GS121: As Cold as Pryce

is the 28th episode of Pokémon: Master Quest.
==Synopsis==
Finally setting foot in Mahogany Town, Ash is anxious to set about winning his next badge. When he finally locates the town gym leader, Pryce, he is surprised to recognize the man, having previously exchanged differing opinions on the proper nature of relationships between Pokémon and trainer. The embittered gym leader maintains his position that Pokémon must be controlled rather than trusted, must remain servants and never friends. When a natural catastrophe sends Ash and Pryce hurtling deep into the depths of the earth—and equally deep into the recesses of this gym leader's mysterious past—the two confront the Piloswine that loyally served Pryce long ago. In this lost Pokémon Ash recognizes the seed that might bring about a change of heart in Pryce.
==Episode plot==
The heroes came to Mahogany Town and Ash is prepared for his Gym match. However, they do not see anyone at the Gym. An older woman greets them, introducing herself as Sheila. She reports that the Gym Leader, Pryce, meditates under a waterfall during the morning. Shelia decides to take them to the waterfall. The heroes are pleased, but suddenly notice she is already at the next hill. Team Rocket overheard this and decide to follow them. While Shelia managed to jump from rock to rock, the heroes hadn't got that luck and their body party ache. Sheila points at the old man, who is Pryce. Ash remembers he met him when his Dewgong protected them from the red Gyarados, then scolded him. The heroes are surprised he is the Gym Leader, but Ash wants the battle. Team Rocket also had the trouble of following Shelia and the heroes. Sheila introduces Ash to Pryce, who sees Pikachu is still out. Ash tells Pikachu is his buddy, making Pryce scold him for being a friend with him.
Pryce thinks it would be a waste of time to battle with Ash, since Pokémon should feel intense, and one shouldn't have an emotional bond with them, else bad judgments in battle would be made. Ash thinks Pryce is wrong, as through that bond a trainer and Pokémon can achieve their best. Pryce sees he has to prove him wrong, sending a Dewgong. Ash sends Phanpy, confident it is ready to battle. Phanpy starts by rolling out, but gets frozen by Ice Beam. Pryce calls Dewgong back, pointing that Ash lost because he used his heart instead of his brain to battle. Pryce sees a Gym battle would be a waste of his and Ash's time. Ash follows him, but Sheila warns him it is not safe to go alone into he mountains. As Ash tries to find Pryce, Pikachu got lost, as well as Team Rocket. Still, Team Rocket chant their motto, while Pikachu comes to Ash.
Team Rocket goes to get Pikachu, but trip over a rock and roll out. Ash and Pikachu run, but stop at an end of a cliff. Pryce comes and wants to know who would want to steal Pokémon. Team Rocket still wants Pikachu, so Weezing uses Smokescreen. Pryce goes to take Ash away, but the rock cracks, causing both of them to fall down. Ash sends Totodile and Noctowl; Noctowl carries Pryce to the ground, while Totodile's Water Gun eases Ash and Pikachu's fall. Totodile fainted, as it used too much of Water Gun. While Ash tells Totodile he will be fine, Team Rocket hesitates to climb down. Misty, Brock and Sheila detect them arguing on the cliff. Team Rocket disperse, so Misty, Brock and Sheila yell to get Ash's and Pryce's attention. Despite the depth, Sheila knows how to get down.
Pryce gives Totodile some herbs. Totodile is a bit disgusted, but is cured and happy. Ash thanks Pryce, who is impressed by Ash's dealing in stressful situation. Ash knows he owes that to Noctowl and Totodile, since they plan together. Pryce sees that he might be true, but a discipline in a battle is a must. Sheila tells Brock and Misty. Pryce was a good trainer, whose bonds with Pokémon were like family. However, he began training Ice Pokémon with a lot of discipline, with a cold heart, hence the name Icy Pryce. Sheila grabs the rope and jumps down, cheerfully. Pryce notices a tunnel, which was created when Totodile used Water Gun on the ground. Pikachu notices an object, which Pryce recognizes. He recognizes that used to be his Piloswine's bracelet.
Sheila and Pryce recite Pryce's story: he was like Ash once, being with a strong bond with his Pokémon. He and Piloswine were a great match, defeating a lot of trainers. They went against a Magmar, though Piloswine was ready to battle. Piloswine used Take Down, but was hit by Flamethrower. Magmar used Fire Blast, so Pryce went to protect Piloswine. Pryce and Piloswine received burn marks. Pryce apologized to Piloswine, who went away. Pryce saw that Piloswine went away, leaving him crushed. Pryce admits that he stopped being friendly with Pokémon, hence his nickname. Ash and Pryce continue through the ice tunnel and managed to come to an icy cave. Also, they notice something frozen.
Ash and Pryce come to it, noticing it is Pryce's Piloswine, though frozen. Ash notices some herbs and now knows Piloswine went to get these herbs to heal the burn marks, but fell down a cliff. Pryce sees the truth and asks Piloswine for forgiveness. Ash's Cyndaquil uses Flamethrower to melt the ice. Once done, Pikachu zaps Piloswine, waking it up. Piloswine remembers Pryce, who sees that friendships continue on and hugs Piloswine. Piloswine is weak, so Pryce orders it to rest, which renews Piloswine. Ash and Pryce come out of the cave, showing Misty, Brock and Sheila Piloswine. Team Rocket comes down, sending Weezing and Arbok. Pryce will not allow Pikachu to be stolen, since Piloswine owes its life to him. Piloswine takes down Arbok, then uses Fury Attack on Weezing. Piloswine's Blizzard freezes Arbok and Weezing, while a Thunderbolt from Pikachu blasts Team Rocket off.
Later, Ash asks Pryce for a Gym battle. Pryce refuses, but advises Ash to get some rest before battling tomorrow. Misty and Brock wish Ash luck, who already plans on winning his 7th badge.
==Debuts==
===Character===
*Sheila
===Pokémon===
*Pryce's Piloswine
==Trivia==
*The "Who's that Pokémon?" is Magneton.
*The title is a reference to the phrase and the Foreigner song "Cold As Ice".
==Gallery==
==References==