I don't own Pokémon or its characters, but I own Denise, her Pokémon group and my other OCs.
Enjoy!
Pokemon: Friends to the End
Chapter 167: Bucking the Treasure Trend!
Ash, Brock, Dawn and Denise all smiled in delight as the boat headed to Lily of the Valley Island for the Sinnoh League.
"Alright."Ash remarked with a hint of excitement."Next stop is the Sinnoh League."
"We have come along."Denise chuckled.
As the group exits onto the ship deck, a ball rolled by and Prinplup chased after it.
However, he ends up bumping into a Baltoy at the corner.
Just as Prinplup was recovering from the collision, he was overshadowed by Buck, who didn't seem to be happy about the incident.
"Who are you?"Buck questioned.
Prinplup sweat dropped. "Prinplup."
Dawn rushed up to Prinplup and apologised to Buck as Denise, Ash and Brock came forward as well.
"I'm sorry about that."Dawn apologised with a bow.
"Prinplup."Prinplup chirped.
"Don't worry about it."Buck assured.
"Baltoy."Baltoy agreed with a nod.
"My name is Buck."Buck stated.
"Hi, my name is Dawn."Dawn remarked.
"Prinplup."Prinplup said.
"Hello."Denise greeted kindly."I am Dawn's younger twin sister, Denise."
"Combusken."Combusken replied.
"Hi, my name is Ash."Ash commented.
"Pikachu."Pikachu remarked.
"And my name is Brock."Brock added.
Dawn took out her Pokédex to scan Baltoy.
"Baltoy the Clay Doll Pokémon."Dawn's Pokédex buzzed."A rarely seen Pokémon, Baltoy is said to have been discovered in an ancient ruin."
"Are you guys going to the Lily of the Valley Island for a vacation?"Buck assumed.
"Nah."Ash answered."Me and my friend Denise are going to be entering the Sinnoh League."
Buck became surprised at Ash's declaration.
"I think I may have heard of that."Buck said.
"Are you heading off somewhere else, Buck?"Denise suggested.
"I am heading off to a treasure hunt."Buck declared confidently.
Ash, Brock, Dawn and Denise became surprised at Buck's declaration.
"You see my Baltoy has a unique skill of finding hidden treasure."Buck explained.
"That's awesome, Buck."Ash praised.
"Wow."Dawn murmured.
"Baltoy and I are smack ahead on a treasure hunt exhibition."Buck exclaimed.
"Baltoy."Baltoy agreed.
"So you're a treasure hunter, right?"Brock assumed.
"You could say that."Buck remarked."This treasure hunting thing all began when I accidentally discovered a sunk shipwreck. So I swam down and just like Baltoy said, I found a sunken pirate ship laying on the seabed. But when I opened the treasure chest, I found it empty."
"Empty?"Ash said in confusion.
"Aw."Dawn pouted.
"That's too bad."Denise complemented.
"Somebody must've gotten there before me."Buck declared."That's why it is actually excited when I find something."
"For sure."Brock agreed.
"And here it is where it gets interesting."Buck remarked and took out a treasure map."There was no treasure. But there was this."
"A map?"Ash suggested.
"You bet."Buck agreed as he placed the map down to show the group."And this map marks where the pirate hid their treasure."
"Wow."Brock, Dawn, Denise and Ash said in unison.
Buck pointed at the island piece on the map.
"You see this island with a symbol on it?"Buck asked."That's Dandylion Island."
Brock looked at his Pokégear.
"You're right."Brock responded with a nod."It is Dandylion Island."
Both Ash and Denise nodded in agreement.
"And that's where we're docking next for supplies."Dawn stated.
"Now take a look at what's on the back."Buck instructed and turned to the other side of the map."Look what's on top of the highest mountain."
"That looks like a Lunatone and a Solrock."Denise assumed.
"But the Pokégear says nothing but a forest."Brock commented.
"No. I am sure of it. That's where the pirates hid their treasure."Buck remarked confidently."Although I am not sure why there is a bunch of Pokémon drawn all over this map."
"Those are Vileplume, Voltorb, Pineco and Graveler."Ash replied.
"You know guys?"Buck stated with a smirk."If you're going to enter a big Pokémon Tournament, I think you know a whole bunch of Pokémon. Anybody?"
"Vileplume is a Grass/Poison-type Pokémon."Ash exclaimed."Voltorb is an Electric type Pokémon."
"Pineco is a Bug-type Pokémon."Dawn declared.
"And Graveler is a Rock/Ground type Pokémon."Denise added."But these Pokémon have nothing in common."
Buck pointed to the part of the map which had a Lunatone and a Solrock.
"So what about these Pokémon that look like the sun and the moon?"Buck asked.
"Lunatone and a Solrock?"Ash murmured in thought.
"Let's see…"Dawn started.
Brock frowned, struggling to find an answer.
"Lunatone is a Rock/Psychic type Pokémon and so is Solrock."Denise exclaimed."It's obvious that there is a connection between them based on the red spark shown in the map."
"Oh well. I guess we'll find out sooner or later."Buck complemented as he placed the map."So how do you guys feel on finding that treasure?"
Ash and Pikachu smiled in approval.
"How can I say no to that?"Ash said."And besides, it will be great training for me and Dennie for the Sinnoh League."
"Pika."Pikachu agreed.
"It also means another adventure, so why not be excited?"Denise chuckled.
Combusken smiled. "Combusken."
"It's also perfect since the ship is going to Dandylion Island for supplies."Dawn added.
"Prinplup."Prinplup chirped.
"It's settle then."Brock remarked."The ship will get supplies and we'll find the treasure."
Buck nodded in approval.
"Thanks, guys."Buck thanked and smirked confidently."You don't stand a chance treasure."
After the ship arrived on Dandylion Island, the group began making their way to the forest.
"Okay."Ash stated."The first thing we need to do is find that mountain."
Denise glanced at Buck.
"So which direction we take, Buck?"Denise questioned.
Buck looked at the map.
"It's just up ahead."Buck admitted.
Ash, Pikachu, Brock, Dawn, Denise, Combusken and Buck noticed Prinplup going ahead of them.
"Prinplup prinplup."Prinplup insisted, gesturing to the road ahead."Prin."
"Looks like someone is eager."Bruck praised.
"Prinplup, just be careful."Dawn instructed.
Suddenly, Combusken rushed after Prinplup before unleashing Ember on the Voltorb that were ready to attack his friend.
"Combusken!"Combusken called out."Combusken!"
"Combusken said let's go quick before the Voltorb recover!"Denise declared.
Ash, Pikachu, Brock, Dawn, Prinplup, Denise, Combusken, Buck and Baltoy all rushed past the Voltorb before the wild Pokémon could explode on them.
The group continued to go towards the mountain and gets ambushed again, this time by Pineco.
Though they did get away, Buck suspected the Pokémon on the map are actually traps, preventing their progress towards the mountain.
"That nearly scared the day light out of me."Dawn murmured.
"We made it at least."Denise retorted in relief.
"You know what?"Buck said while checking the map."I think those Pokémon on this map are traps."
"Pokémon traps?"Ash said in surprise.
"So that nobody could reach the treasure."Buck complemented.
"So the next trap on the map is most likely the Vileplume."Ash suggested.
"Nothing that Combusken could handle since his a Fire-Fighting type Pokémon."Denise chuckled.
"Combusken."Combusken replied.
Dawn smiled at Prinplup.
"After the Vileplume, it's the Graveler."Dawn remarked."So, I guess it's your turn next, Prinplup."
"Prinplup."Prinplup chirped.
The group later arrived to an area filled with Gloom and Vileplume, who attempted to attack them with Acid.
"No, you don't!"Denise retorted."Combusken use Flamethrower!"
Combusken leapt up and used Flamethrower to scare the wild Glooms and Vileplumes off.
"Good job, Combusken!"Denise praised proudly.
Combusken grinned. "Combusken."
The gang came to the mountain and had to take a direction.
"Look at that."Dawn insisted.
"The mountain is beyond that cave."Buck declared.
"So which cave are we supposed to go in?"Ash asked.
"The one that obviously give us safe passage and no traps."Denise declared with her arms folded."Hard to pick the correct one since they all look the same from the outside."
Prinplup chose one entrance that he believed was safe for his friends to go in.
"Prinplup."Prinplup suggested."Prinplup."
"You just slow down for a second, Prinplup."Dawn instructed with a frown.
A smile appeared on Buck's face.
"Sounds like the perfect time for Baltoy to show off his skills."Buck suggested.
Baltoy floated forward and showed another path in which everyone agreed to go to.
"There."Buck stated."That's the one."
Ash, Pikachu, Brock, Denise, Combusken and Buck followed after Baltoy into the cave as Dawn brought her attention on Prinplup.
"Hurry, Prinplup."Dawn encouraged."Or you'll be left behind."
"Prinplup."Prinplup sighed.
In the cave, Baltoy showed another path for his companions to take.
"Baltoy."Baltoy said while pointing to another direction."Baltoy."
"Right."Buck remarked."Great job."
Suddenly, a group of Graveler roll towarded the young explorers.
Prinplup went forward to protect his friends.
"Rock types are weak against Water types!"Dawn stated and gave her evolved starter Pokémon an order."Quick, Prinplup! Use Hydro Pump!"
Prinplup used Hydro Pump to get one of the Graveler away.
However, the Penguin Pokémon gets hit by one of the Graveler.
Prinplup gets thrown back where Dawn was.
"Prinplup!"Dawn gasped.
"Watch out!"Brock warned.
Ash, Pikachu, Brock, Dawn, Prinplup, Denise, Combusken, Buck and Baltoy began to run away from the rolling Graveler.
However, the group fall off from the path they were on.
Ash, Pikachu Dawn, Denise, Combusken and Brock fall into a deep cavern, but get separated from Prinplup, Buck and Baltoy.
"Where did Buck and Baltoy end up to?"Ash questioned.
"Prinplup is gone too."Dawn added with a hint of worry."They could've landed anywhere."
"But surely not far, sis."Denise assumed.
The group became alarmed when they saw a Golem roll forward and arrive in front of them.
"A wild Golem!"Dawn responded.
"But it wasn't on the map!"Ash stated.
"Doesn't matter!"Brock admitted."What matters that fighting type moved are effective against rock types!"
"Right!"Ash agreed and took out a Poké Ball."Gible! I choose you!"
Ash's Poké Ball opened causing Gible to come out.
"Gible!"
"Alright, Gible!"Ash called out."Use Rock Smash!"
One of Gible's hands glow white and he punched the wild Gible with it causing it to run away.
"Gible!"Ash chuckled in approval."That was awesome!"
"Pika pika!"Pikachu cheered.
"Now all is left for us now is to find Prinplup, Buck and Baltoy."Denise informed.
"How do we do that?"Dawn questioned.
Though separated, Gible knows of a way which caused Dawn to panic.
"No! Ash!"Dawn protested."You got to stop Gible!"
But it was too late.
Gible used Draco Meteor and while it fails, it lands on Prinplup.
"Prinplup!"Prinplup's voice cried out in pain.
"Did you guys hear that?"Ash questioned.
"Yep."Dawn said nervously."Prinplup."
"Guess that did the trick."Denise praised with a sheepish smile.
Prinplup laid on the ground with a bump on his head by Gible's Draco Meteor.
"What just happened?"Buck asked in confusion.
"Baltoy."Baltoy responded.
While Buck was surprised, he soon gets founded by Ash, Pikachu, Brock, Dawn, Denise and Combusken.
"Prinplup!"Dawn called out.
"There you three are."Denise remarked with a hint of relief.
Buck smiled at seeing his friends safe.
"You guys are alright!"Buck chuckled.
Dawn glanced at Prinplup.
"Prinplup, what about you?"Dawn questioned.
Prinplup stood up and gets irritated by Gible's action.
"Prinplup!"Prinplup argued angrily."Prinplup!"
"Sorry about that, Prinplup."Ash apologised with a nervous smile."But it was the only way to find you."
Prinplup frowned as he gives Gible an annoyed expression, but lightly tapped his friend's head as a thank you.
"Prinplup."Prinplup muttered.
Ash, Pikachu, Brock, Dawn, Prinplup, Denise, Combusken, Buck and Baltoy soon found a path out of the cave.
"An entrance out!"Denise admitted.
"Let's hurry!"Ash suggested.
The group left the cave and found a temple which was where Buck hoped he will find the treasure.
"Whoa."Brock responded."That ruin is not in my Pokégear."
"That's it!"Buck declared excitedly."That's where the treasure is!"
The group began to explore the temple, only to find paintings of Solrock and Lunatone and a strange one on it.
"Why would pirates bury their treasure in this ruin?"Ash asked curiously.
"Pika."Pikachu said.
Denise glanced at the paintings in the temple.
"I guess a cave would've been too obvious."Denise suggested.
"So the Solrock and Lunatone we saw on the map-"Brock started.
"Represents these paintings on the ruins."Dawn finished.
"Guys!"Buck called out."Up here!"
Ash, Pikachu, Brock, Dawn, Prinplup, Denise and Combusken headed up the ruin and saw Baltoy was pointing at a triangle.
"Baltoy."Baltoy remarked."Baltoy."
The group looked at the small triangle.
"What's this?"Ash questioned.
"I think we're supposed to do something with this."Buck assumed.
"It could be another trap."Brock warned.
"True."Buck agreed.
Suddenly, an evil laughter was heard and the group saw Team Rocket arrive in their air balloon.
"What is that?!"Brock demanded.
Team Rocket began reciting their motto.
"Why that's us all the time!"
"Listen to the way we swoop and supply!"
"On the Wind!"
"Pass the Stars!"
"Through our Pride!"
"Bringing chaos in a brick neck pace!"
"Dashing all hope and putting fear in its place!"
"A rose by any other name just as sweet!"
"When everything is worse, our work is complete!"
"Jessie!"
"James!"
"And Meowth's the name!"
"Putting the do gooders in their place!"
"We're Team Rocket!"
"In your face!"
Buck, Ash, Pikachu, Brock, Dawn, Prinplup, Denise and Combusken glared at Team Rocket.
"No point goofing around that treasure since it's ours already!"Jessie sneered.
"You're nuts!"Buck scowled."We found it first, so it's ours!"
"Might as well take your second chances, fools."James insulted."Team Rocket makes the treasure rule."
"And we're taking it while you twerps droll."Meowth added.
"No way!"Ash snapped.
"As we'll let that happen!"Denise retorted.
"Get over it!"Dawn demanded.
Meowth let out a evil chuckle.
"There is nothing but a naïve twerpettes."Meowth commented.
Meowth accidentally pressed on the triangle causing the strange symbol to glow, surprising everyone.
Then a Claydol appeared from the glow.
"Claydol!"
"A Claydol!"Meowth praised.
"You don't see that much!"James remarked.
"And twoodles!"Jessie added.
"That's the treasure?"Ash assumed.
"Hold on."Dawn instructed.
"What is it?"Buck asked.
"Those patterns on the floor are the same ones that are on Claydol."Dawn declared.
Dawn took out her Pokédex to scan Claydol.
"Claydol the Clay Doll Pokémon and the evolved form of Baltoy."Dawn's Pokédex buzzed."Claydol is said to have come to life when an ancient doll made from clay was exposed to mysterious light."
"Baltoy evolves to that?"Denise said in surprise.
"Cladydol must have something to do with that ruin."Dawn assumed.
"I bet Claydol is guarding the treasure."Buck retorted.
"We'll just fix that!"Jessie insisted and threw out her Poké Ball."Seviper!"
Jessie's Poké Ball and Seviper appeared in the battlefield.
"Seviper!"
"Carnivine!"James shouted and tossed forward his own Poké Ball."Join the fight!"
Carnivine came out of his Poké Ball and started biting James' head.
"Excuse me!"James complained."My head is already bitten enough!"
Seviper and Carnivine began to fight off against Claydol.
"Seviper use Poison Tail!"Jessie ordered.
"Carnivine, Bullet Seed!"James ordered.
Seviper and Carnivine use: Poison Tail and Bullet Seed, but Claydol evaded the attacks and becomes angry, making Team Rocket nervous.
The Clay Doll Pokémon began to spin and send Team Rocket blasting off.
"I got a feeling that there will be more of this in the future."Jessie complained.
"Falling into any trap that any Pokémon could pull."James added.
"At least you can't say we're not constative."Meowth declared.
"WE'RE BLASTING OFF AGAIN!"Team Rocket screamed and disappeared in the sky.
Claydol turned to glare at Buck, Baltoy, Ash, Pikachu, Brock, Dawn, Prinplup, Denise and Combusken.
"It's targeting us!"Dawn warned and glanced at her evolved Starter Pokémon."Okay, Prinplup! Bubble Beam!"
Prinplup unleashed Bubble Beam, but due to Light Screen Claydol used, the damage was reduced.
"That's Claydol's Light Screen!"Brock informed.
Claydol used Ice Beam which froze Prinplup, but gets unfrozen soon enough.
Claydol used Psybeam, but the heroes quickly headed to the stairs to avoid being hit.
"It's strong!"Ash commented.
"Guess it's not guarding the ruins for nothing."Buck suggested.
Denise glanced at Combusken, who nodded at her.
"Then we'll give you our assistance, Buck!"Denise stated."Combusken use Focus Blast!"
Combusken used Focus Blast, but Claydol deflected the attack with Rapid Spin.
"Baltoy use Shadow Ball!"Buck ordered.
Baltoy used Shadow Ball, but Claydol's Light Screen blocked it as well.
Claydol then used Psybeam and hits Baltoy.
"Baltoy!"Buck shouted."Keep your guard up!"
"Combusken use Peck!"Denise ordered.
Combusken rushed forward before using Peck and landed a successful hit since Claydol was too focused on Baltoy.
"That's the spirit, Combusken!"Ash encouraged.
"Pikachu!"Pikachu cheered.
However, Claydol immediately retaliated by shooting Combusken with Ice Beam.
"Combusken!"Denise shouted.
Combusken became exhausted and started to feel weak.
"Don't give up, Combusken!"Denise protested."I believe in you!"
However, all the sudden, Combusken suddenly started glowing in a white colour, surprising everyone.
"Is that?!"Ash gasped.
"Combusken is starting to evolve!"Brock stated.
"Pikachu!"Pikachu replied.
Denise watched in awe as Combusken started to change form and height.
"Combusken…"Denise murmured.
The Top Coordinator recalled the memories she had her fire/fighting type Pokémon from when he was a Torchic and his times as a Combusken.
The glowing then stopped, revealing a certain Blaze Pokémon.
Combusken had evolved into Blaziken!
"Blaziken!"
Denise smiled in amazement.
"I can't believe my eyes."Denise murmured.
"Wow!"Dawn remarked."A Blaziken!"
"Prinplup!"Prinplup chirped.
Seeing Baltoy distracted by seeing Combusken evolve, Buck gives his Baltoy his next order.
"Quick, Baltoy!"Buck called out."Use Gyro Ball!"
Baltoy began spinning around Claydol using Gyro Ball.
"When it comes to speed, Baltoy is much faster than Claydol."Buck praised.
While Claydol attempted to retaliate, but it missed and gets hit by Baltoy's Gyro Ball even more.
"Baltoy use Solar Beam!"Buck ordered.
Using Solar Beam, Baltoy hits Claydol.
"Now use Gyro Ball!"Buck ordered.
Baltoy continued to hurt its opponent using Gyro Ball while slamming it to the temple's ground.
"Go, Poké Ball!"Buck stated.
Buck throws his Poké Ball and Claydol got caught in it.
After a few shakes, the Poké Ball stopped moving.
Claydol was caught!
"Yes! I did it!"Buck praised and picked up Claydol's Poké Ball."I just caught a Claydol!"
Ash, Brock, Dawn, Pikachu, Prinplup and Blaziken cheered in approval.
Denise then gives Blaziken.
"You did it!"Denise chuckled happily."You finally reached your final evolution!"
"Blaziken."Blaziken replied with a nod.
Suddenly, a counter rises up from the temple's ground.
"Could that be the treasure?"Dawn guessed.
"Wow, Buck!"Brock replied."That treasure map must be the real deal!"
The counter opened up as the group looked on in excitement.
Inside the counter revealed a bunch of vases, pots and cups in it causing Ash, Brock, Dawn and Denise to sweat drop.
"You got to be kidding."Denise mumbled.
"That's the treasure?"Ash scoffed.
"Where is all the gold and silver?"Dawn whined.
While Ash, Brock, Dawn and Denise were not impressed, Buck was more than happy, as he now has treasures to study as an archaeologist, something he wants to become.
Buck went up to the counter.
"What are you talking about?"Buck asked."This is the treasure."
"Seriously, Buck?"Brock questioned.
Buck picked up one of the vases.
"After I analyse them, I'll find out which era they're from."Buck explained excitedly."These are all museum equalities. They're absolute treasures. From an archaeological's point of view."
Ash, Brock, Dawn, Denise, Pikachu, Prinpulp and Blaziken went up to Buck and Baltoy.
"Archaeological?"Ash said in confusion.
"Since you haven't guessed it, I want to become an archaeologist professor someday."Buck admitted.
"A professor?"Dawn repeated.
"That's cool."Denise praised.
The sun was setting down and it was time for the group to continue their journey to the Lily of the Valley.
At the port, Buck told the group that he will get aboard a new boat for a different location.
"Okay, guys."Buck remarked."I'll be getting off a different ferry. I heard of another treasure located on Stark Mountain."
"I hope you find it."Dawn admitted.
"Prinplup."Prinplup agreed.
"No doubt about it."Buck chuckled."It's my thing."
Buck brought his attention on Ash and Denise.
"Hey, Ash and Denise?"Buck said."Thanks a lot for the help you guys gave me and good luck at the Sinnoh League."
"Thanks, Buck."Ash thanked.
"We appreciate your support."Denise responded.
"Pikachu."Pikachu agreed.
Blaziken nodded. "Blaziken."
After the boarding the ship, Brock, Ash, Dawn and Denise waved goodbye to Buck and his Baltoy to continue their trip to the Lily of the Valley which was not far ahead.
The heroes glanced at the setting sun in front of them.
"You two are almost there, Ash and Denise."Brock stated with a firm look.
"Both of you will be in the Sinnoh League before you know it."Dawn admitted.
"I am in it to win it."Ash informed confidently and glanced at Denise."What about you, Dennie?"
"So am I, Ash."Denise answered with a smirk."Let's do our very best."
Pikachu, Prinplup and Blaziken shared a smile with each other.
Denise's Team
Torterra (Male): Solar Beam, Giga Drain, Seed Bomb and Earthquake
Vaporeon (Female): Water Gun, Shadow Ball, Hydro Pump and Aurora Beam
Luxray (Male): Shock Wave, Night Slash, Wild Charge and Ice Fang
Flygon (Male): Sandstorm, Rock Slide, Dragon Pulse & Screech
Gardevoir (Female): Psychic, Ice Punch, Magical Leaf and Trick Room
Blaziken (Male): Blaze Kick, Peck, Focus Blast and Fire Spin
With Professor Rowan
Noctowl (Male): Heat Wave, Reflect, Aerial Ace and Supersonic
Drifblim (Female): Ominous Wind, Thunderbolt, Will-O-Wisp and Astonish