Soon, Ash, Hilda and the Policeman arrived at the entrance to Desert Resort. Here, they discover several people standing around in a state of panic.
"What's going on?" Dell asked, to which one of them replied "All of our Pokémon have been stolen and Neo Team Plasma have sent several Darmanitan on a rampage.
"Darmanitan? The statues out the front of the Relic Castle?" Hilda asked, to which Dell replied "Apparently". Then, Maximus walked in.
"Need some help in the desert? Because I can lend a hand if you want" he said, to which Ash replied, "Sure Maximus, we can use the help How many Neo Team Plasma Grunts are there?"
"Ten" another terrified civilian replied, to which Dell, Maximus Ash and Hilda all nodded, then Dell added "Then let's go", and while other Officers stayed back, Dell, another Officer, Ash, Maximus and Hilda enter the Desert Resort.
"Alright, Officers, surround the area. Ash, Hilda, Maximus, you go find the Neo Team Plasma Grunts and defeat them. I'll go around and handle the Darmanitan" Dell said, to which everyone nodded, and split off, going in a few directions.
First up, we're following Dell.
Dell quickly encounters one of the Rampaging Darmanitan, who turns to face him.
"Ready to go Stoutland?" Dell asked to which Stoutland roared, ready to go, also reducing Darmanitan's Attack with its Intimidate ability.
Battle: Darmanitan VS Stoutland
"Stoutland, use Return" Dell commanded, and Stoutland, cloaked in a heart-shaped aura of white energy, struck the Darmanitan and did significant damage. The Darmanitan then charged at Stoutland while cloaked with fire, a Flare Blitz attack.
"Stoutland, stop that with protecting then strike again with Return" Dell called, and Stoutland managed to cast a shield before Darmanitan struck, and bounced off.
"Stoutland, quick, end this with Return," Dell said, and Stoutland charged in while cloaked in heart-shaped white energy, while Darmanitan once again cloaked itself with fire and charged. They collided, and Darmanitan was KO'ed while Stoutland took Considerable damage.
Conclusion: Stoutland wins
"One down, three to go," Dell said as Darmanitan returned to its statue mode. Dell called in his Duosion, and they carried it back to its original location before going out to find the others.
Meanwhile, with Maximus
Maximus had found a Neo Team Plasma Grunt who seemed to be holding some of the Pokémon stolen from trainers.
"Give them back," Maximus said, to which the Neo Plasma Grunt replied "No. Weak trainers do not deserve Pokémon"
"Then I'll take them back by force," Maximus said, to which the Neo Plasma Grunt replied "Never. Watchog, Destroy him" and Watchog materialised. Maximus then said "Alright then, go, Cofagrigus," Maximus said, and Cofagrigus materialised.
Battle: Cofagrigus VS Watchog
"Watchog, use Crunch," the Neo Plasma Grunt said, while Maximus called "Cofagrigus, use Trick Room" and although Cofagrigus was bitten by powerful, anti-positive energy-infused fangs, dealing Moderate damage, a mysterious room enveloped both.
The Sandstorm then did slight damage to both Pokémon, and also scratched at both of them.
"Now Cofagrigus, use Disable" Maximus called just as the Neo Plasma Grunt called "Keep the Crunches coming". However, before Watchog could strike with powerful fangs cloaked in Anti-Positive energy, yellow streams from Cofagrigus' hands wrap around Watchog and Disabled Crunch.
"Let me guess, Crunch is the only move your Watchog has that can damage my Cofagrigus," Maximus said, to which the Neo Plasma Grunt just decided to run away with his Watchog, still holding the Poké Balls.
"I thought so. Cofagrigus, stop him with Psychic, then take the Poké Balls back with the same move" Maximus said, and Cofagrigus' eyes glowed blue, and a blue outline appeared around Watchog and the Neo Plasma Grunt, and the four Poké Balls he had were taken from him and given to Cofagrigus and Maximus.
"Thanks for your cooperation," Maximus said, and Cofagrigus then slammed them both into the sand and both Cofagrigus and Maximus head back to the entrance.
Maximus was near the entrance when he was attacked by two more Neo Plasma Grunts.
"Give them back you thief," one of the Neo Plasma Grunts said, to which Maximus replied "You guys are the thieves"
"Scraggy, let's destroy," the Neo Plasma Grunt said, and Scraggy materialised. The other Neo Plasma Grunt added "Trubbish, let's destroy" and Trubbish materialised.
"OK then. Cofagrigus, return. And Vullaby, Klink, let's go" and a Vullaby and Klink materialised.
Battle: Vullaby and Klink VS Scraggy and Trubbish
"Vullaby, use Pluck. Klink, use Mirror Shot" Maximus called, and Vullaby's beak cloaked in Sky Blue and it charged at Scraggy, then the Neo Plasma Grunt responded, "Scraggy, dodge it then use High Jump Kick on Klink, while Trubbish, use Take Down on Vullaby". Scraggy's knee glowed Orange, and it leapt at Klink, but Klink shot a beam of silver light at Scraggy, dealing Moderate damage. Then, Trubbish slammed into Vullaby recklessly, inflicting minor damage, and taking slight recoil.
The Sandstorm then dealt slight damage to Scraggy and Trubbish.
"Another High Jump Kick Scraggy, and Trubbish, Sludge" the Neo Plasma Grunt called, while Maximus added "Vullaby, dodge and use Pluck. Klink, dodge with Autotomize then intercept Sludge". Maximus' plan worked, except Scraggy hit Vullaby instead of Klink, dealing Severe damage, but it allowed Vullaby to cloak its beak in Sky Blue and struck Scraggy. inflicting Significant damage. Klink took no damage from the Sludge.
"Klink, end this with Thunder Shock," Maximus said, and Klink KO'ed Scraggy, however, at the same time, Vullaby was KO'ed by Trubbish' Sludge attack.
"Scraggy, get back," the Neo Plasma Grunt said, and when Scraggy was withdrawn, the female Neo Plasma Grunt ran for her life. Maximus, now annoyed, withdrew Vullaby and said "You'll pay for that. Rest well Vullaby. Now, Klink, use Mirror Shot" and Klink shot another beam of silver light at Trubbish, dealing Moderate damage.
"Trubbish, use Take Down" the Neo Plasma Grunt called, and Trubbish tried to crash into him. Maximus avoided it, then said "Keep Mirror Shotting the Trubbish, then, for trying to attack me, Mirror Shot the Plasma scum" and at this, the Neo Plasma Grunt tried to flee. Maximus, however, ran after him and pinned him down. Then, he radioed his Cross-Transceiver to an Officer to come and arrest him.
Conclusion: Klink wins
Meanwhile with Dell
Dell has made it back to the entrance, where the worried trainers are waiting for him.
"I have defeated one of the Rampaging Darmanitan, one Neo Plasma Grunt is in the process of being taken into custody, and, we have a Dwebble, a Sigilyph, a Solosis and a Ducklett. Who owns them" Dell said, and the four trainers who had those Pokémon stolen from them returned, and they all thank Dell.
"Thanks," a Nurse said as she was given back her Solosis, then she healed Dell's Stoutland.
"Thanks. Now, I've got to get back to taming the Darmanitan and stopping Neo Team Plasma" Dell said, and he headed back out.
Meanwhile with Ash and Hilda
"Stat close Hilda" Ash called, and Hilda places her hand pretty tightly on Ash's shoulder, allowing her to stay with him through the Sandstorm.
Soon, they come upon a scene. Three Neo Team Plasma Grunts trying to corral a Darmanitan. The Darmanitan suddenly charges towards Ash and Hilda but stops short.
"I think Darmanitan wants our help to take on Neo Team Plasma," Ash said, to which Darmanitan nodded. The first Neo Plasma Grunt then called "Liepard, let's destroy", which was echoed with the other two Neo Plasma Grunts echoed with a Golbat and a Krokorok.
"Pignite, I choose you" Ash called, and Pignite materialised, while Hilda added "Dewott, let's show them what we can do" and Dewott materialised.
Ash then noticed that another four Poké Balls were lying behind them.
Battle: Liepard, Golbat and Krokorok VS Darmanitan, Pignite and Dewott.
"Liepard, use Fake Out" one of the Neo Plasma Grunts called, and, before Ash, Hilda or the Darmanitan could respond, Liepard's paws glowed white, and it clapped it's paws, dealing minor damage to Darmanitan and causing it to Flinch.
"Krokorok, use Dig," another Neo Plasma Grunt said, while a third added "Golbat, use Wing Attack", and the Krokorokdug underground, while the Golbat charged in with wings glowing.
"Pignite, use Substitute, then Thunder Punch" Ash commanded, and after using a quarter of its health to generate a Doll in front of itself, it charged its fist with Electricity, and when Golbat struck with Wing Attack, Pignite struck back, it dealt Significant damage.
"Dewott, keep up the offence, use Hidden Power on Golbat" Hilda then commanded, and just after Pignite hit with Thunder Punch, Dewott generated orbs of ice, and shot them at Golbat, almost KO'ing it. Golbat was then KO'ed by the Sandstorm, while the rest took slight damage, except Krokorok who's a partial Ground-type.
"Liepard, use Assurance on Darmanitan," the Neo Plasma Grunt said, to which Ash responded "Pignite, stop that Liepard with Brick Break" and although Pignite was able to KO Liepard with a glowing orange hand to Liepard's back, it was able to hit Darmanitan and deal Moderate damage. Then, Darmanitan was KO'ed by Krokorok's Dig.
"Poké Ball, Go" the Neo Plasma Grunt called, but Hilda quickly said "Dewott, slash the ball with X-Scissor" and Dewott's schalops glowed teal, and it slashed, and destroyed, the ball.
"Get back underground Krokorok" the Neo Plasma Grunt called, while Hilda called "Don't let Krokorok escape Dewott, X-Scissor", but Dewott wasn't quite fast enough, and though it's teal schalops slashed, narrowly missed.
"Pignite, use Substitute" Ash called, and Pignite used another quarter of its health to create another doll.
Pignite and Dewott took slight damage from the Sandstorm. And when Krokorok rises up and destroys Pignite's Substitute, Ash commanded, "Pignite, use Brick Break" and Pignite's glowing orange hand struck and KO'ed Krokorok. Before that happened though, Ash and Hilda were both caught briefly in a Sand Tomb that had been shot by Krokorok just before it had been KO'ed.
Conclusion Winner: Pignite and Dewott.
The Liepard and Golbat Neo Plasma Grunts escaped during the battle, but the Krokorok one wasn't so lucky.
"Pignite, Pikachu, block his escape" Ash called, and both stopped him from getting away.
"Pikachu, use Thunderbolt" Ash called, and Pikachu let off a weaker version of its electrical attack to stun the Neo Plasma Grunt, paralysing him and allowing him to be captured by the Policeman.
"Thanks, that's now three members of Neo Team Plasma we've captured," the Policeman said as he slapped the cuffs on.
"Also, we have four more Pokémon to return to their trainers," Ash said, grabbing the balls, to which the Policeman picked then up, said "Good, there's two Darmanitan left, four members of Neo Team Plasma left, and two more Pokémon to recover", and at this, he healed up Ash's and Hilda's Pokémon.
"Thanks," both Ash and Hilda said, and they continued their expedition.
As Ash and Hilda continue their expedition, hunting Neo Team Plasma, they are caught in a Haze.
"What the?" Ash asked as he covered his mouth. A Pawniard suddenly charged in and tried to Slash him, but Pikachu, seeing what was coming, jumped off Ash's shoulder and his tail glowed steel and struck Pawniard, KO'ing it in one hit.
"What's causing the Haze?" Hilda asked, to which Ash replied: "Koffing if I had to guess, they tend to be the major offenders". Then, Pikachu shot a Thunderbolt, and KO'ed a Koffing, both attacks came without Ash's command. The Haze dissipated, and Ash said "Well done Pikachu", and Pikachu called happily. The two Neo Plasma Grunts managed to escape, leaving a Poké Ball behind, which Hilda picked up and, on the way back, they encountered another Darmanitan.
"Well, here we go, Dewott, let's show you what we can do," Hilda said, and Dewott materialised.
Battle: Dewott VS Darmanitan
The Darmanitan charged, with all four limbs glowing white.
"Watch out Hilda, it's going to use a Thrash attack" Ash called, and Hilda responded "Noted. Dewott, use Water Pulse" and Dewott generated a ball of water and shot it at Darmanitan, dealing Considerable damage but not really slowing its rampage. The Thrash attack caught not only Dewott but also blew a lot of sand onto Hilda, leaving her briefly blind and KO'ing Dewott.
Darmanitan did look like it was about to start pummeling Hilda, so Ash said "Pikachu, use Quick Attack" and Pikachu leapt off of Ash's shoulder, white energy streaming from it, and dashed into Darmanitan, KO'ing it.
Ash ran up to Hilda and washed her eyes out with sand until she could see again.
"Thanks," Hilda said, and she withdrew Dewott, and said, "Rest up".
"So, we'd better get back," Ash said, to which Hilda nodded, and they headed back.
When they returned, Hilda handed the Poké Ball over to the trainer who had her Joltik stolen by Neo Team Plasma.
"Thanks" she responded. Ash and Hilda decided to hang back and await Dell's, and the other policeman's, return.
Meanwhile with Dell
Dell, meanwhile, has found the last Poké Ball, blocked by two Neo Team Plasma Grunts.
"Alright, time to take these last two down," Dell said as he was joined by another Officer, named Shane. The Neo Team Plasma Grunts sniggered, then said "Raticate, let's destroy", and "Seviper, let's destroy" and a Raticate and Sevper materialised.
"Stoutland, let's go," Dell said, and Stoutland materialised. Then, Shane added "Go, Unfezant" and Unfezant materialised.
Battle: Stoutland and Unfezant VS Raticate and Seviper
Stoutland's Intimidate ability cuts the Attack of both Seviper and Raticate.
"Raticate, use Hyper Fang, and Seviper, use Poison Tail" the Neo Plasma Grunts called, and Raticate's jaws glowed white, while Seviper's tail glowed with Poison. They both lunged, but the Policeman was ready.
"Stoutland, use Return" Dell called, while Shane called "Unfezant, block the Poison Tail with Steel Wing". Stoutland's body was cloaked in white, heart-shaped energy, while Unfezant's wings glowed metal, and the latter blocked Seviper's Poison Tail, dealing no damage to either, while Stoutland took minor damage and Raticate was KO'ed in one hit. The remaining Pokénon take slight damage from the Sandstorm.
"Seviper, strike again with Poison Tail," the Neo Plasma Grunt said as the other one withdrew Raticate and fled.
"Unfezant, charge up a Sky Attack" Shane called, while Dell added, "Stoutland, Protect both of you". Seviper's tail was cloaked in poison, but it bounced off the shield Stoutland had generated while Unfezant started glowing. Soon, Unfezant shot straight into Seviper, not only KO'ing Seviper in one hit but sending Seviper flying into both Neo Plasma Grunts, allowing them to also be taken into custody.
Winner: Unfezant and Stoutland.
Dell then heals Stoutland, then Shane collected the last Poké Ball.
"Let's get back," Shane said, to which Dell nodded, and Dell headed back, leaving Shane to bring the Neo Team Plasma Grunts into custody.
On the way back, he is attacked by the last rampaging Darmanitan.
"Alright Stoutland, let's do this" Dell said, and Stoutland stepped between Dell and the Darmanitanm ready to fight.
Battle: Stoutland VS Darmanitan
Stoutland's Intimidate cuts Darmanitan's Attack.
Darmanitan cloaked itself with flames and charged at Stoutland, a Flare Blitz attack, but Dell was ready,
"Stoutland, meet the Flare Blitz with Return," Dell said, and Stoutland cloaked itself in heart-shaped white energy and charged, the collision exploded. The sheer combination of two turns of Sandstorm damage, recoil from the Flare Blitz, and damage from Return KO'ed Darmanitan, the second Flare Blitz failing due to Dell commanding Stoutland to Protect them. Stoutland meanwhile took Significant damage.
"Whew. Ten Pokémon recovered, ten Neo Team Plasma Grunts defeated, and the four Darmanitan stopped. This was a successful mission" Dell said to himself as he healed Stoutland and headed back to the entrance to Desert Resort.
As soon as everyone had met back up at the entrance to the Desert Resort, there was a voice which sounded somewhat familiar, and he sounded furious.
"So, it seems that the sand wasn't enough to stop people meddling in our plans. So, maybe something else would be a better option. We will take the Unova region over, and all of you will quiver under Team Plasma's feet" the figure said, and after a nefarious laugh, then the communication was cut.
"Who was that?" one of the civilians asked, to which Dell replied, "We don't know, but we will put our resources into hunting whoever it is down". He then turned to face Hilda and Ash and said "We're sorry for the trouble we put you under. Here's this for compensation" and he gave Ash and Hilda Rods.
"Fishing, cool" Ash said, to which Dell replied "It'll be good to help with your Pokédex", to which Ash and Hilda responded "Sweet". Dell then added "Nimbasa City is to the north of Route 4, that'll be where you'll get your next Gym Badge"
"Cool, thanks," Ash said, and both Ash and Hilda departed.
As Ash and Hilda exited, Ash was met by a Krokorok. As soon as the Krokorok saw Ash, he looked up.
"Hello," Ash said. The Krokorok seemed to want to join Ash's team, which Ash quickly realised as Krokorok poked one of his Poké Balls.
"Alright, but I get the feeling that you may be like the Blitzle I met earlier, in that you want to join my team for the next part," Ash said, to which Krokorok nodded.
"Cool, another team member for you," Hilda said, to which Ash replied "Yeah", and they headed fr Nimbasa City.
Once again, N and Gothitelle watched this interaction. He then said "Well, that's two of my Pokémon that has approached Ash. Seems has something special", to which Gothitelle replied "I agree"
Ash and Hilda made it to Nimbasa City, and, after bringing their Pokémon to the Centre, Ash and Hilda had dinner, then went on to head to bed, very tired.
