Meeting Grusha

Grusha and Scottie were having a battle in a town on Pasio.

Great battle, you two!

I really felt the fiery passion you put into your Pokémon battles!

I see...

If that's how you felt, then I guess I've made some progress.

What do you mean?

Lately, I've been wanting to put more of myself into being a Gym Leader.

Is that so?

In that case, I've got your back as a fellow Pokémon Trainer...

Er, I mean, as a fellow Gym Leader, and I'll challenge you to electrifying battles!

Seems like you're going through some stuff yourself.

You could say that.

Oh, sorry. We got carried away with our conversation.

Thanks, Scottie. I'm glad we got to battle.

It reminded me of how passionate and fun Pokémon battles can be.

And there's something about you that reminds me of that one challenger...

Excuse me. Sorry to interrupt.

Are you by chance Grusha the snowboarder?

Who are you?

Sorry, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Malva.

I'm a news reporter in Kalos and a member of the Elite Four of the Pokémon League.

A member of the Kalos Elite Four, huh...

I have a friend who's also a Fire-type Pokémon user and an Elite Four member, but you seem pretty different from him.

*chuckle* I've heard about your friend.

So...

what does a news reporter from Kalos want from me?

As someone in the media, I've known about your fame for quite some time now.

So, I wanted to chat with you.

After all, you're not just a young, talented Gym Leader in Paldea...

You're also the second-best snowboarder in the world...

Ah, excuse me.

I meant "former" snowboarder.

What are you trying to say?

Sorry. It seems I still had the past news reports about you on my mind...

I apologize if I made you feel uncomfortable in any way.

I was just curious if you were at all interested in returning to snowboarding.

I won't hang on to a dream I've already given up on.

My path as a snowboarder has been closed off...

But now, I have Pokémon battles, that's the path I've chosen.

I met a Trainer in Paldea who I battled with full force, but I lost to them anyway. It made me feel...frustrated.

They were just like Scottie, who I battled earlier.

... ... ...

Right now, I want to become stronger as a Gym Leader. I don't plan on making a comeback as a snowboarder.

All right. But...

I can see in your eyes that the fire you once had as a snowboarder is still smoldering.

...!

Or is it a flame of rage toward the fact that your dream was taken away for a reason you just can't accept?

A flame that looks close to being extinguished but just won't go out...

It's very fascinating.

Hey, don't you think you're going too far?

I'll be keeping my eye on you, Grusha.

A few days later...

Oh... Hey, Scottie.

Are you worried about me?

I keep thinking about what that woman said to me.

I'm so uncool...

I can't believe I'm letting what she said get to me. I thought I'd gotten over everything.

Worried about me?

Oh? Who?

I'm honestly not really in the mood to talk...but sure, let's do it.

Maybe I'll at least feel a little better.

You must be Grusha. I've been wanting to meet you.

We wanted to speak to you as fellow Ice-type Gym Leaders.

Then you two must be...

Precisely. I'm Pryce, Gym Leader of Mahogany Town in Johto.

And I'm Brycen, former Gym Leader of Icirrus City in Unova.

We heard about your situation, Grusha.

You were once an accomplished professional snowboarder, but you had no choice but to give up on that career.

... ... ...

Yeah, that's right. If you got something you wanna say to me, too...

I've been where you are.

Huh?

It was a different path than yours, but I once had to retire from my career as an actor.

I challenged myself to perform a dangerous stunt and ended up badly injuring myself. I was young and overconfident back then.

If you think you've got what it takes, come take me on!

Young and overconfident, huh...

Afterward, I devoted myself to being a Gym Leader for a while...

But eventually, I was able to return to the career I had retired from and act again.

I'm not saying I understand everything you're going through...

but as someone who has experienced failure and suffered setbacks, I can say this...

The present isn't everything.

Easy for you to say, you've already overcome your challenges.

That's true.

However, your past experiences are an asset.

I believe that everything that happened in the past, our failures and our successes, makes us who we are in the present.

Yes... That's correct.

I was able to return to acting during my time as a Gym Leader...

because I acknowledged my failures and recognized that I still had a lot to learn.

So, Grusha...

There's no need for you to completely throw away your passion for snowboarding. Wouldn't you agree?

Your past failures and aspirations are important things that have shaped who you are right now.

I'm certain these experiences and emotions will help you on your path as a Gym Leader.

Besides...

you still don't know where the course of your life will take you, do you?

Well...

"There is strength in being with other people and Pokémon."

"Receiving their support makes you stronger."

My mentor told me that when I was feeling down after my injury.

Strength in being with Pokémon...

One may feel discouraged in the midst of a harsh winter.

But eventually, the snow will melt, and a warm spring will arrive... That's what life is all about.

There's no need for you to worry.

There are people and Pokémon by your side who will support you, right?

Judging from your looks...I didn't expect you two to say such cool things.

But...thank you.

My path looked hazy at first, but I think it's starting to clear up now.

You're right... I just have to keep moving forward.

Sorry to bother you, Cetitan...but could you help me out with something?

A few days later...

Oh? We meet again.

Hi, Grusha.

Good timing. I was just thinking about asking you to battle me.

Oh, why's that?

I acknowledge what you said to me the other day.

I haven't completely thrown away my identity as a snowboarder.

... ... ...

But because of that...

I've solidified my decision to focus on being a Gym Leader.

Wouldn't it be uncool if I gave in to being a Gym Leader just 'cause I had no other choice?

Yes, that's true.

The slopes I went down as a pro snowboarder weren't for nothing.

I want to focus on the slope ahead of me...and I'll use what I've learned from my past failures and successes to make sure I don't wipe out.

It might lead me to a bright future or a steep fall... I don't know.

I'll still make it all the way to the end, no matter what twists and turns the snow-capped mountains throw at me.

I'll ride this course of life with everyone, including my Pokémon.

I see...

What an impressive goal. I can feel your heart burning up with determination.

So, with all that said...

I want to challenge you to a battle to prove that I'm not all just talk. Is that cool with you?

Yes, of course.

My emotions are so inflamed now.

The fire within you right now... I'm not against it, personally.

I don't get you... You tried to pick a fight with me earlier, and now you're suddenly praising me...

Well, whatever.

I'll chill you to the bone... I just want to know what your true intention is.