Episode 129: Remoraid Lake
A few days had passed since saving a village by an army of maraders and adding some new Pokémon to the mix. The group continued on to Olivine City with a few little things going on. Kairi had her sights set on an Elekid who happens to be occupying itself with some flowers. Kairi took a look at the yellow Pokémon and she can tell it's a girl. Elekid wore a wreath made entirely of flowers.
"Oh, come on Kairi, I want that Elekid," Sophocles said.
"Sorry Sophocles, but I think she's more better suited for me," Kairi said.
"You have yourself a Raichu, so it's fair that I get that one!" Sophocles argued.
"Don't be selfish, Sophocles!" Sora scolded Sophocles. "If Kairi said she had her sights on Elekid then let her have it!" Sora said.
"Fine!" Sophocles pouted. Sora handed his girlfriend his Pokédex just because he knew she'll need it. Kairi handed Togepi to Sora.
"Wish me luck, you two," Kairi said.
"I always take your side," Sora said.
"Toge, Togepi!" Togepi chirped.
"See? Togepi agrees with me," Sora said. Kairi got out a Pokéball and got into position to catch the electric Pokémon.
"Go for it, Raichu!" Kairi called out as she threw her Pokéball letting her Raichu enter the battle. Elekid took notice of the mouse Pokémon and stood up removing her flower wreath not wanting to have anything happen to it. Elekid spun her arms around building up electricity. "Raichu! Quick Attack!"
"Raichu, Rai!" Raichu obeyed. Raichu ran towards Elekid and slams into her with her arms still spinning. Elekid sends out a Thunder Shock and it strikes Raichu hard, but it didn't even phase Raichu.
"That Thunder Shock didn't do that much damage on Raichu," Mallow said.
"Even after spinning her arms around to build up that power," Acerola said.
"Raichu must have a better tolerance for electricity than any of Sophocles's Pokémon. Even his newest Voltorb," Lana said.
"Yeah. Even my Pokémon wouldn't hold a-HEY!" Sophocles exclaimed. Sora and the rest of the Alolan nine laughed as Sophocles pouted.
Elekid and Raichu collides with a Thunder Punch to each other. Elekid did her best to hold her own with Raichu, but he was too strong for her. Elekid slipped and Raichu landed a Thunder Punch on the side.
"Great Raichu! Now use Seismic Toss!" Kairi ordered. Raichu grabs Elekid and does a rolling flip and tosses Elekid on the ground. Kairi got a Pokéball out and threw it at Elekid. The yellow Pokémon flows inside and the Pokéball starts wobbling around and around. Stars swirls around the Pokéball confirming the catch. Sora's Pokédex starts buzzing asking her if she wants to keep Elekid or send her to Professor Oak's lab. She chose to keep Elekid in exchange for Shuckle. Kairi picks up her Pokéball containing her new Elekid. "Now I have an Elekid!"
"Way to Kairi!" Sora cheered.
"Pika, Pika!" Pikachu also cheered.
"Togepi!" Togepi chirped. Kairi hands Sora back his Pokédex. She walked over to the flower wreath and tossed her Pokéball letting Elekid out. She placed it on her new Pokémon's head.
"Here you go, Elekid. Your flower wreath," Kairi said kindly. Elekid looked at her new trainer and saw how kind she is. Sora placed Togepi down to the ground and the baby Pokémon went up to Elekid giving her a hug of greetings. Elekid smiled as she instantly took a liking to Togepi.
"Toge, Toge!" Togepi chirped.
"Do you like Elekid, Togepi?" Kairi asked her first Pokémon.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi nodded.
"I thought you would," Kairi said giggling. She gave both her Pokémon a hug.
The group continued on the road when Sora and Kairi ended up being challenged by another couple. These two were in their early teens wearing matching outfits.
"What do you think, Cindy? Don't you think they look cute together?" The teen boy asked.
"I think they do Ian. They are obviously right for each other," Cindy said. Sora and Kairi look at each other chuckling nervously.
"Thanks," Sora and Kairi said at once.
The Alolan nine and the Pichu laughed a bit.
"So a tag battle, Cindy?" Ian asked.
"You always knew what to say! And that's why I love you," Cindy said.
"I love you more," Ian said lovingly. Ian took out a Pokéball. "How about we get the show on the road before we get too distracted."
"You are so right, Ian baby," Cindy said also taking out a Pokéball. The opposing couple threw the Pokéballs. "I choose you, Miltank!" Cindy has let out a Miltank that is somewhere older than Kairi's Miltank, but a bit younger than Whitney's Miltank.
"Go for it, Tauros!" Ian said as the Pokéball opens and lets out his Tauros. Sora took out Cyndaquil's Pokéball and Kairi had taken out Elekid's Pokéball. Sora knew she wanted to test out her new Pokémon's strength.
"Go for it, Cyndaquil!" Sora said as threw his Pokéball letting Cyndaquil enter the battle. Cyndaquil's back flares up upon entry.
"Go for it Elekid!" Kairi said throwing her Pokéball letting Elekid enter the battle. She spins her arms upon entry.
"Two bovine Pokémon against the power of fire and lightning. This should be fun to watch," Acerola said.
"Yeah," Mina said in a nod.
"You two shall have the first move," Sora said.
"Thank you," Ian said smiling. "Tauros! Take Down on that Cyndaquil!"
"Miltank! Use Gyro Ball on Elekid!" Cindy ordered. Miltank rolls into a ball as a blue ring surrounds her body heading towards Elekid.
"Cyndaquil! Use Flamethrower on Tauros!" Sora ordered.
"Elekid! Thunder Shock on Miltank!" Kairi ordered. Cyndaquil fires Flamethrower as Elekid fires Thunder Shock at Miltank. Cyndaquil's Flamethrower hits Tauros affecting his focus. Elekid's Thunder Shock hits Miltank turning the blue ring into a ring of electricity. As Miltank kept rolling, it was hurting the milk cow Pokémon at the same time. "Sora. Wanna trade opponents?"
"Sure thing, Kairi. Cyndaquil! Flame Wheel on Miltank!" Sora ordered. Cyndaquil rolls into a fireball and right into Miltank. The opposing Miltank uncurls into a ball as static electricity emits from her body.
"Elekid! Thunder Punch on Tauros!" Kairi ordered. Elekid lands a Thunder Punch right into the bull Pokémon's face also landing a paralysis.
"Nice one, Kairi!" Sora said with a compliment.
"Thanks Sora. Cyndaquil's work with Flame Wheel did the trick too," Kairi said smiling.
Ian and Cindy were pretty impressed by how the younger couple were doing.
"You two really are so good," Cindy said.
"Yeah, totally. But, it's not over yet. Tauros! Use your Earthquake!" Ian ordered.
"Miltank! Protect!" Cindy ordered. Miltank forms a protective barrier around herself while Tauros slammed his hooves onto the ground making the ground shake.
"Dodge with Quick Attack!" Sora and Kairi called out. Cyndaquil and Elekid dodged the Earthquake just by using their speed attack to reach a tree and they launched themselves at Tauros, since Miltank is using Protect.
"Miltank! Use Water Pulse on Cyndaquil!" Cindy ordered. Miltank forms a ball of water and sends it to Cyndaquil, hitting him.
"Tauros! Horn Attack on Elekid!" Ian ordered. Tauros moved in and landed a devastating blow on the electric Pokémon.
"Cyndaquil! Flamethrower on Tauros!" Sora ordered.
"Elekid! Thunder Shock on Miltank!" Kairi ordered.
Cyndaquil fired Flamethrower at Tauros hitting him. Elekid fired Thunder Shock at Miltank again, but Cindy just smirked.
"Miltank! Protect!" Cindy ordered. Miltank forms a protective barrier around herself again and Thunder Shock bounces right off. "That's great Miltank! Water Pulse again! Send it to Elekid!" Miltank started to form a ball of water, but she failed to complete it due to her paralysis. That was Kairi's chance.
"Elekid! Low Kick!" Kairi ordered. Elekid ran towards Miltank and gave a swiping kick to the milk cow Pokémon making her fall on her back.
"Tauros! Zen Headbutt!" Ian ordered. Tauros charged towards Cyndaquil with his head glowing in a blue aura landing headbutt to the fire mouse Pokémon. Cyndaquil flops to the ground, but quickly gets back up. Cyndaquil then starts to evolve. Sora and Kairi were amazed to watch Cyndaquil's evolution; the same can be said for their opponents. The Alolan nine and the two Pichu were also stunned by this. Cyndaquil was now a Quilava.
"Can you believe it? Cyndaquil evolved into a Quilava!" Sora said excitedly.
"I can believe it," Kairi said. "Cyndaquil has evolved for you," Kairi said smiling. Sora smiled back since he knew she is right.
"Your Cyndaquil evolving wasn't expected to happen," Ian said.
"But it's not everyday that we get to see a Pokémon evolve during battle," Cindy said. "Miltank! Gyro Ball on Quilava!"
"Tauros! Zen Headbutt on Elekid!" Ian ordered. Tauros charged towards Elekid as Miltank's body is once again surrounded by a blue ring heading towards Quilava. Sora looked over to Kairi. "Let's give them something else not to expect. Thunder Shock on Quilava."
Kairi remembered seeing that when he and Ethan battled Proton back at the Slowpoke Well.
"I gotcha, Sora. Elekid! Thunder Shock on Quilava!" Kairi ordered. Ian and Cindy were confused by that one.
"Could she be throwing the battle?" Ian and Cindy asked.
"Quilava! Flame Wheel!" Sora ordered. Quilava quickly rolled into a fireball before Elekid's Thunder Shock could land a hit. Quilava rolled towards the bovine Pokémon. Ian and Cindy were amazed and stunned by the combination of fire and electricity. The Alolan nine were awestruck by this sight as they remembered seeing this before. Quilava rolled into both Tauros and Miltank causing heavy damage to them both creating a smokescreen in the process. Once the smoke cleared, Quilava was standing while Tauros and Miltank were both knocked out.
"Yes! Alright!" Sora and Kairi both said at once as they embraced each other celebrating their victory.
"That was a great idea, Sora," Kairi said.
"Credit goes to you for that Thunder Shock," Sora said. Ian and Cindy calls back their fallen Pokémon and walked up to the younger couple.
"Congratulations on your victory," Ian said.
"You two really gave us a run for our money," Cindy said.
"You did too," Kairi said.
"Yeah. I think you would have gotten us if my Cyndaquil didn't evolve just in time," Sora said.
"I guess you're right," Cindy said giggling.
"Evolved or not. You two did a great job with those Pokémon," Ian said.
Sora and Kairi were happy to hear the kind compliment from the older couple and they bid the group farewell.
The group continued onward to Olivine City for Sora's very next Gym battle when they all walked by a lush river. As they walked on, they spotted what looks like a small, light blue fish-like Pokémon. It has a dorsal fin protruding from its head, saucer-like eyes and two dark blue stripes on its body. It has four pointed teeth, and two pectoral and caudal fins. They spotted several of them.
"Wow. Just look at all of these Remoraid," Lana said.
"This is the first time I've seen so many at once," Lillie said. Sora became curious about Remoraid and scanned them.
Remoraid, the Jet Pokémon
Type: Water
Remoraid sucks in water, then expels it at high velocity using its abdominal muscles to shoot down flying prey. When evolution draws near, this Pokémon travels downstream from rivers.
"Don't Remoraid normally live out in the sea?" Sora asked.
"Yes they do. They're normally seen with Mantine and they're pre-evolved form Mantyke. But, it's not unusual to see them in rivers and lakes since they swim up them from the ocean," Lillie said.
"And this river must lead to the ocean," Illima pointed out.
"And it must lead up to a lake," Kiawe said.
"Then let's follow them," Sora suggested. Kairi and the Alolan nine all agreed as they followed the river. Pikachu rode on Sora's shoulders while the Pichu rode on Kairi's shoulders.
Uknown to them, a couple of Pokémon hunters, one with a eyepatch on his left eye and one with a nose ring came out of hiding from behind a huge boulder.
"Did you hear that? A lake full of Remoraid," the eyepatched hunter said.
"I heard them. We've trying to get to those little darlings for years and we never came close to a single one," the nose ring hunter.
"Now we finally going to have ourselves the Remoraid that had been under our radar after all the years of bad luck," the eyepatched hunter said. Both Pokémon hunters nodded and followed the group to where the Remoraid are heading up to.
As the group had reached the lake, they saw how big it is, and just how many it was able to hold.
"Look at that," Sora said amazed.
"That's a lot of Remoraid," Mina said.
"There's got to be more than even I can count," Illima said.
"That saves me a question on how many there are," Sora joked. Kairi giggled to that.
"I guess," Sophocles said. Lana's eyes lit up and the rest of her friends all saw the look she had; especially Mallow. Lana took out a Pokéball just so as she could catch one of them.
"This is an opportunity of a lifetime!" Lana cheered. She threw the Pokéball at one of the Remoraid, but five other Remoraid suurounds the one Lana threw the Pokéball at and the Pokéball bounces back to her. "What just happened? I didn't do it wrong, did I?"
"No. You did it right. And so did they," Hapu said.
"Hapu's right. A Pokéball can only catch one at a time; not many at once," Kairi said.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
"Pichu," the Shiny Pichu said.
"Pichu," the Spiky-eared Pichu said.
"I guess that's their way of protecting one another," Mallow said.
"You're right. It is," Illima said.
Just as the group were looking upon the Remoraid, Nurse Joy had come to the scene and spotted the group standing by the lake.
"Um excuse me," Nurse Joy called out to the group. Everyone turned to face the young nurse. "Have you all come to do research on the Remoraid as well? It just feels good to know there are knowledge seekers out there."
"Research?" Sora asked. He looked over to his girlfriend and the Alolan nine who all shrugged their shoulders. "Well, not exactly. We were just traveling along the river and we just followed them here." Sora chuckled nervously leaving out the part where Lana made an attempt to catch one of the Remoraid only to fail.
"I see. Well, either way, the more the merrier," Nurse Joy said happily.
"Anyway, what's so special about this lake?" Mallow asked.
"I see that you don't know about Lake Remoraid," Nurse Joy guessed.
"Lake Remoraid?" Sora, Kairi, and the Alolan nine all asked.
"Yes. It got its name because the Remoraid comes to this lake year after year," Nurse Joy explained. "But, why they come here remains a mystery even today."
Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Togepi, the Alolan nine, and the Pichu all were amazed to hear this.
"No wonder it's called Remoraid Lake," Sora said.
"And that is not all. We're also doing research on Remoraid's evolution into a Pokémon called Octillery. For many years, this has baffled researchers on Remoraid and Octillery and why Remoraid's evolved form is completely different," Nurse Joy said.
Sora accessed his Pokédex once again and he looked up Octillery. The image on the Pokédex shows a Pokémon that looks like a cross between a red octopus and a tank. It has multiple tentacles, but two of them are in front while the others are on the rear; and the tentacles all have yellow suction cups. It also has a a turret-like mouth, a row of three yellow protrusions, and a pair of white slanted eyes that appears to make Octillery look sad.
Octillery, the Jet Pokémon
The evolved form of Remoraid
Type: Water
Octillery grabs onto its foe using its tentacles. This Pokémon tries to immobilize it before delivering the finishing blow. If the foe turns out to be too strong, Octillery spews ink to escape.
Sora thought for a moment thinking about coming across an actual Octillery and it putting a squeeze on Sora right until his face turned blue and his soul coming out his body with angel wings and a helio playing a small harp.
Back to reality, he winced at the thought of having the life squeezed out of him by the octopus Pokémon and his hands rubbing his neck.
"It does look like a squeezer to me," Sora said in his thoughts.
"Octillery's real weapon of choice is its rock-hard head," Nurse Joy said.
"I'm getting a headache just thinking about how hard it is," Sophocles said.
"Don't worry about that. Octillery only do that out of self-defense. Though human trained Octillery are more docile and humbled compared to the ones in the wild," Nurse Joy said.
"That's what I read about in a book when I was younger," Lillie said.
"I know why it's called Remoraid Lake, but how did it get that name to begin with?" Acerola asked.
"It was about three hundred years ago, when the settlers of the forest made a startling discovery of Remoraid in the lake. They didn't know what to make of it. But they were just amazed by the sight," Nurse Joy said.
"I would be too back in three hundred years," Kairi said.
"Yes. But legend says that the lake is cursed. It is said to bring bad luck to anyone who would come here to catch the Remoraid for personal glory," Nurse Joy said. Lana gasped as she realized what she did. "But of course, it's only a myth. No one really believes that anymore." Nurse Joy laughed at the thought. Sora laughed as well.
"Yeah. I guess it does sound silly having to be cursed by Remoraid just for catching them. I mean, you have to be superstitious to believe that," Sora said laughing. Lana laughed nervously along with Sora.
"Yeah. Sora's right. It does sound silly," Lana said. She chuckled nervously at the thought of having bad luck on a daily basis like not being able to enjoy Kairi's cooking or maybe worse, her Water Type Pokémon not obeying her at all.
"I'm sure your Pokémon must be tired. You should all come with me and have them rest up for a bit," Nurse Joy suggested.
"That's a good idea," Hapu said.
"And it's a good thing we bumped into you," Mallow said.
"Yeah," Mina nodded.
"Then come along, everyone," Nurse Joy said leading the group. As the group followed the young nurse, the two Pokémon hunters had at last come to the lake and they were amazed by the sight of the numerous Remoraid swimming and splashing about in the lake. The hunter with the eyepatch smirked.
"We've just hit the motherlode," the hunter with the eyepatch grinned.
The group had entered the Pokémon Center and she had done a checkup all of their Pokémon while they had lunch in the messhall to have two familiar faces take notice of them. It was Professor Oak and Lea.
"Sora!" Professor Oak called out to the young Pokémon trainer. Sora and the group turned to see the two of them.
"Professor?" Sora asked surprised.
"Lea?" Kairi asked.
"Well, it's been a while. It looks like everyone is doing great," Lea said smiling.
"You too, Lea," Kiawe said.
"Where's Isa?" Acerola asked.
"He's still in the lab. He insisted that he stayed behind and keep an eye on things while we were down here. Isa has been doing a good job since I last made contact with him. I trust you have won some additional Gym Badges since we last spoke," Professor Oak said.
"Just got the Fog Badge back at Ecruteak City. We bumped into my aunt, uncle, cousin, and his friends while we were there," Sora said.
"I guess you're heading to Olivine City for your next Gym battle right?" Lea asked.
"Yeah it is. And we came across Remoraid Lake while we were at it," Lillie said.
"I guess great minds think alike," Professor Oak said.
"Anyway, I meant to check up on you sooner. How is Meltan doing since I sent it to you?" Sora asked.
"Actually, it's funny you should ask. Ever since you sent your Meltan to me to keep your Sudowoodo with you, I have been doing some research on it. I tell you, it has quite an appetite for metal. But, that's not what I wanted to share with you," Professor Oak said. Sora, Kairi, and the Alolan nine became curious about what he had to say about Meltan.
"What is it?" Sora asked.
"As I have done some research, it turns out Meltan is capable of evolution just like so many Pokémon, but what triggers that evolution is still a mystery," Professor Oak said.
"What kind of research did you try?" Kairi asked.
"We ran some tests on it to make certain of what Pokémon can evolve and what Pokémon can't. It was Isa who found that out; and by accident," Lea said.
"This test was conducted by Professor Rowan many years ago in his younger days when he began studying Pokémon evolution. The test is to see the signs of how Pokémon would evolve either it was either by gaining experience in battle, a certain stone, or through other methods. Nurse Joy has acquired my assistance on Remoraid's evolution into Octillery. The reasons for certain evolutions," Professor Oak said.
"Anyway Professor. Do you know the whole story about Remoraid Lake?" Sora asked.
"Oh, I do. About three hundred years ago, this lake was founded by the settlers and they built their village there. Upon completion, the Remoraid themselves were discovered in the lake. The settlers there were called the Remoraidians; meaning they worshipped the Remoraid in the lake. Since then, the Remoraidians and the Remoraid they worshipped lived peacefully," the Pokémon professor explained.
"I kinda did a little reading since I got really bored on the way over here, but there's a legend that said that the land has a curse on it saying to bring bad luck to anyone that tries to take the Remoraid from the lake," Lea said.
"That part we already know," Sophocles said.
"But do you know the reason why?" Lea asked. Sora, Kairi, and the Alolan nine were all ears.
"I am sad to say that I don't," Illima said.
"The reason behind is around those same times, some bad guys tried to catch the Remoraid from the lake and sell them off as food. But the whatchacallem," Lea stated.
"That would be the Remoraidians," Professor Oak said.
"Right," Lea said feeling a little embarrassed. "The Remoraidians fought back against the fisherman. They didn't want that to happen again, so the priests placed a curse on the lake that is said to bring... ah you get the idea."
Lana really got the idea all right. She was shaking in fear about having bad luck without thinking about the consequences of her actions.
"Whatever happened to the Remoraidians after that?" Kairi asked.
"Also a mystery," Professor Oak said. "You should have a look to the ancient city and see for yourselves." After everyone took their Pokémon from the Pokémon Center, Professor Oak, Lea, and Nurse Joy led the group to what looks like the ruins of ancient city. Sora, Kairi, the Alolan nine, and their Pokémon companions were all amazed by the sight. "Here it is. The ancient city of Remoraidia." Sora looked over to Lea who just shrugged his shoulders.
"Don't look at me. I don't where they get these names from. It's just called that," Lea said.
"If you say so," Sora said also shrugging his shoulders. Everywhere they looked all the stone carvings all had Remoraid on them. There also some statues of Remoraid as well.
Over to the two Pokémon hunters, they stared at awe at the Remoraid swimming around.
"This is a gold mine! More Remoraid than we can even count!" The hunter with the nose ring said.
"You got that right," the hunter with the eyepatch sId.
"You think we should have our Pokémon battle them?" The hunter with the nose ring asked.
"No. There's way too many of them. Our Pokémon would be knocked out faster then we can battle them. I have a better idea," the hunter with the eyepatch said. The two of them got planning.
Meanwhile in a not to far town, Team Rocket ends up being lost once again and James is sent to get some sandwiches for all of them when a familair vendor calls out to James.
"Hey you!" The salesman called out to him. James turns to him. "Yes. You. Come here." James walked up to him. "You got a likable face. I think I have something special for you."
"Yeah? What?" James asked. The salesman hands James a Magikarp. "You're giving me a Magikarp?"
"Yes I am, my friend! Like I said, you got a face I like, so I'll let you in on a little secret. This Magikarp is a Pokémon gold mine. This Magikarp can lay golden eggs. And golden egg is worth a fortune. It'll make you the richest man in the world," the Magikarp salesman said.
"Funny. I think I heard that line before. Also, you look oddly familiar. There was a guy who told me the exact same thing and he sold me a Magikarp just like this one. So I-" James paused as he gasped as he realized who it was. "Hey! I know you!" athe Magikarp salesman winced. "You're that no-good slimy lying crooked rat-faced swindler! You took all my money the last time we met!"
"Uh-oh!" The Magikarp salesman said taking the Magikarp from James's arms and grabs his bag and starts running.
"Hey! Come back here, you!" James shouted chasing after him. "Wait until I get my hands on you!" The Magikarp salesman ran into an alley and hid behind a couple of trashcans. James looked around for him. "I think I proved my point. That crook better think twice before conning me again." Luckily, James didn't lose his money this time and took off to his task.
Back to the Remoraid Lake, the group went back to the Pokémon Center taking in all the experience of the ancient city of Remoraidia. Sora accessed his Pokédex and he exchanged Gligar and Noctowl for Meltan and Swinub while Kairi had exchanged Raticate and Ledian for Jigglypuff and Sunflora.
"So you want to test out Swinub's skills in battle?" Kairi asked.
"Yeah. And I'm gussing you're bringing Jigglypuff and Sunflora here just because, right?" Sora asked. Kairi giggled.
"So you noticed. I was thinking we can have a tag battle with Hapu and Kiawe later," Kairi suggested.
"We could just ask them later," Sora said. "And I don't doubt Hapu was pretty sore for losing to us last time."
"I HEARD THAT!" Hapu yelled from another part of the Pokémon Center. Sora and Kairi both shared a laugh at Hapu's expense. Lea joined the couple.
"And what we laughing about?" Lea asked jokingly.
"Just at Hapu's reaction," Sora said.
"And she didn't take what he said with good humor," Kairi said.
"YOU WOULDN'T BE LAUGHING EITHER IF YOU LOST A BATTLE AGAINST YOUR BOYFRIEND!" Hapu called out. Kairi stuck her tongue at the Ground Type trainer.
"Thinking of having a battle, huh? Gotta hand it to you, Kairi. I was pretty surprised to hear how good a trainer you got. So, I was wondering if you can have a battle with me. Just for fun," Lea said.
"You sure, Lea?" Kairi asked.
"I'm sure. I can have my Magmar battle with one of yours. Wanna see how good you got," Lea said. Kairi looked over to her boyfriend and he thought for a moment.
"I don't see why not. I mean, it's not like he stands a chance or anything," Sora said jokingly.
"Hey! I'll have you know, porcupine head, I'm very skillful in a battle. And that kid Ash was no slouch," Lea said.
"You mean when he beat you with his Pikachu?" Sora asked laughing.
"Very funny," Lea said in a low tone voice. He looked over to the couple's friends and noticed Lana wasn't present. "Say. Where's Lana? Isn't she usually with you guys?" Sora and Kairi turned around and noticed her gone as well.
"Since you mentioned it. She has been acting weird ever since we got here," Kairi pointed out.
"Where could she be?" Sora asked as Mallow walked up to them.
"She said she needed some air. Lana wouldn't tell me what's bugging her," Mallow said. Sora and Kairi could tell she was worried since she and Lana are best friends. "I'm really worried about her."
"And you're right to be worried. Lana is our friend. And we should check the lake first. Just to be sure," Sora said. Kairi, Pikachu, Togepi, Mallow, and Lea went off to find the blue-haired Water Type trainer and to make sure she's okay.
Lana strolled down to the lake thinking about what Nurse Joy and Lea both said about a bad luck curse.
"What if it is true. Could I be cursed and not know about it? What is going to happen?" Lana asked herself in her thoughts.
"Lana!" Mallow called out to her. She turns to see Sora, Kairi, Mallow, and Lea running up to her. "Thought you would be heading to the lake."
"I don't think you should have anything to do with me anymore. I will take you guys down with me," Lana said.
"What are you talking about, Lana? How could you say that we shouldn't have anything to do with you?" Mallow asked.
"And what do you mean by taking us down with you?" Sora asked.
"Because... I'm... cursed!" Lana admitted.
"What do yoh mean cursed?" Sora asked.
"Remember when I tried to catch one of the Remoraid earlier?" Lana asked.
"Yes?" Sora, Kairi, and Mallow responded. Lea just looked at them not getting it.
"Well, when Nurse Joy and Lea explained about a curse that inflicts bad luck to anyone who tries to catch a Remoraid at the lake. I tried to do that when I failed at the catch," Lana admitted.
"Is that what's been bothering you?" Mallow asked. Lana hesitated for a moment before she eventually nodded. "Lana! You really surprised me."
"You and me both, Mallow. Lana, you should have talked to us about your problem earlier and we would have listened," Sora said.
"Sora's right, Lana. You should know by now that I will always be there to help you out," Mallow said.
"I didn't want to take that risk," Lana said.
"Risks is what friends does for each other. You listened to me when I told you, her, Lillie, and the other girls about my feelings for Sora," Kairi said.
Lana knew Kairi was right about that since she was there for that pep talk and she remembered saying that she'll be supportive if Sora didn't feel that way. She looked towards Mallow and sighs.
"I'm sorry, Mallow. I should have said something. I was so worried about the whole bad luck curse, I just forgot about coming to you guys when I need to talk. I won't forget again," Lana said.
"You do remember me saying when you would cry, I'd give you a great big hug right?" Mallow asked. Lana smiled and she nodded. Mallow hugged her best friend and Lana hugged her back. Sora and Kairi were happy to see that their friendship is just as strong as ever.
"I'm glad we became best friends when we first met, Mallow. I was there for you when your mom died. I only wished I would have met her," Lana said with tears coming down her cheeks.
"Me too, Lana. My mom would treat you like she had another daughter," Mallow said with tears coming dow her cheeks as well.
"Okay, enough with the mushy stuff," Lea said coming up to the two girls. "That whole thing about a bad luck curse is just a bunch of hocus pocus. Also, it only said it effects the ones who happens to be greedy and impure of heart. In other words you have to be a complete bad person; that's what it meant." Lana was relieved to hear that because she was glad she was not anyone of those things the legend said. Lana would have bursted out about being worried over nothing, but she didn't care.
Just then a loud shot came from the direction of the lake and it was so loud, it made everyone almost jump out of surprise.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked.
"What was that?!" Lea exclaimed.
"I don't know, but I don't have a good feeling about this," Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu agreed.
The kids and the Pokémon went over to the direction of the loud sound only to find the two Pokémon hunters reeling on a net full of Remoraid. All of the fish Pokémon tried to struggle to get out, but the net was just too strong.
"The good news is, it isn't Team Rocket," Sora said.
"The bad news is, it's a couple of Pokémon poachers," Mallow said.
"We should take 'em," Lea suggested.
"Hold on, Lea. I think the professor and the others should be here. It'll be a good idea if you head back to the Pokémon Center and let them know what's going on," Sora said.
"You sure about that?" Lea asked.
"We can handle them," Mallow said.
"Just hurry back," Lana said.
"I got it memorized," Lea nodded.
"And take Togepi with you. I don't want those hunters getting any ideas," Kairi said handing Togepi to Lea. He knew those Pokémon hunters might try to take Togepi from her despite she will protect him.
"Roger," Lea said taking Togepi. "Come on, Togepi. It's not safe here." Lea started running off, but gently.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped. Sora turned to Pikachu and nod to each other. Kairi took out Raichu, Elekid, and Smoochum's Pokéballs while Mallow took out Tsareena and Skiploom's Pokéballs and Lana took out Poliwhirl's Net Ball and Cloyster's Pokeball.
"Look at this mighty haul," the hunter with the eyepatch said. "When we sell these to the highest bidder, we can be filthy stinking rich."
"You got that right. Nobody is gonna stop us now," the hunter with the nose ring said.
"That's what you think!" Sora called out as he and the girls came out of hiding with their chosen Pokémon out.
"Your days of Pokémon hunting is over," Mallow said.
"So you better put those Remoraid back in the lake," Kairi added.
"Or we'll do that for you," Lana said. The two hunters just laughed.
"You kids think you can stop us? We'll have to teach you to stay out of our affairs," the hunter with the eyepatch said taking out two Great Balls and threw them. "Go Qwilfish! Golduck!" One of the Great Balls opens and lets out a Qwilfish and it huffed and puffed upon entry.The second Great Ball opens and it unleashed a Golduck that has a cold look in its eyes. The hunter with the nose ring took out a Great Ball and threw it as well.
"Kingler! Tentacruel! Go!" The hunter with the nose ring said as the Great Ball opens and lets out a Kingdra. Sora took out his Pokédex and scanned the blowfish Pokémon.
Qwilfish, the Balloon Pokémon
Type: Water/Poison
Qwilfish sucks in water, inflating itself. This Pokémon uses the pressure of the water it swallowed to shoot toxic quills all at once from all over its body. It finds swimming somewhat challenging.
Sora puts his Pokédex away and took out three more Pokéballs to battle.
"Okay then! "Bayleef! Totodile! Meltan! Go!" Sora said letting out Bayleef who twirls her leaf upon entry while Totodile did a little dance and Meltan spun its head. Kairi turned to Sora.
"We can't use Thunderbolt because we might hurt the Remoraid," Kairi said.
"She's right, Sora. And that's something we don't want to do," Mallow said.
"Then we're going have to be smart about it. Pikachu! Quick Attack on Kingler! Bayleef and Meltan! Headbutt on Tentacruel and Golduck! Totodile! Water Gun on Qwilfish!" Sora called out to his Pokémon. Pikachu ran towards the large crab Pokémon to land a hit on Kingler while Bayleef and Meltan rammed their heads towards Tentacruel and Golduck and while Totodile fired Water Gun on Qwilfish.
"Qwilfish! Use Sludge Wave on Bayleef! Golduck! Use Zen Headbutt on that little thing!" The hunter with the eyepatch ordered as his Qwilfish fired Sludge Wave towards Bayleef while Golduck moved in with Zen Headbutt.
"Kingler! Metal Claw on Totodile and Tentacruel use Poison Jab on Pikachu!" The hunter with the nose ring ordered. Kingler moved in with its claws metalized and moved towards Totodile. Tentacruel moves in with on of its tentacles glowing purple and headed towards Pikachu.
"Meltan! Jump in front of Bayleef and take Sludge Wave!" Sora called out.
"Smoochum! Use Powder Snow on that Qwilfish! Raichu and Elekid! Quick Attack on that Tentacruel!" Kairi ordered.
"Poliwhirl! Water Gun on Kingler!" Lana ordered.
"Tsareena! Trop Kick on Golduck!" Mallow ordered.
Meltan jumps in front of Bayleef and it takes the hit of the Sludge Wave. Smoochum fires Powder Snow on the blowfish Pokémon freezing it into a block of ice. Raichu and Elekid uses Quick Attack on the jellyfish Pokémon cancelling out Poison Jab. Poliwhirl fires Water Gun hitting Kingler on the spot while Tsareena's leg glows green and gives Golduck a kick on the side.
"You damn brats will pay for that! Golduck! Brick Break to get Qwilfish out of that ice!" The hunter with the eyepatch ordered. Golduck used a chop attack to break Qwilfish out of the ice and its lips literally turns blue while its shivering.
"Tentacruel! Poison Jab on Tsareena! Kingler! Crabhammer on Poliwhirl!" The hunter with the nose ring ordered.
"Skiploom! Use Cotton Spore!" Mallow called out. Skiploom sends out cotton right towards Kingler and Tentacruel and they both quickly became immobilized by the cotton making it impossible for them to attack.
"Cloyster! Spike Cannon on Qwilfish!" Lana called out as Cloyster fired a spikes right at the blowfish Pokémon hitting it five times.
"Brick Break on Cloyster!" The hunter with the eyepatch ordered. Golduck moved in and landed a hit on the bivalve Pokémon.
"Bayleef! Vine Whip on Golduck!" Sora ordered. Bayleef used her vines to grab Golduck and give it a toss. "Kairi! Your turn!" Kairi gives a thumbs up.
"Right Sora!" Kairi said. "Raichu! Seismic Toss!" Kairi ordered. Raichu grabs Golduck and performs a roll in the air and then tosses the duck Pokémon to the ground. Elekid! Low Kick!" Elekid performs a Low Kick the same way she did with Cindy's Miltank.
The Pokémon hunters just couldn't believe that their Pokémon were just taking a beating from the Pokémon trained by one boy and three girls. They called back their Pokémon and drew out regular Pokéballs.
"This is getting us nowhere!" The hunter with the nose ring said.
"You're right. We need the big guns," the hunter with the eyepatch agreed.
"Go Gyarados!" The two hunters shouted as they let out their Gyarados. They both let out roars upin entry. "Dragon Pulse!" The Gyarados fired their Dragon Pulse attack. Totodile, Cloyster, a d Poliwhirl, and dodged just by jumping in the water, but Pikachu and the land dwelling Pokémon weren't so fortunate since they all got hit by Dragon Pulse.
"Pikachu! Bayleef! Meltan!" Sora gasped.
"Raichu! Elekid! Smoochum!" Kairi also gasped.
"Tsareena! Skiploom!" Mallow also gasped.
"Those Water Types just dodged us by jumping in the water!" The hunter with the nose ring pointed out.
"Then we'll make this a water battle!" The hunter with the eyepatch said. Sora, Kairi, and Mallow calls back their fallen Pokémon while Lea came back with Professor Oak, Nurse Joy, and the rest of the Alolan nine along with Togepi and the two Pichu.
"Brought the cavalry!" Lea announced. Sora, Kairi, and Mallow took out some Pokéballs.
"Just in time too," Mallow said. Sora, Kairi, and Mallow had let out Swinub, Jigglypuff, and Weepinbell to help out with the Gyarados.
"So you've brought your friends. Big deal. Our Gyarados is going to mop the floor with any Pokémon you've got!" The hunter with the eyepatch said.
"These grounds are a research facility and you two are trespassing," Nurse Joy said. "I suggest that you let those Remoraid go at once!"
"You can save it for someone who cares about that," the hunter with the nose ring said.
"I for one am someone who cares. You no right to poach whatever Pokémon you want," Professor Oak said.
"Oh spare us of the lecture, old man," the hunter with the eyepatch said.
"He's right. Pokémon shouldn't be sold. And you guys plain just don't get it," Sora said. "And we'll show you the error of your ways." He turns to the lake. "Totodile! Water Gun!"
"Cloyster! Poliwhirl! You too!" Lana called out. The three Water Type Pokémon popped their heads out of the water and they struck the Gyarados.
"Get them!" The hunters ordered. Both Gyarados dove in the water after them. Professor Oak took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go Vaporeon!" Professor Oak threw the Pokéball letting out Vaporeon! "Vaporeon! Dive in the water after them!" Vaporeon obeys and dives in after the Gyarados. Both the atrocious Pokémon were about to chomp down on smaller Pokémon when Vaporeon swam in front of them. "Use Muddy Water!" Vaporeon unleashes a stream of brown water hitting both of them.
"Totodile! Ice Fang!" Sora ordered.
"Cloyster! Ice Beam! Poliwhirl! Ice Punch!" Lana ordered.
Totodile lands an icy bite on one of the Gyarados's tail while Cloyster and Poliwhirl aims their ice attacks on the other one.
"Wonderful! Vaporeon! Blizzard!" Professor Oak ordered. Vaporeon unleashes a blizzard from its mouth.
"Weepinbell! Vine Whip!" Mallow ordered. Weepinbell smacks both Gyarados hard with her vines.
"Jigglypuff! Sing!" Kairi oredered. Jigglypuff sang her song and several multicolored music notes surrounded the Gyarados and puts them both to sleep.
"Swinub! Ancient Power!" Sora ordered. Swinub forms silver crystalized rocks and sends them towards the sleeping Gyarados. One of them lands on the hunters and the other accidentally knocks the net of the captured Remoraid into the river and it opens letting them out. The hunters managed to get out from under the fallen Gyarados only to be met with a barrage of Ice Beam, Aurora Beam, and Bubble Beam from sevreal Remoraid. Both hunters were beaten senseless as the kids tied them up.
Not too long after, Officer Jenny came and apprehended the hunters and their Pokémon.
"That certainly serves them right," Lillie said.
"Yeah," Mina agreed.
"At least it wasn't Team Rocket, since they'd take their beatings way worse," Hapu said.
The rest of the Alolan all shared a laugh knowing how right Hapu she was. Lana was happy not only helping out the Remoraid from those two hunters, but the fact Mallow and her other friends has her back.
"Gotta admit, Kairi. You're a pretty good trainer. The way you handled your Jigglypuff just proved it," Lea said.
"I thought the same way when she had her first battle and came out on top. And that Wigglytuff was nothing to sneeze at," Sora said.
"Yeah. You also had my back when we had our first tag battle against that one couple," Kairi said. Sora remembered the battle with Andie and Oscar pretty well.
"You still up for our battle, Kairi? I'm going to warn you. I'm not going easy on you," Lea said.
"And I'm not going easy on you either," Kairi said. Sora, Pikachu, Togepi, the Pichu, and the Alolan nine all gathered to the battlefield outside while Kairi and Lea got into position for battle.
"Show me your stuff!" Lea said taking out his Pokéball "Go for it, Magmar!" Lea threw it and Magmar spews out fire upon entry.
"Okay! Go for it, Raichu!" Kairi said throwing her Pokéball letting out her Raichu.
"Your Raichu looks like a tough one. But it's not tough to go toe-to-toe with my Magmar," Lea said. "Okay Magmar! Fire Punch!" Magmar starts up by moving in to deliever a fiery punch.
"Raichu! Dodge it!" Kairi called out. Raichu moved to his right avoiding Magmar's Fire Punch. "Now use Thunder Punch!" Raichu landed a punch on Magmar's side. Magmar takes several steps back and rubbed his cheek.
"Don't take that laying down! Use Will-O-Wisp!" Lea ordered. Magmar forms dark purplish blue flames and sends the flames at Raichu.
"Dodge and use Thunderbolt!" Kairi called out. Raichu manages to avoid the flames and he lands a Thunderbolt shocking the spitfire Pokémon.
"Not too shabby, Kairi. You're even better than I thought. But, can you stand up against this? Fire Blast!" Lea ordered. Magmar fires his Fire Blast right towards the mouse Pokémon. The attack came too fast and Raichu didn't have enough time to avoid it. The attack hits its mark. Lea smirked as he presumed Raichu was taken down. "And that's that." Kairi didn't think so.
"I don't think so," Kairi said. Lea was about to ask what she meant when he saw Raichu was still standing on his feet. "Raichu isn't easy to take down. Raichu! Seismic Toss!" Raichu ran up towards Magmar and grabbed him from behind. Raichu gained control holding Magmar despite being bigger than Raichu. He jumps in the air and did the same thing with Golduck earlier and gave Magmar a toss to the ground. Kairi knew that couldn't take down Magmar that easily. "Thunderbolt!" Raichu fires a Thunderbolt shocking Lea's fire Pokémon. It was enough to take down Magmar and he lays on the ground knocked out.
"No way!" Lea exclaimed. Sora and the Alolan nine weren't surprised by the fact Kairi had won. Lea laughed. "Okay. You win." Lea walked up to his fallen Magmar. "You okay, buddy?"
"Magmar, Mar," Magmar responded.
"Don't sweat it. You put up a good fight. That's all that matters," Lea said. "You're always a winner to me. Got it memorized?" Magmar nodded feeling better about losing. "I guess I bit off more than I can chew, huh?"
"You did your best, Lea. And I'll have to admit, that Fire Blast could have taken down Raichu like that Dragon Pulse from earlier," Kairi said.
Lea didn't feel bad about losing to Kairi, but he was glad Isa wasn't around because he knew he will never hear the end of it.
Later, the Remoraid take their leave of the lake to return to the sea they came from. But, the mystery of what made Remoraidia so special and why Remoraid evolved into an octopus-like Pokémon still remained a mystery despite some serious reseach.
"I suppose you'll be continuing on?" Professor Oak asked.
"Sure am. Olivine City isn't going to reach itself," Sora said.
"No. It won't," Professor Oak agreed. "I'll be sure to tell your mother that you said hello."
"Thanks professor," Sora said. Kairi handed an envelope to Lea.
"When you get back to Pallet Town, can you hand this to my grandma for me?" Kairi asked.
"Don't worry your little head about it. Your granny will get this as soon as I get there," Lea said. He looked over to Togepi. "Take care, Togepi." Lea tickled Togepi's spike making the baby Pokémon giggle.
The group took their leave of the Pokémon Center on Remoraid Lake, but the experience is something is something they'll always remember and Sora was glad to learn his Meltan is capable of evolution. He did wonder what will Meltan look like after evolving, but he had to wait and see one day.