Sinnoh Part 20

On the way to Solaceon Town, they stop by a Pokemon Day Care, which is the house of Angie, a friend they made in the Summer Camp. They also learn the news of the Scarf Monster, which turns out to be a Lickilicky from her Day Care. This also worries Angie since a Day Care isn't supposed to help evolving a Pokemon, not only that, Team Rocket is trying to steal the Pokemon again, but with the help of Ash and his friends, they are blasting off again. And in the end, the trainer likes the have the new Lickilikcy, which makes Angie better for the whole thing.

And during their journey to Hearthome City, they met with the Elite 4 member Aaron, who specializes in Bug Type. The group decides to watch the practice, once it is over, they decide to go meet him.

"Oh my, aren't you two Cynthia's daughters?" Aaron is surprised to see Verity and Emily, as they confirm it and also introduces the others to him. "So you are the famous Ash Ketchum, it is a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise." Ash says.

And Aaron decides to show them around the training center, which he would consider an honor from those who are related to Cynthia as well as the friends.

At Aaron's center by the lake, Ash, Dawn and Brock look out at the view with Aaron and Skorupi. They also see a lot of Bug Type Pokemon. Ash and Lillie also send out their Bug Type Pokemon, Skorupi, Vespiquen, Combee, Wormadam, Mothim and Yanmega out.

Aaron then goes and trains himself, explaining that his Pokémon would have a field day making fun of him if he didn't train as hard as them. Ash jumps on the bike, determined to train as well.

During the training, Ash's female Combee and Skorupi evolve into Vespiquen and Drapion, which they are very happy about.

Sinnoh Dex Entry No.30 Vespiquen: The Beehive Pokemon: Bug and Flying Type. Evolved from Female Combee at LV:21. It releases various pheromones to make the grubs in its body do its bidding while fighting foes.

Sinnoh Dex Entry No.66 Drapion: The Orge Scorpion Pokemon: Poison and Dark Type. Evolved from Skorupi at LV:40. Possessing a sturdy build, it takes pride in its strength, taking down foes without using toxins.

Just then, they hear a music and Lillie asks, "What is that?"

"It must be the sound of the Kricketune." Aaron says while taking a towel from Skorupi, "They are great musicians."

As he shows them the Pokemon outside the training center, they see a lot of wild Kricketune are playing music. Dawn notices that Aaron is watching a photo, which has a Wurmple in it.

Aaron told them that Wurmple was his first capture, in the forest nearby. He had grown up in town and would sneak out to the forest as much as he could. As a small kid, he really liked to climb trees. One day he challenged himself to climb the lengthiest tree in the forest. However, once he got to the top, he realized how tall it was and how he could never climb down, but luckily there was a Wurmple on the tree who was able to help him, getting him safely down. Aaron grabbed Wurmple and hugged it in thanks. Aaron reveals that he and Wurmple were best friends and shows them photo albums of the two growing up.

"That is amazing." Lillie says. "I remember that we also have a Butterfree and it is one of our early captures."

Lucas asks where Wurmple currently is, but before he again answer, a giant suction hose activates, swallowing up all the Pokemon outside.

"What is going on?" Aaron demands, and then Team Rocket appears.

"Those guys sure are annoying." Gladion sighs.

James and Jessie just gloat about successfully swiping Elite Four and twerp Pokémon. Aaron leaps into the air and nearly catches the balloon, but Seviper's Haze blinds him and he crashes to the ground. Team Rocket's balloon disappears over the tree tops as the friends rush to Aaron's aid. Ash decides that they have to follow after.

Jessie and James continue to gloat over their victory, but suddenly their balloon starts to rock as Pikachu, Piplup, Vespiquen and Drapion unleash their attacks on the inside of the huge tank holding them. The tank begins to smoke and spark and the balloon goes down.

Aaron is almost beside himself with anger at the theft of his Pokémon, but snaps back to reality at Lucas's words. He reveals that as a small kid, he was a real crybaby, and he was horrible at battling. After a loss to a Trainer, he blamed it on Wurmple, saying that Wurmple was weak, and ran off before Wurmple could reply. He later felt so awful that he ran back later in the day but it was too late and his best friend had gone.

It was this, Aaron reveals, that drove him to work with every Bug type he could until he could master their language, but he never wants to go through the pain of losing another friend, which is why he needs to recover Vespiquen, Drapion and Skorupi.

Once they finally find the crashing Team Rocket's balloon, they see that the Pokemon leading by Pikachu are fighting against Team Rocket's Pokemon. Aaron, Ash and the others arrive. Aaron pauses and recognizes a nearby tree as the one where he met Wurmple for the first time.

Before Team Rocket can use the suction tank again, a Solar Beam blasts out from nearby and obliterates the mecha, ending the only that, a Gras Whistle also makes Team Rocket asleep. It turns out that a Beautifly and a Kricketune are the ones who are responsible for this. In the end, a combination of both Pokemon's Bug Buzz send Team Rocket flying.

Aaron thanks Beautifly for its help and Beautifly rejoins his team. As for Kricketune, it goes towards Ash and Lillie. "You want to come with us?"

Kricketune nods and Lillie throws the Pokeball, capture the Pokemon.

Sinnoh Dex Entry No.25 Kricktot: The Cricket Pokemon: Bug Type. Its legs are short. Whenever it stumbles, its stiff antennae clack with a xylophone-like sound.

Sinnoh Dex Entry No.26 Kricketune: The Cricket Pokemon: Bug Type. Evolved from Kricketot at LV:10. There is a village that hosts a contest based on the amazingly variable cries of this Pokémon.

Once it is done, they bid farewell to each other as they continue their journey.

As they watch another battle, Cynthia has defeated Aaron and Verity says, "Looks like Mom wins again."

Tox says, "It sure isn't surprising, since Aunt Cynthia is strong indeed."

Just then, they notice Paul also watching the match. Then he comes to ask Ash about Chimchar's Blaze, remembering how the Ability made Chimchar fly into a rage before. Ash pushes it off saying that he does not need to rely on it, and Paul leaves without a word.

"Now we should be training for the Hearthome Gym." Ash says, "Lillie, I will need your help again, since you got her badge while I didn't."

"Sure." Lillie says.

Nearby, Paul tries to read, but notices Ash's training. Ash and Lillie's Pokémon continue to practice as Paul takes a closer look. Ash's three Pokémon fly back and crash into Ash, knocking him down.

"It seems like your tactics are doing well." Lucas says. "But you still need to hold back moves from connecting."

"I know." Ash says, "Gladion, how about I train with you this time?"

"Sure." Gladion shrugs as he sends out his Pokemon.

Lillie notices Paul watching and decides to talk to him. "It is a disappointment if Chimchar didn't use Blaze for training." Paul tells her.

"But Ash didn't need to do this in order to win. We met your brother Reggie and we also saw the achievements, but I notice that there is not Brave Symbol in it."

Paul explains how Reggie had powered his way through the Kanto Battle Frontier, however a single loss at the Battle Pyramid made him decide to give up being a Trainer altogether. Paul clearly detests Reggie's lack of bitterness and states that he wants to be a better Trainer than his brother.

While Ash and his Pokémon take a moment to regroup from training, Paul and Lillie approach. Chimchar is scared at the sight of its former Trainer, but Piplup and Turtwig step up to protect their friend.

"It seems like your training methods is no different than me." Paul says.

"That's not true at all." Ash says. "I am just training for the Hearthome Gym."

Paul shows him the badge, causing him to be irritated, but as Lillie also shows him her badge, he just ignores it and then mentions that Ash should use Chimchar's Blaze and brute force instead.

Lillie decides to battle him using Turtwig, and Paul uses Honchkrow. During the heat of battle, Turtwig evolves into Grotle. But without the speed, it is defeated in the end.

Sinnoh Dex Entry No.2 Grotle: The Grove Pokemon: Grass Type. Evolved from Turtwig at LV:18. It knows where pure water wells up. It carries fellow Pokémon there on its back.

After taking Grotle to the Pokemon Center, Ash cheers the Pokemon up, and during the night, Paul's Torterra approaches and teaches Grotle how to reduce the damage regarding about speed. In the end, Torterra returns to camp as Paul approaches his Pokémon, curious about its action but not pushing the point.

The next morning, Ash and his friends run into Paul and Ash thanks Paul for what his Pokémon did, but Paul brushes it off claiming non-involvement. As Paul walks away, Ash looks forward to working with his Pokémon and the upcoming Hearthome Gym battle. Ash also promises Chimchar and Grotle that in his next battle with Paul, he will win.

Ash and his friends have returned to Hearthome City for Ash's fifth Gym battle. Ash runs off to the Hearthome Gym excited as his friends follow. As Ash steps up to the Gym's front doors, someone on the inside opens the door on Ash, knocking him and Pikachu down the stairs.

"Hey, look where you are going, I am going to fine you!" He shouts.

"Woah, Barry? Is that you?" Lucas says as Barry recognizes him. "Lucas?"

As the two of them fist bump together, Barry then look closer to Ash, "Hey, you are the 3 League Champion! Ash Ketchum!"

"Well, yeah." Ash says.

"I am going to challenge you to a battle, so I can be the strongest!" He declares.

"Well, this is Barry, he is also from Twinleaf Town, and was one of my partner for Pokemon Puns." Lucas says.

"I see. So he is who you are talking about every time you get home." Dawn says. "The trainer with a big ego."

"Lucas, that is what you tell your sister? I am going to fine you for saying that!" Barry yells.

"Here." Lucas gives him fake cash, causing him to calm down.

"But I am here for the Hearthome Gym. I want to battle Fantina first." Ash says.

"I see, then I will battle you after that." Barry says.

"You don't mind if we watch it, too?" Lucas asks.

"Not at all." Ash replies.

"So Lillie is going to battle, too?" Lucas asks her.

"I already got the badge." She shows to them. "We meet her on the way and she gives it to me."

"Hey, no fair!" Barry says. "How are you so lucky to meet her on the road and gets her badge."

"Calm down, Barry." Dawn sighs.

They head inside the gym, Fantina greets them with a gorgeous way.

"So Ash, you have come." Fantina says.

"Yes. And I have made some surprises for the match." Ash replies.

Then the match is 3 on 3, Fantina sends out Gengar first.

"Floatzel, I choose you!" Ash sends out his first Pokemon.

Ash commands Floatzel to use Aqua Jet which Gengar dodges with amazing speed.

"Hey, that are the moves she did to my Pokemon." Barry says.

"Looks like Ash needs to think of a plan to counter the Levitate." Lillie says.

Ash orders Sonic Boom, which misses Gengar and hits the wall.

Fantina cockily suggests that there is not much of a battle to see and flamboyantly spins and calls out, calling her Gengar "Gengar the Great". Gengar intimately circles Buizel with incredible speed and shoots upwards. Fantina commands her Gengar to use Shadow Punch. Floatzel attempts to dodge the attack but as Fantina pointed out to Dawn, Shadow Punch always hits its target. Fantina tells Gengar to use Hypnosis.

"It is time, Floatzel, spin around with Water Gun!"

It forms whips of water flying in all directions, disabling Hypnosis and trapping Gengar.

"I call this move Counter Shield." Ash says as he finishes Gengar with an Ice Beam.

"Hey, how come Ash easily beats the Gengar?" Barry yells.

"He is a champion, you know." Lucas says.

The next Pokemon Fantina chooses is Mismagius, Ash decides to use Bronzor. Fantina uses a lot of Ghost moves to hit Bronzor, but then Bronzor uses the counter shield by using Psychic and Metal Burst together, causing Mismagius to faint.

Her last Pokemon is Drifblim, Ash sends out Pikachu and tries to do the Counter Shield, but Drifblim uses Will-O-Wisp and Psychic to use the Counter Counter Shield, then using Hypnosis to make Pikachu asleep and knock him out using Ominous Wind. Floatzel also suffers the same fate. The Bronzor also going to share the same fate, but with Ash's calling and its sudden Evolution, it wakes up and defeats the Drifblim with a Shadow Ball.

Sinnoh Dex Entry No.51 Bronzong: The Bronze Bell Pokemon: Steel and Psychic Type. Evolved from Bronzor at LV:33. It brought rains by opening portals to another world. It was revered as a bringer of plentiful harvests.

"Ash, you are a strong trainer and an amazing Coordinator. Therefore I present you this Relic Badge." Ash gets it and thanks her. Outside, Ash asks Barry to have a battle, he agrees. It is a one on one battle with Prinplup versus his Empoleon. Even Barry has the evolution advantage, but his rash decisions causing him to lose to Prinplup.

"I decide to train at Iron Island once more." Barry says as he leaves with Lucas. Then the gang decides to go to Canalave City.

Here is a new chapter, and Ash won his fifth badge and also meet the Elite 4 member Aaron. I hope you like this and the next chapter will be the Iron Island.

Ash and Lillie's Current Pokemon:

Butterfree x2, Pikachu, Persian, Chansey, Lapras x2, Eevee, Mewtwo, Mew, Meganium, Espeon, Steelix, Ho-Oh, Celebi, Sceptile, Gardevoir, Milotic, Absol, Latias, Latios, Grotle, Chimchar, Prinplup, Staravia, Bibarel, Kricketune, Roserade, Wormadam, Mothim, Combee, Vespiquen, Pachirisu, Floatzel, Cherrim, Ambipom, Drifloon, Lopunny, Mismagius, Honchkrow, Skuntank, Bronzong, Chatot, Spiritomb, Riolu, Lucario, Hippowdon, Drapion, Croagunk, Carnivine, Lumineon, Weavile, Magnezone, Lickilicky, Rhyperior, Electivire, Magmortar, Yanmega, Leafeon, Gliscor, Mamoswine, Porygon-Z, Gallade, Probopass, Dusknoir, Dialga, Palkia, Regigigas, Giratina, Manaphy, Darkrai, Shaymin, Sylveon

In Home:

Venusaur, Blastoise, Beedrill, Pidgeot, Raticate, Fearow, Arbok, Raichu, Sandslash, Nidoqueen, Nidoking, Clefable, Wigglytuff, Vileplume, Venomoth, Dugtrio, Golduck, Primeape, Arcanine, Poliwrath, Alakazam, Machamp, Victreebel, Tentacruel, Golem, Rapidash, Slowbro, Farfetch'd, Dodrio, Dewgong, Muk, Cloyster, Gengar, Hypno, Kingler, Electrode, Exeggutor, Marowak, Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan, Weezing, Kangaskhan, Seaking, Starmie, Mr. Mime, Jynx, Pinsir, Tauros, Gyarados, Ditto, Omastar, Kabutops, Aerodactyl, Snorlax, Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, Dragonite, Typhlosion, Feraligatr, Furret, Noctowl, Ledian, Ariados, Crobat, Lanturn, Xatu, Ampharos, Bellossom, Azumarill, Sudowoodo, Politoed, Jumpluff, Sunflora, Umbreon, Slowking, Unown x28, Wobbuffet, Girafarig, Forretress, Granbull, Qwilfish, Scizor, Shuckle, Heracross, Ursaring, Magcargo, Corsola, Octillery, Delibird, Mantine, Skarmory, Houndoom, Kingdra, Donphan, Stantler, Smeargle, Hitmontop, Miltank, Raikou, Entei, Suicune, Larvitar, Tyranitar, Lugia, Blaziken, Swampert, Mightyena, Linoone, Beautifly, Dustox, Ludicolo, Shiftry, Swellow, Pelipper, Masquerain, Breloom, Slaking, Ninjask, Shedinja, Exploud, Hariyama, Delcatty, Sableye, Mawile, Aggron, Medicham, Manectric, Plusle, Minun, Volbeat, Illumise, Swalot, Shapedo, Wailord, Camerrput, Torkoal, Spinda, Flygon, Cacturne, Altaria, Zangoose, Seviper, Lunatone, Solrock, Whiscash, Crawdaunt, Claydol, Cradily, Armaldo, Castform, Banette, Tropius, Chimecho, Glalie, Walrein, Huntail, Gorebyss, Relicanth, Luvdisc, Salamence, Metagross, Regirock, Regice, Registeel, Kyogre, Groudon, Rayquaza, Jirachi, Deoxys,

In training: Charizard, Charla

Dawn's Current Team:

Piplup, Ponyta, Lopunny, Pachirisu, Cherrim, Swinub

Tox's Current Team:

Dragalge, Toxicroak

Gladion's Current Team:

Riolu, Umbreon

Emily's Current Team:

Eevee, Gible

Verity's Current Team:

Prinplup, Gloom, Shieldon

Lucas's Current Team:

Torterra, Munchlax, Bastiodon, Lickilicky, Mamoswine.