The beginning of a new road {Path of the Aura Ranger: Book II}

II Gary's P.O.V

The Saint Festival was another huge success. All merchandise sold out as well as all tickets sold out for the whole week. The most favorite selling merchindise was Ashy's new hat, I lost count of how many of them Ashy had to sign in between battles. The fans are loving this new Ashy, who has no issue mingling with them. Once Ashy was finally able to overcome his shyness and discomfort of his new fame, his charismatic self was able to win even more the hearts of his fans. As for the money earned, once again it was given to Orre- they need all the help now that they are rebuilding.

I've also enjoyed my time in Alola. Not only was it the perfect vacation spot, but also had beautiful romantic spots for dates at every corner. I ended up deciding to join my group of friends trend and caught me an Alolan pokemon. A Drampa! A Normal/Dragon duel-type pokemon. It's been a while since I've last caught a pokemon, so I was excited to start our training. He will be an excellent Ace under the sleeve for the Battle Frontier once he is fully trained. Throwing a rare pokemon like that against a strong contender, will surely bring me the victory. Then again, Alola has become quite well known thanks to Ash, so it might nor be as surprising.

Well, it doesn't matter! I have a new team member and I am going to enjoy his training fully!

Now that the whole festival is over we were back to Icirrus City and ready to challenge the Icirrus Gym. When I say we, I mean Max and Ash. Unlike my Ashy I am done with gym challenges, unless they are contenders for the Sevii Islands Battle Frontier. But I have to give it to Gym Leader Brycen, his gym was beautiful. It was a bunker-like building near the forest. The massive metal doors of the gym slide apart and released a chilling cloud of cold air. Everyone but Iris and Fraxure immediately went inside and began shivering from the cold. Iris had came prepared, however, she was wearing full winter clothing and Fraxure had a scarf and a cap in the style of a chullo. I, of course, was also prepared and was wearing a blue Kalos-style winter coat. I rapidly gave Ashy a matching coat, but in red.

The battlefield was an ice rink with ice formations jutting out of the floor and standing surrounding it. Brycen's voice greeted us from afar as a spotlight was turned on, revealing the Gym Leader at the other end of the stands.

"What do you think of the icy battlefield and the challenges you will face as a lone trainer?" Brycen asked Max firmly.

"If that's the kind of battle you are looking for, then you will be disappointed!" Max claimed boldly, taking his place as the challenger, while the rest of us took a seat at the stands. "I have been mentored by Ash since I was seven! I battle with my pokemon, never alone!" 

The answer seem to please Brycen and I noticed Ashy smiling proudly. He has become quite the mentor, I was very proud of my partner. The Gym Leader officially accepted Max's challenge, and the battle began. The battle judge explained the rules and then declared the three-on-three battle was now underway.

"Spirit is all good, but it will take more than that to defeat my Ice-type pokemon!" Gym Leader Brycen declared, releasing his Vanillish with a battle cry.

Max took out his Pokedex and scanned the pokemon: Vanillish, the Icy Snow Pokemon. An Ice-type pokemon and the evolved form of Vanillite. It conceals itself from enemy eyes by creating many small ice particles and hiding among them. Snowy mountains are this pokemon's habitat. During an ancient ice age, they moved to southern areas.

"That pokemon has always looked like a cone of ice-cream to me, no matter what people say," Ashy mumbled next to me, making my laugh. "Now I am hungry!" In return, Max called out Scraggy for his first gym battle. "He is using Scraggy? Bold."

"It seems like he has picked some of your bad habits," I teased him in good nature.

"It seems like he has," Ashy replied with a fond smile. "Let's see how much he will surprise us."