Episode 102: Trouble At The Slowpoke Well Part 1
Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Togepi, and the Alolan nine had finally arrived in Azalea Town. The group looked around for a bit.
"Azalea Town is such a nice place," Lillie said. "But there is something a little off." Everyone stopped and turned to the blonde.
"What do you mean, Lillie?" Sora asked.
"Well, what I heard about this town is the people here belive that Slowpoke can make it rain," Lillie explained.
"Is that right?" Kairi asked.
"Mm-hm. We should be seeing a lot of Slowpoke out here," Lillie pointed out.
Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Togepi, and the Alolan nine all looked around and they had noticed some signs indicating Slowpoke, but no Slowpoke were in sight. They also noticed that some of the plant life were withering and dying.
"Lillie's right," Lana said.
"We should be seeing a lot of Slowpoke around here," Acerola said.
"And not to mention, this place does seem rather dry," Kiawe said. Sophocles took a noticed that the local fountain wasn't running.
"And there's no water gushing out of that fountain," Sophocles said.
"Something is really wrong here," Mallow said.
"I agree. Maybe Kurt may know the cause of this phenomenon," Illima said.
"We should do that. We should head to the Pokémon Center and ask Nurse Joy if she knows where Kurt lives," Sora said.
"Pikachu."
Kairi and the Alolan nine all agreed and headed towards the Pokémon Center for directions to Kurt's house.
Just outside of town, Jessie, James, and Meowth had just made it out of the cave getting pass those irate Onix. They panted after all the running they did.
"That was too close for comfort," Meowth panted.
"I'm just glad it's all over," Jessie said.
"Me too," James said. "That was even more exercise than we got when we were in bootcamp."
"Ugh, don't remind me," Jessie said. "That was when we met Cassidy and Butch, remember?"
"Yeah it was," James scowled at the memory. "But, there was always Genghis and Kahnnie."
"Yeah. And not to mention, their Spearow," Meowth said fondly. "Now there was a cool bird."
"I do wonder how they are doing, though," James said.
"I did hear they're working under a higher member by the name of Rasputin the Mad Thief," Jessie said.
"That's what I remember too," James said.
They happily sigh at the memory remembering their only friends in bootcamp.
"It's not like we're going to just run into them or something," Jessie said.
"You're probably right," James said.
"And I doubt that little Spearow is even gonna remember me anyway," Meowth said.
"But a good memory all the same," Jessie said.
"Hey! You two with the Meowth!" A new voice called out. They turned to see a short hunchbacked man with a long beard wearing a Team Rocket Uniform, but it's crimson red and the R on his shirt is blue. "Why aren't you at your post?!" Jessie, James, and Meowth recognized the man very well.
"Rasputin the Mad Thief!" They all said at once.
"That would be me! Now I repeat the queation! why aren't you at your post?!" Rasputin questioned.
"Post?" Jessie asked.
"Your post at Slowpoke Well! Get over there now! Do you want someone snooping around?" Rasputin said. Unknown to the Team Rocket members, Silver was watching them.
"I knew you would try this, father," Silver said in a scowl. "Who even cares? I'll just let them do what they want, just as long as they don't get in my way!"
Back in Azalea Town, the group made it to the Pokémon Center and saw some familiar faces. It was Riku, Naminé, and Eevee. Riku was chatting with Ethan and Naminé was talking with Lyra.
"Riku!" Sora called out to the silver-haired Pokémon trainer.
"Naminé!" Kairi called out to the blonde.
The couple turned to their friends with smiles on their faces. Lyra saw the couple there, but she wondered who the others were.
"Hey there, Sora," Riku greeted with a high-five. "Looks like you're doing well."
"You too, Riku," Sora said.
Riku turned to his old classmates.
"Hey guys," Riku greeted.
"Hello Riku," Illima greeted back.
"It's always good to see you," Sophocles said.
Ethan walked up to the group with a smile.
"When you told me that you met the Indigo Platue Pokémon League champion, I thought you were pulling my leg," Ethan said.
"Well, I wasn't bluffing," Riku said.
"Hey Ethan. How have you been since our last battle?" Sora asked.
"I've been training hard," Ethan said.
Kairi walked over to Naminé and sat down next to her.
"How you've been, Naminé?" Kairi asked. "Has Riku been treating you right?"
"You know it, Kairi," Naminé said.
"That's good," Kairi said smiling.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped. Kairi gazed over at the blue egg in Naminé's arms.
"When did you get that egg?" Kairi asked.
"Days ago. Eevee was the one who found it actually," Naminé said.
"Oh, I can bet that the Pokémon in that egg will be as cute as my little Togepi," Kairi said.
"Toge, Togepi."
"I don't doubt it," Naminé said. Kairi had set her attention on Lyra.
"And it's good to see you again, Lyra," Kairi said.
"You two, Kairi," Lyra said. "And I have to tell you that your Togepi is very adorable." She gushed at the sight of the baby Pokémon.
"Thank you," Kairi said.
"So, who are the others with you?" Lyra asked.
"Those are Riku's old classmates from the Pokémon school in Alola," Naminé answered for Kairi. "The one in the white dress and the hat is Lillie. The one with tanned skin and pink hair is Illima. The girl with blue hair is Lana. The girl with green hair is Mallow. The boy with the fiery hair is Kiawe. The short chubby boy is Sophocles. The girl with the purple hair is Acerola. The girl with the pink paint on her face is Mina. And the girl in the bonnet is Hapu."
"They're Sora and my travel companions," Kairi said.
"So, it isn't just you and Sora traveling together?" Lyra asked.
"It was at first. It was when Sora and I first met each other," Kairi said.
"How did you two meet? Please tell me!" Lyra pleaded eagerly. "I just love hearing romantic stories of love at first sight."
"Well, we met when he saved my life," Kairi answered.
"Saved your life? What do you mean?" Lyra asked.
"I was kidnapped by Pokémon hunters," Kairi said.
"How did that happen?" Lyra asked.
"I was out on a nature walk when I came across a Caterpie in a cage. I helped him get away when I smashed the lock with a rock. And that's when they took me. They told me they were going to kill me once they were done in the area," Kairi said.
"Those jerks! I can't believe people like them are around in our world," Lyra said.
"I couldn't believe it either," Naminé said.
"A short time after they left, Sora stumbled on their camp and found me in a burlap sack they put me in. He pulled me out of the sack and cut off my restraints and he cut the ropes off my wrists. And when I saw his face for the first time, I knew I would feel safe around him," Kairi said smiling with a tinge of pink on her face. "That's when I fell in love."
Lyra was incredibly moved by the tale Kairi was telling her. Her eyes filled up with tears flowing down to the floor.
"How romantic!" Lyra said crying. "Sounds to me you were just a damsel in distress. And then a brave hero had come to your rescue." Kairi and Naminé looked at her awkwardly.
"That's putting it one way," Kairi said giggling nervously.
"Same here," Naminé agreed.
Over to Sora, Riku, Pikachu, Eevee, and Ethan, Riku explains to the young Pokémon trainer about he and Sora know each other.
"So that's it," Ethan said. "I guess there was no shame in losing to him, huh, Sora?" Ethan asked. Sora chuckled a bit.
"No, there wasn't," Sora said. "And that was just the first battle."
"Ever since then, I could tell how Sora was getting better each time," Riku said. "I was there when he won the Indigo Platue Pokémon League."
"Anyway Riku. Is this the first time you met Ethan?" Sora asked.
"Actually, I met him when Naminé and I first arrived in Johto," Riku answered.
"That was the very first battle I ever had and I lost," Ethan said. "I had no idea his little Eevee could be so tough. And when I met you, I could tell how good you are. Your Pikachu was nothing to sneeze at."
Sora petted Pikachu on the head as he smiled.
"My Pikachu is something special," Sora said.
"Pikachu."
"But, just you know, I have gotten stronger since then," Ethan said.
"I don't doubt it," Sora said kindly. "I can tell you've got what it takes."
"Thanks Sora," Ethan said. "So, what brings you and your friends here?"
"Two things," Sora said holding up two fingers. "One is to earn my second Johto Badge, and to make a delivery to Kurt."
"What kind of delivery?" Ethan asked. Sora took the GS Ball out of his backpack to show him.
"Just this. Professor Oak asked me to deliever this to him," Sora explained.
"Oh Kurt. You mean the guy who creates Pokéballs from apricorns?" Ethan asked.
"That's him," Sora said. "Also, what are apricorns?"
"Apricorns are fruit that can only be found in the Johto region," Riku said. "But they aren't usually eaten, but instead, they are used to create special kinds of Pokéballs. And they all come in seven different colors; red, blue, green, yellow, pink, white, and black."
"Now that is something," Sora said.
"That's one of the things they teach you when you take a class at the Pokémon school," Riku said.
"Eevee."
"Excuse me," a new voice called out. The three boys turned to see a medium height and slim girl. She has long teal-blue hair tied in low bunches behind her ears and spiked bangs at the front, dark eyes and pale peach skin. She wears a yellow seamed-cap, a white jacket with red stripes on the cuffs over a crimson red turtleneck sweater, a black necklace, yellow and black bike Lycra skinny fit shorts, with white ankle-style socks, and red white hi-top shoes with black stripes. She also has a beige shoulder bag. "I couldn't help overhear you three talking about Kurt."
"Yeah, that's right," Sora said.
"I happen to know where it is," the girl said. "I can take you there if you want me to."
"That'll be great!" Sora said.
"Sora!" Lillie called out. Sora, Riku, Ethan, the girl and the two Pokémon turn to see the Alolan nine all coming their way.
"We have a problem," Mallow said.
"A problem?" Riku asked.
"Eevee?"
"What kind of problem are you guys talking about?" Sora asked starting to get worried.
"We just found out why there aren't any Slowpoke out and about right now," Hapu said.
"What?" Sora asked.
"The reason is because of Team Rocket," Illima said.
"Team Rocket?!" Sora, Riku, and Ethan all exclaimed. The girl didn't like how that sounded.
"We heard a couple of trainers talking about it in the mess hall," Sophocles said.
"They just came to town just a few days ago and they had taken over the Slowpoke Well just outside of town," Lana said.
"Oh, this is just great," Sora said with a hint of sarcasm.
"Why would they be there?" Ethan asked.
"I don't know, but they won't get away with it," Sora stated. Sora ran up to Kairi and told her of the situation at hand. Kairi and Naminé both knew nothing good involving Team Rocket was never good.
"We have to get down there," Kairi said.
The group ran out the Pokémon Center heading to the Slowpoke Well to rescue the Slowpoke before they get taken by Team Rocket. Naminé stayed behind not wanting anything to happen to the egg. She was worried it'll get smashed or stolen from her by Team Rocket.
"Come back in one piece," Naminé's prayed for their safety. The egg then started to move. She knew the egg was getting close to hatching.
Elsewhere in town, an old man wearing a teal kimono stepped outside his house upon hearing the news of Team Rocket in the Slowpoke Well.
"Is there no low you cannot sink?" The old man scowled. "I'll have to head down to Slowpoke Well and teach you scoundrels some manners!" With that said he ran out the door, only for his granddaughter, being a girl with maroon hair tied in looped pigtails.
"Wait! Grandpa! You've got a bad back!" The girl called out to him, but he was too far off to hear her. She started to get worried. "Just don't overdo it, grandpa." She sighs with worry.
Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Togepi, the Alolan nine, Riku, Ethan, Lyra, and the girl from before rushed towards the Slowpoke Well.
"Say, have you dealt with Team Rocket before?" The girl asked.
"We did," Sora said. "It was when they took over the Pokémon Tower in Lavender Town. We drove them out."
"And there other members of Team Rocket we deal with," Riku said.
"So, you're Pokémon trainers?" The girl asked.
"We all are," Sora said.
"Well, if we're going to work together, I should introduce myself to you. My name is Kris," the girl introduced herself.
"My name is Sora and this is my Pikachu. And the girl with the Togepi is my girlfriend Kairi," Sora introduced himself and Kairi.
"Nice to meet you," Kairi said.
"I'm Riku and this is Eevee," Riku introduced himself and his partner.
"Eevee!"
"I'm Ethan."
"My name's Lyra."
"Lillie."
"Illima."
"Mallow."
"Kiawe."
"Lana."
"Sophocles."
"Acerola."
"Mina."
"And I'm Hapu."
"It's wonderful to meet all of you," Kris said. She took a look over to Sora and sworn she had seen him before. She was trying to remember where she saw him before, but the group were being caught up by an old man running up pass them.
"Hey! Wait!" Sora called out to him.
"There is no time to wait!" The old man called back. "I have get to the Slowpoke Well and stop Team Rocket!"
"That's what we're going to do too!" Kairi said.
"Then we have a common goal! We must hurry!" The old man said.
"Right!" Everyone said as they continued on to Slowpoke Well. Meanwhile, in the well Rasputin had led Jessie, James, and Meowth inside. They all saw some of the Slowpoke in cages as well as Team Rocket grunts. As they walked through, Genghis and Kahnnie saw three familiar faces and smiled. The Fearow with them also beamed at the sight of Meowth. The bird Pokémon flew towards Meowth and nuzzled him.
"Hey! What do ya think you're doing? Cut that out! Just who do ya think ya-" Meowth paused when he recognized the Fearow in front of him. "It's you! I can't believe it! I didn't recognize you at first! And no wonder! You evolved!" The Fearow nodded and continued to nuzzle Meowth.
"James!" Genghis called out.
"Jessie!" Kahnnie also called out.
"Genghis?" James asked.
"Kahnnie!" Jessie beamed.
"You look great, Jessie!" Kahnnie said.
"You too, Kahnnie!" Jessie complemented. "I haven't seen you since graduation!"
"Well, we've been on a lot of missions," Kahnnie said. "As you know, a villain's work is never done."
"I don't doubt it. And you cut your hair," Jessie pointed out. "You look good with short hair."
"Yeah. And you hair is a little bigger than last time too," Kahnnie said.
"Hey James! Do you still have that bottle cap collection? I just couldn't help but ask," Genghis said.
"I kinda lost most of them. But I'm starting a new collection," James stated.
"And I can imagine how much better it'll be than your last collection," Genghis said. Rasputin came between his fellow Team Rocket members.
"I hate to interrupt your little reunion, but we have work to do if you remember!" Rasputin said.
"Right Rasputin," Genghis said.
"Of course," Kahnnie said. Rasputin poitned to Genghis and Kahnnie.
"You two! You head over to Proton and report to him of our progress," Rasputin told them.
"Yes sir," Kahnnie said.
"Of course," Gengis said.
Genghis and Kahnnie went off to report to Proton of their progress. Fearow flew after them. Rasputin turned to Jessie, James, and Meowth with an assignment for them.
"You two go outside the well and make sure nobody interferes with our operations!" Rasputin instructed. Meowth couldn't help but feel invisible since there were three of them.
"Of course, Mr. Rasputin sir," James said.
"We're on it," Jessie said.
Jessie, James, and Meowth went outside to stand guard just to keep invaders out of the cave.
Further inside, Genghis, Kahnnie, and their Fearow approached the Team Rocket executive Proton to make their report.
"What do you two want?" Proton asked them.
"We're here to report, that we have almost every Slowpoke in the well," Kahnnie said.
"And things are running more smoothly than ever, sir," Genghis said.
"Good work," Proton said. "Rasputin has chosen his crew well. But, I will need you to begin loading what Slowpoke we already have and get the truck ready."
"Sir sir," Genghis said.
"We'll start loading right away," Kahnnie said.
Proton felt confident that his plan to swipe all the Slowpoke is working like a charm.
"If the legend of the Slowpoke's yawning bringing them rain is true, then let's see how well they can last without their precious Slowpoke," Proton said in a very sinister tone and let out an evil chuckle.
Jessie, James, and Meowth had stepped outside of the well to stand guard just in time for Sora and his friends along with the old man glared at them.
"So, it's true. Team Rocket is here," Sora said.
"We'll have to clear them out," Ethan said.
"Yeah," Mina agreed.
"But how?" Lyra asked.
Just before Sora could start thinking of a plan, the old man rushed over and everyone tried to call him back, but he just ignored them. Jessie, James, and Meowth were about to ask what he was doing, the old man pushed the three members inside the Slowpoke Well.
"Well, that's not what I had in mind, but I'll take it," Sora said. The group went inside and they found him laying on the ground. "Are you okay, sir?"
"I'm fine," the old man said trying to stand up only to hear a cracking sound on his spin. "But, I can't say the same about my back."
Jessie, James, and Meowth goraned as they stood up.
"Jeez, what just happened?" Jessie asked.
"A crazy old man just rushed us, that's what," Meowth said.
"You guys are crazy if you think we're gonna let you get away with this stunt!" Sora stated. Jessie, James, and Meowth gasped at the sight.
"You again!" Jessie scowled.
"Seeing you guys is no picnic with us either," Sora said.
"Now how about you prepare for trouble," Riku suggested.
"And you make that double," Kairi finished with a rhyme.
"That's our schtick you copycats!" Meowth shouted. Ethan, Lyra, and Kris were caught off guard with what they just heard.
"Did that Meowth just talk?!" Ethan exclaimed
"It did!" Lyra said.
"Oh wow! A talking Meowth!" Kris shouted when she ran up to the cat Pokémon giving him a big bear hug. "And he's so very cute! Just look at those big eyes!" Kris snuggled Meowth hard. "You're so very, very, very, very cute!"
Meowth struggled to break loose. Meowth did get out of the girl's death grip.
"Who would have thought being cute could have some consequences?" Meowth asked to himself.
"You ready to come along quietly or do we have to use force?" Sora asked.
"You are gonna have to use force," Jessie said taking out a Pokéball. James did the same thing.
"And we'll can show you we can be just as forceful!" James spatted.
Sora was about to deal with them when Riku stepped in.
"How about you leave them to me, Sora, and you go inside and free the Slowpoke?" Riku asked.
Sora nodded, "Okay!" He turned to the rest. "Let's go!" Kairi, Ethan, Lyra, Kris, and the Alolan nine all followed Sora and Pikachu as they went inside the Slowpoke Well to deal with other Team Rocket members. Meowth tried to stop them only for Eevee to step in front of him.
"I told you not to expect me to go easy on you." - Eevee subtitle.
"I don't plan on it," Meowth said.
"So, we're gonna have to settle with one twerp," Jessie said.
"It's better than nothing!" James said.
"Give me your best shot," Riku dared. "I'm ready for whatever you have."
"Arbok! Go!" Jessie said throwing her Pokéball.
"Victreebel! You join in!" James said throwing his Pokéball as well. As soon as Arbok and Victreebel are both let out, Victreebel chomps on James's head. "Can't you once go into battle without you biting me on the head?!"
"Eevee! Move in!" Riku called out.
"Eev!" Eevee nodded. Riku took out another Pokéball and threw it. "Gliscor! Go!" Riku let out his Gliscor.
Inside the well, the group saw all the Slowpoke inside the steel cages.
"This is horrible," Lyra said.
"How could they do such a thing?!" Ethan exclaimed.
"They are not going to get away with this!" Hapu said.
"Oh yes we will," Kahnnie said as she, Genghis and Fearow approached the group. "Everyone of these Slowpoke are coming with us."
"And not one of you is going to stand in our way!" Genghis added.
"Wanna bet?" Sora shouted at the Team Rocket members.
"How about we have a battle?" Genghis suggested taking out a Pokéball. "Marenie! Go!" He threw his Pokéball letting out Mareanie. Kahnnie took out a Pokéball that s almost entirely black with a gold band around the middle as well as a gold button, and carries rings of red on both halves which themselves are flanked by rings of gold.
"Mimikyu! Go!" Kahnnie said letting out her own Mimikyu.
Acerola was shocked to see her with a Mimikyu of her own. Sora couldn't use Pikachu because he didn't want to risk shocking the Slowpoke, so he had to go with his latest Pokémon.
"Okay Gligar! Go!" Sora threw his Pokéball letting out Gligar.
"Gli, Gligar, Gli!" Gligar said entering the battle.
Kairi took out a Pokéball and decided to join in.
"Ledyba! Go!" Kairi said throwing her Pokéball letting out Ledyba.
"Mimikyu! Shadow Ball at Gligar!!" Kahnnie ordered.
"Mareanie! Use Spike Cannon on Ledyba!" Genghis ordered.
Mimikyu and Mareanie at their selected opponents. Sora and Kairi had to think fast.
"Gligar! Dodge it!" Sora called out.
"You too Ledyba!" Kairi ordered. Both Flying Types avoided the attacks from the Team Rocket trained Pokémon. "Ledyba! Use Supersonic on Mareanie!" Ledyba let out a soundwave hitting the brutal star Pokémon making it confused.
"Gligar! Use Steel Wing on Mimikyu!" Sora ordered. Gligar moved in with his wings glowing metallicly. The attack strikes Mimikyu, but Sora knew the disguise ability would kick in since battling Acerola's Mimikyu. "Now use X-Scissor!" Gligar moved in and gave an X-Scissor attack on the opposing Mimikyu.
"Mareanie! Use Sludge Bomb now!" Genghis ordered. Mareanie fired Sludge Bomb right towards Ledyba.
"Ledyba! Dodge and use Swift!" Kairi ordered. Ledyba fired Swift while flying around sending out the stars to hit Mareanie hard. "Now use Comet Punch!" Ledyba gave a series of three punches on the marine Pokémon.
"Mareanie! Hang in there!" Genghis called put. Kahnnie noticed the distress Mareanie was in.
"Mimikyu! Forget that Gligar and help Mareanie!" Kahnnie ordered. Mimikyu obeyed and headed towards the ladybug Pokémon. "Shadow Claw!" Mimikyu got ready to swipe at Ledyba with its claw, but Sora wasn't having it.
"Gligar! Protect Ledyba with Steel Wing!" Sora called out. Gligar flew right towards Mimikyu giving it a strike on the side. "Now use X-Scissor again!" Gligar gave Mimikyu another X-Scissor attack.
"Thanks for the assist, Sora," Kairi said to her boyfriend.
"No problem, Kairi," Sora said.
Ethan, Lyra, Kris, and the Alolan nine knew Sora and Kairi could handle the battle with Genghis and Kahnnie. But will they able to save the Slowpoke before Team Rocket could haul them out of town? Just wait and see.