Last time, Misty won the Princess Festival and Jessie captured Likitung. As the group marches forward, they find themselves in a small town.
"Hey Brock," said Ash, "where's the next gym?"
"Well," Brock replied, "we've just entered Fighting Town. There is a hidden Gym in this town. Few have seen it because on the outside it's invisible. No one has ever won the badge either."
"No one until now," Ash replied as the others sweat drop, "but is it a required badge?" he asked.
"No, but it can transport you to any town you choose." Replied Brock
"Wow!" said Misty, "Forget it Ash. If this gym leader is smart enough to hide the gym so well, there's no way you can sucker them into giving you a sympathy badge."
As Ash launched into his "I'll be the greatest Pokemon master" speech, and prepared to search for the gym, the others sweat dropped and Pikachu sighs. Unknown to the group, a Machoke watches them from behind a tree. Unknown to the Machoke, three sets of eyes peer down at it.
"Prepare for trouble!" shouted Jessie
"Make it double!" added James
"Shut up!" exclaimed Meowth, "Dat Machoke has the emblem of the ice gym. If we follow it, it will lead us right to the gym filled with power packed fighting Pokemon.
"Ash," complained Misty, "we've searched the whole town! The gym is probably a myth."
Just then, the Machoke emerged from the bushes.
"Ma Machoke." It said
"Pikachu, translate." Said Ash
After a few minutes, Ash announced, "Machoke will take us to the ice gym."
Above them in the trees, Team Rocket anxiously watched.
"Those brats will lead us to the gym." James noted.
"The fighting Pokemon are ours!" exclaimed Jessie
"It's just an empty lot!" exclaimed Ash as Machoke motioned to the group.
Machoke walked into the lot and vanished. The group did the same and found themselves in a gym that resembled a forest. Vines suddenly swished out of the way allowing two forms to enter. They were a Hitmonlee and the gym leader.
The leader said, "I am Hayla, leader of the ice gym. I use fighting Pokemon in combat.
Hayla was tall with short purple hair. A gold headband with a dangling ruby heart charm donned her forehead. A matching belt wrapped around her fuchsia dress.
"What badge am I fighting for?" asked Ash
"You seek the ice ring." She replied. With that she flipped the opposite hand around producing a small ring. It was an emerald in the shape of a sideways diamond with a wide gold trim.
"That's it?" asked Ash as the others face fell.
"Don't you see?" said a furious Hayla, "It can transport you and your Pokemon to any town!"
"So?" said Ash, "Your wimpy ring doesn't even affect Pokemon. This gym is so lame!"
Hitmonlee swiftly kicked Ash across the room.
"Never insult this gym!" snapped Hayla, her aqua eyes narrowed, "Let's begin the battle. Remember, once you battle with me you will never be able to find this gym again."
"When I win," said Ash in his "I have badges" voice, "I won't care about this dinky place."
The others sweat dropped and backed off as Hitmonlee kicked Ash to the battle platform and into battle.
"Hitmonchan, go! Use Mega Punch!" cried Hayla
"Pikachu, use your Thundershock!" yelled Ash
Hitmonchan drove a punch into Pikachu, knocking it flat.
"Pikachu come back! Go Squirtle! Yelled Ash
"Geodude go! Shouted Hayla
Squirtle's water gun did a fair amount of damage before Geodude used Sisemic Toss throwing Squirtle into a faint.
"Hitmonlee prepare for battle!" Hayla shouted
Hitmonlee (who hated being in a pokeball) jumped into action when Jessie's voice boomed, "Prepare for trouble!" four ropes appeared from nowhere binding up Hitmonlee.
"Our boss will love this one!" laughed James
"Never!" yelled Hayla as she released her fighting Pokemon. Machoke, Primeape, Hitmonchan, and Geodude came out. Team Rocket's ropes quickly captured them.
"I challenge you to a match!" declared Ash
Then Hayla whispered to Misty, "While they battle, release one of your Pokemon to break the ropes and free my Pokemon."
"I love your Geodude!" declared Brock as he trampled Misty and indtroduced himself at the worst possible time, "Wanna see my Vulpix? Or maybe my, OW!" he yelped as Misty smacked him.
In the battle with Team Rocket, Ash was loosing to Jessie's Likitung.
"Liki!" it declared happily as it paralyzed Bulbasaur.
"Go Staryu." Misty whispered as Psyduck popped out of one of her pokeballs. "Psyduck?" Misty whispered, "Oh well, while you're out, break those ropes and free the Pokemon."
"Duuck." It replied as it shredded the ropes.
"Monlee!" Hitmonlee cried as it launched itself at Likitung dodging every attack. Finally Hitmonlee lashed out with its right leg, jumping high into the air and sent Team Rocket flying.
"Looks like Team Rocket's Blasting off again!" they shouted as they disappeared in a twinkle of light.
"Time to finish our match. One more Pokemon for each of us." Hayla said, "Hitmonlee, go!"
"Pidgeotto, I choose you!" Ash declared, "Pidgeotto, Wing attack!"
"Hitmonlee, rolling kick!" shouted Hayla
Pidgeotto never scratched Hitmonlee as it kicked Pidgeotto into a faint.
"I lost." Said Ash about to cry, "Wait! I started the battle with Team Rocket to distract them. Does that count for anything?" he added as the others face fell.
"You wish." Hayla giggled.
The group moved to the door preparing to leave.
"Farewell," said Hayla, "you will never find this gym again. It will vanish before your eyes."
The green stone on her own ice ring glowed brightly. Then a blinding green flash exploded from the ring. When the group opened their eyes, the gym, Hayla, and everything but an empty lot was gone.
"I'll just beat her next time." Ash said as the others face fell.
Read the next chapters to read more about Hayla and her journeys.