It is late at night in Hulbury, everyone is sleeping peacefully. But is something going on, a few of Water Pokémon are quietly swimming through the waters of Hulbury and suddenly a kind of whirlpool appears and the Water Pokémon are sucked into it.
The next day, Ash and his friends have just left the Pokémon Center and are now walking toward the Gym, on the way they stop in front of a poster and on it was Nessa, the Gym Leader of Hulbury.
"This is Nessa, the Gym Leader," Chloe said.
"She is a beauty," Roan said.
"Really Roan, is that all you see?" Chloe asked.
"No, of course not, but I mean, look at her," Roan said, pointing to the poster. "She's also a supermodel."
"Looks don't matter to me," Ash said.
"That's good of you, Ash," Chloe said.
"As long as she's a strong Gym Leader and can provide a good challenge, that's what really matters here, Ash said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu squeaked.
"We're going for it Pikachu, we're going to win our second badge," Ash said.
"Pika," Pikachu squeaked.
The three trainers arrived at the Gym, there was a letter taped to the door stating that the gym was closed.
"You have got be kidding me," Ash said.
"I don't think this is a joke, Ash," Roan said.
"From the inside, it also looks like no one's there, Chloe said, as she looked through the window.
"And it doesn't say where the Gym Leader is," Ash said.
"You'll just have to wait," Chloe said.
"But I don't wanna wait anymore," Ash said.
"You don't really have much of a choice," Roan said.
"Ah, man," Ash said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu squeaked.
"So now that Ash can't have his Gym Challenge, what should we do now?" Roan asked.
"How about we go find the Gym Leader," Ash suggested.
"Ash," Roan said.
"Sorry," Ash said.
"Let me see if there's anything in the guidebook," Chloe said, the opened her bag and grabbed the book and started reading. "We could go fishing."
"Yeah, let's do that," Roan said.
"I'm not sure I'm up for that," Ash said.
"Come on Ash, I know you're disappointed, but don't let that ruin your day," Chloe said.
"Yes and maybe we can find a new Pokémon," Roan said.
"All right," Ash said.
"That's the spirit," Chloe said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu squeaked.
"Yamper," Yamper barked.
The three trainers along with Pokémon to the fish spot, there is no one else there, all three grabbed a fishing rod and started fishing. After two and a half hours, none of them had caught anything.
"This is boring," Ash said.
"You have to be patient Ash," Chloe said.
"We've been here for over two hours," Ash complained.
"That's the thing about fishing, it can take a long time," Chloe said.
"Maybe we'd better do something else," Roan said.
"Roan," Chloe said.
"Sorry, but I don't want to sit here all day and not catch anything," Roan said.
The three friends started arguing and weren't paying attention to the rods or anything on Ash's line.
"Yamper!" Yamper barked.
"What is it, Yamper?" Chloe asked.
"Pikachu," Pikachu squeaked, he pointed to Ash's fishing rod.
"Yamper," Yamper barked.
"Ash, you caught something," Chloe said.
Oh, yes! Ash said, he walked over to his rod and started pulling, but he could reel it in. "Whoa, this one put on quite a fight."
"Let's us help you," Roan
Roan and Chloe walked up to Ash and held him, Pikachu and Yamper went to help too.
"All right on we pull on three," Ash said.
"One," Chloe counted.
"Two," Roan counted.
"Three," Ash counted.
The three trainers pulled on the rod as hard as they could, but whatever was on the other end of the line fought back hard.
"It didn't wants to be caught," Roan said.
"Don't give up, give it all you got!" Ash said.
Ash counted to three again and the trio pulled as hard as they could, so hard in fact that they fell backwards and whatever was on the line jumped out of the water and the creature was large and covered in seaweed.
"Whoa, what's that?" Chloe asked.
"Pikachu," Pikachu squeaked.
"Is that a Pokémon?" Ash asked.
"I've never seen a Pokémon like that before," Chloe said.
"Maybe we've discovered a species," Roan said.
"Yamper," Yamper barked.
"I'm not a Pokémon."
The person held the seaweed away and the three trainers saw someone in a diving suit. The diving mask was removed and it was Nessa.
"Whoa, you're Nessa, the Gym Leader," Roan said.
"That's right," Nessa said. "And who are you guys?"
"I'm Chloe," Chloe said.
"My name is Roan," Roan said.
"And I'm Ash and I want to challenge you to a Gym Battle," Ash said.
"Sorry, but not today," Nessa said.
"Why not?" Ash asked.
"I'm in the middle of something right now," Nessa said.
"Doing what?" Ash asked.
"And why were you in the water?" Chloe asked.
"I'm looking for the Water Pokémon," Nessa said.
"Then why don't you just go fishing?" Roan asked.
"Come with me, I'll explain everything," Nessa said.
Nessa started walking and Ash and his friends went with her. They arrived at the lighthouse and went inside. Ash, Roan and Chloe sat down at the table while Nessa went to change, when she was done she sat down with the others.
Okay are you going to explain to us why you were in the water to catch a Pokémon and not just use a fishing rod? Ash asked.
"I had to be in the water to find the Pokémon," Nessa said.
"I still don't get it," Ash said
"I was not in the water to find a Pokémon for myself, but to look for them because many Pokémon have disappeared," Nessa said.
"Disappeared?" Roan asked.
"That's why we couldn't catch anything," Chloe said.
"How did that happen?" Ash asked.
"I don't know, I was hoping to find answers, but you guys kind of disrupted my investigation," Nessa said.
"Sorry," Ash said.
"Yeah, sorry about that," Roan said.
"It's all right, I know you didn't mean to," Nessa said.
"When did you actually notice that the Pokémon disappeared?" Chloe asked.
"Just like you guys, I couldn't caught anything when I went fishing," Nessa said.
"And then what?" Chloe asked.
"Then I started my investigation, I went into the water to investigate parts, have I been to one zone have Pokémon disappeared at another," Nessa said.
"How?" Roan asked.
"I do not know, but I will find out what is going on in the waters of Hulbury, Nessa said.
"And we can help you with that, Ash said.
"Yeah, we can do that, Chloe said.
"Together we will find out what is going on here, Roan said.
Thank you, that's very kind of you, Nessa said. Do you have diving experience?
"I did dove a few times," Ash said.
"I myself have not," Chloe said.
"Neither have I," Roan said.
"I can quickly explain the basics and then everything should work out," Nessa said.
"Let's do it," Chloe said.
Nessa gave the basic instructions of diving to Roan and Chloe, after they were done with that, diving suits were arranged for the three trainers. Chloe was soon ready, see walked through the lighthouse and stopped at a painting of a shiny Milotic. Chloe grabbed her Rotom-Phone and opened up her Pokédex.
Milotic, the Tender Pokémon. A Water type. Milotic is said to be the most beautiful Pokémon in the world.
Chloe saw that Nessa walked up to her. Hey Nessa, what is the story of this painting? She asked.
"That painting was made by my grandfather," Nessa said.
"Did he see that Milotic?" Chloe asked.
He says so, but many people didn't believe him, because Milotic doesn't live here, but the story became part of the town," Nessa said.
"Not only the color of the Milotic is different there is something else," Chloe said.
"You are right, according to my grandfather, this Milotic is much bigger than others," Nessa said.
"We are ready, Ash said, he and Roan walked over to Chloe and Nessa.
"Good," Nessa said
"Yamper, you stay here," Chloe said.
"Yamper," Yamper barked.
"You too, Pikachu," Ash said.
"Pika," Pikachu squeaked.
"I'll go over it with you one more time," Nessa said.
"Okay," Chloe said.
"Once you see your meter heading to the red zone, you have to go back to the service," Nessa said.
"Roger that," Ash said.
"Nessa, what are these black things?" Roan asked, pointing to the little black box attached to his suit.
"They're special body cams that allow you to film underwater," Nessa explained. "Are you ready?"
"Yeah, we're," the three trainers said.
Ash, Roan, Chloe and Nessa left the lighthouse and went to the riser and they dove into the water, Everyone split up and went to explore the different zones in the water.
But after searching pretty much the whole water, no one had found anything and the foursome was back in the lighthouse.
"So no one saw anything suspicious?" Nessa asked
"Nope," Ash said.
"Neither did I," Chloe said.
"Nothing suspicious," Roan said.
"I didn't see anything either," Nessa said.
"Have any more of the Pokémon disappeared?" Ash asked.
"No, no more disappeared, fortunately," Nessa said.
"At least that's good news," Chloe said.
"Let's check the footage from the body cams maybe they captured something," Nessa said.
"Good idea," Ash said.
The footage from the body cams was put on Nessa's laptop and they looked at the footage and then Chloe saw something.
Stop it,
Nessa paused the video. What is it, Chloe?
There, I see something there, Zoom in.
Nessa zoomed in and then they saw a large Magikarp on the screen and it looked very familiar to Ash and Pikachu.
"A Magikarp? Nessa said.
"That's a really big one," Roan said.
"That's not a real Magikarp, that's a submarine," Ash said.
"A submarine?" Chloe asked.
"Yes, that's Team Rocket, I know that for sure," Ash said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu squeaked.
"So they are behind this," Roan said.
"Who is Team Rocket you speak off?" Nessa asked.
"They are a bunch of annoying criminals, who are always causing trouble for us," Chloe replied.
"I won't let them get away with this," Nessa said.
"Team Rocket's plans are always stupid, but I can't understand any of this," Roan said. "What do they want with all these Water Pokémon?"
"I have no idea," Ash said.
"Where are they taking the Pokémon, we have to find out," Chloe said.
"We have to set a trap for them," Ash said.
"So you want us to dig a hole?" Roan asked.
"No, not that kind of trap, I mean we have to figure out a way that we can follow them and see where their hiding place is," Ash said.
"That's the only thing we can do, Chloe said.
"But how?" Roan asked.
And while the four trainers were devising a plan, Team Rocket was in a warehouse and had a meeting with a man.
"Hello Mr. Baxter," James said.
"And what's the update?" Warren asked.
"We haven't found the Milotic yet," Meowth said.
"But we do have many other Pokémon for your aquarium," Jessie said.
"I don't care. I want the Milotic," Waren said.
"We're working on it, sir," said James said.
"Make sure you get that Milotic the first time next time or I won't pay you," Warren said.
"You don't have to worry," Jessie said.
"You will get you Milotic," James said.
"That's a Team Rocket guarantee," Meowth said.
"Wobbuffet," Wobbuffet cried.
In the meantime, the four trainers were still in the lighthouse devising a plan.
"I think I have an idea," Nessa said.
"What is it Nessa? Roan asked.
"We'll need Water Pokémon for this," Nessa said. "Do you have any Water Pokémon?"
"Just Chloe," Roan said.
"I have a Sobble," Chloe said.
"Okay, we need him," Nessa said.
"What's your plan?" Chloe asked.
Nessa took out the map of the waters. "Okay we now know that Pokémon have already disappeared in many areas of the water," she said.
"Yeah," Ash said.
"But there are still certain places that Team Rocket hasn't gone yet," Nessa said.
"So that's where we need to set the trap for them?" Ash asked.
"Exactly," Nessa said.
"And what do you need Sobble for?" Chloe asked.
"If we have Pokémon of ours posted there, then we can see if Team Rocket is there," Nessa said.
"And then we can make our move," Ash said.
"Good plan," Roan said.
"So then we give the Pokémon one of those bodycams," Chloe said.
"Yes, but this time with a live stream," Nessa said.
"Okay, let's do it," Ash said.
Ash and the others went about preparing the plan. A few hours later and everyone was in position. Sobble and a few of Nessa's Pokémon from the gym were in the water and Ash and his friends were in the lighthouse watching everything on the monitors.
Sobble was exploring in the water when suddenly he heard something and was sucked in. Chloe and the rest saw this happen.
"No, my Sobble," Chloe said.
"What happened?" Roan asked.
"Sobble got sucked up," Ash said.
"But by what?" Roan
"By whatever machine Team Rocket created," Ash said.
Chloe pointed at the screen. "Look Sobble is some kind of space," she said.
"Along with other Pokémon," Ash said.
"But we unfortunately can't be where they go now," Chloe said.
"But we can do that," Nessa said.
"What do you mean?" Chloe said.
"There is a transmitter in the body cams, I can find the signal," Nessa said.
"That's good news," Chloe said.
"Let's follow the signal," Ash said.
"Yeah," Roan said.
"Pika," Pikachu squeaked.
Ash and the others left the lighthouse, They boarded Nessa's boat and followed the signal from Sobble's body cam. Eventually they ended up at the warehouse district.
"Look there is Team Rocket's submarine," Chloe said.
"So they're here," Roan said.
"I see them, they're going into that warehouse," Ash said.
"So they're working for him," Nessa said.
"Who do you mean Nessa?" Ash asked.
"Warren Baxter, this is his warehouse," Nessa said.
"And who is Warren Baxter?" Chloe asked.
"A shady businessman, He's always doing bad business," Nessa explained.
"But what will he want with all those Pokémon?" Roan asked.
"No idea, but I can tell you one thing, it's no good," Nessa said.
"We have to stop them," Roan said.
"Yes," Chloe said.
"Then we have to find a way to sneak in," Ash said.
"I have an idea, Nessa said.
Nessa parked her boat and the four trainers got out. Ash and the rest followed Nessa, toward the back of Baxter's department store. Nessa opened the air tube and everyone crawled inside.
Team Rocket was inside the department store and had with them the special box the they had caught Pokémon in.
"And have you got me Milotic?" Warren asked.
"No, not Mr. Baxter," Jessie said.
"But we caught a lot of other Pokémon," Meowth said.
"Maybe you can use them for your aquarium," James said.
"Yeah, like this one..., "Jessie said, the put her hand in the box and pulled out Sobble. "This Sobble!"
"A Sobble?" Warren asked.
"Yes," Jessie said.
"What does it have around its neck?" James asked.
"No idea," Jessie said.
"That Sobble looks familiar," Meowth said.
"Yeah, me too," James said.
"Hey, I know why I know this Sobble, that's the Sobble of that twerpette," Meowth said.
"You're right," James said.
"But if we have that Sobble, the twerps can't be far away," Jessie said.
"You got that right!" Ash shouted.
Team Rocket looked up they saw the cover of the air vent drop and Ash and the others jumped down and stood face to face with Team Rocket. Sobble used his Bubble Beam attack and Jessie let go oof him. Sobble ran toward Chloe and jumped into her arms.
"Sobble, thank goodness that you're okay," Chloe said.
"Sobble," Sobble clicked.
"Team Rocket," Ash said.
"Your plan ends here," Chloe said.
"We'll make sure of it," Roan said.
"Prepare for trouble!" Jessie said.
"And make it double!" James said.
"To protect the world from devastation!" Jessie said.
"To unite all people within our nation!" James said.
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!" Jessie said.
"To extend our reach to the stars above!" James said.
"Jessie!" Jessie said.
"And James!" James said.
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!" Jessie said.
"Surrender now or prepare for a fight!" James said.
"Meowth! That's right!" Meowth said.
"Wobbuffet!" Cried Wobbuffet.
"What are they talking about?" Nessa asked.
"That's motto they say every time we meet them," Chloe explained.
"We're the ones surprising you now so why are you still saying your stupid motto," Roan said.
"Stupid?" Meowth said.
"You will regret saying that," Jessie said.
"You'll regret kidnapping my Sobble," Chloe said.
"Yes and stealing the other Water Pokémon," Roan said.
"Amateurs," Warren said.
"What is plan, Baxter? Why did you hire these idiots?" Nessa asked.
"I needed people, they wanted to do it," Waren said.
"What's your plan?" Chloe asked.
"My plan? I'm gonna use the Pokémon for my aquarium, with the Milotic as the main attraction," Warren said.
"The Milotic?" Nessa asked.
"Yes, it will make me a lot of money," Warren said.
"You can't do this, Pokémon are living creatures, with a heart and soul, you have no right to use them like this," Ash said.
"And the Milotic is myth. And even if it did exist, you can't use Milotic for such things," Nessa said.
"I don't care what you say. As long as I see money, I'm happy. You take care for these people," Warren said.
"All right, Mr. Baxter," Jessie said, she grabbed Hatenna's Pokéball and threw it. "Hatenna, teach those twerps a lesson!"
"Hat," Hatenna cried.
"You too, Cramorant," James said, he grabbed Cramorant's Pokéball and summoned him.
"Cramorant," Cramorant quaked, as he grabbed onto James' nose.
"Don't attack me, attack those little twerps and their Pokémon," James said, as he pulled Cramorant of his nose.
"Are you ready Pikachu?" Ash asked.
Pikachu nodded his head an jumped off Ash's shoulder. "Pika," he squeaked.
"Yamper, Sobble, get ready," Chloe said.
"Yamper," Yamper barked.
"Sobble," Sobble clicked.
Roan grabbed a Pokéball and threw it. "Go, Toxel!" He said.
"Tox, Toxel," Toxel hissed.
"Hatenna use DISARMING VOICE," Jessie commanded.
"Hatenna!" Hatenna cried.
Hatenna used her attack and everyone began to cover their ears, the Pokémon began to become disoriented and couldn't do anything. Nessa took a step forward, she grabbed a Pokéball and called her Pokémon and it was a Drednaw. Ash grabbed his Rotom-Phone to look up information on the Drewdnaw.
Drednaw, the Bite Pokémon. A Water and Rock type. And, I don't- I don't know. Drednaw are not very nice Pokémon. Once it starts to chase you, you're toast.
"Drednaw use your WATER GUN to stop that Hatenna," Nessa commanded.
"Drednaw!" Drednaw cried.
Drednaw used his attack against Hatenna and the powerful beam almost blew her away, stopping the attack.
"Hatenna!" Hatenna cried.
"Cramorant use your PECK!" James commanded.
"Cramorant!" Cramorant quaked.
"Drednaw, ROCK TOMB, now!" Nessa commanded.
Cramorant ran towards Drednaw ready to attack him, the Drednaw used his attack and managed to knock him down easily. Ash was very impressed with Drednaw's strength.
"Whoa, what a power," Ash said.
"Let's finish this," Nessa said.
"Right," Chloe said.
"Drednaw use your WATER GUN! Nessa commanded.
"You too, Sobble, WATER GUN!" Chloe commanded.
The two water Pokémon combine their attacks and hit Team Rocket and Pokémon, making them soaking wet.
Okay, Pikachu it's up to you now, use your THUNDERBOLT!" Ash commanded.
"Toxel, NUZZLE!" Roan commanded.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu squeaked.
"Toxel!" Toxel hissed.
Team Rocket was hit by the Electric attacks, a bang followed and Team Rocket shot through the roof straight into the air.
"Well looks like we're in the hot water again," James said.
"Do you really have to say it like that," Jessie said.
"Sorry," James said.
"Let me tell you something," Meowth said.
"That we're blasting off again?" James guessed.
"That's exactly what I wanted to say," Meowth said.
"We're blasting off again!" Team Rocket screamed.
"Wobbuffet!" Wobbuffet cried.
Team Rocket vanished into the sky. Warren tried to relax in the between, but his path was blocked by Drednaw.
"Dred," Drednaw cried.
"Sweet Pokémon," Warren said nerously.
"You're not going anywhere, Baxter!" Nessa said.
"Except to a jail cell," Ash said.
"Roan call the police," Chloe said.
"I'm on it," Roan said.
"I wouldn't make a move, or else you'll have to deal with my Drednaw," Nessa said.
Warren stayed still and didn't move. A few minutes later the police came and arrested Warren.
Ash, Roan and Chloe helped Nessa bring the Water Pokémon back to their home. And as they finished, something happened. The Shiny Milotic appeared out of the water and jumped over the boat.
"The Milotic," Chloe said.
"So she really does exist," Nessa said.
"What a beautiful Pokémon," Roan said.
"Whoa," Ash said.
"Pika," Pikachu squeaked.
The Milotic nodded her head in thanks for what the four trainers had done and then disappeared back into the water. A few moments later, everyone was back on land.
"I want to thank you for your help, I couldn't have done this without you," Nessa said.
"It's no problem," Roan said.
"And we promise to keep the Milotic a secret," Chloe said.
"Thank you for that," Nessa said. She turned to Ash. "So Ash, you're ready for my Gym Challenge?"
"Oh, you bet I'm," Ash said.
Our heroes helped solve a mystery in Hulbury, and in doing so, they also learned a secret. And will Ash be able to beat Nessa and win his second badge?