Summer and Weldon arrived in Lilycove City, expecting some leisure time before heading out to sea. They reunited with Yuki at the department store and caught up on their latest adventures. However, the happy atmosphere was interrupted by Trinity and Aster, who informed the group that Team Magma and Team Aqua were making preparations to find the Legendary Pokémon. They decided to split up, but this meant the pair would no longer be traveling together for the time being. Summer, with Yuki and Aster, head to Team Aqua's base to stop their plans. Will they be able to stop the water-loving villains from finding Kyogre?

Chapter 47- A Sandy Snare

Yuki and I waited for Aster at the beach while she continued to make preparations. In the meantime, our Pokémon enjoyed some downtime and catching up on their own.

"It's nice to see your Pokémon again, Yuki. And I'm happy to see Kiui and Mikan evolved."

My friend sighed happily as she watched the Jumpluff and Quilava playing with Lightning and Errol. "Mikan has always loved battling and Kiui specializes in Sun weather strategies, so it was natural to pair the two together for training." Then she giggled at the Grovyle hiding behind me. "Olive still seems shy around me, isn't she?"

I patted the Grass type's head. "She's actually doing better than I thought since Rocky is with Aster right now. When she was a Treecko, she'd scurry onto my shoulders or onto Rocky."

"I'm sure she can still do that with him. I don't think your shoulders can handle her weight anymore."

I laughed as a sulking Vaporeon came over.

"What's wrong, Koko?" Yuki asked.

The Water type scoffed. "They won't let me play hide and seek with them!"

"Well, they probably think you'll cheat by camouflaging yourself in the water."

"It's not my fault I can!"

Sighing, her Trainer petted her. "I know, Koko. But you have to think about it from their perspective. Would it be fair for someone to camouflage themselves if you can't?"

Koko glanced at the sand. "No…I guess not…"

I smiled as Yuki continued to educate her newest Pokémon. I wonder what'll be like to have an Eeveelution myself…

"I apologize for keeping you two waiting," Aster said as she, Rocky, and Athebyne the Flygon arrived.

"No problem, Aster," I replied as Olive affectionately jumped onto Rocky's head. "Did you get everything you need?"

"Yes, and thanks to your Steelix, I was able to find an access point into Team Aqua's base."

Yuki gathered our Pokémon and asked, "How should we get there?"

The Draconid mused, "There are two options: by air or by sea. Which method do you prefer?"

"We could surf there, but they may spot us since that's their element," the Sinnoh native answered.

I nodded. "It would be best to fly there and surprise them."

The woman smiled. "That is the conclusion I came up with as well. Thank you both for confirming. Shall we get going?"

We returned our non-flying Pokémon and headed towards the island headquarters. We landed on the shore surrounding a natural sea cave, but we didn't see any guards, or any people, at all.

This unnerved the Lorekeeper. "I do not like this… It's like…Team Aqua abandoned this base."

After returning Errol, I felt the familiar sense of danger. "I don't think that's the case, Aster."

"What do you mean, Summer?" Yuki inquired.

I examined the beach, trying to see if I could gather any insight through retrocognition. Then, I saw it as I touched the cave entrance: flashes of Team Aqua members running around, shouting about a potential lead, then disappearing across the sea.

"It appears Team Aqua left their base to follow a lead, but I don't know what it is."

Aster grinned. "Excellent use of your Guardian abilities, Summer. If that is the case, we should be careful once we enter. There may still be members lurking about."

Yuki and I nodded and followed the purple-haired woman into the cave. It was cool and damp, but it looked like nothing was even inside. All that was there was the water dripping along the walls.

Where are the Team Aqua Grunts that are supposed to be here?

I gave the Lorekeeper a worried look, and she echoed my feelings.

"It's…too quiet. The entire organization couldn't have just…vanished so quickly."

A wave of danger suddenly washed over me. "We should get out of here. I think it's-"

"A trap? Couldn't have said it better myself."

I turned around to see Hamestrin, the black-cloaked man, blocking our exit.

"So, you are Hamsetrin, from the Ditio Narratus…" Aster said, her voice unwavering.

He smiled. "It seems like my reputation precedes me, Hoenn Lorekeeper Aster."

Yuki hid slightly behind me. "That's the guy who's been following you and Weldon around?" she whispered.

"Yeah…and he's pretty dangerous."

"I am guessing the absence of Team Aqua is your doing?" the woman questioned.

Hamsetrin snickered. "Partially. Those aquaphiles are still busy enacting their plan. All I did was lure you three to another sea cave so I can get rid of you once and for all…"

His last words shot daggers through my body. He manipulated my abilities to his advantage. But I wasn't going to back down.

"You won't stop us, Hamsetrin. Let us go."

"And continue to interfere with my task? Not a chance. Manectric, Absol, Crobat!"

The three Pokémon emerged from their balls, aiding their Trainer in the blockage.

"Athebyne, I request your aid!" Aster shouted.

I added, "Go, Blaze!"

"You too, Momo!"

The Flygon, Blaziken, and Wartortle stood in front of their respective opponents. The man smirked and waved his right arm. His Pokémon moved without any verbal commands, as if they knew what their Trainer wanted.

As Athebyne battled Manectric and Momo squared off against Crobat, Blaze and I watched the Absol raised his right claws and surrounded them in a dark aura.

That's Night Slash! I raised my right hand. "Blaze, counter with Fire Punch!"

The fiery fist and dark claws collided, the force knocking the Pokémon back. Both recovered and glared at each other. Absol then created five smirking copies of himself.

As Blaze glanced around for the real one, I shouted, "Blaze, close your eyes and listen for the real one's movements!"

He nodded and followed my directions. After a few seconds, he moved his head towards his right just as the real Absol materialized.

"Sky Uppercut!"

He prepared the attack but was stopped by a sudden tackle from the Absol. The Fire type was stunned by the move and retreated. Blaze winced in pain and rubbed his chest.

What was that move? It hit before Blaze could even attack. I gritted my teeth as I finally comprehended the attack. That must've been Sucker Punch. Weldon told me that move always hits first if the opponent is using an attack. And Blaze only has attacking moves… What can we do?

"Summer!" Blaze called out. "I know you're worried about that Sucker Punch, but we have to keep fighting!"

"Hmph, I'd like to see you try," the Dark type scoffed.

He raised his head, creating a magenta aura with his horn. A large slice-shaped energy slammed into Blaze, causing him to fall to his back.

And that was Psycho Cut! Blaze is right, I have to focus on the present state of the battle. Seeing Absol preparing another Psycho Cut, I shouted as Blaze rose to his feet, "Blaze, dodge and use Flamethrower!"

The Hoenn starter leapt out of the way and sprayed the Disaster Pokémon with fire. Absol was able to regain his balance but flinched as red marks appeared on his white fur.

"How…dare you burn me!" he roared.

Blaze and I braced ourselves as our opponent used Double Team again. This time, it was easier to tell the real one due to him flinching from the status condition. Still, I hesitated, now knowing about his surprise move.

"Blaze," I whispered. "You'll likely need just one Sky Uppercut to knock Absol out. Can you handle the Sucker Punch?"

He gave me a glancing smirk. "I've felt worse hits before. Just let me know when to attack."

Nodding, I shouted, "Blaze, attack the Absol on the left with Sky Uppercut!"

He ran forward, preparing his right hand. The real Absol sneered as he slammed headfirst into his opponent. But this time, the Blaziken followed through the motion and slammed his fist into Absol's chin. The Dark type slammed into the ceiling near the entrance and fell to the floor, motionless. A panting Blaze stood proudly. At the same time, Yuki and Momo defeated Hamsetrin's Crobat with a Blizzard attack.

It was up to Aster and Athebyne to finish the man's remaining Pokémon. Seeing Manectric was his last hope, Hamsetrin regained control by pressing a stone hidden around his neck.

"Manectric, Mega Evolve!"

An orange light appeared from the stone as the stone around the Electric type's chest glowed blue. The lights then interconnected with each other, causing the Manectric to transform into his Mega Evolved form.

Aster bit her lip as the Discharge Pokémon lowered her Flygon's attack with his Intimidate Ability. "This will not stop us, Hamsetrin! Athebyne, Sand Tomb!"

The Mystic Pokémon flapped his wings, causing sand on the cave bottom to form a small cyclone.

"Hmph. A weak move. Manectric, Quick Attack!"

The Electric type dashed forward, breaking the sand twister and knocking Athebyne back. The Flygon rubbed his chest and roared.

Aster smiled. "It looks like your move is almost just as weak. Iron Tail!"

Her Pokémon charged his tail with a silver energy. As he flew forward, the cloaked man laughed.

"What kind of strategy is this? Manectric, Fire Fang!"

The Lorekeeper clenched her fists as the Mega Evolved Pokémon clamped onto Athebyne's tail with fiery teeth and threw him into the sand. Although the move wasn't that effective, the impact still hurt the Dragon type.

Hamsetrin smirked. "Your Pokémon doesn't have any Dragon type moves, does he? And to top it off, he can't Mega Evolve. For one of the higher ranked Draconids, you're pretty pathetic."

Aster's hesitation affirmed the truth Teeni told me: the Ditio Narratus know people's weaknesses. I stepped forward to help but the woman stopped me with a smile.

"Hamsetrin may be right, Summer, but he does not know our true strength."

The Flygon echoed his Trainer's sentiment and flexed his wings.

"Really now?" the man sneered as his Manectric roared. "Prove it, Draconid! Manectric, finish that Flygon with Ice Fang!"

The Electric type ran towards his opponent, his teeth now covered with ice. But the pair remained calm.

"Athebyne, dodge with Sand Tomb!"

As Manectric drew close, the Dragon type bent down and summoned a sand cyclone underneath his attacker. The Mega Evolved Pokémon was trapped and battered by the sand scratching his fur.

Hamsetrin growled. "You won't get the upper hand! Manectric, break through with Discharge!"

He shot blue electricity around himself, but the sand acted as a barrier and kept the move within the twister. In doing so, however, the extra electricity made Manectric try to climb towards the top of the cyclone.

"Using Mega Manectric's anger towards excess electricity to your advantage, Hamsetrin?" Aster noted. "It will not work! Athebyne, Iron Tail!"

As Manectric reached the top, the Dragon type appeared and swung his silver tail onto the Electric type's head, knocking him back into the cyclone. The blue and yellow Pokémon hit the sand below and he struggled to stand.

Seeing there was no point in continuing the battle, Hamestrin returned his remaining Pokémon and shouted, "This isn't over, Draconid and Guardian! If you keep interfering with me, I will destroy both of you!"

He threw a smoke bomb on the ground and disappeared.

Aster sat on the sand, exhausted. "I'm glad that's over. How are you, Athebyne?"

"I'm fine," he murmured as he sat next to her.

I offered the Draconid some Berries, and she gave them to her partner.

"Thank you, Summer. I apologize if I lost some of my composure during my battle."

"That's okay, Aster. I did too during mine." Seeing she was still apprehensive, I asked, "Are you okay? Hamsetrin knows how to exploit people's weaknesses."

"I-I'm fine… I just need some time to recover."

Not wanting to push her worry further, I sat next to her. "So, what now? Our surprise attack wasn't a surprise to begin with."

The woman chuckled. "No, I suppose not. It looks like the other group will need to attack the base for us. I will inform Trin about this. In the meantime, there is something else we can do."

"What is it?" Yuki inquired.

The Draconid guided us outside, where the sun was beginning to set. She stared at the pink-orange clouds and replied, "We need to find Rayquaza."

Summer's Pokémon:

Blaze (Blaziken, male): Brave Nature, Blaze Ability, moves: Fire Punch, Flamethrower, Blaze Kick, Sky Uppercut

Errol (Noctowl, male): Rash Nature, Keen Eye Ability, moves: Psychic, Hypnosis, Air Slash, Heat Wave

Aurora (Dewgong, female): Calm Nature, Thick Fat Ability, moves: Water Pulse, Ice Beam, Aqua Tail, Signal Beam

Lightning (Raichu, female): Adamant Nature, Static Ability, moves: Thunderbolt, Iron Tail, Thunder Punch, Grass Knot

Rocky (Steelix, male): Lonely Nature, Rock Head Ability, moves: Stone Edge, Crunch, Dragonbreath, Iron Tail

Olive (Grovyle, female): Timid Nature, Overgrow Ability, moves: Fury Cutter, Double Team, Mega Drain, Quick Attack

Yuki's Pokémon:

Momo (Wartortle, male): Quiet Nature, Torrent Ability, moves: Water Pulse, Rapid Spin, Blizzard, Aqua Tail

Ume (Swellow, female): Adamant Nature, Guts Ability, moves: Steel Wing, Wing Attack, Double Team, Swift

Ichigo (Minun, male): Sassy Nature, Minus Ability, moves: Discharge, Encore, Helping Hand, Rollout

Kiui (Jumpluff, female): Jolly Nature, Chlorophyll Ability, moves: Sunny Day, Silver Wind, Solarbeam, Giga Drain

Mikan (Quilava, male): Bold Nature, Blaze Ability, moves: Facade, Flame Wheel, Brick Break, Smokescreen

Koko (Vaporeon, female): Rash Nature, Water Absorb Ability, moves: Rain Dance, Haze, Iron Tail, Water Pulse

Questions for the Chapter:

What did you think of Yuki's new Pokémon?

What did you think of Hamsetrin's ambush?

Why is Athebyne unable to know Dragon type moves?