Episode 36: Solar Affair

Ash, Brock, and Brenda are continuing on their way. They are travelling through dry and rocky terrain. They stop as they approach the edge of a cliff.

And now we find our heroes investigating yet another wonderful sight of nature. The beauty never seems to end when you're traveling around the world!

They look down into a large canyon. The walls are all made of white rock that reflect the light from the sun. The canyon seems to stretch on for quite a while. Brenda marvels, "Wow, look at that canyon, it's giant!"

Ash nods. "Yeah, it's a wonderful sight."

Brock reads from the Pokéssistant, "It's called the Daylight Canyon. Because of the white rocks that make up the canyon reflecting light from all angles, the interior of the canyon shines like midday all day long."

Brenda points down to the bottom of the canyon. "Hey look, there are some Pokémon down there!" She's pointing at a group of Helioptile and Helioisk. "That's the same Pokémon as the one that Will had, Helioptile."

Brock nods. "Yeah, he said he caught his nearby. He must have meant here."

Brenda pulls out her Pokédex. "I've never seen that other Pokémon before though."

It says, "Helioisk, the Generator Pokémon, and an Electric and Light Combo-Type. Helioisk spread their frills in order to absorb solar energy. This energy is then converted into electrical energy that, in turn, can be used for many applications. Evolves from Helioptile with the use of a Sun Stone."

Ash observes, "That sunny canyon must be the perfect place for them to absorb sunlight to use as energy." He gets an idea. "Hey, I bet that Turcell will love it here." He tosses a Pokéball, releasing Turcell.

It looks around curiously. "Tur? Cell?"

Ash says, "Hey Turcell, we're at this place called the Daylight Canyon, it's supposed to be great for solar powered Pokémon like you. Lots of solar energy for you to absorb."

Turcell smiles. "Turcell!"

Brock suggests, "Why don't we head down towards those Helioptile and Helioisk. I bet that's the best place for Turcell to bask."

Ash nods in agreement. "Alright, let's go." They begin to move down.

Once at the bottom, they find themselves among a lounge of Helioptile and Helioisk. They lay about on various rocks, boulders, and outcroppings with their frills expanded to catch sunlight. Turcell looks around curiously. "Turcell?"

A nearby Helioisk hears this and opens one eye to observe Turcell. It lowers its frills and slowly gets up. It walks over to Turcell and looks over it. "Helio?"

Turcell greets, "Tur!"

Helioisk smiles and says back, "Helioisk!" It then pats Turcell on the back, and beckons for it to follow it.

Brenda smiles. "Looks like Turcell has made a friend already."

Turcell looks up to Ash, as if asking for permission to follow. "Cell?"

Ash nods. "Go ahead Turcell. We'll wait for you to get plenty of solar energy."

Turcell smiles and then runs off after Helioisk. "Turcell!" It follows the Helioisk towards a large boulder in the center of the Helioisk and Helioptile's lounge. Several other Pokémon are basking on it already. As Turcell makes it way over, many of the surrounding Pokémon open an eye or two to take curious looks at Turcell. Turcell just smiles back at all of them. Helioisk and Turcell make it to the boulder.

Helioisk points to an open spot on it. "Helio, helioisk."

Turcell nods happily in understanding. "Cell!" It climbs up onto the rock and lies down on the indicated spot. It closes its eyes and relaxes, basking in the warm sunlight directed at it by the white rock cliff walls. The Helioisk lies down next to it and expands its frills.

Brenda says, "Wow, that's so sweet."

Brock guesses, "They must have made an instant bond because Turcell and Helioisk are some of the only Pokémon that derive energy purely from the sun. I'm sure Helioisk and all of its friends are more than willing to share their sunlight."

Ash comments, sweating a bit, "One thing's for sure, there's plenty of it to go around here."
Right as he says this, everything suddenly goes dark. Where the sun once shone, there is now a moon. All of the Helioisk and Helioptile look up and around with worry. Turcell is the last to notice something has gone wrong.

Brenda asks, "Hey, who turned off the lights!?"

Ash asks, "How could day turn into night just like that?"

Brock thinks for a moment. There's only one thing that could do that. A Pokémon using the attack Moonlit Night."

The Helioptile and Helioisk begin to run frantically around in circles. Turcell just continues sit, both curious and unsure about what just happened.

Brock points up to the ledge of one of the canyon's sides. "Hey, look up there!" Ash and Brenda look up. Standing on the cliff's edge is an Umbreon, a Dusclops, and a Sableye. Behind them is a pack of Mightyena. The Umbreon seems to be their leader, as it stands perched on a rock, above the others.

Ash exclaims, "Those Pokémon must be the cause of the change in light!"

The Umbreon looks back to the pack of Mightyena and commands, "Um, umbreon!" The Mightyena all leap of the cliff's edge and land down on the ground. They begin to lash out, attacking the Helioptile and Helioisk. The panic and chaos grows even greater as Pokémon run every which way trying to get away.

Brenda screams, "What are they doing!?"

Turcell is equally confused. It isn't scared at all, just unsure of what is happening. The Helioisk from before runs up to Turcell and urges, "Helio! Isk!"

Turcell questions, "Cell? Tur?"

Helioisk just shakes it head and grabs Turcell. It then turns to run away from several Mightyena running towards it.

Meanwhile, the Umbreon, Dusclops, and Sableye are laughing, apparently enjoying the sight.

Turcell struggles free of Helioisk's grip and lands on the floor, facing the Mightyena. It angrily declares, "Turcell!" and unleashes an Ember attack. The Mightyena instantly turn around and run away yelping. Turcell smiles, proud of itself. "Tur."

This shocks the Umbreon. "Umbre!?" It then commands, "Umbreon, umb!"

Several Mightyena stop chasing other Pokémon and turn towards Turcell. They surround it.

Ash shouts, "Turcell, get out of there, now!"

Turcell steps back nervously, but it has no way of escaping. It attempts another Ember attack, but this one is much weaker than the last.

Brock says, "Oh no. Without the sunlight Turcell is already growing weaker."

Ash shouts, "Turcell! Come on Pikachu, let's help!" He's just about to charge head-on into the pack of Mightyena when the Helioisk from before leaps into the circle of Mightyena with Turcell. It looks at Turcell, as if to say "I told you so," but it doesn't. It then unleashes an electrical attack that shocks the surrounding Mightyena. They all leap back. This gives Helioisk enough time to grab Turcell again and escape.

Ash urges, "Come on, let's follow them." Brock and Brenda nod, then they all run off too. The Mightyena don't chase after them or the other Pokémon now escaping as well.

Jessie and James are dressed in swimsuits and sunbathing on a large, flat boulder in the white-rocked canyon with Meowth and Mime Jr. Jessie says blissfully, "Prepare for sunburn."

James adds, "That's not a concern."

"To increase the pigmentation in my skin."

"To make sure it's those rays we're taking in."

"To denounce the evils of all that is warm."

"To soak in the sun like a Sunny Castform."

"Jessie…"

"James…"

"Team Rocket takes in rays at the speed of light."

"Don't worry about surrendering, we're in no mood for a fight."

Meowth adds, "Meowth…that's right…"

Wobbuffet appears and begins to sunbathe as well. "Wobba…"

Mime Jr., mimicking James' position, adds, "Mime mime…"

Suddenly, the day is replaced by night. Without opening her eyes, and not fully realizing what just happened, Jessie asks, "Hey James?"

James nods. "Yes?"

"Why did it just get colder?"

"I don't know Jessie."

"Alright then…" Suddenly the three Team Rocket members bolt up. Jessie demands, "What happened to my sun!?"

James says, "I don't know, I could have sworn it was just daytime."

Meowth suggests, "Maybe you two just took a little catnap."

Jessie says angrily, "You're the only cat I see around here! I would never fall asleep while so thoroughly enjoying the sun. Something's wrong here!"

James nods in agreement. "And we need to get to the bottom of it!"

Who's that Pokémon!?

This Pokémon has the power to hurl anything aside. However, trying to do any work requiring care and dexterity causes its arms to get tangled. This Pokémon tends to leap into action before it thinks.

Ash, Brock, and Brenda have followed the fleeing Helioisk and Helioptile to the end of the canyon, where it closes off and the ground levels. The Helioptile and Helioisk all appear extremely sad. Now that they're safe, Brenda asks, "What just happened?"

Brock says, "If I had to guess, those Pokémon that attacked must live nearby, and being Pokémon of the night, they hated the light cast by the canyon. So they took control of it and turned day into night."

Ash says with some anger, "That's terrible, these Pokémon all need sunlight to survive, and that was their home. What are they going to do without light?"

Turcell walks up behind Ash and asks, "Cell…?"

Ash looks down to Turcell and says, "Don't worry Turcell, we'll help your friends get their home back. I promise."

Turcell smiles. "Tur!"

Brenda asks, "How do plan on doing that? We could try to help the Helioptile and Helioisk fight back, but without the sun they can't do anything. And even if we do defeat the night Pokémon, it doesn't mean they'll stop using Moonlit Night and allow the sun to come back."

Brock nods in agreement. "It does seem like a hard task. There's not much we can do about it." He looks at Ash to see him first look to Turcell, and then to all the other Pokémon all around them. Brock then shakes his head and says, "But who am I kidding? You still want to help them, don't you Ash?"

Ash nods. "These Pokémon are Turcell's friends, and Turcell's friends are my friends. We're going to help them."

Brenda asks, "So do you have a plan then?"

Ash shakes his head. "No, not really." He turns to Brock and asks, "Brock, I just know that if we can get the sun back, the Helioptile and Helioisk will have a fighting chance. Is there any way to neutralize the Moonlit Night attack?"

Brock thinks. "Well, there is Moonlit Night's counterpart, Sunny Day. If we had a Pokémon that knew Sunny Day we could return the light back to daytime."

Ash climbs up on top of a boulder and calls out, "Attention Helioptile and Helioisk!" The Pokémon all look towards him, but seem too depressed and out of energy to care that much.

Turcell climbs up next to Ash and declares, "Cell tur cell!" This gets their attention.

Ash nods at Turcell. "Thanks Turcell." He looks back to his audience. "All we need to do is get back the sun, then you'll all have the power to fight and take back your home! Do any of you here know the move Sunny Day? It's very important and may be our only chance to bring back the sunlight!" No Pokémon speak up.

Brock says to Ash, "Ash, Helioptile and Helioisk can't learn Sunny Day." He thinks for a moment. "However, Turcell can."

Ash looks Turcell, and Turcell looks back. Ash suddenly smiles and asks, "Turcell, are you ready for some special training?"

Turcell smiles and nods back. "Turcell."

It's Machamp!

Ash and Turcell are starting their training. Ash looks to Brock, who's standing of to the side with Brenda and asks, "So Brock, how does Turcell use Sunny Day? What can I do to help it train?"

Brock thinks for a moment. "I'm not entirely sure, but we'd better figure it out, and quick." He looks over to the Helioptile and Helioisk. They all seem almost completely drained of energy. "It doesn't look like we have much time to spare."

Brenda asks, "Hey, wait a second, if both Turcell and those Pokémon get their energy from the sun, how come Turcell is still able to move, but they aren't?"

Brock answers, "Turcell is better at storing surplus energy than Helioptile or Helioisk. You see, the inside of its shell serves as a rechargeable battery of sorts, holding on to all of the energy Turcell gathers. Helioptile and Helioisk have no such storage capabilities. Turcell right now is running purely on that stored energy."

Ash then looks to Turcell and says, "All the more reason to get the sun back as soon as possible. Let's do this Turcell."

Turcell nods. "Turcell!"

"Alright, so we're trying to use Sunny Day, so I want you to imagine the sun. Imagine all of it heat and warmth and energy. Imagine it all building up inside of you."

Turcell nods again. It then closes its eyes and begins to concentrate. "Turrrr…"

"Are you feeling it Turcell!?"

Turcell nods excitedly. "Turcell!"

"Great, then release it all, release it into the sky and call upon the sun!"

Turcell shouts, "Cell!" and leaps into the air. Nothing happens.

"Hmm…it didn't work. I guess we can't expect it to happen on the first try. Let's do it again Turcell!"

Turcell nods in agreement. "Turcell!" The two start the same process over again.

Meanwhile, their actions capture the attention of a Helioisk, the same one that befriended Turcell. It strains itself to get a better look. It asks itself, "Helio…?" It nudges the Helioptile next to it and points, saying, "Helioisk…"

The Helioptile nods. "Optile…" The Helioptile then gets the attention of its neighbor, which in turn awakens its neighbor. This continues to happen in a chain.

Back with Ash and Turcell, Turcell collapses with exhaustion. Ash urges, "Come on Turcell, we've got to try again."

Brock warns, "Ash, Turcell is using up all of its reserve energy doing this. I don't know how much longer it will be able keep this up."

Ash looks down to Turcell and asks, "What do you think Turcell? If you don't have enough energy to keep this up, we'll stop."

Turcell shakes its head and struggles to get back. It says with determination, "Tur…" It suddenly collapses again.

Brenda shakes her head. "It's no use. Turcell's done."

Brock suddenly asks, "Hey, what are they doing?" He's referring to the Helioptile and Helioisk, all of which have gathered in a circle around Ash and Turcell. They are struggling to stand, even more so than Turcell, but they manage.

One Helioisk, the leader and Turcell's friend, declares, "Isk, helioisk!" The Pokémon then all spread their frills, and begin to emit light from them.

Brenda asks, "What's going on?"

Brock is amazed. "They're all using the last of their energy in order to use a Flash attack!"

Ash nods in understanding. "Quickly Turcell, absorb their energy!" Turcell pulls into its shell, and the lets the light flow onto its solar panel. The Helioisk and Helioptile all fall to the ground, the last of their energy used.

Turcell comes out of its shell reinvigorated. Ash says, "Your friends just gave you the last of their energy, let's return the favor! Turcell, use Sunny Day!"

Turcell begins concentrate again. "Turrr…!" It then shouts, "Cell!" and suddenly a blinding flash of light is emitted from it. When the flash ends, it has not only become daytime again, but the sun is brighter than ever.

Ash and Pikachu jump for joy. Ash cheers, "Way to go Turcell, you did it! You learned Sunny Day!"

Turcell excitedly cheers, "Turcell cell!"

Slowly, all of the Helioptile and Helioisk begin to wake up, as they absorb the energy from the new sun. They all begin to cheer as well.

Ash looks to Turcell and says, "But that's only half of it. Now we've got to help them get their home back." Turcell nods. Ash shouts, "Helioptile, Helioisk, make sure to absorb as much sunlight as you can, the night Pokémon will probably use Moonlit Night again anytime now!" The Pokémon stop cheering, and start charging. Only moments later, the day turns back to night. Ash says, "Alright everyone, let's move now and get your home back!"

Ash and Turcell have led Brock, Brenda, and the Pokémon back to the canyon lounge. The Mightyena sleep in the moonlight all around. The Umbreon, Dusclops, and Sableye sleep on the central boulder. Brock says, "Good, they're sleeping, which means we'll have the element of surprise."

Ash nods. "That's great."

Jessie, who somehow managed to get right next to Ash without anyone noticing, asks, "So what's the plan of attack Twerp?"

Ash, Brock, and Brenda all leap back in shock. They see that James and Meowth are also there. Brenda demands, "What are you doing here Team Rocket?"

Meowth answers, "Believe it or not, we're here to help."

James explains, "We overheard that you were going after those sun stealing miscreants, so we decided to help."

Jessie adds, "They stole the sun, and the sun is vital to my beauty. We're getting it back."

Ash, unsure of what to say, just says, "Alright then…um…why don't you three…"

Before he can tell them what to do, Team Rocket has leaped up onto a rock, and Jessie shouts, "Hey you! Wake up! Team Rocket doesn't like to be ignored! You stole our sun, and we're getting it back!" This wakes up the Umbreon and its partners.

Brock sighs. "And now we don't have the element of surprise." They all sigh and then climb up to join Team Rocket.

Turcell shouts, "Cell tur cell!"

James leans over and asks Meowth, "What's it saying Meowth?"

Meowth translates, "Turcell's asking why they would go and turn day into night."

The Umbreon answers, "Umb. Umbreon on." It continues to talk.

Meowth translates, "We turned day into night because we were sick of you light-absorbing Pokémon. All day long you get your bright sunlight, and then during the night you create your own light with your Flash attacks. We never get any nice peaceful darkness. We've had enough of the light. It's time for the dark to cover this land for a change, and there's nothing you can do about it."

Turcell shouts defiantly, "Turcell!"

This upsets Umbreon. It begins to charge energy and then unleashes a Lunar Beam. Ash, Brock, Brenda, and Turcell manage to jump out of the way in time, but Team Rocket don't. They're hit by the attack and sent flying. With surprise, they shout, "Wait, this isn't right! Team Rocket's blasting off again!" they disappear in a twinkle of light.

At this point, the Mightyena have all awoken. They rush into battle. The Helioptile and Helioisk do likewise.

Ash says, "Alright Turcell, let's help out your friends, Sunny Day!" Turcell does as it did before, but nothing happens. "What just happened!? Why didn't you use Sunny Day!?"

Brock guesses, "Turcell hasn't mastered the Sunny Day attack yet, it can't use it on command."

Ash grunts. "But without Sunny Day, there's no way the Helioptile and Helioisk can win." Ash looks around to see various battles. The Helioptile and Helioisk are already starting to run out of energy.

Turcell sees this too. It sees the Helioisk it befriended being hit by a Shadow Ball from a Mightyena. It angrily says to itself, "Turcell…" It then leaps forward, in front of the Umbreon and declares, "Cell tur tur cell!"

Brenda asks, "What's it doing?"

Brock answers, "I think it's challenging the Umbreon to a one-on-one, winner-take-all battle."

The Umbreon thinks for a moment, and then nods. "Umbreon." It looks back to the Dusclops and Sableye. They both step back. Then it shouts, "Breon!" and all the Mightyena withdraw as well. Now Turcell and Umbreon stand facing each other.

Ash steps forward, closer to Turcell. He asks, "Is that right Turcell, are you fighting for your friends?"

Turcell nods. "Cell."

"Alright then, let's do this."

Umbreon launches the first attack, a Dark Pulse. Ash commands, "Dodge it Turcell!" Turcell leaps up into the air, successfully dodging the attack. "Now let's use Ember!" Turcell lands and unleashes it Ember attack.

Umbreon leaps to the side, allowing for the attack to harmlessly pass it. It then charges for a Lunar Beam. Due to the full moon, it quickly unleashes it. "Umbreeeeon!"

Turcell tries to dodge, but it can't do it fast enough. It's a hit. Brock shouts, "Ash, you've got to be careful! Turcell is at a major disadvantage against a Dark-Type at night!"

Ash nods. "Yeah, I know. Come on Turcell, get up and use Rapid Spin!" Turcell does what it's told, and pulls into it shell in order to use Rapid Spin. It sends itself flying at Umbreon.

Umbreon counters by attacking with another Dark Pulse. The attack catches Turcell, and forces it back. Turcell slams against a rock.

Ash grunts. "Come on Turcell, we've got one shot at this! Use Sunny Day!" Turcell gets out of its shell and concentrates again. It begins to glow, gathering the energy it needs for a Sunny Day. Ash cheers, "Yeah, that's it!"

Even Pikachu encourages, "Pika pi!"

Turcell shouts, "Turcell!" but nothing happens. The light fades.

Umbreon laughs. Then attacks with another Lunar Beam. Turcell doesn't even have a chance to dodge it.

Ash shouts, "Turcell, no!" Turcell is slammed against the canyon wall, this time without the protection of its shell.

Turcell now looks badly damaged. It tries to get up, but then falls. "Tur…" It weakly looks around. It sees all of the Helioptile and Helioisk, now beginning to feel weak from the lack of sun. Its eyes stop on its friend.

The Helioisk looks back at it, and then stands up. It begins to cheer, "Helio, helio, helio…" quiet at first, but then it grows louder. All of the other Helioptile and Helioisk join in the cheer.

Brock says, "Wow, they all believe in Turcell."

Ash says, "Come on Turcell, we can do this, I know we can!"

Turcell tries to get up. It's a struggle, but it manages to stand. Once it does, it shouts, "Turcell!" Then it begins to glow white. Ash, Brock, and Brenda gasp. Turcell's shape begins to change. It grows larger. Sparkles appear all around it. The light then disappears. A new Pokémon now stands where Turcell once stood. Like Turcell, it is a turtle with orange skin and a red shell, but much larger now. It has a slightly longer neck than Turcell too. Where once there was one solar cell on its back, there are now several. It declares, "Turtsol!"

Ash says in disbelief, "No way." He pulls out his Pokédex.

It says, "Turtsol, the Solar Panel Pokémon and a Fire and Steel Combo-Type. Upon evolution, Turtsol's solar panels become much more efficient, allowing to gather even more energy from the sun. It has also integrated the metal from its solar panels into its shell, allowing it to become a much better defensive mechanism. Evolves from Turcell at level 16 and into Solurtle at level 36."

Ash cheers, "Yeah, you evolved into Turtsol!"

The Helioptile and Helioisk all cheer with joy. "Helio!"

Ash says, "Alright, let's try this one more time, Sunny Day!" Turtsol instantly releases a flash of light, and turns day into night.

This causes Umbreon to panic. It attacks with Dark Pulse.

"Use Ember Turtsol!" Instead of spitting embers, Turtsol releases a burst of flames, a Flamethrower. At first it looks like a normal Flamethrower attack, but then it becomes three times as large. Umbreon has no chance at dodging it. "Yeah, you learned Flamethrower too! That was no normal Flamethrower though."

Brock explains, "That was Turtsol's ability, Solar Power, activating. When Turtsol is in intense sunlight, it will absorb it and make its attacks more powerful."

Ash asks, "Wait, I thought that its ability was Blaze, what happened to that?"

Brock further explains, "It's been discovered that here in Tenno, Pokémon can actually have two abilities at the same time."

Ash smiles. "That's great. Now let's finish this battle Turtsol." Turtsol nods. "Flamethrower!" Turtsol unleashes another massive spew of fire. Umbreon tries to counter with a Dark Pulse, but is easily over-powered. Umbreon is knocked out.

Upon seeing this, the Sableye and Dusclops rush to its aid. Dusclops picks up Umbreon. It then looks to Turtsol, and then to all the Pokémon. It declares, "Dusclops dusc." The Mightyena all retreat. As do Dusclops and Sableye.

The Helioptile and Helioisk all jump for joy and cheer. One particular Helioisk walks over to Turtsol and pats it on the back. It says, "Helio, helioisk." It can easily be told that it was saying thank you.

Turtsol smiles. "Turt."

Ash walks over to Turtsol too and says, "That was great Turtsol. You evolved just so that you could help your friends, and it worked." Turtsol grins at Ash. "Now why don't you go and celebrate by gathering some more sunlight with your friends before we go?"

Turtsol happily nods and goes to bask with Helioisk.

Today our heroes saved daytime itself. Thanks to a timely evolution, a group of Pokémon can now return to its normal life, free to bask in the sun as they please…ah, that must be the life…

To Be Continued…

Make sure to check out Pokémon Cosmic Quest The Movie: Myoken the Guiding Light, which takes place chronologically after this episode!