Episode 112: Pokétude Hijinks
A whole day had passed since the recent incident of dealing with two Ultra Beasts and meeting Matt and TK's mother; Tai, Kari, Matt, TK, Sara, Izzy, Mimi, Davis, Ken, Yolei, and Cody joins Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Togepi, and the Alolan nine on the road to Goldenrod City for Sora to win his third Gym battle. Sora had accessed his Pokédex and exchanged Poipole and Silvally for Gligar and Pineco.
Along the way Sora got challenged into a battle by a passing Pokémon trainer. It was a teen boy wearing a pair of glasses and has long black hair. Sora got challenged into a full six on six battle.
"I could use a little practice on my way to Goldenrod City. How about you, dude?" Sora asked.
"I can see we're feeling confident here. But you're not going to feel confident after I whoop you," the teen boy said.
"Don't be so sure of yourself, man," Sora said.
"I could say the same for you," the teen boy said taking out a Pokéball and threw it. "Go for it, Larvitar!" The Pokéball opens and reveals a small small, olive green reptilian Pokémon with rock hard skin. It has small olive-green Pokémon reptilian with a rock hard skin. It also has small chubby arms and legs. It has a blunt spike protruding from its head. Its body is covered in a green armour with few diamond-shaped holes on it. It has a red diamond-shaped chest plate. Its eyes have a black pupil with red iris and black markings around it. Its tail is conical in shape. Sora took out his Pokédex to get information on this Pokémon.
Larvitar, the Rock Skin Pokémon
Type: Rock/Ground
Larvitar is born deep under the ground. To come up to the surface, this Pokémon must eat its way through the soil above. Until it does so, Larvitar cannot see its parents.
"Now that dosen't sound nice," Sora said putting his Pokédex away. "My best bet will have to be Chikorita, Totdile, and Gligar. They have Types that has an edge on Rock Type Pokémon." He made up his mind and chose his first Pokémon. "Gligar! Go!" Sora threw his Pokéball and it lets out Gligar as it sticks his tongue out on the side and winked.
"Gli, Gligar, Gar!" Gligar said.
"So, you're sending out a Gligar to deal with my Larvitar? A smart move on sending a Ground Type out, but that isn't gonna help you!" The teen boy said. "Larvitar! Rock Throw!" Larvitar forms rocks around itself and hurls them at Gligar.
"Okay Gligar! Dodge and use Steel Wing!" Sora ordered. Gligar came down to swipe at Larvitar with a metallic glow.
"Larvitar! Use Protect!" The teen boy ordered. Larvitar formed a protective barrier and Gligar's attack bounces off. "Okay Larvitar! Throw in your Rock Throw!" Larvitar forms rocks around itself and hurls rocks at the Fly Scorpion Pokémon.
"Gligar! Dodge and use X-Scissor!" Sora called out. Gligar glided towards Larvitar and swipes at Larvitar pretty hard. "Now use Steel Wing again!" Gligar flies towards Larvitar to land a hit on the rock skin Pokémon.
"Larvitar! Try another Protect!" The teen boy called out. Larvitar used Protect again and reflects Gligar's Steel Wing again. Sora figured a way around Protect; he knew Larvitar couldn't do it twice in a row, so he had to try again. "Steel Wing again!"
The group got wide-eyed by what he just told Gligar.
"Again?! Why is he telling Gligar to use the same move again?" Davis asked.
"What is he planning to do?" TK asked.
"I think he found a way around Larvitar's Protect," Lillie said.
"What?" Mimi asked.
"I think I know. Sora knows his opponent can't use Protect twice in a row because it fails the second time it is used," Izzy said.
Gligar glides down and strikes Larvitar hard on the side causing heavy damage.
"Now use Slash!" Sora ordered. Gligar slashes his pincers on the rocky Pokémon making it hit the ground. Suddenly out of the blue, Larvitar started to evolve. Everyone was caught off guard by the sudden burst of evolution. Larvitar had evolved into a Pokémon encased inside a thick grayish-blue shell, sporting a hardness that is comparable to bedrock. Its red eyes can be seen through two holes in the shell, and two more holes directly above resemble eyebrows. The upper portion of its body is covered by a mask-like plate with four large spikes on either side. Three additional spikes protrude from its forehead.
"What just happened?" Davis asked.
"That Larvitar has evolved into a Pupitar," Hapu said.
"That makes Larvitar into a softy compared to this newly evolved Pokémon," Matt said.
"And not to mention, it's going to be much tougher," Kiawe said. Sora took out his Pokédex and scanned the Pokémon that Larvitar had evolved into.
Pupitar, the Hard Shell Pokémon
The evolved form of Larvitar
Type: Rock/Ground
Pupitar creates a gas inside its body that it compresses and forcefully ejects to propel itself like a jet. The body is very durable—it avoids damage even if it hits solid steel.
"Man, it's going to even harder on Gligar since after evolving. Better keep my wits about," Sora said in his thoughts.
"You think Sora can crack Pupitar's shell?" Sara asked.
"We all saw him in tight spots during the Indigo Plateau and that princess was no pushover," Sophocles said.
"Sophocles is right. Sora will have to think hard if he wants to win this battle," Kairi said.
"Is anyone here surprised to hear Kairi support her boyfriend in every battle he's in?" Yolei whispered to Mimi. She giggles.
"You know we're not," Mallow whispered to Yolei.
"Pupitar! Iron Head!" The teen boy ordered. Pupitar charges at Gligar with its head in a metallic glow. Gligar glides out of the way.
"Steel Wing!" Sora called out. Gligar dives down to deliver another hit on Pupitar.
"Pupitar! Protect!" The teen boy ordered. Pupitar forms a protective barrier around itself, but it came pretty slowly and the shield shatters. Sora quickly noticed how slow Pupitar had gotten. It had to he the evolution that robbed it of its speed.
"Gligar! Fly circles around Pupitar!" Sora called out. Gligar flies around and around the chrysalis-like Pokémon as it tries to stop Gligar in its track.
"Rock Throw!" The teen boy ordered. Pupitar hurls rocks at the flying Pokémon, but Gligar was just too fast.
"Does anyone notice how that Pupitar is moving so slowly?" Acerola asked.
"Since you brought it up, I have noticed it. And there is no doubt he noticed as well, and is now taking advantage of the situation," Illima said.
"You're right, Illima. I saw how fast Larvitar was at delivering attacks just before evolving," Ken said.
"What does that mean?" Davis asked. Everyone groaned to that question.
"It means Pupitar is slow," Hapu said.
"And it looks like Pupitar is also getting tired," Kari said.
Pupitar started panting out of exhaustion, unable to catch up with Gligar's speed.
"Good work, Ketchum. Now's your chance to finish it off.
"Gligar! X-Scissor!" Sora ordered. Gligar moved his pincers back and delivered an X mark on the rocky Pokémon. Pupitar is down and out.
"No! Not my Pupitar!" The teen boy exclaimed. He calls it back. "You're pretty good, I can give you that." He took out another Pokéball. "But this one will be giving you a hard time. Girafarig! Go!" He threw his Pokéball letting out a Pokémon that greatly resembles a giraffe. Its front half is yellow in color with brown spots and its bottom is brown with yellow spots. It has white horns on its head and pink spikes on its back. Its most unusual feature is its tail, which has a head that looks like it has a mind of its own. Sora takes out his Pokédex and scanned the Pokémon in front of him.
Girafarig, the Long Neck Pokémon
Type: Normal/Psychic
Girafarig's rear head also has a brain, but it is small. The rear head attacks in response to smells and sounds. Approaching this Pokémon from behind can cause the rear head to suddenly lash out and bite. The rear head also never sleeps keeping a close watch of its surroundings 24 hours a day.
"I guess that's what they mean by having on the back of the head," Sora said. "But not on the butt." Sora calls back Gligar and chooses his next one. "Time to test your might, Pineco!" Sora threw his Pokéball letting out his latest Bug Type Pokémon.
"Pineco!"
Yolei shudders at the sight of the Girafarig in front of Sora's Pineco.
"A Girafarig. I used to have nightmares about being bitten by the head tail," Yolei admitted. "That makes Girafarig so scary."
"I'm with her. I wouldn't want to be bitten by one of those," Sophocles said.
"At least Sora made the right call in switching Gligar with Pineco since Bug Types have an advantage over a Psychic Type like Girafarig," Cody said.
"Right Cody. But, if I were him, I'd be more worried about Pineco's explosive personality," Kairi joked.
"Kaboom," Mina said.
"Girafarig! Start up with stomp!" The teen boy ordered. Girafarig raised its hooves in the air and moved downward at Pineco.
"Use Protect!" Sora ordered. Pineco forms a protective barrier around itself causing Girafarig to stomp on the barrier. Once the barrier had faded, Sora had to move fast. "Bug Bite!" Pineco jumped on Girafarig's leg and gave a bite making the giraffe Pokémon yelp in pain.
"Okay Girafarig! Move in with Tackle!" The teen boy ordered as Girafarig moved in with a Tackle. The Tackle hits Pineco on the spot.
"Now use Explosion!" Sora ordered. Pineco's body gives off a glow. Everyone knew what devastating effect it could have.
"What do you think?" Tai asked.
"I can think of three words right now: hit the dirt," Lana said.
Everyone ducked as Pineco let out an explosion knocking out Girafarig. Pineco falls to the ground out of exhaustion using up all his stamina. Sora and his opponent calls back their fallen Pokémon.
"Not bad, kiddo. That Explosion attack was pretty powerful, just like your Pineco," the teen boy complemented.
"Thanks man. Your Girafarig wasn't so bad either," Sora said. The teen boy took out another Pokéball getting it ready.
"Try your luck with this one! Tauros! Go!" He threw his Pokéball letting out a Tauros.
"Moo!" Tauros said skidding the ground. Sora pulls out another Pokéball and threw it.
"Okay Chikorita! It's your turn!" Sora said letting out Chikorita.
"Chikori!" Chikorita runs up to Sora and nuzzles his leg.
Tai, and the others were a bit caught off guard by the sight of Chikorita's affection.
"I'm going to guess his Chikorita is a girl, right?" Sara asked.
"I knew when I first saw her," Kairi said.
"I think it's pretty cute when you think about it," Kari said.
"But how can a little Chikorita take down a big Pokémon like Tauros?" Davis asked.
"You should have seen her in action, Davis," Lana said. "Chikorita is actually pretty stubborn."
"She put up quite a fight against his Heracross; not giving up an inch," Acerola said.
"I think I remember hearing something a mountain area with Chikorita like that," TK said. "It's said that the Chikorita there just keeps on going even if the chances of overcoming a larger opponent is pretty slim."
"We've been by there once," Lillie said.
"And that's where Sora got his Chikorita," Mallow said.
"Chikorita! Start thungs up with a Tackle!" Sora ordered. Chikorita ran towards the bull Pokémon with full force.
"Tauros! Stop that Chikorita with Flamethrower!" The teen boy ordered. Tauros fired Flamethrower right at the leaf Pokémon, but she dodges and lands a hit on Tauros. "Don't take it like that! Use Smart Strike!" Tauros charges towards Chikorita with his horns glowing silver.
"Stop Tauros with Vine Whip!" Sora called out. Chikorita used her Vine Whip to grab the horns "Pull him down!" Chikorita pulled as hard as she could dragging the bull Pokémon down. "Now move in with another Tackle!" Chikorita gives Tauros another Tackle right on the mark.
"That's a pretty tough Chikorita," Yolei said.
"I never expected Chikorita to be so strong. Or even this strong," Izzy said.
"You weren't kidding when you said she's tough," Joe said.
"Tauros! Double-Edge!" The teen boy ordered. Tauros charged towards Chikorita again. Chikorita charges towards Tauros as well. The two had collided with each other both dealijg damage to each other. Tauros had suffered recoil damage. "Now use Flamethrower!" Tauros fired Flamethrower to hit Chikorita hard.
"Chikorita! Dodge!" Sora called out. Chikorita used her Vine Whip to dodge the attack for an extra boost. "Razor Leaf!" Chikorita fired Razor Leaf hitting Tauros in the face. Chikorita then fell flat right on Tauros's body dealing heavy damage. "I think Chikorita just learned to use Body Slam."
"Tauros! Get up!" The teen boy called out. Tauros tries to get back up ,but he fell back down. "Dammit!" He calls back his fallen Tauros. "That's three for three. But, I won't call it quits just yet." He pulls out another Pokéball and threw it. "Natu! Go!" The Pokéball lets out a small green bird Pokémon with small red wings. Sora took out his Pokédex.
Natu, the Tiny Bird Pokémon
Type: Psychic/Flying
Natu cannot fly because its wings are not yet fully grown. If your eyes meet with this Pokémon's eyes, it will stare back intently at you. But if you move even slightly, it will hop away to safety.
"A good opponent for a staring contest," Sora said putting his Pokédex away and pulling out Chikorita's Pokéball. "You battled hard, Chikorita. Take five." Sora calls back Chikorita. He turns to Pikachu. "You're up, Pikachu."
"Pikachu!" Pikachu nodded as he ran in front of Sora.
"Smart move. Pikachu has the edge against Natu since being a Flying Type," Tai said.
"You're right, Tai. But don't underestimate that Natu. It looks like it was well trained, so I have no doubt that it knows some powerful Psychic Type attacks," Illima said.
"Natu! Begin with Future Sight!" The teen boy ordered. Natu flutters its little wings as its eyes glowed blue and an orb of blue light floats into the air and vanishes.
"What was that about?" Davis asked. "Why launch an attack and then have it vanish?"
"Don't underestimate Future Sight, Davis," Lillie said.
"Lillie's right. It can come at any moment," Izzy said.
"I just hope Sora is ready for it," Joe said adjusting his glasses.
"Pikachu! Thunderbolt!" Sora called out. Thunderbolt heads right towards Natu as the bird Pokémon just stood there; or it would seem.
"Natu! Teleport!" The teen boy ordered. Natu teleports out of the way just in time and then reappears right behind Pikachu. "Now use Ominous Wind!" Natu flapped its small wings blowing Pikachu along with it.
"Pikachu! Stand your ground!" Sora called out. Pikachu used his tail to stop himself from going forward back. The ghostly wind has ceased. Sora figured Natu might just use Teleport again if he used Thunderbolt again, he had to try something. "Use Thunderbolt!" Pikachu fired Thunderbolt right towards Natu.
"Natu! Teleport!" The teen boy ordered. Natu teleports again taking the bait. Sora smirked at that.
"Be ready for anything, Pikachu," Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu nodded. Pikachu moved his tail around waiting for the right moment to strike. Natu appeard right behind Pikachu again.
"Iron Tail!" Sora called out. Pikachu quickly smacks Natu on the head. Everyone looked up when a wormhole appear in the sky, raining down onto Pikachu with the blasts of electrified psychic energy. The impact creates a cloud of smoke.
"That was Future Sight," Kiawe said.
"That didn't take as long as I thought," Izzy said.
"Can Pikachu keep going?" TK asked.
The smoke cleared and Pikachu is still standing and panting from the Future Sight hit. Sora knew his partner wasn't going to last much longer, but he had to make the final hit count.
"Pikachu! Thunderbolt!" Sora called out. Pikachu fired Thunderbolt right at Natu and shocks the bird Pokémon causing serious damage. Both Pikachu and Natu had earned a double knockout. Sora went to his parnter and gently picked him up. "You did great, Pikachu."
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"You should take a rest for a while," Sora said handing him to Kairi. "Gotta hand it to you, man. You really knew how to your Natu."
"Thanks! Your Pikachu was no pushover either. But my next one isn't a pushover either," the teen boy said taking out his Great Ball and throwing it. Go for it, Growlithe!" The Great Ball opens and lets out a Growlithe. The Growlithe barks upon entry. Sora pulls out his next Pokéball and threw it.
"Go Totodile!" Sora said as Totodile was let out. Totodile did a little dance upon entry.
"A Water Type Pokémon like Totodile is a logical choice to use against a Fire Type like Growlithe," Izzy said.
"Yeah," Mina said in agreement.
"But he's never underestimate his opponents," Illima said.
"That's something he learned when he first started out," Kairi said.
"Totodile! Use Water Gun!" Sora ordered. Totodile fired his Water Gun attack hoping it'll do some heavy damage on the puppy Pokémon.
"Growlithe! Dodge it!" The teen boy ordered. Growlithe gets out of the way of the Water Gun attack and heads to the crocodile Pokémon. "Now use Wild Charge!" Electricity sparkles from Growlithe's body and cgarged into Totodile dealing heavy damage. Sora remembered when Blaine's Arcanine also used Electric Type attacks as well. Growlithe even took some recoil damage as well.
"Can you still battle?" Sora asked.
"Toto!" Totodile nodded.
"Great! Be careful with that Wild Charge," Sora told his Totodile.
"Okay Growlithe! Move in with Bite!" The teen boy ordered. Growlithe moved in to deliver a bite on Totodile.
"You bite me, I'll bite back," Sora said. "Totodile! You use Bite too!" Totodile moved towards Growlithe and he delivered the first bite due to speed Growlithe's leg was in Totodile's jaws. Totodile danced around with Growkithe's paw in his mouth. Knowing Growlithe would retaliate in this position, Sora knew which to use.
"Okay, Totodile! Wrap this up with Water Gun!" Sora ordered. Totodile fired Water Gun after letting go of Growlithe's paw. Water Gun pushes Growlithe up against a tree knocking the puppy Pokémon out.
"Not surprising to see Growlithe lose to a Water Type Pokémon like your Totodile," the teen boy said calling back Growlithe. "Now you're going to have a rough one." He pulled out another Pokéball and threw it. "Go Glaceon!" The Pokéball opens and lets out a Glaceon. Sora calls back his Totodile and pulls out another Pokéball and threw it.
"Go for it! Cyndaquil!" Sora said letting Cyndaquil out to battle.
"Cyndaquil! Quil!" Sora's Cyndaquil flares his back upon entry.
"Sora is now using a Fire Type Pokémon to deal with that Glaceon," Ken said.
"And such a cute little one it is," Mimi said.
"Another smart move. But that Glaceon dosen't look like it's afraid of fire," Kiawe said.
"I'll say not," Illima said.
"This one will decide who wins," Tai said.
"I know it's going to be Sora," Kairi said. Kari just looked her feeling moved to see her loyal to her boyfriend.
"Glaceon! Icy Wind!" The teen boy ordered. Glaceon opens its mouth and the inside of it starts to glow light blue. It then releases a powerful blizzard from its mouth atCyndaquil.
"Cyndaquil! Flamethrower!" Sora ordered. Cyndaquil fired Flamethrower as it went through the attack and hits Glaceon on the spot. "Now move in with Quick Attack!" Cyndaquil used his speed attack and hits the Ice Type Eeveelution.
"Glaceon! Ice Fang!" The teen boy ordered. Glaceon leapt towards the Johto Fire starter.
"Cyndaquil! Dodge it!" Sora called out. Cyndaquil manages to dodge Glaceon's Ice Fang, but Glaceon kept trying to hit him with it.
"Keep going, Glaceon! Put out that Cyndaquil's fire!" The teen boy ordered. Glaceon kept going and going. Cyndaquil kept dodging and dodging until he slips and Glaceon lands an icy bite.
Everyone gasped at the sight. Despite a Type advantage, Cyndaquil was clearly going to lose the battle. Sora gritted his teeth and gave off a little sweat, but he had to remain calm.
"Come on, Cyndaquil! I know you can do it! I have faith in you! You have to pull through!" Sora called out. The flames on Cyndaquil's back burned even hotter as Cyndaquil's ability Blaze has kicked in. Cyndaquil rolled into a fireball and rolled into the Ice Type causing heavy damage. "Yes! You did it!"
"That was Flame Wheel!" Kiawe said.
"Now Glaceon is in a real hot spot," TK said.
"Glaceon! Ice Fang again!" The teen boy ordered. Glaceon moved in to deliver another icy bite on the fire mouse Pokémon.
"I don't think so. Cyndaquil! Use Flame Wheel again!" Sora ordered. Cyndaquil rolled into a fireball once again and rolled into Glaceon again. "Wrap it up with Flamethrower!" Cyndaquil fires a more powerful Flamethrower right at Glaceon, giving it more heat than it can handle.
"Glaceon! No!" The teen boy gasped. Glaceon fell to the side exhausted. Sora had clearly won the battle. The teen boy called Glaceon back into his Pokéball and shook Sora's hand on his victory.
"You've done well, kid. You're one ofbthe toughest trainers I have ever battled," the teen boy said.
"Thanks. You too," Sora congratulated back.
The two trainers parted ways as Sora and his friends continued on with their journey. Along the way, the group took a break to rest their feet. Sora and Kairi sat together holding hands with Pikachu and Togepi joining them. Kari looked at the couple and smiled when they kissed on the lips.
"No matter how many times I see them kiss, I just can't help but swoon," Kari said in her thoughts. She remembered hearing about how they met to that play they performed together.
After a few minutes of alone time, everyone got ready to set off when a wild Azurill bounced by.
"An Azurill?" Sora asked.
"It looks like it," Mallow said.
"It's not unusual to see one out here," Izzy said.
Sora remembered the Friend Ball he got from Maizie so he got Chikorita's Pokéball ready.
"Okay Chikorita! Go!" Sora said as he threw the Pokéball letting out Chikorita. "Chikorita! Tackle!" Chikorita did launch a full body assault on the little blue Pokémon. Sora took the Friend Ball out and threw it at the wild Azurill making it flow inside. The Friend Ball wobbles around and around for a bit until stars swirls around the Friend Ball confirming the catch. Sora's Pokédex starts buzzing asking him if he wants to keep Azurill or send it to Professor Oak's lab. He decided to keep Azurill in exchange for Pineco. "Gotcha Azurill." Sora took the Friend Ball and threw it letting it out.
"Azurill. Azu? Azu?" Azurill looked around a bit.
"Hiya Azurill. Welcome to the group," Sora said.
"Oh, she's really cute. Just like the one Naminé has," Kairi said.
"Sure is," Mallow agreed.
"I also have to agree. Azurill is such a little cutie," Kari said.
"It's very nice to meet you, Azurill!" Lana said.
"Azurill! Azurill! Azu, Azu, Azu!" Azurill bounces up and down before she started to evolve. Everyone had saw that Azurill was now a Marill. "Marill! Marill! Marill!"
"Look at that!" Sophocles said.
"Sora had just caught an Azurill, and she evolved into a Marill! I'm so jealous!" Lana said. "I'm super jealous!"as she puffed their cheeks.
Everyone laughed at Lana's puffy cheeks since Sora has another Water Type Pokémon that are pretty amazing just like a Lapras, a Poliwrath, and a Primarina.