Chapter 109: Mahogany Town, Pryce
A week later, a helicopter bearing the League logo arrived in Mahogany Town. Ryan and his companions slid down the rope ladder. He looked up at the helicopter overhead, waved, and said, "Thank you for bringing us here."
On the helicopter, the League member who had traveled with them previously also waved and departed with his Dragonite.
The League member, Yuji, was from Viridian City and had originally been a trainer before joining the League as a transport specialist.
After the Whirl Cup, Ash and his companions announced they were searching for the mysterious Pokémon of the Whirl Islands, and thus separated from Ryan and his companions. Before leaving, Ryan didn't bother to tell them that they were pursuing Lugia, which had now moved to Pallet Town.
But isn't the pursuit itself an adventure? Ryan thought. They then met Yuji, who volunteered to take them to Mahogany Town. Seeing there was a free helicopter ride, Ryan and his companions agreed.
"Ryan, Pryce is incredibly powerful, definitely surpassing the Elite Four. Here, he's known as the Teacher of Winter," Ruby explained.
"It's okay, I know the situation," Ryan said.
He then retrieved his Pokémon from Nurse Joy and prepared to head to the Mahogany Gym to challenge Pryce.
Rosa, noticing Ryan's confident expression, patted Ruby on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry about Ryan. Do you think he'll take on a match he's not sure of?"
"That's true. Aside from that one battle with Lance, there haven't been any losses," Ruby said with a smile.
The three of them then arrived at the Mahogany Gym and met Pryce. Pryce was sitting in meditation inside the gym. Ryan coughed softly, getting his attention. He then said, "I'm Ryan from Pallet Town, here to challenge the gym."
Pryce opened his eyes, looked at the three of them, and then carefully observed Ryan's appearance. A smile spread across his face, and he said, "You're here! Long time no see."
"Wait, which Pryce are you?" Ryan said, suddenly realizing what he meant.
"A bit of both, I suppose. Thank you for saving my Lapras, and thank you for bringing me back to the right path," said Pryce. "I've been wanting to find a chance to thank you, but I'd forgotten who you were until I saw you at the Indigo League."
"Oh, I see," Ryan said. "How are those two Lapras doing?"
"They're doing great. And they're in their prime, my ace Pokémon," said Pryce.
"Then why do people still call you the Teacher of Winter?" Ryan asked curiously.
"I suppose it's because of the other set of memories, so I'm a bit more strict now," Pryce said. "Okay, enough small talk. Thank you very much, but I won't go easy on you in the gym battle. It's one-on-one. Let me see your progress."
He stood up and walked inside, and Ryan immediately followed. Rosa and Ruby were bewildered. Rosa asked curiously, "Ryan, do you two know each other?"
"Shh. Can't tell you. Right, Celebi?" Ryan made a hushing gesture, then nodded at Celebi on his shoulder. They exchanged a knowing smile.
Rosa and Ruby were eager to know, but seeing Ryan's expression, they knew he wouldn't tell them, so they suppressed their curiosity.
The three of them arrived at the official battle arena. Pryce sent out his Pokémon first, a well-trained Mamoswine. Pryce said, "I'll send out Mamoswine. What about you, Ryan? What Pokémon will you send out?"
"Zeraora, please," Ryan said.
Facing Pryce, Ryan wasn't holding back. He immediately sent out Zeraora, his strongest Pokémon. Zeraora, upon entering the arena, did a mid-air somersault and landed gracefully. She bared her sharp claws towards the Mamoswine.
"Oh, this Pokémon is new to me. It looks like an Electric-type. You attack first," Pryce said.
"Don't mind if I do. Zeraora, Plasma Fists," Ryan said.
Zeraora's fists were engulfed in lightning, and she launched at Mamoswine at incredible speed.
"Mamoswine, block it with Ice Fang," Pryce said.
Mamoswine's two long tusks were instantly covered in frost. Ice Fang and Plasma Fists collided, sending Zeraora back two steps. Mamoswine, enveloped in crackling electricity, also took two steps back. Ryan's eyes focused: Their power was equal!
Ryan then signaled Zeraora, who instantly understood and used Charge. As the electric energy built up, Zeraora entered an overcharged state.
"Oh, a very good strategy," Pryce remarked. "Earthquake."
Mamoswine stomped its foot heavily on the ground, sending a powerful shockwave towards Zeraora. Ryan grinned, and Zeraora instantly lifted off the ground. The powerful electric current generated a magnetic field that allowed Zeraora to levitate. Then, without Ryan's command, she unleashed her strongest electrical attack on Mamoswine—Thunder.
"Blizzard," Pryce said.
Mamoswine, while enduring Zeraora's Thunder attack, unleashed a fierce blizzard upon Zeraora. Zeraora immediately stopped the current flow and created a protective barrier around herself.
"It seems your Mamoswine has the Thick Fat ability, Pryce," Ryan said. "It's truly a defensive powerhouse. Zeraora, charge forward and use Close Combat!"
The Thick Fat ability was indeed quite practical. While it didn't reduce speed in reality like the games suggested, it did provide excellent resistance to Fire and Ice-type moves.
Zeraora rushed to Mamoswine and immediately engaged in close combat, successfully dealing heavy damage with a flurry of strikes.
"Rest, Mamoswine," Pryce said.
Mamoswine instantly fell into a deep sleep, its health rapidly restoring. Ryan suddenly felt uneasy. Pryce was determined to engage in a war of attrition with him. Ryan frowned and said, "Zeraora, trap it with Electroweb. Keep it coming."
Zeraora nodded, and webs of electricity formed, entangling the sleeping Mamoswine, immobilizing it.
"Clever, but... Mamoswine, Snore," Pryce said.
Mamoswine began to snore, and the sound waves hit Zeraora. However, the paralysis from the electricity, along with the damage from Snore, actually worked against Pryce's strategy.
"Oh, it seems I miscalculated," Pryce said, seeing the problem.
"Close Combat, finish it!" Ryan called out.
Zeraora immediately rushed over, punching and kicking the trapped Mamoswine. Mamoswine, unable to resist, awoke from its slumber, but the Electroweb held it captive, preventing it from moving. Mamoswine was overwhelmed by Zeraora's strikes, rendering it unable to battle.
Pryce recalled Mamoswine, sighed, and said, "I was careless. I didn't realize your Zeraora had the ability to trap Mamoswine. And that Plasma Fists left paralysis that interfered with Rest's healing."
Ryan chuckled. This was the result of information asymmetry between trainers. Without knowing the opponent's Pokémon, one couldn't predict its abilities, leading to misjudgments.
Pryce's defeat stemmed from his lack of familiarity with Zeraora. Had he known more about her, the battle wouldn't have gone so smoothly.
But Pryce, a gracious man, gave Ryan the Glacier Badge.
This was his seventh badge—just one more needed to qualify for the Silver Conference!
(End of Chapter)
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