Pokemon: The Queen of Kalos

Ice and Snow

As if things couldn't go more wrong in my attempts at writing this story, my family lost our Hulu login information so I can no longer use any actual XYZ dialogue or finer details from the show. If nothing else, the Bulbapedia page for each episode has a pretty good summary for me to work off of and add some creative flair, so at least I can still work on chapters.

I hope everyone's been doing well while I was on hiatus. It's good to be back, if only temporarily.

~

After Zenith abruptly left the rest of our heroes, they finally made it to Snowbelle City. Bonnie began to play in the snow, though her brother warned her to be careful and not catch a cold. Everyone was excited for Ash to win his eighth gym badge, and many of the group members wanted to see Ash-Greninja in action, too.

When they arrived in front of the gym, Ash silently vowed to win and also beat Sawyer in a rematch. Inside, he requested a gym match, when five Bergmite showed up due to a triggered mechanism. A voice rang out, telling them to be cautious, as the inside of the gym was very cold, as well, which made sense for an Ice-Type gym in a snowy town. Then, a large and jolly man appeared. He had white hair, a long mustache, and a white undershirt with a blue coat, though his arms weren't in the sleeves of the latter.

"I am Wulfric, the gym leader here," he introduced himself. "Congratulations on making it this far, challenger."

"Thanks. I'd like to battle, please!"

Bonnie looked around the inside of the gym. "Do we get to sit on those ice benches? Aren't they cold?"

"Hahaha. Don't worry about that, my dear. Ice may be cold on the outside, but it has a warm heart. Rather fitting for myself." His gaze then fell on Sawyer. "You there, boy. I recognize you. You earned your gym badge after defeating me not long ago, correct?"

"Yes sir!" The green-haired boy confirmed. "Thank you again for the battle."

"It was a heated one indeed."

Ash stepped forward. "Now it's my turn. I'm Ash Ketchum, from Pallet Town, and I have seven Kalos gym badges. This is my last one before I can enter the Kalos League..."

"Your last Kalos gym badge, hm?" Wulfric looked him up and down, satisfied. "I'm impressed. This should be a battle to enjoy, then."

Everyone else went to sit down before the battle began, with Ash leaving his coat behind on the place Serena was planning to sit. "I'm ready to get fired up and win!" However, his eyes glanced back to the empty seat where Zenith was meant to be, and his spirit fell. She's been at all my gym matches since Coumarine City... Always cheering me on and encouraging me to do my best. I already lost to Sawyer, and I don't even know if I can bond with Greninja. What if... I can't do it?

Although his confidence wasn't nearly as high as usual, he tried not to let it show and worry his friends, putting on a smile and standing across from Wulfric. The battlefield was icy, and he struggled to keep his balance and prevent himself from shivering.

"A word of advice, my boy: ice can be hard or fragile. My strategy is flexible, so no matter what Pokemon you send out or moves you use, I will do my best to counter them."

Ash thought for a moment before sending out Hawlucha, who nearly slipped on the icy field much like his trainer, while Wulfric chose Abomasnow. Its presence caused hail to fall down from the ceiling due to its Snow Warning ability.

"Start with Flying Press!" Ash exclaimed, with his Pokemon landing a hit on Abomasnow.

"Your Pokemon has spirit," Wulfric acknowledged, watching the luchador bird take hail damage, pelted on the head by a few chunks of ice. Meanwhile, Abomasnow was unaffected.