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-three: Cold Combat, part two
That evening, following Ash's victory at the Snowpoint City gym, the heroes were celebrating at the Pokémon Center, being joined by Zoey for the time being. As Dawn talked to Ash, Brock, and Zoey, Kenny came walking over. "Well, I got my party as ready as it will ever be," Kenny said, "Now I have all of the Pokémon that I plan to bring with me to challenge Candice."
Zoey, looking a bit confused, said, "Well so long as you know what you're doing." Turning to look at Ash, Zoey said, "Hey Ash, Candice said that she wanted to know if you're up for trying to entertain the preschool class at the Trainer School again tomorrow, between Dawn's match and Kenny's."
Ash nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I'd love to give it another try. Hopefully Team Rocket doesn't try to raise a ruckus again."
"Oh, is the granny costume for Gardevoir still available?" Brock asked.
"And both copies of the fairy tales book," Zoey confirmed, "Oh Ash, we ought to rehearse the acting we'll be doing to entertain the preschool class tomorrow."
"As soon as my Pokémon are given the okay by Nurse Joy," Ash replied.
Stretching her arms into the air, Dawn said, "Speaking of your Pokémon, Ash." The reborn trainer gave Ash a serious look. "It's amazing that your Monferno had evolved into Infernape after you won against Candice today. Congratulations."
Ash nodded once acknowledgement, saying, "Thanks, Dawn."
"The fact you've done well in taking care of Infernape," Dawn went on, "Ever since I had brought him to you when he was a Chimchar abandoned by Paul, shows the stark contrast between the two of you."
"Hang on," Zoey cut in, looking a little surprised, "You're saying that Ash's Infernape used to belong to another trainer who abandoned him as a Chimchar?" At that prompting, Ash and the others told Zoey the whole story, including Dawn showing Zoey the video of Paul releasing Chimchar and harshly berating it for performing poorly at the Oreburgh Gym.
Zoey looked both sad and very steamed. "That guy, he... what is his deal?"
"A sore loser who never accepts any fault," Dawn replied straight. Putting her phone away, Dawn went on, "Don't worry, though. We're working on gathering evidence to get the book thrown at him. Oh, please don't say a word of this to anyone."
Zoey made the zipped lip gesture before saying, "My lips are sealed. However, I think we should at the very least let Candice know so she can reject him if he comes to the gym to challenge her."
"At the moment, all we have is a few things of evidence, most of which is testimony," Dawn pointed out, "Also, if we act against Paul now, he'll get defensive." Giving Zoey a firm look, Dawn went on, "We need to tread carefully here."
Although she seemed unsure about it, Zoey ultimately agreed. "Alright, I'll trust your judgement on this on, Dawn."
As the heroes and Zoey talked, they were approached by the Nurse Joy working at the Pokémon Center. "Excuse me, but Ash's Pokémon are fully rested."
"Oh, thanks for letting me know," Ash said as he got up.
"No problem," Nurse Joy replied, "Oh, by the way, I got the details on your Gardevoir from the last Pokémon Center you were at since I called around when I saw how overweight she is, and the Nurse Joy who last saw your Gardevoir gave me her numbers from when she saw her." With a smile, Nurse Joy said, "Between the time you saw that Nurse Joy and seeing me here, your Gardevoir has lost roughly seven pounds."
Ash pumped a fist up into the air. "Alright! The diet's working for Gardevoir!"
Nurse Joy nodded in agreement. "You know, there aren't very many trainers who'd willingly capture a Pokémon who's visibly overweight for its species and work with them to help them slim back down. You've not only shown an amazing heart for a trainer, but you've also proven yourself effective. It's no wonder you had defeated Candice at the Snowpoint City gym. I daresay that Gardevoir couldn't of been in better hands."
"Well of course Ash's Gardevoir couldn't be in better hands," Kenny said, "This is Ash that we're talking about here."
Ash, blushing in embarrassment, replied with a mild chuckle, "Oh come on, Kenny."
Smiling gently, Dawn said, "No Ash, Kenny has a point. You are amazing with Pokémon." Giving Ash a knowing look, Dawn went on, "I'm looking forward to seeing how well you do in the league once we get all of the badges we need to qualify."
Nodding once in acknowledgement to Dawn, Ash remarked, "Thanks, Dawn." The heroes spent the rest of the evening talking things out before it was time to turn in. Since she lived in Snowpoint City, Zoey invited the heroes to crash at her place, an offer that the heroes accepted. There, they clocked out for the night, wondering how the next morning would go.
The following morning at the Snowpoint City gym, Candice was now facing Dawn, with the audience who watched Ash's match the previous day back to watch Dawn duke it out with Candice. "Since you're friends with Ash, I expect you to be able to put up one heck of a challenge," Candice said, her look serious yet playful at the same time.
Dawn nodded once, saying, "I could say the same to you."
After that, the referee standing off to the side of the battlefield announced, "This official Snowpoint City gym battle will be between the gym leader, Candice, and the challenger, Dawn Berlitz from Twinleaf Town! 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!"
Tossing up a pokéball, Candice said, "Sneasel, I choose you!"
"Alright, Leni!" Dawn said as she tossed up a pokéball as well, "Let's get goin'!" The beginning of the gym battle ended up seeing Candice's Sneasel square off against Dawn's named Lucario. Pointing forward, Dawn commanded, "Leni, use Aura Sphere!"
"Sneasel, use Fury Swipes!" Candice called out. Sneasel, readying her claws to swipe at the enemy Lucario, tried to move to avoid the Aura Sphere. But the Aura Sphere couldn't be avoided; it locked onto Sneasel and struck her directly, blowing up into her and sending her flying back until she landed on the icy ground of the battlefield and slid until she came to a stop. When she did, it was clear that Sneasel had been knocked out.
Raising a hand up, the referee said, "Sneasel is unable to battle! The winner is Lucario!"
Smiling as she recalled her fainted Sneasel, Candice said, "Hitting a dual dark ice Pokémon with a fighting attack from a fighting Pokémon. You sure seem to know what you're doing, Dawn." Looking on with some worry, Candice said, "I wonder what Maylene over in Veilstone City would say about you owning a Lucario."
"...You heard about that too, huh?" Dawn replied, sounding serious.
"We can talk on that later," Candice replied as she held the pokéball that contained her second Pokémon for the battle, "For now, we got a battle to continue! Medicham, I choose you!"
"Leni that's enough, fall back!" Dawn said as she swapped her Pokémon out, "Alright, Jack! Let's get goin'!" Taking the place of Dawn's named Lucario was her named Gallade.
In the audience, Brock said, "Huh, counter a psychic fighting Pokémon with another psychic fighting Pokémon. Interesting choice on Dawn's pa-" Brock was cut off when one of Ash's Pokémon came out from its ball; in this case, it was Ash's Gardevoir, whose appearance made Brock and Kenny scoot over some as Gardevoir appeared seated next to her trainer between him and Brock.
As Gardevoir cheered while waving at Jack, Ash seeing this smiled in some amusement. "I guess that Gardevoir wanted to cheer on Dawn's Gallade."
Down on the battlefield, Candice said, "Medicham, use Fire Punch!"
"Jack, counter it with Psycho Cut!" Dawn called out. Jack held his hand up before swinging it down, conjuring and casting a crescent shaped projectile of psychic energy that flew at Medicham. The other psychic fighting Pokémon met it with Fire Punch, tried pushing it back. But the Psycho Cut won out, going on to strike Medicham and deal some decent damage.
"Medicham, use Confusion!" Candice ordered.
"Jack, spin into hitting Medicham with Night Slash!" Dawn commanded. Medicham's eyes glowed with psychic power, but Jack spun around while leaving a trail of shadowy darkness, going on to strike Medicham and making her reel back. "Now use Aerial Ace!" Dawn called out. Jack, while his opponent was still reeling, stopped spinning and slashed up at Medicham with pinpoint accuracy, sending her flying down to the icy ground of the battlefield where she laid defeated.
Holding a hand up, the referee announced, "Medicham is unable to battle! The winner is Gallade!"
The audience cheered some more, with Gardevoir cheering loudly as she was waving her hands in the air, her plump arms jiggling as she did so. Down on the battlefield, Candice sighed as she called back her fainted Medicham. "...You know, I was inspired by Maylene's use of fighting Pokémon to add Medicham to my team I faced challengers with," Candice said to Dawn.
"You personally know her, don't you?" Dawn asked, wanting to know where this could lead.
"I'll clue you in when we're done here," Candice replied. Tossing up the pokéball that held her third Pokémon for that battle, Candice said, "Snover, I choose you!"
"Jack that's enough, fall back!" Dawn said as she swapped her Pokémon out again, "Alright, Froppy! Let's get goin'!" After Dawn's named Gallade was swapped out, her named Toxicroak was swapped in. Meanwhile, Candice's Snover appeared on the battlefield.
Over in the audience, Kenny commented, "Wow, this battle's getting heated."
Nodding in agreement, Ash said, "Yeah, I have to-" Ash stopped short when he heard some annoyed humming; turning to look, he saw that his Gardevoir had an annoyed, pouty look on her face. "You wanted to see Dawn's Gallade in action more, huh Gardevoir?" The plump Gardevoir nodded twice in the affirmative before folding her arms over her chest.
Down on the battlefield, Candice called out, "Snover, use Ice Shard!"
"Froppy, counter with Brick Break while closing in on Snover!" Dawn ordered. Snover released a series of shards of ice that flew at Froppy, but the named Toxicroak ran in, busting away every shard of ice that came close to her with a chop, before getting up in Snover's face and dealing a Brick Break at point blank range. "Now use Poison Jab!" Dawn ordered.
"Snover, use Ice Beam!" Candice called out. Snover tried casting an Ice Beam attack, but Froppy, who was right there in front of Snover, quickly jabbed it in the gut with the spike on the back of her right hand as it glowed with poison. Snover was hurt hard by that attack, and ended up crumpling onto the icy ground of the battlefield, where it laid defeated.
Raising a hand up, the referee announced, "Snover is unable to battle! The winner is Toxicroak!"
Candice recalled her fainted Snover, a serious look on her face. "You're sure making this tough for me. The lack of challengers before now really has caused me to become rusty. I need to shake off that rust soon." Holding up the pokéball that held her final Pokémon, Candice said, "And I think that I'll start now! Abomasnow, I choose you!"
"Froppy that's enough, fall back!" Dawn said as she recalled her named Toxicroak. Tossing up another pokéball, Dawn called out, "Alright, Chi-Chi! Let's get goin'!" Dawn's fourth Pokémon, her Infernape, came out into the battle with a confident screech. "Use Fire Punch!"
"Abomasnow, use Wood Hammer!" Candice cried out. Abomasnow jumped up to try to slam down on the named Infernape, but said Infernape slugged Abomasnow in the gut with a strong, solid Fire Punch. That Fire Punch, from a fire type Pokémon, and boosted by Iron Fist, hitting a dual ice grass Pokémon like Abomasnow ended up sending the Abomasnow reeling back until it fell over onto the icy ground of the battlefield, where it laid clearly knocked out.
Holding a hand up, the referee announced, "Abomasnow is unable to battle! The winner is Infernape!" Gesturing over to where Dawn stood, the referee declared, "Victory of this battle goes to the challenger, Dawn Berlitz!" Dawn breathed a relaxed sigh of relief while Chi-Chi screeched loudly in victory.
Candice, meanwhile, smiled calmly as she recalled her fainted Abomasnow. "...Not too bad, Dawn," Candice said as she walked up to the reborn trainer, "Not too bad at all." Candice then awarded Dawn her rightfully earned Icicle Badge, marking badge number seven out of eight for Dawn. Now all she needed was one more badge, and she'd be ready to enter the Sinnoh league conference.
...
"So Candice," Dawn began; the heroes, Zoey, and Candice were all at the local Pokémon Center, where Dawn's fighting Pokémon and Candice's team were all being rested. "You know Maylene the gym leader over in Veilstone City."
Candice nodded twice in the affirmative, the look on her face troubled. "Last that I heard from her, Maylene had lost terribly to some trainer who lost to her on his first try. She said that her Lucario is still out of it and under intense medical care at the Veilstone City Pokémon Center." Candice looked to Dawn. "...Seeing you use your Lucario in our gym battle earlier reminded me of what Maylene is going through."
"We... actually know what's going on there with Maylene," Kenny said, "As it connects to part of the investigation that my main man Dawn here is doing into a certain jerk muffin of a trainer. We... can't exactly give out details, though. Not until we have enough to ensure that said jerk muffin trainer is brought in and can't get out of it."
The leader of the Snowpoint City gym looked to the heroes. "...You guys met Maylene."
Gesturing to herself, Ash, and Kenny in that order as she talked, Dawn explained, "Me and the boys here were the last three Pokémon trainers that Maylene faced before she went on leave from her gym leader duties."
Candice took a breath to steady herself. "...I hope that you guys are able to succeed in getting justice for Maylene and her Lucario. The poor girl deserves it." A short while later, and at Candice's request, Dawn joined her in a video phone chat with Maylene over in Veilstone City. Also at the request of Candice, Dawn had Leni poke in so that the reborn trainer can tell Maylene about how she's doing with her named Lucario.
Seeing the friendly, almost silly, look in Leni's eyes as the female Lucario stuck a bit of her tongue out in a blep manner made Maylene smile. It was a sad smile as the Veilstone City gym leader was still depressed about the state of her own Lucario, but Maylene did cheer up. The girls even had a bit of a giggle when Maylene's Riolu poked in and cried out at Leni as if trying to say hello to her. It was a good time that made the girls, Maylene especially so, feel better.
Later that evening, after Candice's Pokémon were fully rested, Candice had her battle against Kenny. Similar to Ash and Dawn, Kenny won; Zarbon defeated Sneasel, Goofy took out both Snover and Abomasnow, and Slick took out Medicham after Cell was recalled due to taking a Fire Punch to the abdomen, which made him stumble around while covering his abdomen with his metal pincer claws as he cried out in pain.
As Kenny marvelled at his newly earned Icicle Badge, he asked, "So where to after this?"
"I heard talk of a gym in Sunyshore City," Dawn replied, "We can try there."
"Oh, I know about that gym," Candice said, "The gym leader there, Volkner, is a very strong trainer. So strong that I heard he's contemplating challenging the elite four to see if he can challenge Cynthia. Volkner's electric Pokémon are very energetic and strong, so watch out."
Ash nodded in understanding. "Electric Pokémon, huh?" Ash took up the pokéball that held his Swampert. "...I'll keep that in mind."
Dawn saw this and was glad that she gave Ash the idea to catch that Swampert, hoping it'd make his go at the Sunyshore gym easier. Similar to how Ash was contemplating his Swampert's pokéball, Dawn was contemplating Germany's pokéball; in the time between her battle against Candice and Kenny's battle against Candice just now, Dawn rotated her party around so that she had Chi-Chi, Akiza, Cyrus, Germany, Leni, and Nobunaga on hand now.
As Dawn looked at the pokéball that held her named Garchomp, one of the persons working at the Snowpoint City gym came over to Candice. "Hey Candice, you got another challenger," said the gym worker. Candice, with the heroes and Zoey looking on, saw it as Paul walked into the area. Everyone, aside from Candice who didn't know exactly who Paul was (the heroes and Zoey didn't clue her in on it), was surprised to see the cruel trainer just walk on in.
"You're the gym leader here, right?" Paul said to Candice, "I'm here to challenge you."
"Sorry, but I literally had just gotten out of a battle where Kenny here defeated me," Candice explained to Paul while gesturing to Kenny. Going on, Candice said, "Would you be okay with waiting until tomorrow morning, after my Pokémon have had a chance to rest?"
Paul nodded once. "That's understandable. Very well." Paul turned to leave, but was stopped by Ash calling out to him.
Ash maintained a neutral expression as he regarded Paul. "...How is it going for you earning badges, Paul?" Ash asked, "I won against Candice yesterday, putting me at seven badges earned."
Paul arched a wry eyebrow. "I'm surprised you care. But if you absolutely have to know, I'm at seven badges right now as well. The overly enthusiastic guy at the Canalave City gym was no challenge for me." Smirking a bit, Paul went on, "Defeating the Snowpoint City gym will net me the last badge that I need to compete in the Pokémon league conference."
Ash kept his expression neutral. "Good luck at th-" Ash was cut off when he and everyone else felt a shock wave resonate out. Everyone ran outside, and saw a shadow cast over a good bit of the area. Looking up, everyone saw the Battle Pyramid from the Kanto Battle Frontier flying overhead. "Hey, it's the Battle Pyramid!" Ash called out, surprised to see it here in Sinnoh.
Paul, who was also looking up at the Battle Pyramid, had a look of serious consideration on his grim face. "...So he's here."
As everyone stood outside of the Snowpoint City gym, they heard a male voice call out to them, "Hey, you guys!" Everyone looked down and saw Reggie, Paul's older brother, come running up to all of them. Jerking a thumb up into the air at the Battle Pyramid, Reggie said, "Fancy seeing you all here. Are you here because you saw Brandon fly on in, or for a different reason like me?"
"Umm, who are you?" Kenny asked.
Gesturing to Reggie, Ash said to Kenny, "This is Reggie. He's Paul's older brother."
Kenny then looked back and forth between Reggie and Paul, somewhat quickly, about ten times before turning to face Ash. "...Say sike right now."
"Oh, I heard about the Battle Pyramid coming, actually," Candice said, "The guy who runs the Battle Pyramid wanted to investigate Snowpoint Temple, and as the gym leader here in Snowpoint City, I have to give him the okay before he's allowed to enter the temple."
Looking up as the Battle Pyramid flew overhead, Ash smiled as he recalled his journey through the Battle Frontier. "Yeah, I remember Brandon. He was really tough, but I was able to beat him in the end and conquer the whole of the Battle Frontier."
Hearing that out of Ash made Paul, who had a look of surprise on his face, turn to look at Ash. "You seriously were able to beat Brandon?" Paul didn't even sound rude or disrespectful; he sounded too surprised to show any emotion other than shocked surprise.
Reggie turned to face his younger brother. "...Maybe you'll reconsider about what I told you about Ash here being a strong trainer?"
Paul, having turned his attention up to look at the Battle Pyramid again, was too preoccupied to even hear most what his older brother had said just now. Most of it, but some of it did get through to him. "...I'm interested in seeing things for myself." Paul then took off in the direction that the Battle Pyramid was flying in, leading Reggie and the others to follow while Candice remained back at the Snowpoint City gym.
A short while later, the group arrived at where the Battle Pyramid touched down at. As they made their way over, they were greeted by Samuel, who refereed matches at the Battle Pyramid. "I saw you guys on the video feed in the control room as we touched down," Samuel greeted in a friendly tone, "It's amazing that you guys are here in Sinnoh."
Ash nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I'm here to challenge the gyms and enter the Sinnoh league conference." Gesturing to Dawn and Kenny, Ash added, "Me and Brock's friends Dawn and Kenny here are doing the same."
"Aha ha! It warms me to see so many trainers aiming to push themselves to their limits and beyond!" a familiar voice boomed out in good natured amusement. Everyone then turned their attention to see Brandon, the Pyramid King, come walking on over to them. "And I see some familiar faces as well," Brandon said, "How are you kids doing?"
"Oh, we're doing fine," Ash replied, "Say, what brings you to here to Sinnoh?"
Pointing in the direction of Snowpoint Temple, Brandon explained, "I'm here to check out Snowpoint Temple. I was told that I could expect to meet Maria, the temple maiden, here and she'd guide me."
As the guys all talked, an SUV pulled up. Getting out was a modest but lovely woman dressed as a temple maiden. "You're Pyramid King Brandon, I assume?" the maiden said, "I'm Maria. Candice told me ahead of time that you're cleared to have permission to enter Snowpoint Temple." Brock, seeing the lovely Maria, began to go into flirt mode, but was stopped by his Croagunk, who jabbed him and then dragged him back.
Turning to face Maria, Brandon nodded to her once in thanks. "I appreciate the courtesy, Maria. Well then, unless there's any reason to not do so right away, I say we ought to check out Snowpoint Temple post haste."
With a bit of a wincing look of mild embarrassment on her face, Maria said, "Umm, it's actually a bit late in the day to really allow it to be honest. It's best to explore Snowpoint Temple in the morning."
"Ah, that's an understandable reason," Brandon said.
"I also have a reason for you," Paul spoke up, making everyone turn to face him. With all eyes on him, Paul pointed at Brandon. "Brandon, I challenge you to a Pokémon battle, here and now!"
Everyone cried out in surprise by Paul's sudden challenging of Brandon, aside from Dawn who had a dry look on her face as she pinched the bridge of her nose, Reggie who looked a mix of like he saw this coming and looking troubled, and Kenny who simply looked confused. Turning to face Dawn, Kenny whispered, "What's going on?"
"Paul biting off way more than he can chew," Dawn whispered back, recalling from the anime in her and Kenny's previous life how this was going to go down, "That's what's going on."
Brandon, looking amused, turned to face Paul fully. "...You're Reggie's little brother, if I recall correctly." Arching a wry eyebrow, the Pyramid King said, "Looking to see if you can succeed where your older brother had failed, I take it?"
"I have my reasons," Paul replied, "But that is one of them, yes." As Brandon laughed in amusement at the challenge, Candice came riding up on a Dodrio.
Getting off of the Dodrio, Candice looked at Brandon and said, "So you're Pyramid King Brandon, right? Welcome to Snow-" The gym leader of Snowpoint City stopped short when she just realized that everyone was standing around. "...Umm, what's going on?"
Gesturing to Paul, Brandon said, "This young man here has challenged me to a Pokémon battle just now!" Folding his arms over his chest, Brandon said, "And I accept the challenge!"
END, CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Author's notes;
This chapter sees clearing the reborn trainers through getting their respective Icicle Badges, bringing them and Ash one badge each away from entering the Sinnoh League conference. It also sees the beginning of covering the episode where Paul challenges and battles Brandon, the Pyramid King from the Battle Frontier. This is an important thing to cover given that it ties directly to Paul's character, not to mention how it'll set the stage for when Paul and Ash have their battle up at Lake Acuity, which is also important here.
Dawn's Pokémon: (on hand) Chi-Chi (female Infernape), Leni (female Lucario), Cyrus (male Staraptor), Akiza (female Roserade), Germany (male Garchomp), Nobunaga (male Togekiss)
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)