Here we go: another gym battle! Strap in, because it is a long and bumpy ride!

Chapter Twenty Five: The Water's Fiery Mistress

"Ooooh, back again are we? I thought you would have at least been on time – Miss Misty is not very happy with you, but you'll see for yourself, won't you?"

"Oh shut up!" Alaska snapped at the robotic voice as it began laughing at her, and she strutted determinedly into the Cerulean Gym, well aware how angry Misty would be and knowing that the reason why she was late wasn't exactly the best or most believable story.

It had been nearly half an hour since switching back, but Alaska and Sandy both seemed to have trouble walking. The switch had given them both headaches as well, though they had managed to numb them off during a short lay over in the Pokemon Center as they healed their Pokemon, including the Bellsprout that had pointed them towards Mitchell in the first place: Sandy didn't want to leave it behind once Amanda and Chloe extracted themselves from the mud, knowing the producers history will lashing out at Pokemon, so the pair now had six Pokemon between them. Sandy offered her to Alaska to use during the battle, but Alaska wanted to stick with her own Pokemon and get a feel for them rather than using someone else's. Darwin and Frances both had moves that were of a type advantage, but as Paige had just been through an ordeal, Alaska decide to focus on taming Darwin and using the strength gained from evolution and have Frances on the sidelines for back-up, fingers crossed she would be up for it.

Paige and Butterfree needed longer to heal, but once everyone else had been topped up Alaska decided to go ahead to the gym. She felt a bit more confident for this one: Alaska had a good team and she knew they could do wonders, and had a good feeling that this battle would go well. Sandy kept rattling on about support and some moves and how she and Bellsprout would cheer on the sidelines, but Alaska kept her mind focused entirely on the battle as they approached the blue reflective glass that made up the Cerulean Gym.

After snapping at the disembodied voice, Alaska and Sandy stepped through the sliding glass doors, which now operated, and stepped forth into the world. Instantly Alaska stepped in a puddle, but her mind was focused more on the gym around here than beneath her: the gym did look a lot like a public swimming pool. There were benches on either side of them and on the opposite wall, painted a lovely blue and provided enough seating to fit the entire town three times over. Alaska had read that Misty and her gym trainers sometimes put on water shows for the town, and she noticed large television screens around the gym to provide a view of the world below. The rest of the gym was rather bland, with areas marked off for changing rooms for both genders, an office for Misty, a staff room, a spa and relaxation area and an events section.

The main attraction, of course, was the pool several metres in front of them. It was currently empty, allowing the still water to sparkle and reflect the glass and the large hanging lights overhead. Though there were several sections marked out for special classes held by Misty, the majority of the pool was open with the only divisions came from large ropes with plastic bits on them to mark out lanes. Alaska couldn't see any sign of a place to battle on. She was about to point this out to Sandy when a door slammed somewhere in the building, echoing around the high ceiling.

"Well well well, look who finally showed up!" A voice snapped, and the two girls turned around as Misty strutted out from her office, accompanied by two girls in blue and white swimsuits with 'Cerulean Gym' on the back. Misty herself was wearing a light blue swimsuit made of a more reflective, plasticy material that reflected the light, and her ginger hair hang around her shoulders dripping wet. It was quite strange for noise to suddenly be around them as the rest of the gym was empty, and Misty's footsteps echoed as she stepped through the puddles that had formed around the edge of the pool.

Alaska would have liked to have been as brave and tough as she usually was, but she was slightly afraid to be on the wrong end of a gym leader scorned. They were strong trainers that had powerful reputations and were idolized within their own cities and abroad: they could do whatever they wanted as long as it was legal (or so Alaska hoped) and she knew that Misty would take no mercy in their battle after having her date interrupted.

"You know, if you went to all that trouble to come and bother me, you could at least have managed to make it on time," Misty growled as she walked around the edge of the pool, staring directly across. Alaska glanced over and saw she was walking towards her end of the pool they would be battling on, so she and Sandy began to move to the right, their eyes not leaving the red head.

"We were held up," Alaska called out. "I would have liked to be have been here earlier, but Bill wanted to talk to me, and than this machine activated and –,"

"Brain switch?" Misty asked, and began to laugh as Alaska's eyes bulged in shock. "It is unfortunate to say that many people have gone there, and many of them end up pressing the button on that machine. I myself have had dealings with it, but that's for another time." Alaska was intrigued by this, and hoped that the shared experience would lessen the tension, but once Misty's laughter died she went back to scowling, still annoyed over the date. Sandy hadn't been shocked at all by Misty's comments, and simply scowled back at her as if Misty had personally insulted her.

"I would have come straight here after we got switched back, but than I wanted to heal my Pokemon, and I only have two of them here," Alaska said, and Misty scoffed.

"Only two Pokemon? Please – I expect most trainers to at least have four on them when they arrive here," she tutted and laughed shrilly. Alaska began to get annoyed and scowled back at her, annoyed at constantly having her lack of Pokemon pointed out to her. "Oh well, if your going to limit me than I will settle for two then," Misty said with a false sigh. "All the better to defeat you with, I guess."

"Why don't you cut the chat and start battling then?" Sandy snapped. Alaska was not sure why Sandy disliked the gym leader so much, but had to admire her spirit as Misty raised an eyebrow whilst giving a slight nod.

"As you wish," she said, and moved towards her spot, waving to her assistants. "The battle will be two on two and fought in this pool. I will send first and move first. The winner will be whoever has the last Pokemon standing after the opponent's two have fainted, agreed?"

"Agreed," Alaska said instantly. She was eager to do this battle and was ready to get it over with, and was willing to take whatever rules came her way to prove herself. She pulled a Poke and Great Ball from her bag before passing it over to Sandy.

"Make sure you crush her," Sandy said in an uncharacteristically vicious tone, and Alaska wasn't sure wheter to be shocked or start laughing, but nodded in appreciation and moved forwards. As she stared at the pool, wondering if her Pokemon were meant to balance on the plastic covered ropes, there was a whirring sound. She looked up and saw the assistants were standing by a control panel. Alaska watched as the ropes moved to the side, leaving a large space the size of an average battle field. Than, there was another whirr as six large rubber platforms floated to the surface.

"I was wondering how my Pokemon were meant to fight," Alaska laughed, but Misty simply rolled her eyes. Two platforms moved towards the trainers, and Alaska was surprised to see Misty step onto one. She glanced at the assistants and they nodded, and Alaska leapt cautiously onto the mat. It sunk as she stood on it, water sloshing up into her shoes, but it quickly rebalanced and began floating forwards. Alaska was rather cautious to be leaving the safety of the ground: she did enjoy swimming whenever she got a chance to, but being in the middle of a pool when Darwin was battling… not the most reassuring thing.

The two platforms holding the competitors finally stopped moving, stopping several metres away from the other four platforms arranged in a square spot, not moving as the water remained still. One assistant moved forwards to the middle to referee the battle, while the other stayed by the control box for some reason.

"Are you ready?" The assistant asked, and both girls nodded. "Release your Pokemon!"

"With pleasure," Misty said, and she threw a Great Ball that had been fully coloured in blue onto the platform nearest her. There was the usually burst of light as the energy spiralled out, forming a brown star with a golden and bejewelled centre.

"Ah Staryu, interesting," Alaska said with a nod, though was secretly shocked and annoyed: it would most likely have Psychic moves, making a Primeape a risky Pokemon to use. However, it was Alaska's only hope at the moment, and she reluctantly sent Darwin onto another platform.

"Ape Prime Ape Ape!" He shouted, his shrill cry echoing around, and Alaska noticed a glint in Misty's eyes that possibly confirmed her theories of a Psychic move in the midst. She just hoped Darwin still had his Mankey abilities, and mentally gasped as Alaska realised she probably should have checked Darwin's current capabilities before sending him into battle.

"Begin!" The assistant yelled as Alaska swore loudly in her head.

"Water Pulse to start with!" Misty yelled, and her Staryu's jewel began to glow blue.

"Jump to another platform and use ThunderPunch!" Alaska shouted, forcing herself to focus on the battle at hand. She watched as Staryu fired rings of water from its jewel with a strange cry, but Darwin bent his knees and bounded up into the sky. Alaska was delighted and for a moment thought he had made it, but gasped as the bottom of the rings, which were growing, struck his right foot.

"APE!" Darwin yelled as he began to spiral through the year. It looked as if he was going to crash into the water, but Alaska clapped slightly as Darwin instead used the spin to propel himself forwards, rising up a fist glowing yellow and smashed it down. Staryu had tried to dodge, but the ThunderPunch struck right on and sent her flying into the sky. Misty looked annoyed while Alaska simply clapped, glad things were fine for the moment.

"Use that momentum for a Rapid Spin!" Misty yelled, and it was Alaska's turn to tut: the move was Normal, meaning it was unlikely to do any major damage to a Fighting type like Darwin, though Misty must have a reason for using it.

"Hit back with ThunderPunch, don't let her get any advantage on us," Alaska yelled. She was calming down about the battle, seeing how Darwin had escaped the Water Pulse with minimal damage and gotten an excellent hit in. Staryu began to fly back towards them, spinning so quickly it was simply a brown and gold blur. Darwin was poised on the platform ready to strike, but it wasn't until the last moment that Alaska saw neither of his fists were glowing yellow.

"PRIME!" Darwin shouted, raising one hand open wide and standing on one leg. Staryu thudded into his fist and pushed him backwards, but Darwin began to spin around, using Staryu's spinning and forward momentum to make an ultimate Seismic Toss.

"DARWIN, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" Alaska yelled, but simply got ignored as Darwin threw Staryu onto a rubber platform. The force was so strong that the platform sunk nearly a metre and moved to the side, Staryu nearly skidding off but managing to come to a halt just in time.

"You should really sort that Primeape out," Misty called, wearing a slight smirk. "You may get lucky sometimes but you won't know when something will go wrong." Alaska merely grunted, staring angrily at Darwin as he bounced onto several platforms, moving so rapidly that he barely stood on them for more than a few seconds. "Anyway, back to the battle! Staryu, let's go with… Swift."

"ThunderPunch this time, alright?" Alaska yelled, though Darwin's bouncing made it so she didn't know if he had listened or not. Staryu got to her feet and her jewel glowed, stars beginning to rise out. Alaska knew Swift would actually hit Darwin as it could never miss, but wondered when Darwin was going to stop jumping.

"APE!" Darwin sad, almost in answer, and landed directly in front of Staryu. The stars smacked into his furry body, doing minimal damage due to the type advantage, and Alaska was actually quite impressed as Darwin's movements, but saw that, once again, he didn't seem to be preparing a ThunderPunch. "Ape Prime Prime," Darwin sniggered, and he suddenly chopped down on the platform in front.

"Yu Yu Star Star," Staryu exclaimed, and Alaska, Misty, Sandy and the assistants all gasped as the rubber platform burst cleanly into two. Darwin leapt backwards onto the rubber covered ropes as the two sides sank forwards, and causing an unstable Staryu to fall directly into the water.

"DARWIN!" Alaska shouted in shock as everyone else fell silent, staring at the destroyed platform. "You can't just destroy things in this gym! Listen to me and this battle could have already been over!" Darwin shrugged his muscly arms as he balanced on the rope, and Alaska began to worry once more: he had the strength and he had the skill, but what if she never managed to control him.

"Destruction of gym property, tut tut," Misty growled. "Staryu will just have to work harder to defeat you! Water Pulse!" Alaska was tempted to call Darwin back and be over with him, but gasped as he suddenly bounced forwards off the rope, not even waiting to get an order to ignore.

"PRIMEY!" He yelled, and a yellow blur showed he was finally using ThunderPunch. Everyone watched as his fist slammed into the water above Staryu, managing to strike the Star Shape Pokemon but doing a lot more: there was a flash and a crackle, followed by a shockwave that ripped through the pool. Alaska screamed as the rubber mat tilted, and she wobbled her arms furiously to keep herself afloat. All of the water was moving and shaking now, but Misty, with years of experience, remained still, and Darwin had expertly landed on another mat. Staryu, however, was floating face down on the rippling surface.

"Staryu is unable to battle," the assistant cried. Misty had a scowl on her face as she brought back Staryu and pulled another completely blue Great Ball from her pockets. Alaska was afraid her clothes would end up erupting into flames with the nasty look coming her way and turned angrily to face the smiling Darwin.

"Listen to my commands for now on, alright?" She said sternly, and Darwin gave a slight nod, though a grin was wide on his face so Alaska wasn't sure.

"GO ALASKA!" Sandy yelled from the side, and Alaska turned and smiled at her, noticing that Bellsprout was alongside shaking her skinny limbs to match Sandy's cheering.

"Congratulations on defeating Staryu, but it'll take more than your psychotic monkey and a measly cheer squad to defeat my second Pokemon," Misty scowled, but it quickly softened to a grin as she threw the Great Ball onto the platform opposite Darwin. Alaska wondered what sort of ferocious Water beast it was going to be, but was slightly stunned when the energy only formed at a height below her legs. The Pokemon was yellow with a cream bill, and its webbed hands were clutching its head. Alaska paused, wondering if Misty was joking, before beginning to snort with laughter.

"A Psyduck?" She said, clutching her sides and nearly falling down onto the soaking platform. "Are you serious?" Misty went back to her scowl, but Alaska didn't care as she continued to laugh. The Psyduck stared at Darwin with a rather confused look, and the Primeape began to laugh as well. Alaska knew Psyducks had a long history of not being particularly bright and constantly getting headaches, and was stunned that Misty had chosen this for her saving Pokemon.

"Let's see how hard you laugh after we've used Confusion!" Misty snapped. Alaska was laughing so hard she didn't notice, but caught a brief glimpse of Psyduck's eyes glowing pink before Primeape was blasted backwards. The great furry beast crashed into the water with a humungous splash that sent Alaska's platform shaking, and by the time she was stable Alaska looked down to see Darwin was thrashing and flailing his limbs, trying hard to breathe.

"The platform is right there!" Alaska cried, but quickly realised what was wrong: the Confusion would have left a secondary effect, and now Darwin was too confused that he couldn't even make it to his platform, making him a sitting, … well, thrashing target.

"I wasn't expect him to get Confused so suddenly, but what an added bonus," Misty said with a laugh.

"What if he drowns?" Alaska cried, stunned at this move and wondered if Misty regularly did this, yet she simply laughed at the question.

"If he drowns it'll be his own fault," Misty sneered, "but we'll put him out of his misery if you want: Psybeam, go!"

"Psy Duck Duck," Psyduck said in a purely nerdy voice, and rainbow coloured circles appeared out of his eye. They shaped over the platform Darwin had been standing on and quickly struck the flailing Primeape. Alaska was shocked and tried to think of a move to use, but there was nothing Darwin could do to get himself out of the water, and the Psychic attack simply hit him head on. Misty clapped with delight as Darwin was forced under, only a few seconds later to pop back up face down.

"Primeape is unable to battle," the assistant declared, and Alaska reluctantly brought him back. Though two Psychic moves would be difficult to avoid, she had hoped Darwin's powerful ThunderPunch could have been put to more use. But as Misty praised Psyduck, Alaska quickly swapped PokeBalls and grabbed a Great Ball.

"GO GO FRANCES!" Sandy yelled from the stands, matched with a chorus of "Bell Bell Bell!" from Bellsprout, and Alaska felt a bit relieved as Frances formed on the platform in front. The smile faltered though as she looked at the size of Frances and the size of the platform she was on, and wondered if this was a risky move.

"Para Par Paras?" Frances said, looking around at all the sights around her and scuttling nervously around in circles before finally seeing Alaska. Her eyes were wide with shock and Alaska felt bad, but she got down on one knee, ignoring the water seeping through her jeans, and leant towards her platform.

"I know you can do this," she said with a smile. "You have good moves and you are powerful, so it will be easy for you to wipe the floor with this pathetic Psyduck." Frances simply nodded at this, but didn't look entirely reassured as she turned back around.

"A Bug and Grass type, eh?" Misty said, her smile disappearing and a serious look going back on her face. "Good combination for facing off my Psyduck, but a type advantage won't save you now!"

"We'll see," Alaska said with a smile, deciding to stay confident for Frances' sake.

"I guess we shall," Misty retorted. "Aqua Tail!" Psyduck nodded and walked directly into the water, letting go of his head in order to allow him to swim across. Only now did Alaska see it would be impossible for Frances to move platforms, and crossed her fingers that things went well.

"Grab the tail with a Metal Claw and hold on tight!" Alaska yelled. Frances nodded, and Psyduck suddenly leapt out on the water in front, making the Paras jump. He began to descend with his small tail glowing blue and growing slightly.

"Psy Psy," he said, and Alaska gasped as it looked for a moment that Frances was in too big of a shock at the idea of being crushed by a duck to do anything. However, almost in the last second, a glowing silver claw shot up and grasped down onto the tail. Psyduck screeched as he landed, his weight pushing Frances backwards towards the end as she struggled to hold on, but succeeded in stopping the attack.

"Shake her off and use Confusion!" Misty shouted.

"Hit him with a Bullet Seed in the back of the head!" Alaska cried, pleased but not yet ecstatic at how things were going. Frances was so terrified about getting attacked and having the Psyduck on the end of her claw that she quickly fired the glowing green seeds from her mouth.

"DUCK DUCK DUCK!" Psyduck shouted as Frances let go, allowing the seeds to push him forwards. Alaska was pleased the attack had hit him in the head, hopefully giving him a headache, but cursed as Psyduck fell straight off the edge of the platform and splashed into the water: Frances wouldn't be able to hit him underwater, and she even began to look terrified at the fact he had gone. Misty seemed to have noticed this and smiled.

"Use Psybeam on the platform and knock it off!" She shouted. Alaska needed to do something, and quickly began to think of all of Frances' moves and all possible strategies.

"Fire a Stun Spore into the water and see if it hits!" Alaska cried. Frances gave a nervous nod and moved towards the edge, her mushrooms shaking as she prepared to release the yellow flakes. However, before Frances could the entire platform was lifted up into the air.

"PARAAAAA!" Frances squealed as the platform sped up towards the lights.

"HANG ON!" Alaska shouted, thinking for a second that Frances was going to crash into the lights. However, the platform paused for barely a second before beginning to topple back down. It began to tip and Alaska gasped as Frances slid to the side, clinging desperately onto the side, yellow Stun Spore flakes rising up as she released them in fright. Alaska wanted to look away, but couldn't tear her eyes away and watched in shock as the platform struck the water, the force tearing Frances away from the platform. Alaska's heart sank as her Paras disappeared into the pool, into a territory where she had no advantage. There was a flicker in the corner of her eyes, and Alaska turned to see the television screens had turned on, revealing a squirming Frances as she sank and a calm looking Psyduck.

"The gym rules state that once both sides have a Pokemon beneath the surface the cameras can come on to see what is happening," the assistant refereeing explained to Alaska's confused look, and Alaska simply nodded.

"So, still think Psyduck is a silly Pokemon?" Misty called almost triumphantly, her smile wide enough you could land a plane on it. Alaska didn't want to let her get to her and simply shrugged, shrinking the grin. "Well, we'll see how well your little Paras goes under water! Hit her with a Water Pulse!"

"Spin and unleash a Stun Spore, than try and swim towards him," Alaska yelled. She began looking between the screens and the rippling water, trying to get a feel for how things were going. Psyduck had released the Water Pulse, the rings moving swiftly through the water and towards Frances as she struggled to move. Alaska gasped as the biggest of them washed over her and Frances silently wailed under the thick blanket of water, but she felt better once she saw yellow particles swirling through the water, Frances using the rings to give her a spin. What's more, Psyduck didn't seem to have noticed them and swam straight into a burst.

"YES!" Alaska cried, beginning to get excited once again. Misty cursed as Psyduck stopped swimming, unable to due to the paralysis sweeping through his body.

"You may have got him stiff, but that doesn't mean you've won yet!" She yelled. "Use your mind and use Confusion!"

"Swim over there and grab onto his neck with Metal Claw!" Alaska yelled, a plan loosely forming. Frances had stopped spinning and was doing her best to try and swim, but luckily had six legs and two huge claws to use in aiding her way forwards that no human had, and Alaska was stunned at her speed as she moved forwards. Psyduck looked towards her with a glowing pink glare and a ripple through the water showed the Psychic energy moving forwards, but Frances' Bug typing allowed the attack to simply wash over her and she continued to kick forwards looking only slightly tired.

"YOU CAN DO IT FRANCES!" Sandy screamed as Frances reached the paralyzed Psyduck, who was unable to swim away. Her claws both glowed silver and grabbed onto Psyduck, and Alaska cheered as the Duck Pokemon squirmed and flailed as much as his paralyzed body allowed. It simply proved Frances did have a lot of strength in her once she was able to access it, and Alaska couldn't be happier.

"Beat the thing off with a Psybeam!" Misty screeched, her voice echoing around the glassed building and showing she was close to loosing it, which couldn't have made Alaska any happier.

"Bullet Seed from point blank range!" Alaska yelled. Frances moved was able to move faster and quickly scaled up onto Psyduck's bill. It seemed she was taking the point blank range to heart, or was simply enjoying being the superior one for once, but Frances turned directly to Psyduck's head and fired the seeds. Psyduck's shocked expression was clearly visible on the screen and Alaska clapped and cheered in delight as he was barraged by the glowing green seeds. However, she didn't notice the fact his eyes were glowing a rainbow colour and his face was beginning to look angry…

"DUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK!" Psyduck yelled, the noise breaking through the water. There was some sort of Psychic shockwave that stopped Alaska's laughter and Sandy's cheering, and suddenly the water around them exploded. A tower of clear water rose up into the air, sending the two halves of the destroyed platform hurtling across the pool and crashing through the ropes. Alaska screamed as the entire pool seemed to be dragged up by the explosion, and she clung tightly onto the sides of the platform as it rocked violently.

"What the hell is this?" She cried, feeling the chain that was used to move it being pushed to its limits. A soft but loud scream sounded from above, and Alaska looked up as Frances came hurtling towards her. "Shit," she cried and leapt up, quickly grasping hold of the Paras as she fell down from the torrent. However, it was sort of like catching a bowling ball, the force pushing Alaska backwards. The platform was already sinking slightly, and she simply slipped through the water and sprawled backwards.

"BUGGER!" Alaska yelled, and shut her eyes to prepare herself for falling in. A shout came from the sidelines, and as Alaska's hairs and legs submerged themselves themselves, something much tougher appeared under her back to hold her upright. Alaska looked around in shock and was stunned to see that Bellsprout's skinny arms had almost quadrupled in length and length in order to reach the ropes to the right of Alaska and hold her upright.

"Cheers!" Alaska called breathlessly, giving the thumbs up to them, which Sandy replied with a smile and a nod. Swinging her feet out of the water, Alaska got them onto the platform and managed to pull it towards her with some slight motions, and Bellsprout helped lever her onto to it. Alaska looked down at Frances and was relieved to see she was conscious, though was thoroughly shaken by the experience and was clinging to her trainer.

"You did brilliantly," Alaska whispered with a proud smile, and Frances simply smiled timidly as her body continued to shake. Alaska looked up at this point, wondering how things had ended for Misty. The first thing she saw was that Misty was dripping wet, the explosion of water having been a lot closer to her than it had to Alaska. Than something yellow caught her eyes, and Alaska leapt up with delight as she saw Psyduck lying on a platform with his limbs outstretched.

"Psyduck is unable to battle, meaning that the challenger Alaska has won," the refereeing assistant said, also wet from the torrent. Alaska cheered with delight, and she heard Sandy let out a loud scream nearby.

"WE DID IT FRANCES!" Alaska cried, and was pleased to see the Paras manage a smile. Alaska began jumping, but stopped quickly once she found the platform didn't seem to want to be jumped on. Misty sighed as she brought Psyduck back, but Alaska was stunned to see her smiling slightly back at her.

"You battled well," she called. "It seems your Bullet Seed pushed Psyduck's constant headache to its limits, a wise strategy." It had all been a huge fluck and an accident, but Alaska was pleased to not have the gym leader angry with her. The platforms began to move back with a press of a button, though Alaska noticed the ruined pieces simply remained half-floating, half sunk. Sandy ran around to meet them, and her happiness for Alaska was infectious and both girls begin leaping around in delight. Alaska was extremely pleased to have defeated Misty: it had been a tough battle and she had been nervous there for a moment, but was pleased to have gotten it over with and that Frances had shone like a star. Darwin, however, was disappointing, but Alaska decided to focus on the positives and would deal with his growing disobedience later.

"THAT WAS SOOOO AWESOME!" Sandy yelled once the platform had arrived, and Alaska leapt off and was bombarded with a tight hug that made Frances squeak. "I can't believe how well you fought, except for Darwin, but who cares, YOU WON!"

"I am glad you are excited, but I don't think Frances can breath," Alaska said with a smile, and Sandy gasped and let go in shock. Alaska laughed and began walking back around towards the doors as her platform sank back to the pool floor, giving Bellsprout and a hug and a quick thanks as well.

"Sprout Bell," Bellsprout said with a smile, and Alaska continued to beam in delight as the group made it back around. Misty was moving slowly over, her assistants rushing around with the Cascade Badge and the winning TM, and Alaska couldn't help but feel happy as she approached the red headed leader, certain it was a deserved win.

That is, until the doors opened.

"Alaska, there you are!" A voice boomed, and Alaska froze as Bill and Mitchell ran into the room, holding the large metal box that contained the metallic weapon Alaska had used earlier. "I've been looking all over for you once I changed back – oh, hello Misty – and than I found Mitchell here standing around those reality show people your always complaining about. He said you were coming here, so I rushed over straight away! You never came back for your gun!" Alaska was taken aback by their appearance, and anger rose up as she faced Bill, still relatively annoyed about being changed into a Pokemon.

"Well, I'm here now," Alaska said bitterly once they had reached her. Bill grabbed the box from Mitchell, who stuck his nose up at Alaska and looked away smugly, showing he was still annoyed with her. "I was going to come back for this after the battle anyway, but I wanted to do something fun after being harassed by my mortal enemies whilst stuck in my Pidgeotto's body."

"Yes yes, I am sorry you got hit," Bill said with an irritable sigh. "The thing is that we all got switched back! On that note, you didn't happen to notice where that blue lightning came from, did you?"

"Just because we got switch – wait, what?" Alaska said, pausing in her rant. "You didn't switch us back?"

"I am sorry to say I didn't: the power wouldn't come back on," Bill explained, looking rather nervous now. "I was hoping you saw who or what unleashed that lightning… it would have to be something with strong Psychic energy to change brains back." Alaska simply nodded, not really listening and glancing nervously back at Sandy. All happiness slipped away from her win as they took in what Bill was saying: something out there had switched their brains back, but who or what? Alaska didn't want to have to worry about anything else asides from her quest, but all the problems and constant questions seemed to be piling up. Everyone gasped as she angrily kicked the stands before flopping down onto them, head in her hands and silently cursing Gideon, Amanda and everyone else who was causing her journey to be ruined.

I hope you all enjoyed that one and that the twist was unexpected (nothing worse than a cliffhanger you see coming!) Blog and Interlude double feature up next