Pokémon Adventures: GAMER PATH

~Third POV~

[Johto Region, Next Day, Mahogany Town – Gym]

Arriving using Skarmory to fly, Azure Sky stepped into the Mahogany Town Gym, the biting chill a familiar reminder of the Ice-type mastery that awaited him. The gym was a frozen wonderland, with intricate ice sculptures of Pokémon adorning the slippery floor and frosted walls.

He took a deep breath, the cold air stinging his lungs, and adjusted the strap of his backpack. Pikachu, perched on his shoulder, crackled with nervous energy, while Eevee, nestled in his arms, shivered slightly despite its thick fur.

Behind him, Celebi floated silently, its green eyes radiating a gentle warmth that belied the icy atmosphere. He had come far since his first visit as a trainer.

He had faced countless challenges, befriended amazing Pokémon, and even witnessed the power of legends. Yet, this gym felt different as he entered.

It wasn't just about the badge; it was about facing the past, confronting a man he had once helped but who had also walked a dark path. At the far end of the gym, standing on a raised platform of ice, was Pryce.

The old man was as stoic as ever, his wrinkled face framed by wisps of white hair. He wore his familiar fur-lined coat and held a cane carved from a single piece of ice.

Beside him stood his two signature Pokémon: a Swinub, its tiny tusks glinting in the dim light, and a Delibird, its red sack overflowing with unseen gifts.

Pryce's gaze was sharp, unwavering. He acknowledged, his voice raspy but strong, "Azure… I knew you would return. But this time, you come as a challenger."

Azure nodded, his heart pounding in his chest. He paused, his eyes searching the old man's face as he said calmly, "Yes, Pryce. I've come to test my strength against yours. But also, to see how far you've come, to see if the darkness has truly left you."

Pryce remained silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on Azure. Then, a faint smile touched his lips. He gestured to his Pokémon as he said calmly, "The past is a heavy burden. But it does not define me. I have learned from my mistakes, reflected on my actions, and sought redemption. These two, Swinub and Delibird, have been my constant companions, reminding me of the simple things in life, the things I almost lost sight of."

Pryce briefly paused, looking down on Azure and his Pokémon. He then added in a serious tone, "My challenge remains the same, Azure. Defeat Swinub and Delibird with your entire team. Show me the strength you have gained, the bonds you have forged. Show me...if you have what it takes to stand against the chill of this world."

Azure released Eevee, who scurried to join Celebi behind him, along with Pikachu observing. He took a step forward; his eyes locked on Pryce. He said confidently, "I accept your challenge."

He wouldn't use his old team, not this time. He needed to prove to himself and Pryce that he was not reliant on the past but confident in the present.

Azure declared, throwing a Poke Ball into the air, "Ampharos, I choose you!"

*Pop*

The Electric-type Pokémon materialized with a flash of light, its wool crackling with static electricity as it gave a battle cry, "Amp!!"

Swinub charged forward, its small body surprisingly agile on the ice. Pryce commands, "Let's go, old friend… Powder Snow."

Swinub snorted happily as it approached the field of ice. It launched a Powder Snow attack, a flurry of icy particles that engulfed Ampharos.

*Woooosh*

Azure's eyes narrowed as he commanded swiftly to counter the ice, "Ampharos, use Thunderbolt to counter it!"

*Zzzzz*

The Electric-type attack surged through the gym, countering the Powder Snow and striking Swinub with immense force. The Pig Pokémon wobbled but remained standing, unaffected by the Electric attack.

But he didn't let up. Azure continued with the pressure, ordering fiercely, "Magnet Rise then attack from a distance with Tera Blast!"

*Zzzzz*

Ampharos' body glowed in a golden outline, magnetizing itself as it took off the ground, gaining air superiority. Without wasting any time, it charged up a beam of energy from its tail, gathering energy.

But Azure frowned, seeing Pryce did nothing to respond as he thought cautiously, 'Is he not attacking? Or…'

Pryce can read Azure's expression clearly as he thought, dismissively shaking his head, 'I see this young boy still has a long road ahead to become a strong champion. So what if he attacks from above? I'll show him the grasp of our Power Swinub.'

*PEW*

Ampharos unleashed a beam of energy using Tera Blast. It was heading towards Swinub as it looked up unflinching as Pryce thought coldly, 'Kid time to teach you the meaning of whooping your ass.'

Pryce, seeing Ampharos prepare another move, declared bluntly, "Blizzard."

*SWOOOOSH*

Swinub sucks in a breath of air, then fires a beam of snow from its face at the opponent, freezing it. Ampharos didn't even get the chance to retaliate or block, as it was instantly one-shot by Swinub.

The energy beam froze upon contact with Tera Blast. And then shattered into dust as the defeated, frozen Ampharos fell to the ground.

*THUD*

Azure's eyes widened as he saw Ampharos unable to battle as he thought, concerned, 'The hell… he one-shot my Pokémon before I had the chance to respond.'

Recalling Ampharos into its Poké Ball, Azure used [Observe] over Pryce Pokémon. He gulped, seeing how Pryce was able to detain and defeat Ho-Oh as he thought, 'I should've known this old guy is strong, but… this is ridiculous?!'

[Swinub (M) Lv.84 Pig Pokémon]

[Delibird (M) Lv.88 Delivery Pokémon]

Feeling the pressure, Azure sighed a breath of relief. Intently focused, he picked his next Pokémon as he hurled its Poké Ball out, "Okay… let's see you handle this! Skarmory! I choose you!"

*Pop*

Skarmory appeared on the battlefield as it cautiously gazed at the Swinub. The Steel/Flying type materialized with a metallic screech, its sharp wings glinting in the pale sunlight.

Its steely gaze locked onto Swinub, already shivering visibly. Pryce chuckled as he declared, eyeing Azure intently, "A valiant effort, boy, but Steel is no match for Ice. Swinub… use Powder Snow!"

*Woooosh*

The small pig Pokémon snorted, unleashing a cloud of freezing powder that swirled towards Skarmory. Azure anticipated the attack as he ordered, "Skarmory! Strong Style! Steel Wing! Cut through the Powder Snow and strike!"

*Fwp*

With a powerful beat of its wings, Skarmory launched itself forward, its wings glowing with metallic energy. The Steel Wing sliced through the Powder Snow like a hot knife through butter, striking Swinub squarely.

*Shinng*

The little Pokémon squealed and was flung backward. But by then, Pryce ordered swiftly, alarming Azure, "Now. Ice Beam."

*Pew*

Just as Swinub locked onto Skarmory, unleashing a concentrated beam of ice… Azure roared, "Protect!"

*CLANG*

In a nick of time, Skarmory conjured the transparent barrier, managing to block the Ice Beam. Azure sighed a breath of relief, blocking it, but Pryce scoffed mentally as he thought, 'Using Protect is a wise move… but it doesn't guarantee total protection. Just a given opportunity, boy…'

Slyly smirking, Pryce added smugly, "Encase it in ice."

*Krakle*

The transparent barrier protecting Skarmory was then encased in ice, startling Azure. Trapping the Armor Bird Pokémon effectively halts its movements as the encased ice drops down to the ground level.

*THUD*

Falling to the ground, the encased Skarmory was stuck as Azure ordered, "Skarmory! Strong Style! Tera Blast in front of you!"

*PEW*

Unleashing a concentrated beam of energy, it broke through the ice. The beam continued heading in the direction of where Swinub landed as Pryce said, "Now. Fissure."

*Rmbl*

Swinub slams its body into the ground, and it sends a white energy beam from it at the opponent. Azure, seeing these eyes, widened in alarm as he ordered, "Skarmory! Use Fly to avoid Fissure!"

Skarmory aborted its attack to escape the instant kill move. But its eyes widened, seeing that its wings and feathers were stuck together. Being cut from its ability to fly…

*BOOOM*

… was left defenseless against Swinub's Fissure as it took the blast from Tera Blast. It stood using Protect as Skarmory instantly drops inside the fissure, fainting on the spot, feeling the ground-type attack.

*Rmbl*

Eventually, Skarmory was spat out from the ground as the ground closed. Azure's eyes widened as he muttered in disbelief, "How…! Skarmory should've flown away from that Fissure so…"

That was when he noticed the ice from Swinub's Powder Snow stuck between Skarmory's feathers and wings. It clicked in his mind how Skarmory failed to avoid Fissure as he mumbled in disbelief, "He used the powder from snow to freeze its wings…"

It struck him as he looked at Pryce, recalling Skarmory in a serious tone, "… That Powder Snow… that wasn't the attack, was it? It was a distraction crippling my Skarmory movements when you encased it in ice."

Pryce smirked as he replied smugly, "Don't know? What do you think?"

Azure took a moment, his mind racing through his options as he looked at his four remaining Pokémon in a cautious tone, 'I've lost 2 Pokémon already to this Swinub. But I've managed to at least attack it, but… who would be good to fight against this?!'

Azure calmed his breathing as he reviewed what he knew. Swinub was Ice/Ground. Its Ice typing was a threat, but its Ground typing left it vulnerable to Water.

But its massive gap in levels and power proved to be dangerous. He thought bitterly, recalling a memory, 'This is like the Red Fight in Mt. Silver, battling against overly leveled Pokémon unprepared… I just can't get hit, or else I would lose. Damn…'

He had the perfect counter as he picked his Tank from his team for this battle. Taking a deep breath, he chose his next Pokémon as he hurled his next Poké Ball in a determined tone, "Quagsire, I choose you!"

*Pop*

With a confident splash, Quagsire appeared on the icy arena. Its perpetually cheerful grin seemed out of place in the tense atmosphere, but Azure knew better, trusting his tank to pull through.

Behind that placid expression lay immense power and an unyielding will. Its Water/Ground typing made it resistant to Ice and immune to Electric, giving it a strong advantage against many Ice-types, being neutral to them.

Azure eyed his Quagsire's dopey expression with his arms crossed as he thought, 'When it came to clutches, Quagsire is usually my go-to Pokémon for the job. It hasn't failed me yet when things mattered.'

Pryce commanded, his voice sharp as his eyes narrowed at them, "Swinub, start with Powder Snow!"

*Woooosh*

Swinub snorted, releasing a flurry of fine, shimmering ice particles that descended upon Quagsire. The air instantly grew colder.

However, aware of Pryce's tricks, Azure countered, his voice ringing with authority, "Quagsire, don't let it get to you! Use Aqua Tail!"

*Zoooom*

*Splash*

Quagsire's tail glowed with a pale blue aura, hardening like solid water. It swiped through the Powder Snow, its momentum barely affected, and charged towards Swinub. Its eyes are usually dull, narrowed with a glint of determination.

Pryce's eyes widened slightly as he noticed the Water Fish Pokémon was using the ice to skate around, as he thought cautiously, 'Quagsire is faster than I'd anticipated. And much smarter than it looks…'

Pryce urged his trusted partner in a serious tone, "Dodge, Swinub, then use Ice Shard!"

*PEW*

Swinub, surprisingly agile, burrowed into the ice beneath its feet, disappearing for a split second before bursting out to the side, narrowly avoiding Quagsire's powerful tail swipe. As it reappeared, it launched a volley of sharp ice shards, aiming directly for Quagsire's exposed underbelly.

Azure commanded instantly, "Protect!"

*CLANG*

A shimmering green barrier flared around Quagsire just as the Ice Shards struck, deflecting them harmlessly. The barrier dissolved, leaving Quagsire completely unscathed, its grin unchanging.

Grinning Azure thought happily, 'Time to test out the new move.'

Shifting into a serious expression, Azure ordered his Quagsire proudly, "Now, Quagsire, Mud Bomb!"

*SPLAT*

Quagsire gathered muddy water in its hands, forming a volatile sphere, and hurled it with surprising force. The Mud Bomb streaked across the arena, a direct hit to Swinub's small frame, taking the hit.

*BOOOM*

Swinub cried out, stumbling back as the muddy explosion splattered against the ice, leaving a brown stain. Pryce urged, refusing to yield, "Swinub, stand firm! Use Ancient Power to counterattack!"

*Rmbl*

Swinub, shaking off the mud, let out a deep groan. Its body glowed with an ancient, earthy energy…

*Wooosh*

Rocks and pebbles, infused with mystical power, materialized around it and shot towards Quagsire. But Azure shouted, opting for a ranged attack to counterattack, "Quagsire! Agile Style! Water Pulse!"

*SPLASH*

Quagsire clasped its hands together, summoning a pulsating sphere of water. It launched the sphere, which collided mid-air with the incoming Ancient Power rocks…

*BOOOM*

The resulting explosion sent ripples of energy across the arena. While Quagsire took some damage from the deflected rocks, the Water Pulse also managed to push Swinub back.

In the process, some of the water droplets landed on Quagsire's body. It absorbed a few of them thanks to its ability to absorb water, recovering its health steadily, standing its ground against Swinub.

Pryce, seeing the effectiveness of Quagsire's Water attacks, changed tactics. He ordered swiftly, "Swinub, burrow deep! Dig!"

*Rmbl*

Swinub promptly plunged into the icy floor, disappearing. A moment later, tremors ran through the ground, indicating its path beneath the ice.

But Azure smiled as he instructed, anticipating the ambush, "Quagsire, keep your ears open! When you sense it, hit it with a super-effective Strong Style! Surf!"

Pryce frowned as he had expected Azure to use Earthquake to counter Swinub. He had expected that in turn prepared to counter, but seeing him use a different move instead, he refrained from aborting his order.

*Rmbl*

The ground around Quagsire began to crack. Suddenly, Swinub burst from the ice directly beneath Quagsire, aiming for a direct strike…

*Wooosh*

… But Quagsire was ready. As Swinub emerged, Quagsire slammed its hand down, conjuring a concentrated blast of pressurized water right onto Swinub's head.

*SPLASH*

Pryce exclaimed, a rare flicker of concern crossing his stoic face, "Swinub!"

*Thud*

The Surf, a direct hit from a Water-type move, caused significant damage to the Ice/Ground Swinub. It reeled, stunned, briefly showing its rare moment of vulnerability.

Azure pressed his advantage, seizing the opportunity in a determined tone, "Now, Quagsire, end this with Strong Style! Liquidation!"

Quagsire's entire body shimmered with an intense watery aura. It charged forward, its hands coalescing into powerful, liquid blades. It slammed into the dazed Swinub with incredible force…

*CRACK*

… There was a sound like breaking ice, and Swinub was sent skidding across the arena, coming to a halt against one of the icy pillars, unconscious. Pryce's eyes widened slightly before recalling his Swinub, "You've done well, old friend."

Azure allowed himself a small, relieved smile. Quagsire, though looking slightly battered, gave a satisfied gurgle, "Quaaag! (Yeah! I did it!)"

Azure chuckled as he recalled his brave Pokémon in a thankful tone, "Great job, Quagsire! Take a good rest."

Azure smiled as he managed to defeat one of his Pokémon. But his eyes narrowed as he thought seriously, 'I've managed to defeat his Swinub, but… if his Swinub gave me this much trouble… then how troublesome would it be battling Delibird next…'

*Bdmp*

Azure could only gulp, thinking about facing Pryce's last Pokémon… and yet he felt his heartbeat increase in fear and excitement for such a challenge ahead. His total focus on defeating Pryce's final Pokémon…

/////

A/N: Reach the goal of 150 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!