Soon enough, "Welcome Ash." Wulfric actually greeted them in front of the gym. "I see that you are ready and waiting for this gym. I already let my staff trainers know that you coming to challenge us."

"Yes. I am going to fight for my final badge." Ash responded with confidence which got Wulfric to nod.

"Take as much time as you need to figure out the puzzle of this gym and I will be waiting on the far end." Wulfric said and entered the gym on his own. It was only five minutes later that Ash was allowed to enter.

The Snowbelle Gym is a large building that appears to be made of ice on the inside. The main mechanic of this Gym is to rotate huge platforms in order to progress to the next platform. There are four movable platforms that Ash had to manipulate so that they make a solid path to either of the two staircases that led to Wulfric.

"If you are ready, then we will begin!" Wulfric said to Ash who got up to his eye level in no time at all. "Go and skate to your hearts content, Bergmite!" This one was the little Pokémon that were wild in Frost Caverns. It was unnecessary to scan it again.

Bergmite is a small, quadruped Pokémon resembling a small, round ice chunk. Its upper half is slightly transparent, while its lower half is a solid white. It has yellow eyes, lined in purple, and two horn-like protrusion on its scalp. There is another smaller protrusion on its back end, which resembles a tail. It has four stubby, conical legs.

"I feel like making up for lost time with a certain Pokémon I planned for another Gym Battle entirely." Ash said. "Go, Sableye!" Wulfric raised his eyebrow, no one has ever used a Pokémon like Sableye before, ever since he became licensed to be the Leader of the Snowbelle Gym.

"If that is how you fight then so be it. Sharpen and then Rapid Spin." Wulfric started out small and short. Bergmite's body glowed light blue and then its body was surrounded by an icy mist that soon turned into a diamond-shaped block of ice, increasing its attack power. Until, of course,

"Fake Out and Shadow Claw!" Ash called out and Sableye moved in to cause Bergmite some damage and to flinch instead of attack. That was why the Ice Chunk Pokémon couldn't stop the Shadow Claw from striking at its icy body.

"Nice kid, Icy Wind." Wulfric was barely fazed by this set-back. And this time, Bergmite moved in to set loose a gust of frigid air that filled the room around them. "Now, Ice Ball." Bergmite then caused more ice to form, turning it into a sphere of it that rolled towards the shivering Sableye.

"Double Team!" Sableye heard that and moved so fast that he left behind after-images that allowed him to avoid the Ice Ball. "Now use Shadow Ball on Bergmite!" Ash commanded,

"Stop and spin in one place!" Wulfric wasn't going to let his Pokémon down so easily. And when Bergmite salvaged the energy from the Ice Ball but also mimicked Rapid Spin, the Shadow Ball was sent bouncing off Bergmite. "Now use Avalanche!"

"Payback!" Ash grinned to see that while Sableye did get some damage inflicted by the Avalanche, he was able to use the full effect of Payback to send forward that much damage double-fold. And this time, all that power had totaled the Bergmite.

Wulfric was finally amused. "Nice Pokémon you have to go against my Bergmite's Avalanche." Wulfric then returned his Pokémon and took out another Pokéball from his jacket, still resting on his shoulders. "Now be a force that will be stand against all attacks, Avalugg!"

{Avalugg, the Iceberg Pokémon and the evolved form of Bergmite. Avalugg's ice covered body is hard as steel. It uses its body to demolish any obstacle that gets in its way.}

Avalugg is a massive Pokémon seemingly formed entirely out of reflective ice. Its top half is flat, with three cracks, one before its stubby tail and two in between its four legs. These legs are cylindrical, and also sport purple cracks at its joints and in between its icy toes. Underneath each toe is a spike, similar to cleats. Large icicles hang from its underside, which nearly touch the ground. Avalugg's head is similar to its body, a cracked wedge of ice with a flattened upper surface. Its mouth has a large underbite, which opens up to reveal four small teeth and purple gums. The head has two white diamond-shaped "ears," and from its chin hangs three bulging spikes, resembling a beard.

"Go, Lapras!" Ash called out for his Transport Pokémon. It was time to use the old phrase, 'fighting fire and fire'. Only this will be ice against ice. Wulfric was even more amused, maybe even interested. "Start with Rain Dance."

"Forget about the normal tactics Avalugg, begin to use Skull Bash." Wulfric called out and the Iceberg Pokémon braced, tensing its muscles so that it could attack Lapras with a devastating headbutt. And while it was getting ready, its defenses increased.

"Perish Song!" Ash called out a very deadly move. This one could take down every Pokémon that hears this song, unless they faint or been taken out into their Pokéballs. Too bad that Wulfric is not allowed to return his Pokémon as a Gym Leader. Their policy is to fight to win, down to the last Pokémon. "Now use Hydro Pump!"

Lapras sent out a huge gush of water at Avalugg, the rain made it bigger and stronger, nearly flooding the Iceberg Pokémon. And that was when Avalugg had finished building up power to use Skull Bash. It hit Lapras pretty hard and lost the enhanced defenses that came with the process. "Hit Avalugg back with Thunder!"

The sound of Avalugg being struck by Lapras's Thunder attack was horrible to bear. And with Rain Dance in play, it was impossible to dodge the Thunder attack. "Now use Hydro Pump again!"

"Double Edge!"

Avalugg charged in Wulfric's word and against Lapras's enhanced Hydro Pump. Both were forces that struggled to dominate the other but after a few moments, both Pokémon ran out of steam. Avalugg couldn't hit Lapras and the latter couldn't blow the former away.

And just when they were going to come up with another move, both Pokémon suddenly got dizzy and fell to the icy ground. Wulfric and Ash were initially shocked until it clicked. "Oh. The action almost had made me forget about the Perish Song. And now it is a tie."

Wulfric didn't respond but still returned his Pokémon while Ash did the same. "Show us the illusions of a blizzard, Cryogonal!" This was also a Pokémon that Ash had encountered in the Frost Caverns but with much more difficulty than the Bergmite.

Cryogonal resembles a shiny, blue hexagonal snowflake. Its facial expression is frozen, which leaves Cryogonal with a still, aggressive-looking face. Two cracks run through its face, the upper opening contains its eyes and the lower serves as a mouth. It has two glowing eyes and its large mouth contains an extendable chain of ice, which is used for hunting.

"Go, Aegislash!" Now this was a surprise for Serena and even Pikachu. Both of them didn't know that Ash had finally fully evolved his Doublade after so many battles. They figured that Ash wanted to finally break the boundaries on his Pokémon and cause Sword Pokémon to reach his final form. Now it looks and even seems to be a lot like the Aegislash that Wikstrom revealed in Lumiose City.

"Use Acid Armor and then Confuse Ray, Cryogonal." Wulfric commanded of his Crystallizing Pokémon. Cryogonal soon shifted to look transparent, increasing its defenses. Then its eyes glowed in different colors and shades, almost hypnotizing Aegislash and nearly got Ash as well.

"Dodge with Autotomize!" Ash called out and while Aegislash did get his speed increased and become nimble, the Confuse Ray landed anyways. Now there is a good chance that the Royal Sword Pokémon will hit himself. "Try to focus and use Flash Cannon!"

Aegislash looked like it suddenly lost a good night's sleep and just moved around with the grace of a drunken bum. Too bad that it failed to hear Ash give the command nor this, "Night Slash, Cryogonal!"

Who knew that one of Wulfric's Ice types had a move which did great damage on Ash's Pokémon? But this also got Aegislash to lose the lack of grace but still struggled against the dizziness. "Try Flash Cannon again!" Ash called out and when Aegislash got sight of Cryogonal, it launched that silver beam of energy at last. And in the process, it changed from his Defensive Forme to his Blade Forme; Aegislash looked no different, just having his shield on his arm rather that the blade portion of his body.

"Recover and use Night Slash again." Wulfric called out calmly to which Cryogonal glowed with healing light and charged to hit Aegislash hard again. But Ash wasn't going down that easily,

"King's Shield!" Ash called out and Aegislash turned to its Defensive Forme, with the shield now on his blade lower-half of his body. Then a grid like barrier appeared which blocked Cryogonal and also lowered the Crystallizing Pokémon's attack power. "Now, use Iron Head!"

Aegislash did it again and changed to his Blade Forme to charge with the hilt for a head glowing metallic silver. But getting that hit in didn't help at all when Wulfric called out, "Sheer Cold!" Aegislash was soon covered in frigid ice, never to remain focus with freezing temperatures that supposedly matched those in a vacuum.

Ash looked like he was hit underneath the belt but kept it all in to return his Pokémon to release another he had prepared for this Gym Battle. "Go, Snorlax!" Serena and Pikachu understood Ash's choice. They saw that Snorlax's Thick Fat ability helped them both against Lysandre's Pyroar. The ability granted not only resistance to Fire type attacks but also Ice type attacks as well.

Wulfric seemed to be only amused to see Ash choose another Pokémon not usually sent against his own. "Now we can stop holding back, use Ice Beam!" Now, Wulfric seemed to be rather excited as his Cryogonal release an icy white beam with the same zeal as its trainer.

"Chip Away!" Ash called out in response. Snorlax charged like a wild bull, right through the Ice Beam and attacked Cryogonal, ignoring the effects of the Acid Armor. "Now use Belly Drum!" Snorlax halted once he sent Cryogonal flying, to pound on his large belly like a drum. He glowed red with power while flinching to losing half of his energy to make it happen. Luckily, he pulled out a Sitrus Berry to restore a good portion of his health.

"Go out with Blizzard!" Wulfric saw that Snorlax had the power to end this match up with only a single attack. And Cryogonal had no plans to let that happen easily, by conjuring up a blizzard, right in front of Snorlax.

"Heavy Slam!" But when Ash gave that command, Snorlax became a nigh unstoppable force that plowed through the Blizzard attack and ending Cryogonal right there and now.

Wulfric returned his Pokémon and released his final one, "Be the tree that stands against an avalanche, Abomasnow!"

Abomasnow is a large, bipedal creature covered in shaggy, white fur. It has pale purple eyes with bushy eyebrows and long strands of fur covering its mouth. Two tufts of longer fur grow on both its back and chest, with the chest fur being longer on the female. Its hands, feet, and tail are dark green and spiky, similar to the foliage of an evergreen tree. On its back are four green spikes that resemble pinecones.

Once it did get sent out, the room was now filled with a hailstorm over the battlefield and already chewing at Snorlax's health. "Now use Blizzard!" Wulfric let himself go and Abomasnow roared out another Blizzard attack that barely moved Snorlax. But this will be just half of the fun,

"Rollout!" Ash called out and Snorlax rolled right into Abomasnow, sending the Frost Tree Pokémon back a couple of meters. Then Snorlax rolled forward again,

"Ice Punch into the ground up front!" Wulfric called out and Abomasnow was able to make a blockade that canceled out Snorlax's Rollout attack. And they keep this up again and again, never getting anywhere closer to certain victory. But Serena and Pikachu could see that the two trainers were not getting frustrated at all, they looked like they were having fun.

"It is time to take this up a notch!" Wulfric shouted, reaching into his loose jacket to reveal the Keystone that both trainers are aware off. Especially when Abomasnow shook its fur to reveal a familiar large marble with the cat-eye pattern inside, with the colors of ice-white and leaf-green. "Abomasnow, hear my plea and show your real power! That shines even through the thickest of blizzards and is hear through the loudest of avalanches! Mega Evolve!"

{This Pokémon has now undergone its Mega Evolution. It retains its Ice and Grass typing and its ability Snow Warning.}

The sprouts on Abomasnow's back grow into great shafts of ice. Its fur becomes longer and shaggy over its entire body, particularly around its head. Green fur or sprout remnants surround the base of the large icicles on its back, while white fur covers the middle.

"Now use Energy Ball!" Wulfric commanded for her Mega Evolved Pokémon to send out a sphere of energy at Snorlax. It hurt somewhat and finally, the Sleeping Pokémon looked a little worn down.

"Rest!" Ash called out and Snorlax got somehow comfortable with the icy floor and hail raining down on his head. "Now use Sleep Talk!" Ash called out, hoping that Snorlax has heard him. That was answered when Snorlax got on his feet and moved in with a fist covered with flames.

"You came prepared, young man. Use Wood Hammer to parry!" Wulfric called out and Mega Abomasnow did just that with its arm covered with green, transparent energy that gave off the image of a hammer's head. This stopped the sleep walking Snorlax while doing some damage to Mega Abomasnow; Wood Hammer is a move that does recoil damage for every use, a lot like Take Down and Double Edge.

And as Snorlax came to a halt, the a slightly larger hailstone woke him up hard. At least he is fully up and ready to fight again. "Want to make a wager Wulfric?" Ash suddenly suggested rather than commanding his Snorlax further. Wulfric was really taken by surprise at this,

"A wager? During a gym battle? You sure have an unusual way to viewing out battles." Wulfric responded while Ash shrugged, "What are your terms?"

"We both command out Pokémon to use the strongest attack at once, to see who will still be standing." Ash answered and Wulfric took only a second to think this through. He then nodded and so the wager was put into place.

Both trainers gazed and stared at each other for a bit while their Pokémon did the same. They were thinking about what attack they are going to use. And they had their commands sent out at the same time,

"WOOD HAMMER!"
"FIRE PUNCH!"

Both Mega Abomasnow and Snorlax charged with both attacks ready for the sure-kill hit. The Wood Hammer landed first but then Snorlax found out that he can use his massive girth to shift the power from the attack to fly off him, leaving both him and Mega Abomasnow with the Fire Punch. That landed firmed on the forehead and took its toll on the mighty Mega Abomasnow, sending it down to the icy ground; the sheeting practically shattered on the impact.

"That was an intense and fun match Ash. I am proud to give you this, the Badge which will prove that you have won at this Gym." The badge was shaped like a snowflake with an iceberg in the center. Ash could have sworn that the artist had a good eye for the details of the badge that will stand for any trainer's victory against the Ice types of Snowbelle City.

"Also, further congratulations to you young Ash." Wulfric walked out of the gym with the two trainers. "You have defeated Team Flare and gathered the final badge. Now there is only one way left to go, Victory Road." Ash and Serena looked on with interest. "At the end of Victory Road, will be the Kalos League and the final trainers to match. The Elite Four, all before the Champion."

"Do you know any of the Elite Four? We have Wikstrom in Lumiose City before the Lysandre Labs." Ash asked and Wulfric got a little interested himself.

"Wikstrom sure is a member and you already figured out his Pokémon type specialty." Wulfric answered. "There is another member that I think you know. She showed herself when word got around about the Raid on the Pokémon Factory." Ash and Serena thought hard on this one, "And the last one I know works at a certain restaurant. But the fourth one, I have no idea what that one does for a living. Sorry kid but that is all I and every other Gym leader can tell you."

"Thank you, Wulfric." Ash shook the Gym Leader's hand. "Come one Serena, Pikachu, we still have a lot to see of Kalos!" His friends laughed and ran with him into the horizon for Wulfric to watch with a smirk on his mouth.

'Kid, you will go far and you will be the world's next Iron Trainer.'

XXXXX

Route 21 is a simple one compared to the few previous ones, with a river and several detours. And there were plenty of trainers to battle for a warm-up since Serena's duel with L'orage and Ash's Gym Battle with Wulfric. And there were some new additions from these encounters,

{Crustle, the Stone Home Pokémon and the evolved form of Dwebble. With its powerful legs, Crustle can travel great distances while carrying a heavy stone on its back.}

{Wailord, the Float Whale Pokémon and the evolved form of Wailmer. Wailord can dive nearly ten-thousand feet on one breath.}

{Vileplume, the Flower Pokémon and one of Oddish's final evolutions. Using the largest flower petals in the world, it spreads large clouds of pollen that cause allergic reactions.}

{Chandelure, the Luring Pokémon, the evolved form of Lampent and the final evolution of Litwick. Chandelure uses its dancing flames to hypnotize opponents.}

{Tyrantrum, the Despot Pokémon and the evolved form of Tyrunt. Using its jaw, Tyrantrum can rip through thick metal. In the distant past, it was considered unbeatable.}

{Hippowdon, the Heavyweight Pokémon and the evolved form of Hippopotas. It creates an enormous tornado of sand by blowing sand out of the holes in its body, and its mouth is over 6 feet in diameter.}

{Aurorus, the Tundra Pokémon and the evolved form of Amaura. The diamond-shaped crystals on its body expel air as cold as -240 degrees Fahrenheit, surrounding its enemies and encasing them in ice.}

And then there were the wild Pokémon to also add to the Pokédex,

{Spinda, the Spot Panda Pokémon. Spinda uses its seemingly clumsy movements to confuse its opponents. It is said that no two Spinda have the same pattern of spots.}

{Floatzel, the Sea Weasel Pokémon and the evolved form of Buizel. Its flotation sac developed as an aid in chasing aquatic prey. Floatzel can also carry people on its back.}

{Buizel, the Sea Weasel Pokémon. Buizel's collar can be used as a flotation device when inflated. Its head stays above water when floating.}

Ash was especially impressed with these so he caught them to train sometime in the future;

{Scyther, the Mantis Pokémon. Scyther is blindingly fast. Its blazing speed enhances the effectiveness of the twin scythes on its forearms. This Pokémon's scythes are so effective, they can slice through thick logs in one wicked stroke.}

Scyther is a bipedal, insectoid creature. It is primarily green with cream accents between its three body segments. On the back of its somewhat reptilian head are three points, and it has narrow eyes. Its forearms consist of large, white scythes, which it uses for hunting as well as fighting. On its thighs are spikes of fur, and it has three clawed toes on its large feet. Two pairs of cream-colored wings extend from its back. While these wings do allow Scyther to fly, it is rarely seen doing so. The abdomen of a female will be slightly larger than that of the male.

Scyther's blade-like forearms are capable of slicing through logs, and become sharper by cutting through hard materials. Using swift movements, it camouflages itself and enhances the effectiveness of its scythes. Although it is rare, Scyther can be found in grasslands.

{Ursaring, the Hibernator Pokémon. Ursaring searches for honey in a forest daily. To reach its food, it often snaps trees with its forelegs rather than climbing.}

Ursaring is a bipedal, ursine Pokémon. Its broad body is covered in brown fur, except its muzzle, inner ears, and paw pads, which are a light tan. It has narrow eyes, a triangular, black nose, and wide mouth with small, visible fangs in the upper jaw. The fur on Ursaring's shoulders is longer and more structured, with rectangular extensions that resemble epaulettes. A female Ursaring has longer fur on its shoulders than a male. There is a large, tan, ring-shaped mark on its chest. Ursaring's forelimbs are long, ending in five claws each, while its hind legs are short and thick, ending in three claws each. Its tail is large and spherical in shape.

Ursaring lives in mountainous forests, sleeping in treetops and gathering food throughout the day. While it is skilled at climbing trees, it gathers food by snapping them and collecting whatever berries or fruits fall down. It will mark trees bearing delicious fruit in its territory with its claws. Ursaring's sense of smell can distinguish any aroma, and as such it can find food buried deep underground or in streams.

Serena loved these Pokémon so she caught one of each,

{Altaria, the Humming Pokémon and the evolved form of Swablu. As Altaria flies across the sky, it resembles a soft cloud. It hums using its high voice.}

Altaria is a blue, avian Pokémon. Its body and cloud-like wings are covered in fluffy, white feathers. It often folds its wings behind it, obscuring its back. Two long, blue plumes extend like streamers from the back of its head. It has a short, hooked beak and prominent cheek patches, both of which are white. Additionally, it has beady, black eyes. It has a long neck and short legs protruding from its fluffy body. The feet are blue with four toes, three claws forward and one backward. The tail is made up of five feathers, the outer two being longer than the inner ones.

This Pokémon uses its wings to catch updrafts and soar across the sky. It gracefully glides through the clouds, often while singing or humming in a soprano voice. Its voice seems to have special properties which induce a dreamy state for listeners. Altaria can be very affectionate, enveloping people it has bonded with in its cotton-like wings. Altaria is often found living in forests, though it also inhabits mountain ranges.

{Swablu, the Cotton Bird Pokémon. Swablu loves cleanliness and is quick to wipe off any unclean surface with its cotton-like wings.}

Swablu is an avian Pokémon with a round, blue body. Since it has no discernible neck, its body appears to be all head. There are two long feathers on top of its head, and it has a short, rounded white beak and beady, black eyes. Its wings are fluffy and white, resembling cotton or clouds. It has tiny, white feet and two pointed tail feathers.

Swablu does not like dirty surroundings, so it cleans things with its cottony wings. It uses streams and freshwater springs to wash its wings when they become dirty from polishing. It is commonly found living in flocks in forested habitats, but often flies closer to towns during the spring. Swablu is very friendly and largely unafraid of humans. As a result, it frequently perches on people's heads like a fluffy hat.

But the corn of the crop came the rare catches by fishing. One was from using a Super Rod once every twenty encounters and the other will be the same with a Good Rod,

{Dragonair, the Dragon Pokémon. Dragonair stores an enormous amount of energy inside its body. It is said to alter weather conditions in its vicinity by discharging energy from its crystals on its neck and tail.}

Dragonair is a long, serpentine Pokémon with sky blue scales and a white underside. Its violet eyes are dark and glossy. It has a smooth, rounded snout and a small, white horn on its forehead. Its head is flanked by two small, stylized wings, which are white and curve into a swirl at the base. Three blue, crystal orbs, one on its neck and two on its tail, adorn its body.

Dragonair emits a gentle aura that gives it a mystical appearance. Dragonair hosts a large amount of energy within its body, which it can discharge through the crystal orbs on its neck and tail. This causes its body to brighten and give off a different aura that changes the weather in its vicinity. Dragonair is a rare Pokémon that inhabits seas and lakes.

{Dratini, the Dragon Pokémon. Dratini sheds its skin as it grows, often doing so while hidden behind large powerful waterfalls.}

Dratini is a serpentine Pokémon with a blue body and a white underside. It has white, three-pronged fins on the sides of its head and a white bump on its forehead. Above its large, round, white snout are oval, purple eyes.

As Dratini is filled with life energy, it is constantly growing, and can thus reach lengths of over six feet. As it grows, it sheds its skin regularly. Whenever Dratini undergoes shedding, it hides behind a large waterfall. Although this Pokémon was originally thought to be nothing more than a myth, it has been found in colonies living underwater.

At this point, it will be very difficult to train these recently caught Pokémon to battle the Elite Four. Both Ash and Serena decided to train these as soon as Ash is finished battling them.

XXXXX

Then it was time for Victory Road, the toughest and most dangerous route in the Kalos region. Littered with the strongest wild Pokémon and trainers licensed by the Kalos League to challenge those who have gotten eight badges and thus, are allowed to try for the Elite Four and the Champion.

Once the two trainers entered Victory Road, it was just a large trail that run through clearings and caverns. And there were plenty of new Pokémon to come across,

{Graveler, the Rock Pokémon. With a free and uncaring nature, it doesn't mind if pieces break off while it rolls down mountains.}

{Lickitung, the Licking Pokémon. It uses a tongue that is more than twice the length of its body to battle, as well as to gather food.}

{Gurdurr, the Muscular Pokémon and the evolved form of Timburr. Gurdurr trains its muscles by carrying a steel beam. With its amazing strength, even professional wrestlers can't move it.}

{Timburr, the Muscular Pokémon. Timburr always carries a wooden beam. When it can easily lift its heavy burden, it is close to evolving.}

{Zweilous, the Hostile Pokémon and the evolved form of Deino. Zweilous always eats more than it should, moving to a new home after eating all the food it can find.}

{Deino, the Irate Pokémon. Because Deino never stops biting anything it can, it is dangerous to approach without taking precautions.}

These were the ones that fell from the ceiling from time to time,

{Ariados, the Long Leg Pokémon, and the evolved form of Spinarak. It attaches silk to its prey and sets it free. Later, it tracks the silk to the prey and its friends.}

{Spinarak, the String Spit Pokémon. Spinarak can climb any surface easily, and shoot a strong web from both the front and back of its body. Its prey is caught and held tight in its web.

{Noibat, the Sound Wave Pokémon. Noibat can cause damage as well as create hearing problems for its opponents by emitting different sound wave frequencies.}

Meanwhile, Ash and Serena had followed the trails outside the caves for a couple of times and they were occasionally attacked by at least one of these Pokémon.

{Fearow, the Beak Pokémon. The evolved form of Spearow. Its large, powerful wings allow it to fly for an entire day. The crushing power of its beak is tremendous.}

{Spearow, the Tiny Bird Pokémon. Spearow has a very loud cry that can be heard over half a mile away. If its high, keening cry is heard echoing all around, it is a sign that they are warning each other of danger.}

{Skarmory, the Armor Bird Pokémon. Skarmory's body is covered with a steel-like armor, and can fly at speeds of over 100 mph.}

There was this one that caught Ash's eye and could be a good challenge to train once Ash finishes challenging the Kalos League,

{Hydreigon, the Brutal Pokémon and the evolved form of Zweilous. Hydreigon believes that anything that moves is its opponent, viciously attacking with its three heads.}

Hydreigon is a three-headed, draconic Pokémon with six thin, black wings that each end in two points on its back. It has a fuchsia-colored collar on its neck which surrounds its head. The main head is dark blue and has black eyes with fuchsia pupils. Its two hands are also black and each one harbors a head; these are similarly blue with black eyes with small fuchsia collars on the inside. Its abdomen has two fuchsia stripes and its feet appear atrophied, having no claws or defined soles and two or three small toes. Its tail also sports a fuchsia stripe and ends with a black tuft. Hydreigon is a violent, destructive Pokémon. It will attack anything that moves, determining it a foe. Its heads can consume anything.

And there were a lot of trainers that challenged them on a moment's notice like the other ones that were staff members in the Gyms and on the other routes but the two trainers barely gave them any eye's twitch to them as much as these trainers on Victory Road. After all, these Pokémon were added to their Pokédexes a lot like the ones trained by the Gym Leaders. Pokémon like,

{Raichu, the Mouse Pokémon and the evolved form of Pikachu. Raichu's tail functions as a ground and releases electricity into the surface, which keeps it from shocking itself.}

{Kingdra, the Dragon Pokémon and the final evolved form of Horsea. Normally at rest on the ocean floor, but in theories of high activity, even a yawn has enough power to create whirlpools.}

{Machamp, the Superpower Pokémon and the final evolved form of Machop. Its four ruggedly developed arms can launch a flurry of 1,000 punches in just two seconds.}

{Espeon, the Sun Pokémon and one of the many evolutions of Eevee. It predicts opponent's moves and detects air currents with its body hairs.}

{Pangoro, the Daunting Pokémon and the evolved form of Pancham. Pangoro has an ornery personality. It holds a bamboo sprig in its mouth, which allows Pangoro to detect surrounding movements.}

Those were only the ones in the first cavern, there was another clearing much bigger and with ruins to decorate the trail. And these trainers showed new Pokémon as well,

{Florges, the Garden Pokémon and the final evolved form of Flabébé. Long ago, nobles would often ask Florges to create beautiful gardens for their castles.}

And with that part cleared, it was yet another caver system to go through. And there were new Pokémon to witness as well.

{Slowbro, the Hermit Crab Pokémon. Slowbro are able to use powerful Psychic attacks but generally prefers to avoid conflict.}

{Leafeon, the Verdant Pokémon and one of the many evolutions of Eevee. Because Leafeon's cells are like a plant, it performs photosynthesis.}

Then out of the cave came another trail in a clearing that lead to a lake and waterfall with a brick port sticking out. And some more trainers,

{Magcargo, the Lava Pokémon. Magcargo lives primarily in volcanic regions and occasionally emits the lava from its back that circles its body.}

{Golem, the Megaton Pokémon and the final evolution of Geodude. Once a year it sheds its bedrock shell and grows larger.}

Finally, there was just one more path to go through, with trainers on both sides and on all levels connected by stairs. Torches brighten the corridor just like the rest of Victory Road.

{Gigalith, the Compressed Pokémon and the final evolution of Roggenrola. Gigalith's attacks, using the compressed energy from its core, are powerful enough to destroy a mountain.}

And this was the last addition from Victory Road,

{Umbreon, the Moonlight Pokémon, and an evolved form of Eevee. The rings of Umbreon's body glow faintly when exposed to the moon's aura, and it gains a mysterious power.}

Every other Pokémon was defeated and made the two trainer's teams even stronger. All before the light at the end of the tunnel that shun brighter than the ones before. And once they got out of the darkness,

"There it is." Ash said before he felt the breath in his lung left him, just like the final Battle Chateau with Serena. And if that place was a palace instead of a castle, this one was like both. It was as big as a palace but rather than marble, it appeared to have been made with the bricks used to form the Kalos style castles.

"Are you ready Ash? This is going to be a very important step in your career as a trainer." Ash turned and nodded to the sound of Serena's concern.

"Yes I am. I have made it this far and no matter what happens, I will still have fought the Elite Four." Ash said with confidence. "I will fight to win, because that is all the matters to me and my Pokémon." Serena and Pikachu nodded.

End of Chapter 23.

*What do you think? It won't be long for Ash to finally take on the best in Kalos. But in my case, I may or may not update at all next week or the week after with Finals counting down. Take you for your support and patience! *

Pokémon on Hand;

Ash – Pikachu (Male), Aegislash (Male), Bisharp (Male), Mawile (Female), Durant (Female), Greninja (Female), Yveltal (Genderless), Scyther (Female), Ursaring (Female) and Dragonair (Male).

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

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), Poliwag (Male), Snover (Male), Rotom (Female), Banette (Female), Chesnaught (Male), Hydreigon (Female), and Ditto (Genderless).

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