Episode 385: Sliding Into The Seventh
On the very next morning, Sora is getting set for his upcoming Gym battle. Sora accessed his Pokémon Box and he exchanged Rillaboom, Staraptor, Grotle, and Prinplup for Rampardos, Bastiodon, Cinderace, and Carkol. Sora figured his Fire, Rock, and Steel Type Pokémon would have an edge over Candice. Cinderace, Rampardos, Monferno, and Bastiodon were getting some training done.
"That's it, guys! That's really good! Keep it up and we'll win it for sure!" Sora said. The Pokémon all agreed. Kairi and Ventus were watching him train. "Okay, Rampardos and Bastiodon! Iron Head! Cinderace! Blaze Kick! Monferno! Mach Punch!" Monferno, Cinderace, Rampardos, and Bastiodon performed their attacks greatly as they were getting ready for the battle with Candice. Monferno and Cinderace hi-five each other to another job well-done.
Elsewhere, a tall and medium build is seen riding in what looks like a flying pyramid. He has thick brown hair that hangs around his face, with a thick, long side fringe, small dark eyes with thick dark, prominent eyebrows and slightly tanned skin. He wore a cider green coloured jacket fastened with big white buttons and has a red collar, matching cropped trousers, white socks and charcoal coloured flat shoes. He also wore a black belt with a grey pack on his side.
"How soon are we near the temple, Samuel?" The man asked.
"We shall be there soon, Brandon. I'll make contact with Maria, informing her that we're near," Samuel replied.
"Good," Brandon said with approval.
The pyramid makes its way to the temple. Back to the Pokémon Center, Lucas and Dawn arrive to the Pokémon Center as they bumped into Sora and his friends.
"Sora, Kairi!" Lucas greeted.
"Lucas, Dawn!" Kairi greeted as well.
"Good to see you," Sora said.
"You here for a Gym battle?" Ventus asked.
"Yeah. I heard the Gym Leader uses Ice Types, so I came by to challenge her," Lucas said.
"And how about you, Dawn? You win your fifth Ribbon?" Kairi asked.
"Not yet, but I'll be working hard for my next one," Dawn said.
"So, Sora, you win your Gym Badge yet?" Lucas asked.
"Not yet. But we're on the way to get to it," Sora said.
"Great!" Lucas said.
With that said, Lucas and Dawn all join the group for Sora's Gym battle. Upon arriving, Candice greets them with a smile.
"Welcome, Sora. I hope you trained hard for this," Candice said.
"You'll find that I have," Sora said.
"Great!" Candice said. She noticed the two extras with them. "Who are they?"
"I'm Lucas and I'm a Pokémon trainer like Sora. And I wanna challenge you to a Gym battle," Lucas said.
"And I'm Dawn, a Pokémon Coordinator. I'm just here for support," Dawn said.
"It's nice to hear someone cheering for support. But Lucas, you would have to wait until after my battle with Sora," Candice said.
"That's no problem with me," Lucas said.
"Whenever you're ready, Sora, we can get started," Candice said.
"I'm ready when you are," Sora said.
"That's what I wanna hear. Get on your Kiyah!" Candice said.
Both Sora and Candice got into position for their battle. The referee steps out to make the battle official.
"The battle between Candice, the Gym Leader, and Sora, the challenger is about to begin! Before we begin, I would like to say that this will be a four-on-four Pokémon battle! And the battle is over when all four Pokémon are unable to battle! In addition to the rule, only the challenger is allowed to make substitutions anytime! Now, choose your Pokémon and begin!" The referee announced. Candice took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Snover! Go!" Candice called out. Snover came on out to battle. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it. Candice's Snover has a white middle section.
"Go! Bastiodon!" Sora calle dout and Bastiodon came out to battle Snover.
"Sora's starting off good using a Rock and Steel Type," Riku said.
"Wouldn't it be considered unfair for Candice now being allowed to switch her Pokémon?" Kazemon asked.
"That's how the Gym Leaders roll, Kazemon," Agumon said.
"Also, what did Riku mean by getting a good start?" Beetlemon asked.
"What he meant is that Snover is an Ice Type Pokémon, so Snover has a weakness to Rock and Steel Types, like Bastiodon," Gabumon said.
"But I wouldn't count out that Snover, becuase she looks even stronger than the one Sora caught when we were at Lake Valor," Kairi said.
"Snover! Use Razor Leaf!" Candice fires Razor Leaf at the prehistoric Pokémon.
"Protect!" Sora ordered. Bastiodon forms a protective barrier around him. "Now, use Iron Head!" Bastiodon comes at Snover to land a hit onto the frost tree Pokémon.
"That was a good hit!" Terriermon said.
"But it's not over yet," Lopmon said.
"Lopmon is right. Candice isn't one who will back down with ease," Renamon said.
"Let's see what she has up her sleeve," Kumamon said.
"Dodge and use Bullet Seed!" Candice ordered. Snover mangaes to dodge Bastiodon's Iron Head. "Now, use Icy WInd!" Snover fires Icy Wind right at Bastiodon.
"Bastiodon doesn't look he's taking any damage from those attacks," Ventus said.
"Maybe not, Ven, but with Bastiodon not protecting himself with his shield-like face, leaving Bastiodon open for attacks like Icy WInd and Razor Leaf.
"Now, Snover, use Ice Beam!" Candice ordered. Snover fires Ice Beam and it struck Bastiodon hard. "Now, use Bullet Seed!"
"Bastiodon! Use Metal Burst!" Sora ordered. Bastiodon stood and took some damage from Bullet Seed and
"Metal Burst?" Lobomon asked.
"Metal Burst is a move that allows the user to take some damage and then sends it out," Riku said.
"Now, let it out, Bastiodon!" Sora called out. Bastiodon unleashes a force of metal energy and lands a hit onto Snover, earning a knockout.
"Snover is unable to battle! Bastiodon wins!" The referee announced. Candice calls back her Snover.
"Your Kiyah was awesome, Snover, get some rest," Candice said.
"Sora has taken the lead!" Agumon said.
"Looks like it, but we're going to see for how long," Riku said.
"Eevee," Eevee said.
"He's right. If what you said about him being backed in a corner and then boucing back, I'm looking forward on seeing how he does that," Loweemon said.
In Myotismon's hiding place, Grumblemon was still grumbling from his defeat.
"Me may have lost, but me get them next time!" Grumblemon grumbled.
"You had your chance, Grumblemon," Myotismon said. Grumblemon flinched.
"Master," Grumblemon said, shivering in fear.
"Need I remind you of Etemon and Ogremon's deaths? If not, then you shall join them!" Myotismon said,
"Grumblemon always did rush in without thinking," Impmon said.
"Agreed. If he is not careful then he shall fall in battle," Mercurymon said. Impsmon walked away from the Warrior of Steel as he is being contacted. He answered to see who's calling him.
"What's up?" Impmon asked.
"It's me," Lucemon said.
"Lucemon! Where are you right now?" Impmon asked.
"Back in the real world. We arrived not too long ago. We are on Hunter J's ship, making our way to Snowpoint City," Lucemon said.
"I was wondering when you were going to come back. I've been keeping an eye on things since you left. What about the others?" Impmon asked.
"We shall meet you there. Be ready," Lucemon said.
"On it," Impmon said, breaking contact. Impmon went off to wait for the word. He was unawaare of Duskmon spying on him. Wizardmon was doing the same thing.
Back to the Gym, Candice took out her next Pokéball and threw it.
"Get your Kiyah on, Medicham!" Candice called out, letting out her Medicham.
"A Medicham!" Ventus said.
"Medicham evolved from Meditite, doesn't it?" Agumon asked.
"Yes. Medicham is a Fighting Type and a Psychic Type. It must be how she handles Rock and Steel Types since being a FIghting Type, and a Psychic Type to handle Fighting Types," Kairi said.
"That's my Miss Senior," Zoey said. Sora calls Bastioon back.
"Rest up, Bastiodon," Sora said, taking out another Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Cinderace!" Sora called out, letting Cinderace out to battle.
"Yeah, Cinderace!" Ventus said.
"When did Raboot evolve?" Riku asked.
"It was before we got to Canalave City," Aqua said.
"You should have seen it, because Cinderace gave us an awesome battle against Byron's Pokémon," Ventus said.
"Cinderace! Start off with Pyro Ball!" Sora ordered. Cinderace starts kicking a peble around and kicks it towards Medicham.
"Medicham! Use Detect!" Candice ordered. Medicham moves and dodges Cinderace's Pyro Ball.
"Man, her Medicham can use Detect!" Veemon said.
"And Detect can make things hard for Sora and his Pokémon to land a hit if Detect is used in succession," Riku said.
"Let's just hope Sora will land a hit," Naminé said.
"Medicham! use Ice Punch!" Cnadice ordered. Medicham comes at Cinderace to land a hit.
"Dodge and use Low Sweep!" Sora ordered. Cinderace tries to avoid Ice Punch, but landed a hit. Cinderace gave Medicham a kick at its feet. "Now, use Blaze Kick!" Cinderace gave Medicham a burning kick.
"Medicham! Use Psychic!" Candice ordered. Candice uses Psychic to lift up Cinderace. Medicham brings the striker Pokémon down hard on the icy battlefield. "Now, use Force Palm!" The meditate Pokémon comes at Cinderace.
"Dodge with Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Cinderace avoids Medicham's Force Palm attack. "Now, use Blaze Kick!" Cinderace swings his leg at Medicham.
"Detect!" Candice ordered. Medicham avoids Cinderace's Blaze Kick. "Now, use Ice Punch!"
"Blaze Kick again!" Sora ordered. Cinderace came at Medicham and landed a Blaze Kick. "Wrap it up with Pyro Ball!" Cinderace kicks a pebble around and gave a the ball of fire a kick and it lands a hit onto Medicham. Medicham goes flying at the wall and slides down, knocked out.
"Medicham is unable to battle! Cinderace wins!" The referee announced.
"Two down and two to go!" Hawkmon said.
"Let's see how much longer this can go on," Tentomon said. Candice calls her Medicham back.
"Get some rest, Medicham. You earned it," Candice said. "That was impressive, Sora. I can see why you earned those Gym Badges. But it's no over yet." Candice took out another Pokéball and threw it. "Your turn now, Sneasel!" Her Sneasel came out to battle next. Candice's Sneasel has a smaller head feather. Sora calls back Cinderace and took out another Pokéball and threw it.
"You're up next, Rampardos!" Sora called out. Rampardos came on out to battle.
"So, you had another prehistoric Pokémon and a Rock Type no less. I am starting to like how you think," Candice said.
"Okay, Sneasel is a Dark Type, so Zen Headbutt will have zero affect on Sneasel, so I got Iron Head and Head Smash to work with," Sora said in his thoughts.
"Rampardos is another good choice to use against Candice's Ice Types," Terra said.
"Yeah, but Rampardos knows Zen Headbutt, so that's a Psychic Type move, so it won't affect Sneasel," Aqua said.
"So, the moves Rampardos can use is Headbutt, Iron Head, and Head Smash," Gomamon said.
"But doesn't Head Smash cause recoil damage when used?" Armadillomon asked.
"It does and Sora knows it," Agumon said.
"Sneasel! Metal Claw!" Candice ordered.
Over to J's ship, Pokémon Hunter J steps out and meets with Sephiroth, Golbez, and some other people. One of them is a woman wearing a red skin tight gown. She has markings on her face and long silver hair, some of which is pulled up into two red-tipped "horns". Another is a man wearing a sky blue cybernectic suit of armor about seven feet tall with a horned helmet, spiked shoulders and a long blue cloak. His helmet is topped with a two-ended plume and has a thin opening that would normally be used for sight. His armor is decorated with jewels, gold linings and beads. The only part of his body not covered by the armor are his hands, which are ash gray with black pointy nails. Another is a clown with long blond hair tied into a ponytail, worn with a feathered headdress. His face is painted white with red around his eyes and his lips are variably bright red or purple. He wore a large, ruffled collar that is primarily yellow with red stripes. His eyes are green. Another is a man wearing a deep purple bolero jacket held closed by a silver band, with metalpauldrons, white sleeves, and gold lining. His white half-skirt is held by four straps connected to a codpiece. He wore purple fingerless gloves, leggings, and pointed boots. His hair is silver with lavender, looking like a feather. Another is a dark-skinned, muscular man with long, unruly black hair and red eyes. He wore a pair of black shorts with an orange and red sash covering his right leg, a red headband, and a metal gauntlet and pauldron covering his left arm. He is barefoot. His outfit appears to be a similar to Tidus's uniform, with the straps undone. He has a blacktattooof some kind of symbol on his chest.
"You're the people that wanted to meet with me," J stated.
"Indeed. We have asked for your services, and we expect great things from you, Pokémon Hunter," Sephiroth said.
"You understand that the Pokémon in question is what we desire," the woman said.
"I'll have it done. There isn't a Pokémon I couldn't capture," J said.
"History says differently! If I recall you were done in by some children. Children did you in! And that's pretty funny when you think about it!" The clown laughed. J growled, wanting to shut the clown up.
"Silence, clown!" The man with the sky blue armor exclaimed.
"And what will you do if I don't, Exdeath?" The clown taunted.
"Enough!" Golbez stated.
"He's right. Either you wipe that smile off your face, or I'll wipe it off for you!" The tanned skinnned man said.
"That will not be necessary, Jecht. Now, Hunter J, you have the assignment, so I advise you to get to work," Sephiroth said.
"You won't be disappointed," J said. She re-enters her ship and proceeded to carry on her work.
"Mateus was right to hire her," Sephiroth said.
"If used properly, greed has its usefulness," Exdeath said.
"I'm with him. The Pokémon Hunter easily agreed to our terms," the young man with the bolero jacket said.
"Maybe so, Kuja, but there is another force working within her ship. And I doubt she will be happy to witness them," the woman said.
"You mean, someone pulling the strings other than us, Ultimecia? I like them already," the clown said.
"Yoh would, Kefka," the young man with the bolero jacket said. "So, Spehiroth, you don't think she's actually going to capture Regigigas for us, do you?"
"The goal isn't to capture Regigigas, Kuja. The goal is to draw out our enemies. And with any luck, they will rush right in to stop them," Sephiroth said.
Unknown to any of the Team Shadow members, a quadrupedal animal with dark red and orange fur and a thin brown mane was watching them. He looked like a red lion or wolf-like animal. His right eye is scarred, and the remaining eye is ochre. He is adorned with a variety of beads, earrings and feathers around his head, with golden pastern braces and brands on his legs. One of these brands is the roman numeral "XIII". The tip of his tail burns, and he seems able to control the flame. The animal has black patterns on his legs and what appears to be face paint.
"I must follow this Hunter J and stop her," the animal said. The animal begins to pursue the Pokémon Hunter. He has picked up the scent she was giving off.
Back to the Gym, Candice the battle was raging on.
"Sneasel! Use Metal Claw!" Candice ordered. Sneasel started to come at Rampardos by sliding on the ice.
"Rampardos! Dodge and use Iron Head!" Sora ordered. Rampardos avoids Sneasel's Metal Claw and swings his head down at the sharp claw Pokémon.
"Dodge!" Candice called out. Sneasel avoids Iron Head with her speed. "Now, use Icy Wind!" Sneasel slides right at Rampardos and gave him a series of Icy WInd attacks at close range. Rampardos was getting cold from the Icy Wind bombardment.
"Sneasel is really giving Rampardos an Icy Wind blow," Meowth said.
"And that will mean Icy Wind is cutting Rampardos's speed from each hit," Palmon said.
"I'm getting cold just by watching," Guilmon said..
"Hope Sora has a way to fight back," Gaomon said.
"Rampardos! Head Smash on the ground!" Sora ordered. Rampardos slams his head in the ground and stops Sneasel from sliding around. Rampardos has suffered some recoil damage in the process.
"And there's the recoil damage," Patamon said.
"I'm getting a headache just by watching this," Armadillomon said.
"Now, use Headbutt!" Sora ordered. Rampardos landed a headbutt onto Sneasel and sends her up in the air.
"Sneasel!" Candice gasped.
"Now, use Iron Head!" Sora ordered. Rampardos jumps and lands an Iron Head onto Sneasel and falls to the ground, beaten.
"Sneasel is unable to battle! Rampardos wins!" The referee announced.
"Now Candice has one left to use," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"And I have a good feeling who Miss Senior is saving up for last," Zoey said. Candice calls back her Sneasel.
"Take a good long rest, Sneasel, you have earned it," Candice said. "Well, Sora, your Kiyah is way hgher than I thought. The way you battled is a sure fire sign on how well you raised your Pokémon. And now, it's time for my last Pokémon; and not only that, but my strongest one! Wanna take a guess, Sora?"
"I have a feeling I'm about to find out," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"And here it is! Go! Abomasnow!" Candice called out. Abomasnow has come out to battle.
"I knew she was saving Abomasnow for last. And since Abomasnow is the evolved form of Snover, that'll mean Abomasnow is way stronger than Snover. I'll have to give it all I got against that Pokémon," Sora said in his thoughts. He spoke out loud, "Rampardos! Iron Head!" Rampardos charges right at Abomasnow with Iron Head.
"Is that Sora's battling strategy? That strategy is going to sink! Abomasnow! Use Ice Punch!" Candice ordered. Abomasnow lands an Ice Punch onto the headbutt Pokémon.
"Rampardos!" Sora gasped.
"Now, use Wood Hammer!" Candice ordered. Abomasnow smacks Rampardos with Wood Hammer and deals some heavy damage. Abomasnow has suffered some recoil damage in the process. Rampardos gets back up. "Abomasnow! Use Blizzard!" Abomasnow fires Blizzard and it freezes Rampardos. "Finish it with Ice Punch!" Abomasnow lands a powerful Ice Punch and knocks out the headbutt Pokémon.
"Rampardos is unable to battle! Abomasnow wins!" The referee announced. Sora calls back his fallen Rampardos.
"I knew Abomasnow is strong, but way stronger than I thought. Looks like I'll have to defend!" Sora said, taking out his next Pokéball and threw it. "Bastiodon! Back to action!" Bastiodon comes back out to battle. Bastiodon was still tired from the battle with Snover.
"Bastiodon doesn't look so good," Kazemon said.
"Bastiodon must be tired from the battle with Snover," Terra said.
"Especially from all those attacks he took," Hawkmon said.
"Abomasnow! Use Bliizard!" Candice ordered. Abomasnow fires Blizzard right at the shield Pokémon.
"Protect!" Sora ordered. Bastiodon forms a protective barrier around himself. "Now, use Flash Cannon!" Bastiodon fires Flash Cannon at his target.
"Use Blizzard!" Candice ordered. Abomasnow fires Blizzard to block Flash Cannon. It resulted in an explosion.
"Looks like it was a draw," Agunimon said.
"Now, Sora has to do is turn it around and fast!" Lobomon said.
"Bastiodon! Use Iron Head!" Sora ordered. Bastiodon charges right at Abomasnow.
"Abonasnow! Use Ice Punch!" Candice ordered. Abomasnow lands an Ice Punch onto Bastiodon. The shiled Pokémon has taken some heavy damage, despite a strong defense. "Now, use Razor Leaf!" Abomasnow fires Razor Leaf and it deals some more damage. Bastodon has been taken down.
"Bastiodon is unable to battle! Abomasnow wins!" The referee announced.
"That makes two in a row Sora has lost," Guilmon said.
"That Abomasnow is pretty strong. We all knew that," Riku said. Sora calls back Bastiodon and he took out another Pokéball and threw it.
"Cindrace! Back to action!" Sora called out. Cinderace came back out to battle.
"Abomasnow! Use Blizzard!" Candice ordered. Abomasnow fires Blizzard at the rabbit-like Pokémon.
"Dodge with Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Cinderace uses his speed attack to dodge Abomasnow's Blizzard.
"That's a good save," Biyomon said.
"For now," Gatomon said.
"Cinderace! Pyro Ball!" Sora ordered. Cinderace starts kicking a pebble around and gave the fireball a kick.
"Dodge!" Candice called out. Abomasnow dodges Pyro Ball by sliding on the ice. "Use Ice Punch!" Abomasnow gave Cinderace a punch in the gut.
"Cinderace! Use Blaze Kick!" Sora ordered. Cinderace moved to give Abomasnow a Blaze Kick.
"Razor Leaf!" Candice ordered. Abomasnow fires Razor Leaf and landed a hit with the leaves. "Use Wood Hammer!" Abomasnow slams Cinderace with Wood Hammer and he slides right towards the wall and slammed right into it. Cinderace had been taken down.
"Cinderace is unable to battle! Abomasnow wins!" The referee announced.
"Both are down to one left," Ventus said.
"And it's up to the one Sora has left in reserve," Meowth said.
"And knowing him, he has an ace up his sleeve," Riku said. Sora took out his last Pokéball and looked at it for a moment.
"This is it. Bottom of the barrel, everything depends on this last shot," Sora said. He threw it. "Go! Monferno!" Monferno came on out from his Pokéball. "Use Mach Punch!" Monferno dashed at Abomasnow and landed a hit.
"Not bad, Sora. Abomasnow! Blizzard!" Candice ordered. Abomasnow fires Blizzard at Monferno.
"Flamethrower!" Sora ordered. Monferno fires Flamethrower at Abomasnow's Blizzard and overpowers Flamethrower. "Now, use Ice Punch!" Abomasnow charges at Monferno with Ice Punch.
"Dodge them, Monferno!" Sora called out. Monferno avoids Abomasnow's Ice Punch again and again. Sora had to think fast. "Monferno! Use Mach Punch!" Monferno landed Mach Punch onto Abomasnow. "Mach Punch again and again and again!" Monferno lands a series of Mach Punch onto Abomasnow.
"Could Sora be making a comeback?" Kumamon asked.
"Looks like it to me. We saw this when he battled Fantina," Guilmon said.
"Wonder if Candice will try to shut him down," Loweemon said.
"Aboasnow! Wood Hammer!" Candice ordered. Abomasnow came at Monferno with Wood Hammer, hpoing to put a s top to Monferno's Mach Punch bombardment.
"Dodge and use Flamethrower!" Sora ordered. Monferno fires Flamethrower and landed a hit onto Abomasnow. "Mach Punch!" Monferno lands another punch onto Abomasnow again. "Now, use Flame Wheel!" Monferno rolls into a ball of fire and landed a hit with Flame Wheel.
"Abomasnow! Blizzard!" Candice ordered. Abomasnow fires Blizzard again.
"Dodge and use Mach Punch!" Sora ordered. Monferno dashed at the frost tree Pokémon with a Mach Punch. "Now, Flamethrower! Full power!" Monferno gave Abomasnow a strong Flamethrower and pushes Abomasnow back with great force. Abomasnow has hit an ice boulder.
"Do it, Abomasnow! Blizzard!" Candice ordered. Abomasnow gave one last fire with Blizzard, but Flamethrower has overpowered the attack and landed a heavy hit. Monferno has ceased his attack and saw how Abomasnow was still standing after taking that kind of assault from Monferno. Abomasnow has fallen forawrd, beaten from the battle.
"Abomasnow is unable to battle! Monferno wins! The winner of the battle is the challenger, Sora from Pallet Town!" The referee announced.
"He won!" The group all exclaimed with joy.
"He made a big comeback," Beetlemon said.
"Wow, Sora, my hat's off to you. That was loads of fun. And here's the proof that you won. I present you the Icicle Badge," Candice said. The Icicle Badge is shaped like an iceberg or two icy mountains. Sora accepts his seventh Gym Badge.
"Thanks, Candice. That was quite a battle," Sora said.
"You deserve it after the way you battled," Candice said.
Everyone all stepped out to head for the Pokémon Center to heal the battling Pokémon up. And who should approach other than Paul.
"You must be Candice, the Snowpoint City Gym Leader, right?" Paul asked.
"Yes," Candice said.
"I challenge you to a Gym battle," Paul said.
And now Sora has earned seven Gym Badges and now he only needs to get his hands on his eighth and final Gym Badge, but all that will have to wait we press on.
Okay, here is where we're going to end it here for now. Up next, will be the battle between Paul and Brandon, and we all know the outcome of that battle. But also, Sora will have his shot with Brandon as well. It was by a special request of masters123lfm. So, be sure to wait for it soon.