Episode 188: Nothing to Sneasel At
Several hours had come and gone and the group had decided to make a stop for the night. Kairi, Mirei, and Mallow decided to make a meal for everyone, since Mirei wanted to see how her cooking would do to please her and Yuta. Elsewhere, Sora and Yuta decided to have some time to themselves. For one thing, Sora and Yuta were playing catch with each other.
"That's quite an arm you've got there, Sora," Yuta said, cathing the ball.
"You're not so bad yourself," Sora said. "Comes in handy when you get into some Pokémon battles."
"I'll say it does," Yuta said. "I said the exact same thing to my old man when I was just about your age." He throws the ball back at Sora and he catches it.
"And I can bet you were such an ace when training Pokémon," Sora said. He throws the ball and Yuta catches it.
"Oh yeah. I was such a hard nut to crack in my younger days," Yuta said. Not many would take me down so easiliy. And I can't tell you how many trainers I battled over the years." Yuta throws the ball and Sora catches it.
"I could tell you the same thing," Sora said. "I met some pretty tough trainers in my travels with Kairi." He throws it to Yuta.
"Why don't you try one," Yuta said. He throws it right to Sora and he catches it.
"Well, there was this one kid named Tai who I met in Saffron City and he was a real toughie," Sora said. He throws it to Yuta and he chuckles.
"I don't doubt it. Did you win or did you lose that battle?" Yuta asked. He throws it to Sora.
"I almost lost to him. He had a Charizard with red stripes and two Dragonite; one being regularly colored and one Shiny," Sora said, throwing the ball.
"A Charizard and two Dragonite, now those are some tough opponents. How did you win against them?" Yuta asked, throwing the ball. He catches.
"I had my Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle battle them and they all evolved all at once. And they took them down in a huge combo attack," Sora explained, throwing the ball.
"I bet Tai didn't see that coming," Yuta said. He caught the ball. He then threw it back to Sora aand he caught it.
"I was just as surprised. The same can be said for Kairi, Lillie, and even to the others. Tai's little sister and their friends were just as surprised and impressed," Sora stated, throwing the ball.
"When was the last time you saw this Tai kid?" Yuta asked. He threw the ball. Sora caught it.
"It was during PokéBrawl, a short time before we met you," Sora said. "He and I have a friendly rivalry." Sora threw it and Yuta caught it again.
"I can bet," Yuta said, throwing the ball. Sora caught it. "Anyway Sora, I would like to know. How hard it was to live you life without knowing your dad?" Yuta threw it and Sora caught it and he looked down to the ground.
"Not easy when you put it, but I managed okay," Sora said, throwing the ball.
"I didn't mean to ask, I was just curious," Yuta said. Yuta threw the ball.
"It's okay," Sora said, catching the ball. "My mom is always happy when I was born." He threw the ball.
"Just how did she react when you told her about being together with Kairi?" Yuta asked, catching the ball. He threw the ball again.
"When I told her, she was so happy, she started crying," Sora said. "She treated Kairi like the daughter she never had." Sora threw the ball to Yuta and he caught it.
"And I can guess it's like that with my mother-in-law," Yuta said, throwing the ball. Sora caught it.
"It was exactly that. I have got tell you, she made me feel so welcomed just like my aunt and uncle did," Sora said, throwing the ball. Yuta caught it.
"I'm glad. Sounds to me, that you come from a line of very good people. People who makes my daughter feel so loved and welcomed," Yuta said, throwing the ball and Sora caught it.
"It sure does," Sora said. He threw the ball once last time, before Yuta caught it and walked up to Sora. He places his hand on his shoulder.
"Once is never enough for me and Mirei, so I want to say thank you for taking such good care of Kairi for us. I'm glad that you're her boyfriend," Yuta said.
"And I'm glad to meet you," Sora said. He smiles and rubs his head once again. They returned to the group with everyone already waiting for them. Their dinner happens to be some beef stew with some buttermilk biscuits.
"Now, here are our two husky men. How was your game of catch?" Mirei asked.
"Sora and I had fun," Yuta said.
"Loads of fun," Sora agreed. Mirei laughed along with Kairi.
"It's good to see you two get along so well," Mirei said.
"It's almost like the two of you have just become best friends in just a short time," Kairi added.
"That's one of putting it," Sora and Yuta both said in unison. They looked at each when they both said the same thing. They both shared a laugh. They put their arms around each other. Mirei was in tears seeing her husband get along with Sora so well.
"Oh, just seeing this is enough to make me so very happy. I want Sora to be my son-in-law so bad," Mirei said in her thoughts. She began to imagine the two of them with grandchildren and they were all laughing and smiling. Kairi turned to her mother and she tugged her arm.
"Mom?" Kairi asked. Mirei turned to Kairi. "What were you just smiling about?"
"Just about happy things," Mirei simply said. Kairi decided to go with that since she did looked so happy when she put it. "Now, everyone eat up before this gets cold."
Not needing to be told a second time, everyone began to eat up and they all knew where Kairi had gotten her talent for cooking came from. Once everyone had eaten their fill and cleaned up, they all got settled for bed. Sora, Pikachu, and the Pichu were fortunate to share a tent with Kairi and her parents. The couples kissed each other goodnight and slept soundly. Yuta slept between Sora and Kairi and she slept between her parents.
The very next morning after a good hearty breakfast, Sora, Kairi, the Pokémon, Yuta, Mirei, Terra, Ventus, Aqua, and the Alolan nine continued their way to Blackthorn City when a Meganium pokes its head out from some bushes. This Meganium had longer antennae than Sora's Meganium.
"Meganium!" The Meganium said. Everyone stopped and saw the Meganium coming towards them.
"It's a Meganium," Mallow said. The Meganium smiled and nuzzles Sora and Kairi.
"I think he's acting like he knows you," Yuta said.
"You sure? I don't think we met this one before," Sophocles said.
"Ganium!" The Meganium said.
"Meganium! Where are you?" A familiar girl's voice called out. It turns out it belonged to Casey. "There you are, Meganium. Why did you rush off like that?" Casey stopped when she saw the group of familiar faces. "Hey! Sora, Kairi, Lillie, Illima, Mallow, Kiawe, Lana, Sophocles, Acerola, Mina, Hapu! It's so good to see you again!"
"You too, Casey!" Sora said.
"It has been a while," Illima said.
"Still a die-hard fan of the Electabuzz team, aren't you?" Sophocles asked.
"You know it, Sophocles," Casey said.
"Hey, I know you. You're that one girl we saw when me and my family came here for a vacation," Ventus said.
"Um, do I know you?" Casey asked.
"No, but we saw you battling that one time," Aqua said.
"And your Meganium was just a Bayleef by the time," Terra added. Casey looked between Sora and Ventus and saw a bit of a similarity.
"Is this kid your little brother, Sora?" Casey asked.
"No. This is Ventus, my cousin," Sora said.
"Call me Ven!" Ventus said.
"It's good to meet you again, Ven," Casey said.
"My name is Terra," he introduced himself.
"And I'm Aqua," she introduced.
"My name is Casey and this Meganium," Casey introduced.
"Gainium!" Meganium said.
She turned to see the two adults with the group.
"Who are they?" Casey asked.
"Casey, this is my mom and dad; Yuta and Mirei. Mom, dad, this is Casey. She's one of the Pokémon trainers we met when we came to the Johto region," Kairi introduced.
"It's so very nice to meet you, Casey," Mirei said.
"It's always to meet the friends of our daughter," Yuta added.
"Back at the both of you," Casey said. She turned to Sora. "So Sora, how many Gym Badges did you win so far?"
"Seven. We're heading down to Blackthorn City for my last Gym battle," Sora said. "You?"
"Six. And I just need two more," Casey said.
"Good to know you're well on your way," Lillie said.
"The same for Sora. I just wasn't expecting to bump into again out here," Casey said.
"Neither were we," Sora said.
"What brings you out here?" Lana asked.
"Just looking for an Elekid, since they live in this area. And when I find one, I'm adding it to my team and we can cheer for the Electabuzz full-heartily!" Casey said.
"I can see your love for yellow and striped Pokémon hasn't changed," Kiawe said.
"Nope! My Beedrill has gone through for me since we saw each other at the Bug Catching Contest! How about you?" Casey asked.
"We've been through a whole lot since the last time we saw you," Kairi said.
"And we met and battled different kinds of Pokémon too," Acerola said.
"Yeah," Mina said. Casey saw the two Pichu with them and smiled.
"I see what you guys mean. Say, you haven't seen any Elekid around here, have you?" Casey asked.
"Sorry Casey, we haven't," Hapu said. Casey hung her head in defeat.
"I should have guessed that would be too easy," Casey said. They then heard some rustling in some nearby bushes.
"Hey, what was that?" Ventus asked. Terra kept Ventus back, remembering the Pinsir incident.
"Keep your distance, Ven," Terra said.
Out of the bushes came out an ELekid and it spun around its arms.
"An Elekid!" Ventus beamed.
"Oh yeah! Just what I was looking for! Go! Meganium!" Casey called out and Meganium charges towards Elekid. "Meganium! Start up with your Seed Bomb!" Meganium fired a seed right at Elekid and it dodges the attack. "Use Magical Leaf!" Meganium fired Magical Leaf and Elekid blocks it with Thunder Punch. "Meganium! Fire your Solar Beam!" Meganium builds up some energy to fire at the wild Elekid. Elekid charges towards Meganium with its arms spinning around to pummel Meganium, but Elekid was too late, because Meganium fired Solar Beam and it struck the electric Pokémon and fell to the ground. "Home run!" Casey took out a Pokéball and threw it at the weakened Elekid and it flows inside it. The Pokéball wobbles around and Casey anxiously waited for the capture to be successful. Stars swrils around the Pokéball and she went up to pick up the Pokéball cotaining her latest catch. "Oh yeah! That was a grand slam! I caught Elekid!"
"That was a pretty good catch, Casey!" Sora said.
"Thanks Sora. That means a lot," Casey said. "And since you're heading for the Blackthorn City Gym, how about I sing you a jingle just to show you support!"
"You don't have to do that, Casey," Sora said, but it was too late, because she began to sing it.
(Casey)
We all Electabuzz, there's no greater team's the same!
The players all charge the field and they all electrify the game!
They pitch, and catch, and bunt so quick, their faithful bats are thunder sticks!
They're power hitters, so they do the trick, the Electabuzz always make the hit!
We all love their yellow color and their black stripes are the best!
Electabuzz, they're better than the rest!
Yay!
The group couldn't help but smile.
"That quite's a song," Sora said.
"You're really such a dedicated fan since how well that came out," Yuta said.
"And good luck in your Gym battle, Casey," Sora said.
"Thanks Sora! And you too! And I might see you in the Johto Pokémon League!" Casey said.
They all said their goodbyes to Casey and continued on their way. The group eventually reached the Ice Path.
"And here it is. The Ice Path," Illima said, checking the guidebook.
"And no wonder it's called that. I'm getting cold just by looking at it," Sophocles said.
"Don't worry, Sophocles. I have something warm for you. And for the rest of you," Mirei said. She took out some warm jackets for everyone to wear. "Here, there is plenty for all of you; especially you, Kiawe."
"Especially me?" Kiawe asked.
"It's just it'll be too cold for you since you're always going around without a shirt. I doubt your family would want you to catch a cold because of it," Mirei said. Sora, Kairi, Terra, Ventus, Aqua, and the rest of the Alolan nine all laughed at his expense. Kiawe couldn't argue with Kairi's mother and he accepted the jacket provided for him to keep him extra warm.
"Now, let's get a move on," Yuta suggested.
The group made their way down to the Ice Path and they passed by the Ice Type Pokémon living there, mostly Swinub and Smoochum. They all hid as they saw the group of humans coming by. Hiding among the snow is a Sneasel with a small head feather. The Sneasel took off somehwere. As the group kept going, they were stopped in their tracks by a some ice coming their way.
"What the?!" Kiawe exclaimed.
"What was that?" Terra asked.
Everyone looked around and Mina saw something on the left.
"Look!" Mina said.
It turns out to be a pack of Sneasel standing on a ledge. Among them is a pink Sneasel with orange feathers and a light blue jewel on its head.
"It was a pack of Sneasel!" Kairi said.
"This must be their territory," Illima said.
"Why else would they attack us like this?" Mallow asked.
"Those Sneasel aren't going to scare me off," Sora said. He approaches the pack. The pink Sneasel stares down at Sora. "Look! I figured you don't want us here, but just let us pass through and we'll be out of your hair. Can you give us that?" The pink Sneasel waved its claws and let out a bunch of icicles down at Sora making him run. The group pretty much ran to avoid the icicles. The Sneasel laughed and took off back into the tundra. "Man, what was that about?"
"I don't think that woud have won them over, Sora," Aqua said.
"She's right. I don't think they'll let us through," Terra said. Yuta stroke his chin.
"Hm," Yuta said. Mirei turned to her husband.
"Is something the matter, dear?" Mirei asked.
"I just had a thought," Yuta said.
"What?" Acerola asked.
"Didn't that one Sneasel seems to be the one in charge?" Yuta asked.
"Now that you mentioned it, those other Sneasel were following that pink one. Meaning that it's the leader of the pack," Lillie said.
"Well, that pack can't just do that to us and get away with it," Hapu said.
"You're suggesting that we just challenge them, are you?" Mallow asked.
"That's exactly what I'm suggesting," Hapu said.
"I was afraid you would say that," Mallow sighed.
"If challenging them is the only way, then it looks like we don't have too much of a choice," Sora said.
"I agree. That pack doesn't look they'll be moving anytime soon," Yuta said.
"One of us will have to challenge the pack leader into a battle," Sophocles said.
"I think Sora should challenge him to a one-on-one battle," Kairi suggested.
"Are you sure, Kairi?" Mirei asked.
"Sora did say that we don't have a choice. So, he'll probably think Sora is the leader, and it'll be leader against leader," Kairi said.
Before they could get a plan into motion, a man wearing a huge jacket approached the group.
"Hello there!" The man greeted. "What brings you nice people out here?"
"Um, about that," Sora said. The man led the group to his home on the Ice Path and along the way, the group explained to the man that they were trying to reach Blackthorn City and they were stopped by a pack of Sneasel.
"Oh, that pack. Not really surprising, if you ask me. It's been going on for a while now. That pack of Sneasel has been so problematic for everyone who comes here," the man said, stepping inside his house. "Anyway, I haven't even introduced myself. My name is Elmer."
"Nice to meet you Elmer. My name is Sora and this is my girlfriend Kairi, and my cousin Ventus," he introduced.
"Hello," Kairi greeted.
"Hi," Ventus also greeted.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu said.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
"Pichu," the Shiny Pichu chirped.
"Pichu," the Spiky-eared Pichu chirped.
"My name is Yuta and this my wife Mirei," Yuta introduced.
"We're Kairi's parents," Mirei said.
"My name is Terra."
"My name's Aqua."
"I'm Lillie."
"I am Illima."
"My name is Mallow."
"I'm Kiawe."
"My name's Lana."
"I'm Sophocles."
"I'm Acerola."
"Mina."
"And I'm Hapu."
"Anyway, you mentioned that pack of Sneasel has been a problem. How long was it going on?" Aqua asked.
"For the last three months. That pack moved right in that one area, going down to Blackthorn City and they kept anyone from going through. Nobody could get through without getting attacked," Elmer explained.
"And that Shiny one is the pack leader, isn't he?" Kairi asked.
"Sure is. All of the other Sneasel follows that one Sneasel and obeys his every command. Also, I heard you talking about challenging that pack into a battle, right?" Elmer asked.
"Yeah, that's right. We thought it would be the only way to get them to let us pass," Sora said.
"I wouldn't recommend it," Elmer warned.
"Why not?" Ventus asked.
"Because, there were Pokémon trainers that had the same idea as you, but they ended up being beaten up. So, nobody's even bothered to challenge them again, unless they wanted to end up like them," Elmer said.
"Well, we're different," Lana said.
"That's right. We have been training hard to be ready for anything coming our way and those Sneasel are no exception," Lillie said.
"You sound like you know what you're doing. But still, I don't know," Elmer said.
"We never met a Pokémon we hadn't been able to beat," Kiawe said.
"Besides, you're never gonna know unless you try," Sora said. Elmer thought for a moment.
"You're right about that, son. But I will warn you, those Sneasel don't mess around," Elmer warned.
"Neither do we," Sora stated.
Elmer thought for a moment and he sighs.
"Okay, I can see there's no other way to change your minds. Just don't say I didn't warn you," Elmer said.
The group made their way back outside, passing by two wild Delibird, hiding in the tundra.
Back over to the Sneasel pack, they standing where they were, not moving an inch, knowing they were going to come back. The leading Sneasel had eyed Sora and he wanted to battle against him, if given the opportunity. Luckily, the Shiny Sneasel have to wait for long since he and the rest saw the group of humans from before. The Shiny Sneasel smirked since he got what he wanted out of it. Sora had approached to the pack and pointed his finger at him.
"Sneasel! I'm challenging you to a Pokémon battle! When I win and I capture you, you and your pack has to let us pass through. And if you win, then we'll turn right around and go back where we come from!" Sora challenged. The Shiny Sneasel jumps down. The Shiny Sneasel stares at him and nodded, accepting the terms.
"Sneasel, Sneasel, Sneas, Sneasel!" Sneasel said. The others wanted to join in, but the pack leader raised his claw, making them stop. The Shiny Sneasel states it's him against Sora. Sora wanted to see what else Sneasel has in store. Sora took out his Friend Ball since he knew a Firy Type Pokémon would have a good chance against a Dark Type Pokémon.
"You're up first, Azumarill!" Sora called out as he threw his Friend Ball. Azumarill flops her ears upon entry. "Azumarill! Play Rough!" Azumarill charges towards the Shiny Sneasel to deliever a pummeling of a lifetime when the Shiny Sneasel dodges and swipes his metallic glowing claws at the aqua rabbit Pokémon, dealing some damage.
"The pack leader had just swiped at Azumarill with Metal Claw!" Lillie said. The Shiny Sneasel ran towards Azumarill and attacked with his Quick Attack. The Shiny Sneasel then attacks Azumarill with his Icicle Crash, knocking out Azumarill in the process. Sora calls back Azumarill.
"So much for a Fairy Type. Maybe I should try a little bigger," Sora said, taking out a regular Pokéball. "Go! Feraligatr!" The Pokéball opens and his Feraligatr snarls at the Shiny Pokémon, but he wasn't backing down. "Use Superpower!" Feraligatr's body gave off a light blue aura and came at the Shiny Sneasel, but he easily dodges and he attacks with a Dark Pulse, and it was a powerful one. "Try to stop him in his tracks! Slash!" Feraligatr tried to do so, but ended up taking more assaults from Sneasel's bliding speed and power. Feraligatr was taken down. He calls back his Feraligatr. Sora said in his thoughts, "Man, this is tougher than I thought. That Sneasel had taken down Feraligatr and Azumarill like it was no problem. That has got to be the strongest Sneasel I have ever dealt with. I could send out Gyarados, Mamoswine, or Silvally, but Gyarados and Silvally are overkill. I'll go with Mamoswine." He takes out another Pokéball to deal with the Shiny Sneasel.
The other Sneasel cheered for their leader's victories against two of Sora's Pokémon and he was ready for anything he can throw at him.
"I wonder which one is he going to go with next," Aqua said.
"Just hope it'l be enough to bring that Sneasel down," Kiawe said.
"Yeah," Mina said.
"Come on, Sora! You can do it!" Ventus called out.
"Go! Mamoswine!" Sora called out as he threw his Pokéball and let out his heavy-hitting Mamoswine. "Ancient Power!" Mamoswine sends out silver cryslized rocks right at the Shiny Sneasel, but he easily avoided the rocks using his blinding speed and he heads right for Mamoswine's legs and used his Metal Claw on them, causing Mamoswine's legs to go gimpy and barely fall to the side. "Ice Fang!" Before Mamoswine could have a chance to do so, the Shiny Sneasel fired a large Dark Pulse and it struck Mamoswine hard. The twin tusk Pokémon fell back to the ground beaten. Sora calls back his Mamoswine.
"That is one slick Sneasel," Yta said.
"Elmer wasn't kidding when he said those Sneasel don't mess around," Mallow said.
"Now how is he gonna turn the tables on that Sneasel?" Sophocles asked.
Sora wasn't close to giving up. He had to come up with a brand new strategy to bring that Sneasel down on his knees.
"Pika," Pikachu stepped up. Sora turned to his partner and he figured he would go with speed versus speed.
"You're right, Pikachu. That Sneasel is fast. Let's prove that you're faster," Sora stated.
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
"Go Pikachu!" Sora called out as Pikachu entered the battle against the Shiny Sneasel. "Use Electro Ball!" Pikachu forms a ball of electricity and hurls it right at the Shiny Sneasel, but he uses his Metal Claw to cut it like a melon. The Shiny Sneasel uses his Quick Attack to run right into Pikachu. "We'll match speed with speed! You use Quick Attack!" Pikachu ran across the tundra as both the sharp claw and mouse Pokémon clashed into each other. Pikachu was giving it to the Shiny Sneasel, just as much he was giving it to Pikachu. Not one of them was backing down.
"Good call for Sora to match speed with speed," Acerola said.
"Sora must have figured brute force wasn't enough to take him down, so Pikachu's speed should rival that Sneasel's," Terra said.
Kairi and Mirei had their fingers crossed hoping for the best. Pikachu and the Shiny Sneasel were getting exhausted from their battle. The Shiny Sneasel was even more tired since the battles against Feraligatr, Mamoswine, and Azumarill. Sora saw the Shiny Sneasel was getting tired. He knew he had an edge, but he figured the Shiny Sneasel might have some energy left to use Icicle Crash.
"Pikachu! Iron Tail!" Sora ordered. Pikachu jumped in the air and swung his tail giving a metallic glow. The Shiny Sneasel blocks it with his claw and bats Pikachu away. The Shiny Sneasel raised his arms and began to fire Icicle Crash and they started to come down as fast as a whip. They trapped Pikachu within it. Sora saw that they had a flaw, so he had to use it. "Pikachu! Use Quick Attack on those icicles.
Terra, Aqua, Yuta, Mirei, and the Alolan nine were confused by what he told Pikachu to do.
"Quick Attack on those icicles? What is he up to?" Mallow asked.
"He must have a plan up his sleeve," Kiawe said.
Pikachu dashes through the icicles as fast as lighting and used the power of his speed to go through. The Shiny Sneasel was amazed and impressed by how a Pikachu was able to keep up with him. Once Pikachu was out he dashes towards The Shiny Sneasel and lands a hit, knocking him into a wall. Sora got a Pokéball ready and threw it at the weakened Sneasel, making him flow inside. The Pokéball wobbles around for a bit, knowing it won't be easy to be contained. Stars swirls around the Pokéball confirming the catch. Sora's Pokédex starts buzzing, asking him if he wants to keep his new Sneasel with him. He chose to keep Sneasel in exchange for Gyarados. Pikachu fell to the ground in fatigue. Sora went and picked up his partner.
"Good job, Pikachu," Sora praised his partner.
"Pika," Pikachu said. Pikachu rested on Sora's shoulder and went to the Pokéball, containing his latest catch. He threw the Pokéball up in the air and out comes his newly caught Sneasel. He bends down to his new Sneasels' level.
"We had a deal. You allow your pack to let us pass," Sora stated. The Shiny Sneasel looked at him and nodded to honor his word. He told the pack to stand down and allow the group to pass as his final orders. The Sneasel pack obeys and oliges. The group were now free to go down the pass. Before they could go further, the Shiny Sneasel knew the pack was going to need a new leader, so he had to choose one who he thinks is the most fitted for the job. He chose the female Sneasel who made the report about the group and she accepted. As they took their leave of the Ice Path, the Shiny Sneasel couldn't help but wonder how his former pack will manage. Sora turns to his new Pokémon. "Don't worry about them. They'll do just fine. You can trust me on that." Sneasel smiled and knew his new trainer was right. "Also, after seeing what you can do, I know you can go far with me, and I want to test you out in the upcoming Gym battle.'
"Pi, Pikachu!" Pikachu seconded it.
"Pichu!" Both Pichu chirped.
Sneasel grins and he wanted to get stronger by the minute with every new challenge. Now Sora has a brand new Pokémon under his belt, his goals are one step closer, especially with his final Gym battle just around the corner. How will Sora against this challenge? Just wait and find out.