Episode 166: Espeon, Not Included
On the very next morning, Kairi and Sakura had got into position to start their practice battle. Sakura was going to go with her Eevee and Kairi is going with her Mareep. Sora and the Alolan nine watched the battle about to begin.
"Okay Sakura. Consider this an opportunity to get your feet wet. Are you ready to start the practice battle?" Kairi asked.
"Ready as you are, Kairi," Sakura said.
"Then, let's get started," Kairi said. She looked over to her Mareep. "Are you ready to battle, Mareep?"
"Re-ee-ee-eep!" Mareep bleated.
"Eevee! Tackle!" Sakura ordered. Eevee charges right towards the shiny sheep Pokémon. But, Kairi wasn't worried.
"Mareep! Dodge and use Tackle as well!" Kairi ordered. Mareep dodges Eevee's attack and charges right back at her. Mareep strikes the evolution Pokémon pretty hard. "Now fire Electro Web!" Mareep fired a web of electricity and sends it right at Eevee.
"Dodge it, Eevee!" Sakura called out. Eevee avoids Mareep's Electro Web. "Use Sand-Attack!" Eevee kicks up sand and it blinds Mareep for a short while. "How was that, Kairi?"
"You did great, Sakura. But, don't pat yourself on the back yet. Mareep! Signal Beam!" Kairi ordered. Mareep fired Signal Beam right at Eevee.
"Dodge it, Eevee! Hurry!" Sakura ordered. Eevee began to run fast. When Signal Beam strikes, Eevee is kicked up in the debris. Sakura gasped as Eevee goes flying. "Eevee! No!" Eevee flips around the air and lands on her feet like a cat. "Oh! Eevee! Are you okay?"
"Eev!" Eevee chirped.
"Oh, I'm so relived!" Sakura said.
"Sakura, we can stop if you want. I know you don't want to see Eevee getting hurt," Kairi said. Sakura wanted to stop and she looked at her Eevee and saw how determined she is. Sakura looked into Eevee's eyes and saw that she wasn't going down without a fight. She understood and she wanted to keep going as well.
"I won't stop," Sakura refused. After watching Sora's battle yesterday, I wanna keep going and finish this battle, practice or not," Sakura said. Kairi smiled and she understood.
"Okay Sakura. I understand. Mareep!" Electro Web!" Kairi ordered. Mareep fired Electro Web again and again and Eevee dodged again and again. Eevee was getting faster with each time she evaded the attack. The sun's light shone onto Eevee and Sakura was at awe at the sight. The next thing she knew Eevee began evolving. Sora, Pikachu, Togepi, the Pichu, and the Alolan nine were shocked to witness Eevee's sudden evolution.
"Eevee's evolving!" Lillie said.
"No way!" Sora said with amazement. Sakura's Eevee was now an Espeon. The newly evolved Espeon looked back to Sakura and she was just was amazed.
"You evolved just for me," Sakura said. "I'm so proud of you, Espeon."
"Espeon," Espeon said.
"Congratulations on your Eevee evolving, Sakura. We can keep going if you want," Kairi offered.
"I'm in it! Espeon! Use Confusion!" Sakura ordered.
"Dodge it, Mareep!" Kairi called out.
Espeon sends out a Psychic blast while Mareep dodges the attack.
"Use Electro Web!" Kairi ordered. Mareep sends out a web of electricity right at Espeon and she gets caught in the net.
"Okay Espeon! Try to get it off by using your Confusion!" Sakura ordered. Espeon's eyes glows blue and the web of elesctrity is taken off of her and she sends it back to its owner.
"Block it with your Signal Beam!" Kairi ordered. Mareep fires Signal Beam and it cuts right through Electro Web and it strikes Espeon hard, causing heavy damage. Espeon falls to the ground beaten.
"Espeon!" Sakura gasped as she ran to her fallen Pokémon. She helps her up. "Are you okay?"
"Esp," Espeon said respnded sadly..
"You don't have to apologize. You did your best and that's what's really important. Win or lose, I'll always be proud of you," Sakura said. Espeon nuzzles her trainer. She walked over to Kairi and shook her hand. "That was a great battle, Kairi. Thanks."
"Anytime," Kairi said. "Gotta hand it to you, Sakura, you did pretty well for your practice battle." Sakura smiled.
"Thanks again, Kairi. I know my sisters will be so excited when they hear my Eevee had evolved into an Espeon," Sakura said.
"I don't doubt it. If you're itching for another battle; and I do mean a legitimate battle, I'll be up for it," Kairi said. Sakura smiles.
"And that's a deal," Sakura said.
Both girls have sealed the deal with a hearty handshake. Over the next few days, the group have taught what they knew when it came to training and taking care of Pokémon. Sakura had made up for her first flop by capturing a Caterpie as her first catch. Sakura trained her newly caught Pokémon and it evolved right into a Metapod. And after another day of training, Sakura's Metapod eventutally became a Butterfree. This was was definitely female due to the purple markings on the bottom of the wings.
"Sakura is doing pretty well for the last few days," Sora said.
"She sure is," Kairi agreed.
"And not to mention, he Espeon is getting stronger by the minute," Sophocles said.
"Yeah," Mina added.
"And it's all thanks to that practice battle she and Kairi had," Lana said.
"It sure is," Mallow said.
"Do you think she could be ready to strike out on her own?" Kiawe asked.
"I think she is. But, we'll have to wait and see for ourselves," Sora said. Kairi and the Alolan nine all agreed with him and they decided to wait and see if Sakura was ready to be on her own yet; but, that's only if she wanted to do so by herself. Not too far, Team Rocket was setting up a plan of their own.
"So, go over it one more time, Jessie. I just wanna hear it again, because it feels so damn good to hear," James said.
"Okay James. We're setting up a false dance institution and sweipe their Pokémon; Flareon, Umbreon, Jolteon, Espeon, and Vaporeon!" Jessie said.
"Wouldn't we need Leafoen, Glaceon, and Sylveon for the complete set?" Meowth asked.
"Luckily, I have thought ahead, we'll steal those Pokémon from other trainers when we come across them and then give them to the boss and then our debt will magically disappear," Jessie said.
"I like the sound of that, Jess," Meowth said with glee. Wobbufett pops out of his own Pokéball once again.
"Wobbufett!" Wobbufett said in a salute. Jessie takes out his Pokéball to call Wobbufett back.
"I just wish that you would magically disappear," Jessie deadpanned. Wobbufett flows back inside the Pokéball. "Now men! Let's get to work!"
"Yeah!" James and Meowth said with glee.
"No more debts! No more debts! No more debts!" Team Rocket sang in a tune of "Be Our Guest."
As Team Rocket has began to set up another evil scheme (that will obviously end in utter failure)
Meanwhile, the group have made a stop over to the cafe where Sakura had met before. Everyone enjoyed the lunch they were having.
"These are the best kabobs that I have ever eaten," Sophocles said.
"I wonder if Kairi could make some for us sometime," Hapu said.
"I think we'll see about that, Hapu," Kairi said. Sora loved the idea of her making the kabobs for the group to enjoy.
"I think that's a good idea, Hapu. I would love to eat those; especially by your magic hands," Sora said, placing his hand into hers.
"Oh, Sora," Kairi said lovingly. She kisses him on the lips and he kisses her back. The girls all swooned at the sight of them kissing. They parted lips and fed the kabobs to each other. "Does that taste good, Sora?"
"It tastes better when you fed it to me," Sora answered her sweetly.
"I'm happy to hear it from you, Sora," Kairi said, kissing him on the cheek. Sakura's face flushed red as she blushed at the sight.
"Say, Sora and Kairi. You don't mind if we drop by my place to show my sisters what I learned, do you?" Sakura asked.
"I don't mind, Sakura," Kairi said.
Sora, Kairi, Sakura, the Alolan nine, and the Pokémon went right to Sakura's home to show her older sisters what she had learned since being taken under their wings.
"I'm home!' Sakura announced. Her four older sisters heard their little sister and they're happy to see her again.
"Sakura! It's good to see our baby sister again!" Satsuki said.
"It's only been a few days," Sakura said.
"Yeah, but it feels like it's been years," Sumomo said.
"So, we missed you so much when you left to learn from your friend," Tamao said.
"It just wasn't the same without you around, Sakura," Koume said.
"So, what brings you back here after so long, little sister?" Satsuki asked.
"I just wanted to share what I learned when learning from Sora, Kairi, and the others. And more," Sakura said, taking out her Pokéball and threw it in the air. The Pokéball opens and lets out her Espeon.
"Whoa!" Satsuki, Koume, Sumomo, and Tamoa all exclaimed in surprise
"Your Eevee evolved into an Espeon!" Sumomo said in surprise.
"I knew you would be surprised. She evolved just a few days ago," Sakura said. "And it was with my practice battle with Kairi."
"She did pretty well for herself," Kairi said.
"I don't doubt it. Not after the way you gave me and my Flareon a run for my money," Koume said.
"Anyway, it's good to see you and your friends again, but our little reunion is gonna have to be cut short, I'm afraid," Satsuki said. Sakura and her friends were surprised to hear that from her.
"Why? Is something going on?" Sakura asked.
"It's just, our favorite dance instructor's in town and for one day only, so we have to go," Satsuki said.
"So, if you'd like, you can stick around and make yourseles right at home," Sumomo offered.
"We really appreciate it, Satsuki," Mallow said.
"Just think of it of our way of thanking you of taking good care of our sister for us," Koume said.
"You're welcome," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
The sisters left to meet with this dance instructor and they came to an old Japanese-style house, unaware that it's actually Team Rocket setting up their new scheme. And they finished setting up right on time.
Inside, the sisters all look around and they saw how neat it was compared to outside. The sliding door opens and Jessie and James are wearing kimonos and Jessie bows her head.
"Welcome class," Jessie and James greeted. The sisters bowed back to their "teachers."
"We're honored to meet you," Satsuki said.
"We understand that you're all looking for dance instructions," Jessie guessed.
"Yes," Satsuki said.
"We are from the Pokémon Dance Academy," Jessie lied.
"Where those who dance with Pokémon, dance with nature," James added.
"We are the only authorized teachers of this art form," Jessie lied some more.
"The only ones in the world?" Sumomo whispered to Tamao. She shrugs her shoulders.
"If you're serious about cutting a rug, then you have come to the right place," James said.
"We're honored to be your students," the sisters said in unison.
"My dear, Jessie, shall we show 'em?" James asked.
"Right away," Jessie said. She claps her hands. "Come, come. Oh, yoo-hoo, Arbok." Her Arbok slithers into the room.
"Chabok!" Arbok hissed.
"Hmhm. Come out, Victreebel," James said. Victreebel comes in and chomps on his head again. "Get off me, you , pollen pea-brain!"
"Let go!" Jessie yelled, kicking James and making Victreebel let go of James. HIs wig accidentally comes off and she blocks him out of their view. She turns around and whispers, "Your wig! Your wig!" James felt his head and he realized his wig was off. He quickly stands on his feet and puts it back on. She chuckles nervously. "The real charm of the Pokémon daning is its unpredictability."
"Indeed," James added, once he made sure his wig was on straight. The sisters looked their so-called instructors oddly. Jessie clears her throat.
"Now, where were we?" Jessie asked.
Jessie and James dance to the music that is being played and the sisters were watching carefully.
Back at the house, Sakura decided to have some more practice battles and she challenged Sora into one.
"Say, Sora. I was wondering if you would let me have a practice battle with you. The Pokémon I would like to check out is that Meltan. I would like to see how it'll do against my Espeon," Sakura said.
"Sure thing, Sakura. Just remember, I'm not gonna go easy on you just because I'm one of your teachers and your friends," Sora said. Sakura laughed.
"It wouldn't be much of a learning experience if you went easy on me," Sakura said.
"True that," Sora said. He takes out a Pokéball and threw it in the air. "Go! Meltan!" The Pokéball opens and Meltan lets out its little cry upon entry.
"And the one I'm going with is Espeon!" Sakura said.
"Esp!" Espeon said. She steps in to battle against the tiny Pokémon.
"I figured Meltan is pretty tough since battling Eusine's Haunter, so I have to keep my guard up," Sakura said in her thoughts. She ordered, "Espeon! Psybeam!" Espeon fired Psybeam right at the hex nut Pokémon.
"Meltan! Harden!" Sora ordered. Meltan hardened its body and the Psybeam bounces right off. "Now, move in with Headbutt!" Meltan charges right towards the sun Pokémon to slam its head on her.
"Espeon! Quick Attack!" Sakura ordered. Espeon ran fast across the grass and used her speed attack to slam right into the tiny Pokémon.
"Not too shabby. You're doing better than when you battled Kairi," Sora said.
"Thanks Sora," Sakura said.
"Meltan! Flash Cannon!" Sora ordered. Meltan forms a white ball of energy and fires it as a huge beam of energy. Sakura remembered seeing that attack used to take out Eusine's Haunter and she wasn't going to have that.
"Espeon! Confusion!" Sakura ordered. Espeon's eyes glowed and she manipulated Meltan's Flash Cannon with her Psychic Type attack. "Send it right back!" Espeon sends it right back at the hex nut Pokémon and he thought fast.
"Meltan! Block your own Flash Cannon with another Flash Cannon!" Sora ordered. Meltan fired right back it blocks the attack resulting in an explosion. Sakura was amazed by the power it fired.
"Wow. That was amazing! I was not expecting that to happen! Your Meltan is pretty tough for such a tiny Pokémon," Sakura said.
"Thanks. But, the battle's not over yet! Meltan! Use Headbutt again!" Sora ordered. Meltan rushes towards Espeon.
"Espeon! Quick Attack!" Sakura ordered. Espeon rushes towards the hex nut Pokémon and both have made a collision course to each other. Meltan and Espeon skids backwards on the soil staring at each other. Espeon could have kept going, but she fell to the ground out of exhaustion. "Espeon!" She ran up to her Espeon. You battled hard. I'm so proud of you."
"Espeon," Espeon said.
"Wow, Sora. You did a pretty good job raising your Meltan. I'll admit that I'm pretty impressed," Sakura said.
"You gave it your all too and that's what really matters," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Battling you has really made me much stronger," Sakura said.
"Keep it up and you can be the best you can be," Sora said.
"he's right, Sakura. Just train hard and you can make it to the bigtimes," Kairi said. The Alolan nine placed their own opinions. She was very lucky to have some real nice and supportive friends.
"Thank you everyone. You're all such good friends; and you're also such good teachers," Sakura said.
"Well, you really earn an A plus for your efforts," Sora joked. Sakura laughed at the joke.
Back at Team Rocket's hiding spot, Team Rocket got ready to put their final phase of their scheme into motion.
"And now, it's your turn to twirl," James said
"You did bring your Pokémon, didn't you?" Jessie asked.
Yes," Satsuki answered. The sisters each took out their apricorn Pokéballs and let out Jolteon, Vaporeaon, Flareon, and Umbreon.
"Now let's see if any of your moves and move me," Jessie said. Music starts playing as the sisters began dancing to the Japanese music being played. And that left their Pokémon confused, unsure of what to do. Each of the sisters danced elegantly while the four Eeveelutions did their own unique dance.
"Well, your dancing is just fine. But, your Pokémon don't seem to have the moves down," Jessie said.
"Our Pokémon never had a dancing lesson in their lives," Satsuki said.
"Perhaps, they would benefit for a bit of private tutoring, eh, Jessie?" James suggested.
Brilliant James," Jessie said.
James went to the sliding door and slid it open.
"Don't be shy. Right this way," James said. Jolteon and the other Pokémon were a bit skeptical.
"It's okay," Satsuki said, assuringly. Jolteon went in first as Vaporeon followed second and Umbreon went in third and Flareon followed lastly.
"You just relax and we'll take care of everything," Jessie said.
"Everything," James repeated her. Jolteon looks around.
"Right this way, Jolteon. Just beyond these doors, is our private Pokémon disco," Jessie said. "You'll learn all the latest and greatest Poké moves in there."
"That's right. One leg in front of the other; splendid!" James said. Jessie pulls down a small cord.
"Are you ready? Here goes," Jessie said.
"Now! Next act!" James said as he pulls the cord. The four Eeveelutions falls to the steel cage beneath them. Meowth plays his guitar.
"And here we go," Meowth sang. He plays it some more. Umbreon lets out a loud cry and it alerts Sakura's sisters.
"Something's wrong," Tamao said. She opens the sliding doors and they saw that the room is empty.
"What's going on here?" Koume asked.
"Umbreon's gone!" Tamao cried.
"They're all gone!" Sumomo added. Tamao went over to the sliding door and she and her other sisters shriked in horror as a giant Meowth shaped face was staring back at them The roof iopens to reval that it was their balloon. The Eeveelutions cried out to their trainers.
"My Flareon!" Koume cried.
"Gimmie back my Umbreon!" Tamao called out.
"Don't take my Vaporeon!" Sumomo pleaded.
"Who are you?" Satsuki demanded.
"Prepare for trouble, you'll soon hear our name," Jessie started.
"And make it double, so you'll know who to blame," James added.
"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! That's right!" Meowth sang.
"You're Team Rocket?" Satsuki asked in disgust.
"That's right. And now we have most of Eevee's evolved forms," Jessie taunted.
"And now you know who took 'em!' Meowth added.
"They're gone," Satsuki said. They rushed back to their home to tell her sister what had happened. "Sakura!" Everyone turned to see Sakura's older sisters running right home.
"Satsuki? Tamao? Koume? Sumomo? What's wrong?" Sakura asked.
"It's terrible! Some people from Team Rocket stole our Pokémon!" Sumomo said.
"WHAT?!" Everyone exclaimed in shock.
"It's true. They stole our Pokémon with a phony dance session and they took off!" Koume said.
"Okay. You said, it was members of Team Rocket. They didn't happen to have a Meowth with them, by any chance?" Sora asked.
"Yes they did. But, how do you know that?" Satsuki asked.
"Wild guess," Sora said. Hapu growled in frustration.
"Don't they ever take a hint?!" Hapu roared.
"I don't think they do. And I'll say that it is terrible," Mallow said.
"Well, we're gonna have to get them back," Sakura proclaimed. Her sisters looked at her with shock.
"Sakura," Satsuki simply said. Acerola stepped in.
"I think I can lend a hand in this," Acerola said. She takes out a Pokéball and threw it in the air. "Go! Gengar!" The Pokéball opens and Gengar cackles upon entry. "Gengar, we need you to look around and come back as soon as you find something." The ghostly Pokémon nods and floats off.
"We should all slpit up; it'll be quicker that way," Satsuki stated.
"Right," Sora, Kairi, and the Alolan nine agreed. They began searching all over Ectruteak City for Team Rocket and the stolen Eeveelutions.
"Hip, hip, hooray!" Team Rocket cheered.
"All of those late nights dancing with Arbok and Victreebel really paid off, eh, Jessie?" James asked. Jessie walks over to the cage and smiles upon seeing the caged Pokémon.
"There's an Umbreon, a Jolteon, a Vaporeon, and a Flareon. We only need three more possible Eevee evolutions there-" Jessie froze when she realized her math was way off. Meowth pops up.
"Yeah? Yeah? Go on. Go on," Meowth said. Jessie smacks Meowth out of the way.
"Umbreon, Jolteon, Vaporeon, Flareon, but no Espeon!" Jessie yelled.
"So, we only have half of what we need. It ain't bad," Meowth said.
"Without that Espeon, we can't set off to swipe Leafeon, Glaceon, or Sylveon," Jessie said. She starts shaking James. "Alright, you! You said that the youngest twerp of the sisterly twerps had an Espeon, didn't you?!"
"Y-Y-Yeah she did. The only itsy, bitsy, teeny, weeny problem with that little plan is, she didn't even show up to our class, so I don't see how it's my fault," James said.
"What are ya making a big deal out of? We'll just have to find another Espeon just like we plan to do with the others," Meowth suggested.
"We're not going to be doing that! We're going to swipe Espeon; that Espeon! We're not leaving here until we do!" Jessie snarled. Team Rocket grabbed a net and got a vacant cage ready.
Back at the mansion, the group made it back to the mansion to report their progress.
"Find anything?" Sora asked.
"Not a thing," Satsuki answered.
"What about the rest of you?" Sakura asked.
"Not a thing," Illima said.
"Not even Gengar could find anything in the air," Acerola said.
"Man, I guess we're back at square one," Sora said.
"It would be helpful if we had some kind of clue," Kiawe said.
"You know, I remember them saying that they have most of the evolved forms of Eevee just when they were taking off," Sumomo said.
"But, they don't have Espeon," Lillie said.
"And after Espeon, they only need Leafeon, Glaceon, and Sylveon," Kairi said.
"And they'll be going after Sakura's Espeon," Hapu said.
"Yeah," Mina said.
Espeon nuzzles Sakura and she turns to her. Espeon makes a few squeaks giving her an idea.
"What's Espeon telling you, Sakura?" Kairi asked.
"I think we can use my Espeon as bait," Sakura suggested.
"Bait?" Acerola asked.
"Are you sure you wanna do that?" Sophocles asked.
"Yeah. Team Rocket must be mad that they didn't make off with Espeon like they planned, so they must be setting up a plan to capture her," Sakura said.
"I agree. They won't rest until they do have Espeon in their hold," Illima said.
"And I have a little something to get Jolteon, Flareon, Umbreon, and Vaporeon out of the cages," Sora said, taking out Meltan's Pokémon.
"And if they think they can capture Espeon without any trouble, we should be able to capture them," Sakura said.
"Wait a minute, Sakura. We need to think about this. If something goes wrong, you could lose Espeon," Satsuki warned her youngest sister.
"She's right, Sakura. Even though, those three aren't the sharpest knives in the drawer, they'll make off with Espeon faster than a Rapsidash," Sora said.
"We'll be fine. I just have have to remember everything you've taught us. But, I'm going to need your help into setting up a plan to this little caper," Sakura said.
"Sure thing, Sakura," Sora said. The couple and the youngest sister have huddled together and started to set up a plan to follow Team Rocket.
"What do you think he's planning?" Mallow asked.
"Whatever it is, I hope it's a good one," Lana said.
"I don't think I have ever seen Sakura act like this before," Satsuki said.
"You're right," Tamao agreed.
"It's got to have to do with a lot of her new friends teaching her lately," Sumomo guessed.
"I think exposure to them has given her loads of confidence," Koume said.
Up above in the Ecruteak sky, they searched frantically for Sakura's Espeon. Jessie and James looked around with each of them with a pair of binoculars.
"Here Espeon, Espeon, Espeon," Jessie said.
"It's got to be around here somewhere," James said.
"And where's the littliest brat?" Jessie asked. Meowth kicks back with his paws behind his head.
"I think you're obessing over nothing," Meowth said. Jessie turns and glares at the scratch cat Pokémon.
"Who the hell asked you? And what are you doing just laying there when you should be helping us?" Jessie hissed. James spotted Espeon laying in the shade of a tree.
"Forget him, Jess! I just found Espeon!" James said. Jessie's face went from angry to happy.
"Where? Show me! Show me!" Jessie said with glee. She peaks into the binoclualrs and sees Espeon asleep in the shade, "Aw, what a sleeping beauty. Or should I say, a sitting duck?"
"And no witnesses," James added. She lowers the binoculars and turns to James and he does the same.
"James, it's just asking us to take it. It'll be a shame to leave the poor thing down alone," Jessie said. They cheered as they got a net ready. They were unaware of that Espeon is nothing more than just bait to trick them to let Sora, Kairi, the Alolan nine, Sakura, her sisters, and the Pokémon to follow them. Espeon's jewel glows red like the nose of Rudolph.
"Here they come," Sakura said.
"How do you know that, Sakura?" Sophocles asked.
"Espeon has the ability to see into the future just because of the air patterns telling them; that way they way they would know something is coming," Lillie said.
"And not a moment too soon. Look," Acerola said. They all turned to see Jessie with a net. She carefully and quietly gets the net closer to Espeon, unaware that she's only pretending that she's asleep. Jessie successfully snags the Psychic Type Eeveelution in the net.
"Bingo! Now, that wouldn't happen easier if Espeon had just jumped into the net!" Jessie said.
"Yes! Those dirty rats have taken the cheese!" Sora said.
"Okay Gengar. You know what to do," Acerola said. Gengar's eyes and toothy grin appears right above them and grins more sinisterly and vanishes like the Cheshire Cat. Team Rocket balloon flies and Gengar makes himself visible, just so the group can follow him.
"Gotta hand it to you, Sora. This is a pretty good idea you have," Kiawe said.
"I just hope it'll work," Lana said.
"It will. Remember, my Gengar can float and follow them," Acerola said.
"Also, my Espeon can see into the future,. And if there's any danger at all, she'll be able to avoid it before it even happens," Sakura said.
Over to Team Rocket, Espeon comes out of the net and James waves a corndog to the sun Pokémon over the entrance of the cage.
"Here, Espeon. It's chow time," James said.
"Yummy, yummy, yummy," Jessie said.
"For your tummy, tummy, tummy," James said. Espeon's jewel glows red, knowing what they'll do if Espeon went to it. She turns her head from it. This confuses James.
"it's possible, maybe she's a vegetarian," Meowth said. This irritates Jessie.
"Let's try this instead," Jessie said, taking out a red dog collar tied with a chain leash. "Here Espeon. I've got a little surprise for you. A pretty necklace. Come here." Espeon's jewel glows again, knowing she'll just slap it on her. "Let's try it on, hm?" Espeon turns away from the collar. This angered Jessie greatly. "Why you ungrateful little beast! Get back here!" Espeon's jewel glows again and heads to the bush, and uncovers the cgae holding the captive Eeveelutions. "Would you look at that? It just wanted to be with its friends. Wobbufett pops out of his Pokéball once again.
"Wobbufett!" Wobbufett said in a salute. Jessie nods, but she quickly got annoyed by Wobbufett's random popping out. She takes out Wobbufett's Pokéball.
"That's the end of our conversation," Jessie said. She calls back her Wobbufett. She turns to James. "James. Now."
"Right," James said, giving a thumbs up. He slolwly approaches Espeon from behind, hoping to cage the Psychic Type Pokémon before Espeon knew what happened.
"Careful. Don't mess this up," Jessie said.
"Uh, okay," James said. He slowly comes closer. "Just. One. More. Step." He raises the cage high above his head, unaware that the group have made it just in time.
"Espeon! Look out!" Sakura shouted. Espeon jumps out of the way, before James could cage her and leaps above Jessie and Meowth and back with her trainer. "Good job, Espeon."
"Peon!" Espeon chirped.
"You morons have a lot of nerve to pull a stunt like this," Sora said.
"The twerps!" Meowth excalimed in shock.
"In the flesh!" James added.
"If you think you can steal back what we stole, then think again," Jessie said.
"We figured if we used Espeon as bait, both your greed and stupidity will lead us right to you and the others," Sora taunted.
"So, once we again, we have outsmarted you. So, how do you like them apples?" Kairi also taunted. Jessie growls in irritation.
"It was a trap! It's just despicable!" Jessie said.
"Looked in the mirror lately?" Sophocles asked.
"You have foiled our plan for the very last time!" Jessie hissed. She takes out her Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Arbok!" James takes out a Pokéball and threw it as well.
"Go! Victreebel!" James called out. Both Pokémon entered the battle, but Victreebel started to chase after James with the intension of chomping on his head again. And Arbok starts dancing upon entry. "Oh no! Not again!" James screams as Victreebel chomps on James's head once more. "This is getting old!" They kicked their Pokémon into battle.
"GO STEAL BACK OUR ESPEON!" Jessie and James shouted. Sora and Kairi take out their Pokéballs and threw them in the air.
"Go! Larvitar!" Sora shouted.
"Go! Marowak!" Kairi shouted.
Both of the couple's Pokémon have entered the battle against Team Rocket.
"Count me in too, guys!" Sakura said. Sora and Kairi nodded.
"Arbok! Poison Sting!" Jessie ordered. Arbok fired Poison Sting.
"Marowak! Bone Club" Kairi ordered. Marowak twirls her bone like a propeller and it blocks out Arbok's attack.
"Victreebel! Razor Leaf!" James ordered. Victreebel fired Razor Leaf.
"Larvitar! Rock Slide!" Sora ordered. Larvitar forms some rocks and sends it right into the leaves. "Now use Dark Pulse!" Larvitar fires Dark Pulse and it strikes the fly catcher Pokémon.
"espeon! Quick Attack! Now!" Sakura ordered. Espeon used her speed attack to run like a cheetah and rams into Victreebel. "Okay now, Swift!" Espeon fires Swift and the stars right into Victreebel. Sakura's sisters were amazed to see how strong Espeon had gotten since she was an Eevee.
"Espeon has gotten a lot stronger," Satsuki said.
"Yeah and so has our Sakura," Sumomo added.
"Arbok! Wrap!" Jessie ordered. Arbok moved in to wrap his body around Larvitar, but Kairi wasn't going to have it.
"Marowak! Headbutt!" Kairi ordered. Marowak slams her head right into Arbok.
"Poison Sting!" Jessie ordered. Arbok fired Poison Sting once again.
"Marowak! Block it Bone Club!" Kairi ordered. Marowak uses her bone as a propellor once again and blocked everyone of the Posion Sting.
"Thanks for the save, Kairi," Sora said.
"Anytime Sora," Kairi said.
"Espeon! Fire your Psybeam!" Sakura ordered. Espeon fired Psybeam and it confuses both Arbok and Victreebel making them confused. The stumble right towards their trainers and Meowth. Jessie and James tried to keep them off of them.
"Wow. Their dancing is improving," Hapu said.
"yeah," Mina said.
"Wanna do the honors, Kairi?" Sora asked. Kairi giggled at the gesture.
"I would," Kairi answered. "Marowak! Headbutt!" Marowak launches herself right towards Team Rocket and their Pokémon, making them hit their balloon. "Your turn, Sora."
"Thanks Kairi. Pikachu! Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu fired Thunderbolt right at their balloon's engine, creating an explosion. Team Rocket goes flying once again.
"Told ya that Pokémon was nothing but bad news," Meowth said.
"Here's some bad news!" Jessie hissed.
"TEAM'S ROCKET'S BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" Team Rocket shouted as they went flying into the distance. A star twinkles afar. Sora throws Meltan's Pokéball and it spots the metal bars.
"Look! Yummy metal bars with your name on em! Eat up!" Sora said. Meltan didn't waste anytime, eating the metal faster than a whip. Once Meltan was finished, it let out a loud burp. "Hey, you should excuse yourself when you burp." Kairi giggled as Meltan rubbed its full belly as the Eeveelutions ran back into the arms of their beloved trainers.
"Oh, Meltan is so very cute rubbing its belly like that," Kairi said. She pokes Meltan on the belly, making it giggle a bit. "You really did great, Sakura said.
"It's all thanks to you and Sora. I'm very grateful to you two," Sakura said.
"Thank you all for all you have done for us," Satsuki said.
"Don't thank us. It's Sakura and Espeon you should be thanking," Sora said.
"You and Espeon were amazing, Sakura," Sumomo said.
"Thank you," Sakura said.
"Well, I guess we kept you under our tutelage long enough," Sora said. She turns with a shocked expression.
"What do you mean? I still have much to learn," Sakura said.
"You do, but just not with us. The rest is going to be up to you," Sora said.
"Sora's right. What you did was prove to us that you are ready for your own Pokémon journey. The way you handled your Espeon against Team Rocket was proof enough," Illima said.
"So to put it to other words," Sora said. He went from his normal voice to Yoda's voice, "No more teaching for you is required. Already what you know, that what you need." He added Yoda's laughter. That made everyone laugh when he did that. "But, seriously, you got everything you need to learn from us."
"He's right, Sakura. We all know you want to go out and see the world," Satsuki said. Sakura looked at her older sister with amazement.
"Really?! I can?!" Sakura asked.
"Mmhm. You're really a big girl now," Satsuki said. She turns to the other sisters. "You all agree, don't you?" They all nod.
"Will you be traveling with Sora, Kairi, and all their friends?" Koume asked.
"That's really up to her," Kairi said.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
"You're right, Kairi. When I met you, I thought of traveling with you, but after learning everything you could teach me from your past experiences, I decided to go alone. I figured that ot'll be best that I went on my own, just so I could learn to take care of myself. You understand, don't you?" Sakura asked.
"Of course," Sumomo said.
Later, Everyone stood outside of Ecruteak City just for the group and Sakura to go their seperate ways.
"Right now, the first Gym I'm hitting is Violet City," Sakura said.
"We're on our way to Mahogany Town," Sora said. Kairi walked up to Sakura.
"Take care of yourself, Sakura," Kairi said. "I'll email you."
"I will too," Sakura said. She and Kairi shook hands, promising each other to meet again someday.
She takes off and she took one last look at her friends and family and she waved to them. They all waved back at her. Sora and Kairi were proud of their friend/former student as she sets off on her own journey. The couple and their friends knew it would be a matter of time before they knew she would turn out to be a rival when they do meet again. Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Togepi, the Pichu, and the Alolan nine have returned to the Pokémon Center for the night. They have set off in the very next morning and their journey have continued despite an extened pitstop, but it was good to meet someone new for a change. And now many new challenges await ahead.