Chapter 107: Mahogany Town, Pryce
Chapter 107: Mahogany Town, Pryce
A week later, a helicopter with the League's emblem arrived in Mahogany Town. Ron and his companions slid down the rope ladder. Looking up at the helicopter above, he waved and said, "Thanks a lot. Thank you for bringing us here."
On the helicopter, the League member who had been stranded with them last time also waved before leaving with his Ampharos.
That League member was named Takeshi. He was from Viridian City and had originally been a trainer before joining the League as a regular transport officer.
After the Whirl Islands tournament ended, Ash and the others set out to search for the mysterious Pokémon of the Whirl Islands, so they parted ways with Ron and his group. When they left, Ron didn't tell them that the Pokémon they were chasing was Lugia, and that Lugia had already moved to Pallet Town.
"But isn't the journey itself an adventure?" Ron thought. Later, they met Takeshi, who volunteered to take them to Mahogany Town. Since they had a free helicopter ride, they gladly accepted.
"Ron, Pryce is very strong, definitely beyond the level of the Elite Four. Here, he's known as 'Pryce the Winter Master,'" Ruby explained.
"It's fine. I know the situation," Ron replied.
They then retrieved their Pokémon from Nurse Joy and prepared to challenge Pryce at the Mahogany Gym.
Seeing Ron's confident expression, Rosa patted Ruby's shoulder and said, "Don't worry about Ron. Do you think he would ever take on a battle he's not sure about?"
"That's true. Except for his match against Lance, he's never done that," Ruby said, rubbing his nose.
The three of them arrived at the Mahogany Gym and met Pryce. Pryce was sitting in meditation inside the gym. Ron cleared his throat to wake Pryce and then said, "I'm Ron from Pallet Town. I'm here to challenge the gym."
Pryce opened his eyes and looked at the three in front of him, carefully observing Ron before smiling. "So, you've come. Long time no see."
"Which Pryce are you?" Ron immediately asked after hearing that.
"A bit of both," Pryce replied. "Thank you for saving my Lapras, and thank you for pulling me back onto the right path."
"I've always wanted to find a chance to thank you, but I had forgotten who you were. It wasn't until I saw you at the Indigo League tournament that I remembered."
"Oh, so that's how it is," Ron said. "How are those two Lapras doing?"
"They're doing very well. They're in their prime and are my ace Pokémon now," Pryce said.
"Then why does everyone still call you 'Pryce the Winter Master'?" Ron asked curiously.
"It's probably the influence of the other timeline's memories, so I tend to be stricter," Pryce explained. "Alright, enough chit-chat. Though I'm grateful to you, I won't go easy on you in a gym battle. This will be a one-on-one match. Let's see how much you've improved."
Pryce then got up and walked to the battle area, and Ron quickly followed. Rosa and Ruby were left confused.
Rosa curiously asked, "Ron, do you two know each other?"
"Shh. That's a secret, right, Celebi?" Ron made a silencing gesture and patted Celebi on his shoulder. He exchanged a knowing glance with Celebi and smiled.
Rosa and Ruby grew even more curious, but seeing Ron's expression, they knew he wouldn't tell them, so they could only keep their questions to themselves.
The three entered the official battle area. Pryce sent out his Pokémon first—a well-trained Mamoswine.
"I'll use Mamoswine. What about you, Ron? What Pokémon will you send out?" Pryce asked.
"Zeraora, I'm counting on you," Ron said.
Facing Pryce, Ron didn't dare be careless and immediately sent out his strongest Pokémon, Zeraora. As soon as Zeraora appeared, it flipped in the air and landed steadily, flashing its claws at Mamoswine.
"Oh, this is my first time seeing this Pokémon. Looks like an Electric-type. You may go first," Pryce said.
"Then I won't hold back. Zeraora, Plasma Fists!" Ron commanded.
Zeraora's fists crackled with electricity as it charged at Mamoswine at lightning speed.
"Mamoswine, block it with Ice Fang!" Pryce instructed.
Mamoswine's long tusks were instantly covered in frost, colliding with Zeraora's Plasma Fists. Zeraora took two steps back, while Mamoswine, now covered in blue static electricity, also retreated two steps.
Ron narrowed his eyes—this was an even match!
Ron signaled Zeraora, who immediately understood and used Charge. A surge of electricity was absorbed into the Thunder Stone on Zeraora, putting it into an overcharged state.
"Oh, that's an impressive move," Pryce praised. "Earthquake!"
Mamoswine stomped heavily on the ground, sending powerful shockwaves toward Zeraora. Ron grinned. Zeraora immediately took to the air—its strong electric field allowed it to hover. Without waiting for a command, it launched a powerful Thunder attack at Mamoswine.
"Blizzard!" Pryce ordered.
Mamoswine endured the Thunder attack and unleashed a fierce Blizzard toward Zeraora. Zeraora instantly stopped channeling electricity, forming a light barrier to protect itself.
"Looks like your Mamoswine has the Thick Fat ability," Ron noted. "That's a great ability for endurance. Zeraora, get close—hand-to-hand combat!"
Thick Fat was a very practical ability. While it reduced a Pokémon's speed, it provided excellent base resistances.
Zeraora rushed toward Mamoswine, unleashing a flurry of powerful attacks, quickly wearing down its health.
"Rest, Mamoswine," Pryce said.
Mamoswine instantly fell into a deep sleep, fully restoring its health. Ron was immediately annoyed—Pryce was planning to drag the battle out!
"Zeraora, trap it with Electroweb! Use multiple!" Ron ordered.
Zeraora nodded and launched multiple electric webs, binding the sleeping Mamoswine and preventing it from moving.
"Snore, Mamoswine!" Pryce called out.
Mamoswine began snoring loudly, sending blue static shockwaves at Zeraora, restoring its own stamina and health.
"Oh, looks like I miscalculated," Pryce admitted.
"Close Combat—finish it!" Ron grinned.
Zeraora dashed forward and unleashed a flurry of punches and kicks on the bound Mamoswine. Though Mamoswine woke up, the electric webs held it tightly, preventing it from moving. It had no choice but to endure Zeraora's relentless assault until it was finally knocked out.
Pryce recalled Mamoswine and sighed. "I was careless. I didn't expect your Zeraora to have a move that could trap Mamoswine, and that Plasma Fists would let Mamoswine's Normal-type moves heal it."
Ron chuckled. This was the consequence of not knowing the opponent's Pokémon well—lack of information led to misjudgment.
Pryce had lost due to his unfamiliarity with Zeraora. If he had known more about it, he wouldn't have battled that way.
But Pryce was a gracious loser. He handed Ron the Glacier Badge.
That made seven badges. Just one more, and he could enter the Silver Conference!