Since the League is done, we decide to stop at Aspertia City, since it is where I get my first gym badge. When we get there, we bump into a man as I remember Professor Juniper's father, Cedric Juniper.

"Oh, so you're Ash! My name's Juniper! The one who gave you your Oshawott is my daughter!" Cedric Juniper says.

"It is nice to meet you, sir." I say. "It sure has been a long time..."

"Has it been that long? I can't remember... Well, that's not really why I came. I hear from the other Professors that you have been trying to finish the Pokedex right? How's the process?"

"Well, there's still a few more Pokemon that we need to find." I say.

"Well then, think I'd best be taking my leave! Listen up! There are still many, many Pokémon in this world! Sometimes Pokémon attack each other for food. Sometimes they help one another. They protect each other's places. I'd be happy if you think about things like that while looking at the Pokédex."

After he leaves, Reisa says, "He just left like that..."

"Yeah, we didn't have a nice meeting last time." I say.

"That's because you're N and you did take the Snivy from him, which is now in Hilda's possession." Alice says.

Then we meet up with Hugh, who says, "Hey! My sis has something she wants to tell you!"

Hugh's sister steps forward and says, "Um... These days, I've been having dreams about a Pokemon. A Pokemon like that."

She points at Zoroark, who is confused. "It was calling your names."

"I don't really get it, but that's what she wanted to say. Be seeing you!" Hugh says.

After they leave, Eve asks, "Zoroark calling our names? I wonder what's that about..."

Then we head to Floccesy Town, and we decide to visit Alder. I decide to reveal about me being N to him. He just laughs and says, "I already know about it. I know something about N is not real... and the last battle we have in Lacunosa Town really shows me a lot."

I say, "The words that you've given me two years ago. I still remember it. Even if we don't understand each other, that's not a reason to reject each other. There are two sides to any argument. Is there one point of view that has all the answers? It is because of this that I've learned to grow."

"I'm glad to hear it." Alder says. Just then, a boy rushes in and yells, "Gramps! I did it! I did it! I DID it! The Black Tower and the White Treehollow! I made it to the top and the deepest part!"

"Why, if it isn't Benga! Are you serious, boy?" Alder laughs.

"Hey! Gramps! You know how strong I am! Hey, hey!" Benga says, then he notices us, "Who're they?"

After introducing ourselves, Benga says, "I knew it! That Trainer smells tough!"

I think he's talking about me? Alder says, "How about it, Benga? Do you want to spar, perhaps?"

"No! I know that Trainer's strong! And I want to battle! But those Pokémon haven't been through enough! Me! And my Pokémon! We climbed to the top of the Black Tower and the deepest part of White Treehollow! You do that too! There we'll see who's stronger! Let's try hard to be the best! Later! Gramps and you guys!"

After Benga leaves, Alder chuckles, "He's a lively one, even for MY grandson! I'll explain what he was talking about. He challenged a place called the Black Tower and White Treehollow, which appeared in Black City and White Forest. You'll find out what kind of places they are if you go there. An ordinary Trainer, however, can't make it to where he is. So that's the story! If you'd like, you should take the challenge as well."

We nod as we will soon go there and check out what's going on there, but first, we head to the Pledge Grove, that's where Keldeo wants to go. He says, "This is the place where I learned my Secret Sword. Cool, isn't it?"

"That sounds very awesome." Eve says. "So these are the carvings of Cobalion, Terrakion, and Virizion..."

We touch the rock and we can see a lot of visions of Keldeo's hard work. After that, we head to the Cave of Being, which is a place where Uxie, Mesprit, and Azelf might show up.

Then in Castelia City, we take the Royal Unova since Cilan wants to go there. However, we also meet Mrs. Ripple, one of the foremost gem collectors in Unova, who is planning a showing of her gem collection after the tournament. When Mrs. Ripple graciously agrees to show us her collection privately, everyone is especially taken with the Eye of Liepard, the biggest known gem of its kind in the world. Although fellow collector Mr. Shaw is determined to purchase the rare gem, Mrs. Ripple refuses, much to his frustration.

Then we do the battling on the ship, and we notice a strong trainer named Teaque with his Vanillite defeating a lot of opponents. I go battle him, but he uses Galvantula instead of Vanillite. Galvantula's Thunderbolt apparently goes awry and strikes the ship's electrical system, causing a temporary blackout. Once the power is restored, we win our battle. And then, out of nowhere, Mrs. Ripple's Purrloin launches itself at Teaque in a furious attack. We manage to pry Purrloin off his opponent, and it runs away. Mrs. Ripple and the captain go looking for it, and when they decide to check the gem room, they find that Mr. Shaw has broken in and the Eye of Liepard is missing. Mr. Shaw insists it was already gone when he got there, but considering his extreme interest in the gem, he's still the primary suspect.

But after a thorough search, the captain reports that they couldn't find the stolen gem anywhere in Mr. Shaw's things. Cilan really acts like Minami when it comes to detective things, and we find that Purrloin was in the room during the blackout when the gem was stolen, so it's the best witness. And given Purrloin's attack on Teaque after the blackout, plus the water spot on the rug right next to the table that held the gem, Cilan has a conclusion: Teaque must have caused the blackout on purpose, then sent his Vanillite into the locked room through the air ducts to steal the Eye of Liepard.

We then arrest Teaque, finding that he's actually a wanted gem thief and a master in disguise. Good thing that we have help from our International Police fellows to take him away.

Now arriving at Joint Avenue, we find Grimsley there playing games with other people in his stand.

"Mister, do you want to spin this roulette?" He then asks me, and I decide to spin the wheel and it lands on a one.

"Amazing! You have earned a free ticket to the stores. Well. Aren't you a lucky one." The man steps forward and says, "I am Grimsley the Elite 4. I know you will be arriving here."

"That's good to know, Grimsley. I'm here for the Elite Four battle." I say.

"I see. Then how about we take a bet, what are you going to lose if you lose?" Grimsley asks.

"I know you did this and caused Hilbert to faint in shock, but I'm not him, and I know what I'm going to lose. I'll reveal if I really lose."

Grimsley smiles and says, "What will be determined here is which of us can absorb the opponent's light and shine... But who will decide that? It shall be I, Grimsley of the Elite Four, and I will fulfill my duty to be your opponent."

Eve is excited to see the battle because the Elite Four member specializes in Dark Type. The match, like other Elite Four battles, is a five-on-five battle. His first Pokemon is Liepard, so I decide to go with Sawk. Sawk goes for Brick Break, but a Fake out causes him to flinch. Then Sawk chooses Double Kick, which hurts Liepard.

"Now why would you use that move? If I can figure that out, I may be able to win!" Grimsley says as he tells Liepard to use Attract, then finishes Sawk with Aerial Ace. I recall Sawk and sending out Butterfree. Grimsley asks Liepard to use Night Slash, but Butterfree dodges and defeats Liepard with a Bug Buzz.

"That's finally one Pokemon down..." Golly says.

Grimsley sends out Scrafty as his second Pokemon, Alice says, "Strange... why is he choosing a Fighting Type against a Bug and Flying Type?"

Cilan says, "But remember, Ash's opponent is an Elite Four member, so we can't underestimate him."

It is then I realize the goal, Scrafty can learn Rock Tomb, and that move not only deals a lot of damage to Butterfree, but also lowers the speed so that it can't dodge as easily as it is. And with a Poison Jab, Butterfree is out of the battle. I decide to go with Whimsicott as my third Pokemon. Whimsicott dodges the Brick Break and uses Dazzling Gleam, knocking out Scrafty.

Grimsley sends out his third Pokemon, Krookodile. Krookodile uses Rock Tomb, but Whimsicott dodges and shoots Moonblast, which is destroyed by Dragon Claw. Despite taking no damage, the Moonblast breaks. It then goes for Crunch, which is also not very effective, and Whimsicott goes for a Solar Beam to defeat Krookodile.

Grimsley's fourth Pokemon is an Absol, by boosting with Swords Dance, the X-Scissor knocks out Whimsicott. I decide to go with Gardevoir, using Teleport to dodge all the attacks, before landing the hit with a Misty Terrain-powered Moonblast.

"A beautiful loss is still a loss, and an ugly win is still a win! Which is why I will use this Pokemon." He sends out Bisharp, which is also a Steel Type. Not a good matchup against Gardevoir, and with a Metal Claw, Gardevoir is defeated.

"Now Ash only has one Pokemon to use." Alice says.

"I think Ash should choose a Fighting Type Pokemon if he wants to win this." Eve says.

"Zoroark, do you want to battle?" I ask, and Zoroark jumps into the stage. It starts off using Extrasensory, which doesn't effect Bisharp. Bisharp goes for X-Scissor, but I have Zoroark use Agility to dodge.

"Use Flamethrower!" I command, and the move deals a lot of damage. Then Bisharp also lands the Aerial Ace and X-Scissor, but once it gets contact, I smile, "Finish with Counter!"

Grimsley is surprised that the attack is back to Bisharp and now it is unable to battle for sure. "Where there's a winner, there's also a loser. It's pathetic to make a big deal out of losing if you weren't prepared. If you're a true Pokémon battler, you'll reflect upon your loss and think about how to win next time!"

Then he walks to me and smiles, "Whether or not you get to fight at full strength, whether or not luck smiles on you-none of that matters. Only results matter. And a loss is a loss. See, victory shines like a bright light. And right now, you and your Pokémon are shining brilliantly. This is what I can give you."

After I get the Dark Medal, I say, "And this is what I'm betting. If I lose, I won't get this Medal."

Grimsley is surprised at the answer, but he smiles, "You are surely a formidable opponent. And a smart one indeed. Now, I'm nothing more than the one who lost his light... But this loss will make me shine even brighter next time... If I think that way, it's not too bad. Sigh... You should take that strength and test it against the rest of the Elite Four."

We then bid farewell to Grimsley as we look around more of the Joint Avenue shops. Thanks to Gina that this place is actually really great to explore, and we can also buy a lot of things there.

Here is a new chapter, and the first Elite Four battle is done. The next chapter will be more exploring and more Elite Four battles.

Ash and Alice's Pokemon:

Charizard x2, Butterfree x2 (One Pink), Pikachu x2, Lapras, Meganium, Espeon, Steelix (Crystal), Mantine, Sceptile, Gardevoir (Shiny), Milotic, Absol, Infernape, Lucario, Abomasnow, Magnezone, Victini, Serperior, Emboar, Samurott, Watchog, Stoutland, Liepard, Simisage, Simisear, Simipour, Musharna, Unfezant, Zebstrika, Gigalith, Swoobat, Excadrill, Audino, Conkeldurr, Seismitoad, Throh, Sawk, Leavanny, Scolipede, Whimsicott, Lilligant, Basculin x2, Krookodile, Darmanitan, Maractus, Crustle, Scrafty, Sigilyph, Cofagrigus, Carracosta, Archeops, Garbodor, Zoroark, Cinccino, Gothitelle, Reuniclus, Swanna, Vanilluxe, Sawsbuck, Emolga, Escavalier, Amoonguss, Jellicent, Alomomola, Galvantula, Ferrothorn, Klinklang, Eelektross, Beheeyem, Chandelure, Haxorus, Beartic, Accelgor, Mienshao (Shiny), Druddigon, Golurk, Bisharp, Bouffalant, Braviary, Mandibuzz, Zweilous, Volcarona, Cobalion, Terrakion, Virizion, Tornadus, Thundurus, Reshiram, Zekrom, Landorus, Kyurem, Meloetta

Golly's Pokemon:

Gastly, Liepard, Scolipede, Krookodile, Scrafty, Cofagrigus, Garbodor, Zoroark, Amoonguss, Jellicent, Chandelure, Bisharp, Mandibuzz, Zweilous

Eve's Pokemon:

Houndoom, Mightyena, Liepard, Krookodile, Scrafty, Zoroark, Bisharp, Mandibuzz, Zweilous

Iris' Pokemon:

Lapras, Aggron, Excadrill, Archeops, Emolga, Axew, Druddigon, Hydreigon

Cilan's Pokemon:

Pansage, Maractus, Dwebble, Ferrothorn, Stunfisk