Chapter 528: Platinum's Ice Gym Battle
~Third POV~
[Sinnoh Region, Snowpoint City – Gym]
But the celebration was cut short. No sooner had the Snover's defeat seemed to be guaranteed than a large, fibrous seed came hurtling through the air. It was a blur of emerald, green against the pristine snow of the arena.
*WHUMP*
The seed crashed directly into Empoleon's head with surprising force, sending the large Penguin Pokémon stumbling back, its usually proud posture wavering. A moment later, Empress collapsed, swirling stars above her head.
*THUD*
Platinum's eyes widened in shock. She cried, rushing forward, her voice laced with concern, "Empoleon!"
Candice, the Ice-type Gym Leader, offered a sympathetic wince. She explained resolutely, her voice carrying across the gym, "Oh dear. It seems Snover managed a last-ditch effort. That was a Seed Bomb. Even after fainting, some Pokémon can still unleash a final move if they just initiated it before being knocked out. A dangerous, but sometimes effective, tactic."
From the stands, Azure's brow furrowed. He murmured, his gaze flicking to Platinum, who was already recalling Empress to her Poké Ball, "A delayed Seed Bomb… Quite a nasty but effective surprise."
He saw the flicker of annoyance in her eyes, quickly replaced by renewed determination. He thought, 'She handled that well. No time wasted on frustration.'
Gengar exclaimed, her eyes wide comically, "Holy Jolteon! Talk about a sucker punch! The Penguin was blindsided!"
Rotom added, its screen flashing with distress signals, "Platinum lost a Pokémon even after winning the round! What an unexpected turn of events!"
Maylene said confidently, observing Platinum's quick recall, "She'll recover quickly. Platinum is very resilient."
Platinum, recovering her composure, selected her next Poké Ball with precision. She declared, "Alright, Rapidash, it's your turn!"
*FOOSH*
She released her fiery steed. Rapidash materialized in a burst of flames, its mane and tail blazing, its hooves tapping impatiently on the icy floor. A [Charcoal], shimmering faintly with heat, was visible on its bridle.
Candice, in turn, called out her next Pokémon. She declared resolutely, "Froslass, it's time to shine!"
*POP*
An ethereal, feminine figure shimmered into existence opposite Rapidash. Froslass, with its flowing, ghost-like form and piercing red eyes, was a vision of chilling beauty. Platinum gasped slightly, a genuine surprise rippling through her.
Rapidash, since evolving from Ponyta, had become breathtakingly fast. Its movements were a blur, a living flame darting across the arena. Platinum thought, a surge of adrenaline pushing her, 'Incredible… he's even faster than I imagined! We need to win this quickly, Rapidash! Lake Acuity is counting on us!'
Rapidash charged, a fiery comet streaking across the ice. Its speed was undeniable, leaving a trail of shimmering heat in its wake.
But Froslass was an Ice/Ghost type, known for its agility and elusive nature. With a chilling grin, Froslass vanished, becoming a transparent wisp, only to reappear moments later, directly in Rapidash's path.
*CRACK*
A blast of icy wind erupted from Froslass's mouth, an Ice Beam piercing through Rapidash's fiery defenses. The attack struck Rapidash squarely, sending a shiver through its magnificent frame, extinguishing some of its flame.
The fire Pokémon whinnied in pain, stumbling, then collapsing to its knees, steam rising from its scorched hide. Rotom buzzed, its light flickering, "Oh no! Rapidash took a direct hit!"
Gengar noted, a hint of respect in her spectral voice, "That was a clean hit! Froslass is quick on its feet!"
Platinum's heart sank, but she quickly recovered as she analyzed the situation. Rapidash was hurt, but not out. She commanded, hoping to buy time and restore her partner's health, "Rapidash, use Rest!"
Rapidash, with a weary nod, curled up on the ice, its eyes closing as it entered a deep slumber, healing its wounds. Candice, observing Platinum's move, frowned slightly. She knew of the dire situation with Team Galactic, and she had heard about Platinum's unwavering dedication to her journey, even more so now that the fate of Sinnoh's lakes was at stake.
She also knew that Azure and Platinum needed access to Lake Acuity, and perhaps even the Snowpoint Temple beyond it. A part of her wanted to offer an easy path, given the circumstances.
But her duty as a Gym Leader and her pride as a trainer wouldn't allow it. A Gym Battle was a test of strength and spirit, not a handout.
She murmured to herself, her expression hardening with resolve, "No easy victories for anyone… Froslass, use Wake-Up Slap!"
Froslass, with a chilling shriek, swooped down towards the slumbering Rapidash. Its ghostly hand glowed with fighting energy, ready to deliver a powerful, super-effective blow, designed specifically to wake up and damage sleeping Pokémon.
*WHAM*
The spectral slap connected with a sickening thud against Rapidash's flank. The fire Pokémon bolted upright, its eyes snapping open, a fresh wave of pain coursing through its body. While the Rest had healed some of its injuries, the Wake-Up Slap had negated a significant portion of that recovery, leaving it battered and groggy.
Gengar squeaked from the stands, "Oof! That looked painful!"
Rotom exclaimed, its light flashing rapidly, "Rapidash took massive damage from that Wake-Up Slap! The healing from Rest was immediately undone!"
Azure commented calmly, though his gaze held concern for Platinum's Pokémon, "Candice isn't pulling any punches, even knowing the stakes. A good Gym Leader always tests her opponent fully."
Platinum gritted her teeth as she thought, 'This was not going as planned. Rapidash was vulnerable. I needed a change of pace, a new strategy.'
She called, recalling her Pokémon in a flash of red light, "Rapidash, return!"
Candice, anticipating Platinum's tactical switch, decided to make one of her own, "Froslass, you've done well. Return!"
Both trainers held up a new Poké Ball simultaneously. A silent agreement passed between them, a mutual respect for the art of battle.
Platinum declared, her voice ringing with renewed confidence, "Time for a change of pace! Alakazam, I choose you!"
*SHING*
With a flash of light, Platinum's Alakazam materialized, its intelligent eyes gleaming, the [Life Orb] it held pulsating with faint energy. Two spoons, held aloft by their psychic power, shimmered.
Candice's eyes narrowed slightly as she observed Alakazam's held item. She murmured, recognizing the item that boosted attack power at the cost of the user's health, "A Life Orb… a risky choice that favors power over longevity… But with Alakazam's Special Attack, it could be devastating."
Candice called out her own formidable Pokémon, "Abomasnow, stand by for battle!"
"ROAR!"
A towering Abomasnow, the colossal Ice/Grass type, erupted onto the field. Immediately, the air in the gym grew colder, a biting chill filling the space…
*WHOOSH*
A flurry of snowflakes began to fall, swirling around Abomasnow. Rotom buzzed, "Hail! Abomasnow's Snow Warning ability has activated! Hail will now damage all non-Ice-type Pokémon!"
Gengar groaned, though her eyes were glued to the battle, eager to see how Platinum would counter, "Great, more passive damage… Curse you, Hail!"
Candice commanded, wasting no time, "Abomasnow, Ice Shard!"
*PEW—CRACKLE*
Abomasnow roared, and a torrent of razor-sharp ice shards materialized around it, launching themselves at Alakazam with incredible speed. But Platinum retorted, her voice sharp and clear, "Alakazam, Telekinesis!"
*Shiii*
Alakazam's spoons glowed with intense psychic energy. With a subtle flick of its wrist, a shimmering, invisible force field enveloped the incoming ice shards. Instead of impacting Alakazam, the shards froze mid-air, suspended by an unseen power. Then, with a furious mental command from Alakazam, they turned, rocketing back towards Abomasnow with even greater velocity.
*SWISH—THWIP*
The ice shards, now imbued with Alakazam's psychic power, became deadly projectiles. Abomasnow, caught off guard, raised its massive, branch-like arms to block the incoming onslaught.
*CRACK—SMASH*
The shards pelted its dense body, causing Abomasnow to flinch; its eyes widened in genuine surprise. Platinum commanded, seizing the initiative, "Now, Alakazam, Teleport… then land a Fire Punch!"
*FWSHOOOM*
Before Abomasnow could recover, Alakazam vanished in a blur of light, only to reappear instantly behind the lumbering Ice-type. Its hand curled into a fist, blazing with fiery energy as he attacked!
*WHAM*
A devastating Fire Punch slammed into Abomasnow's back, eliciting a roar of pain. The sheer force of the impact, combined with the earlier deflected Ice Shards still striking its back, momentarily stunned Abomasnow, forcing a flinch.
Rotom exclaimed, its screen flashing with diagrams of Alakazam's strategic movements, "Unbelievable! Alakazam deflected Ice Shard and followed up with a Teleport-Fire Punch combo!"
Gengar cheered, clapping her spectral hands, "That's how you turn an opponent's attack against them! Abomasnow just got a taste of its own medicine!"
Candice, though surprised, quickly rallied. She commanded deceitfully, "Abomasnow, Wood Hammer!"
She is hoping to capitalize on Abomasnow's raw power. Abomasnow, still reeling, began to gather energy, its branch-like arms glowing, ready to unleash a destructive blow…
But Platinum countered, her tactical mind working at breakneck speed, "Teleport, Alakazam! Then another Fire Punch, straight up!"
*FWSHOOOM*
Alakazam vanished again, reappearing directly beneath Abomasnow's chin. His fist ablaze upper-cut Abomasnow!
*WHUMP*
Another super-effective Fire Punch, this time an uppercut, struck Abomasnow with immense force, sending the massive Pokémon soaring upwards, its powerful Wood Hammer attack disrupted.
Rotom buzzed, tracking the trajectory, "Whoa! Abomasnow is going airborne!"
Gengar added, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle, "A brilliant aerial maneuver by the spoon user!"
As Abomasnow began its descent, gravity pulling its massive form back down, Candice saw an opportunity. She shouted, "Abomasnow! Quickly, Wood Hammer, now! Use your falling momentum!"
Abomasnow, despite its dizzying ascent and descent, managed to bring its glowing arms down, aiming to crush Alakazam. But Alakazam was already gone, giving him a peace sign, "Alaka! (See ya.)"
*FWSHOOOM—CRASH*
A quick Teleport allowed it to vanish from the point of impact, leaving Abomasnow to crash into the ice with a resounding CRASH!
Platinum commanded, her voice ringing with absolute certainty, "Alakazam! End it with a Focus Blast!"
Alakazam's body glowed with an intense aura of fighting energy. It cupped its hands, and a sphere of raw, concentrated power began to form, swirling with vibrant colors. The air around it crackled…
*Crackle*
With a mighty mental push, Alakazam launched the Focus Blast!
*ROOOOOAR—BOOOM*
The sphere of energy hurtled towards Abomasnow, expanding rapidly. And then it connected with earth-shattering force, erupting in a dazzling explosion of light and power. Smoke and ice fragments flew everywhere, obscuring Abomasnow from view. When the dust settled, Abomasnow lay unmoving, its massive form defeated.
The gym fell silent for a moment, then erupted in cheers.
Rotom shouted, its display flashing with fireworks, "Abomasnow is down! What a devastating Focus Blast!"
Gengar roared with laughter, her spectral form glowing with delight, "K.O. for Candice's Ace! Platinum is on fire!"
Azure offered a small, proud smile. Platinum's tactical acumen was truly growing. He noted the precise timing, the intelligent use of Teleport to create openings and avoid damage, and the decisive finishing move.
Candice stared at her fallen Abomasnow, then fixed her gaze on Alakazam, a new understanding dawning in her eyes. She murmured, "Wait a moment… A [Life Orb], yet Alakazam wasn't taking any recoil damage from its attacks… It must have the Hidden Ability, Magic Guard!"
Her voice was filled with a mixture of surprise and admiration. Magic Guard prevented Alakazam from taking indirect damage, perfectly negating the Life Orb's drawback, allowing it to unleash full power without consequence.
She praised happily, "Clever, Platinum. Very clever."
With her ace Pokémon defeated, Candice had no choice but to bring Froslass back as she declared, "Froslass, you're up again!"
*POP*
The Ice/Ghost type shimmered back into the arena, its crimson eyes holding a fierce determination. Platinum, feeling the momentum shift in her favor, aimed for a quick finish and barked, "Alakazam, Shadow Ball!"
A dark, swirling orb of ghostly energy formed between Alakazam's spoons, then shot towards Froslass. But Froslass was no stranger to the arena. With a chilling cackle, it moved with astonishing agility, dodging the Shadow Ball with ease.
*Wooosh*
Then, in an unexpected move that caught not only Alakazam but also Platinum off guard, Froslass didn't just dodge; it intercepted. Its icy hand reached out, not to block, but to grab Alakazam's arm!
*GRIP*
Before Alakazam could react, Froslass had pinned it to the ground, its ghostly form pressing down with unexpected strength!
Platinum exclaimed, shocked by Froslass's aggression, "What?!"
Candice's voice cut through the air, sharp and clear, "Now, Froslass, full power Blizzard! Point-blank range!"
Froslass's eyes glowed ominously. An intense, howling blizzard erupted from its body, a vortex of frost and ice swirling around the pinned Alakazam. The sheer force of the biting wind and freezing temperatures was tremendous, threatening to overwhelm the Psychic Pokémon.
Rotom cried out in alarm, "Alakazam is trapped! And a direct Blizzard hit!"
Gengar added, her spectral grin replaced by a look of genuine concern, "This could be it for Alakazam!"
But Platinum's eyes narrowed, a flash of insight crossing her face. She remembered Azure's teachings about battle psychology, about finding angles in seemingly impossible situations. She commanded, her voice unwavering, "Alakazam, Teleport! Then Recover!"
*SWP*
At her words, Alakazam's body shimmered. With a mighty burst of psychic energy, it wrenched free from Froslass's grasp, vanishing in a flash of light just as the full force of the Blizzard detonated where it had been.
*Shiii*
Appearing a safe distance away, Alakazam's form glowed with a soothing green light as it used Recover, mending its wounds once more. Candice clicked her tongue in annoyance. Platinum's quick thinking had saved Alakazam from a critical blow.
The hail continued to fall, granting Blizzard perfect accuracy. Candice pressed, hoping to freeze the Psychic Pokémon solid this time, "Froslass, another Blizzard! Don't let it get away!"
The biting gale of ice and snow roared towards Alakazam, a guaranteed hit with the hail effect. But Platinum slyly grinned as she thought, 'And I have my win condition set. Time to end this battle!'
Platinum shouted, her plan finally clicking into place, "Alakazam, Psywave!"
*Whirllll*
Alakazam's eyes glowed intensely. Instead of attacking, a powerful, shimmering tornado of psychic energy erupted from its body, swirling outwards and then inwards, trapping Alakazam within its powerful, self-made vortex.
*Wooosh*
Alakazam was completely obscured by the swirling energies, which effortlessly blocked Candice's Blizzard, deflecting the ice and snow around the concentrated Psywave. Candice narrowed her eyes, trying to peer through the obscuring psychic storm, attempting to locate Alakazam. She began, frustration evident in her voice, "Where did it…?"
*WHOOSH*
A sudden, searing blur of orange and red erupted from the obscuring Psywave tornado. Before Froslass had time to process what was happening, a blazing, fiery form slammed into it with incredible force.
*CRACK—THUD*
The impact was deafening, the air shimmering with heat. Froslass shrieked, its ethereal form flickering violently before collapsing to the ground, smoke rising faintly from its body. It was rendered unable to battle.
Candice stared, utterly aghast, her mouth slightly agape. The statue referee, after a moment of stunned silence, announced, signaling Froslass's defeat, "Froslass is unable to battle! The winner is Platinum!"
A stunned silence filled the gym, then erupted into boisterous cheers.
Rotom shrieked, its screen frozen in disbelief, "What just happened?!"
Gengar howled with laughter, her spectral form shimmering with unadulterated amusement, "Platinum pulled a fast one! That was brilliant!"
Platinum, a triumphant smile gracing her lips, stepped forward. She explained, her voice clear and strong, "Alakazam, while hidden within the Psywave, used Teleport to safely return to its Poké Ball. At the same time, I swapped it out for Rapidash, who then used Flare Blitz to launch a surprise attack!"
She looked towards Azure in the stands, a hint of admiration in her gaze, adding, "Azure mentioned that Teleport isn't just for moving around but also for swapping out Pokémon and repositioning them in a flash for advantageous attacks."
Azure met her gaze, a proud smile blooming on his face, and offered a silent, approving nod. Pikachu, Eevee, and even Pichu (Mew) cheered with delight. Maylene clapped vigorously, impressed by Platinum's ingenious tactic.
Candice, recovering from her shock, let out a chuckle, a genuine smile replacing her earlier frown. She praised, shaking her head in admiration, "Truly astonishing, Platinum. To combine Teleport with a strategic swap… that was a master move. You've earned this, truly. The Icicle Badge is yours."
She presented Platinum with the shimmering, hexagonal badge, its facets catching the light, and the TM Disc as she stated proudly, "And for your exemplary battling, please accept this. TM79, Ice Beam."
Platinum said, accepting the badge and TM with a bow, "Thank you, Candice!"
Candice offered, her gaze sweeping around the gym, "As a final suggestion, you know this gym attracts many wild Ice-type Pokémon, especially Froslass. Given your current team and where you're headed, catching one might prove to be an asset."
Platinum's eyes lit up as she thought, 'A Froslass!'
She considered her team, envisioning the possibilities. A Froslass, especially one with the potential for Mega Evolution she knew existed, would add excellent coverage and speed to her roster.
She exclaimed, already imagining battle strategies, "I'd love to!"
Candice's smile widened as she continued, "Excellent. Then I will personally escort you and your friend to Lake Acuity. But first…"
She paused, her gaze settling on Azure, who was already descending from the stands, his expression now one of focused determination as she stated, "It seems your companion has a Gym Battle to win as well."
Azure, leaving Pikachu, Eevee, Pichu (Mew), and Gengar in the stands with Maylene, who promised to provide commentary, adjusted the strap of his backpack. Rotom zipped into Azure's Poke Ball, prepared.
His own battle against Candice, an Ace Gym Match where he would face her with his strongest Pokémon, was about to begin. The urgency of Team Galactic's threat was a palpable weight, but for now, the arena called.
His determined expression tightened. Lake Acuity and the fate of Sinnoh could wait after he gets his badge.
/////
A/N: Hope you like the chapter!