The Frozen Path - Pokémon SI

Manny - Mamoswine

Hama - Jynx

Laufey - Baxcalibur

Vandall - Weavile

Chonk - Walrein

Hestia - Blissey

Shiver - Froslass

Victor (Mr. Freeze) - Glalie

Nessie - Lapras

Everest - Abomasnow

Iroh - Galarian Darmanitan

Edgar - Corviknight

Snom

Eevee

Alolan Vulpix

The battlefield hung heavy with tension, the cold air biting as the aftermath of Chonk's final attack settled in. Alex remained quiet on the opposite side of the field, his expression unreadable as he recalled Chonk. There was no shame in his partner's defeat—Chonk had fought valiantly. But now, Alex was done playing around.

"You know," Alex began, his voice calm but carrying an edge that made even Pryce's seasoned composure falter slightly, "you always taught me to pace myself in a battle. To think two, three moves ahead, to plan for the worst."

He paused, glancing down at the remaining Pokéballs on his belt. Their polished surfaces gleamed faintly in the dim light, each containing a trusted partner. But as his fingers brushed against them, he let out a low, almost amused laugh.

"But you see, Grandpa, I don't think I'll need these tactics right now."

Pryce's sharp gaze narrowed, and a faint flicker of unease crossed his face. "Confidence can be dangerous, Alex," he said evenly. "Underestimating an opponent is the quickest way to lose."

Alex stepped forward, the crunch of his boots on frost-covered ground echoing through the quiet arena. His eyes burned with a quiet ferocity as he met Pryce's gaze head-on.

"Oh, I'm not underestimating you. I know exactly how strong you are. And I know how strong your Lapras and the rest of your team are."

He reached for the Ultra Ball at his belt, lifting it slowly, deliberately.

"But what you don't understand," Alex continued, his voice dropping to a near-growl, "is that we've been holding back. Up until now, I've been playing your game. Thinking strategically, staying cautious, trying to outlast you."

His hand tightened around the Ultra Ball, the faint vibration within almost electric.

"But not anymore. Because I've got something that doesn't just turn the tide—it ends the fight. Here. Now."

A flicker of surprise crossed Pryce's face, quickly masked by his usual stoicism. "One Pokémon to decide everything?" he asked, his voice carrying a note of challenge. "That's bold. Reckless, even."

Alex smirked, his confidence radiating as he tossed the Ultra Ball into the air.

"Not reckless," he said, his voice firm. "Decisive."

The ball erupted in a blinding flash of icy light, the air around it twisting with raw energy. The temperature plummeted instantly, frost spreading in jagged veins across the battlefield. The light faded, and the ground groaned under the massive weight of what now stood on the field.

Standing at a towering six meters, more than triple the size of a normal Baxcalibur, Laufey's monstrous form exuded a primal, almost otherworldly presence. His obsidian-black scales shimmered under the faint arena lights, each etched with intricate patterns of frost. The axe-like spine along his back glowed faintly, as if molten energy coursed beneath its icy surface, casting eerie shadows that danced across the battlefield. His piercing yellow eyes burned with a feral intensity, locking onto Lapras with the unyielding focus of a predator eyeing its next prey.

The earth cracked beneath Laufey's massive claws as he shifted his weight, each movement deliberate and powerful. His tail, thick and spined with frost-coated ridges, swayed behind him, carving deep grooves into the ice as though the terrain itself was insignificant under his mass. Every breath he took exhaled clouds of icy mist that froze midair before falling to the ground like shattered glass.

Pryce took a step back, his usual composure faltering for just a moment. "What… is that thing?" he murmured, his voice low, almost disbelieving.

"This," Alex said, his voice filled with pride and menace, "is Laufey. The apex of Ice and Dragon, forged through battles you couldn't imagine and tempered on our journeys. He's not just any Pokémon, Grandpa. He's my ace."

As if on cue, Laufey tilted his massive head and unleashed a roar that shook the very walls of the gym. It was no mere cry—it was the sound of glaciers cracking, of ice pillars crumbling under their own weight. The barriers protecting the arena flickered under the force, and a wave of icy wind blasted outward, freezing the very air in its path.

Lapras flinched. It was subtle, a mere shift in its posture, but the regal Ice-type had felt it: the crushing pressure of a true apex predator.

Pryce gritted his teeth, his knuckles white as they gripped his cane. "Lapras, Ice Beam!"

Lapras responded instantly, releasing a brilliant stream of freezing energy. The attack streaked toward Laufey, but it didn't stop him. He leaned into the attack, the frost clinging briefly to his scales before melting away as his glowing spine flared brighter. His steps were slow and deliberate, the earth cracking beneath him with every movement.

Pryce's sharp eyes widened slightly as he noticed the rhythm in Laufey's movements. "Is he…" His voice trailed off, tinged with incredulity. "He's using Dragon Dance while advancing?"

Alex's grin turned razor-sharp. "He doesn't just fight. He dominates. And he doesn't need me to tell him to get stronger. That's just who he is."

Pryce barked another order. "Hydro Pump!"

Lapras took significantly longer than usual to prepare this attack. After a couple of seconds, a massive torrent of water surged toward Laufey, roaring with destructive force, but the massive dragon didn't slow. Instead, he braced himself; when the water hit, Laufey was sent back a couple of inches before scoffing slightly. Then he started pushing through, his aura growing more intense with every step.

"Dragon Claw," Alex commanded, his voice calm and absolute.

Laufey's claws ignited with brilliant draconic energy as he surged forward, his massive frame a blur despite his size. With a single, devastating strike, his claws tore through the icy battlefield, slamming into Lapras with the force of a collapsing glacier. The Ice-type was hurled backward, skidding across the shattered ice before coming to a stop.

Alex's voice rang out, steady and commanding. "Glaive Rush."

Laufey lowered his head, the earth itself seemed to groan in protest as he charged, each step shattering the ground beneath him. When the impact came, it was disastrous. Ice and shards of frozen earth exploded outward in a deafening crash, and when the dust settled, Lapras was motionless.

Pryce's hands trembled slightly as he recalled Lapras, his voice low but filled with a mix of awe and resignation. "That Pokémon is a freak of nature."

He straightened, the edge returning to his tone. "But don't think I'm finished yet, boy. I've still got two Pokémon left, and I'm not handing you this victory without a fight."

Pryce's next choice was quickly brought out with a confident flick of a Pokéball. Out came Cloyster, its shell tightly shut and gleaming with an icy, metallic sheen.

"Cloyster, reinforce with Iron Defense!" Pryce ordered. The shell of Cloyster thickened and shone even brighter, its surface now appearing impenetrable as it prepared to absorb any physical attack.

Alex's sharp eyes fixated on the powered-up shell. "Laufey, take that defense down with Dragon Claw!"

Laufey surged forward, his enormous claws glowing with draconic energy as they came crashing down on Cloyster's shell. The clash of energy and hardened defense shook the arena, sending vibrations through the icy floor, but when the dust cleared, the shell remained completely unscathed. Not even a crack had formed on its surface.

Frustrated by the lack of progress, Laufey growled loudly, his annoyance evident in the guttural sound. Sensing his partner's irritation, Alex kept his voice calm but firm. "Don't let up! Keep attacking!"

The air filled with the repeated crashes of Laufey's powerful claws slamming into Cloyster's shell. Each strike was heavier than the last, delivered with rising intensity, yet every time, the shell absorbed the impact with stoic resilience. The frustration in Laufey's growl deepened, his frost-tipped tail flicking behind him in irritation.

Pryce allowed a slight smirk to cross his face as he issued his next command. "Cloyster, now use Protect!"

A shimmering barrier enveloped Cloyster, forming a sparkling shield that deflected Laufey's next strike entirely. The impact sent Laufey stepping back, shaking his head in visible dissatisfaction. The continued failures to breach Cloyster's defenses, coupled with the shield, were beginning to wear on him.

Recognizing the need for a change in approach, Alex's expression sharpened as he gave a new order. "Laufey, use Earthquake, send him to the sky!"

With a powerful stomp, Laufey sent seismic waves rippling across the battlefield. The ground beneath Cloyster trembled violently, cracks splintering across the ice. The force was so great that Cloyster was launched into the air, its shell still tightly closed but now completely at Laufey's mercy.

"Now, Laufey, end this!" Alex commanded.

Laufey's massive tail swung like a batter in perfect form, striking Cloyster mid-air with a calculated and devastating blow. The force sent Cloyster hurtling across the arena. It crashed into the far wall with a deafening thud, embedding deeply into the cracked ice, its shell stuck and immobilized.

Pryce stared at the unfortunate state of his Pokémon, then let out a resigned sigh and recalled Cloyster. "Well executed, Alex. I didn't anticipate that use of the arena," he admitted, his tone a mix of admiration and defeat.

Without hesitation, Pryce released his final Pokémon, Weavile. The sleek, dark-clawed creature landed lightly on the battlefield, its crimson eyes narrowing as it took in Laufey's towering form. Despite the overwhelming size and aura of the Baxcalibur, Weavile exuded confidence, darting from side to side with an almost playful air. Its agile movements left faint trails across the frost-covered battlefield, a display of its speed and poise.

"Weavile, use Agility!" Pryce commanded sharply.

Weavile immediately blurred into motion, its sleek body moving so quickly it became a near-invisible streak of energy. Enhanced by Agility, the Dark-type zipped effortlessly across the battlefield, giving the illusion of being everywhere at once. Its earlier hesitation faded into boldness, as if the boost in speed had erased all doubt.

Alex stood silently, unfazed by the display. Laufey's piercing yellow eyes followed Weavile's movements with calm precision, his massive frame unmoving. He had seen this tactic countless times before—Vandall, Alex's own Weavile, had used it many times in training battles. Laufey knew exactly how this would end.

Pryce seized the moment. "Now, Weavile, Night Slash!"

In a blur, Weavile closed the gap between them, its claws glowing with dark energy as it lunged at Laufey. The attack connected cleanly with the side of Laufey's face, a sharp crack echoing across the arena.

But the result was not what Weavile—or Pryce—had expected.

Laufey's massive head tilted slightly from the impact, his cheek bearing only the faintest mark where the claws had landed. He slowly turned his piercing gaze to Weavile, his expression calm and entirely unimpressed. It was as if he was staring down a child who had thrown a pebble at him.

Weavile froze mid-motion, its smirk vanishing as it realized the full extent of the disparity between them. Its wide-eyed gaze flickered between Laufey's towering figure and Pryce, a mix of confusion and fear now evident in its stance.

"Keep moving, Weavile!" Pryce urged, his voice edged with concern. "Don't let him catch you!"

Alex, however, had no intention of dragging the fight out. He smirked knowingly. "Laufey, finish this. Breaking Swipe."

Laufey's massive tail, thick and coated in frost-tipped spines, whipped through the air with devastating force. The swing was swift and deliberate, leaving no room for escape. The tail struck Weavile squarely, sending the smaller Pokémon flying like a ragdoll. It tumbled through the air before crashing into the icy ground, skidding to a stop just feet from Pryce's position. It lay motionless, utterly defeated in a single strike.