Chapter 72 Astral Observatory
After they are back at Umira, they decided to head north, only to find Carol still trying to clean the simulations. So they head west first to find the Happy Hotsprings and Molten Mountain. They find a Charmander who notices their Charizardite Y, so it wants to join their team.
Ash: Well, we really find all the Starter Pokemon in this region.
Lillie: Yeah. It's a good thing that there are two kinds of Mega Stones for Charizard.
As they enter Molten Mountain, they find that there are a lot of Fire Type Pokemon. Such as Slugma, Salandit, Magby, Turtonator, Magcargo, Magmar, Salazzle, and Heatmor. There are also Torkoal resting in the area.
Ash: This place sure is full of Fire Type Pokemon.
Lillie: I know, I think I want to capture one of them...but which one?
Just then, she sees a Rolycoly passing by, and she decides to capture that one. With the help of Samurott, she manages to capture it, and by training with the other Pokemon there, it eventually becomes a Coalossal. While Ash finds a Turtonator and captures it with the help of Camerupt, considering Earth Power is super effective against it.
As they are training, they also find a Heatran, but they didn't greet him as Heatran is thinking of how to decorate the mountain, which causes the couple to sweatdrop.
As they head east, they find the Astral Observatory, and beside the observatory are the Sun Temple and Moon Temple.
Ash: I think those temples might be for Solgaleo or Lunala...I think I have a feeling.
Lillie: Really? Maybe we would see Cosmog like Nebby inside.
Ash: You're right about that, but we have some business to do.
As they enter the observatory, they notice the Nosy Nosepass on the news again.
Nosy Nosepass: Good whatever time of day it is for you, viewers! I'm Nosy Nosepass here at Nosy News, keeping you up to date on the latest happenings in the Ceolis region! Our new Champion, Agne, gave a speech at the Sea Star Shrine recently! Also, there to give a speech was Brutus Ironpool, who wished to clean the slate about his past with the Rogues! The two talked about the importance of the Sea Star Society, hope for a bright future, and being on the lookout for Team Portal. I thought they gave fantastic speeches, and I'm happy I got to be there and record them! Knowing that our Champion is being alerted regarding Team Portal is reassuring too! I think we're in the midst of a new chapter of the Ceolis Region's history! So much is happening this summer! This has been Nosy Nosepass! Thank you for listening in! And I'll be back shortly.
They didn't get focused on the news as they find Emily, Gladion, Crolea, and Delicia confronting the scientists.
Crolea: What's happening here?
Observatory Head: Nothing's happening. Why do you all look so concerned?
Crolea: I knew you made a deal with Team Portal, so you don't have to pretend that nothing's going on here.
Observatory Head: (Surprised) How do you know about that?
Crolea: That's not important right now. Team Portal is here, aren't they?
Observatory Head: (Sighs) Quinn's in the computer room, but they're packing their things and leaving. I hope that's all they're doing, anyway...
Crolea: (Glares) I'll question you some more later, but for now, we should find Quinn.
As they rush into the Computer Room, they find Quinn really is packing the stuff.
Quinn: Ash, Lillie, Emily, Gladion, Crolea, and Delicia. This sure is a crowd. Is there some reason you're all here?
Emily: As I said at Ocean Coast, we'll be enemies whenever your next mission is. I'm guessing that's now.
Quinn: Sorry to disappoint you, but it's not. Team Portal isn't back in action yet. This is just between me and the Astral Observatory. (Frowns) After what happened at the Underwater Hotel, they wanted to cut ties with us - and I don't blame them. So I'm just moving all our materials out of here now.
Gladion: The way you say it, it sounds like you don't really approve of what Team Portal did. Or what you did.
Quinn: Of course I don't. Not even Pandora approves of what we're doing. If there was a simpler, more peaceful way of reaching our goal, there wouldn't even be a Team Portal. We'd all just do it our own way. But the fact of the matter is, there isn't. Even our plan isn't guaranteed to work, it's just our best shot.
Ash: So why did you join Team Portal in the first place?
Quinn: I can't really answer that with Crolea here. She's now allowed-
Crolea: (Cuts xe off) I already know. Team Portal wants to access the Data Vault. Ash and Lillie told me.
Quinn: (Not seem to be surprised) Well, that solves the dilemma, I guess. But you know what this means, don't you, Crolea?
Crolea: I remember what Pandora said. If anyone gives me that kind of info, there'd be consequences for both me and them.
Quinn: Specifically, you'd be banned from Team Portal. If an admin told you, they'd be demoted to a regular agent. And if a regular agent told you, they'd be banned along with you. In this case, it was Ash and Lillie who told you, and they are not members of Team Portal. So I'm safe from demotion. But as of today, you are no longer a member of Team Portal, Crolea. You will no longer have access to any of our facilities. If you enter one, you will be treated as an intruder.
Delicia is showing a :( face, and Ash doesn't know if she is angry at Quinn, or Crolea. Since Delicia is officially a Team Portal member as well.
Quinn: I'm sorry I had to do this.
Crolea: I understand. I brought it on myself by revealing what I know.
Quinn: With that said and done...Ash asked why I joined Team Portal. After all the trouble Team Portal's caused, I at least owe you all an explanation. Ash, Lillie, Emily, Gladion, when you were at the Sea Star Society, did you hear anyone mention a "Soap Room"?
Lillie: Ivan did mention that, yeah. He said it's past a garden behind the Sea Star Shrine and that only him, Peach, Meda, and Ceolis have access to it.
Quinn: I've been wondering about that place since I was a child. All the Sea Stars claim it's important, but very few know why that is. For that reason, you could say it's even more mysterious than the Data Vault. It's not like I want to take anything from it...I just want to see the Soap Room for myself.
Gladion: There's probably a good reason why it's locked.
Quinn: I don't doubt that. But that just makes me even more curious. Anyway, I think it's time I wrap things up here. But I don't think the researchers feel comfortable with me hanging around.
Crolea: I don't either. They acted like they were nervous.
Quinn: Why don't we battle, then? If you defeat me, I'm sure that would put them at ease a little bit. And even if I win, I'll still leave. But I won't be going easy on you. A good trainer doesn't just let their Pokemon lose!
Xyr first Pokemon is Airsports named Farfetch'd and Ludicolo named Luxury Elite, so Ash and Lillie go for Manectric and Galarian Slowbro to battle. Farfetch'd lands First Impression on Slowbro, and then it uses Night Slash and Aerial Ace to deal a lot of damage, but Manectric defeats it with Wild Charge. Ludicolo manages to plant the Leech Seed on Slowbro, but it knocks it out with Shell-Side Arm.
Quinn: Why you...telepath! Riverwave! You two are next!
Xe sends out Golduck and Swanna to battle, which is not very good as Manectric can swiftly defeat them. Golduck manages to knock out Slowbro with Psychic, but Ash goes for Ditto and has it change into the form of Manectric, just like last time. Both Pokemon use Thunderbolt at Swanna to knock it out, but Golduck also uses Zen Headbutt to knock out Ditto.
Quinn's final Pokemon are Magmortar named RadMagma and Porygon-Z named Laserdisc. Ash and Lillie change into Charizard and Greninja to battle. Magmortar is defeated by Greninja's Water Shuriken after Ash activates his Bond Phenomenon, and Porygon-Z is defeated by Charizard's Flamethrower, even though it uses Thunderbolt to make both Ash and Greninja in pain.
Quinn: Good thing this was just a formality. (Recalls xyr Pokemon, and Ash and Lillie give xem a weird look) Well, that's that. I'll see you around, I guess.
After he is gone, Ash and Lillie are in deep thoughts, from what they have heard from Quinn, they made Crolea kicked out of Team Portal, which is something that they shouldn't have done.
Crolea: You're quiet, but I can tell how you're feeling. You don't need to feel guilty about me being banned from Team Portal. I was just impulsive. You couldn't have known that was going to happen. But it's ironic, isn't it? Pandora didn't want me to know until she felt she could trust me, but it's because of her telling you that I found out. I guess she didn't count on you being friends with me, Ash, Lillie.
Ash: Well, the reason she told us is because of the fact that I am his nephew...and she is also good friends with Lusamine as well, which makes Lillie also familiar to her.
Gladion: You mean she also knows our mom?
Lillie: Of course.
Crolea: Either way, getting banned from Team Portal was worth that info...it actually gives me an idea about that bottle, but we'll talk about that later. Right now, I have a few questions for the researchers.
As they get out of the Computer Room, Crolea goes towards the scientists.
Crolea: I'm back with questions.
Observatory Head: Ask away. I don't want anything more to do with Team Portal, so I have nothing to hide.
Crolea: (Nods) First Question: I'm assuming that Agne doesn't know you were affiliated with Team Portal. Is that right?
Observatory Head: Yes, that's correct. That was part of the deal.
Crolea: Second Question: Did you know about Team Portal's methods?
Observatory Head: If you're asking if I knew they'd attack the Underwater Hotel, then no. If I knew they were going to do that, I wouldn't have agreed to the deal.
Crolea: (Nods) Final Question: Why did you agree to the deal? What exactly did they say they'd do for you?
Observatory Head: They said they'd be able to help with the space incident. They could figure out why the space crew was attacked and how to resolve the issue sp Agne's crew could go back to space. I really thought I'd be helping Agne...but if Team Portal is going to be forceful, then it's not worth it, even if they really can help us. As a researcher, I should've asked more questions instead of being drawn in by grand but vague promises. I'm sorry to all of you.
Crolea: All of those answers are what I expected, but I had to make sure. Thank you for your time.
Just then, they feel the ground is shaking, and they dug down to make sure that they are safe.
Emily: What was that? It sounded like something slammed into the ground!
Observatory Head: Oh, that happens a lot here. That's why this spot was chosen for the Astral Observatory's location! All kinds of objects believed to have come from space drop near here.
Gladion: Neat. Maybe we should see what it is!
Then they decide to head outside to check out what happened.
Here is a new chapter, and in this chapter, they are battling Quinn for the third time, and Crolea is kicked out of Team Portal because of her knowing their plans. Well, the next chapter would be revealing what Team Portal is planning and I hope you like it.
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, Arbok, Tentacruel, Muk, Weezing (G), Crobat, Qwilfish, Dustox, Swalot, Seviper, Skuntank, Drapion, 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, Coalossal, 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 x2, Arcanine, Flareon, Typhlosion x2, Magcargo, Blaziken, Torkoal, Infernape, Magmortar, Emboar x2, Simisear, Darmanitan, Volcarona, Pyroar, Salazzle, Turtonator, 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 x2, Vileplume, Meganium x2, Bellossom, Sceptile x2, Shiftry, Cacturne, Tropius, Roserade, Serperior x2, Lilligant, Sawsbuck, Chesnaught, Gogoat, Shiinotic, Tsareena, Rillaboom, 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, Oranguru, 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, Kartana, Guzzlord, Stakataka