Episode 151: Before the Whirl Cup
This chapter will begin the arc for the Whirl Cup and introduce Pokémon from Generation 8 in honor of Pokémon Sword and Shield. Just don't be surprised if any other new Pokémon show up or those with Galarian Forms to boot! And now, on with the show!
Upon arrving on Red Rock Isle, Sora and Lana stood in line for the registration for the Whirl Cup tournament. Misty and Marlon were there as well and they have already registered.
"Look at this line! We could be here all day!" Lillie goraned.
"That's what I thought too," Misty said. "But, it goes on pretty fast."
"Misty's right. Lana really wants to enjoy herself and so does Sora," Illima said.
After so many other regitrations it was down to Sora and Lana.
"Next in line please," Nurse Joy said. Sora and Lana came to the counter. She smiles at the two trainers. "May I have your names and the names of the cities you're from?"
"Right. My name is Sora and I came from Pallet Town," Sora said.
"My name is Lana and I came from Konikoni City," Lana said.
Nurse Joy typed in Sora and Lana and their hometowns.
"There, you're in. The preliminaries will take place in several stadiums," Nurse Joy said, taking out two sets of maps for Sora and Lana. "This map will help you locate them." She hands the maps to Sora and Lana. "Sora, you will be in Stadium A."
"Okay," Sora said, taking his map.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"And Lana, you will be Stadium B," Nurse Joy said.
"Thank you," Lana said, taking hers. "How many rounds are there going to be?" Lana asked.
"After the preliminary rounds, only sixty-four trainers will be allowed to battle in the finals. But, the numer of preliminary rounds depends on the number of total entries," Nurse Joy said. She types into her computer. "Let's see, based on the total number of entrys in this year's competition, it looks like two wins are needed to move onto the finals."
"Only two rounds? Then, I got nothing to worry about," Sora joked. Lana laughed at that. After the registration was complete, Sora's Pokédex starts buzzing. He checks it and it's a message from Professor Oak.
"What is it, Sora?" Kairi asked her boyfriend.
"Professor Oak wants me to make contact with him as soon as possible. He said there's something he wants to give to me," Sora said. Kairi understood what Sora said and she wanted to hear what Professor Oak had to say. The couple made it to one of the phones and he made contact with the Pokémon professor of Kanto. Professor Oak answers the phone with a smile on his face.
"Sora! What wonderful timing! And Kairi too! I can see you two have been so well since I last heard from you," Professor Oak said.
"You too, Professor," Kairi asked. "How is everything down there?"
"Everything is going wonderfully. And I must say, the Pokémon you have caught from the Whirl Islands are adjusting nicely. Also, when you sent your Abra here, Lea and Isa had a hard time containing him. But, luckliy your grandmother was able to calm him down," Professor Oak said. Kairi smiled knowing, how well Abra was getting along with her grandma. Sora had to drive the conversation to the important matter.
"Um, professor, you said that have something you want to give to me," Sora reminded him. Professor Oak gasped in realization to what he said.
"Right! I nearly forgot!" Professor Oak said. He clears his throat. "Now, the reason for me contacting you is, I am doing an upgrade on your Pokédex. So far, your Pokédex can only give you data that are native to Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, and Alola. But not ones from the Galar region." Sora looked over to his girlfriend and she shrugs her shoulders.
"Yeah, but what does that have anything to do with it?" Sora asked. Professor Oak smiles.
"I am glad you asked! I will be upgrade your Pokédex just so it can give you information on Pokémon that are indegious to the Galar region. It was thanks to my colleague, Professor Magnolia and her granddaughter Sonia who has given me the idea," Professor Oak said.
"You're really doing that?! That is so awesome of you, professor!" Sora said with glee. Professor Oak laughed.
"I knew it would please you greatly, Sora. And to add, it'll also give you information on Pokémon that has alternitive forms since living in the Galar region. Quite similair to the enviroment adaptions of those on Alola," Professor Oak said.
"I'll slide my Pokédex in, just so you can give me the upgrade," Sora said when he took it out. Sora slides in the Pokédex and it took a few seconds for the upgrade to be completed. Once it was done, Sora took out his Pokédex and he smiled when he knew he will be able to get info on Pokémon he hadn't seen before. "I got it, professor. And thanks."
"You are welcome, Sora.And I wish you and Lana luck in the Whirl Cup," Professor Oak said. Sora almost jumped and the professor laughed. "I knew all about it when your aunt and uncle called your mother and she wasn't a least bit surprised to hear it." Sora puffed up his cheeks and he knew Danny was probably already to start another special based on Sora. And he knew what kind of crowd it was gonna draw.
"Thanks again for the upgrade, professor. And I'll do my best," Sora said.
"I know you will," Professor Oak said before he hung up.
"Wow. Galar's Pokémon. I only heard about them, but I never actually seen any of them," Kairi said.
"Me neither. But, it's not like one's going to show up righ in front of us anyway," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Pi," Togepi chirped.
The couple joined up with the Alolan nine and the two Pichu.
"What did the professor had to say, Sora?" Lillie asked with curiosity.
"The professor just gave me another upgrade on my Pokédex," Sora simply said. Hapu just rolled her eyes.
"Again? What is it now? Did he put in an Angry Birds app or something?" Hapu asked. That made Sora and Kairi laugh. "What's so funny?"
"It's not that. It'll be nice to play Angry Birds on it, but no. It was just an upgrade to give me information on the Galar region's Pokémon," Sora said.
"The Galar region? I heard about that place and I never been there before in my life," Lillie said.
"None of us have. And I doubt Riku and Hau has," Illima said.
"What kind of stories have you heard from Galar to begin with?" Sora asked. Illima looked at the couple.
"To be completely honest, I don't know the whole details. But, I have heard stories about two particular Pokémon that occupy there," Illima said.
"Two particular Pokémon?" Kairi asked.
"Toge?" Togepi asked.
"Yes," Illima said in a nod. "These two Pokémon are known as Zacian and Zamazenta. I have only seen them in textbooks, so I don't know what they really look like." Sora and Kairi stared at the Normal Type trainer awestruck. "But, there were people who have claimed they have seen them. My great-grandfather was no exception."
"What do you mean, Illima?" Kiawe asked.
"Do you know know more? And if so, then don't leave us in the dark," Sophocles said.
"Tell us what you know," Acerola said.
"Yeah. Tell us," Mina added.
"And what does that have to do with your great-grandfather?" Hapu asked. Illima cleared his throat.
"Well, it begins just like this. My great-grandfather was a Pokémon reseacher at the time. He was called down to the Galar region by a colleague who lives down there. This colleague was my great-grandmother's second cousin thrice removed living in Galar as a reseacher. The two of them were doing some exploring in the Slumbering Weald and it was off limits for mysterious reasons. As researchers, they dared to enter the Sumbering Weald and they did some exploring and all they have found was nothing but mist. Or it would seem." The group were caught into the story and wondered what that meant.
"Did they find something in the weald?" Kairi asked.
"Yes. It was a mysterious Pokémon," Illima confirmed. "It was an amazing sight to beheld. Neither one of them could tell if it was Zacian or Zamzamenta since the mist was incredibly thick. But, the mist grew thicker as the Pokémon of msytery has disappeared the same way as it had appeared and they both have passed out. When they have regained consciousness within an hour or so later, they were found in the weald by the local villagers. And when they have told others of what they have encountered, no one believed them."
Sora and Kairi were especially amazed to hear such a story from their friend. They were curious to know if it was Zacian or Zamzamenta that appeared before the two of them. Sora was pretty curious himself. He wondered what might happen if he had ever come to face with either one of those two Pokémon.
Everyone was about to get some lunch when suddenly, something unexpected happened. A small blue lizard-like Pokémon had appeared before them. It had a yellow fin on its head and a curly tail.
"What is that?" Sora asked.
"Pika?" Pikachu also asked.
"I don't believe what I'm seeing," Lillie said.
"What are we looking at exactly?" Lana asked.
"It's a Sobble. I heard all about those. It's the Water Starter for the Galar region," Lillie said. Sora wanted to test out the upgrade he got from Professor Oak and scanned the Sobble in front of them.
"Okay Dexter. Tell us what you know about this Sobble," Sora said.
Sobble, the Water Lizard Pokémon
Type: Water
When scared, this Pokémon cries. Its tears pack the chemical punch of 100 onions, and attackers won't be able to resist weeping. When it gets wet, its skin changes color, and this Pokémon becomes invisible as if it were camouflaged.
"No wonder it's called Sobble," Sora said, putting his Pokédex away. Kairi was instantly captivated by this Pokémon's cuteness.
"Oh, he's so cute," Kairi cooed.
"Sobble aren't native in the Johto region. This one must be lost," Kiawe said.
Sobble stares at the group and then it starts tearing up. Sobble began crying Kairi did what she could to calm Sobble down.
"There, there, Sobble. Don't cry. Don't cry," Kairi said as she tried to calm the Water Starter of Galar down.
"Sobble!" A girl with long brown hair comes running towards the group and Sobble runs to what they guessed is his trainer. She wore a red dress and brown shoes. She wore a tan hat that was similar to Lillie's. "There you are! I have been looking all over for you."
"Could that be your Sobble?" Kairi asked.
"Yes. Sorry if he had caused you some trouble," the girl apologized.
"He was no trouble," Kairi said.
"I'm glad to hear it. Anyway, my name is Minerva and of course you've already met Sobble," Minerva said.
"Sobble, Sob," Sobble cried.
"My name is Sora and this is my girlfirend Kairi," Sora introduced.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu chirped.
"Nice to meet you," Kairi said.
"Toge, Toge, Togepi!" Togepi chirped.
"Pichu!" The Spiky-eared Pichu chirped.
"Pichu!" The Shiny Pichu chirped.
"I'm Lillie."
"I am Illima."
"My name's Mallow."
"I'm Kiawe."
"My name's Lana."
"I'm Sophocles."
"My name's Acerola."
"Mina."
"And I'm Hapu."
"Nice to meet all of you," Minerva said smiling.
"Minerva!" A boy's voice called out. She turns to see two other boys running up to her. One had red hair and freckles and he had violet eyes. He wore a red shirt and black pants. He also wore blue shoes with white socks with a blue stripe. With him is a Pokémon that looks like a rabbit with reddish-orange patches at both the tips of its ears and feet and light yellow rectangles on its face right between the eyes and the soles of it's feet. Around its neck comes with a red item that looks like a circular pillow that gives an impression of the collar. The other boy is wearing small round glasses and he had brown hair and brown eyes. He wore a white shirt, brown pants and black shoes. With him is a Pokémon that looks like a green monkey with brown ears and tail, orange hands, feetand muzzle, yellow face surrounding its eyes and two leaves with a twig on its head. The monkey-like Pokémon is carrying a stick. "You found Sobble!"
"Thank goodness. That is a relief," the boy with the small round glasses said. He looked over to the eleven other kids. "Who are they?"
"They are the ones who saved my Sobble," Minerva said. She turns to the group. "Everyone I want you to meet my friends. The with the red hair and Scorbunny is Caesar and the one with the glasses and Grookey is Chumley." She turns to her friends. "Guys, meet Sora and his girlfriend Kairi, along with Lillie, Illima, Mallow, Lana, Kiawe, Sophocles, Acerola, Mina, and Hapu."
"Nice to meet you," Caesar said.
"Bunny, Scorbunny!" Scorbunny chirped.
"I am glad to make your acquaintance," Chumley said also smiling.
"Grookey! Grookey!" Grookey said.
Sora shook Minerva's friend's hands and looked at the other two Pokémon.
"A Grookey and a Scorbunny. The Grass and Fire Starters of Galar, right?" Lillie asked.
"Indeed," Chumley confirmed.
"So cool," Sora said, taking out his Pokédex and scanned the two Pokémon.
Grookey, the Chimp Pokémon
Type: Grass
When it uses its special stick to strike up a beat, the sound waves produced carry revitalizing energy to the plants and flowers in the area. It attacks with rapid beats of its stick. As it strikes with amazing speed, it gets more and more pumped.
Scorbunny, the Rabbit Pokémon
Type: Fire
A warm-up of running around gets fire energy coursing through this Pokémon's body. Once that happens, it's ready to fight at full power. It has special pads on the backs of its feet, and one on its nose. Once it's raring to fight, these pads radiate tremendous heat.
"All three starter Pokémon in one place. And I thought the starters in Alola were something. And the starters in Kanto and Johto are nothing to sneeze at," Sora said, putting his Pokédex away.
"Look at how cute they are," Kairi gushed. Grookey and Scorbunny blushed at the complement they got. Grookey climbed onto Kairi's shoulder and Scorbunny hopped over to her and nuzzled her leg. That made her giggle. "I like you two too."
Sora wasn't surprised to see the sight. Sora took a picture for the occasion. The Pichu went up to the rabbit Pokémon and it smiled right at the two tiny mouse Pokémon. Scorbunny rubs them on the head. Scorbunny looked right over to Pikachu smiling.
"Such cute little brothers you've got there." - Scorbunny subtitle.
"Yeah, they are. They just never seen a Pokémon like you before. And come to think of it, neither have I."- Pikachu subtitle.
Grookey playfully ruffled through Kairi's hair and she giggled to that. The Galar Grass Starter set its sights on Togepi and smiled.
"Toge, Toge, Toge!" Togepi chirped.
"I think my Grookey likes your Togepi, Kairi," Chumley pointed out.
"I think so too," Kairi said. She places Togepi down to the floor as Grookey climbed down and started to play with the baby Pokémon. Togepi enjoyed playing with the green monkey Pokémon as he was entertained by its stick tricks. "Do you like your new friend, Togepi?"
"Toge, Toge, Toge, Togepi!" Togepi chirped. That made Kairi smile.
"I'm glad to hear it," Kairi said.
"Anyway, since you three are from the Galar region, what brings you down here in the Johto region?" Sora asked.
"We began traveling through Johto months ago. It was after we each got our first Pokémon from Professor Magnolia. But, we caught ourselves some of the Pokémon there. So, we been traveling and collecting Gym Badges here," Minerva said.
"And I have got to tell you, it wasn't easy. That Whitney was a real piece of work. I mean she and that Miltank really did a number on us," Caesar said.
"And there was Morty. His Ghost Type Pokémon really did a number on us," Chumley said.
"And when we heard about the Whirl Cup we had to enter it," Caesar said. "Are any of you entering the Whirl Cup by any chance?" Sora and Lana looked at each other.
"Lana and I are," Sora stepped up.
"We came here and registered for the Whirl Cup just a short time before Sobble showed up," Lana said.
"I see," Minerva said.
"So did we," Chumley said.
"We were going to get some lunch when Sobble got excited and just ran off. Don't know why," Minerva said.
"How about you join us. We would like to hear about you though," Mallow suggested.
The trio accepted the offer and joined the group. Meanwhile, Weevil and Rex were hiding in an alley and huffing after losing Officer Jenny.
"That was so close. And I thought door-to-door salemen were persistent," Rex huffed.
"We got away and now we're safe. At least, for now anyway," Weevil huffed.
"Well, I don't know about you, but I think we should find ourselves a boat and get off this island since our last one was destroyed in that Seadra's Twister," Rex stated. Weevil growled at the memory.
"Don't get me started about that! I really wanna get my mitts on those meddlers for letting the Silver Wing slip through our fingers! We were so close, we could taste it," Weevil started sobbing. "I feel so humiliated, it's not even funny!" Rex joined in the sobbing since Sora, Kairi, and Lana had foiled them along with their Pokémon.
Back to the Pokémon Center, Minerva, Ceasar, and Chumley got to know the group and they shared some stories about the adventures they had and what kind of Pokémon they came across in the past.
The Alolan nine even shared a story about how Sora and Kairi had first met and fell in love. They were amazed to hear how Sora risked his life for a girl he hadn't even met in the first place from a couple of poachers, but Minerva was moved by how romantic it sounded. Lillie blushed when they went up to when Sora and Kairi had their first official kiss.
"Now that's something," Caesar said.
"I'll say," Minerva said totally moved.
"And after earning the Storm Badge from Chuck, we decided to check out the Whirl Islands for a bit. And that was how we learned about the Whirl Cup," Sora concluded. Caesar looked at Sora and wondered about his skills as a trainer.
"Say Sora. I was wondering after lunch, if we could have a battle. One-on-one. What do you say?" Caesar asked. Sora wasn't sure about that.
"I don't know. I need to save my strength for the competition," Sora said.
"The competition is just for Water Type Pokémon, so it'll be my Scorbunny against your Pikachu. And besides, Scorbunny could use the excercise. Right Scorbunny?" Caesar asked.
"Bunny," Scorbunny nodded.
"He's right, Sora. And Pikachu looks like he could use the energy," Kairi said. Sora sighed and nodded.
"Okay. You've convinced me, Caesar," Sora said. "We'll go whenever you're ready."
"Great. Just don't hold anything back, okay?" Caesar asked.
Both trainers got ready for their battle as Sora and Caesar had their chosen Pokémon facing each other. Chumley and Minerva stood along with Kairi and the Alolan nine. Both Pokémon looked at each other and smiled as they got ready for their battle.
"Wanna make the first move, Caesar?" Sora asked.
"Gladly. Scorbunny! Start up with Quick Attack!" Caesar ordered. Scorbunny ran across the battlefield to strike at Pikachu.
"Pikachu! Start up with Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Pikachu ran across the battlefield in the same speed as Scorbunny. Both the mouse and rabbit Pokémon clashed each other when it came to speed. "Strike it with Iron Tail!" Pikachu's tail gave a metallic glow and swung it to strike Scorbunny, but Caesar wasn't going to have it.
"Scorbunny! Dodge!" Caesar ordered. Scorbunny dodged the attack just by jumping backwards. "Now use Flame Charge!" Scorbunny stomped its feet and charged right at Pikachu.
"Pikachu! Dodge and use Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu fired Thunderbolt and it struck the rabbit Pokémon even when in the flames.
"Shake it off and use Double Kick!" Caesar ordered. Scorbunny kicked Pikachu twice in a row. "Quick Attack again!" Scorbunny ran towards Pikachu to land a hit.
"You use Quick Attack too!" Sora ordered. Pikachu clashed right into and the two of them clashed into each other matching their speed. Scorbunny was giving everything it had, but Pikachu started to overpower the rabbit Pokémon since Pikachu was stronger and more experienced. Scorbunny couldn't take anymore and got pushed out of the way. "Thunderbolt!" Pikachu gave Scorbunny a shoking finish and fell to the ground. Scorbunny tried to get back up to keep battling, but it was too injured to do so, and he fell back down to the ground beaten.
"No way! I lost!" Caesar gasped. He went up to Scorbunny and picked up his partner. "You okay, buddy?"
"Bunny," Scorbunny answered.
"Don't sweat it. You did your best. And I'm proud of you. You should rest up for a while. You've earned it," Caesaer said. Scorbunny smiled. He turned to Sora and shook his hand. "That was a great battle, Sora. You're better than I thought."
"Thanks. Your Scorbunny was really something. I can see why your Scorbunny looks up to you," Sora said. Caesar smiled at that.
"Your boyfriend is pretty good, Kairi. I wonder if you're just as good as he is," Minerva said.
"Wanna find out?" Kairi asked.
"I would. How would you wanna do it?" Minerva asked.
"How about we make it a double battle. You and Chumley against me. What do you say?" Kairi asked. Minerva looked over to Chumley and he smiled.
"I have no objections," Chumley said. He looked over to his Grookey. "So, how about it, Grookey? Wanna have a go?"
"Grookey, Groo!" Grookey ooked.
"Thought so," Chumley said.
"Can't use Sobble, since I need him for my battle in the Whirl Cup. I have another that I can use," Minerva said taking out a Pokéball. Kairi, Chumley, and Minerva got into position for their double battle. Kairi took out two Pokéballs as Chumley had Grookey already out. Minerva threw her Pokéball. "Go for it, Wooloo!" The Pokéball opens and lets out a sheep-like Pokémon. It has white fleece and the rest of it's body is dark brown, with gray fleece in style of braids, and a little bit of pink in its ears and on its nose. It has two tiny horns on both sides of its head. The Pokémon wore a gold sheep bell around its neck.
Sora and the Alolan nine were amazed by what they were looking at.
"Wow! A Wooloo! Those are very common in the Galar region! Wooloo kept mostly in farms and raised for their wool," Lille said.
"Another one of Galar's Pokémon," Sora said taking out his Pokédex. He used it to scan it.
Wooloo, the Sheep Pokémon
Type: Normal
Its curly fleece is such an effective cushion that this Pokémon could fall off a cliff and stand right back up at the bottom, unharmed. If its fleece grows too long, Wooloo won't be able to move. Cloth made with the wool of this Pokémon is surprisingly strong.
"Man, that's really some tough wool," Sora said putting his Pokédex away. Kairi threw her Pokéballs.
"Go for it! Raichu and Jigglypuff!" Kairi called out. Raichu and Jigglypuff enters the battle to battle against these new Pokémon.
"Wanna make the first move, Kairi?" Chumley asked.
"Thanks. Raichu! Quick Attack on Grookey! Jigglypuff! Pound on Wooloo!" Kairi ordered her Pokémon. Raichu charged towards Grookey with Quick Attack and Jigglypuff ran towards Wooloo.
"Grookey! Dodge Raichu and move in with Branch Poke!" Chumley ordered.
"Wooloo! You dodge Jigglypuff and move in with Tackle!" Minerva ordered.
Grookey avoided Raichu and took out its stick. Grookey poked Raichu in the belly with it. Wooloo avoided Jigglypuff and tackled right into the balloon Pokémon.
"Raichu! Thunderbolt on Wooloo! Jigglypuff! Rollout on Grookey!" Kairi ordered. Both of Kairi's Pokémon switched opponents and fired Thunderbolt right at the sheep Pokémon landing a devastating electric shock. Jigglypuff rolled into a ball and rolled right into Grookey causing heavy damage.
"Grookey! Razor Leaf!" Chumley ordered.
"Wooloo! Use your Take Down attack on Jigglypuff! Move in!" Minerva ordered.
Grookey fired Razor Leaf and it struck both Raichu and Jigglypuff. Wooloo charged right into Jigglypuff and Wooloo took some recoil damage.
"That was pretty good! But, it's not over yet! Jigglypuff! Sing on Wooloo!" Kairi ordered. Jigglypuff sang her song and multicolored music notes surrounded Wooloo. When the music notes struck it, Wooloo fell right to sleep. "Great! Now use Rollout!" Jigglypuff rolled right into Wooloo, causing heavy damage to the sheep Pokémon. Wooloo was down and out. Minerva calls back her Wooloo.
"Not bad, Kairi. You're a pretty skilled trainer," Minerva complemented.
"Thanks Minerva," Kairi said. She looked right at Chumley. "How about it, Chumley? Wanna continue?"
"Sure do," Chumley said. "Let's make it one-on-one." Kairi nodded.
"You're on," Kairi said, calling back Jigglypuff. "You up for it, Raichu?"
"Raichu, Rai!" Raichu answered.
"Great! Thunder Punch!" Kairi ordered. Raichu moved towards Grookey to deliever an electrifying punch.
"Grookey! Branch Poke!" Chumley ordered. Grookey lunged towards Raichu with its stick. Raichu dodged the stick and landed a hit on Grookey.
"Good work! Now use Seismic Toss!" Kairi ordered. Raichu grabs Grookey and jumped in the air and a rolling flip, holding Grookey Raichu tosses Grookey down to the ground. Grookey struggled to get back up. Grookey's body gave off a green aura.
"Grookey's Overgrow ability has been activated. That means his Grass Type attacks will he getting stronger," Chumley said in his thoughts. Kairi saw this and she knew that since seeing Sora's Pokémon in action for so long. She had to play it smart. Grookey charges towards Raichu Chumley ordered out loud, "Branch Poke!" Grookey held the stick like a sword and prepared to lunge it towards Raichu.
"Raichu! Toss Grookey in the air!" Kairi called out. The mouse Pokémon grabs the green monkey Pokémon and did exactly that. "Thunderbolt!" Raichu lets out a powerful Thunderbolt and Grookey takes a huge load of electricity. Grookey fell to the ground beaten. Chumley picks Grookey in his arms.
"You did your best, Grookey. That is something I can be proud of," Chumley said kindly. Grookey smiled at that.
With those battles over and done with, Minerva, Caesar, and Chumley had their Pokémon healed up and congratulated the couple for those battles.
Hours later, Sora and Kairi decided to partake in the festival just before the tournament started, just the two of them. Pikachu, Togepi, and the other Pokémon were left at the Pokémon Center.
"How often do we get to be alone like this?" Sora asked his girlfriend.
"Not too often," Kairi admitted. "But, it's nice to spend some time just the two of us."
"I'll say," Sora agreed. He places his arm around Kairi's shoulder. He gave her a kiss on the cheek. She giggled at the gesture.
"You're so very sweet," Kairi said.
Rex and Weevil were heading towards the port to swipe a boat off the island when Rex spots the couple and he taps his shoulder.
"Weevil! Look!" Rex said. Weevil turns and spots them. "It's them!" Weevil smiles and completely fogets about the boat plan.
"A chance for revenge has just presented itself to us," Weevil said. "And it looks like their having themselves a little romantic outing."
"Would be a shame if something were to ruin it for them," Rex said smiling.
"How right you are, Rex. It would be a shame," Weevil said. He grabs him by the arm. "Let's go, Rex." He drags Rex by the arm to set up their revenge plan. Weevil and Rex started with a basic fake spider scare. Weevil would lower the rubber spider and it'll scare Kairi senseless and cause her to run off. And then, Rex would spray them both with white string foam making look like spider webs, humiliating them both.
Weevil and Rex waited for the right moment to strike. Once the couple were in position, the spider slips out of Weevil's hand and the spider lands on the ground and Sora steps on it.
"Huh?" Sora stopped to look. Kairi caught on.
"What's the matter, Sora?" Kairi asked. Sora looked around and then he shrugs his shoulders.
"It's nothing. I just thought I stepped on something," Sora said. Kairi went along with that and they continued on with their date. Weevil climbed down and then Rex sprays Weevil with the silly string. Weevil growls in irritation and grabs a stick and beats him silly with it.
"You idiot! You moron! You stupid! You imbecile! You dumbass!" Weevil shouted in anger.
They followed the couple to a restaurant to where they have a spaghetti dinner. Rex and Weevil made their attempt at it when they grabbed two waiters and dragged them in the closet to steal their uniforms. A brawl occurs inside. The waiters drags the teens and throws them out.
"Get out and stay out!" One of the waiters shouted.
"Any other bright ideas?" Rex asked.
"I'm thinking, I'm thinking," Weevil said.
Next, it involved throwing some water balloons at the couple, making them totally wet. Once the last balloon was filled they waited for the couple to show up and they got the water balloons ready.
"Here they come," Rex said.
"Okay Rex. No mistakes this time. You ready?" Weevil questioned him.
"Ready," Rex said.
"Aim!" Weevil shouted. Both he and Rex got ready. "And fire!" Both teens threw the water balloons and they missed when the couple made a turn on the left. The water balloons may have missed their intended targets, but they hit a large man sitting happily and enjoying his cotton candy and then, the cotton candy gets knocked out of his hand and he gets pelted in the face with one of them. He stands up and he looked towards where they had come from. Weevil and Rex chuckles nervously.
"It was him!" Both Weevil and Rex pointed at each other. He stomped over to them and grabs them both by the shirts and dragged them into a porta potty and sounds of beatings erupts from it.
"Ow! Ow! Ow!" Weevil shouted.
"Mommy! Make it stop!" Rex cried out.
The large man steps out of the porta potty with Weevil and Rex stepped out all beaten. Both had nosebleeds, black eyes on each side, and Weevil's glasses all cracked.
Later, Rex and Weevil followed them when they went to get some ice cream and attempted to put a live worm in it. Weevil switches to new glasses and they cleaned up their injuries pretty well.
"We're trying the scare tactic again?" Rex asked.
"That was with a rubber spider. And you just rushed in and sprayed that silly string at me," Weevil reminded him. "And this'll teach them not to screw with us!" Weevil snuck into the back and placed the worm in the ice cream sundae and snuck out as fast as a whip.
Joke's on them, because Sora and Kairi were sharing a large milkshake and they snickered unaware. Sora and Kairi took their shake and sat down to enjoy it. The man from before took the sundae instead.
"Man, when they find that worm in that milkshake, they'll be so sick," Rex snickered wickedly, but Weevil gasped realizing the mistake he made. Rex looked at him.
"It's not in the shake," Weevil corrected him. "I put it in the sundae. And that guy is gonna eat it." Rex winced to what he did. The large man was about to enjoy it when Rex and Weevil throws the sundae in the trash, along with the spoon he was using. Infuriated, he stands back up and cracks his knuckles. He grabs the both of them by the back of their shirts and headed someplace private.
Sora and Kairi were gazing into each other's eyes enjoying the milkshake, not hearing the screams coming nearby. They enjoyed their milkshake and he slurped a small bit of ice cream on his lips. Kairi giggled at the sight.
"What's so funny?" Sora asked.
"You got a small piece of ice cream on your lips," Kairi told him. He was about to wipe it off when Kairi stopped him. "I'll do it for you." Kairi kissed him on the lips and taking the ice cream off. The large man dusted off his hands and turns around.
"And if you two cause me trouble one more time, then the next meal you're going to have will be through feeding tubes!" The man barked at them. Rex and Weevil lay on the ground totally beaten senseless. He went back to sit down and saw the couple kissing and smiled. "Isn't that sweet? It always warm my heart to see kids like them in love like that." He sat back down and the vendor gives him another sundae.
"Here. Have another sundae on the house. I saw what those two did," the vendor said. The large man smiled and enjoyed his sundae to his hear's content.
Several hours later, Rex and Weevil tries to sabotage their date with every attempt a failure. The couple went back to the Pokémon Center and turned in just so they could rest for the Whirl Cup preliminaries. Rex and Weevil were at a disarray when their chance for revenge kept getting flushed down the shitter. And it didn't help that they ended up getting beat up by the same man.
On the very next morning, Sora and Lana set off to their assigned stadiums. Misty and Marlon had eliminated their opponents in the preliminaries, so it was now Sora's turn. Kairi had accompanied her boyfriend as Mallow had accompanied her bestfriend.
Over to Sora, he was up against a boy wearing what is appropriate for an academy. He pulled out a Lure Ball and hurled it in the air.
"Go Kingdra!" The boy shouted. The Lure Ball opens and lets out a Kingra. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go Primarina!" Sora shouted. The Pokéball opens and Primarina swerved her hair upon entry.
"Primarina!" Primarina sang upon entry.
"Kingdra! Ice Beam!" The boy ordered. Kingdra fired a beam of ice from its mouth.
"Dodge and and use Dazzling Gleam!" Sora ordered. Primarina creates a rainbow colored sphere around its body and slams into the dragon Pokémon. It causes heavy damage. "Now use Ice Beam!" Primarina fires her own Ice Beam and it freezes the opposing Pokémon in a block of ice. Kingdra's trainer had lost.
"No way!" The boy exclaimed. "I can't believe that I lost!"
"Way to go, Sora! I knew you could do it," Kairi praised her boyfriend.
"Thanks Kairi. It's not over yet," Sora said.
Over to Lana and Mallow in Stadium B, Lana is up against a boy against a Quagsire and Lana sends out a Pokéball.
"Go Seaking!" Lana shouted. The Pokéball lets her Seaking out to enter the battle.
"Quagsire! Mud Shot! Let's go!" The boy ordered. Quagsire fired Mud Shot towards the goldfish Pokémon. Lana has an ace up her sleeve.
"Seaking! Dodge!" Lana called out. Seaking dodges by diving in the water. The Mud Shot misses its target. "Now use Drill Run!" Seaking jumps out of the water and charges towards Quagsire, rotating her whole body and landed a hit on Quagsire. "Now use Megahorn!" Seaking's horn glows white and struck Quagsire, delivering the finishing blow.
"That's the way, Lana!" Mallow cheered for her. Lana high-fived Mallow.
Back to Sora and Kairi in Stadium A, Sora has been pinned up against a girl with an Azumarill and Sora had sent out Croconaw.
"Azumarill! Iron Tail!" The girl ordered. Azumarill swung its tail glowing metallicly towards Croconaw.
"Send it back with Water Gun!" Sora ordered. Croconaw fires Water Gun and the ball at Azumarill's tail gets sent back and is conked in the head by its own attack. "Now use Slash!" Croconaw swipes his claws right on the aqua rabbit Pokémon, landing the finishing blow.
"Two for two!" Kairi cheered.
"Pi, Pikachu!" Pikachu cheered along with her.
"Togepi!" Togepi chirped.
"Pichu, Pi!" Both Pichu cheered.
Sora smiled and nodded, knowing that he had made it to the Whirl Cup. Over to Lana, she was face-to-face with a male trainer who has himself an Octillery. Lana takes out her Net Ball and threw it.
"Go Poliwhirl!" Lana shouted. Poliwhirl is unleashed from her Net Ball.
"Poli!" Poliwhirl said upon entry.
"Poliwhirl! Double Slap!" Lana ordered. Poliwhirl moved in to deliver her slap attack on the octopus Pokémon.
"Octillery! Octazooka!" The boy ordered. Octillery fires Octazooka right towards Poliwhirl and it lands a hit. Poliwhirl is covered in black ink.
"Jump in the water!" Lana called out. Poliwhirl jumps in the water to wash off the ink. Lana's opponent saw an opportunity to attack.
"Octillery! Go get Poliwhirl! Use Water Pulse!" The boy ordered. Octillery forms a ball of water and hurls it in the water, forcing Poliwhirl to resurface. "Now use Flamethrower!" Octillery fires Flamethrower right towards the tadpole Pokémon, but Lana had an ace up her sleeve.
"Poliwhirl! Bubble Beam!" Lana ordered. Poliwhirl fires a barrage of bubbles, pushing Octillery's Flamethrower back. "Full power!" Poliwhirl increases the power of Bubble Beam and it pushes Flamethrower completely back and the bubbles hits the octopus Pokémon.
"Octillery! Try to endure it!" The boy called out. Octillery tried to do that, but Octillery was too overwhelmed by the attack to move.
"Now use Body Slam!" Lana ordered. Poliwhirl jumps and slams her body right into Octillery, knocking it out. Lana had won her second round.
Sora, Kairi, and the Pokémon met with the rest of the Alolan nine back to the Pokémon Center to see if the other had made it to the Whirl Cup.
"So Lana. Did you make it?" Sora asked.
"You can bet your spiky-hair that she did!" Mallow said proudly. Lana smiles and chuckles.
"Pretty easy," Lana said. She looked over to Sora. "How about you, Sora? You win your two matches?" Sora also chuckled like he was expecting that.
"I won my two matches," Sora said proudly. "Looks like we both made it!" Both Sora and Lana high-fived and that's when Minerva, Caesar, and Chumley walk to the Pokémon Center. Caesar and Chumley hung their heads along with Grookey and Scorbunny, while Minerva carries both her head and Sobble with pride. "Hey guys!" Sora waved to the trio. Minerva waved back to the group.
"Hey," Caesar and Chumley responded sadly.
"What's the matter with them?" Kairi asked.
"Oh, Caesar and Chumley got eliminated in the preliminaries by two trainers who said they were Gym Leaders," Minerva answered. "One of them is named Misty and the other one goes by Marlon. They were pretty tough."
"Bunny, Scorbunny, bun," Scorbunny said, patting its trainer on the leg.
"And brutal," Chumley said.
"Grookey, Grook," Grookey said.
"Well, I'm not gonna lie, Misty is pretty strong. I would know, because I battled her and won. And I don't doubt that Marlon is pretty strong too," Sora said.
"I know what you mean, Sora," Caesar said. "I mean, that Marlon really gave me a real run for my money."
"Misty did the same thing with me," Chumley said. He wiped off some sweat. "And I thought the Gym Leaders here were tough."
Unknown to any of them, Team Rocket had managed to catch up with the group since their encounter on Yellow Rock Isle. Jessie became intrigued by the sight of those three Pokémon.
"Here they are. We finally found the twerps!" Jessie said with glee. "But, what kind of Pokémon are those?"
"Search me," Meowth said. James got an idea.
"Say, how about I look it up in my laptop and see?" James suggested. He turns on his laptop typed in a few things. After a few seconds, he identifies the three new Pokémon in the database. "Eureka! According to my laptop, those Pokémon are Grookey; a Grass Type, Scorbunny; a Fire Type, and Sobble; a Water Type. They're the Starter Pokémon for the Galar region."
"Those have to be worth a pretty bug raise. The boss will love us when we bring all three of them straight to him!" Jessie said. Wobbufett popped out of his Pokéball once again.
"Wobbufett!" Wobbufett saluted.
"With those Galar Pokémon back with us, the boss will completely forget about our debt!" Meowth said.
"Yay! Debt free! Debt free! Debt free!" Team Rocket snag.
"Wobbu, Wobbu!" Wobbufett added.
Later, Caser and Chumley walked around Scarlet City to get their minds off of their troubles. Grookey and Scorbunny rode on their shoulders the whole way.
"I still can't believe we got knocked out during the preliminaries. Even after all that training we did," Caesar said.
"We did our best, and that's what really matters. And besides, we should be happy for Minerva since she got to enter," Chumley said.
"I know, I know. I just wanted all three of us to be able to compete and have together. Just like when we were kids," Caesar said. Chumley chuckled and nodded.
"Yeah. I know what you mean," Chumley said. The duo made a stop and came to an ice cream stand. "How about we have some ice cream? My treat." Caesar smiled and smacked his lips.
"That sounds like a pretty good idea," Caeser said. He looked at the selections, but there was one that truly caught his eye. "Hello, what's this?" He took a glance at the Sea-salt Ice cream presented on the menu. "Sea-salt Ice cream? I don't think I ever had that before."
"Neither have I," Chumley said. "Four of those Sea-salt Ice cream please," he gestured to the vendor. He took out the four ice cream bars and Chumley paid for the purchase. Scorbunny and Grookey took a bite of the ice cream and they liked it. Caesar and Chumley took a bite of the ice cream. "Wow. This tastes great."
"Salty, but sweet," Caeser said.
The two trainers and Pokémon enjoyed their ice cream treats when they were approaching Team Rocket's phony Pokémon masseuse booth.
"Here they come! Are you ready?" Jessie asked wearing crimson Chinese-style clothing. Jessie's hair is tied in two buns.
"Ready when you are," James said, wearing yellow Chinese-style clothing and wearing a false gray mustache and a Chinese coolie hat and small sunglasses.
"Then, let's get the show on the road," Meowth said.
"Wobbufett!" Wobbufett said in a salute.
James got into position and Jessie did her magic, while Meowth and Wobbufett were starting to get some steel cages ready. Caeser and Chumley were casually walking by, when Jessie made the direct approach.
"Excuse me, sirs," Jessie said to the two trainers. They stopped in their tracks and saw how enthusiastic she was being. "Wouldn't you be interested in partaking in our Pokémon massage parlor? I can bet that your Pokémon could use some tuning up."
"No thank you. I think our Pokémon are just fine, thanks," Chumley said.
"Yeah, I don't do those, anyway," Caesar said.
"Scorbunny, Bun, Bunny, Bun," Scorbunny said, shaking its head.
"Oh, but I insist!" Jessie stated. "I'm sure your Pokémon must be feeling all sorts of stress and tensions. Wouldn't it be right to let it go unchecked would it?"
"Well, I uh..." Caesar paused.
"And I'm sure that your Scorbunny's fur is starting to get to be thick, when it was as smooth as baby lotion," Jessie said.
"Well, since you mentioned it, Scorbunny's fur was starting to feel pretty prickly lately," Caesar said.
"Ny?" Scorbunny asked. It feels its own fur and knew how the trainer felt.
"And not to mention, your Grookey is probably suffering from some stress that you don't even know about," Jessie said. Chumley stroked his chin for a moment.
"There is a possibility of it. I think we should give a try. Just to play it safe," Chumley said.
Caeser looked at his friend and then right at his Scorbunny. He then remembered something about not to he too trusting, but he had to consider that it had to be for a good cause.
"I guess a couple of hours wouldn't hurt anybody. I mean, what's the worse that could happen?" Caeser asked.
"Wonderful!" Jessie said. She takes both Pokémon off their shoulders and went to the booth.
"And don't you two worry! Grookey and Scorbunny will be in the best care by the time you come back," James said, taking Grookey. And he said under his breath, "And we'll be long gone by the time you come back." He laughs evilly.
When the two trainers left the phony booth, Jessie and James places the Grass and Fire Starter Pokémon in the cages.
"Yes! This is great! We almost have the whole set!" Meowth said.
"All we need is that Sobble to make it complete!" Jessie said.
"We should make contact with HQ just to be safe," James said.
"Good thinking there, Jimbo!" Meowth said. "It's best to let them know before something happen." Jessie kicked the scratch cat Pokémon on the butt.
"You moron! Don't jinx it!" Jessie hissed. She made contact with Matori in Team Rocket HQ and she had a sour look on her face. "Oh, Miss Matori. You're going to be pleasantly surprised to the good news we have."
"I sincerely doubt it. If you're trying to weasle your way out of your debts, then I can honestly say that this is a very, very poor attempt on your part," Matori said coldly.
"We can see that you're skeptical, but we have managed to capture a Grookey and a Scorbunny just moments ago," Jessie said.
"And we have them right here to prove it," James said, setting the camera to the caged Pokémon, trying to get out of the cages. Matori's expression didn't change a small bit.
"A Grookey and a Scorbunny, hm? An adequate capture," Matori said unimpressed.
"But wait! There's nore!" James said joyfully.
"There is also a Sobble in our current location and we will make contact with you as soon as we do," Jessie said.
"See that you do. And I must warn you, if something happens; even the tiniest thing, then we'll double your debts! Comprende?" Matori asked.
"Comprende," Jessie, James, and Meowth said in a worried tone.
"Just don't blow it," Matori said, ending the communication.
"You don't think she sounded serious when she said that about doubling up on our debt, do you?" James said, still worried.
"She sounds awfully serious to me. And I'm too much of a scaredy cat to find out how bad it's going to be for us when that does actually happen," Meowth said. Jessie kicks Meowth again.
"I told you not to jinx it. And we're not going to fail again. Just leave it to all to me. We'll get that Sobble to come to us. And along with Pikachu," Jessie said.
Back to the Pokémon Center, Sora, Kairi, and Pikachu played with Togepi and the Pichu while Lana dialed her home's phone number.
"I could just call home to see how everyone is doing since I last saw them," Lana said. Answering the phone was Lana's mother. "Hi mom!"
"Lana! Hello! How are things down in the Johto region?" Lana's mother asked.
"I'm doing great! Sora and I won our preliminary rounds and we're going to participate in the Whirl Cup starting tomorrow," Lana said, proudly.
"How wonderful! I have some news myself. We got ourselves some new neighbors the other day and your little sisters have made themselves a new friend. It's a girl who happens to be the same age as they are," Lana's mother said.
"And I can bet that she's just as full as energy as they are," Lana deadpanned.
"Actually, quite the opposite," her mother corrected her. "She's rather a shy child, but Sarah and Harper like her. Now regarding the Whirl Cup; do you think you will win it?" Lana laughed at her mother's question.
"I aim to win it!" Lana stated.
"That's what I wanted to hear!" Lana's mother said. Lana hears her sisters in the background.
"Mama! Is Lana on the phone?" One of the twins asked.
"See for yourselves," Lana's mother said. Sarah and Harper came to the picture phone and their little faces lit up, seeing their big sister again.
"Hiya Lana!" Sarah and Haper greeted.
"Hi Sarah. Harper. Have you two been good girls while I was gone?" Lana asked his little sisters.
"We sure have," Sarah said.
"We missed you like crazy," Harper added.
"I missed you too," Lana said.
"Did you catch anymore Pokémon while you're there?" Lana's sisters asked. Lana smiled and took out her Lure Ball.
"Here's my newest one since I caught a wild Poliwag. Come on out, Corsola!" Lana said. The Lure Ball opens and Corsola is let out. The faces of the girls lit up seeing the coral Pokémon with their sister. "Girls, meet Corsola. Corsola, meet my sisters, Sarah and Haper." Corsola turned to the screen.
"Wow! A Corsola!" The twins beamed. "So cute!"
"Corsola, Corsola," Corsola blushed.
"I agree with your sisters, Corsola is a very cute addition to your team. And I'm very proud of you since traveled with Sora and your other friends. Also, how is Riku and his Eevee doing?"
"They're doing good. He and his girlfriend are still traveling together. Gladion is still flying solo, but, I don't know about Hau," Lana said.
"It's no surprise to me that Riku is getting stronger. The same goes for Gladion, Hau, and Sora. Also, you and your other friends too. I am very proud of you, Lana," Lana's mother said.
"Thank you, mom," Lana said.
"You're welcome, dear. Do your best in the Whirl Cup. Win or lose, you'll always be a winner to all of us," Lana's mother said.
"Always!" Lana's sisters pitched in. Lana smiled at that.
"Thank you. It was great talking to you. And can you give dad my love for me?" Lana asked.
"Already ahead of you, honey. You should rest up for the Whirl Cup tomorrow," Lana's mother said. "Love you."
"Love you too, mom. And the both of you too, girls," Lana told her sisters. Lana's sisters laughs.
"Bye-bye, Lana!" Sarah waved to her.
"Bye-bye!" Harper said also waving. Lana smiled.
"Bye-bye," Lana said. She hung up.
With that done, Lana rejoined her friends. Sora and Kairi noticed the smile on the Water Type trainer's face.
"How did the call with your mom go?" Sora asked.
"No different from when you call your mom," Lana said. Sora laughed nervously and scratched the back of his head.
"I guess I walked right into that one, didn't I?" Sora asked in his thoughts.
"And how are your little sisters? Still full of energy as ever?" Kairi asked laughing a little. Lana also laughed a little.
"Yeah they are. And on top of that, they made themselves a new friend," Lana said. "And one on the shy side."
"Well, that's something," Sora said. Caesar and Chumley returned to the Pokémon Center hoping to join Minerva for dinner. Sora smiles at the both of them, but he noticed Grookey and Scorbunny weren't with them. "Hey you guys. Where are Grookey and Scorbunny? Aren't they with you?"
"Maybe their just resting inside their Pokéballs," Kairi guessed.
"No. We just dropped them off at a Pokémon massage parlor right here in town," Caesar said.
"A Pokémon message parlor?" Sora asked.
"Yeah. And it was a good thing that we found one when we weren't expecting it," Caesar said. Nurse Joy had just handed one of her Chansey helpers a Pokéball for a checkup when she heard them talk about a Pokémon massage parlor on the island.
"Excuse me," Nurse Joy called out to the group. They all turned to the young nurse. "I couldn't help but overhear you say something about a massage parlor for Pokémon right here on Red Rock Isle, is that correct?"
"Yes. And it was fortunately that we have managed to find one without even trying," Chumley said. That struck Sora like a cord when he heard him say that. "One for Pokémon nonetheless."
"I don't know how to tell you this, but there isn't a Pokémon massage parlor right here on the island. There is one for humans, but not Pokémon," Nurse Joy said. Caesar and Chumley winced when she told them that.
"How can that be?" Caesar asked.
"We've been swindled!" Chumley exclaimed.
"We have to get them back!" Caesar said.
"Wait a minute, you two," Sora said. They turned to him. "About who has your Pokémon in their quote-unquote Pokémon massage parlor. Just who told you they were who they said they were?"
"There were two people. One was a girl with a pinkish colored hair tied in a bun and has green earrings and a guy with a blusih color," Ceasar described.
"Just did this guy," Sora paused to do James's voice, "sound just like this?"
"And this girl," Kairi also paused to do Jessie's voice, "sound something like this?"
"Yeah. That's exactly them," Caesar nodded. Sora, Kairi, and the Alolan nine all looked at each other.
"TEAM ROCKET!" Sora, Kairi, and the Alolan nine all exclaimed.
"Who?" Caesar asked.
"How about you take us to where you left Grookey and Scorbunny? We'll explain on the way!" Sora said. With that said, the group stampeded out of the Pokémon Center, not noticing Weevil and Rex and Weevil coming to attack the group. Shoe footprints were left on the teens.
"Did someone catch the license plate of the Rhyhorn that hit us?" Weevil groaned.
"Not even a pancake can get as flat as I feel right now," Rex said.
Back with Team Rocket, Minerva had arrived and Team Rocket were about to begin to spring their trap.
"There she is! The girl with the Sobble," James said.
"Places, everyone," Jessie said. James, Meowth, and Wobbufett got into position, reading the next cage. As soon as Minerva approached the booth, Jessie and James popped out, with big enthusiastic smiles on their faces. "Welcome young lady."
"And how can we help you on this fine evening?" James asked.
"I was hoping to have my Sobble have itself a good massage. It's not too late, is it?" Minerva asked.
"Oh, no, no, no. It's never too late and never too early," Jessie said eagerly. "And besides, I can imagine your Sobble getting the care it desperately needs."
"How very considerate of you! Sobble could really use one. Isn't that right, Sobble?" Minerva asked her Pokémon.
"Sobble, Sob," Sobble nodded.
"Glad you feel that way! Now, all we is..." Jessie said. Luckily, the group came just in time and they saw Team Rocket making their move. He turned to Caesar and Chumley.
"Is that them over there?" Sora asked
"That's them," Chumley confirmed. Sora turned to Kairi.
"Can you get Abra to teleport himself over to that booth and have him teleport Grookey and Scorbunny?" Sora suggested.
"That might work. Hopefully, Meowth and Wobbufett would be distracted when they do their motto," Kairi said.
"Motto?" Caesar asked.
"Don't ask," Sora, Kairi, and the Alolan nine deadpanned.
"Pika," Pikachu also deadpanned.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
Kairi had let out Abra and he blushes at the very sight of her.
"Abra, I have a very important task for you. Can you teleport yourself to that booth over there and while that Meowth and Wobbufett are distracted?" Kairi asked.
"Abra," Abra nodded. Abra would do anything for Kairi in any task she asks. His face has a tinge of pink.
"I knew you were up for it," Kairi said, hugging the psi Pokémon. Abra smiled being hugged by her.
Abra went into position and waited for the right opportunity to strike. Team Rocket were about to take Sobble when the group moved right in.
"Minerva! Don't!" Caeser warned. She turns and Jessie and James winced when they saw them.
"They're not who they say they are!" Chumley stated.
"What do you mean?" Minerva asked. Jessie just swipes Sobble right out of Minerva's hands. "Hey! Sobble! Give Sobble back!"
"Just what gives you the right?" Chumley asked.
"Prepare for trouble, we don't care about right and wrong," Jessie started.
"Make it double, we're on the long," James added with a rhyme. Team Rocket had removed their disguises.
"To protect the world from devastation!"
"To unite all peoples within our nation!"
"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"
"To extend our reach to the stars above!"
"Jessie!"
"James!"
"Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!"
"Surrender now, or prepare to fight!" Meowth and Wobbufett jumped into place and that's what Abra was waiting for. Abra teleported right to their booth.
"Meowth! That's right!"
"Wobbufett!" Wobbufett finished.
Grookey and Scorbunny were confused by Abra's sudden appearance and he shushes them. He gestures them to take his hands. The monkey and rabbit Pokémon obliged him and Abra teleported right to where Abra was waiting. Abra teleported again and took the grappling hook with a rubber glove at the end as protective precaution.
"Give me back my Grookey!" Chumley demanded.
"Give Scorbunny back too!" Caesar also demanded.
"If you want them back, then just give us Pikachu," James said.
"And if we don't?" Sora asked, taking advantage of their obliviousness.
"Then, you're never going to see Grookey and Scorbunny again!" Meowth said laughing.
"Like, we're going to buy that you're even going to give them back if we do," Kiawe said.
"What does it matter, anyway?" Jessie taunted. She took the cages that once contained Grookey and Scorbunny. "We have your Pokémon and there's nothing you can do about it!" Jessie stuck out her tongue. James joined right in and Meowth winced when he saw that the cages were completely empty.
"Uh, Jessie?" Meowth said nervously.
"Shut up, Meowth," Jessie hissed at the scratch cat Pokémon. James pointed right at the empty cage, gloating until he took a look and saw that the cages were empty as well.
"Oh shit!" James gasped.
"That's right! They're in deep shit!" Jessie gloated. "Meowth, go get the grappling hook for Pikachu as well." Meowth didn't want to piss Jessie off at the moment obliged her.
"R-R-right," Meowth said. Meowth went to get it, when he saw that the grabber was gone as well, Meowth screams. "SOMEONE JUST GRABBED OUR GRABBER!"
"Meowth! What is taking you so long?!" Jessie shouted.
"Grab the grabber!" James pitched in, using it as a distraction
"Somebody already beat us to it," Meowth said, tearfully.
Once Team Rocket was preoccupied, Abra holding the grabber came to the scene with Grookey and Scorbunny, happily reunited with their trainers. Abra hands Kairi the grabber Sora whistles to them. They turned to see Kairi with their grabber.
"Lose something?" Sora taunted.
Jessie got wide-eyed, seeing not only the grabber, but two of the Galar starter Pokémon with their trainers. James and Mewoth both winced because they both knew how it was going to come out.
"Hey! How did you get them back?! We had them right with us!" Jessie exclaimed.
"Abra did his thing during the motto. I guess it's no good having to be outwitted by some kids again," Kairi said. Jessie growled in irritation.
"We still have Sobble! So, what does it matter?" Jessie hissed.
"We gotta get them back or our debt will be doubled," James whispered to her. Jessie realized what he meant.
"Right. That matters bigtime," Jessie whispered back. She takes out a Pokéball. "Go! Arbok!" Jessie threw the Pokéball and Arbok is let out. James takes out a Pokéball.
"Go Weezing!" James shouted. He threw his Pokéball and Weezing wheezes upon entry. Caser and Chumley got awestruck by the sight of Weezing.
"A Kantonian Weezing?" Chumley asked. "Never seen one of those before." Chumley became interested.
"Chumley! Interest later!" Caeser reminded him.
"Right," Chumley said, realizing the current situation. Sora turned to his girlfriend.
"How about we teach them a lesson, Kairi," Sora stepped up.
"Right!" Kairi nodded.
"No! We'll deal with them!" Caeser said. "They robbed us and we have to teach them a lesson they won't forget!"
"They cannot do that and get away with it!" Chumley said.
Sora looked at the two trainers and nodded in respect.
"Go for it," Sora said. Caeser and Chumley stepped in with Grookey and Scorbunny entering the battle.
"If you want to get Grookey and Scorbunny! Then you're going to battle us for them!" Caesar said.
"Our pleasure!" Jessie said. She pointed right towards their opponents. "Arbok! Poison Sting!" Arbok fires Poison Sting to strike at them.
"Dodge!" Caeser and Chumley called out. Both starter Pokémon avoided Arbok's attack.
"Weezing! Double Hit!" James ordered. Weezing in to strike Scorbunny.
"Grookey! Branch Poke!" Chumley ordered. Grookey pokes Weezing in the face with its stick. "Now use Razor Leaf!" Grookey fires Razor Leaf and strikes both Poison Types.
"Scorbunny! Flame Charge!" Caeser ordered. Scorbunny charges towards Arbok in flames and struck Arbok and knocked into Jessie, accidentally throwing Sobble in the air. Minerva ran to catch Sobble in her arms.
"I gotcha!" Minerva called out. She catches the water lizard Pokémon in her arms. "Are you okay, Sobble?"
"Sobble, Sob," Sobble cried. Minerva's eyes fills up with tears.
"I'm just glad that you're alright. I honestly wouldn't know what to do if you were taken away from me," Minerva said.
"Sobble, Sob, Sobble," Sobble said. Sobble joins the other two starters, dealing with Team Rocket's Pokémon.
"Mind if we join the party?" Minerva asked.
"The more the merrier!" Chumley nodded.
"Great! Go Sobble!" Minerva said.
"SOBBLE!" Sobble cried out.
"Arbok! Crunch!" Jessie ordered.
Arbok lunged towards his opponents to land a bite.
"Sobble! Tearful Look!" Minerva ordered. Sobble took a look at Arbok and started to cry its eyes out. Arbok stops his attack and started bawling.
"What was that?" Sora asked.
"That was Tearful Look. It causes the target to cry when used," Lillie said.
"Well, for crying out loud!" Sora joked. Kairi giggled at the pun.
"Come on you legless lizard! Keep your head in the game!" Meowth said.
"Sobble! Pound!" Minerva ordered. Sobble slapped its tail right on Arbok's on the head. "Now use Water Gun!" Sobble fired Water Gun right into Arbok.
"Scorbunny! Quick Attack on Arbok!" Caeser ordered. Scorbunny ran right into Arbok.
"Weezing! Sludge Bomb!" James ordered. Weezing fired Sludge Bomb.
"Dodge!" Caesar, Chumley, and Minerva ordered. All three Pokémon dodged the sludgy attack and it strikes the ground instead.
"Sobble! Liquidation!" Minerva ordered. Sobble creates a sword of water in between its hands. It then slashes Arbok with the sword.
"Grookey! Wood Hammer!" Chumley ordered. Grookey slams Weezing with its stick. "Branch Poke!" Grookey pokes Weezing again.
"Don't worry, Weezing! Help is on the way!" James shouted, taking out Victreebel's Pokéball. "Go Victreebel!" The Pokéball opens and Victreebel chomps on James's head once again. "No, no, no! Not me, me, me! Them, them, them!"
"Scorbunny! Flame Charge on that Victreebel!" Caesar orordered. Scorbunny gave the flycatcher Pokémon a flaming charge. Victreebel goes flying with James still inside.
"Sobble! Liquidation again!" Minerva ordered. Sobble forms a sword of water again and slashes right into Victreebel, making James come right out and accidentally chomps on Wobbufett by mistake.
"Wobbu! Wobbufett! Woobu!" Wobbufett shouted, running around.
"Hey! Take it easy, Wobbufett! Don't get carried away!" Jessie yelled. Wobbufett bumps into Jessie and knocks Meowth down and lands on James. Caesar looks over to Chumley.
"Wanna do the honors, Chumley?" Caesar asked. Chumley smiles and takes out a Pokéball.
"With pleasure," Chumley said. He threw the Pokéball. "Go Weezing!" Chumley's Pokéball opens and a Weezing comes out, but this Weezing was incredibly different than the ones Sora, Kairi, and the Alolan nine had seen. This Weezing has a gray body with green smog clouds radiating from its mouth, which gives it the appearance of facial hair; the larger head has a mustache while the smaller head has a beard and eye brows. It also has a tall smoke stack on both heads, which resembles a top hat, with light-gray smoke clouds. The skull and crossbones on the larger head now has a golden tint, which is also applied to the circular marking on the smaller head.Also to add, both of its mouths are open. "Weezing! Explosion!" Chumley's Weezing's body glows brighter and brighter until finally, the Weezing explodes.
Rex and Weevil had finally caught up to the group and was about to ambush them when they get caught in the explosion as well. They go flying along with Team Rocket and their Pokémon.
"Who are you?" James asked.
"I was gonna ask you the same thing," Rex said.
"Why do things like this always happen to us?" Weevil groaned.
"Like you're the only one who feels that way," Meowth deadpanned.
"Team Rocket is blasting off again," Team Rocket said.
"And us with them," Weevil and Rex added.
"Wobbu!" Wobbufett added. A star twinkles in the distance.
"That takes care of those three," Caeser said.
"It sure does. But, I have to admit, that is the first time I have ever seen a Meowth and Weezing like that," Minerva said.
"The same with me," Chumley said. Sora and Kairi walked up to Chumley, holding his Weezing in his arms.
"You mean, that thing is a Weezing?" Sora asked.
"Yeah. This is a Galarian Weeing. It happens when Koffing evolves there," Chumley said. Sora got curious and scanned the alternate Weezing.
Weezing Galarian Form, the Poison Gas Pokémon
The evolved form of Koffing
Type: Poison/Fairy
Long ago, during a time when droves of factories fouled the air with pollution, Weezing changed into this form for some reason. This Pokémon consumes particles that contaminate the air. Instead of leaving droppings, it expels clean air.
"Wow. A Poison and Fairy Type? If Ven saw this, he'd be so excited," Sora said, putting his Pokédex away.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"The same for Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble," Kairi added.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
"Pichu," the Shiny Pichu chirped.
"Pichu," the Spiky-eared Pichu chirped.
"Thanks for exposing those phonies for us, Sora. We wouldn't have gotten them back if Nurse Joy hadn't spoken up," Caesar said gratefully.
"No problem. We're just glad that they didn't get away with anything," Sora said.
"And we're happy to know that they got exactly what they deserved out of their actions," Kairi added.
Everyone else agreed and headed back to the Pokémon Center to rest up for the night and get ready for the Whirl Cup competition.
Meanwhile over to Team Rocket who landed not too far along with Weevil and Rex.
"Victory was going to be ours, but we were screwed when that damn Abra ruined everything. And we lost our grabber too," Jessie said.
"And all three Galar starters were were in our reach and then this happened," Meowth added.
"Well, at least it can't get any worse," James said. And it did get worse when Team Rocket HQ were contacting them. Jessie, and Meowth gulped when they heard it go off.
"James, you really should stop saying that," Jessie said. James answered and Matori had the same expression as before.
"Hello down there. You three took your sweet time making contact, so I just saved you the trouble of doing that. I trust you have those Pokémon in captivity by now?" Matori asked. Jessie, James, and Meowth started to sweat like a waterfall.
"About that..." James paused.
"You didn't capture the third starter Pokémon from the Galar region, correct?" Matori deadpanned. They didn't answer her. "May I presume that you will bring the other two with you at least." They again didn't answer her. Matori raised a brow. "Let me guess; you lost them, didn't you?"
"Uh..." Jessie said.
"I was just going to double it just for your failure, but now because of your incompetence, I'm not going to double your debt! I'm tripling it! And I will close by saying, you are an utter embarrassment to Team Rocket," Matori stated, breaking contact.
Jessie, James, and Meowth all hung their heads in shame, knowing they had screwed up again.
"It looks like..." James started.
"...our problems..." Jessie continued.
"...had just been tripled," Meowth said.
"Aw," they groaned.
It looks like Kairi was right; they did get what they deserved out of it. But, we're going to cut it here for now and continue on when the Whirl Cup begins. Also, regarding when Sora and Kairi being sent into another world, I was thinking of throwing in Guzzlord into the mix. Who do you think I should put in? I am open to suggestions. Until next time.