Chapter 57 Steamdrift Date
After leaving Route 7, Ash and the others are now at Route 8, Mark says, "Route 8 is split into two because of Steamdrift Town, this is the Rocky part of the route."
"I can see a lot of ruins around here." Gloria says. "This place sure looks special."
As they walk around the ruins, they notice a group of six Pokemon walking together. Ash says, "Rotom, what is that?"
"That is Falinks, like Exeggcute, it is a Pokemon consisting of six beings." Rotom says.
Falinks: The Formation Pokemon: Fighting-type. The six of them work together as one Pokémon. Teamwork is also their battle strategy, and they constantly change their formation as they fight.
"Bea actually has one in her team, though we never got to see it back in the Gym Battle." Mark says.
And then they notice the six of them form a triangle as it glows, Rotom says, "That's Falinks' No Retreat! It raises all the stats and it can't be switched out."
"That sounds really powerful." Ash says as he has Pikachu fires Thunderbolt on the Pokemon, causing it to get paralyzed. But when it goes for Close Combat, Pikachu is unable to dodge because he was surrounded. In the end, Ash manages to capture the Pokemon once it gets tired.
"That sure is an amazing catch, Ash." Lillie says.
"Thanks." Ash says. "Since we're about to arrive at Steamdrift, and I basically have been with each of you two times."
"Meaning we have to do the rock-paper-scissors again." Lillie says.
"I agree. But the only thing is that we know our love for Ash this time." Alice says as the five girls are fired up.
After the game, Lillie is the winner this time, and Ash decides to have Lillie come with him as they walk around the town.
"So how do you think about our third date together?" Ash asks with a slight chuckle.
"I'm glad." Lillie says. "Though that was a close game. But looking at the city, it is very different compared to Dustill Town."
"Yeah...they both have sandy vibes, but this place isn't that dry after all." Ash says as he spots a river with Drednaw and Barbaracle in it.
They also notice some of the houses made by Crustle and Onix, as well as the workers, as well as how they have Carkol carrying the tools to help them out. They also notice a Sudowoodo blocking the way, Lillie says, "Did Sudowoodo really like to block the path?"
"Well, most of the time, but don't worry about it. If you give it a spray of water, it will just leave. I know Brock has one and Dawn has Piplup done all the time once he becomes annoying." Ash chuckles.
Then Lillie tries with Cloyster and Sudowoodo really goes away after being sprayed. After that, they decide to take a rest at the nearby vendor for some berry juices to drink. Ash is now chatting to Lillie about her Rock Type Pokemon.
"So you said that your Tyranitar lost his mother to poachers? That sounds really sad..." Lillie frowns.
"Yeah, it has been in depression before it was still as an egg. So that's why I have been trying to help him out." Ash says. "And don't worry about those poachers, they are arrested with the help of the Ranger there."
"So do you have any other Rock-type Pokemon?"
"I captured a Roggenrola when I was back in Unova, where Team Rocket captured them all for their massive Flash Cannon." Ash says. "And then it evolves into Boldore when I was battling Clay, the Ground Type Gym Leader."
"You use a Rock type on a Ground gym? But then again, you always try to use disadvantages to win battles." Lillie sighs. "Especially since you use Pikachu on a Mudsdale, which Electric-type attacks won't work on it."
"I guess you're right." Ash rubs his head with embarrassment. "But I had Cilan's help to evolve it into a Gigalith, you see, Boldore evolves by trading."
"Just like Golem...speaking of which I don't think I have seen a Golem in the Galar Region...which is pretty weird since they are usually everywhere in caves." Lillie says.
"Maybe Galar isn't a good place for Golem?" Ash shrugs.
"Maybe..." Lillie shrugs as she notices the Rhyhorn Race on screen. "Hey, isn't that the Dustill Stadium? It seems like it is having a Rhyhorn Race!"
"According to Nora, she trains a lot of Rhyhorn for the racers to compete with each other. The riders are actually the gym trainers, and they train with challengers like us to know how they can improve."
"I see..." Lillie says.
"Hey look! It's Gordie!" "No way! Let's see if we can get close!"
Ash and Lillie notice a lot of fangirls rushing outside of the cafe, they decide to check it out as they also follow them. They see that the gym leader Gordie is having an autograph of his new book: Hard as Rock, strong as Gordie.
"Here you go." Gordie hands over the book to one of the fangirls and does his usual smile, causing the girl to squeal in joy.
"So that's the next gym leader you're going to face..." Lillie says.
"Yeah, it seems like he is very busy with fan meetings..." Ash says. "I guess he is also an author?"
"I don't know, maybe he is just a celebrity." Lillie nods.
After the fangirls leave, Goride has requested Solrock and Lunatone to move the tables away. Gordie notices Ash and Lillie as he walks toward them.
"Well if it isn't the prince?" Gordie smiles, "How long have you been standing there?"
"We just arrived and you'd already finished the autographs." Ash says as they shake hands with each other. "So you're having a fan meeting for your new book?"
"Yeah, I don't think you have one, right? Here you go. Consider this a free present from me to you." Gordie says as he hands over the book, inside the book, Ash also finds a League Card about him.
Just then, they hear a voice, "So you're giving out autographs again, huh?"
They turn to see the Ice-type Gym Leader Melony in front of them, but Gordie is not happy to see her. "What I am doing is not your business, Mom." Gordie says.
"They are related?" Ash and Lillie exclaim in surprise, Melony is actually the next gym leader once they beat Gordie, but he has never thought about the two of them being related.
"By the way, what are YOU doing here? If it is another attempt to force me to train Ice-types, then you're wrong." Gordie says.
"I'm just here to see your book autographs, after all, I'm the first member of your fan club." Melony says as Gordie groans. Melony then realizes Ash and she says, "Oh, Ash! Sorry if I haven't noticed you here, I never knew you are also one of the fans of my son."
"Um...we don't know about the Fanclub until a few minutes ago...but we just came to the town for the Gym Battle." Ash says.
"Ah, you already have twelve badges." Melony says. "I'm looking forward to you after beating my son in the gym battle, with your skills, it would be an easy cake."
"Are you telling me that I am going to lose to Ash, Alice, and Gloria?" Gordie asks with slight anger. "Just because I want to be a Rock-Type Leader doesn't mean you get to insult me with it!"
"Sure." Melony says. "Do you want me to remind you what happened when I use Eiscue against your Stonjourner?"
Gordie frowns and Melony turns to Ash, "Sorry about that, I have to leave, I have a challenger named Marnie and she should have been waiting for me at Circhester Gym. Say hi to Delia for me, okay?"
"You know my Mom?" Ash asks.
"Of course, she is the queen and we have been playing together when we are younger." Melony says as she bids them farewell.
Ash and Lillie turn to Gordie, who is very frustrated about his own mother. Lillie asks, "Gordie, are you okay?"
"Sorry that you have to see this." Gordie says. "As said in my book, my Mom and I are not on good terms...and it is because of this reason that Circhester has to split into two towns right now."
"I can see...according to the story, it says that your mother trains you to become an Ice-type leader, but you like Rock-type more and that's why you have an argument." Ash sighs.
"I can know how you feel, Gordie. My mother is actually the same as well." Lillie says. "We fought a lot of times because of our different viewpoints, but still, I didn't hate my mother. Have you tried to talk to her about your true dreams?"
"To be honest, I did. That's why I want to make sure my fans are happy so that I can prove to her that I don't need her training or her set goals to achieve my dream." Gordie says. "Anyway, I have to leave because there is a boy named Hop who has been appointed to battle me 10 minutes after."
Ash and Lillie nod as they bid farewell to the Gym Leader, Lillie says, "Looks like Gordie is a nice person after all."
"Yeah...for some reason I feel bad for him..." Ash says. "I hope we could find a way to make both of them sort things out together."
"There you are." Gloria and the others find Ash and Lillie, who seems to be in deep thoughts. "Is there something that happened?"
"Well, we met both Gordie and Melony, turns out they were mother and son." Ash says.
"Seriously? So we have to battle the son first and then the mother?" Alice asks.
"But it seems like both of them are not that close as mother and son...in fact, they seem to have fought a lot." Lillie frowns.
"Who hasn't fought with their mothers?" Serena sighs. "But from the sounds of it, their relationship is complicated?"
"We'll tell you later." Ash says as they head to the gym stadium.
Here is a new chapter, and as you can see, Gordie and Melony are not on good terms just like in the game. And the next chapter is going to be the battle with Gordie, the Rock-type Gym Leader. I hope you like this chapter and you can guess what kind of Pokemon he will be using on them.
Ash's New Pokemon: Rillaboom, Cinderace, Greedent, Corvisquire, Orbeetle, Thiveul, Eldegoss, Dubwool, Drednaw, Boltund, Coalossal, Flapple, Appletun, Sandaconda, Cramorant, Barraskewda, Toxtricity (Amped/Low Key), Centiskorch, Polteageist, Hattrem, Morgrem, Obstagoon, Perserker, Sirfetch'd, Runerigus, Alcremie x63, Falinks, Indeedee x2, Morpeko, Copperajah, Dracozolt, Arctozolt, Dracovish, Arctovish, Dreepy, Rapidash (G), Weezing (G), Stunfisk (G)
Mark's Pokemon: Blaziken, Gyarados, Drapion, Ninjask, Shedinja, Pawniard, Barraskewda, Rotom, Orbeetle, Delibird, Morpeko, Alcremie (Strawberry, Ruby Cream)
Trenor's Pokemon: Greedent, Riolu, Cramorant, Vileplume, Swampert, Rhyhorn, Gourgeist, Steelix, Torkoal, Basculin, Trevenant, Heliolisk, Noibat, Pupitar, Mawile
Alice's Pokemon: Wooloo x29, Dubwool, Jangmo-o, Salazzle, Vibrava, Lunatone, Butterfree (Pink), Chandelure, Aegislash, Centiskorch, Inteleon, Eldegoss, Pikachu, Glaceon, Appletun, Morgrem, Aromatisse
Gloria's Pokemon: Cinccino, Conkeldurr, Unfezant, Drednaw, Crustle, Copperajah, Cinderace, Golisopod, Ferrothorn, Jolteon, Swoobat, Mime Jr., Fraxure, Liepard, Gardevoir
Dawn's Pokemon: Lopunny, Passimian, Noctowl, Mudsdale, Barbaracle, Dusknoir, Piplup, Typhlosion, Pelipper, Bellossom, Pachirisu, Wobbuffet, Mamoswine, Vullaby, Togekiss
Serena's Pokemon: Diggersby, Pangoro, Drifblim, Roserade, Solrock, Vespiquen, Excadrill, Delphox, Tsareena, Lanturn, Rapidash (G), Shiftry, Sylveon
Lillie's Pokemon: Eevee, Hitmonchan, Rufflet, Hippowdon, Shuckle, Ribombee, Gengar, Magearna, Cloyster, Cherrim, Boltund, Meowstic, Vulpix (A), Dreepy,