----
BOOM!
A heavy crash echoed across the frozen battlefield as something massive slammed into the ice. The ground trembled, cracks spiderwebbing beneath their feet. Even Pryce, standing calmly across the field, felt his heart jolt at the sound.
As the mist finally began to clear, he instinctively stepped forward, trying to get a better look.
Then he saw it Abomasnow, sprawled motionless on the ground, while Gardevoir stood tall above it, chest heaving, eyes sharp and steady.
'No way… It lost?'
Pryce's brows furrowed deeply.
By all accounts, the whiteout should've favored Abomasnow. It was built for this, used to hunting in snowfields, tracking by scent, and dominating its foes unseen. And yet… it was the one lying in defeat.
What Pryce didn't know was that inside that blinding fog, Kai and Gardevoir had stayed in perfect sync, using their psychic link to guide every move. While Abomasnow had to rely on instinct, Gardevoir had Kai's eyes and commands making it a two-on-one fight.
It wasn't brute strength that brought the victory.
It was trust. Coordination. Strategy.
And now, the battle was over.
Kai finally spoke. "Looks like that's game."
Pryce stared at him for a moment then chuckled softly.
"Young man… your potential really is extraordinary. You've already claimed a League title, and your Pokémon are some of the best I've ever faced. I'm nowhere near your level not anymore."
Kai smiled, offering a respectful nod. "You're giving me too much credit. You've still got incredible strength and way more experience than I do. I only hope I'm half as capable when I reach your age."
Pryce smirked but didn't comment. He'd been around long enough to spot a polite brush-off when he heard one.
Still, his respect for Kai had only grown.
As they spoke, Pryce returned Abomasnow to its Poké Ball and approached, retrieving a small wooden box from his coat pocket. From inside, he drew out a shining, icy-blue emblem.
"This is the Glacier Badge your reward for defeating Mahogany Gym. You've earned it."
Kai bowed slightly as he accepted it. "Thank you, Pryce."
The badge was cold to the touch, its snowflake-like design catching the light and scattering it like crystal. It felt solid—weighty, in more ways than one.
Pryce watched as Kai added it to his badge case, then spoke again—his tone softer, but serious.
"I'm glad to see Trainers like you leading the next generation… But allow me to offer one piece of advice." He paused. "Don't get too close to your Pokémon."
Kai blinked.
"They're not like us," Pryce went on. "No matter how strong the bond seems, remember—they're still animals. One day… they'll leave you. And when that day comes, it'll hurt more than you can imagine."
Kai didn't answer right away.
He understood.
He also knew Pryce had once been betrayed—abandoned by his Mamoswine during a critical moment in his youth. That wound had never fully healed. It had colored how Pryce viewed every Pokémon since.
But even so…
Kai looked at him quietly and smiled.
You've only seen betrayal… but not the loyalty, the courage, the sacrifices Pokémon make for their Trainers every single day.
Maybe one day, Pryce would see the truth for himself.
And maybe—just maybe—he'd regret ever saying those words.
But that was Pryce's journey to take. Kai had his own.
---
Leaving Mahogany Town behind, Kai and Sabrina set their sights on returning to the Nearest City for a brief rest before heading toward their next Gym challenge.
This time, rather than retrace their steps through the forest on foot, Kai summoned Charizard, and the two took to the skies.
The wind rushed past, crisp and cool as it brushed against Kai's face. Below, the vast forest sprawled out endlessly, a sea of green flowing beneath their feet.
With nothing to do but ride, Kai let his mind wander reflecting on everything that had happened in the past few days.
He and the International Police had taken down a Rocket base and research facility, weakening their power significantly. He'd caught a Larvitar, evolved his Dratini into Dragonair, and Gyarados well, that beast had become more terrifying than ever.
And on top of all that, he'd just earned both the Rising Badge and the Glacier Badge, bringing him another step closer to the Silver Conference.
Everything was moving in the right direction.
As the sun began to lower, Kai figured they must be close to the City. He leaned forward, scanning the terrain but saw no signs of the city.
'Wait… shouldn't we be there by now?'
Frowning, he pulled out his PokéGear and checked the map.
...Oh.
Turns out, he hadn't given Charizard exact coordinates just a general direction. That had led them a little off course.
Fortunately, they weren't far. If they turned northeast and flew for another thirty minutes or so, they'd reach it easily.
Just as Kai was about to give the command to turn, Sabrina pointed downward.
"There," she said.
Kai followed her finger and spotted a massive clearing below. Where thick forest once stood, now lay a wide valley littered with rock formations, and nestled within was a network of ancient ruins.
Scattered across the site were dozens of people in safety gear some digging, others recording notes. A full-scale excavation.
And near the far end of the valley stood a large, dome-shaped research facility.
Kai's curiosity was piqued immediately.
"Want to check it out?"
Sabrina nodded.
Kai tapped Charizard's neck, and the dragon began descending toward the site.
Dust kicked up as they landed, but no one around paid them much mind. The researchers were too busy to bother with new arrivals seemed like Trainers dropping in wasn't an unusual occurrence.
Kai slid off Charizard's back, eyes drawn to a wooden sign half-buried in the ground.
Etched into its surface, worn but still legible, were four words:
Ruins of Alph.
----
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