Their next destination for Gladion and Cynthia was the frozen north of Sinnoh. Sabrina had chosen to look for a psychic type Pokemon on her own to add into her team.
Snowpoint City stood at the edge of the region where endless white plains met towering mountains buried beneath snow throughout the year.
Powerful blizzards swept across the landscape without warning, and the icy wind was strong enough to knock an ordinary person off balance.
Fortunately, Gladion had little reason to worry.
A transparent violet barrier surrounded both him and Cynthia as they walked through the blizzard. Snowflakes and freezing winds crashed harmlessly against the telekinetic barrier before being pushed aside.
Inside the barrier, the air remained warm and calm, almost as though they were taking a leisurely walk on a pleasant spring day rather than crossing one of the harshest environments on the continent.
Cynthia glanced around at the raging storm outside before shaking her head with an amused smile. "Psychics really have it easy as trainers. Most people would need layers of winter clothing, several Fire type Pokémon, and heated camping equipment just to survive a journey like this. Meanwhile, the two of us are casually walking through a blizzard as though we are strolling through a park."
Gladion simply shrugged with complete confidence. "Honestly, I cannot imagine how normal trainers survive without being psychics. I suppose I was simply born... special." He said the last two words with enough pride that even he sounded impressed with himself.
"Some people are born with talent. Some are born with wealth. Apparently, I was born with psychic powers, good looks, and extraordinary intelligence. Life has been rather generous to me."
Cynthia stared at him for several seconds before letting out a helpless laugh. "You were never taught humility, were you?" she asked with a wry smile.
Gladion merely smiled back without the slightest hint of embarrassment. The two continued walking through the snow.
After another hour of travelling, Cynthia suddenly slowed her pace and knelt beside several enormous footprints pressed deeply into the snow.
She brushed away some fresh snow before studying the tracks carefully, then pointed toward several trees whose trunks bore long claw marks.
"We are close," she said confidently. "A group of Abomasnow lives somewhere in these hills. Judging by the tracks, there are at least ten of them nearby." Gladion nodded thoughtfully before looking around the area.
"Excellent," he said with a grin. Cynthia looked at him curiously. "Now comes the difficult part. We need to search the forest in this blizzard carefully because Abomasnow are surprisingly good at hiding despite their size."
Gladion smiled mysteriously before taking a deep breath. Cynthia suddenly had a bad feeling.
Without any warning, Gladion cupped both hands around his mouth and shouted at the top of his lungs, "COME OUT, YOU BIG SNOWY COWARDS! OR ARE ALL OF YOU TOO AFRAID TO SHOW YOURSELVES?"
His voice echoed across the mountains, bouncing from one snowy cliff to another until it seemed as though the entire wilderness had heard him.
Cynthia's eyes widened in complete disbelief. She hurriedly turned toward him and exclaimed, "What are you doing? We were supposed to look for them quietly!"
Gladion simply shrugged. "I am."
Cynthia blinked. "By yelling insults across the entire mountain range?"
Gladion nodded confidently. "It is much faster if they come to us instead."
For a few seconds, nothing happened.
Then deep roars echoed through the blizzard.
The ground began trembling beneath their feet as massive figures emerged from behind snow covered trees and rocky hills.
One Abomasnow appeared, followed by another, then another. Within moments, nearly a dozen enormous Abomasnow had surrounded the two trainers from every direction.
Their eyes were fixed squarely on Gladion, and none of them looked particularly pleased.
Cynthia slowly turned toward him with a completely blank expression. "I cannot believe that actually worked," she muttered.
Gladion folded his arms proudly. "See? Efficient."
Three Poké Balls immediately flew into the air. Brilliant flashes of light illuminated the snowstorm as Colossus, Ultron, and Guy appeared before their trainer.
The Alpha Tyranitar roared confidently, shaking loose snow from nearby trees simply through the force of its presence.
Ultron floated silently beside him with crimson eyes already glowing with psychic energy.
Guy stretched all four of his muscular arms before grinning from ear to ear. [This is wonderful!] he shouted excitedly. [Nothing strengthens the spirit of youth like an honest battle in the middle of a blizzard!]
The Abomasnow attacked almost simultaneously. Huge Ice Shards rained from above while Blizzard attacks swept across the battlefield, but Ultron calmly spread his psychic power around the group.
Massive chunks of ice stopped in midair before being hurled harmlessly away.
Colossus charged forward like a living fortress, smashing directly into the largest Abomasnow with enough force to send it tumbling through the snow.
Guy darted between two opponents before delivering a series of powerful punches that forced them backward. Every strike shook the frozen ground beneath them.
Despite being outnumbered, Gladion's three Pokémon steadily pushed the wild Abomasnow back through perfect teamwork.
One after another, the wild Pokémon accepted defeat and retreated into the forest.
Only one remained.
This one has patches of frost covered injuries across its body. Its breathing had become heavy, and one arm trembled from exhaustion.
Even so, it planted both feet firmly into the snow and let out another powerful roar. Rather than retreating with the rest of its group, it chose to charge Guy once more.
The Machamp's smile only grew wider. [Excellent!] he exclaimed happily. [That is the burning passion of youth! You refuse to surrender even when defeat is staring you in the face. I respect that!]
Abomasnow roared again as its fist became coated in thick ice. With every ounce of strength it had, it rushed forward and drove a powerful Ice Punch toward Guy.
The Machamp crossed two arms to block the attack, but the sheer force still pushed him several steps backward across the snow.
Guy blinked before bursting into loud laughter. [Again!] he shouted enthusiastically. "[Show me that spirit one more time!]
Inspired by the challenge, Abomasnow attacked repeatedly. Punch after punch crashed against Guy's guard while the Machamp laughed through every exchange as though he were enjoying a friendly spar rather than a serious battle.
Gladion quietly watched from behind with an approving smile. 'This one is different,' he thought. 'Strength can always be developed through training, but determination like this cannot be taught. It either exists within a Pokémon... or it does not.'
With one final roar, Abomasnow gathered everything it had left into another Ice Punch. Guy did not expect Abomasnow to stíll have energy for another such attack.
The frozen fist struck his left shoulder directly, forcing the Machamp back several more steps. Frost immediately spread across part of his shoulder, and even Guy winced slightly before looking down at the frozen patch.
Then his eyes lit up with excitement. Tears actually appeared in the corners of his eyes as he pointed dramatically toward Abomasnow.
[Gladion!] he shouted. [We have to recruit him! He landed a clean hit! Look at this magnificent spirit! This is the burning passion of youth itself! Anyone who refuses to give up after being knocked down again and again deserves the chance to grow even stronger!]
Abomasnow continued breathing heavily, refusing to lower its guard despite barely remaining on its feet. Guy smiled warmly before slowly walking toward it. [You have already proven your determination,] he said sincerely. [Now allow me to show you the strength that awaits if you continue walking this path.]
His fist glowed brightly as he delivered one final, perfectly controlled Dynamic Punch. The blow sent Abomasnow sliding several meters through the snow before it collapsed onto one knee.
It tried to stand one last time. Its legs trembled violently. It managed a single determined step before finally smiling faintly and collapsing from exhaustion.
Guy immediately walked over and gently helped the unconscious Pokémon lie comfortably on the snow instead of letting it fall awkwardly. [You fought beautifully,] he said proudly.
Gladion slowly approached the fallen Abomasnow before kneeling beside it.
He gently touched a Poké Ball against Abomasnow as a red beam enveloped it.
-----Author Notes------
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