Chapter 76 Giggly Grasslands
As they head north, they find that Carol has already finished taking the simulations as she is nowhere in sight. So they enter the gate as they arrive at the place that is filled with Petilil.
Lillie: What is this place? It sure is full of Petilil.
Crolea: This is the Petilil Prairie. As the name implies, it is a place where Petilil used to live.
As they continue forward, they notice a house on the road. They find it very strange as it is the only house in this place.
Gladion: Whose house is this?
Felicia: That's Barker's house. (Seeing everyone's shocked face) He lives there, but I don't think he is at home now.
Emily: Barker...he is one of the Team Portal Admins, right?
Ash: The one we met in Cianosa Game Corner, and then we met again in the Battle Mall located at the Premoggin Softlands. If you think about it, I haven't seen him since then.
As they continue forward, they get to Giggly Grasslands. they can see that there are Sprizee, Mawile, Marill, Togetic, Aromatisse, Azumarill, Whismicott, Klefki, Hattena, and Galarian Ponyta.
Gladion: I guess what's in front of us is the gym?
Crolea: That's right. That's Carol's Gym.
Lillie: There sure are a lot of Fairy Type Pokemon around here..."
Ash: I know, I'll try to get a Klefki and Hattena. What about you?
Lillie: I'll go with Ponyta and Mawile.
And the four of them are now finding the Pokemon and capturing them, they also train them to go into their final forms.
Ash: You know, I think we really have a lot of Pokemon with us, don't you think?
Lillie: You're right...maybe we should stop capturing more Pokemon so that every Pokemon in our team will have a chance to shine.
Emily: That's a good thing for you, well, I'm going first in the Gym battle.
Ash: Fine by us, we can go in later.
And then the others are inside the gym for Emily's Gym Battle, except for Ash, Lillie, and Crolea. But just as they are about to go in, they are stopped by a person, who is no other than Barker.
Ash: Great...Barker...
Barker: Greetings, Ash, Lillie, and Crolea. And apologies if the length of the grass was a hindrance in getting here.
Lillie: What do you mean by that?
Barker: Carol finds the scent of freshly cut grass to be unpleasant. I got an earful in the past when I offered to hire someone to cut it weekly. I was the one who provided the funds for the gym, and many other gyms in Ceolis, to be built, you see. You may remember that during our first meeting, I referenced Carol as a "child prodigy". I know this from personal experience. Carol is the youngest to attain the title of Gym Leader, eight being the point at which she stopped aging.
Ash: Weird...I don't know stop aging is a thing...
Barker: When this gym was being constructed, I was skeptical as to whether she could handle the position of Gym Leader, and challenged her. I was defeated, and quite easily at that. That's why I made it a point to mention that I wouldn't be holding back on account of you being a child. I realize now that young children can be equally as capable as adults. Many of Carol's challengers do not realize this, however, and it becomes their downfall. I suppose Carol is as much of a child to you as you are to me. You must be around twice her age, correct?
Ash: (Sighs) Even more, thank you.
Barker: As skilled as you are, you may find yourself making the same mistake. Allow me to see if you're ready. (Sends out Arcanine)
Ash goes for Coalossal to battle the Pokemon, and with the ability Steam Engine, it raises Coalossal's speed after getting hit by the Fire Fang.
Ash: Use Stone Edge!
The Pokemon shoots rocks at the Pokemon, but after dealing damage, Arcanine's Special Defense suddenly raises because of Luminous Moss. But in the end, Coalossal uses Earthquake to defeat the Pokemon.
The second Pokemon for Barker is Lucario, it has the Black Belt to power up its Fighting Type moves. Ash switches to Lucario to battle, both Lucario go for Aura Sphere, but Ash's Lucario manages to dodge it and Barker's get hit.
Barker: You're just lucky with that. Use Bone Rush!
Ash is going for the same move, and in the end, both Pokemon end up fainting as the match is a draw.
The third Pokemon is Daisy the Granbull, Ash goes for Bisharp to battle, but even though Bisharp has been trying to dodge the attacks, it still gets hit by the Close Combat as it faints. So Ash goes for Dragalge instead. Dragalge goes for Poison Tail, which finally knocks out the Pokemon.
Crolea: So far Ash has lost two Pokemon while Barker lost three...Ash still has the advantage.
Lillie: But I can tell that Barker has become stronger since our last meeting in the Battle Mall...
The fourth Pokemon for Barker is Charlie the Boltund, so Ash switches to Krookodile to battle.
Barker: A Krookodile, huh...too bad it is not going to be a match for my Boltund.
Ash: What do you mean by that?
Barker: Play Rough! That's why.
Ash gulps as he sees the electric type Pokemon goes for the attack on Krookodile, and it deals a lot of damage to it. Krookodile tries to go for Crunch to stop the Pokemon and land an Earthquake, but it is still defeated by several times Play Rough.
Ash sends back Colaossal and goes for Tar Shot, which causes Boltund to be weak to Fire Moves, and then he finishes it off with the Fire Blast.
The fifth Pokemon is Rocky, the Midday form Lycanroc, and Ash decides to continue with Coalossal. Even though Coalossal takes some damage from Crunch and rock moves like Accelrock, it manages to land an Earthquake.
Ash: Return, Coalossal!
Ash switches into Dragalge and has it use Aqua Tail, which finally knocks out Lycanroc. The final Pokemon for Barker is Duke the Stoutland, and Ash goes for Ditto to transform into it.
Barker: I see you're using Ditto...but too bad, my Stoutland is capable of using Fighting moves.
After being hit by Return, it goes for Reversal, which knocks out Ditto, so Ash decides to go back to Coalossal, using Tar Shot again and finishes it with Fire Blast.
Barker: I suppose you'll be fine. (Recalls Stouland) I can accept a loss knowing that it comes not from underestimating my opponent, but from my opponent legitimately outwitting or overpowering me. But I cannot and will not settle for my current level, knowing how powerful Team Portal's opposition is.
Lillie: Yeah, and everyone knows you're a Team Portal member.
Barker: Because my connection with them has been exposed, I've been blacklisted indefinitely throughout the entire region. My ongoing business projects have to be put on hold until and unless I disavow Team Portal. There's no more room for error.
Crolea: Is it really worth it to you? Why are you with them in the first place?
Barker: As you've been fired for knowing, I desire entrance into the Data Vault. There's something I want to know...but perhaps not even the Data Vault can answer my question. But I do have a question you can answer, Crolea. Is it safe to assume you were the one who outed us to Ash and Lillie?
Crolea: That's right, I'm surprised no one suspected me sooner. (Shrugs)
Barker: We weren't entirely sure whether our exposure was the work of a double agent or our own incompetence. That said, you were Number 3 on my list of suspects. When there's a problem in a company or organization, I believe the higher-ups should be investigated first. The second possibility would be one of my own workers at the Game Corner. You were only number three because I didn't believe you'd want to risk having us trust you even less. That said, I've taken enough of your time. Good luck against Carol, Ash. And this is a parting gift.
Barker gives Ash a Marble, which is their 48th one.
Barker: I know what reward these Marbles will lead to, and I do not consider myself worthy of it, nor am I particularly interested in it. I bid you all good day.
Barker then leaves the Grasslands, and the three of them can only look at each other with confusion.
Ash: Well, I am still curious about what Barker wants to do when he finds the Data Vault.
Lillie: Well, we only know about what Quinn wants...we didn't even ask Felicia and Delicia what they want to do as well. But I am not sure if they are going to tell us.
Crolea: Well then, let's enter the gym, Emily might have finished her battle.
Ash and Lillie nod as they enter the gym.
Here is a new chapter, and as you can see, Ash has his rematch against Barker, which is actually the third rematch against him in the game. Now every Team Portal member has their third rematch except for one, and it will be in the next chapter along with someone else. We are not going into the gym battle yet, but I still hope you like this chapter.
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, Salamence, Staraptor, Honchkrow, Gliscor, Unfezant, Swanna, Braviary, Talonflame, Oricorio, Minior, 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, Klefki, 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, Lunatone, 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, G-Rapidash, Mr. Mime, Azumarill, Granbull, Gardevoir, Mawile, Togekiss, Whimsicott, Florges, Aromatisse, Slurpuff, Sylveon, Primarina, Ribombee, Comfey, Hatterene, Alcremie
LMU: Nihilego, Buzzwole, Pheromosa, Xurkitree, Celesteela, Kartana, Guzzlord, Stakataka, Blacephalon