"Ash, it seems you already know quite a bit about my Avalugg. It's been a long time since I've had a challenger like you. Normally, I decide which Pokémon to use depending on my opponent's strength, but you… you've ignited a passion and fire in me I haven't felt for years!"
Wulfric's booming voice carried across the icy battlefield, his face full of excitement. As a Gym Leader, he had faced countless challengers, but rarely did anyone stir up this much battle spirit within him.
"Avalugg, Rapid Spin, then follow up with Gyro Ball!"
"Briiinnnggg—!"
Avalugg's massive body spun like a deadly top, creating a storm of icy wind as it charged forward.
"Hawlucha, don't let go! Use Arm Thrust in rapid succession—!"
Bam!
Bam!
Bam!
Clinging tightly to the jagged ice protrusions on Avalugg's back, Hawlucha hammered down with a flurry of Arm Thrusts. Each blow landed with a resounding thud, echoing through the frozen arena.
Avalugg groaned in pain, but its spinning form transformed seamlessly into Gyro Ball. It suddenly leapt, smashing itself against the glittering ice crystals that hung above the battlefield!
Hawlucha was violently shaken off, finally losing its grip and getting flung away.
But those relentless Arm Thrusts had already inflicted considerable damage. Avalugg was panting heavily, its breath misting in the cold air.
"This is it, Hawlucha—the decisive moment! Use Lightning Arm Thrust!"
Lightning Arm Thrust!
In the stands, Clemont chuckled softly. "Ash really doesn't waste time coming up with flashy names for his combo moves, does he?"
"If Ash wins this battle, it means he'll have collected all eight badges required for the Kalos League!" Serena said happily, her eyes shining.
"At that point, Ash is definitely going to win the championship! Number one! Yay, yay, yay!" Bonnie cheered, bouncing up and down with excitement.
Back on the battlefield, Avalugg gritted its teeth and endured Hawlucha's electrified strike, then retaliated with Avalanche!
The two Pokémon clashed in a head-to-head contest of strength, ice and energy exploding in every direction.
But in the end, Hawlucha pushed through, leaping high and crashing down with a decisive Flying Press. The impact sent Avalugg reeling backward, collapsing onto the frozen ground.
"Avalugg is unable to battle! Hawlucha wins!"
The referee's voice rang out, and in Ash's mind, his system's notification chimed as well.
Because Ash had enabled battle experience sharing, both Hawlucha and Talonflame absorbed the rewards of victory.
Talonflame surged to Level 48!
And Hawlucha climbed even higher, breaking through to Level 52!
"Hah! Didn't expect me to lose two Pokémon right off the bat. But that's what makes this fun! Now, my final partner—let's go, Abomasnow!"
Wulfric laughed heartily, his face beaming with thrill rather than frustration.
Ash recalled Hawlucha, then pulled out Greninja's Poké Ball.
Greninja emerged onto the icy stage, its sharp gaze locked onto the towering Abomasnow.
"Wulfric, let's make this quick! Greninja—together!"
"Krooo!"
A pulse of energy surged through the battlefield.
Ash and Greninja's heartbeats synchronized—body and spirit moving as one.
Ash could see through Greninja's eyes, feel the chill of the ice, and even sense the weight of the Water Shuriken forming on its back.
"What an incredible resonance," Wulfric marveled. "Such a powerful aura. If that's the case, then we'll answer with our full strength too! Abomasnow, Mega Evolve!"
His Key Stone gleamed, resonating with the hidden Mega Stone around Abomasnow's neck.
In a flash of light and energy—Mega Abomasnow roared onto the battlefield!
"Perfect. Let's test our power! Greninja, Water Shuriken!"
"Kroooaah!"
Ash and Greninja moved in perfect unison, flinging twin shurikens of spinning water that whizzed through the frozen air.
"Mega Abomasnow, Hyper Voice!"
"Rrrroooaaaarrr!"
A shattering shockwave ripped through the arena, crushing the Water Shurikens mid-flight. Mega Abomasnow charged—but suddenly, the battlefield filled with countless Greninja duplicates. Double Team filled every corner—front, back, left, right.
"So many illusions… Smash them all!"
Wulfric clenched his fist, and a violent Blizzard howled to life. The icy gale ripped apart every single clone in an instant.
But the real Greninja was nowhere to be seen.
"Where…?" Wulfric narrowed his eyes. Then realization struck—too late.
"Greninja, Lightning Cut!"
From above, Greninja dove from a crystal of ice, blade of light flashing.
SLASH!
The powerful attack carved across Mega Abomasnow's neck, leaving it staggering.
"Now, Aerial Ace!"
"Abomasnow, Hammer Arm!"
The two moves clashed—Greninja darting with agility, narrowly evading the giant's crushing blows.
Snow fell harder. The Hail weather effect activated by Abomasnow's Snow Warning slowly chipped away at Greninja's stamina.
"Abomasnow, Hammer Arm again! Ash—let's see which power is greater: your Bond Phenomenon, or my Mega Evolution!" Wulfric bellowed, laughing with excitement.
Greninja turned to Ash, their eyes meeting. They nodded together.
"Alright then—let's show him! Healing Water Shuriken—GO!"
Greninja ripped the massive Water Shuriken from its back, its size now tripled, pulsing with the power of their unbreakable bond. It dwarfed even Greninja itself, glowing with immense energy.
With a roar, Greninja hurled the colossal shuriken down at Mega Abomasnow.
"Abomasnow, Hammer Arm—block it!"
The collision was cataclysmic.
BOOOOM!
When the ice and energy cleared, Mega Abomasnow lay sprawled on the ground, unable to move.
"Mega Abomasnow is unable to battle! Greninja is the winner! Victory goes to the challenger—Ash Ketchum!"
The stadium erupted in cheers.
Ash had finally claimed his eighth and final Kalos Gym Badge. The road to the Kalos League was now wide open.
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