Ash's Story (Part 5: Modern Sinnoh)

Chapter 36

When we get to the gym the next day, the gym guide says, "Hey, there! How's it going, Champ-to-be? Do you see the big snowballs placed here and there? You need to slide on the ice with enough momentum to crush them. The Gym Leader is a user of Ice-type Pokémon. Melt her defenses with scorching-hot Fire-type moves! It's all about focus with this Gym! Bear down and focus!"

Just like other Ice Type gyms, we have to slide on ice, but this time we also have to break the snowballs. The first trainer is Ace Trainer Anton. "We spend all our time battling in the blizzards of Snowpoint City. We'll show you how it's toughened us up!"

He uses a Snover and a Glalie, and I decide to go with Magmortar to defeat the Pokemon with ease. "What's with your toughness?"

The second trainer is an Ace Trainer named Alicia. "Are you feeling the chill of fatigue? A good Trainer goes for the win no matter what their condition is!"

She uses a Sneasel and a Tentacruel, so I guess the gym trainers aren't going to use all Ice Types. I go for Pikachu and have it defeat them with Iron Tail and Thunderbolt. "That's right. A good Trainer will win, no matter what the situation may be."

When we slide from above, the momentum will get us break the snowballs and land to the other sides, but the stairs will stop our sliding, which is good to know. The third trainer is an Ace Trainer Savannah. "Is this Gym's trick floor making you a little hot under the collar? If you can't maintain your cool in battle, you'll freeze up."

She uses Pelipper, Golduck, and Glalie, so I go with Electivire for these three and defeat them with the Discharge. "You were surprisingly cool... At least I have my warm boots."

The fourth Ace trainer is Sergio, and he says, "It's too cold. I can't even feel my t-tongue."

He uses a team of Buizel, Snover, and Sneasel, so I go with Magnezone this time and defeat all three with Magnet Bomb and Zap Cannon. "This result... It's cold. Bitter cold."

The fifth Ace Trainer is Brenna, and she says, "I've only been involved with Pokemon for a short time. I managed to get this far because skilled friends toughened me up!"

She uses a Sneasel, a Snorunt, and a Snover, so I go with Riolu who is itching for a battle, and Riolu defeats them with Counter and Vacuum Wave. "I can't believe how tough you are!"

And the final Pokemon is Isaiah. He says, "My willpower was shaped and tempered by howling blizzards. I'll bring it to bear on you!"

He uses Quagsire and Piloswine, so I go for Snover since this is also his first time. After defeating both of them, he says, "You weren't even fazed...

When we finally reach Candice, she says, "You want to challenge Candice? Sure thing! I was waiting for someone tough! But I should tell you, I'm tough because I know how to focus. Pokémon, fashion, romance... It's all about focus! I'll show you just what I mean. Get ready to lose!"

"I wonder what Ash's strategy is against Ms. Senior." Zoey says, also wanting to see our gym battle.

Candice says, "Let's show him some real keen eye! Sneasel!"

I decide to use Steelix, and when it roars, Zoey says, "I've never seen a Steelix like this before..."

"Mine is Crystal Steelix." I say.

"I don't know what your strategy is, but that sounds a lot of fun." Candice says.

I have Steelix use Dragon breath, but Sneasel dodges and literally skates across the ice field, getting in close and hitting Steelix with Icy Wind. Sneasel circle-strafes Steelix with Icy Wind as Steelix falters only slightly.