Chapter 16 Team Portal
Ash and Lillie are now outside of the gym, and they are surprised to see Crolea rushing towards them. They are surprised as the last time they see each other is in Virima City.
Crolea: Hey, Ash, Lillie!
Lillie: Crolea? What are you doing here?
Crolea: I have a favor I'd like to ask of you two. I actually saw you two enter the Gym earlier, and waited for you to come out to see if you'd won Ashley's badge."
Ash: (Shows the badge) I did win, here is the Passion Badge.
Crolea: I see you did, so I think you can do what I'm about to ask. Congratulations, by the way! (Suddenly, her face turns serious, much to Ash and Lillie's surprise) There are some people in the storage room of the Game Corner who aren't technically employees...
Ash: (Confused, and so is Lillie.) What do you mean by not technically employees?
Crolea: I'll explain more later, but I need you to kick them out of there. The one usually guarding the storage room is also with them, so don't let her stop you from going in.
Lillie: I get it.
Then Crolea leaves the two alone, and Ash and Lillie can notice that she is worried, like somebody is spying on her or something else. But they don't think that much as they quickly head to the Game Corner.
Lillie: (Looks around the slot machines and the games.) So this is the Game Corner...There sure are a lot of games to play here.
Ash: I know you are surprised, there is Voltorb Flip, and there are slots machines. Though I wonder if they're like Goldenrod and Celadon, I hope they don't sell Pokemon...
Receptionist: (Noticing how Ash and Lillie are approaching.) Welcome! You two must be newcomers? Here, this is the Coin Case.
Ash and Lillie take the Coin Case, as they know it is for collecting coins and they can exchange the coins for fabulous prizes on the shelves.
They also find some trainers who are frustrated at the games, but they don't leave the seats, and Ash also finds a Luck Incense under a chair.
Lillie walks towards a plant and she hears the mysterious voice that wants them to play hide and seek again.
Mysterious Voice: You've found me again! (Lillie is surprised as she takes a step back from the plant.) People get so into these games that they don't notice me behind the planter.
Lillie: (Finds another small speaker.) Sometimes I really hate hearing but not seeing...
Ash: (Comes and grabs Lillie's hand) As much as we want to play some games, but don't forget what we're doing here.
Lillie nods as they go to the person who is guarding the door, she is wearing a uniform and some weird goggles.
Portal Agent: This is our storage area. Only Game Corner employees are allowed back here. Please understand.
But Ash and Lillie aren't moving as they are observing the outfit.
Portal Agent: Um...hello? (Confused at what they are doing.)
Lillie: You are not an employee, right? You can just drop the act.
Portal Agent: Not going to listen, are you? Fine then. I was bored just standing here anyway!
The Portal Agent named Rosanna sends out two Pokemon, which are Roselia and Ferroseed. Lillie has Snowy uses Blizzard to freeze Roselia, while Pikachu uses Double Kick to hit Ferroseed, but Pikachu is in pain because of Iron Barbs. Both Pokemon go for Giga Drain, but Snowy finishes Roselia with Icy Wind, and Pikachu uses Electro Ball to knock out Ferroseed as well.
PA Rosanna: Why this...(Recalls her Pokemon with anger.) I'm just going to go before I make an even bigger fool of myself.
Then Rosanna leaves the room, and Ash and Lillie use the chance to go into the Game Corner.
In the Game Corner, they are ambushed by grunts one after another.
PA Russell: I don't know who let you in, but I know who's going to let you out!
He sends out Machop and Timburr to battle, Ash goes for Mimey and Lillie goes for Xatu. Both of them go for Psychic attacks and the Pokemon eventually fainted.
PA Russell: Not me... (Recalls his Pokemon and shrugs) Well, I tried.
PA Jasmine: I'll hold you down in place!
She sends out Klink and a Grimer, Ash goes for Diglett while Lillie goes for Scorbunny. Scorbunny evolves after beating Klink with Double Kick and Ember. And Diglett also uses Magnetude to knock out Grimer.
Lillie: Nice, I have a Raboot now...
PA Jasmine: I got put in my place...(Recalls her Pokemon and stutters.) I-I was holding back because I didn't want to humiliate you! That's all it was!
Ash and Lillie just shrug as they find a Wide Lens on the ground, and then two more grunts are approaching them.
Lillie: Who are these people?
Ash: I don't know...maybe they are some group similar to Team Rocket? Oh no...here come two more of them.
PA Robert: Will your streak end in fire and ice?
He sends out Charmeleon and Cryogonal to stop them, but Ash and Lillie go for Mantyke and Litten. Mantyke defeats Charmeleon with Water Pulse and the Confusion hitting itself, and Litten evolves into Torracat and uses Fire Fang to defeat Cryogonal.
Ash: And you have a Torracat as well...two evolutions in a day is no small feat, Lillie.
Lillie: Thanks Ash.
PA Robert: Neither. (Recalling his Pokemon.) Using a Fire-type move on a frozen Pokemon causes it to thaw out.
PA Elliot: Oh, looks like we've been found out.
He sends out Elgyem and Dedenne to battle them, and Ash uses Vivillon and Lillie uses Muk to battle them. Vivillon's Stun Spore causes Elgyem to be paralyzed, and then it is defeated by Struggle Bug, and for Dedenne, Muk uses Body Slam and then Acid to defeat it.
PA Elliot: Good job, but you have a tougher battle ahead. (Recalling his Pokemon.) You two are certainly capable trainers, but we're just regular agents. One of our admins is up ahead, and he's a different story.
Ash and Lillie are skeptical as they move forward, and they see a man in a business suit sitting at the table.
Portal Hustler Barker: It would appear that not only has our operation been discovered, but also that the one who discovered us is quite formidable.
Lillie: (Both Ash and Lillie are confused) What do you mean?
Barker: Hm? You seem to have a bewildered expression. Which part of my statement was confusing to you?
Ash: What do you mean discovered your operation?
Barker: ...Ah. So you stormed your way into here without even knowing who we are or what we're doing. So tell me, what drove you to come here?
Lillie: We are requested to stop you.
Barker: Someone requested it of you? How very curious...Either we failed at not acting suspicious, or Team Portal has a mole within its ranks. Perhaps even both.
Ash: Team Portal...so that's the name...
Barker: Nevertheless, I presume that after what I've stated, not knowing why you were asked to fend us off does not make your opinion of us any higher. I'm positive your client will explain our business here when next you meet, so let's get right into combat, shall we?
Ash: If you want a battle, I'll give you a battle.
Barker: I certainly hope you don't expect me to be merciful due to your age. Not when child prodigies such as the Ceolis League's own Carol exist. En grade!
He sends out a Growlithe, and Ash goes for Gigalith to battle.
Barker: Barkus, use Bite!
Growlithe uses the attack on Gigalith, but Gigalith goes for Rock Blast, which deals a lot of damage to Growlithe. Growlithe goes for Flame Wheel, only to be stopped and defeated by Rock Smash.
Barker's second Pokemon is Lucario, and Ash decides to go for his own to battle.
Barker: Lucy, use Power-up Punch!
Lucario uses the attack and hits Lucario, and Ash just smirks and has Lucario use Counter, which deals much more damage to Lucario, and then it goes for Close Combat, eventually knocking out Barker's own Lucario.
Barker: Down to one Pokemon I see...you seem to be stronger than other opponents I've ever faced. My final Pokemon is Duke.
He sends out a Herdier, and Ash switches for Heracross to battle. Herdier uses Work Up to raise its Attack and Special Attack stats, and then it goes for Bite, but Heracross dodges the attack and goes for Pin Missile, landing the missile attacks at Heracross.
Ash: Use Brick Break!
Heracross raises its fist, slamming at Herdier, causing it to faint in the end.
Barker: I see that you're a child prodigy myself. (Recalling Herdier) I have been bested. I suppose that means we should be taking our leave. First, however, a caveat. Our mission here has little importance to Team Portal's overall objective. You have not overtaken our headquarters and claimed it as yours. You've forced a small group of soldiers out of a building they were occupying. I would also, before I leave, like to apologize for any negative feelings or inconveniences we've caused for you and/or your client.
Lillie: I guess it's fine? (Confused at the admin of Team Portal is apologizing.)
Barker: I and every other member of Team Portal will readily concede that our actions are legally and ethically unacceptable. We have our reasons, and whether or not they're justified is up for debate. However, we do not go out of our way to intimidate or harass anyone, and we don't feel good about what we're doing. As the saying goes, "It's not personal, just business." I will spread your name around our team in the event you attempt to intercept us again in the future. Farewell for now. Enjoy this small victory.
Just then, Barker and the Team Portal Grunts leave the Storage Room.
Lillie: Ash...did the other teams you faced did something like that man did?
Ash: I don't think so. Now I am really confused about this team and what they are doing... But as he said, it won't be the last time that we see them.
Lillie: (Nods) Yeah, we need to get prepared for them as well.
Before leaving the Game Corner, they find Barker talking to an employee in the Game Corner.
Barker: Please accept my sincerest apologies. Those individuals have approached me asking for work, so I recommended them positions here in the Game Corner. Unbeknownst to me, employment wasn't what they were actually seeking. I will swiftly pay back this establishment for its losses.
After Barker leaves, Ash and Lillie are much more confused than ever as they leave the Game Corner, they don't know what Team Portal is about, and how they are different from the other teams in the past.
Here is a new chapter, and Team Portal has appeared. What is this team's objective and what will Ash and Lillie do to stop them? And what is Crolea's relation with this team? I hope you like this chapter.
Ash's Main Pokemon: Snorlax, Noctowl, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, Heracross, Lucario, ?, Hawlucha, Sirfetch'd, Pidgeot, ?, ?, ?, Noivern, ?, Beedrill, ?, ?, ?, ?, Naganadel, ?, Donphan, ?, Krookodile, ?, ?, ?, Tyranitar, ?, Gigalith, Lycanroc, ?, Butterfree, ?, ?, Leavanny, Vivillon, ?, Gengar, Shedinja, ?, ?, ?, ?, Diglett (A), ?, ?, ?, ?, Melmetal, Charizard, ?, Infernape, ?, Talonflame, ?, ?, Mantyke, Feebas, Samurott, Greninja, ?, Exeggutor, Sceptile, Budew, ?, Decidueye, ?, Pikachu, Flaaffy, ?, Rotom, Tynamo, ?, Mr. Mime, ?, ?, ?, Espurr, Dottler, Lapras, ?, Glalie, ?, ?, ?, Dragonite, ?, Garchomp, ?, Goodra, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, Pheromosa
Lillie's Main Pokemon: ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, Scrafty, ?,?, ?, Xatu, ?, Gliscor, ?, ?, Muk, Dustox, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, Torterra, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, Carbink, ?, ?, Ninjask, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, Forretress, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, Torkoal, ?, Torracat, Raboot, Slowpoke, Feraligatr, Floatzel, Seismitoad, ?, ?, Venusaur, Meganium, ?, Serperior, ?, ?, ?,?, Electrike, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, Ninetales (A), ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, Exeggutor (A), ?, Altaria, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, ?, Cufant, Clefable, ?, Whimsicott, Florges, ?, ?