Chapters 18 - 22Chapter 18 - Run Grunt Run!I had just completed my Pastoria Gym challenge when all of sudden I saw sparks fly near the Great Marsh. It was the Galactic Grunt I saw earlier! I saw watching from the street corner as he had his Galactic Gun connected to the metal cylinder. It appeared as if energy was flowing out of the gun and into the cylinder. He was speaking to someone over his portable videophone *it was Mars!* She told him to slow down the flow or...BOOM! His Galactic Gun exploded. Mars then said that he drained too much power too fast to charge the device, it then appeared as if she saw me over the videophone because then she yelled at him again, this time saying "You moron! You're being spied on by some kid, and you don't even have your gun! Take the bomb to the area of detonation at once!" The Grunt turned around and saw me, he picked up the bomb and started running towards the town exit. I started chasing him, I called out my Nightwing and had him move in for a fast Wing Attack which toppled him over right in front of the exit. However, he sprung up pretty fast, picked up the bomb, and punched me in the gut. He called me a persistant pest and said that if I keep chasing after him he was going to pulverize me to death, and then he ran out of town. I was about to chase after him when none other than Aryeh slammed into me with one of his famous THUD's. He proceeded to challenge me to a battle right there and now. I tried to explain the situation but he said I was lying and afraid of "getting beat by his smexiness", so I had no other choice I had to take him out fast. Out first was my Nightwing vs his Starly *not even evolved?* The round was over before it started as a powerful Wing Attack took it down. Out next was his Buizel, I withdrew my Nightwing and sent out Mindstrike, who's High Jump Kick sent Buizel flying high
Next up was Aryeh's Ponyta, I withdrew Mindstrike and sent out Jetstream, who's Bubblebeam proved too much for Ponyta to handle. Last out was Aryeh's Grotle who's battle cry was also his defeat cry as a powerful Blizzard attack took it out ia flash. Awestruck with his swift defeat , I got on my bike fast and aplogized for the rush and rode out of town to catch up with the Galactic Grunt. I rode into Route 213 and I saw the Grunt on the beach being chased by that Dr. Footstep. I had my Nightwing use Confuse Ray on them both; the Grunt started spinning in circles while the "Doctor" hopped away into some trees. The Grunt came to his senses *sort of*. He started talking about how they needed the energy from the Valley Windworks to make the ultimate weapon, and that his boss must be a scientific genius to make something like this. He then realized I was easedropping and tried to punch me in the face, but Nightwing bit into his arm his blood starting dripping on the sand. After he shook Nightwing off he started running again and I chased him. He made it through the Hotel Grand Lake leaving a small trail of blood in his tracks. I caught up to him again near the restaurant where he was panting heavily. He said he had to do this, for his boss' new universe, or he'd be obliterated and he started running ahead slowly. He collapsed just ahead in front of the entrance to the lake, he said "So close..." *so the lake is the target!* He got up and realized I was standing behind him, he said the only way to get rid of me now was to beat me in a battle. He only had one pokemon, a Glameow, Nightwing used a single Wing Atack and hurled it straight back at the Grunt's face. He then fell down to his knees and started sobbing and then he got a call on his videophone, it was Mars, she said he was 3 minutes late on detonation time. She saw his red face and said "You idiot, you failed didn't you! Oh well, not we have to redo our plans because of your idiocy!" She then told him to wait a moment right there and a really fast Crobat flew down from overhead. He grabbed onto it's lower wings with one hand, the bomb in other, the Crobat glowed a strange blue color and flew him away! *I can't believe Crobat could support his weight and the bomb, it must have been done by the Hidden Machine Fly, it gave that Crobat the super-strength it needed to fly him away!* They flew towards Veilstone City, probably back towards the Galactic Building there. I guess Team Galactic was stopped, for now anyway. I saw some people speaking up ahead, it was the woman I saw from Eterna City, Cynthia who studies Pokemon myths. She explained to me she was trying to get inside Lake Valor to conduct research on the mirage pokemon said to live on an island on the lake. She quickly changed the subject from there and asked if I have seen a group of strange Psyduck on Route 210 *of course, the rude ones that sent me flying with a Psychic attack* She then gave me some Secretpotion to give to them to help them with their intense headache. She wished me luck on my journey and then she left. From here, I decided to go back to Pastoria for the night, but instead of walking the way back, I used the HM Fly to teach my Nightwing how to fly me away! It was so cool, he did the same thing Team Galactic's Crobat did, and it was amazing flying through the air at that speed, I was back in Pastoria in no time! I decided to check out the Great Marsh before I went back to the Pokemon Center forthe night, I paid the entry fee, got my Safari Balls, and went inside. There was a man at the entrance who gave me an HM for Defog for being the 1 millionth trainer to visit *how cool!* I went into the muddy area where I saw a Bibarel, it took 3 Safari Balls to finally capture him, I nicknamed him Bucktooth like my Bidoof. It was getting pretty dark so I left the Marsh early and went back to the Pokemon Center. I got cleaned up and had a nice dinner along with my pokemon.
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Chapter 19 - Trouble in Celestic TownI began my adventure today in Pastoria City. I used my Nightwing's new Fly technique to fly me over to Solaceon Town so I could use the Secretpotion on the group of Psyduck near the cafe. As I entered Route 210 and passed the cafe, I saw that same Miltank in the window winking at me and blowing me kisses again *wierd* I saw the group of Psyduck, still standing firmly in place, so I sprayed the Secretpotion bottle on each of them until it was empty. The reaction worked wonders and the Psyduck appeared to be back to normal again and went back to their home. Cynthia then came and said she saw me fly over not too long ago and wanted to see how the Secretpoition worked. She was glad to see everything was ok and asked if I could do her a favor. She asked if I could give an Old Charm to her grandma in Celestic Town, a place not too far ahead if I continue going along this route. I agreed and she said the trip there would be worthwhile for me as the terrain is a great place to train my pokemon. As I entered the area, I saw a sign that said "Warning: The Northern Area of Rt. 210 Experiences Heavy Fog on a Regular Basis. Use a Pokemon with Defog to Safely Navigate" Given this notice, I went back to the Solaceon Pokemon Center to deposit my Bucktooth in the PC Box and withdraw my Braviary, with whom I used my newly acquired HM to teach Defog. I left the Pokemon Center and I saw a familiar old man hitting a trainer in the head repeatedly with his broom for littering. He then noticed me and yelled "Hey! I remember you!" and started chasing me again till I ran out of town. I went back to Route 210 and had Braviary use Defog to make the area around me visible. The route was really great, a lot of bridges to get to the different ciffs and a waterfall. The mountainious terrain was also home to a lot of wild Machokes who were great for my pokemon to train against. There were also several trainers here which my pokemon also battled and defeated. I also found a nifty Shadow Ball TM here that I taught to Pearlpower. I finally made it to the end of the route and found myself in Celestic Town, but something wasn't quite right here, everyone was running around screaming "We're gonna die!", some pushing me over in order to get out of town. I saw an old woman and I asked her what was happening here, she said a minute ago a spaceman activated a bomb in front of the ruins and said in 5 minutes we will all be dead. I ran over to confront a Galactic Grunt who was laughing maniacally saying that the Galactic Bomb was going to kill us all. He saw me and said if I was going to mess with him, he might as well battle me to stall out the clock, so our battle began *3 minutes left* I chose Shadowbolt while he used a Beautifly and Croagunk, both of whom couldn't stand a chance against his Spark attack. *2 minutes left* After the battle, he said I wasn't going to get anywhere near the bomb and pulled out his Galactic Gun, his aimed it at me and shot a blast but Shadowbolt and I dodged it, he tried to fire again but the gun shorted out because it was apparently low on power. I had Shadowbolt incapasitate him with a Thunder attack so I could figure out how to disarm the bomb *1 minute left* I examined the bomb all over but there was no off switch *30 seconds* I considered having my pokemon attack it, but then it might blow up sooner *15 seconds* I was beginning to give up hope when a man jumped down and defused the bomb with 2 seconds left on the clock. The town was saved! I recognized the man, I saw him in Mt. Coronet a while back. He told me his name is Cyrus, and that he wanted to make a new world, but there was no universal power in this town. He then asked me that if I discovere any power from the legends of Sinnoh that I must inform him immediately *who is this guy?* and then he left. Celestic Town's Officer Jenny then came with 2 other policeman to take the Grunt into custoddy and the bomb, she thanked me for my service and for stopping Team Galactic's terrorist attack. The Grunt woke up and started screamed "No! You insignificant roaches must die!" as they took him away. The old woman I saw before came over and thanked me for saving the town as well. She noticed I had the Old Charm and asked if I got that from Cynthia. She said she was her grandmother, so I gave it to her. She said while I was in town I should examine the ruins and learn about the folklore of Sinnoh. I went inside and saw a giant cave painting of 3 pokemon forming a triangle surrounding some sort of sphere. Cynthia's Grandmother came in and said this all represents the creation myth of Sinnoh and that the three beings maintain the world's balance. She said she also had something useful for me, an HM for Surf! She said it was Cynthia's but she didn't need it anymore *how nice!* I thanked her, and I left the ruins to go back to the pokemon center to heal up my pokemon. There was a broadcast on Jubilee TV about the return of the Contest Star Fantina as she made a debut with her nw techniques at the Contest in Hearthorne City. I then realized if she's back in Hearthorne, she must be back at the Gym as well, so I decided to head there tomorrow to challenge her. In the meantime, I spent the rest of the day training on Route 211, getting my pokemon ready to challenge Fantina!
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Chapter 20 - The Most Difficult Gym Puzzle EverI began my pokemon journey today more determined than ever to get my next badge, Fantina said I wasn't ready last time but wait till she sees how much I've improved. All over Jubilee TV were replays of her dominating performance at the Pokemon Contest, which I have to admit was pretty amazing, she must be just as tough a gym leader. I called out my Nightwing after leaving the Pokemon Center in Celestic Town to fly me over to Hearthorne City. As soon as I arrived, there were posters everywhere of Fantina, she truly is a celebrity here. As I approached the gym, I checked with my pokemon to see if they were ready, and they all seemed prime for battle. I entered the gym, and to nosurprise, that same guy from the other gyms was there *man is he creepy* He told me Fantina uses Ghost type pokemon. I went up the lever and on the second level there were 3 doors and a sign. The sign read "3 plus 5 plus 7 is?". How was I supposed to know? I'm only 10! I was never any good at math in grade school, and now they want me to do math! I had no clue what the answer was so I guessed, and each time I guessed wrong! I battled the trainers in the incorrect rooms with Jetstream. After getting up to the 3rd floor there was another math problem! This one said "12 plus 28 is?" Gosh, 2 digit numbers really now? I got the question completely wrong again and faced the two trainers with Jetstream. After getting up to the 4th floor, there was yet another math problem *this gym was starting to annoy me* only this time it was multiplication "3 times 13 is?" I had no hope of getting this right, of course I chose the 2 incorrect doors yet again and beat with with Jetstream. I got up to the 5th floor next, only this time it asked for the first room's answer, I had absolutely no clue, and of course I chose both incorrect doors again, only this time, when I opened the 3rd door, Fantina was behind it and gave me huge scare *Ohohoho!!*. She said *in a spooky voice* it was time to get down to business so she can send my pokemon to their graves, and the battle began. Out first was Jetstream vs Drifblim, Jetstream was faster and unleashed a powerful Blizzard which did a lot of damage since Drifblim is part Flying type and was eliminated. Out next was Mismagius and it looked to be her toughest pokemon. Jetstream used Bubbleam while she used Magical Leaf, but Jetstream took little damage from it. I went for another Bubblebeam while she tried a Shadow Ball, but Jetstream's Steel type resistance made it's damage minimal. Lastly she tried a Psybeam, but yet again Jetstream took it like a champ and finished it off with a powerful Brine. Last out was Fantina's Gengar, this fast pokemon unleashed a Confuse Ray which got the best of Jetstream for a bit, but he held strong, he was able to break through it once to use Bubblebeam while Gengar's Shadow Claw barely did a thing to Jetstream. Finally, Jetstream was able to shake off the confusion and finish off Gengar with another Bubblebeam. I won the match! Fantina congratulated me on my pokemon's strength and apologized for her scariness earlier. She awarded me with the Relic Badge! As I made it out of the gym, I saw Cynthia again, she thanked me for delivering her Old Charm to her grandma. She also heard what happened in Celestic Town with the bomb and was worried about Team Galactic's next strike on Sinnoh. She said there was a Library in Canalave City, and there was also a Gym there and suggested I check it out. I went back to the Pokemon Center to heal my pokemon and decided I should do some deep training before I head to Canalave City. I checked my Town Map and planned over the next few days to venture out to areas of Sinnoh, like the Old Chateau, Route 212, Route 220/221, and now surfable areas which I hadn't been before. This is a great opportunity to strengthen up each of my pokemon to new levels by battling new trainers and wild pokemon. I'll start my journey back up soon!
Chapter 21 - Getting Back in the MotionsThe past few days were really great, my pokemon and I ventured through swampy areas, Surfed to new areas on Jetstream's back *it's so cool*, and even went treasure hunting underground * I found some nifty Heart Scales*. When I visited Fuego Ironworks, there was a cute little Pachirisu that gave me some Sweet Kisses, I just had to capture her and I did, I nicknamed her Dawnie. With a cute pokemon, I was also able to take a nice stroll through Amitty Square. All of my pokemon also reached new heights in level and power, even my Mindstrike evolved into a Medicham when I rebattled trainers using the Vs Seeker. I finally decided it was time to head back out on my journey and head to Canalave City. I read my Town Map and saw Canalave City was directly west of Jubilee, so I flew there with Nightwing. When I got there, I felt I was being stalked as I was walking through the city, I had Nightwing walk with me for protection. As I approached the western gate, I was jumped by 3 people, 3 clowns to be precise, with crutches and bandages. They said they wanted revenge for what I did to them weeks ago *they completely deserved it and they aren't even funny* They surrounded me and each pulled out Galactic Guns that they said they bought of Sho's Black Market and aimed them at me; the lead clown said they'd see me in hell. Rght as they pulled the triggers, I quickly ordered Nightwing to Fly me up high *wow Nightwing is fast*, which got me safely away from the beams of energy but as the 3 beams intercepted each other, the combination of power reversed the energy waves sending the blasts back at the guns and the clowns, vaporizing them all. As Nightwing lowered me down, all that remained were 3 piles of dust each with 3 red rubber noses *I could hear odd laughter in the wind*. After that ordeal, I went through the western gate and found myself on Route 218. I saw that the only way to continue on this route would be by crossing the water, which is no problem for Jetsream's Surf technique. I found several trainers on the opposite side of the route who were itching to battle, Shadowbolt did a great job defeating them. After that short route, I found myself in Canalave City! It was a great looking port city with ships everywhere on the canal. I was walking over the bridge when, THUD!, Aryeh rams into me like his usual self. As I lay down on the bridge, he didn't even try to help me up, instead shoving his chocolate stained Trainer Case in my face with 6 gym badges. As I got up he said he's got to be a million times better than me now and challenged me to a battle right there, and of course I accepted just to prove him wrong. Out first was Shadowbolt and Staravia *the intimidation was in the air* Staravia used Quick Attack while Shadowbolt used Spark right back. Out next was a Heracross. Shadowbolt used a Spark attack, but Heracross barely held on *survived due to the Intimidation factor from b4* while he used a Brick Break back, but next turn another Spark easily finished it off. Next round was Ponyta who was easily taken town by a Spark, as was Buizel next. Out last was Grotle, I decided to finish like last time and sent out Jetstream to take it out with a powerful Blizzard. After the battle, Aryeh said he just got his 6th Gym badge here and said I should get it as well now, so I quickly went to the Pokemon Center here to heal up my pokemon and headed to the gym. With no surprise, the same creepy guy was there to greet me; he said the gym leader, Byron, uses Steel Type pokemon. I knew Fighting type moves worked well against Steel types, so I decided to use Mindstrike for this gym challenge. The entire gym is filled with moving metal platforms which I had to navigate to get to Byron's level. There were several gym trainers along this path which Mindstrike asily handled with a series of High Jump Kicks and Ice Punches. I finally made it to Byron who noticed I had Oreburgh's Gym Badge on my jacket. He said I defeated his son, Roark, but he said he's much tougher and I won't get pass his sturdy pokemon, and the battle began. Mindstrike was my choice while he went with Bronzor. Bronzor's defense's couldn't withstand the raw power behind Mindstrike's Hi Jump Kick and was taken out. Next out was Steelix with a huge roar, both pokemon charged at each other with huge force, but Mindstrike's HJK pounded Steelix on contact and sent it flying across the arena. Byron's last okemon was a Bastiodon, without a chance to attack or defend, Mindstrike unleashed another powerful HJK to take it out and win the match! Byron was impressed with my battling and awarded me with the Mine Badge!*I even got a nifty Flash Cannon TM* I made my way out the gym and saw Aryeh who congratulated me on getting my badge *but remarked on how he would be Champ first* and said I should head to the library asap, so I followed him. I entered Canalave Library, the place Cynthia told me about, and the place was filled with old books and volumes. I went up to the 3rd floor where I saw Aryeh, Prof. Rowan, and Dawn! Aryeh was quick to leave, but the Professor gave him a stern look and he decided to stay. Prof. Rowan began talking about his research on the evolution of pokemon and the 3 lakes of Sinnoh where mirage pokemon are said to appear, if he were to gain data on them it may shed light on how the process of Pokemon evolution works. He then asked each of us to go to the lakes and find the pokemon that are said to be mirages. He said we should split up and investigate individually: Dawn to Lake Verity, Aryeh to Lake Acuity, and then me to Lake Valor. As the professor gave each of us folders with info, something strange happened, a huge earthquake shook the building. Books started falling everywhere, Aryeh jumped over the table to 'protect' Dawn. It finally stopped. Prof Rowan asked if we were all ok *Aryeh was pretty close to Dawn*, he then said we should go outside to see what happened. As we stood outside, everyone was frantic about the earthquake. Prof Rowan realized this was not a natural occurance, and that something somewhere must have gone horribly wrong. A sailor approached us to give us news that he just got over the radio...
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Chapter 22 - The Cosmic BlastA sailor from the Canalave docks rushed over to us outside the Library to give us important news he just received from Pastoria City. There was just a huge explosion at Lake Valor! The explosion was powerful enough to be felt throughout all of Sinnoh, but areas closest to the lake were devastated by the powerful earthquake. He also said there were reports of airships heading towards Snowpoint City and Twinleaf Town, the areas closest to the other lakes, it was Team Galactic! Aryeh, impatient as always, said he was heading up to Lake Acuity and bolted. Prof Rowan said I should head to Lake Valor asap to see exactly what is happening there, while he and Dawn would go to Lake Verity. I quickly called out my Nightwing to fly me over to Pastoria City. As I flew overhead, I could see the devastation that this bomb had caused *and this was only one bomb, imagine if they plan to do the same thing at the other lakes!*, streets and walkways were torn up, buildings destroyed, and as I flew down to the panic filled Pastoria, I could see a huge fire and smoke coming from the lake. As I landed in the panic of the Pastoria Streets, I returned my Nightwing to its pokeball, got on my bike and started heading towards Lake Valor. I left the city ok, being careful of cracked cement and made it onto the beach Route 213, where the crazed Dr. Footstep spotted me and threw shoes at me as I rode. The Lakefront was up next, but the damage here was unbelievable; the resort was completely destroyed by the earthquake. People everywhere were injured and trapped beneath rubble. Ambulances were arriving from a city called Sunyshore to the east. I saw a little girl crying up ahead with a Chingling, a huge flaming support beam from a building was about to fall on them, so I quickly rode over and pulled her to safety in the nick of time. I gave her to one of the Machoke from the ambulance crew and made my way to the lake. As soon as I stepped foot into Lake Valor, well it wasn't a lake anymore because all the water was gone! I saw Magikarp flopping around everywhere in the mud *it's amazing they survived the bomb* and there were Team Galactic grunts everywhere. There was one near the entrance that I was spying on from behind a boulder. He said Lake Verity was next and all they had to do was wipe out the 'hick town' called Twinleaf *oh no he didn't* I jumped out from behind the rock when he least expected it and punched him down. His Galactic Gun fell from his belt and onto the ground near me. As he was inching for the gun, saying "I'm gonna kill you, you vermon!", I picked it up and fired it at him, turning him to a pile of ash before my eyes *I just killed someone...* I attached the gun to my belt in case of another jam. I continued to venture my was into the bottom of the lake. I saw many wild pokemon running from the fiery grassy area and trees above and running to the hills. There was another Grunt up ahead, but this one had pokeballs attached to his wrists, so I challenged him to a battle and defeated him with Mindstrike and then he ran off. There was another Grunt up ahead *laughing at the impact at the Galactic Bomb* who spotted me and wanted to battle me, so Mindstrike quickly dispatched with him as well. I continued making my way into the lake, but there was a guard blocking the path to where a whole group of Grunts seemed to be gathering around a cavern. This Grunt had a Galactic Gun in hand; there was no way I could get past him, so I had no choice but to wait until his back was turned and I fired at him with the one I had *the gun ran out of power after this*. 2 Grunts heard the blast, one rushed over to battle me while the other went to warn the Commander in the cavern. Mindstrike's powerful moves defeated the Grunt in no time and I was able to make my way to the cavern where I met Commander Saturn. He said he's heard of me from Mars and Jupiter, and that my further opposition to Team Galactic will no longer be tolerated, so he challenged me to a battle. Out first was Mindstrike vs his Kadabra. His pokemon was faster and used a Psychic attack while Mindstrike was able to counter back with a solid Ice Punch. Out next was his Bronzor. Mindstrike launched a HJK, but Bronzor evaded it by using Gyro Ball and hit Mindstrike; who also took heavy damage from missing the HJK. Mindstrike barely had strength left, but he went for another HJK which made contact this time and took out Bronzor. Saturn sent out his Toxicroak next, i called back Mindstrike because he was too weak to go on and sent out Nightwing. Nightwing flew up high in the cave as Toxicroak tried to attack it, but Nightwing flew down and eliminated it with a powerful tackle. After the battle, Saturn stood in disbelief at his loss, and said at least he was able to stall me here. He said by now the other Commanders will have arrived with their battalions at the other lakes, and said all I have to do is listen for the explosions and the legendary pokemon will be theirs. He then left with the remainder of his squad. I quickly left the cavern and headed back home to Twinleaf Town with Nightwing's help, because Team Galactic will strike there next!
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