Disclaimer: I don't own Pok- ah let's just start.

Chapter 13: The Battle Awaits

Ash's POV

I was in the middle of the battlefield giving my Pokémon a pep talk about our gym battle tomorrow. My Pokémon and I just finished up with our training and we're going to head inside to eat, then go to sleep. Gotta rest up for our gym battle tomorrow. I return all of my Pokémon and Pikachu jumped onto my shoulder. I was about to return Greninja before he dodged the beam of light from my Pokéball. I look at him confused.

"What's wrong Greninja?" I asked him with slight concern. But due to my aura I instantly found out. He wanted to be like Pikachu.

"Let me stay out. Please." He said. I couldn't say no. I just nodded my head.

"Of course." I said. He smiled.

"Ahh yes. Thanks Ash. Or should I say Ashy." He said laughing teasing me a bit. Pikachu was trying to hide his laughter. That's what Serena and my mom would call me from time to time. I immediately blushed out of embarrassment as I looked at him. Apparently my look made both of them laugh even more.

"Haha very funny." I said sarcastically, but I start to laugh. Pikachu then makes kissy faces at me and that made all three of us laugh, but I was still blushing. We then walked back inside and I saw everyone sitting in the waiting area I guess waiting for me. They all see me and greet me. Serena came up to me and lightly grabbed my hand and led me back to the couch and we sat next to each other. Greninja sat across from me next to my mom. Everyone took notice to Greninja being out of his Pokéball.

"Oh yeah he requested to be out of his Pokéball and I complied." I said laying back with Serena's hand still in mine. They all mouthed "Ohhh". Serena then turns to me.

"So Ash," Diantha said and I directed my attention towards her.

"Yeah?" I said. I had a feeling I know what she was going to say to me.

"So was there anything else that Mewtwo said that we should know about?" She asked. Just as I expected. I nodded my head in response.

"It said that the power that Greninja and I have is supposed to rival the power that of the God of Creation himself, Arceus." I said. Everyone just gasped out of shock.

"Wait seriously? How is that possible?" Clemont asked clearly shocked.

"I'm guessing because 2 strong bonds can achieve anything, but the true reason is still a mystery even by Mewtwo it can't figure out where the strong power will originate from." I said slightly confused on the whole matter.

"And when is this full power supposed to come into effect?" Diantha asked.

"Mewtwo said it could take several months for us to get to our greatest power. Even then the potential is pretty much limitless." I said.

"Hmmm. I can try creating a device that can track your Greninja's power before the transformation and after the transformation, and see if I can also have it so that when I measure your two's power in the future then it could compare to the power now and in the near future." Clemont said while everyone was facing him. Everyone pondered on that, but that already sounded like a good idea to me.

"That actually doesn't sound half bad big brother. I'm impressed." Said Bonnie mockingly. Clemont just looked at her with a fake glare and we all just laughed at that.

"How long would it take to make?" Serena asked. She was one step ahead of me.

"Not that long. I just need to create a device that measures joules, which is how energy is measured, and add like a database to store the data of the joules." He said. We all just nodded. I take a look at the clock. It read 10:36. I had to get some rest so we could hit the Snowbelle City gym first thing tomorrow.

"Sounds good Clemont. Well I should be heading off to bed. Big day ahead of us tomorrow," I said reminding everyone. They all nodded in agreement.

"Alright good night everyone!" I said.

"Goodnight Ash!" They all said.

"Goodnight Ashy." Said both my mom and Serena. While walking upstairs I facepalmed and was blushing, but was smiling too. I sense that Serena saw me blushing and smiling and blushed too. And that was without looking at her. Greninja and Pikachu were on either side of me and then began to have a little fun with me.

"Ooooo. Ashy huh?" Pikachu asked teasingly.

"I think Ashy here might be falling in love with Serena?" Greninja said in the same type of tone. I just blushed super hard and heard them snicker and give each other high fives. I playfully rolled my eyes at them. I couldn't help but crack a smile. But what Greninja said did raise a question. Was I falling in love with Serena? I don't know it seems too early in the relationship it has only been a few days. I don't know only time will tell. I walked up to the second floor where I was staying and went to my door which was closest to the stairwell, inserted the key card and went inside Greninja following right behind me. Pikachu was going to sleep with Clemont and Bonnie. Speaking of which they were sleeping a couple of doors down from me. And Serena was staying right across from me. My mom and Diantha were staying on the first floor. I walked inside and turned on the light, and went over to the chair on the left side of my bed close to the wall and beneath the window, and set my stuff down. I took a moment to open the curtains to take a look at the beautiful scenery of Snowbelle City. Despite the name it was not that snowy outside. But of course it is the middle of summer so that does make sense. Plus it isn't that far north from the equator. But nonetheless it does look beautiful. The moonlight cast an ambient light across the town which was just picturesque in my opinion. Greninja came up beside me and looked out at the magnificent view.

"That looks very pretty." He said almost hypnotized by the view of the city.

"It really is. I haven't had much time to look at nature. But this reminds me of how beautiful it is." I said.

"Agreed." He said. I then turned to him.

"We will get that form no matter what Greninja. I promise." I say giving him a look of determination and hope while holding out my hand. He looked at my hand for a second and then at me with the same type of look. And then, instead of shaking my hand he gave me a hug. I was slightly surprised, but I gladly returned the hug. We then parted ways after a few seconds and he offered the handshake this time. I gladly took it and we looked into each other's eyes determination blazing. And at that moment I felt something click. And I can tell he did too. We then let go of the handshake and looked at the stunning scenery of Snowbelle City.

After about 2 minutes we left the window, leaving the curtains open to let in the moon light, and went to turn off the light to get ready to bed. Greninja went to his bed which is the one closest to the door and I slept on the one closest to the window. I went to my bed and tucked myself in. I then lied on my back and stared at the ceiling. I was so eager to get our gym badge tomorrow I was so pumped. And I know all my Pokémon and my friends and of course my mom are all excited for it too. Just the Kalos disaster is something we're not looking forward to. I then heard Greninja call my name.

"Hey Ash." He said. While sitting up.

"Yeah." I responded.

"You ready for our gym battle?" He asked slightly psyched.

"You betcha. Let's show the gym leader who we really are." I said pretty stoked about it too. He nodded stoked. He then lied back down and pulled the covers over him.

"We will for sure. Well we should rest up. We gotta be up early. Goodnight Ash." He said.

"Definitely. Goodnight Greninja." I said and then we both fell asleep. Tomorrow I will get that badge. Then, we prepare for the war.

The Next Morning

I woke up to sunlight shining through the window. I slowly wake up, my eyes squinting as I was adjusting to the the light and waking up. I slowly sit up and I wipe my eyes to get the crust out of them. I then look over to my night stand and see that the clock reads 7:26. I'm up on time. Maybe even ahead of schedule. I look over to Greninja's bed to see him still asleep. I then shake off my tiredness and get out of bed. I took a moment to look at the beautiful scenery once more. The sunlight gave the otherwise cold climate a warm and fun ambiance which was just amazing. I stood there for a few more minutes to soak in more rays and then went to go take a shower. I went to my backpack on the chair next to my bed and grabbed some clothes then went into the bathroom to go take a shower. The shower is a sort of a special place for me. It helps me clear my mind on the day of a big battle, it helps me cool down if I am angered and cheers me up when I am sad. I don't know it just seems as though the shower helps me a lot emotionally. I stayed in the shower for a little less than 10 minutes and stepped out and dried myself. I then put on some clothes, brushed my teeth, washed my face, put on my deodorant and lotion, and then left the bathroom. When I entered back into the bedroom I see that Greninja was starting to wake up.

"Well good morning Greninja." I say to him.

"Ah good morning Ash. I'm pumped for today!" He said excited while sitting up. That fired me up even more.

"Same here Greninja. I'm ready to get that eighth gym badge!" I said with an equal level of excitement. He then got up and to my surprise he made his bed really well.

"Wow Greninja I didn't know you could fix the bed like that." I said amazed. He playfully shrugged.

"After all this time watching you I guess I can do it now." He said. We both just laughed. I read the clock. It was 7:58. I'm sure the others are going to be waking up real soon if not up already. Although I packed everything, put on my backpack and headed out the door. Greninja and I went downstairs to see Clemont along with my mom and Diantha, who were all sitting at the waiting table. Clemont seemed to be fiddling with a device which I'm sure is related with me and Greninja.

"Good morning you guys!" I chimed. They all looked at me and smiled.

"Good morning Ash!" They all collectively say. I go and sit in between my mom and Serena. She then scooted towards me and put her shoulder on me and looked up. She's so pretty.

"How are you doing Ashy?" She asked.

"I'm pretty pumped for today." I say very happily. She just smiled at me.

"What Pokémon do you plan on using?" Clemont asks.

"Well, since his gym is an Ice type gym, I'm thinking of using Hawlucha, Talonflame, and Greninja. Unless he allows all Pokémon against his, those are my choices." I say.

"Sounds like a good plan. Hawlucha's Karate Chop, High Jump Kick, and Flying Press will all be super effective against Ice types. And Talonflame's Flame Charge, Steel Wing, and Fire Blast will be super effective too. And well you and Greninja have the special form too which will definitely help you out." He said.

"You got that right Clemont! I'll show them who we really are." I say my pumping my fist. He just smiled at my determination. Just then I looked at the sliding main entrances and saw Sawyer. And he was looking pretty upbeat. He saw us and walked over to us.

"Hey guys!" He said happily. We all greeted him happily. He came and sat next to me.

"So I hear you went out and got yourself a Mega Stone." I say while looking at him.

"Yeah! For Sceptile. It'll be our secret weapon in the League so shhhhh." He says teasingly. I just chuckle.

"Yeah I bet. And don't worry your secret is safe with me." I say in the same joking voice. Just then I hear Bonnie coming.

"Good morning y'all." She said in a happy voice.

"Good morning." She greeted. We all greeted her. I then get up.

"Well? Shall we?" I ask. Everyone followed suit.

"Alright let's get that gym badge!" I exclaim and both Pikachu and Greninja excitedly follow me out the door.

Mini Time Change

As we arrived at the gym I stop and look up at the sign. I sense worry coming from everyone.

"Ash are you ok?" Serena asks while putting her hand on my shoulder. I just looked straight ahead.

"Yeah I'm just taking a moment." I say. And then I continue walking forward and then I open up the door and we're inside like the lobby. It was empty so we went to the double doors ahead of us. When I opened it I instantly got smacked in the face by cold and I closed my eyes for a second.

"Alright it's cold you can put me back in the Pokéball until the battle." Greninja said while shivering. I chuckled. That is very strange considering he's a Water type. But I return him to his Pokéball and we all continued walking. I kept my eyes closed for long periods of time. But, when I was used to it I slowly open them to see stairs that led down to an ice battlefield. I slowly walk down to the challenger's side and everyone else goes to the spectator stands. I sense that something has been set up. Like he's expecting me.

"Ash Ketchum is it?" I heard a voice straight ahead. I then see a tall yet chunky guy wearing a short sleeved shirt with a light blue coat that he uses as like a cape.

"Yep that's me. Had a feeling this was already set up." I said not surprised but smirked. He raised an eyebrow and smirked. He then walked to his side of the battlefield. He immediately brought out his first Pokémon which was a Cryoganol. The referee was a little shocked.

"Sir, we have to go ov-"

"I know I know 3 on 3, only the challenger can substitute and whoever has all 3 Pokémon defeated loses. Let's just get this started." He said rushing. Man he was sure hyped. I was not expecting that at all. I then pulled out Hawlucha's Pokéball. Let's do this.

"Hawlucha let's go!" I say throwing out his Pokéball. He popped out and landed in a fighting stance.

"Alright battle begin!" Said the referee as he lifts his hand in a swift motion.

"Alright Cryogonal let's start this off with Ice Shard!" He said quickly. Man was he sure pumped.

"Hawlucha dodge and go in with Karate Chop!" I say.

"Iron Defense!" He says. That made me hesitate slightly. He went in and used Karate Chop on Cryogonal which pretty much bounced off him.

"Alright Cryogonal, AncientPower!" Wulfric says.

"Use X-Scissor to deflect!" I say quickly. Cryogonal charges Hawlucha with a brownish glow around it. Hawlucha's hands both turned a light purple color and forms an "X" in front of him. They both race towards each other and clash in the middle of the battlefield and after about two seconds there was an explosion which I know indicated that it was a draw. Now time to use the smoke cloud to my advantage.

"Now High Jump Kick!" I say and Hawlucha jumps up into the smoke his right leg glowing white and smashes into Cryogonal.

"Yes that's what I'm talking about nice job Hawlucha!" I say.

"You betcha." He said back.

"Hmm quite impressive Ash. Let's see how you fair up against this. Now Cryogonal use Blizzard!" He yelled out. That got me panicking a little bit. Cryogonal then releases a massive wave of cold towards Hawlucha, but there was nothing I could do except one thing.

"Use X-Scissor to block!" I say fast as he uses X-Scissor to form like a sort of shield around him. The Blizzard then hits and it hits hard and Hawlucha almost immediately got pushed back.

"Now AncientPower!" I heard Wulfric yell as the Blizzard ends and before I could even react he struck Hawlucha hard and Hawlucha got sent flying and landed on the ground hard.

"No Hawlucha!" I say in in concern.

"Well that hurt." He said slightly groaning.

"Can you keep going?" I asked. He nodded.

"Alright now go in with X-Scissor!" I tell him. He then makes a light purple "X" in front of him.

"Now Cryogonal, use Blizzard!" He said as the wave of cold headed towards Hawlucha. And again he was stopped in his tracks. I wasn't gonna allow Wulfric to do the same thing to us again.

"Alright now Hawlucha use Karate Chop on the battlefield field and use it quick!" I said. He did as I said he got hit by the Blizzard. The impact then created a huge explosion which caused Cryogonal to stop using Blizzard.

"Now use X-Scissor!" I say and he goes into the now dissipating smoke cloud and he successfully hits Cryogonal.

"Quick now use Ice Shard!" He said and I couldn't react in time and Hawlucha was hit and was launched into the air.

"Hawlucha no!" I cried out as he fell. I then remembered he could still use his signature move.

"Alright hang in there and use your signature move!" I yell as I saw him open up his eyes and then posed for a quick second as he went down his body glowing.

"Alright now Flying Press!" I exclaim loudly as he goes down fast much to Wulfric and Cryogonal's surprise.

"Iron Defense quick!" Wulfric said and Hawlucha hit Cryogonal with force. Now this time he didn't bounce off he seemed to be doing more damage than the Karate Chop did on the Iron Defense.

"Now Hawlucha push off and use High Jump Kick!" I said and he did just that and hit Cryogonal with force slamming him into the ground and a smoke explosion happened. When the dust cleared I saw Hawlucha posing over the now motionless Cryogonal.

"Cryogonal is unable to battle. So the winner is Hawlucha!" The referee said.

"Yes! Way to go Hawlucha!" I exclaimed. He came running to me.

"Our training has really payed off!" He exclaimed.

"Yes it has." I said proudly.

"Would you like to keep battling or take a break?" I ask him.

"I'm gonna keep battling!" He says pumping his fist.

"Alright then another battle you got!" I say. He nods as he walks back to the battlefield.

"I must say Ash I am impressed. You have raised your Pokémon well. I see the fire and potential in your heart." He says. I couldn't help, but smile at that.

"Yeah! My goal is to become the best of the best!" I exclaim proudly. He chuckles lightly.

"You are on the right track young man keep it up. But back to the battle! Avalugg you're up!" He says as he tosses out a Pokéball. Out came a Pokémon that was shaped like a huge iceberg.

"Hmm never seen that Pokémon before." I say curiously as I pull out my Pokédex.

"Avalugg the Iceberg Pokémon. And the evolved form of Bergmite. Its ice-covered body is as hard as steel. Its cumbersome frame crushes anything that stands in its way. It takes the shape of an aircraft carrier when bunches of Bergmite hangout on it's back." My Pokédex said.

"Looks like a very strong Pokémon so eyes up Hawlucha." I said.

"Will do." He replied.

"Alright let's start this off with Karate Chop!" I order Hawlucha. He runs in with his right fist glowing white.

"Alright dodge and use Avalanche!" He commands Avalugg. And to my surprise she swiftly dodges the attack and a sort of portal open up over Hawlucha and ice pelts him and he falls to one knee.

"Hawlucha no!" I exclaim worried.

"I'm ok. That hurt, but I'm ok." He said through slight pain.

"Alright stay tough. Go in with High Jump Kick!" I said as he charges the giant Iceberg Pokémon with his right foot glowing.

"Use Stone Edge!" Wulfric says as giant rocks begin sticking out of the ground heading towards Hawlucha.

"Alright jump on top of the rocks and then use Flying Press!" I say as he does just with High Jump Kick still active and then he jumps into the air and does his signature move.

"Alright use Rapid Spin!" He said which made me hesitate a bit. But let's see how this goes. The two attacks collide and almost immediately Hawlucha was thrown into the air by the Rapid Spin. But he managed to do some damage to Avalugg which was nice.

"Hawlucha!" I say concerned as he then falls to the ground and lands hard.

"Hawlucha are you ok?" I asked out of concern. He is slightly slow to get up.

"Don't worry I can continue. Let's do this!" He says out of determination. That fueled me.

"Alright now Karate Chop!" I say loudly. He then runs towards Avalugg, but something was different. Instead of his hand glowing white it started glowing green. Wait. Is this move what I think it is? I had to be sure.

"Uhh now Hawlucha! Drain Punch!" I say with a smirk. I heard everyone in the crowd gasp in either shock or surprise. Wulfric seemed slightly surprised as well.

"Now Avalugg use Avalanche!" He quickly said. By the time the attack was about to go off Hawlucha hit Avalugg with Drain Punch and I could see the effect of it healing. But then Avalanche struck and I knew that was it for Hawlucha. At least he did some damage. When the smoke cleared I saw Avalugg was still standing, and Hawlucha was down and out.

"Hawlucha is unable to battle so the winner is Avavlugg!" The referee commented.

"Nice job Hawlucha you battled very well." I said as I returned him to his Pokéball. I pulled out my next Pokémon.

"Alright now Talonflame you're up!" I say and he pops out in his fighting position.

"Alright now use Steel Wing!" I say and both his wings glowed a steel color.

"Now Avalugg use Avalanche!" Wulfric commanded. And Talonflame was hit hard and fell to the ground. Wasn't super effective, but I know it did damage.

"Talonflame are you ok?" I asked.

"I've gone through much worse don't worry." He said.

"Alright we must play range on this one. Use Fire Blast!" I command him and he shoots out a very powerful stream of flames.

"Now use Ice Beam full power!" He commanded Avalugg and he did just that and the two moves collided and exploded knowing which is a tie.

"Flame Charge to speed up! See if you can find an opening though!" I tell Talonflame and he goes in with lots of speed and circles her for a few moments and then finds an opening and hits Avalugg with the super effective move.

"Yes Talonflame that's what I'm talking about.!" I said enthusiastically.

"Avalugg can you continue?" Wulfric asks Avalugg.

"Yes I can." She said.

"Alright now use Stone Edge!" He said. I immediately panicked. If that move hit it would be very bad news for Talonflame.

"Alright now Talonflame up in the air quick!" I tell him. And he flies up with lots of speed to avoid the rocks coming out of the ground.

"Now Avalugg use Ice Beam quick!" He commanded and a bright blue beam came hurdling towards Talonflame.

"Quick use Steel Wing to counter then go in with Brave Bird!" I tell Talonflame. And he used Steel Wing to block and a blue aura enveloped him as he charged Avalugg with Brave Bird.

"Now use Rapid Spin!" Wulfric said and Avalugg began spinning at a very high rate. The two attacks cancelled out which was my queue.

"Steel Wing!" I said as he went in with his wings a steel color, but he winced and slowed down, and I realized I totally forgot something. Every time a Pokémon uses Brave Bird, recoil damage is inflicted upon it. Wulfric saw that and used it to his advantage.

"Now use Avalanche!" He commands Avalugg. The portal opens up again and ice shards hit Talonflame's back hard. He was sent to the ground.

"No Talonflame!" I said concerned.

"I'm ok I can still battle. Although that hurt." He said while getting up. But he was a little slower this time.

"Alright let's take it easy. Now use Flame Charge to speed up!" I tell him and he races off towards Avalugg but keeps his distance.

"Slow them down with Stone Edge!" Wulfric says.

"Use Flame Charge to dodge then continue with Flame Charge!" I tell Talonflame. And he did just that by weaving in and out of the spaces of where the stones were being shot up. And then he became a little more aggressive and sped closer to Avalugg.

"Now Rapid Spin!" He tells Avalugg. The two attacks became even as they both split.

"Now Steel Wing!" I tell Talonflame. He quickly uses it as he then skims along the top side of Avalugg and an explosion happened. A direct hit. She fell to one knee.

"Now Fire Blast!" I tell Talonflame. And he unleashes a strong stream of flames.

"Use Rapid Spin to deflect!" He said and she did just that as she spun and the flames went off in different directions.

"Alright now Talonflame Flame Charge one more time!" I tell him. And thanks to the previous Flame Charges increasing his speed hit Avalugg and hit her hard. There was a large explosion and Avalugg fell to both knees.

"Avalugg no!" Wulfric says worried. Surprisingly it was still in this.

"Alright now Talonflame use Brave Bird!" I say and he goes in very fast towards Avalugg.

"Quick use Rapid Spin again!" He said and she did just that. The two attacks collided once more, and then after a few seconds there was a huge explosion. Now it's all up to this moment. When the smoke cleared...

"Avalugg is unable to battle, so the winner is Talonflame!" The referee said. Talonflame came flying over to me happy.

"Yes! Great job Talonflame you did it!" I said praisingly. He just smiled even more.

"Yes! Great teamwork!" He said happily. I nodded.

"Would you like to continue or rest?" I ask him.

"Rest. I have no doubt you'll be able to beat the next Pokémon, but I want you to use Greninja to do it." He says.

"Are you sure? if we play smart we might be able to beat him. And I know you're pretty strong." I say with a wink.

"Oh you flatter me." He said teasingly. We both chuckled. I then bring out his Pokéball.

"But yeah use Greninja. You got this. I'm pretty beat anyway." He says encouragingly.

"Alright will do. And we will win this for sure." I say with determination. He nods and I return him to his Pokéball.

"You and your Pokémon are very well coordinated Ash. I can see why she thinks so highly of you." Wulfric said. I smirked.

"I've trained and been with them since the beginning of our journeys. I'm always looking to be stronger." I say proudly. He smiles at that.

"Yes! Now prove it to me. Abomasnow you're up!" Wulfric said and the Frost Tree Pokémon comes out and lands with a pretty good thud. I pulled out Greninja's Pokéball and looked at it for a moment. Then I held it to my forehead. I can feel the determination and fire emanating from the Pokéball. I could feel everyone's eyes on me. I took a deep breath and threw the Pokéball with lots of force without saying anything. He pops out and he is in a ninja stance where his feet are together and his right fin is held up to his face and his eyes are closed. He slowly opened up his eyes and turned around to face me. We both nodded at each other.

"There you are." Wulfric said low with a smirk. Ignoring that I looked at Greninja.

"Let's win this." I mouth to him. He nodded and turned around to face the final obstacle between me and that badge. We are going to win this no matter what.