Episode 114b: Pop Goes the Sneasel! (part 2)

Previously, on "Pokemon Moonlight Silver"...

Ash nodded to show he understood. "I'll make sure we can recover the Sacred Fire from the Sneasel, mainly because I want to compete!"

"Actually, I've always wanted a Sneasel as a souvenir from Johto, so I'll help you out if you can get your hands on it." Harrison offered.

"Thanks." Ash smiled before asking the attendant "Where is the shrine?"

"North of here--once you get halfway up the stone steps, you'll reach a path that branches to the left--the shrine is at the end of that path." the attendant replied.

"Let's do this!" Misty cried.

"Come on! We have a League to save!" Ash led the way up the stairs as the crowd looked on...

"Almost there." Brock reported as the group neared the midpoint of the stone steps, where they hoped to find the path leading to the Shrine of the Sacred Fire.

"About time--my feet are killing me!" Misty complained as her feet throbbed in pain.

Ash, meanwhile, spotted a dusty pathway leading to an alcove just as he approached the midpoint step. "There it is! That has to be where the--WHOA!"

Misty froze as she heard the BWONG! of Ash colliding with a clothesline. "Ash!" she cried as she dashed to catch Ash, seconds before he went tumbling back down the stairs. Instead, he landed in his friends' arms--Brock supporting his head and body, and Misty steadying his legs. "There--you okay?" Misty asked as soon as Ash was stable on his own two feet again.

"I think so--didn't expect to run into that wire." Ash replied as he dusted himself off. "Nothing hurts or anything."

"That's good to hear." Harrison smiled. "Although...why would the path to the shrine be blocked like that? According to my Johto guidebook, the Shrine of the Sacred Fire is the start of the torch relay to the League."

When the group approached the path to the shrine again, Ash noticed a Machop and a Machoke inspecting the wire he had hit. "Its those Pokemon the attendant told us about!"

"So what do you suggest we do?" Harrison asked.

"Let's distract them and sneak past--that way we can all save our Pokemon for the League." Misty suggested.

She then heaved a Poke Ball skyward. "Sango, I need you!"

"Anubis, I need you!" Harrison called as he too heaved a Poke Ball, summoning what looked like a larger version of Houndour with large horns and a pointed tail.

Piqued, Ash decided to read up on the black dog-like Pokemon as it supported Sango's Spike Cannon with a Flamethrower:

Houndoom, the dark Pokemon. Upon hearing its eerie howls, other Pokemon get the shivers, and head straight back to their nests.

He noticed a MORE... icon blinking at the bottom of the screen, so he tapped it. "Houndoom is capable of Mega Evolution should the trainer have an awakened Heart Song."

"I have Anubis engaging the Machoke, and your friend's got the Machop, so here's your chance!" Harrison called to Ash as his Houndoom heaved another Flamethrower.

Ash nodded, and hurried to the shrine. But moments before he could open the doors, a high pitched cry got his attention, nearly avoiding a claw as he jumped away.

He growled when he saw a small black Pokemon with long claws giggling at him. That is the Sneasel...

He grabbed the first Poke Ball he could reach and heaved it skyward. "River, I need you!"

[How do you propose we beat Mr. Ninja-mon over there?] River asked as she materialized on the grass, aware of the Sneasel taunting them both.

"I want you to use Water Gun, but be careful not to hit the Sacred Fire." Ash replied, gesturing to the open shrine doors. If the water ricochets off the trees, it could put the Sacred Fire out!

[HAH!] River unleashed a Water Gun attack, but did not expect the Sneasel to pounce on her and Slash her with his claws, knocking her to the ground.

[Ow...any more bright ideas?] River groaned as she eased herself to her feet, rubbing her Slash wound all the while.

Ash gasped when he saw the Sneasel charging a Shadow Ball! "Hit the dirt!"

He gasped as River went flying into his chest, sending them both tumbling back down the hill, only to crash into a tree.

"Ash!" Misty led the others near the tree where Ash and River were collecting themselves. "Are you okay?"

"Just a little pain where I caught River, and some scratches, but I think we'll be okay." Ash groaned.

"Let's go plan out a strategy--going at them head on is obviously not working." Brock suggested as he led the way to an alcove near the shrine.

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"Okay..." Brock began as he led the way back towards the shrine. "Here's the plan--Ash, I want you to pick someone that can be Mega Evolved..."

"I chose Luce." Ash replied.

"Then when we meet the three rogues, I want you to induce Luce, and have her support Anubis." Brock explained.

"You have the power of Mega Evolution?" Harrison gasped, excited. "I know Anubis and Apollo have that ability, but I have yet to find a place where I can awaken my Heart Song..."

"That's what this is..." Ash showed Harrison his Mega Ring. "They say Mega Evolution is the ultimate sign of love between trainer and Pokemon, in those Pokemon that can do it."

He noticed the Machop, the Machoke, and the Sneasel waiting for the group at the path. "There they are..."

He heaved a Poke Ball skyward, followed by holding his right hand, which had his Mega Ring, to the sky. Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...

Harrison watched in awe as a whorl of red thunderbolts emerged from Ash's Poke Ball, revealing Luce as Mega Ampharos! "Anubis, help my friend's Mega Ampharos!"

[HI-YA!!!] Luce ran to engage the Machop, paralyzing it with a Charge Beam. Anubis then charged at the Machoke with a Headbutt.

Anubis noticed the two Fighting Pokemon charging to engage him and Luce. [Hey, Luce...think you can pick up the Machop while I toss the Machoke?]

[Sure!] Luce replied before snagging the Machop and tying it up with a Charge Beam as Anubis picked up the Machoke.

Ash watched as both Fighting Pokemon went flying down the hill, landing at the attendant's feet with swirly eyes. "Two down, and one to go...can you handle the Sneasel by yourself, Harrison?" he asked as Luce's Mega Evolution wore off.

"I think so." Harrison replied as he recalled Anubis. "But I know I can ask you to help if I need it."

He then heaved a second Poke Ball skyward. "Apollo, I choose you!"

Ash gasped at the large red bird Pokemon with long muscular legs that materialized before the Sneasel. "What IS that?" he asked as he consulted his Pokedex.

"Blaziken, the blaze Pokemon. An exotic Pokemon from the Houen region, it can clear a 30-story building in a single bound.

Ash noticed another MORE... icon blinking at the bottom, so he tapped it. Blaziken is capable of Mega Evolution should the trainer have an awakened Heart Song."

"I don't know why Harrison hasn't awakened his Heart Song yet..." Brock mused as he watched Apollo use Quick Attack, which the Sneasel had no chance of dodging. "Based on what little I've read on the Houen region, there is a place he could've awakened it, but where it is escapes me now..."

"It's ultimately a mutual decision between Pokemon and trainer." Ash reminded him as he watched the Sneasel attempt to counter with a Shadow Ball, only for Apollo to dodge and counter with Flamethrower. "What else do you remember from your Houen readings?"

"I remember that the area has twin evil teams with opposing goals." Brock replied. "One wants to expand the land, and the other wants to expand the sea. But all they ever seem to do is fight against each other" He let that hang as they watched Harrison heaved a Poké Ball at the Sneasel...

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"I'm impressed...I never dreamed Apollo was so powerful." Ash smiled as he met Harrison in the crowd near the shrine later that evening, where a crowd had turned out to watch the start of the torch relay.

"He may be my best partner and friend, but I never dreamed I'd see Mega Evolution for myself." Harrison smiled. "But whether I decide to induce Apollo or Anubis will be their choice."

"What are you going to name your new Sneasel?" Ash asked.

"Not sure yet--I'll think of something to continue the mythology and legend theme I have going with my team." Harrison replied. "I will say Luce is a pretty name for an Ampharos."

Some cheers snapped the group to attention as the first torchbearer received the Sacred Fire to begin the relay. "I plan to be at the tournament, and I hope to see you there, too."

"Don't worry, I'll be there." Ash assured Harrison. "Not just that, but I will do my best to win!"

To Be Continued...