Chapter 33 Stow-on-Side Date?

Arriving at Stow-on-Side, they can see the place having a lot of houses and also stores. Hop is at the battlefield as they greet him.

"Hey, Hop. What are you doing here?" Gloria asks.

"Guys." Hop says. "I'm still not too sure what I should do about all that stuff I told you before...About me being weak and dragging down Lee's good name and all, yeah?"

He shows his courage and says, "But the only thing I can do is get stronger, right? So I'm gonna try out all of different things against you and see what works!"

"How about we have a battle, maybe I can help you with it." They turn around and see Marnie and her Morpeko. Alice says, "Marnie, you are here as well?"

"I just finished my Gym Battle and I am heading towards the Lateral Gym next. And then I heard about you guys talking." She turns to Hop, "You are the one that is in a dilemma, right? Then I'll help you."

"Thank you. Marnie, then let's do this! I bet an all-out battle with my true rival will help me get my head on straight."

Then the battle starts as Hop sends out Cramorant, a Pokemon they have never seen before. "All I'm after is victory, and I'm counting on you to help me grab it."

As Marnie sends out Liepard as her first Pokemon, it uses Sucker Punch first to deal some damage. But Cramorant uses Surf, causing the Pokemon to get wet, and then they see an Arrokuda in the mouth.

"Arrokuda? Is he eating it right now?" Alice asks as the others aren't sure.

But when Liepard uses Night Slash, Cramorant falls down fainted, but the Arrokuda is blasted on the Liepard, causing it to faint as well. The second Pokemon is Silicobra, and Marnie uses Scrafty next. Scrafty uses High Jump Kick on the Pokemon, but it misses as the Pokemon digs underground. But Scrafty uses the pants to block the attack, and then it lands a Dark Pulse on it. In the end, it manages to defeat Silicobra with the Focus Blast. Toxel is the next one and it defeats Scrafty with a Nuzzle.

Toxicroak is next as it uses Brick Break, but Toxel uses Tearful Look, causing Toxicroak not to know what to do, and then it lands a Flail, dealing a lot of damage. But in the end, Toxicroak defeats the Pokemon with a Sucker Punch.

"I don't know what I can do to try to win now...but all I can do is try! There's nothing else for it!" Hop sends out Thwackey as his final Pokemon. And the Pokemon uses Round to defeat it.

Marnie's last Pokemon is Morpeko, with the Aura Wheel, it manages to deal a lot of damage. But in the end, the Razor Leaf and Thunderbolt causes a giant explosion and both Pokemon are fainted.

"A draw..." Marnie mutters.

Hop says, "My strategy goes right to pot when I've got all these bad thoughts running through my head..."

Ash asks, "So are you two okay?"

Marnie asks, "I am not sure about him, though I kinda expected it..."

"I tried switching my team members in and out to max out their potential in every matchup, but...we just couldn't get it together somehow...Maybe that's why I'm still so weak..."

"Are you still saying that?" Gloria asks in shock.

"But Lee is the greatest trainer. And I don't want people to be laughing at him all because his little brother is rubbish!"

Ash is starting to get angry and he asks, "Can you stop saying yourself like that?"

This is the first time that Gloria, Marnie and Hop see Ash so mad, Ash says, "What are you doing? You were dreamed of being the new champion and now you are saying that you are rubbish? Where was the Hop that once has the enthusiasm?"

"I-"

"Just because you lost to Bede and what he said, you shouldn't let that affect you." Ash says. "If you think that it is not enough, then try harder and harder, you can't give up until it is over."

Hop flinches a little at Ash's outburst, but then he nods and smiles a little. "You're right. I'm off, mate! Off to find the kind of Pokemon that I can really draw the strength out of!"

Once Hop leaves the group, Serena says, "Wow, Ash...you really are...something..."

Ash sighs, "Sorry to let you see it, I was just furious about his behavior..."

Marnie says, "This is interesting, well, I'll see you later. Let's go, Morpeko."

"Urara." Morpeko rushes towards his trainer as they also leave.

"That child..." They turn around and see Opal and Delia standing there. Ash says, "Woah, Mother, Grandaunt, where did you come from?"

Delia says, "We were just watching the battle. Sorry to freak you out."

Opal says, "Gym Challengers should battle for the sake of their own Pokemon. Why worry about saving the Champion's name? We all know he's unbeatable."

"That is true." Lillie says. "Just like me, I won't worry about Gladion when I know how strong he is as well."

Opal says, "By the way, here are something that will help you out." She gives them two kinds of League Cards, much to their surprise. One is about the Ghost Type Gym Leader Allister, and the other one is for the Fighting Type Gym Leader Bea.

"Allister and Bea? Where did you get them?" Gloria asks.

Delia says, "Well, I suppose that you heard from Nora that these two are also your siblings, right? Ash?"

Ash nods and then Delia continues, "Allister was a boy I found back in the Sinnoh Region. He was being bullied at school, so he always wear his mask so that nobody will hurt him. And after I heard about it, I decide to adopt him and bring him to the Galar Region. As for Bea, I found her in Hoenn, and she is so focused on the training on her own with her Pokemon. But the problem is, she doesn't know how to smile, it is also the reason I adopted her."

"I see..." Ash says. "Not only Nora, even Allister has been bullied as well..."

Delia asks, "So you guys are going to challenge him now?"

Ash says, "Well, we want to challenge it tomorrow as we want to explore this town first."

Opal says, "Gym Challenge is about having fun, so just take your time."

Alice asks, "So who are you going to pick with you this time?"

Ash says, "I am sorry, but this time I want to look around myself." This causes confusion to the group as he says, "I am sorry about that."

"No it is fine." Dawn says as they bid farewell.

Ash looks around this place and then he is surprised to see that this desert town with harsh sunlight has a lot of Ghost Type Pokemon. He notices a Froslass is helping the ice cream vendor with the ice creams melting, and then a Golurk is at the market helping guarding the place.

"It is such a surprise to see you alone." Ash, Pikachu, Rotom and Perrserker turn around and see Marnie and Morpeko. "I thought you were going to the next town, Marnie?"

Marnie says, "I decide to look around for a while before going there, the distance is no big deal. And since you are alone, how about we go together?"

"Um...sure." Ash says. As they walk around the town, she asks, "So is it true that the gym leader of this town is your brother?"

"Well, yeah. Even though we never met." Ash says. "But from what I heard, he wears a mask when he battles, right?"

"Yeah, he tries to use some spooky sounds to the environment. But I am a Dark Trainer, so it is not going to affect me." Marnie says. "Though his Shedinja is a problem."

"Oh? He uses Shedinja on you?" Ash asks.

"Yeah, stupid Wonder Guard, I couldn't land attack on him unless I switch into Morpeko and use Aura Wheel in Hangry Mode." Marnie says as Ash giggles a little.

Then they see how Gengar and Dusknoir wandering around the cemetery, and that Gourgeist are resting by the bay, Ash says, "It is kinda weird to see them all friendly. After all, Dusknoir and Gengar are Pokemon who are able to send people to the spirit world."

"Oh, you have been there?" Marnie asks. "The Spirit World?"

"Are you serious? If I have been there then what am I? A Ghost?" Ash asks as Marnie laughs a little. "I was joking."

"But seriously, I had been in these kind of scene because of Litwick and Lampent." Ash says.

"Is that so..." Marnie says. And then they see the traitors approaching them as Ash groans again. "So you change your companions, huh?" Clemont says, "How sad for those girls to like a weakling like you."

"What do you mean? She is not my travel companion and she is just my rival. Stop hurting those girls." Ash yells back.

Marnie says, "The betrayed Prince. So all of it isn't just a rumor. But you are messing the wrong people."

"And who do you think you are, acting this high and mighty." Iris asks.

"You don't need to know me. Since I know that my bodyguards would be able to defeat you." Just then, Team Yell appears and then they surround the traitors, Ash and his Pokemon are speechless as they can only mutter, "Wow..."

And then the grunts send out Corsola, Sableye and even Frillish to battle them while Marnie and Ash made their escape. "Sometimes they can be a handful."

"I can tell." Ash says. "And I am glad that you did that. Since I had enough of them to be this annoying. But are you actually the leader of Team Yell?"

Marnie sighs, "Actually, Team Yell has no leader. They are just people from my hometown and that's all. I lived in a place called Spikemuth."

"Spikemuth. Maybe I will be going to your hometown after all." Ash says.

"I know you will." Marnie says.

And then they talk about some Pokemon and then they see how some children are playing with Mimikyu. Ash sighs, "You know, some Mimikyu hate Pikachu."

"Really?" Marnie asks.

"Yeah. Due to the fact that Pikachu is a favorite among the kids." Ash says. "But in this town, they treat Mimikyu as friends and I am glad."

"Seems like you have a bad time with Mimikyu." Marnie says.

"Yeah..." Ash sighs as he also notices some Honedge helping the farmers cutting some ropes. And then they notice the Trevenant and he also tells her about how he was kidnapped by a Trevenant before, much to her amusement. And then he also shows him his recent Pokemon, and she is interested in his Greninja, as it is also a Dark Type.

After bidding farewell with Marnie once the sun is setting, Ash goes back to the others as he hugs his mother. "How is your day go, Ash?"

"Fine, I wanted to look around by myself, but then I met Marnie and now it is a two people hanging out." Ash says.

"Oh? She is still here?" Gloria asks as he nods. "By the way, look what I found. It is a Chipped Pot."

Alice says, "Well, she spent a lot of money for it, apparently she is looking for a Pokemon that can use this pot."

"I see." Ash says, how about we rest up for now, today surely is a long day and you guys don't feel like being around with ghosts, right?"

They shiver as they nod, Opal laughs and she says, "My, Ash. You are scaring those ladies, the Ghost Type in this town is friendly with the help of Allister, so you don't need to worry about it."

"I see." Ash says as they go to rest.

Here is the new chapter, and turns out that Marnie is going to be in the harem, are you surprised? The next chapter will be the Gym Battle against Allister.

Ash's Pokemon with him: Pikachu, Butterfree, Pidgeot, Ivysaur, Charizard, Wartortle, Kingler, Gengar, Primeape, Muk, Tauros x29, Lapras, Snorlax, Heracross, Meganium, Quilava, Feraligatr, Noctowl, Donphan, Pupitar, Swellow, Sceptile, Crawdaunt, Torkoal, Glalie, Staraptor, Torterra, Infernape, Buizel, Gliscor, Gabite, Unfezant, Servine, Dewott, Pignite, Scraggy, Leavanny, Palpitoad, Gigalith, Krookodile, Greninja, Talonflame, Hawlucha, Goodra, Noivern, Dartrix, Lycanroc, Incineroar, Naganadel, Melmetal, Corvisquire, Thievul, Thwackey, Barraskewda, Gyarados, Combee, Steelix, Vileplume, Ninetales, Hitmonlee, Dugtrio (A), Carkol, Perrserker, Leafeon, Espeon, Alcremie (Vanilla Cream, Strawberry Sweet), Alcremie(Rainbow Swirl, Star Sweet), Farfetch'd (G), Meowstic, Flapple, Slurpuff, Ninjask, Toxtricity(Amped), Gallade, Basculin (Red), Golisopod, Koffing, Hatenna, Sawk, Centiskorch, Lucario, Corsola (G), Aegislash, Dreepy, Silicobra, Heatmor, Dracozolt

Alice's Pokemon with her: Drizzile, Butterfree, Greedent, Dubwool, Wooloo x29, Boltund, Vespiquen, Eldegoss, Growlithe, Centiskorch, Dugtrio, Meowth, Pikachu, Eevee x2, Alcremie (Ruby Cream, Love Sweet), Alcremie (Ruby Swirl, Love Sweet), Araquanid, Toxtricity(Low Key), Basculin (Blue), Cufant, Corsola, Jangmo-o, Stunfisk, Axew, Arctovish

Gloria's Pokemon with her: Raboot, Orbeetle, Drednaw, Liepard, Unfezant, Trubbish, Klink, Swoobat, Excadrill, Conkeldurr, Persian, Joltik, Ferroseed, Eevee x2, Alcremie (Salted Cream, Flower Sweet), Cinccino, Appletun, Stunfisk (G), Throh, Pawniard, Sigilyph, Elgyem, Whimsicott, Zwelious, Durant, Maractus, Yamask, Dracovish

Dawn's Pokemon with her: Piplup, Buneary, Pachirisu, Mamoswine, Quilava, Togekiss, Bellossom, Quagsire, Xatu, Stunky, Hitmontop, Cherrim, Roserade, Eevee, Alcremie (Matcha Cream, Berry Sweet), Wobbuffet, Drifblim, Lanturn, Gastrodon, Sudowoodo, Shuckle, Duskull, Hippopotas

Serena's Pokemon with her: Braxien, Sylveon, Pangoro, Linoone, Ludicolo, Shiftry, Diggersby, Manectric, Pumpkaboo, Eevee, Alcremie (Lemon Cream, Ribbon Sweet), Alcremie (Caramel Swirl, Ribbon Sweet), Meowstic, Shedinja, Gardevoir, Barboach, Binacle, Claydol, Helioptile, Trapinch

Lillie's Pokemon with her: Ninetales (A), Magearna, Charjabug, Tsareena, Cloyster, Hitmonchan, Mudsdale, Machamp, Persian (A), Ribombee, Goldeen, Umbreon, Alcremie (Mint Cream, Clover Sweet), Bewear, Farfetch'd, Wishiwashi, Koffing, Salandit, Ditto, Arctozolt