Ash, Hilda and Skyla enter the Celestial Tower, and immediately it becomes clear, something isn't right.
"Is it meant to be this dark and creepy?" Hilda asked, to which Skyla replied "Not to this level. This isn't normal. Stay close, and ascend with caution", to which both Ash and Hilda nod and they slowly ascend.
As they ascend towards the second floor, they can hear the sounds of Pokémon Battles taking place.
"Is it normal to have Pokémon Battles in Celestial Tower?" Ash asked, to which Skyla replied "Yes, but that sounds a lot more vigorous than usual"
"Then we'd better get upstairs and check it out" Ash replied, and they continued upstairs.
Upon reaching the second floor, they see the aftermath of what must have been a fierce battle. Quite a lot of fainted Wild Pokémon, and trainers breathing heavily. A close look reveals third-floor trainers also assisting.
"Hey, is everyone OK?" Skyla asked, to which Psychic Joyce replied "I think so. We managed to defeat the Wild Pokémon, but it was a difficult fight"
"Evidently. Do you have any idea what is causing this?" Skyla asked, to which Psychic Joyce replied "Well, about ten minutes ago I saw a couple of people use climbing equipment to ascend the tower. A few minutes later, the bell was rung, then the Wild Pokémon went nuts and started destroying everything"
"Wow, that explains it" Skyla replied, then Ash said, "Skyla, do you know what type of person would cause something like this by ringing the bell?"
"A Villainous Team, likely Neo Team Plasma" Skyla replied, to which Ash responded "Well then we had better get up the tower to defeat them before they cause any more problems"
"Definitely. We'd better get going, good luck" Skyla said, to which Psychic Joyce replied "Same to you", and Ash, Hilda and Skyla proceeded up the stairs.
As they get to the third floor, they spy a Duosion being harassed by a swarm of Litwick.
"Oi, get out of it" Skyla called, and the Litwick scattered. The Duosion looked to Hilda, then seemed to want to battle her.
"I think this Duosion wants to battle me," Hilda said, to which Skyla nodded, and said, "Do you want to add Duosion to your team?"
"I'd love to" Hilda replied. She then said "Simisear, let's show them what we can do" and Simisear materialised.
Battle: Simisear VS Duosion
"Simisear, use Rock Slide" Hilda commanded, and Simisear threw over rocks at Duosion, to which Duosion responded by generating a ball of psychic energy which is used to stop the rocks hitting. a Psyshock.
"Simisear, use Fire Punch" Hilda called, and Simisear cloaked its fist with flames, and charged at Duosion, dealing Considerable damage. Then, Duosion generated a ball of Psychic energy, a Psyshock, and struck Simisear with it, dealing Considerable damage.
"Now Simisear, use Crunch" Hilda called, and Simisear cloaked his fangs with Anti-Positive energy, charged, and Crunched up Duosion, dealing Significant damage.
"Now, Ultra Ball, go" Hilda called, and she threw an Ultra Ball at Duosion. The ball pulled Duosion in, shook twice, then Duosion broke out.
"Aw man, brace yourself Simisear" Hilda called, and Duosion glowed white, and Simisear also glowed white, and Duosion healed a Minor amount of health, while Simisear took a Minor amount of damage.
"Aw man, Simisear, use Rock Slide" Hilda commanded, and Simisear dropped rocks on Duosion, dealing Minor damage Duosion then generates a ball of Psychic energy that it shot at Simisear, KO'ing him.
"Oh no, Simisear, return," Hilda said as she withdrew Simisear and healed him. She then added "Well, here goes nothing" and she threw another Ultra Ball. This time, it captured Duosion.
"Awesome, I captured Duosion" Hilda cheered, and both Ash and Skyla also cheered.
Battle Conclusion: Duosion wins, but captured.
In the meantime, Ash and Skyla drove off the horde of Litwick with Swanna and Frillish.
"What in Arceus' name is causing the Wild Pokémon to go nuts?" Skyla asked, to which Ash replied "Well, there's only one way to find out. We have to continue to ascend the tower until we hit the top"
"Alright, I reckon ringing the bell will help calm everyone here" Skyla replied, to which both Ash and Hilda nodded, and they ascended to the fourth floor.
The trio is spotted by a Psychic as they arrive on the fourth floor.
"Hey," she said, waving her hand. Ash, Hilda and Skyla ran up to her, and Hilda asked: "Can you shed any light on what's going on?"
"Yeah. Though I can't say for sure, there's at least one person with a dark heart on the top floor. That's probably the cause of the Wild Pokémon going, well, wild" the Psychic replied. She then added "By the way, my name's Sarah. Who are your new friends Skyla?"
"Ash Ketchum, from a place called Kanto, and Hilda. Hilbert's little sister" Skyla replied, pointing to both of them. Ash nodded, then said "Nice to meet you Sarah", while Hilda added "Yeah"
"Need any help with the Wild Pokémon?" Skyla asked, to which Sarah replied: "That would help". At this, four Golbat attacked them.
Battle 1: Gothorita VS Golbat
"Gothorita, use Psyshock" Sarah called, and Gothorita generated, then shot a ball of Psychic energy at Golbat, who needed to use a Screech to stop it. In that time, Golbat then cloaked itself in sky blue energy and dashed around Gothorita, dealing Moderate damage.
"Now Gothorita, use Psyshock" Sarah called, and Gothorita shot a ball of Psychic energy at Golbat, dealing Severe damage. Golbat then charged again, and Sarah called "Gothorita dodge it then strike with Shadow Ball" and Gothorita narrowly avoided the Acrobatics, and generated a ball of Special energy, which is shot at Golbat and KO'ed.
Battle Conclusion: Gothorita wins
Battle 2: Fraxure VS Golbat
The Golbat charges at Fraxure while cloaked in Sky Blue energy, an Acrobatics attack, and dealt Minor damage.
"Fraxure, respond with Dual Chop" Ash called, and Fraxure chopped Golbat twice with hands cloaked in draconic energy, each hit dealing Minor damage, Considerable combined. Golbat charged with Acrobatics again, but Ash called "Fraxure, dodge it and use Dual Chop" and Fraxure avoided the Acrobatics, but only got one chop with Draconic energy off, dealing Minor damage, before being bitten by anti-positive energy coated fangs, dealing Slight damage. The Golbat attempts another Bite but is KO'ed by another Dual Chop.
Battle Conclusion: Fraxure wins
Battle 3: Tynamo VS Golbat
Golbat cloaked itself in Sky Blue energy. and charged at Tynamo, but Hilda was ready.
"Tynamo, use Thunder Wave" she called, and Tynamo shot a beam of electricity at Golbat, Paralysing it, though not without taking Minor damage.
"Now Tynamo, strike back time, use Spark" Hilda commanded, and Tynamo cloaked itself in electricity, and strikes, dealing Considerable damage. Golbat then cloaked its fangs in Anti-Positive energy and charged, intending to Bite Tynamo.
"Tynamo, quick, Tackle" Hilda called, and Tynamo Tackled Golbat before it was able to Bite Tynamo, dealing Minor damage. The Golbat then once again cloaked itself with Sky Blue energy and struck Tynamo, dealing Minor damage.
"Now end this Tynamo, use Spark" Hilda called, and Tynamo cloaked itself in electricity and struck, KO'ing Golbat.
Battle Conclusion: Tynamo wins
Battle 4: Skarmory VS Golbat
Golbat emitted a loud shriek to sharply lower Skarmory's Defence, then Skyla said "Skarmory, use Agility" and Skarmory shook itself to sharply boost its Speed.
"Now, Skarmory, use Steel Wing" Skyla called, and Skarmory's wing glowed silver, and charged at Golbat, dealing a third of its health in damage. Golbat then cloaked itself in Sky Blue energy and charged at Skarmory, an Acrobatics attack, but Skyla and Skarmory were ready.
"Dodge it, then Steel Wing again" Skyla called, and Skarmory dodged the attack, and struck again with Steel Wing, dealing another third. This time, Golbat recovered fast enough to strike with Acrobatics, dealing Minor damage, but with a third Steel Wing, Golbat went down.
Conclusion: Skarmory wins.
All four trainers congratulated their Pokémon on their victory, then met up again.
"The path is now clear," Sarah said, to which Skyla nodded, and said, "With your help, thanks". She then turned to Ash and Hilda, and they followed her up.
Ash, Hilda and Skyla reach the entrance to the top floor and discover their path blocked by a gigantic Spider Web.
"In theory, this should be easily handled by Swanna. Use Air Slash" Skyla called, and Skyla generated a blade of sky blue energy and shot it at the web, but it sparked suddenly and the Air Slash was dispersed.
"Electrified, typical. Let me guess, whoever's on the top floor is using a Galvantula?" Skyla asked, rolling her eyes. Ash replied "I have an idea for how to clear the path"
"What is it?" Skyla asked, to which Ash replied "Pikachu, use Iron Tail" and Pikachu leapt off Ash's shoulder, then charged at the web with his tail glowing silver, and he swung, destroying the webs. In addition, thanks to Pikachu's typing, he took no damage in the process.
"Well done Pikachu, now let's get going" Ash replied, and the group ascended the stairs.
Here, they discover two Neo Team Plasma Grunts, familiar to Ash and Hilda.
"Why am I not surprised it's you two again?" Ash asked, to which the male Grunt replied "Yes Ash, it's us. And we're going to make up for our loss in the last battles. Prepare to lose, Amoonguss, let's rule", and he called Amoonguss in. The female Grunt then added "And I'll assist, Galvantula, let's rule" and Galvantula crawled into the battle. Ash nodded, then said "Alright Ferroseed, I choose you" and Ferroseed materialised. Hilda nodded, then added "Stoutland, let's show them what we can do" and Stoutland materialised.
Battle: Emboar, Ferroseed, Stoutland, Samurott VS Galvantula, Amoonguss, Seismitoad
"Galvantula, use Thunder Wave" the Female Grunt commanded, and Galvantula shot a burst of blue electricity at Emboar, but Hilda, almost sensing this, called "Stoutland, intercept with Thunder Fang" and Stoutland cloaked its fangs with electricity, which meant it could absorb the Thunder Wave without being Paralysed.
"I know what that Amoonguss has planned, so Emboar, use Taunt" Ash commanded, and Emboar Taunted Amoonguss, stopping it from using Spore. Stoutland then struck with a more powerful Thunder Fang on Galvantula, though it still only did Minor damage.
"Galvantula, return the favour with Signal Beam" the Female Grunt called, and Galvantula sent a beam of teal energy at Stoutland, dealing Considerable damage.
"Now Amoonguss, use Venoshock" the Male Grunt called, but Ash was ready.
"Block it Emboar, use Substitute" Ash commanded, and Emboar used a quarter of its health to put a doll in, which absorbed the shot of poisonous, purple liquid from Amoonguss without being destroyed.
"Stoutland, quick use Return" Hilda called, and Stoutland enveloped itself in white, heart-shaped energy, and charged at Amoonguss, striking and dealing Moderate damage.
"Another Signal Beam" the Female Grunt called, but Ash replied "Emboar, use your Substitute to block the Signal Beam, then use Fire Punch on Galvantula" and Emboar cloaked his first with flames, and after throwing the Substitute at the Signal Beam, the Signal Beam absorbed by the Substitute, which, subsequently dissipates, then punches Galvantula, almost KO'ing Galvantula.
"End this Stoutland, use Return" Hilda called, and Stoutland cloaked itself in white, heart-shaped energy, and charged at Galvantula, KO'ing it.
"Dang it, Galvantula return, now Seismitoad, let's rule" the Female Grunt yelled as she withdrew Galvantula and called in Seismitoad.
"Alright then, Emboar, return" Ash commanded, and Emboar was withdrawn. He then continued with "Now Ferroseed, I choose you" and Ferroseed materialised.
"Seismitoad, use Mud Shot" the Female Grunt called, and Seismitoad shot mud at Ferroseed, but Ash was ready.
"Ferroseed, Protect" Ash commanded, and Ferroseed shielded itself from the Mud Shot. Then, the Male Grunt commanded "Amoonguss, Spore that Stoutland" and Amoonguss shot a cloud of spores at Stoutland, which put Stoutland to Sleep.
"Drat," Hilda said, and she got out a Full Heal and used it to awaken Stoutland.
"Now's our chance, Seismitoad, Muddy Water" the Female Grunt called, and Ash had to think fast.
"Oh no you don't, Ferroseed, use Seed Bomb" Ash commanded, and Ferroseed shot explosive seeds at Seismitoad, not only dealing Significant damage but just disrupting Seismitoad's focus enough to stop Hilda getting hit by the wave of mud, though Stoutland was still hit, dealing Moderate damage,
"It's time for our revenge Stoutland, use Return" Hilda called, and Stoutland cloaked himself with white, heart-shaped energy, and struck Amoonguss, dealing Moderate damage.
"Now Amoonguss, use Body Slam" the Male Grunt called, and Amoonguss slammed onto Stoutland, trapping it.
"Ha! Now you won't be able to have Ferroseed attack Amoonguss unless you'll hurt Stoutland" he Taunted, but Ash knew what to do.
"Ferroseed, use Metal Claw" Ash commanded, and Ferroseed spun at Amoonguss while cloaked with Silver energy, getting Amoonguss off Stoutland and dealing Slight damage. However, a sudden wave of Muddy Water struck, KO'ing Stoutland, also hitting Hilda, dealing Moderate damage to her, and dealing Minor damage to Ferroseed, and Slight damage to Ash.
"Are you OK Hilda?" Ash called as Hilda hit the deck. Once the muddy water washed over her, Hilda pulled herself to her feet, and responded: "Yeah, I'm OK". She then called "Samurott, let's show them what we can do" and Samurott materialised.
"End the Seismitoad Ferroseed, use Seed Bomb" Ash commanded, and Ferroseed fired explosive seeds at Seismitoad, KO'ing it.
"No, I've lost, Seismitoad, return," the Female Grunt said as she withdrew Seismitoad, and activated a strange device, to teleport her away.
"Amoonguss, drain that Samurott of its energy, use Giga Drain" the Male Grunt commanded, to which Ash responded "Ferroseed, intercept" and the Natural tentacles generated by Amoonguss wrapped around Ferroseed instead of Samurott.
"Now Samurott, use Hidden Power" Hilda commanded, but when Samurott charged his attack, it wasn't Hidden Power Ice. Instead, a beam of cold was shot at Amoonguss, an Ice Beam, KO'ing it.
"Argh! Amoonguss, return. And though I still have a Pokémon left, I won't win 2-VS-1, so I'm out" the Male Grunt said, and after he withdrew Amoonguss, he fled.
Conclusion: Emboar, Ferroseed, Stoutland and Samurott wins.
"So it was Neo Team Plasma who were causing the problems," Skyla said to herself as the final member withdrew. She turned to Ash and Hilda, and said "That was an epic fight, well done"
"Thanks, Skyla, that means a lot" Hilda replied. Ash then turned to the bell and said "Well, it's time to ring it", to which both Skyla and Hilda nodded. They walked up to it, and Ash rang it.
The effect was almost immediate, and the Wild Pokémon who were going wild in the tower were calmed.
"That's a very soothing sound, my brother talked about this, but I never got the chance to listen to it," Hilda said as she listened to the ring. Skyla smiled and said "I ring it from time to time. And the sound of the ring reflects the personality, and Ash, you're a kind and strong person, which I really like"
"Cool," Ash said. Skyla then said "Before we go, Hilda, I'd like you to ring the bell too. I remember the sound it made when your brother rang it, I want to see if it'll make a similar noise", to which Hilda nodded, walked up to the bell, and rang it. The sound it made, was very similar. Skyla smiled, then said "Well well, it seems that runs in the family. The sound the bell made when your brother rang it, the sound was almost identical", to which Hilda smiled, and said "No surprises there, our parents raised us well", to which Ash responded "Seems our parents raised all three of us well"
"I agree, I'd love to meet your parents someday" Skyla replied, to which Ash added "Well, in a couple of days, you will"
"Awesome, I can't wait" Skyla replied. She then continued with "And now, it's time to introduce myself again. I'm Skyla, the Gym Leader of Mistralton's Pokémon Gym. I also use, as you've seen, Flying-type Pokémon. When you're ready, please come to the Gym, and I'll give you a big welcome"
"Alright, we'll be sure to give you a great battle" Ash replied, to which Hilda nodded. Skyla smiled, then departed, while Ash and Hilda also headed back.
On the way down, Ash, Hilda and Skyla run into the trainers on the second floor.
"How are the Wild Pokémon?" Skyla asked, to which Psychic Joyce replied "Yeah, the Wild Pokémon have calmed down. They nearly defeated us all. Did you find out the source of the Wild Pokémon going nuts?"
"Well, as it turned out, it was Neo Team Plasma's fault," Skyla said, to which Psychic Joyce responded with "Good. Why the hell would Team Plasma fuck with the Celestial Tower?"
"We don't know. That, I'll be investigating" Skyla responded, to which Psychic Joyce nodded, and responded "Well, good luck on that"
"Same to you," Skyla said, and her, Ash and Hilda continued their way down.
After a while, Ash and Hilda made it back to Mistralton City. After they washed up and gave their Pokémon to Nurse Joy, they went to the computers to open communications. Their mom's appeared.
"Hey guys, how are we?" Delia asked, to which Ash replied "We're doing pretty good. Had another battle with members of Neo Team Plasma at the top of Celestial Tower, and Hilda obtained a Duosion" Ash said, to which Hilda's Mom replied "Congratulations"
"Thanks" Hilda replied, smiling. Delia then asked, "So, what's next on the docket?"
"Obviously, we're going to take on Skyla tomorrow for the next badge" Ash replied, to which Delia and Hilda's Mom nodded, and Hilda's Mom added "Well, we wish you good luck"
"Thanks" both Ash and Hilda replied. Delia nodded, then said "Well, we'd better let you two get ready for that Gym Battle"
"Thanks, we will" Ash replied. They all waved, then the communication was cut.
"Well, we'd better get something to eat, then turn in for the night," Ash said, to which Hilda nodded, and they did just that.