Chapter 34: True Intentions
With Keira's information, Ash and the others are heading to the aquarium to find Professor Pinewood. Once they enter the aquarium, Alice looks around and says, "Wow, there really are a lot of Water Type Pokemon in this place."
"Yeah, I would like to check out this place, but we have some business to do with the Professor."
As they head further into the Aquarium, they see Rodney and Professor Pinewood waiting for them. "Ash, guys, you have come. Even the queen too." Rodney says.
"We heard the news from Keira and Mark. But where is Brother Wade? Isn't he supposed to be here with us?" Ash asks.
"I think that he is finding Reisa since she is his girlfriend." Mark says. "But it is better since you know how he always likes to flirt with other girls before meeting Reisa."
"Now that you mention it, I remembered everything." Ash says with a chuckle. "But I guess we are going to wait for him before learning what is going on here..."
Pinewood says, "That might be right, why don't you go check out this Aquarium first?" The others nod as they leave, Delia is standing there and she turns to Pinewood, "So the thing that you are going to talk about...is it related to them again?"
"I am afraid so." Pinewood sighs, "They should know about the truth, so they can learn how much pain you have in your heart."
"Yeah..." Delia sighs.
After exploring the aquarium, Wade and Reisa finally come. Reisa asks, "Why are you bringing me here? I know that this place is perfect, but what is going on here?"
"I think you should also listen to this as well since you won't be leaving this region soon." Wade says, "The Professor of this region has some big news to tell us."
"I see, since I am staying here, I might as well learn about what is going to happen." Reisa says.
"So what do you have to tell us, Professor Pinewood?" Ash asks.
"As you can see, I found out some information about Team Solar and Team Lunar." Pinewood says.
"Team Solar and Team Lunar..." Rodney says. "Somehow I have heard of these names a lot of times ever since I started my journey..."
"Team Lunar are the crooks who stole that little girl's Pokemon. And Team Solar has tried to rob the daycare in the Brushus Town, right?" Keira asks.
Alice says, "I am surprised that you remembered all of that. And I am pretty sure that we encounter them much more times than you think. So what are you going to tell us about the two evil teams?"
"As you can see, both teams are different, but they share the same goal - to take over the Rikoto Region." Pinewood says.
"Why am I not surprised about it?" Ash says, "I mean... every time I went to a region, there are always evil teams with goals of taking over the region."
"But how would they do that? I mean...The Sevestar Kingdom has taken over the Rikoto Region for years and people are happy about it. What are they going to do to destroy it?"
"It might have something to do with the temples in the Rikoto Region." Wade says.
"Wade is right. Both teams are trying to gather the 5 Elemental stones to open a portal to where Solaran and Lunaro sleep." Pinewood says.
"Solaran?" Ash asks. "Lunaro?" Alice asks.
"Legend has it that the 5 Elemental Pokemon, Terradon, Tigacore, Searine, Tornadowl, and Aethera used their powers to seal away these Pokemon in another dimension to end the war between them." Pinewood says.
"Why was there a war between them?" Keira asks.
"Let me explain this, Professor. Both Pokemon were born from an eclipse. They are the same Pokemon, in a sense. Solaran was born from the light of the eclipse and Lunaro was born from the shadow of the eclipse." Delia says.
Rodney asks, "So they are like...twins?"
"Exactly. But I rather say that they are like the two sides of a coin." Delia says.
"So Team Solar and Team Lunar are both gathering those stones to set them free?" Keira says.
"Yes, although these stones aren't the only thing they are searching for. They also need to find the Sun Crystal and the Moon Crystal. Without them, Solaran and Lunaro won't be controlled and will cause devastation across the region." Pinewood says.
As they are hearing their comments about Team Solar and Team Lunar, Ash starts to have thoughts in his mind, he recalls all the things that he heard from Terradon, Aethera, and Tigacore. Alice is also doing the same thing, but the others aren't noticing them zoning out.
Delia eventually notices Ash and Alice's expression, and she asks, "Ash? Alice? What are you thinking?"
Ash says, "When Light and Dark fight...the Prince of the sun and the princess of the moon will save the region with Balance..."
"What are you talking about, Ash?" Keira asks. "Where did that come from?"
"This is the prophecy I heard from Terradon, after the Earth Stone is taken by Team Lunar."
"What? Team Lunar has the Earth Stone?" Wade asks in surprise.
"Not only that, but Team Solar also has the Volt Stone." Alice says, much to their shock. "Just great, they have two stones..." Wade mutters.
"And I also remembered that Aethera tells us that once they wake up, they will fight together and it creates chaos. Is that true? Professor?" Alice asks.
"So you have met those two Legendaries?" Pinewood asks.
"We do, we met them in their respective temples." Ash says.
Mark adds, "And not only that, but Tigacore also says the same thing about they are targeting the crystals, but we don't know where they are."
"But the only thing we have is..." Ash opens the bag and he takes out the red stone that has been targeted by Team Solar and Team Lunar. Wade says, "Ash? You have the Core Stone?"
"Yes, Amber gave it to me so that both teams can't find it. Because we have defeated them a lot of times, we might be able to protect this stone from those guys." Ash says.
"So now that leaves the Sea Stone and the Wind Stone." Rodney says. "One is in the Rainbow Reef at Route 10, and one is in the Whisper Tunnel which is north of Greenpine City..."
"But I don't see how these teams' plans will work." Reisa says. "I mean, all 5 stones need to be together for it to work and, if they're all separated, it won't work."
Alice says, "That's right, knowing Team Lunar or Team Solar, they won't be trying to hand over either the Earth Stone or the Volt Stone to the other teams."
"Which is why I think they have backup plans." Pinewood says. "These teams are dangerous and will do anything to get control of the Rikoto region."
"And we can't let them have the stones." Delia says with a determined tone. Ash notices his mother's expression and he is confused, he has seen a lot of times when his mother is worried about Team Solar and Team Lunar, but he doesn't have a clue of why she is thinking like that.
"That's right." Keira says, agreeing with Delia's words.
Pinewood says, "I know you guys were a good choice for the Pokedex, but please be careful. I know you can handle yourselves. You have come so far, Ash. You must protect that stone from these teams and you must not let them know you have it."
"Of course. And I am sure that we are going to help to stop them as well." Ash says as they nod.
Wade says, "So Professor, wasn't there something you wanted to give to Ash, Keira, and Rodney?"
Professor Pinewood thinks for a second and then he says, "Oh, that's right. I want to give you these surfboards."
Wade takes out three surfboards and hands them over to the three of them. Keira is confused at the surfboard in her hands and she asks, "Um...why do we need this?"
"These will allow you to surf along the water and get to places you couldn't before." Delia says. "You can tie the rope around your Water Type Pokemon so you can surf without falling."
"I see." Rodney says as he puts it away. "But I will be fine since I have Salaslam."
Keira says, "And I have Pooldog, it will be useful if we are going to the next city for our gym battle."
"Good." Pinewood says as he looks at his watch, "Well, I must go. I have some research to do in Goopool Swap. Good luck and be careful."
After Pinewood leaves, Wade says, "Right, guys. You know how it goes for this gym battle. Once all three of you have 7 badges, I will battle you, for now, I gotta get back to the Gym, Reisa, Mark, do you want to come along?"
"Sure." Reisa says.
"See ya, guys." Mark says as they leave.
Keira turns to Ash and Alice, she says, "I know we can do this. Team Solar and Team Lunar won't win! Ahhh! So pumped! I'm gonna go and train! I'll see you guys around!"
Rodney says, "It is not only the two evil teams, the ones that make you miserable are also a threat. But Keira is right! As long as we stick together, they won't win! You should go to Goopool Swamp! It's in the eastern area of Route 9."
"If I remember correctly, there is someone we know also at Goopool Swamp for training." Delia says much to their confusion.
"Who?" Ash asks.
"You'll find out eventually." Delia says as they leave the aquarium.
Once Ash, Alice, Delia arrive at the entrance to the Goopool Swamp, they see Rodney battling a girl in front of him. The girl has blonde hair and she is using a Pharobe, the evolution of Wraphro. Not only that, Salaslam is seen to be defeated as he is also wrapped by the bandages.
"I lost..." Rodney sighs. "You are so strong."
"Why thank you." The girl says. "And we seem to have some audience as well."
Rodney turns around and he says, "Oh, guys, you made it. Well, the surfboard we got from the Professor is really useful. I had a good time with my Salaslam."
"You let him pull your surfboard?" Ash asks. "That sure sounds interesting."
"And you see, this is the entrance of Goopool Swamp." Rodney shows them the entrance as Alice says, "Goopool Swamp is said to be a mysterious area...but we don't need to worry about that, right?"
"Of course, not if I am with you." The girl says as the group turns to her, "It has been a while since I last see you, Ash. I really missed you so much."
"Not again..." Ash says as he is being rubbed off his hair. "Elena and Wade have been doing this to me and you as well? Sis Gina?" Ash groans.
"Can't blame me since Mother has been keeping secrets about you all the time." Gina laughs as he breaks the hug.
Alice asks, "Gina...Wait, she is your sister?"
Rodney says, "What? Another one?"
Ash sighs and says, "Of course, she is my sister Gina. Believe me, don't get in her bad side or else she will haunt you with your ghost Pokemon."
Gina sighs, "Those words are unnecessary. But yeah, I love ghosts."
Rodney says, "No wonder you beat me with a team full of ghosts. By the way, Ash. Have you seen those rocks on the beach? You can smash them with Rock Smash. But there is another way, you can use the Hammer."
As he gives him the hammer, he gives a look that says, "Are you serious". Rodney notices it and says, "I bought one for me, but I also thought that it will be a help for you and Keira. So you can take it."
"Thanks, I guess." Alice says. "But why do we need to smash rocks?"
Gina says, "I heard that there are smashable rocks all over the region, and there are some rare items under the rocks. How cool is that?"
"Really? I think you just like to see if there are any Pokemon underneath it." Delia says as Gina sighs, "You're right, Mom."
"Well, I have to get going." Rodney says as he bids them farewell, then Ash and his group also enter the Goopool Swamp.
Now that Ash and the others have a glimpse of what Team Solar and Team Lunar's ambitions are. I hope you like this chapter. The next chapter will be the Goopool Swamp.
