The following morning, Ash headed out and found Nurse Joy waiting for him.
"Hey, Ash, Hilda's hanging out at Undella Bay if you're looking for her" Nurse Joy said, to which Ash replied, "Alright, thanks". He then grabbed his Pokémon and headed out.
Meanwhile at Undella Bay
Hilda got up about half an hour earlier, and headed for the bay after getting her Pokémon, and found Cynthia standing here.
"Hello Cynthia," Hilda said, to which Cynthia turned to face her, and replied "Oh, hello Hilda, fancy seeing you here"
"Hey Cynthia, I'd like to get some advice from a female champion, and someone who's likely done this before herself," Hilda said, to which Cynthia smiled, and said "Well, the adventure you're on is definitely a good start. I have a feeling that, when the big Unova Tournament rolls around, Ash is going to use that as a test to see if you have learned enough to stand on your own two feet. He won't always be there for you, and most likely, he's going to bring team members from his previous travels, he's definitely going for the Championship with this one"
"Well good luck to him. I've learned a lot, but I still have a lot left to learn" Hilda responded. Cynthia nodded, then said, "When's Ash going to start on the Counter Shield?"
"We'll start on that soon, I hope" Hilda replied. Cynthia nodded, then said "Oh, I do have one other big piece of advice for you"
"Yeah?" Hilda asked, to which Cynthia responded "You've got to learn to stand up for yourself and not only stand up to your enemies, but, as uncomfortable as it may sound, there will come times where you have to stand up to your friends. If you don't, you'll just get walked over. You'll have to be more assertive than normal because you're female. But once you have the respect of the guys, you will go far"
"Worked for you?" Hilda asked, to which Cynthia smiled, then said "Worked for me. I let my Pokémon battling do the talking"
"My brother already gave me that advice, but hearing it from you, that just reinforces it in my mind" Hilda replied, smiling. Ash arrived at that moment.
"Hey Cynthia, hey Hilda, how are we?" Ash asked, to which both Cynthia and Hilda replied "Good"
"I was just talking to Cynthia about things" Hilda added, to which Ash nodded, and asked "Cool to hear. So, I do want to start on a bit of training with you today Hilda. Have your Pokémon learned how to spin while using a move yet?"
"Stoutland's too big to do it, but Samurott's learning. He's at stage 1, the spinning bit, but can't quite get the water Pulse to spin like he wants" Hilda replied, to which Ash nodded, and said "Alright. Well, we can practice that as we go up Route 15, I'd like for you to start trying out the Counter Shield"
"Ooooh, that's the technique you're best known for, correct?" Cynthia asked, to which Ash responded "Well, Fantina was the one who showed it to me, so she should get the credit for coming up with it, but I guess, yeah"
"Considering that three other trainers have taught their Pokémon to use it after seeing your Pokémon use it, I'd say go for it" Cynthia replied, to which Ash nodded, and Hilda asked "Wait, which three?"
"My Rival Paul, my Sinnoh region travelling companion Dawn, and I don't know who the third one is" Ash replied. Cynthia smiled, then responded "The third trainer, is me. My Garchomp, Spiritomb and Milotic can all utilise it"
"That's awesome" Ash replied, smiling. Cynthia then added, "So, what now?"
"Well, I want to head to Route 13, it's the best way to get to Opelucid City" Hilda responded, to which Cynthia added "Actually that's a good idea, I should probably head there too, meet up with the guy called Drayden"
"Then it's a plan" Ash responded, and after a few preparations, they depart.
When they arrive on Route 13, they're met by a Black Belt and a Battle Girl.
"Well, I guess this could be a great opportunity, Hilda, for one of your Pokémon to try out Stage 2 in the strategy for Counter Shield"
"Well, let's try this out then" Ash replied. The Black Belt approached and asked "Name's Wesley. You wanna battle me?"
"Yeah, a demonstration for Hilda" Ash replied, to which Wesley nodded, and replied "Alright, Gurdurr, let's brawl" and Gurdurr materialised.
"Alright Pikachu, I choose you" Ash called, and Pikachu jumped off his shoulder and took a position.
"I'll be referee," Cynthia said, before adding "Begin"
Battle: Gurdurr VS Pikachu
"Alright Hilda, pay attention and take notes," Ash said, to which Hilda nodded. Her Samurott jumped out of his ball and also watched on.
"Alright Gurdurr, use Brick Break" Wesley called, and Gurdurr cloaked his hand with orange energy, shaped like a brick, and charged at Pikachu.
"Pikachu, spin to avoid it" Ash commanded, and Pikachu jumped, spun and barely avoided the Brick Break.
"Now, Thunderbolt while spinning" Ash commanded, and Pikachu spun rapidly while emitting electrical blasts, which sprayed across the ground around Gurdurr.
"Gurdurr, dodge it then use another Brick Break" Wesley called, and although Gurdurr was initially able to avoid them, at Ash's guidance, Pikachu was able to control his Thunderbolt shots like a net, trapping Gurdurr.
"Now end this Pikachu" Ash commanded, and Pikachu brought the streams of electricity down on Gurdurr, KO'ing it in one hit.
"Gurdurr is unable to battle, Pikachu wins" Cynthia called as Wesley withdrew Gurdurr.
Conclusion: Pikachu wins
'What level is that Pikachu? It should not have KO'ed my Gurdurr in one hit, even with Light Ball" Wesley asked, to which Ash answered "Mid 60s, way higher than the others". He then turned to Hilda and Samurott and added "That's the stages of Counter Shield. It'll take a bit to get used to, but you should be good once you've got the spinning down"
"Alright. Can Samurott here have a go?" Hilda asked, to which the Battle Girl, stepping forward and calling in her Scrafty, said "Sure". Hilda and Samurott nodded and stepped forward as Ash and Pikachu stepped back.
Battle: Samurott and Tynamo VS Scrafty
"Scrafty, use Crunch," Aliza said, and Scrafty's fangs grew and were cloaked in anti-positive energy, and he charged at Samurott.
"Samurott, dodge it by spinning, then use Water Pulse" Hilda called, and Samurott spun, looking rather derpy as he did so, and narrowly avoided the Crunch, he then generated a ball of water, and shot it at Scrafty, dealing Minor damage.
"Wait, I have an idea. There's someone on my team who's really close to evolving, and I'd like him to start the process of learning the Counter Shield too, as he's a tank" Hilda called, remembering something. Aliza replied "Sure"
"Alright. Samurott, we'll do this a couple more times, then Tynamo's coming in, OK?" Hilda asked, to which Samurott nodded.
"Alright. Scrafty, use High Jump Kick" Aliza called, and Scrafty's entire leg glowed orange as it jumped high into the air and charged at Samurott, knee first, aiming at Samurott's head.
"Well, that's pretty silly. Samurott, Megahorn and aim for Scrafty's knee" Hilda commanded, and Samurott's horn glowed teal and grew significantly, and he shot at Scrafty, striking and inflicting Minor damage, then Scrafty, briefly losing concentration, crashed, nearly KO'ing itself.
"Alright Samurott, return. And Tyanmo, let's show them what we can do" Hilda commanded, and Samurott was withdrawn, while Tynamo materialised.
"Scrafty, use Crunch" Aliza commanded, and Scrafty's fangs grew and glowed with Anti-Positive energy, and charged at Tynamo.
"Tynamo, end this with Spark" Hilda commanded, and though Tynamo took Considerable damage from the Crunch, the Spark also hit, KO'ing Scrafty.
"Scrafty is unable to battle, the winner is Tyanmo" Cynthia called and both Hilda and Tynamo cheered as Aliza withdrew Scrafty.
Conclusion: Samurott, Tynamo wins
"we won Tyanmo!" Hilda called, and she was shocked when Tynamo started glowing.
"Huh? Oh, Tyanmo's evolving!" Hilda called, excited to see what Tynamo would evolve into. And soon, a blue-black, eel-like Pokémon materialised, and called "Eelektrik!"
"Wow, Tyanmo evolved into Eelektrik," Ash said, and both he and Hilda got their dexes out.
"Elektrik, the Elefish Pokémon, and the evolved form of Tynamo. It wraps itself around its prey and paralyzes it with electricity from the round spots on its sides. Then it chomps." their Pokédexes both said.
"Cool. Well, you'd better get further into the route. Good luck" Aliza said, to which Ash, Hilda and Cynthia replied "Thanks, same to you" and, with Hilda withdrawing Eelektrik, they departed.
As the trio head up Route 13, Ash cannot help but marvel at the design of the Route.
"This is really cool, such a huge variety of designs in Routes. Unova truly is a wonderous place" Ash said, to which Hilda replied "Of course, nature has taken a big course in the creation of this region"
"Yeah" Ash responded. As they approached the north of the Route, a Fisherman approaches.
"Hey you three, if you want to proceed, you'll have to defeat me. The name's Damon, and my Pokémon are ready to throw down"
"Alright, let's do this" Ash said, stepping forward. Damon nodded, then called "Alright Basculin, let's go" and Basculin materialised. Ash nodded, then responded "Ferroseed, I choose you" and Ferroseed materialised.
Battle: Frillish and Ferroseed VS Basculin and Staryu
"Basculin, use Soak" Damon called, and Basculin shot a strange blast of water at Ferroseed.
"Ash, watch out, that move will turn your Ferroseed into a Water-type" Hilda called, to which Ash replied "Noted. Then Ferroseed, use Substitute" and Ferroseed used a quarter of its health to generate a doll that it hid behind and which absorbed the Soak without changing Ferroseed's type. Ferroseed then restored a slight amount of health with its Leftovers.
"Now Basculin, use Double-Edge" Damon called, and Basculin cloaked itself with white energy and charged recklessly into Ferroseed' Substitute, which didn't do enough damage to break it, and took Slight recoil.
"Now take advantage of this Ferroseed, use Seed Bomb" Ash called, and Ferroseed leapt on top of its Substitute, and shot explosive natural seeds at Basculin, dealing Considerable damage.
"That did more than half the Substitute's health, so I will have to put another in as soon as it breaks," Ash thinks to himself as Ferroseed's Leftovers restored a Slight amount of health and Damon called "Basculin, strike with another Double-Edge" and Basculin once cloaked itself with White energy, and recklessly charged into the Substitute, breaking it, though taking slight recoil.
"Another Substitute, let's not let it get Soak off" Ash commanded, and Ferroseed used a quarter of its health to generate another doll to hide behind.
"Come on, this is getting ridiculous" Damon said to himself. as Ferroseed restored a Slight amount of health with Leftovers, and he added "Keep the Double Edges up" and Basculin cloaked itself with white energy and again charged into the Substitute, failing to break it and taking Slight recoil.
"Respond, quickly, Ferroseed, use Seed Bomb" Ash commanded, and Ferroseed once again jumped on top of its Substitute to shoot explosive seeds at Basculin, dealing Considerable damage, then hiding back behind the Substitute and restoring a Slight amount of health with Leftovers.
"Bust that Substitute up with another Double-Edge" Damon called, and Basculin once more cloaked itself in white energy and charged into the Substitute, breaking it and taking Slight recoil.
"End this Ferroseed, use Seed Bomb" Ash commanded, and as soon as Basculin broke the Substitute, Ferroseed was there and shot explosive seeds at Basculin, KO'ing it,
"Basculin is unable to battle, Ferroseed wins" Cynthia called, and both Ferroseed and Ash cheered as Damon withdrew Basculin.
It was at this moment, that Ferroseed decided to glow.
"Huh? Hey, Ferroseed is evolving" Ash called as he watched Ferroseed change form. After a few moments, the new Pokémon appeared, and roared "FERROTHORN!"
"Ferrothorn?" Ash asked, and he got his Pokédex out.
"Ferrothorn, the Thorn Pod Pokémon and the evolved form of Ferroseed. By swinging around its three spiky feels and shooting spikes, it can obliterate an opponent" Ash's Pokédex said.
"Wow. Hey Ferrothorn, could you take a rest for a bit? You're not the only member of my team that seemingly wants to evolve today" Ash said, to which Ferrothorn nodded, and Ash withdrew him.
"Staryu, let's go" Damon called and Staryu materialised. Ash nodded, then added "Frillish, I choose you" and Frillish materialised.
"Staryu, let's improve our chances with Light Screen" Damon called, to which Ash replied "Quick Frillish, use Ominous Wind" and Staryu barely managed to get the Screen of Light up before Frillish struck with a wind of spectral energy, which did minor damage.
"Quick, use Psychic" Damon called, and Staryu glowed blue, and shoot a blast of psionic energy at Frillish.
"Frilish, shoot a Water Pulse into the ground, then use Ominous Wind" Ash commanded, and Frillish shot a ball of water into the ground, the wave of water stopping the Psychic, and when it fell, Staryu was hit by a blast of spectral wind, dealing Minor damage.
"Alright Staryu, use Psychic again" Damon called, and Staryu shot another wave of psychic energy at Frillish, and Ash responded "Frillish, another Water Pulse into the ground" and once again, the Psychic was blocked by the wave of water.
"Quick, Staryu, another Psychic" Damon added, and the pulse of psionic energy hits Frillish, dealing Minor damage.
"Frillish, quick, respond with another Ominous Wind" Ash commanded, and Frillish blew more Spectral Wind at Staryu, dealing Minor damage. The Light Screen then fell.
"Staryu, use Light Screen," Damon said, and Staryu threw up another Screen of Light.
"Quick Frillish, another Ominous Wind" Ash called, and Frillish blew a Spectral Wind at Staryu, dealing Minor damage.
"Quick Staryu, respond with Psychic," Damon said, and Staryu glowed blue, and shot blue, psionic energy at Frillish, dealing Minor damage.
"Respond Frillish, use Ominous Wind" Ash commanded, and Frillish blasted more Spectral Wind at Staryu, dealing Minor damage.
"Another Psychic Staryu" Damon called, and Ash responded "Really? Alright, Water Pulse into the ground" and Frillish, once again, shot a ball of water into the ground, and the wave of water once again stopped the Psychic. Then, at Ash's command, Frillish blew a Spectral Wind at Staryu, KO'ing it.
"Staryu is unable to battle, Frillish wins" Cynthia called as Damon withdrew Staryu, defeated, and Ash and Frillish both cheered. Then, Frillish also started glowing white.
"Wow, Frillish is evolving too," Ash said as he watched Frillish grow. After a few moments, the new Pokémon appeared and called "Jellicent"
"Jellicent?" Ash asked, and he got his Pokédex out.
"Jellicent, the Floating Pokémon and the evolved form of Frillish. Using life energy for food, Jellicent swims by absorbing seawater, then expelling it." Ash's Pokédex called.
Conclusion: Ferroseed/Ferrothorn and Frillish/Jellicent win.
"I've got to say, Ash, having seen you battle today, your tactics are definitely a lot more defensive than what I remember," Cynthia said as Ash withdrew Jellicent. Ash turned to face Cynthia and responded "Sort of. Timing is becoming extremely important, especially if I want to challenge the Pokémon Leagues of various regions. It isn't easy playing Defense, as it isn't something I'm used to, but I'm adapting alright". Cynthia nodded, and responded "As the Champion of Sinnoh, I can say that you're doing the right thing Ash"
"Thanks, Cynthia, coming from you, that means a lot" Ash replied, smiling. Hilda walked up to Ash and asked "Hey, can you please introduce me to Jellicent and Ferrothron?", to which Ash nodded, then replied "Sure. Ferroseed, Jellicent, I choose you" and Ferrothorn and Jellicent both materialise.
"You know what? Emboar, Rufflet and Fraxure, I choose you too. This is my current team" Ash said, and the rest of the team materialised. Rufflet decided to sit on Emboar's Shoulder, and Pikachu copied with the other shoulder.
"Now this is a team, that I reckon can go all the way in the Unova League," Ash said, smiling, to which his Pokémon responded by cheering.
"How about some Lunch? That way your newly evolved Pokémon can get used to their new bodies" Cynthia asked, to which Hilda replied "Sure. Samurott, Duosion, Simisear, Stoutland and Eelektrik, let's show them what we can do", and said Pokémon all materialise.
Cynthia called in her Pokémon, and they start on Lunch.
As they do, Ash and Hilda observe the Pokémon who recently evolved, to see how they were coping with their new forms. Ash noticed that although his Jellicent was handling the new, larger body well, Ferrothorn was really having trouble.
"Hey Ferrothorn, everything OK?" Ash asked as he saw Ferrothorn hit the ground. Ferrothorn growled, and Ash kneeled, then looked around his body.
"It's OK Ferrothorn, I'm guessing you're not used to your much larger form?" Ash asked, to which Ferrothorn nodded. Ash then pointed to Ferrothorn's appendages, and said "Try these out, they look like they can support your weight"
Ferrothorn looked to one of its whip-like appendages and planted one into the ground. Then it found a second, then a third, and using those, was able to pull itself off the ground.
"There we go Ferrothorn, well done," Ash said, and Ferrothorn cheered.
Hilda, meanwhile, was watching her Eelektrik closely, also having trouble.
"Eelektrik, it's OK, you see that big tail you now have? I suspect you could balance on that" Hilda said, approaching her Eelektrik. Eelektrik tried it, and it worked.
"Did any of your other Pokémon have this much issue with their forms?" Cynthia asked, to which Hilda replied "Not really. Then again, their biological changes weren't as radical as Ferroseed to Ferrothorn or Tynamo to Eelektrik"
"Alright, that's understandable. Get them to practice, and they'll get used to their forms in no time" Cynthia replied, to which Eelektrik, Hilda, Ferrothorn and Ash all nodded, then returned to their lunch,