Chapter 43: Ancient Pass

Now on Route 13, Ash and his Pokemon are training on the boat and some of them also evolve while battling the swimmers and fishermen. And the ones that evolve are the two Fossil Pokemon, who have been creating a mess on the ship.

Tarexite: The T-Rex Pokemon: Rock and Fire Type. Evolved from Rexite at LV:37. Long ago, Tarexite were the apex predators of prehistoric Rikoto. Records show that they were able to hunt even in midst of a volcano eruption.

Stegasteel: The Stegosaurus Pokemon: Rock and Steel Type. Evolved from Stegron at LV:37. The plates on Stegajolt fossils, still preserving their charges, have been used as batteries on mountain areas where power supply isn't easy to come by.

And the third one that evolves on the route is Sharko, it looks black and white and it is fearsome.

Markrush: The Blitz Pokemon: Water and Electric Type. Evolved from Sharko at LV:37. Markrush are constantly swimming at high speeds through the ocean's depths, even while sleeping. This behavior keeps their gills oxygenated.

Ash has to stop them from making a mess on the ship, and he has been bitten a lot of times. Alice is really worried as she manages to help him out. The fourth one is also crazy for Ash, as all of the Yayak also evolve.

Yakkle: The Yak Pokemon: Normal and Water Type. Evolved from Yayak at LV:37. Yakkle can tread through fast river currents, their hooves rooting in the riverbed anchoring them. They carry young Yayaks on their backs when crossing rivers.

"I may have been used to evolve one Yayak, but to evolve all 30 of them at the same time?" Gina asks. "Just how long did they work together in the Safari Zone?"

Ash sighs, "I don't know. At least they can swim on the water so that our ship won't be destroyed."


After arriving at Ancient Pass safely, Rick is already there at the cave. Rick says, "Oh, it's you...what are you doing here?"

"What we are going doesn't concern you." Ash says.

"Never mind, this is the Ancient Pass, you gotta get through here to get to Rassic City! It's a breeze for me, I used to play here when I was a kid and I can get through it with ease! I am going to find Rex and beat him! I'll prove that I have what it takes to be the best! Catch-"

"Say that again and Pikachu's Thunderbolt won't be this easily." Ash says.

"Fine. Catch you later." Then he leaves. Alice giggles a little, "I think he was afraid of Pikachu's electricity."

Gina says, "Regardless, we should move forward."

On the road, Ash has been training with Pokemon and also evolve some of them as well. When they try to get through the cave with Bouldox, it evolves into a spider with crystals on the back.

Crystox: The Toxic Stone Pokemon: Rock and Poison Type. Evolved from Bouldox at LV:38. Despite their appearance, Crystox are entirely organic Pokémon. Their "crystals" are actually crystallized poison, and their toxicity is not weakened in this state.

Then they keep moving forward as his Oriture also evolves while battling the wild Pokemon.

Natoron: The Tectonic Pokemon: Ground Type. Evolved from Oriture at LV:38. Natoron creates earthquakes to scare away any Pokémon intruding on its territory. Trainers are advised to only approach them with a solid footing.

By battling a Pokemon which seems to be like a meteor, Ash uses his Weakid to battle. And with the experience, Weakid evolves into a stronger Pokemon known as Bulker, and Ash also captures the meteor Pokemon.

Bulker: The Incredible Pokemon: Fighting Type. Evolved from Weakid at LV:38. Hulking powerhouses among Pokémon, Bulker are capable of shrugging off most physical attacks and retaliating tenfold. However, they are quite dimwitted and easily tricked.

Cosmet: The Meteorite Pokemon: Electric and Rock Type. Cosmet may sometimes land on the ground from a lack of energy. They would wait for thunder to strike down on them, then take off into the sky once more.

The next to evolve is Trollow, after making a mess on their lunch table, it glows and evolves.

Trollerk: The Troll Pokemon: Dark and Fairy Type. Evolved from Trollow at LV:38. Trollerk carries out pranks just like their pre-evolutions, but when they are caught in the act they become enraged and attack everything in the vicinity.

Then to calm the Pokemon down, Ash offers the Mystic Stone to let it evolve, but it doesn't seem to change the personality as well.

Trollger: The Troll Pokemon: Dark and Fairy Type. Evolved from Trollerk with Mystic Stone. Known as the 'Enforcers of Nature', they have a terrible temper and little patience for those who would dare harm the environment.

"Finally, he manages to calm down." Alice sighs in relief.

And then the final Pokemon they have evolved is Hippond, as it evolves and still goes lazy.

Hippotone: The Hippo Pokemon: Water and Ground Type. Evolved from Hippond at LV:38. Hippotone possess jaws strong enough to crush rocks without trouble. However, they are terrible at detecting predators, making them easy to prey on despite their strength.


As they move further, they find Keira and Rodney. Keira says, "No sign of Team Solar or Team Lunar..."

"Maybe they are not here but in Rassic City like the Professor mentioned." Rodney says. But then they notice Ash and the group. Keira says, "You guys have come."

Rodney says, "Have you seen anyone from those weird teams?"

"No." Ash says. "We haven't seen anyone."

Just then, they see a man rushing by. Delia notices the man and says, "Rex?"

"Oh, Delia, sorry, I have to get through." Rex says as he rushes off. But then Rick appears. "Ah, you guys again? Did you see a guy with spiky hair run through here just now?"

"Um...yeah..." Keira says. "He went running that way..."

"Move out of the way!" Rick then rushes away to chase Rex. Rodney says, "What was that about? Maybe Rick needs help? I hate to say it, but we have to follow him."

"So that is Rex the Elite 4 member?" Keira asks.

"Yeah, he is our friend as well." Red says.

Then as they chase the two people, they see that Rick is confronting Rex. "Hey! Rex! I'm Rick, the brother of the Rassic City's Dragon Master, Lizzy! I challenge you to a battle!"

"Lizzy's little brother? Ahh, yes, Rich was it?" Rex asks.

This causes everyone to try not to laugh, Rick says, "No, it's Rick!"

"Oh, sorry, but I'm in a hurry, I have no time to talk."

"No! I want to battle right now! I will show my family, no, show everyone that I'm strong enough to beat you!" Rick yells.

"I really don't have time! But how about this, you go battle your sister and if you beat her, I will happily accept your challenge!"

"Rex." Delia says as the group walk towards them. Rex says, "Delia, and...wait, Red? Is that you?"

"Hello to you, old friend." The men share a hug and Rex says, "No way, you're still alive."

"Yeah, thanks to Delia here. She found a way to revive me." Red says.

"As much as I like to chat, but I have no time. I'm searching for some people in strange uniforms have you seen anyone like that around here?" Rex asks.

"You mean Team Solar and Team Lunar?" Keira asks.

"What? These kids heard of them?" Rex asks.

Delia sighs, "We have encountered them a lot of times than we can count. Pinewood also sends us to look for them."

"I see." Rex says, "So he is your son Ash? It is nice to meet you. Will you guys help me find them?"

Before they can answer, they hear an explosion, so the group goes to check it out, only to find that there is an altar and six people are standing there. The three of them are glaring at the other 3.

"We both have what we want, so how about you and your little minions disappear, Derek?" The woman in the front says.

"We may both have the Crystals we need, but you have the Volt Stone and we need of it. Hand it over now!" Derek says.

"Haha! Do you really think I would just hand it over because you asked? And who do you think you're talking to! Do you think would be stupid enough to bring it here with us...I thought you were smarter than that, Derek."

"Grrr...Never mind, we have what we came for, but be sure Starla, this isn't the last time we met! We will get that Volt Stone from you!"

"I highly doubt that, but that's all for now, there's no point in continuing this conversation. Come on, Brite, Gloria, let's go." Starla says.

"Starla and Derek, so it was you all this time..." Delia says as both groups finally see the group. Derek says, "Delia...what a surprise."

Starla says, "What do you want?"

Scarlett says, "Oh, they are the meddling brats!"

Brite says, "This will be easy, there are more of us, let's take them out!"

But Derek and Starla just stare at Delia, who also stares back. Then Starla says, "I see that your husband is also here as well, huh...I thought you were dead, Red."

"I never thought that I would see you two doing this." Red says with a glare. "I don't care what your intentions are, but you are going to be stopped here."

Derek says, "That is if you can."

Rex says, "I guess we should leave the leaders to the King and Queen, while we battle the commanders."

The rest nod as Ash and Alice fight Gloria, Rodney and Keira fight Brite, Gina and Rex fight Scarlett, and Rick, being the arrogant one, fights Marcus alone. Then, in the end, they manage to defeat all of them.

"Ugh! You stupid kids really make me mad!" Scarlett says.

Starla says, "It doesn't matter if we win or lose, we have the Legendary Crystals. That was the only time we help you, Team Lunar. Now we will get all five elemental stones together and revive Solaran and bring our new Order to the region!"

"I will make sure you don't get that far! We will get the stones and Lunaro will bring our chaos! This is not the end! Our mission will succeed!" Derek says. Then the two leaders turn to Delia and Red, "And I will get your place this time, Delia and Red, there is no stopping us even if you aren't normal human."

Then after they leave using Smokescreen and Flash, Rex says, "Oh, oh, oh...This isn't good..."

"We still beat them! But what are these Crystals they're talking about?" Keira says.

"We may have won this battle, but we haven't stopped their plans..." Ash says.

"The Crystals...We shouldn't talk here, I'll head back to Rassic City, meet me in the Ancient Museum, I'll tell you what I know about them there, but first..." He takes the Balance Crystal and says, "They didn't take this crystal, they must not think it's important, but I think it may be useful to us...There is nothing more you can do now."

As for Delia and Red, they just stare at the place where Starla and Derek used to stand. Ash asks, "Mother? Father?" But they are just staring at the places where those leaders used to stand as Rex sighs, "Thank you for all your help, you are all great trainers, maybe one day we will be able to battle at the Rikoto League Village."

"A battle, that's what I want! I don't care about the crystals and these stupid organizations. I will beat you Rex and will show the world how strong I am! I will go defeat my sister and I will show you, Rex." Rick says. "And for you four..." As he sees Pikachu's electricity, he sighs, "Catch you later."

Rex looks at him and sighs, "He really has a fire in him."

Red says, "I guess we can't dwell in the past...Rex, let's meet at the Rassic City's Ancient Museum, after all, I think it is time to tell what is our connection with Starla and Derek."

"I understand. It sure is really hard for you two..." Rex says as he leaves.

Ash says, "You know the two leaders in person? Mother? Father?"

Delia sighs, "Ash, there is more to know them. In fact, once we are at the Ancient Museum. We will tell you."

They nod as Delia and Red leave the pass. Keira says, "This is all getting too deep for me, we should leave this to Rex and the Elite 4, or even anyone stronger than us, like your mom, she is the Champion after all."

"I think so too. Keira, but what if they need help? We shouldn't run away, wouldn't it be horrible if we back down and those evil teams succeed?"

"I guess you are right, Rodney." Alice says. "We should all do it."

"That's the spirit. We will beat them, the world is in our hands." Ash says.

"Yeah, in our hands." Keira says. "I am not going to battle Lizzy though...I don't really like dragons..."

"Even if it's not a proper Gym, I'll still battle her! How about you, Ash?"

"I am going to battle her as well." Ash says. Then they bid farewell to the two rivals as Gina sighs, "I wonder what's going on with Mom and Dad, they aren't usually this worried."

"I know." Ash says. "I am also worried for them as well. I guess we really need to go to Rassic City for answers." Then they leave the place and go to Rassic City.


So Delia and Red know about the leaders Starla and Derek, but what is their story? Find out in the next chapter. As for the Traitors, they won't appear until the Seventh Gym.

New Pokemon: Tarexite, Stegasteel, Markrush, Yakkle, Crystox, Natoron, Bulker, Cosmet, Trollger, Hippotone