Episode 184: Sora vs Plumeria
Before we get this chapter started, I would like to say that there will be a surprise in store towards the end of the chapter; a surprise so shocking, it will even surprise me. What could that surprise be? Just read it and find out for yourselves.
A few days had passed since Sora and Kairi had met Mallow's older brother Ulu and his fiance Melody and partook in the bread festival. Mallow couldn't be happier to hear that her brother is getting married and she couldn't help but wonder how her father would react to hear this bit of news.
Just when the group was going down further, they suddenly heard a loud scream. Everyone rushed over to see a wild Skarmory attacking a man and a Weepinbell.
"They're in trouble!" Lillie gasped.
"It's agood thing that we're here, because that Skarmory is going to get it!" Sora stated. He turned to his partner. "Go get it, Pikachu!"
"Pika!" Pikachu nodded and went after the armor bird Pokémon. Skarmory was about to swipe down at the man and Weepinbell when Pikachu came and used Iron Tail onto Skarmory's talons. Skarmory didn't like having its attack interuppted by the mouse Pokémon. Skarmory had now set its sights onto Pikachu. Kairi and the Alolan nine went over to the troubled man and Pokémon.
"Are you alright, sir?" Acerola asked.
"I am, thanks to you," the man said.
"Bell, bell," Weepinbell said.
Skarmory dove right down with its talons glowing and heading right towards Pikachu.
"Skarmory is moving in with Metal Claw! Dodge by using Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Pikachu dashed along the ground, making Skarmory miss. "Now use Electro Ball!" Pikachu forms a ball of electricity and hurls it right at Skarmory, but it dodges the attack and dove down to Pikachu again. "Dodge it!" Sora called out. Pikachu dodges again and Skarmory once again misses its target. "Use Thunderbolt!" Pikachu fired a powerful Thunderbolt, shocking Skarmory good. "Now use another Electro Ball!" Pikachu forms a ball of electricity and sends it right at the armor bird Pokémon landing a hit. Skarmory fell to the ground. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it right at the weakened Skarmory. The Pokéball wobbles around fiercelessly. Sora knew it wasn't going to be an easy catch. Kairi, Togepi, the Pichu, and the Alolan nine knew it wasn't going to be easy either. Stars swirls around the Pokéball confirming the catch. His Pokédex starts buzzing asking him if he wants to keep Skarmory with him. He decided to keep Skarmory in exchange for Silvally. "Got myself a Skarmory." Sora went over to the Pokéball containing his latest catch. He went over to the man and his Weepibell. "Any idea why that Skarmory just attack you like that?"
"I wish I knew. That Skarmory just came out of nowhere and attacked the both us. Maybe, it must because we were on its territory. But, I'm just glad you kids came along and saved me," the man said.
"We are too, because there's no telling what would happen if we haven't," Sora said.
"Absolutely," the man agreed. "Thank you very much for saving me and my Weepinbell."
The group took their leave of the man as they continued on their way. A few more days later, the group made it to a nearby town to rest their Pokémon. Kairi came in with something for the two of them; a footlong meatball sandwich and a couple cans of lemonade.
"Hungry Sora?" Kairi asked. Sora smiled and took a can.
"Yep. It was such perfect timing," Sora said. Kairi handed Sora the sandwiches and he used his pocket knife to cut it in half for the two of them. "Here you go, Kairi." He hands one half to his girlfriend.
"Thank you, Sora," Kairi said, taking the half. She took a bite out of hers as Sora took a bite out of his. She took a look over to Sora. "What are you thinking about?"
"A lot of things, Kairi. Mostly about you," Sora admitted. She giggled.
"I think about you too," Kairi said. But, what are you really thinking about?"
"Well, since you see right through me, I guess I would like to say that we should do something fun sometimes. I mean with just the two of us. Also, we still owe Riku and Naminé for that double date," Sora said.
"Yeah, you're right. I mean, it's been quite a while since we just had a night to ourselves," Kairi pointed out. "Pretty much since the Whirl Islands."
"We really have to make plans for that double date the next time we see them," Sora stated.
"I hope so. We could have Pikachu and Eevee babysit Togepi, Azurill, and the Pichu while we're out. And I'm sure, Lillie, Illima, and the others won't mind lending a hand," Kairi said. Sora took a sip of his lemonade.
At the enterance of the Pokémon Center, Terra, Ventus, and Aqua had entered and they started looking around for Sora. Coming in was also a familiar face. It was Plumeria. Her outfit is almost the same, but the only things different about her is she wore a gray bandana with Salazzle patterns on her head, a watch on her right wrist, and matching pants to her bandana. She no longer had her Team Skull necklace, tattoo, and bracelet. And she didn't have her white eyeshadows.
"Are you sure this is where he's going to be?" Plumeria asked.
"He should be on his way to Blackthorn City for his last Gym battle, and you did want to come along with us," Terra said.
"Yes, to battle him," Plumeria stated.
If you're wondering what is Plumeria is doing in the Johto region, then this will be your answer.
(Flashback, just a couple of days after PokéBrawl)
It was almost late at night, Ventus, his family, and his friends were just coming home when they spotted a young woman with yellow and pink hair standing outside their house.
"Is there something I can help you with, miss?" Danny asked.
"Actually, you can," Plumeria said. "I am searching for a Pokémon trainer who goes by the name of Sora Ketchum. I have heard that he has family living here, right?"
"Yes. He is our nephew," Cattleya said.
"Why does Sora interest you so much, um..." Aqua paused.
"The name's Plumeria. I came from the Alola region to search for Sora Ketchum and to battle him," Plumeria bluntly said.
"Well, miss Plumeria, you won't find him here. He's in the Johto region along with his friends. My son and his two friends are planning to head down there tomorrow," Danny said.
"Johto?" Plumeria asked. "Then, that's where I should go," Plumeria said.
"Not tonight. To get there, you will have to head for Saffron City. But, the Magnet Train should be already closed and it's an awful long walk," Danny said.
"I can manage," Plumera said.
"I don't doubt it, but we can't let you go out when it's about to be late. There's a heavy storm heading here," Cattleya said.
"Like I said, I can manage," Plumeria said.
"You should consider staying for the night. I won't take no for an answer," Cattleya told her. Plumeria could see she such kindness in her. It was almost the same kindness she used to give the grunts in Team Skull, in her own way. Plumeria didn't have a choice but to consider the offer.
"Fine. Just as long it's for the night," Plumeria said. Terra and Aqua had gone home, but Plumeria had entered the house. She didn't know what she was thinking about entering the place. She looked around the place and saw how nice it was, and nothing like the hangout she and Guzma had along with Team Skull. She followed Cattleya to the room she'll be staying in and saw some photos of whom she guessed is Sora. She saw happiness on his face while she didn't have a happy childhood. She could only remember her abusive family and how they made feel like she was nothing. Plumeria hated her family so much, she ran away to get away from them. She eventually met Guzma at some point and became a member of Team Skull. Once she arrived to the room she could how it's a real bedroom and not the place her parents placed her in as a child. She could see how small it was, but it was nice. One the very next morning after breakfast, she decided to head off to find Sora. "You mentioned Sora is in the Johto region; then that's where I'm going to go."
"If you want, we can take down to Saffron City since we know the way," Danny offered. Plumeria turned to the family and nodded.
"I would appreciate that," Plumeria said.
Terra and Aqua had come along for the trip as they had arrived in Saffron City aboard the Magnet Train; mostly to watch Ventus. Terra, Ventus, and Aqua were tagging along for the ride to accompany Sora once again since earning the Volcano and Earth Badges and straight up to the Pokémon League. Ventus hugged his mother and father and boarded with Terra, Aqua, and Plumeria to find Sora.
"I can't believe we're finally gonna see Sora again!" Ventus said happily.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Ven. We just need to know where he's at first," Aqua said.
"He should be heading for Blackthorn City for his last Gym battle, so that's where we should start looking," Ventus said.
"He's right, Aqua. He should have earned seven Gym Badges in Johto by now, so that's where we should go," Terra said.
Once they arrived, they given a ride down to the town where PokéBrawl had taken place and headed down to the road in Bakers Town, The man from before along with his Weepinbell had stated he had seen them.
"Oh yes. I had seen this particular group. They came to my aide when a rogue Skarmory had attacked both me and my Weepinbell," the man said. "That boy saved my just by capturing that Pokémon.
"Where did they go after that?" Terra asked.
"They went down in that road," the man pointed in the direction Sora, Kairi, and the rest had gone. "There should be a Pokémon Center in that direction. And I hope you do find him."
"Bell, bell," Weepinbell said.
Getting what they needed, they headed down to the direction they went.
(Present day)
They found Sora and Kairi enjoying their meal together. Ventus went up behind his cousin. Pikachu, Togepi, and the Pichu looked up to see Ventus by he silently shushed them. Ventus then grabs Sora from behind, catching him completely by surprise.
"Hey! What's going on?!" Sora exclaimed. Kairi giggled when she saw who it was.
"Nice to see you, Ven," Kairi said.
"Ven?" Sora asked. Ventus let's go of him and he turns to see his younger cousin. "Ven! It is you! What are you doing here?"
"Just came here to see you, Sora," Ventus said.
"When did you come down here to Johto?" Sora asked.
"Days ago. Just wanted to see you again," Ventus said.
"There is no way your mom and dad would let you come down here all by yourself," Sora stated.
"They didn't," Aqua said, coming up from behind. Sora, Kairi, and Ventus turned to see her. Coming along was Terra and a young woman they are not familiar with. "They sent us along with him."
"Hey Terra, Aqua. Didn't think you and Ven would show up," Sora said. He took a look over to Plumeria. "Um, who is this?"
"My name is Plumeria. And I came all this way to challenge you into a battle," Plumeria stated.
"Plumeria?" Sora asked. Kairi gasped.
"Wait a minute, Sora! She's that Team Skull girl Lillie and the others told us about!" Kairi stated.
"I was with Team Skull, until it had disbanded," Plumeria said.
Sora and Kairi had some serious doubts. The Alolan nine were shocked and surprised to see Plumeria of all people with Terra, Ventus, and Aqua.
"Plumeria?!" Sophocles exclaimed.
"What the hell is she doing here?!" Hapu hissed.
"You don't she tracked us down here just to get revenge on us for Team Skull's disbandment, do you?" Kiawe asked.
"No one jump to conclusions," Illima said. "We really don't know the whole story. We should approach her carefully." Everyone else was skeptical, but they had to trust him. The Alolan nine came up to their friends and Plumeria. She turned to see them.
"I remember all of you. You're some of those Pokémon Schoolkids. I guess the rumors about you traveling around wasn't some wild rumor," Plumeria said.
"We weren't expecting to see you again after so long, Plumeria," Lillie said.
"What are you doing here?" Acerola asked.
"If you're thinking that I came all the way down here, then you've got it all wrong. I didn't even know you were even here; and I had no idea you bunch were hanging with the Pokémon League champion until now," Plumeria said.
"We got some questions to ask you. How did you even get here? And why are you with them?" Sophocles asked, pointing to Terra, Ventus, and Aqua. "I got here by using that train to get to Saffron City to Goldenrod City. Those three tagged along because they said they liked hanging with you."
"When we got home, we found her just standing outside of Ven's house and she said she was looking for Sora," Terra said.
"Danny and Cattleya let her stay for the night since it was so late," Aqua added. "When we got back to the Johto region, we figured you would be heading to Blackthorn City and this Pokémon Center is just on the way there."
"There was a guy on the way over here who told us that he saw you and he told us how you saved him by catching a Skarmory," Ventus said.
"And now that we have come here, I have something to do," Plumeria said. She stood in front of Sora glaring at him. She takes out a Pokéball and points it at him. "I am challenging you to a battle." Sora was at a loss to what was happening.
"Wait a minute. You mean you came all the way out here just to challenge me to a battle?" Sora asked.
"I did, and it was worth it. What do you say, Sora?" Plumeria asked. Sora wasn't sure if he should accept this challenge from the former Team Skull Admin. He knew he couldn't possibly get out of it, so he had to accept.
"Okay Plumeria. Since you came all this way, then I'll have to take you up on that offer," Sora said. "How do you wanna do this?"
"A five-on-six battle. Outside of the Pokémon Center. I'll be waiting for you," Plumeria said. She steps outside of the Pokémon Center.
"You should be careful when you battle against her, Sora. Plumeria is a real tough aooponent," Lillie said.
"Something I should know?" Sora asked.
"Plumeria specializes with Poison Types. She's not someone you should take too lightly," Kiawe warned.
"Sora, are you sure you wanna do this?" Kairi asked.
"She did come here to challenge me and I should consider it. Also, five against six sounds pretty challenging, so let's see how that goes," Sora said. Sora went up to Nurse Joy and picked up his Pokémon as did Kairi Terra, Ventus, Aqua, the Pokémon, and the Alolan nine. The group stepped outside and went to the battlefield just outside.
"I've been waiting for you, Sora," Plumeria said. "I almost started to think yu weren't gonna come at all," Plumeria said.
"I never turn away from a challenge, Plumeria," Sora stated.
"I didn't think you were. But, if Guzma were here instead of me, he would have thought that about you," Plumeria said. "In case you've forgotten, we use six Pokémon each and the battle's over if none of our Pokémon can battle no longer."
"I haven't forgotten and that's a deal," Sora said. Both trainers got ready for their battle and chose their first Pokéballs. "Ill go first! Go! Skarmory!" The Pokéball opens and Skarmory comes right out with a loud cry.
"Go! Gengar!" Plumeria shouted. The Pokéball opens and out comes her Gengar.
"Sora has made a smart move sending out a Steel Type since Poison Type attacks should have no effect on them," Terra said.
"You're right, but I don't think she's too worried about that," Kiawe said.
"Gengar! Shadow Ball!" Plumeria ordered. Gengar fired Shadow Ball and hurled it right towards the armor bird Pokémon.
"Skarmory! Dodge and use Metal Claw!" Sora ordered. Skarmory flew above Shadow Ball and dove right down right at the ghostly Pokémon. Skarmory swipes her claws right at Gengar. "Now use Steel Wing!" Skarmory's metallic wings glows and heads towards Gengar.
"Dodge and use Dark Pulse!" Plumeria ordered. Gengar avoids Skarmory's attack just by floating in the air and she misses her mark. "Use Dazzling Gleam!" Gengar creates a rainbow sphere and hurls it right at Skarmory. The attack strikes Skarmory on the mark.
"She took a pretty bad hit," Kairi said.
"Normally, a Fairy Type attack shouldn't be able to much damage on a Steel Type like Skarmory," Lillie said.
"Gengar! Use another Dark Pulse!" Plumeria ordered.
"Dodge and move in with Steel Wing!" Sora ordered. Skarmory moved in to deliever a blow to Gengar. Skarmory landed a blow onto Gengar. "Now use Night Slash!" Skarmory flew towards Gengar and landed a critical blow onto Gengar. The shadow Pokémon fell to the ground and out of exhaustion. Plumeria calls back her fallen Gengar.
"Not bad, Sora. You're better than I thought you were," Plumeria said, taking out her next Pokéball. "But this one is now walk in the park as you'll see. Go! Muk!" She threw her Pokéball and out comes an Alolan Muk. Sora calls back his Skarmory and takes out Feraligatr's Pokéball.
"Go! Feraligatr!" Sora shouted. He threw the Pokéball and Feraligatr comes out and pumps its muscles upon entry.
"Muk! Use Toxic!" Plumeria ordered. Muk fired a purple fluid right at Feraligatr.
"Dodge it!" Sora called out. Feraligatr avoids the purple fluid and it starts bubbling.
"Toxic again! Keep firing until you land a hit!" Plumeria called out. Muk kept firing Toxic again and again and Feraligatr kept avoiding the attack. One of them lands a hit on Feraligatr. He got badly poisoned. "Now fire Venoshock!" Muk fires a stream of purple, poisonous liquid from its Feraligatr, causing heavy damage.
"What just happened?!" Ventus asked.
"That Venoshock happened," Lana said.
"It causes heavy damage when the target is poisoned," Lillie said.
"Looks like Sora is going to have a hard time with this Muk," Acerola said.
"Now use Poison Fang!" Plumeria ordered. Muk moved in with its fangs glowing purple and coming for the poisoned big jaw Pokémon.
"Superpower!" Sora ordered. Feraligatr's body gives off a light blue glow and heads towards the Alolan Muk and lands a devastating blow on it. "Now use Slash!" Feraligatr swipes at Muk while the poison was taking its toll on Feraligatr, sapping his stamina.
"Muk!" Brick Break!" Plumeria ordered. Muk headed right towards Feraligatr to land another hit.
"Use another Superpower!" Sora ordered. Feraligatr heads towards Muk to land a hit. Both Pokémon lands a hit and both go down for the count, earning a double knockout. Sora and Plumeria calls back their fallen Pokémon. "You're pretty good, Plumeria."
"Same to you, Sora," Plumeria said. She took out another Pokéball. "Go! Crobat!" Plumeria threw it and her Crobat comes right out.
"Crobat, huh? I can take to the skies too!" Sora said, taking out Noctowl's Pokéball. "Go for it, Noctowl!" The Pokéball opens and stars swirls around Noctowl upon entry.
"So, you got yourself a Shiny Noctowl, huh? Gotta hand it to you, that's a pretty impressive Pokémon, your Noctowl is no match for my Crobat," Plumeria said.
"We'll see about that. Noctowl! Wing Attack!" Sora ordered. Noctowl flew towards Crobat with his wings out and glowing white.
"Crobat! You use Cross Poison!" Plumeria ordered. Crobat forms blades of poison and heads towards Noctowl. Both Flying Types clashed wings with each other and flew. They both turned around to land another hit to one another. "Use Poison Fang!"
"Noctowl! Use Psychic!" Sora ordered. Noctowl's eyes and eyebrow tufts glows light blue and stops Crobat in its tracks. Noctowl sends Crobat down onto the ground. Crobat was down and out.
"Sora's Noctowl is much stronger than I remember," Terra said.
"Yeah," Mina said.
"Noctowl must have been in Flying races with some of Sora's other Flying Types at home and doing some other exercises," Kiawe said. Plumeria takes out another Pokéball and threw it.
"It's your turn, Toxapex!" Plumeria called out as she threw her Pokéball. The Pokéball opens and her Toxapex comes right out and it snarls upon entry.
"Whao! A Toxapex!" Lana said, shuddering.
"Those are some scary Pokémon to be around. Them and Mareanie," Lillie said.
"Anything scary about them?" Ventus asked.
"Marenie and Toxapex are very poisonous Pokémon. Not only that, but they're the natural predators of Corsola," Lana said.
"Well, I know I wouldn't want to be a Corsola when meeting up with that Pokémon," Aqua said.
"Me neither," Mallow said.
"You still good to go, Noctowl?" Sora asked. Noctowl hoots in response. "Great! Psychic!" Noctowl's eyebrow tufts glows blue along with his eyes.
"Toxapex! Baneful Bunker!" Plumeria ordered. Toxapex curls its tentacles inward and Noctowl's Psychic had no effect.
"What was that?" Ventus asked.
"It's Baneful Bunker; it's Toxapex's signature attack. It protects itself from any attacks," Lillie explained. "But it also poisons the attacker if the attack is direct.
"It's a good thing he didn't have Noctowl attack Toxapex directly, otherwise, that would have been bad for Noctowl," Terra said.
"Toxapex! Use Liquidation!" Plumeria ordered. Toxapex forms a blade out of water and comes towards Noctowl.
"Dodge and use Wing Attack!" Sora ordered. Noctowl avoided Toxapex's attack and moved right in to deliver the blow. She grins because that was what she wanted him to do.
"Baneful Bunker!" Plumeria ordered. Toxapex curls up again and Noctowl struck the tentacles, not only having his attack bounce off, but ended up with a poison blowback. Noctowl was now poisoned.
"Now it's bad," Kiawe said.
"Toxapex! Use Poison Jab!" Plumeria ordered. Toxapex jumped and used one of its tentacles to land a hard-hitting blow onto the owl Pokémon. Noctowl fell to the ground beaten.
"No way," Sora said in disbelief.
"Your Noctowl may have taken down my Crobat, but Toxapex took down your Noctowl as payback," Plumeria said. Sora calls back his Noctowl and he rethinks his plan.
"Pikachu is the best bet against Toxapex since it's a Water Type, but the problem is if I use Quick Attack or Iron Tail on it, I'll just end up poisoning Pikachu by mistake. The same can be said for Meganium and Typhlosion. But I can go with Skarmory," Sora said in his thoughts. He takes out Skarmory's Pokéball and threw it. He shouts out, "Olay Skarmory! Back to action!" The Pokéball opens and Skarmory lets out a loud cry upon entry. Skarmory flew across the sky for a bit before landing back into position.
"Sora's sending Skarmory back out?" Sophocles asked.
"Sora knows poison won't effect Skarmory, so he's sending Skarmory back out," Aqua said.
"Toxapex! Liquidation!" Plumeria ordered. Toxapex forms a blade of water again and heads towards the armored bird Pokémon.
"Steel Wing!" Sora ordered. Skarmory smacks Toxapex with her wing and it fell to the ground. The brutal star Pokémon was down, but not out. "Now use Sky Attack!" Skarmory's entire body starts glowing, building up energy.
"Get ready, Toxapex," Plumeria said. Toxapex awaited for the moment for Skarmory to fire the attack. Kairi, Terra, Ventus, Aqua, the Pokémon, and the Alolan nine watched anxiously for Skarmory to launch the attack. Skarmory charges towards Toxapex in an orange and gold aura. "Baneful Bunker!" Toxapex curls its tentacles again to protect itself, but Skarmory came too fast and landed a successful hit. Toxapex fell onto the ground, knocked out from the attack.
"Way to go, Skarmory!" Sora praised his newest Pokémon. Plumeria calls back Toxapex and smiles.
"Not too bad, Sora," Plumeria said. "You took out four of my Pokémon and I now only have one left to use," Plumeria said.
"Lillie and the others warned me how good you are and they weren't kidding. You're really giving it to me," Sora said. Plumeria smiled.
"So are you. What you're in for is gonna give you such a burn; and she's going to get the job done," Plumeria said, taking out her last Pokéball. "Go! Salazzle!" She threw her Pokéball and her Salazzle hisses upon entry.
"I knew she was saving her Salazzle for last. Now he's going to be in a real squeeze," Illima said.
"Poison Types attacks won't effect Skarmory because she's a Steel Type Pokémon," Ventus pointed out.
"That's true, Ven. But Salazzle has an ability known as Corrosion, it can poison any Types; even Steel and Poison Types," Lillie said.
"What I'm more worried about is Skarmory's weakness to fire since Salazzle is a Fire Type Pokémon too," Kairi pointed out.
"Yeah," Mina agreed.
"Kairi is right. That Salazzle does look like a deadly opponent to fight. Also, her Salazzle is even stronger than Sora's Salazzle," Terra said.
Knowing of the Type disadvantage, he calls back Skarmory. He knew that he would have better luck with Feraligatr if he didn't get knocked out along with Muk. Meganium would obviously be a bad choice; so he had to go with Pikachu or Typhlosion. He looked over to Pikachu.
"How about it, Pikachu? You up for it?" Sora asked.
"Pika!" Pikachu nodded.
"Go for it!" Sora said. His partner entered the battlefield up against Salazzle. "Pikachu! Thunderbolt!" Pikachu fired Thunderbolt right at the toxic lizard Pokémon to land a hit. Plumeria wasn't too worried.
"Salazzle! Dragon Claw!" Plumeria ordered. Salazzle charges towards Pikachu with her claws giving off a dragonish aura. Salazzle dodges Pikachu's Thunderbolt and gave the mouse Pokémon a swipe of her claw. "Now use Flamethrower!" Salazzle fired Flamethrower right at Pikachu.
"Dodge it with Quick Attack!" Sora called out. Pikachu manages to dodge Flamethrower, but Salazzle kept firing Flamethrower right at the mouse Pokémon again and again. "Move in with Iron Tail!" Pikachu jumps in the air and swung his tail as it gave off a metallic glow. Pikachu brings his tail down, but Salazzle catches Pikachu by the tail. Sora gasped as did Kairi, Ventus, Togepi, and the Pichu.
"Pikachu!" Kairi gasped.
"Toge, Toge!" Togepi also gasped.
"Pichu!" The Pichu chirped.
"Now give Pikachu a toss in the air!" Salazzle tosses Pikachu into the air. "Now use Sludge Wave!" Salazzle sends out a wave of sludge and it struck Pikachu and he was down for the count. Ventus went up to Pikachu.
"You okay, Pikachu?" Ventus asked.
"Pika, Pi," Pikachu said weakly. He picked Pikachu up in his arms.
"Sora, I'll look after Pikachu if you want me to," Ventus said. Sora didn't have any objections to his cousin's good intentions.
"Go ahead, Ven. I trust you," Sora said. He smiled and rejoined the others. He took out Typhlosion's Pokéball and he threw it. "Your turn, Typhlosion!" The Pokéball opens and Typhlosion's flames burns intensely upon entry. "Typhlosion! Swift!" Typhlosion fired Swift right right Salazzle. The stars had struck Salazzle hard. It wasn't enough to bring her down.
"Salazzle! Sludge Wave!" Plumeria ordered. Sallazzle fires Sludge Wave right towards the volcano Pokémon.
"Dodge it with Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Typhlosion used his speed attack to avid Salazzle's attack. "Now use Flame Wheel!" Typhlosion rolls into a huge ball of fire and heads right toawrds Salazzle.
"Dodge and use Dragon Claw!" Plumeria ordered. Salazzle ran towards Typhlosion and swipes at him. Typhlosion stops rolling and fell over on the ground. Typhlosion had been knocked out. Sora calls back Typhlosion and now he had two left to use; and both are weak against Fire Types. He takes out Skarmory's Pokéball and threw it.
"Skarmory! Back to action!" Sora shouted and Skarmory comes back out to battle. Salazzle's ability kicks in and Skarmory had became poisoned. "Not good." He had to end this quickly. "Skarmory! Metal Claw!" Sora ordered. Skarmory dove down at Salazzle with her talons.
"Salazzle! Dodge and use Flamethrower!" Plumeria ordered. Salazzle fired FLamethrower and the attack makes contact with the armor bird Pokémon, causing her to turn red from the heat. "Now use Dragon Claw!" Salazzle swipes at Skarmory, knocking her out. Sora calls back his fallen Skarmory. "Now you have one left to use." Sora knew she was right. Meganium is weak against both Fire and Poison Types, but he knew it was a risk he had to take. He takes out Meganium's Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Meganium!" Sora shouted. The Pokéball opens and Meganium ermerges from her Pokéball.
"So, it's a Grass Type Pokémon against my Salazzle? You can't be serious. You know your Meganium is weak against fire and poison, don't you?" Plumeria reminded him.
"I know. But, it's not like I have a choice here. And I'm going to do my best to win this!" Sora said, getting determined. Plumeria could see how serious he sounded.
"Then so shall I," Plumeria said. "Salazzle! Dragon Claw!" Plumeria ordered. Salazzle ran towards Meganium to swipe at her.
"Meganium! Body Slam!" Sora ordered. Meganium waited for Salazzle to get closer and she slams her body into Salazzle.
"Salazzle! Flamethrower!" Plumeria ordered. Salazzle fired Flamethrower right at Salazzle, forcing her off. "Now use Dragon Pulse!" Salazzle sends Dragon Pulse right at the herb Pokémon.
"Dodge and use Petal Blizzard!" Sora ordered. Meganium fires a flurry of flower petals everywhere.
"Salazzle! Slude Wave!" Plumeria ordered. Salazzle fires Sludge Wave and it collides with Petal Blizzard. "Now use Dragon Claw!" Salazzle charges right towards Meganium to land a hit.
"Meganium! Vine Whip!" Sora ordered. Meganium smacks Salazzle with her vines. "Now use Headbutt!" Meganium charges towards Salazzle to land a hit.
"Salazzle! Dodge it!" Plumeria called out. Salazzle dodges Meganiukm's attack just by jumping out of the way. "Now use Flamethrower!" Salazzle fires Flamethrower agai and it hits Meganium on the spot. Plumeria was certain she won, but she was surprised to see her opponent's Meganium was still standing. "How is it still standing? That Meganium should have been unable to battle after taking that hit. How tough is that Pokémon?"
"I can't believe it. Meganium just held on just like that," Aqua said.
"It doesn't surprise us since Meganium has an extremely stubborn streak," Hapu said.
"And the way it's going, it'll go either way," Kiawe said.
"Call me crazy, I think Plumeria is enjoying this," Acerola said. Everyone all looked at Plumeria and saw she was smiling.
"You're right, Acerola. She is enjoying this," Illima stated.
"Salazzle! Use another Flamethrower!" Plumeria ordered. Salazzle fires Flamethrower once again and the stream of fire heads its way towards Meganium. Sora saw that coming.
"Dodge it, Meganium!" Sora called out. Meganium narrowly avoids Salazzle's Flamthrower by swaying to the right. Salazzle kept firing and Meganium sways to the left. Salazzle tried again and Maganium jumped out of the way, using her entire weight. "Fire Petal Blizzard!" Meganium once again lets out a blizzard of flower petals. Plumeria thought it had to be some kind ploy, but she doesn't realize Sora had her trapped now.
"What is he trying to do? Is he trying to throw me off just by using those flower petals to distract me? Whatever it is, it won't work," Plumeria said in her thoughts. The whole battlefield became completely covered with flower petals. Meganium used them as a cover to sneak up behind the toxic lizard Pokémon. She shouted out loud, "Salazzle! Use your Dragon Pulse to blow all of those petals out of the way!" Salazzle uses her Dragon Pulse to successfully blow the petals away, ceasing the blizzard of petals. She saw Meganium was just in range for attack. "Behind you!"
"Headbutt!" Sora ordered. Meganium landed her headbutt onto Salazzle when she turned her head too late. "Now use Vine Whip!" Meganium wraps her vines around Salazzle and swings her up into the air and slams Salazzle down onto the ground. Kairi, the Pokémon, Terra, Ventus, and Aqua watches anxiously to see if her Salazzle can keep going after taking that assault. Salazzle manages to get back up on her feet and lets out a loud cry. Plumeria grinned to see her prized Pokémon is still able to keep going, but she was disappointed to see that Salazzle had fallen back down to the ground after taking that last slam onto the ground. It was clear to see Sora had won the battle.
"No way. I just lost," Plumeria said in shock.
"Way to go, Sora!" Ventus praised his cousin. "I knew you could do it!"
His friends had come to congragulate him and Plumeria went up to Salazzle and helped her on her feet.
"Are you okay, Salazzle? You're not too hurt to move, are you?" Plumeria asked compassionatley. Salazzle responed that she was doing okay. She turns from her trainer disappointed that she had lost to a Grass Type Pokémon like Meganium. "Don't feel bad. You battled hard for me and that's what's important. You and the others always do yur best. And I couldn't be any prouder." Salazzle felt warm to seeing her trainer smile and shared a hug between Pokémon and trainer. She calls Salazzle back into her Pokéball and went oer to Sora. "Not bad, Sora. I knew you a tough kid, but you're even tougher than I thought." She held out her hand only for Sora to shake it.
"Thanks Plumeria. I gotta admit, you almost had me," Sora said.
"Yes, I did," Plumeria agreed. "I can easily see how hard you've work to be a top-notch trainer."
"If you ever wanna have a rematch with me sometimes, then I would be looking forward to it," Sora said. She smiled.
"I'll hold you up to that promise, Sora," Plumeria said. She and Sora had checked their Pokémon into the Pokémon Center to have them healed up. Plumeria had joined the group for some dinner. As they ate, she shared some stories about her training since Team Skull had disbanded. "After Guzma had disbanded Team Skull, many of us went our seperate ways. He began his solo training in the Hoenn region and I went on some solo training of my own. I left Alola and headed down into the Sinnoh region to get started. I met and battled all sorts of trainers and Pokémon along the way."
"I had no idea Guzma had gone to some solo training after that," Kiawe said.
"Just how did you hear about Sora to begin with?" Hapu asked.
"It started with some rumors about his strength. I then saw it on TV when I was passing by one day on the Indigo Plateau was broadcasting one of his battles. I saw how tough he was and I saw amazed by his resolve. When I arrived in Kanto several days ago, I started asking some people around about him and there were some people who said that they met you. One of the clues I had gotten was that he had relatives living in Porta Vista and you know the rest," Plumeria explained.
"You came all this way just to battle me, why?" Sora asked.
"I just wanted to have a taste of your power and it looks like I have gotten more thatn I thought I would," Plumeria said. "The way you battled, the way you handled your Pokémon despite them having most of them taken down, I can see how strong you are. And if it was Guzma, he would have underestimated you the same way he did Riku. And the same way that I did the first time."
"How was it when Riku battled Guzma?" Sora asked.
"Guzma thought he was going to find an easy win with that Eevee of his, but he was caught off guard by how tough he was. Our battle only reminded me of that battle," Plumeria said. Sora was impressed how he was able to take on the boss of Team Skull and win it. But he didn't doubt that Riku had to lose to him for the first time and get better the next time. Plumeria had concluded her tale, the group all shared their sorties beginning with Sora and Kairi from day one. The Alolan nine all shared how they met Sora and Kairi when they went to see Riku. Plumeria wasn't surprised to hear Sora had lost to Riku in the first round. They left out their interdimensional experiences since they knew she wouldn't buy it. Kairi asked Sora to access his Pokédex and she had exchanged Seel, Sunflora, Hoppip, Steenee, and Sentret for Raichu, Abra, Jigglypuff, Rockruff, and Miltank.
Not too far, two shadowy figures, one being a man and the other being a woman are walking through the woods. We take a much closer look and we see that the man has short black hair and amber eyes and he had a wore small glasses. He wore a white shirt and a dark blue jacket along with dark blue pants and brown shoes while the woman was a spitting image of Kairi; she had the same eye and hair color as she did. She wore a white blouse and a light blue long skirt. She wore light tan open toe shoes. As they kept walking down, she looked down to the ground and gave a sad sigh. The man turned around and took notice.
"Mirei?" The mas asked. She looked right at him. "Are you feeling okay? You seem rather down."
"I am down. I just feel so guilty having to lie about being dead for all these years. I know I have said this many times, but I just can't get over this awful feeling. Having to disappear out of our daughter's life when she was just a baby," Mirei said, starting to cry. "How much longer do we have to be in hiding, Yuta?" The man went up to her and gave her a warm hug.
"I understand, Mirei. And you're right. What we did was unforgivable, but you know we had to fake our deaths to take down Jakira from the shadows. We had to leave her with your mother to protect her," Yuta said. "Jakira may be dead, but we can't take any chances."
"I do know. But still," Mirei said, still crying. Yuta placed his hands on her shoulders. And he looked into her eyes with so much compassion and the same that she was looking into his.
"When we do contact your mother again, we'll face the consequences together. I can't promise that our daughter will forgive us and welcome us back into her life with opened arms, but what I can promise that we will do our best. We always do," Yuta said. Mirei smiles as her sorrow is replaced with joy. She cries happily.
"Oh Yuta," she hugs him tightly. "I do love you very much."
"I love you too, Mirei," Yuta said. They kiss each other with so much passion and lasted for a couple of minutes. They stopped kissing to catch their breaths. Mirei took out a photo and smiles as the couple looked right at the photo together. It was a shot of Kairi's grandmother along with Yuta and Mirei. Yuta had his arm aound Mirei's shoulder while Mirei is holding Kairi as a baby in her arms.
"I can't help but wonder how beautiful she grew," Mirei said.
"I'm thinking the same thing, dear. I'm wondering she is a Pokémon trainer or something," Yuta said.
"I wish I could just see her again," Mirei said. She held the photo close to her heart. "I wish I could see her right now with my own eyes."
Little does she realize that she's going to her wish sooner than she expected. They continued their way through the woods, unaware of a pair of red eyes peeking in thin air. The eyes turns to belong to a wondering Misdreavus. It decides to follow them and see where they were heading. As they entered the Pokémon Center, they saw a group of kids walking up to the counter. They decided to wait their turn.
"How are my Pikachu and other Pokémon doing, Nurse Joy?" Sora asked.
"They're doing much fine. They just to have themselves a goodnight sleep," Nurse Joy said. She turned to Plumeria. "And yours as well."
"Thank you," Plumeria said.
"That battle you shared was close. But I knew you would pull through," Kairi said.
"I know you will, Kairi," Sora said. Yuta and Mirei's ears perked when they heard their daughter's name. When she turned, they knew right away that it was indeed their only daughter. They saw that she was holding a Togepi in her arms. "I can't thinkof a day you hadn't."
"And that day will never come," Kairi said smiling. Sora smiled at his girlfriend. Her parents couldn't believe what they were seeing. Tears fill up their eyes and she's even more beautiful than they had thought.
"Yuta, are you seeing what I'm seeing?" Mirei asked.
"I am seeing it. It's her. It's really her," Yuta said.
They walked up to the group and they all turned to see them. The Alolan nine were off guard when they saw them. Sora was just as lost, but Kairi got wide-eyed when she saw them both.
"Can we help you with something?" Mallow asked. They didn't answer when they looked into each other. Kairi didn't know how to react. Lillie turned to her.
"Kairi, are you okay?" Lillie asked.
"It can't be," Kairi said. "There's no way."
"Kairi. I can't believe it. It's really you," Mirei said. "Look how you've grown."
"It has been such a long time, Kairi," Yuta said. Sora looked over to his girlfriend and saw the tension in her.
"Mom? Dad?" Kairi asked.
I bet you didn't see that coming, did you? Kairi's parents (or they say they are) had appeared before her after all these years. How will she take the news? What kind of story will they share with her, Sora, and the rest of the group? Just wait and you'll see in the next chapter.