Chapter 69 Hemola Swamp Gym Battle
After leaving, they head to the Sea Star Society's Learning Section, as the school is now open. As they enter the school, they find that a lot of students are learning in class, even Brutus is there learning as well.
Teacher: (Notices Ash and Lillie) Down here, what we teach is general knowledge. After taking this course, students can go upstairs and choose a specialized field if they want to continue their education. Are you students or visitors?
Ash: We are visitors, but my parents stayed at this school for some while ago.
Teacher: I see. For visitors, we don't really expect you to have the time to take full courses, so we just give a short quiz. The quiz is pretty similar to the ones we give full-time students, and if you've wandered around our civilization, you'll probably do well. Do you want to try it? The quiz is five questions.
Lillie: Okay.
Teacher: Q1: What was the inspiration for donuts? Wheels, Volcanion, or the number zero?
Ash: That answer is Volcanion.
Teacher: Correct. Q2: Who was the first Champion of Ceolis? Ceolis, Kayla, or Ivan?
Lillie: Ceolis, the region is named after that.
Teacher: That's correct. This one's pretty obvious. Q3: Which of these is NOT a section in the Sea Star Society? Help, Battle, or Services?
Ash: That's Services.
Teacher: That's correct. Q4: Who was the first Normal-type Gym Leader in Ceolis? Meda, Peach, or Ivan?
Lillie: That will be Meda.
Teacher: That's correct. Q5: Which of these Pokemon have been living here before we are? Plusle and Minun, Volbeat and Illumise, or Phione and Manaphy?"
Ash: The answer is Phione and Manaphy.
Teacher: You've answered every question correctly! That means you receive an honorary diploma.
The teacher gives the two of them a diploma, much to their surprise.
Teacher: I hope you continue to show interest in learning.
Ash: (Smiles at the Diploma) Yes, I got a Diploma. Now my parents will be proud.
Lillie: Ash, I want to ask, since this society is for the Sea Stars, I was wondering...is your father or mother a Sea Star?
Ash: My father is a Sea Star, but my mother is a human. It is thanks to my father that my mother studies science in this school.
Lillie: Then what about you? Are you or Emily a Sea Star?
Ash: (Thinks) Me? I don't think so...I mean, I haven't seen the mark on my body.
Lillie: Oh...
After getting back to the surface, they decide to head south of the Ocean Coast to see what is there.
Lillie: This is the Staryu Valley, it sure has a lot of Staryu here.
Ash: I agree. But did you hear the music?
Lillie hears the music as they come from underwater, so they decide to check it out as they dive down, but when they are back up, they are surprised that the music comes from a Vaporeon, and there are a lot of Pokemon watching the show, even Quinn is there.
Quinn: Hey, Ash, Lillie! Good to see you!
Ash: Quinn? What is this?
Quinn: This is the Vaporeonwave, it is great music. It sometimes makes you very productive, but sometimes it makes you hear and fall asleep at the same time. It is cool to hear.
Ash: I see...
They also notice that even Suicune is here listening to the music as well, as they greet the Vaporeon, they also get a Wave Incense as a gift. Then they decide to leave the area as the music is too magical.
Their next location is the Serenity Seaside, as they notice a man stopping them at a building.
Man: Hey! Only an authorized person can pass this area. (Notices the Diploma) Hey, is that a Sea Star Diploma? And you are?
Ash: I am Ash and this is Lillie, and our partners, Pikachu and Snowy.
Man: Apologizes for not recognizing you. I've heard about you and what you've done, but I don't watch TV so I haven't seen your faces. I think I can let you through. I was just fronting when I said only authorized personnel is allowed here anyway. This place doesn't need to be kept secret anymore. This is the Ultra Beast Playground.
Lillie: What?
Ash and Lillie notice all kinds of Ultra Beasts roaming in this building as they belong to this world, much to their surprise.
Man: When Ultra Beasts started appearing in our dimension more frequently after the Alola incident, Tomas made this place for them. He wanted to make sure they had a peaceful, fun place to be while they were adjusting to their surroundings. If you like to hang out here, you're more than welcome.
As they walk around, they are seeing a friendly Nihilego walking towards Lillie as it wants to shake hands, Lillie gulps a little and shakes with the Pokemon before leaving. And there is also a Xurkitree who is interesting in Pikachu's electricity.
Lillie: I can't believe what happened in Alola caused this place to be here...I mean, wow...
Ash: I agree. Let's check out the other room.
As they enter the other room, they find the Ultra Beast Despair Girls, there are four of them and each has an Ultra Beast to battle them. Once they are all defeated, they are given four Blue Shards.
Ash: I wonder what are we going to do with these Blue Shards.
Lillie: Me too.
Then they are asked by a woman if they have all the Ultra Beasts in possession, which they still haven't got Nihilego, Blacephalon, and Xurkitree, so they couldn't help her as they promise to see the Ultra Beasts in the future.
Then they get to their final destination, which is the Poison Type Gym: Hemola Swamp. There are some Pokemon living here such as Grimer, Alolan Grimer, Foongus, Amoonguss, Koffing, Weezing, Goomy, and Croagunk. As they don't have many Poison Type Pokemon, they capture a Koffing and use a Dawn Stone to evolve it into a Galarian Weezing, and then they capture a Croagunk and evolve it into a Toxicroak, and they also capture an Amoonguss there. And at the muddy water, they find Skrelp and Dragalge, so they capture the Dragalge instead.
And even though this is a swamp, it is still a gym, as they have to face some Gym trainers in the area.
Scientist Gerald: A lot of people have come here today.
He uses Weezing to battle, and it tries to use Destiny Bond, so Ash has been switching Gardevoir and Torterra at the same time until it finally uses Explosion to defeat it. The next one is Scolipede, and Gardevoir uses Psychic to knock it out.
Scientist Gerald: A lot of strong people.
Scientist Scott: The water here isn't really that bad to swim in.
He goes for Crobat, which is knocked out by Pikachu's Thunderbolt, and so is Dustox.
Scientist Scott: I got swamped.
Just then, running past them is a Totodile who is running with speed that they can't move on.
Lillie: What was that?
Ash: I think that is a Totodile. Looks like we found another Starter Pokemon.
Then with the help of Feraligatr, the two of them have become friends and Ash captures the Pokemon, and by training with the Pokemon, it evolves into a Feraligatr. When they arrive at the Gym Leader, Emily, Gladion, Crolea, Delicia, Peach, and Tomas are waiting for them.
Tomas: It's been a while, Ash, Lillie. From what I've heard, you've been pretty busy!
Ash: You were right about that.
Tomas: I was just telling your siblings here about our vitamin operation.
Emily: I have no idea all of that happened! That must've been why I was way ahead of you in battling Olidroll's Gyms.
Tomas: That was certainly a roller coaster.
Peach: (Interrupt) I love Roller Coasters!
Tomas sighs, as he doesn't know why the youngest member of the Elite 4 is here.
Tomas: I've been waiting for this for a while. We've got quite a crowd here today, but that's fitting for a trainer like you. Now let's get started.
Referee: The match between Gym Leader Tomas and Challenger Ash is about to begin. Each Trainer will be using 6 Pokemon, and when one side loses all their Pokemon, the other side wins. Now please send out your Pokemon!
Tomas: My first Pokemon is going to be Jawbreaker!
He sends out a Toxicroak, and Ash decides to go with Mr. Mime.
Tomas: I see a Psychic and Fairy Type. Sucker Punch it.
Then Toxicroak goes for all kinds of punches, such as Drain Punch, Poison Jab, and Ice Punch. Mr. Mime gets poisoned, but it defeats Toxicroak with Barrier and Psychic.
Tomas: I see that you are not a trainer to be underestimated. PaperDoll will be the next.
The second Pokemon is Amoonguss named PaperDoll, and Ash goes for Blaziken, but Amoonguss also uses Toxic to poison Blaziken, but it is defeated by Blaze Kick.
Tomas: BeatBopBoom, you're my next Pokemon. (Sends out a Toxtricity)
Emily: The nickname of his Pokemon is actually from punk clothing and accessory brands all over the world.
Lillie: I think I know what you mean...
Ash goes for Krookodile to battle against the Toxtricity, and with the Ground Type advantage, it manages to defeat the Pokemon just by using Earthquake.
Tomas: Looks like you have a powerful Ground Type Pokemon, but you're going down as Alkemie will help me.
The fourth Pokemon is an Alolan Muk named Alkemie, and it defeats Krookodile with the Gunk Shot and Acid Armor to dodge its attack.
Ash: That Muk sure is strong...I mean, with the Acid Armor...it has a lot of evasiveness.
Ash goes back to Mr. Mime, finally defeating the Pokemon with Dazzling Gleam, but Mr. Mime also faints by the poison.
Tomas: Well, looks like it is worth using Gunk Shot. Clockwork!
The fifth Pokemon is Galarian Weezing named Clockwork, Ash goes for Bisharp, hoping for the type advantage, but Bisharp is eventually defeated by the Flamethrower, and Ash goes for Empoleon instead. Empoleon defeats the Pokemon with the Hydro Pump.
Tomas: For my final Pokemon, you are going to be surprised. Here is Abbey!
and the final Pokemon for Tomas is no other than Nihilego.
Gladion: What? An Ultra Beast?
Lillie: Not to mention Nihilego...(Starts to remember the flashbacks of Nihilego)
Ash: I think I would play fire with fire.
He goes for Celesteela to battle, causing everyone to get surprised as well. And by using the Steel Type advantage, it defeats Nihilego with Flash Cannon.
Referee: Nihilego is unable to battle, which means Ash is the winner.
Tomas: You continue to prove your skill. (Recalls Nihilego) One important part of scientific studies is for others to make sure your results can be replicated. Gym after gym, you've replicated victory. You're not finished yet, but I think Agne should watch out for both you and Emily, or else the second Champion's tenure might be short-lived. Here's the Jelly Badge.
Ash takes his twelfth badge and thanks him.
Tomas: I take it you'll be heading west now? I believe Carol finished collecting all the simulations."
Crolea: Oh, before we do that, I wanted to say something...Do you remember how I said I was "almost 17" before we went down to the Sea Star Society? My mom is going to have a birthday party.
Emily: Really? Congratulations.
Crolea: Delicia already knows. So Ash, Gladion, Lillie, Emily, consider this your invitation. (Gives them each an invitation)
Emily: I'd love to go!
Ash: Me too, we can go as well.
Crolea: You have six badges left, right? That's two more before you're at the "Elite four" of Gym Leaders. My mom is one of them. I think you'll have time to get the other two badges before the party.
Peach: (Excited) A birthday party? Am I invited?
Crolea: Oh, I should've included you too. Of course, you are!
Peach: Yay! (Happy as she gets the invitation from Crolea.)
Tomas: I'll tell everyone from the League! You can expect every Gym Leader and Elite Four to be there, including Agne!
Peach: Maybe I can even get Ivan to come! And Brutus too! And Meda!
Crolea is not expecting that all the gym leaders and other important figures will come, this would be a giant birthday party.
Crolea: Wow, that's really nice of you all...I'm so happy you're my friends.
Peach: That's what friends do! (Others nod in agreement)
Tomas: Oh, before you all headed off, there was one more thing... (Takes out a Beast Ball) I'm sure you've seen them by now, but there are some species of Pokemon classified as "Ultra Beasts". These Pokemon are from another dimension.
Crolea: Well, Delicia and I have one. And your Nihilego is one as well.
Tomas: That's right. I assume you're familiar with how they got here?
Crolea: Lusamine, president of the Aether Foundation, opened up a massive Ultra Wormhole that sent a lot of them to this dimension.
Lillie: Wait, you mean our Mother is the reason that the Ultra Beasts are here?
Tomas: (Surprised) Lusamine is your mother? That sure is surprising.
Gladion: And about opened up a massive Ultra Wormhole, it is not mother's fault, Faba is the one that did it. And then a Nihilego took our mother away.
Lillie: She had been under the influence of Nihilego's Neurotoxin because of that incident...but thanks to Ash, he saved her.
Tomas: Well, I've been researching them. They may come from another Dimension, but they're still Pokemon. If you treat them with kindness, they'll be kind to you too.
Suddenly, he puts the Pokeball on Lillie's hand, much to her surprise.
Tomas: Lillie, I think I can entrust this one to you.
Lillie: (Gasps as she has a Nihilego) Are you sure?
Tomas: Nihilego will be a great partner.
Ash: Neat! I had a tough time against Tomas' Nihilego.
Emily: Yeah, something that we weren't expecting. I guess I should be off now!
Peach: I'll meet up with you all again soon! I'm going to tell everyone about the party! I want to see if Duncan got more donuts yet too!
After that, they all leave the Hemola Swamp as they head west to wherever they are going.
Here is a new chapter, and this chapter explains how the Ultra Beasts appear in Ceolis Region. I hope you like this chapter and we have 1/3 of the gyms left.
Normal: Fearow, Meowth, Tauros, Snorlax x2, Miltank, Blissey, Zangoose, Castform, Lopunny, Porygon-Z, Stoutland, Audino, Bouffalant, Furfrou, Toucannon, Silvally, Dubwool, Obstagoon, Smeargle, Ditto
Fighting: Poliwrath, Machamp, Hitmonlee, Hitmonchan, Heracross, Hitmontop, Hariyama, Medicham, Lucario, Toxicroak, Conkeldurr, Scrafty, Mienshao, Pangoro, Hawlucha, Bewear, Sirfetch'd, Falinks
Flying: Pidgeot, Dodrio, Noctowl, Xatu, Skarmory, Swellow, ?, Staraptor, Honchkrow, Gliscor, Unfezant, Swanna, Braviary, Talonflame, Oricorio, ?, Corviknight, Cramorant
Poison: Beedrill, ?, Tentacruel, Muk, Weezing (G), Crobat, Qwilfish, Dustox, Swalot, Seviper, Skuntank, ?, Scolipede, Garbodor, Amoonguss, Dragalge, Toxapex, Naganadel
Ground: Nidoqueen, Nidoking, Quagsire, Donphan, Swampert, Camerupt, Claydol, Torterra, Gastrodon, Mamoswine, Excadrill, Krookodile, Golurk, Diggersby, Mudsdale, Palossand, Sandaconda, Runerigus
Rock: Golem (A), Kabutops, Aerodactyl, Sudowoodo, Shuckle, Tyranitar, Cradily, Relicanth, Bastiodon, Rhyperior, Gigalith, Archeops, Barbaracle, Aurorus, Carbink, Lycanroc, ?, Stonjourner
Bug: Butterfree, Venomoth, Pinsir, Ariados, Scizor, Ninjask, Volbeat, Illumise, Armaldo, Vespiquen, Yanmega, Leavanny, Crustle, Accelgor, Vivillon, Araquanid, Golisopod, Frosmoth
Ghost: Gengar, Marowak (A), Shedinja, Sableye, Banette, Drifblim, Mismagius, Dusknoir, Cofagrigus, Jellicent, Chandelure, Trevenant, Gourgeist, Decidueye x2, Mimikyu, Dhelmise, Polteageist, Cursola
Steel: Sandslash (A), Dugtrio (A), Forretress, Steelix, Aggron, Metagross, Empoleon, Magnezone, Escavalier, Ferrothorn, Klinklang, Stunfisk (G), Bisharp, Aegislash, ?, Melmetal, Perrserker, Copperajah
Fire: Charizard, Arcanine, Flareon, Typhlosion x2, Magcargo, Blaziken, Torkoal, Infernape, Magmortar, Emboar x2, Simisear, Darmanitan, Volcarona, Pyroar, Salazzle, ?, Cinderace, Centiskorch
Water: Blastoise x2, Kingler, Gyarados, Feraligatr x2, Mantine, Ludicolo, Milotic, Gorebyss, Floatzel, Lumineon, Samurott x2, Seismitoad, Greninja x2, Clawitzer, Wishiwashi, Pyukumuku, Inteleon, Drednaw
Grass: Venusaur, Vileplume, Meganium x2, Bellossom, Sceptile x2, Shiftry, Cacturne, Tropius, Roserade, Serperior x2, Lilligant, Sawsbuck, Chesnaught, Gogoat, Shiinotic, Tsareena, ?, Flapple
Electric: Pikachu, Jolteon, Lanturn, Ampharos, Manectric, Plusle, Minun, Luxray, Electivire, Rotom, Zebstrika, Galvantula, Eelektross, Heliolisk, Vikavolt, Togedemaru, Boltund, Toxtricity
Psychic: Alakazam, Slowbro (G), Starmie, Espeon, Wobbuffet, Girafarig, ?, Chimecho, Bronzong, Gallade, Musharna, Gothitelle, Delphox, Meowstic, ?, Bruxish, Orbeetle, Indeedee, Unown
Ice: Ninetales (A), Dewgong, Cloyster, Jynx, Lapras, Delibird, Glalie, Walrein, Abomasnow, Glaceon, Froslass, Vanilluxe, Beartic, Cryogonal, Avalugg, Crabominable, Eiscue, Arctozolt
Dragon: Exeggutor (A), Dragonite, Kingdra, Flygon, Altaria, Garchomp, Haxorus, Druddigon, Zweilous, Tyrantrum, Goodra, Noivern, Drampa, Kommo-o, Appletun, Dracovish, Duraludon, Drakloak
Dark: Raticate (A), Persian (A), Umbreon, Houndoom, Mightyena, Sharpedo, Crawdaunt, Absol, Spiritomb, Weavile, Liepard, Zoroark, Mandibuzz, Malamar, Incineroar x2, Thievul, Grimmsnarl, Morpeko
Fairy: Clefable, ?, Mr. Mime, Azumarill, Granbull, Gardevoir, ?, Togekiss, Whimsicott, Florges, Aromatisse, Slurpuff, Sylveon, Primarina, Ribombee, Comfey, ?, Alcremie
LMU: Buzzwole, Pheromosa, Celesteela, Guzzlord, Stakataka