Episode 477: Shamus's Revenge
Shortly after winning his eighth Gym Badge, Sora, Kairi, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Cilan, Iris, Pikachu, Angel, Meowth, Axew, Blossom, Sparky, Thor, and Eclair got ready to take off as Jaden and his friends were taking off to Opelucid City for a ninth Gym Badge. Sora has exchanged Bisharp, Simisear, and Darmanitan for Servine, Dewott, and Lampent. Sora had a question on his mind.
"Say, Cilan, there's something I wanna ask you," Sora said.
"Of course. Ask away," Cilan said.
"Well, since I can go for nine or ten, just how many trainers has done that?" Sora asked.
"From I heard, it is because it is too difficult to do so, since the Gym Leaders ahead are proving to be too much for them. The Gym Leader in Opelucid City is said to be the most challenging one. There is word that his strength almost rivals that of the Elite Four. Brycen is one of those tough Gym Leaders," Cilan said.
"I figured it was hard, but still. Hearing how they would throw down, I'm not surprised," Sora said. "Sora had to admit, he had some challenging Gym battles before, but those were going to be his most challenging battles yet. He did wonder who it was that he was up against next. He decided to wait and see for himself"Lana? Yeah. She ended up being an opponent, and we gave each other a good battle. It was when my Croconaw evolved into a Feraligatr," Sora said.
Just when the group were about to take off, a limo drove up. The door opened and a man stepped out.
"Pardon me, but I was wondering if you're the A Class Pokémon Connoisseur Cilan," the man said.
"Him," Sora said, pointing to the Pokémon Connisseur. The man picked Cilan up in his hands.
"I do apologize, you have an invitation from Mr. Hatterly," the man said.
"A what?! From who?!" Cilan exclaimed.
"You can't just toss him in like that!" Iris said.
"You're all being invited," the butler said, tossing the rest in.
"Help! Kidnappers!" Meowth yelped. The limo's side door closes.
The limo takes its leave of Iccirus City and begins to drive towards Stonesthrow Town.
"Won't you please tell us what this is about?" Cilan asked.
"Of course. A citizen from Stonethrows Town named Mr. Hatterly is in need of a skilled Pokémon Connoisseur, so he requested you," the man said.
"What would someone like him need a skilled Pokémon Connoisseur for?" Cilan asked.
"You can ask Mr. Hatterly himself when you meet him," the butler said.
"Well, there's no rush to get to the next Gym anyway, so why not?" Sora asked.
"Good point," Karen said.
Outside the gates of a mansion, Burgundy is trying to get inside the mansion grounds.
"Viet, veit!" Burgundy growled. "I demand you open this gate tiuen suene!" She kicked the gate. "Do it or else!" The limo drives up as Cilan spots Burgundy standing at the gate. She sees the limo and she is dismayed to see Cilan inside as he rolled down the window.
"Burgundy?" Cilan asked.
"Cilan?" Burgundy asked.
"What in the world are you doing here?" Cilan asked.
"I came all this way because I heard they were looking for a skilled Pokémon Connaisseuse, but they won't let me in!" Burgundy said.
"You will have to forgive us," the butler said. "Mr. Hatterly requires the service of an A-Class Pokémon Connoisseur." Burgundy growled in rage.
"Last time I remember, she's a C-Class," Ventus said.
"WHAT'S WRONG WITH A C-CLASS?!" Burgundy exclaimed.
"Don't yell at my cousin!" Sora said.
"A C-Class like yourself won't suffice," the butler said. This made Burgundy really angry.
"Well I never!" Burgundy hissed.
"Excuse us," the butler said as the gates opened as the limo drove inside.
"Come back here! Stop!" Burgundy demanded. She tried to jump inside, but the gates quickly shuts in front of her. "Oh la merde!"
Outside a little girl swinging on her swing with a tiny Pokémon beside her. They were both having the time of their lives. She was laughing as a purple sparkling power sprinkles everywhere.
"Marigold, where are you? Marigold!" A man's called out. The little girl stopped swinging when she heard his voice. She stood up from the swing set.
"Bye, see you tomorrow," Marigold said, taking off. She went to her father's side. "Coming, daddy!" The man sees his daughter.
"Ah, Marigold, were you playing with someone?" The man asked.
"No, I was playing by myself," Marigold replied as the mysterious small Pokémon moved around the bushes.
"There's a Pokémon Connoisseur coming over to see you today. He should arrive any minute," Marigold's daughter said. "Let's get ready to greet him."
"Okay," Marigold said. Before he could join his daughter inside, he hears rustling in the bushes. "Daddy!" Her father followed her inside.
"I'm coming," the man said.
The group enters the mansion and sees the lights are all turned off.
"This way, ladies and gentlemen," the butler said. As they stepped inside, search lights are turned on and shined right on Cilan. "First off, Cilan. I justed to express my gratitude for your presence here today. Next, I want to introduce you to another A-Class Pokémon Connoisseur; Ricard Nouveau!" He has blonde hair and has grayish blue eyes. He wore a light blue outfit.
"Good day! Tis I, A-Class Connoisseur, Ricard Nouveau! To be an A-Class Pokémon Connoisseur, one must be smart, observant, quite exquisite, and physically fit! Only those recognized by the Pokémon Connoisseurs Association may receive this honor," Ricard said. He walked up to Cilan. "You must be Cilan from the Striaton City Gym. It is an honor and privilege to meet you."
"Thank you," Cilan said. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
They both shook hands.
"I heard you are quite skilled for a young Connoisseur," Ricard said. He sniffed Cilan's hand. "But now that I met you, I'm afraid you reek of inexperience." Cilan didn't like how that came out, so he pulls his hand away.
"Is there a problem?" Ventus asked.
"It's just a way that Connoisseur's introduce themselves to one another," Cilan said.
"Mr. Hatterly has arrived," the butler announced. Mr. Hatterly and his daughter has arrived to the stairway.
"A hearty welcome, Ricard and Cilan," Mr. Hatterly greeted. Ricard bowed in respect.
"I thank you for the invitation, good sir," Ricard said.
"Pardon me, but I would like an explanation to why we have been invited here," Cilan said. Mr. Hatterly chuckled nervously.
"Oh, I'm sorry, it slipped my mind," Mr. Hatterly said. "The reason I invited you here is because of my daughter Marigold." Marigold bowed her head and shyly hid behind her father's leg. "Now, open the curtains." The curtains opens to reveal the gardens. The group steps outside and sees the Pokémon all frolicking.
"Look at that," Karen said.
"A Petilil and a Whimsicott!" Iris said.
"I'm thinking of allowing my daughter choose her very first Pokémon. Of course since this is my daughter we're talking about, she needs an exceptional Pokémon worthy of being her first partner," Mr. Hatterly said.
"That's why you invited us?" Cilan asked.
"Right. I need help picking the right Pokémon for my daughter," Mr. Hatterly said. "Two of you Connoisseurs are well-suited for the job."
"Consider the job done," Ricard said.
"Just a minute," Cilan spoke. "It is true helping to choose and raise a Pokémon's moves is a job as Pokémon Connoisseurs of course."
"Precisely, it is at the very heart of an A-Class Pokémon Connoisseur's passion and drive. Of course, that may be too much for you," Ricard said.
"My point is, first thing's first. We must get to know our client," Cilan said. "Would you mind if I asked Marigold a few questions?"
"Fine with me. Ask away," Mr. Hatterly said. Cilan bent down to Marigold's level.
"You mind telling me what kind of Pokémon you play with here in the garden?" Cilan asked. Marigold shyly hid behind her father's leg. Cilan caught a whiff of something in the air. Mr. Hatterly laughed.
"Marigold is friends of all the Pokémon here in the garden," Mr. Hatterly said. Cilan stood up.
"Isn't that lovely?" Cilan asked.
"Ha! How naive! How naive can you get?" A voice asked. They all looked around for any signs of the source of the voice.
"Who said that?" Terra asked.
"You're as clueless as presents without ribbons or wrapping paper!" The voice said, appearing out of the moving bushes. It turns out to be Burgundy in a poor disguise. She wore a wig and a fake mustache. She also has a coat on. The butler grabbed her from behind.
"How dare you trespass on Mr. Hatterly's property without an invitation," the butler said.
"I demand you let go of me before I call the authorities!" Burgundy demanded. "How rude! The name's Fauxgundy! That's right! The legendary S-Class Pokémon Connoisseur!" Sora and Karen just did a face slap and ran their hands down their faces.
"Something smells fishy here," Sora said.
"Here's my proof!" Burgundy said, holding her Connoisseur's Badge and it has an S on the front. "Now back off!"
"Please accept my apologies," Mr. Hatterly said.
"My apologies as well," the butler said.
"HMPH!" Burgundy said, twirling the fake mustache.
"I can't believe they actually bought that," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu deadpanned.
"I was thinking the same thing, Sora," Karen said.
"Pikachu," Blossom said.
"At least my old disguises were foolproof," Meowth said. Sora turned to Meowth.
"Define foolproof, Meowth," Sora said. Meowth chuckled nervously.
"Almost foolproof, maybe," Meowth said sheepishly.
"Not even close," Sora said. Cilan stepped up to Burgundy.
"Fauxgundy, I demand to know why you called me naive!" Cilan said.
"Because picking a Pokémon by asking questions is naive!" Burgundy said.
"How would YOU do it?" Cilan challenged the fake S-Class Pokémon Connoisseur.
"HM!" Burgundy said. "A moment with the young lady." She sniffed all over her, making Marigold feel uncomfortable. Mr. Hatterly took his daughter in his arms when she started screaming.
"What are you doing?" Mr. Hatterly asked.
"Alright, that's enough!" Burgundy said. She sniffed around for the Pokémon to choose from. She sniffed a Lillipup coming up. "I distinctly smell the scent of your daughter's shampoo on this Lillipup!" She picks Lillipup in her arms. "Therefore, there's no doubt this Lillipup is your favorite Pokémon. Elementary!" She laughed.
"I wouldn't be so sure," Cilan said.
"Excuse me?" Burgundy asked.
"Just because Lillipup smells like Marigold's shampoo doesn't mean it's her favorite Pokémon," Cilan said. "Your deductive reasoning may have been flawed."
"To be honest, I actually using Marigold's shampoo when I was giving Lillipup a bath," Mr. Hatterly said.
"My shampoo?" Marigold asked.
"I'm sorry," Mr. Hatterly said, making Burgundy fall on her side.
"I pride myself of being knowledgeable about Pokémon Connoisseurs, but I have never heard of you," Cilan said.
"Uh, I became an S-Class Pokémon Connoisseur long before you two were even born, that's it!" Burgundy said.
"Now that's strange, I didn't think there was a Connoisseurs Association back then," Ricard pointed out.
"Would you mind showing us your Connoisseur Badge once again?" Cilan asked. The Lillipup grabbed the badge.
"Of all the insulting-" Burgundy was cut off when she saw her badge taken by the Lillipup. "You give that back!" The Lillipup licked the badge, making the sticker come right off. It shows that it is a C-Class badge.
"Wait, that's a C-Class badge!" Cilan exclaimed.
"You forged it to look like an S-Class badge!" Ricard exclaimed.
"Give it back!" Burgundy demanded as she fought over the badge from Lillipup. Her disguise came off in the process.
"Burgundy, it's you!" Cilan said.
"Oh non, how embarrassing!" Burgundy gasped.
"How dare you pretend to be an S-Class Pokémon Connoisseur!" Mr. Hatterly said. "Won't you escort her off my property?"
"With pleasure, sir," the butler said, grabbing her.
"Unhand me, you brute!" Burgundy demanded. "Put me down this instant!" The butler threw Burgundy out of the gates.
"You are permanently banned from these premises! If you come in here again, then I shall call the authorities for trespassing!" The butler said.
"You can't do that!" Burgundy said.
"I can and I will!" The butler said. The gates shuts as Burgundy tried to get back in.
"Now, if you don't mind, I would like to ask your daughter some more questions," Cilan said.
"Pish-posh! The time for questioning is done," Ricard said. "When picking the first Pokémon, one considers compatibility above all else. The goal is to match them beautifully and comfortably through the trainer and Pokémon through compatibility through their personalities."
"He does have a good point," Mr. Hatterly said.
"It's evaluation time!" Ricard said.
"It looks like we got another Cilan," Ventus said.
"And I thought one was too much," Iris said.
"A lovely young lady like Marigold needs to be matched by a unique Pokémon with the unique arts of style and grace!" Ricard said. "If you don't mind, let's have a look." He looked right at Petilil and went right over to it. He picked the bud Pokémon up. "Alright, my dear, raise and shine. You see, not only does Grass Type Pokémon like this Petilil has grace, poise, and cuteness, but they have the potential to evolve into such beautiful Pokémon." Marigold sighed.
"Cilan, what do you think? Do you agree with Ricard?" Mr. Hatterly asked. "Do you have some other idea."
"It is my personal opinion that Marigold's ideal Pokémon isn't Lillipup or Petilil," Cilan said. Marigold sighed in relief.
"Then, which Pokémon is perfect for Marigold?" Ricard asked.
"I'm not quite sure," Cilan answered.
"I think all you're interested in is disagreeing with my evaluation," Ricard said.
"That's not true!" Cilan argued. They both stared at each other. Sparks flies between them.
"Hold it, I suggest that you have a Pokémon battle. Then the winner will decide which Pokémon my Marigold will get," Mr. Hatterly suggested.
"An excellent idea!" Ricard agreed.
"I agree!" Cilan said.
"Splendid! There's a battlefield in the backyard! Soon we shall see what you A-Class Pokémon Connoisseurs are made of," Mr. Hatterly said. He laughed.
Cilan thought for a moment as he pondered.
"Thinking back, Marigold had the same scent of a Pokémon, and it wasn't a Lillipup or a Petilil. It was different, like you're laying in a field of grass, savoring the refreshing fragrance, gently carried in the winds of nature they blow across a green meadow. I'm certain it was a Grass Type, but at the same time, I detected the scent of something different. I'm certain I smelled it somewhere before. The only Grass Type Pokémon here are Deerling, Sewaddle, Petilil, Cottonee, and Whimsicott. Although Deerling is a Grass and Normal Type Pokémon, as Sewaddle is a Grass and Bug Type, and Cottonee and Whimsicott are both Grass and Fairy Types. Something's not adding up. It was a much more stimulating aroma," Cilan said. He sniffed the air again, and caught wind of the scent. "There it is again! Where is it coming from? Where is it? Come out! Come out." He sniffed and followed the scent right to its source. The scent has led him to the swingset. He bumped his head on one of the swings "Ouch! This must be Marigold's swingset!" He noticed a sparkling purple powder and he analyzed it. "Of course. I think I got it!" Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel came looking for Cilan.
"Cilan, there you are. Your battle is about to start," Kairi said.
"Sora, Kairi, good, I have a favor to ask you," Cilan said.
Both Connoisseurs got ready for the battle with the butler acting as the referee.
"I think Petilil will be just perfect for you," Mr. Hatterly said as he turned to his daughter. "So I got my fingers crossed that Ricard wins the battle."
"Alright, the battle between Connoisseurs Cilan and Ricard will now get underway! Each side may only use one Pokémon each! The battle will be over when either side's Pokémon is unable to battle!" The butler announced as Burgundy moved through the shrubs.
"The battle between two A-Class Connoisseurs to match wits with each other is too irresistible to miss!" Burgundy said.
"Allow me to introduce you to my shining star of my Pokémon family!" Ricard said, taking out a Pokéball and threw it. "Come out and shine brightly!" The Pokémon he chose is a Purrloin. Cilan looked right at Purrloin.
"Okay, thanks for Kairi's help, I was able to overcome my fear of Purrloin. Just got to keep my cool," Cilan said, taking out a Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Ferroseed!" His Ferroseed came out to battle against Purrloin.
"He's up against a Purrloin. You think he'll handle it?" Ventus asked. Karen looked right at Cilan.
"What does he mean?" Karen asked.
"Cilan had a fear of Purrloin when we first met," Aqua explained. "Kairi was able to help him get over his fears."
"So, you're using a Grass and Steel Type Pokémon against my Purrloin? How straight forward of you," Ricard said.
"Thanks," Cilan said. "It's the job of a Pokémon Connoisseur to instruct how to raise Pokémon by following the basics and how to choose the right moves." Ricard chuckled.
"I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but even a C-Class Connoisseur can do that," Ricard said.
"That Ricard makes me so mad!" Burgundy growled. "Those creeps are made for each other! I hope they both lose!"
"And now the first course! Ferroseed! Gyro Ball!" Cilan ordered. Ferroseed came right at Purrloin with Gyro Ball.
"Dodge it, Purrloin!" Ricard called out. Purrloin dodges with incredible speed. Ferroseed missed his mark.
"That's fast!" Cilan exclaimed.
"My Purrloin's speed surpasses that of a Liepard, Purrloin's evolved form! Sand Attack!" Ricard ordered. Purrloin swipes sand into Ferroseed's eyes. "Fury Swipes!" Puurlpin swipes its claws into Ferroseed's face. "You won't be so lucky with our next move."
"Looks like there's nothing to worry about," Mr. Hatterly said. "It seems certain your first Pokémon is going to be Petilil." Marigold groaned worriedly. Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel searched around for the Pokémon Cilan was telling them about. Sora has managed to find it. We look through the Pokémon's POV.
"Oh, so you're what the fuss was about," Sora said. He picked up the Pokémon in his arms. "Kairi, I found what we were looking for." Kairi came and she started to coo.
"You were hiding here all along, weren't you?" Kairi asked. "Cilan wasn't kidding about this little one."
"Let's show him right now," Sora said.
We switch back to the battle.
"Your Ferroseed has been raised very well, and I will admit you followed the basics and whatnot, but my evaluation tells me you're boring! An A-Class Connoisseur must have an unpredictable quality," Ricard said.
"Then sample this! Gyro Ball!" Cilan ordered. Ferroseed spins around.
"Njght Slash!" Ricard ordered. Purrloin came at the thorn seed Pokémon.
"Quick, dodge it!" Cilan called out. Ferroseed dodged Purrloin's Night Slash. "Now, use Flash Cannon!" Ferroseed fires Flash Cannon. Purrloin got hit and ends up being knocked out. Burgundy was caught in the blast and goes flying.
"You hear that?" Ventus asked.
"Hear what?" Karen asked.
"Maybe I just imagined it," Ventus said.
"Yeah, probably," Karen said.
"Purrloin is unable to battle! Ferroseed wins! The winner is Cilan!" The butler announced.
"Purrloin, you'll be alright," Ricard said. He calls Purrloin back inside.
"Ricard," Cilan said. "What did you think of me and Ferroseed?" Ricard stared right at Cilan for a moment before he sighed.
"I suppose you and Ferroseed are sparkling and unpredictable after all," Ricard said. Mr. Hatterly applauds Cilan for the win.
"Brilliant! What a marvelous battle," Mr. Hatterly said.
"I'm flattered.. Thank you, sir," Cilan said.
"So, Cilan, have you decided on what kind of Pokémon you're going to recommend for my Marigold?" Mr. Hatterly asked.
"Yes. Instead of choosing a Pokémon based on looks and style, I believe it's much important to choose a Pokémon that suits Marigold's unique character," Cilan said.
"That's a good point. Precisely why I asked a skilled Connoisseur for help," Mr. Hatterly said. Cilan bent down to Marigold's level.
"Alright, I think Marigold has already made a strong connection with a particular Pokémon," Cilan said. Mr. Hatterly and Ricard were stunned to hear it.
"Huh?" Marigold asked.
"Really?" Mr. Hatterly asked.
"What?" Ricard asked.
"I wasn't aware she already has," Mr. Hatterly said. All of the Pokémon in the garden were just as surprised. "Is it one of those Pokémon?" Marigold shook her head.
"No, it's not one of them," Cilan said. "But..."
"Found the Pokémon you were looking for, Cilan," Sora said. Father and daughter were walking up to Marigold. It turns out to be a Foongus in Sora's arms.
"Foongus!" The Foongus chirped. The mushroom jumped out of Sora's arms as Marigold laughed and embraced Foongus.
"A Foongus?" Aqua asked.
"I never would have guessed," Terra said.
"It's my Foongus!" Marigold said.
"Of all the options, and she wants that?" Mr. Hatterly asked.
"I really can't recommend that Pokémon from a hassle standpoint," Ricard said.
"How did you figure it out, Cilan?" Sora asked.
"Easy, Sora," Cilan started. "I picked up the scent that came from a Grass Type and a Poison Type Pokémon from Marigold. None of the Grass Type Pokémon are also Poison Types. And that's when it suddenly hit me when Marigold was playing with a different Pokémon altogether. A Pokémon that is a Grass Type, and a Poison Type. And of course, that was the Pokémon that Marigold has a strong connection with."
"Marigold is true?" Mr. Hatterly asked.
"Uh-huh, when I was playing by myself in the backyard, Foongus came. Since then, Foongus has been my special playmate. I couldn't tell you, daddy, because I thought you wouldn't approve. Daddy, I'm really, really sorry," Marigold explained. This melts his heart as he is in tears.
"My dear, Marigold," Mr. Hatterly said. "I'm sorry, too. I promise to be happy for whatever Pokémon you choose." This made Marigold happy and embraced her father.
"Did you hear that, Foongus?" Marigold asked.
"Foongus, Foongus!" Foongus chirped.
"Well, it looks like the connection between Marigold and Foongus was clear to you from the start," Ricard said. "I suppose you win this one today." He holds out his hand. "But next time we meet, it'll be a different story."
"We'll see about that, Ricard," Cilan said.
"Then, until we meet again," Ricard said. "I will be looking forward to it."
Cilan has now gained a new rival; at least one that is more competent than Burgundy. The group starts to take their leave of the mansion.
"Mr. Hatterly, Thank you for a wonderful time," Cilan said.
"No, thank you, it was fun. I'm going to take care of Foongus the best I can and become a trainer and go out on my own journey," Marigold said. This puts her father in tears.
"Marigold," Mr. Hatterly cried.
"By the way, which Gym are you heading for next?" The butler asked.
"We're heading for Opelucid City. And on the way, we'll be making a stop to the Village of Dragons," Sora said.
"That's Iris's hometown," Ventus said.
"I see," the butler said. "We all wish you luck on your way."
The group takes off on their way towards Opelucid City. They were unaware of a man holding a camera. He was watching the group since they came to the mansion. He took off in a jetpack. He makes contact.
"Red-eyes to Valiant, I have Sora Ketchum and his friends on camera," the man reported.
"Where are they heading?" Valiant asked.
"From I heard, it's the Village of Dragons," the man reported.
"Good. I have the perfect plan in motion. I'll make contact with him," Valiant said.
Meanwhile, Shamus's Xtransceiver goes off and he answers it.
"Yeah, what is it?" Shamus answered.
"Hello, Shamus," Valiant said.
"Who are you?" Shamus asked.
"Just call me Mr. X. That's all you need to know about me," Valiant said. "I have a little job for you."
"A job? What for?" Shamus asked.
"Just a little favor," Valiant said.
"Look, of it's a babysitting job, then you can go and eat shit, because I don't answer to anyone," Shamus said.
"Too bad," Valiant said. "And I thought you would be up for it, since it's a simple task. A task so simple, even you would pull it off."
"And what's the task?" Shamus asked.
"Are you familiar with a Pokémon trainer who goes by the name Sora Ketchum?" Valiant asked. That struck a cord with Shamus.
"Sora Ketchum?! I know him! He humiliated me by beating me with a Pokémon that I abandoned! He made a fool out of me in my battle against him!"
"If you're not up for it, then I am wasting my time," Valiant said.
"Wait a minute!" Shamus said. Valiant grinned, knowing he had him now, and he would do anything to have his revenge. "What do you want me to do with him?"
"I'm glad you changed your mind, Shamus," Valiant said. "There is one thing I want you to do. I want you to defeat Sora Ketchum in a Pokémon battle. And that's all."
"What's in it for me?" Shamus asked.
"Glad you asked. Would it interest you to know that I have a legendary Pokémon in my possession. I would say, either a Moltres, an Entei, or maybe a Ho-oh," Valiant said. This really grabs Shamus's attention.
"You really have one of those? You better not be crapping me!" Shamus said.
"I am not," Valiant lied. "Anyone of those Pokémon can be yours, but only if you agree."
"I'm on board, Mr. X!" Shamus said. "Just tell me where he is."
"My sources tells me that he and his friends are taking their leave of Stonesthrow Town, and heading for the Village of Dragons," Valiant said.
"I'm at a town just close to it. And the place I'm at has a Pokémon Battle Club, so it works out for me," Shamus said.
"Wonderful," Valiant said. "Make the challenge. We will discuss your payment after you have defeated him; and not before. Until then, there will be no further calls from me."
"How will I know if it's you?" Shamus asked.
"Don't worry about that now. Right now, focus on your battle," Valiant hung up. He grinned as he laughed. A Team Shadow peon walked in.
"You sure this'll work?" The Team Shadow peon asked.
"I have every confidence it'll work," Valiant said. "That stupid brat totally believed that I had a legendary Pokémon under my belt, and fell for it like I knew he would!" Valiant laughed.
"What will you do if he found out that you don't have one like you said?" The Team Shadow peon asked.
"He'll have to learn that a silver tongue can be dangerous. Besides, it doesn't matter, because I win no matter the outcome," Valiant said.
Over to Shamus, he walks inside the Pokémon Battle Club and he searches for Sora. He eventually found him.
"Found you at last, you son of a bitch!" Shamus said. "I'm going to enjoy beating you hard!" He makes contact to Sora through his Xtransceiver with the help of Don George.
Speaking of which, Sora, Kairi, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Cilan, Iris, Pikachu, Angel, Meowth, Axew, Blossom, Sparky, Thor, and Eclair were leaving Stonesthrow Town and Sora's Xtransceiver goes off. Sora answers it.
"This is Sora," Sora said.
"Hello, Sora," Shamus greeted in a sadistic tone as he chuckled.
"Shamus?!" Sora exclaimed. Most of the group were shocked to hear it's Pignite's old trainer Shamus. "What do you want?"
"What else? A rematch against you!" Shamus said. "You made a fool out me with the Tepig I used to have. You took down my Fire Warriors!" Shamus said.
"You deserved it after what you did! And if you want me to teach you a lesson a second time, then class is going to be in session!" Sora said.
"Not if I have anything to say, Sora! It's going to be different this time," Shamus said. "Next town over at the Pokémon Battle Club! This time, it'll be a triple battle! And the only condition is, you use Pignite in this!"
"You are so on! I'll see you there!" Sora said, breaking contact. Karen could tell something was off about her brother.
"Sora, what's wrong? And who was he?" Karen asked. Sora turned to his sister.
"That was Shamus," Sora said. "A trainer I beat not too long before we met."
The group explained to Karen about Shamus. They told her Pignite was used to be Shamus's Pokémon when he was a Tepig until Shamus abandoned him and left him to starve, until Sora and Kairi found him. Karen was appalled by what she was told.
"That's horrible!" Karen said disgusted. "How could he live with himself for what he did?"
"Shamus is one of the worst people we have ever met," Kairi said. "If that's not bad enough, then get this! He makes other trainers give him whatever Pokémon he wants!"
"That's even worse!" Karen said. "It makes me glad Sora beat him!"
"Same here," Ventus said.
"Trainers like Shamus will never change their ways," Sora said. He took out his Pokémon Box and exchanged Zorua and Lampent for Charizard and Infernape. "Pignite isn't the only Pokémon who were abandoned by a careless trainer. I have the other two who went through the same thing."
The group made their way to the next town and into the local Pokémon Battle Club. Don George led the group to the battlefield to see Shamus waiting for him.
"I was starting to think you weren't gonna show up!" Shamus said.
"I never turn away from a challenge," Sora said. "You were wrong then, and you're wrong now!"
"As if I care about that! I told you, it's going to be different this time!" Shamus said. He took out his three Pokéballs and threw them. Out came his Emboar, Heatmor, and Darmanitan. Sora took out his three Pokéballs and threw them.
"Charizard, Infernape, and Pignite! Go!" Sora called out. Charizard, Infernape, and Pignite all came out to battle. Pignite glared at Emboar, remembering the last time.
"This will be a triple battle! Both trainers have agreed to use three Pokémon on each side, and the battle shall be over when all three of either side's Pokémon are unable to continue battling! Now, begin!" Don George announced.
"Emboar! Start up with Hammer Arm on Pignite!" Shamus ordered. Emboar came at Pignite with Hammer Arm.
"Dodge it and use Power-Up Punch!" Sora ordered. Pignite dodges Emboar's Hammer Arm. Pignite lands a Power-Up Punch onto his evolved form and raised his attack power.
"Heatmor! Fury Swipes! Darmanitan! Fire Punch!" Shamus ordered. Heatmor and Darmanitan both came at Pignite with Fury Swipes and Fire Punch.
"Charizard! Dragon Claw on Heatmor! Infernape! Mach Punch on Darmanitan!" Sora ordered. Charizard swipes his claws at the anteater Pokémon as Infernape lands a punch onto the blazing Pokémon. Shamus groaned in annoyance. "You have my other two to deal with!" Karen looked right at Charizard and Infernape, and she saw he has a special connection with them.
"When Sora said Pignite's not the only Pokémon that was abandoned, does that mean Charizard and Infernape were also abandoned?" Karen asked.
"Yes," Kairi said. "We met Charizard as a Charmander way back. He was abandoned by a trainer who said to wait for him, and he'll come right back. He would have died if we hadn't gotten back in time. When Charmander realized what kind of trainer he previous one was, Charmander turned his back on him. As for Infernape, we met him when he was a Chimchar. He was under the ownership of a trainer named Paul who would catch Pokémon and then release them if he found them to be weak or useless. That's what he did to Chimchar when he forced Chimchar to face Sora's Zangoose because of a run-in with a pack of Zangoose before. And for that reason, Paul just abandoned Chimchar on the spot. And that's when Sora took him him. There was also a Turtonator we met before Chimchar, because that he lost to Sora."
"I just can't believe there are trainers who would do such a thing," Karen said.
"You're not alone," Kairi said.
"Okay, Heatmor! Fire Lash! Darmanitan! Flame Charge!" Shamus ordered. Heatmor swung a whip of fire right at Charizard as Darmanitan charged right at Infernape with Flame Charge. Charizard and Infernape took a bad hit. "Emboar! Heat Crash on Pignite!" Emboar jumped and came right at Pignite with Heat Crash.
"Flame Charge!" Sora ordered. Pignite ran with Flame Charge to avoid Emboar's Heat Crash. "Charizard! Wing Attack on Emboar! Pignite! Flame Charge at Darmanitan! Infernape! Flare Blitz on Heatmor!" Charizard lands a hit on the mega fire pig Pokémon with his wings as Infernape came at Heatmor with Flare Blitz, and Pignite came at Darmanitan with Flame Charge. Infernape has suffered some recoil damage.
"Flare Blitz is a risky move, because it deals recoil damage to its user," Cilan said.
"Yeah, and Sora knows it," Terra said.
"Those were pretty decent moves, but they don't stand a chance against my Fire Warriors; especially since I have gotten them through some special training," Shamus said.
"You seem sure of yourself, Shamus. I don't think you learned your lesson the last time we went at it," Sora said.
"I told you I was going to remember it, Sora," Shamus said. "I also told you nobody makes a fool out of me. Nobody."
"You made a fool out of yourself!" Sora said.
"What was that?" Shamus asked, not liking his tone.
"I said, you made a fool out of yourself," Sora said. "That was your own fault, and you know it. I told you that real trainers should always care and support their Pokémon. A trainer's responsibility is to the wellbeing of their Pokémon, not winning all the time! I care about each and every one of my Pokémon!"
"Is that supposed to mean something?" Shamus asked.
"I doubt you'll ever get it," Sora said.
"That's real sweet and all, but you can save it for someone who actually cares. I'm in it to win it!" Shamus said. "You can train a Pokémon as much as you want, they'll always be weak! Just like the Tepig I ditched the first chance I got!"
"How could you be so heartless?" Karen asked.
"He just is," Aqua said.
"So, wanna finish this?" Shamus asked.
"Yeah, let's finish what we started," Sora said. "Charizard! Fire Fang on Darmanitan!" Charizard flew right towards Darmanitan with Fire Fang.
"Dodge and use Stone Edge!" Shamus ordered. Darmanitan unleashed Stone Edge right at Charizard, landing a hit. Charizard took heavy damage due to his weakness to Rock Type moves. "Okay, Emboar! Hammer Arm on Infernape!" Emboar swings his arms at the blaze Pokémon and got hit hard.
"Infernape! Use Mach Punch!" Sora ordered. Infernape darts at Emboar with Mach Punch, landing a punch on the mega fire pig Pokémon.
"Emboar! Use Heat Crash! Heatmor, use Fire Spin! Darmanitan! Flamethrower!" Shamus ordered. Emboar got ready to use Heat Crash right at Infernape. Heatmor and Darmanitan fired their attacks onto Emboar before he jumped in the air. Emboar starts to come down hard right towards Infernape.
"Infernape! Use Dig to dodge!" Sora ordered. Infernape digs to avoid Emboar's Heat Crash. Emboar misses his intended target. Infernape came out and lands a punch onto Emboar.
"Heatmor, Darmanitan! Gang up on Infernape!" Shamus ordered as they went towards the fire monkey Pokémon.
"Charizard! Use Dragon Claw! Pignite! Flame Charge!" Sora ordered. Charizard slashed Darmanitan as Pignite slammed into Heatmor. "Pignite! Power-Up Punch on Heatmor!" Pignite lands a punch onto Heatmor, raising up his attack. "Power-Up Punch again!" Pignite gets ready to land another punch as Emboar grabbed Pignite by the arm and slammed him down.
"Emboar! Use Flamethrower!" Shamus ordered. Emboar unleashed Flamethrower onto Pignite, causing some damage onto him. Emboar starts to kick Pignite while he's down.
"Charizard! Help Pignite!" Sora called out.
"Darmanitan, Heatmor! Stop it!" Shamus ordered. Darmanitan and Heatmor grabbed Charizard, stopping him from getting close to Pignite.
"Infernape! Mach Punch on Darmanitan!" Sora ordered. Infernape lands a punch onto Darmanitan, making it let go of Charizard. "Again on Heatmor!" Infernape lands a punch on the anteater Pokémon, also letting go of Charizard. He flew right towards Emboar to help Pignite, but Emboar swung at Charizard with Hammer Arm. Pignite looked up to Emboar.
"You got lucky the last time, runt! You won't be so lucky again! I don't know what Shamus was thinking, letting you join up with him, but I don't really care. It doesn't how much training you go through, you'll always be a weakling in Shamus's eyes." - Emboar subtitle.
"That's just your opinion. Sora sees me as a friend and equal. That's something Shamus never did. And it's because of Sora that I'm the Pokémon I am today! And it's because of him, I am so much stronger! And I'm going to use my strength on you again!" - Pignite subtitle. Pignite started to evolve, surprising everyone, including Shamus. Pignite has now become Emboar. Shamus's Emboar was surprised to him evolve.
"Pignite is now an Emboar!" Kairi said.
"It's just like when Tepig evolved the first time," Ventus said.
"So, Pignite evolved, no big deal! It's going to lose!" Shamus said.
"You'll have to try! Emboar! Use Power-Up Punch!" Sora ordered. Sora's Emboar lands a Power-Up onto Shamus's Emboar. "Okay, Charizard, Emboar, Infernape! Flamethrower!" Sora's three Fire Type Pokémon all fired Flamethrower at their opponents, dealing some heavy damage onto them. Their combined Flamethrower attacks were too much for Shamus's Fire Warriors. Darmanitan has switched to its Zen Form. Shamus's Emboar and Heatmor were still standing. "Charizard! Use Wing Attack on Darmanitan! Infernape! Use Mach Punch on Heatmor!" Charizard flew right towards Darmanitan as Infernape lands a punch onto Heatmor.
"Darmanitan! Stone Edge!" Shamus ordered. Darmanitan unleashed Stone Edge and sends it right towards Charizard.
"Dodge!" Sora called out. Charizard flew to avoid Stone Edge and came back down with Wing Attack. Darmanitan got struck with Charizard's wings. "Let's wrap this up! Same as last time! Emboar! Fire Pledge!" Sora's Emboar slams his fist on the ground as pillars of fire erupts from the ground. Due to Pignite's evolution into an Emboar, Fire Pledge came out so much stronger than before. All three of Shamus's Fire Warriors were surrounded and engulfed in the flames. An explosion occurs as Shamus's Fire Warriors were laying on the ground, beaten.
"Shamus's Emboar, Heatmor, and Darmanitan are all unable to battle! Sora's Emboar, Charizard, and Infernape wins! Sora wins the battle!" Don George announced.
"I lost again?! How is it that he makes a fool out of me twice in a row?!" Shamus exclaimed angrily.
"You lost because you didn't learn from your mistakes the last time," Sora said. "Nothing good comes out of revenge, Shamus. If you battle for revenge, then you'll lose."
"Shut up!" Shamus yelled. He stormed off, leaving Sora and his friends in the dust. His Xtransceiver goes off and he answers it. "What?"
"You lost the battle, I presume," Valiant said.
"How did you know? And how do you know ai didn't win it?" Shamus asked.
"I have my way of finding out," Valiant said. "The deal that you win the battle against Sora Ketchum, and you failed to hold up your end of the bargain. So, consider the terms of our agreement terminated!"
"You can't do that to me! Just gimme the Pokémon you promised me!" Shamus said.
"Perhaps you should clean out your ears! I said you get the Pokémon if you win! And you didn't win!" Valiant said. "So no legendary Pokémon for you!" He hung up for the last time, making Shamus growl.
"Backstabbing bastard!" Shamus hissed.
Over to Valiant, he laughed to himself.
"I was hoping that you win that battle, Sora, because I want you to myself. Only then, will my revenge mean anything to me," Valiant said.
Sora, Kairi, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Cilan, Iris, Pikachu, Angel, Meowth, Axew, Blossom, Sparky, Thor, and Eclair saw it was getting late and decided to spend the night and take off in the morning, so they went into two separate rooms to sleep. And it is from there that the journey continues.