"Ash, it's good to see you finally back." Brycen said, as the quartet approached the gym's front doors.
"Brycen, are we still good for a battle?" Ash asked.
"As a gym leader I'm always up for a battle, even if it won't be officially for a gym badge." Brycen said, leading the four trainers into the gym. "However since you don't need my badge and already won the Vertress Conference I will have a different set of rules for our match in comparison to a normal gym battle."
"What kinds of rules are you planning to have Ash compete with?" Rosa asked. "He deserves to know that much."
"Relax Rosa, this is just a regular battle at this point." Ash reminded.
"Not to worry, I'll explain the rules as soon as we get to the stadium." Brycen said, entering a final set of doors.
"Cool." Ash said seeing the icy arena.
"That's the most accurate description of a gym arena I've heard you say." Elliot commented.
"As for my rules, we will have three matches total. Each Pokemon will only compete once in battle." Brycen said. "Now I think it's time for you to meet your opponents."
"Actually, as the minor league champion I think I will take that honor." Ash said. "Larvesta, Darmanitan, Lucario come out!"
"Never would have guessed that Ash would pick Lucario." Rosa chuckled.
"I understand his knowledge on type advantages would lead to you guessing Lucario, but why only Lucario?" N asked.
"Ash originally caught Lucario when he ran away from Pokestar Studios as a Riolu. When we brought him back Ash ended up starring in the Riolu Kid films opposite Brycen." Rosa explained.
"So Lucario and Brycen have fought several times already then." N commented.
"Yes, but this time it will be against the real deal. Lucario I want you to get the chance to go one on one against Brycen's best, so you'll be going in last!" Ash commanded. "Larvesta, you're up first, time for your gym battle debut!"
"Cryogonal come out!" Brycen commanded. "Use Double Team!"
"Larvesta use Flame Charge!" Ash called out.
Larvesta scuttled across the ice leaping at one of the Cryogonal, the mirage disappearing as he made contact with it.
"Cryogonal use Blizzard!"
"Larvesta use String Shot!"
Larvesta sent out a storm of his silk, protecting himself from most of the oncoming freezing wind, taking only a small amount of damage from the conflict.
"Larvesta take the offense, use Flamethrower!"
"Cryogonal use Blizzard!"
The three Cryogonal sent out a storm of snow and ice with Larvesta's flames pushing through, striking the center, revealing them to be the real Cryogonal as Larvesta was covered in ice, sticking to the ground.
"Larvesta use Flame Charge!"
"Cryogonal use Flash Cannon!"
Cryogonal floated around, behind Larvesta before firing a blast of reflective light at Larvesta, shattering the ice that had trapped the bug type.
"Now Larvesta use String Shot!" Ash called out.
As the snow settled, Larvesta was a ways off, battered but not beaten as he sent out a long and strong line of silk, wrapping Cryogonal in it.
"Cryogonal get out of that with Blizzard!"
"Larvesta don't give them the chance, end this round with Flamethrower!"
Larvesta sent out a stream of flames, instantly igniting the silk that was wrapping Cryogonal, setting the ice type a blaze before it dropped to the ground in defeat.
"You were great Cryogonal come back." Brycen said.
"Alright Larvesta! That was amazing!" Rosa cheered.
"It's not like this is Larvesta's first serious battle, it's just there was never a good gym matchup for him." Elliot reminded. "Clay's ground types, Skyla's flying types, Drayden's Dragon types, and Marlon's Water types, this is really the first gym since Larvesta hatched that they aren't at a distinct disadvantage."
"Oh just cheer for him." Rosa argued.
"Fine, go Larvesta!" Elliot cheered.
"Larvesta, great work." Ash said, returning the bug type. "Darmanitan you're up!"
Darmanitan leapt into the arena, slamming her fists down on the ground as she readied for her opponent.
"Vanilluxe let's go!" Brycen called out. "Use Hail!"
"Darmanitan use Flare Blitz!"
Darmanitan rushed forward, engulfing herself fully in the flames as hail began pouring down on the arena, leaving little but steam pouring off of Darmanitan as she slammed into Vanilluxe for great damage.
"Vanilluxe use Blizzard!"
"Darmanitan use Hammer Arm!"
Darmanitan spun back around, paying little mind to the growing storm as she slammed her arms and fists down on Vanilluxe, sending the ice type crashing to the ground.
"Such ferocity, to think I once claimed Ash treated her poorly." N said in shock.
"Yeah, this is just Darmanitan for you, she might be the girl of Ash's team, but she does not mess around in fights." Rosa responded.
"Darmanitan use another Flare Blitz!"
"Vanilluxe use Weather Ball!"
Vanilluxe fired a ball of energy, charged with the snow and ice, slamming into Darmanitan, creating some ice on her body before the fire type slammed into Vanilluxe, sending the ice type careening across the battlefield.
"One more time Darmanitan, while he's still recovering! Use Flare Blitz!"
Darmanitan rushed forward, her hands slamming into the ground with every leap as she engulfed her body in flames before slamming into Vanilluxe, knocking the ice type out.
"Alright, clean sweep time. Darmanitan you were great, take five." Ash said, recalling the physical fire type.
"Vanilluxe you were amazing, take a long rest." Brycen said, grabbing a third Pokeball. "Alright then, Ash, Lucario, let's begin. Beartic I choose you!"
"Lucario use Bullet Punch!"
"Beartic use Bulk Up!"
Lucario rushed forward, each step only a moment on the icy battlefield as Beartic flexed and tightened his muscles, absorbing Lucario's attack.
"Now Beartic use Icicle Crash!"
"Lucario dodge it!"
Lucario flipped backwards out of the way as a series of large icicles dropped from the ceiling creating obstacles in the arena.
"Now Beartic use Stone Edge!"
Beartic slammed their front claws onto the ground, sending stones jutting up from the arena floor, striking Lucario and sending him tumbling back to Ash's side.
"You okay Lucario?" Ash asked.
"Grawf!" Lucario barked in response, standing back up and seeing all of the obstacles in the arena.
"Come now Riolu Kid, show me just how strong the two of you really are!" Brycen taunted with a smile.
"Alright!" Ash said, pumping his fists, static building around them at the same time as Lucario's. "Lucario use the ice and stone as platforms to get to Beartic and use Thunder Punch!"
"Beartic get up there and counter with Superpower!"
Beartic and Lucario leapt onto the artificial platforms, using them as stepping stones across the battlefield, exchanging blows with one another.
"Beartic use Icicle Crash!"
"Lucario counter with Aura Sphere!"
Lucario focused, listening the sound of ice breaking above before sending out a single controlled yellow ball of aura, striking into every one of the icicles creating a falling shimmer of ice around him and Beartic.
"Lucario use Aura Sphere!"
"Beartic use Bulk Up!"
Lucario fired an aura sphere through the falling ice, striking into Beartic as the ice type blocked it with his claws, pushing him back ever so slightly.
"Lucario, topple him over with Dragon Pulse!"
"Beartic use Stone Edge!"
Beartic restablizied, lifting his arms into the air, sending more stones jutting out of the ground, destroying many of the artificial platforms in the process as Lucario's Dragon Pulse blasted through the shards, engulfing Beartic.
"Lucario use Bullet Punch!"
"Beartic use Superpower!"
Lucario leapt forward, landing a quick hit on Beartic before being pushed back himself.
"Lucario use Aura Sphere!"
Lucario flipped around midair, his eyes glowing as he fired off a glowing ball of yellow aura, slamming into Beartic and causing the ice type to finally fall down in defeat.
"Well Ash, I have to say I'm quite impressed by how you handled yourself, not only in the Vertress Conference, but also in our match." Brycen said.
"Thanks for agreeing to let me have this match, and for pushing me to battle Marlon, I think it was the right choice in the end." Ash said.
"Now, while you don't need it, you did best me in battle, and as such I present to you this, the Glacier Badge, proof of victory over me and my best team at my gym, you've earned it, both of you." Brycen added, looking at Lucario who was helping Beartic back up.