After Ash, Serena and Leaf won their gym badges in Mahogany Gym, they decided to cut their journey a little short from now on, and decided to take a blimp in Mahogany Town, and head directly to Olivine City with it.
The journey from Mahogany Town to Olivine City that would usually take several weeks to cross on foot, only lasted less than a day with a blimp.
Right now, the gang has just boarded of the blimp on Olivine City airport, and since its already night, and is late for the gym battle, they decided to head to the Pokémon Center to spend the night there, and then go to the gym tomorrow.
That's exactly how they did it in the morning, because as soon as they got up, and had breakfast, the gang headed to the gym.
They arrived 10 minutes later, and now were standing in front of relatively big building that sort of looks like a half build pyramid, with a big entrance in the front of it, and the word 'GYM' above the entrance.
"This is a nice looking building," Serena commented.
"Yeah, it is," Ash said. "But it's probably very plain inside, as the gym leader uses Steel Type Pokémon."
"Is that so," Brock said. "Then it could look like my gym, as we use Rock Type's."
"Probably." Ash said, then they all went to the door, and entered inside of the gym.
Once inside, they all saw that Ash was right, as the gym is pretty plain, and barren. There was nothing but earth field, few doors on the side, and the walls are made of steel.
They looked and just as Ash was to call and see if someone comes out, a girl came from one of the doors, and saw the gang.
"Who are you?" She asked.
"We are here to challenge the gym for the Mineral Badge," Ash said. "Do you know where we can find the gym leader?"
The girl smirked, and said, with her chest puffed out. "You are looking at her."
"You are the gym leader," Misty said in disbelief. "What is this, first Bugsy and now this girl, is this some trend in Johto that makes them place kids barely old enough to be trainers, as a gym leader?"
"HEY," the girl yelled as she heard what Misty said! "Don't insult me! "I'll have you now that I'm a very good trainer, and definitely good enough to be gym leader!"
"Sorry, I didn't mean it as an insult," Misty apologized. "I was just surprised."
"Fine, apology accepted," the girl said. "Now, who is challenging me?"
"No one," Ash said, and everyone looked at him with surprised eyes. "Like I said, we are here to challenge the Olivine City gym leader, and I know that the gym leader here is the girl named Jasmine who is actually older then I am, so unless they changed the gym leader, which I doubt they did, then you are not one."
"H-How do you k-know that," the girl asked, and basically admitted that she is not the gym leader?
"I just know," Ash said, not really bothering to explain how he asked around about Jasmine while on the blimp, as he was interested to find out about the Olivine City gym leader.
The girl sighed and then admitted that her name is Janina, and she is Jasmine's apprentice.
"So, where is Jasmine?" Leaf asked.
"She is currently in the Shining Lighthouse taking care of her Ampharos, Sparkle," Janina said.
"What do you mean by 'taking care'?" Ash asked.
"Ampharos got sick, and Jasmine is staying with him all the time," Janina said. "So, I'm not sure she will accept the gym challenges as long as Sparkle is sick."
The others sighed as they heard that. "So, what are we going to do now?" Brock asked.
"I can take you to the Lighthouse, and you can talk with Jasmine," Janina said. "That way you will know for sure if she can battle you right now or not."
"I guess we have no other choice," Ash sighed. "Lead the way."
And so, the gang followed after Janina to the Shining Lighthouse to meet Jasmine, so they can challenge her to a gym battle, and see what she will say.
"Why did you say you are the gym leader?" Misty asked Janina as they were walking.
"I've been Jasmine's apprentice for a while," Janina said. "And I just wanted to have a battle and see how it is. I even had my Onix coated in water repelling wax, so that we wouldn't be defeated by Water Type Pokémon."
"That was a very bad thing you did," Brock suddenly said, and Janina flinched at his hard look! "I was a gym leader in Pewter City, and I never even thought about doing something like that to my Onix. What I focused on was building my Pokémon natural strength, and try to come up with a way to deal with their weakness without actually pulling something like you did."
Janina looked at Brock, and then sighed. "You know, Jasmine once told me something like that." Janina said.
"Well, you should have listened to her," Brock said. "Because she was right."
"I know she was," Janina said, and then after that, no one said anything.
Not long after, the gang arrived on the shore, and in front of the two Lighthouses, and Brock said after he read in the guide book that the smaller one is older, and is known as the Shining Lighthouse. Janina then led them inside it, and to the top floor.
When they reached the top, the gang was introduced to Jasmine, and her grandfather Myron, and they saw the sick Ampharos.
Ash said why they were there, and Jasmine said that she can't battle them right now, as she is too worried about Ampharos.
"We can cure Ampharos, but we need a medicine that we can only get in the pharmacy in Cianwood City, and unfortunately, even though I ordered it, we actually have to go there and get it, and neither I nor Jasmine have time to go and get it." Myron said.
"Why don't you send Janina," Ash asked, and Jasmine and Myron just looked at him with wide eyes? "Don't tell me you didn't think of her?"
Jasmine blushed, while Myron coughed a little, and he also blushed in embarrassment.
Ash sighed. "We will go to Cianwood for the next badge, and Janina can come with us," Ash said. "We will pick the medicine, and she can return right away, while we will stay for the battle and then visit the Whirl Island's on the way back here. I assume that will be enough time for Ampharos to get better."
"That's an excellent idea, Ash," Myron said, and looked at Jasmine to hear what she has to say.
"I agree," Jasmine said, and looked at Janina. "So, will you go with Ash and his friends to Cianwood City to get the medicine, Janina?"
"Yes, Jasmine," Janina said happily. "I will go."
With that settled, the gang and Janina went to the ship that will take them to Cianwood City, while Jasmine and Myron stayed behind to take care of Ampharos.
As soon as the gang and Janina arrived in Cianwood City, they all went to the Pharmacy to get the medicine that Ampharos needs to be cured.
Janina picked the medicine, and then along with the gang went back to the harbor, where she took the ferry back to Olivine City, while Ash and the gang went to Cianwood Gym.
They arrived in front of the gym not long after, and saw that it looked like a dojo, which didn't really surprise anyone, as they found out that this gym is a Fighting-type gym.
Once the gang entered inside, they were met by a woman. "How can I help you, kids?" She asked.
"Is this a Cianwood gym," Ash asked, and the women nodded. "Well, we are here to challenge the gym to a battle."
"Is that so," the women asked? "Well, then come inside, and I'll take you to my husband who is the gym leader."
And so, she led them inside of the gym, which is also a house, and then they all ended up in a dojo, that is also a battle area, where they saw a very big man, wearing only white pants tied with a black belt.
The big man, who the gang assumed to be a Gym leader, was wrestling with Machoke, and there were also a bunch of people looking at the wrestling, and the gang assumed they were students.
"Hey Chuck, you have some challengers," the woman said to the gym Leader called Chuck.
"Really," Chuck said, totally excited about the match, and was suddenly in front of the gang looking them all over. "There sure are a lot of you. Are you all here to challenge me?"
"No," Ash said. "Serena, Leaf and I are the ones who are here to challenge you." Ash pointed at Serena and Leaf.
"That's great," Chuck said. "Well, let's get on with it. I'm excited to have three battles one after the other."
Chuck then went to the other side of the field, while, after they talked about who will go first, Ash walked to the spot right in front of where the gang was standing.
"You don't have a problem with my students watching these matches, do you, Ash?" Chuck asked, and Ash said it was ok with him, and Serena and Leaf also nodded.
The referee then announced the match, saying this will be two-on-two match, and Chuck immediately said he will use Machoke and Poliwrath, and then released Poliwrath.
Ash went on and released Heracross, and since both opponents were ready, the referee started the match.
"BEGIN!"
"Poliwrath, use Water Gun!" Chuck said!
"Dodge, and then use Megahorn." Ash said.
Poliwrath went and fired a spiral of water from the swirl on its stomach at Heracross, who flew above the water attack, and his horn then glowed. Heracross quickly flew at Poliwrath and slammed into it with his horn, which threw Poliwrath backwards, dealing it a massive damage.
"Come one Poliwrath, get up and use Double Slap!" Chuck said.
"Finish it with Hyper Beam." Ash said, and Heracross quickly fired a yellow beam from his mouth, and as soon as Poliwrath was hit by the beam, it was done for the day, as it passed out.
"Poliwrath is unable to battle," the referee said! "The first round goes to Heracross!"
Chuck sighed and returned his Poliwrath, while all of his student couldn't believe how easily Ash won the first round.
"That Heracross of yours sure is powerful, Ash,' Chuck said. "I'm actually surprised he can use Hyper Beam."
"Pokémon can learn many moves even if those moves are not from their types," Ash said. "All you need is someone to teach them, and the will to teach them, as it's not easy to learn a move outside of the type the Pokémon is."
"Is that so," Chuck asked with a smile? "Well, I'll have to up the training of my Pokémon, and maybe get rid of some weakness they have. But before that, we have to finish this battle. Let's go, Machoke, you are up!"
Ash returned his Heracross, and released his Noctowl to battle.
"BEGIN!" The referee said.
"Machoke, start with Karate Chop!" Chuck said.
"Fly to dodge, Noctowl." Ash said, and as soon as Machoke somehow jumped to get to Noctowl, and was about to hit him from the side with his hand glowing white, Noctowl flew higher, and avoided the strike.
"Don't give up Machoke, try to get him with Cross Chop!" Chuck said, though he had a feeling it was useless, as there was no way his Machoke could defeat this Noctowl if it's as powerful as Heracross.
Noctowl dodged it again, and again later when Machoke jumped to catch him to use Submission, and then Ash went to attack.
"Use Hypnosis." Ash said.
Noctowl's eyes glow red before he released red circles that expand as they moved towards Machoke, and once they hit him, he became confused.
"Now finish him off with Sky Attack." Ash said.
Noctowl's eyebrow tufts glowed white and he flew into the air as he prepared for the attack. Then, his body become surrounded by a white aura and he flew down and strikes the still confused Machoke, who couldn't do anything, and was sent backwards. Machoke passed out once he hit the wall of the dojo.
"Machoke is unable to battle," the referee said again! "The round goes to Noctowl, and the match goes to the challenger, Ash!"
"Great job, Noctowl," Ash said, and returned his Pokémon, while Chuck approached him, and congratulated him, and then gave him the Storm Badge, as proof that he has won in Cianwood Gym.
Ash was then again congratulated by his friends, and then Chuck asked for the next battle to be postponed for the afternoon as his Pokémon need to rest a little.
Serena and Leaf agreed, and the gang went to walk a little around Cianwood City, while Chuck went to heal his Pokémon in the Pokémon Center, so they will be ready for the battle in a few hours.
XXX
Later that day, the gang went back to the Cianwood Gym so that Leaf can have her battle, while Serena will probably have to wait till tomorrow, as they doubt that Chuck will be able to heal his Pokémon for the third battle that day.
But then again, he might decide to use some other Pokémon and not just Poliwrath and Machoke.
As soon as they all arrived in front of the gym, Chuck's wife led them to the battle field, and Leaf stood on the challengers spot, while Ash, Serena, Brock and Misty stood behind her just like when Ash was battling.
As for the students of Chuck, they were on the two sides of the field and were watching from there.
Chuck went first and sent his Poliwrath to the battle field, while Leaf sent out her Elekid.
The referee started the match right away. "BEGIN!"
"Poliwrath, use Double Slap!" Chuck said.
Poliwrath's hands glowed, and it jumped at Elekid to punch him, but Leaf reacted in time.
"Use, Counter!" Leaf said, and Elekid got surrounded in in red aura, and he then punched Poliwrath before it can hit him, and Poliwrath flew back from a very powerful hit.
"Now use Swift!" Leaf said, and Elekid fired a bunch of yellow stars from his mouth, and they hit Poliwrath while it was trying to stand back up.
"Good job Elekid," Leaf said, and Elekid nodded.
"Are you ok, Poliwrath," Chuck asked his Pokémon who was down, but still not defeated? "Can you continue?"
After few more moments of struggling, Poliwrath managed to stand up, and was ready to continue.
"Great job Poliwrath," Chuck said. "Now use Water Gun, and follow it up with Submission!"
"Counter it with Thunder," Leaf said.
As soon as Poliwrath fired a Water Gun at Elekid, Elekid fired back a bolt of yellow electricity at Poliwrath's Water Gun, and the two collided, and Thunder almost immediately broke through the Water Gun, and headed for Poliwrath, who was unable to escape, and was struck, after which it fell on the ground defeated.
"Poliwrath is unable to continue, the winner of the first round is Elekid!" The referee said.
"Elekid did a good job winning this battle, considering that Leaf caught it not that long ago," Brock commented, while Chuck was returning his defeated Pokémon, and was about to send him Machoke.
"Well, Leaf did train him a lot when we were training our Pokémon, and Elekid also had the advantage, so I'm not really surprised." Ash said, Brock nodded in agreement, and continued to watch the second battle that's about to start.
"BEGIN!" The referee said, after Chuck sent his Machoke to battle, and Leaf decided to stay with Elekid.
"Elekid, use Thunder!" Leaf said, and Elekid fired bolt of electricity at Machoke, who dodged it, and then jumped at Elekid with his right-hand glowing, and punched Elekid with a Karate Chop, which sent Elekid to the ground, but then static electricity surrounded Machoke and he got paralyzed.
"My Elekid has ability, Static, and once Machoke hit him, he got paralyzed, so now you are wide open." Leaf said, to the wide-eyed Chuck. "Now, Elekid, use Swift and then finish him off with Thunder Punch!"
"Machoke, move away," Chuck said to his Pokémon, but it was pointless, as Machoke was paralyzed, and couldn't move a muscle.
Elekid then fired Swift again from his mouth, which hit Machoke several times, and brought him to his knees.
Then, Elekid's right hand got surrounded by electricity, after which he run at Machoke, and slammed him right across the face, which put Machoke to sleep immediately.
"Machoke is unable to battle, the winner of the second round is Elekid, and the match goes to the challenger, Leaf!" The referee said.
Chuck sighed, and returned in his Poke Ball his defeated Machoke so he can take him to be healed. Then he approached Leaf, along with her friends, and they all congratulated her on the win.
Leaf thanked them, and also thanked her Elekid on the two wins in his first gym battle.
Then, suddenly, Elekid started to glow, and grew in size. When the glow stopped, there stood Electabuzz.
"Wow, Electabuzz, you evolved," Leaf said, with stars in her eyes, as she really liked her new Electabuzz. "I'm so happy for you, and congratulations as well."
Electabuzz smiled and nodded, and then Leaf returned him in his Poke Ball so he can get some rest.
"Well Leaf, this was a great battle from you, and I'm happy to present to you this Storm Badge, as you deserved it." Chuck said, and handed Leaf the Storm Badge, and she happily took it.
"Thanks Chuck." Leaf said.
"So, Serena, you are next," Chuck said, and Serena looked at him.
"Are we going to battle now, or tomorrow?" Serena asked.
"We can do it now if you want." Chuck said.
"Don't you need to heal your Pokémon first?" Serena asked.
"I do have other Pokémon besides Poliwrath and Machoke," Chuck said. "I just usually use the two of them, but this time I can use two others if you want to have a battle right now."
"Ok then, let's do it right now." Serena said, and Chuck nodded.
The two of them stood on their spots, picked one Poke Ball each, and the referee announced the match again, but skipped the rules as everyone already knew them.
Chuck went first again, and chose Hitmonchan, while Serena then went and picked Flaaffy as her first Pokémon.
"BEGIN!"
"Hitmonchan, use Mach Punch!" Chuck said, and Hitmonchan started swinging and punching toward Flaaffy, who was able to dodge the attack, and then used Thunderbolt.
"Use Double Team," Chuck said, and Hitmonchan glowed white, before it created several copies of itself. This led to Thunderbolt hitting one of the copies, while the others were unharmed.
"Now use Focus Punch!" Chuck said.
All the copies of Hitmonchan disappeared, and then it gathered energy in its first until it started to glow light blue. Then it punches at Flaaffy.
"Iron Tail!" Serena said, and Flaaffy's tail glowed silver. Then Flaaffy swing it and it collided with Hitmonchan's punch, and the two stopped one another, then bounced each other backwards.
"Use Thunderbolt again, Flaaffy." Serena said, and Flaaffy sent another Thunderbolt, but again Hitmonchan dodged it.
"Use Power-Up-Punch," Chuck said.
Hitmonchan's eyes glowed, and it ran towards Flaaffy, and started repeatedly punching her over and over again.
After a bunch of punches, Hitmonchan stopped, and pulled back, and waited to see if Flaaffy will get up, though it doubted she will.
"Come on Flaaffy, get up, I know you can do it," Serena said, and Flaaffy tried hard to get up, even though she was injured and in pain from all those punches from Hitmonchan.
Eventually she did manage to get up, and was ready to continue.
"That Flaaffy of yours sure has guts, Serena," Chuck smiled. "But I think it's time for me to win this round. Hitmonchan, use Power-Up-Punch."
"Oh-oh," Brock said. "If that hits, Flaaffy is done for."
Leaf and Misty were worried about Serena and Flaaffy, and were hoping that she can do something, while Ash was calm, as he was sure that this will not be the end of this round.
He was proven to be right, as Serena said her next move.
"Use Shock Wave," she said, and Flaaffy's body become surrounded in yellow electricity and she emits waves of electricity from her body all around herself.
The Shock Wave spread all over the field and hit Hitmonchan, paralyzing it as soon as it hit it.
"Great job Flaaffy," Serena said. "Now use Charge Beam!"
An orb of yellow electricity appears in front of Flaaffy's mouth and she fired a beam of yellow electricity from the orb at the paralyzed Hitmonchan, who did nothing and was hit head on. The hit zapped Hitmonchan, sending it flying backwards across the gym and collided with the wall where it passed out.
"Hitmonchan is unable to continue, the winner of the round 1, is Flaaffy!" The referee said.
Everyone stared at passed out Hitmonchan or at Serena and her Flaaffy, and couldn't believe how Serena was able to pull of this win, as she was practically defeated.
The only one who was not surprised was Ash, as he knew that Serena would not be defeated easily as she and her Pokémon are always training with him and his Pokémon, and he knows exactly how powerful her Pokémon are.
Serena run to her Flaaffy, and hugged her, thanking her in the process for the well fought battle, and was about to return her, but Flaaffy ended up evolving into Ampharos before it could happen.
Serena and Flaaffy were congratulated by Serena's friends, and even Chuck congratulated her, and then Chuck returned Hitmonchan, and sent out Primeape as his second Pokémon.
"I'll warn you Serena, that Primeape is my strongest Pokémon, so will have to give it your all to win this battle." Chuck said.
Serena though for a second, and then returned her Ampharos, and took another Poke Ball. "Well, if that so, then I'll go with one of my stronger Pokémon," Serena said, and sent out her second Pokémon. "Pidgeot, you are up!"
Pidgeot came out of her Poke Ball, and floated in the air above Serena, and looked at Primeape, who was glaring at her. They both looked ready to start the battle.
"BEGIN!" The referee said.
"Primeape, use Thunder Punch!" Chuck said.
Primeape's hands both got covered in yellow electricity, and it jumped in the air to punch Pidgeot, but as a flying type Pokémon, Pidgeot was able to dodge the attack, and Primeape came back down on the floor.
"Try Thunder Punch again, Primeape!" Chuck said.
Several times Primeape jumped up in the air to punch Pidgeot, but it just couldn't get her, as she always flies away from it, and it was starting to annoy it.
"Pidgeot, use Razor Wind!" Serena said.
Pidgeot's wings glowed bright light blue and she repeatedly waves them, causing light blue, crescent-shaped energy waves to be fired Primeape, who was jumping all over the field to evade them.
"Go in with Quick Attack!" Serena said.
Pidgeot dived at Primeape at a fast speed, while leaving behind her a white trail. When she was just about to hit Primeape head on, it moved to the side a little and it hit her in the wing with Thunder Punch, but she also managed to hit Primeape a little, and they both got some damage.
"Are you ok, Pidgeot," Serena asked worriedly? "Can you still go on?"
Pidgeot was now standing on the field, as her wing was numb from Thunder Punch, and she could fly, but she wasn't going to give up just yet, so she nodded at Serena that she will continue.
Primeape on the other hand was in better condition as Pidgeot only grazed it a little, but it was getting tired from all the jumping and all Thunder Punches' it had to use for nothing as they all missed.
"Primeape, go in with Close Combat!" Chuck said.
"Protect!" Serena said.
Primeape run in and was about to hit Pidgeot, but she created a barrier that surrounded her completely, and the barrier stopped the punch.
"Break that Protect with Brick Break!" Chuck said.
Primeape's right hand glowed white, and it jumped in the air, and hit at the barrier with all its might, but the barrier held strong.
"Use Brick Break until you break that barrier." Chuck said, and Primeape punched at the barrier over and over again, and after over a dozen tries, it was able to break the barrier because of the force, and because Pidgeot got tired from holding it.
"Now Close Combat!" Chuck shouted.
Serena smirked, and said. "Heat Wave!"
This of course surprised everyone who didn't know that Pidgeot can do this. Pidgeot then, opened her mouth and created a red-orange ball in her mouth, and she released a wind of flames at the incoming Primeape from the ball.
Primeape was hit head on, as it was too close, and didn't have time to escape. Primeape was burned from the fire attack, which on top of burning it, also pushed it backwards toward Chuck, where it fell on the ground, almost completely charged up.
"Oh no, Primeape," Chuck said, as he looked at his Pokémon, who was burned a lot, but was still trying to get up, as it didn't want to lose.
Serena waited to see if Primeape is going to manage to get up, and it actually did get up, and wanted to continue, and even though Chuck wanted to give up so he can take his Primeape to be healed, he didn't want to surrender the fight, as Primeape would never forgive him.
That's when Serena decided to do them both a favor, and she said her final attack to her Pidgeot. "Use Hyper Beam!"
Pidgeot opened her mouth, and fired a yellow beam from it at Primeape, who could only stand there and watch as it came closer and closer until it hit it, before it sent it into the dream world.
"Primeape is unable to continue, the winner is Pidgeot and the match goes to Serena!" The referee said for the third time that day, and Serena cheered for her win, and for getting her seventh gym badge. Serena hugged her Pidgeot, while thanking her for the well fought battle.
Chuck then gave her the Storm Badge, and congratulated her.
Ash and Serena's other friends came to her, and also congratulated her.
After that, the gang said good bye to Chuck, his wife and his students, and they left the gym to go to the Pokémon Center for the night. They can catch a ferry tomorrow, which will lead them to Whirl Island's.
The morning after the gym battle's in the Cianwood Gym, Ash and then gang boarded on a ferry that will take them to the first of the Whirl Island's.
On the ferry, the gang met Professor Elm, and Captain Marius, and they spent some time talking with them, and found out that Elm is on Whirl Islands on an expedition.
The gang has also met Professor Elm's, Corsola, and Misty found out that there are a bunch of them on Whirl Islands, so she decided that she will catch one for herself.
After hours of traveling, the gang has arrived on Blue Point Isle's, Inland City, which is the entry way to the Whirl Islands, and after that, they went to the Pokémon Center, where Ash, Serena, Misty and Leaf registered for the Whirl Cup, and Nurse Joy gave Ash a guidebook for the tournament.
The gang was then informed that the main tournament will be held on a Red Rock Isle, which is two islands north from where they were, and Marius tells the group they should take the next ferry from Bluefinland to reach Yellow Rock Isle, from where they can then reach Red Rock Isle.
That night, before the gang went to sleep, they were talking about which water Pokémon they will use for the Whirl Cup, and Ash decided to use Croconaw, Lapras and Giant Gyarados.
Misty decided to use Carracosta, Poliwhirl, Quagsire, Seel and Corsola, if she catches one by then.
Leaf picked Shelder, Goldeen and Totodile, and Serena decided to use Croconaw, Marill, Psyduck, and will train her Magicarp and Horsea and might use them as well if she has a chance.
Then, they all switched some of their Pokémon, and gathered all the water types they will use during the tournament, and after that, they went to sleep.
The next day, the gang waved good bye to Professor Elm and Captain Marius, and started walking toward Bluefinland.
The gang arrived in Bluefinland three days, and have caught a ferry for the Yellow Rock Isle.
They would have arrived sooner, but they made stops on Pudgy Pidgey Isle, where they met a unique Pidgey's who were all Pudgy since they have not natural predators on the Island, and because of that, they don't have to fly.
They also met one special Pidgey called Orville, whose dream was to fly all the way to the outer atmosphere.
Hearing Orville's story, Ash decided to help, and had his Mega Pidgeot brought from Oak's Lab, so she can follow Orville on his flight to the atmosphere.
In the end, Orville was able to reach the outer atmosphere, but had to be saved by Mega Pidgeot, as it turned out to be a bit too much for him, and had to actually be revived with electric attack by Ash's Golem.
Then, they lost some time in Blue Lagoon, where the gang ended up during annual Chinchou migration.
The next stop was in the Megi City, on the Yellow Rock Isle, and this is where Misty was finally able to catch Corsola, which was not really hard considering that many houses in Megi City sit on Corsola nest foundations, so the place is full of them.
Besides Misty catching one very hyperactive Corsola, Serena also caught three other Corsola as she wanted one for herself, and the other two for the Swap Meat, as she needed some more Pokémon for it because she only had one Marill and one Psyduck to swap at that point.
"I cannot believe we were late to catch the ferry," Misty said, as she and the others were walking near the port, while in the distance, the ferry that was supposed to take them to Red Rock Isle was getting smaller and smaller.
"Calm down Misty," Ash said. "There is still some time until the Whirl Cup starts, and I'm sure there will be another ferry to take us there."
"Let's ask someone when the next ferry is heading to Red Rock Isle." Leaf suggested, and they all went to the local sailor and asked him, but he told them that they will have to wait until tomorrow, as there is only one ferry daily that goes to the Red Rock Isle.
"Great, now we have to wait here all day," Misty said.
"We can always train for the tournament," Serena suggested. "I have my Magikarp to train, and you might want to train your Corsola since she is far behind your other Pokémon, just like my Magikarp.
"I guess you are right, we can do that," Misty said, and so the gang was about to start walking to the shore, so they can train their Water Pokémon, when they were approached by a young, red haired girl, who introduced herself as Luka.
"I overheard that you want to go to the Red Rock Isle, so if you still want to go there, I can take you with my boat." Luka said, and the others were a little surprised by the offer.
Ash looked at the others, and asked. "So, are we going, or do you want to wait till tomorrow so we can train today?"
"Let's go now, we can always train there." Misty said, the others agreed, and so, they went to Luka's boat, and climbed on it.
As the boat was moving away from the Ogi City port, the gang was looking over it and they saw some diving gear that belongs to Luka, and were wondering if she is searching for something, or she just like's diving.
They also noticed some pictures near the ship's wheel, and one of them looks like a treasure map, so Ash asks Luka about it.
"Not long ago I came across some old stuff that belonged to my great-grandfather, and one of the things I found was an old journal and in it a map," Luka started explaining. "In the journal it was mentioned about a Silver Wing, which is a treasure supposed to have some link to a mysterious Pokémon."
"Do you know which Pokémon it is?" Ash asked, wanting to know, though he was sure it must be Lugia, as the Silver Wing is something that can only come from Lugia's body, just lie Rainbow Wing can only come from Ho-Oh's body.
"Unfortunately, no," Luka said. "This Pokémon has been constantly appearing here on Whirl Islands, but no one ever saw it completely, they all saw a shadow, but nothing else, which is why it's mysterious."
Ash and the others nodded, and then Luka continued the story about her great-grandfather. She said how her great-grandfather was sailing on the ship called I.S.S Raspberry, and it was the caught in a terrible storm, and even though all the sailors and passengers were saved, the chest with the Silver Wing sunk along with the ship and was lost ever since.
"I hope to find this ship, and finally prove that my great-grandfathers story was true, so ever since I found the journal, I have been researching and running some calculations, and I believe I have finally found the place where the shipwreck is." Luka said.
"Is that so," Ash asked, really interested in seeing if there really is Silver Wing, or if it was just a story that someone found it? "Well, if you need some help, I'll help you."
Everyone looked at Ash in surprise, but then they also offered to help, as it might be interesting.
Luka decided to accept their offer of help, as she might need it in the end, so they went to the location of the shipwreck.
Not long later, Luka stopped the boat in the middle of the ocean, and said that the location is close by, and they will have to dive in.
"So, who is going with you," Brock asked? "I don't see the diving gear for all of us."
"I have a gear for me and one more," Luka said. "So, I guess it's up to you to decide who will come with me."
"Well then, I think it might be the best for Ash to go, as he will be the best help for you of all of us." Leaf said, and the others nodded, so Ash put on the diving gear, and then Luka released three of her Magicarp who will pull her and Ash to the shipwreck.
Then, Luka and Ash dived in the sea, both holding one of the Magikarp, while the third was free, and then they were pulled deeper into the ocean.
"Hey Ash, how is it down there?" Misty asked through the radio on Luka's ship.
"It great, Misty, I'm sure you would have loved it, as there are a bunch of water Pokémon here." Ash replied, and Misty sighed.
"Now I wish I was down there with you." Misty said.
"Don't worry Misty, I promise we will all go one day when we are all free," Ash said, and Misty and the others on the boat smiled.
"You better keep your promise, Ash." Misty said.
"I always keep my promises' Misty." Ash said.
Luka and Ash were pulled by Magikarp for several more minutes, until they finally came upon a shipwreck, and decided to do a little search before they go inside, so Luka sent her three Magikarp to check out the shipwreck.
As soon as the three Pokémon came close to the shipwreck, Mantine came out, and chased them away.
"Why did that Mantine attack my Magikarp?" Luka wondered, and those on the ship that heard her, wondered what's going on.
"I don't know," Ash said. "But I doubt that it's because it's protecting the Silver Wing, so there must be something else inside the shipwreck."
"But what," Luka wondered? "And how can we get in if that Mantine is going to attack us every time we try?"
Ash said nothing and thought for a second, and then closed his eyes, which surprised Luka, as she wondered what he is doing.
Then, a second later, Ash opened his eyes, and they were glowing green, and Luka pulled back in surprise. "Ash, what's with your eyes?" Luka asked, but Ash was quiet.
"What's going on, Luka?" Serena asked from the boat.
"We run into a Mantine that's guarding the shipwreck, and now Ash is just staring at the shipwreck, and his eyes are glowing green." Luka said, a little freaked out, as she has never seen a human with eyes like that.
"Oh, Ash is probably using his Aura, so don't worry about it." Serena said, and Luka was again surprised, but didn't ask anything, and decided to wait and see what will happen.
Few seconds later, Ash's eyes stopped glowing, and he looked at Luka. "There are a bunch of little Remoraid on the shipwreck, and this Mantine and two grown up Remoraid are guarding them." Ash said.
"How do you know that?" Luka asked.
"I'm an Aura Guardian, and I can sense things with my Aura," Ash said, and Luka's eyes widened. "I can sense several dozen Remoraid on that shipwreck."
"So, what are you going to do now," Brock asked? "That Mantine and those grown up Remoraid probably think you are there for the young Remoraid, and will not let you get near them."
Ash thought for a minute, and came up with a plan. "I'll distract Mantine, and the two Remoraid will probably come out as well, and when they do, you go inside and find the chest." Ash said to Luka, and she accepted that, though she didn't like to leave Ash alone to face three Pokémon, but she thought that since he is an Aura Guardian, he probably knows how to take care of himself.
And so, Ash went ahead alone, while Luka and her Magicarp stayed back to wait for their chance.
As he came close to the shipwreck, Mantine came out, along with one of the Remoraid, while the other is nowhere to be seen, so Luka had to wait.
Ash took one of his Poke Balls he still had with him, and released his Croconaw.
"Croconaw, use Scary Face, and then follow it up with Ice Beam on Remoraid!" Ash said, and Croconaw made a face that immediately scared the hell out of Mantine and Remoraid, and made them pull back a little. After that, Croconaw quickly created an orb of energy in front of his mouth, and fired it at Remoraid, who was about to be hit, but the Ice Beam was countered with Hyper Beam by another Remoraid who came out of the shipwreck.
Luca saw her chance, and along with her three Magikarp's, went to the shipwreck without being spotted by Mantine and two Remoraid.
"Use Aqua Jet on Mantine!" Ash said.
Croconaw's body become surrounded by water, even though he already was surrounded by water since he is in the ocean, and he started spinning while covered by water. Croconaw slammed into Mantine, who used Water Gun to defend itself, but it didn't work since Croconaw broke through it like a hot knife through butter.
Then, the two Remoraid fired two Hyper Beam's at Croconaw, but he dodged it, and then used Ice Punch on one of the two, and it passed out immediately.
Both of Mantine's wings glowed white and white energy shines off them, and it went to hit Croconaw with Wing Attack, but Croconaw held strong even though he was hit, and then used Ice Beam on Mantine, but Mantine fired back Psybeam from its mouth, and the two attack's canceled each other.
Croconaw was then hit by Hyper Beam from the Remoraid, and he fell on the sea floor, and was breathing hard.
"You ok, Croconaw," Ash asked? "Can you continue, or should I send out Gyarados?"
As soon as he heard this, Croconaw got up, and glared at Ash. "No, you are not sending him out, because I will take care of this!" Croconaw yelled at Ash, who smirked.
"This was way too easy." Ash thought to himself, and motioned to Croconaw to continue.
Croconaw then fired Water Gun at Remoraid, who dodged it, but then Croconaw swam at him and hit it with Headbutt, and Remoraid fell defeated.
"Watch out for Psybeam!" Ash said, and Croconaw just barely dodged Psybeam from Mantine, who was now coming at Croconaw with Wing Attack.
"Use Protect!" Ash said, and Croconaw created a green barrier in front of himself, and Mantine hit in it, but was stopped. "Now use Metal Claw, and finish it off with Ice Punch!"
Croconaw released the barrier, and then his fingers glowed white and he slashed at Mantine twice, hurting Mantine with this attack. Then Croconaw's right hand glowed blue, and he punched Mantine with Ice Punch, and that was it for Mantine, as it passed out.
"Good job Croconaw," Ash said, and then Croconaw nodded, and suddenly started to evolve, while Ash raised his eyebrows in a surprise.
"That was fast," Ash said. "You just evolved few weeks ago, and now you evolved again."
"I won't allow myself to be outdone by that snake!" Feraligatr said, referring to Giant Gyarados, as apparently, he has made Gyarados his main rival, and does not want to be outdone by him.
"You still have a long way to go to reach his level, you know that, right?" Ash said, and Feraligatr growled, but then nodded, as he knew Ash was right, and Giant Gyarados is stronger than him. For now.
Ash then returned Feraligatr in his Poke Ball, and then took three empty Poke Ball's and captured Mantine and two Remoraid.
"Hey Ash, what's going on?" Ash heard Misty ask from the boat.
"Croconaw defeated Mantine and two Remoraid, and now I'm going to see what is taking Luka so long," Ash said, and Misty and then others nodded.
Ash then went inside of the shipwreck, and found Luka in one of the rooms along with the young Remoraid he felt before.
"Did you find it?" Ash asked, and Luka nodded, looking at the Silver Wing which she held in her hand, and Ash saw it and saw he as right as the wing belonged to Lugia.
"Let's go back," Luka said, but Ash had another thing to do, and he then released one of the Remoraid he captured, and told it that he wants to take it and its children to the preservation area. The Remoraid agreed, and told all of its children to follow it after Ash and Luka.
After Ash and Luka came out of the sea, and climbed on Luka's boat, Ash took empty Poke Balls from his backpack and even borrowed some from the others, and captured all 50 Remoraid, and then sent them to Oak's Lab, along with two grown up Remoraid and Mantine, so that they can be released in the PPA.
"What was that all about?" Leaf asked, after Ash sent all Remoraid and Mantine.
"Since I didn't capture any Water Type Pokémon for the PPA except those 5 Gyarados, I decided to capture Mantine and all the Remoraid that lived in the shipwreck." Ash explained, and everyone nodded in understanding.
"So, Luka, did you find the Silver Wing?" Misty asked.
"Yes, I did," Luka said, and then she showed the gang the Wing, which glowed as they all looked at it.
"Wow, it's beautiful," Misty said, and everyone agreed. "You know, it kind of reminds me of Lugia."
"That's because this Silver Wing did belong to Lugia," Ash said, and while everyone was little surprised, Luka's eyes nearly popped out of her head.
"Are you serious," she asked? "And how can you possibly know that?"
Then, Ash told Luka about how he had Lugia, and how she finally reunited with her mother while they were in Ecruteak City after they saved her along with the other Pokémon that were captured.
"Wow, I never would have thought that the mysterious Pokémon is Lugia," Luka said. "You guys are so lucky to have seen it."
"Yeah, we were," Ash said with a smile, as he remembered his Lugia with fondness.
"That means that Lugia family lived here on Whirl Island's." Leaf said.
"I guess so," Ash said. "Lugia never knew to tell me, and I never asked her mother."
"They are probably gone by now though," Brock said. "Remember that Lugia said they will search for a new home since the old one might not be safe anymore."
"Well, I'm just glad that I finally found the Silver Wing, and it is proof that my great-grandfather was telling the truth, Luka said. "Now I can finally clear his name as many didn't believe him, and were calling him liar."
After that, Luka drove the group to Scarlet City on Red Rock Isle, where the Whirl Cup is going to be held in little under three weeks, which allows the group enough time to train their Pokémon.