A/N: Hilbert's Pokémon are in the low 60s, which is much higher than the late 30s, to maybe 40, teams of the trainers in Reversal Mountain.
The following morning saw Ash and Hilda get up early, a cool, clear day ahead. When they enter the foyer, they saw Skyla already waiting for them.
"Good Morning you two, did you sleep well?" Skyla asked, to which they both nodded. Skyla smiled, then said "Good to hear. Are you ready to go?"
"Once we collect our Pokémon, definitely" Ash replied, and once they got their Pokémon, they headed out.
Soon, they arrive at the airport. Skyla ran to her plane, and climbed on first, as she's the pilot.
"Wow, that's cool," Ash said as they got onto the plane, and took their seats.
"This is Air Swoobat for a VIP flight to Lentimas Town. Please buckle up and relax, this journey will take about an hour" Skyla called through the intercom. They obliged, with Ash helping Pikachu get buckled up, and soon, the plane took off into the sky.
"Remember to sightsee this fantastic land" Skyla called over the intercom as they reached the planet's cruising altitude. And when Ash and Hilda look out of the window, they're surprised by the view.
"That's quite the view," Ash said, to which Hilda replied "I've never seen Unova from this perspective, it's so cool"
"Agreed" Ash responded, and Pikachu called too.
They watched the scenery go by as they flew on, and after about half an hour, they land in Lentimas Town, where Delia, Hilda's mom, Professor Oak, Juniper and Cedric Juniper, and Hilbert were all waiting for them.
"Hey guys," Hilbert said as he embraced his sister. After a lot of rounds of hugs, Ash said "So, this is Lentimas Town"
"Yep," Hilbert replied. Hilda then asked, "Hey bro, did you go this way to get to Opelucid City?"
"No, I went through Twist Mountain and Icirrus City" Hilbert replied. Hilda nodded, then said "Well, guess we're exploring an area that, at most, you've only recently explored"
"Actually I'd like to explore the nearby mountain with you all, if that's OK," Hilbert said, to which Ash replied, "That would be cool, sure".
"Alright. How about we head for the Pokémon Centre so we can plan our next move?" Professor Juniper asked, to which Hilbert replied "Sure", and the group headed there.
"Let me know if you need a return flight" Skyla called, to which Professor Juniper replied, "We will don't worry".
Soon, the group arrived at the Pokémon Centre.
"So, what, Professor Juniper, are you planning to do?" Hilbert asked, to which professor Juniper replied "Well I'm investigating why the volcano has become active recently"
"You'll need someone strong to accompany you. I'll join you in that quest" Hilbert replied, to which Professor Juniper nodded, and said "Sure Hilbert, that would be nice"
"Thanks, Professor Juniper" Hilbert replied. Ash then asked, "What about you Professor Oak?"
"Document the Pokémon in the mountain of course" Professor Oak responded, smiling, to which Ash replied "Naturally, I wish you luck on that"
"Thanks, Ash" Professor Oak replied. Delia then added "Mimey can assist you if you need a guardian Professor"
"Heh, thanks for the offer, but I'll be fine" Professor Oak replied. Delia then turned to Ash and Hilda, and asked: "As for you two?"
"Probably train a bit in there and see if there are any Pokémon Hilda wants to catch for her team" Ash replied, and Pikachu called.
"Well, it sounds like a plan" Cedric Juniper replied, but at that point, a civilian runs into the Pokémon Centre.
"What the?" everyone asked, to which the civilian replied "I don't know how it happened, but a bunch of barriers have appeared throughout the Reversal Mountain and blocked most of it off. I'm not strong enough to break through, so I need your help"
"Alright, did you see who or what was causing it?" Ash asked, to which the Civilian replied "No, I only just got out in time. Reversal Mountain is our only non-aerial connection to Unova, can you please help?"
"Sure" Ash replied, and he looked to Hilda, who also nodded. Hilbert then asked "Mom, Delia, Professor's, can you please stay here while we go sort this out?" to which they replied "Sure"
"Good. Now let's get going" Hilbert said to Ash and Hilda, who nodded, and they headed out.
As Ash and Hilda approach Reversal Mountain, they're met by two Cyclists, who appear to be under mind control.
"Battle us," the male Cyclist said, to which Ash responded "Alright if it'll get you out of our way"
"Zebstrika, let's go," the male Cyclist said, and Zebstrika materialised. Then, the female Cyclist called "Unfezant, let's go" and Unfezant materialised.
"Alright. My best bet here is, Fraxure, I choose you" Ash called, and Fraxure materialised. Hilda then concluded with "Now Duosion, let's show them what we can do" and Duosion materialised.
"Ready to go Adelaide?" the male cyclist asked, to which she replied "Ready Jerimiah"
Battle: Duosion and Fraxure VS Zebstrika and Unfezant
"Zebstrika, use Spark" Jerimiah called, while Adelaide added "Unfezant, use Facade" and Zebstrika cloaked itself with electricity, while Unfezant cloaked itself in white energy, and they charged at Duosion.
"Fraxure, intercept these attacks with Dual Chop" Ash commanded, and Fraxure caught, and negated, Zebstrika's Spark with a hand glowing with draconic energy, but still took Minor damage, also inflicting Minor damage on both Zebstrika and Unfezant.
"Now Duosion, use Wonder Room" Hilda called, and Duosion's eyes glowed blue, and a room of light was summoned around them, swapping all Pokémon's Defense stats.
"OK then. Don't know what the purpose of that was, but I don't care. Zebstrika, use Stomp" Jerimiah called, and Zebstrika cloaked its hooves in white energy, and hit Fraxure, dealing Minor damage.
"Quick, strike back with Dual Chop" Ash commanded, and Fraxure's hands glowed Orange, and both hits struck Zebstrika, dealing Minor damage each hit, and Considerable damage overall.
"Unfezant, strike down with Facade" Adelaide called, and Unfezant cloaked itself in white energy, and struck Fraxure, dealing Minor damage,
"Quick, Duosion, use Psyshock" Hilda commanded, and Duosion unleashed a blob of Psionic energy at Unfezant, dealing Considerable damage.
"Fraxure, take this chance, use Dual Chop" Ash commanded, and Fraxure's hands glowed orange, and struck Unfezant, each hit dealing Minor damage each hit, and Moderate damage overall.
"Zebstrika, hit back with Stomp" Jerimiah called, but Hilda responded with "Duosion, use Psyshock" while Ash called "Fraxure, hide with Dig" and Fraxure just got underground before Zebstrika struck, then Duosion's blob of psionic energy hit Zebstrika, dealing Considerable damage.
"Hit back, use Facade Unfezant" Adelaide called, and Unfezant cloaked itself with white energy and struck, dealing Minor damage.
"Follow up with Spark" Jerimiah called, and the Zebstrika charged itself with electricity, but before striking Duosion, Fraxure struck with Dig, KO'ing Zebstrika.
"Unfezant, revenge on Zebstrika with Facade" Adelaide commanded, while Hilda responded "End this Duosion, use Psyshock" and Duosion shot a blob of psionic energy at Unfezant, KO'ing it.
Conclusion: Fraxure and Duosion win.
"Thanks for freeing us from control," Adelaide said, to which Ash replied "No worries. What's going on inside?"
"Someone, or something, has blocked off much of the mountain. You'll need to win the challenges before you can stop them" Jerimiah replied. Ash nodded, and the trio headed for the cave.
When they get into a cave, they ascend the first set of stairs and discover their path into the main cave blocked.
"So, what do we have to do?" Hilbert asked, to which Ash traced the trail attached to the barrier, to a small path off the main one.
"There," Ash said, and they follow the trail. Here, they discover three buttons.
"OK. Seems like we have to press these buttons?" Ash asked, to which Hilda nodded. They pressed the buttons left to right, and nothing happened.
"Try the other way," Hilda said, and after turning the buttons off, they turned it on, in the opposite way, and the path opened.
"Cool, let's go," Ash said, and they entered.
As soon as they enter, however, a sudden Rockslide forces Ash, Hilda and Hilbert to scatter. Ash and Hilda are stuck on the Eastern route, while Hilbert is on the Southern route.
"Ash, Hilda, are you OK?" Hilbert asked, to which Ash replied "Yeah, we're fine"
"Send a message to someone to clear the rocks," Hilda said, to which Hilbert responded, "Alright, I'll send a message to Professor Juniper". And at this, the communication was cut, and they head off on their paths.
With Hilbert, the first part of his journey.
Due to his reputation, and the power of his Pokémon, no trainer wants to challenge him to a battle. Also, his Serperior can glare any challenging Wild Pokémon into avoiding him.
Hilbert's first obstacle are two barriers that block his progress southwards. Taking the alternate path, Hilbert discovers it's branched. Taking the shorter Southern route, he encounters a wild Camerupt.
"Alright Galvantula, let's show our power," Hilbert said, and Galvantula materialised.
Battle: Camerupt VS Galvantula
"Galvantula, use Energy Ball" Hilbert commanded, and Galvantula generated a ball of natural energy and shot it at Camerupt, KO'ing it in one hit.
Winner: Galvantula
And with the defeat of Camerupt, the first barrier fell. Hilbert then took the upper path and found three switches.
"Musharna, help me out here," Hilbert said, and a Beheeyem materialised as he withdrew Musharna
"Alright, eat my dreams, so I can see which switch is the correct one," Hilbert said, to which Musharna obliged. Hilbert's vision went hexagonal, and he could see the switch on the right was the one to disable the barrier. Pressing the switch, the second barrier fell. Hilbert then returned to the main path and proceeded down it.
Once he finds the next barrier, he goes down the alternate path. Here, he sees a pad with about twenty mini-pads on it.
"I don't think I need Musharna for this one" Hilbert said, and he started stepping on the mini-pads. And he was correct, and once he pressed on all of the mini-pads and turned them green, the barrier fell.
"Cool, that was easy," Hilbert said to himself as he tracked back and proceeded further down the path.
Meanwhile with Ash and Hilda
Ash and Hilda went a fair way into the cave before they encountered any trainers. But, when they did, it was a Backpacker and a Hiker.
"Looks like they're under mind control too," Ash said, to which Hilda replied "Well, then we'll just break it for them"
"Let's do this Markus, Golbat, let's go," the Backpacker said, to which Hiker Markus replied "Let's go Kiyo, and Gurdurr, let's go" and Gurdurr materialised.
"Tynamo, let's show them what we can do" Hilda called, and Tynamo materialised. Ash then added "Emboar, I choose you" and Emboar materialised.
Battle: Tynamo, Emboar, Frillish, Samurott VS Golbat, Swanna, Gurdurr and Crustle
"Golbat, use Confuse Ray" Markus called, and Golbat sent a beam of spectral light at Emboar, Confusing him.
"Now Gurdurr, use Dynamic Punch" Kiyo called, but Hilda was ready.
"Tynamo, intercept with Spark" Hilda commanded, and Tynamo cloaked itself with electricity and charged at Gurdurr, and connected before the explosive orange fist hit Emboar, dealing Minor damage.
"Emboar, Substitute" Ash called, and Emboar was able to get enough over Confusion to use a quarter of its health to hide behind the doll.
"Destroy the Substitute Gurdurr, use Dynamic Punch" Kiyo called, but by the time Gurdurr's explosive orange fist smashed the Substitute, Emboar had gotten over Confusion.
"Now Emboar, use Fire Punch" Ash commanded, and Emboar cloaked his fist with flames and punched Gurdurr, dealing Moderate damage.
"Golbat, quick, strike that Emboar down with Acrobatics" Markus called, and Golbat cloaked itself in sky blue energy and charged, but, once again, Hilda commanded "Tynamo, use Spark" and Tynamo struck Golbat, dealing Considerable damage.
"Now Emboar, quick, end this with Thunder Punch" Ash commanded, and Emboar cloaked his fist with electrical energy and struck, KO'ing Golbat.
"Argh, Golbat, return," Markus said, then he added "Swanna, let's go" and Swanna materialised.
"Gurdurr, use Rock Slide" Kiyo called, and Gurdurr dropped some rocks on both Tynamo and Emboar, dealing Minor damage to both Tynamo and Emboar.
"Now Swanna, use Aqua Ring," Markus said, and Swanna generated a ring of water around itself.
"Alright, Emboar, return," Ash said and Emboar was withdrawn. Ash then continued with "Now Frillish, I choose you" and Frillish materialised.
Just before Ash had switched, Kiyo had called "Gurdurr, use Dynamic Punch" and as a result, Gurdurr's explosive fist passed straight through Frillish.
"Strike back Frillish, use Water Pulse" Ash commanded, and Frillish shot a ball of water at Gurdurr, dealing minor damage.
"Gang up Tynamo, use Spark," Hilda said, and Tynamo cloaked itself with electricity, and charged at Gurdurr, dealing Minor damage.
"Keep going Swanna, use Rain Dance," Markus said, and Swanna called rain clouds, and it started to rain.
"Smash that damn Swanna Tynamo, use Spark" Hilda called, and Tynamo followed Swanna up while cloaking itself with electricity, and struck, KO'ing Swanna in one hit.
"I've lost, no" Markus said as Swanna was withdrawn.
"Avenge them Gurdurr, use Dynamic Punch" Kiyo called, and Gurdurr punched Tynamo with an explosive, orange fist, dealing Significant damage and Confusing Tynamo.
"Emboar, quick, use Brick Break" Ash commanded, and just as Gurdurr struck Tynamo with Dynamic Punch, Emboar struck with Brick Break, KO'ing Gurdurr.
"Argh! Get back Gurdurr. Now go, Crustle" Kiyo said, and Gurdurr was withdrawn, then Crustle materialised.
"This is really bad," Kiyo said, to which Ash replied "Of course", and Ash said "Frillish, use Water Pulse", while Hilda added "Samurott, use Water Pulse" and both Samurott and Frillish fire off balls of water at Crustle, the combined forces KO Crustle, but not before Kiyo said "Crustle, use Rock Slide" and Kiyo's Rock Slide did Minor damage to Samurott and Frillish.
Conclusion: Tynamo, Samurott, Emboar and Frillish wins
As the two trainers fall, defeated, the barrier stopping Ash and Hilda from progressing fell.
"Do you know who did this?" Ash asked, to which Kiyo replied "Figures in a Black-and-Grey outfit, their noses and mouths covered by a black mask"
"That's Neo Team Plasma, yet again" Hilda replied, shaking her head. They then continued into the mountain.
As they get further into the maze, Ash and Hilda realise their path was again blocked.
"So, do we have to battle more trainers?" Ash asked, to which a female Ace Trainer replied "Not in this case. The path behind me breaks into two. There will be a quick quiz. If you answer the questions correctly, you'll be allowed to proceed. However, if you guess wrong, you'll have to battle one of us to drop the barrier"
"OK" Ash replied, and they go down the path, with Ash going to the right, and Hilda going to the left.
With Ash.
Ash's question was "How many Pokédex holders are there in Unova?" the question was. Ash thought about this for a moment and counted him, Trip, Hilda, Nate, Rosa and Hugh. He decided, on a whim, to select nine, and the answer was correct.
"Wow, that's a lot of Pokédexes," Ash said to himself as he saw his answer was correct. As a result, the first barrier fell.
With Hilda
Hilda saw her question, which was "How many badges are there in Unova?". Hilda had to think about this. She had seen Nate's badge case at the Pokémon World Tournament, and he had five Gym Badges, only three of which were the same as hers, though the Normal-type badge was the same, just from different Gym Leaders.
"And since Brycen is no longer a Gym Leader, the Freeze Badge is no longer counted. There's a new one in the north-east of Unova, so the answer is ten" Hilda said to herself, and the answer was again correct.
"Cool," Hilda said as the second barrier fell. Ash and Hilda then proceed further in.
It is here when Ash and Hilda discover, to their dismay, that they can't proceed until Hilbert takes down that barrier. Hilda calls Hilbert.
Meanwhile with Hilbert
Hilbert was just about to pass through an opening in the cave wall when Hilda called him.
"Hey sis, what's up?" Hilbert asked, to which Hilda replied "Our path is blocked by something on your end"
"Oh. Well, I'll be sure to find the switch that'll allow you to proceed further in, just hold tight for a bit, OK?" Hilbert responded, to which Hilda replied "Alright"
"Good, thanks sis" Hilbert replied, and the communication was cut.
When Hilbert passed through the opening, he finds his path blocked by another puzzle. Just like with Hilda, it was a quiz.
"Well, here goes nothing," Hilbert said, and he approached.
"Question. What are the three Abilities of Crustle?" a voice asked. Hlbert replied "Sturdy, Shell Armor and Weak Armor".
"Correct," the voice said, and the barrier vanished. Hilbert returned to the path and proceeded East until he reached the next barrier.
And it is here, that for the first time, Hilbert hears a roar. Ash and Hilda hear it too.
"What the hell?" all three of them asked as the place shook. However, as soon as it started, it stopped.
"That was strange" Hilbert said to himself. A Pokémon Ranger approached him, and said: "Did you hear that?"
"Yeah. Do you know what that was?" Hilbert asked, to which she replied "Yeah. Apparently, it's called Heatran, the master of Volcanoes"
"Right. I don't really know much about it, but would you be able to help me with this investigation?" Hilbert asked, to which the Ranger replied 'Sure, it's part of my job. I'm Eliza", and she offered her hand, which Hilbert shook, and replied "Hilbert, nice to meet you"
"Well, we had better go and open the pathway further in, and see what we can do with Heatran," Eliza said, to which Hilbert nodded, and they proceeded into the cave on their new quest.