Episode 126: Sora and the Burned Tower
After the group had finally arrived in Ecruteak City, they all looked around the city.
"So, this is Ecruteak City. It's place is even more amazing than I thought," Lillie said.
"This city is very historical. It is home to many of the legends in Johto. Among them is the legend of Ho-Oh," Illima said. Sora and Kairi remembered it very well, especially their first meeting. Kairi held Sora's hand as she smiles warmly.
"But as long as we're here, we should head to the Pokémon Center to rest up our Pokémon since they could use it. And check out the sights of the city," Sora said.
"I like the sound of that," Kairi said.
"Me too! I wonder what kind of food they might have here," Sophocles said.
"We can eat later. Right now we'll have to head to the Pokémon Center," Hapu said.
"Hopefully, it isn't too far away," Mallow said as they took off for the local Pokémon Center. Once they arrived, Sora, Kairi, and the Alolan nine had all their Pokémon checked in.
"Say, are you here for a Gym battle?" Nurse Joy asked the young Pokémon trainer.
"Yeah, why?" Sora responded.
"Then you should know the Gym Leader specializes with Ghost Type Pokémon. And the Gym Leader here goes by the name Morty. He is not going to be easy," Nurse Joy said.
"That's good to know. And thanks for the heads up and for taking care of all of our Pokémon," Sora said.
"It's my pleasure," Nurse Joy said.
Sora looked over to Pikachu while the Shiny and Spiky-eared Pichu were playing together.
"Okay, Pikachu. This is your time in actually watching them, so do a good job in keeping them out of trouble, okay?" Sora asked.
"Pika!" Pikachu said in a salute. Sora chuckled as he pat Pikachu on the head. Nurse Joy took Togepi and the three mouse Pokémon to the playpen outside, and they started running as soon as they got in. Togepi joined in on the frolic.
"Stay where I can see you two! And try not to short-out electricity, because it'll hurt Togepi too!" - Pikachu subtitle.
The two Pichu played with some of the little Pokémon in the pin apart from tag to hide and seek. And it was a good thing Pikachu was around, because he had to be in case something happens.
Somewhere in the city, Sora, Kairi, and the Alolan nine were amazed by the sights of the city. Not too far, a very familiar face saw the group and chuckled as he ran to Sora catching him by surprise.
"Sora!" Ventus called out hugging his cousin.
"Ven! What are you doing here?" Sora asked.
"Came here with mom and dad. Terra and Aqua are here too," Ventus said.
"Figured as much," Sora said rubbing his cousin's head. "When did you get to Johto?"
"Just a week ago. Dad has Candy running the place until we head home. Everyone in the diner says hi," Ventus said. Sora laughed.
"Especially Big Earl, right?" Sora asked making Ventus laugh. Terra and Aqua had managed to catch up with Ventus.
"Ven! There you are!" Aqua called out. "We told you to stay close to-" Aqua froze when she saw Sora and the rest.
"Sora! Kairi! I never expected to see you here," Aqua said.
"You too, Aqua!" Kairi said.
"Haven't seen you since we left for Johto," Kiawe said.
"What brings you here?" Terra asked.
"We came here for a Gym Battle, but we decided to have a look around before we do," Sora said.
"I thought you would," Aqua said.
"How many Badges have you earned since coming to Johto?" Terra asked.
"Three," Sora simply answered. "And I'm here for a fourth."
"How about we meet up with mom and dad? They would want to see you guys again," Ventus suggested.
"Sure thing," Sora said laughing. "I've been looking forward to seeing them again," Sora said.
With that said, the group with his Sora's cousin and his friends. Ventus lead the group to the hotel his parents and his friends are staying at. Sitting in the hotel lobby is Danny and Cattleya. Ventus's parents stand up with warm smiles on their faces.
"Sora!" Danny said. "What a happy coicidence that you happen to be here!"
"My little Sora! It's so wonderful to see you and your wonderful friends again!" Cattleya said.
"Uncle Danny and Aunt Cattleya. Ven told us you're down here for a vacation," Sora said.
"Yes, that's right," Danny said.
"Everyone in the staff were mighty proud of your accomplishments since we heard you won your third Badge. We were mighty surprised to hear that you and your friends had discovered a new species," Cattleya said.
"You didn't drop by Professor Oak's lab before you left for your vacation, right?" Kiawe asked.
"It was before we left for Saffron City when we visited Delia and Kairi's grandma. The Pokémon Kairi had there was that same Jigglypuff who doodled on our faces after singing. I was even stoked for seeing a real Omanyte. And the Pokémon you caught were awesome!" Ventus said.
"What really caught us off guard was the Pokémon you called Meltan. It was a lot smaller than I expected," Terra said.
"But, Ven didn't waste time getting to know Meltan a little. Ven even fed it a piece of tin," Aqua said.
Sora and Kairi weren't surprised to hear Ventus being excited about meeting new Pokémon for the first time.
"During our stay in Johto, we met a kid who said he knows you. He had a Quilava with him. He told us how you met for a battle and won. And he told us how he helped you kids give that Team Rocket the boot," Danny said.
"I'll have to say, the idea of people like them poaching Pokémon like that is unbearable to think about," Cattleya said. "But, this boy Ethan said some good things about you."
Sora and Kairi figured Ethan had to mistake Ven for Sora at some point. But, they figured they'd treat Ethan like family; the Alolan nine all figured that as well. Sora and Kairi figured they would meet the new Pokémon they obtained during their stay in Johto.
As they went off to the Pokémon Center, the group shared their adventures to Sora's relatives about what Pokémon they met and about their run-ins with some Ultra Beasts. They also shared some tales about meeting some interesting trainers like Casey and her Chikorita and meeting her again during the Bug Catching Contest.
"Not surprising to hear that you would have all sorts of adventures since you started your last Pokémon journey. I think I remember meeting a girl that matches your description," Danny said.
"She had lots spirit such a dedicated baseball fan," Cattleya said.
"That Bayleef of hers was something," Terra said.
"You kidding? The way she handled that Bayleef was simply awesome! The Mamoswine she battled was pretty bug, but that Bayleef took it down like it was nothing!" Ventus said.
"Gotta hand it to her, she did raise her Bayleef right. Even though she treated it like it was a baseball game since she called her Bayleef her MVP," Aqua said.
"And I bet she sang the Electabuzz baseball team theme after she won," Sora said under his breath. Kairi and the Alolan nine all laughed along with Sora. The group arrived to the Pokémon Center and introduced the Pokémon they caught since arriving in Johto. Pikachu, Togepi, and the Pichu arrived along with the other Pokémon in their Pokéballs. Sora and Kairi let out their Pokémon to show his relatives. "Here they are. Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile, Noctowl, Aipom, meet my Uncle Danny, Aunt Cattleya, my cousin Ventus, and his two best friends, Terra and Aqua. And these two Pichu are our new travel companians and Pikachu's new adoptive little brothers."
"And here my Pokémon as well. Ledian, Shuckle, Raticate, Raichu, and Miltank," Kairi introduced her Pokémon. "Ven already met Jigglypuff, Omanyte, and Sunflora."
"Cool," Ventus said as he looked over to some of Sora's Pokémon. He then set his sights on the two Pichu and remebered when Sora's Pokédex saying Pichu evolved into Pikachu. "So you guys are what Pikachu used to be." He held out his hand letting the Pichu know he's friendly. The Spiky-eared Pichu looked to his Shiny brother and nodded. They Shiny Pichu climbed up his shoulder first while the Spiky-eared Pichu climbed up after. Ven laughed as he found them climbing up to his shoulders to be tickling.
"Looks like those two Pichu must like you," Cattleya said to her son.
"And I like them too," Ventus said.
"Just be careful not to scare them. Pichu are unstable when discharging electricity," Aqua said.
"Right. If I remember right, they can hurt themselves when letting it out," Ventus said.
"Now that the introductions are out of the way, if I recall correctly, I do remember something about a burned tower located in this city," Illima said.
"You got it exactly right, Illima," Terra said.
"The Burned Tower is where three nameless Pokémon had perished consumed by the flames when the tower caught fire. And when the fire was finally put out...," Aqua said.
A new voice said, "The three deceased Pokémon were rivied by the legendary Pokémon Ho-Oh by shining a rainbow light onto them. The people began to fear them because of their power to manipulate life and they tried to surpress it with violence. The deceased Pokémon were reborn as the Pokémon we call Raikou, Entei, and Suicune. They never retaliated against the humans, but instead they left on their own accord as they felt sorrow for the people's reactions to them. Sorry, just couldn't help but overhear your conversation."
Sora, Kairi, the Alolan nine, Terra, Aqua, Ventus, and his parents turned to see a tall man, who green eyes and brown hair, with one lock standing out. He wears a short white cape, a large red ribbon on his neck, a purple suit with four violet rectangles on his chest and white sleeves with red spheres, a white shirt, a pair of white gloves and white shoes with brown soles.
"You seem to know a lot," Ventus said.
"It helps if you have done some research on legendary Pokémon for many years. Anyway, I should introduce myself. My name is Eusine," the man introduced himself.
"I'm Sora and this is my girlfriend Kairi and my cousin Ventus," Sora introduced.
"Ven for short," Ventus said.
"My name is Terra."
"I'm Aqua."
"I'm Danny; Ventus's father."
"I'm Cattleya; Ventus's mother."
"My name is Lillie."
"I'm Illima."
"I'm Mallow."
"My name is Kiawe."
"I'm Lana."
"I'm Sophocles."
"My name's Acerola."
"Mina."
"And I'm Hapu."
"Anyway, Eusine, you said something bout doing research about legendary Pokémon," Sora pointed out.
"Yes. Ever since I was a small boy, I have been fasinated hearing about these stories about about Suicune, Raikou, and Entei," Eusine said. Sora took out his Pokédex and looked up the three Pokémon. The first one was Suicune.
Suicune, the Aurora Pokémon
Type: Water
Suicune embodies the compassion of a pure spring of water. It runs across the land with gracefulness. This Pokémon has the power to purify dirty water.
Sora then looked up the Pokémon known as Entei and he saw an image of a massive, brown lion-like Pokémon with some mastiff qualities. It has a long, light gray cloud of smoke for a mane running along its entire back. It has gray plates on either side of the mane and a plate beneath the cream belly fur on its chest. Entei has gray paws with brown pads and black cuff-like bands on its legs. Its main faceplate is red and shaped like fins or a six-sided star. A gray plate covers its muzzle and resembles a handlebar mustache. It also has a yellow crest with three sloped points on its forehead and red eyes.
Entei, the Volcano Pokémon
Type: Fire
Entei embodies the passion of magma. This Pokémon is thought to have been born in the eruption of a volcano. It sends up massive bursts of fire that utterly consume all that they touch.
Sora looked up the Pokémon known as Raikou and the image he saw is a a quadruped, yellow tiger-like Pokémon with black stripes on its body. Its iris is red in color with a black pupil. It has a purple mane on its back, with white fur around its face. It has a thin, light blue colored tail with a spark shaped figure at its tip. It has a black forehead plate, with a light blue muzzle in the shape of an 'X'. It has three claws on each of its feet.
Raikou, the Thunder Pokémon
Type: Electric
Raikou embodies the speed of lightning. The roars of this Pokémon send shock waves shuddering through the air and shake the ground as if lightning bolts had come crashing down.
"And these are the ones," Sora said in his thoughts. Sora remembered seeing Suicune when he, Kairi, and the Alolan nine first arrived in Johto and it was an amazing sight.
"I was on my way to the Burned Tower to meet up with a longtime friend of mine. If you excuse me," Eusine said.
"Actually, we were about to head to the Burned Tower ourselves," Sora said.
"I guess you can come along since we're going to the same place," Eusine said.
Danny and Cattleya decided to check out the Bell Tower while the kids decided to have a look to the Burned Tower.
The group made their way to the Burned Tower and they all saw very well how it didn't get its name for laughs.
"How could it happen?" Lillie asked looking at the remains of the inside.
"It predated back to one-hundred fifty years ago, and before it was burned down, it was known as the Brass Tower. It has been said that the legendary Pokémon Lugia once lived here," Eusine explained.
Sora, Kairi, the Alolan nine, Terra, Ventus, and Aqua all remember seeing a Lugia before, but it wasn't a real Lugia. But, they knew it was different from the Shadow Pokémon they dealt with during their battle with the Shadow King.
"Now that's something," Sophocles said. Sora took out his Pokédex to hear what it has to say about Lugia itself. The Lugia in Sora's Pokédex states it has a silver coloring.
Lugia, the Diving Pokémon
Type: Psychic/Flying
Lugia's wings pack devastating power—a light fluttering of its wings can blow apart regular houses. As a result, this Pokémon chooses to live out of sight deep under the sea.
"In the sea, huh," Sora said putting his Pokédex away.
"To answer your question, it has been said that the tower was intentionally burned down by people. Who and why remains a mystery up to this day. As a result, Lugia was forced to retreat for its life and it is said to live in the ocean," Eusine said.
"I'm going to guess Ho-Oh lived at the Bell Tower, right?" Sora asked.
"Yes," Eusine bluntly answered. "There is a legend that also states Ho-Oh left the Bell Tower in search of Pokémon trainers whom happens to be pure of heart." That struck a cord with Sora as he remembered seeing Ho-Oh along with Kairi. He looked over to Kairi and she nodded. He pulled out the Rainbow Wing as a tall young man with golden-yellow hair and dark peridot eyes walked out of one of the rooms. He also wore a purple bandana. He has a purple scarf with red ends and a round-like symbol. He also has a long-sleeved striped black shirt, a pair of purple double bracelets around his arms, some white jeans and a pair of black and purple sneakers with red soles. He saw the feather in Sora's hand and gasped.
"It cannot be!" The young man exclaimed. He went up to Sora. "Tell me! Where did you get that?!
"Would you believe me if I said it came from Ho-Oh itself?" Sora asked. That got Eusine's attention.
"Are you telling me that you saw Ho-Oh? That has to be impossible!" The man said.
"It's true. I saw Ho-Oh too. In fact, we saw it twice," Kairi said.
Terra, Ventus, and Aqua turned to Lillie and Illima and they nodded in confirmation.
"You never told us you saw Ho-Oh," Ventus said.
"Didn't think you would believe me," Sora said.
"And you say that you saw Ho-Oh twice?" Eusine asked.
"Yes," Kairi said. "We both saw it when Sora and I first met. And again just before we became a couple." Kairi held Sora's hand. The young man stroke his chin.
"It is said in legend Ho-Oh only appears to trainers who are pure of heart. It's possible it might be the both of you," the young man said. Sora and Kairi couldn't really respond to it, but they figured it would make sense for Ho-Oh to appear to them since they have a strong connection with Pokémon. And that would explain why the Rainbow Wing given to them on their second meeting.
"I never thought of it that way," Sora said.
"Anyway, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Morty," he introduced himself. Sora got wide-eyed. "Is something wrong?"
"When you said 'Morty,' you don't mean 'Morty' as in the Gym Leader of the Ecruteak City Gym, right?" Sora asked.
"I am. Why do you ask?" Morty asked.
"I actually came here to challenge you into a Gym battle," Sora said.
"Is that right?" Morty asked. Sora nodded. "Well, before I accept your challenge, you must return the introduction."
"My name is Sora Ketchum from Pallet Town. So far, I gained three Gym Badges since I came to the Johto region," Sora said.
"And I'll have you know he's the Indigo Platue Pokémon League Champion," Ventus said.
"Ven!" Sora, Terra, and Aqua chided him.
"I see," Morty simply said. Sora figured Morty wasn't even phased by this claim. "If you would follow me to the bottom. There is something I want to show you all." Morty and Eusine led the group to the basement of the Burned Tower and the group found something they had not expected to see. They were statues of the legendary Pokémon Lugia and Ho-Oh. And there minature statues of the other legendary Pokémon as well. With Ho-Oh were Suicune, Raikou, and Entei; and with Lugia were Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres.
"Are those what they look like?" Lana asked.
"Yes. Ho-Oh and Lugia along with their servants. Suicune, Entei, and Raikou serves Ho-Oh. Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres serves Lugia. You know this, right?" Morty asked.
"The Ho-Oh part. I had no idea the three legendary birds worked for Lugia," Sora said in disbelief.
"Entei, Suicune, and Raikou patrolled the land while Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres patrolled the sky. IT has ben said that these six Pokémon patrols the world to keep a watchful eye on humanity. Other statues similiar to these are also occupying the Bell Tower. It was shortly after the Brass Tower has burned down and these statues have been placed inside," Morty said.
"Why would people want to destroy the Brass Tower?" Ventus asked.
"In those days, people naturally fear what they don't understand. And they did not want to understand. And because of the humans distrustful nature, these Pokémon had distrusted humans as well," Eusine said. "But, I believe these Pokémon will trust humanity again someday."
Sora and Kairi believed it since they both saw Ho-Oh since they met. Sora and Kairi wondered if they would see Suicune again, then again, they wondered if they would see Raikou and Entei as well. Also, they wondered if they would meet the three legendary bird Pokémon.
Suddenly without warning, the Rainbow Wing starts glowing like crazy. Sora takes it out.
"What the heck is happening?" Sora asked.
"The Rainbow Wing must be reacting to something," Morty said.
Before Sora could ask what he was talking about a flash came and everyone screamed as a blinding light ook them. Sora opened his eyes and looked around and he found himself to be alone.
"Where is everyone? Pikachu? Ven? Kairi? Anyone!" Sora called out. Hehe didn't hear anyone answer back. "Great. I'm lost in a big empty void with no idea how I'm gonna get out."
"RAWR!" Sora almost jumped hearing a loud roar close to him.
"What was that?!" Sora exclaimed.
He looked around unaware of a mysterious prescense approaching him from behind.
"Are you the one who holds the Rainbow Wing?" A new voice asked. Sora turned around to see a Pokémon he did not expect to see; Entei.
"No way. Are you...?" Sora asked.
"Yes. I am Entei. One of the three Pokémon whom has perished in the Great Fire," Entei said. "I am the guardian of the volcano."
"I knew I would meet you, but it's sooner than expected," Sora said. "But why am I here?" Raikou and Suicune appears at the same time.
"We may know the answer. But we do not always tell," Raikou said.
"Nor do we share with those who seek us for personal glory," Suicune said. Sora was amazed by what he was seeing. All three of the legendary beast Pokémon were right with him.
"Raikou and Suicune. Am I going crazy or am I dreaming?" Sora asked.
"Perhaps you are or you are not," Raikou said.
"That might be up to you to detemine," Entei said.
"Just as it was faith that delievered you here, Sora Ketchum," Suicune said. Sora was surprised to hear Suicune speak his name.
"How do you know my name? And did you know I was coming?" Sora asked.
"It was our master Ho-Oh who told us of your arrival," Entei said.
"Ho-Oh told you about me?" Sora asked.
"Both you and her," Raikou said.
"It was foretold one-hundred fifty years ago that two Pokémon trainers who are pure of heart will come to us and you have arrived," Suicune said.
"If Kairi and I are something special, then why am I the only one here?" Sora asked.
"Because you hold the Rainbow Wing," Suicune said. Sora looked at the aurora Pokémon and took out the Rainbow Wing.
"How did you know about me and Kairi to begin with?" Sora asked.
"It began one hundred fifty years ago. The Brass Tower was full of life, until humans who sought out Lugia and Ho-Oh for their selfish gain had come to obtain them for themselves," Entei said.
"Ho-Oh saw the darkness in their hearts and refused to grant them their power. And as a result, we paid the price," Suicune said.
The scene changes to the tower as it was. Suicune, Raikou, and Entei all vanish. Inside the tower were the three nameless Pokémon whom greatly resemled divine dogs. Sora was amazed by this sight. Standing before him was Lugia itself.
"Those must be what Suicune, Entei, and Rakou looked like before the tower burned down," Sora said. Sora saw Lugia look troubled. Lugia was looking at the window across from it and he went to see the trouble. A bunch of men wearing traditional Japanese clothing were carrying torches. The men threw the torches and the tower began to burn. "No! Not the tower!" Lugia rose up and flapped its wings and flew out creating a huge hole on the wall. The fire has spread quickly, and the nameless Pokémon coudln't get out.
Outside the tower, the people and the Pokémon living there saw the tower burning down and they were all helpless to do something about it.
"We could have escaped for our lives, like Lugia did, but the flames were too widespread for us to do so," Raikou said.
"And we died as a result," Entei said.
The nameless Pokémon had breathed in too much smoke and they collapsed. Sora could only watch helplessly witnessing three Pokémon die before him. Tears came from his eyes and he fell to his knees.
"No," Sora simply said tearfully. Rain fell from the sky and it combated the raging inferno until the flames were finally put out. A rainbow light appears from the clouds and Ho-Oh descends from the heavens. The people outside were amazed by the sight.
"I shall breathe new life into you. You shall watch over humanity and not engage in violence against them. But, you shall guide them," Ho-oh said.
The charred remains of the dead Pokémon began to glow red, blue, and yellow. The nameless Pokémon were resurrected as Entei, Rakou, and Suicune. The people outside were awestruck by the sight of the dead Pokémon coming back to life, but they began to fear them and they were about to attack them. But they looked at the people with sorrow in their eyes; the same sorrow Sora had watching them die. They did not engage in violence, but instead they had left.
"Watching over humanity as the legend says," Sora said. The scene switches back to where he started. The legendary beast Pokémon appeared before him once again.
"Ho-Oh had foreseen two individuals whom are pure of heart would one day meet and fall in love upon their first meeting," Suicune said.
"Your desire to keep Kairi and Pikachu safe from the ones who uses Pokémon to capture and sell to those to exploit them has drawn Ho-Oh to you," Raikou said.
"Just as her desire to help Pokémon in need did. You and Kairi were destined to meet each other and begin your journey together," Entei said.
"You mean everything Kairi and I went through was meant to be this way from the start? You guys and Ho-Oh knew it before we did?" Sora asked.
"Only the meeting was foretold," Entei said.
"Everything else was something you and her have done for yourselves. And in the process you have touched the hearts of the people and Pokémon you met," Raikou said.
"No one has the power to shape your destiny, but you two. The future is up to you shape and only you can decide what to do for yourselves," Suicune said.
"I don't understand," Sora said.
"When the time comes, you will," Suicune said before the world Sora was in began to vanish along with the legengary beast Pokémon. Sora woke up and everyone was all around him.
"Oh, thank goodness, you're awake!" Lillie said with relief.
"We were afraid that you gone away from us," Illima said.
"Don't ever scare us like that again," Kairi said.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu agreed.
"Sorry," Sora said. "Just had a weird dream." Mentioning the dream, Sora took out the Rainbow Wing and it was still glowing, but it was slightly dimmed. Sora said in his thoughts, "Or was it a dream?" Kairi looked her boyfriend with concern
"Sora?" Kairi asked with concern in her voice. He looked at her and saw how worried she was. "Are you okay? You didn't hit your head or anything did you?" Sora didn't give an answer, but instead he just gave her a hug and held her tight. "Sora?"
"I don't want you to leave me," Sora said in a low tone voice. Kairi was the only one who heard him. She could tell something had happened in this "dream" of his. She decided to leave it be for now.
"Perhaps we can have our battle tomorrow. My Pokémon are no condition to battle after my recent defeat," Morty said.
"I'm in no hurry. It just gives me time to make stragedy for our battle. You just bring your A-game and show me everything you've got," Sora said. Morty smiled.
"You will not be disappointed," Morty said. With that settled, Sora, Kairi, the Alolan nine, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, and their Pokémon returned to the Pokémon Center for Sora make a battle plan against Morty. He figured Ghost Type Pokémon will ginve him a hard time, so he decided to go with Silvally and give it a Dark Type Memory to boot and to go with Spinarak since he knows some useful moves. Sora accessed his Pokédex and exchanged Aipom and Chikorita for Silvally and Spinarak.
Sora had to win his fourth Johto Gym battle and then he'll be half way where he needs to be. But, the talk he had with Suicune, Entei, and Raikou was still in his mind. And he still thought of witnessing the nameless Pokémon die in the burning tower. Sora joined his friends in the messhall and went off to sleep in the rooms provided. He wondered what they meant by shaping his and Kairi's own future. That will be a something Sora and Kairi will have to discover on their own.