Chapter 43 Sea Adventures
Using the Cable Car from the top of the mountain, Ash, Alice, Mark, and Delia finally return to Docking Port. However, they're surprised to find the place much darker than when they first arrived. Delia checks her watch and says, "Strange, it's only noon... why is it so dark all of a sudden?"
"I don't know," Ash replies, puzzled. Spotting a nearby trainer, they ask him what's happening. The trainer explains that aliens are attacking and have headed to the container yard, leaving the group even more confused.
Just then, they hear a familiar voice. "Mother!" Turning around, they see Elena, Alex, and Electra approaching. Delia is surprised to see her eldest daughter and asks, "Why are you here?"
"We heard the news about aliens and came as fast as we could," Alex explains.
"And we heard that you got your fifth badge from Amber—congratulations, Ash," Electra adds with a smile.
"Thanks," Ash replies. After a brief greeting, the group sets out to investigate the trouble at Docking Port. When they reach the container yard, they see three alien-like Pokémon attacking the boxes, apparently after the batteries for their energy.
"Are they aliens or robots?" Elena asks, trying to make sense of what she's seeing.
"Or perhaps... they're Pokémon," Delia says, recognizing the creatures. "They're known as Psystric."
"I've heard stories about Psystric, but this is the first time I'm seeing one. We have to stop them from destroying everything," Elena says, determined.
"I agree," Delia nods. Electra and Alex quickly send out Signileaf and Eclipser, each taking on one of the Psystric. Ash sends out Mewtwo to battle the third one. After intense battles, they manage to capture the Psystric, and the sky gradually returns to normal.
"Wow, they sure made a mess," Elena says, surveying the damage. "I mean, look at this place... it's going to be tough to clean up."
"I agree," Alice says, scanning the Pokémon with her Pokédex.
Psystric, the Polarized Pokémon. Psychic and Electric Type. Psystric is an artificially created Pokémon, but no one has come forward claiming to be its creator yet. Rumors say that it was created by aliens.
After helping clean up the mess, the group bids farewell to Elena, Alex, and Electra before heading to the port, where they find Captain Sammy.
"Oh, you got the keys! Thanks," Sammy says gratefully. "Now, as I promised, I can take you to Route 9, which leads to Waytide City."
Ash and the others thank the captain as they board the ship. After a short while, the ship sets sail, and they are on their way to Waytide City.
While sailing along Route 8, Ash, Alice, Mark, and Delia enjoy the serene beauty of the ocean. Alice gazes out at the water and says, "The sea sure is beautiful."
"I know," Ash agrees, smiling as he watches the waves. Then, they spot some Dolphin Pokémon swimming playfully around the ship. Excited, Ash turns to Pikachu, "Pikachu, why don't you go play with those Pokémon?"
He also sends out Budcherp to join Pikachu in the air. The Pokémon have a lot of fun, flying and swimming together. Suddenly, in the midst of their play, Budcherp begins to glow and evolves right before their eyes.
"That's so cool!" Alice exclaims. "It evolved!"
"Yeah, it's a Budsoar now," Ash says proudly. Just then, one of the Dolphin Pokémon jumps into the air, signaling to Ash. Understanding the Pokémon's intent, Ash quickly captures it before it falls back into the water.
Budsoar, the Budgie Pokémon. Normal and Flying Type. Evolved from Budcherp at Level 30. Budsoar are watchful protectors of the forests, directing lost travelers to safety with their glowing feathers and warning them of any danger.
Porfin, the Dolphin Pokémon. Water Type. Porfin are a docile species of Pokémon. They have a close relationship with humans; some may even allow children to play amongst them.
Delia approaches them and says, "You know, with this beautiful water, you can also fish for some Pokémon. Why don't you give it a try?"
"Sure, Mother," Ash replies, and he and Alice set up to fish. As they cast their lines, Ash notices Alice's skill and asks, "Alice, you're really good at this. Where did you learn how to fish?"
Alice smiles proudly. "Believe me, there are a lot of ice caps near the city I grew up in. I learned how to fish with the help of my teacher, Mr. Chiu."
"Mr. Chiu?" Ash asks, intrigued. "Who is he? Is he someone important to you?"
"Of course," Alice replies with a nod. "He's my sensei. He lives in Subhail City as the former Gym Leader and is currently acting as the Gym Leader while I'm here with you. He's a wonderful teacher—he taught me a lot after I dropped out of the Kalos School because of the bullies."
"Wow, I'd love to meet him one day," Ash says, impressed. "I mean, he's the reason you're the Gym Leader of Subhail City. It would be an honor to meet the teacher of my girlfriend."
Alice blushes a little at Ash calling her his girlfriend, and she turns away, smiling softly. "You might be right about that..." she murmurs, feeling warm at the thought.
Just then, Ash feels a strong tug on his fishing rod. He reels it in with anticipation, and a shrimp-like Pokémon emerges from the water.
"Vennap, I choose you!" Ash calls out as he sends out his Pokémon. However, Alice seems a little uneasy at the sight of the shrimp Pokémon.
"Vennap, use Wrap—don't let it escape!" Ash commands. Vennap quickly shoots out its vines, wrapping them tightly around the Pokémon. With the Pokémon secured, Ash throws a Lure Ball, which he received from Burt. The ball wobbles a bit but then clicks, signaling a successful capture. But before they can celebrate, Vennap begins to glow and evolves right before their eyes, much to Alice's horror.
Shrimpet, the Heatseeker Pokémon. Water and Bug Type. Shrimpet cannot properly defend itself from predators, so it must utilize the environment to protect itself. Living near underwater volcanoes has made them heat-resistant.
Monstrap, the Trap Pokémon. Grass and Dark Type. Evolved from Vennap at Level 30. Monstrap is an extremely cunning predator. Scientists have discovered that their existence pre-dates even some extinct, fossilized Pokémon.
Monstrap, now evolved, eagerly approaches Alice, trying to hug her. But Alice, clearly uncomfortable, keeps stepping back in fear.
Ash notices her distress and quickly recalls the Pokémon. "You're scaring her, Monstrap. Return for now."
As Monstrap returns to its Pokéball, Alice kneels on the floor, visibly relieved. "Thank you, Ash," she says, her voice shaky.
"No problem..." Ash responds gently, concerned for her. Suddenly, Ash feels a sharp pain as a shark-like Pokémon bites down on his arm. "Ow... ow... ow!" he yells in pain.
"Ash!" Alice, Pikachu, and Budsoar rush to help him, but Ash waves them off. "Don't worry," he says, gritting his teeth. He grabs the shark with his hands and demands, "What's the meaning of this?"
The shark tilts its head and responds, "You taste just like my old trainer..."
Ash's eyes widen in realization. "Wait, I think I know this Pokémon... Gible? Is that you?" Budsoar asks in surprise.
"No way..." Pikachu says, recognizing the voice. "It's Gible."
"Pikachu, long time no see," the shark says cheerfully. Ash stares at the Pokémon in shock and mutters, "Gible? It makes sense... it used to bite my head all the time."
Mark chimes in, "Gible is a Dragon-type, right?"
"Yeah," Alice confirms. "It once lived in the tropics, and to avoid the cold, it would stay in caves warmed by geothermal heat. But now, it seems to have turned from a Land Shark into a real shark."
Ash, still holding the Pokémon, asks, "So, what do you say? Do you want to rejoin my team?" The Pokémon nods enthusiastically.
Ash, now able to hear its voice, smiles. "Can you tell me if you want to join my team? Since I can hear you this time."
Mark, puzzled, asks, "Didn't it just nod? Why does he have to ask again?"
Delia chuckles and explains, "Back in Sinnoh, Gible would nod, but it didn't always mean yes. Ash learned the hard way that nodding could mean anything with Gible."
As they talk, they notice the Pokéball in Ash's hand, and Delia adds, "But I think this time it's a success."
The Pokédex chimes in:
Sharko, the Blitz Pokémon. Water and Electric Type. Sharko start swimming as soon as they're born from eggs. Even when they have to stay in one place, they swim in a circle endlessly.
Ash smiles warmly, "Now I've found my partner again... it seems like the whole Sinnoh gang is complete."
"You're right," Budsoar says, sharing in Ash's happiness. "Now it's just the others left."
As the ship approaches land, the captain calls out, "Here we are! If you ever need to go back to Docking Port, just let me know. I'll take you there."
"Thank you, Captain, but we won't be heading back for a long time," Ash replies as they bid farewell to Sammy.
After the ship departs, Mark excitedly points ahead. "I can see Waytide City over there!"
Ash and the others turn to look in the direction Mark is pointing, and they see a beautiful, beach-like city spread out before them. The sight leaves them in awe.
"Yeah," Alice adds, "and just beyond the city is Victory Road, which means the League location is near here."
"That's so cool," Ash says, his excitement building. "I just can't wait to enter the League."
While walking along the route, Ash spots a strange Pokémon near the shore. It looks dangerous, and Ash asks, "What is that?"
"That's a Kinip," Alice warns. "Be careful—its spikes are poisonous."
Determined to catch it, Ash sends out Peafan to battle. As the battle intensifies, Peafan suddenly begins to glow and evolves. "Now you're super effective against it," Ash says with renewed confidence. "Use Extrasensory!"
Psyflock, Peafan's evolved form, unleashes a powerful Psychic attack, striking Kinip and defeating it. Ash quickly tosses a Pokéball and captures the Pokémon.
Kinip, the Spine Pokémon. Poison and Water Type. Kinip shifts itself so that attackers bite on its venomous spikes. Even if all of its spikes are ripped out, Kinip can grow them back in a few hours.
Psyflock, the Peafowl Pokémon. Psychic and Flying Type. Evolved from Peafan at Level 30. In battle, Psyflock uses its colorful tail to hypnotize its opponents. Once they're caught off guard, they're struck with powerful Psychic attacks.
"It seems like Psyflock is really powerful," Ash says, admiring his newly evolved Pokémon.
"It sure is, especially if you know how to use it well," Delia replies with a smile.
"And that over there is a Tortarock," Mark points out. "It's not a Water type."
"Still, I want to train this Pokémon: Scorlit," Ash says confidently.
As Scorlit appears, Alice observes, "Its Ground type might be useful here, but its Fire type isn't."
"Yeah," Ash agrees. "Scorlit, use Sand Tomb!"
Scorlit traps the turtle Pokémon in a swirling vortex of sand, making it easy for Ash to capture Tortarock. After the battle, Scorlit begins to glow and evolves.
The Pokédex chimes in:
Tortarock, the Tortoise Pokémon. Rock and Ground Type. Tortarock's shell cracks if it is exposed to heat for too long; as such, they often dip their body in water to keep their shell healthy.
Scorpinova, the Scorpion Pokémon. Fire and Ground Type. Evolved from Scorlit at Level 29. Scorpinova live under dunes in large, sandy deserts. The sting of its tail both envenoms and burns its prey's flesh. Their antivenom needs to be chilled to take effect.
Delia then turns to Ash. "By the way, Ash, you caught a Shrimpet, right?"
"Yeah, I did, Mom. Why?" Ash replies, curious. He sends out Shrimpet, and Delia asks, "Shrimpet, can you use the move Scald?"
The Pokémon looks confused, but with Delia's guidance, Shrimpet learns the move, triggering its evolution.
The Pokédex updates:
Shrimpoon, the Heat Vent Pokémon. Water and Fire Type. Evolved from Shrimpet by learning Scald. Shrimpoon thrives in water even at temperatures well beyond the boiling point. They stun their prey with super-heated bubbles launched from their pincers.
"Mom, what just happened? It evolved after learning Scald?" Ash asks, surprised.
Mark chuckles, "Why are you surprised? Some Pokémon, like your Monstune, evolve by learning Quicksand. I've also heard that Lickitung evolves by learning Rollout."
"I guess it's just not that common," Ash says, rubbing the back of his head.
"It's a good thing I have some technical machines with me," Delia says with a smile. "Now that the training is done, why don't we head to Waytide City?"
"Sure," Ash agrees, and with that, they all make their way into the city.
Here is a new chapter, and this time Ash has traveled through Route 8 and 9, he also brings the Sinnoh Group back together. In games, you need Surf so that you can do Route 8. I hope you like it.
New Pokemon/Evolution: Psystric, Budsoar, Porfin, Shrimpoon, Monstrap, Sharko, Kinip, Psyflock, Tortarock, Scorpinova
Route 9:
Land: Weedsea:20% (LV:27~29), Shrubsea:20% (LV:27~29), Palmo:20% (LV:27~29), Tortarock:15% (LV:27~29), Crabue:15% (LV:27~29), Surfide:10% (LV:27~29)
Headbutt: Budcherp:60% (LV:30), Paraful:40% (LV:30)
Old Rod: Weedsea:30% (LV:5~10), Shrubsea:70% (LV:5~10)