When Ash, Hilda, Nate, Rosa and Hugh all get onto the drawbridge, they noticed Shadows on the ground.
"What are these shadows about?" Hugh asked, to which Hilda replied: "Apparently they're Pokémon Shadows". When they look up, they see Ducklett and Swanna flying overhead.
"What are those Pokémon?" Hilda asked and her and Rosa got out their Pokédexes.
"Ducklett, the Water Bird Pokémon. A skilled diver, Ducklett swims underwater in search of its favourite food: peat moss." Rosa's Pokédex said while Hilda's Pokédex said "Swanna, the White Bird Pokémon and the evolved form of Ducklett. Swanna uses its long neck to attack repeatedly and rapidly with exceptional strength."
"Interesting, on both counts" Ash replied, having heard the dex information. Rosa looked up, then said "You know what? I want to capture a Ducklett or Swanna for my team. I reckon they'll be a cool addition", to which Nate replied "Knock yourself out. I'm fine with what I've got". Rosa nodded, then said "Alright Escavalier, let's go" and Escavalier materialised. It walked up to one of the shadows, and a Swanna dived down to meet her Escavalier.
Battle: Swanna VS Escavalier
The Swanna shoots a beam of bubbles at Escavalier as soon as it reaches, dealing a quarter of Escavalier's max health.
"Escavalier, use Irom Head" Rosa called and Escavalier cloaked it's head in metal and shot at Swanna, who avoided the first one but was hit by the second, dealing Considerable damage. The Swanna soared into the sky and shot more bubbles at Escavalier.
"Escavalier, use Protect," Rosa said, and Escavalier threw up a barrier to avoid damage from the bubbles.
"Now, Iron Head again" Rosa called, and as Swanna shot another beam of bubbles at Escavalier, who's head is glowing metal, Swanna was hit and took Considerable damage, while Escavalier only took a quarter of its health in damage
"Now, False Swipe," Rosa said, and Escavalier slashed Swanna, leaving it with 1 Hit Point. Just as Swanna was about to shoot another Bubble Beam, Faitsu said "Net Ball, go" and threw the Net Ball at Swanna. It caught it, hit the ground, then shook and stopped, captured.
"Yes, I have a Swanna," Rosa said, to which Hugh replied "Well done. Now, let's get going before the Drawbridge is raised again", to which the rest nodded, and they all continued on the bridge.
After a while, and the fivesome finding a few dropped wings, they reach the other end of Driftveil Drawbridge, and here they find a garden. With trees, a fountain, and flowers.
"Wow, this I didn't expect," Ash said, surprised. Hugh, however, had spotted two figures arguing on a bridge on the opposite side of the garden.
"Plasma Scum" Hugh growled, and he charged at them. Just as the Ex-Plasma Grunt was pushed by the Neo Plasma Grunt, Hugh ran up to him and shoved him.
"Hey, what the hell?" the Neo Plasma Grunt asked as he lost his balance and fell, shocked by the force of the shove.
"What the fuck was that all about?" Ash asked as he watched Hugh charged at the Plasma Grunts, to which Nate sighed, then replied "Five years ago, Team Plasma stole his sister's Purrloin. Hugh wasn't strong enough to stop them, so now he's got a major grudge against them"
"Still, we'd better go over and restrain him," Rosa said, and they nodded and followed him. As they did, Ash said "Violence is not always the answer"
"Yeah" Hilda replied.
Soon, they reach Hugh, just as the Neo Plasma Grunt runs off and Hugh tries to run after him.
"Hugh, stop, it's not worth it," Rosa said as she grabbed Hugh's hand, stopping him from running. The Ex-Plasma Grunt walked up to the group and said "I'll be OK. Back when Team Plasma was united, we were friends. However, when Team Plasma split, we were on opposite sides of the split"
"Split? Why? How? When?" Hugh asked, still trying to break free of Rosa's grip, to which the Ex-Plasma Grunt replied "Just under two years ago, over ideological differences. One group followed Lord N, and we just want what's best for Pokémon. The other followed Ghetsis, who wants to take over the world and make it so only Team Plasma can own Pokémon"
"I didn't know that I'm going to have to inform my brother, and others, about this" Hilda replied, shocked. Hugh was also shocked and seemed to have abandoned his attempts to break free of Rosa's grasp. The Ex-Plasma Grunt nodded, then added "If you want to learn more, just head to the top of the hill near the Gym, and we'll tell you about it there", and with that, the Ex-Plasma Grunt departed.
"That was, unexpected," Hugh said as Rosa finally let go. He was still angry, but now confusion had overtaken it as the main emotion he was feeling right now. They followed the Ex-Plasma Grunt into the City, which looks quite different from how Hilbert described it to Hilda two years ago.
As soon as they get into the town, they see a trainer with his Krokorok talking to another trainer with her Duosion, and they overheard their conversation.
"A long time ago, Team Plasma stole my Krokorok. Well, they did give him back later" the trainer said, to which the other trainer replied "That's interesting. I assume it was the ones in the white suits, not the black ones?" to which the first trainer replied "Yeah"
"Wait, these Team Plasma guys, returned his stolen Pokémon? This is not making any sense" Hugh replied, even more Confused.
"Well, we had better head to that little hill behind the gym, so we can find out what's going on" Ash replied, to which Hugh and the rest nodded.
Soon, they arrived at the top of the hill, where the Ex-Plasma Grunt was talking to Rood of the Seven Sages.
As they approached, the Ex-Plasma Grunt noticed them and said "Sir, that's the person I was talking about", and when Rood turned around and spotted them, as the Ex-Team Plasma Grunt headed over to meet them.
"This way please" the Ex-Team Plasma Grunt, and he led them to Rood.
"Now, before any of you flip out, please hear us out. If you hear us out, you might be able to understand us" the Ex-Plasma Grunt said as they reached them. Rood then added "I can already sense what kind of people you are. Hilbert's little sister, sharing his ideals", he points to Hilda.
"A well-known trainer from a far off region" Rood continued, pointing to Ash. He then pointed to Nate, Rosa and Hugh, and concluded with "Trainers who care about their Pokémon, and you specifically", he focuses on Hugh, "Someone with a grudge against Team Plasma, but confused by the appearances of people wearing different outfits, yet claiming to be Team Plasma. I recommend you come inside, and I can show and explain to you what we are doing", and at this, he enters, with the Ex-Plasma Grunt following, and Ash and the others following behind.
When they enter, Rood asked, "Do any of you have any questions?"
"Yeah. I have one question. What makes you two different from the black-robed ones back there?" Hugh snarled, to which Rood replied calmly "We're not actually members of Team Plasma. We're former members of Team Plasma, atoning for our sins by taking care of as many stolen Pokémon as possible and returning them to their trainers where we can"
"Is that so? Have you come across my sister's Purrloin? The Purrloin you stole from my sister, with me, the pathetic trainer who couldn't stop that?" Hugh asked, to which Rood responded "My sincerest apologies, but no, we have come across no Purrloin's or Liepard's. The other faction of Team Plasma will have it, most likely"
"Then I'll beat down every single one of those scum until I find Hannah's Purrloin" Hugh replied, to which Rood added "I hope you succeed in that endeavour. Apologising may not be enough, but, if you make a mistake and don't correct it, that is a second mistake. We were foolish back then, and Team Plasma made trainers, including you, suffer. We're just doing what we can to atone for our misdeeds"
"Hmph. I'll reserve judgement on that" Hugh replied, crossing his arms.
Rood sighs, then added "Anyway, as you can see we're taking care of Pokémon that had been stolen from trainers, and trying to reunite them. We've managed to reunite quite a few so far, but we still have a lot of work left to do. Another way we will atone is opposing Neo Team Plasma, the guys in black you've likely sen in Unova". Ash and the others nod at this, then Ash asked "What happens to the Pokémon you can't trace their original trainers? Or who don't want them back?"
"We take care of them ourselves if that happens" Rood replied, and Ash nodded. He then turned to Hilda and added "We'd better go inform our moms and Professors about our progress and inform your brother about the factional split"
"That we will Ash. Nice to meet you Rood, and good luck on your atonement" Hilda responded, to which Rood nodded, and added "Good Luck on your journeys, Ash and Hilda". Ash and Hilda then departed. Hugh then said "Nate, Rosa, I'm gonna train for the Gym, so I can get strong enough to destroy all members of Team Plasma and gets Hannah's Purrloin back. I'll see you later", and he departed. Nate added "We're sorry about our friend's behaviour, he's had five years to stew on that, so his hatred is severe"
"Hopefully he sees that we're not like those scoundrels now running Team Plasma, and forgives us someday" Rood replied. Nate and Rosa nod then responded "See you later"
"See you later, Nate and Rosa" Rood replied as they departed.
Ash and Hilda soon arrive at the Driftveil City Pokémon Centre, where they went to the phones, and when the communication was reached, Professor Oak, Professor Juniper, Delia, Hilda's mom and an older man with brown, though greying slightly, hair, yellow shirt with white collar and partial sleeves, brown pants held up by a belt and light brown shoes with brown soles. was on the other end.
"Hey, Mom," Hilda and Ash both said at the same time, to which Delia replied, "Oh, hey guys, how are you going and where have you gotten to?"
"We're fine, and we're in Driftveil City" Hilda replied, to which her mom added "Wow, in just three weeks too. I hope you two are taking time to explore places"
"Yeah, we are. The Unova region is so interesting" Ash replied. Hilda's mom then added, "Is Hilda being a good girl?"
"Yes she's being a good girl" Ash replied, and Hilda smiled. She then spotted the older man, and asked "Is that Mr Juniper Professor?", and at this, Cedric turns around, and said "Oh, hey Hilda, nice to see you again. And who's your friend that's tagging along with you?"
"Hello, I'm Ash from Pallet Town in the Kanto region. This is Pikachu, a native to that region" Ash replied, and Pikachu added "Pika Pikachu".
"Nice to meet you, Ash, I'm Cedric Juniper, Professor Juniper's father. How are you?" Cedric replied, to which Ash added "I'm doing quite well. A little rattled, we found out a bit about a guy named Hugh's backstory, and, yeah"
"Ah, yes Hugh. He's got a lot of baggage, his journey is at least partially to get his sister Hannah's Purrloin back, and move on from that terrible event"
"Yeah, we figured" Ash replied. Hilda then added "Oh, that reminds me, Team Plasma has split into two factions"
"What? When did that happen?" Professor Juniper asked, very surprised, to which Hilda responded "Two years ago. There are Ex-Team Plasma members here in Driftveil City working to reunite trainers with their stolen Pokémon"
"Well, this is an unexpected revelation, but a good one" Professor Juniper replied. Hilda's mom then added "You had better tell your brother about this sweetie"
"I will don't worry" Hilda replied. Professor Oak then added "Oh, by the way, Ash, the Pokémon World Tournament is coming up, the Driftveil Cup. I reckon you should enter it. If you win, it'll contribute to the requirements to get into the Pokémon World Tournament early next year"
"The Pokémon World Tournament? Wow, that would be awesome to enter. Sure, I'll enter the Unova Cup. Would I be able to enter Pikachu though?" Ash replied eagerly, to which Professor Oak added "I've checked and yes Pikachu is eligible, but his level will be reduced for the duration of the battles to 30, like all Pokémon levels will be cut to if they exceed Level 30"
"Noted, send that information through to me" Ash added. Professor Oak turned to Hilda, and added "I recommend you enter to Hilda", to which Hilda nodded, and replied "Sure".
"Well, I think that is it for today, it was good to catch up," Professor Juniper said, to which both Ash and Hilda nodded, and replied "Yeah, good to see you all again"
"Call soon"; Delia added, and Ash nodded, then replied "I will mom", the communication was then cut.
As Professor Oak mentioned the Unova cup, both Trip and Maximus were listening in intently, but, due to their intense hatred for each other, they were well apart.
"The Unova Cup, I had better find out how to enter," Trip thought to himself as he heard about it. Maximus, meanwhile, smiled and said "Well, that'll be interesting, Ash and Hilda both entering. Some good competition, though it's a shame I can't bash that fuckstick Trip in a Tournament, as well as his Pokémon, I'm almost certain he's working for Team Plasma in some way, even if I don't have proof of it. That I'll have to sort out another time". They both head to their quarters.
Back to Ash and Hilda
After a couple of minutes, the instructions for registering interest in the Unova Cup were sent to Ash and Hilda. While Ash navigated his way to the site where he could register for the tournament, Hilda got back on the phones to call her brother, Hilbert.
"Hey sis," Hilbert said as his face came into view. Hilda smiled, then replied "Hey bro, I've got some news to share with you"
"Oh? What's it about?" Hilbert asked, to which Hilda replied "Team Plasma has split into two factions. The people in black trying to take over the region are one faction, while the Team Plasma members in Driftveil City, are Ex-Team Plasma, and they're actually working to reunite trainers and Pokémon"
"Wow, that is a surprise, but a positive one. Which Seven Sage is running it?" Hilbert responded, to which Hilda added "Rood"
"Ah, yes. He was the one who gave info that locked up numerous other members of Team Plasma, so he got a big discount to his sentence" Hilbert replied, to which Hilda nodded.
"So sis, you're in Driftveil City, nice. Is Ash being good to you?" Hilbert asked, to which Hilda responded "Yeah, he's helping me with my journey"
"Good to hear. I'd better get going, I'll call you later" Hilbert said, to which Hilda replied "See you bro", and the communication was cut. Then, Hilda took her turn to register for the Unova Cup.
After they both registered for the Unova Cup, Ash and Hilda headed out for dinner.
"So, I reckon we should get some training in before we take on the Gym Leader, as apparently he's quite the tough guy," Hilda said, to which Ash asked, "Who's the Gym Leader of Driftveil City?"
"A miner named Clay" Hilda replied. Ash nodded, then said "Noted, and sure, preparation for the Gym is important. What type of Pokémon does he use?"
"According to my brother, Ground-types" Hilda replied.
"Alright. What did you think of the Ex-Plasma members?" Ash asked, to which Hilda replied "I'm a little nervous about them, but, they seem to be trying to atone for their past misdeeds"
"Agreed, at least that's one good thing" Ash replied. After they finished their meals, Hilda paid this time, then they returned to the Pokémon Centre and turned in for the night.
With Neo Team Plasma
The Neo Plasma Grunts that attacked Ash and Hilda at Accumula Town stand with a figure dressed almost entirely in Purple, and Colress.
"Here's where we're going next?" one of the Grunts asked, to which Colress replied "Yes. I'm entering the Unova Cup, so I can continue my research"
"Research? Is that all you think about? Come on, we need to continue working on our plans" the figure replied. Colress turned to face him and said "Zinzolin, I'm here for that. You're here to stop Team Rocket from whatever they have planned in this area"
"Alright, noted. We'll still crush Team Rocket before they get a foothold in the Unova region" Zinzolin said, to which Colress replied "Good Luck. If this works out, we'll be able to continue our plans unimpeded". The ship landed outside the Pokémon World Tournament.
Meanwhile with Team Rocket
Jessie, James and Meowth have also just returned to Driftveil City, having succeeded in sneaking the builders out of Driftveil City, without the knowledge of Neo Team Plasma.
"Do you know what I think we should do?" Jessie asked, to which James responded "What?"
"We should grab a few random builders, and pretend to be transporting them out of Driftveil City. They'll have no idea that we've already got them from Driftveil City to Undella Town"
"That is a brilliant idea, it'll really throw them off the scent" James responded. Meowth nodded, then said "And with that, Team Rocket will continue to be able to set up the invasion of the Unova region, as well as the boss' plans, just as the boss assigned"
"Yep. We've got to lay low though, what say we set up camp near the entrance to Route 6, just on the other side" James said, to which Jessie replied "Sure, let's do it", and the three of them headed out.