Chapter 4

As we continue our exploration of the town, we decide to make a pit stop at the bakery to buy some bread for snacks while waiting for Nemona. Upon entering, our attention is immediately drawn to a group of adorable puppy-like Pokemon lying on the bakery counters.

"They're so cute!" Serena exclaims, captivated by their charm. I'm equally intrigued and approach one of the staff members to inquire about these endearing creatures. "What is this Pokemon?" I ask.

The staff member smiles and responds, "Ah, I'm glad you asked. These are Fidough. They've been working in the bakery for a long time. Their yeast in their breath is good at fermenting our dough, which is why they've been helping us in the bakery."

Serena is curious about where to find these Pokemon, asking, "That is so cool, where can we catch this Pokemon?"

The staff member kindly provides information, saying, "They usually gather at South Province Area One. You can try to find them there."

After purchasing three loaves of bread and bidding farewell to the staff member, we head towards Los Platos, where our journey takes an unexpected turn. Along the way, we encounter not only Fidough but also Igglybuff, Ralts, and various other Fairy-type Pokemon.

"All of them are Fairy-type Pokemon... I never knew there were so many Fairy-types here," Serena remarks, astonished by the diversity of Pokemon in this region.

"Exactly, and here is what we're here for: Fidough," I state, eager to add this unique Pokemon to our team and learn more about its abilities and characteristics. And we share the bread so that it joins the team.

Fidough: The Puppy Pokemon: Fairy Type. This Pokémon is smooth and moist to the touch. Yeast in Fidough's breath induces fermentation in the Pokémon's vicinity.

Nemona returns with our ice creams, presenting us with two unique and intriguing flavors popular in the Paldea Region: Nacli Salt Ice Cream and Teriyaki Ice Cream.

Serena expresses a bit of skepticism, sweatdropping as she remarks, "Those sure are some weird flavors..." We decide to give them a try, only to be met with an unexpected twist – instead of sweetness, the ice cream has a salty taste.

"What the..." I mutter in surprise. "It's salty..."

Nemona chuckles and explains, "Of course it is, but despite the saltiness, they taste good as well. Anyway, all of the food here gives out special effects. Like this Nacli Salt one, it boosts the Ice Type Humungo Power, meaning that bigger Ice Type Pokemon will appear often around you, Grass Type Item Drop Power, and Dark Type Catching Power. While the Teriyaki Ice Cream boosts the Bug Type Item Drop Power, Fighting Type Raid Power, and Egg Hatching Power."

Serena is equally surprised by this revelation. "Seriously? I never knew there was such an effect..."

Nemona, ever eager to move forward, directs our attention to our next destination. "Anyway, let's continue moving. All that's left to get to Mesagoza is to climb this hill."

I agree, ready to continue our journey. "Yeah, let's go," I say, looking forward to the adventures that await us in Mesagoza.

As we ascend the hill on our way to Mesagoza, we encounter a peculiar mouse-like Pokemon that Nemona identifies as a Shroodle. She informs us that it's a Poison Type, similar to the Wooper we encountered earlier. Eager to expand our team and explore the unique Pokemon of Paldea, we decide to capture the Shroodle, ready to add another member to our growing roster of Pokemon.

Shroodle: The Toxic Mouse Pokemon: Poison and Normal Type. Though usually a mellow Pokémon, it will sink its sharp, poison-soaked front teeth into any that anger it, causing paralysis in the object of its ire.

As we approach the Pokemon Center located in front of the city gate, Nemona suggests a battle before we enter. She mentions that she has something she wants to show us, and despite Serena's initial hesitation, we agree to the impromptu battle.

Nemona sends out a Pokemon that resembles Pikachu but has some differences. "This is Pawmot. You've seen some Pawmi on the way, but it is an Electric and Fighting Type," she explains.

The unique type combination catches my attention, and I decide to send out Charizard for the battle. "Electric and Fighting? I don't think I've faced this type of combination before," I remark. "Well, I'll use Charizard this time."

With our Pokemon ready on the battlefield, Nemona exclaims, "Battling you is a blast! I think I better pull out my ace in the hole!"

She takes out a mysterious orb and aims it at Pawmot. The orb starts shaking and glowing, and with a swift throw, it creates a giant electric bulb above Pawmot's head. The Pokemon itself also begins to shine brightly, and I gasp, "Terastal?"

Nemona smiles, "I see you already know about them, but let me show you what they can do!"

She demonstrates its power by instructing her Pawmot to use "Double Shock." The attack catches us off guard, and I express my confusion. "Double what?" I wonder aloud as Charizard takes the hit. "Charizard! Are you alright?"

Despite the substantial damage, Charizard remains resilient. Serena notes, "No way... that does a lot of damage..."

Determined to turn the tide, I decide to use Air Slash against Pawmot, but the move doesn't seem to have the expected impact. "What the... it's not very effective?" I exclaim in surprise.

Nemona reveals the reason behind this, saying, "My Terastallized Pawmot is now pure Electric Type. And that means that Electric Type moves do more damage than normal!"

Realizing the change in Pawmot's type, I adapt my strategy. "So it drops the Fighting Type... if that's the case, I'll just use Earthquake!" I declare, hoping to exploit the change in type and gain an advantage in the battle.

In the midst of the battle, Charizard's Earthquake shakes the ground, but Pawmot skillfully evades the tremors with Quick Attack and counters with an Ice Punch. However, Charizard retaliates with a powerful Flamethrower, ultimately defeating Pawmot.

As Pawmot faints, I observe that its diamond-like armor shatters into pieces, and it returns to its normal form. Nemona compliments our performance, saying, "Look at you, taking on a Terastallized opponent and winning, no problem!"

Eager to learn more about Terastallization, I inquire, "So how do we Terastallize our Pokemon?"

Nemona reveals the key to this unique power – a Terastal Orb. She shows us the device but mentions that her Terastal Orb is currently out of energy. "However, mine's energy is already empty...meaning I can't Terastallize my Pokemon until I charge it up. Fortunately, there are a lot of Terastallize Crystals around the area that you can use to charge them up. Sometimes, you'll even encounter wild Terastallized Pokemon within these crystals," she explains, shedding light on the fascinating and strategic aspect of Terastallization.

Serena reflects on the implications of Terastallization, saying, "So that's what it means when we're going on a Raid battle eventually..."

"Now, Mesagoza's waiting just past this gate! At least, the city where our school is!" Nemona redirects our attention to our impending arrival in Mesagoza. She gestures towards the giant gate and states, "There's a ton of hills and stairs and stuff in the city, so I'm gonna take a quick breather and then catch up with you soon."

"Okay..." I respond with a sigh. "Serena, let's go," I urge, ready to continue our journey through the gate and into the bustling city of Mesagoza.

As we rush through the gate and enter Mesagoza, we are immediately struck by the vibrant and bustling cityscape. The city is brimming with restaurants, clothing stores, and various establishments, resembling the bustling metropolises of Lumiose City or Hau'oli City from our previous adventures.

Nemona provides some insight into the city's significance. "This place has been a big trade hub since a long time ago. Lots of folks come here to learn about advances in technology and all kinds of other stuff. There's a hair salon where you can change your look, plus places with tasty food and fixings..."

I express my amazement, saying, "That's amazing," but my attention is abruptly drawn to screens displaying an interview about me. "What the..." I exclaim in surprise, taken aback by the unexpected presence of the interview footage in this unfamiliar city.

Nemona enthusiastically identifies me, exclaiming, "You know him, right? That's the famous 8-region-champion Ash Ketchum! I wish I can get to battle him someday because he is a super strong trainer!"

Serena and I share a subtle sweatdrop, grateful that we're currently using our disguises. Maintaining our anonymity is essential, considering the potential complications that could arise if our true identities were revealed in this unfamiliar region. Serena observes, "Looks like you've been pretty famous around here as well..."

I express my hope that this newfound fame won't bring us too much trouble. Nemona then offers to go to school first and acquire two Terastal Orbs for us to use in Terastallization. We agree to meet in front of the school later.

Once Nemona departs, Serena and I decide to take some time to explore the city further. Mesagoza proves to be quite expansive, with a variety of restaurants and clothing stores reminiscent of Lumiose City. We take the opportunity to savor local cuisine and indulge in a bit of shopping, fully immersing ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere of this bustling city.

As Serena and I finish our meal and head towards the school gate, we stumble upon a concerning scene. A grey and brown-haired girl, donning an Eevee backpack, is being cornered by two individuals wearing helmets adorned with stars.

"Don't you get it?! If you join Team Star, you can shine as bright as anybody!" one of them insists.

The girl, wearing a frown, appears to resist their persuasion. The other person presses further, "Seriously, what's with you? Don't you wanna burn bright with awesome friends like us?"

The girl maintains a frown and replies with reluctance, "Not really..."

Her tormentors continue to press her, urging, "Look - we've got a quota we're supposed to fill for new members, so just sign up already!"

The girl hesitates before responding, "Um... I'd rather not..."

Feeling compelled to intervene, I step forward and address the situation. "Hey! What are you guys doing?" I demand, hoping to defuse the tension and help the girl in distress.

As Serena and I step in front of the girl in distress, Serena mutters under her breath, clearly exasperated by the situation.

The two individuals, seemingly undeterred by our presence, continue their efforts to recruit the girl. One of them asks, "Huh? You want in on this, too? If you're here to sign up, we'll get to you next! We've nearly got this one in the bag!"

I assertively question their actions, demanding, "She clearly doesn't want to join you. Who are you anyway?"

They proudly declare, "We're Team Star, kids. We burn too bright, it hurts to look at us! But you knew that, right?"

Serena expresses her frustration, saying, "Oh, great... don't tell me it's just like those evil teams..." while I fix them with a stern glare. It seems that once again, we've encountered one of these enigmatic and potentially troublesome organizations that often appear in new regions.

The first Team Star grunt appears frustrated and mutters, "Ugh, another ignorant little nobody... Here I'm finally part of Team Star, and still, I get no respect? I gotta work my way up the ranks..."

His companion agrees, determined not to let the situation slide. "Hey - we can't just let something like this slide! The honor of our team's on the line, so we've got no real choice but to battle, yeah?"

With their decision made, the other grunt focuses on me and challenges, "That's true! You keep watch on that little four-eyes over there! I'll make sure this fresh-faced nobody ends up seeing stars!" She proceeds to send out a Shroodle, preparing for battle. I choose Pikachu as my battle partner, ready to face off against the Team Star grunt's Shroodle.

The grunt commands, "Shroodle! Use Acid Spray!" In response, I order Pikachu to use Thunderbolt. Pikachu's powerful Electric Type move overcomes the Poison Type and defeats the Shroodle with ease.

Frustrated by her defeat, the girl exclaims, "How come I'M the one seeing stars? Why is a nobody like you so good at battling anyway? That's just not right..."

I'm taken aback by her comment and mutter, "Nobody like me?"

Her companion seems concerned and asks, "He manages to beat you? Does that mean I gotta battle this kid now since I'm higher up Team Star's ranks?"

Before the situation escalates further, Nemona arrives on the scene and admonishes the Team Star grunts, demanding, "Pero bueno! What do you think you're doing?!"

Realizing they're in trouble, one of the grunts mutters, "Ugh! It's that student council dweeb! She's gonna report us if we don't book it..."

Nemona, however, doesn't seem pleased with me either. "I can't believe you, Florian! You don't have to go find randos to battle! You'll have all the battles you'll ever need with me!" She says with a hint of jealousy.

I clarify the situation, responding, "You got it wrong... Nemona. They are Team Star members."

Nemona shifts her focus back to the grunts and confronts them, saying, "Team Star, huh? I bet you were trying to pressure people into signing up again, weren't you?"

One of the grunts attempts to deny their actions, saying, "Ah, hi. We weren't... not doing that."

Nemona doesn't buy their excuses and seizes the opportunity to introduce her gift to us. She exclaims, "Well, that explains it. As head of the student council, stopping this type of nonsense would normally be my job... but this is also the perfect chance for you to try my amazing and ultra-rare gift to you!"

Nemona presents me with the Tera Orb, and I'm delighted to receive it. She also offers one to Lillie, ensuring we both have access to this unique tool. The Team Star grunt appears frightened and questions, "Wait, what? You want this kid to practice whaling on us with his Tera Pokemon, is that it?"

Nemona's response is assertive and confident, "Got a problem? You wanna battle me instead?" It's clear that Nemona can be quite intimidating when she wants to be.

The grunt quickly reconsiders, stating, "Never mind! I'll take my chances with the new kid."

With the decision made, the grunt sends out Yungoos, and I decide to put my newfound knowledge of Terastallization to the test. I call out, "Let's go! Terastallize!"

As I throw the Tera Orb onto Pikachu, it begins to shake and emit a bright light, similar to the transformation I witnessed when Nemona Terastallized her Pawmot earlier.

With Pikachu Terastallized, I confidently command, "Use Thunderbolt!" Pikachu successfully executes the move, swiftly defeating the Yungoos with a single attack.

The defeated grunt admires Pikachu's performance, mumbling, "Your Pokemon burned so brightly..."

Nemona chimes in, providing some insight, "Nice, Florian! You pulled off Terastallizing no problem! Moves of your Pokemon's Tera Type will hit even harder when it's Terastallized, y'know! Sometimes you'll find a Pokemon whose Tera Type is totally different from its usual type. That difference can open up your strategic options! Gotta charge your Tera Orb at a Pokemon Center after every use by healing up your team, though."

The grunts, clearly intimidated, decide to retreat. One of them stammers, "W-well... I'll be on my merry way, then, yeah? Hasta la vistaaarrr!" And they both make a hasty exit.

Serena, puzzled by the encounter, inquires, "So what's the deal with those people?" She clearly wants to understand the situation better.

"Team Star is basically a group of students that like to kick up trouble." She explains, "They hardly ever show up to class, and when they get together in groups, they're a real headache. Even the teachers don't know what to do with them from what I hear."

"Um... excuse me," as we continue the conversation, the girl we helped save speaks up, expressing her gratitude and saying, "I...uh... I just... Well, thanks. So, yeah... See you around." She quickly departs, leaving us slightly bewildered.

Serena seems curious about the girl, asking, "What's with that girl?"

Nemona speculates, "I don't think I've seen that girl around. Maybe she's a new transfer like you two. Though I really like that Eevee bag. Anyway, seems like the trouble's died down, so we'd better book it up to school! Get ready to climb the worst staircase in the world!"

I glance at the imposing staircase ahead and remark, "That sure looks worse..." It seems like we're in for quite a challenge as we make our way to the school.

And here is a new chapter, Penny makes her appearance, and Ash and Lillie can now Terastallize their Pokemon. However, I'm giving Pikachu a surprise element when it Terastallizes, and I hope you like this chapter.

Ash and Serena's Pokemon:

Charizard x2, Pikachu x2, Primeape, Lapras, Wooper (Paldean), Girafarig, Dunsparce, Steelix (Crystal), Sceptile, Gardevoir (Shiny), Garchomp, Lucario, Krookodile, Zoroark, Bisharp, Greninja, Sylveon, Noivern, Lycanroc (Dusk), Mimikyu (Shiny), Corviknight, Indeedee x2, Kleavor, Sneasler, Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Quaxly, Lechonk x2, Tarountula, Pawmi, Fidough, Wiglett