Chapter 173: Ice Gym Battle (2) [Bonus]
~Third POV~
[Johto Region, Mahogany Town – Gym]
Pryce returned his fallen Swinub, his expression unreadable. But then his eyes hardened as he stated seriously, "A strong start, Azure. Your Quagsire is impressive. But let's see how you fare against my next Pokémon. Delibird, time to shine!"
A cheerful, red-and-white Pokémon with a bag-like tail appeared, flapping its small wings. Delibird, the Delivery Pokémon, was known for its tricky move, Present.
This was a wild card move that could either restore health or deal massive damage. It also possessed powerful Ice and Flying moves.
Azure considered his options. This time, unlike before, he was on guard as he stared at the Delibird, and he thought cautiously, 'Delibird is an Ice/Flying. Fire-types were super effective against Ice, and Rock-types against both. Tyranitar and Houndoom would work, but… give Pryce a chance and he'll one-shot my Pokémon.'
Given some time, he made his pick. Azure retrieved Tyranitar's Poké Ball as he said calmly, "I'm trusting you, little buddy…. Tyranitar, I choose you!"
*Pop*
With a roar that shook the arena, Tyranitar emerged, its rocky hide gleaming under the dim light, "Raaaaao!!!"
Its glowing eyes focused on Delibird, its intended target, as its Sand Stream ability activated, summoning a sandstorm. Pryce commanded, his voice sharp and precise, "Delibird, begin with Ice Shard!"
*Pew*
Delibird flapped its wings and launched a barrage of icy shards towards Tyranitar. Azure countered, eyes narrowed, "Tyranitar! Stone Edge!"
*RMBL*
Tyranitar slammed its fists into the icy ground, summoning jagged pillars of rock from beneath. The Stone Edge ripped through the Ice Shard, shattering the projectiles and slamming into Delibird.
Pryce smirked as he ordered, "Delibird, quick, use Blizzard!"
*Woooosh*
Delibird waves one of its wings, and a powerful icy wind appears. Witnessing one of Pryce's Ice attacks, Azure's eyes narrowed as he countered, "Tyranitar! Agile Style! Dig!"
*RMBL*
Swiftly, Tyranitar dived down into the ground to avoid the Blizzard as Delibird got dealt chip damage from the sandstorm. Azure sweated a bit as he thought bitterly, 'With Pryce managing to bypass Protect with his Ice, it's too risky to even use the move Protect to defend if it incases my Pokémon. I must play hit and run tactics.'
Pryce's eyes narrowed, merely waiting patiently as he thought seriously, 'Is this all you can do, young man? I'm a bit disappointed – is that fool dancing?!'
Just as he was pitying the Champion, Azure began to perform a Z-Move. An ability that Pryce doesn't know about.
Azure builds up Z-Power with a series of poses, as he yelled, "Now! Rise, Tyranitar! Z-Move! Continental Crush!"
*RMBL*
*BOOOM*
Tyranitar jumped up as it was filled with Z-Power roared, "Raoooo!! (Let's do this!)"
*RMBL*
Tyranitar jumps into the air and summons multiple rocks from the ground, forming a huge boulder. It then hurls the boulder at the opponent…
Pryce's eyes widened in alarm, seeing such a huge rock mountain. He yelled hastily, "Use Protect!"
*CLANG*
Summoning up a transparent Barrier, intending to defend against the huge rock mountain as it collided against it. When the boulder hits the barrier, it shatters upon contact….
*BOOOM*
*CRACK*
… Pryce's eyes widened as he saw the Protect move break, unable to block the attack completely, in disbelief. Azure, on the other hand, remained calm as he thought, 'Perfect. I made him waste a Protect, not much, it wouldn't have done any good against a Z-Move. While it can be used, it only reduces the damage of a damaging Z-Move to ¼ its original power… but I'm hoping for that 4x super-effective damage here…'
*Woooosh*
The dust settled as Tyranitar stood its ground. Both Azure and Tyranitar were on guard, seeing no signs of movement from the Delibird.
For a moment, they thought of letting a second their guard down, 'Is it over – '
*Tmp*
Hearing the steps of someone rising, they became alarmed. But it was a second too late as Pryce seized the moment as his voice rang as he ordered, "Go! Blizzard!"
*WOOOOSH*
Delibird emerged from the crater formed by the aftermath of the attack. It flaps its wings, sending a strong blizzard out at Tyranitar. It quickly got encased in ice…
*THUD*
The icicle of Tyranitar fell as it fainted from one of Delibird's attacks. The dust settled, revealing Delibird's appearance harmed and damaged, but with a serious, determined expression as Pryce said coldly, "I'll give ya this much… you pulled a fast one. But this won't end well."
Azure frowned as he recalled Tyranitar as the effects of Sandstorm ended. Taking a deep breath, Azure brought out his next Pokémon as he thought calmly, 'Whew… I guess it's time to send her out. But still… just one hit and my Pokémon would be a goner.'
Taking a deep breath, Azure sent out his next ace. Hurling his next Poke Ball, he declared seriously, "Mismagius, let's show them what you're made of!"
*Pop*
The Ghost-type Pokémon materialized beside him, its mischievous grin widening as it took in the opponent with a cautious gaze. Mismagius floated silently, its ethereal form radiating an eerie glow.
Pryce remained unfazed by Azure's choice as he thought neutrally, 'A Ghost type, huh? So that's how you remain confident till now, you had that plan... Like Agatha's usual move for last resorts being pity… Destiny Bond.'
Realizing Azure's plan like an open book, Pryce had already formulated a counter, keeping his confidence hidden beneath his stoic expression mask. Azure eyes narrowed as he thought cautiously, 'I just need to either Perish Song it or Destiny Bond. Then this Gym Battle is mine. But if I did either of those, now Pryce gets one free shot… and if he manages to KO Mismagius during Perish Song, the effects might be canceled mid-way.'
Contemplating his strategy quickly, Azure settled as he thought deeply, 'Destiny Bond. I guarantee to get a blow as Perish Song might have the chance to fail. All he would do is block the sound from its ears to effectively avoid its effects or take that opportunity to launch an attack before the effects of Perish Song could take full effect. I must force his hand, giving me a chance…'
Regaining his confidence but keeping a stoic expression mask. Azure commanded, "Mismagius, use Shadow Ball!"
*PEW*
Mismagius cackled, gathering dark energy into a sphere between its hands. The Shadow Ball hurtled towards Delibird, crackling with ominous power.
Pryce countered immediately as he ordered sternly, "Delibird, Haze, then evade with Quick Attack!"
*Pooof*
*Zoooom*
Delibird flaps its wings and releases a thick, black smoke from them. When it covered itself within, it used Quick Attack, effortlessly avoiding the attacks as Pryce casually taps his cane, giving Morse code commands to Delibird…
*Tmp*
*Tmp*
Azure focused on the Haze as he was confused and didn't notice Pryce tapping his cane, giving a command. It raised his caution as Mismagius' eyes narrowed, seeing the battlefield, trying to locate Delibird.
Azure shouted desperately, refusing to let the momentum shift, "Strong Style Ominous Wind, Mismagius!"
*Wooosh*
Mismagius unleashed a swirling vortex of spectral energy, the Ominous Wind buffeting Delibird relentlessly and getting rid of the Haze surrounding it. 'Delibird' struggled to maintain its footing, its wings fluttering desperately against the barrage.
However, the Pokémon was fast, dodging continuously. Pryce commanded, seeing an opening, "Delibird, use Blizzard!"
*WOOOOSH*
Flapping its wings, 'Delibird' unleashed a blinding blizzard, the icy wind and snow obscuring the battlefield as Pryce slyly grinned, his expression hidden in the blizzard. Mismagius was caught in the storm, its form flickering in the swirling snow.
But it was at that moment Azure countered seriously, "Now! Destiny Bond!"
Mismagius nodded its head, feeling the chilling damage of Blizzard. A dark purple orb of energy briefly appears in front of Mismagius's body before bursting into shadowy energy underneath its body.
*Pew*
After fainting, the energy emerges from its body and surrounds the opponent that knocked Mismagius out, causing them to faint instantly. The 'Delibird' was caught by Destiny Bond, making Azure sigh in relief, but...
*Crack*
The 'Delibird' that attacked cracked down into ice. Azure's eyes widened as Pryce slyly explained what occurred, "You're good, kiddo. But your last resort, Destiny Bond, would've worked… if it targeted the right Pokémon. Hate to break it to you, but what you targeted was none other than Delibird's ice clones using Ice Shard. But you have to admit the ice sculpture of Delibird was very convincing, no?"
*Tmp*
The real Delibird appeared with a proud expression, coming out from its hiding place. Azure recalled Mismagius, frowning as he was tricked, as he muttered, "He played me. Using Blizzard and Haze to obscure my vision, all so I could misplay the intended target of Destiny Bond with an ice puppet he created in that moment."
Azure placed a Mismagius Poké Ball onto his belt as he was down to 2 Pokémon left. He carefully thought about his next decision with an excited grin, 'So this is the Masked Man – No Pryce in action. Even with my Z-Move and tricks, his pulling one over me along, showing me my flaws, and being outmaneuvered… this old geezer is amazing.'
*Bdmp*
Azure's heartbeat sped up, and he felt the adrenaline coursing through his veins. He was backed into a corner, left with a weakened Quagsire and a healthy Houndoom as his team fell to Pryce's Ice techniques and tactics.
Despite being put into the corner, Azure felt excited to find a worthy challenge. His eyes shone a brilliant color as he hurled his next Pokémon in a determined tone, "I haven't felt this alive in a loooong time. Now… I get to go all out. Go! I choose you! Houndoom!"
*Pop*
Azure responded with Houndoom, the Dark-type Pokémon's fiery breath a stark contrast against the frozen landscape. Houndoom howled, prepared for battle, "Awoooo!!!"
The battle commenced. Pryce ordered his Delibird, a small, plump Pokémon that delivered icy presents of frozen attacks.
Houndoom unleashed a Flamethrower, a torrent of searing heat that melted the ice beneath Delibird's feet. But Pryce was prepared. Delibird countered with Ice Beam, a freezing blast that collided with the Flamethrower, creating a cloud of hissing steam.
Both trainers from this point on solely focused on giving commands. Each is a counter or defense for the other, matching their might, playing with the clash of fire and ice.
The battle was a dance of fire and ice, a constant interplay of attack and counter-attack. Houndoom's Dark Pulse slammed into Delibird, but the small Pokémon stubbornly clung to the fight, retaliating with a flurry of Ice Shards.
Azure could feel the pressure mounting. Pryce was a master strategist, expertly maneuvering his Delibird to exploit Houndoom's weaknesses to fighting-type moves such as Brick Break, Reversal, and Focus Punch.
Each time, Azure avoided the worst of those moves with Protect, Smog, and Flamethrower providing some distance. He was being pushed to the corner, forced to react rather than dictate the pace of the battle.
He knew he had to change something. He had to unleash the full potential of his Pokémon or else he would lose.
He looked at Houndoom, his loyal companion, and saw the fierce determination burning in its eyes. Azure said determinedly, his voice resonating with purpose, "Houndoom…. We've come too far to fail now. Let's show him our true power!"
Houndoom roared in response, its body crackling with dark energy, "Awoooo!!!"
Azure raised his Keystone embedded in his glove and Houndoom's pendant that contained its own Mega Stone, which resonated with the power of Houndoom. Both their heart and minds became one with one sole purpose… victory.
He held it aloft, and a surge of energy pulsed through him, connecting him to his Pokémon in a way he had felt before with his other Pokémon. He declared proudly, "Houndoom! Respond to my heart! Mega Evolve!"
*Shiii*
The Mega Stone pulsed with light, and a torrent of energy enveloped Houndoom. The transformation was instantaneous and breathtaking. Houndoom grew larger, its bones hardening into a jagged, menacing armor.
Its horns elongated, twisting into a crown of dark power. The flames that licked its body intensified, burning with an infernal heat…
*CRACK*
Breaking through the encased energy shell, Mega Houndoom stood before him, a terrifying embodiment of darkness and raw strength as it howled, "Awoooo!!!!"
Pryce's eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his usually impassive face. He had anticipated many strategies, but Mega Evolution had not been among them as Mega Houndoom stood by Azure's side.
*Shiii*
Unaware of Pryce as he stood in silence, witnessing Mega Evolution Houndoom activate Sunny Day to further enhance its new ability, Solar Power. During harsh sunlight, Solar Power raises the ability-bearer's Sp. Attack by 50% but also loses 1/8 Maximum HP after each turn.
Pryce noticed the effects of Sunny Day, returning his attention to the fight. Pryce admitted, his voice regaining its composure, "An… unusual display. But power alone is not enough to win. Strategy and discipline are still paramount."
Mega Houndoom unleashed a deafening roar, challenging Pryce's assertion, "Awooo!! (Oh yeah! I challenge that claim, old man!)"
Azure could feel the surge of power coursing through his Pokémon, a feeling of exhilarating control. Azure commanded, his voice amplified by the connection he shared with his Pokémon, "Mega Houndoom! Dark Pulse!"
*PEW*
Mega Houndoom unleashed a devastating Dark Pulse, a wave of pure darkness that slammed into Delibird with overwhelming force. Pryce quickly countered, "No! Blizzard now Delibird!"
*Wooooosh*
Struggling through Delibird's eyes narrowed as it flapped its wings. Cold air erupted as it began to freeze the Dark Pulse, encasing it and trailing it back to Mega Houndoom, freezing everything in its way.
Pryce examined Azure's expression as he smirked. Azure eyed Mega Houndoom's eyes as they met with him, thinking proudly, 'She's almost at her limit… but we'll do it anyway, right Houndoom?'
Grinning Azure ordered in a serious tone, "Head on!! FIRE BLAST!!"
*Ssssss*
Aborting Dark Pulse Mega Houndoom takes in a deep breath and releases a ball of yellow-orange fire from its mouth. The ball of fire then turns into a 大-shaped flame that is fired at the ground.
*BOOOOOM*
Hitting the ground, Mega Houndoom flung itself into the air, lunging forward at Pryce's Delibird. Pryce's eyes widened in shock as he muttered, "The recoil!!"
Using the recoil of Fire Blast, Mega Houndoom lunged forward, flinging itself into the air to avoid Delibird's Blizzard. Pryce's attention was on Azure, seeing his eyes as he thought, 'His eyes… those eyes… those eyes that can understand their Pokémon!'
Pryce, extremely alert, roared an order, "Crush them, Delibird! BRICK BREAK!!"
*CRACK*
Delibird delivered a sickening Brick Break over Mega Houndoom's forearm, hearing the bone crack. But by then, Mega Houndoom had already prepared a Strong Style Inferno, concentrated a ball of azure flames… then it roared, unleashing an intense stream of fire at point-blank range, shocking Delibird.
*BOOOOM*
An explosion engulfed the two in the intense heat of the Inferno fire at Delibird was engulfed by the fire, as was Mega Houndoom. Both trainers shielded themselves from the heat as it melted the ice…
*Sssss*
The fire finally subsided as Delibird's body was covered in black, singed smoke with burn marks. And Mega Houndoom reverted to its normal form, standing above Pryce's Delibird unwavering and unflinching despite already having seemingly fainted...
*Tmp*
… yet Delibird stood tall once again.
Azure's eyes widened as he muttered in disbelief, "How the hell… how the heck is this Pokémon still standing…"
Delibird panted tiredly as Pryce smiled, seeing this, but then…
*Poof*
A dark purple orb of energy briefly appears in front of Houndoom's body before bursting into shadowy energy underneath its body. Delibird's eyes widened as Houndoom eyed its prey in a tired tone, thought of losing consciousness using its last energy to perform Destiny Bond, '… I'm… not… going… down… alone…'
*Thud*
After fainting, the energy emerges from its body and surrounds the Delibird that knocked Houndoom out, causing it to faint instantly. Delibird then fell to the ground, taking the Destiny Bond from Houndoom…
*Thud*
Both Trainers looked shocked at the scene before Azure recalled his Houndoom using his Viridian Force to heal his Dark Pokémon in a proud tone, "You've done well, Houndoom… you were noble to the very end."
Pryce recalled Delibird, his expression unreadable. Despite this, Azure won, having only one Pokémon left, being Quagsire, albeit by technicality, as all his remaining ones fainted to Pryce's Swinub and Delibird.
And yet Pryce nodded slowly, a hint of respect in his eyes. With the last Pokémon fainted, Pryce announced, holding the rewards Azure deserved, "You have grown stronger, Azure. You have defeated me in battle, you made me realize my mistakes when I was known as the Masked Man, as I thought capturing Celebi would bring me happiness, but instead, I was only hurting myself. Please take this Glacier Badge and rewards."
[Item: Glacier Badge
Rarity Item: A+
Type: Key Item
Description: A Gym Badge, commonly referred to as simply a badge, is an item that serves as proof of a Pokémon Trainer's victory in a battle against a Gym Leader at a Pokémon Gym. With this badge, Ice-Type Moves are increased by 12.5%, and controlling Pokémon is easier for the Trainer to command.]
[Item: TM Icy Wind
Rarity Item: -
Type: Technical Machine
Description: A Technical Machine used to grant memory knowledge of how to perform the move [Icy Wind].]
[Item: TM Hail
Rarity Item: -
Type: Technical Machine
Description: A Technical Machine used to grant memory knowledge of how to perform the move [Hail].]
Azure took the Glacier Badge and the rewards. He turned to Pryce as he said, "Thank you, Pryce. I know you will change, as I know you can do it. I only wanted to see where you are right now."
Pryce nodded as Celebi flew closer to him. Knowing what's to come, Pryce slowly nodded his head as he said to them, bowing his head in a respectful tone, "I see… my time has come. I've already had everything set when I depart, leaving it to my Gym Trainers… but at the very least… thank you for allowing me to have the dignity of passing on my Gym Badge to a worthy Trainer like you, Champion."
*Shiii*
Both Celebi and Pryce were gone as Azure smiled, knowing what must be done. He knows they'll return as he turned, leaving the Gym with Pikachu over his shoulder and Eevee climbing on top of his head.
Azure, holding the Glacier Badge, smiled as he walked out of the Gym in a proud tone, healing his Pokémon with the Viridian Force, "I'm just glad I got to fight you, Pryce, at your strongest. And to show that the present can be an interesting experience than relying on the past. I just hope when we next meet it'll be when you've reformed yourself in the future…"
/////
A/N: Reach the goal of 200 PS to get a Bonus Chapter!
So, how did you guys like the battle with Pryce? I wanted to show how strong the Masked Man was, as the MC had to pull every trick he knew from his book to get a one-up against him, but Pryce showed the MC flaws even he lacks with his experience against him.