"So, where to next?" Brendan asked, as both Ash and Wally were looking at their Pokenavs.
"The next closest gym is located in Sootopolis City." Wally said.
"Great, so how do we get there?" Brendan asked.
"That's the problem." Ash said. "It's surrounded by mile high cliffs."
"And in the middle of the ocean." Wally added. "So even if any of our Pokemon were strong enough to fly us over the walls, getting there is no easy task."
"Hey, do you guys ever feel like we're forgetting something?" Flannery asked.
"Usually, but I stop paying mind to it, and eventually it goes away." Brendan said.
"No, I feel like we were supposed to meet someone." Flannery said.
"Tate and Liza?" Wally asked.
"No, we agreed to it a while ago, before even getting here." Flannery said.
"It's not Brock or Misty." Ash said.
"Can't be Wanda." Wally added.
"And my dad is still captured by Team Aqua." Brendan sighed. "WE WERE SUPPOSED TO MEET STEVEN ABOUT TEAM AQUA AND MAGMA!"
"Oh, I hope he's not angry." Wally said.
"Guy's we've been here for a week and haven't seen a sign of him, we don't even know if he's here yet." Ash reminded.
"Oh Steven Stone, I saw his boat come in this morning." The active Nurse Joy said. "His house is the one at the cliff to the far north."
"Thank you." Flannery said. "Well come on, let's see what our champion wants!"
Up near the cliff
"You guys are seeing those too, right?" Brendan asked.
"You mean the two dragons and the pirate ship?" Wally asked.
"That would be the ones." Brendan said.
"Then yeah, I see them, but who are those Pokemon?" Wally asked
'Salamence, the Dragon Pokemon, a Dragon and Flying type. Salamence came about as a result of a strong, long-held dream or growing wings. It is said that it's powerful desire triggered a sudden mutation in this Pokemon's cells, causing it to sprout its magnificent wings.' Ash's Pokédex explained.
'Dragonite, the Dragon Pokemon, a Dragon and Flying Type. Dragonite is capable of circling the globe in just sixteen hours. It is a kindhearted Pokemon that leads lost and foundering ships in a storm to the safety of land.' Brendan's Pokédex said.
"They're both the Dragon Pokemon?" Wally asked.
"I don't get it either." Flannery said in a shared confusion. "I wonder why they're here though."
"Steven did say he had help for taking out Team Aqua and Magma." Ash said, as they neared the shack.
"I'm telling you we need more forces!" A gruff voice argued.
"We've tried a full frontal approach, and they flew before we even get close." A calmer woman's voice said.
"Look we don't need to take the entire organizations out today, but we need to work fast, Team Magma has found Groudon's cavern." A third voice said.
"Which means Team Aqua is likely not far behind." An older woman said.
"Still, three and three, not exactly great sized groups if we encounter a problem." A man spoke quickly.
"I've scoured four other trainers who have been fighting Team Aqua and Team Magma." Steven's voice was heard. "Last I met them, they were on their way here."
"Umm, Mr. Stone?" Brendan asked knocking on the door.
Moments passed before Steven opened the door
"Ahh, and here they are." Steven said. "Come in, we were just discussing our plans."
The group walked in to see a tense atmosphere between the gathered people.
"Ash?" A man with red hair and a cape said in surprise.
"Lance!" Ash exclaimed. "I didn't know you'd be here."
"I'm here helping with the coming threat." Lance said.
"Oh let me introduce the you to my friends. Brendan, Flannery, and Wally." Ash said.
"Its great to meet all of you." Lance said.
"Steven, you aren't suggesting that these kids can help us with this?" A man in a pirate outfit said.
"Yes Drake, they have experience dealing with both teams, their knowledge could be useful." Steven said.
"Steven, are we really doing this?" Brendan asked.
"Yes, we are ending these threats as much as we can today, and that includes getting back your father." Steven said. "Now Ash, would you like to go over what your team knows?"
"Umm, sure." Ash said, standing in front of the group. "So both Team Aqua and Magma have their respective orbs to awaken Groudon and Kyogre, but from what I understand it isn't too late as we'd know if they were awakened already. Team Magma has been converting one of their members to be a perfect host to connect with Groudon so she's our main target their, while Team Aqua is holding Professor Birch hostage to further their own goals. Finally there is the third piece in the equation. Team Sky, its sole member and leader has already gained control of Rayquaza and from what I've heard, that's our best chance at stopping this if all else fails."
"Okay, let's hope it doesn't come to that." Steven said. "The gym leaders said they'd control the problems in their towns, and Wallace is patrolling the Eastern seas." Steven explained. "From here we'll be splitting into two teams of five trainers each. Brendan, Wally, Drake, and Glacia you'll be with me attacking Team Aqua's base near Lilycove. Meanwhile Lance will lead the team with Ash, Flannery, Phoebe, and Riley to take out the Team Magma base north of Lavaridge."
"Lavaridge." Flannery said worriedly.
"We need to work fast. It won't take them long to wake up the beasts." Steven said.
"Team Aqua takedown, we can take my ship there." Drake said.
"And how are we getting to Lavaridge in time?" Flannery asked.
"Have you ever flown on a Dragonite before?" Lance asked, holding up three Pokeballs.
"Best of luck you guys." Ash said to Brendan and Wally.