Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon, or any other property in this work that I did not make myself.

Pokémon: Sinnoh no Isekai

Chapter twenty-two: Cold Combat, part one

Dawn and Kenny, both having their parties rotated and ready for taking on the Snowpoint City gym, were making their way through Snowpoint City. As the two of them walked along, followed by Chi-Chi and Cell respectively, Dawn and Kenny heard the familiar voice of Ash call out, "Oi, Dawn! Kenny!" The two reborn trainers turned and saw Ash and Brock, accompanied by Zoey, approaching them from the distance on the road.

Aside from Ash and Brock wearing baggy, oversized hoodies that were looking a little bit on the threadbare side, the three trainers were dressed as they were as Dawn remembered them from that point in the anime from her and Kenny's previous life. "Are you guys sure those hoodies will keep you warm?" Dawn asked, some concern in her tone, as she, Kenny, Chi-Chi, and Cell approached the incoming group.

Looking a bit embarrassed, Ash said, "Well it's the best Brock and I have. The hoodies were given to us by this nice older woman who was happy Brock and I had our Pokémon play with her young granddaughter." Smiling a bit, Ash said, "That little girl was just adorable. She was especially happy to play with my Gardevoir. According to the nice older woman, her granddaughter watches this one animated show for little kids where a talking Gardevoir narrates fairy tales."

Zoey nodded in confirmation. "I remember that cartoon, as my bestie Candice and I used watched it when the two of us were little kids. That Gardevoir on the cartoon was even dressed up like a classic granny, wore glasses and all. According to Brock, it was Ash who got the idea to have his Gardevoir dresses up like that to entertain the older lady's granddaughter. They took a picture of it and later showed me when I ran into them. It was so adorable."

At Zoey's prompting, Brock took out a digital camera and scrolled through its pictures, then found a photo of Ash's Gardevoir wearing a pastel purple long-sleeved blouse with a pastel yellow shawl worn over her shoulders, an ankle length skirt matching the shawl's color, and a pair of glasses that had small oval shaped lenses; Ash's Gardevoir was totally rocking the classic granny look with that getup, and both Dawn and Kenny agreed it was adorable how the little girl in the photo was hugging Ash's Gardevoir.

As the reborn trainers gushed over how adorable the picture was, an Abomasnow came walking out onto the road, waiving a hand in greeting at them. "A wild Abomasnow?" Zoey said as she called her Glameow out to combat it.

Chi-Chi looked primed to attack, even having her Fire Punch attack ready. However, Dawn held an arm out to block Chi-Chi's advancing. "...That Abomasnow isn't being hostile. I thinks it's simply trying to greet us in a friendly manner."

"Too right you are!" a female voice called out, making everyone look up into the nearby trees. It was Zoey who first spotted Candice, wearing her blue sweater rather than have it tied around her waist, sitting on a high up branch. With a jump, Candice landed down out of the tree, then walked over to the heroes. "I was planning to have Abomasnow do a little ambush to scare you," Candice admitted, "You know, as a mild prank. But I held off when I overheard Zoey mention some adorable photos."

Zoey nodded in agreement. "Oh yeah, remember the Granny Gardevoir's Fairy Tales cartoon we watched when we were little kids?" After Candice nodded in confirmation, Zoey had Brock show Candice the photo of Ash's Gardevoir dressed up like a granny as the little girl hugged her. They even told her the story behind it.

"Eeeeeeeee!" Candice squealed as she gushed over how cute it was, "It's just like the cartoon! The only difference between the Granny Gardevoir character and the Gardevoir in this photo is that the Gardevoir in this photo is fat, but that actually kind of helps sell the granny image Gardevoir in this photo is trying to sell, if you think about it."

"Yeah, Gardevoir was like that when I caught her," Ash admitted, "One of my main goals in training Gardevoir is helping her lose the excess weight."

Turning to look at Dawn, Brock said, "Oh Dawn, that reminds me. Ash said he wants to know how to prepare that super health meal you made for Gardevoir when she was a Kirlia."

"You mean Heirloom tomatoes on a bed of steamed kale?" Dawn replied, "I can show Ash how to prepare it and he can write everything down."

Clapping his hands together, Kenny said, "Well this is all well and cool and all, but we ought to focus on our main goal here in Snowpoint City, that being tracking down the local gym leader so that we can challenge him or her."

Raising a hand up, Candice said, "Yo! I'm the Snowpoint City gym leader!"

Dawn, Kenny, and Ash all turned to face Candice. "Wait a minute," Ash said in surprise, "You're the gym leader in Snowpoint City?"

Candice nodded in confirmation. "I often don't get challengers, due to the location and climate, so I'll gladly take you and the other boy here on."

"Me too," Dawn said, "Ash, Kenny, and I all want to challenge your gym." The three trainers then took out their respective badge cases and showed Candice that they each have six badges.

Candice was actually elated that she was getting so many challengers to the Snowpoint City gym. "Sweetness!" Candice cheered, "I'm going to be seeing a lot of action over the next few days! This'll be awesome!" Seeing Chi-Chi and Cell, Candice added, "I can expect an especially tough challenge since I'm assuming that I'll be facing the Infernape and Scizor here at different points, also holy crud that Scizor is a shiny!"

Zoey chuckled in good humor. "You certainly seem excited, Candice."

"Well it's been ages since so much stuff was going to go down!" Candice said, "I'm itching for some action!" Candice then stopped short, made herself calm down. "Oh, before that, though." Turning to look at the heroes, Candice said, "I actually work at the local Trainer's School in Snowpoint City, and I was wondering if you all would mind helping out there."

Ash, nodding in agreement, said, "You can count on me!" Dawn, Kenny, Brock, and Zoey all agreed as well, and soon enough Candice led the group back into Snowpoint City, with Chi-Chi, Cell, and Abomasnow being recalled first.

At the local Trainer's School in Snowpoint City, Candice had everyone follow her around. Dawn, as she remembered this part of the anime from her and Kenny's previous life, recalled that Ash was taken to speak to an adult class. However, to Dawn's surprise, Candice had asked Kenny to speak to the adult class instead.

"As for Ash and Zoey," Candice said, "The Trainer's School has a preschool class of little kids that teaches basic skills both academic and social. It's full of little kids like the girl in the photo with Ash's Gardevoir."

Zoey smiled in a knowing tone. "...You want to try to do a sort of live showing of the old Granny Gardevoir's Fairy Tales cartoon that we used to watch to entertain the preschool class, don't you?"

"We'll need to find the clothing needed to dress up Ash's Gardevoir again," Candice began, "Also a pair of glasses to help complete the outfit, and two copies of a fairy tales collection book. Zoey while hiding will provide the talking voice as she reads from the book copy she will have."

Ash and Brock both chuckled in good nature at Candice's plan. "Sounds like the little kids will have a blast," Ash remarked, clearly on board with Candice's plan.

With Zoey saying she can help manage things for the preschool class, Candice turned to look at Kenny. "All that leaves is you talking to the adult class, Kenny. I think you ought to have your shiny Scizor out with you to help wow the adult class. After all, shiny Pokémon always wows folks seeing them, and I want to make an impression!"

Dawn, remembering how, in the anime from her and Kenny's previous life, Team Rocket in disguises were in that class, spoke up. "If you want to make an impression," Dawn said to Candice, "Then Kenny should have Cell and Elay out at the same time." When Candice expressed confusion, Kenny called Elay out to show him off; Kenny had rotated Elay back into his party for a bit by swapping out Slick, but will swap Elay and Slick around again before challenging Candice.

"You have a shiny Sandslash too?!" Candice exclaimed, "This is going to wow the adult class for sure!" With all plans having been laid out, Candice got the heroes ready to carry out all of their roles in helping out at the Trainer's School.

Later on in the preschool class, Dawn was standing by supervising as Ash and Zoey set up to entertain the preschool students with the 'live showing' of the Granny Gardevoir's Fairy Tales cartoon. They were able to find the pieces necessary for Ash's Gardevoir to dress up like a classic granny again, with the blouse being pastel yellow and the shawl and skirt being pastel purple this time, before she was seated in a sturdy wooden rocking chair.

While Ash and Zoey were running things through with Gardevoir, Dawn couldn't help but smile warmly at the scene. "I bet that the little kids are going to love this."

"Oh yeah," Zoey said in agreement, "Candice and I loved that cartoon from when we were both younger, and the reruns on TV are still popular with the target demographic. I think Candice told me one time that she has the entire series on DVD and still watches it from time to time."

Ash chuckled warmly at that. "That sounds nice." Turning to look at Dawn, Ash asked, "Hey Dawn, how do you think Brock and Kenny are doing in the adult class with Candice?"

...

Meanwhile, over in the adult class with Candice, the Snowpoint City gym leader had Kenny standing with her as he had Cell and Elay out. Brock stood in the back of the room to watch everything. "Class, this here is Kenny Harris," Candice said as she introduced Kenny, "He's an accomplished Pokémon trainer competing in the Sinnoh league, and had so far earned six badges. He along with two other trainers named Ash Ketchum and Dawn Berlitz will be challenging me at the Snowpoint City gym soon, so if you're all interested in a show, come on and check the battles out."

The adult class all cheered a bit and applauded at the announcement. One of the students in the adult class, a businessman named Jeremiah, raised a hand to speak. "I'm actually rather amazed that the young man here owns two shiny Pokémon. Will he be using them in his battle against you?"

"Well I do intend to use Cell," Kenny said while gesturing to his named shiny Scizor, "But as for-" Kenny stopped short when Elay wandered into the class and stopped in between where James and Jessie, both wearing disguises, sat.

Looking up at the disguised members of Team Rocket, Elay said, "Sandslash slash Sandslash?"

Jessie and James, with a disguised Meowth sitting next to Jessie, all tensed up as they were once again being harassed by the shiny Sandslash who began pestering them back when he was still a Sandshrew. "Umm..." James began, "Sorry, but I have no idea what you're saying."

"Elay had asked you if you know da wae," Kenny replied, a look of suspicion on his face as he saw and recognized the disguised Team Rocket. Elay then let out a chain of tongue clicking, making the disguised Team Rocket all shiver a bit. Walking towards where Team Rocket was sitting, Kenny said, "And your obviously uncomfortable reactions to Elay reminds me of the only other persons who act in that manner when greeted by Elay."

Candice looked a bit concerned by that. "Kenny? What's going-"

The Snowpoint City gym leader was cut off when Kenny took off the glasses Jessie and James wore, with the act also undoing Jessie's hair bun and letting her hair unfurl back to its standard long curve style. "These two are Team Rocket!" Kenny exclaimed, busting the disguises that Jessie and James were wearing, "They're known criminals!"

As the rest of the adult class freaked out, Brock immediately came to attention. "What are you doing here, Team Rocket?!" Brock demanded.

Realizing that the jig was up, Team Rocket took off the rest of their disguises in a flash, showing they wore their uniforms under the disguises. "Drat, the annoying twerp blew our cover!" Jessie snapped, "There goes stealing all of the Pokémon from this school!"

"Like we'll let criminals like you get away with that!" Candice yelled. The rest of the adult class was too scared to act because there were criminals in the room, so it was just Candice, Brock, and Kenny. Realizing that fighting in the classroom was impractical, as well as knowing they'd quickly be flanked, Team Rocket busted a wall in the classroom, making a large hole that they ran out of in order to get outside of the school.

With Team Rocket all outside, Kenny and Brock ran after them, with Candice running out after the boys. "Seviper, use Poison Tail!" Jessie commanded.

Seviper flew forward, its tail glowing purple. But Cell ran in and tanked the poison attack perfectly. "Nice try, Team Rocket!" Kenny boasted, "But Cell being part steel type renders poison attacks used against him redundant!" Gesturing forward, Kenny said, "Cell, use Iron Head!" Rushing forward, Cell with his head shining like a polished metal ball rammed into Seviper, sending it flying back right into Jessie and the rest of Team Rocket.

As the boys and Candice had Team Rocket on the ropes, Ash came running out with Dawn and Zoey following along behind him. "Team Rocket!" Ash exclaimed, "So you're behind the commotion that Dawn, Zoey, and I heard from the preschool class!" Pointing at Team Rocket, Ash said, "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

"Piiiiikaaaaachuuuuu!"

The Thunderbolt flew at and struck Team Rocket, zapping them all before the attack blew up around them, sending them flying off into the horizon as they yelled, "Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!" The trio of criminals then disappeared into the horizon with a twinkle in the sky.

With the situation secured, Candice turned to face everyone. "Who were those criminals that said they wanted to steal all of the Pokémon from the Trainer's School?"

"They're called Team Rocket," Ash said, "They like going around to steal Pokémon from others. They typically can't be trusted, outside of niche situations."

Candice nodded in understanding. "I will let the local law enforcement here in Snowpoint City know, and we'll draw up posters of those criminals and post them around town. That way, if they so much as try anything, we can pounce on them and bring them in to answer for their crimes." Looking at the hole in the wall of the adult class room that Team Rocket made, Candice said in a resigned tone, "It looks like we'll have to cancel the adult class for the next couple of sessions, at least until we can repair the damage to that wall."

"Yeesh, those thugs sure did a number," Zoey said as she saw the damage that Team Rocket did to the wall.

Candice smiled a bit as she shook her head. "We can cover that later. For now, we got better news to handle." Turning to face the heroes, Candice said, "I'll be ready to face one of you later this evening at my gym, as I have to allow you guys time to rest since you helped out here. We can start at around six."

"I think that Ash here ought to get the first go at you," Kenny said, "I still need to rotate Elay out of my party so I can swap Slick back in." Elay, who stood next to Kenny and Cell, made a single tongue click sound in response. Dawn nodded in agreement with what Kenny said about Ash going first, and as such the plan was set.

Later that evening at the Snowpoint City gym, a lot of the students from the local Trainer's School, from a mix of all of its classes, came and sat in the bleachers in the stadium of the gym as Candice and Ash stood on opposite ends, ready to have their battle. The bleachers were close to full, with younger students who had classes at the local Trainer's School being accompanied by parents. The packed stadium reminded Dawn and Kenny of gym battles in the Sword and Shield games back in their previous life.

Candice, giving Ash a confident look, said, "I hope you're ready to throw down, Ash!"

"I was born ready," Ash replied.

Off on the side of the battlefield, the referee for the gym announced, "This official Snowpoint City gym battle will be between the gym leader, Candice, and the challenger, Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town, Kanto! Each trainer may use four Pokémon, and the battle is over when all of one trainer's Pokémon is unable to battle! Additionally, only the challenger may change Pokémon out at any time! Now then, let this battle..." Raising a hand up, the referee exclaimed, "...BEGIN!"

"Sneasel, I choose you!" Candice called out, sending in her Sneasel.

Tossing up a pokéball, Ash called out, "Gardevoir, I choose you!" Seeing Ash send out his obese Gardevoir surprised many of the people in the audience, Dawn and Kenny especially so. Ash never used a Gardevoir against Candice in their battle in the anime, but then again Ash in the anime in their previous life never had a Gardevoir.

"What is that boy thinking?" Jeremiah remarked aloud, "Sending a psychic Pokémon out against Candice's Sneasel which is a dark Pokémon? Also, should he really be using a Pokémon that's very clearly out of shape?"

Down on the battlefield, Candice saw Ash's first choice in Pokémon. "Oh yeah, the incident with Team Rocket canceled the special event I wanted to do for the preschool class," Candice said in a regretful tone, then said as she changed her tune, "But hopefully we can try it tomorrow, after this gym battle! Sneasel, use Fury Swipes!"

Sneasel rushed forward towards Ash's Gardevoir, able to slide quickly on the ice. Seeing this, Ash said, "Gardevoir, use Shadow Ball to break up the icy floor Sneasel is sliding on!" Acting on her trainer's command, Gardevoir conjured and cast a Shadow Ball at the floor in front of Sneasel, which broke the icy floor into large jets of ice that Sneasel scrambled to slide around, slipping and sliding on the floor into a large iced over rock which broke her sliding.

Pointing at Sneasel, Ash said, "Gardevoir, use Moonblast!" Gardevoir then held her hands up to conjure the Moonblast attack, which she cast right at the downed Sneasel as she tried getting back up. She couldn't get away in time, and as such she took the Moonblast dead on, getting blasted by it and taking a lot of damage which sent her flying back.

"Sneasel, try getting up and use Icy Wind!" Candice cried out.

"Gardevoir, use Shadow Ball!" Ash called out.

As Sneasel tried getting up, Gardevoir conjured and cast a Shadow Ball right at her, striking her again. The Shadow Ball blasting into Sneasel, though it wasn't all that effective, was still effective enough to knock Sneasel out. Holding up a hand, the referee announced, "Sneasel is unable to battle! The winner is Gardevoir!"

As Ash cheered, pumping a fist up into the air in celebration over the early lead he scored, the audience cheered for the amazing display. "Ah yes, I can't believe I forgot," Jeremiah said as he applauded calmly, "Gardevoir is part fairy type. A good choice against the dark type Sneasel."

Candice smiled calmly as she recalled her fainted Sneasel. "...Not bad, Ash," Candice said, "But this battle's only getting started!" Tossing up another pokéball, Candice said, "Snover, I choose you!"

When Candice's Snover appeared on the battlefield, Ash aimed Gardevoir's pokéball at her as he said, "Gardevoir, return!" After Gardevoir was recalled, Ash tossed up another pokéball as he said, "Monferno, I choose you!" Ash's Monferno, cheering out playfully, then appeared on the battlefield. Pointing forward, Ash called out, "Monferno, use Flamethrower!"

"Snover, counter with Icy Wind!" Candice ordered. Both Pokémon fired their attacks at one another, with the two attacks meeting. But Flamethrower pushed right through Icy Wind easily, going on to strike Snover and not only hit hard, but also inflict a burn. "Snover, use Ice Beam!"

"Monferno, push through it with Flame Wheel!" Ash called out. Monferno hopped up and spun in a circle that became engulfed in flames as it rolled towards Snover. Snover tried pushing Monferno back with Ice Beam, but Flame Wheel just blasted through the weaker typed attack and went on to ram into Snover, striking hard and sending Snover flying back until it came to a stop where it staid still laying on the icy ground of the battlefield, defeated.

Holding up a hand, the referee announced, "Snover is unable to battle! The winner is Monferno!"

"Ash is on a roll," Dawn thought as she and the rest of the audience watched the battle, "I don't think he did this well in the anime in me and Kenny's previous life during his battle against Candice." Looking at where Ash's Monferno was hopping up and down as he cheered over winning, Dawn thought, "But then again, Ash has Pokémon here that he didn't have at this point in the anime in me and Kenny's previous life, as well as Pokémon he didn't get period. The extra power is probably why he's doing so well."

Down in the arena, Candice said after recalling her fainted Snover, "Wow, I need to be careful of that Monferno of yours, Ash! It's a good thing I have something to deal with it!" Sending out her third Pokémon, Candice said, "Medicham, I choose you!"

After Candice's Medicham appeared on the battlefield, Ash aimed up Monferno's pokéball. "Monferno, return!" After recalling his Monferno, Ash tossed up another pokéball as he called out, "Staraptor, I choose you!" Ash's Staraptor appeared flying in the air after coming out of its pokéball. Pointing at Candice's Medicham, Ash said, "Staraptor, use Aerial Ace!"

"Medicham, use Fire Punch!" Candice ordered.

Medicham had her fist engulfed in flames, and took a swing at Staraptor as he flew in close. But the Predator Pokémon swerved around the attack and went on to slash quickly at Medicham, dealing a solid super effective hit as he flew away. "Medicham, use Fire Punch again!" Candice ordered.

"Staraptor, use Brave Bird!" Ash commanded. Staraptor became engulfed in a harsh blue energy before he took aim and flew right at Medicham, who had another Fire Punch ready. Staraptor flew right into Medicham, who was able to hit Staraptor with Fire Punch but didn't do a lot as Brave Bird blew through the affront and struck Medicham squarely, sending her flying back until she slammed into a large iced over rock and sat upright against it, clearly knocked out.

Holding up a hand again, the referee announced, "Medicham is unable to battle! The winner is Staraptor!"

As Staraptor flew in place, small arcs of blue light dancing off from him, Kenny in the audience said, "Wow, Ash is totally nailing it here!"

Dawn nodded in agreement, hoping that this won't mean Candice will start making a turn around with her Abomasnow. Down on the battlefield, Candice as she recalled Medicham said, "Now this is an exciting battle! The first one I've had in ages against a challenger and it shows I've gotten rusty due to lack of challengers coming to see me! I really need to pump it out!" Tossing up the pokéball that held her final Pokémon, Candice called out, "Abomasnow, I choose you!"

After Abomasnow appeared on the battlefield, Ash decided to recall Staraptor. "Staraptor, return!" Ash said, before tossing up another pokéball and saying, "Gardevoir, I choose you!" Once again, Ash's obese Gardevoir appeared on the battlefield, ready to fight. "Gardevoir, use Psychic!" Ash called out.

"Abomasnow, use Ice Shard!" Candice commanded. Due to how fast the attack is, Abomasnow's Ice Shard flew out quickly and struck Gardevoir, hurting her a bit but not doing too much to worry about; one bit of the Ice Shard attack even bounced off of Gardevoir's plush, plump belly. Meanwhile, Gardevoir's eyes glowed with psychic power before said power struck Abomasnow hard, causing it to stumble backwards with a wincing look on its face as it looked a bit flushed.

Seeing this, Dawn in the audience muttered, "Did that Psychic attack manage to drop Abomasnow's special defense stat a bit?"

Back down on the battlefield, Ash called out, "Gardevoir, use Shadow Ball!"

"Abomasnow, use Ice Punch!" Candice ordered. Abomasnow rushed in with an icy fist pulled back, ready to strike at Gardevoir. As for Gardevoir, she conjured and cast her Shadow Ball attack, striking Abomasnow in the face and making it wince as it looked flushed again, which Dawn in the audience took to mean Abomasnow's special defense was dropped again. But Abomasnow was still in it, and it struck Gardevoir right in her plush, plump belly, pushing her back a bit.

Gardevoir was still able to fight, but Ash could tell she was panting with exhaustion. He didn't want to push her if he could help it, so he recalled her while saying, "Gardevoir, return!" After calling back his obese Gardevoir, Ash tossed up a pokéball while calling out, "Monferno, I choose you!" Ash's Monferno came back out onto the battlefield with an excited cry. Pointing forward, Ash called out, "Monferno, use Flamethrower!"

"Abomasnow, use Wood Hammer!" Candice called out. Abomasnow rushed forward towards the enemy Monferno, but it stumbled a bit due to tripping over the ice jets kicked up earlier during Sneasel's bout against Gardevoir. This allowed Monferno's Flamethrower to fly right at Abomasnow without delay, striking the Abomasnow dead on and making it cry out in pain. After the attack had ended, Abomasnow fell over, clearly defeated.

Holding up a hand, the referee announced, "Abomasnow is unable to battle! The winner is Monferno!" Gesturing over to where Ash stood, the referee declared, "Victory of this battle goes to the challenger, Ash Ketchum!"

Jumping up as he pumped a fist into the air, Ash cheered, "Alright! We won!" Monferno also cheered at the victory he helped to secure for his kind trainer just now.

As the audience applauded for Ash's victory, Dawn who was in the audience thought as she also applauded gently, "Those special defense drops Abomasnow suffered by taking a Psychic and a Shadow Ball from Gardevoir helped to soften it up for Monferno to come in and claim victory. There's also how those ice jets in the floor kicked up earlier by-"

Dawn's thoughts were interrupted when Brock said, "Look! Ash's Monferno is evolving!" Shocked, Dawn turned to look down in the arena, where indeed Ash's Monferno was evolving. His form grew and shifted as he glowed white brightly, and by the time the glowing ended, Ash's Monferno had evolved into Infernape.

"INFERNAPE!" Ash's now Infernape cried out in victory as he pumped his fists into the air.

Seeing this development surprised Dawn. "Ash's Monferno in the anime in me and Kenny's previous life doesn't evolve into Infernape until sometime prior to Ash challenging the Sunyshore gym," Dawn thought, "But here it happened immediately after Ash took out Candice's last Pokémon." Looking down to where Ash stood, Dawn thought, "Ash is doing WAY better here than he did in the anime in me and Kenny's previous life. Just how far will Ash go?"

As Candice, smiling calmly, recalled her Abomasnow, Dawn thought as she saw Candice approach Ash and hand him his rightfully earned Icicle Badge, "But I am interested, and excited, to learn where this all will lead." Dawn, as well as a lot of the audience, all smiled and applauded as Ash held up the Icicle Badge that he had just won.

END, CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Author's notes;

Here the first episodes of the Snowpoint City arc of the anime are adapted, with changes made to fit what all has happened. Ash with Dawn and Zoey instead helps out with a preschool class rather than deal with the adult class, which Kenny works in and busts Team Rocket's disguise before they could even try any thieving. Then Ash has his gym battle against Candice where, thanks to a few developments that he has here that he normally doesn't get yet or get period, he wins on the first try against Candice like he does in the anime but has a much easier time at it here.

Anyway, Dawn's and Kenny's gym challenges against the Snowpoint City gym will go down in the next chapter, given that their respective parties are rotated and ready, although next chapter is also set to see the reappearance of a certain someone who isn't playing nice right now.

Dawn's Pokémon: (on hand) Chi-Chi (female Infernape), Leni (female Lucario), Jack (male Gallade), Froppy (female Toxicroak) Souji (male Rampardos), Cyrus (male Staraptor)

Kenny's Pokémon: (on hand) Roshi (male Torterra), Zarbon (male Machamp), Cell (male Scizor; shiny), Goofy (male Houndoom), Juan (male Pikachu), Slick (male Snorlax)

Ash's Pokémon: Pikachu (male), Phione (gender unknown), Infernape (male), Staraptor (male), Swampert (female), Gardevoir (female; obese)