The Frozen Path - Pokémon SI

The storm howled, its relentless fury battering the battlefield. Ice shards sliced through the air, and the biting wind carried with it the ferocity of the Ice Age. From the maelstrom, two colossal water titans emerged, their sheer presence shifting the weight of the storm itself. They were living proof of the extraordinary sizes Pokémon could reach. Pryce's Dewgong was positively gigantic, its sleek, scarred form towering with an almost regal aura. Opposite it stood Chonk the Walrein, his bulk formidable despite not quite matching Dewgong's height. If Dewgong loomed, Chonk dominated, his massive frame radiating strength honed through countless battles.

The two titans locked eyes. Dewgong's slightly droopy, lazy gaze met Chonk's fiery intensity. Despite its imposing size, Dewgong seemed almost indifferent to the storm raging around it, as though the ferocious Ice Age was little more than a mild inconvenience. Chonk, by contrast, bristled with tension, every muscle taut as he faced his rival, the storm's fury mirrored in his determined glare.

Chonk snarled, his muscles tensing as the blizzard howled around them. Meanwhile, Dewgong blinked slowly, almost lazily, as shards of ice and razor-sharp hailstones rained down upon its sleek form. The jagged edges cut into its scarred hide, leaving thin trails of blood, but Dewgong remained utterly unbothered. It slid slowly across the battlefield, its movements measured and deliberate, even as the Ice Age storm tried to batter it into submission.

Chonk let loose a thunderous roar, his massive bulk towering over other Walrein. His blue coat glistened under the icy haze, each ripple of his body radiating strength honed through battles and years of relentless training. Across the field, Pryce's Dewgong slid forward with a lazy grace, its snow-white form marked by deep scars—a history of countless battles and decades by Pryce's side.

"Dewgong, Rain Dance," Pryce ordered, his voice cutting through the gale.

Dewgong's tail struck the frozen ground with a powerful thud, sending a pulse of energy skyward. The oppressive cold from Ice Age seemed to waver as the storm clouds above shifted. The temperature rose ever so slightly, enough for rain to begin falling. Fat droplets cascaded down, pooling in the battlefield's central body of water and mingling with the melting ice.

Alex pointed forward. "Chonk, into the water. Let's show him what you've got!"

Chonk barreled forward, his tusks cracking the icy surface as he dove into the pool. Despite his immense size, he moved with remarkable agility, manipulating the currents to propel himself through the water with fluid grace. Dewgong followed, slipping beneath the surface with an almost detached calm, the water becoming an extension of its very being.

The two circled each other beneath the surface, their glowing eyes meeting in a silent test of wills. With a sudden burst of energy, they fired their opening salvos—Chonk's Hydro Pump roared through the water in a devastating blast, meeting Dewgong's Ice Beam in a collision of sheer force. The resulting explosion sent water and shards of ice skyward, drenching the arena's frozen battlefield.

Chonk surged forward, his tusks glowing as he fired another Ice Beam that carved through the water toward Dewgong. The Dewgong twisted lazily, the attack glancing off its thick hide as though it hadn't been fired at all. Another Hydro Pump followed, slamming into Dewgong with a concussive thud. The Sea Lion Pokémon barely reacted, its gaze fixed and aloof.

Alex narrowed his eyes. "He's not even trying. Chonk, push him harder!"

Pryce's calm voice came in response. "Patience, Alex. Dewgong's strength isn't in showing off. It's in enduring."

As if to emphasize the point, Dewgong yawned audibly, its disinterest almost mocking. It returned fire with another Ice Beam, the attack skimming across Chonk's flank. Despite the lack of force, the icy edge made its presence known.

Chonk growled, his frustration building. "Set up an Aqua Ring!" Alex commanded.

A shimmering halo of water surrounded Chonk, droplets clinging to his massive form and knitting together his injuries. Alex clenched his fists. "Now, Belly Drum!"

Chonk bellowed, slamming his flippers against his broad chest. The sound echoed like a war drum, reverberating through the arena. His energy surged, his body glowing faintly as his power reached its peak.

Dewgong finally stirred, its slightly droopy gaze sharpening as it watched Chonk charge forward

"Crunch!" Alex roared.

Chonk propelled himself forward with Aqua Jet, his tusks gleaming. Water churned violently as he closed the distance, his jaws snapping shut with bone-crushing force. The impact was catastrophic—Dewgong's body bucked under the sheer power of the attack, Chonk's tusks piercing its thick hide. For the first time in the battle, Dewgong's lazy expression twisted into a grimace of pain.

"Rest!" Pryce's command came sharply.

Dewgong closed its eyes, its body glowing faintly as the damage began to fade. The combination of its Hydration ability and the ongoing rain amplified the recovery, mending its injuries at an alarming rate. Within moments, the puncture wounds from Chonk's Crunch had all but disappeared.

"Stay on him, Chonk!" Alex yelled, his voice edged with desperation. "Don't give him time to recover!"

Chonk heaved himself forward again, his massive bulk surging through the water. He unleashed a relentless barrage—Rock Slide after Bulldoze, his powerful tail and tusks churning the battlefield into chaos. Each strike slammed into Dewgong, sending ripples and waves crashing through the pool. At one point, Chonk's bulk collided with Dewgong, his Body Slam flinging the older Pokémon from the water and onto the icy surface.

Dewgong's body hit the ground with a heavy thud, but it remained unfazed. The moment its flippers touched the ice, Dewgong opened it's eyes and after a moment it let out a long, audible yawn, as if unimpressed by the flurry of attacks. Then, to Alex's disbelief, Dewgong slid lazily back into the water and closed its eyes once more, falling into another Rest.

Alex clenched his fists, his frustration mounting. "He's playing with us."

"Not playing," Pryce corrected, his tone calm but commanding. "Dewgong's strength lies in patience and timing. He's teaching you a lesson, Alex."

Chonk growled low, his breath coming in heavy bursts. The relentless assault had taken its toll, and Alex could see his partner was starting to tire.

"Alright, Chonk," Alex said, his voice steady. "Time to finish this. Big Bertha."

Chonk spun in place, the water around him churning violently. His body glowed with an intense light that broke his aqua ring as he combined the relentless acceleration of Aqua Jet with the destructive force of Giga Impact. The roar of his charge split the air, a thunderous boom that silenced the falling rain. The pool churned violently, waves cresting and crashing as Chonk launched himself forward like a torpedo. His tusks glowed with raw power, cutting through the water with a force that made the entire arena tremble.

"Now!" Alex shouted.

Chonk's tusks collided with Dewgong in a catastrophic blow, the impact shattering the arena's surface ice into a thousand glistening fragments. The resulting shockwave rippled outward, sending icy spray cascading over the battlefield. Dewgong's body was hurled clear from the water, skidding across the icy terrain like a rocket until it slamed into the wall of the arena motionless. The storm itself seemed to still, as if even the Ice Age had been awed into silence.

Pryce raised Dewgong's Pokéball, recalling his partner with a soft sigh. His face bore no frustration, only quiet respect. "You should have seen him twenty years ago," he said, his voice tinged with nostalgia. "Even now, he's extraordinary. But time has a way of dulling even the sharpest edges."

Alex looked at Chonk, pride shining in his eyes despite his partner's exhaustion. "He was incredible," Alex said sincerely, meeting Pryce's gaze. "But so is Chonk."

Just then the battlefield began to settle as Ice age lost its strength. The blizzard dwindled to a whisper, and the icy shards suspended in the air melted into harmless droplets. Only the soft patter of rain from Dewgong's rain dance remained.

Chonk stood at the edge of the pool, his breaths coming in heavy, ragged bursts. His tusks drooped slightly, the once-bright gleam dulled by the usage of the unfinished move they just used and the barrage they had unleashed. Despite the toll, his eyes still burned with defiance.

Alex knelt down towards chonk, concern etched across his face. He hesitated for a moment, his voice soft but firm. "Chonk, you've done enough. Are you sure you want to keep going?"

Chonk raised his head, his gaze locking onto Alex. With a guttural bark, he let out a determined roar, his tone unyielding. He pawed the ground, his massive body swaying slightly but steady enough to send a clear message: he wasn't finished yet.

Alex stood, his worry melting into a faint smile. "Alright, buddy. Let's finish this together."

From across the battlefield, Pryce observed the exchange with quiet approval. Without a word, he reached for his next Pokéball. The click of the release echoed through the still air, followed by a brilliant flash. A Lapras emerged, its regal form towering gracefully as it surveyed the battlefield. Its shell gleamed, its sturdy edges etched with patterns of frost, and its calm eyes betrayed no hint of weakness.

"Lapras," Pryce said, his tone steady, "let's show them the power of precision. Freeze-Dry."

Alex's expression hardened. "Chonk, close the gap! Rock Smash!"

Chonk roared as he surged forward, his movements slower but no less purposeful. He propelled himself into the water, his massive frame carving through the pool with sheer determination. With a powerful swing of his flipper, he struck Lapras squarely on its shell. The blow landed solidly, sending a reverberating crack through the arena.

Lapras winced, but its serene demeanor didn't falter. Pryce gave a small nod. "Now."

The air around Lapras grew colder, an unnatural chill enveloping the battlefield. The raindrops began to crystallize mid-descent, transforming into glistening shards of ice. Lapras opened its mouth, releasing a concentrated beam of energy that shimmered with a ghostly frost. The Freeze-Dry attack struck Chonk head-on.

The effect was immediate. Chonk let out a pained roar as the freezing energy bypassed his thick blubber, piercing directly into his body. Frost crept along his fur, each movement becoming more labored under the weight of the cold.

"Push through, Chonk!" Alex shouted. "Another Rock Smash!"

With a Herculean effort, Chonk shook off the frost clinging to his form. He lunged at Lapras once more, his tusks glinting faintly in the dim light. Another Rock Smash connected, sending a ripple through Lapras's sturdy frame. The attack left another mark, a deeper crack forming on its shell.

"Freeze-Dry again," Pryce commanded.

The chill intensified, the frost now visible in the air as Lapras unleashed another Freeze-Dry. The beam struck Chonk with pinpoint accuracy, wrapping him in an aura of icy energy. The biting cold overwhelmed his defenses, freezing even the water vapor clinging to his fur. His roars grew weaker, his legs faltering under the relentless assault.

Alex's fists clenched, his voice breaking with emotion. "Come on, Chonk! You've got this!"

But even as Alex called out, Chonk's body buckled. His mighty frame collapsed into the pool, frost clinging stubbornly to his blubber. He finally fainted, his strength utterly spent.

Alex reached for Chonk's Pokéball, his voice heavy but filled with pride. "You've done enough, buddy. Rest."

The beam of red light enveloped Chonk, drawing him back into the safety of the ball. Alex straightened, his shoulders set, his eyes locking onto Pryce with renewed determination. The score between them was now 2-3.