Episode 476: Caution: Icy Battle Conditions!
A little while after Kairi has won her fourth Contest Ribbon, she is one step closer to the Grand Festival, and Sora will need to be one more step closer to the Unova Pokémon League, so he had to make his plan of battle.
"Okay, Pignite is a Fire Type and a Fighting Type, so that'll be a good go," Sora said. "Also Bisharp is a Steel Type, so that's also another go. As for the third." Sora puzzled for a moment as Sora tried to decide between Simisear and Darumaka. He had them both called out. "Okay, Simisear, Darumaka, how about we just do Rock, Paper, Scissors? That way, we won't argue who's going to go in?" Simisear and Darumaka both agreed and got their hands ready for Rock, Papaer, Scissors.
"Rock, paper, scissors, go!" Sora called out as Darumaka came out as rock and Simisear came out as scissors. Simisear was dismayed, having to lose. "There, there, don't feel bad about losing in Rock, Paper, Scissors, Simisear. I'm sure you'll have your chance the next time." Simisear looked right at Sora and smiled. Just then, the disguised Zorua surprised Sora. "Whoa!" Sora looked at the disguised Pokémon as he snickered. "Geez, what was that about?" Zorua dropped the disguise. "Oh, it's you again. Were you still following us?" Zorua asked. "If you wanted to come with us, you could have said so." Zorua got into position to battle. Sora turned to Simisear. "Okay, Simisear, you're up." Simisear stood before the tricky fox Pokémon.
"Sear," Simisear said. Zorua chuckled in a mischievous manner.
"Okay, Simisear! Use Fire Punch!" Sora ordered. Simisear came right at the tricky fox Pokémon with Fire Punch. Zorua dodged and came at Simisear with Night Daze. Zorua lands a successful blow. "Simisear! Flamethrower!" Simisear unleashed Flamethrower and lands a hit onto Zorua. "That was great! Now use Flame Burst!" Simisear unleashed Flame Burst and lands a hit onto Zorua again. Zorua then came back at the fire monkey Pokémon and heads right towards Simisear with a Scratch. "Simisear! Dodge and use Shadow Claw!" Simisear dodges and lands a Shadow Claw onto Zorua, dealing some little damage. Zorua. "Okay, now use Flame Burst!" Simisear hurls a Flame Burst right at Zorua, landing a heavy hit. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it. Zorua flows inside and the Pokéball wobbles around and around. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. Sora's Pokémon Box goes off asking him if he wants to keep Zorua with him. He chose to keep Zorua in exchange for Beheeyem. "Welcome to the team, Zorua."
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
Sora and Pikachu joined up with his girlfriend and sister and sees them waiting for him.
"Sora, welcome back," Kairi said.
"How did your training go?" Karen asked.
"Well, it's going smoothly," Sora said. "And we had a run-in with a familiar face." He lets out Zorua. Zorua smirked as Kairi and Karen cooed.
"I know you! You're that cutie we met on Twist Mountain!" Kairi said.
"I was hoping we would see you again," Karen said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Pikachu," Blossom said.
"Just caught him just outside," Sora said. Kairi's Xtransceiver rings and he answers it. She sees it's her mother.
"Hi Kairi," Mirei greeted.
"Hello mom. What's up?" Kairi asked.
"Hello, Kairi. Your father and I just saw you on TV and we're very proud of you!" Mirei said. "And a special hello to you, Sora and Karen."
"Hi, Kairi's mom," Karen greeted.
"How's everything down there?" Sora asked.
"Oh, it's going swimmingly," Mirei said happily. "Your father and I got home from the hospital today, and we though we tell you that we found out that the baby is going to be a boy." Kairi's eyes went wide.
"You mean, I'm having a baby brother?" Kairi asked.
"Yes. Isn't that wonderful?" Mirei asked.
"It is," Kairi answered. "Have you thought about what to name him yet?"
"Your father suggested Seth. He decided on that name when I was pregnant with you," Mirei said. "But we went with Kairi when I found out you were coming out a girl."
"I think Seth is a good name," Sora said.
"Me too," Kairi said. "And thanks for the heads-up, mom."
"Anytime, honey," Mirei said. "And good luck on your way."
"Thanks," Kairi said. "Tell dad I said hi."
"I will," Mirei said. She broke contact as Kairi beamed since not only she has a new Pokémon, and a another Contest Ribbon, but she has a baby brother on the way. Sora gave Kairi a hug as she hugged him back. Zorua looked right at the couple.
"Is it always like this?" - Zorua subtitle.
"It is. And trust me when I say this, you'll be getting used to it." - Pikachu subtitle.
Sora's Xtransceiver went off as he answered it to see Cattleya on the screen.
"Hello, Sora," Cattleya greeted.
"Aunt Cattleya! I was just starting to think about you," Sora said.
"Is Ventus with you?" Cattleya asked.
"He's with Terra, Aqua, and our other friends. Why?" Sora asked.
"Because I found out what the gender the baby is; and I want Ventus to hear it," Cattleya said.
"I'll go and fetch him," Karen said. She stepped out to find Ventus. It turns out that he, Terra, Aqua, Cilan, Iris, Jaden, Syrus, Alexis, Hassleberry, Bastion, Blair, Meowth, Sparky, Thor, Eclair, and Axew were watching Enter the Beartic on TV. It was the concluding scene as Karen tapped Ventus on his shoulder. "Ven. Your mom is calling for you." Ventus turned to his cousin.
"My mom, really?" Ventus asked.
"Yes. She has something important to tell you," Karen said. Ventus went with her as Hassleberry noticed.
"Where are those two heading?" Hassleberry asked.
"It's gotta be about the upcoming addition to the family," Aqua said.
"Uh, what do you mean, Aqua?" Jaden asked.
"She means, Ventus is going to have a little brother or sister," Terra said.
"Ven's mom is having a baby?" Blair asked.
"Sure is. We were surprised when we heard the news," Cilan said.
"Ven must be happier than a Munchlax at a buffet to hear the news," Hassleberry said.
"He should be," Jaden said. "Ven seems to be the kind of kid who would be a good big brother."
Karen and Ventus entered the room with Sora waiting for him.
"Hi mom," Ventus greeted. "What's new?"
"Ventus, your father and I just got home from the hospital today, and we just found out we'll be having a girl," Cattleya said.
"I'm having a sister?" Ventus asked.
"Yes. Everyone at the restaurant will be super-thrilled to hear the news! Also, I wanted you to know the news most of all!" Cattleya said.
"I can't wait to meet her," Ventus said.
"Neither can I," Cattleya said. "I just wanted to give you the news. I love you all."
"We love you, too," Sora, Kairi, Karen, and Ventus said.
On the next day, Sora, Kairi, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Cilan, Iris, Jaden, Alexis, Syrus, Bastion, Hassleberry, Blair, Pikachu, Angel, Meowth, Axew, Blossom, Sparky, Thor, and Eclair all arrived to the Gym. Kairi, Karen, Ventus, and Iris all wore jackets.
"Why are you wearing jackets?" Hassleberry asked.
"Just to keep warm since it's a Gym that deals with Ice Type Pokémon," Iris said.
"Axew!" Axew said, wearing some warm winter wear.
"We just don't want to get cold," Karen said.
The group went inside as Sora went straight for the battlefield with Brycen waiting for him.
"Welcome, Sora," Brycen greeted. "I hope you are prepared for what is coming."
"I have trained for this battle, Brycen," Sora said.
"Good. I am looking forward in seeing your spirit with my own eyes," Brycen said.
"So, how do you think it's going to go down?" Jaden asked.
"Since Brycen specializes with Ice Type Pokémon, I would wager Sora would use either a Fire Type, a Fighting Type, a Rock Type, or a Steel Type," Bastion said.
"Yeah, but I wouldn't count out Brycen," Cilan said. "I am sure he'll be present some recipes to make it difficult for Sora."
"The battle between the challenger Sora and the Gym Leader Brycen is about to begin! Both trainers will be using three Pokémon each! Only the challenger will be allowed to make substitutions during the battle! The battle will be over once all three of either the Gym Leader's or the challenger's Pokémon are unable to continue! Choose and begin!" The referee announced. Brycen took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Vanillish! WOOOO!" Brycen shouted as Vanillish came on out to battle. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Darumaka!" Sora called out. Darumaka came on out to battle.
"Hm, beginning with a Fire Type. A genius move," Brycen said.
"He's not using Beartic," Iris said.
"He must be planning to use Beartic for last," Terra said.
"Agreed. One must save the dessert course for last," Cilan said.
"Okay, Darumaka! Start up with Fire Fang!" Sora ordered. Darumaka came at Vanillish with Fire Fang, ready to strike.
"Astonish!" Brycen ordered. Vanillish spins into the air while making a black ghost face appear with pink glowing eyes, a smile, and a red aura surrounding it to scare Darumaka with. Darumaka flinched.
"Darumaka, you okay?" Sora asked.
"What just happened? Why did Darumaka just flinch?" Ventus asked.
"Pika?" Sparky added.
"Astonish is a move that make an opponent flinch. It's going to be very hard for Darumaka to land a hit if that keeps up," Alexis said.
"That's a good way to stop Fire Fang," Sora said.
"I like to control the battle in ways my opponent doesn't expect," Brycen said, doing a stance. "If you're confused already, you've lost."
"That won't stop me! Flamethrower!" Sora ordered.
"Icicle Spear!" Brycen ordered. Vanillish fired Icicle Spear right at the zen charm Pokémon. As Darumaka fires Flamethrower as Icicle Spear comes down. An icicle came and jabbed Darumaka on the spot.
"Darumaka is making a rough start," Syrus said.
"It looks like Brycen is taking the lead in this battle already," Bastion said. "Even with a Fire Type at his disposal, Sora isn't doing so well."
"I hate to say it, but he's right," Aqua said. "Unless Sora turns it around soon, he'll lose Darumaka right from the start."
"Blizzard!" Brycen ordered. Vanillish fires Bkizzard right at Darumaka, making it impossible for Darumaka to dodge. "Now, use Mirror Shot!" Vanillish fires Mirror Shot right at Darumaka, hitting him hard. Sora took out Darumaka's Pokéball and called Darumaka back.
"Get some rest for right now, Darumaka," Sora said.
"You made a wise move in calling your Darumaka back. There's no shame," Brycen said. "Show me your next Pokémon." Sora took out his next Pokéball and threw it.
"Your turn now, Bisharp!" Sora called out. Bisharp came on out to battle.
"I see. You're sending out a Steel Type Pokémon to battle against me. You have come well prepared," Brycen said. "But will your preparations be enough?"
"You're about to see! Bisharp! Use Metal Claw!" Sora ordered. Bisharp came right at the ice cream-like Pokémon. Vanillish dodged as he slashed the ice instead.
"Vanillish is moving so fast," Blair said.
"Well, Vanillish feels right at home on an ice field," Jaden said.
"As obvious as it sounds, he is right. Vanillish is moving around and taunting Bisharp," Meowth said.
"That isn't going to stop Sora," Kairi said.
"Biharp! Use Iron Head!" Sora ordered. Bisharp came right towards Vanillish with Iron Head.
"Dodge it!" Brycen called out. Vanillish dodges Bisharp's attack. "Blizzard!" Vanillish unleashes a huge Blizzard all around the battlefield, making everyone cold.
"I hate being cold," Iris said.
"Axew!" Axew said.
"This is a true Ice Type Gym," Terra said.
"This Blizzard is colder than a Mamoswine's underbelly," Hassleberry said.
"So cold, it gets right into your bones," Syrus said.
"It definitely deserves a gold medal," Ventus said.
Bisharp raised his arms up and sends out a Dark Pulse right at Vanillish, landing a hit. Brycen was surprised by the sudden move.
"That's new! And that was a perfect hit! Okay Bisharp! Iron Head!" Sora ordered. Bisharp jumped and lands a hit onto Vanillish with an Iron Head, knocking Vanillish out.
"Vanillish is unable to battle! Bisharp wins!" The referee announced.
"Way to go, Sora!" Iris said.
"Sweet!" Jaden added.
"One down, two to go," Ventus said.
"I have a feeling that his next one is going to be tougher than Vanillish," Karen said.
"I was having that feeling as well," Cilan said. Brycen calls Vanillish back.
"Have yourself a good rest, my friend. You have earned it," Brycen said. He took out his next Pokéball. "Well done, Sora. Now, it's time for my second Pokémon. Cryogonal! WOOOO!" Cryogonal came on out to battle against Sora's Bisharp.
"Okay, that was just the first round, so it'll get even harder from here. Bisharp! Iron Head!" Sora ordered.
"Rapid Spin!" Brycen ordered. Cryogonal spins around and heads towards the sword blade Pokémon. Cryogonal lands a couple of hits while spinning.
"That helped you out before, it'll help you out again! Dark Pulse!" Sora ordered. Bisharp fired Dark Pulse and missed. Brycen smirked.
"It appears that you were wrong. Aurora Beam!" Brycen ordered. Cryogonal fired Aurora Beam and it was powerful enough to land a hit onto Bisharp. Sora was stunned.
"Bisharp!" Sora gasped. Bisharp has been taken down by the attack.
"Bisharp is unable to battle! Cryogonal wins!" The referee announced. Sora calls Bisharp back.
"Get some rest, Bisharp. You earned it," Sora said. Sora spoke in his thoughts, "Okay, I could send Darumaka back out, but he might get creamed faster than corn. It's a good thing I have Pignite as backup." He took out Pignite's Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Pignite!" Pignite came out to battle.
"That's a good move. Pignite is a Fire Type and a Fighting Type," Syrus said.
"Let's see if Pignite can pick up where Bisharp has left off," Alexis said.
"Start things up with Flame Charge!" Sora ordered. Pignite charged right at Cryogonal.
"Use Reflect!" Brycen ordered. Cryogonal used Reflect to block Pignite's Flame Charge.
"That didn't do much, but it looks like I'll have to turn up the heat," Sora said. "Flamethrower!" Sora ordered. Pignite fired Flamethrower right at Cryogonal.
"Rapid Spin!" Brycen ordered. Cryogonal spins to avoid Pignite's Flamethrower.
"How is Cryogonal is fast after that Flamethrower?" Iris asked.
"It has got to be Rapid Spin. It's so powerful, it's able to deflect moves it'll normally be weak against," Cilan said.
"What did you expect? He is a Gym Leader," Bastion said. "His strategy is flawless." Cryogonal stops spinning around.
"Frost Breath!" Brycen ordered. Cryogonal fires Frost Breath and it hits Pignite, it deals some critical damage. "Now, use Rapid Spin!" Cryogonal spins around and heads right towards Pignite. Sora started to notice the center and then he remembered the battle with Sakkakumon.
"Sakkakumon's weakness was the center, so it has to be the same as Cryogonal. I know the right move to use," Sora said in his thoughts. He called out, "Pignite! Use Fire Pledge! Aim for the center!" Pignite unleashed Fire Pledge. The pillars of fire heads towards Cryogonal and hits the center on the spot. The crystallizing Pokémon is then taken down from the powerful fire attack.
"Cryogonal is unable to battle! Pignite wins!" The referee announced.
"Good work, Pignite," Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"Pignite's Fire Pledge is impressive," Brycen said, calling back Cryogonal. "You worked hard."
"Sora is making a huge comeback!" Karen exclaimed happily.
"Pikachu!" Blossom also exclaimed.
"And now it is time for my third Pokémon. Come forth, Beartic!" Brycen called out. Beartic came on out to battle against Sora.
"I knew he was saving Beartic for last. Beartic looks a lot stronger than Vanillish and Cryogonal put together, so I'll have to take him down pretty hard," Sora said in his thoughts.
"From the moment this battle began, I knew the bond between you and your Pokémon is strong. Now, it is time to show you how strong our bonds are," Brycen said.
"Flame Charge!" Sora ordered. Pignite charged right at Beartic with Flame Charge. Brycen just smirked.
"Beartic! Use Brine!" Brycen ordered. Beartic unleashed Brine and it struck Pignite hard. It caused a whole lot of damage due to Pignite's vulnerability to Water Type moves.
"Pignite!" Sora exclaimed.
"Use Icicle Crash!" Brycen ordered. Beartic unleashed Icicle Crash and the icicles struck Pignite hard. "Ice Punch!" Beartic lands an icy punch, resulting in a knockout.
"Pignite is unable to battle! Beartic wins!" The referee announced.
"Sam hill! That's another soldier Sora lost!" Hassleberry said.
"Now both are down to one Pokémon left," Syrus said.
"Brine was the perfect move to use," Terra said. "It's the perfect strategy to use against Fire Types."
"The only one Sora has left to use is Darumaka," Ventus said. "And I'm sure he'll turn it around."
"Let's hope for the best, Ven," Blair said.
Sora calls back Pignite and took out Darumaka's Pokéball and held it.
"Okay, Darumaka is still roughed up from battling Vanillish, but it's a risk that I'll have to take," Sora said. He threw the Pokéball. "Darumaka! Back to action!" Darumaka came on out to battle against the polar bear Pokémon. Darumaka looked right at his large opponent.
"Ooh, you're a big guy." - Darumaka subtitle.
"Okay, Darumaka! Let's do this thing! Fire Punch!" Sora ordered. Darumaka comes at Beartic with Fire Punch.
"Use Ice Punch!" Brycen ordered. Beartic lands an Ice Punch onto Darumaka's Fire Punch. Due to Beartic's size, he was able to overpower Darumaka's Fire Punch. "Now, use Brine!" Beartic fires Brine right at the zen charm Pokémon.
"Dodge it!" Sora ordered. Darumaka dodges Beartic's Brine just by rolling.
"An interesting way of dodging," Brycen said.
"Flamethrower!" Sora ordered. Darumaka fired Flamethrower right at Beartic, landing a hit.
"Yes! That was a super-effective hit!" Iris cheered.
"Yes, but it's not over yet," Bastion said. And he was right, because Beartic stood back on his feet.
"Impressive, Sora. You trained your Darumaka well. Beartic! Use Aerial Ace!" Brycen ordered. Beartic jumped and dashed right at Darumaka with incredible speed. Darumaka is struck hard by Beartic's Aerial Ace. Darumaka rolls on the ground and he glared right at Beartic with so much determination. Darumaka then started to evolve.
"What's going on with Darumaka?" Blair asked.
"Darumaka's evolving!" Kairi said.
"Eevee!" Angel said.
Darumaka has now become a Darmanitan. The newly evolved Darmanitan raised his arms and the flames on his brows burns with so much passion.
"Darumaka's a Darmanitan now!" Ventus said.
"Yee-ha! Sora's got himself another good soldier under his command," Hassleberry said.
"It must have been Darumaka's desire to keep on fighting," Cilan said. "The determination and the passion blends together into a zesty and flavorful power."
"I was not expecting your Darumaka to evolve. Your newly evolved Darmanitan looks strong enough, but we shall see if it can keep going even after evolving. Beartic! Brine!"
"Dodge and use Flame Charge!" Sora ordered. Darmanitan ran towards Beartic and lands a hit. "Fire Punch!" Darmanitan lands a Fire Punch onto Beartic. "Flamethrower!" Darmanitan fires Flamethrower right at Beartic, causing some heavy damage.
"Beartic! Aerial Ace!" Brycen ordered. Beartic dashed right at Darmanitan and lands a hit into him. "Now use Ice Punch!" Beartic lands an Ice Punch onto Darmanitan. He wasn't going to call it quits.
"Flamethrower!" Sora ordered. Darmanitan fires Flamethrower right at Beartic again.
"Icicle Crash!" Brycen ordered. Beartic unleashed Icicle Crash and it blocks Flamethrower, resulting in steam. That gave Sora a good idea.
"Darmanitan! Flame Charge!" Sora ordered. Darmanitan ran towards Beartic again.
"Beartic! Aerial Ace!" Brycen ordered. Both Pokémon collides with each other. Each has overpowered the other, sending each other backwards.
"Look at that," Meowth said. "Not one of them is backing down."
"It looks like Darmanitan wants to stay in this battle bad," Karen said.
"I'm thinking the same thing," Terra said. "In a field of ice, it's really heating up."
"If they heat things up even more, then the battlefield is gonna melt," Jaden said.
"You battled well, Sora, but as you know only one of us is going to win, so show me your power," Brycen said.
"I plan on delivering it to you!" Sora said. "Darmanitan! Flame Charge!" Darmanitan dashed right at Bdartic with Flame Charge.
"Aerial Ace!" Brycen ordered.
Beartic dashed right at Darmanitan with incredible speed. Both Beartic and Darmanitan lands a hit onto each other. Darmanitan switches to Zen Form, but Sora knew Beartic has used up some energy during the battle. Beartic then fell on the ground, beaten at last.
"Beartic is unable to battle! Darmanitan wins! The winner of the battle is the challenger!" The referee announced.
"Yes! Sora won!" Jaden said.
"His Darmanitan switched into its Zen Form, but Beartic has ran out of steam before Brycen had a chance to battle it. Beartic must have used too much energy into that last Aerial Ace," Bastion said in his thoughts.
Brycen calls back his Beartic and he smiled.
"Rest well, my friend," Brycen said. He walked up to Sora. "Well done, Sora. You have done well to make it this far, and this battle is proof. And the way you battled has impressed me on so many levels. It pleases me to present you with this; the Freeze Badge." He handed him a badge that is shaped like three white icicles. Sora accepts it.
"Thanks, Brycen. This was a great battle," Sora said.
After the battle, the group returned to the Pokémon Center to have his Pokémon healed up.
"That must have been an incredible battle, Sora," Nurse Joy said.
"Yeah. Brycen really gave me a run for my money," Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"By the way. Are you planning on earning more Gym Badges?" Nurse Joy asked. Sora looked right at her.
"Earn more?" Sora asked.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked.
"You see, in the Unova region, you have an option of staying with the eight Gym Badges you have, or you can choose to earn nine or ten. Most trainers usually stuck with the eight in their possession," Nurse Joy said. Sora thought for a moment and he had to consider what Nurse Joy had said.
"I think I could go for ten," Sora said. Nurse Joy was surprised, but she nodded.
"If that's what you have decided, then I'll wish you luck. There's still time before the Unova Pokémon League tournament. It is still just five months away," Nurse Joy said.
Sora joined his friends and filled them in about him going for two more Gym Badges.
"You're going to go for ten?" Iris asked.
"Yeah. I didn't know about that until Nurse Joy told me," Sora said.
"I figured you would, Sora," Cilan said. Everyone all looked at him. "As you just found out, trainers in Unova can go up for ten Gym Badges, even though eight is the recommended number. And since you'll be going for eight, I thought it would interest you to know that the next Gym is in Opelucid City." Iris was felt uneasy about getting to Opelucid City since she knew a certain Dragon Master that lives there.
"Opelucid City? That Gym is the one that deals with Dragon Type Pokémon," Karen said. They all looked right at her.
"Dragon Types?" Ventus asked.
"That's right. Iris's hometown is close Opelucid City, right? We could drop by and see the Village of Dragons," Sora said.
"Yeah," Iris said.
Iris felt uneasy about going back to her hometown, and over to Opelucid City since she lost that one battle. She figured it wouldn't do any good to get out of it, because she was curious about how her village is doing. The journey has been extended and it continues on by starting with the Village of Dragons.