Episode 116: A Goldenrod Opportunity
After arriving in Goldenrod City, Matt, TK and their friends said their goodbyes to the parents as they went their separate ways. Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Togepi, the Alolan nine, Tai, Kari, Matt, TK, Sara, Izzy, Mimi, Joe, Davis, Ken, Yolei, Cody, and Jun wondered around the city not believing how huge it is.
"Just look at this place. It's so huge!" Hapu groaned.
"I have heard Goldenrod City is pretty huge, but I never would have imagined how huge it is," Illima said.
"This place looks very easy to get lost in," Davis said.
"Sure does," Sophocles agreed.
"As long as we stay together, we'll be okay," Sara said.
"Sara's right. We stick together and we won't get lost," Sora said taking Kairi's hand. Kairi blushed a bit.
"I always feels safe around you, Sora," Kairi said. Sora blushed just as much as Kairi did. Davis looked at the two of them.
"Here Kari, let me hold your hand," Davis said grabbing Lillie's hand.
"I appreciate it, Davis, but that's my hand you're holding; not Kari's," Lillie said. Davis turns around and he flinched when he realized he grabbed the wrong hand.
"Sorry Lillie," Davis said. Tai, Matt, TK, Kari, Jun, Kiawe, Sophocles, Lana, and Mallow laughed.
"What are you sorry for, Davis? You were just being a gentleman holding a lady's hand to make sure nothing happened," Kiawe teased.
"Not even I would have believed it if I haven't seen it," Jun also teased. Davis's cheeks puffed up in irritation being teased by his own sister. Everyone did stick together since not wanting to get lost in the huge city.
As everyone made it to the Pokémon Center just so as Sora can go over his strategy for his upcoming battle. He thought for a while as he learned that his opponent to be specializes in Normal Type Pokémon like Illima does, so he figured Fighting Type Pokémon would be a likely choice. He accessed his Pokédex and exchanged Chikorita and Cyndaquil with Heracross and Hitmonchan since both are fighting Types; the reason for it is because he wanted to test his new Hitmonchan's strength, especially after demonstrating it to Marill, also he he wanted to use Heracross for a Gym match.
"Okay, Heracross and Hitmonchan are my best since coming to Johto; but, I have Meltan as backup, but I don't think relying heavily on Meltan's power would help me out even after battling Matt and TK's dad," Sora said in his thoughts. Sora rejoined his friends going over his strategy for his upcoming Gym battle.
Just when Sora is going to over his strategy, a young girl, probably in her mid-teens came in the Pokémon Center. She has pink hair, being pulled into two ponytails, and two small yellow barrettes help hold it back. Her eyes are a light pink, matching her hair color and overall personality as she did a little giggle. She is wearing a white shirt with red stripes over the end of the sleeves and down the middle with gold buttons, denim shorts and long black and blue striped socks that nearly cover her entire shins. Her right arm has a red wristband and her shoes have the same red and white pattern as her shirt. She has a Clefairy with her.
"Ah, I finally made it," the teen girl said. "Can't believe I got lost again," the teen girl said.
"Clefairy," the girl's Clefairy said patting her by her leg. She looked at the Clefairy and smiled.
"You always know what to say to make me feel better," the teen girl said. The girl looked around the Pokémon Center and spotted a Pikachu on Sora's shoulder and her heart melted instantly at the sight of the yellow mouse Pokémon. "Oh my gosh! A Pikachu!" She rushes over to Sora. This catches the attention of Sora, Kairi, the Alolan nine, Tai, Kari, Matt, TK, Sara, Izzy, Mimi, Joe, Davis, Ken, Yolei, Cody, and Jun as hearts forms in her eyes. "I'm going to eat you up!" Sora yelps.
"I need an adult," Sora said as the girl bumps into Sora and Pikachu goes flying off his shoulder and hits his head on the wall.
"Pika," Pikachu said weakly. Pikachu slides down the wall and falls on his back as soon as he slid to the floor. "Chu."
Sora got up with a bunch of Pikachu running around his head. Kairi ran up to her boyfriend all concerned.
"Are you okay, Sora?" Kairi asked with concern.
"Did anyone catch the license plate of the truck that just hit me?" Sora asked in a daze.
"He's fine," Hapu deadpaned. Sora shook off his daze and looked over to the girl.
"What was that about?" Sora asked. The girl also got up on her feet shaking off a little daze. "You okay?"
"Yeah I am," the girl said. "Sorry about that. I just saw your Pikachu and..." she looks around the Pokémon Center. "Hey. Where is your Pikachu anyway?" Sora looked around and saw Pikachu with a lump on his head.
"Pikachu!" Sora said in a frantic. He rubbing his partner's head gently not wanting to make his injury worse. "Ooh. I heard of a pounding headache, but this would be too literal." He picked up Pikachu in his arms.
"Pika," Pikachu said rubbing his head. The girl went over to Sora and Pikachu.
"Oh, I am so very sorry, Pikachu. I didn't mean to hurt you," the girl said with remorse.
"Don't worry about it. Pikachu took worse hits than a bump on the noggin. Isn't that right, buddy?" Sora asked.
"Pikachu," Pikachu nodded.
She took Pikachu from his arms and cuddled the mouse Pokémon.
"Oh, aren't you just the cutest little thing? I know how to make a boo-boo feel better," the girl said kissing Pikachu on the spot Pikachu got conked. "Is that better?"
"Pika," Pikachu beamed.
Sora was a little steamed about being ran into like that, but he knew she didn't mean any harm to him or to Pikachu. Kairi kissed Sora on the cheek.
"Does that feel better?" Kairi asked.
"Yes and no," Sora said pointing to his forehead. "But, it hurts more right here." Kairi giggled and kissed him on the forehead. "Now I feel better."
"Again, I'm so sorry about bumping into you like that. Just like I said, I saw your Pikachu and I just went for it," the girl said. "By the way, my name's Whitney and this is my Clefairy."
"Hey Whitney. My name is Sora and this is my girlfriend Kairi," he introduced.
"Hello. This my Togepi," Kairi introduced her Pokémon.
"Pi, Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
"I'm Lillie."
"I am Illima."
"My name's Mallow."
"I'm Kiawe."
"I'm Lana."
"The name's Sophocles."
"I'm Acerola."
"Mina."
"I'm Hapu."
"My name's Tai and this is my little sister Kari.," Tai introduced.
"Hello," Kari greeted.
"I'm Matt and this is my little brother TK," Matt introduced.
"Hey Whitney," TK also greeted.
"My name's Sara."
"I'm Izzy."
"My name's Joe."
"I'm Jun and the google-head is my goofy little brother Davis," Jun introduced.
"Hey! What do you mean goofy?" Davis snapped at his sister.
"My name is Ken."
"I'm Yolei."
"And my name is Cody."
"Nice to meet all of you," Whitney said. "Just what brings you here anyway?"
"Just here for a Gym match against the Gym Leader of the Goldenrod City Gym," Sora said. "So we thought of making a stop before we do that."
Whitney looked to Sora and saw something in him. She smiled a bit and said in her thoughts, "So he's here to challenge me to a Gym battle. Luckily, I'm ready for anything he can throw at me."
Meanwhile, at the train station, Nancy had arrived at the local train station, but it turns out to be experiencing some technical problems, so she got on the phone to her superiors back home making her report about the strange Pokémon sightings and a new species.
"That's right. The unusual Pokémon that have been appearing all over Johto happens to be Ultra Beasts. And they were captured by a group of kids," Nancy said. "And what's more, the same group of kids along with my sons and their friends have discovered a new kind of Pokémon. And it's a Steel Type. This new Pokémon is called Meltan."
"That's an amazing scoop you got since you left for your vacation, Nancy," her boss said. "I hate to pull this on you, but we're going to need you to stay put in Johto because I just recieved word that the Indigo Plateau Pokémon League champion is down in Johto."
Nancy knew who he was talking about when she spoke with Lyra and Kris since their encounter with Blacephalon and Xurkitree. She was a bit surprised to hear that one of the friends of her sons happens to be the champion of the Indigo Plateau.
"Don't worry, chief. I have a feeling that I don't have far to look," Nancy said.
"I knew you were the right woman for the job. But, there's also something more. I have been hearing rumors about some activity going on by the organization Team Rocket. Again, I'm sorry to pull this on you," Nancy's boss said.
"Don't worry about it. I'll look right into it," Nancy said. "And besides, the train's not running anyway. Something about some technical problems."
"Sorry to hear that, Nancy," her boss said.
"Don't be. It was a nice vacation while it lasted," Nancy stated.
With that being said, she got off the phone and headed out to get to work.
Over to Whitney and the group, she tells Sora that the Goldenrod Gym is closed at the moment, but he wasn't too disappointed since he wanted to spend some time Kairi when they got there anyway.
"So, since the Gym isn't open right now, how about we spend a little time at the Goldenrod Galleria while we're here?" Sora suggested.
"I would love to, Sora," Kairi said smiling.
Sora and Kairi gave each other a light kiss on the lips making the girls swoon at the sight. Whitney and her Clefairy were swooning along with them.
"Aw! Those two are so cute together," Whitney said swooning. "I just can't get enough of it."
"Join the club, Whitney," Mallow said.
"We pretty much think the same thing," Yolei said with her cheeks with a tinge of pink on her face.
"So, how did they meet?" Whitney asked all giddy.
"I can answer that question," Kairi said. "I was out on a nature walk when I came across a Caterpie in a cage. I broke the lock with a rock letting her escape. That was when I was kidnapped by two Pokémon hunters. They were going to kill me, but I would have been dead, if Sora didn't come to save me." She wraps her arms around her boyfriend.
"And I would be lost without you," Sora said also wrapping his arms around his girlfriend. Sora gave Kairi a light kiss in the cheek making her giggle.
"Oh! Oh! Stop! You're making me all warm inside!" Whitney said. Everyone just laughed.
"Okay enough of the lovey-dovey stuff, let's have a go at the Goldenrod Galleria," Tai said.
"Okay, okay," Sora said with his arm still around Kairi's shoulder. The couple joined Whitney and their friends to the Goldenrod Galleria for some fun and maybe for something to eat.
"Well, some of you would end up getting lost since I know this whole city like I know the back of my hand," Whitney offered.
"Well, since you're offering, we can take your word for it," Illima said.
"Great! This way guys," Whitney said. The followed the girl to a stairway that leads to an underground tunnel. "We can take this way."
"Why are we going down there?" Sara asked.
"It's easier to get around, underground. There's a shopping arcade down here that leads straight to the galleria," Whitney said. Everyone followed the girl downstairs and saw that she wasn't kidding. There were some shops at every corner. "There should be a stairway that should take us right to the lobby." She looks around and spots the stairs. "Oh! There it is." The group followed Whitney to the stairs. "I discovered this route myself. There's no traffic and it's kinda secret."
"It was a good thing we met you," TK said.
"Yeah. Good thing," Mina agreed.
They went up the stairs and they all saw that they weren't even close to the galleria.
"Well, it's no wonder it's a secret," Sora said. "I'm sure no one would of thought of coming to wherever we are now."
"Oops. Sorry. I guess we took the wrong secret stairway," Whitney said blushing in embarrassment.
"Fairy," Clefairy said in a sigh.
They all went back the way they came and followed Whitney down.
"Just follow me. There's another shortcut right through here!" Whitney said. Everyone took her word for it and they went into a barbershop that happens to be for Pokémon. "Um." Instead of being stairs they all saw twin redheaded young men.
"You're right on time," one of the barbers said in an English accent.
"We can work on your Pokémon right away," the second barber said with the same accent. They took Pikachu and Clefairy from their trainers and places them on the perm chairs.
"Let's get started," the first barber said. "A Poké perm for Pikachu." Both trainers grabbed their Pokémon off the chairs.
"No way!" Sora said after taking Pikachu and Clefairy. "We're looking for a shortcut, not a haircut!" The group all step out of the barbershop.
"Sorry again. I honestly thought I knew the place like I knew the back of my hand," Whitney said.
"It's not your fault, Whitney. It happens to the best of us," Joe said trying to make her feel better.
"Joe's right. None of us are angry at you," Lana said.
"Well, I'm glad. How about I treat you to some burgers," Whitney offered. "It'll be my way of saying I'm sorry."
"Sure thing, Whitney," Sora said.
"I'm down with that," Matt said.
"Same here," Sophocles said.
"Do you know the way to get there?" Hapu asked skeptically.
"I sure do! Come with me!" Whitney said as everyone followed the girl to get to where they're going only to end up getting to the Goldenrod Galleria. "How did we manage to get to the Goldenrod Galleria. I guess I only know where I'm going when I don't know where I'm going."
"Don't sweat it, Whitney. You did get us there just when we were just giving up, so that's something to feel proud about," Sora said.
"Sora's right. You did your best," Kairi said.
"That's really nice of you to say, Kairi," Whitney said. "How about I show you around for a bit."
Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Togepi, the Alolan nine, Tai, Kari, Matt, TK, Sara, Izzy, Mimi, Joe, Jun, Davis, Ken, Yolei, and Cody were all skeptical, but they all obliged. Whitney showed the group around the different shops at the galleria. All the boys did carry what the girls had bought, and just like back in Alola, Sora didn't mind carrying the boxes for Kairi.
Just when the group were about to get some lunch, they had spotted some green Pokémon that seems similar to Hoppip, but a bit larger. The Pokémon also has a flower on top of its head.
"Look at that. A bunch of Skiploom," Mallow gushed. "Those are so very cute!"
"So that's what Hoppip evolve into, huh?" Sora asked taking out his Pokédex.
Skiploom the Cottonweed Pokémon
The evolved form of Hoppip
Type: Grass/Flying
Skiploom's flower blossoms when the temperature rises above 64 degrees Fahrenheit. How much the flower opens depends on the temperature. For that reason, this Pokémon is sometimes used as a thermometer.
"A good way to check the temperature," Sora said putting his Pokédex away. Whitney chuckled a bit.
"That's one way of putting it that way," Whitney said.
Another Pokémon is seen floating in the air along the Skiploom. The Pokémon is blue and seems to have three dandelions; one its head and two at the hands.
"Wow. A Jumpluff," Mimi said at awe. Sora took out his Pokédex and scanned the Pokémon.
Jumpluff, the Cottonweed Pokémon
The evolved form of Skiploom
Type: Grass/Flying
Jumpluff rides warm southern winds to cross the sea and fly to foreign lands. The Pokémon descends to the ground when it encounters cold air while it is floating.
"A good way to travel; saves a lot of money," Sora said putting his Pokédex away.
They made it to all-you-can-eat buffet in the galleria as Whitney got to know them all. Whitney was pretty amazed to hear all about their adventures in Kanto, leaving out the part of the Shadow Pokémon and the Shadow Empire since she wouldn't have bought it anyway.
After they all ate, there was a girl around Sora's age looking dreamily at a magazine looking into Sora's picture when he accepted the trophy from President Goodshow. She sighed a bit lovestruck when she clutched the magazine in her arms.
"If only I could meet him," the girl said. "It will be the best day of my life." She looked at the ceiling for a moment before she saw Sora for real. Her heart started beating like a hummingbird as she saw him as a suave pretty boy and his eyes sparkled. "Omigosh! OMIGOSH! SORA KETCHUM!" She screamed at the top of her lungs grabbing the attention of the girls attending the galleria.
"Uh-oh," Sora said in a gulp.
"Pika," Pikachu.
Kairi, the Alolan nine, Tai, Kari, Matt, TK, Sara, Izzy, Mimi, Joe, Davis, Ken, Yolei, Cody, and Jun all saw where this was going, but Whitney was a bit confused by this.
"Escape plan?" Sora whispered to his partner.
"Pika, Pika," Pikachu nodded.
"Right," Sora said before he and Pikachu took a headstart. "It's a good thing we trained for this!"
"Pikachu!" Pikachu said running just as fast as Sora. Hiroaki met up with his crew as they had some lunch. Just as they finished, Sora and Pikachu had shown up frantically tried to look for a place to hide.
Hiroaki looked Sora and Pikachu and wondered what he was doing.
"Sora? What are you doing?" Hiroaki asked.
"Trying to avoid some crazy fangirls if that answers your question," Sora said. Hiroaki hands him and Pikachu a book and gestures him to come sit next to him. Not needing to be told twice, they did exactly that and sat down as the fangirls were looking around for Sora.
"Where is he?"
"Where did he go?"
"Did he just vanish?"
"We can still catch him at the Goldenrod City Gym since I heard he came here for a Gym match against Whitney."
Sora almost blew his cover when he heard one of the fangirls mention Whitney being a Gym Leader.
"Well, let's head down there!"
All the fangirls all stormed towards the gym hoping get to him there.
"You two can put those down now since they're gone, kid," one of Hiroaki's staff said; he wore glasses and a bandana.
"I can't believe that I was with the Gym Leader this whole time and I didn't realize it," Sora said lowering the book.
"Pika!" Pikachu also said.
"What was that about?" Hiroaki asked.
"That's how it is when you're a Pokémon League champion. Fangirls will be crowding over you like crazy," Sora said. Hiroaki's female staff member stroked her chin.
"I thought you looked familiar," she said. "My niece has been going on about you for a long time. She's been bugging me to get an autograph for her."
"Well, I'm pretty flattered," Sora said to the woman. He turned to Hiroaki with a sigh.
"Thanks for the save, man," Sora said.
"Just don't plan on making this a regular thing with us just because you're friends with both of my sons. But, I'll tell you that you have a lot to learn about women," Hiroaki said.
"My dad would say the same thing if he were alive now," Sora said. "And of course, I'll say this again, my mom was right about me turning heads." Sora was grateful to Hiroaki for saving him from his fans and gave the female staff worker that autograph she promised her niece.
Kairi, Togepi, the Alolan nine, Whitney, Tai, Kari, Matt, TK, Sara, Izzy, Mimi, Joe, Davis, Ken, Yolei, Cody, and Jun were looking all over for Sora and Pikachu.
"Where are they?" Kairi asked.
"They have got to be around here somewhere," Kiawe said.
"Is that a regular thing with him?" Whitney asked.
"Things tends to happen with us," Sophocles answered.
"But, it usually involves Pokémon," Lillie said.
"Yeah," Mina said.
"I just hope Sora is okay and not torn apart by those fangirls," Kairi said. She was a bit jealous at the thought of them catching him and giving kisses on the cheeks and the lips; the spot where no-one's but her's should go.
The group had finally found Sora and Pikachu with a sour look on their faces. They were squarely aimed at Whitney.
"You okay, Sora?" Kari asked. Sora turned his head to face Tai's sister.
"Yes I am, Kari. Thanks for asking. Matt, TK, your dad said hi," Sora turned to Whitney. "You think that you have something you would like to share with the rest of us?"
"What do you mean?" Whitney asked.
"Funny you should ask. Because do you want to know what I just heard? Don't answer, I'll tell you. I heard from one of my fans that there's a Gym Leader here that goes by the name Whitney. And the girl we're all hanging out with goes by the name Whitney. Isn't anybody sensing a pattern here?" Sora asked making everyone turn to her. Whitney chuckled nervously as she knew she was on the spot now.
"Before you start thinking that it's a coincidence, I just wanna say that Sora is right. I am the Gym Leader of the Goldenrod City Gym," Whitney finally admitted. The group let out a collective gasp. "In all the excitement, I just never mentioned it. And you came all this way for a Gym battle, I can accept your challenge."
Everyone followed the Goldenrod Gym Leader to the Goldenrod Gym only to see Nancy waiting at the front gates. This surpised both Matt and TK.
"Mom?" Matt asked.
"What are you doing here?" TK asked.
"The train station happens to be closed due to some technical difficulties. But, at least it's not a toal loss," Nancy said.
None of them could question why Nancy had come to the Gym of all places, but they all went with what she said. Sora and Whitney got ready for their battle as the Alolan nine, Tai, Kari, Matt, TK, Sara, Izzy, Mimi, Joe, Davis, Ken, Yolei, Cody, Jun, and Nancy took their seats on the bleachers as many of the local girls all came along to witness the battle Sora was about to have all cheering him on.
"The battle between the challenger Sora Ketchum from Pallet Town has challenged the Gym Leader Whitney to a Pokémon battle. Each trainer will be using three Pokémon each. Only the challenger will be allowed make subsitutions. The battle will be over if either the challenger's or the Gym Leader's Pokémon is unable to continue battling," the referee announced.
"I'm ready for a real rumble! Are you?" Whitney asked her opponent.
"Ready when you are!" Sora said to her.
"Let the battle begin!" The referee said. Whitney pulls out a Pokéball and threw it.
"I choose, Ambipom!" Whitney said as she let out a Pokémon that resembles Aipom, but it is taller and it has two tails. Sora took out his Pokédex and used it to scan the Pokémon.
Ambipom, the Long Tail Pokémon
The evolved form of Aipom
Type: Normal
Ambipom uses its two tails to perform most of its tasks either it is eating food or using them to hang around on trees. This Pokémon rarely uses its hands.
"Figured that's what Aipom evolves into," Sora said putting his Pokédex away. He pulls out a Pokéball and threw it. "The first one I'm using is going to be Hitmonchan!" The Pokéball opens as Hitmonchan punches the air upon entry.
"Smart move of Sora to use a Fighting Type to use against a Normal Type," Matt said.
"That is true, Matt. Hitmonchan should have the upperhand since being a Fighting Type; but I'm not sure if it's a good call to call out Ambipom considering how strong it looks," Izzy said.
"I agree. Those two tails will give him twice the trouble," Illima said.
"Hitmonchan! Start up with Mach Punch!" Sora ordered. Hitmonchan charged with his fist heading towards the two-tailed monkey Pokémon. The punch lands a hit, but it didn't even phase Ambipom.
"Ambipom! Use Bounce!" Whitney ordered. Ambipom jumps in the air using its two tails and held out the tails moving in for a landing.
"Hitmonchan! Use Thunder Punch!" Sora ordered. Hitmonchan jumps in the air and lands an electrical punch on Ambipom getting pass the twin tails. All the fangirls cheered on as his Hitmonchan had made Ambipom's bounce attack backfire.
"Gotta hand it to Whitney. Getting it to learn Boounce to counter against Fighting Types is a clever move. I wonder what else she's got," Cody said.
"We'll have to wait and see," Sara said.
"Ambipom! Use Tail Slap!" Whitney ordered. Ambipom slaps Hitmonchan twice, but the punching Pokémon wasn't going to go down that easily.
"Hitmonchan! Ice Punch!" Sora ordered. Hitmonchan lands an icy punch on the monkey Pokémon, freezing it in the process. "Now finish up with Mach Punch!" Hitmonchan lands a devastating punch on Ambipom. The ice shatters and lands on its back.
"Ambipom is unable to battle! Hitmonchan wins!" The referee anounnced. All of the fangirls cheered on as they witnessed Sora winning his first round with Whitney. She calls back her Ambipom.
"Way to go, Sora!" Kairi cheered.
"Pika, Pi, Pika!" Pikachu also cheered.
"Toge, Toge, Togepi!" Togepi chirped.
"You should rest up, Ambipom. You've battled enough," Whitney said. She looks over to Sora. "Not bad, Sora. You're even better than I thought. But it's not over yet." She turns to her Clefairy. "It's your turn, Clefairy."
"Fairy, Clefairy," Clefairy nodded as she skipped onto the battlefield.
"Look at that. Whitney is sending in Clefairy," Davis said. "I thought this gym uses Normal Types."
"It does. But, since Clefairy is a Fairy Type, it has to be another counter measure against Fighting Types," Lillie said.
"That Clefairy looks like she's more experienced in battle than Mina's Clefairy," Kari said.
Sora pulls out Hitmonchan's Pokéball and calls Hitmonchan back and pulls out another Pokéball.
"It'll be your first official Gym battle, but I know you'll do your best!" Sora threw his Pokéball in the air. "Go for it, Meltan!" The Pokéball opens and Meltan spins its head upon entry. Whitney was at a loss to what kind of Pokémon Sora had let out.
"I never seen that kind of Pokémon before. What is that?" Whitney asked.
"This is a Pokémon called Meltan. Me and my friends had just discovered it just recently," Sora said.
"New species or not; it's doesn't stand a chance against my Clefairy. Okay, Clefairy! Metronome," Whitney ordered. Clefairy swings her arms back and forth, everyone knew just about anything could happen when Metronome is used. Sora had to think fast.
"Meltan! Flash Cannon!" Sora ordered. Meltan formed a small white ball in front of its eye and fired Flash Cannon right at the Fairy Type Pokémon causing heavy damage. The attack creates a cloud of smoke.
Whitney gasped, "Clefairy!" The smoke clears and Clefairy is on the floor with swirls at the eyes.
"Clefairy is unable to battle! Meltan wins!" The referee announced.
"Just like when he battled against Hiroaki," Nancy pointed out.
"Now Whitney has just one Pokémon left to use," Mallow said.
"I'm at the edge of my seat!" Lana said.
"I think we all are," Yolei said.
"Here we go, Sora! Here we go! Here we go, Sora! Here we go!" The fangirls sang.
'"I just hope those girls don't distract Sora long enough to focus on the battle," Hapu said.
"But, at least he's more modest than Gary," Acerola said in a joke.
Whitney runs up to her Clefairy.
"Are you okay, Clefairy?" Whitney asked kindly.
"Fairy," Clefairy said in a sob.
"There, there, Clefairy. Don't cry. You should rest up," Whitney said placing Clefairy on the bench behind her. "That was unexpected, Sora. That Flash Cannon was a pretty strong one." She pulls out her next Pokéball. "But this one is the one that's going to give you a hard time." She threw her Pokéball. "Alright Miltank! Go!" The Pokéball opens and lets out her Miltank.
"That Miltank looks like a tough one," Sophocles said.
"I don't doubt it for a second," Joe agreed.
"I wonder what kind of attacks this Miltank knows," TK said.
"I think we're about to find out, TK," Kiawe said.
Sora calls back Meltan and pulls out another Pokéball and threw it.
"Okay Heracross! Go!" Sora said as he lets out his Heracross.
"Another FIghting Type at his disposal," Ken said. "Takuya wasn't kidding when Sora came prepared for Types when battling a Gym Leader."
Nancy looked at Whitney's Miltank and she could tell how tough it is just by looking at her. Kairi did the same thing and she began to worry about the fierce power that the cow Pokémon was about to let out.
"Heracross! Start up with a Horn Attack!" Sora called out. Hercross charged towards Miltank ready to strike at Miltank. Whitney smirked.
"Miltank! Dodge it!" Whitney ordered as Miltank simply stepped out of the way before Heracross's horn could land a hit. "Now use Attract!" Miltank sends out hearts as they surround the beetle Pokémon. Heracross instantly became infatuated with Miltank.
"Heracross! Snap out of it!" Sora called out.
"It's no use, Sora! Once Attract hits, the Pokémon of the opposite sex from the user falls in love and won't attack much. Now use Rollout!" Miltank rolls into a ball and rolls right into Heracross.
"That can't be good," Tai said.
"No," Mina agreed.
"Why not?" Davis asked.
"Because Rollout gets stronger each time it lands a hit," Lillie said.
"And that means it's bad news for Sora," Jun said.
"Very bad," Sara said.
"Oh no," Mimi said.
Miltank rolls right into Heracross landing four more hits and he falls to the ground beaten.
"Heracross is unable to battle! Miltank wins!" The referee announced. Sora calls back Heracross and pulls out Hitmonchan's Pokéball and threw it.
"Okay, Hitmonchan! Back to action!" Sora said letting his Hitmonchan reentering the battle.
"I knew you would be sending your Hitmonchan back out, Sora! But Types alone isn't going to win this battle! And my Miltank is living rolling proof!" Whitney said.
"I'm ready for anything you can throw at me!" Sora countered to her.
"Care to live up to that? Miltank! Attract!" Whitney ordered. Miltank used her Attract atack on the punching Pokémon and the results was just as the same as Heracross.
"Hitmonchan! Fire Punch!" Sora ordered. Even when infatuated. Hitmonchan's boxing glove emits fire and tries to land a hit on Miltank. She has dodged each of the punches, but one of the punches lands right on Miltank casuing a burn. Sora knew that was good since it'll cause some damage to the cow Pokémon.
"Not bad, Sora, but it's no use! Miltank! Rollout again!" Whitney ordered. Miltank rolls right into Hitmonchan and the attacks got stronger each time Rollout hits. Hitmonchan has landed on his back knocked out.
"Hitmonchan is unable to battle! Miltank wins!" The referee announced. Sora couldn't believe that two of his trump cards had been knocked out by a single Miltank, but it didn't surprise him. He had no choice but to use Meltan for the battle. He took out Meltan's Pokéball.
"I have faith in you, Meltan. I don't think you might get lucky with that Miltank like you did with Clefairy, but I know you'll do your best out there. I'm counting on you!" Sora threw his Pokéball. "Meltan! Back to action!" The Pokéball letting Meltain out. "Meltan! Headbutt!" Meltan jumps in the air head first to land a hit
"Miltank! Dodge and use Attract!" Whitney ordered. Miltank did use Atrract on the hex nut Pokémon, but she gave a loud gasp when nothing happened. "How could attract fail?!"
"Maybe because Meltan is a genderless Pokémon," Sora pointed out. "I guess your attract move just backfired on you."
"Yes! I knew he sent out Meltan for a reason!" Izzy said. The Alolan nine, Nancy, Tai, Kari, Matt, TK, Sara, Mimi, Joe, Davis, Jun, Ken, Yolei, and Cody all looked at him.
"What do you mean?" Jun asked.
"Why did Sora send out Meltan in the first place?" Mimi asked.
"Sora must have known that Meltan is a genderless Pokémon; so Attract wouldn't be any use against Pokémon that have no gender or is the same sex as the user. Attract only affected both of Heracross and Hitmonchan because they were both males."
"I have deduced it as well," Illima said. "I don't doubt for a second Kairi had also known that as well."
"But, I don't think Whitney and her Miltank is ready to throw in the towel just yet," Kiawe said.
"I'm not finished yet! Miltank! Rollout!" Whitney ordered. Miltank rolled into a ball and headed towards Meltan making it run for it. Meltan ran pretty fast and Miltank kept rolling after the Steel Type.
"Meltan! You have to land a hit sometimes! I don't think that Miltank is going to get tired anytime soon," Sora said.
"Meltan, Sora. Hang in there," Kairi said holding Togepi tight.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
Everyone watched Meltan run from the rolliing Miltank like the boulder scene from Raiders of the Lost Ark, but Sora quickly noticed that the floor was getting worn out from the rolling. That gave him an idea.
"Meltan! Jump on Miltank!" Sora called out. That confused everyone watching the battle wondering why he would tell Meltan to do that. Meltan jumped on Miltank and ran across the rolling.
"What is he trying to do? Is he trying to be funny or something?" Whitney asked her thoughts.
"Meltan! Thunder Shock! Aim it at the floor!" Sora called out. Meltan sends out Thunder Shock and it hits the floor right on Miltank's path. "Great! Now jump off!" Meltan does jump off and Miltank kept rolling and rolling and the ground was getting worn out and she ended up going deeper and deeper. Miltank kept going until she got deep in the earth's crust.
Whitney gased as she realized that Sora has lead her right into a trap.
"Oh no! He used my own strategy against me!" Whitney cried out. Miltank stopped rolling and she began panting out of exhaustion from all the rolling.
"I guess I was wrong about the not getting tired part. Oh well. Meltan! Flash Cannon!" Sora ordered. Meltan fired a full-powered Flash Cannon sending it right at the cow Pokémon hitting her good. Miltank goes flying out of the ditch and lands on her back. Miltank was knocked out from the battle.
"Miltank is unable to battle! Meltan wins! The challenger Sora Ketchum wins the battle!" The referee announced.
All of the fangirls cheered as Sora had won the battle. Many of them began crowding him asking for his autograph.
"Alright, everyone, let me through, let me through," Whitney said getting through the fangirls.
"That was a great battle, Sora. Not many of my challengers would have done what you just did. So, as proof of your victory, it pleases me to present you the Plain Badge," Whitney said as she handed Sora a badge that resembles a plain yellow diamond. Sora takes it.
"Thanks Whitney. Gotta admit, I thought you had me when you took out my Hitmonchan and Heracross. But, it was a great match all the same," Sora said.
Whitney smiled at the compliment. Sora has won three Johtho Gym Badges and he only needs five more to compete in the Johto Region's Pokémon League tournament. But, there are other adventures awaiting him, Kairi, and their friends up ahead. Stay tuned.