"This max soup is brewed to perfection, I'm sure you're ready for the next style." Honey said.
"So where do I need to go to get the mushrooms this time?" Serena asked.
"You gathered enough the last time, for this soup, you'll need to gather these ingredients. Red Rock salt from Potbottom Desert, fruit from the tree in Loop Lagoon, and blue hanging moss from Brawlers Cave. Finally it needs to be cooked from the flames made from spark rocks found on Challenge Road." Honey said, handing Serena some photos.
"Okay. Looks like the easiest spot is Potbottom Desert." Serena said, looking at a map.
At Potbottom Desert
"Okay, Red Rock Salt." Serena said looking at a card. "Mandibuzz, get some eyes in the sky! Pancham help me out down here!"
"Rhy!" A Rhyperior shouted, charging at Serena.
"What did I do!" Serena cried out as it charged at her.
"Pancham!" Pancham shouted punching the Pokémon back.
"Wait, I have a better idea!" Serena said. "Sylveon, Delphox! Hold it still!" Serena said sending out her Pokémon before running behind the Rhyperior.
"Rhyperior is the evolved form of Ryhorn, which means that maybe they have the same sweet spot." Serena said scratching behind its horn. The large Pokémon quickly dropping peacefully. "Well that saves us from a nasty clean up, but still no lead on the salt."
'You're looking too far out captain.' Regirock said.
"If you're so smart, then help for once." Serena said tossing out Regirock.
'Salt is formed underground.' Regirock said, walking along a wall. 'Watch.'
Regirock began punching into the wall, breaking it apart, little by little, until a red coloring began showing up.
'You're welcome.' Regirock said, automatically returning himself to his Pokeball.
"Still don't understand how you do that." Serena sighed, going to the hole he created.
Taking a quick taste, Serena realized Regirock was right.
"Thanks Regirock." Serena said, the Pokémon once again not responding.
"Okay we have salt, looks like Challenge Road is just uphill from the entrance." Serena said, recalling her Pokémon.
Challenge Road
"Chloe? What are you doing?" Serena asked.
"Remember how I said there were towers related to the islands legendary protector, well this is one of them. The Tower of Darkness." Chloe said excitedly. "I had no idea I was this close last night."
"Yeah, how are you feeling after that?" Serena asked.
"A bit shaken up, but I'm doing fine otherwise." Chloe said. "What are you doing up here?"
"I'm looking for Spark Rocks. Honey said they'd be up here." Serena said. "Are you sure you're okay, you seem off."
"Off, why would I be off, I've never felt more on in my life!" Chloe said. "You know, there's a few electric types around here, maybe we could ask them about spark rocks."
"Ask Pokemon, about spark rocks." Serena deadpanned. "Chloe, what happened?"
"Well, I was feeling really drained after last night, you'd be surprised how much hanging on for dear life takes out of you. So anyways, bad news is that nothing to eat in the dojo is not natural. Meaning that regaining energy is a slow process, but then I remembered those fruits Ash found growing from his tree a few years back. The ones he makes into energy bars in case of an emergency when an aura garden isn't around." Chloe spewed.
"Don't tell me you ate one of those adrenaline bars." Serena sighed.
"No, I know that's not safe, but I still needed something so I did the math, and half a bar would give me the energy I need to do my research for today, and then I'll take the other half tomorrow." Chloe said, jumping in place. "So what do those rocks look like."
"Blue, probably a faint glow to them. Should we get you medical attention?" Serena asked.
"No im good, but I think I saw them earlier." Chloe said.
"Earlier when?" Serena asked.
"Not on the cliff side, at least not the one last night. It's wayyyy up high though, or maybe down low. I guess it depends on how you get to it." Chloe said. "Come on, I'll show you."
"You weren't kidding when you said it's up high." Serena said looking up. Roughly five feet below the cliff that the tower is on, were blue glowing rocks. Unfortunately they were quite a ways up from the ground.
"Mandibuzz use Bonemerang!" Serena said.
"Duck!" Chloe shouted, shoving Serena to the ground as the attack bounced back way off course, sparking as it flew. "Yeah, those rocks do that, not sure why." Chloe said. "What about Regirock?"
"He helped with the last one, not sure if he'll help again." Serena said. "What about Regice?"
"Maybe. It's worth a shot." Chloe said. "Regice use Ice Beam!"
The area around the rocks froze into a block of ice.
"Great work. Now Delphox use Psychic to move the ice and rocks down here!" Serena said, hoping it would work.
When the rock finally lowered, Serena could see a few rocks that looked simmilar to the ones in the picture.
"Alright! Now I'm back to look at the tower, have fun Serena!" Chloe said rushing off.
"Note to self, make sure Ash's aura bars are kept more secure from now on." Serena said, as she headed towards Brawlers Cave.
At Brawlers Cave
"Pokeball, go!" Goh shouted, throwing a curveball.
'Whismur has been added to your Pokédex.'
"Would've thought Ash would still be around here." Serena pointed out.
"No, I think he gave up, something about it being untraceable." Goh said. "Oh, hold on. Cinderace give it a redirect!" Goh called out tossing a ball out.
'Psyduck has been added to your Pokédex.'
"Shouldn't you two be training for the next round though?" Serena asked.
"We don't even know what the next round will entail, or even when it will be." Goh admitted. "What brings you out here, a simple text would've told you where Ash is."
"I'm looking for hanging moss from this cave." Serena admitted. "Seen any?"
"Probably will be closer to the water, let's take a look." Goh said.
'Loudred has been added to your Pokédex.'
"How did you?" Serena asked, as Spinarak appeared holding a Pokeball. "Never mind. You've gotten crafty with catching Pokémon."
"We only have so much time here, and just like everyone else I want to make the most of it." Goh said. "I caught two Lycanroc alone on the trek back last night."
"How's Ash feel about that?" Serena asked.
"He didn't seem to mind, said Lycanroc might even like the challenge back home." Goh admitted. "Is that what we're looking for?"
"Looks like it." Serena said. "Now how do I get it."
"Oh! Oh! Oh! Oh!" Goh said excitedly.
"Goh, it's just us you don't need to raise your hand." Serena said.
"You have Mantine with you, right?" Goh asked.
"Yeah, what are you thinking?" Serena asked.
"Mantine are known for their jumping abilities. Have him and Pancham get it." Goh said.
"That's actually a pretty good idea." Serena admitted.
"I know I surprise myself sometimes." Goh admitted.
As Serena walked along the side of the stream, she did a quick check making sure she only had one thing left. Up ahead she could see Ash and Pikachu, along with a few other of his Pokémon.
"Alright, Oshawatt! Buizel! Use Aqua Jet!" Ash called out.
The Sharpedo in this bay were fast, but not fast enough for Aqua Jet to catch up to them.
Offset on another island, the mysterious Pokémon watched from a distance, this human was quite ambitious. Getting to the center island would be no easy task, and stopping those angry ones was the first step.
"Alright now that the waters are cleared, it's our turn buddy." Ash said excitedly, pulling off his shirt before running into the water.
Serena had to admit, Ash might still see himself as a guy, but he looked good in a bikini.
"Serena! Are you coming or not!" Ash called out towards the cave.
"You knew I was here?" Serena asked walking out.
"For a bit, yeah." Ash said, his head bobbing above the waves.
"And you didn't say anything." Serena said.
"My aura powers give me an extra edge, I don't need to constantly use them to my advantage. Sometimes I use them for other people." Ash said.
"Since you're in the water anyways, mind grabbing a fruit from that tree?" Serena asked, pointing to the center island.
"I guess, but you owe me." Ash said.
"And what do I owe you?" Serena asked in response.
"This is the second dish I've helped you make this week, I want to have one." Ash stated.
"I'll make sure you eat plenty." Serena said.
With the promise made, Ash quickly returned with the fruit.
"Oh, just so you know. Chloe got into your aura bars." Serena said.
"Bar." Ash corrected. "I only brought one, didn't think I'd be using my powers that much here." Ash said.
"One bar, no binders, this trip really hasn't been what you expected so far." Serena joked.
"The trip is still young, besides I haven't even had the honor of fighting Mustard yet." Ash said.
'Splosh'
"What was that?!" Serena asked.
Ash turned to see splashing as something tried staying above water.
"Buizel, let's get over there quickly!" Ash called out, swimming to what was struggling.
Once he got there, a small Pokémon latched onto him, keeping its head above water, shivering like crazy.
"It's okay, I've got you." Ash said, as Buizel helped them back to shore. "In my bag are supplies." Ash called to Serena.
Serena looked around quickly finding Ash's bag, and the supplies mentioned previously. "Here you are." Serena said, handing Ash, the first aid kit.
"Come on little guy, you'll be okay." Ash said getting to work using knowledge he'd learned from Brock, Nurse Joys, and his journey as a whole.
The mysterious Pokémon opened his eyes to see the very human he had been watching all this time. "Finally!"
"Kub!" The Pokemon said, leaping into Ash's arms.
"Hey, you're welcome." Ash said hugging the small Pokémon back. A bell was heard across the island. "Here, this will help you recover, but you should be careful getting back to your family." Ash said packing up his things. For now, the next set of challenges were about to commence.