Chapter 37 Hammerlocke and the Vault
As the group is leaving the town, they see that all of the Wild Area is covered by Sandstorm. "This Sandstorm sure is big..." Gloria says as they are forced to cover their eyes.
"I know." Ash says, "But with this kind of weather, Ground or Rock Type Pokemon will appear and we can capture more Pokemon."
"Yeah." Alice says.
And during the weather, they only capture two Pokemon. Alice captures a Trapinch and Gloria captures an Axew. Both of them are actually in the Hammerlocke Hills.
Once the group arrives at Hammerlocke gat4, they are stopped by the staff member. "Ah so you are Gym Challengers, right? Allow me to check your Gym Badges." He sees Ash's, Alice's, and Gloria's. All of them have 6 badges, and then he says, "It is confirmed that you've defeated six Gym Leaders, including the leader of Motostoke and Dustill! I wish you the best of luck in your future battles."
Just then, Bede also shows up and they are now looking at each other. Ash asks, "So Bede, you won six badges as well?"
Bede says, "Oh, it's you...Yeah. But I doubt Hop will be coming."
"What? What did you do to him?" Gloria demands as Bede just grunts with a smirk.
"It's only natural. After such a humiliating defeat, there's no way he could look the Champion in the eye." Bede says. "And I am sure he'll withdraw from the challenge."
Ash says, "So let me guess, he lost to you in a battle. I kinda thought that it would have happened."
Alice asks, "Aren't you worried? Ash?"
"Well, to be honest, he is strong, so he might not withdraw from the challenge." Ash says as the girls nod.
Bede turns to the staff and says, "Here, just look at the Gym Badges that I've already won."
As the staff member checks it, he says, "Thank you, Challenger Bede. I can confirm you have the required Badges."
"Anyway, I have a meeting with the chairman, so I must excuse myself." Bede leaves the group as Alice sighs, "I really don't like his all high and mighty attitude."
"Yeah, but we can't focus on him now." Ash says as they see Bede talking to Oleana and Rose.
"Mr. Chairman. I've been collecting both Wishing Stars and Gym Badges as fast as I can!" Bede says.
"Good work, Bede." Oleana says. "I am glad you haven't forgotten that it was the chairman who endorsed you."
"If I gather enough Wishing Stars, that'll help solve the problem that's been bothering you, right? Mr. Chairman?"
"Oh, it is not just about me. It's for the future of the whole Galar Region." Rose says. "And we'll need more than just Wishing Stars. We need a powerful Pokemon Trainer, too-someone like the Champion."
"With all due respect, sir, I was able to show Hop, one of the Champion-endorsed Trainers, just how outclassed he was. I am sure I'll be able to defeat the Champion. No, I WILL defeat the Champion!" Bede says.
Rose smiles at him and says, "That's the spirit! It takes healthy competition to really keep the Gym Challenge energized!"
"Challenger Bede, there is something I wish to discuss with you." Oleana says. "Do you have a moment?"
As Oleana takes Bede away, Rose notices Ash and his friends. "I hope you were listening, Ash, Alice, and Gloria."
They nod as Rose says, "As you know, Wishing Stars are those mysterious stones that are even attached to your Dynamax Bands. There's more to Wishing Stars than just making your Pokemon into giants, though! They hold far more energy than that! If you're curious, you should head to the stadium. In fact, we should head inside right away."
"The stadium? But isn't this the last gym?" Lillie asks.
"Don't worry about it, I'll even give you a little lesson on how the Galar Region gets its energy." Rose says as they follow him into the stadium.
When they get inside, Rose and Oleana are waiting for them. Rose says, "Hammerlocke's stadium doubles as an Energy Plant." He tells Oleana to show them through her tablet.
"Now have a look at the tablet, I've got all the information you need on it." Rose says as they are watching. "See? An easy-to-understand description of the Energy Plant! First, energy is absorbed from Hammerlocke Stadium's tower...Then, it's changed into electricity in the underground power plant and delivered to people throughout the region!"
Gloria says, "That is so wonderful, chairman." Ash says, "Indeed. I am very proud that the Galar Region has a great man like you."
After watching the tablet, Rose continues, "Our lives and society require various types of energy sources, such as electricity, natural gas, and water. My associate groups aim to improve everyone's lives by harnessing the power stored in Wishing Stars."
But then Oleana whispers to Rose about something and then Rose says, "Oh! It's time for me to get to work. I should get a move on before Oleana decides to give me another earful."
"Okay..." Ash says.
"Ash, I suggest you guys head over to the vault next." Rose says. "Just head toward Route 6 from the stadium, and you should find the vault without any issues!"
Then after bidding farewell, Dawn says, "So we are going to the vault, next?"
"Yeah." Ash says, "We might as well go there so that we can see what it has to offer."
They go left and then they see Leon on the way. Gloria asks, "Leon? What are you doing here?"
"Ah, Ash, Gloria, Dawn, Serena, Lillie, and Alice. It seems that you three are doing well-collecting Gym Badges." He folds his arms and says, "But Hop...Did something happen with him? He was acting really odd when I ran into him."
"How odd?" Serena asks.
"He took one look at me and immediately was like, "I am so sorry, Lee!" It might be the first time I've heard him apologize for anything, and I've no idea what it was for!" Leon sighs.
"Maybe he's feeling down because he's had some hard losses in battle?" Alice asks.
"What do you mean?" Leon asks.
"Well, you know Bede, right? The trainer that endorsed by Chairman Rose." Ash says. "We managed to defeat him, so Hop thinks that he can beat him without any problem... but he lost to him."
"I see. At least I've got you to keep an eye on him. You will look out for Hop, won't you? As his rivals." Leon asks as they nod. Leon looks at the watch and says, "Blast, look at the time. Nearly forgot my meeting with the chairman. That Oleana really lets me hear it when I'm late! Now if only I could remember which way to go..."
Leon turns to Gloria, "Anyway, I'd say that you should go and say hello to Raihan while you're here, Gloria."
"Him? Why should I meet that guy?" Gloria asks with an annoyed look.
"He's the greatest rival I've got and the final hurdle you'll have to face in the Gym Challenge." Leon says. "He should still be around the vault if you hurry. It's down that way on the way to Route 6."
After Leon leaves, Gloria says, "Great rival, huh? More like great annoyance..."
"You know Raihan?" Ash asks.
"He is also one of the reasons I want to take part in the Gym Challenge." Gloria says. "Ever since he goes out on a journey, he hasn't returned home ever since, what kind of brother is he that does that?"
"So you are related?" Dawn asks as she nods. "And he is the worst brother I have. Even Leon has come back to his home." Gloria says.
Then they all head towards the Vault, and they see Raihan standing there taking selfies. When he notices Ash and the others, he decides to greet them.
"Oh! If it isn't little Gloria, huh?" Raihan says as he starts to rub her hair., "You got endorsed by Leon. Though I could have endorsed you instead."
"Stop embarrassing me, Raihan!" Gloria yells at him and then she says, "Geez, what are you doing, you haven't called Mom ever since you leave our house and start the journey."
"And that I should apologize. I wanted to call after I defeat Leon, but I lost, and I was too sad to call." Raihan frowns. "But if Leon himself recognized your potential...then I guess you'll grow into quite the Trainer."
He then notices the others, who are frozen like stone after seeing the sibling scene. Raihan says, "And you must be Prince Ash and Alice. You two are quite famous as well."
"Um, thanks." Ash says.
"With the exception of Mark and Trenor here, who might you ladies be?" Raihan asks.
After introducing themselves, Raihan nods and says, "All the same, though, anyone wanting to challenge the mighty Raihan has to prove they're up to it by earning 17 badges first."
"Yeah, we know that already." Gloria rolls her eyes. "We just want to see the vault."
"Ah, so you're here to see our treasures, are you? Gaining a better understanding of Pokemon by studying history certainly isn't a bad idea." Raihan says. "I like your spirits. Follow me, why don't you?"
As they follow him into the vault, they see a lot of trophies in the room with some postcards. Raihan stops and says, "By the way, let me spare you one of my League Cards."
He gives them the League cards, and then Gloria says, "The most skilled Gym Leader, huh? So much like you."
"But adopting a battle style where you utilize weather effects to the fullest, that is cool." Lillie says.
"Not to mention that you are also a selfie taker?" Ash asks as he nods.
"Now on you go! If it's the vault you want, it's up those stairs there." Raihan leads them to the stairs as they climb up. When they get to the highest floor, they see four paintings and Sonia, who is standing there looking at them.
"Hey, Sonia." Ash greets her.
"Oh, you're here." Sonia says. "Brilliant, aren't they? It's great that there are still treasured tapestries that can tell us of Galar history."
"Yeah, but what do those pictures mean?" Marnie asks.
Sonia leads them to the first picture, and she says, "The two youths watching a Wishing Star." Then she moves to the second one. "A disaster occurs...The two bewildered youths." In the third one, she says, "The youths looking on at the sword and shield that stop the disaster." In the fourth one, she says, "The youths being crowned."
Sonia says, "These tapestries tell the story of the creation of a kingdom in Galar. Say, what sticks out to you most about them?"
"There are two heroes?" Ash asks.
"Bang on! The statue at that hotel in Motostoke only had one hero, no matter how you slice it. But here, we clearly have two youths."
"What about the Darkest Day?" Gloria asks.
"Right? That's got to be it. The story of the black storm that bolted out the skies was passed on through the years as a tale of disaster...that's what the Darkest Day is."
Sonia wonders, "Was there really only one hero, or were there two? And what even caused the Darkest Day?" She turns to the group. "Thanks for letting me bounce some ideas off you. I think I've got some theories now. I'm going to research the tapestries a tad more, but you have your Gym Challenge, right? I am cheering for you, so I hope to see more of your wins!"
After bidding farewell to Sonia, Alice asks, "So are those two heroes your family ancestors? Since this royalty here in Ketchum."
"I don't know. In fact, I didn't know about my history when I arrived here." Ash says.
Then Raihan comes and says, "The tapestries in the vault depict the heroes of the Galar region's past. I suppose if we've got any modern hero, it'd have to be our Champion, Leon. Listen up. Your goal is to defeat that superstar Leon. So go conquer Route 6 and train yourself up along the way to Stow-on-Side."
"Sure." Ash says as he bid farewell to him.
The next chapter will be a date in the Hammerlocke and it will be with Gloria this time. I hope you like it.
Ash's New Pokemon: Thwackey, Greedent, Corvisquire, Orbeetle, Thiveul, Eldegoss, Dubwool, Drednaw, Boltund, Carkol, Applin x2, Barraskewda, Toxtricity (Amped/Low Key), Centiskorch, Hattena, Impidimp, Linoone (G), Perserker, Sirfetch'd, Alcremie x63, Cufant, Koffing, Stunfisk (G)
Mark's Pokemon: Blaziken, Gyarados, Skorupi, Ninjask, Shedinja, Pawniard, Barraskewda, Orbeetle, Delibird, Alcremie (Strawberry, Ruby Cream)
Trenor's Pokemon: Greedent, Vileplume, Swampert, Rhyhorn, Gourgeist, Steelix, Basculin, Noibat
Alice's Pokemon: Wooloo x29, Dubwool, Salandit, Trapinch, Lunatone, Butterfree (Pink), Litwick, Centiskorch, Drizzile, Eldegoss, Pikachu, Glaceon, Applin, Impidimp, Spritzee
Gloria's Pokemon: Cinccino, Gurdurr, Tranquill, Drednaw, Dwebble, Cufant, Raboot, Wimpod, Ferroseed, Jolteon, Woobat, Axew, Liepard, Gardevoir
Dawn's Pokemon: Lopunny, Noctowl, Mudbray, Binacle, Duskull, Piplup, Quilava, Pelipper, Bellossom, Pachirisu, Wobbuffet, Mamoswine, Vullaby, Togekiss
Serena's Pokemon: Diggersby, Pancham, Drifblim, Roserade, Solrock, Vespiquen, Drilbur, Braixen, Steenee, Chinchou, Nuzleaf, Sylveon
Lillie's Pokemon: Eevee, Hitmonchan, Rufflet, Shuckle, Ribombee, Gengar, Magearna, Cloyster, Boltund, Cherrim, Meowstic, Vulpix (A)