Episode 243: Gulpin it Down
It was a sunny afternoon in Rustboro City as they stopped in the park to have themselves a picnic. All of their Pokémon were out to enjoy the meals Kairi had prepared before leaving the Pokémon Center.
"There's seconds if you want any," Kairi said.
"Sophocles would have that covered, Kairi," Sora said, taking the sandwich.
As the Pokémon were eating, Pikachu had a satisfying look on his face and Angel gave him some of her food.
"Here, Pikachu. You should have a little more. I'm getting full." - Angel subtitle.
"I really shouldn't, but a little more isn't going to kill me." - Pikachu subtitle. Just when he was about to take a bite, a Gulpin crawls by and devoured the food in one gulp. The Gulpin did the same to the other Pokémon's meals and some more ate all of the food Kairi had made for the picnic. Sora, Kairi, Lisia, May, and Max were dumbfounded as the gulpin spat out the dishes.
"Gulpin?" Sora asked.
"Where did that come from?" May asked.
"I don't know, but I can tell you, that wasn't here the last time," Sora said.
"You're right. I don't remember seeing any Gulpin here," Kairi pointed out.
"But did it have to swallow all the food whole and ruin our picnic?" May asked, getting peeved.
"Gulpin do swallow food whole. They can swallow anything that is even bigger than it is," Max said.
Suddenly, an alarm is heard, making the group look around. They knew something was really wrong when Officer Jenny spoke through the microphone.
"Attention! This an emergency police order! All residents must evacuate immediately! Repeat! All residents must evacuate immediately!" Officer Jenny announced.
"Evacuate?" Lisia asked.
"Evacuate where?" Sora asked.
"I don't know, but we should get out of here while we can," Kairi suggetsed.
"I'm with her. I don't know what' going on, and I don't want to stick around and find out," May said.
"Let's go," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
The residents didn't waste any time getting out. Sora, Kairi, Lisia, Pikachu, Angel, May, and Max walked down the streets and saw the residents pack up and ran as fast as they could possibly run. It didn't take long until it turned into a desserted ghost town.
"They sure follow orders fast," May said.
"Yeah, I don't see anyone else anywhere," Max said. They almost jumped when they heard a woman screaming nearby.
"Somebody didn't get out fast," Sora said. The scream came from inside a bakery as she is backed up against the wall. "We heard you screaming? What's happening?"
"Those things are what's happening! RIght there!" The baker said, pointing. They turned to see a whole bunch of Gulpin eating all of the bread and other pastries.
"Gulpin!" Lisia exclaimed.
"They're eating everything!" Kairi exclaimed.
Pikachu and Angel were about to battle them when some other Gulpin ended up dog piling on them.
"Pikachu!" Sora exclaimed.
"Angel!" Kairi gasped. Sora and Kairi threw some of the Gulpin off of them. Pikachu held onto Angel and Sora pulled them both out.
"They're okay," Sora said. Pikachu let's go of her when he saw they were safe; but not for long.
"None of us are safe! Look!" May exclaimed. Sora, Kairi, Lisia, and Max saw more Gulpin coming down in the vents. The Gulpin takes up so much space in the bakery.
"There's way too many of them!" Max exclaimed.
"We got to get out!" Sora shouted.
"How?!" Lisia asked.
"Help!" May screamed.
Suddenly, a whistle is heard coming closer to the bakery.
"Officer Jenny!" Sora called out.
Officer Jenny comes to the scene with a Tangela on her side.
"Tangela, use Vine Whip!" Officer Jenny ordered. Tangela uses Vine Whip to pull Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Angel, May, Max Lisia, and the baker out of the Gulpin pile. All of the Gulpin all left after having their fill.
"If you think getting slobbered on by a bunch of Wooper was a nightmare, then you haven't really lived one until you got a bunch of Gulpin all over you," Sora said.
"You should evacuate at once," Officer Jenny said.
"Right away," the baker said, running off. The policewoman looked at the group.
"And that goes to non-residents as well," Officer Jenny said.
"We were in the middle of a long journey," May said.
"And we all needed to take a little rest," Max said.
"Oh, then, I will have to ask you to come with me," Officer Jenny said. She led them into the Pokémon Center and shows them a section they have not been in before.
"All residents in the threatened areas have been evacuated," Nurse Joy said. "We are now initiating measures into driving all invading Gulpin out of the city."
"Excellent work, Nurse Joy. Continue to monitor the situation," Officer Jenny said.
"Will do," Nurse Joy acknowledged.
"How is that none if us knew about this section the last time we were here?" Sora asked.
"No idea," Kairi said.
"This Pokémon Center acts as a defense center for invading Pokémon such as all those Gulpin outside. We never had to use it unless we had to," Nurse Joy answered.
"I've seen Gulpin before, but I have never seen so many in just one place before," Lisia commented.
"How could something like this happen?" May asked.
"I'm afraid I don't know how the Gulpin got here and what drew them here, but it started off as a quiet day, just like any other, but a few weeks ago, all of those Gulpin began to show up. There weren't that many at first. The Gulpin numbers began to increase in each passing day, so many of the residents started to evacuate," Officer Jenny explained.
"Man, this is just like that one town we visited that had so many Krabby we visited before. Remember, Kairi?" Sora asked.
"How could I forget?" Kairi asked.
"So many Krabby?" May asked.
"We were on our way to Olivine City at the time. The town we visited was overrun with Krabby and we found that their lake home was taken over by Grimer and Muk," Sora explained. "All those Gulpin is a different story."
"The question is, how could there be so many Gulpin at once?" May asked.
"Quite simple. It's because they're mulitplying like crazy," an elderly scientist said.
"Who's he?" Sora asked.
"This is Professor Jacuzzi. He's the expert we hired since he has done research on Gulpin for the last fifty years," Officer Jenny introduced.
"When I heard their populations were spiking up, I knew I had to come," Professor Jacuzzi said.
"The Gulpin's main goal is to devour everything they can get to and our losses are staggering. So, we had to do something to get the situation handled before it could get any worse," Officer Jenny said, showing the trainers the images taken of the Gulpin eating everything.
"With that so many Gulpin, and how much they're eating, it's no wonder you need an expert like Professor Jacuuzi to lend a hand," Sora said.
"I know those Gulpin like I know the back of my own hand. I even know where they'll be heading. They'll be heading right for the city's center, here," Professor Jacuuzi said, pointing to a red dot on the city's map.
"That's not where the city's remaining food supply is stored, is it?" Sora asked.
"Yes," the Gulpin researcher replied.
"That's what I was afraid of," Sora groaned.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"And if those Gulpin gets there and eats all the food, then you have any food left in the entire city," May said.
"Not only that, but they could move onto the next town over and do the same thing," Lisia said.
"And that'll be a problem for everyone everywhere," Max said.
"And that's why we have to put a stop to them and soon," Officer Jenny said.
"And I have just the thing to stop them in their tracks," Professor Jacuuzi said. An alarm goes off.
"They're on the move!" Nurse Joy alerted everyone.
"Just as I predicted, they're heading for the city's center," Professor Jacuuzi concluded.
"Then there's no choice, but to iniciate Gulpin Group Immobilation immediately!" Officer Jenny proclaimed.
"Good call, officer! We'll put those Gulpin right out of business once and for all!" Professor Jacuuzi said.
"Looks like you'll need a hand in this. My Aron can help out since he's a Steel Type," Sora said. He turned to Kairi and takes out his Pokédex and hands it to Kairi. "We're going to need Mawile for this one."
"Good thinking," Kairi said, accessing the Pokédex and exchanged Shiinotic for Mawile. "Now we're all set!" Sora and Kairi had let out Aron and Mawile to help keep the Gulpin at bay. The alrms start blaring again as Officer Jenny and the young trainers stood on the path of the stomach Pokémon, ready for their attack.
"Alright everyone, it's now or never," Officer Jenny said. "Is everyone ready to go?"
"Yes, ma'am," Sora, Kairi, Lisia, May, and Max said. Right on cue the Gulpin start marching towards the city's remaining food supply.
"Here they come," Officer Jenny said. Professor Jacuuzi rides in his vehicle, getting his plan into motion.
"I am now initiating plan A. Switch on!" Professor Jacuuzi said, raising the switch. A hatch on the side opens and brings out a rocket. He aims at the approaching Gulpin. "Distance 350 yards. Adjusting judiciary in 2.5%. Off we go!" Professor Jacuuzi launches the missle right at the missle and it dives staright down. It opens to reveal that it contains PokéBlocks, being green, pink, and blue. It lands right in front of the Gulpin, making them stop and analyze the PokéBlocks.
"Are those PokéBlocks?" Lisia asked. The vehicle's door opens and he steps out.
"Indeed, young lady. This PokéBlock is made specially for Gulpin. It has taken me many years to put together, using the necessary 180 ingredients designed to attract Gulpin. It has taken me much time and effort to combine them in such such a way to be especially appealing." Some of the Gulpin jumps on the PokéBlock. "Watch." He activates propellers on the container by remote control and goes up into the air as the Gulpin had fallen off. Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Angel, May, Max, Lisia, and Officer Jenny were amazed by how they were going for it.
"It's working!" Sora proclaimed.
"The Gulpin are leaving!" Kairi added. Professor Jacuzzi laughs.
"It is another victory for us scientist types!" Pofessor Jacuuzi proclaimed.
Just when the PokéBlock bait was leading the hungry Gulpin right out of town, a grapple glove grabs it.
"Wait! Professor! What's going on?!" Officer Jenny exclaimed. Team Rocket laughs from their balloon. Sora and Kairi groaned in annoyance as they knew who they were.
"So, who in the name of science are you?" The Gulpin researcher asked.
"Prepare for trouble, your experiment has caught our eye," Jessie started.
"Make it double, kiss your PokéBlock goodbye," James added with 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!"
"It's Team Rocket!" Kairi, May and Max exclaimed.
"What's a Team Rocket?" Professor Jacuuzi asked.
"Who are they?" Lisia asked.
"Those morons are with an organization known in the Kanto region called Team Rocket; they're bad guys who steal Pokémon from other trainers," Sora exlained.
"They steal Pokémon?" Lisia asked in dismay. She didn't like how that sounded one little bit.
"You twerp are always twisting the truth! We simply saw something fly through the air, so we grabbed it!" James argued. "Also, stop calling us morons!"
"I'm just calling as I see it. Also, that PokéBlock isn't for you!" Sora shouted.
"Well, it is now, since we took it, unfair and square!" Jessie said.
"So possession is nine-tenths of the law," Meowth added.
"Wobbufett!" Wobbufett added.
Angered by Team Rocket's theft, the Gulpin all fired Sludge right at the balloon, covering it up with sludge and gunk.
"They're messing up our balloon!" Team ROcket gasped.
"Ah, that's some Sludge attack," Professor Jacuuzi said.
"I take it that they're not happy about them taking the PokéBlock from them," Lisia said.
"They never think about the consequences of their actions; in fact, they don't think about much of anything except themelves," Sora said. The ballon comes down with them screaming. Their balloon deflates.
"I will not tolerate any mud-slinging!" Jessie snarled.
"Yeah, you mucked up our perfectly perfect Meowth balloon, you little gluttons!" Meowth added.
"So now it's time to get down and dirty!" James added.
"Wobbufett!" Wobbufett added. The Gulpin were unphased by their threats and began to build up pink energy as they were glowing.
"What are they doing?" May asked.
"What they're doing is using Stockpile," Professor Jacuuzi said.
"Stockpile? Doesn't that mean, they're going to use Spit Up next?" Sora asked.
"It does, young man. The more times Stockpile is used, the stronger Spit Up will become. And I have a feeling it'll be very powerful indeed," Professor Jacuuzi confirmed. The Gulpin alol fired Spit Up right at Team Rocket, resulting in an explosion and sending the villains flying in the air.
"W'RE BLASTING OFF AGAIN!" Team Rocket shouted. A star twinkle in the distance. The PokéBlocks comes falling down. Sora had to act fast.
"Aron! Get that PokéBlock! Keep it from crashing into the ground!" Sora called out. Aron miraculously caught the PokéBlocks, preventing it from crashing.
"Wow, Aron is pretty strong for a little guy," May said.
"Incredible combination! First they went into aa Stockpile and they followed with a Spit Up," the Gulpin researcher said proudly.
"I think it's too soon to celebrate, professor," Lisia said.
"We have more important things to worry about," Max said. The Gulpin were coming right towards the PokéBlocks.
"They're coming back!" Kairi exclaimed.
"Aron!" Sora called out. Officer Jenny took out three Pokéballs and threw them.
"Tangela, Meganium, Parasect! Go!" Officer Jenny called out. The three Pokémon emerged from their Pokéballs between the Gulpin and PokéBlocks. "Tangela! Vine Whip! Meganium! Razor Leaf! Parasect! Stun Spore!" Tangela whips the Gulpin with Vine Whip and Meganium fires Razor Leaf at them while Parasect sprinkles Stun Spore on the Gulpin, paralyzing them
"Mawile! Fairy Wind!" Kairi ordered. Mawile blows Fairy Wind from her jaws.
"Wow, Officer Jenny and Kairi sure put together some awesome attacks," May said, impressed.
"Yeah, but since they're Poison Type Pokémon, Grass and Fairy Type attacks aren't gonna do that much damage," Max said.
"Let's give this a whirl! Marshtomp! Go!" Sora called out, throwing Marshtomp's Pokéball. The mud fish Pokémon enters the fray. "Marshtomp! Mud Shot!" Marshtomp fires Mud Shot right at the Gulpin and some of them responds with a Sludge attack. Marshtomp avoids it by jumping out of the way. The Gulpin all fires Sludge and Mawile takes the hit, but no damage is done, due to her immunity to poison.
"Nice choice to use Steel Types against Gulpin's Sludge," Lisia praised her.
"Thanks," Kairi said.
"Now to activate my high-powered mini jet," Professor Jacuuzi said, pushing the green button. The PokéBlocks goes flying once more and the Gulpin all go after the PokéBlocks, with the intentions of eating it.
"And there they go!" Sora said.
"Yeah, but we're not quite out of the woods yet, so I suggest we head back to the defense center right away," Officer Jenny stated.
"Why do I have a feeling it would be too easy when it they go for the bait?" Sora asked.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
They head back to the defense Center and monitor for any signs of the Gulpin. Elsewhere, Team Rocket are still dazed from their latest defeat at the hands of the Gulpin with Jessie on top of James.
"Oh, my aching head," Jessie groaned. She sat up. James had regained consciousness as he saw Jessie on top of him and he blushes madly when he saw her on top of him. Jessie stood up and stretched as he started to get a nosebleed from seeing her panties as she took a step forward. Meowth got up as he rubbed his head.
"Did somebody get the license of the truck that just ran us over?" Meowth asked in a daze. He shook it off and saw James's face all red and his nose bleeding.
"James? What's wrong with you? Your face is redder than a Tomato Berry and your noe is bleeding!" Meowth pointed out as Jessie had turned.
"It's nothing, Meowth! Absolutely nothing!" James lied. He tried to think of an excuse. "I'm just a little sunburned and the pressure was too much for my nose, so that's why it's bleeding, but it'll get better soon." James said, plugging his nose with cotton. Jessie knew it wasn't that at all. She shook it off.
"Gotta stay strong! James is just a colleague, and nothing more," jessie said in her thoughts. "I mean, it's true that he has a very hunky side, but it doesn't mean that I'm attracted to him or anything! He and I agreed that it was nothing! Nothing!" Jessie and James try their best to forget what happened that night, but the more they fought it, the more the were losing the fight.
The Gulpin had finished the PokéBlocks and set off to get to the remaing food.
Back to the Pokémon Center, Pikachu went over to Angel and he decided that he couldn't wait anymore.
"Angel, we need to talk." - Pikachu subtitle.
"About what?" - Angel subtitle. Pikachu was starting to blush.
"Well, as you know, we've been travelling with each other for a while and we got to know each other as time came by, so I wanted to say that you're a very good friend, Angel." - Pikachu subtitle. He was rubbing the back of his head, while blushing.
"I feel the same way, Pikachu. To be honest, you're the first real friend that I have ever had." - Angel subtitle. This surprises Pikachu.
"Really?" - Pikachu subtitle.
"Yes. I never had that many friends, because I was very shy. After meeting you and the other Pokémon, I knew we were going to get along." - Angel subtitle.
"Me too." - Pikachu subtitle.
"And I'm glad that I met you, Sora, and Kairi, because it has let me out of my shell, little-by-little." - Angel subtitle.
"I'm glad that I met you too, Angel. I think that it was fate that was doing its part." - Pikachu subtitle. Angel blushes as well. Aron and Mawile peeked at the two Pokémon with grins on their faces. Pikachu and Angel were closing in for a kiss when suddenly without warning, the power goes out. Aron and Mawile both had sour looks on their faces.
"Oh, this is just dandy." - Aron subtitle.
"And they were so close too!" - Mawile subtile.
"What just happened?" Lisia asked.
"We have a blackout. Switching to emergency power," Nurse Joy announced. The lights come back on.
"Any idea on what caused it?" Officer Jenny asked.
"Yes, one of our cables have been cut," Nurse Joy confirmed.
"And I have a pretty good idea what cut it; those pesky Gulpin. They're back," Sora said.
"I guess that PokéBlock wasn't enough to fill their bellies," May said.
"It sure wasn't," Lisia agreed. Sora looked over to the town map and saw a red dot moving.
"The Gulpin are moving fast in the sewer," Sora said.
"It looks like they're heading to the central storehouse," Kairi said.
"I knew they would be at it again," Professor Jacuuzi said.
"Man, they're just plain relentless when it comes to eating," Sora said.
"Close the gate, and we'll force them up," Officer Jenny ordered.
"Yes, right away," Nurse Joy said. He activates the gates and they close in the sewers. The Gulpin are getting less places to go since they knew they have to go up above ground.
"It's working. They're playing right into our hands," Lisia said.
"Professor, try your special PokéBlock again," Officer Jenny said.
"No, because those Gulpin are very intelligent Pokémon. They will fall for the same trick twice," Professor Jacuuzi said.
"So, what do we do now?" Max asked.
"Once they're above ground again, won't they just turn right around again?" Lisia asked.
"I'm afraid we have severly limited options. I'll have to come up with plan B. Officer, won't you keep the Gulpin occupied until I get to you?" Professor Jacuuzi asked.
"Of course, professor," Officer Jenny said with a salute.
"It looks like it'll be round 2 with those Gulpin, guys," Sora said.
"What if Team Rocket comes back and try something like the last time?" May asked.
"We'll have to cross that bridge when we come to it," Sora said.
"He's right. They won't learn their lesson when the next time," Kairi said.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said. Pikachu looked to Angel and they nod to each other. Sora had let out his Treecko, Torchic, Marshtomp, and Charjabug as Kairi had let out Plusle, Minun, Milotic, Swablu, and Budew to deal with the Gulpin. They all went to the path of the stomach Pokémon. Lisia had let out Ali to help out. Officer Jenny had Meganium, Tangela, and Parasect out as well. The Gulpin had come up above ground as the alarm sounds once more.
"Here they come," Lisia said.
"This is far as they're gonna get," Sora said.
"Tangela, Vine Whip! Meganium, Razor Leaf! Parasect, Stun Spore!" Officer Jenny ordered.
"Pikachu! Thunderbolt! Treecko! Bullet Seed! Torchic! Flame Burst! Marshtomp! Water Gun! Charjabug! Electro Web! Aron! Rock Throw!" Sora ordered.
"Angel! Swift! Plusle and Minun! Discharge! Mawile! Fairy Wind! Budew! Energy Ball! Milotic! Hydro Pump!" Kairi ordered.
"Ali! Dazzling Gleam!" Lisia ordered.
All of the Pokémon launched their attacks at the invading Gulpin, but they kept on coming. The assault from the opposing Pokémon didn't concern them, because they wanted to eat all that food.
"I can't believe it! They keep on coming!" Max exclaimed.
"The food inside is too great a call to pass up! They're not going to give up that easily!" Kairi said.
"I wish they could all just go away!" May exclaimed. Just then, the same vehicle drives in front of the trainers.
"Professor Jacuuzi!" Officer Jenny said happily.
"Your timing is just so perfect!" Sora said.
"What happens when Plan A fails? Go to Plan B!" Professor Jacuzzi said, activating a cannon on top and two satellite dishes come out.
"Plan B, right?" Sora asked.
"T-Element setting are now complete for attack!" Professor Jacuuzi said, activating the sattellites. The sattelittes zaps the stomach Pokémon and transfers them inside the vehicle.
"How are they all disappearing like that?" Max asked.
"I think we're gonna find out," Lisia said.
"H-Element settings are now complete! And fire!" Professor Jacuuzi pressed the red button on the lever. The cannon fires the Gulpin straight into the sky.
"Wait, how they did they all get in there?" May asked.
"I don't know, but as long it's getting rid of the Gulpin, it's good enough for me," Sora said.
"Astounding! I even amaze myself!" Professor Jacuuzi said. "I have only begun to fight!" Professor Jacuuzi kept firing the laser and shot the Gulpin struck by it. It went on until there was only one left. The lone Gulpin tries to get away, but Angel gets in front of it.
"Angel! Quick Attack!" Kairi ordered. Angel dashes right at the Gulpin. It response by firing Sludge right at the female Eevee. Dodge it!" Angel avoids the Gulpin's sludge. "Now use Headbutt!" Angel headbutts into the Gulpin. Gulpin begins to use Stockpile and she knew it was gonna use Spit Up after. "Be careful, Angel. He's using Stockpile." Angel nodded. Gulpin fires Spit Up right at Angel. "Dodge!" Angel dodges right at the last minute. "Now use Swift" Angel fires Swift and it struck Gulpin as it came too fast for Gulpin to react. Gulpin had been taken down. Kairi takes out a Pokéball and threw it. The Pokéball struck Gulpin, making him flow inside. The Pokéball wobbles around and around and then stars swirls around the Pokéball confirming the catch. Sora hands her his Pokédex as it was buzzing. It asks her if she wants to keep Gulpin with her. She chose to send Gulpin right at Professor Oak's lab. "It is done."
"Good catch," Sora said. Kairi hands the Pokédex back to her boyfriend and smiles affectionately.
"Thanks Sora," Kairi thanked him. The couple embraced in a loving hug.
"I guess, that's that. Rustboro City has seen the last of those gluttonous Gulpin," May said.
"Speaking of which, where did you end up sending them?" Lisia asked.
"Ah, it was the work of my greastest invention; the Mach III Particle Cannon. It works as the same as Gulpin's Stockpile and Spit Up. The satellites absorbs the Gulpin and then the cannon fires the Gulpin far away," Professor Jacuuzi said.
"At least they won't come back," Kairi said.
"True. I have been studying Gulpin for fifty years as you all know. My theroy is that the city's food is what has attracted them in the first place. It only warrens to more research," the Gulpin researcher said. He turned to Kairi. "Also, capturing that lone Gulpin was an excellent idea, since it would have gotten away."
On the very next morning, the city was slowly starting to get back to normal as food trucks have started to come in. The townspeople were grateful to the young trainers for getting rid of the problem. Officer Jenny had presented Sora and his friends a certificate for their efforts each.
"Sora, Kairi, Lisia, May, and Max, the mayor is eternally grateful for saving the remaing food from the ravaging Gulpin, so he has rewarded you these certificates, making you the city's heroes. Congratulations," Officer Jenny said.
"Thanks, but the credit should go to Professor Jacuuzi since he's the genius that sent the Gulpin packing," Sora said.
With the Gulpin excitement behind them, the group continues on their way to Petalburg City and make their way through the Petalburg Woods. Stay tuned for the next chapter.