Chapter 26

After flying, we decided to take a rest on the island. There is a cave on the island and I smile, "Welcome to our Water Manor."

"You mean this whole island is a living place just like the one on the moon?" Kris asks.

"Of course." Reisa says, "There are a lot of whirlpools around the area, but the special part of this place is inside the manor."

When we head inside, Kris and Ethan are shocked to see that the rooms are underwater. "Wow... you can see a lot of water Pokemon outside of the tank here."

"And there is also that giant Magikarp..." Ethan says.

"Giant Magikarp?" We are confused since we don't have any giant Magiarkp. I look close and yell, "That's not the Magikarp! It's Team Rocket's submarine!"

Then we hear their stupid motto and they are trying to break our house. But much to our delight, there is a man in a diving suit arriving, and he uses Corsola and Tentacruel to send the whole submarine flying.

"Amazing..." We gasp.

The man turns out to be my brother Palmer, once he gets inside the house, he says, "They are still giving you trouble?"

"Talk about it." I sigh. "But what are you doing here?"

"Taking a swim here in our Water Manor, what else?" Palmer says.

After introducing him to Ethan and Kris, I also told him about the badge collecting. "So you say that Jasmine is not ready to give you a battle because of her sick Amphy?"

"Yeah. So I was just thinking about taking a break here." I say. "I mean, we already have 5 badges each."

"If that's the case, how about you try attending the Whirl Cup?" Palmer asks.

"Whirl Cup?" We are confused, and Palmer says, "It's a competition every three years, the Water Pokemon trainers battle for top honor."

"If that's the case, we're definitely going to enter." Reisa says.

"But it won't happen after two weeks." Palmer says. "You can try to register through your Rotom Phone."

Then he takes my phone and registers me in the cup, I ask, "Um, you can register Reisa, but do I really need to enter the cup as well?"

"Why not? Considering you have a lot of cool Water Pokemon." Palmer smiles.

After Reisa also registers through the phone, we decide to show Ethan and Kris around the other facilities. Especially the pool where my Water Pokemon are located.

"Amazing, you're telling me that every one of them is your Pokemon?" Ethan asks.

"Of course. It is nice to see you guys again." I say as I am dragged into the pool thanks to the Pokemon. After playing with the Pokemon for a while, we also showed them our special room: The Music Room.

"Wow... this place is amazing..." Ethan says, "Look at all the instruments here."

"And there is also a studio and a stage! And there is all the equipment for recording!" Kris says.

"Of course, Reisa, Alice, and I have formed a band known as 'The Colors'. Considering that we really like music." I say.

Reisa takes out the guitar and says, "Alice is not here, but we can still perform some songs if you want."

"That's amazing." Then we decided to play the music, and in the end, we played three songs: Aim to be a Pokemon Master, Rivals, and OK. We sure have a lot of fun here.

After two weeks, we arrive at Scarlet City, a place in the Whirl Islands where the Whirl Cup is held. We are now waiting in line for the registration, and after we're done, I am in Stadium A and Reisa is in Stadium B for the battle.

"So how many rounds do we have to go?" I ask.

"After the preliminary rounds, only 64 trainers will be allowed to battle in the finals. However, the number of the preliminary rounds depends on the total entries. Based on the total entry of this year's competition, it looks like two wins are needed to compete in the finals."

"That will be a piece of cake." Reisa says.

While we walk around town, we notice a boy walking around all down in the dumps. He asks, "Excuse me, are you guys here to battle in the Whirl Cup?"

"Can we help you?" Kris asks.

"Please! You got to help me by battling my Remoraid." The boy says.

"Sure. I will battle you." Reisa says. "But why is it so important for you to battle your Remoraid today?"

"Because I hadn't evolved him into an Octillery." He says.

We are confused as to why he wants to evolve his Pokemon fast, and then we head off to a battle site, which is covered in water, only having two stones as Trainer boxes plus four pillars.

The boy is named Marcellus, and he tell us that this is supposed to simulate what the real arena looks like. Both trainers get ready, Marcellus sends out Remoraid and Reisa sends out Corsola. Marcellus commands Remoraid to use Water Gun, which Corsola counters with Mirror Coat, knocking back the Remoraid. Corsola goes for a Tackle but Remoraid dives underneath and Corsola hits one of the pillars. It seems like Remoraid is nowhere to be seen, but soon it is spotted riding atop a wave. Marcellus tells Remoraid to use another Water Gun and this time it knocks Corsola out. Remoraid then evolves into Octillery.

"Thanks so much. If it wasn't for you my Octillery would still be a Remoraid." He says.

"And thank you too. That battle really helps me with my Corsola." Reisa says.

Then we bid farewell and we promise that the next time we met is going to be in the Finals.

The next day, the matches are quick to end. On my side, I used Feraligatr to defeat my opponent's Seel, and then Kingler defeated my second opponent's Shellder. The reason I have Kingler with me is that I just asked Palmer to transfer all my Water Types to me for the Whirl Cup. I hear that Reisa uses Corsola and Politoed to win her two matches.

"We're definitely going to the finals." I say.

"I can sense some showdown between you two." Ethan says.

We see Marcellus walking past us, but he is down. "How are you guys doing?"

I say, "You don't look so good. Did you lose already?"

Lillie scolds me and says, "Don't worry, he doesn't mean any harm. It is normal. You've gotta keep trying."

"I think so, but after my match today, I don't think I'll ever win."

Then he explains that there is something going on with his Octillery lately. We decide to head over to his house and we see a room full of Remoraid in an aquarium. Marcellus releases his Octillery and it goes inside the tank, towards the school of Remoraid. The Remoraid, however shift to the opposite direction of Octillery. Octillery follows but again they shift to the other side. This continues until the Remoraid finally shoots out a Water Gun at Octillery, which goes in a jar.

"It looks like they're scared of that Octillery." Kris says.

"But just a thought, I think they don't know if this Octillery is still their friend." East says.

"I feel so sorry for him..." Reisa says.

"It must be tough for them to evolve and then have others hate them." I frown. Then we decided to help him out, but just when we were having dinner, we were surprised to see Team Rocket break into the house and use the vacuum to suck up all the Remoraid in their machine. But thanks to Marcello's Octillery, he breaks the tank and frees the Remoraid, also using Octazooka to send Team Rocket flying. We also notice that all the Remoraid evolved into Octillery.

After a lot of battles, I'm having my match against a boy named Christopher. I use Lapras while my opponent uses Kingdra.

"A Kingdra… good thing my Lapras is Ice type." I say. I have Lapras use Ice Beam, but Kingdrar responds by using Twister.

After that, Kingdra shoots a Hydro Pump at Lapras, but Lapras simply walks along the water and uses Psychic, Kingdra dives, Lapras uses Ice Beam to freeze the water, causing the Kingdra not to get out, then he ends it with a Smart Strike.

"Ash, Reisa, have you thought about what will happen if you two face each other?" Lillie asks me, and we flinch a little. I say, "Well… If it really happened, we will give our all, right?"

"Yeah." Reisa says. "I am going to beat you."

"I see you try." I say as we stare at each other with fiery eyes.

The next day, Reisa is battling a boy named Harrison. The match is on, Wartortle against Qwilfish. Reisa wins it due to Wartortle evolves into Blastoise and uses Rapid Spin to win.

After 4 more rounds, it is finally Reisa and my match.

"You better watch out, Ash. I have the skills to become the great Water master." Reisa says.

"You better watch out, Reisa. Nothing is going to stop me from winning this competition." I say.

"I can't wait to see those two go head to head." East says.

Then Reisa goes for Gyarados and I go with Feraligatr. I start with Feraligatr using a Hydro Pump, but Gyarados dives underwater to evade it. Gyarados jumps and uses Hyper Beam, Feraligatr uses Protect to block it. Then Gyarados uses Crunch, which bites Feraligatr's arm. I smirk, "Bad move, Reisa. This is the end. Superpower!"

Reisa's Gyarados is then hit a lot by Feraligatr, causing him to faint.

"Unbelievable, Gyarados was unable to battle…" Pikachu says.

"Yeah… Ash can win this." Lillie says.

Reisa recalls her Gyarados. "I was still new to this… oh well. Croconaw!"

Reisa sends her second Pokemon. Feraligatr starts off with a Taunt, causing Croconaw to get angry. Croconaw uses Bite, but Feraligatr blasts him with an Aqua Tail. Croconaw stands back to his feet and uses Water Gun. Feraligatr uses Hydro Pump to counter, Ash's overpowers him and sends him falling into the water.

"Oh no. Croconaw…" Reisa gasps.

Then Croconaw goes out of the water and evolves into Feraligatr, much to Reisa's delight. Reisa's quickly overpowers Ash's and eventually wins against him using Superpower.

"I guess I got too cocky. Nice job, Reisa." I say.

"Thanks, Ash. Now your second Pokemon is?"

"Oh, I decided to use him. Slowking!" I send out the Slowking, and I have it set up for the Rain Dance. Feraligatr uses Aqua Tail, but it is stopped because of Slowking's Psychic attack.

"Use Power Gem!" I have Slowking hit Feraligatr with the gems, and much to Reisa's surprise, Ferligatr is unable to battle.

"The winner of the match is Ash Ketchum!" The referee says.

Reisa goes towards Feraligatr, she hugs him, "Thank you, you are the best."

I walk towards her and say, "Thanks, that's a good battle."

"Same here. You win this time, but next time I won't lose." Reisa says.

But just then, we look up at the sky and notice Team Rocket's balloon. "Team Rocket!" I gasp.

They are trying to steal the fishing rod to snag the Sea Spirit staff without Officer Jenny and the priestess' notice. I yell, "Pikachu! Thunderbolt!"

The electric attack manages to break the rod, and we also rush to the priestess' side. "So they are the ones who made the threatening phone call!" Officer Jenny says.

"Threatening phone call?" Reisa asks.

"Don't worry, nobody is able to take the Sea Spirit away." The priestess says to me, and we also use Slowking and Feraligatr to use Hydro Pump, sending Team Rocket flying.

In the ending ceremony, I received the Mystic Water Pendant and was crowned as the new Sea Hero. But I think that the Mystic Pendant should be Reisa's since she wants to be the Water Master.

When I give it to Reisa, she hugs me and thanks me, and she also promises me to cherish the pendant.

Here is a new chapter, and this is the end of the Whirl Cup. The next chapter will be the Olivine City Gym.

Ash + Lillie's Pokemon:

Charizard x2 (In training), Butterfree x2 (One Pink), Pikachu, Lapras, Meganium, Quilava, Feraligatr, Furret, Noctowl (Shiny), Ledian, Ariados, Crobat, Lanturn, Togetic, Xatu, Ampharos, Bellossom, Sudowoodo, Politoed, Jumpluff, Aipom, Sunflora, Yanma, Quagsire, Espeon, Umbreon, Murkrow, Slowking, Unown x28, Forretress, Steelix (Crystal), Granbull, Qwilfish, Scizor, Shuckle, Heracross, Corsola, Mantine, Seadra, Porygon 2, Stantler, Smeargle, Miltank, Blissey, Raikou, Entei, Celebi

Reisa's Pokemon:

Blastoise, Tentacruel, Seaking, Starmie, Gyarados, Feraligatr, Lanturn, Azumarill, Politoed, Quagsire, Slowking, Qwilfish, Corsola, Mantine

East's Pokemon:

Noctowl, Ledian, Crobat, Jumpluff, Mantine

Ethan's Pokemon:

Quilava, Pichu, Sudowoodo, Politoed, Togepi, Aipom, Sunflora, Mantine

Kris' Pokemon:

Meganium, Cubone, Xatu, Smoochum