The Aircraft

The next day, it was time for the gang to head back to Olivine City. The bad news was that they missed the ferry and there wasn't going to be another ferry until tomorrow. Brock looked in the guidebook to see what else they could do to Olivine City. After going through a page or two, Brock found something helpful.

"It says here that there is a airport called the Hoothoot Express down the road from that port." He said. "So we can probably take the plane to Olivine City."

"Well then I suggest we take the plane to Olivine City." Ash said.

Soon the gang headed over to the airport to get to Olivine City. When they got there, the airport looked like an abandoned warehouse.

"Goodness me." Misty said. "I really hope this is the right place."

Ash called out to see if anyone was in the airport and then an old man came out.

"Hello there." The old man said. "My name is Wings Alexander, the pilot of the Hoothoot Express."

Ash explained to Wings that they needed a lift to Olivine City, where he could get a gym badge. Wings understood Ash's passion for gym battles. He explained that he was a Pokemon trainer too when he was younger.

"If you help me with my Pokemon first, I'll gladly give you a lift to Olivine City."

Wings kept some of his Pokemon in a barn; some Ponyta, some Sandshrew, some Weepinbell, some Bellsprout, a Tangela, a Rattata, a Doduo and a Parasect. He had many others as well, but they were in their Poke Balls. The gang didn't mind helping out, the sooner that the chores were done, the sooner they could get to Olivine City. Wings Alexander was grateful. Once the Pokemon chores were done, Wings checked his plane to see if it was okay and all fueled up. In the plane was an old Noctowl, fast asleep on a chair. Wings explained that it was his Noctowl and that he had Noctowl ever since it was a Hoothoot.

"Since Noctowl is old in years like me, he just spends the days fast asleep."

"I'm sure Noctowl dreams of the past." Ash said.

After everything was checked over, Wings was ready to fly the plane. Ash, Tomo, Misty and Brock got into their seats and put their seat belts on. Soon the plane took off into the sky and was on it's way to Olivine City.

"It certainly feels nice to travel on a plane for once." Ash said.

"I agree." Brock said, feeling relaxed.

Misty looked at the view from the window and realized that they were really leaving the Whirl Islands now.

"It's a pity that the journey in the Whirl Islands is over." She said. "Because I enjoyed traveling across the Whirl Islands."

"Yeah me too." Ash replied. "But we have a lot of memories of our travels here. We visited all of the islands in the Whirl Islands, caught new water type Pokemon for ourselves, entered the Whirl Cup with me winning it, reunited with our old friend Ritchie and made some new friends as well as meet a family of Lugia."

"We also celebrated my birthday here too." Tomo said.

"You are absolutely right about that Ash." Brock said. "We do have great memories of our time here in the Whirl Islands."

Misty and Tomo agreed with that too. So even if the journey in the Whirl Islands came to a end; it would be a time the gang would never forget.

So far everything was okay, but then dark clouds started to appear in the sky.

"Oh dear, it looks like a storm is brewing." Wings said.

"Will we be okay in this storm?" Ash asked Wings.

"Don't worry." Wings said. "I have flown through weather like this lots of times. But be on standby all of you, just in case."

Ash, Misty, Tomo and Brock began to get worried. At the moment, everything was okay. But then there was trouble, strong winds were picking up and one of the propellers on top of the plane was coming loose.

"Oh no." Wings said. "If those engines get loose, the plane will crash into the sea."

"Leave it to me." Ash said.

He opened the door and leaped out of the airplane before growing in size.

Ash held the first propeller in place. Unfortunately the other propeller was starting to come loose. Brock released his Weepinbell to use Vine Whip and hold onto the second propeller. Thanks to the two propellers being held in place, everything was going smoothly. But there were further issues; lightning bolts started to appear.

"I fear that this storm is getting worse." Wings sighed.

He turned to his old Noctowl, who was still asleep.

"Ah Noctowl, in the past you always helped me in situations like this. I don't blame you for being old and tired, because I am old and tired myself. But I am sure that you can help us out of this situation again."

Noctowl then woke up; it was like it understood the situation and that his trainer needed help.

Noctowl grabbed a long strong rope, flew out of the plane and wrapped the rope around the plane then tugged it very hard. Ash helped the elder Noctowl and Misty, Brock and Tomo held onto the other end of the rope. So far everything was okay, but the lightning bolts were coming down like crazy.

Ash tanked the lightning bolts so they wouldn't hit the plane.

Everything was proceeding nicely, but then it started to get misty.

"I'm not able to see a thing in this mist." Ash said.

But then he saw a light ahead.

"Hey that's coming from the lighthouse in Olivine City."

Ash was right; Sparkle's light was shining from the lighthouse, which meant that they had finally arrived in Olivine City and that Sparkle had finally recovered from it's illness. Ash also saw Janina waving at them. Everyone was relieved that they had reached Olivine City safely. They thanked Wings and Wings was happy to have brought them to Olivine City; it reminded him of the good old days.

And now the adventures in the Whirl Islands had officially wrapped up and Ash could finally battle Jasmine tomorrow for his sixth gym badge.