Episode 210: A Lotad Lowdown
A few days have come and gone since Sora has added Poochyena to his ever growing team. As they continued on their journey to Rustboro City.
Along the way, the couple have made an encounter with a small mauve, bipedal Pokémon with a spherical body. Its eyes are black and shaped like plus signs, and it has a simple, wide mouth. Two small openings on top of its head act as its ear canals. Covering its ear canals are long, yellow-tipped flaps resembling rabbit ears. It has stubby arms and yellow-tipped feet that lack toes and have plus shaped markings underneath. Above its small, plug-like tail is a yellow, crescent marking. There is a hole in the center of its tail.
"Oh, Sora. He is so cute!" Kairi gushed.
"Let's see what the Pokédex has to say about you," Sora said, taking out the Pokédex and scanned the small Pokémon.
Whismur, the Whisper Pokémon
Type: Normal
Normally, Whismur's voice is very quiet—it is barely audible even if one is paying close attention. However, if this Pokémon senses danger, it starts crying at an earsplitting volume.
Sora has put away his Pokédex as Whismur starts crying, making them hold their ears.
"Earsplitting is right!" Sora shoted.
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
"I thought the Pokédex said, Whismur is called the Whisper Pokémon!" Kairi yelled.
"That was my thought as well!" Sora yelled as well. Whismur stopped crying as Sora took out his Pokéball and threw it. "Go for it, Treecko!" The Pokéball opens and Treecko puts his twig in his mouth. "Start up with Pound!" Treecko moves in to deliever a Pound attack onto Whismur, but the whisper Pokémon dodges and uses its own Pound on the wood gecko Pokémon. Treecko skids onto the ground, but he wasn't easily licked. Treecko! Use Bullet Seed!" Treecko fires Bullet Seed and it strikes Whismur. Whismur then starts to stomp around, creating a blue sound wave.
"He's using Uproar!" Kairi said.
"Treecko! Use Quick Attack!" Sora ordered as Treecko darts into Whismur, dealing some damage while Whismur was stomping around. "Now use one more Pound!" Treecko smacks into Whismur. As Whismur fell, the whisper Pokémon calms down as it runs out of energy. Sora takes out a Pokéball and throws it right at the wild Whismur, making it flow inside it. The Pokéball wobbles around and around until stars swirls around the Pokéball, confirming the catch. Sora's Pokédex starts buzzing, asking him if he wants to keep Whismur with him or send him to Professor Oak's lab. Sora chose to send over Whismur.
"Another good catch," Sora said.
"I'll say it was, Sora," Kairi agreed as she gave her boyfriend a deserved kiss on the cheek.
Over to Pallet Town, Professor Oak smiles as another new arrival has appeared before him.
"Ah, another new Pokémon on Sora's behalf. I wonder what he has sent over to me," Professor Oak said. The Pokéball opens as Whismur has come out. "Ah, a Whismur. Hello there, Whismur. Welcome to your new home." Whismur starts crying loud as Professor Oak, holds his ears, trying to keep out the sound. "My, my, my, what a healthy set of lungs you have there!" Lea and Isa came in to see what the noise was.
"What's all the yelling in here?!" Isa yelled.
"I think I know what it is!" Lea shouted as he pointed to Whismur. The cries echoes right outside as Sora's and Kairi's Pokémon are all eating and they look right to the lab, hearing the loud crying. Whismur has stopped crying as he fell asleep.
"Whismur must have screamed itself to sleep," Professor Oak said. "But I have got to hand it to Sora he has sent over anotehr fine Pokémon. Taillow, Slakoth, Seedot, and Mudbray all came over to see the newest addition. "You must be eager to meet your friend, I trust? I'm sure Whismur would be pleased to meet you once it wakes up." Professor Oak has set Whismur down on Mudbray's back.
Meanwhile back in the Hoenn region, Sora, Kairi, and Pikachu finds a clean lake and decided to take a small break to go swimming. Sora is wearing a new pair of swimming trunks, being red-orange as Kairi has worn a new pink bikini with white flowers and golden hearts in the center of the flowers.
"Surf's up!" Sora shouted as he jumped in the water.
"Pi, Pikachu!" Pikachu said.
"Right behind you, Sora!" Kairi called out from behind as she jumped in. The couple played in the water, splashing each other. "Got ya, Sora!"
"In your dreams, Kairi!" Sora said, splashing her back. The couple laughed as they had fun. Pikachu even joined in the splashing, byt splashing the both of them. Unknown to Sora, Kairi, and Piakchu, something was watching them from underwater. It was a whole bunch of them as they were watching them with their eyes glowing red. The mysterious creatures swims up to them and pulls them both underwater, and then Pikachu. Sora, Kairi, and Pikachu were caught off guard when they saw the mystrious creatures. They were blue Pokémon with six stubby legs. They all have large eyes and a wide, yellow mouth similar to a bill. A large leaf that resembles a lilypad covers its back.
"Lotad!" The little Pokémon said.
They were quickly surrounded as the little Pokémon swam under them and fired water and shot Pikachu and the couple right out.
"Ow! I could have done so much without the landing," Sora said, getting up. He looked over to his girlfriend. "Are you alright, Kairi?" He went to her and helped her up.
"I'm okay, Sora," Kairi said. The couple turned to see the little Pokémon jump out of the water.
"What are these?" Sora asked, scanning them.
Lotad, the Water Weed Pokémon
Type: Water/Grass
Lotad live in ponds and lakes, where they float on the surface. It grows weak if its broad leaf dies. On rare occasions, this Pokémon travels on land in search of clean water.
"Oh, they are so very cute," Kairi gushed at the sight of the Lotad.
"This must be their lake," Sora said. "I think they were just playing with us." All of the Lotad stood on their hind legs and fired Water Gun straight into the air, making look like something from one of those fountains.
"Oh, that's amazing," Kairi said.
"Yeah," Sora said. He noticed one Lotad isn't keeping up with all of the others. He walked over to the one Lotad just as they all stopped, but this one just kept going. "Hey there, little dude. Your friends had just finished with their-" the Lotad increased the power of its Water Gun and sends him back. Kairi ran up to her boyfriend.
"Sora! Are you okay?" Kairi asked.
"I'm fine," Sora assured her.
"Hey you!" A new voice called out. The voice belonged to a girl that appears to be a few years younger than they are, wearing a white shirt, an orange skirt, purple shoes, and pink socks. She has red hair tied in pigtails and purple eyes. "This lake belongs to the Lotad and you can't swim here. Now, you will come with me, at once!"
"Such a bossy little girl," Kairi said.
"And why should we be coming with you, kid?" Sora asked.
"Because I'll tell you why," the girl paused, "FOR A LECTURE!" Sora and Kairi winced as they knew how much trouble.
"Kairi, have I told you lately, that I love you?" Sora asked, feeling scared.
"More than I can count, Sora. Why?" Kairi asked.
"Just checking," Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
Over to Team Rocket, they stroll through the forest, feeling down.
"That was quite a scolding the boss has given us," Jessie said.
"Well, we did fail to report in on their findings since we were supposed to report in every few days," Meowth said. "And so far, we didn't even find a single clue."
"That's true. Team Magma and Team Aqua has been leaving us nothing to track them on," Jessie said.
"Also, dealing with the twerps twice in the Hoenn region didn't exactly help boost up our ratings," Meowth said.
"True times two," Jessie said, as James had collapsed.
"James! You okay?!" Jessie and Meowth gasped.
"Pull yourself together, man!" Jessie said.
"Ya gotta get up!" Meowth said. James gets back up, but barely.
"I'm sorry. I'm just so weak from hunger and dehydration. I will only slow you two down, so go on without me. I'm done for," James said as he collapsed.
"What are you talking about?! You are coming with us!" Jessie said.
"When we find water, you will be the first to drink!" Meowth added.
"Thank you, the both of you. I am going to miss you after I am gone," James said. He spots a tree with a single Tamato Berry on a branch.
"Is that a berry growing on that tree?!"Jessie exclaimed.
"A berry is what we need to hydrate ourselves!" Meowth said as they race towards the berry and to eat it. Jessie and Meowth ends up fighting over it.
"Get you grubby paws off of it! It's mine!" Jessie yelled.
"What the hell do you mean yours?! It's mine!" Meowth argued.
Jessie and Meowth fights over the berry some more as they both took a bite from each side and they end up running around with their lips swollen red and breathing fire.
"TOO HOT!" Jessie and Moewth screamed as they ran around. "WATER! WATER! WATER!" Wobbufett pops out of his Pokéball once again.
"Wobbufett!" Wobbufett said.
Over to what appears to be a flower shop, a young woman wearing an apron under a pink shirt and a dark teal skirt. She has blue hair and blue hair. She saw the little girl walking in with Sora, Kairi, and Pikachu to give them a scolding, but she was not happy about this.
"For heaven's sake, not again, Natalie! How many times must I tell you? You must be more kinder to travelers!" The young woman scolded her.
"I'm sorry, sis. But Nicole, it's just I saw them swimming in the Lotad's lake and I was just protecting it," Natlie said.
"That is no excuse for your rude behavior. You might end up making someone mad if you are not careful," Nicole said. "And they won't be so understanding. Besides, there was no way they could possibly know about the Lotad."
"Well, well, she brought us here to give us an earful, but it's her who ends up being lectured," Sora joked.
"Be nice, Sora," Kairi said.
"I'm just saying," Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
Nicole turns Natalie around to face the travelers.
"I am so very sorry about my little sister's rude behavior," Nicole apologized.
"Don't worry about it. And you were right to point out we didn't know about the Lotad in the lake. We were just passing by and they just showed up," Sora said.
"So we should be apologizing to you for the inconvenience," Kairi added.
"Pika, Pika," Pikachu said.
"I am so glad you are not angry. My name is Nicole is this is my little sister Natalie. We both run this little flower shop," Nicole said.
"My name is Sora and this is my girlfriend Kairi," Sora said. Natalie looked right at him, blushing. She then looks over to Kairi and has taken a dislike for her.
"It's nice to meet you," Kairi said.
"It's nice to meet you both," Nicole said. "Anyway, I have a fresh pie and it's cooling at the windowsill, so would you two like to have a slice?"
"Yes. We would," Kairi said.
"It would be rude to turn down a pie generously offered to you," Sora added.
"Pika, Pika," Pikachu said.
Another young woman came in, wearing a lime green jumpsuit and she has short green hair and blue eyes.
"Nicole, out watering pipe in the garden has sprang a leak again! This Wailmer pail is not going to do the job," the young woman said as she noticed they had guests. "Huh? Company? Natalie! Not again! Do you like it when we scold you?"
"It's okay, Rita. They've forgiven her. Sora, Kairi, this is our other sister Rita. Rita, this is Sora and his girlfriend Kairi," Nicole introduced.
"Hi there," Rita greeted.
"Hi yourself," Sora said.
"I hope our sister hasn't caused any trouble for you," Rita said.
"Not at all," Sora said.
"We're just didn't know about the Lotad," Kairi said. Sora places his arm around Kairi's shoulder, making Natalie's cheeks puff up.
"At least no harm was done; not any perminent damage, anyway," Sora said as Natalie grabs Sora by his other arm, while holding Kairi's.
"Hey! How come you never put your arm around my shoulder? And how come you never told me about this girlfriend of yours? That is very rude!" Natalie ppouted.
"Um, that's becuase we have just met today," Sora said, trying not to hurt her feelings. Sora said in his thoughts, "Man, I get how Kairi's dad would deal with these sort of things, but I wonder how my dad handled all the ladies chasing after him." Rita stroked her chin.
"Don't tell me it's the love at first sight again," Rita teased.
"Wha?" Sora asked.
"Love at first sight?" Kairi asked.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked.
The couple had joined the sisters for the pie presented to their guests. Natalie ends up giving Sora way more slices than he can eat. Kairi had taken the first bite of the pie.
"Wow, this is delicious. Is this an Oran Berry pie?" Kairi asked.
"Yes it is, Kairi. So glad you like it," Rita said.
"The berries here are grown and picked fresh and mixed in to make all sorts of Pokémon food and pasties just like the pie you're eating," Nicole said. Sora just stared at his plate, unsure if he could eat all of it before he threw up.
"I made all those from scratch, Sora. I hope you enjoy every last bite," Natalie said.
"Uh, thanks," Sora said as he took a bite of the first slice. As he finished, he rubbed his belly, feeling a stomachahe. "Uh, I don't think I could move."
"You didn't have to eat all that much, Sora," Kairi said.
"A little late for a warning, isn't it?" Sora asked.
"Fair point," Kairi said. She looked around in the garden. "Wow. It's such a beautiful garden. And the air is so clean. I wonder if our Pokémon would enjoy this." Kairi took out her Pokéballs. "Stufful, Morelull, Plusle, and Minun, come on out!"
"Good idea!" Sora said as he took out his. "Torchic, Treecko, Mudkip, Grubbin, Poochyena! Come out!" The couple's Pokémon had come out of their Pokéballs and liked the garden they were in. Treecko climbs up in a nearby tree and Poochyena tackles Sora down to the ground. "Oof! Again with the tackles." Poochyena licks his face. He pets Poochyena on the head.
"You have such happy and healthy Pokémon. Your Poochyena seems to make its point," Nicole said.
"What can I say? Poochyena just has a thing for me," Sora said, sitting up and placing Poochyena down. "I must have a magnet that attracts Poochyena to me." Natalie takes Sora by the arm. "And speaking of magnets."
"Now don't be shy," Natalie said.
"Oh, so beautiful," Kairi said.
"Thank you, Kairi. We don't just grow flowers here, but we also grow all kinds of berries. Look over there," Nicole said as the couple to turned to see the berries.
"Whoa. An Oran Berry. And that one is a Pecha Berry. And that's a Tamato Berry," Sora pointed out.
"Yes. I see you have your experience with these berries?" Nicolce asked.
"Kairi uses them to mix in the berries to make the best Pokémon food they've ever eaten. She learned it from the Pewter City Gym Leader way back," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"I even learned from our old travel companion Lillie about the effects the berries has on the Pokémon when they eat it. Like healing injuries and gives them energy," Kairi said.
"Then you'll be happy to know about our Sitrus Berries. They're growing in that tree right here," Nicole said. Sora with Nicole still clinging on his arm went over to have a look.
"These don't look ripe yet," Kairi said.
"I wonder if there are some fresh ones out here," Sora said.
"We can go and look for some ripe berries if yu want," Natalie said.
"That''ll be useful since you know the way," Sora said.
"Anything for my boyfriend," Natalie said with Sora, hanging his head as he groaned. Rita comes to the group, carrying her toolbox.
"Nicole, we're going have to put in all new pipes. Those joints are so old, we'll be much better off replacing the whole thing once and for all," Rita said.
"I guess so, but that's a really big job," Nicole said. The Lotad from the lake all arrive to pitch in and they're all carrying water in their leaves.
"The Lotad?" Sora asked.
"Yep. Thanks for your help, guys," Rita said. Some of the Lotad pours the water into the soil to help the trees stay hydrated. And there are some Lotad firing Water Gun to water the flowers.
"Why are they helping you out?" Sora asked.
"It's just their way of thanking us for growing all these berries for them," Natalie said.
"How about we lend a hand?" Sora suggested.
"Good idea," Kairi agreed to the idea.
Over to Team Rocket, they are seen drinking the water from the lake. Jessie and Meowth are drowining out the hotness in their mouths while James was drinking it to keep himself hydrated.
"Ah! Oh yeah, back on track," James beamed, feeling hydrated. He turned to Jessie and Meowth. Hey guys, are you okay?" Jessie and Meowth turned to James with sour looks on their faces, and with their lips all red and swollen.
"As a matter of fact, no we're not," Jessie and Meowth both said. James chuckled nervously as he saw something just across the lake.
"Oh, what's that?" James asked, taking out a pair of binoculars. Jessie and Meowth does the same thing.
"It's the twerps with just one more twerp added," Jessie said.
"And they're accompanied by a bunch of Lotad," Meowth said. "I'm thinking we should we get a hold of that flock of flatheads and make a present out of them when we give them to the boss." Jessie and James lowers the binoculars, wanting to hear his idea.
"And the end result?" James asked.
"Just think of it. The boss will wake up first thing in the morning, but the last thing he'll want to do is walk all the way to the bathroom to wash up. And that's when a Lotad will come in with a leaf full of water. Happily, he'll use that Lotad to wash his face, brush his teeth and wash his hair. And he would say: 'It was because of that genius Meowth and his friends that I have this convenience, so I will make them all vice-presidents of Team Rocket.'" Jessie and James both liked the idea so very much.
"It's brilliant. You are a genius, Meowth," Jessie said.
"You are on board today!" James added.
"All together now! Say it!" Meowth said.
"Promotions! Vice presidency! Big money!" Team Rocket cheered.
"All right now, there's not a moment to lose!" Jessie said. "Let's lasso those Lotad!"
"Yee haw!" Team Rocket cheered.
Back in the garden, Sora, Kairi, and their Pokémon help the sisters and the Lotad in the to the best of their abilities.
"You're better gardener than you thought you were," Kairi said.
"I didn't think I was at first. At least there aren't any weeds around here, or I'd be needing some rubbing alcohol," Sora said. "Not like that one time." Sora remembered that one incident when a Blissey tried to be as helpful as she could possibly be, but ends up making one incident after another.
"Don't worry about that. I'm sure you'll be able to laugh about it in the future," Kairi said. Sora smiled as he knew how right his girlfriend was.
"You're right, because you gotta admit, it is kinda funny when you think about it. I mean the Nurse Joy of that Pokémon Center thought I was a mummy," Sora said, laughing. Kairi joined in the laughing. Natalie looked at the couple and puffed up her cheeks in jealousy. Pikachu and Torchic were carrying a leaf big enough for the both of them to hold. They had the right amount of water to use. Pikachu, Torchic, and the Lotad made a stop.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked.
"Torchic?" Torchic also asked.
Sora and Kairi also stopped without knowing why.
"Why did you stop, Pikachu?" Kairi asked.
"Pika!" Pikachu said, pointing to the source. It was the Lotad that didn't fire Water Gun quite as well as the others when they first met.
"I recognize that Lotad. He's the one who couldn't keep up before," Kairi pointed out.
"You're right. I think they're getting mighty impatient. I should see if I could help move things along since they don't wanna wait," Sora said as he went up in front. "Hey there, buddy. What's wrong?" Lotad looked right at him. "Hi. Is everything okay?"
"Lotad," Lotad said.
"How about you lower your head like this," Sora said as he demonstrated lowing his head. "See? Just like that. You can do it. Try it. Don't rush it." Lotad kept looking at him and then he lowers his head as the water pours down. "That's it, Lotad." Lotad looked right at Sora and lowered his head again and again.
"Looks like this Lotad must like you, Sora," Rita said.
"Has he always been like this?" Sora asked.
"Fraid so. This Lotad is a bit of a unique character. But it's okay, since this Lotad can't seem to help it," Rita said.
They worked for hours and then the new pipes were put in and sprinkled all over the flowers. Sora wiped off some sweat.
"What a workout," Sora said.
"Thanks for the help today, Lotad. Now you go on back to the lake," Rita said.
"Lotad, Lotad," the Lotad said as they rturned to the lake; all but one. The one Lotad kept looking at Sora.
"Left behind again?" Sora asked. He bends down to Lotad. "The rest of your buddies have gone on home and you should too."
"Rita!" Nicole called out as she ran out with a note in her hand.
"Nicole? What's wrong?" Rita asked.
"It's Natalie! She's gone! She left this!" Nicole said, handing Rita the note.
"Looking for Sitrus Berries?" Rita asked. Sora and Kairi were worried now.
"You don't think she's out there looking for those for me, is she?" Sora asked.
"Seems like it, Sora. We should find her before something bad could happen," Kairi said.
"I'm going to look for her with you. You don't know the area like Nicole and I do," Rita said.
"And I'll stay here just in case she comes back," Nicole said.
"We'll meet you back in the flower shop," Rita said. Sora, Kairi, and Pikachu went with Rita to find Natalie and bring her back safely.
"Be careful; it's going to be dark soon, so hurry back!" Nicole called out to them.
In the woods, Natalie is wearing a purple backpack.
"Just wait, Sora. I'll find those Sitrus Berries for you. You'll see. And I'll do a much better job than that girl," Natalie said in her thoughts.
As the sun has completely set, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Rita search for Natalie, and calls out for her.
"Natalie!" Sora called out.
"Where are you, Natalie?" Kairi also called out.
"Natalie!" Rita called out.
"Pika, Pika!" Pikachu called out. Pikachu hears rustling in the bushes behind him. "Pika?!" Sora, Kairi, and Rita noticed.
"Pikachu, what's wrong?" Sora asked.
"Pika, Pika," Pikachu said, pointing to the bushes.
"Did you hear something?" Sora asked.
"Natalie?" Rita asked.
The rustling became louder as the mysterious figure was getting closer and closer. The mysterious figure turns out to be Lotad.
"It was just Lotad," Sora said.
"He must have been following us the whole way," Kairi said. Lotad walked up to Sora and he picks him up.
"You must be worried about Natalie too. That's probably why you followed us here," Sora said.
Back to Natalie, she goes through the bushes and she spots a single Sitrus Berry growing on a tree.
"A Sitrus Berry!" Natalie beamed. She walked over to the tree and picked the berry off the tree. "Oh good! Sora is gonna be so happy!" She suddenly hears rustling in the bushes behind her ad she turns to see what was the noise was. "Huh? Hey, who's there?" The rustling became more violent as the creature in the bushes turns out to be angry Beedrill. Natalie screams loud and the group hears her.
"Natalie!" Rita exclaimed.
"Where is she?" Kairi asked.
Rita turned to her right and pointed.
"This way!" Rita said as the couple had followed her to where it came from. The Beedrill was about to attack. Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Rita got to her just in time.
"Pikachu! Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu rushed over to Beedrill and uses Thunderbolt and shocks Beedrill. The poison bee Pokémon flies away. "Natalie!"
"Thank goodness we got here just in time," Kairi said.
"Hi Sora! You saved me!" Natalie said.
"Natalie! Why did you run off like that?!" Rita scolded her younger sister. Natalie looked at her, feeling saddened. "Do you have any idea how worried you made us? You scared us half to death!"
"I'm sorry, RIta. I didn't mean to make you worry. I just wanted to find a Sitrus Berry for Sora," Natalie said.
"I do appreciate it, but your sister is right. You shouldn't run off like that, because that Beedrill would have hurt you bad if we hadn't shown up in time," Sora said.
"And you shouldn't have tried to outshine me either," Kairi added. Natalie scowled at her.
"What is your relationship with my Sora?" Natalie asked.
"Sora is my boyfriend. That's my relationship with him," Kairi answered.
"Your infatuation with him is no excuse, young lady. We'll have a talk with Nicole when we get home," Rita said. Pikachu's ears perked up.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked.
"What's wrong, Pikachu? What do you hear?" Sora asked. They went to the lake and they found a boat with Team Rocket aboard. "Oh no. Not those morons again!" Team Rocket laughs.
"Prepare for trouble, we're on a Lotad run!" Jessie said.
"And make it double, for a tad more fun!" James said in a rhyme.
"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!"
"Wobbufett!"
"What are you idiots got planned this time?" Sora scowled.
"Pi, Pika!" Pikachu added.
"We would love to play, but I'm afraid we are awfully busy!" Jessie said.
"Yes, yes! We have so much work to do and so little time to do it!" James added.
'So, if we're gonna catch 'em, then we better hustle!" Meowth said.
Everyone gasped whenTeam Rocket had revealed their plan to them.
"You won't get away with this!" Kairi said.
"Oh, yes we will!" Team Rocket taunted.
"We should go warn the Lotad about this!" Sora said.
"I don't think we could make it to them in time," Kairi said.
"She's right, Sora. They're moving too fast and there are too many Lotad to reach," Rita said.
"Lotad! Lotad!" The lone Lotad said. Everyone looked at him.
"Lotad? What's up?" Sora asked.
"Pika! Pikachu!" Pikachu said.
Sora and Kairi knew Pikachu and Lotad were cooking up a plan.
"What do you have planned, guys?" Sora asked.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
Lotad got into the water, facing the shore while Pikachu got on top. Lotad fired Water Gun and launched like a torpedo right at Team Rocket's boat.
"Come on! We better follow them!" Sora said. Kairi, Rita, and Natalie all nodded.
Team Rocket were rounding up the Lotad as fast as a whip.
"All aboard for the maiden voyage!" Jessie said.
"So, what's the next phase of our plan?" James asked.
"I can't say, loose lips sink the ship," Meowth said.
Nicole came out and sees what was going on.
"Oh no! What is going on over there?" Nicole asked in shock. She looked right back to see Pikachu riding on Lotad's back. Team Rocket hears them coming fast.
"Is that Pikachu?!" James exclaimed.
"And a loose Lotad!" Meowth said.
Once the two Pokémon gets close enough, Pikachu jumps off just as Lotad dives underground and lands on the boat.
"Pika!" Pikachu said. James flinched when Pikachu glares at Team Rocket.
"Tell him to stop looking at me like that!" James said.
"Say, since we got all these Lotad, then catching Pikachu will make a much more super bonus!" Jessie said. Team Rocket tries to swipe Pikachu, but he zips and dodges Team Rocket and razzes them.
"Pika, Pika, Pi, Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"What did Pikachu just say, Meowth?" Jessie asked.
"Pikachu just said to come and get him if we can," Meowth said.
"Tell him to hold still just so as we can!" Jessie said.
"And that works, how?" Meowth asked.
As Team Rocket chases Pikachu around, Lotad pops out of the water and fires Water Gun and creates a huge hole on the front and all of the Lotad swam right out.
"SHIT! Our Lotad are escaping!" James exclaimed.
"He was toying with us!" Meowth said.
Sora, Kairi, Rita, and Natalie came back to the shore with Nicole. Sora had made sure all of the Lotad were safely out of range.
"Okay, Pikachu! Enough playing around! Thunderbolt!" Sora called out. Pikachu fired a powerful Thunderbolt and sends Team Rocket flying in the air.
"I guess I can kiss that corner office goodbye!" Jessie scowled.
"That's not all you can kiss, Jessie," James said.
"We can kiss our asses goodbye," Meowth said.
"WE'RE BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" Team Rocket yelled as a star twinkles in the distance.
Pikachu landed on Lotad's head as all of the other Lotad were happy that they were saved.
"And that takes care of them," Sora said.
"And good riddance," Kairi added.
Nicole turned to Natalie as she knew what was coming.
"I'm just happy you're okay, Natalie. No more berry hunting by yourself, young lady," Nicole said.
"Promise," Natalie said.
"And you're grounded for a whole week for making us worry like that," Nicole said. Natalie looked down to the ground saddened by the punishment.
On the next morning, the sisters were seeing the couple and Pikachu off.
"The road to Rustboro City is down this way. There should be a town just before that," Nicole said.
"Good luck in your Gym battle," Rita added.
"Thanks," Sora said. Natalie walked up to the couple. She looked up to Kairi.
"Sorry for trying to show you up, Kairi. Just take good care of him, okay?" Natalie asked. Kairi smiled.
"Don't worry about him. Just as long I'm around, he'll be in good hands," Kairi said. Natalie smiled and Lotad walked up to Sora. He bends down to the water weed Pokémon.
"Hey there, Lotad. Come to say goodbye to us?" Sora asked.
"I think Lotad wants to be with you, Sora," Kairi said.
"Is that it? You want to be with me?" Sora asked.
"Lotad," Lotad nodded. He looked over to the sisters.
"Is that okay with you three?" Sora asked.
"It's fine with me," Nicole said.
"It's obvious Lotad likes you, Sora," Natalie said.
"You got to take good care of him," Rita said.
"Don't worry about that. Lotad is going to be in very good hands," Sora said. He takes out a Pokéball and tosses it in the air. Lotad also jumps up and the Pokéball has bumped onto Lotad, making him flow inside. The Pokéball wobbles around and around. Stars swirls around it to confirm the catch. Sora's Pokédex starts buzzing, asking him if he wants to keep Lotad with or send him to Professor Oak's lab. Sora chose to keep Lotad in exchange for Grubbin.
Now Sora has added another new Pokémon to their team. The next town is just one more stop to make to reach Rustboro City. What adventure is waiting for them? Just wait and see.