Chapter 49 Norall City
Ash and Lillie are back at Fork in the Road, they head north this time and they find the Guard sitting at the gateway.
Guard: The path has been cleared. We recommended wearing additional layers of clothing if you plan on proceeding.
Ash and Lillie are now already wearing coats since Delia tells them that Norall City is cold and snowy all the time, and when they stop at Norall Mountain Base, they are surprised to see a lot of snow.
Lillie: This place sure is snowy...it's so nice...
Ash: I agree. But we still have to go through Cool Cave if we want to get to Norall City.
They notice some Alolan Sandshrew roaming around the area, so they decide to capture one since Lillie remembered that it is an Alolan Sandslash that gives her the Icium Z, and they also use the Ice Stone to evolve Sandshrew into Sandslash.
Ash and Lillie's New Capture in Norall Mountain Base: Alolan Sandshrew (Grass)
Ash: Looks like we're going inside a cave to get to Norall City...
Lillie: Then it might be colder than this place...
When they get into Cool Cave, they find mostly Ice Type Pokemon in the area.
Ash: Lillie, look over there!
Lillie: (Looks in the direction Ash points into.) What is that? Its head is an ice cube...
Ash: That is an Eiscue, I found one of them in Galar, and they are pretty similar to Mimikyu with their ability.
Lillie: That sounds interesting, are you going to capture it?
Ash: You bet.
Then he throws a Quick Ball at the Pokemon, capturing it in the end. The next Pokemon that they spot is a Bergmite.
Ash: Avalugg is pretty strong, I mean, last time I get into the Snowbelle Gym in Kalos, all 3 of my Pokemon are defeated by it.
Lillie: Wait, Kalos? Didn't you have that Greninja? Did you lose to it?
Ash: Yeah...that's why I was very depressed back then.
After capturing Bergmite, they train it to evolve into Avalugg. Then they also find a Cubchoo and capture it, by training with the Pokemon, they evolve it into a Beartic.
Lillie: (Spots a Spheal) I guess having a Walrein in the team is also fine, don't you think so?
Ash: I think you're right about it. Let's capture it.
Then they capture a Spheal and train it to become a Walrein. And the final Pokemon is Seel, which they capture it and evolves into Dewgong.
Ash and Lillie's New Pokemon in Cool Cave: Seel, Spheal, Cubchoo, Bergmite, Eiscue (Cave)
Ash: I think we already have enough Ice Type Pokemon, let's just get to the city.
Lillie: Sure.
After sliding through some puzzles, and finding some items like a Marble in one of them, they finally reach Norall City.
Lillie: So this is Norall City...this place is really cold.
Ash: Yeah. I think I might know what type of gym this place is. I mean, it is too obvious.
But just as they are about to go to the gym, they find that a guard is standing in front of them.
Guard: Aurora is currently doing an ice skating show. If you're here for a gym battle, you'll have to wait until after the show. If you're here to watch ice skating, you'll have to wait until the next show. You can have these as compensation, though.
Ash and Lillie are both given Casteliacones, which they have been eating a lot back in Olidroll Sweets Shop.
Lillie: So the gym leader is named Aurora, but she is now performing and we can't even get inside...
Ash: I guess we aren't going to battle her today, I guess... how about we go to the Research Institute? My Mom used to work here, so it will be great if they let us enter the institute and look around the area.
Lillie: That sounds like a good idea.
Once they get into the Research Institute, they have been looking around and they notice how many projects are there. One scientist notices Ash and Lillie as he talks to them about the invention.
Scientist: Hello there, this device here has several components which can change the form of the Pokemon known as Rotom. If you happen to find one during your journey, bring it to me if you'd like to change its form.
Ash and Lillie nod, Ash has a Rotom, but he doesn't want to change forms right now. Another scientist greets them and she is giving them something.
Scientist: This was found at the institute some time ago, but we don't need it. Since you're the first non-employee to talk to me since it was found, you can have it.
Ash and Lillie are getting another Marble, and they put it into the backpack.
Scientist: There's nothing out of the ordinary about Mable's Marbles, so we don't have a reason to keep them here for study.
Ash: Okay...
As they head to the second floor, they hear a lay yelling.
Lady: Hey...that's my food!
Ash and Lillie notice that Delicia is the one that is gobbling down the angel-haired pasta, they are surprised to see her here since the last time they saw her is back in Olidroll City.
Lillie: What is Delicia doing here? Does that mean Crolea is here as well?
Ash: Or probably her sister Felicia? Since she is a Team Portal member... But I hope that it would be Crolea.
They continue walking forward as they see a scientist talking to Crolea and Kayla, Ashley's sister whom they meet in Cianosa Cafe.
Kayla: Oh, hi, Ash! Lillie! I see you got my sister's badge.
Ash: It is good to see you guys again. What are you doing?
Kayla: Since you were listening to our conversation, you might remember I'm part of a project. Beyond this teleporter is where the tests for that project are done. Right now it's being conducted in a simulation room. Once we're finished properly implementing everything here, we can move on to reality. Aside from that, though, I'm afraid I can't share any details with anyone about what exactly the project is. Not even Ashley.
Lillie: Oh, I see. By the way, Ashley asks us to say hi to you.
Kayla: Thanks for letting me know! Since I started doing this, we haven't been able to see each other as often, so it's nice to hear that. (Turns around and leaves) Good luck with your gym challenge! I have work to do now, so I'll see you later, Ash, Lillie, and Crolea.
After she is out of their sight, Crolea turns to Ash and Lillie.
Crolea: Hi, Ash and Lillie. So you've already met Kayla?
Ash: We met before I have my Gym battle against her sister. What about you?
Crolea: I know her through my mom. They've been friends since before I was born, so I see her often.
Lillie: Then do you know about the project?
Crolea: (Shakes her head) We don't know any more about the project than you, though, sorry!
Ash: It's fine, we are not forcing you to tell us.
The scientist named Viri also turns to them as he decides to tell them something.
Scientist Viri: If it continues to go as well as it's been going, you'll know soon. I'd say we're around 85% of the way through the simulated tests.
Crolea: Well, that's promising! I'm sure it'll be interesting, whatever it is!
Viri: Oh, I can guarantee it will be. As Kayla said, we're not allowed to share details about it with you. But if you want to know about some of our other projects, and possibly help out, you can talk to me. I'll be near the healing machine.
After that, Viri decides to leave the three of them alone, then Crolea also turns to Ash and Lillie once more.
Crolea: So, what do you think of the research institute, Ash? Lillie?
Ash: I say that it is very great, considering that my mom used to work here.
Crolea: Your mother is a scientist and she spent some time here? that's so neat! If you all ever visit again as a family, I'd love to meet her and hear about what she does.
Ash: Of course. I never knew you are so interested in this.
Crolea: As an empath, I'm more about feeling than thinking. But I appreciate researchers' infinite appreciation since their work is necessary for what I want to do someday. I've always wanted to go to space. To visit other planets, see completely different kinds of environments not found here… Anything we can imagine probably exists somewhere out there. A lot of things we haven't imagined too.
Lillie: That is true.
Crolea: There's been one team so far that went into space. That was about two years ago. They wouldn't say by what, but they were attacked. They had to come back home. The place where the crew was sent to and from space has been called "Area S1".
Ash: Area S1? I think I heard this name from the False fortune teller...
Crolea: Ever since that incident, it's been put on VERY restricted access by the chief of space research and travel, Agne.
Lillie: Agne? I think we have met her in Wonky Woods...
Ash: Yeah, she has long white hair and an Absol.
Crolea: What? You meet a person named Agne? She has long white hair and an Absol? That sounds about right...There are a lot of questions I want to ask Agne...but for now, I guess all that goes on the back burner to investigating Team Portal.
Ash: Team Portal...is there any news about them?
Crolea: Oh...I got so caught up in talking about space I forgot to tell you. I've heard Team Portal is planning on paying a visit to the Underwater Hotel.
Ash: Underwater Hotel? I think I have heard of this name as well...something about the owner being a member of the Elite 4?
Crolea: I would appreciate it if you'd follow them there if you have the chance. To the east of the fork is Tullborn City. From there, you can have a sailor take you to Inoset Island, where the Underwater Hotel is. You'll need these.
She gives them an HM03 for Surf, and HM06 for Dive. Ash and Lillie accept both HMs and put them away.
Crolea: I don't think they're headed there just yet, so feel free to finish your business in Norall before then. I know you're doing the League Challenge and all. I think the rocks near the mountain from the avalanche have been cleared out of the way, too.
After that Crolea bids them farewell as she grabs Delicia and leaves, Delicia seems to be begging for more food and Crolea doesn't want her to cause trouble.
Lillie: Here they go...let's continue to explore this place.
Ash: Sure. We still have a gym battle here before we leave this place.
Lillie: And the whole mountain top that we can view the whole Ceolis Region.
Here is a new chapter, and in this chapter, I decided to do the Research Institute in Norall City. I don't know why, but I feel like every time I go to the cities with gyms that are multipliers of 3, there are going to be quests to do. And I am going to write the quests in the next chapter, considering that the quest is related to how to get a Type: Null in this game. I hope you like it.