Episode 322: Chimchar's Fears
A couple of days went by since Sora caught a Turtwig and Kairi caught a Kricketot. Sora, Kairi, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Pikachu, Angel, and Meowth strolled down the woods with the same Skorupi following them.
As they kept going down the road, they made a stop in a nearby small town as they came across a bunch of Zangoose trainers. The mayor stepped out to make a small announcement.
"Welcome one and all! To the Fifth Annual Iron Zangoose Competition!" The mayor announced.
"Iron Zangoose Competition?" Ventus asked. "WHat's that?"
"I think we're about to find out," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"To those who do not know what the Iron Zangoose Competition is, I shall be happy to explain! The rules are simple! This will be a tournament between Zangoose! Each trainer will be only be using Zangoose and no other Pokémon. Zangoose will be battling each other as any Pokémon battle! Which Zangoose manages to make it all the way to the final round and win will be crowned as this year's Iron Zangoose Champion! Now, who shall it be? Shall it be our reigning champion, Jonathan James Worthington III, who has won the Iron Zangoose Competition in all four years and to win five years in a row?" The mayor asked as a young man with a smug expression comes on stage. He has dark blonde hair, combed backwards and has his Zangoose with him, sharing his smug expression.
"You might as well just give me the trophy now, because none of these Zangoose will be much of a challenge," Worthington said, smugly.
"That guy is the champion?" Meowth asked.
"Looks like it," Terra said. Ventus didn't like how this guy was so smug.
"That guy doens't know how to be a champion! A real champion is like Sora!" Ventus said.
"Ven, come on. He's not worth it," Sora said.
"You can take that guy with one hand tied behind your back. Besides, you got a Zangoose of your own, right?" Ventus asked. Sora thought for a moment.
"You're right. My Zangoose should be a part of this too. Should be fun for my Zangoose to be with his own kind again," Sora said. He took out his Pokémon Box and exchanged Sobble for his Zangoose.
"To trainers with a Zangoose is to be expected to register before the deadline in fifteen minutes or they will be disqualified for this year's competition!" The mayor announced. Sora took out his Zangoose and saw so many of his own kind.
"Okay, Zangoose, you'll be here competiting in this tournament. Are you ready to show them what kind of Zangoose you can be?" Sora asked.
"Zangoose!" Sora's Zangoose said.
"Great! Let's go register," Sora said.
Sora and his Zangoose went to register for the compeition. Each of the Zangoose were examined thoroughly. Some of them made the cut as others did not. Sora's Zangoose did make the cut due to how clean Zangoose's fur looked. Worthington still gave a smug chuckle as he looked at the rest of the competition.
"It doesn't matter if all those Zangoose made the cut or not. They're all a bunch of losers in my book. Especially one Zangoose with that one kid," Worthingto said, looking at Sora. "He doesn't stand a chance."
The tournament was about to begin. Sora was up against a male Ace Trainer. His Zangoose matched his personality greatly.
"The first battle of the Iron Zangoose Competition is about to begin! This round will be between the Ace Trainer, Carlos from right here in town, against Sora who joins us all the way from Pallet Town in the Kanto region!" The mayor announced. Both Zangoose looked right at each other. Sora's Zangoose wished he had Seviper with him for support, but he was glad he wasn't there because he knew how ugly that would turn out since he knew Zangoose and Seviper had been mortal enemies since the dawn of time. He had to win it for him.
"Go for it, Sora!" Ventus cheered for his cousin.
"You think Sora's Zangoose will last out there?" Aqua asked.
"Hey, remember our inter dimensional escapades? Zangoose should be able to last after all that training he and the other Pokémon went through before our rumble with the Brotherhood of Darkness," Meowth pointed out.
"Right. I guess I was worried over nothing," Aqua said.
"Begin!" The mayor called out.
"Zangoose! Begin with your Quick Attack!" Carlos ordered. Carlos's Zangoose charges right at Sora's Zangoose.
"Zangoose! You use Quick Attack too!" Sora ordered. Sora's Zangoose charged right at Carlos's Zangoose and both had held on. Paul was walking by and he sees was in the competition.
"What is he doing?" Paul asked.
"Zangoose! Slash!" Sora ordered. Sora's Zangoose swipes his claw at the opposing Zangoose. "Now use Crush Claw!" Sora's Zangoose brings his claw down on the opposing Zangoose.
"Don't take it laying down! X-Scissor!" Carlos ordered. Carlos's Zangoose gave Sora's Zangoose a hit with X-Scissor. Sora wasn't going to give up that easily.
"Zangoose! Quick Attack and then, use Metal Claw!" Sora ordered. Sora's Zangoose ran across the battlefield and landed a hit. Then he gave Carlos's Zangoose a Metal Claw and then goes down.
"Carlos's Zangoose is unable to battle! Sora wins the first round!" The mayor announced. Everyone watching were amazed by Sora's victory.
"Way to go, Sora!" Kairi praised her boyfriend.
"I knew you could do it!" Ventus also praised.
"Thanks Kairi, Ven. That means a lot coming from the both of you!" Sora said, rubbing his cousin's head. Paul watched on as he watched the scene. He huffed.
"Luck. It was pure luck," Paul said in his thoughts.
The tournament went on as the competition went on. Worthington and his Zangoose were relentless among the others. Sora and his Zangoose pressed on as they gave it everything they had. The competition went down to Sora and Worthington in the final round.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are now down to the final round of the Iron Zangoose Competition! This is the very first tournament that a newcomer has ever progressed all the way to the final round of the competition! Will Worthington be sitting on the throne of five years in a row or will the newcomer Sora be crowned as this year's Iron Zangoose Champion?!" The mayor asked. The crowd roared as the excitement fills the air. Many of the local girls were cheering for Sora since they found him attractive.
"You think the new boy will win?" One of the girls asked.
"Oh, I think he will. Maybe, I can ask him out on a date when he wins," another girl said.
"No way, I saw him first!" The first girl said.
"No, I did!" The second girl argued back.
"You boys know the rules, so keep it clean," the mayor said. Sora and Worthington glared at each other.
"Don't feel bad about losing. You never belonged in this tournament," Worthington said.
"Don't be so sure. I came made my way to get here," Sora said. Worthington's Zangoose looked right at Sora's Zangoose and took a whiff. It sneered, having to have a Seviper's scent on him.
"A Seviper lover." - Worthington's Zangoose subtitle.
"Now let the battle begin!" The mayor called out.
"Zangoose! Start things up with Thunder Punch!" Worthington ordered. Worthington's Zangoose emits lightning and lands a punch onto Sora's Zangoose. "Good! Give that poor excuse of a Zangoose another Thunder Punch!" Worthington's Zangoose moves in to give Sora's Zangoose another Sora's Zangoose another Thunder Punch.
"Zangoose! Crush Claw!" Sora ordered. Sora's Zangoose blocked Thunder Punch with Crush Claw. "Now, use Slash!" Sora's Zangoose swipes at Worthington's Zangoose.
"Power-Up Punch!" Worthington ordered. Worthington's Zangoose gave Sora's Zangoose a punch in the face and its attack got much stronger. Sora's Zangoose took heavy damage due to his weakness to Fighting Type attacks. "Use another Power-Up Punch now!" Worrthington's Zangoose prepared to use another Power-Up Punch onto Sora's Zangoose.
"Dodge and use Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Sora's Zangoose dodges Power-Up Punch and lands a hit onto Worthington's Zangoose. "Metal Claw!" Sora's Zangoose slashes right at Worthington's Zangoose. Worthington was shocked beyond belief seeing how tough his Zangoose is.
"What is going on? There is no way a kid like him is beating me! No way!" Worthington exclaimed.
"Beat him, Sora!" Ventus cheered for his cousin.
"Take him down!" Kairi added.
"Zangoose! Quick Attack and then use Metal Claw!" Sora ordered. Sora's Zangoose ran towards Worthington's Zangoose with his speed attack. Sora's Zangoose lands a hit onto Worthington's Zangoose. Worthington growled in anger and clutched his fist.
"Fire Blast!" Worthington's Zangoose fires a power Fire Blast right at Sora's Zangoose.
"Crush Claw!" Sora ordered. Sora's Zangoose blocked with his Crush Claw. He held on and then's swipes the flames away. Everyone was at awe to what they were seeing. Wrthington especially was surprised by what he saw.
"How is that kid is so good? I never thought I would be in the corner in my own tournament! I won't allow it! Quick Attack and Power-Up Punch!" Worthington ordered.
"Quick attack and then Crush Claw!" Sora ordered. Both Zangoose charged at each other with their speed and then they raised their paws to land the finishing blow. The both of them took their stance. Worthington's Zangoose fell on the ground beaten.
"Worthington's Zangoose is unable to battle! Sora from Pallet Town is this year's Iron Zangoose Champion!" The mayor announced as the crowd roars. Worthington was stunned by the loss. Paul watched with disbelief as he had just witnessed how Sora had won the Iron Zangoose Competition. Sora accepted his trophy and a week's supply of Pokémon food.
Sora donated the Pokémon food to the local Pokémon center. Sora was being crowded by the locals as they asked him for his autograph. Some of the girls had some selfies with them. Worthington approached him with a serious look on his face.
"Something I can help you with?" Sora asked. Worthington held out his hand as he grinned. This catches Sora by surprise.
"I gotta say, I'm impressed. You're quite a trainer, kid," Worthington cleared his throat, "I mean Sora. I won four in a row and I wasn't expecting to lose one. Though, I was hoping to cream you like spinach."
"Thanks a lot. I gotta say, you were an awesome trainer," Sora said. Worthington placed his hand on Sora's shoulder.
"Hm, thanks for the compliment, Sora. I plan on beating you in battle again. So you better not lose until then," Worthington said.
"Count on it, Worthington," Sora said.
"Please, call me Johnny," Worthington said. They both shook hands.
They all took their leave of the town as Worthington and his Zangoose left to go on his own journey.
After a few days, Sora, Kairi, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Pikachu, Angel, and Meowth made a stop in the forest for some lunch. Sora was helping her with the cooking before he could start training. Turtwig had shown to have a liking for Ventus as he attempted to bite him on the head, but he got a stick ready and the tiny leaf Pokémon bit it.
"Good thing Sora gave me this stick," Ventus said.
"Turt," Turtwig said, biting down at the stick. Ventus laughed as he held the stick.
"Sora is lucky have a cool Pokémon like you," Ventus said.
"Turtwig," Turtwig said.
"Ven! Meal's ready!" Aqua called to him. Ventus and Turtwig joined their friends for the meal which is some spaghetti. Pikachu, Angel, Turtwig, Piplup, Riolu, Scorbunny, Zangoose, Manaphy, Phione, Bidoof, and Kricketot all dug into their meal.
"Good as always," Sora said. Kairi beamed to seeing her boyfriend enjoying his meal.
"Thank you, Sora. You're always welcomed to seconds if you want," Kairi said. Sora beamed as he accepted the meal from his girlfriend. Pikachu and Angel beamed at their love as the Sinnoh Pokémon were told by the Pokémon couple about their relationship and how those two met each other. Scorbunny even thought about Bianca. He was wondering she was doing. And if Hunter was making about her.
After the meal was finished. Sora decided to get some training done. Since he found out that the first Gym Leader uses Rock Type Pokémon, so he was going to use Turtwig, Piplup, and Riolu since Rock Types are weakened by those Types.
"Okay, guys. Since the first Gym Leader specializes with Rock Type Pokémon, we need to be on our toes. Piplup, you can practice with your Bubble Beam, Turtwig, you can practice with Razor Leaf. Riolu, you can practice on Metal Claw and then, Aura Sphere. Is that clear?" Sora asked. The three Pokémon confirmed it was clear. "Okay, go!" The three Pokémon practice with their chosen moves. Riolu fires Aura Sphere from left to right. Sora was proud to see how his three Pokémon were doing. "Very good, guys! You're doing great!"
Kairi was wondering which of her Pokémon she was going to use for her Sinnoh Contest. Manaphy and Phione were still too little for Contests, and Kricketot and Bidoof didn't look ready yet, but she thought of using maybe either Roserade, Mr. Rime, or maybe Angel. She practiced with Angel with her moves. Pikachu was captivated by how she was performing Swift.
"Very good, Angel!" Kairi praised the female Eevee. Angel licked her face out of affection and Kairi giggled between giggles. "That tickles!" Sora and Pikachu smiled warmly as they saw their significant others. "Okay Angel, let's keep going." Kairi and Angel kept on training as did Sora and his Pokémon.
"Real good, guys, you're making real progress," Sora said.
"You can train as much as you want, but they'll get any stronger," a voice spoke.
"Hey, what do you kno-" Sora paused when he saw it was Paul and he deadpanned, "-oh, it's you. What do you want?"
"Not like you have anything I want. I saw you the other day in that Zangoose competition and saw how took the last champ four years in a row. You think that Zangoose is any good?" Paul asked.
"I would know if my own Pokémon are any good or not," Sora said.
Paul scoffed, "Pathetic." Sora was appalled by this statement.
"Excuse me? Pathetic? You're calling me patheic? How am I pathetic?" Sora asked.
"You think your own Pokémon are good all because you train them hard, but that doesn't cut it with me. I'm only interested in Pokémon that are already strong and get the job done," Paul said.
"You don't get it, do you? Pokémon can get stronger when you work with them. Hasn't our last battle teach you anything?" Sora asked.
"You won that last battle because you got lucky," Paul said.
"No, it wasn't luck. Your Pokémon did a good job, the problem is you," Sora said. Paul glared right at Sora.
"Your point?" Paul asked.
"The point is you should start caring about your Pokémon. And they'll care about you in return," Sora said.
"Pathetic," Paul said.
"And you're just repeating yourself," Sora facepalmed.
"Don't waste your breath, Sora," Terra spoke. "He's a lost cause."
"You're right, Terra. What am I trying to prove to him?" Sora asked.
"How about you and I have a battle. And the one I wanna battle is your Zangoose," Pau challenged. Sora turned to Zangoose and he nodded.
"Okay, you're on," Sora said.
Both trainers got into position as Paul prepared a Pokéball.
"Thinking back, that last battle left a bad taste in my mouth. So, it's time for revenge! Chimchar! Stand by for battle!" Paul called out as his Chimchar came out to battle. When he saw the cat ferret Pokémon he was filled with fright. "You can have the first move."
"Zangoose! Metal Claw!" Sora ordered. Zangoose headed right at the chimp Pokémon.
"Chimchar! Flame Wheel!" Paul ordered. Chimchar rolled into a ball of fire and plowed right into Zangoose "Now, use Scaratch!"
"Slash!" Sora ordered. Zangoose swiped at Chimchar before he could land a scratch onto the cat ferret Pokémon. "Crush Claw!" Zangoose lands his claw onto Chimchar. The chimp Pokémon looked right at Zangoose and then had a flashback.
It was right when Chimchar met Paul. It was a fight about either about food or territory, but Chimchar was running from a pack of Zangoose. Chimchar kept on running until he was trapped at an edge of a cliff. He was paralyzed with fear as he gazed right at the attacking Zangoose. Chimchar's flames were suddenly building up as he unleashed his fire power on the attacking Zangoose. Paul was impressed by power of stamina a single Chimchar had. He knew he had to have that Pokémon for himself. After defeating the attacking Zangoose. Since then, Paul has been pushing Chimchar for that same result.
"Chimchar! Flamethrower!" Paul ordered. Chimchar fires Flamethrower right at Zangoose.
"Zangoose! Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Zangoose charged right at Chimchar and landed a hit. Chimchar fell right on his back.
"Get up!" Paul yelled. Chimchar got back up on his feet slowly. "Flame Wheel!" Chimchar rolls into a fireball again and heads right towards Zangoose.
"Slash!" Sora ordered. Zangoose swiped his claw at Chimchar again.
"Why doesn't Chimchar just dodge it?" Ventus asked.
"I don't know. What is Paul trying to prove?" Kairi asked.
"Only how ruthless he is," Terra said.
"He's right. Paul doesn't even care about his own Pokémon," Aqua added.
"Talk about heartless," Meowth added.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Zangoose! Slash again!" Sora ordered. Zangoose swung his claw right at Chimchar. Chimchar took the hit again. Chimchar was frightened out of his mind. That was when Sora saw how Chimchar was afraid. Paul just looked on and he just gave up.
"What's the use," Paul said, turning his head. Chimchar was surprised by how Paul had just given up on Chimchar just like that. Sora waited for Paul to make the next move, but he saw how he just gave up on his own Chimchar.
"Paul! What are you doing? Give Chimchar a command!" Sora called out to his opponent. Paul just stood there, refusing to comply. "Paul!" Paul just stood there and calls his Chimchar back. "What?" Chimchar held out the Pokéball and released Chimchar just like that.
"You are out of here," Paul cruelly said.
"Chim?! Chimchar, char, Chimchar, char!" Chimchar pleaded.
"What is Chimchar saying?" Ventus asked.
"Chimchar is begging for him to give him another chance and promises to do better the next time," Meowth translated. Sora was appalled by what he was seeing. Kairi, Ventus, Terra, and Aqua were also appalled.
"What the hell is the matter with you?" Sora asked.
"Chimchar was a huge mistake. If I knew it was a fluke when I first got it, then I wouldn't have dragged this worthless thing along. So, what's the point. Besides, I lost this battle anyway," Paul said.
"How could you say that?" Sora sked.
"Chimchar's completely useless and pathetic. The most patheic Pokémon I have ever caught," Paul said.
"That's a horrible thing to say!" Kairi said. Paul just ignored her and started to walk off.
"I don't need to stand here and take any of the bullshit about being nice to Pokémon. So, I'm gone," Paul said, taking off. Chimchar was heartbroken by how Paul had just abandoned him. Sora and Kairi just took pity on the chimp Pokémon. Sora had a great idea.
"Chimchar, you're not useless," Sora said. Chimchar looked right at him. He was amazed by how Sora is suddenly being nice to him. "I don't know what you went through in your past, but we can start again. You can be so much stronger. Stick with me and I can make that happen." Sora reached out his hand. Chimchar hesitated for a moment, but he eventually took Sora's hand. "I promise to make you into the best Pokémon you can be. That'll be more than Paul has ever given you." Chimchar looked right into his eyes as tears swells up and started crying his eyes out. Sora was suddenly surprised by this turn of events, but he placed his hand on the fire monkey Pokémon's back. "There, there, let it all out." Chimchar let it all out. Once Chimchar was done crying, Sora called back his other Pokémon and took out a vacant Pokéball. "Okay Chimchar, here we go!" Sora tossed it up into the air and Chimchar jumps. Chimchar presses the button on the Pokéball and flows right inside. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. Sora's Pokémon Box activates and it asks him if he wants to keep his Chimchar with him. He chose to keep Chimchar in exchange for Zangoose. Sora lets Chimchar out. "Welcome aboard, Chimchar." Chimchar smiled as Ventus went up to him. Chiimchar climbed on his head and started to rub his hands into his hair, making him laugh.
"Hey, that tickles!" Ventus said, laughing.
"Look at that. Chimchar likes you, Ven!" Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu agreed.
Chimchar was no part of the team. And he couldn't be happier to feel accepted again. Over to Paul, he sets off to find some new strong Pokémon to catch. He sets his sights on a Stantler and he took out a Pokéball and threw.
"Elekid! Stand by for battle!" Paul called out as Elekid came out. "Thunder!" Elekid gave the Stantler quite a shock. He took out another Pokéball and threw it at Stantler. The Pokéball wobbles around for a bit until stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. He analyzed the Pokéball and sees how good it is. He was disappointed when he saw this Stantler only knew Tackle, Me First, and Leer. "Useless!" Paul lets it go. The Stantler just takes off. Paul and his Elekid keeps on going and he spotted an Ursaring getting into a fight with a group of Donphan. Ursaring has overpowered them all. Ursaring started to charge right at him. "Elekid! Thunder!" Elekid launches out a Thunder and gave Ursaring the same kind of shock as he did Stantler. Paul threw the Pokéball at Ursaring and it flows inside. He took the Pokéball and scanned it with his Pokédex. He saw Ursaring had some pretty strong moves to use. "This one's not bad, so I guess I'll keep it." He takes off.
Later over to Sora, Kairi, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Pikachu, Angel, and Meowth, they made another stop for Chimchar to be treated of his wounds. Kairi took out some Super Potion to help with the treatment.
"Here's some Super Potion, Chimchar. It's going to sting, but it'll help you heal," Kairi said. She sprays the potion on Chimchar's injuries. He lets out a yell. "It's okay, Chimchar."
"You can trust Kairi, Chimchar. She knows what she's doing," Sora said. Chimchar looked at Sora as he spoke to him kindly. He then looked at Kairi and saw how nice she is to him. Chimchar felt his wounds getting better. Chimchar smiled warmly.
"That's a good boy," Kairi said. "There, you'll have to rest for the night. I'm sure you'll beteer by then."
"Chimchar," Chimchar said.
Night came as everyone all got ready to sleep. Chimchar saw how close Pikachu and Angel sleeping soundly.
"Those two are very sweet on each other," Meowth said. Chimchar looked right at the scratch cat Pokémon confused.
"What do you mean by sweet?" - Chimchar subtitle.
"Those two have been sweethearts ever since Hoenn. I wasn't there at the time, because we were enemies until I found out that Jessie, James, and I were abandoned and left to die in Hoenn in a wild goose chase," Meowth said.
"Who are Jessie and James? And what do you mean you used to be enemies?" - Chimchar subtitle.
"Jessie and James were two humans I used to hang with. Also, I used to be a bad guy. I would help them try to catch Pikachu and fail," Meowth explained.
"Why would you try to steal Pikachu?" - Chimchar subtitle.
"Well, it was because of how powerful he was. We were chasing him around, we catch up to him, he beat us, and we ended up getting into debt, and then, we get sent into the Hoenn region to get some dirst on some other bad guys, only to be sent out to dry," Meowth explained.
"What made you decide to change?" - Chimchar subtitle.
"It was when two of our friend told us about their betrayal. So, we were going to get back at them for what they did. We started by taking down the other bad guys, and that's when Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel showed up. I thought Jessie and James were dead for a while until we worked together to take down those guys and saved the bond between Pokémon and humans. I've been with those two since that huge fight. Also because of Kyogre and Groudon. They took me in and I liked being with them because of how better they treated me like one of their own Pokémon. I was happy to be with them all the time," Meowth said.
"What about the other three?" - Chimchar subtitle.
"They weren't on the forgiving side when they saw me at the Grand Festival. They assumed that I was up to no good, and who can blame them? But they warmed up to me when Sora and Kairi told them that they were dead, but they really weren't," Meowth said. Meowth looked right at the fire monkey Pokémon. "Trust me, buddy, you're going to like hanging with them. Worth it." Chimchar took Meowth's word for it and nodded. Meowth lets out a big yawn. "Better hit the hay. I'm getting ready to count Mareep. Night." Meowth fell right to sleep. Chimchar stayed up for a little while before he blinks a few times until he eventually fell asleep. Chimchar starts to have nightmares about being on a mountain trail of Graveler rolling down at him. One Graveler rolls right towards him and he forze when he saw one of the Graveler took on an image of a Zangoose. Chimchar was afraid once again.
"Don't dodge!" A familiar voice called out. He turned to see it was Paul. "Stay where you are! Your Blaze can only be kicked in if you're in danger! Show me that power like I saw when you took on all those Zangoose! Do it!" Chimchar froze with fear as the Zangoose got closer and closer. Chimchar woke up and panted as he looked around.He didn't see any Zangoose around. He kept on panting as he laid back down.
"Just a dream. Just a dream. Just a dream." - Chimchar subtitle. He fell right back to sleep.
On the very next morning, Chimchar was given a bowl of Pokémon food made by Kairi Chimchar remembered the canned Pokémon food Paul always gave him. He took a taste of the food and he liked this batch than the canned stuff.
Over in Jubilfe City, members of Team Galactic were stationed there along with Mars. She turned to the Team Galactic grunts.
"Professor Rowan will be here in town soon. Be ready for his arrival," Mars ordered.
"Yes, Commander Mars," one of the grunts said.
What does Team Galactic have in store for Professor Rowan? Whatever it is, it's not too good. We'll have to wait and see until the next time.