Part CLXIV: Freezing Up

"Well, that looks to be the Snowbelle Gym." Serena said as she checked the building they were approaching to the one on her device displaying an image of the Snowbelle Gym to confirm that they matched, though the Kalos Pokémon League symbol on one wall and what looked like the door was a dead giveaway that it was the gym. "Yup, that should be it."

It was the day after the Wallace Showcase and Ash and his friends had awoken bright and early for this. Finally, after the excitement packed, surprised filled, Wallace Cup where Serena shocked everyone with her win over Ash, who had also shocked everyone to reach the final while taking out all 3 favorites for the Ribbon Cup on the circuit along the way, and the intriguing Wallace Showcase with Misty's win there to secure her spot in the Master Class, it was time for Ash's own test, his battle with Wulfric the Snowbelle City Gym Leader.

Just like in Coumarine City a while back, Snowbelle was a city for all of them with a gym, Contest, and Showcase that all were part of. So far Serena and Misty had won their things, now it was Ash's turn to win and secure his 8th gym badge thus qualifying for the Kalos League. He was ready and rearing to go. He may have lost to Serena in the Wallace Cup final but that was behind him, it was time to do what he was best at and win his last gym badge.

The Snowbelle Gym itself was actually on the outskirts of the city similar to how a few other Kalos gyms seems to either overlook or standalone slightly away from their host cities, which was a contrast to Lumiose City where the gym was at the heart of it. Like with Cyllage, Snowbelle's gym was up in the mountains around the city meaning that they had to climb up a snow-covered mountain path to reach the gym, all bundled up in their winter clothes given Snowbelle's rather unique climate.

The weather also meant that for once the girls wouldn't be able to wear their cheerleader outfits for Ash which was annoying to them, but they'd been told that the interior was too cold to do so. While they wanted to, they couldn't risk getting sick from it, so it was full snow gear for all of them.

Thankfully, Adam, who along with Emily and Dawn were joining the usual crew in watching this gym battle, had been to the gym before and helped lead the way to it. Just like with the other Kalos gyms, it was an interesting structure.

The Snowbelle gym looked like half an octagon of sorts jutting out from where it was set into the mountain with a strange thing on top and narrow windows set high into the outer, upper sides of it that had to give fantastic views of the city below. The walls themselves seemed to be made of steel with snow and icicles building up on it. Lastly, below the gym there seemed to be a triangular vent set into the mountain for some reason that none of them could figure out, so they just ignored it.

All in all, it worked well for a gym and with the snow all around it, it felt fitting for an ice type gym. Ash was just excited for the challenge as they hurried along the path to the large double bay style doors with the Kalos Pokémon League symbol on the front of it. It was time for Ash to go for his 8th badge and a shot at something he'd never accomplished before, going 8 for 8 in a region without losing a single gym battle.

They moved as fast and as safely as possible given the iciness of the path under their boots. Soon enough though they reached the doors that opened automatically for them, the gym was officially open again now that the excitement in Snowbelle was over and entered the oddly futuristic looking interior of the gym.

There wasn't anyone to greet them as they walked into a large open area made out of dark metal panels with blue lights running along the floors and walls. Before them was another sliding door that opened along the middle, well roughly as it was a jagged line that appeared to be slightly off center, with the Pokémon League emblem in the center and a TV screen above it. That was what led into the heart of the gym where the battlefield would be, so they headed right to it.

"I'd like to have a gym battle please." Ash said looking up at the TV screen because Adam and Max had told him that this was how to enter the Snowbelle Gym, so Ash did just that.

Rather than open, 5 panels on the floor before the group lowered and then came up with 5 Bergmites on them. After seeing plenty of the little, pyramid shaped ice types during the Wallace Cup they knew the species on sight but as Ash hadn't actually had a moment to scan them, they were only out briefly to fix the battlefield during the Cup and he was often preparing when he saw them, he pulled out his Pokedex to get a little more on them.

After all, they were a native Kalos ice type in the ice type gym so best to get a sense of them just in case he faced one. He wasn't sure what he'd be facing but Ash wanted to ensure that he was as prepared as possible for the coming battle.

"Bergmite, the Ice Chunk Pokémon." Ash's Pokedex chimed helpfully. "Begmite's body is covered in ice which is used to protect against opponents. Cracks are fixed with cold air."

"Cool." Ash said putting the Pokedex away and smiling at the Bergmites. "Not often that we get greeted just by Pokémon."

At that, the Bergmites turned to face the door looking up to the screen. As soon as they did a new voice spoke.

"Welcome to the Snowbelle Gym." The voice said from the screen. "It's very cold inside the gym so please make any necessary preparations now."

"Good thing we were warned in advance, but it does make sense." Misty said. "It is an ice type gym. Shame it isn't more like how the Wallace Cup was set up, that would have allowed us to properly cheer for Ash as a unit."

"Nope, it's really cold in there as well." Adam said clearly too dense to understand any deeper meaning but most of the guys Misty and the other girls knew, including Ash, were. "I didn't see the ice type gym in Icirrus City though when I was in Unova as I wasn't challenging gyms there so I can't compare how one of the other gyms that specializes in this type operates."

"It was cold but more manageable as it was basically just an ice rink with icebergs in random places that added to the challenge similar to how floats are used in water type gyms at times or boulders in rock type gyms." Ash said recalling the gym well. "I've faced 3 ice type gyms before, Icirrus, Snowpoint City in Sinnoh, and Mahogany Town in Johto. The last two were similar, just an ice battlefield with icebergs on it. This is the first one I've had to be fully kitted up going in, however. Anyway, we're all ready to come inside so let's do this."

"Excellent." The voice said showing that there was at least a speaker, if not a camera as well, that was pointed at them though none could make it out. "Please enter the Snowbelle City Gym's battlefield."

The Bergmites all then lined up and the doors opened in what looked like a puff of smoke but was actually a blast of cold air. They all gasped or smiled, even Adam and Emily who'd seen it before seemed impressed going through it again, as they looked out and onto the Snowbelle City Gym's battlefield. It was unlike any that Ash had seen before, and as Dawn and Misty had also seen ice gyms with Ash, Mahogany and Snowpoint respectively, they too agreed this one was unique.

The room was large, one of the largest Ash had been in in Kalos for overall breadth though Shalour had a larger ceiling, with a pure ice battlefield set in a shallow indent in the floor where the trainer and gym leader would face off. Around it, the room seemed to have been carved out of the rock before encased in metal with pipes and other odd things all over the walls and an observation platform set off to the side.

However, the strangest aspect to the gym was the ice itself. There was a layer of ice covering everything from the floor to the stairs leading to the battlefield to the walls, it actually looked kinda dangerous, while large, think, icicles hung down from the ceiling, and a giant ice structure set into the far wall. In the center of the structure and raised from the floor so it had to be accessed by a flight of stairs was a throne carved from the ice and on it sat an older looking man with his eyes closed and arms and legs crossed.

The man had white hair swept back with thick sideburns connecting to a spectacular handlebar moustache. All he wore was a white vest over his large girth, black pants, and boots with a thick blue parker tied around his neck like a cape, the black fur lining of the hood behind his head. Around his neck was a pendant or locket Ash couldn't be sure. There was no doubt, the man had to be Wulfric, the Snowbelle City Gym leader.

He looked to be in his 50s if Ash had to guess, making him the second oldest of the Kalos gym leaders behind Ramos, and was the first of the 8 leaders Ash hadn't met prior to their battle. He wasn't sure why, Wulfric was clearly a slightly strange man given that he was apparently meditating on an ice throne, but for the first time in a while Ash was meeting the gym leader at the moment of challenge. He didn't care though; he was ready for this.

"Attention." Wulfric said suddenly opening his eyes as they walked in to show that his eyes were a piercing ice blue color. "Hello there, welcome to my gym, as you know I am Wulfric, the Snowbelle City Gym leader. Which of you is burning with passion to face me today?"

"That would be me." Ash said stepping forward. "I'd like to have a gym battle with you, please."

"Very well." Wulfric said with a nod as he grinned at his latest opponent. "And like my colleagues, I am aware of who you are Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town. You know, that show you put on in the Indigo Conference was something else. I may not be too up to it with the new fairy type, it has no positives or negatives when interacting with ice types, and I was only recently notified of the only ice type to add it upon evolution, but you used an Ice Punch as part of the reveal, so I know the moment well."

"Don't you get cold sitting on that ice?" Misty asked a little confused. "I've met Candice a few times and she didn't really have that kind of style. She was eccentric in her own right however."

"You know what, when you get to the point I'm at you can feel a heated heart even sitting on ice, so being here is absolutely comfortable for me." Wulfric said with a laugh, yup he was clearly a slightly strange dude, before he recognized another of their number and addressed him directly. "Oh, I remember you from before, you're that Hoenn fighting specialist who gave me a few heated battles before all that hubbub came to town."

"Right, you really showed me how even with the advantage of fighting types over ice types skill matters a lot." Adam said with a nod. "I'm facing psychic and fairy gyms next and while I'm set for the former, the latter will be hard, so I am looking forward to using what you taught me when I face Valerie in Laverre."

"Good, learning from a battle and trusting in your Pokémon is key, you know." Wulfric said. "Now, Ash, shall we see how hot your heart burns? How many badges do you have so far?"

"I have 7 badges." Ash said with a grin. "So, this will be my 8th and final one before the Kalos League."

"I see." Wulfric said with a grin. "Enjoy the experience of it, I am eager to see how much you want it."

"Right, the last gym is always a strong challenge." Ash said taking off his jacket and thrusting it into Misty's arms, he'd never been wrapped up in his previous ice type gym battles so no point breaking that streak now. "Here hold this. I wonder if this will be interestingly done like Roxie in Virbank or Juan in Sootopolis. I'm getting really heated up."

"Just what I love to hear, you know." Wulfric said with a bark of laugh as he rose from his throne. "Show me that fire Ash."

Ash just nodded as he walked carefully down the steps to the battlefield with Pikachu while the girls and Adam moved to the side and then up to the observation platform from which they would watch the match. Wulfric did the same, walking down the ice steps from his throne and then the next set of steps down to the battlefield to stand in his box as he faced Ash and Pikachu across the ice. An assistant came out as well and made his way to the midpoint of the battlefield and hopped down to officiate the battle.

"Alright, the Snowbelle City Gym battle is about to begin." The assistant, who was also the one who'd welcomed them via the TV a few minutes prior by the sound of his voice, said. "Each side will have the use of three Pokémon and the battle will be over when all three of one trainer's Pokémon are unable to continue. Only the challenger will be allowed to make substitutions during the battle."

"You know what." Wulfric said his arms still crossed. "Ice is extremely hard and fragile at the same time, so depending on what Pokémon you choose and their moves I could be your most challenging opponent yet or a total pushover. Which is as it should be but enough of this old man's rambling, let's get this show on the road."

"Right." Ash said with a nod, he understood exactly what Wulfric was saying as ice type attacks were some of the strongest out there, especially given that they were super effective against dragon types, but ice type Pokémon were defensively weak with only a resistance to their own type and 4 weaknesses, so a lot hinged on his Pokémon and their moves, but Ash was ready for this as he tossed out his first Poke Ball. "Conkeldurr, I choose you."

The Poke Ball burst open and Conkeldurr roared his battle cry as he landed and proceeded to slip a bit. He compensated by slamming his pillars into the ice to stabilize himself and leaving small cracks where they'd hit the surface of the battlefield. Ash hadn't used Conkeldurr in the Wallace Cup, he'd planned around his opponents for that, so he wanted his fighting type to get more experience both in battle and on a stranger than normal battling surface as the Kalos League would likely feature nonstandard battlefields.

That and he was again factoring in his opponent hence the choice of Conkeldurr. He'd considered Lucario or Dunsparce as both had effective moves against ice types, but Conkeldurr needed the experience, so he'd start the battle off for Ash.

"Careful, we're on an ice battlefield like what the others dealt with at the Wallace Cup." Ash warned though he had a feeling that this ice was even more pristine than the stuff from the Wallace Cup.

"Conkeldurr." Conkeldurr grunted with a nod ready to give it his all, he'd not been selected for the last competition, so he had to make up for it by showing his stuff off now and starting this battle strong for Ash and the rest of the team. "Con, Conkeldurr."

"Go, Abomasnow." Wulfric said as he tossed out his own Pokémon and a moment later the bipedal, fully evolved, ice and grass type burst out of his Poke Ball.

"Aboma, Abomasnow!" Abomasnow roared as he rose to his full height and there was an explosion of air from him and a second later hail began falling all over the room, including the observation area.

"Woah." Ash said blinking in surprise. "Candice's Abomasnow didn't do this when I faced her in Sinnoh."

"It's hail." Serena noted. "What's going on?"

"This is bad." Adam said filling them all in it seemed as slight sparks came from Conkeldurr as the hail hit him where he stood showing that it was doing some damage. "This Abomasnow's ability is Snow Warning which summons a hailstorm when it enters a battle, that hailstorm works like the area move so Conkeldurr will take a small bit of damage from it. Think of it like how Drought is an ability that mimics Sunny Day just the ice equivalent of it."

"Correct." Wulfric said with a nod. "A useful ability to have for sure, a trainer should understand how to maximize his or hers Pokémon's ability."

"I know a trainer who was big on ability use so bring it on Abomasnow." Ash said with a grin. "We're ready for this battle."

"Um, then battle begin." The assistant said to officially start the match.

"Conkeldurr, let's start this off strong with Hammer Arm." Ash said as the battle for his 8th gym badge began.

Before Abomasnow could react, Conkeldurr used his strong core and his pillars to launch himself at his foe, raising his right-hand pillar over his head in the process as he closed in on the ice and grass type. He had to leap with all his strength and cover the ground in the air because he didn't trust his footing on the ice, but he was easily strong enough to manage it, so it wasn't a problem. Conkeldurr showed then when he reached Abomasnow and brought down his pillar, driving it into Abomasnow's head and bringing him to his knees with a wail at the super effective attack.

"Impressive, I can feel your passion right of the bat, I like that." Wulfric said with a bark of laughter. "My turn. Abomasnow, Ice Punch."

Again, the move was faster than the opponent could react as Abomasnow didn't even bother to get up, he just clenched his fist, encased it in ice, and punched out as Conkeldurr landed on the ice before him. The blow slammed right into Conkeldurr's face and sent him sliding back over the ice with a grunt of pain.

Conkeldurr wasn't weak to ice type attacks but he wasn't resistant to them either and this Abomasnow was a powerful foe so it hurt but he could manage. Still, he slid a fair ways back and had to slam his pillars into the ground to bring himself to a halt, gouging short groves into the pristine surface in the process.

The battle had opened with two tough hits and both Ash and Wulfric were grinning as they got into the battle. This was really going to heat up.

"Fling." Ash commanded. "Use that to distract Abomasnow to get in a Drain Punch to regain your health."

"Oh, clever indeed." Wulfric said as Conkeldurr began to spin using his impressive core muscles to build up the centrifugal force that he needed for his attack. "Stop it with Wood Hammer."

As Wulfric finished speaking, Conkeldurr launched first one, then the other pillar at Abomasnow while still in mid spin. The pillars shot across the battlefield like rockets and slammed into Abomasnow, catching him in the gut and upper chest one after another before he could form the Wood Hammer and causing him to grunt and stagger from the blows.

Still, he held his ground, the dark type attack wasn't strong or weak against him and formed the Wood Hammer over his right fist as Conkeldurr finished his spin and launched himself at Abomasnow, his own right fist clenched, and arm cocked back ready to slam it into Abomasnow. In this instance though Abomasnow was readier and had a longer reach so as Conkeldurr reached him, Abomasnow punched out just before Conkeldurr did and slammed the powerful grass type attack into Conkeldurr's chest and blasted him back.

Conkeldurr wailed as he was thrown back and hit the ice hard, bouncing off it and flipping so that be landed on his feet to slide back again, one hand on the ice to steady himself as he still didn't have his pillars thanks to that Fling attack. The Wood Hammer had hurt, it was one of the strongest grass type attacks out there and he wasn't resistant, or weak, to the type. That plus the Ice Punch were really starting to add up but he wasn't going to go down without a fight and Wood Hammer had recoil damage, so Abomasnow was definitely feeling it as well.

"I know you can do it Conkeldurr." Ash said encouragingly. "Hammer Arm into Drain Punch."

"Blizzard." Wulfric ordered as Conkeldurr again launched himself at Abomasnow using his impressive muscles to cover the distance in the air as his footing on the ice was even worse now that he didn't have his pillars. "Drop Conkeldurr as it approaches you."

"Push through it Conkeldurr." Ash said as Abomasnow opened his mouth. "You can do it!"

Conkeldurr roared as the icy blast hit him, but his momentum was too much to be stopped even by a Blizzard attack. If he was lighter or weaker then maybe it would have stopped him, but he was a strong, fully evolved Pokémon determined to win and he pushed past it as he raised his arms over his head. The Blizzard hurt, a lot, but he managed to get through it and bring down his arms to crash into Abomasnow's chest, his momentum had been slowed slightly by the attack, so he hit lower than he'd aimed for.

The Frost Tree Pokémon let out a wail of pain as he slid back from the blow and Conkeldurr landed on the ice panting and battered. Both Pokémon looked like they'd been through the ringer, which they had as both had taken powerful attacks so far and some of them had been super effective on Abomasnow. At this point, both were at most one attack away from fainting, so it came down to speed and strength now.

"Drain Punch." Ash ordered going with the slightly restorative attack.

"Energy Ball." Wulfric said at the same time.

Conkeldurr and Abomasnow roared as they attacked, Conkeldurr leaping at Abomasnow one last time with his fist cocked as a ball of grass type energy formed in Abomasnow's mouth. Alas, because of the last Hammer Arm sending Abomasnow back a few paces, there was just too much of a gap for Conkeldurr to cover in time before the Energy Ball was released and slammed into his face.

The Muscular Pokémon was out cold before he hit the ice, his momentum stopped by the hit, so he just crashed down to land on his back, limbs splayed and eyes swirls. He was out of the battle.

"Conkeldurr is unable to battle, Abomasnow is the winner." The ref declared the moment he saw Conkeldurr's eyes. "The challenger has 2 Pokémon remaining."

"Conkeldurr return." Ash said with a smile as he recalled his Pokémon, the pillars being recalled as well and looked at the ball in his hand. "You did really well, don't worry, we'll win this one right now."

"That was intense, you know." Wulfric said with a grin. "You're starting to burn up so show me more passion!"

"Oh, I will." Ash said as he put away Conkeldurr's ball and pulled out his second Pokémon. "Talonflame, I choose you. Flame Charge!"

Ash threw out the Poke Ball and Talonflame burst from it with a caw, his body igniting almost at once burning up any falling hail thus temporarily protecting him from it. He was ready and rearing to go as he tore at Abomasnow, a burning blur of flames and feathers, which slammed into Abomasnow's face before he or Wulfric could react.

Fire was the ultimate type against a Pokémon like Abomasnow and he was out before his body crashed down to the ice, his eyes swirls as Talonflame cawed in victory and sored up and spun through the air to make his way back to Ash. He'd easily won thanks to Conkeldurr's efforts, and he'd relieved a little stress at the same time.

Talonflame had been slightly down since his recent loss to Rhydon. It wasn't just because he'd been in command the entire battle and should have won it, nor was it losing so ignobly in his mind to a one hit knockout attack like Horn Drill. No, it was mainly because he'd lost in the final thus failing to secure the title for Ash and the team.

His teammates and friends had done their jobs, Pikachu had done his job to get them to the battles that Ash wanted to partake in and then Lucario, Goodra, and Noibat won with the last one evolving in the process against a formidable foe. They'd all set it up for Talonflame to bring it home as Greninja couldn't be used due to some rule, and he was the best Pokémon for the final, but Talonflame had failed there. Now was his chance to redeem himself as he took out the Abomasnow and prepared to face what was next in Ash's final gym battle.

"That was certainly hot, just as I'd expect from a Talonflame." Wulfric said grinning as he recalled Abomasnow not bothering to wait for the ref to say anything as he pulled out his second Poke Ball and throwing it out without missing a beat. "Let's see if that speed can keep up with my next Pokémon. Bergmite, you're up next."

The Poke Ball burst open and a Bergmite materialized before Wulfric. Ash already decided to keep Talonflame in the battle, so he was ready for this and already thinking of how to handle the small ice type before him. His expectation to face one when he was greeted by 5 a few moments ago proving true so now it was time to put that expectation to good use.

At the moment he held the advantage, Talonflame's fire type was strong against ice types though he needed to land the hit on his foe, same with his steel type attack which would also be super effective, while that same fire type negated the weakness flying types had to ice type attacks. Still, Wulfric was a gym leader so Ash couldn't count anything out. That and the hail was still falling so Talonflame was suffering minor damage in the process.

"Talonflame, Steel Wing." Ash said.

"Bergmite, evade it with Rapid Spin and use that to build up your momentum." Wulfric countered as Talonflame tore at Bergmite with a caw, his wings turning to steel in the process.

Alas, as fast as Talonflame was, he wasn't fast enough to reach Bergmite in time before Bergmite spun out of the way and began to shoot across the ice with its Rapid Spin as Talonflame banked to try and catch up as the Rapid Spin ended. However, it became apparent that Bergmite was quick on the ice as it easily skated over the surface and thanks to it's Rapid Spin it was able to gain enough momentum to keep ahead of Talonflame.

This wasn't good for Ash, and he grit his teeth at this. He needed to teach Talonflame a ranged fire type attack, that was something this battle was showing him, but for now short of Talonflame suddenly revealing a new move, which was always possible, Ash would have to rely on his tactics to win. This was just what he and Talonflame needed after their last battle though, so he quickly assessed the situation as Talonflame's Steel Wing timed out.

"Steel Wing again." Ash said going for speed to give him a few more seconds of assessment. "Keep up the pressure, I know you can manage it Talonflame."

"Keep evading and hold it back with Icy Wind." Wulfric said as Talonflame's wings again turned to steel.

Bergmite just turned as it slid over the ice, never once slowing down despite now skating backwards, as the strange horn on its head glowing before it let out a blast of, well, icy wind at Talonflame. Talonflame was too hot in pursuit to avoid it, but he easily pushed through it though Bergmite use that hit to slip to the side just evade the Steel Wing.

Still, that exchange was all Ash needed to figure out what to do next. Bergmite could just about match Talonflame's speed so long as it was on the ice. It could only do so because of the slippery nature of the ice combined with the hail still falling and its own Icy Wind attack. That meant that Ash needed to break it's footing, slow it down some and then launch his super effective attacks against it.

"Steel Wing but use it on the ice." Ash said as his strategy formed. "Gouge out lines that will prevent Bergmite from sliding all over the place and make sure to cut off the whole battlefield."

"Intriguing." Wulfric said as Talonflame stopped his pursuit to dip his wing and score a line across the ice the moment his Steel Wing activated. "Clever to go after the battlefield but that won't stop us. Icy Wind, Bergmite."

"Keep it up Talonflame, I know that you can do it." Ash said encouragingly. "Just make shore that it's area is reduced then go after it with Razor Wind."

Talonflame cawed as he understood what was being asked of him and he activated Steel Wing again. This time he gouged a new line in the ice, crossing his old one and kept it up even as a second Icy Wind hit him. He was a fully evolved Pokémon and not weak to ice type attacks thanks to his fire type so he could withstand it. He would do so for Ash because he trusted his human's plan and then he'd then turn the tables on this Bergmite, he just needed to ensure that it's area was reduced, and he did so by gouging lines across the middle of the battlefield.

That was the goal of using the Steel Wings on the ice. Ash had had the idea when he realized he needed to slow down Bergmite and while the gouges were thin, they were pretty deep and with Bergmite's size it would have to leap over them to avoid being tripped up.

That would slow it down enough to land a hit but of course Ash wasn't just relying on it as he was waiting for the right moment to use Razor Wind. That moment came when Talonflame finished using his Steel Wing to cut off half the battlefield from Bergmite.

"Now, Razor Wind." Ash ordered.

Talonflame cawed as he rose up and began to flap his wings really hard. The razor like slashes of wind shot out and at Bergmite who was forced to dodge them. Now that this was a ranged attack however, it couldn't just evade and use Icy Wind, which wouldn't work as well, it had to focus on the evasion for the moment. That was exactly what Talonflame wanted however, and he was able to force Bergmite towards the gouges, then with a final blast of wind, he ensured that Bergmite slide sideways and was unable to jump the gouge that it was approaching.

Instead, it hit the gouge side on so that two of its legs went in causing it to trip up and then be bounced into into the air with a wail of surprise. That was just the moment that Ash and Talonflame had been going for.

"Now, Steel Wing." Ash said.

"Rapid Spin, you can still use that in the air." Wulfric countered as Talonflame once again tore at Bergmite with wings of steel, but this time Bergmite was in the air so couldn't avoid it though the Rapid Spin was a good defensive idea.

Unfortunately for Bergmite, it was unable to get into the spin before Talonflame's Steel Wing slammed into it in midair. Bergmite let out a wail as the super effective attack hit it and drove it into the ice with a crash. It's momentum had been shot and it was weakened but it was just about still in it. There was a brief window for Ash to press his advantage however and he didn't miss it.

"Finish it with another Steel Wing." Ash said going with the move that had worked so well so far against Bergmite and would be easier to recover from just in case Wulfric went for a fast change. "We got this Talonflame."

Talonflame understood and cawed as he dove faster than Bergmite could get up and slammed into its body once more, driving it further into the ice and sending up a mist of ice everywhere. From the mist Talonflame shot up cawing his victory and arcing back to hover before Ash and look at the still rising mist of ice from his final attack. That victory was confirmed a few seconds later when the mist cleared to reveal Bergmite in a small crater with swirls for eyes.

"Bergmite is unable to battle, Talonflame is the winner." The ref declared. "Wulfric is down to his last Pokémon."

"Yes, I can see your burning passion, but will it hold against my final Pokémon." Wulfric said as he recalled Bergmite and then tossed out his last Poke Ball of the battle. "Avalugg, you're up!"

The Poke Ball burst open, and a massive Pokémon burst from it with a roar. It landed before Wulfric with a loud thud and Ash gaped at it. The Pokémon was clearly an evolution of Bergmite with a large, pyramid shaped head, four thick legs with what looked like spikes on the ends and a huge, segmented body in four large sections. It was easily 2 meters tall, and Ash was certain that the thing weighed more than even his Snorlax did. He had to scan it with his Pokedex to get a sense of what he was up against though he was certain that he'd have to face it head on.

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

"Alright this will be tough, but we've got this Talonflame." Ash said grinning, it was a large Pokémon but clearly a slow one and a massive target so he could best it with speed and Talonflame's super effective moves while taking the fight right to Avalugg with little need for finesse. "Steel Wing."

"Stone Edge." Wulfric said with a grin of his own. "Show it what you can do Avalugg."

"Evade and land it." Ash said knowing that Stone Edge was one of the worst moves for Talonflame to face given that it was a rock type attack, the type that both of Talonflame's types were weak against. "I know that you can do it."

Talonflame gave a caw in response as he shot at Avalugg, his wings steel again while Avalugg just let out a roar as it reared before slamming its legs down onto the ice to trigger its own attack. Suddenly, a series of spikes shot out of the ice as Talonflame approached his foe, he easily began to evade them and climb but the spikes of rock were much faster than he'd anticipated and the final one slammed into his chest causing him to wail in pain as the ultra-effective move hit him and blasted him upwards and into the icicles hanging from the ceiling.

"Flame Charge." Ash said trusting that Talonflame was still in it and going for an all-out attack at the big target before him in a way that would be hard to defend against. "Aim for Avalugg's back."

"Avalanche." Wulfric said. "Finish it."

Talonflame was still in the fight and cawed as he shot down at the roaring Avalugg. A cloud formed above Talonflame, and ice began to rain down towards him as he dove. Talonflame knew that after that Stone Edge he was at the end of his ropes, but he wasn't going to go out of this without showing what he could do and his body ignited as he tore down in a dive as fast as possible at Avalugg's large back, cawing as he flew.

There was no way for the massive Pokémon to avoid the attack, all it could do was stand there as a burning Talonflame slammed into his back, fire exploding from the impact and Avalugg wailing in pain from the super effective attack just before the Avalanche rained down onto its back and Talonflame before he could rise from his impact thus adding to the explosion and smoke.

The Avalanche was the final straw for Talonflame, and he fainted as it crashed into him before he could rise from Avalugg's back. He was out cold, but Talonflame knew that he'd done his best, made up for his loss by finishing what Conkeldurr had started and beating his next opponent before landing one super effective attack on Avalugg. He'd set things up nicely for the final Pokémon to bring it home for Ash.

It took a moment for the smoke to clear but when it did there was an interesting sight. Talonflame was on Avalugg's back, wings splayed and eyes swirls.

"Talonflame is unable to battle." The ref said. "Avalugg is the winner. The challenger is down to his last Pokémon."

"Talonflame, return." Ash said recalling his Pokémon and looking at the Poke Ball. "You did amazing out there, really got me back into it and set me up to win this battle. Don't worry, I won't fail your effort now."

"You know, this battle is really burning hot now." Wulfric said as suddenly Avalugg began to glow as the hail that was still falling hit him. "Show me your final Pokémon Ash."

"I intend to." Ash said as he put away Talonflame's Poke Ball and pulled out his final one that he tossed out in a smooth motion. "Greninja, I choose you."

"Why is Avalugg glowing?" Misty asked as the girls and Adam watched.

"Ice Body." Adam said to her though she did notice he was constantly taking notes from the battle. "Avalugg's ability, it allows it to regenerate health in a hailstorm. Wulfric has cleverly used the abilities of Abomasnow and Avalugg together in this battle."

"Ash can counter that though." Dawn said and the other Ash girls all nodded at that. "Let's see him bring it home with his water type."

Ash of course heard none of this as Greninja appeared before him and stood on one foot on the ice, calm and ready for this fight. He'd not been used in the recent competition, he understood why but that had caused him to doubt himself a bit as Ash hadn't trusted him for any of it and they did lose as a team in the end.

However, Greninja just pushed it to the back of his mind as he looked at the large ice type before him. Ash was showing his trust this time around by using him last to win this battle and the final gym badge, even with his new doubts Greninja wouldn't let his trainer down.

Wulfric however did notice the slight doubt flicker in Greninja's eyes. That was interesting to say the least. The Pokémon before him was certainly powerful, he could tell that just at a glance, and the passion Ash and Greninja had was burning hot, but something was slightly off. Well, Wulfric was a gym leader, it was his job to bring out the best in his opponents and help them fuel their passion and that's what he planned on doing in this final matchup of the battle.

"Greninja, start us off with Water Shuriken." Ash said holding out his hand to begin the final matchup of what he intended to be his final gym battle.

"Block it with Gyro Ball." Wulfric countered. "And then use that to attack Greninja."

That confused Ash a bit as Greninja slapped the marks on his thighs and pulled off two Water Shurikens. He then tossed them at Avalugg but as they flew, Avalugg leapt into the air and began to spin fast. The speed was surprising to Ash and Greninja and it deflected the water type attack before suddenly shooting at Greninja as he tossed two more Water Shurikens to finish his move, Avalugg's size easily large enough to ignore the damage Talonflame and Conkeldurr had done to the ice in their battles.

Again, the Water Shurikens just bounced off the spinning ice type and then Avalugg was on Greninja, slamming into him and blasting him back with a grunt. Greninja managed to flip over and land on his feet in a crouch, his frog like feet ensuring he didn't slide too much over the ice and grunted as Avalugg spun back to its starting place and ended its Gyro Ball.

The attack was a steel type one, so Greninja was resistant to it thanks to his water type, but it was at maximum power thanks to Avalugg's slow speed increasing the power of it, so it still hurt. That was going to be a problem, but Ash was already countering as he pushed forward with an all-out attack to win the final matchup of his final Kalos gym battle.

"Night Slash." Ash said. "I know you can do it Greninja."

"Block and sent it back with Gyro Ball again." Wulfric barked as Greninja charged.

Greninja formed the blades of dark type power in his hands and closed in on the spinning Avalugg. The advantage of a move like Night Slash was that it struck when there was an opening and Greninja waited for that before leaping and slashing at Avalugg. The hit struck Avalugg, though the higher-than-normal critical hit ratio wasn't triggered this time and broke the Gyro Ball ending the attack before it could be finished but Wulfric wasn't done yet.

"Stone Edge." Wulfric ordered as Greninja began to fall back to the ice. "Don't let it land."

Before Greninja could land or Ash could counter, Avalugg reared and slammed its forelegs into the ground so that spikes of rock erupted from the ice and slammed into Greninja tossing him up and into the air with a grunt of pain. Ash grit his teeth, but he had an idea as Greninja flew back that would help and trusted Greninja to pull it off.

"Water Shuriken." Ash ordered. "Aim for its legs."

"Greninja." Greninja said as he filliped back, his hands slapping his thighs before he pulled off a pair of shurikens.

This time he tossed them right at Avalugg's legs so that they struck them squarely on each one before Avalugg could move. It was impressive aiming but there was more to it and Ash grinned as his plan worked. Avalugg was big and strong, but it was also slow which made its Gyro Ball a powerful move to deal with. That move also gave it a near impenetrable defense and more maneuverability than it would have normally. Ash had to counter that, and he did so by targeting Avalugg's legs.

Everyone in the observation area gasped as they saw the water freeze to Avalugg's legs and the ice below. Thanks to the cold temperatures of both Avalugg's body and the ice battlefield the water froze almost instantly. It wasn't like a freezing status effect, but it worked well for what Ash had planned.

"Now, Night Slash again." Ash said.

"Gyro Ball." Wulfric said but Avalugg just wailed as it was unable to move for the moment.

Greninja capitalized on that and leapt into the air forming the blades of darkness as he did. Then he brought them down right onto Avalugg's head, driving it to one knee with the force of the blow and breaking the ice that had frozen it though the critical hit wasn't triggered again. That was why Ash had frozen its legs, to get the hit in, but Avalugg had its orders as well and the moment it was free it spun into a Gyro Ball that slammed into Greninja before he could avoid it, throwing him back with another grunt.

Still, the water and dark type Pokémon just rolled with it and flipped to land on its feet in front of Ash. They were both pumped and getting into it, their battle wavelengths nearing synchronicity as Avalugg ended its spin and stood before Greninja, some health being restored by the hail as it stood there.

"I must say." Wulfric said. "I'm quite surprised by all that, impressive you know."

"Just wait, what do you say Greninja? Let's give them a taste of our power." Ash said as they reached the same wavelengths and Greninja's eyes glowed red. "More, it's time to get stronger and stronger!"

At that Ash and Greninja yelled, and the veil of water burst up as their bond hit the level needed to trigger Greninja's ability and swirled around him. As with the few times before, Greninja changed slightly with his head taking on aspects of Ash's hair at least, Ash-Greninja as Bonnie had dubbed the changed form after seeing it without the veil when Diantha had shown up to face Ash, so the others referred to Greninja as Ash-Greninja now whenever it transformed.

It wasn't full like they'd achieved briefly right at the end of the battle with Diantha, but it was the stage beyond a normal Greninja and why Ash couldn't use it in the Wallace Cup as it could technically be considered Mega Evolution which was banned in Contests. Their battle passions were too strong to not trigger it during any of his battles in the Wallace Cup, so it was safer to just avoid using Greninja altogether.

"What is that?" Wulfric asked confused by the sight.

"When Greninja and I are in synch in battle this happens, this is our power." Ash said. "Now, Aerial Ace."

Before Wulfric or Avalugg could react Ash-Greninja was on it, launching himself across the battlefield before striking Avalugg in the face with the flying type attack. Avalugg wasn't resistant to flying type attacks, so it did standard damage while the speed and force of it still drove the Iceberg Pokémon back a few paces showing Wulfric that the change had been a boosted Greninja like Mega Evolution did.

"Speedy, seems like this boost is akin to Mega Evolution." Wulfric said though he still felt that something was off about Greninja, or Ash-Greninja now he guessed. "Now, Avalanche."

Avalugg roared and a cloud formed over Greninja. A second later, and before Ash-Greninja could move, ice pelted down from the cloud and onto Ash-Greninja, the water veil surrounding him doing nothing to stop it. The ice hit Ash-Greninja in the arm, though he was resistant to the type, and Ash grimaced and grasped he own arm as the pain from the attack was felt through their bond which concerned the observers even if the girls, bar Emily, at least knew this would happen either from witnessing it or in Dawn's case being told about it.

Ash grit his teeth at this. He wasn't going to lose; this was the battle that he had to win. Winning it would get him that final gym badge, get him to the Kalos League, he had to do it and he had the power now to do it as he pressed his direct attack on Avalugg.

"Night Slash." Ash said.

"Stone Edge." Wulfric ordered.

"Push through it." Ash said as Ash-Greninja charged and Avalugg roared, reared and slammed its feet on the ground once again. "Don't stop until you reach and hit Avalugg."

The stone spikes shot up, but Ash-Greninja just slashed his way through them before reaching Avalugg and slashing it across the face, this time triggering the critical hit, but Avalugg wasn't weak to dark type attacks and a sturdy, fully evolved, Pokémon, so it pushed through the hit. Ash-Greninja was also right where Wulfric wanted it to be.

"Stone Edge again." Wulfric ordered and this time the stones erupted right under Ash-Greninja, slamming into him again and tossing him back.

Ash-Greninja, still in his water veil, slammed into the ice and was slow to get up. Ash grit his teeth in pain as he felt the hit, the observes gasping at it while May did her best to explain what Clemont had deduced regarding the transformation and its effects on Ash to Emily and Adam. Still, Ash-Greninja was in this and so was Ash.

"We're going to get stronger and stronger." Ash said forcing it out, but he couldn't get to the final stage that they'd had against Diantha for some reason, he was fired up and driven to win but things felt different compared to the last big battle he and Greninja had achieved the Battle Bond phenomenon in. "Night Slash, one more time."

"Impressive power but we're not done." Wulfric said. "Intercept that with Ice Fang."

Avalugg roared as Ash-Greninja leapt into the air and at Avalugg once more, a blade of dark type power in his hand. He then brought it down onto Avalugg's face as Avalugg opened his mouth, ice forming inside it.

The ice type took the hit, just managing to stay conscious thanks to the critical hit not triggering though Avalugg knew that it couldn't take another hit, before clamping its jaws down on Ash-Greninja's arm imparting the ice type attack onto it. At the same time the potential freezing side effect triggered and Ash-Greninja was held there. Wulfric saw this and knew to bring it to an end, knowing what the issue was that would cost Ash the battle.

"Gyro Ball." Wulfric ordered before Ash could do anything.

Ash had felt the pain of the Ice Fang and grunted at it. As he did his loss to Serena flashed in his mind and doubt began to set in. That loss had been about timing at the end and now it seemed like once again timing was key as Ash-Greninja was suddenly spun by Avalugg as the latter activated its move while still holding Ash-Greninja in its jaws.

All Ash-Greninja could do was wail as it was spun around at high speed before Avalugg let go and launched Greninja like a cannon ball out of its mouth and past Ash to his right-hand side, right into the wall of the sunken pit that separated the battlefield from the rest of the room. Ash-Greninja slammed into it at full speed with a crash and enough smoke to cover his body. For a few seconds he was still conscious, but he was past his limits and knew he'd failed Ash before his transformation fell and he passed out.

"Greninja." Ash said turning and moving a step hoping that Ash-Greninja was still in it. "I…"

That was all Ash got out before he suddenly felt it and his body froze as he let out a strangled gasp. This was like when the transformation fell against Diantha when their stamina ran out or whatever it was only this time it was worse, forced in a way, and Ash knew at once what it was as he fell back and landed on his ass on the ice to briefly pass out though he remained in a sitting position. As he landed, the smoke cleared to show that Greninja was back to normal and in a small crater in the wall with swirls for eyes. The battle was over, and Ash had lost.

"Greninja is unable to battle, Avalugg is the winner." The ref declared. "That means that the match goes to the gym leader Wulfric."

"Pika, pi." Pikachu said to Ash as he groaned and began to come to and slowly opened his eyes to see Pikachu in front of him.

"Pikachu, did I lose?" Ash asked, his second loss in a row now and his first loss to a Kalos Gym leader, as well as his first gym loss this late in his quest for 8 gym badges since his time in Johto.

"Pika." Pikachu confirmed sadly.

"I hope learned something today." Wulfric said, he'd already recalled Avalugg and had walked across the ice to stand over Ash as he sat on the ice. "You showed a lot of it in the early part of the battle but at the end, you were too rigid and that can make you tough but fragile at the same time. You're better being flexible, some adapt like water without changing but I'm stubborn, I love ice types so I'm still tough and rigid hence why I can see this when it happens. So, what about you young man?"

Ash looked up at Wulfric a little confused by what he was saying before he looked away. He wasn't sure what to say, if anything, and his doubts and worries were suddenly back for the first time really since his Indigo Finals loss, his last major loss in a Pokémon battle.

"How far you go depends on how much you believe in your Pokémon." Wulfric continued as he did his best to impart some more words of wisdom. "The fact is you haven't earned your badge quite yet. You must regain that trust between you and your Pokémon, when you do I'll be here waiting for you."

All Ash could do was nod. He couldn't look at Wulfric because he knew that the man was right. He'd lost his trust at the end; something was up, and he wasn't sure what it was. He needed to find it, to redeem himself and bounce back. First though he needed to get Greninja healed up then he could address what Wulfric had said to him.

With a little effort, Ash got up and recalled Greninja, apologizing to him for failing Greninja and the others by not winning. They weren't there yet but Ash would manage it, he knew it. With that, the others joined him, Misty giving him his jacket that he put on before they all left the gym and Wulfric behind and headed back to the Pokémon Center.

It looked like their time in Snowbelle wasn't quite at an end just yet as they waited for Ash to bounce back and see what came next because one thing was for certain, no matter how many time Ash Ketchum was knocked down he always bounced back twice as strong. No one knew just how strong Ash's bounce back would be this time though.