Episode 149: Trickster's Last Trick Part 2

Last time, Sora, Kairi, Karen, Tracey, Sakura, and the Pokémon all had an unwanted encounter with Team Rocket, so Sora has taken care of the Moron Trio and sent them blasting off once again. And that was when they met Crysta, who was an apprentice to Flora, so she warns the group that Trickster, otherwise known as ExDark was close to reclaiming his old form and Team Rocket being the cause of his release, but he arrived to greet them by having them eliminated, so Sora and Kairi had taken out his monster army and Trickster has escaped. Karen confronted Sora about it being Tom, but Sora told her that he wasn't sure it was him at all, and he didn't want to get her hopes up for nothing.

Meanwhile, Roxas found ExDark and began to fight him, and that was when Sora and his friends found him. They knew he was from Organization XIII, so the couple joined firces with Roxas, unaware of his identity.

They drove the spirit out from Tom's body, but the spirit has taken a monstrous form, so there was going to be a fight on their hands, and they could not afford to lose.

ExDark stood before them and laughed. Sora, Kairi, and Roxas held their Keyblades as Karen dragged the unconscious Tom back with the rest of the group.

"You're going to be okay, Tom," Karen said.

Over to Team Rocket, they float in their balloon, looking around in the area where they last got blasted off.

"Just where could those damn twerps be?" Jessie asked.

"They gotta be close by," Meowth said. James looked on ahead and he sees a blood-red surge of energy

"Maybe we can follow that red light," Janes said. Jessie and Meowth looked on and saw the red light.

"What in the world is that?" Meowth asked.

"I'm not sure, but I think it reeks of twerps," Meowth said.

"You think it's the Heartless or maybe those Organization XIII jerks trying to steal our thunder?" James asked.

"If it is, then they'll going have to take a number, because we're the only ones who can mess with them, and I don't care if they like it or not," Jessie said.

"Yeah!" James and Meowth said in unison.

"Wobbuffet!" Wobbuffet said, popping out again.

"Mime!" Mime Jr said.

Sora looked right at ExDark and summoned his Oathkeeper and he held it tight as the Kingdom Key.

"Okay, guys. The odds are against us, but when we work together, we can take ExDark down," Sora said. Roxas said nothing and nodded.

"Okay," Kairi said.

"Chu," Pikachu said.

"Vee," Angel said.

"Okay, go!" Sora said.

They dashed right at ExDark as he floated above the void. Roxas began by throwing his Keyblade at ExDark float upwards. Kairi threw hers, but he dodges as well.

"I missed!" Kairi said.

"Did you think it was going to be easy?" Sora asked.

"You're right. We need to stay focused," Kairi said.

"Right," Sora said.

Axel has caught up and he stopped. He scowled under his hood.

"Dang! I'm too late," Axel said.

"Hell's Judgement!" ExDark roared, raising his arms. Magical circles appeared and lightning shoots at them, so they managed to dodge it. "Very well." He raised his hands and forms a spear made of fire. "Fire Spear!" He threw the flaming spear right at Roxas, but Roxas easily dodges it and he came at ExDark, slashing his claw as he reached for the Nobody. He reached for Roxas again, so Sora jumped and slashed the same claw.

"You okay?" Sora asked. Roxas said nothing and just looked at Sora.

"Why does it feel like I know him? But I can't remember," Roxas said. He then looked at Pikachu. "And why does that Pikachu seem familiar to me?"

ExDark spews flames at Kairi, who cartwheels out of the way. ExDark snapped his clawed fingers and a rain of arrows came down at her. Sora was distraught, so he rushed to her aide, and so did Roxas. The both of them reflected the arrows as they went everywhere.

Team Rocket came riding in their balloon and sees the fight taking place. James looked through a pair of binoculars.

"Well, James?" Jessie asked.

"I see the twerps, but they're in a brawl. And they have an extra twerp with them. He's with the Organization!" James said.

"You called it, Jimmy-boy," Meowth said.

"He has the a Keyblade just like the boy twerp does; the same kind that is!" James said.

"A Keyblade? No way," Jessie said with disbelief. She remembered Axel having chakrams, so she figured each member has a different weapon to use.

Lightning struck the balloon and they go crashing down to the rest of the group, catching their attention.

"Ow, that hurts," James said.

They saw Crysta Tracey, Karen, Sakura, Togepi, Blossom, and the Pichu glared at them, leaving them clueless about what it was about

"Okay, what did we do now?" Mewoth asked.

"Oh, I don't know. I think we should start off with the fact you three unleashed a demon that plans on killing every Pokémon and the entire human race all because you were PO'd over the fact that you were beaten by my brother and his girlfriend after teaching you a lesson which you're too stupid to learn!" Karen said, almost yelling.

"What are you talking about?" Jessie asked.

"I think she means that thing there," Tracey said, pointing to ExDark as Sora, Kairi, Roxas, Pikachu, and Angel were fighting him.

"You mean we let that thing out?" Meowth asked.

"She said PO'd, so-" James said as he and Meowth looked at Jessie. She gave a dumbfounded look.

"Why do you think I had something to do with it?" Jessie asked.

"No comment," James and Meowth said.

"This is all your fault! If you would just give it up and leave my brother alone, none of this wouldn't happen!" Karen said.

"Our fault?!" Jessie exclaimed, offended by Karen's remark.

"I hate to agree with the enemy, but even I know she's right," James said.

"It could have been worse. Ansem would have done the same thing," Meowth said.

"Wobbuffet," Wobbuffet said. Jessie glared at the Patient Pokémon.

"Who asked you?" Jessie asked in an annoyed tone.

Sora and Kairi ran up one arm and Roxas ran up the other arm, so ExDark tried to smack the couple like they were mosquitoes, but they jumped off and fired a beam of light at him, striking ExDark on the mark. He roared from the pain.

"Nice shot," Kairi said.

"Right back at you," Sora said.

"Seeing what you two are capable of, I can clearly see I was right to deal with you first. Not only that, but one of the Nobodies of Organization XIII has proven to be a real pain! Playtime's over! I'm gonna swat you little flies!" ExDark said, raising his arms and a rain of swords came raining down at them. Just then, a burst of energy blasted the swords and sends them back. The swords struck ExDark in the chest and one hits him in the eye. Blood came from the eye.

Their savior is Kaito holding the Keyblade from the realm of darkness. Karen was surprised to see him with her own eyes.

"Daddy?" Karen asked.

"Dad!" Sora exclaimed with surprise.

"Sorry I came late. I had other things on my plate," Kaito said. ExDark scowled when he saw the ghost.

"You!" ExDark growled. "If you weren't already dead, I shall enjoy killing you again!"

"Too bad for you that you won't get the pleasure," Kaito said. He points his Keyblade at the demon. "And you're not gonna succeed in your genocide scheme."

"You are welcome to try and stop me, but it will not do you any good! I will see if you can die for a second time," ExDark said.

He spews a stream of flames from his mouth, but Kaito jumped and slashed at his face.

"I thought you were still in the realm of darkness," Sora said.

"I told you, son. I could get out anytime I want to. But we can catch up after we take down this thing," Kaito said.

"And we'll do it hard," Kairi said. Kaito looked at her as she, Angel, and Roxas went on ahead. He smiled.

"You are a lucky boy, because she's really pretty," Kaito said.

"Thanks, dad," Sora said.

"Pika!" Pikachu said.

"Right," Sora agreed with his partner.

They quartet and the Pokémon couple continued to engage ExDark, so Sora and Kairi unleashed their combined blizzard spell and froze him completely.

"Frosty!" Meowth said. ExDark broke free of the ice and roared.

"Wanna bet?" Jessie asked.

"Was that supposed to hurt me? Your pathetic attempts to do so has failed! Now you shall pay!" ExDark roared as he laughed and his eyes gave a multicolored glow. "Hell's Rainbow!" He fired a multicolored beam at them, so they dodged and ran across the field. "You can run, but we shall see how long it shall last!" He inhaled. "Hellfire Flamethrower!" He spews flames from his mouth.

Sora whistled, catching ExDark's attention.

"Come and get me!" Sora said.

"DON'T TAUNT ME!" ExDark roared, raising a claws, so Kaito jumped and aimed his Keyblade.

"Flare!" Kaito shouted. A burst of energy struck him hard.

"Dark Firaga!" ExDark roared, unleashing a wisp of black fire. Kaito was hit, so he fell hard on his back. "Hell's Rainbow!" He fired another beam rainbow at Kaito, but Roxas casts a reflect spell to block it. Kaito got up on his feet and smiled.

"Thanks, son," Kaito said. Roxas smiled under the hood and nodded. ExDark raises his hands and pulls in Sora, Kairi, Roxas, Kaito, Pikachu, and Angel.

"We're being sucked in," Sora exclaimed. ExDark took them in his clawed hand and he attempts to eat them. "He's gonna eat us!"

"Pika!" Pikachu exclaimed.

Not willing to let it happen, Axel quickly summoned his chakrams and threw them at ExDark's hand. They hit the hand, making the demon drop them.

"No one tries to eat my friend and gets away with it. Get that memorized," Axel said.

Sora, Kairi, Kaito, Roxas, Pikachu, and Angel land on the ground like cats landing on their feet.

"You okay, Kairi?" Sora asked with concern.

"Yes, but it's you I'm concerned about," Kairi said.

"Pika, Pikachu!" Pikachu said.

"Eevee, vee!" Angel said

"You will do that again," ExDark said, raising his hand again, but flames engulfs his entire hand, making him roar in pain of the burning.

"Go for the legs!" Kaito said. Sora, Kairi, Roxas, and Kaito ran and struck ExDark by the legs. But he wasn't gonna go down that easily.

"I hope you packed an umbrella, because the sky's falling!" ExDark said, making a giant castle appear from the sky.

"Are castles supposed to do that?" Meowth asked.

"No!" Karen, Tracey, Sakura, Jessie, and James all said at once. Sora, Kairi, Roxas, Kaito, Pikachu, and Angel jumped to the falling castle by running up the walls. They gave him a slash across the chest again.

The fight raged on right to the point they were getting tired.

"There is no end to this," Sora panted.

"Chu," Pikachu said.

Sora then remembered the crystals. He knew they were still in his backpack, so he had to run towards it. ExDark tried to catch him, but Pikachu fired Thunderbolt at his face to distract him.

"Karen, Tracey! One of you grab by backpack! Hurry!" Sora called out.

Tracey remembered the crystals, so he quickly grabbed his backpack and threw it to him. Sora dove forward and he grabbed his backpack and he unzipped it, getting out the eight crystals. Jessie was astounded by the appearance of the crystals.

"How pretty," Jessie said, awestruck. ExDark saw the crystals and he gasped in horror.

"No! The crystals! The same crystals that were used to defeat me! I cannot allow it!" ExDark exclaimed, spewing flames from his mouth. The crystals glows brightly and they blocked the flames with their magic. "You can seal me away again, but I'll just come back!"

"I don't plan to lock you up! Instead, I'll just destroy you! That way, you won't be coming back again! Never again!" Sora said as he points his Keyblades forward as the crystals unleashed the powers of fire, earth, wind, water, lightning, ice, darkness, and light through the Kingdom Key and Oathkeeper. The combined beam pierced ExDark through the heart, making him roar in pain. Tom opened his eyes as ExDark's body began to crack. The beams ceased fire, leaving a huge hole in his chest. ExDark then started to vanish from the hole in his chest right through the rest of his body.

"NO! YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS!" ExDark roared his last words before he died from his wound. His threat was meaningless. Crysta was surprised to see Sora has destroyed the demon.

"ExDark is dead," Crysta said.

Meanwhile, Mateus and the others witnessed ExDark's demise.

"The demon has been slained," Xande said.

"It appears to be so," Golbez agreed.

"Ha, and it's about time someone did something about it, because he was such a nuisance to keep around," Kuja said.

"I'm surprised that ghost came along to assist them. But I knew Organization XIII would have to deal with him eventually," Exdeath said.

"Too bad he had to go, because I would have loved the chaos that came with Trickster's rampage," Kefka said in a joyous tone.

"You would," Seymour said.

"ExDark was too dangerous to keep around; especially how we had the inability to control him. If the children or the Organization didn't deal with him, then we would have," Ultimecia said.

"Yes, but we would have to acquire the crystals to do so. Even with our powers combined, even we wouldn't be able to destroy him unless we had the crystals. I agree with Exdeath about Organization XIII. They now have one less problem on their shoulders," Mateus said.

Back with Sora, Kairi, Roxas, Kaito, Pikachu, and Angel, they healed each other and replenished their strength after the fight with ExDark.

"Thanks for the assist, dad. I'm glad you came when you did," Sora said.

"I had to. Your mother already lost you once, so I couldn't let it happen again," Kaito said. Sora and Kairi especially remembered that experience. "But you two have fought well. The same for that third kid." Sora looked at Roxas and he smiled.

"I know we're enemies, but I just want to say thanks. I mean, it could have been a whole lot harder than ever if it was just the two of us. You helped save the human race and all the Pokémon and I should be grateful for that. And the way you handled your Keyblade was pretty awesome," Sora said. Roxas smiled under his hood. "But the least you can do is tell us your name."

"Roxas," Roxas said. Sora immediately recognized his voice when vanished into the corridor of darkness when it suddenly appeared.

"Was that-" Sora paused. "No, there's no way." Kairi walked up to her boyfriend

"Sora?" Kairi asked. He looked back at his girlfriend.

"It's nothing," Sora said. Kairi wasn't too sure and neither was Pikachu. For some reason he couldn't explain or understand, he has Sora's scent. He actually picked it up during the fight. He wondered how it be possible.

"I should be going, too," Kaito said, floating up in the air.

"You're not sticking around?" Sora asked.

"In a way, I am. Remember that I'm much closer than you think I am, and I always will be," Kaito said as he vanished.

Axel smiled, relieved that nothing bad has happened to him.

"You kept on fighting Roxas. I'm glad everything went okay," Axel said. "Better get going." Axel vanished into the corridor of darkness.

After Kaito has left, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel joined the others as they tend to Tom.

"You okay, Tom?" Sora asked.

"Yes and no. I saw everything I did when that monster was in my body. The things he made me do. I tried to fight back, but his hold was too strong for me to break," Tom said, remembering the deaths of the punks that attacked the Wobbuffet Festival; he remembered the looks on their faces when they were being eaten alive.

"Shh. It wasn't your fault, Tom. None of that was your fault. ExDark deserves all the blame," Karen said. "Not like the certain trio whose names aren't going to be spoken." Everyone all glared at Team Rocket.

"Hey, don't look at me! How in the hell was I supposed to know some magical seal was placed?!" Jessie exclaimed.

"For a change, she does have a point. There was no way they could know what was gonna happen," Sora said.

"Chu," Pikachu nodded with agreement.

"So, I'm gonna go easy on you just this once, so I advise you to get a ten second head start. 10, 9, 8, 7-" Sora counted.

"Accelerate the countdown and blast off!" Meowth said.

"Right!" Jessie and James said, taking off.

"We'll try to steal from you another time!" Jessie said.

"We might take a chapter or two off when we do!" James added.

"Good riddance," Sora said.

"Thank you for saving me, Sora," Tom said.

"Anytime, Tom," Sora said. "Now that ExDark's gone, you can now go home to your mom. She's been very worried about you."

"Mom," Tom said, thinking about his mom.

"I'll take you home, Tom. Just to make sure you get there safely," Karen said.

"Pikachu," Blossom said.

"Thanks, Karen," Tom said.

"Karen and Tom can head back by boat, so it works out for them since there's a dock there," Tracey said.

"That means we're gonna be with us just a little while longer," Sora said.

"Thanks, Sora. We just need to call home," Karen said. Sora hands his sister his smartphone and she dialed. She waited for a few seconds and Delia answered.

"Ketchum residence," Delia greeted.

"Hi, mom," Delia said.

"Karen. Did you find your friend?" Delia asked after the picture came on.

"Yes, he's right with me," Karen said.

"Hi, Mrs. Ketchum," Tom greeted.

"Tom, I'm glad to see you're doing okay. Your mother has been very worried about you," Delia said.

"Well, I'm going to come home, so I want you to let her know and tell her I'm sorry for making her worry so much," Tom said.

"Don't worry, Tom. I'll let her know," Delia said.

"Mom, Karen and Tom will be making it by boat in Olivine City. Hopefully there should be one heading into Vermillion City, Odaiba City, or Porta Vista," Sora said.

"And we should be almost there," Karen added.

"Then I'll see you soon, Karen. I know little Seth has been missing you," Delia said. Karen smiled at the thought of seeing Seth again. And she also missed Xion since she left to look for Tom.

"I miss that little guy, too," Karen said.

"Me too," Kairi said, smiling.

"Kairi's baby brother, right?" Sakura asked.

"Yeah. Kairi and her family used to live in Viridian City until they moved to Pallet Town, my hometown since they needed a bigger house," Sora explained.

"Anyway, mom, we'll see you when we get there," Karen said.

"You too, Karen," Delia said. "And Sora, are you eating okay? Is Kairi keeping a close watch on your diet?"

"Yes, I have," Kairi assured her boyfriend's mother.

"I'm glad. I should go tell Tom's mom right away. Goodbye," Delia said, hanging up.

Meanwhile, Roxas returns to the World That Never Was, and he stands before Xemnas.

"Trickster has been taken care of, Xemnas," Roxas reported.

"Excellent. You've done well, Roxas. Now everything can go back on course," Xemnas said. "Now we have one less enemy to fight."

"That's the thing I wanted to bri-" Roxas was cut off.

"In time. For now, rest," Xemnas said.

Roxas left Xemnas and returned to his room. Axel was heading into Roxas's room when Saïx was standing before him.

"Where were you?" Saïx asked.

"Nice to see you, too," Axel said with a hint of sarcasm.

"I've been looking for you all day. I don't recall granting you permission to leave the castle," Saïx said.

"And since when were you forgetful?" Axel joked.

"Spare me the humor, Axel. I know you went and followed Roxas when I told you not to," Saïx said.

"And you're going to rat me out to Xemnas, Isa?" Axel asked.

"I will if I must. I advise you to watch your step from now on, Axel, because even one misstep can have you turned into a Dusk," Saïx said.

"I'll be more careful," Axel said.

"You better for your sake, Axel," Saïx said. Axel started to walk. "One more thing." Axel stopped. "Do you have to keep pretending you have emotions? The friendship you have with Roxas isn't a real one. It's imaginary like the heart you think you have." Saïx walks away. Axel stood there and waited for Saïx to leave.

"Shows what you know," Axel said, making for the Organization's second-in-command was out of earshot.

He enters Roxas's room.

"Axel," Roxas said with a smile.

"So, how did it go?" Axel asked. Roxas looked out the window.

"It was interesting. There was someone who kinda looked like me. And there was this girl I sorta know, but I don't remember ever meeting her. And they both had Keyblades, just like me," Roxas said. Axel pretended to be surprised by the day he had.

"You don't say," Axel said.

"I do say. And he fought the same way as I fight. That's what makes the whole thing so weird. You know anything about this, Axel?" He knew he was going to be asked that question, so he had to lie about Sora.

"No, I don't know. Sorry," Axel said.

"I guess it would have been too easy. But that demon did give me a real run for my money. And that boy is now freed from him. That other girl was happy about that," Roxas said.

"Huh. She must be," Axel said. "How would you like to have some ice cream with me later? You've earned it." Roxas liked the idea of eating ice cream with Axel.

"Sure, Axel. That sounds good," Roxas said with a smile. Axel smiled back.

Meanwhile, Xion stepped out of the house and Leaf joined up with her.

"Did you sense that, Xion?" Leaf asked.

"I did. It felt powerful, but then it just suddenly died. What could it be?" Xion asked.

"Can't answer that, Xion. But I have a feeling a couple of friends of mine had something to do with it. And I think you would get along with them," Leaf said. Xion looked at her.

"You sure, Leaf?" Xion asked.

"I'm sure, Xion," Leaf said. She still couldn't believe how she resembled Kairi. She wondered if Xion is connected to Kairi in some way.

Back in Johto, it was nighttime. Sora, Kairi, Karen, Tracey, Sakura, Tom, and the Pokémon made it to the Pokémon Center, so Tom had a bath to clean himself up since he smelled worse than a Muk taking a bath in sewer water; and that was nasty. Tom's new clothes consisted of a dark purple shirt and blue jean shorts and blue sneakers with white socks. Before they left to find the Pokémon Center, they said their goodbyes to Crysta and promised to keep holding on to the crystals in case they ever needed them again.

"Much better," Tom said.

"You feeling better?" Sora asked. Tom looked at Sora.

"Yeah, thanks to you. I can't get over how you saved me. Thanks," Tom said.

"That's what friends are for, Tom. They help each other out. Either if it's standing up to a bully or taking out a demon that wants to wipe out the human race and the Pokémon," Sora said.

"Yeah," Tom said. He was lucky to have a friend like Sora. And he was glad he's Karen's brother.

"Tom, I know you've been through a lot, but I have a question to ask, if you don't mind," Sora said.

"I'm open for anything. Ask your question," Tom said.

"Okay, do you have a crush on my sister?" Sora asked, making Tom blush. "Of course, you don't have to answer right away. But I want you to know, I don't have a problem if you do."

"You're really cool with me liking your sister, Sora?" Tom asked.

"Course. I mean, you and she gets along so well," Sora said. Tom smiled.

"Sora, I'll answer, but think you can keep a lid on it?" Tom asked.

"My lips are sealed," Sora said, doing a zipped lip motion.

"I do have a thing for your sister. I wasn't sure if you were alright with it, because I thought you would be one of those brothers who didn't like the idea of their sisters being with other boys that aren't him. Or am I thinking of father?" Tom asked.

"Well, I'm not. And I was worried about the same thing after I met Kairi and her parents," Sora said.

"Karen mentioned you saved her life from those Pokémon Hunters before the Heartless got them," Tom said.

"Yeah. They were grateful to me for coming their aide. They gotten along with my mom so much," Sora said.

"Weren't you worried that Kairi didn't have any feelings for you?" Tom asked.

"I'd be lying if I just said that I wasn't. She thought the same thing about me. But I know she has feelings for you, Tom. Mom's aren't the only ones who knows," Sora said. That made Tom feel better. "But I'll tell you this. If you make her cry, I'll punch you in the nose." Sora and Tom shared a laugh with each other.

Sora and Tom rejoined the group and fell right to sleep after a fierce battle. Tom was alarmed, fearing Trickster was back, but it was only Sora's snoring. He actually forgot about the snoring when they were younger.

Now that ExDark has been destroyed, the goal is to refocus their attention onto Team Rocket, the Heartless, the Nobodies, and Organization XIII. And the main objective is to continue on their way towards Olivine City for Sora's fifth Gym battle. So we'll cut it short here for now.