Chapter 36
We finally arrive at Mossdeep City, May asks, "Maybe we can do some sightseeing?"
"I think Ash has other plans." Max says.
"It's time for us to challenge the Mossdeep Gym Leader to a battle." I say.
We arrive at the gym, only to find that the gym is closed. We notice a woman and she reveals to us that the gym leaders are now in the space center. Because there is a space shuttle launch.
"A space shuttle launch?" We gasp, and Max says, "Oh, boy! They're launching the space shuttle, guys!"
"There is a Space Center in Mossdeep City after all." Minami says.
"But all that space thing is not so surprising for us, considering our Psychic Manor is basically on the moon." Mark says.
"No way!" Max asks.
"Yeah, to get there you'll have to go to Ilex Forest and find the house with the teleportation pad." I say. "I think we should go there."
Before we go there, we find a fisherman and he says, "You can go after seafloor-dwelling Pokemon with your Super Rod. Drop your line in any water, and see what bites!"
Then May gets the Super Rod to complete the set, and then we go to the space center. We look around and find a room filled with various astronaut training machines.
"Woah... look at all those equipment..." May says.
"You're right, there sure are a lot of things to see." Mark says. "It kinda makes me remember the Solanet one..."
"So what is this one?" When May asks us in front of the machine, Alice says, "It's a Moonwalk stimulator."
Then we also try out some devices until we see a series of lights and sounds coming from some low windows nearby. We crawl over and look and we spy a battle between the twins taking place in zero gravity. The female's Lunatone uses an Ice Beam to take down the male's Solrock as it charges up a Solar Beam.
"That was so close!" The boy yells.
"Yes, but close is not good enough. How many times in a row does that make now?" The girl taunts.
"If you hadn't used that last Tackle I would've absorbed enough sunlight." The boy yells back.
"But Solar Beam takes a turn to charge and you know it. You're never gonna beat me until you get the timing right."
We decide to enter the place, and much to our surprise, we are now levitated to the air. The twins come to us and they introduce themselves as Tate and Liza.
"Wait, you're Ash Ketchum, right?" Liza asks us.
"You know about us?" I ask.
"Of course, your family is also one of the few who managed to create a Lunar Villa on the moon." Tate says. "And we also heard you challenging the other gyms."
"So how did you come up with a zero-gravity battle?" May asks.
"Our father is the Space Center's Director and lead shuttle pilot, one day when we're playing with the Baltoy and then they use Confusion and get us up. So we use it all the time." Liza says.
Then they decide to show us around, I say, "It will be nice, but I want to find the gym leaders first so I can get my seventh badge."
"Tate and I act as the co-gym leaders from Mossdeep City." Liza says.
"And we now officially accept the challenge." Tate says.
"Two Gym Leaders in one gym... that's new." Mark says.
With the shuttle launch half an hour away, everyone and their Pokémon decide to play around on the space training equipment. When Liza takes us to find their father, we find Tate and Max missing. Not only them, but our Crawdaunt is also missing as well.
"Come in Commander, did you read?" Liza's mother says, "There is a security breach, intruders have come into the shuttle."
"Stop those intruders!" Liza's father yells.
As we rush forward, we find that Team Rocket is in their spacesuits, and they're here to steal the rocket. I have Absol attack them while they use Cacnea to block our attacks. They also send out Seviper to use Haze to escape.
"They got into the ship!" Alice yells.
We find that the spaceship is about to blast off, and Liza's mother also informs us that Team Rocket also has Tate and Max tied up in the shuttle with them.
"We've gotta do something!" Mark says.
We rush to the control room, and we find that the Baltoy is stopping the shuttle. But they can't stop it for so long, and we notice that our Crawdaunt is also on the ship and he must have saved Max and Tate.
"So that's where Crawdaunt is..." Alice says.
But then Tate's father says that the Baltoy won't be able to hold the shuttle much longer and that Tate has to somehow land the shuttle.
"Tate can't do that!" Liza protests, but her father tells her that they don't have a choice.
"That's fine, I can do it. I've spent days on that stimulator." Tate says as he takes the pilot's seat.
"And I can help too." Max says as the landing process begins.
The Baltoy release their hold on the shuttle and their father begins relaying instructions to the boys. After a few tense moments of switch-flipping and control monitoring, in which an impatient Crawdaunt threatens to press a random button before Max whacks its claw away, the shuttle lands safely.
Team Rocket, still dazed from Solrock's Psychic attack, staggers out of the shuttle and falls to the ground. Immediately, they suffer the wrath of Liza and May, both of whom are furious at the Rockets for the danger they had put their younger brothers into. After a Fire Spin from May's Blaziken, an Ice Beam from Lunatone, and an Night Slash from Absol, Team Rocket is sent blasting off.
Afterward, we watch from the Space Center's rooftop as their father leads the latest shuttle mission into space, it is time for us to go to the gym.
When we get into the gym, we are surprised to see a lot of platforms with energy orbs tied as strings. The Gym Guide says, "Yo, how's it going, Champ Ash? The Gym Leaders here use Psychic-type Pokémon. If you go up against them with Fighting- or Poison-type Pokémon, they'll do horrible damage to your Pokémon! They'll come at you with outstanding combination attacks! If you want to win, you'll need to show them how tight you are with your Pokémon. Go for it!"
As we walk forward, we notice that we're now floating into the air and the energy orbs are directing us to the next platform. There is a Psychic named Preston guarding a switch.
"Battles hinge on the strength of your spirit! The weak-spirited will never win!" Then he uses Kadabra, while I go with Crawdaunt, using the Night Slash to defeat it with ease. "I lost! I must temper my spirit again!"
Then we press the button and the energy orbs are changing the directions. We ride on them and get to another platform. There is a Psychic named Joshua there. "I can't get enough of the way you go floating up softly in this Gym."
Then he uses a Kadabra and a Medicham, while we go for Dusclops to battle, with the Shadow Ball, both Pokemon are easily defeated. "Oops, I gave you a soft match, too."
The third trainer is a Psychic named Fritz, and he says, "Fufufufufu... Watch me levitate a Poke Ball telekinetically! Woooo! Sometimes, I'm out of sync..."
He uses a Claydol and a Starmie, while I go with Cacturne for this battle. Cacturne's Grass moves work well on those two Pokemon and they're defeated with ease. "My Pokemon battling skills are out of sync, too!"
The fourth trainer is a Hex Maniac named Kindra, she says, "I'm from Mt. Pyre... Taste the power my Pokemon and I have attained in the place where spirits of Pokemon slumber."
Then she uses a Kirlia and a Grumpig, so we use Shedinja this time and defeat them with ease, and the Wonder Guard ability really helps us a lot. "So powerful..."
The fifth trainer is also a Hex Maniac named Patrica. She says, "I'm getting an ominous feeling about you..."
"Okay..." I say. Then she uses Chimecho, while I use Crawdaunt again and defeat it with ease. Team Rocket's battle really helps a lot when dealing with this Pokemon. "I knew I would lose... You're a bad omen!"
And the final trainer is a Psychic named Virgil. He says, "Let me see your talent!" He uses a Kadabra and Girafarig, so I decide to send out Absol, and Absol defeats them both with ease. "You possess spectacular talent!"
When we float to the end of the room, we find Tate and Liza waiting for us. This time it is a two-on-two double battle, which I am surprised about that. There are a lot of planets around us as well.
I decide to go with Pikachu and Swellow, while the gym leaders are using Solrock and Lunatone. Alice is also watching with Absol, Lunatone, and Solrock by her side, and they are obviously going to watch the battle.
Solrock uses Tackle on Pikachu, and Lunatone also hits Swellow with the same attack. I yell, "Pikachu! Use Quick Attack on Solrock! Swellow! Hit Lunatone with Peck!"
As Pikachu charges into his attack, Solrock floats out of the way, causing Pikachu to crash into one of the floating planets. The same thing happens with Swellow after Lunatone moves aside. Pikachu falls down, and soon after Swellow lands on him.
"Come on, guys! Don't give up!" I yell.
Solrock uses Solar Beam while Lunatone is told to use Ice Beam, however, the two attacks collide and cancel each other out. I am confused, "What?"
"That's a lucky break for Ash." Max says.
"Yeah, if those beams hit the marks, this match has been over." Alice says.
"You messed up my attack!" Tate yells at Liza. "Solrock was in perfect position and you have to go and interfere!"
"Oh please, you weren't even ready and that's when I fired first!" Liza retorts back.
"What's up with those two?" May asks.
"They're brother and sister, what do you expect?" Minami says. "We did fight like that before."
"And that would cause them greatly since we know how it feels to not get synchronized yet." Mark says.
"Alright! Swellow! Give us back into the fight with Aerial Ace!" Then Swellow manages to hit Lunatone, and I also have Pikachu use Iron Tail on Solrock.
"I'll help you out, Tate! Lunatone! Tackle!" "Help yourself! Go Solrock!"
Pikachu is about to be sandwiched by the two Psychic Pokémon, but Swellow swoops in and rescues him. Consequently, Lunatone and Solrock crash into each other, which causes Tate and Liza to begin arguing again.
"That was just great, thanks a lot." "You're the one who messed up. Anyone can see Solrock who has a better attack angle." "Timing is what matters, not angles." "And if we do your way, we'll still be waiting for the right time to attack."
I sweatdrop at the arguing, and Mark says, "If they can't agree on the single battle strategy, it only works in the brother's favor."
But before I can command an attack, Team Rocket has to come and ruin the gym battle. The Gym's roof caves in even more as a giant robot appears, piloted by Meowth.
"Why don't you get out of here, we're in the middle of a gym battle!" I yell.
"Look at that hole, our dad is going to be furious!" Liza gasps. "Yeah, you just ruined our battlefield!" Tate adds.
Tate and Liza are trying to attack Team Rocket, but they fire two round cages that capture Lunatone and Solrock. The two Pokémon try to free themselves using Psychic, but Meowth laughs as he reveals the cages are made of unobtainium and reflect the attacks. Team Rocket reels in their catches and rushes off to their waiting Meowth balloon while we give chase.
"Pikachu! Thunderbolt! Absol! Dark Pulse!" I yell, but the attacks don't seem to work. But Lunatone and Solrock, I mean ours, are trying to pursue them in the air. They use Ancient Power to free the two other Rock Type Pokemon, and the four Pokemon attack the machine with Psychic and send them blasting off for good.
"Team Rocket... sorry they have to show up and ruin our gym battle..." I say.
"It's not your fault, but we can't finish it because they destroy our battlefield..." Liza says.
"Come on, we can battle right here if you want to." Tate says. "Battles can be anywhere as long as we want for it."
"We still have the same rules but with a different area." Then we decide to continue the match here on the cliff.
Pikachu uses Thunderbolt on Solrock, but Lunatone slides in front and guards it with Light Screen. The Thunderbolt gets reflected back at Pikachu, smashing him into a rocky cliff. Swellow tries to attack Lunatone with Aerial Ace, but Solrock uses Sandstorm to stop it.
"Looks like battling with Team Rocket get Tate and Liza back in sync. Now Brother needs a new strategy."
"What are you going to do now, Ash?" Tate asks. "Just because we're friends doesn't mean we go easy on you!" Liza says.
This is not good, individual attacks aren't working, so I think I have to do combination as well. I have Pikachu hop on Swellow's back.
The now-airborne Pikachu uses Thunderbolt on Solrock, but Lunatone again intervenes and reflects the attack right back at him. However, this time both Pikachu and Swellow are hit.
"Those guys know what kind of combination is coming up!" Max says.
"This is a two-on-one battle and it doesn't seem fair to me." May says.
"Ash needs to make his own combination works..." Alice says with concern. "Or else he's going to be in trouble..."
Then after the attack is over, Swellow is still flying in the air. Liza says, "I don't understand why that doesn't work?"
"Yeah, Swellow is a Flying Type... I guess the battle is getting started." Tate says.
"Yeah, and now it's our turn to give it attack." I say.
Swellow is ordered to use Double Team, creating copies that surround Solrock and Lunatone. The two Psychic-type Pokémon fly back to back as Tate and Liza gauge the situation and order a Solar and Ice Beam combination to sweep through the duplicates.
When all the copies are disposed of, they are confused as to where the real Swellow and Pikachu are. Suddenly, they see the two Pokémon flying from above, ready to strike. Solrock and Lunatone are ordered to quickly whip up another Solar Beam and Ice Beam combination, hitting my Pokémon. The Pokémon start plummeting toward the ground, but Swellow is able to recover quickly enough and swoops upwards in the nick of time.
"Good surprise attack, but it will take more than that to break through our combination defenses!" Liza says.
"Anything else on your sleeves or is that it?" Tate asks.
"I guess I'm not going to win this by tricking them." I mutter. "There has to be something that I haven't thought of. But what?"
Then I look at the clouds in the sky and I know that it's my best shot. I have to trust on my Pokemon's inner strength. "Pikachu! Thunder!"
Liza says, "Good, I'll block it with Light Screen!"
"That's what I hope you do!" I say, confusing them.
Soon, the clouds spit back a streak of lightning, directly hitting Pikachu and Swellow. Then my Pokemon emerges from the lightning strike supercharged and coated in golden armor.
"I can't believe that worked!" Liza gasps.
"They're using Thunder as armor!" Tate adds.
"Good job!" I say. The now super-powered Swellow uses Quick Attack, so Solrock fires a Solar Beam attack on it. Swellow and Pikachu are hit, but they just ignore it and power on through. Lunatone tries to use Light Screen, but its attack is just as futile. Pikachu strikes Solrock down with an Iron Tail while Swellow uses Aerial Ace on Lunatone. Both super-powered attacks hit and defeat the two Pokemon.
Tate gasps, "Our... Our..." Liza adds, "Teamwork."
"Yeah! You both are really great!" I say as I hug the Pokemon, but their armor is so strong that I still feel shocked because of it. "Swellow... you sure know how to absorb electricity..."
After we're back at the gym, Liza says, "Great battle, Ash! Your Pokemon have absorbed that thunder with no damage to themselves."
"My sister and I learn a lot just by watching you battle." Tate adds. "It can't be helped. You've won..."
Liza says, "...so take this in recognition!"
Then I received the Mind Badge, and it was the seventh badge for me to get to the Hoenn League.
Tate say, "The Mind Badge has the power to make all Pokémon up to Level 80, including those you've received from other people, obey you!"
Liza adds, "It also enables Pokémon to use the HM move called Dive!"
Dive... that's a new HM that I haven't gotten yet. I wonder where I can get that HM to use...
Tate says, "Looks like the bond between you and your Pokémon is far stronger than the bond we share as twins... But you'll go on from here to form even more bonds! That's the future I see for you!"
Liza adds, "There may be a harsh ordeal ahead for you and your Pokémon... But that's all right! You and your Pokémon aren't alone! You have each other! That's why we want you to face whatever troubles may come your way head-on and full of courage!"
Then there is a contest holding in Mossdeep City, May decides to sit this one out, and it is a Doubles Contest. I use Milotic and Banette because this is their first time in the Contests, and they won't let me down as I get my final ribbon with ease.
"The winner of this contest is Ash Ketchum! This is his fifth ribbon, with this he can get into the Grand Festival!" I thank the judges and get the ribbon.
Back outside, May says, "Congratulations, Ash."
"Thanks, May. Now it is only you."
"Yeah. I have to get two more ribbons." May says. "I can't lose to you."
"Me too."
Here is a new chapter, and we've finished the Mossdeep City Gym and I hope you like it. The next chapter will be some Pokemon capturing and also some things before we get the battle of Team Magma and Team Aqua.
Ash + Alice's Pokemon:
Butterfree x2 (One Pink), Pikachu x2, Lapras, Meganium, Espeon, Steelix (Crystal), Mantine, Sceptile, Blaziken, Swampert, Mightyena, Linoone, Beautifly, Dustox, Lombre, Shiftry, Swellow, Pelipper, Kirlia, Gardevoir (Shiny), Masquerain, Breloom, Slaking, Ninjask, Shedinja, Exploud, Hariyama, Nosepass, Delcatty, Sableye, Mawile, Aggron, Medicham, Manectric, Plusle, Minun, Volbeat, Illumise, Roselia, Swalot, Sharpedo, Wailmer, Camerupt, Torkoal, Grumpig, Spinda, Vibrava, Cacturne, Altaria, Zangoose, Seviper, Lunatone, Solrock, Whiscash, Crawdaunt, Claydol, Cradily, Armaldo, Milotic, Castform, Kecleon, banette, Dusclops, Tropius, Chimecho, Relicanth, Latias, Latios, Jirachi
May's Pokemon:
Ivysaur, Blaziken, Beautifly, Skitty
Mark's Pokemon:
Blaziken, Swampert, Ludicolo, Pelipper, Surskit, Breloom, Hariyama, Medicham, Sharpedo, Wailmer, Camerupt, Torkoal, Whiscash, Crawdaunt, Milotic, Relicanth
Minami's Pokemon:
Linoone, Swellow, Gardevoir, Slaking, Exploud, Delcatty, Mawile, Medicham, Grumpig, Spinda, Swablu, Zangoose, Lunatone, Solrock, Claydol, Castform, Kecleon, Chimecho