Chapter 21 Aqua Gang

After getting out of the Grand Stairway, Victoria breezes in a lot of air because she misses it.

Victoria: And here we are again. When I face this way and look out over the lake, I can see the academy from here. That's my home. It's like nothing's changed. (Turns around) And then just behind me, a bomb site. Surreal. And what have I done? I teamed up with you to stop Team Meteor before and was immediately captured like some useless damsel. I don't accept that. Ash, you have my heartfelt gratitude for giving me a chance to break free. Battle me. I need to learn and grow much stronger if I'm ever going to make a real difference here. Are you up for it?

Ash: Sure, I'm always up for a battle.

Victoria: Great! In full force and fury, I'll show you the fervor of the Apophyll Academy fighting style! (Sends out Pancham)

Ash goes for Pidgeotto for this battle, when he sends out the Pokemon, it reminds him of his old Pidgeot, but Ash has it use Wing Attack, which deals some damage to Pancham. Pancham goes for Arm Thrust, which deals some damage, but Pidgeotto goes for Sand Attack to make it blind and finishes it with Peck.

The next Pokemon is Pikachu, and Ash decides to go with his own Pikachu. Victoria's goes with Fake Out, causing Ash's to flinch a little, and then it goes for Nasty Plot, raising its Special Attack before going for Electro Ball. Ash's Pikachu uses Quick Attack to dodge the attack, and then lands for an Iron Tail, knocking it out of the battle.

The third Pokemon is Kirlia, and Ash decides to continue with Pikachu. It goes for Iron Tail, which is super effective, but Kirlia goes for Double Team and then Psychic, damaging Pikachu a lot. Pikachu goes for Thunderbolt to destroy all the copies, and then goes for another Iron Tail to defeat the Pokemon.

Victoria: Did you know? When one's back is against the wall, that's when they're at their strongest!

She sends out Torracat as her final Pokemon, and Ash goes for Dewott for this. Dewott goes for Razor Shell, but Torracat just uses the Double Kick to kick the Scalchop away. Unfortunately, Dewott has another one and it deals a lot of damage. Then Dewott goes for Night Slash, finally beating Torracat and winning the match.

Victoria: Good! Thank you for the lesson! (Recalls Torracat) I can't say I'm not a little disappointed that I don't measure up better, but then I haven't exactly been training in ideal circumstances lately. Thanks for taking the time for-

Just then, they hear someone yawning, and much to Ash's annoyance, Fern was watching the battle.

Fern: That was one lame display on both your parts.

Ash: Way to ruin the mood...

Fern: Pretty sure I coulda have done better in my sleep!

Victoria: (Not liking his attitude towards Ash) I don't believe we've met.

Fern: That's your loss. Name's Fern. Cool cat, top dog- you know how it is. You may be easy in battle, but you're easier on the eyes.

Victoria: (Narrow her eyes) Excuse me?

Fern: Oh come on, smile! It's a compliment, lady. What do you say we hang out sometime? Just you and me.

Victoria: Yeah, I don't think so. Ash is better than you.

Fern: Your loss! Can't imagine you get too much attention over that giant forehead of yours.

Victoria: If you keep talking, you're gonna regret it.

Fern: Oh, I'm SO scared of some bitch who just got swept by a scrub like Ash.

Ash: You got swept by a scrub like me two times as well.

Victoria: (Turns to Ash) Ash, you know this guy?

Fern: He's kinda been my wingman once or twice, but that's it.

Victoria: Oh, so you won't really mind if I knock his lights out.

Fern: Like you could! Tell you what, I'm on one hell of a winning streak right now! Just got my third badge, like taking candy from a baby. That twerp leader was crying like one by the end of it too. What an embarrassment. If even people like Shelly can be Gym Leaders, no wonder the Flobot got in. Anyway, Ash, what do you say we have a rematch? I think we're past due, and this girl isn't worth my time.

Victoria: (Rolls her eyes) Didn't you just ask me out like thirty seconds ago?

Fern: Out of pity.

Victoria: Sure, go ahead! Better Ash fights you before I do something you'll really regret. (Turns to Ash) Kick his entire ass for me, okay?

Fern: As if you can! (Sends out Rhyhorn)

Ash goes for Dewott for this one, and it goes for an Aqua Jet, which deals a lot of damage to Rhyhorn. Rhyhorn goes for Bulldoze, trying to slower Dewott's speed, but Dewott goes for Razor Shell, knocking it out of the battle.

His next Pokemon is Roserade, and Ash switches out to Pidgeotto for this one. Roserade goes for Sleep Powder, making Pidgeotto fall asleep, and then use Giga Drain on it. But Pidgeotto wakes up and goes for Quick Attack and Wing Attack at the same time, knocking the Pokemon out of the battle.

The third Pokemon is Krokorok, and Ash switches back to Dewott and has it use Aqua Jet on it, Krokorok goes for Dig, trying to dodge the attack, but just as it gets back out, Ash has Dewott go for Razor Shell and Fury Cutter, knocking the Pokemon out.

Fern: You're really starting to grate on my nerves, and you don't wanna do that.

Ash: Oh, maybe I want to since you're just a brat.

The final Pokemon is Dartrix, Ash switches into Glalie and goes for a Frost Breath, but Dartrix lands an Ominous Wind to raise all the stats, but in the end, Glalie victors by using Ice Beam.

Victoria: Hah! Where's your big mouth now?!

Fern: Ash only won because they fight cheap, but go off, I guess. Whatever helps you sleep at night. Paltry tricks and pot-shots are only gonna get you so far in the League. When you zero out and have to spend your time hanging out with bottom-feeders like her, I'll be looking down from the Champion's seat. Smell you later, losers! (Runs away)

Ash: Yeah, I bet you're just going to turn tail and run after saying all that stuff!

Victoria: You don't have either the integrity or the spine to stick around after saying it! You're all hot air and big words anyway! (Turns to Ash) What a PRICK! (Turns away) Okay, no; this is unbecoming...Simple breathing exercises...In and out...There's no point to anger. It only causes one to lose control over themselves... (Turns back to Ash) I'm sorry about all that. If I had known someone like him was going to come along, I would never have held you up here...

Ash: Don't worry about it, he is not worth it. Florinia is better than him anyway.

Victoria: I can tell. As I was GOING to say before-I wanted to thank you for your time and energy by giving you this.

Victoria gives him the TMX for Rock Smash, much to Ash's surprise.

Victoria: But maybe it's more of an apology by now. You'll need Shelly's Gym Badge to use that outside of battle though. Truthfully I'm a little worried about her based on what that guy said. She was crying? I'm going to go clean up, and then I think I'll drop by to check on her, just in case. (Leaves while muttering) My forehead isn't even that big, geez...

Ash sighs as he goes to Lapis Ward, and he decides to do some quests before heading there. There is a woman who is lost her son, he was last seen in Beryl Ward close to the abandoned Power Plant, so Ash goes there and finds him trapped by the Drifloon, so he decides to capture the Drifloon to save the child.

Ash's New Capture in Beryl Ward: Drifloon (Event)

But just as they head back, they are ambushed by Venipede and Scolipede, so they have to fight their way out so that the boy can go back to Lapis Ward safely. And he gets a sticker as a reward, which means he can go to the fourth floor. They also go to a store and play the Spritzee puzzle, so he can get a Spritzee, and he also purchase a Rose Incense so that a Budew can join his team at the wall.

Ash's New Capture in Lapis Ward: Spritzee, Budew (Event)

Arceus: (In Ash's mind) Looks like you've been doing a lot of progress.

Ash: (Jumps) Arceus? Where were you come from?

Arceus: Don't worry, I can communicate with you in your mind. And I have a request for you, as you can see, there are two gangs around the area, Magma Gang and Aqua Gang.

Ash: Are they related to Team Magma or Team Aqua? Because I don't want to face them again.

Arceus: No, but I suggest you join one of them, it will be better if they stop fighting for territory and other stuff.

Ash decides to do Arceus' request as he goes towards the Aqua Gang's hideout. To join them, Ash has to face the goons in the battle, and they are no match for Pikachu and Buizel combined.

Archer: Well, well, what's this? So you've decided to join the Aqua Gang? Excellent choice. Introductions! If you passed their test, you've already met Mannie and Razzy. Over there is DeFacto, and the other one is Pierce. He doesn't talk much.

Ash: Nice to meet all of you.

Archer: Lemme tell you a bit about our little operation here. You already know how messed up this city is. So our little family just helps each other out. We just work to get an extra edge in our lives. Some people have a little more than what they really need around here. We fix that problem. Some time ago, we were the saviors of the city... but everything changed when the Magma Gang attacked. They moved in around here, and now they're pilfering our targets and depriving us of our rep. But now that we have you, they're gonna be outnumbered. It's time to take our title back. So here's the scoop. We've got a gig. A few of us are gonna be meeting in an old shack at 4th and Hydrangea. If you want in, we'd love to have you. We're going to need all the help we can get. Look forward to seeing you there, soldier.

Ash nods as they go there as he speaks of the plan, the Magma Gang is going to rob a house in the Lapis Ward owned by Ms. Ignosia Craudburry. So they go there and fight the Magma Gang, Ash is also asked to take the Ponyta on the table, as he did. Once they retreat to the base, Ash starts to wonder if he is doing the right thing, but seeing as how Ponyta likes him, he thinks that it is fine.

Ash's New Capture in Lapis Ward: Ponyta (Event)

When he gets back to the house, the police have already arrived.

Craudburry: (Points at Ash) That's the one! That's the one, officer!

Officer: I beg your pardon?

Craudburry: That's the one who stole my Pokémon!

Officer: Ash? I'm afraid you must be mistaken, lady; Ash would never do something like that. Why, Ash even rescued me when I was locked in a cage in the Rhodochrine Jungle! And rescued the rest of the police force, too! Look, I'm sorry, but you've got the wrong person.

Ash feels bad, but he can't reveal the whole truth because of his work.

Craudburry: I know what I saw!

Officer: Uh huh. I'm sorry, but there's no way I can incriminate Ash just because they happened to walk in the door when you were raving about it.

Craudburry: You're calling me a liar?! How DARE you insinuate such a thing, you ungrateful, wretched bum! I want to talk to your superior! No! I'm going to write a LETTER! And then you'll be fired! And then you'll starve to death! God, what has this city gone to!? SHIT. UTTER SHIT, that's what! NO WONDER things are BLOWING UP HERE and THERE and EVERYWHERE! The authorities are a bunch of COMMON CROOKS! SCUM! BILE! SNAKES!

Officer: Oi. No wonder the others insisted on drawing straws to see who had to take this case...

Ash decides to go out of the house, not liking the old woman. But the officer chases after him.

Officer: Really sorry about that. That woman is nuts. Don't worry, you're not really a suspect. But you know what, Ash, I never did properly thank you for saving me before. So I want you to have this.

He gives Ash a Bike Voucher, and he accepts it.

Officer: My brother works at the cycle shop up here. He gave us that as a present for my little girl. Unfortunately, she... didn't survive that whole mess in Beryl. She was reading in her room, and then the plants broke through the wall. She was.. . (Turns away) Nevermind. I don't want to think about it. Please, just take this off of me. Sorry.

After that, he goes into the house again, and Ash uses the voucher for the bike in the next store, and he also learns about what happened to the girl, and they promise not to talk about that.


Here is a new chapter, and as you can see, Ash joins the Aqua Gang with Arceus' orders, a lot of plot has to continue with you being in either gang, I like Aqua the most. I hope you like this chapter and the next chapter will be comforting Shelly.