Episode 224: Sora vs Brendan
If you're wondering about Team Rocket and their PokéBlock scheme, this will answer it.
Two hours passed since the Slateport Pokémon Contest had ended, Team Rocket have gotten what secrets they need; James mostly. They went to the Contest Hall to sell some PokéBlock they had managed to make in such a short amount of time, unaware that the contest is already over.
"PokéBlock! Get your PokéBlock!" Jessie called out.
"Need to find some goodPokéBlock? Well, stop searching, because you have found it!" James called out.
"PokéBlocks in many different colors and delicious flavors!" Meowth added.
"Wobbu, Wobbu, Wobbufett!" Wobbufett said, holding up a sign. A young man comes walking by as Team Rocket has spotted them.
"There's a sucker- I mean, customer," Jessie said. They all approached him. "Excuse us, sir! Are you a Pokémon Coordinator?"
"Don't answer, becuase we have what you need," James added.
"So, what do you say, mister? WHat color and what flavor do you want?" Meowth asked.
"I don't want any PokéBlock. And the contest is over," the young man said.
"WHAT?!" Team Rocket exclaimed.
"That's right. It ended just two hours ago. You've just missed it," the young man said, taking his leave. Team Rocket didn't move an inch as a small wind blew by them. They stood there turning white as chalk.
"Did you just feel a small breeze just now?" Jessie asked.
"I think I did, Jessie," James said.
"Me too," Meowth said.
"Wobbufett," Wobbufett said.
Team Rocket kept standing in place and they planted their faces to the ground as they realized they waited too long.
"So much for our PokéBlock scheme," James said.
"Great idea of dishing out those secrets, Jess!" Meowth snorted.
"Oh, shut up," Jessie said.
"Wobbu, Wobbufett," Wobbufett said.
A few days later, Sora, Kairi,and Pikachu continue on their way to Mauville City to head for the local Gym and challenge the Gym Leader into a battle when they were approached two girls. One seems to be older than the other. The older one has long black hair while the other has sandy brown hair and both are wearing what looks like a uniform from a private school.
"Look at that. It's that girl who won the Slateport Pokémon Contest just a few days ago," the younger girl said.
"Don't overlook the other one, Isabelle. She's with the Pokémon League Champion of Kanto and Johto. We are lucky that we have caught them both," the older girl said.
"Oh, how right you are, Robin. You are brilliant as you are beautiful," Isabelle said.
"I know," Robin said.
Sora and Kairi just looked at the two girls with a curious look on their faces.
"Um, who are you?" Sora asked.
"And why are you interested in the two of us?" Kairi asked.
"My name is Robin and I am senior! And this is Isabelle and she is junior," Robin introduced.
"H-Hello," Isabelle greeted.
"So, we have come all this way to challenge you into a Pokémon battle," Robin said, taking out a Dive Ball. Isabelle also took out a Dive Ball.
"Yeah! We challenge you into a Pokémon Tag battle!" Isabelle added.
"Then, we accept your challenge," Sora said.
"Just don't expect to find an easy win," Kairi said.
"We don't do easy," Isabelle said. She timidly turned to her senior. "Right?"
"You are right, Isabelle; we don't," Robin said. She threw her Dive Ball. "I choose you, Sealeo!"
"Go! Spheal!" Isabelle called out.
The Dive Balls have opened and let out two blue seal-like Pokémon. One is small and round with a beige underside. It also has two small fangs. The other is chubby, bright blue pinniped Pokémon. Its throat and chest are beige with speckling around the edges. There are two short tusks protruding from its upper jaw, and it has dark brown, oval eyes. It has a powerful pair of front flippers, which look like the could crush ice. Additionally, it has a short, flipper-like tail. On the sides of its blunt muzzle are thick, white whiskers.Sora toook out his Pokédex and scanned the seal-like Pokémon.
Spheal, the Clap Pokémon
Type: Ice/Water
Spheal is much faster rolling than walking to get around. When groups of this Pokémon eat, they all clap at once to show their pleasure. Because of this, their mealtimes are noisy.
Sealeo, the Ball Roll Pokémon
The evolved form of Spheal
Type: Ice/Water
Sealeo has the habit of always juggling on the tip of its nose anything it sees for the first time. This Pokémon occasionally entertains itself by balancing and rolling a Spheal on its nose.
"Spheal and Sealeo. And I know what to use against a Water Type," Sora said, taking out a Pokéball. He turned to his partner. "No offense, buddy, but it'll be Electrike's moment to shine.
"Pika," Pikachu nodded.
"Glad you understand," Sora said. He threw the Pokéball. "Go! Electrike!" Electrike came out and started to snarl. Kairi thought it was a good idea to use an ELectric Type as well.
"Good thinking on Electric Types, Sora. Go! Plusle!" Kairi called out as Plusle came out to battle along with Eectrike.
"Huh, a Plusle and an Eleectrike. How typical to use Electric Type Pokémon," Robin said.
"Just because you have the advantage doesn't mean you're going to win," Isabelle said.
"Let's find out together, shall we? Electrike! Use Thunder Fang on Spheal!" Sora ordered. Electrike came running towards Spheal to deal some damage.
"Plusle! Use Discharge on Sealeo!" Kairi ordered. Plusle fired Discharge right at Sealeo. Robin wasn't gonna let it happen that fast and Isabelle is hesitant.
"Sealeo! Block that Discharge with Water Pulse!" Robin ordered. Sealeo forms a ball of water and uses it to block Plusle's Discharge. She turned to her junior. "Isabelle! Tell your Spheal to dodge!" Isabelle was about to make a command, but it was too late because Electrike landed an electrified bite on the mark.
"Oh no! Spheal!" Isabelle gasped.
"Tell your Spheal to use an attack!" Robin told her junior.
"Right. Spheal! Use Body Slam!" Isabelle ordered. Spheal bounces its way towards Electrike.
"Dodge it, Electrike!" Sora called out. Electrike avoids Speal's Body Slam. "Now use Shock Wave!" Electrike sends out Shock Wave right at the clap Pokémon.
"Dodge it, Spheal!" Isabelle alled out. Spehal bonces to avoid the attack, but it followed it and lands a hit. Isabelle once again gasps at the sight. "I dont't understand! I told Spheal to dodge it, but she didn't dodge!"
"Because Shock never misses. That was an amateurish mistake!" Robin scolded her.
"I didn't know. It just seems like a good idea at the time," Isabelle said.
"Ignorance is no excuse, my junior," Robin told her. "I swear, I would be sorry to anyone who would end up being your junior." Sora and Kairi could see where this was going. "You are completely hopeless."
"I'm sorry," Isabelle apologized.
"And stop apologizing," Robin told her junior.
"Sorry," Isabelle apologized again.
"I said stop," Robin scolded her.
"Ahem," Sora said. "Are we battling or are we lecturing?"
"He's right, Robin. We were supposed to be battling," Isabelle said.
"Sealeo! Use Ice Beam!" Isabelle ordered.
"Spheal! You use Ice Beam too!" Isabelle ordered.
Both of SPheal and Sealeo fired their Ice Beam attacks and combined into one huge beam of ice.
"Dodge!" Sora and Kairi called out. Both Electric Type Pokémon dodged the combined Ice Beams just by running in the opposite directions. Sora turned to his girlfriend.
"How about we try a combo attack too, Kairi?" Sora suggested.
"I like that idea, Sora," Kairi said.
"Electrike! Shock Wave!" Sora ordered.
"Plusle! You use Discharge!" Kairi ordered.
Electrike and Plusle used their electric attacks to create a huge beam of lightning and it shocked both of the seal Pokémon. Both of Spheal and Sealeo fell to the ground totally beaten. The senior and junior were at a loss to their loss.
"I don't believe it. We lost," Isabelle said.
"It's because they worked together better than we did. They were only able to beat us because they relied on each other while I can't rely on you for a second," Robin said. Isabelle hung her head in shame. Robin lifted her head back up. "But that doesn't mean I'm gonna give up on you. I plan on working you up just so you can be the best senior you can be when I graduate. But it's not gonna happen until you improve."
"I promise to get better, Robin! I guarantee it!" Isabelle said. Sora and Kairi were proud to see their opponents were taking their defeat so well. Once that was over with, they continued on with their journey.
As Sora, Kairi, and Pikachu kept going, they bumped into a very familiar sight; it was Brendan. And with him is a light green, bipedal Pokémon with plant and reptilian features. Its head has a long snout with small nostrils, it also has yellow eyes. A long, mane-like leaf extends from the back of its head. It has a red/orange stomach extending from its jaw to its rear. The Pokémon has two arms, each with a small extension on the elbow-area and two claws. Sets of three leaves hang from them. Its tail consists of two leaves and its legs are large with two claws as well. There is a green line on the middle of its stomach.
"Brendan!" Sora and Kairi called out. He turned to see the couple and smiled.
"Sora! Kairi! I don't believe it!" Brendan said with joy.
"Grovyle!" The lizard-like Pokémon said. They went up to them.
"So, how have you been since Rustboro City?" Brendan asked.
"Kairi and I just left Slateport City and she won her second ribbon. And that was after leaving Dewford Island and earning my Knuckle Badge. You?" Sora asked.
"I got two badges under my belt and I'm on my way to Mauville City too. Also, my partner here evolved into a Grovyle," Brendan said.
"Grovyle," Grovyle said.
"Your Treecko evolved? That's great!" Kairi said.
"Grovyle, huh?" Sora asked, taking out his Pokédex and scanned Brendan's partner.
Grovyle, the Wood Gecko Pokémon
The evolved form of Treecko
Type: Grass
This Pokémon adeptly flies from branch to branch in trees. In a forest, no Pokémon can ever hope to catch a fleeing Grovyle however fast they may be.
"Wow. And I thought Treecko were master tree climbers," Sora said, putting his Pokédex away.
"Anyway, Kairi, congrats on winning your second ribbon," Brendan said.
"Thank you. I couldn't have done it without the support of my boyfriend here," Kairi said.
"Yeah, but Riku and Naminé were too," Sora reminded his girlfriend.
"Who are Riku and Naminé?" Brendan asked.
"Just a couple of friends of ours. Riku has an Eevee with the same hairstyle as him," Sora said. Brendan chuckled, confusing Sora. "What's so funny?"
"What's funny is that I met a trainer who has an Eevee that matches your description. He didn't give a name when I battled him," Brendan said.
"You battled Riku?" Sora asked.
"Yeah and I got creamed," Brendan said.
"Of course you did," Sora said. He remembered when he met Ethan in the Johto region and he lost to his Eevee in his very first battle.
"There was no shame to losing to a great trainer like him. He obviously did a great job raising his Eevee if I had to lose to him," Brendan said. "So, I told him that I would go for a rematch with him sometime."
"And I think he'll be expecting the best from you the next time," Sora said.
"And you know it, Sora," Brendan said. "I wouldn't mind having a battle with you in the very near future, if you want, Sora." He smiled and nodded.
"And I can hold you to it, Brendan," Sora said.
"I'll take that for a yes," Brendan said.
They grinned at each other and promises each other a battle in the very near future. As they kept going in the woods, they quickly found themselves in a thick fog.
"Man, this fog is just as thick as pea soup," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"It's so thick I can't see my own hand in front of my face," Kairi said.
"Me neither. It'll be a good idea if we all stay together just in case we all stumble into a puddle or off a cliff," Brendan said as he ran into a tree. "Or this." The rubbed his when it was all red. "Ouch."
"You doing okay, Brendan? Do you smell good?" Sora asked.
"That's not funny, Sora," Brendan said. "I'm not bleeding, am I?" Sora and Kairi both looked right at his nose..
"No blood," Kairi said.
"You're okay, Brendan," Sora said.
"That's good to know," Brendan said. "The one thing I can't stand is having blood coming out from the nose."
"Has that ever happened before?" Sora asked, with curiosity.
"No, it just grosses me out," Brendan admitted.
"Oh, sure it does," Sora scoffed.
"It really does. I mean just seeing is enough to make me wanna throw up," Brendan said.
"I think it'll be best if you didn't talk about throwing up, because we would want to eat later," Kairi stated.
"I guess you're right, Kairi. We should find a good spot to eat as soon as the fog lifts," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"I think it would be better if we make a stop right now since we don't know what else might happen," Kairi said as Sora tripped over a large tree root.
"You know what, Kairi? I like your idea even better," Sora said. They sat at the tree root, waiting for the fog to clear up. "A good idea to make a stop right here, Kairi. At least we won't get lost any more than we already are."
"The only probem is, we don't know where we are," Brendan said.
"He's right. This fog isn't helping us out one little bit," Kairi said.
"Sllllooooowwwwww..." A new low-tone came. Kairi turned to her boyfriend.
"That's not funny, Sora," Kairi deadpanned.
"That wasn't me. I thought it was him," Sora said.
"I thought it was one of you," Brendan said.
"Well, if it wasn't you or you then who was it?" Kairi asked.
"Slowpoke," the voice came again.
"There it is again," Kairi said.
"Where is it coming from?" Sora asked. He got his answer when a Slowpoke came out of the fog. This Slowpoke had yellow markings on its head and tail. "Slowpoke? SO, it was just you."
"What's up with this Slowpoke?" Brendan asked.
"I don't know. I never seen anything like this before. Have you?" Kairi asked.
"Don't look at me," Brendan said.
"Maybe it got some mustard on it and just forgot about it. Slowpoke are pretty dim-witted," Sora said, turning to Slowpoke. "No offense to you, Slowpoke."
"Slow," Slowpoke said.
"Slowpoke! Slowpoke! Where are you, Slowpoke?" A new voice called out. Out of the fog came a slender girl with fair skin, blue eyes, and pink hair. She also wears pink lipstick and eye shadow and has a mole under her mouth. She wore a white fur coat, a white and blue moth-like bow with pink circles on it, along with a violet tank top with blue jean shorts. She spots the Slowpoke with the kids. "There you are. I've been looking all over for you. I hope my Slowpoke wasn't making any trouble for you. She tends to wonder off sometimes."
"It's no problem. She was just lucky that we saw her. To be honest, we didn't know this Slowpoke belonged to anyone," Kairi explained.
"I'll be sure to let you know that this Slowpoke came from the Galar region, and so did I. My name is Klara," the young woman introduced herself.
"Hi, my name's Sora," he introduced.
"Pika, Pika," Pikachu said.
"I'm Kairi," she introduced herself.
"And I'm Brendan," he finished.
"Very nice to meet you. You three shouldn't be out here in this fog," Klara told them.
"We pretty much the idea why that is," Sora said. He took a look over to her Slowpoke. "Anyway, you said that this your Slowpoke is from the Galar region?"
"That's right. These Slowpoke inhabit a place known as the Isle of Armor. Just a large island in the Galar region," Klara explained. Sora became curious and took out his Pokédex.
Slowpoke Galarian Form, the Dopey Pokémon
Type: Psychic
Although this Pokémon is normally zoned out, its expression abruptly sharpens on occasion. Slowpoke's sudden transformation is said to be the result of consumption of seeds from plants that can only be found in the Galar region.
"That explains a lot," Sora said. "Anyway, why are you out here?"
"Well, I was doing some exploring here in the Hoenn region and I ended up getting lost in these woods and that was when this fog picked up. I had only made a stop to rest my feet when my Slowpoke wondered off and that's when you come in," Klara said.
"At least she didn't go too far," Sora said.
"Good thing she doesn't move so fast, otherwise I would have lost her trail. Again, thanks for finding Slowpoke for me," Klara said.
"No problem, Klara," Sora said.
"So, where are you three heading?" Klara asked.
"Well, Sora, Kairi, and I are heading for Mauville City for a Gym battle," Brendan explained.
"Sora is having his Gym battle, and I'm just winning ribbons from the Pokémon Contests I enter," Kairi said.
"Oh, Gym Challengers and a Coordinator. That must be nice. How many do you have?" Klara asked.
"When it comes to Badges and Ribbons from the each of us, two," Sora said.
Kairi had prepared the meal for them all and ate within a few minutes. Kalra was impressed by how the meal was prepared. Her Slowpoke even like the Pokémon food Kairi had made. The fog finally clears up and they all look around to see where they are; right at a cliff. Sora winced when he realized where they almost went.
"Don't tell me that we were this close to falling to our certain doom," Brendan said, gesturing how close with his fingers.
"Okay, I won't tell you," Sora said.
"It was a good thig we made that stop or else it would have been terrible," Kairi said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"I'm totally gonna agree with you. Now let's get a move on before something else happens," Klara suggested. Not needing a second opinion, they continued on their way to Mauville City. As they started walking, she noticed how Sora and Kairi are holding hands and she grinnned quite wickedly. "So, Sora and Kairi. What's the deal with the both of you? Hm?" Klara became curious.
"They're actually a couple," Brendan said. Sora and Kairi blushed a bit, but they didn't care who knew it.
"He's right; we are," Sora admitted.
"We've been together ever since our journey started in Kanto," Kairi added.
"I thought it was getting a little lovey-dovey here. And I'm gonna admit, you two are such a cute pair," Klara said.
"You and everybody else," Sora said.
"Try telling that to your female fans," Kairi said.
"And your male fans too, Kairi," Sora added. THey both shared a laugh. "You're the one girl for me, Kairi."
"And you're the boy for me, Sora," Kairi said, sharing a kiss with each other. Klara cooed at the sight.
"Aw, how nice," Klara said.
Brendan felt envious towards them, if only he could tell his feelings of May. He did have a crush on her ever since he was young. He couldn't help but blush. Once Sora and Kairi have stopped kissing they continued onwards.
As they went further, they were unaware of Team Rocket spying on them once more.
"Well, well, well. It's the twerps and one more twerp," Jessie said.
"And isn't taht a Slowpoke?" Meowth asked.
"It's not any Slowpoke I have ever seen," James said. "I'll need to consult my iPad." he turned it on and he looked up Slowpoke and he marveled at what he's found. "Ah! It is a Slowpoke, but it's in a Galarian Form!"
"Galarian Form Slowpoke?" Jessie asked, intrigued.
"According to the iPad, Slowpoke's apperence is a result from eating seeds from plants that can only be found in the Galar region," James said.
"Must be some plant," Meowth said.
"Who cares about that? I would say that Slowpoke is considered a rare Pokémon, and it's our mission to capture it at all costs," Jessie stated.
"How right you are, Jessie. And as a happy bonus, we get to capture Pikachu too," James said.
"And all we have to do it set up a pitfall trap to get them!" Meowth said. Wobbufett pops up.
"Wobbufett!" Wobbufett said.
Team Rocket dashes ahead to set up their trap. They dug fast and covered the hole with forest debris. They hide in the foliage, not wanting to be seen until they wanted them to. As they kept going, Sora had a sickening feeling. So, he picked up a rock and threw it right ahead of them, causing the pitfall trap plan to fail.
"What was that?" Brendan asked.
"Just a lame trap," Sora said. Team Rocket jumps out of their hiding place and yell at them.
"It was not a lame trap! It was a well thought up plan!" Jessie snarled at them.
"A trap that would have worked if you would just fall in it like you were supposed to!" James added.
"I hate to rain on your parade, but I don't think I was gonna fall for it. You should know by now that we're on to your little schemes," Sora said.
"And the scoreboard between us is just plain one-sided," Kairi added.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"You know them?" Brendan asked.
"Unfortunately, we do," Sora groaned.
"Um, who are they, exactly?" Klara asked.
"Prepare for trouble, you did ask," Jessie said.
"Make it double, and being bad is quite a task," James said.
"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!"
"Did that Meowth just talk?!" Brendan exclaied.
"He did," Sora said. "So, let's cut the crap and just get it over with, because I know why they're here."
"Why are they here?" Klara asked.
"Team Rocket steals Pokémon from other trainers and they use them for crimes," Kairi said.
"Flattery is only going to get you flattened," Jessie said, taking out a Pokéball.
"So, we'll be taking Pikachu and that Slowpoke," James said.
"If you think we're gonna hand them over, then you're dumber than ever!" Sora said, taking out a Pokéball and threw it. Kairi did the same thing.
"Go! Ralts!" Sora and Kairi called out as both of their Ralts have come out to battle.
"Seviper! Go!" Jessie called out.
"Go! Cacnea!" James called out as Canea entered the fray and gave him a painful hug. "OUCH! Do we have to do this every time?!"
"Not gonna let you have the fun," Brendan said, taking out a Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Grovyle!" Brendan's Grovyle comes out to battle. "Grovyle! Use Fury Cutter on Seviper!" Grovyle swipes at Seviper with the leaf on his arm.
"Ralts! Use Disarming Voice!" Sora ordered.
"You too, Ralts!" Kairi ordered.
Both of the couples Ralts used their combined Disarming Voice and itcatches them in a booming soundwave.
"Now fire Psybeam!" Sora and Kairi ordered. The Ralts couple fired Psybeam and it combined. The combined Psybeam struck Team Rocket. THey weren't giving up that easily.
"Seviper! Use Poison Tail!" Jessie ordered.
"Cacnea! Pin Missle!" James ordered.
Seviper comes at the Ralts with his tail, giving off a purple poisonous glow as Cacnea was firing Pin Missle at them.
"Confusion!" Sora and Kairi ordered. They both blocked their attacks with their psychic attack and hurls them back. Seviper landed on Jessie and Cacnea's attack is sent back at James, Meowth, and Cacnea.
"I hate it when the good guys win!" James whined.
"Grovyle! Dragon Breath!" Brendan ordered. Grovyle fires Dragon Breath right at them. Klara was amazed by their battling skills.
"Wow," Klara said impressed.
"Slow," Slowpoke said.
"Now, let's wrap this up! Pikachu! Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu fires Thunderbolt and it sends them all flying in the air.
"Another plan foiled," Meowth said.
"That twerp is just too smart for the likes of us," James said.
"We'll outsmart that twerp someday! We just need a plan that is so clever, even those eggheads back in HQ will have to recognize us!" Jessie said.
"Wobbu, Wobbu, Wobbufett!" Wobbufett said.
"Who asked you?" Jessie snapped at the patient Pokémon.
"WE'RE BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" Team Rocket shouted.
"Wobbu!" Wobbufett said as a star twinkles in the distance.
"And that takes care of those morons," Sora said.
"Are they going to be okay?" Klara asked.
"I'm sure they are. And they'll be back for more," Sora said.
"And trust me when I say this, they never learn their lesson," Kairi added.
"Pika, Pika," Pikahu said.
"And I thought Team Magma and Team Aqua were bad enough," Brendan said.
"Don't worry. Those three are the lamest members from Team Rocket," Sora stated.
They kept making their way until they made their way to a nearby town.
Civilization at last," Klara proclaimed. "It feels like we've been wondering through those woods for years!"
"We've only been in it for the last four hours," Sora said, looking at his PokéNav. "Time kinda flies when you're wondering through the woods."
"I kinda does, doesn't it?" Kairi asked.
"So, how about we have your Pokémon battle, Sora? We never did have a battle when we just met," Brendan said.
"Well, I thought I would wait until you were a tad strong enough. But by the way you handled yourself with Team Rocket earlier, I've seen it. How do you wanna do it?" Sora asked.
"Let's make it three-on-three. Two out of three is the winner," Brendan said.
"You're on," Sora said. They went to the local park to get the battle started between them. Kairi and Klara stood behind Sora as Brendan took out his first Pokéball.
"Okay, Sora! Here we go!" Brendan said as he got ready. "Go! Linoone!" Brendan threw his Pokéball and what emerged from inside it is a quadrupedal, long-bodied, ferret-like Pokémon. It is mostly covered in cream-colored fur, with brown stripes running down its back and tail. It has a weasel-like snout, tiny ruffled ears, a black nose, and bright blue eyes. Its tail is long and furry. It has long, slender arms and legs with sharp claws on each. Sora took out his Pokédex and scanned the Pokémon.
Linoone, the Rushing Pokémon
The evolved form of Zigzagoon
Type: Normal
Linoone always runs full speed and only in straight lines. If facing an obstacle, it makes a right-angle turn to evade it. This Pokémon is very challenged by gently curving roads.
"You ready, Pikachu?" Sora asked as he took a look at his partner.
"Pika," Pikachu said. He enters the battle against Linoone.
"Pikachu! Start up with Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Pikachu dashes right towards Linoone
"Linoone! Dodge and use Pin Missle!" Brendan ordered. Linoone avoided Pikachu's Quick Attack and fired Pin Missle to strike at Pikachu.
"Block it with Iron Tail!" Sora ordered. Pikachu swing his tail and it reflects Pin Missle right back to its owner. The reflected attack pelted Linoone on the mark.
"Not bad, Sora. But not good enough! Linoone! Use Fury Swipe!" Brendan ordered. Linoone lunges right at Pikachu.
"Dodge it!" Sora called out. Linoone came too fast and swipes at Pikachu. "Shake it off! Thunderbolt!" Pikachu fires Thunderbolt and shocks Linoone.
"Now use Headbutt!" Linoone heads towards Pikachu with its head forward.
"Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Pikachu dashes towards Linoone and lands a hit onto it.
"Way to go, Sora!" Kairi cheered for her boyfriend.
"Wow, he's good. And I thought he was nothing to sneeze at when I saw you battle against those geeks," Klara said.
"He's very skilled," Kairi said. "
"No doubt," Klara said.
"Slow," Slowpoke said.
"Linoone! Pin Missle!" Brendan ordered. Linoone fired Pin Missle right at Pikachu.
"Pikachu! Dodge with Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Pikachu dashes across the battlefield as Linoone's attack misses the mouse Pokémon. "Now use Thunderbolt!" Pikachu lands a direct hit onto Linoone and it fell to the ground beaten. Brendan calls back Linoone. Sora and Pikachu high-fived at their victory in the first round.
"Take a good long rest, Linoone. You deserve it," Brendan said. He took out another Pokéball. "Not bad, Sora. Now let's see how you handle this one! Go! Gulpin!" Brendan threw his Pokéball and lets out a green Pokémon with a black spot on its back. On top of its head, there is a "feather" that is yellow, skinny and long. It has no eyes and it has small fat hands. Sora took out his Pokédex again and scanned it.
Gulpin, the Stomach Pokémon
Type: Poison
Virtually all of Gulpin's body is its stomach. As a result, it can swallow something its own size. This Pokémon's stomach contains a special fluid that digests anything.
"No wonder they call it the Stomach Pokémon. And since it's a Poison Type, then I'm going with Ralts!" Sora said as he took out Ralts's Pokéball and threw it. Ralts adjusts his bow tie upon entry.
"Gulpin! Poison Gas!" Brendan ordered. Gulpin fires a dark green of poisonous gas from its mouth and right at Ralts.
"Dodge!" Sora called out. Ralts avoids the poisonous gas cloud. "Great! Now use Psybeam!" Ralts fired Psybeam right at the stomach Pokémon, causing a super-effective hit. "Now use Disarming Voice!" Ralts fired his sound-based attack.
"Gulpin! Dodge and use Acid Spray!" Brendan ordered. Gulpin avoids Psybeam and fired acid from its mouth.
"Ralts, get away from there!" Sora called out. Ralts ran across the battlefield, but he got hit by the acid attack. "Ralts!"
"That's it! Now Guplin, use Body Slam!" Brendan ordered. Guplin jumped and landed right on the feeling Pokémon, earning a knockout. "Way to go, Guplin! And your very first win too!" Guplin smiled as it felt praise from its trainer.
"Not too bad, Brendan! Your Guplin is awesome!" Sora said.
"Thanks. Your Pikachu and your Ralts were awesome too! Next round decides the win!" Brendan said.
"Got it!" Sora said, calling Ralts back. He takes out his next Pokéball. Brendan calls back his Guplin.
""Let's go, Grovyle!" Brendan called out as he threw his Pokéball and his Grovyle enters the battlefield. Sora threw his Pokéball.
"Let's do this thing, Treecko!" Sora called out. Treecko enters the battlefield against his evolved form. Kairi would have thought it would be better if he would send out Torchic since he is a Fire Type Pokémon. But she figured he has something planned.
"You know Grovyle ahs the advantage over Treecko because of evolution, don't you?" Brendan asked.
"You're right, but it's not a challenge that I won't turn down," Sora said. "Treecko! Quick Attack!" Treecko ran towards his evolved form to land a hit.
"Grovyle! You use Quick Attack too!" Brendan ordered. Grovyke ran across the battlefield and clashes with his pre evolved form. "Now use Fury Cutter!" Grovyle moved his arm to land a blow.
"Dodge and use Pound!" Sora ordered. Treecko jumps and swings his tail right at Grovyle, and landing a hit. "Now fire Bullet Seed!" Treecko fired Bullet Seed right at Grovyle.
"You use Bullet Seed too!" Brendan ordered. Grovyle fired Bullet Seed and both clashed into each other. Both were pushing each other back, but due to Grovyle being Treecko's evolved form, he was able to push Treecko's Bullet Seed back. Treecko gets pelted by the attack. Grovyle ceased fire. "Now use Dragon Breath!" Grovyle fired Dragon Breath right at Treecko.
"Dodge with Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Treecko dashes to avoid Dragon Breath and lands a hit onto Grovyle. "Now use Pound!" Treecko swings his tail right at Grovyle and lands a hit. "Now use Low Kick!" Treecko low kicks Grovyle's legs and he landed on his stomach.
"Not bad, Sora, but not good enough! Grovyle! Dragon Breath!" Brendan ordered. Grovyle fires Dragon Breath right at his pre evolved form. Treecko and Grovyle were really going at it. Both were getting tired out from the battle.
"Grovyle! Fury Cutter!" Brendan ordered. Grovyle came right at Treecko with his leaf out.
"Treecko! Pound!" Sora ordered. Treecko ran towards Grovole. Just when they both got close enough, they both landed a blow to one another. Treecko and Grovyle ended up in a stance, not looking at each other. Kairi ad Klara were anxious to see who was going to win. After a few seconds of waiting, Grovyle fell to the ground. Brendan wasn't surprised to see Sora had won, even though he lost.
"Way to go, Sora. Not surprising to me that you won," Brendan said.
"Thanks Brendan. Gotta hand it to you, you almost had me," Sora said.
"Yeah, I kinda did," Brendan said, shaking Sora's hand.
With that settled, Brendan took his leave as Klara decided to accompany them for a little while.
"That was a great battle, Sora. You really impressed me," Klara said.
"Thanks," Sora said.
"We should get into a Pokémon Center to rest up for the night," Kairi suggested.
"Good idea. I could rest my feet," Sora said.
They headed for the Pokémon Center to spend the night and proceed in the morning. Once they reached the Pokémon Center, loads of stares were glued mostly on Klara's Slowpoke because of the yellow markings. In a room Sora and Kairi shared a bed with each other once more.
"Gotta say, my feet were killing me," Kairi said.
"Mine too, Kairi. It was a good thing we came here to rest up," Sora said.
"That was a good battle between you and Brendan today," Kairi said.
"Thanks. He got better since we saw him battle against Norman," Sora said.
"He has. He kinda reminded me of you when you were first starting out," Kairi said.
"I made some mistakes on my first day, but I got better. And that was only after I met you. I probably said it before, but I'm glad we met," Sora said.
"Me too. If we hadn't we wouldn't know if my parents were alive after all these years. And everything else that's happened since then," Kairi said. The couple smiled at each other. "Goodnight, Sora. I love you."
"Love you too, Kairi," Sora said. "And goodnight." He and Kairi kisses each other goodnight and parted lips as they both went to sleep. They both ended up having such happy dreams. Dreams of another adventure inevitably coming their way.
I added in Klara and the Galarian Slowpoke in honor of Pokémon Sword and Shield's Isle of Armor expansion. Hope you like it.