Episode 153: Sora and the Tsunami
Night came as Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Togepi, the Pichu, and the Alolan nine slept. Lana suddenly wakes up and sighs. She sat up on the bed she was sharing with Mallow and Lillie.
"I wonder if I'm biting off more than I can chew," Lana said in her thoughts. She bega to have second thoughts about her battle with Sora. She knew very well how good a trainer Sora is when it comes to Pokémon battles, but she wasn't sure if she could win over her friend. Lana walked over to the window and looked out to the moon.
Mallow woke up and saw her friend standing at the window
"Lana?" Mallow asked in a whisper. Lana heard Mallow's voice and turned to face her. "What's the matter? Shouldn't you be asleep?" She yawned.
"I should be asking you the same question," Lana said also whispering.
"What's bothering you, Lana?" Mallow asked with concern.
"I-it's nothing," Lana lied. Mallow was clearly not buying it from her.
"Come on, Lana. You know you can tell me anything. That's what we said agreed on when we were little," Mallow reminded her. Lana looked at her best friend and sighed.
"Well, I have been thinking," Lana admitted.
"About what?" Mallow asked. She blinked twice.
"About the the rest of the Whirl Cup. I mean if I beat Sora in our battle tomorrow I might move on to the finals. But, when I do, I might end up against Marlon or Misty and I never came up against Gym Leaders before. And those are very big ifs," Lana stated.
"Are you worried about winning over Sora?" Mallow asked.
"Yeah. And at the same time, I'm worried about losing. I'm worried about letting down my family after the moral support they gave me when I called them," Lana said. Mallow placed her hand on her shoulder.
"Lana. You shouldn't be so worried about these kind of things. You battled Sora before and you did your best," Mallow assured her.
"Those were practice battles," Lana said.
"Battles are battles. You did your best even if they aren't official Pokémon battles," Mallow said. "Sora always did his best too. He never thought of giving up. And I know you don't give up either." Lana was about to speak when she places her hand over her mouth. "Sora would tell you the same thing. Trust me." Lana understood what she was talking about.
"You're right, Mallow. He would say that too," Lana said. She got over her fears and hugged her friend. "Thanks Mallow." Mallow hugs her back.
"You know you can always count on me when you need me," Mallow said. They stopped hugging. "Now, let's go back to sleep. We want you looking your best for tomorrow." Lana smiled.
"Yeah," Lana said. Both girls climbed back into bed and fell back to sleep. On the very next morning, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Togepi, the Pichu, and the Alolan nine all had breakfast and not bring up anything about the battle, not wanting to give them any ideas. Sora and Lana strategized about which one of their Pokémon they would use for the battle.
Sora decided to go with Blastoise, Croconaw, and Primarina. Lana decided to go with Gyarados, Poliwhirl, and Cloyster.
Over to Moe, Larry, and Curly, Moe had dialed the tip number for the police.
"Hello police. I have just recieved word that someone is gonna swipe the Sea Spirit from the Sea Priestess," Moe said as he listened on the phone. "Who am I? I'm just a concerned citizen with too much time on his hands." Curly taps his shoulder. Moe turns to face him.
"What time does your hands say?" Curly asked.
"Five," Moe simply said before he smacked him by the palm of his hand right on his forehead.
"Ooh!" Curly yelped. "MMM!"
"Just giving you the heads-up about what's happening," Moe said. He listened from the other end. "Yes, I will keep my eyes peeled. Goodbye." He hung up the phone. "Success! We let the coopers know what's happening and they'll protect the Sea Sprit from all around!"
"What about from above and below?" Larry asked. Moe just glared at him. He holds out his hand.
"What's this?" Moe asked.
"That's your hand," Larry answered.
"That's right," Moe stated. He smacks Larry right on his right cheek. His neck bends on the left.
"Oh, my neck!" Larry cried. Moe smacks his head back in place.
"How's it feel now?" Moe asked.
"Feels good," Larry said.
"That's good," Moe said. He smacks Larry with both hands. "From above and below?" Moe conks Larry on the head. "Get away!" Larry was about to literally get away when Moe pulls him by his red curly hair. "Listen ya guys! The cops will be on of the Sea Spirit, right?"
"Yeah," Larry and Curly said.
"So, the cops will be seeing them guys making their move and get them in the act. Easy as pie," Moe said, laughing.
"I like apple," Curly said.
"I like chocolate," Larry said.
Moe grabs them both by the shoulders and bangs their heads together. As Curly rubs his sore forehead and they bumped right into Sora, Kairi, the Alolan nine, and the Pokémon on their way to the Whirl Cup stadium.
"Well, looks who's here! The kids from way back," Moe recognized.
"Moe? Larry? Curly? What are you doing here?" Sora asked.
"We just got here yesterday and we came to watch the Whirl Cup. What are you doing here?" Moe asked.
"He and I are participating in the tournament and we're battling each other today," Lana said.
Moe, Larry, and Curly were surprised to hear her say that. They weren't expecting to run into them during the Whirl Cup and just arrived a short time after it started.
Sora and Lana went off to the locker room to await their battle in the Whirl Cup while Moe, Larry, and Curly joined Kairi and the Alolan eight in the spectators. They arrived just in time when Misty and Marlon were about to start battling. Minerva, Caeser, Chumley, and their Pokémon joined the group watching the battle about to start.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Our first battle for the day is about to begin! This a battle between two Gym Leaders! We have Misty, the Gym Leader of the Cerulean City Gym and Marlon, the Gym Leader of the Humilau City Gym!" The announcer announced. Misty took the red corner and Marlon took the green corner. "These two may come from two different regions, but their passion for Water Type Pokémon remains the same! As well as their goal! But, only one of them is going to keep moving beyond this battle!" The referee takes place.
"Trainers, you are permitted to use three Pokémon each! The battle will be over when all three are unable to continue! Let the battle begin!" The referee raises his flags. Misty takes out her first Pokéball and threw it.
"Misty calls: Kingdra!" Misty shouted when she let out Kingdra. Marlon takes out a Pokéball and threw it.
"The Pokémon I'm gonna go with is Wailmer!" Marlon shouted. Wailmer spouted water when it was let out.
"Misty has sent out Kingdra and Marlon has unleashed Wailmer!" The announcer announced.
"Marlon is sending out the same Pokémon he sent out first the last time. I don't doubt he plans to send his Mantine out just like before too," Illima said.
"We've seen first hand how strong those two Pokémon were," Kiawe said.
"And that Golisopod and that Araquanid were nothing to sneeze at," Sophocles added. Curly sneezes in Moe's face.
"Hey! What's the idea of sneezing in my face?" Moe asked irritated.
"It was a minor compulsion!" Curly said.
"So it is?" Moe asked.
"Yeah," Curly said.
"So's this!" Moe pokes Curly in the eye with two of his fingers.
"Oh!" Curly cried.
"And this!" Moe said, conking him on the head.
"Hey! Leave him alone!" Larry stepped in. Moe pulls his hair.
"What're you butting in for?" Moe asked. Moe conks his nose making a honking sound. "Now keep quiet!"
"Kingdra! Dragon Breath!" Misty ordered. Kingdra fires Dragon Breath right at Wailmer.
"Kingdra starts things up with a Dragon Breath!" The announcer announced.
"Wailmer! Water Pulse!" Marlon ordered. Wailmer opens its mouth forms a ball of water. The ball whale Pokémon throws the water attack and it collides with Kingdra's Dragon Breath, resulting in an explosion.
"Marlon counters Dragon Pulse with a Water Pulse! Marlon used this offensive attack as a defensive move! How will Misty counter that?" The announcer asked.
"Kingdra! Brine!" Misty ordered. Kingdra fires a powerful stream of water from its mouth atWailmer. Brine hits Wailmer pretty hard.
"Brine is doing a number on Wailmer!" The announcer announced. Marlon is keeping his confidence. "But Marlon doesn't seems to be bothered by this? What could Marlon be planning with that poker face of his?" Marlon smiles.
"Wailmer! Whirlpool!" Marlon ordered. Wailmer creates a whirlpool, surrounding the dragon-like seahorse Pokémon. Kingdra tries to get loose, but the current was too strong for Kingdra to fight.
"Kingdra is trapped in Wailmer's Whirlpool! Also, Kingdra can't seem to get out, no matter how hard it tries!" The announcer announced. Misty was getting flabbergasted by the sight.
"Oh no! That Wailmer is tougher than I thought! I need to think of something fast!" Misty said in her thoughts.
"Wailmer! Body Slam!" Marlon ordered. Wailmer jumps out of the water. As the ball whale Pokémon started to come down, everyone watching all watched on awe as it was coming down like a cannonball.
"Wailmer is coming down fast with that Body Slam! And Kingra has nowhere to swim!" The announcer announced. Wailmer slams into Kingdra and creating a huge splash. Wailmer emerged out of the water and so did Kingdra whom is knocked out from Wailmer's Body Slam attack. The referee raises the green flag.
"Kingdra is unable to battle! Wailmer wins!" The referee announced.
"Marlon has taken the lead in the battle! His Wailmer really threw its weight around!" The announcer announced. Misty calls back her Kingdra. "I certainly hope Misty can do something to turn this battle around!" Misty pulls out another Pokéball and threw it.
"Misty calls: Staryu!" Misty shouted. Staryu swirls around the battlefield.
"Misty has sent out Staryu! I wonder if Staryu can make up where Kingdra had failed!" The announcer announced.
"A Staryu, huh? What could be planning to do against that heavyweight Wailmer?" Hapu asked.
"I think we should wait and see," Kairi suggested.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
"Pichu," the shiny Pichu chirped.
"Pichu," the Spiky-eared Pichu chirped as well.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"So, it's a Staryu. This battle is getting me worked up so much!" Marlon said in his thoughts.
"Staryu! Go! Use Gyro Ball!" Misty ordered. Staryu spun around as a blue glowing orb surrounded Staryu and heads right for Wailmer.
"Dive in the water!" Marlon shouted. Wailmer dives in the water and avoids Staryu's attack.
"Wailmer had dived in the water to escape Staryu's Gyro Ball! What could he be planning to do?" The announcer asked.
"I think I know what," Kiawe said.
"He's going to use the same trick he did before, right?" Mallow asked.
"That's the one," Kiawe said.
"He's probably gonna lead me into another Whirlpool trap. That must be an ace he has when he's been challenged. Not gonna work on me," Misty said in her thoughts. Misty spoke out loud, "Staryu! Dive in after Wailmer!" Staryu obliges its trainer and went in the water.
"Staryu has gone after Wailmer! Dose she have an ace up her sleeve?" The announcer asked.
"Wailmer! Whirlpool!" Marlon ordered. Wailmer's eyes glows dark blue and creates a whirlpool around the star shape Pokémon.
"Marlon has trapped Staryu inside of Whirlpool! It looks like it's all over!" The announcer announced.
"Staryu! Gyro Ball!" Misty ordered. Staryu spins into Gyro Ball inside the whirlpool. Staryu has taken control of Wailmer's Whirlpool attack.
"I don't believe what I am seeing, ladies and gentlemen! But, Misty has taken over Marlon's Whirlpool trick!" The announcer announced. Kairi, the Alolan nine,Minerva, Ceaser, Chumley, Moe, Larry, and Curly couldn't believe it either.
"It looks like the tables have turned on Marlon," Chumley said. Curly looked around on the battlefield.
"What tables?" Curly asked. Moe smacks him on the forehead.
"Misty must have figured that out. That's probably why she had her Staryu dive in after Wailmer," Lillie said.
"That does make sense," Minerva said. "Marlon makes whirlpools to make it challenging for anyone who challenges him."
"Looks like Marlon is gonna need a new strategy," Kairi said.
"Staryu! Move right towards Wailmer!" Misty ordered. Staryu still using Gyro Ball moves the whirlpool right towards Wailmer. Staryu has span faster and faster each passing second. The speed of Staryu's spinning is making the whirlpool's hold much stronger and stronger.
"Uh-oh! Wailmer is in trouble! Staryu is using its own move against it! Staryu's Gyro Ball had sunk Marlon's Whirlpool strategy!" The announcer announced.
"Wailmer! Get out of there!" Marlon shouted. Wailmer tried to get away, but it was no use. Wailmer's own Whirlpool is pulling the ball whale Pokémon into a spiral. Wailmer was definitely trapped now.
"Staryu! Fire Swift!" Misty ordered. Staryu fired Swift right into the whirlpool even while spinning. The stars flows through the water and lead right into Wailmer and hitting it when making contact.
"Wailmer is taking such a serious beating from Staryu's Swift! Misty really has Wailmer on the ropes now!" The announcer announced.
"Nyuck, nyuck, nyuck! Wailmer's really seeing stars," Curly joked.
"And that's not all Wailmer's gonna see after taking all of that," Caesar said.
"Finish it with Hydro Pump!" Misty ordered. Staryu stops spinning and fired Hydro Pump right into the ball whale Pokémon. Wailmer goes flying out of the water and lands on one of the platforms. The referee raises the red flag.
"Wailmer is unable to battle! Staryu wins!" The referee announced.
"The battle is back to being even! Both trainers are down to two Pokémon left to use!" The announcer announced. Marlon calls Wailmer back.
"Get some rest, Wailmer. You totally deserve it. This is so epic and awesome! Not many trainers would pull off what you just did, Misty!" Marlon complemented.
"Thanks Marlon! You were pretty awesome too!" Misty complemented back.
Over to the stand where Maya is overseeing the battles, a police officer went up to Officer Jenny. She follows the officer out of sight. Two other police officers stayed at their post.
"What is it now?" Officer Jenny asked.
"We recieved another call regarding the Sea Spirit," the officer explained.
"And?" Officer Jenny asked.
"The second call sounded more threatening than the first one. The person or persons who made that call probably will stop at nothing to get it," the officer said.
"We can't let that happen," Officer Jenny stated. "Track to where the number came from and move in." The police officer saluted and went off. Officer Jenny returned to her post.
"Now which Pokémon is Marlon going to send out next?" The announcer asked. Marlon took out his Pokéball and held it in his hand.
"Just the one," Marlon said. Marlon threw his Pokéball. "Mantine! Go!" The Pokéball opens and Mantine hovers over the water, making it look like it's flying.
"Marlon had sent his Mantine back out! What nasty surprise could he have in store?" The announcer questioned.
"Can Staryu last much longer out there?" Larry asked.
"I don't think so. After using Gyro Ball to control Whirlpool like that has taken its toll on Staryu," Illima said. Undoubtably Staryu was getting tired after making that comeback with Wailmer.
"Staryu is exhausted from using Gyro Ball from inside the whirlpool. And I don't think it's going to last much longer against Mantine. I'll have to switch Pokémon," Misty said in her thoughts. She calls back her tired Staryu.
"Misty is calling back her Staryu. What other Pokémon is she planning to use?" The announcer asked. She takes out another Pokéball and threw it.
"Misty calls: Starmie!" Misty shouted. Starmie spins around upon entry.
"Misty has sent out her Starmie! It appears she has been saving Starmie in reserve to use against the toughest opponents!" The announcer announced.
"I had a feeling she was going to use that Starmie of hers when I saw her Staryu," Kairi said.
"Why do you say that, Kairi?" Caesar said.
"She would know because she's been with Sora the longest," Lillie said.
"Yeah," Mina said.
"We never even met her when they were in Cerulean City for his second Gym battle in Kanto," Acerola said.
"If Sora had battled against that Starmie, then I don't doubt he had a real hard time against it," Chumley said.
"It was. But, Sora managed to turn it around on her before Starmie could have him in a fix," Kairi said.
"I do wonder how tough that Starmie is," Minerva said.
"Starmie! Swift!" Misty ordered. Starmie fired Swift right towards Mantine. Marlon knew Swift wouldn't be dodged, but it can be blocked.
"Mantine! Fire Bullet Seed!" Marlon ordered. Mantine fired seeds from its mouth like a machine gun and the seeds collides with the stars.
"Incredible! Marlon is using Bullet Seed to cancel out Misty's Swift!" The announcer announced.
"Now use Aerial Ace!" Marlon ordered. Mantine dove in the water and jumped back out to do a flip.
"Look at that, everybody! Mantine is jumping out of the water to prepare an attack!" The announcer announced. Mantine darted into Starmie and scored a direct hit on the mysterious Pokémon. "Mantine had landed a beautiful Aerial Ace!" Starmie falls on the platform and gets back up.
"Now use Wing Attack!" Marlon ordered. Mantine moved towards Starmie with its wing-like fins glowing.
"Mantine is moving in for a Wing Attack!" The announcer announced.
"Starmie! Dodge it!" Misty shouted. Starmie barley avoids Mantine's Wing Attack and got hit by the side. Starmie wobbles a bit, but regains posture. "Now use Hydro Pump!" Starmie fires Hydro Pump right at the manta ray Pokémon.
"Dodge and use Bubble Beam!" Marlon ordered. Mantine fires Bubble Beam and the water attack strikes Starmie right into the jewel, causing heavy damage. Starmie's jewel starts blinking.
"Starmie has taken a heavy hit from Mantine's own Hydro Pump! Doesn't look like Starmie is going to last much longer against Mantine!" The announcer announced.
"That's a tough Mantine. He's really giving it to Misty's Pokémon," Acerola said.
"You can say that again," Minerva said.
"Her Staryu has exhausted its energy from battling Wailmer, and now Starmie is gonna get creamed," Sophocles said.
"Mantine! Finish it with Aerial Ace!" Marlon ordered. Mantine did a flip and darted right towards Starmie and delievered a devastating blow. Starmie goes flying and hits a pillar. The referee raises the green flag.
"Starmie is unable to battle! Mantine wins!" The referee announced.
"Misty is down to her last Pokémon! Can Misty make a comeback against Marlon and his Mantine?" The announcer asked. Misty takes out Staryu's Pokéball and seeing that there's no choice, but she had to send out Staryu against Mantine.
"Misty calls: Staryu!" Misty shouted. The Pokéball opens and lets out her exhausted Staryu.
"Misty has sent Staryu back out to deal with Mantine! Can Staryu avenge its evolved form's honor? Or will Staryu fall to this Water and Flying Type Pokémon?" The announcer asked.
"Misty's done for. Staryu is too tired to keep going," Kairi said.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
"And after all that spinning it did, I got dizzy just by watching," Moe said.
"Well, I get dizzy in high places," Curly said.
"And you get dizzy in low places," Moe said. Moe conked Curly on the forehead. He also conks Larry on the head.
"I didn't do nothing!" Larry exclaimed.
"That's why I slugged ya," Moe said. He poked him in the eye. Caesar and Chumley were confused by their antics.
"Is that normal?" Caesar asked in a whisper.
"I think it is with them," Chumley whispered back.
"I know you're tired Staryu, but I need you to hang on just a little longer," Misty said. "Use Hydro Pump!" Staryu fires Hydro Pump to strike at Mantine.
"Aerial Ace!" Marlon ordered. Mantine flips and darts through Staryu's Hydro Pump.
"Mantine is cutting through Hydro Pump and making its way towards Staryu!" The announcer announced. Mantine strikes at Staryu and goes flying into the water. Staryu resurfaces and the jewel began blikning. The referee raises the green flag.
"Staryu is unable to battle! Mantine wins! The winner of the battle is Marlon of Humilau City!" The referee announced.
"Marlon has elimainated Misty and is moving on in the Whirl Cup!" The announcer announced. Misty calls back her Staryu.
"You did great, Staryu. I'm proud of you even if you don't win," Misty said. She looked over at Marlon and smiled. "Hey Marlon!" Marlon looked at Misty when he was calling back Mantine. "That was an amazing battle you gave me. Thanks!" Marlon smiles back at the Cerulean City Gym Leader.
"No! Thank you! That was an awesome battle, Misty!" Marlon said to her. Misty smiled having to been complemented by the Humilau City Gym Leader.
"The second battle of the day will take place within a few minutes," the announcer announced. Weevil and Rex were watching the battle and they anxiously waited for the battle between Sora and Lana to begin.
"This is what we have been waiting for, Rex! The battle between Sora Ketchum and that blue-haired girl, er what's-her-name," Weevil said.
"Are we gonna strike them when they're battling?" Rex asked. Weevil smacks him right upside the head.
"No you moron! We're going to get them right after the battle! No matter who wins, we can have our revenge! As soon as the battle is over, they'll be heading for the Pokémon Center to have their Pokémon healed up. And as soon as Sora's cute little girlfriend come along, we can strike and get all three of them!" Weevil explained his plan. Rex smiled at the plan.
"Yeah! Those Pokémon will be too exhausted to battle us and then we can take care of them all at once!" Rex said. He blinked twice. "But, that girl isn't in the tournament. Her Pokémon will be fighting fit."
"Big deal! They're still weak," Weevil said.
"Just like that Seadra of hers," Rex said under his breath.
Sora and Lana went off to have their battle and before they reached the battlefield and faced each other.
"Hey Lana. No matter who wins, just know that we gave each other a pretty good battle," Sora said to her. Lana smiled.
"Thank you, Sora. I really appreciate it," Lana said.
"Also, you're not letting down anyone when you lose," Sora said. Lana looked at him. "I heard you and Mallow talking last night. Give me your best shot." Sora held out his hand.
"And you do the same, Sora," Lana said taking his hand and giving a handshake.
Sora and Lana reached the battlefield. Sora took the red side and Lana took the green side. The crowd starts roaring for the battle to begin. Sora's fanclub starts cheering heartily for Sora to win the battle.
"Our second battle is about to begin! Pokémon League champion Sora Ketchum from Pallet Town versus Lana from Konikoni City! I wonder what kind of battle these two youngsters are gonna give us!" The announcer announced.
"There's only one way to find out, isn't there?" Kiawe asked.
"I'm already at the edge of my seat!" Sophocles said. He turns to Lillie. "So, which one are you going to root for, Lillie?"
"For the both of them of course," Lillie retorted.
MKairi and Mallow stayed quiet and hoped for the best for Sora and Lana. Kairi and Mallow did agree that they wanted this battle to be over and done with.
Up to the Sea Preistress, Officer Jenny had made Maya aware of the threat of the theft of the Sea Spirit.
"Hm, I understand. Someone has made a threat to steal our precious Sea Spirit, huh?" Maya asked unconcerned.
"Yes. The call that was made before the threating call sounded like a warning. And they said, by the games end, they vowed that the Sea Spirit Sapphire will be theirs," Officer Jenny said.
"Well, Officer Jenny, there have been many threats in the past," Maya said. Officer Jenny turns to the sea preistress with concern.
"But Maya," Officer Jenny said.
"You know that the Sea Spirit has always been safe with us," Maya said. She then smiles. "Right?" Officer didn't answer and didn't understand how she was so calm, but she knew that she was right, the Sea Spirit has always been safe and sound. Every attempt on the Sea Spirit has ended in failure.
Over to Team Rocket, Jessie smiled all giddy knowing that the threatening phone call she made had worked its magic.
"I think they're starting to get nervous!" Jessie sang. She then started dancing with joy. "I think I finally outdone myself!"
"If you ask me, I think we were better off selling those hot dogs, that wasn't so bad," Meowth said. Wobbufett pops out of his Pokéball and opens with a salute.
"Wobbufett!" Wobbufett said.
"But Jessie, how are going to steal it with all of those guards standing around? " James asked. Jessie smiled all giddily.
"Yes, but I have a little plan," Jessie said, waving her inidex finger. "Thanks to my little phone call, every guard in the stadium is surrounding the Sea Spirit, they'll never expect our aerial attack." James and Meowth was on board to that plan.
"That's brilliant, Jessie! Their guard is up for something going down!" James praised.
"And things are looking up for us!" Meowth added.
"Yes, that's right!" Jessie said.
Unknown to Team Rocket, three Pokémon were lidtening to the plan Team Rocket were making. Two of them are Mr. Mime, but one of the Mr. Mime looked different from the first one. It has blue arms and legs and it has an ice shard on its chest, resembeling a tie. It looked like it's wearing a blue tuxedo and the hair isn't as frizzy and it's feet resemble tap-dancing shoes. Along with them is a Pokémon that almost looks like a Mr. Mime, but it looks like it's wearing a suit with yellow dotted eyes and a big red ball on its belly. The tips of its feet are light blue and the front of th feet are rounded with its blue legs looks like pants. It has a mustache and yellow eyes and on top of its head looks like a derby hat and its hair has two points down has mitten-like hands attached to blue arms similair to its legs and holding a cane that appears to be made of never-melting ice. One of them is a Galarian Mr. Mime, and the other is its evolved form, Mr. Rime.
The three Pokémon remained at their posts, and at the same time, they entertained the crowd.
Sora and Lana stared into each other after they promised each other a good battle and holds bargin.
"Trainers! The both of you may use three Pokémon each! The battle will be over when all three of your Pokémon are unable to continue!" The referee instructed. Sora and Lana didn't waste any time choosing their first Pokémon.
"Go for it, Cloyster!" Lana shouted when she threw her Pokéball. Cloyster enters the battle shut in her shell and then opens up. Sora threw his Pokéball to let out his chosen Pokémon.
"Go Blastoise!" Sora shouted. The Pokéball opens and Blastoise readies his water cannons to battle against Lana's Cloyster. Sora remembered battling Cloyster back when she was a Shellder, but he knew Cloyster isn't going to go down without a fight. "Ready when you are, Lana!"
"Cloyster! Ice Beam!" Lana ordered. Cloyster starts up with an Ice Beam.
"Blastoise! Flash Cannon!" Sora ordered. Blastoise fired Flash Cannon and it blocks Cloyster's Ice Beam. "Now use Aqua Jet!" Blastoise surrounds himself with water and heads right towards Cloyster.
"Lana has started with Ice Beam and Sora used his Blastoise's Flash Cannon to block it! Talking about a good defense!" The announcer announced.
"Cloyster! Shell Smash!" Lana ordered. Cloyster's shell glows white. A faint red glow surrounds Cloyster's shell and disappears in a burst. Lines of a blue aura shoot down her body and an orange aura shoots up her body. Cloyster has lowered her defenses and raised up her attack power and speed.
"Cloyster is using Shell Smash to build up its offense and speed, but in doing so, Cloyster has lowered its defenses!" The annoncer announced.
"Lana must be planning to give me a run for my money just by doing that. Cloyster will be tough to handle even with a weak defense," Sora said in his thoughts.
"Why did she just do that? Why weaken her defense and boost up her attack and speed?" Caesar asked.
"Lana must want to end this pretty fast. She's putting her faith in Shell Smash," Mallow said.
"I don't think Sora is going to let that stop him," Kairi said. She then spoke in her thoughts, "Sora. Lana. Give it everything you've got. I believe in you both."
"It kinda feels like when Sora and I were competing in the Pokémon Sumo Conference. His Snorlax really gave me such a shove," Kiawe said.
"I remember that," Hapu said.
"And remember the P-1 Grand Prix? Sora and Illima competed with Riku and Sora came out on top," Sophocles said.
"Yes. The battle between Sora and Riku was an exicting battle to watch. Unlike the one their first battle," Illima said.
Minerva, Caesar, and Chumley were amazed to hear about Sora's feats so far. Moe, Larry, and Curly were amazed by how good he was and when the announcer said that he is a Pokémon League champion.
"Okay Cloyster! Use Icicle Crash!" Lana ordered. Cloyster releases a wind with light blue sparkles in it from her spikes then into the air. Then, small clumps of ice form in the wind and grow longer and larger, forming into sharp icicles. The icicles then start to rain down over Blastoise.
"This doesn't look good for Blastoise! Icicle Crash is coming down faster than a Dodrio can run!"The announcer announced.
"Dodge it! Jump in the water!" Sora shouted. Blastoise jumps in the water to avoid Cloyster's Icicle Spear. The icicles strikes the platform instead of Blastoise.
"Good fortune smiles on Sora now! Blastoise has dodged Icicle Crash! I will say that it was too close for comfort!" The announcer announced.
"Way too close for comfort," Chumley said.
"For a turtle Pokémon, Blastoise sure can move fast," Caesar said.
"Cloyster! Go after Blastoise!" Lana called out. The bivalve Pokémon jumps in the water and pursues the large turtle Pokémon.
"This turns into another underwater battle! Cloyster chases after Blastoise!" The announcer announced.
"Now use Razor Shell!" Lana ordered. Cloyster's spikes extends in a blue aura and comes right at Blastoise. Sora smirked at that.
"Knew you would come after me," Sora said. "Blastoise! Hydro Pump!" Sora ordered. Blastoise fired Hydro Pump from his cannons and they strike the charging Cloyster. Cloyster goes flying out of the water. Blastoise resurfaces. "Flash Cannon!" Blastoise fires Flash Cannon and it strikes Cloyster hard. That caused heavy damage due to Cloyster's Shell Smash weakening her defense. Cloyster splashes back in the water and floats back up knocked out. The referee raises the red flag.
"Cloyster is unable to battle! Blastoise wins!" The referee announced.
"Sora has taken an early lead with all of his Pokémon still intact!" The announcer announced.
"That kid is better than I remember," Larry said.
"You can say that again," Moe said.
"That kid is better than I remember," Larry repeated. Moe conks him on the head.
"You don't need to repeat yourself," Moe said. Moe slaps Larry right across the face.
"Pika! Pika!" Pikachu shouted holding a fan with Sora's name printed on.
"Pichu!" The two Pichu joined in.
Lana calls back her Cloyster and takes out her Net Ball.
"Go Poliwhirl!" Lana shouted. The Net Ball opens and Poliwhirl flexes her arms upon entry. Sora calls back Blastoise.
"Lana has sent out Poliwhirl and Sora is calling back Blastoise! Which Pokémon is he going to send out to battle?" The announcer asked. Sora takes out another Pokéball.
"Go! Croconaw!" Sora shouted. The Pokéball opens and Croconaw flexes his muscles upon entry.
"Sora has sent out his Croconaw!" The announcer announced.Moe, Larry, and Curly all smiled when they saw Croconaw.
"Hey now. Little Totodile is such a big boy now," Moe said. Kairi giggled.
"Sure did. He evolved after doing some training," Kairi said.
"It sure surprised us to see his Totodile evolve. Surprised us very much," Illima said.
"Did Sora forget about Poliwhirl's Water Absorb ability?" Kiawe asked.
"I don't think he did," Kairi said. "Sora is going have to rely on the other attacks Croconaw knows since Water Gun can help Poliwhirl and not hurt her."
"Kairi's right," Chumley agreed. "It's common knowledge that Water Absorb is an absorbing ability."
"Poliwhirl! Bubble Beam!" Lana ordered. Poliwhirl fired Bubble Beam right at Croconaw.
"Croconaw! Dodge and use Slash!" Sora ordered. Croconaw jumped out of the way of Bubble Beam and came down. Croconaw swipes his claw right into Poliwhirl. Croconaw and Poliwhirl dukes it out.
"Croconaw isn't fooling around with its opponent! And Poliwhirl isn't fooling around either! Those two are giving it their all down there!" The announcer announced.
"Croconaw! Ice Fang!" Sora ordered. Croconaw gave Poliwhirl an icy bit on one of the legs. Poliwhirl's legs then became frozen solid.
"Croconaw's Ice Fang has frozen Poliwhirl's legs! Now Poliwhirl can't move!" The announcer announced.
"Poliwhirl! Try to get loose!" Lana shouted. Poliwhirl tried to break the ice, but it was too cold and too strong to get loose. "Oh no!"
"Oh yes! Croconaw! Crunch!" Sora ordered. Croconaw came at Poliwhirl with his teeth glowing white and landed a bite. Croconaw yanks Poliwhirl off of the ice and gave her a toss. Poliwhirl heads in the water with a splash. Poliwhirl was down and out. The referee raises the red flag.
"Poliwhirl is unable to battle! Croconaw wins!" The referee announced.
"And that makes two that Sora had taken out of the match! Lana has just one more Pokémon left to use! Will her last Pokémon be enough for her to make a comeback?" The announcer asked.
Lana takes out her Dive Ball and threw it.
"Go Gyarados!" Lana shouted. The Dive Ball opens and her Gyarados emerges from the Dive Ball and roars upon entry. Moe, Larry, and Curly were scared out of their wits when they saw the atrocious Pokémon.
"Lana's final Pokémon is Gyarados! She must have been saving that one for last!" The announcer announced.
Croconaw looked at his opponent and began growling. Croconaw became determined to win this battle no matter the circumstances that may come. After staring at the atrocious Pokémon for a few seconds, Croconaw began to evolve. Everyone watching were captivated by the evolution. Sora and Lana shared everyone's captivity. The same with Maya watching from her seat.
"Croconaw," Sora simply said.
"What's going on down there?" Larry asked.
"Croconaw's evolving," Kairi said.
"Toge," Togepi chirped.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"Pichu," the Pichu said.
When the evolution was finished, the newly evolved Feraligatr let out a loud roar.
"FERALIGATR!" The newly evolved Feraligatr shouted to the heavens.
"I am not sure what is going on, but Sora's Croconaw had evolved into a Feraligatr! It would be either be from the battle with Poliwhirl or the fiereceness it felt when gazing on Lana's Gyarados!" The announcer announced.
"I was not expecting Croconaw to evolve into a Feraligatr during the battle. Sora wouldn't back away even when a Pokémon evolves, and I won't either!" Lana said in her thoughts. Lana shouted, "gyarados! Dragon Pulse! Gyarados fired Dragon Pulse right at the newly evolved Pokémon.
"Feraligatr! Dodge it!" Sora called out. Feraligatr jumps in the water to avoid Dragon Pulse and swam towards his opponent. "Now use Ice Fang!" Feraligatr's jaws emits ice and lunged towards Gyarados. Lana wasn't going to have that.
"Gyarados! You use Ice Fang too!" Lana ordered. Gyarados landed a chilling bite on Feraligatr's left arm.
"Slash!" Sora ordered. Feraligatr swipes at Gyarados with his right claw into Gyarados's face. "Now fire Water Gun!" Feraligatr fires Water Gun.
"Hydro Pump!" Lana ordered. Gyaraos fired Hydro Pump and it cuts right through Feraligatr's Water Gun.
"Feraligatr and Gyarados are giving each other a fierce battle! Not one of them is backing down an inch! And judging by how it's going, this could be any one of their round!" The announcer announced.
"Now use Crunch!" Sora ordered. Feraligatr lunged towards Gyarados to deliver a devastating bite.
"Gyarados! Hyper Beam!" Lana ordered. Gyarados fired Hyper Beam right at the large crocodilian Pokémon and strikes the wall behind him. Sora was shocked and impressed by Lana's resolve. Feraligatr tries to keep battling, but he didn't have enough power to keep going. The referee raises the green flag.
"Feraligatr is unable to battle! Gyarados wins!" The referee announced.
"Lana has finally taken down one of Sora's Pokémon! It looked like Feraligatr had Gyarados in a fix and Sora's claim to victory was pratically in his fingertips when Lana made a bouncing comeback with that Hyper Beam!" The announcer announced.
"Way to go, Lana!" Mallow cheered.
"She finally brought one down," Minerva said.
"She sure did. I can easily say, even Sora was impressed by that stunt," Kiawe said.
"I agree. He expects nothing less of his opponents; even Lana," Illima said.
"But, I wonder what he has in store for her now," Hapu said.
Up to Maya, more and guards start showing up.
"Those guards aren't fooling around," Meowth said.
"Neither are we, Meowth. And those chumps are going to see why we call ourselves Team Rocket," James said. Meowth turns to James.
"Why do we call ourselves Team Rocket anyway?" Meowth asked. James didn't know how to answer that question. Jessie chuckles to herself.
"Almost time," Jessie said.
Sora calls back Feraligatr to rest up.
"Get some rest, Feraligatr. You earned it," Sora said. He puts Feraligatr's Pokéball away and pulls out Primarina's Pokéball. "Hey Lana! That was a pretty good move on that Hyper Beam!"
"Thanks Sora! Show me what you've got!" Lana dared him. Sora grinned and he got ready to throw it.
"Okay! But, just don't end up regretting it! Go Primarina!" Sora shouted when he threw the Pokéball. The Pokéball opens and Primarina makes an elegant entrance.
"Sora's third Pokémon is his Primarina! What could he be planning with that?" The announcer asked.
"I knew he would use Primarina for this one," Kairi stated. The Alolan eight, Caesar, Chumley, Minerva, Moe, Larry, and Curly all looked at her.
"Why's that?" Mina asked.
"If I know Sora and I do, he figured Lana would use Gyarados because of Dragon Pulse. The both of them knew that Dragon Type attacks won't work on Primarina because she's a Fairy Type Pokémon. So, I knew he was going to make it hard for her," Kairi said.
"That's a clever move on his part," Chumley said.
"Primarina! Sparkling Aria!" Sora ordered. Primarina Primarina stands up on her tail and sings, forming an orb of water above her head. the orb burst and turns into multiple bubbles that are fired at Gyarados. Sparkling Aria strikes hard on Gyarados.
"Primarina starts things up with a beautiful Sparkling Aria!" The announcer announced. Curly sang an opera song and stops when Moe glares into his face. Moe smacks Curly, feeling irritated by his singing.
"Shut up and watch the battle!" Moe said. He pokes him in the eye.
"Oh!" Curly yelped. "MMM!" Curly gets Moe to follow his hands movements and smacked him at the forehead. Moe got his revenge by slapping his face twice.
"Gyarados Hydro Pump!" Lana ordered. Gyarados fired Hydro Pump. The water attack heads right for the soloist Pokémon with tremendous force.
"Primarina! Dodge and use Ice Beam!" Sora ordered. Primarina dodged Hydro Pump and fired Ice Beam, freezing Gyarados's attack. It made an ice log.
"That was a narrow escape from Gyarados's Hydro Pump! How will Lana counter that maneuver?" The announcer asked.
"Gyarados! Hyper Beam!" Lana ordered. Gyarados prepares to fire Hyper Beam again. Sora saw that coming, so he had to think fast. He knew Hyper Beam is powerful enough to bring down both Blastoise and Primarina like it did Feraligatr, but he also knew Gyarados won't attack again in a row after each use, so he had to take advantage of this predicament while he still can; when Hyper Beam misses.
"Primarina! Aqua Jet!" Sora called out. Primarina surrounded herself with water and darted towards Gyarados when he fired Hyper Beam. Hyper Beam missed its intended target as Primarina swerved to her left. She then turns to her right and lands a hit on the atrocious Pokémon.
"Primarina had dodged Gyarados's Hyper Beam with Aqua Jet and scored a hit onto Gyarados's right side! Lana's Pokémon is going to feel that in the morning!" The announcer announced.
"That makes two of us," Curly said.
"Gyarados won't be able to attack again because of Hyper Beam. And Sora is gonna take advantage of that!" Hapu said.
"You're right. He is," Lillie agreed.
"Primarina! Dazzling Gleam!" Sora ordered. Primarina slams into Gyarados with her Dazzling Gleam. Gyarados got hit by a rainbow slam and fell to the side.
"Get up, Gyarados! I know you can do it!" Lana pleaded. Gyarados struggles to get back up.
"Primarina's Dazzling Gleam has done a critical hit onto Gyarados, but can it continue to battle?!" The announcer announced. Gyarados manages to get back up and let out a loud roar. But, Gyarados fell back to the water. Gyarados had fighting spirit, but not enough to keep battling. The referee raises the red flag.
"Gyarados is unable to battle! Primarina wins! Sora wins the battle!" The referee announced.
"Sora has triumphed over Lana! He is moving on in the next round!" The announcer announced. Lana wasn't too surprised that she lost to Sora. She smiled knowing that she and Sora had enjoyed the battle.
Weevil and Rex who were watching the battle closely were pretty impressed by the battle and knew an opportunity to strike had made itself known.
"At last. The time for revenge is coming," Weevil said.
"Make those punks pay for getting in our way and sweaping the Silver Wing from our mitts!" Rex stated.
"They should be heading to the Pokémon Center to habe them healed up and we will get to them before they do get there," Weevil said. "Come on, Rex! Let's go!"
Both teens got up out of their seats and started to set their revenge into motion.
When Sora and Lana left the battlefield, both trainers smiled at each other.
"That was a fun battle, Sora. I enjoyed battling you," Lana said.
"Yeah. You too, Lana. I thought you had Primarina with Gyarados to be honest; if I hadn't used that Aqua Jet to dodge," Sora said.
"I thought the same thing," Lana said.
Sora and Lana met up with Kairi and Mallow, seeing how proud they both were.
"You two gave it everything you had," Mallow said.
"I couldn't be happier that it ended," Lana said. "For me anyway."
"You did your best, Lana. That's all that counts," Kairi said. "And besides, you should be proud of your Pokémon. They battled hard for you."
"Kairi's right, Lana. All of our Pokémon worked hard and all it took was pretty good trainers to do it," Sora said. Lana smiled and she was glad that she was able to do her best in the tournament even if it was just one round she won.
Sora, Kairi, Mallow, Lana, Pikachu, Togepi, and the two Pichu started to make their way to the Pokémon Center to have a check up on their Pokémon and to rest up when Weevil and Rex managed to finally catch up with them.
"Stop right there!" Weevil shouted. Sora and the girls stopped to turn. Sora, Kairi, and Lana recognized the two teens from back at the sunken ship. Mallow was a bit confused.
"You two again?!" Sora exclaimed.
"What do you want?" Kairi asked.
"Pika!" Pikachu added.
"We have a score to settle with you! You took the Silver Wing right from our fingers!" Rex stated.
"The same Silver Wing that would have made us famous!" Weevil added.
"And now we came here toget our revenge on all three of you!" Weevil said. Sora, Kairi, and Lana stared at the two teens ready for anything they've got.
"Um, who are they?" Mallow asked. Sora, Kairi, and Lana then realized they didn't know their names.
"Yeah, who are you guys?" Sora asked. Weevil and Rex did an anime-style fall and regained their posture.
"I'm Weevil Underwood! The Bug Pokémon specialist! There isn't a single Bug Type Pokémon that I had not mastered!" Weevil introduced.
"And I'm Rex Raptor! And reptile Pokémon are my specialty!" Rex introduced.
"And we both know who you are, Sora Ketchum!" Weevil said, pointing squarely at Sora. "The Indigo Plateu Pokémon League champion!"
"Though we didn't even recognize you at first," Rex said. Weevil kicks on his butt.
"Shut up, you idiot! That isn't important!" Weevil yelled.
"How did you two end up here in the first place?" Kairi asked. Weevil adjusted his glasses and chuckled.
"I am glad you asked," Weevil said. "We owe that to you when had your Seadra use its Twister and have sent us on this spit of land! We had no idea you would be here until we saw you two out on your little romantic outing We also knew the little water baby had to be here too."
"We tried to ruin your little date when crap kept happening to us," Rex added.
"You mean, you didn't follow us here just to get back at us?" Lana asked.
"Uh, like he said, we didn't know you guys were here," Rex admitted.
"And when the two of you had your battle, we decided to wait until your battle concluded and strike when all three of you were present and accounted for!" Weevil said. Both opposing trainers took out their Pokéballs.
"Now we battle!" Weevil and Rex challenged. Sora growled at both Weevil and Rex. Kairi stepped up and so did Mallow.
"You two sit this one out," Mallow said.
"You had your battle, and we'll battle them both and teach them some manners," Kairi said.
"Go Raichu!" Kairi shouted.
"Go Skiploom!" Mallow shouted.
Raichu and Skiploom emerges out of their Pokéballs and waited for their trainers instructions. Weevil and Rex threw their Pokéballs as well.
"Exterminate them, Pinsir!" Weevil shouted.
"Go Salandit!" Rex shouted.
Pinsir clamps its mandibles on its head and Salandit snarls upon entry.
"Pinsir! You use your Slash on that rodent of hers!" Weevil ordered.
"Salandit! Poison Jab on that rodent too!" Rex ordered.
Both Pinsir and Salandit charged right towards Raichu, not caring about Skiploom.
"Skiploom! Fairy Wind!" Mallow ordered. Skiploom blew Fairy Wind on the opposing Pokémon. Pinsir lands right on Salandit. Kairi looked over to Mallow.
"Thanks Mallow!" Kairi said.
"Anytime!" Mallow said.
"Raichu! Thunder Punch on Salandit!" Kairi ordered. Raichu landed an electric punch on the toxic lizard Pokémon. "Now use Seismic Toss!" Raichu grabs Salandit and jumps in the air. Raichu twirls into a roll and threw Salandit right at Pinsir. Weevil and Rex growled in frustration.
"You brat! Salandit! Willi-O-Wisp! Send it to Raichu!" Rex ordered. Salandit calls forth bluish-purple flames and comes right towards Raichu.
"Skiploom! Seed Bomb!" Mallow ordered. Skiploom fires seeds and the attack makes contact with Will-O-Wisp, resulting in an explosion.
"I had enough of that meddling weed! Pinsir! Forget about that electric rat and go for that Skiploom! Brutal Swing!" Weevil ordered. Pinsir grabs Skiploom and swings her around in its claw. Pinsir then throws Skiploom. Mallow gasped.
"Salandit! Dragon Claw on Skiploom!" Rex ordered. Salandit swipes his claw emitting a purple aura and strikes Skiploom hard. Skiploom took heavy damage from Piinsir and Salandit.
"Skiploom!" Mallow gasped. Kairi didn't like how brutal they were battling.
"I thought it was me you were after," Kairi pointed out.
"Don't get jealous. You'll get what's coming to you!" Weevil said.
"Then bring it on, you cockroach!" Kairi taunted. She turns to Rex. "You too, lizard boy!"
"As you wish! Pinsir! Super Power!" Weevil ordered. Pinsir's body glowed a light blue aura and headed towards Raichu.
"Salandit! Poison Jab!" Rex ordered. Salandit also headed right towards Raichu. Kairi knew she got their attention.
"Raichu! Thunderbolt!" Kairi ordered. Raichu shocs both Pinsir and Salandit hard. Skiploom gets back up and then starts to evolve. Mallow was awestruck at the sight. Skiploom was now a Jumpluff. Mallow smiled, knowing how adorable her newly evolved Pokémon looked.
"Jumpluff! Cotton Spore!" Mallow ordered. Jumpluff sends out some cotton and it tangles up both Pinsir and Salandit.
"Get that cotton off of you!" Weevil shouted.
"Salandit! Just burn it off!" Rex added.
Salandit tried to burn off the cotton, but it was no use, because it was on its mouth and there was too much. Pinsir's mandibles also, got too much cotton to rip off.
"How about we finish them off, Kairi!" Mallow suggested.
"Sure thing!" Kairi agreed. "Togepi! Metronome!" Togepi swung his little arms back and forth. Weevil and Rex both laughed at how how predictable Metronome is.
"It might just end up being Splash or something," Weevil said.
"Right. There's nothing to worry about," Rex said. Togepi's little arms glows. Togepi's little arms raises above his head and forms a blue ball. Togepi glows blue. fires multiple beams of yellow-orange from Togepi's arms and fires a massive beam of blue energy and blasts into Weevil, Rex and their Pokémon. They go flying into the air screaming.
"We may not be Team Rocket, but we are really blasting off now!" Weevil yelled.
"Biggtime!" Rex added.
A star twinkles in the distance.
"That takes care of those two," Kairi said.
"It sure does," Mallow agreed.
"Pluff! Jumpluff!" Jumpluff added. She jumps up and down in happiness.
Sora went over to Kairi and kisses her on the lips. She kisses him back. Mallow and Lana looked at the couple sweetly.
Over to Moe, Larry, and Curly, they met with the two Mr. Mime and Mr. Rime.
"You you guys. What's the 911?" Moe asked. The Galarian Mr. Mime imitated Jessie's exact movements, while the Kantonian Mr. Mime imititated the police. Mr. Rime imitated Maya stiing in the throne and holding its cane like the Sea Spirit. The two Mr. Mime then started to imitate more cops standing around. "So, they're getting more coppers to show up, huh?" Mr. Rime and the two Mr. Mime nodded. "And they think they're going to get it easier with so many guards around, eh?"
"Mr. Rime," Mr. Rime said nodded.
"Mr. Mime!" The Kantonian Mr. Mime said. It flapped its hands.
"And they're going to fly?" Curly asked. Moe glares at him.
"Would you like to see some little birdies?" Moe asked in a playful manner.
"You mean really pretty, pretty little birdies?" Curly asked.
"Why certainly," Moe answered.
"Then I wanna see some birdies," Curly said.
"You've got it," Moe conks Curly on the head. Birds start flying around his head.
"Pretty, pretty little birdies," Curly said.
"But, how are they gonna do it?" Larry asked.
"I dunno, but we should make sure they don't succeed," Moe said.
"Right!" Larry and Curly said.
"Mime!" The two Mr. Mime added.
"Rime!" Mr. Rime pitched in.
Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Togepi, the Pichu, Mallow, and Lana made it to the Pokémon Center and met up with their friends waiting for them to come back.
"Good to see that you came back," Lillie said.
"But, you're kinda late. What took so long?" Kiawe asked.
"We had a run-in with a couple of old 'buddies' of ours," Sora said.
"Old buddies?" Acerola asked.
"You remember those two divers we met back at the sunken ship?" Lana asked. Lillie, Illima, Kiawe, Sophocles, Acerola, Mina, and Hapu nodded. "They said that their names are Weevil Underwood and Rex Raptor and they were on the island just to get their revenge on us."
"But, Mallow and I sent them packing," Kairi said.
"Man, those two clowns must have been determined to get some payback. And I thought Team Rocket were determined," Sophocles said.
"Yeah," Mina said.
"I hope we meet them again, because I'm looking forward to teaching them some manners myself," Hapu said.
"So do I," Kiawe stated, slamming his fist into the palm of his hand.
Entering the Pokémon Center, a young man who has dark skin, thick eyebrows, black eyes and black spiky hair. He even has a scar on his right cheek. He wore a blue sleeveless kimono with dark blue shorts. He also wore dark brown sandals. He grins when he spots Sora.
"Excuse me," the young man spoke up. The group turned to see the young man approaching them. "Are you by chance a Pokémon trainer who goes by name of Sora Ketchum from Pallet Town?"
"Yeah. But, who are you?" Sora asked him. The young man grinned.
"My name is Mako Tsunami; a master fisherman. And I must say, I have watched your battles. I must say, the way you handled your Pokémon has impressed me," Mako said. He turns to Lana. "And you Lana, you battled honorably as well." Lana smiled at that.
"Thanks," Lana said.
"Also, I have been looking forward to meeting you for a very long time. Your tales of greatness has reached me from across the sea. And I wondered what kind of Pokémon trainer you were, and watching your battles have answered my question," Mako said. Sora grinned.
"I'm starting to wonder about your battling skills, Mako," Sora said.
"You will find out firsthand, because you and I will be battling each other tomorrow," Mako said. Sora was surprised to hear that his next opponent is Mako himself. "I am looking forward to a fine battle."
"You too, Mako. Give me everything you've got," Sora said, shaking his hand.
"You shall not be disappointed, my friend," Mako said.
On the very next day, Sora and Mako enter the battlefield. Sora comes into the green side and Mako takes the red side.
"It's a beautiful day here in the Whirl Cup as we enter the third round of the competition. Only sixteen trainers are left and the competition is fierce! The winners will be moving on in the semi-finals tomorrow! First up, Mako Tsunami versus Sora Ketchum!" The announcer announced.
Kairi, the Alolan nine, Minerva, Caesar, and Chumley take their seats. Moe, Larry, and Curly are with the Mr. Mime and Mr. Rime to foil Team Rocket's plan.
"Remember you guys. Be inconspicuous," Moe said.
"Aye-aye sir!" Larry and Curly saluted. Curly smacks him in the hand by mistake.
"Oh!" Moe yelped. Curly winced. Moe grabs him by the collar. "Do that again and I'm going to give you such a pop."
"Which flavor?" Curly asked.
"Here's ten delicious flavors," Moe suggested. He smacks Curly's face with both hands. Moe was about to give Curly more of a beating when Larry intervened.
"Quit clowing around. Here they come," Larry said. They spot Team Rocket coming and spy on Maya and her guards.
"Good eye Larry," Moe said, patting Larry on the head.
"As soon as they make their move we move right in. Right?" Moe asked.
"Right," Larry said.
"Wrong," Curly said. Moe and Larry glare at him. "I mean Right!"
"That's what I thought," Moe said.
Down to Sora and Mako, they both await for their battle to start. Mako has taken dout a Dive Ball while Sora has taken out a Pokéball.
"Same rules as the second round! The both of you will be using three Pokémon each! The battle is over when all three Pokémon are taken down!" The referee announced.
Up to Team Rocket, they wait for the right moment to strike.
"How much longer are we gonna wait, Jessie? My legs are starting to stiffen up!" James said.
"How are we gonna be able to swipe the Sea Spirit with all those guards standing around?" Meowth asked. Jessie got wide-eyed to the many guards standing around. She also started sweating.
"I said I have a plan," Jessie said.
The referee raises the flags and said, "Begin!"
"Come forth, Poliwrath!" Mako shouted when he threw his Dive Ball. Poliwrath is let out and raises its arms in the air upon entry. Sora threw his Pokéball.
"Go Blastoise!" Sora shouted. The Pokéball opens and Blastoise gets his cannons ready for battle.
"Sora has chosen Blastoise and Mako has chosen Poliwrath! These two Water Type Pokémon are pretty tough to handle!" The announcer announced.
"Poliwrath! Begin with Dual Chop!" Mako ordered. Poliwrath charges towards the large turtle Pokémon to chop him.
"Blastoise! Aqua Jet!" Sora ordered. Blastoise surrounds himself with water and darts towards Poliwrath, dealing a direct hit.
"Blastoise has blocked Poliwrath's Dual Chop with Aqua Jet! Sora has once again used a good offense as a godd defense!" The announcer announced.
"Now fire a fullpower Flash Cannon!" Sora ordered. Blastoise fired Flash Cannon and it strikes Poliwrath hard.
"Poliwrath! Scald!" Mako ordered. Crosses its arms and uncrosses them to unleash a stream of scalding water from its spiral pattern belly. The hot water doesn't just strikes Blastoise, but the attack burns Blastoise as well.
"Blastoise is really feeling the burn from that Scald! Blastoise is slowly going to feel some damage from its burns! Can Sora find a way to bring down Poliwrath before it takes down Blastoise?" The announcer questioned.
"Gotta take down Poliwrath before those burns get the best of Blastoise. Maybe I can wait for Mako to make his next move and maybe try a direct Water Pulse," Sora said.
"Poliwrath! Dynamic Punch!" Mako ordered. Poliwrath charges towards Blastoise to deliever a devastating punch.
"Blastoise! Water Pulse!" Sora ordered. Blastoise forms a ball of water and hurls it right into Poliwrath, causing heavy damage. Water Pulse confuses Poliwrath in the process.
"Poliwrath has walked right into a trap! Now that Poliwrath is confused, it's up to Sora's Blastoise to deliever the finishing move!" The announcer announced.
"You can do it, Sora," Kairi said.
"Okay Blastoise! Hydro Pump!" Sora ordered. Blastoise fired Hydro Pump and the water attack hits Poliwrath hard. Sora figured this Poliwrath didn't have the Water Absorb ability, so that meant Water Type attack can hurt it. Poliwrath hits a pillar and floats in the water, knocked out. The referee raises the green flag.
"Poliwrath is unable to battle! Blastoise wins!" The referee announced.
"Sora has once again taken the lead in this match! It's no surprise to me that he has!" The announcer announced. Sora's fanclub seems to agree as they all cheered for his victory. Mako smiled at Sora when he was calling back his Poliwrath.
"Most impressive, Sora. You have raised your Blastoise well. The way you used those attacks has proven it!" Mako said to Sora.
"Thanks Mako. I'm ready for what you've got next!" Sora said. Mako takes out another Dive Ball.
"And you shall have it! Slowking! Come forth!" Mako shouted. Slowking adjusts the shell crown on its head.
"Mako's second Pokémon is Slowking!" The announcer announced. Sora calls back Blastoise into his Pokéball. "Sora is recalling his Blastoise! Which one is he going to send out next?" Sora took out his Friend Ball.
"Go Azumarill!" Sora shouted. The Friend Ball opens and Azumarill moves her ears upon entry.
"Sora has sent out his Azumarill!" The announcer announced.
"Azumarill! Play Rough!" Sora ordered. Azumarill charges towards Slowking to deliever a pummeling.
"Slowking! Iron Defense!" Mako ordered. Slowking's body gave off a metallic glow. Azumarill gave Slowking such a beating, but it did little damage.
"Azumarill has started up with Play Rough, but it didn't do much to damage Slowking!" The announcer announced. Mako smirks as his plan had worked.
"Excellent. You have taken the bait, as I knew you would," Mako said in his thoughts. Sora didn't know what he was smirking about, but he knew it couldn't be good.
"Play Rough didn't do much to hurt Slowking, but why is he so calm?" Sora asked in his thoughts.
"You walked right into my trap, Sora. Slowking! Trick Room!" Mako ordered. Slowking's eyes glows and a golden-orange cube surrounds both Azumarill and Slowking.
Kairi, the Alolan nine, Minerva, Caesar, and Chumley didn't like how that looked.
"Oh no. Not Trick Room," Lana groaned.
"As we all know, it boosts up the speed of slow moving Pokémon that used it," Lillie said.
"And now he's going to have a hard time with it until it wares off," Acerola said.
"Sora found the weakness to Trick Room before and I hope he can use it again before Slowking gets the better of him," Sophocles said.
"Slowking! Water Pulse!" Mako ordered. Slowking forms a ball of water and hurls it right towards Azumarill.
"Dodge and fire Bubble Beam!" Sora ordered. Azumarill fires Bubble Beam to strike Slowking.
"Dodge it!" Mako called out. Slowking moves out of the way and Bubble Beam misses. "Now strike with Aqua Tail!" Slowking's tail emits water and moves towards Azumarill. Before Azumarill could dodge the attack, Slowking strikes at Azumarill with Aqua Tail.
"Mako's Slowking is really giving Azumarill an unrelenting onslaught! Can Sora pull through before Mako could knock Sora's Azumarill out?" The announcer asked.
"Gotta be a way to get rid of Trick Room before his Slowking takes out Azumarill. How? Come on, Sora, think!" Sora said in his thoughts. Sora remembered doing so when he battled with a trainer's Slowpoke. But, this time he thought of something new. "That's right! How could I have forgotten?" He spoke out, "Azumarill! Bubble Beam!" Azumarill fires Bubble Beam right at Slowking.
"Ha! That attack again? Slowking! Aqua Tail!" Mako ordered. Slowking avoids Azumarill's Bubble Beam and comes towards Azumarill to strike Azumarill with Aqua Tail again.
"Slowking come right at Azumarill with another Aqua Tail! Azumarill is just standing there! What is he up to?" The announcer asked. Mako was confused by why Sora didn't tell Azumarill to dodge.
Kairi saw what he had in mind and she smiled to her boyfriend.
"I knew you would figure it out," Kairi said. Once Slowking was close enough, Sora had to spring his trap.
"NOW!" Sora shouted. Azumarill jumps to her right and Sloking misses the aqua rabbit Pokémon and struck the walls of Slowking's Trick Room instead. Mako gasped when he saw the walls of Slowking's Trick Room to shatter.
"No! He had baited me now! Clever," Mako said to himself.
Trick Room had shattered into pieces and now Slowking is back to its normal slow moving speed.
"Sora has turned the tides on Mako once more! How will Mako get the best of him again?" The announcer asked.
"Slowking! Water Pulse!" Mako ordered.
"Azumarill! You use Water Pulse too!" Sora ordered.
Both Water Type Pokémon forms balls of water and they collide into each other. It results in a watery explosion, pushing back both Azumarill and Slowking.
"Slowking! Aqua Tail!" Mako ordered.
"Azumarill! Ice Punch!" Sora ordered. Both Pokémon come at each other. Azumarill landed an icy punch before Slowking swung its tail right at her.
"Water Pulse!" Sora and Mako ordered. Azumarill and Mako forms balls of water and this time, bigger than normal. They threw their Water Pulse right at each other, resulting in another watery explosion. Both Pokémon are hit by the blast and it results in a double knockout. The referee raises both flags.
"Slowking and Azumarill are unable to battle! This round is a draw!" The referee announced.
"Sora still remains in the lead with two to one! Mako needs to get his head in the game if he wants to stay in this competition!" The announcer announced. Sora and Mako calls back their fallen Pokémon.
"You battled hard, Slowking. Get some rest. You have earned it," Mako said. He pulls out another Dive Ball. "Well done, Sora. You have taken down two of my Pokémon!"
"You did a pretty good job too, Mako!" Sora said, taking out his Pokéball.
"My final Pokémon shall be Lapras!" Mako threw his Dive Ball. He let out a large Lapras. "My Lapras is my strongest Pokémon! None of my challengers have never brought him down!"
"We'll see about that!" Sora said, taking out his Pokéball. Back to action, Blastoise!" Sora shouted. Blastoise re-enters the battle, despite the burns.
"Sora has sent his Blastoise back out and Mako's final Pokémon is his Lapras! And judging by how tough his Lapras looks, Sora is going to have a hard time against that behemoth!" The announcer announced. Sora didn't doubt it for a second.
"That Lapras looks pretty tough, and he'll probably take out Blastoise pretty quick; and Blastoise's burns will also do the job. I just need to tire him out before he does," Sora said in his thoughts.
"He's sending his Blastoise back out?" Sophocles asked, stunned.
"What could he be planning?" Kiawe asked.
"Lapras! Freeze-Dry!" Mako ordered. Lapras charges an orb of light blue energy in his mouth. He then fires a beam of light blue energy from the orb and sends it right towards Blastoise.
"Lapras has fired Freeze-Dry and it deals heavy damage to Water Type Pokémon despite being an Ice Type attack!" The announcer announced.
"Blastoise! Dodge it! Jump in the water!" Sora called out. Blastoise jumps in the water Lapras's Freeze-Dry misses.
"That was so close! Blastoise has avoided Freeze-Dry just by jumping in the water! A close shave for his Blastoise!" The announcer announced. Blastoise resurfaces.
"Lapras! Body Press!" Mako ordered. Lapras swam towards Blastoise to press his body against him.
"Blastoise! Flash Cannon!" Sora ordered. Blastoise fires Flash Cannon and it strikes Lapras hard. Lapras had been stopped from using Body Press. "Now use Hydro Pump!" Blastoise fires Hydro Pump from his cannons and the attack strikes Lapras hard.
"Blastoise is really giving it to Lapras! How is Mako going to manage?" The announcer asked.
"Lapras! Hyper Beam!" Mako ordered. Lapras fired Hyper Beam right at Blastoise.
"Hurry Blastoise! Dodge it!" Sora ordered. Blastoise dove underwater and moved to the left. The blast from Hyper Beam pushes Blastoise forward. "Blastoise!"
"Lapras had fired a devastating Hyper Beam! But is Blastoise okay?" The announcer asked. Blastoise resurfaces. Sora saw how Lapras was getting tired from using Hyper Beam. Sora looked over to his Blastoise and saw how bad his burns were taking their toll.
"Aqua Jet!" Sora ordered. Blastoise surrounds himself with water and headds right towards Lapras. Mako knew Lapras couldn't attack again because of Hyper Beam and before he could tell Lapras to dodge, Blastoise lands a direct hit.
"Sora is really turning the tables on Lapras! Can it continue?" The announcer asked. Blastoise's burn condition took its toll and Blastoise couldn't keep going. The referee raises the red flag.
"Blastoise is unable to battle! Lapras wins!" The referee announced.
"Blastoise's burns has finished the job before Lapras could! Both trainers are down to one Pokémon left!" The announcer announced. Sora looks over to Lapras and he was even more exhausted. Sora calls back Blastoise.
"You did great, Blastoise. You tired him out, like I wanted you to," Sora said. He takes out his next Pokéball.
"I did warn of my Lapras's power, did I not?" Mako asked.
"You did, Mako! But, your Lapras's winning streak won't last forever!" Sora stated. Mako chuckled.
"You presume too much. My Lapras shall crush your next Pokémon into dust!" Mako said.
"You sure about that?" Sora asked. He threw his Pokéball. "Go Kabutops!" His Pokéball opens and Kabutops clangs his claws upon entry.
"Sora's final Pokémon is his Kabutops! Kabutops has the advantage being a Rock Type Pokémon and Lapras being an Ice Type Pokémon! Mako doesn't seem too worried!" The announcer announced.
"His Kabutops had my attention ever since I first laid eyes upon it. Truly, a Pokémon worth battling," Mako said. Sora knew his Lapras couldn't attack again after using Hyper Beam, so he had to take advantage of the situation while he can.
"Kabutops! Move in with Slash!" Sora ordered. Kabutops charges towards the transport Pokémon and gave it a swipe of his claw.
"Lapras! Dodge it!" Mako ordered. Lapras avoids Kabutops's attack.
"Try again!" Sora called out. Kabutops tries to swipe at Lapras, but Lapras was moving too fast, but Sora saw how tired Lapras was getting at dodging.
"Kabutops is swiping at Lapras and it's not taking any hits! How long can these two can keep it up?" The announcer asked.
"Is Mako trying to tire out Kabutops like Sora is trying to do with his Blastoise?" Sophocles asked.
"I think he is. If Sora keeps wasting energy, he'll be knocked out of the tournament retty fast," Illima said.
"Come on, Sora. I know you can turn this around," Kairi said in her thoughts. Mako grinned because he now he had Kabutops where he wanted him.
"Once again, you have taken the bait. Lapras! Body Press!" Mako ordered. Lapras moved in to press his body against Kabutops.
"Kabutops! Mud Shot!" Sora ordered. Kabutops fired Mud Shot right into Lapras's face and he falls right in the water.
"That Mud Shot attack had saved it from Lapras from delievering a Body Press attack!" The announcer announced.
"Ancient Power!" Sora ordered. Kabtuops forms silver crystalized rocks and hurls them right at Lapras, and he got pelted by the rocks. Mako knew it caused heavy damage due to typings. "Now use Bubble Beam!" Kabutops fired Bubble Beam and it strikes Lapras good.
"Lapras is really taking a beating from Kabutops! Can Mako put a stop to it before he is defeated?" The announcer asked. Mako grinned.
"You are a worthy opponent, but your victory shall not be today! Lapras! Freeze-Dry!" Mako ordered. Lapras fired Freeze-Dry to finish Kabutops off.
"Kabutops! Dodge it!" Sora called out. Kabutops avoids Lapras's Freeze-Dry, before the attack could reach him. The attack had created a cold mist. Kabutops had avoided Lapras's Freeze-Dry just by diving in the water. Kabutops swam across the battlefield. Many of the spectators thought it was over for him, but not Kairi. She saw Kabutops resurfae right next to Lapras.
"Incredible! Lapras's Freeze-Dry has stopped Kabutops clean! It looks like it's over!" The announcer announced. The fog had cleared, they all found Kabutops was nowhere to be seen. "Wait a minute! Where is Kabutops?" Mako was confused by what he was seeing. Sora looked over to Lapras and saw Kabtutops right next to him.
"Kabutops! Slash!" Sora ordered. Kabutops jumps out of the water and gave Lapras a slash on the side before Lapras could react.
"There's Kabutops! Kabutops had just avoided That Freeze-Dry just by jumping in the water! Talking about a last minute escape!" The announcer announced. Mako was shocked to see Sora's Kabutops was still in one piece.
"Impossible! Even I should realized that. He used my attack as a cover just so his Kabutops can swim about without Lapras noticing!" Mako said in his thoughts.
"Kabutops! One more Slash!" Sora ordered.
"Lapras! Body Press!" Mako ordered. Both Kabutops and Lapras charged towards each other. Kabutops moved in with Slash and Lapras movd in with Body Press. Both Pokémon manages to strike each other. Kabtops and Lapras did their stance even when in the water.
Everyone waited to see who had won and who had lost. Kabutops took a pretty bad blow from Body Press and Lapras did from Slash. Lapras smirked knowing Body Press was enough to bring him down, but he fell to the water. Lapras was done and out. The referee raises the green flag.
"Lapras is unable to battle! Kabutops wins! Sora wins the battle!" The referee announced.
"Sora had taken out Mako Tsunami and he is now moving on in the Semi-Finals of the tournament!" The announcer announced. Mako was awestruck. He couldn't believe that his strongest Pokémon had been taken down. Mako then starts laughing.
"I may not have won, but an enjoyable battle nonetheless," Mako said. He calls back his Lapras and Sora saw he was patting Kabutops on the head.
"I knew you could do it, Kabutops. So proud of you," Sora said.
Sora met up with his girlfriend, the Pokémon and the Alolan nine and Kairi hugs him tight.
"I knew you would pull through, Sora," Kairi said proudly.
"Thanks Kairi," Sora said. He hugs her back. Mako walks up to the group. Sora and Kairi turns to see Mako coming.
"Concragulations Sora. You have battled honorably today," Mako said. Sora smiles and shakes Mako's hand.
"Thanks Mako. You battled pretty hard too. Gotta admit you almost had me," Sora said.
"Indeed. You did the impossible. You defeated my strongest Pokémon. You were right when you said my Lapras won't win forever. I look forward to when we battle again. And the results will not be the same next time," Mako said. He took his leave.
Sora was now in the semi-finals and he had to take extra care when battling his next opponent. Sora figured Marlon had to make it there as well. Also, Team Rocket's next plan in stealing the Sea Spirit is about to spring up and how will their plan be foiled. More coming in the next chapter.