After helping Pryce find his Piloswine, Ash and Pryce rescheduled their Gym Challenge.

The reason, naturally, was that Ash had requested Pryce to go all out, and although Piloswine had been frozen for many years, Pryce still had great confidence in Piloswine's strength.

Mahogany Town Pokémon Center.

"Ash, Pryce specializes in Ice-type Pokémon. How do you plan to deal with that?" Misty asked.

"In terms of typing, Quilava is the priority, and then Lucario," Ash said.

In fact, strictly speaking, Quilava is only suitable for pure Ice-types. If it goes up against something like Dewgong, which is Water + Ice, it has no elemental advantage whatsoever.

However, Ash had already decided on the Pokémon for the battle; regardless, with Lucario as a backup, it wouldn't matter if Quilava lost.

"Lucario, huh? Since the opponent is Ice-type, its Fighting + Steel dual-type moves would be very effective. However, the Dewgong that Pryce showed yesterday seemed to be of a quite high level. Quilava won't have an advantage against it; it might even be at a slight disadvantage," Misty analyzed.

"Don't worry, Misty. This Gym Challenge is a guaranteed win."

Before long, Ash's group arrived outside the Mahogany Town Gym at the appointed time.

They saw Pryce brushing Piloswine, while Sheila was standing behind him, watching.

"Mr. Pryce, Aunt Sheila, good morning!" Ash greeted them politely.

"Oh, Ash, you're here! I've been waiting for you for a long time," Pryce said warmly.

Ash had not only helped him resolve his inner conflict but also helped him find the Piloswine that had been missing for many years, so Pryce was quite grateful to Ash.

Having spent many years with Pryce, Sheila had almost never seen him be this warm to anyone, so she teased, "Pryce, it seems like you've changed a lot since Piloswine was found!"

"I haven't changed. I've been like this from the past until now. Like the ice here that can't melt, I've just frozen the fiery passion of my youth inside the ice," Pryce said stubbornly.

Sheila rolled her eyes at him and said, "Fine, fine, you're the one involved, you're right. Since the challenger is here, the battle should be able to start now, right?"

"Alright, sorry to trouble you, Sheila," Pryce said with a laugh.

"Eh? Aunt Sheila, are you the referee for the Gym Challenge?" Misty asked, looking at Sheila in confusion.

"Hahaha, since you asked, I'll answer you generously. Being the bold neighbor girl worried about Gym Leader Pryce is just my temporary identity. My true identity is a certified official referee of the Johto League!"

Sheila transformed and changed into the standard attire of a League match referee.

"Huh?!"

This identity left Ash and the others astonished.

A regionally certified League referee is no amateur; this is an official referee who can officiate regional leagues.

Pryce smiled and said, "Alright, come with me; the battlefield is inside."

Under Pryce's guidance, Ash's group arrived at an Ice Battlefield.

Looking at the field, which was even larger than his own Gym's battlefield, Brock exclaimed, "What a huge Ice Battlefield!"

"Alright, the two sides for this Gym Challenge are Mahogany Town Gym Leader Pryce and the challenger from Pallet Town, Ash. The number of Pokémon that can be used in this match is two. Any questions?" Sheila asked, looking at both of them.

Ash and Pryce both shook their heads to indicate no.

"Then, let the match begin!"

As soon as Sheila finished speaking, Pryce sent out his battle Pokémon first, "Go, Dewgong!"

[Pokémon: Dewgong]

[Type: Water + Ice]

[Gender: Male]

[Level: Gym Advanced]

[Ability: Thick Fat (Protected by thick fat, it halves the damage from Fire-type and Ice-type moves)]

[Potential: Quasi-Elite]

[Moves: Psybeam, Aurora Beam, Water Gun, Aqua Tail, Aqua Jet...]

As soon as Dewgong came out, it occupied the pool in the center of the field.

Ash did not feel any surprise at this, "As expected, it's Dewgong? I choose you, Quilava!"

"Using Quilava right from the start is not a very good choice," Pryce said.

Ash said confidently, "I believe in Quilava. It defeating Dewgong is not a problem. Quilava, take the initiative and use Swift!"

He knew Dewgong had the Thick Fat ability, and plus, it was in a pool, so using Fire-type moves would just be a pure waste of stamina.

Upon hearing the command, Quilava leaped high and fired a large number of star-shaped beams toward Dewgong in the pool.

Pryce said calmly and coolly, "Dewgong, dive into the water and dodge it."

The coverage of Swift was very wide, so even though Dewgong managed to dive into the water in time, it was still hit, though the injury was not obvious.

"Dewgong, use Psybeam."

Dewgong poked its head out of the water and fired a beam attack at Quilava.

"Quilava, use those ice rocks to dodge."

Hearing Ash's command, Quilava used the ice rocks on the field to dodge.

After dodging three consecutive Psybeams, Quilava arrived at the ice rock closest to the pool.

"Quilava, just like that, use Quick Attack."

"Nino!"

Quilava kicked off hard with its feet and charged straight at Dewgong, which had surfaced in the pool.

"Eh? Letting Quilava jump into the water? Is Ash serious?" Misty asked, confused.

Brock couldn't help but break into a cold sweat at Ash's move, "This is too risky. Quilava's speed in the water cannot possibly compare to Dewgong's."

Just as Quilava entered the water, Pryce said, "Ash, you really don't play by the rules, but I'm afraid you'll be disappointed this time. Dewgong, use Iron Head."

"Chuo~"

Dewgong dived to the bottom of the pool, braced its tail against the bottom, and used the leverage to charge at Quilava above.

"Quilava, the opportunity is here, use Swift."

At the moment Dewgong was about to collide, Quilava once again sprayed a large number of star-shaped beams.

Dewgong not only took the full damage from the point-blank attack, but its move was also interrupted by Quilava's attack, and finally, it was blasted out of the pool by Quilava's Swift.

"Very good, Quilava, finish it with Double-Edge."

Quilava jumped out of the pool, slammed into Dewgong with all its might, and with one hit, knocked it out, its eyes spinning in circles.

"Dewgong is unable to battle, Quilava wins."

"Ash, I have to admit, your battle style, which is built on the foundation of trust between Pokémon and Trainer, is very unique. Now, my second contender is this one. Let's see what other moves you can unleash. Go, Piloswine!"

[Pokémon: Piloswine]

[Type: Ice + Ground]

[Gender: Male]

[Level: Quasi-Elite Beginner] 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

[Ability: Thick Fat]

[Potential: Elite]

[Moves: Blizzard, Ice Fang, Ancient Power, Icy Wind, Psybeam, Double-Edge...]

Outside the Gym.

The Team Rocket Trio, who had followed them, set their sights on the Pokémon kept in the backyard of Pryce's house after seeing them.

"Alright, let's round them all up. No picking and choosing; let's catch all the Ice-type Pokémon," James declared boldly.

"Hey, since there are so many, let's keep a few for ourselves! The Ash's group has too many Pokémon. If we don't expand our combat power, we won't be able to catch that Pikachu," Jessie suggested.

"That may be true, but these Ice-type Pokémon will be countered by the Ash!"

"It doesn't matter if they are countered. The most important thing is that these Ice-type Pokémon can make money. As long as we use their ice-making moves to set up a shaved ice shop belonging to Team Rockets, we will have a steady stream of funds..."

As Jessie's pie in the sky grew larger and larger, James and Meowth couldn't help but join in on this daydream.

"Alright, let's move, Meowth!"

Meowth jumped in, holding a net.

Then, it slipped and bumped head-on into a Dewgong that was taking a nap.

This collision directly angered all the Ice-type Pokémon in the backyard.

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