Part LVII: Reaching The Last Island
Ash and Misty relaxed on the aft deck of the cruise ship with several of their Pokémon enjoying the warm sun as they neared their final destination of Cinnabar Island. They were expecting to dock before the end of the day, though they would spend the night on the ship, and Ash was excited for it. His 7th and probably last full battle challenge was about to take place and he couldn't wait to test himself against Blaine.
Alas he would have to wait for a few days at least. Blaine had had a handful of challengers recently and was taking a few days off to recharge and make a few repairs so he'd scheduled Ash's full battle for 5 days' time so that he was fully ready for it. They had messaged Blaine the day before, right after the ship left its final stop at Metallica Island, and told him when they were arriving. That was when they learned of the delay.
Not that either Ash or Misty minded too much. It gave them a little time to see the island, relax some more, and for Ash to train with his team for the battle, all of which had been called in after their recent fun on Seafoam Island. The wait was good as Ash wanted to be fully ready for his battle with Blaine, he even had something special planned for an emergency though he refused to practice it.
There was one other thing to look forward to on Cinnabar Island. They had received word that there was an ongoing challenge on the island, at least that was the rumor going around the ship. It had been going on for a few days with the first clue being somewhere at the Pokémon Center. After that people had to follow the clues to a final location to win a prize though apparently no one had done well on it and few even tried it, favoring the other attractions on Cinnabar Island.
Misty however really wanted to try it out because it sounded fun and Ash was going to help her with it, whether he liked it or not, so that she could see the island and avoid tourists at the same time. She felt that it would be a fun day to cap off a fun cruise.
The cruise had been just what Misty knew they needed. It had slowed them down, allowed them to have some fun together, for her to catch new Pokémon, both of whom were now with Misty as Mamoswine had been sent back after Gardenia Town, and compete in a few Contests along the way. True Misty had lost her last Contest in Gardenia Town and it had been painful, both in how close it had been, how it had denied her her 5th ribbon, and it had hurt physically because she'd ended up being thrown into a wall right at the end of the match.
Still, Misty had no hard feelings for her loss. Mollie was one of the favorites that year for a reason and she had shown that in her intense battle with Misty. Unfortunately, it had taken a little while for Misty to be back on her feet after the Contest. Ash had helped her to the Pokémon Center afterwards and Nurse Joy, who had returned to her post right after the Contest, had ordered that Misty spend the night at the Center to make sure she was ok.
Thankfully Misty was fine, all she had a massive bruise on her back and couldn't stand for long for a few days after the Contest but with the next stop on the cruise, the Seafoam Islands, being over a week later Misty had had plenty of time to recover. True she still had to take some standard pain meds at least once a day when her back twinged at her but otherwise she was now back to normal.
The only bad thing about it was that she hadn't been able to spend any time with Mollie and get to know the girl more after the Contest. She'd gone home to celebrate with her family and then, after coming to the Pokémon Center to make sure Misty wasn't too badly injured, headed off to the mainland to prepare for the Grand Festival where Misty knew they would meet again.
Misty was still one ribbon shy of qualifying but she had plenty of time to do so. There was still 2 months of Contests to compete in and plenty back on the mainland so she would get her last ribbon sometime after Cinnabar Island. She just wanted to recover a bit first and make sure that she was ready for her final Contest.
That had started with their romantic adventure to Seafoam Island, a coincidental event on the island that had worked out really well for them, and then their stop on Metallica Island which had further helped Misty recover. Their last stop had been uneventful though she did get to meet the Palace Maven Spencer, the Frontier Brain of the Battle Palace who they ran into while on the island. Alas he had a challenger the next day that he had to prepare for so it was just a quick meeting before he went about his business.
Since then it had been smooth sailing onto Cinnabar Island and the end of their cruise. Misty was looking forward to it and seeing the island through the challenge that was apparently awaiting trainers on the island. Everything was looking good and she was fully back to normal following her loss. There was only one thing that hadn't returned to normal.
Gloom was still upset at her loss. Misty had consoled her Pokémon, groomed her just as she liked and given her plenty of poffins to try and cheer her up but she could tell that Gloom blamed herself for the loss, her second of the year as it had been her and Pinsir who had lost to Ash in HopHopHop Town. Misty had tried her best but Gloom was still being, well, gloomy.
Fortunately Pinsir, Piplup, Pikachu and Shuppet were out right now comforting her on the deck and she seemed to be getting happier as they all chatted together. Misty knew it would take time but Gloom would be ok in the end and they could continue their quest for the Ribbon Cup together.
As for Misty's other Pokémon, only Espeon was out and sleeping in the sun though none of Ash's were out as most wouldn't fit on the deck. The sun made Espeon's green fur sparkle even more and she was clearly enjoying the warmth of it. Misty had wanted to let Spiritomb out, they'd bonded a fair bit since the Forbidden Pokémon had been returned to her but after Seafoam she'd learnt that she couldn't have it out near other people for extended periods of time yet.
It wasn't that Spiritomb was disobedient, not like how Mamoswine had been when he first evolved, but Spiritomb was tricky. It loved to prank people and have some mischief at others expense, which meant that it got on great with Ash's Gengar before Ash sent it back to Professor Oak as Gengar wasn't part of Ash's team against Blaine. What was worse was that Spiritomb was already teaching Piplup annoying new tricks to wake Misty up in the morning or stop a good make out session with Ash.
Spiritomb's mischief was why Misty couldn't let it out during the cruise unless she kept a close eye on it and she wanted to relax at the moment, it would come out when they had their training slot later. It also had a rivalry with Shuppet as Shuppet had beaten it to save Misty so occasionally the two ghost types butted heads with each other. However Misty was sure they would get along in time though.
There was one positive thing about Spiritomb and that was that it really loved to battle. Apparently haunting a broken tower for however many years it did and fighting off all challengers had given it a thirst for battle. It was even intrigued by the Contest style and picking it up well when Misty showed it some new techniques to improve its battling.
Add in a move set that consisted of Curse, Toxic, Dark Pulse and Phantom Force, as well as the fact that there was not type advantage against Spiritomb because of its own type combination and it a formidable Pokémon in battle. That much had been seen in Seafoam Islands when Misty had first used it in battle and taken no damage to Spiritomb in the two battles she had with it.
Misty was already planning on using Shuppet in her next appeal as it had seen plenty of contests and Shuppet's move set of Hex, Dazzling Gleam, Feint Attack and Destiny Bond had a lot of potential, well three of the moves did at least. If things continued, she might risk it and try Spiritomb as her battle Pokémon in that Contest. It would certainly surprise people and give her the edge she needed to win her 5th and final ribbon.
That was still a ways off though and they had a lot of practice to do to get ready for it. For now Misty was enjoying the last part of her cruise and her time on a ship with Ash. Still, there was one question she had left for Ash that she needed to ask and now was as good a time as ever to ask it.
"So Ash, what's Blaine like?" Misty asked her boyfriend who was currently sitting cross legged on the deck going over his plans for the upcoming battle as he tried to predict what Blaine might throw at him. "You haven't really said much about him but we're meeting him soon so I'd like to know a bit more about him if that's ok."
"He's eccentric and a little odd." Ash said after a pause to think on the man. "At least from what I remember of him."
"Eccentric?" Misty asked confused. "He didn't sound that in his messages."
"I think he was being formal or just messing with me by lulling me into a false sense of security." Ash said with a shrug. "I can't really tell with Blaine if I'm honest. He was different from the other leaders to say the least."
"How so?" Misty asked curiously.
"Well firstly, back when I met him, he'd closed down his gym a long time ago." Ash said recalling what Gary had said to him when he was last on Cinnabar Island. "Cinnabar Island, it's a tourist hotspot these days. Between the hot springs, the Pokémon Lab there and the general location make it a desirable spot."
"I can see that but how does this play into Blaine shutting down the gym?" Misty asked. "I don't think I've ever heard of a gym leader doing that."
"Well back in the day, long before I met him as this was when Professor Oak was a trainer apparently, Blaine was forced to battle tourists who didn't care for the badge, they just wanted to visit the hot springs or something like that." Ash explained. "Blaine's the oldest of the Kanto Gym Leaders by a considerable margin. Back when I faced them I would have said he was about 20 years older than the Koga but with Koga no longer the Fuchsia Gym Leader and Surge off in Unova, I'd say that Erika is the second oldest and she'd probably 30 years younger than Blaine."
"Oh so he's pretty old." Misty said surprised, she hadn't expected that as all the leaders she'd met so far this year, other than maybe Surge, had been either their age or at least no older that 30ish. "I guess it shouldn't surprise me though, gym leaders seem to vary in age. Sinnoh was an example of that for me."
"Yeah it's more odd the gap for sure." Ash said. "But because of his age he had to deal with the tourists back when they first arrived so he ended up closing down his gym years before I got there. However, through a series of riddles that only Dawn could solve, I was able to face him in his new secret gym that he had built on the island."
"Ok back up one moment." Misty said confused by basically all that Ash had said. "Riddles? You had to deal with riddles?"
"Yeah Blaine loves them." Ash said as if it was normal. "He runs a place called the Big Riddle Inn, at least I think that was its name it has been a while since I was last on Cinnabar so I can't remember it precisely. He had a series of riddles that stumped me and Brock but Dawn got them with ease. It managed to get us a place to stay, accidentally find the gym and learn that the young hippie dude who ran the inn was actually Blaine in a wig and fake moustache."
"Ok I am starting to see the eccentric part." Misty said rubbing her temples at what Ash was saying, she should really be used to this but every time it was something different with Ash. "So you found his secret gym and confronted Blaine, then what? You battled him I presume and won the gym badge."
"Basically though it wasn't as straightforward as that." Ash said because of course it wasn't, Misty should have known that but she continued to listen to Ash's explanation. "Blaine's a fire type specialist so I figured that Squirtle was a good bet but he lost to Blaine's Ninetales because of the gym's location benefiting Blaine. I then tried Charizard but Blaine switched in a Rhyhorn and back then Charizard was disobedient so decided to leave the arena for a nap and got disqualified. After that Pikachu stepped in and won against Rhyhorn but I had to forfeit against Blaine's Magmar as Pikachu was about to lose."
"So you lost your first match." Misty said slightly surprised at that.
"Yeah but that was normal for my first Kanto adventure." Ash admitted. "I lost in half the gyms, twice in Saffron, and didn't actually win in Celadon, Saffron, and Cerulean while Pewter was a win but I only won because I burst the sprinkler system and doused Brook's Onix in water so I don't count it. Only Fuchsia and Viridian were first time wins and the only other proper wins I had were Cinnabar and Vermilion."
"Oh ok so you won your second match against Blaine." Misty said understanding now. "How'd you manage that?"
"I won because Charizard decided that he now wanted to fight." Ash said. "Beat Magmar in an epic battle atop the volcano in fact. I'm expecting Blaine to have evolved his Magmar into a Magmortar by now though but other than that and likely the same Ninetales as before I am not sure what else he might have."
"Probably a safe assumption given how some of the others had evolved their Pokémon since you last saw them." Misty said now getting one of Ash's choices for this battle though she wasn't sure why Ash had fought atop a volcano, that was something she could question later. "That is good that Blaine let you battle him. it seems like he's back into that fighting spirit if his gym is open once again."
"I think it's a bit more complicated than that." Ash said. "We only found it by accident, we actually didn't solve that riddle and it was pretty embarrassing how we found it seeing as Dawn's Togepi decided to remove the barrier between the genders in the hot spring at the Big Riddle Inn."
"Why is it never easy with you." Misty said with a sigh deciding not to react to that, her and Dawn were finally getting along and this seemed like an honest mistake make by her Pokémon long in the past so no need to dwell on it. "I should really start expecting this, shouldn't I?"
"Dunno, guess that's just how it happens with me." Ash said with a shrug. "I think Blaine still battles, the Cinnabar Gym is still an official gym and the Volcano Badge still counts as one of the 8 badges a trainer needs to qualify for the Indigo League, but I think he only battles worthy opponents who solve his riddle and find his secret battlefield. That way he knows the trainer isn't a tourist and actually there for the badge."
"That makes sense." Misty said with a nod, it was a good strategy after all. "And where is this secret battlefield?"
"In the volcano." Ash said as if it was nothing.
"Oh I see…wait. What!" Misty exclaimed shocked at that, now she had to question the who fighting atop or in a volcano. "It's in a volcano. Is the volcano at least extinct?"
"Nope very much active I believe." Ash said simply. "Full magma chamber and everything. In fact Charizard and Magmar ended up in the magma at one point I think but that was in their battle though that was at the summit of the volcano on a series of rock pillars and not the battlefield in the magma chamber which Team Rocket destroyed and almost set off the volcano which would have destroyed the island."
"That sounds dangerous." Misty pointed out though for this wasn't the most dangerous thing she had known Ash to do, though it was close. "Like actually dangerous."
"It is but it also forces dedication as well as giving Blaine an advantage over water types as the heat saps their strength if I recall correctly." Ash said. "Blaine said that he had rebuilt the battlefield and it where it was before, where firefighters can't win I believe was what he said which sounds familiar, so I am presuming that it's still in the volcano."
"Well I was expecting this to be interesting so it looks like I will get my wish." Misty said with a sigh. "So I get to watch you fight Blaine on a battlefield in a magma chamber then, I wish I could say I was more surprised than I actual am."
"Well suspended over the magma in the chamber but yes." Ash said with a nod and Misty face palmed at that, this was not a good idea in her mind but she knew there was no talking Ash out of it. "I think there's a safety net but I can't be sure and I think I forfeited because Pikachu was at risk of falling in last time. Whatever the case, I'm to have to be careful for sure, can't be throwing some of his Pokémon around. His Magmar can survive it but I'm not sure about his other Pokémon."
"Well fire types should be able to do fine; I would presume." Misty said deciding it was best to not think on it at the moment. "So what Pokémon do you expect to face? You've clearly planned for some."
"I can't predict them all but I am expecting at least Ninetales and Magmar or more likely Magmortar as I faced those last time." Ash said. "Other than that it could be any Pokémon that is at least a fire type though I know he has a Rhyhorn so who knows. The ones I most expect are the typical Kanto fire types like Flareon, Rapidash, Charizard, and Arcanine but there is a chance it could be something else. There are many fire types so I'm planning for type combos more than actual Pokémon. Pokémon with duel types like Blaziken, Magcargo, Houndoom, or Camerupt."
"So basically prepare for anything that is a fire type or has a fire type combination." Misty said and Ash nodded.
"Pretty much." Ash said. "And after a few surprises like Slowpoke and Tentacruel I could end up facing something like a Chandelure or something even more exotic though I know at least there won't be a duel fire and water type because I am pretty sure one doesn't exist."
"Chandelure?" Misty asked thinking the name over in her head. "I think I've heard of that Pokémon before but I can't remember where or anything about it."
"It's a fully evolved ghost and fire type Pokémon native to Unova." Ash said. "I don't expect it but I have to be prepared for something random like that just in case. I met one while I was out there and had a bad run in with some rather evil Litwicks, Chandelure's first form. Given Blaine's age he may have Pokémon like that. It's the only ghost and fire type Pokémon I know of so I shouldn't face that combo but best to be safe."
"True you always have to be prepared for the unexpected." Misty said with a nod. "Especially given some of the Pokémon you have you know how useful surprise can be. However, your team is good for the match."
"Yup, not many type disadvantages this time around however but with Blaine and the gym's location it's better to be more on the advantage or at least neutral side in this battle." Ash said. "Well that and they're the only ones who haven't been used yet this year, for the most part, so they had be to be used here."
"True and are you sure about, you know, that." Misty asked deciding not to mention what but knowing that Ash would know what she was talking about. "You haven't tried it out yet, are you sure a battle is the best place for a first time."
"And I won't try it until the battle to be safe." Ash said. "It's a last resort so I am saving it for if I need it."
"Alright, I trust your judgement." Misty said with a smile. "Now why don't you take a break from planning and relax with me. The sun is out and we have a few more days for final preparations so how about we enjoy the last moments of this cruise with your girlfriend."
"Yes ma'am." Ash said as he put away his things and got up to sit on the deck chair next to Misty.
Misty just rolled her eyes and took Ash's hand enjoying the sun as she looked out over the deck, the boat chugging along as they neared Cinnabar Island after so many weeks of travel. Misty saw her Pokémon and Pikachu, minus Espeon, chatting with Gloom and cheering her up. Misty had no idea what they were saying but smiled at the sight. It was good to know that they were all there for Gloom when she needed it the most. It showed how much they were getting along. She just wondered what the discussion was about.
"Gloom, are you sure?" Pinsir asked her best friend worry in her chittering tone. "You know you can't take this back once you go through with it and unlike most of us you have two choices."
"I know and I also I know the one I want." Gloom said seriously. "Misty has both Stones, I can sense them, but she doesn't need one, I never wanted to be that anyway."
"Well at least you can make that choice." Piplup said with a little envy in his tone. "I had to force myself not to when I felt the change coming and that was exhausting. Thankfully Misty gave me a special Stone so I won't ever have to do that again."
"Yeah having a Stone is great." Pikachu said with a nod of his head. "It means that so long as I avoid it, and Ash doesn't have that accursed thing anymore, I don't have to risk it though there was a scare once out in Unova but Ash saved me."
"There are drawbacks though." Shuppet added. "I can do it when I am ready, though that is still a ways off I feel and only when Misty needs it will I do so but if I had a Stone I would have to wait for one to show up to use it."
"It's, what's the human term, a double-edged sword." Gloom said. "You can be as ready as possible, and after that second loss I am now ready, for it to happen, but you can't do so without the Stone. That nice lady gave them to Misty. You know, the one with her own Gloom, and that overly macho but fine specimen of a fighting Vileplume."
"Don't forget that lovely Bellossom." Piplup said wistfully. "She was gorgeous."
"You mean the one that blasted you in the face with a Stun Spore when you tried to propose mating to her?" Shuppet said with a laugh. "That was hilarious."
"So that's why you came back from the greenhouse twitching slightly that day." Pikachu said with a chuckle. "No wonder, you really need to stop imitating Brock Piplup, it's dangerous for your health."
"Not my fault the ladies can't get enough of me, I am irresistible after all." Piplup said puffing his chest out causing Gloom and Pinsir to roll their eyes at their narcissistic team leader. "Anyway, how did you know that Shuppet?"
"Remember I followed Misty ever since we met in that Tower." Shuppet said happily. "She was so much fun and those treats were so tasty that I wanted to observe her and all her friends as much as possible. I knew she would need my help at some point so I waited until I was needed and stepped in to show my worth and now I'm hers and with you guys full time."
"Well it's better than been chased across an entire region by a very persistent, if slightly insecure, Sandile, and the Krokorok looking for a rematch." Pikachu said. "Though he was a great sport and a great addition to the team when he joined, especially now that he's a Krookodile. Now if we ever see a Jigglypuff with a microphone run as fast as you can away, or knock it out before it opens its mouth, whichever is easier."
"So that's how he joined your human." Piplup said. "Interesting. Well Shuppet helped me and that cool Spiritomb ended up joining us so I am fine you followed Misty."
"You only like Spiritomb because he's teaching you new tricks to use on Misty." Pinsir said shaking her body disapprovingly. "He beat you easily in battle, or so I've heard."
"Yes well she deserves it most of the time." Piplup said folding his flippers across his chest. "When she's fully recovered from protecting Gloom, though she'd never taken a wall for me mind you, I will get her back again. As for that battle, Spiritomb used Curse, if I wasn't already weakened I would have had it."
"Keep wishing that Piplup." Shuppet teased. "Wait Pikachu, what was that about attacking or running from a Jigglypuff?"
"Let's just say there is no Pokémon I fear more than that Jigglypuff and that's including the army of angry Beedrills and the occasional rampaging Gyarados I've had to deal with." Pikachu said with a shudder at Jigglypuff's memory that surprised everyone else. "I haven't seen it in years, which is great, but it will return, I know it. When it does, either attack it or flee. Don't give it a moment or you will regret it."
"But Jigglypuffs are cute." Piplup said. "Especially the female ones. I would love to get to know one better."
"This one isn't cute and I don't know its gender." Pikachu said shaking his head. "I can handle most Pokémon; I've looked legendries in the eye and not only lived but even beaten a few but that one particular Jigglypuff still gives me nightmares."
"It can't be that bad." Pinsir said surprised at Pikachu's fear. "It's a little Jigglypuff."
"Ask any of Ash's Pokémon that joined us in the first three years." Pikachu said. "They'll back me up on this one."
"I'll take your work Pikachu." Gloom said bringing them back to her and her own issue at hand. "Out of all of us, you've been through the most."
"Hey." Piplup said indignantly. "I have suffered a lot."
"Pain wise no one is questioning you Piplup." Gloom said. "But Pikachu has seen so much more than the rest of us combined."
"It's true, I've been with Ash since the start." Pikachu said. "I have years on the rest of you when it comes to seeing the world and everything that happens to Ash."
"True I guess." Piplup said with a sigh, he wasn't going to win this one unfortunately and he knew it.
"Anyway can we get back to the issue at hand, Gloom's decision." Pinsir said helping her friend out. "One last time and then go and see Misty, she's done talking with her mate so she is free for this. Are you sure Gloom?"
"Yes Pinsir, I'm sure." Gloom said giving her best friend a smile. "This is the last thing I need to reach my maximum potential. I'm as strong as I will get as a Gloom, I am ready for the next stage. I was ready when I did it the first time to protect all of you, now I am ready again but I need the Stone this time. I will be stronger, I will be better, and I will protect you. There will be no more losing."
"Well that one against Dragonair doesn't really count." Shuppet said helpfully. "He evolved at the last minute and learned a new move, that was too much to deal with. I cried so hard for you two and Misty after that loss, you deserved that win so badly."
"Thank you Shuppet, I know we did but Dragonair beat us fair and square." Gloom said to the newest member of their team. "So did that, what was it called, Absol, the other day. Both times I was the weaker Pokémon. It's time I don't let that happen. Watch, it's not every day you get to see this."
The others just nodded as they parted and let Gloom walk across the deck to where Misty was. This was something she had to do alone and they would watch and support her. Gloom took a deep breath and addressed her human. It was time.
"Gloom." Gloom said seriously and Misty, who had almost fallen asleep in the sun, was snapped awake by the seriousness of her Pokémon's tone. "Gloom, Gloom."
"Hey Gloom, what's up?" Misty asked glad to see that Gloom wasn't looking upset anymore. "You feeling better?"
"Gloom." Gloom nodded before she pointed to Misty, then to Misty's bag that was by Ash and then herself. "Gloom, Gloom, Gloom."
"You want something from my bag?" Misty asked raising an eyebrow at the Weed Pokémon.
"Gloom." Gloom said with another nod.
"What? Poffins?" Misty asked, she had a few left but she didn't want to spoil Gloom with them.
"Gloom." Gloom said shaking her head.
"Then what?" Misty asked confused, all she had in her bag right now were Poffins, emergency medicine, a few empty Poke Balls just in case, and two Evolution Stones that would only work on… "You want a Stone don't you?"
"Gloom." Gloom said with a smile and a third nod of her head.
"Are you sure?" Misty asked seriously. "If you are the I will present them but I want to make sure that you are ready for this."
"Gloom." Gloom said again with a more forceful nod. "Gloom, Gloom."
"Alright I'll get them and let you make the choice." Misty said surprised that Gloom wanted it now but realizing that after their recent loss this might be Gloom's way of realizing that she was ready for it. "Ash, can you pass me my bag please?"
"Huh, sure." Ash said grabbing it and handing it to her.
"You're going to want to watch this, it's time." Misty said and Ash did as she said, trusting her even if he didn't know what was going to happen.
Misty smiled as she opened her bag and found the two special pouches she had inside it. Ever since Erika had given Misty the Stones she had kept them in her bag in a pair of special separate pouches for when Gloom was ready to make her choice.
it appeared that now Gloom was ready so Misty pulled out the pouches and then put down the bag causing Ash's eyes to go wide at the sight of them as he knew what she kept inside them and what she meant by it being time. With a little hesitation and going one at a time, Misty removed first the Leaf Stone and then the Sun Stone keeping both as far away from Gloom as possible so as to not mess with her choice and holding them tightly to prevent an accident.
When she was read, still holding the Stones in a tight grip, Misty held them out to Gloom. She was far enough away to avoid an accident but close enough for Gloom to see which Stone was which. It was time for her choice.
"Gloom, you've decided you're ready to evolve and I will respect that decision." Misty said seriously. "Unlike most Pokémon, you have a branched evolution that has no gender or other restrictions, only the choice of Evolution Stone. You get to choose which one you want and which Pokémon to evolve into."
Misty paused and took a breath while looking at Gloom to make sure that she understood. When Gloom gave her one final nod, Misty continued.
"In my right hand is a Leaf Stone, which will evolve you into a Vileplume." Misty said moving it slightly so that Gloom could see which it was before moving her left hand. "In my left hand is a Sun Stone, which will evolve you into a Bellossom. Choose and I will put the other away before you touch your choice to ensure you evolve into the Pokémon that you want to evolve into."
"Gloom." Gloom said with a nod and then pointed at the Stone she wanted, the Pokémon she had known deep down she always wanted to evolve into.
Misty nodded at her Pokémon's choice without showing any emotion. Quickly she gave the other stone to Ash, who was now holding its pouch, to put the Stone away. With that Stone safely stored, Misty extended her hand, palm flat to Gloom. With no more hesitation, Gloom reached out her hand and touched the Stone as the boat reached Cinnabar Island and Gloom began to evolve.
