Episode 503: Curtain Up, Unova Pokémon League
Before I get this chapter started, I wanna say that I plan on having Sora winning the Unova Pokémon League, and I will not be accepting any reviews about him losing (I was strictly clear on that matter, and I hope I'm making myself clear again. Want you to know Sora isn't going to have an I'm better than you attitude, to those who forgot), and while we're on the subject, I'll be adding in a new rule to the tournament. Sora will be having triple battles (since the Hoenn region introduced double battles, it makes sense that they should have added in triple battles). I have said what I wanted to say on the matter, so enjoy!
A couple of days had passed since meeting Valiant again, Pikachu was granted a few additional days of rest since his battle against Valiant's Grimmsnarl, just to play it safe because of how intense it was.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"Look, Pikachu, I just don't know how bad that Grimmsnarl roughed you up, so I'm playing it safe by giving you some extra time to rest until we're sure you're completely healed," Sora said.
"Pika, Pika," Pikachu said.
Over the next few weeks, Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Lillie, Cilan, Iris, Pikachu, Eevee, Angel, Meowth, Axew, Azurill, Blossom, Sparky, Thor, Eclair, the Mane Six, Spike, Starlight, the Young Six, and the Digimon have at last arrived to Vertress City, sight of the Unova Pokémon League. They saw a gathering of Pokémon trainers and Pokémon all around.
"Here it is. Vertress City," Sora said.
"This brings back some memories, doesn't it?" Hawkmon asked.
"I haven't felt this excited since the Sinnoh Pokémon League," Veemon said.
"Wonder who Sora will be up against in the first round," Ventus said.
"Pika," Sparky said.
"We're just gonna have to wait and see, Ven," Aqua said.
"She's right. It just makes the waiting even more exciting," Terra said.
"Okay, first thing we do before anything else is that we register," Sora said. "After that, we'll have a look around."
"Agreed," Cilan said. "There is much to see around here."
"Oh, I wonder what boutiques are around here," Rarity said.
"Wonder what the libraries are like here," Twilight said.
"No surprise," Rainbow Dash whispered.
The group looked around and they saw a very familiar face. It was Cheren who had finally arrived.
"Cheren," Sora said.
"Sora. I had a feeling you would come this far," Cheren said.
"Same to you," Sora said. Both shook hands. Kairi and the rest of the group went up to him.
"Kairi, congratulations on winning the Grand Festival," Cheren said.
"Thank you. I gave it everything I had," Kairi said.
"Did Hilbert get here yet?" Sora asked.
"Why don't you ask me yourself?" A voice asked. They turned to see Hilbert and Nate at the same time.
"Hilbert, Nate," Sora said.
"Haven't seen you since the Junior Cup," Nate said.
"This'll be something. I just hope we end up battling each other in the upcoming battles after the preliminary round," Hilbert said. "Because I plan on beating you."
"Looking forward to it, Hilbert," Sora said.
"I hope I get my shot with him before you even come close, Hilbert. You won't get that chance to battle him if I beat him," Nate said.
"Or maybe you're not going to get that chance, Nate!" Hilbert argued.
"That'll be enough, you two. The matter of who will be battling who has not been decided yet. We have a whole day to get into that," Cheren said.
"Yeah, I guess," Nate said. He noticed the non-human creatures with them. "Huh? What are they?"
"And where did they come from?" Hilbert asked.
"They're with us, guys," Sora said. "These twelve here are creatures called Digimon. These eight are ponies, these two are dragons, she's a yak, he's a griffin, she's a changeling, and she's a hippogriff."
"Digimon?" Hilbert asked.
"I thought they seem familiar. I heard that they have been appearing in the Sinnoh region," Cheren said. "But ponies along with other creatures?"
"We've been hearing about you guys. I'm Twilight Sparkle."
"The name's Applejack."
"I'm Fluttershy."
"I'm Pinkie Pie!"
"Rarity."
"The name's Rainbow Dash."
"I'm Spike."
"Starlight Glimmer."
"Sandbar."
"Smolder."
"I'm Gallus."
"I'm Ocellus."
"My name Yona."
"I'm Silverstream."
"I'm Agumon."
"Gabumon."
"Veemon."
"Wormmon."
"Biyomon."
"Tentomon."
"I'm Palmon."
"I'm Gomamon."
"I am Hawkmon."
"I'm Armadillomon."
"I'm Patamon."
"And I'm Gatomon."
"I'm Lillie. I used to travel with Sora and Kairi. And I was Riku's classmate," Lillie finished.
"Nice to meet you," Cheren said.
"Looks like you've been busy," Hilbert said.
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure we can fill you in on the details when we get settled in," Sora said.
"Haven't you registered yet?" Nate asked.
"I was about to when we bumped into you guys," Sora said.
"We should head over there now," Nate said.
Just then, Bianca came running down their path.
"Outta my way, outta my way, outta my way, outta my way!" Bianca shouted as she bumped right into Sora, sending him flying towards the fountain as Twilight uses her magic to catch Sora while in the air.
"So close," Sora said. "Thanks, Twilight."
"No problem," Twilight said. She lowered Sora down on the ground.
"I'm so sorry!" Bianca said.
"It's okay. No one else was hurt," Sora said.
"Bianca, you won eight Gym Badges?" Karen asked.
"Yeah, and just in the knick of time," Bianca said. "I thought I wouldn't have enough Gym Badges to enter the Unova Pokémon League, so I worked really, really hard."
"Glad you made it in, Bianca," Hilbert said.
"It wouldn't feel right not to have you around," Cheren said.
"Sora, Bianca, Hilbert, Nate, Cheren!" A familiar voice shouted. It belonged to Stephan.
"Stephan!" Sora said. "It's been a while!"
"How's it going, gang?" Stephan asked.
"Great since you're here," Sora said. He notices Riku with them.
"Is Riku competing as well?" Stephan asked.
"No, I'm not. I'm just here for support," Riku said.
"Eevee," Eevee said.
"Say, Sora, have you been doing lots of training?" Stephan asked.
"Sure have. I was going to ask you the same thing," Sora said.
"Pika, Pika," Pikachu said..
"I could show you my secret stuff if I could," Stephan said. He noticed the other creatures. "Hey, what are they?"
"Right, it's time to introduce you. Twelve of them here are Digimon. Meet Agumon, Gabumon, Veemon, Wormmon, Biyomon, Tentomon, Palmon, Gomamon, Patamon, Gatomon, Armadillomon, and Hawkmon. And these are friends of ours from Equestria. Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, Starlight Glimmer, Spike, Sandbar, Smolder, Gallus, Ocellus, Yona, and Silverstream," Sora said.
"And I'm Lillie," Lillie introduced herself. "It's very nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Bianca," Bianca introduced herself.
"And I'm Stephan," Stephan added. He looked up to the sky. "Look up there!" Everyone turned to look at what he was pointing at when they saw a mini helicopter. Sora, Kairi, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Cilan, Iris, Pikachu, Angel, Meowth, Axew, Blossom, Sparky, Thor, and Eclair recognized the duo in the helicopter. The Young Six remembered bumping into him before.
"Virgil!" Sora said.
"You know that guy?" Stephan asked.
The helicopter makes a landing. Virgil and his Eevee jumps out.
"Good luck, Virgil. I'll see you soon," Davy said.
"Thanks a lot, Davy," Virgil said.
"Just remember that you're representing the Pokémon Rescue Squad, so make us proud. I'm going to hurry back to headquarters, so dad and I will be watching you on TV, and cheering for you," Davy said.
"I'll do my best to make you and dad proud," Davy said.
"Vee," Virgil's Eevee said.
Davy takes off as Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Cilan, Iris, Pikachu, Eevee, Angel, Meowth, Axew, Azurill, Blossom, Sparky, Thor, Eclair, the Mane Six, Spike, Starlight, the Young Six, the Digimon, Hilbert, Nate, Cheren, Bianca, and Stephan all run up to him.
"Virgil!" Sora called out. He turned to see the group.
"Sora!" Virgil greeted.
"That was quite an entrance," Terra said.
"We were just dropping off an injured Pokémon at the Pokémon Center," Virgil said. He notices the Young Six. "I know you. You were in Harmony City."
"We didn't expect to see you here," Ocellus said.
"Virgil is a member of the Pokémon Rescue Squad along with his dad, and his brother," Aqua explained.
"Virgil, you already met these six; but I'll introduce you to them. Meet Sandbar, Yona, Ocellus, Smolder, Gallus, and Silverstream. Sandbar is an earth pony, Smolder's a dragon, Ocellus's a changeling, Gallus is a griffin, yona's a yak, and Silverstream is a hippogriff," Sora explained. "And meet Twilight Sparkle, Starlight Glimmer, Spike, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash. These are Digimon friends, Agumon, Gabumon, Veemon, Wormmon, Biyomon, Tentomon, Palmon, Gomamon, Patamon, Gatomon, Armadillomon, and Hawkmon. The blonde in white is Lillie, she used to travel with me and Kairi. And these are Riku, Naminé, Hilbert, Cheren, Bianca, Nate, Stephan."
"Virgil's entire team is Eevee and Eevee's evolved forms," Iris said.
"As in Flareon, Vaporeon, Umbreon, Espeon, Glaceon, Jolteon, Leafeon, and Sylveon," Ventus said.
"It's not that big a deal," Virgil said.
"Don't be so modest, Virgil. It's not everyday that anyone gets to have all the evolved forms of Eevee all at once," Cilan said.
"I take it that you'll be using Team Eevee for this, right?" Kairi asked.
"Sure am," Virgil said. He pets Angel on the head. "How have you been, Angel?"
"Vee," Angel said. He looked right at Riku's Eevee.
"And whose Eevee is this?" Virgil asked.
"He's mine," Riku said. "He's my very first Pokémon."
"Eevee," Riku's Eevee said.
"By the looks of your Eevee, you did a great job at raising him," Virgil said. He looks right at Sora. "Have you registered yet, Sora?"
"Not yet, but we can go together if you like," Sora said.
"I'd like that," Virgil said.
Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Cilan, Iris, Pikachu, Eevee, Angel, Meowth, Axew, Azurill, Blossom, Sparky, Thor, Eclair, the Mane Six, Spike, Starlight, the Young Six, the Digimon, Hilbert, Nate, Cheren, Bianca, Stephan, and Virgil were heading for the main stadium when they saw Trip heading for the same place.
"Trip?" Sora asked. Trip took notice of the group.
"Sora. No surprise to see you here," Trip said.
"You know him?" Agumon asked.
"Yeah. Trip is someone who we met when we first came to the Unova region after we just got back home from the Sinnoh region. He challenged me after he chose his first Pokémon, and he lost from one hit. His Snivy was inexperienced in battle. Last time we saw him, it was when we were in the Junior Cup," Sora said. "Lillie's brother whooped him in the first round."
"What did you expect?" Lillie asked proudly.
"Whose brother?" Trip asked.
"Mine," Lillie said. "Gladion is my older brother."
"No way," Trip said.
"Putting the past behind us, I going to guess you're gonna register now," Sora said.
"Yeah," Trip said. "Just want you to know when we're matched up, I'm planning on winning this time."
"Then show me what you got when that happens," Sora said.
With that said, Sora, Hilbert, Nate, Bianca, Cheren, Trip, Virgil, and Stephan lined up to register. It turns out that Hugh, Burgundy, Georgia, and Jaden were lining up as well.
"Please present your Gym Badges and hold up your Pokédex on the screen," Nurse Joy instructed.
"Sure," Sora said, showing Nurse Joy his Gym Badges. He placed his Pokédex on the screen as the Trio, Basic, Toxic, Insect, Bolt, Quake, Jet, Freeze, Legend, and Wave Badges were all being displayed.
"Ten Gym Badges. It's rare for a trainer to come with this many Badges at once. All the same, you are now registered to participate into the Unova Pokémon League. I wish you the best of luck," Nurse Joy said, smiling.
"Thank you," Sora said.
The rest all registered for the Unova Pokémon League. They started to head for a tall building.
"Sora, where will you be staying?" Bianca asked.
"We'll be staying at the third floor on Tower A," Sora said.
"Oh, me too!" Bianca said.
"I'm ready to kickback and rest up for tomorrow," Virgil said.
"I'm planning on hitting the sauna to sweat out the stress and get a goodnight sleep," Stephan said.
"Stress? You sound so old," Iris said.
"Stress can come at you at any time," Riku said.
"Eevee," Riku's Eevee said.
Just when they were halfway to their destination, they saw a tent in a clearing.
"Look. A tent," Iris said.
"Someone must have a different idea about where to sleep," Meowth said.
"Probably ruffing it," Sora said. "Whoever's here has the right idea."
Just then, a Riolu stepped right out of the tent.
"What Pokémon is that?" Spike asked.
"That's a Riolu," Riku said.
"And I have a good idea whose Riolu that is," Ventus said. A yawn is heard from inside the tent. Cameron steps outside the tent.
"What a great nap," Cameron said, yawning and stretching his arms.
"Just as I thought. Cameron!" Sora said. He turned to Sora.
"Sora, hey! What took you so long?" Cameron asked.
"We had ourselves an interesting story to tell," Sora said. "When did you get here?"
"Just three days ago. I came here because I couldn't afford to be late for the Unova Pokémon League," Cameron said. "When the tournament rolls, I'll already be rolling!" He laughed. "Brilliant, right?"
"Couldn't they have given you a room after you're registered?" Karen asked.
"What's a registered? Is that some sort of new Pokémon?" Cameron asked.
"No, registered means that you signed up to compete in the Unova Pokémon League. You did sign up, did you?" Sora asked.
"Sorry, somebody should have told me!" Cameron said. Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Cilan, Iris, Pikachu, Eevee, Angel, Meowth, Axew, Blossom, Sparky, Thor, and Eclair all slapped their foreheads. Sora ran his hand down his face.
"Seriously?! Don't tell me that you spent the last three days just camping out here and neglected to sign up to compete in the Unova Pokémon League! What the hell is the matter with you?!" Sora exclaimed.
"Well..." Cameron said.
"Audino!" An Audino sang through the microphone.
"Registrations for the Unova Pokémon League is now over! Thanks to all of our competing trainers," Nurse Joy announced.
"Audino!" Audino added.
"You have your Badges, right?" Sora asked.
"Right here!" Cameron said.
"Then, come on!" Sora said, grabbing him by the hand.
"Hey, quit pulling! What's the big deal? Sora!" Cameron said.
"If you don't register for the Unova Pokémon League, then they won't let you compete!" Sora said.
"What?! Why didn't you tell me about that?" Cameron asked.
"I didn't think I needed to tell you, because I thought you knew! We can discuss this after you're in!" Sora said. He ran pass a passing young man. "Excuse us! Sorry!"
"Sorry!" Cameron added.
Sora, Cameron, Pikachu, and Riolu ran inside as Cameron ran towards the front desk when Nurse Joy was leaving.
"Wait a minute!" Sora called out. He stopped to catch his breath. "You know what to do from here."
"Nurse Joy, I wanna register for the Unova Pokémon League, please!" Cameron said.
"I'm afraid registrations are already closed. I'm afraid you're too late," Nurse Joy said.
"Can't you make an exception just this once?I thought I just had to show up to compete. I've been here for three days, and I worked really hard to make it this far. Please," Cameron said. Nurse Joy sighed.
"Okay, I understand. I'll make this exception just this once," Nurse Joy said.
"Thanks so much, Nurse Joy!" Cameron said.
"Show me your Badges and place your Pokédex on the screen," Nurse Joy instructed. Cameron did exactly that as his Badges are now being displayed.
"There. You are now qualified to compete in the Unova Pokémon League," Nurse Joy said.
"You lucked out, Cameron," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"It was thanks to you, Sora," Cameron said. Just then, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Cilan, Iris, Eevee, Angel, Meowth, Axew, Azurill, Blossom, Sparky, Thor, Eclair, the Mane Six, Spike, Starlight, the Young Six, the Digimon, Hilbert, Nate, Cheren, Bianca, Nate, Stephan, and Virgil showed up.
"Mission accomplished?" Iris asked.
"Cameron made it by the skin of his teeth, so Nurse Joy allowed him to register," Sora said.
"That's a relief," Karen said.
"I just don't get how you didn't know the basic stuff, like registering to compete. You'll never get anywhere if you keep getting careless," Riku said.
"Cut him a break, Riku. He just made a mistake," Sora said.
"A costly mistake, you mean," Riku said. He looked right at Cameron. "You should think about these sort of things. You think Sora got to where he is just by showing up? No, he didn't! Even he wouldn't make a dumbass move like that! Showing up is one thing, but forgetting to register is a mistake no trainer should ever make! Just how do you think that the security guards wouldn't let you pass?"
"Riku, come on," Sora said.
"No, Sora. Riku is right. Mistakes has consequences. And Cameron needs to understand that fact," Cheren said.
"Look, I'm sorry! I just space out sometimes," Cameron said.
"Then stop spacing out!" Riku said.
"Riku, go easy on him," Sora said.
"If I go easy on him, he'll never learn," Riku said. "He needs to let it sink in."
"Again, I'm sorry," Cameron said. He turned to Sora. "Hey, Sora, there's something I wanted to tell you."
"What?" Sora asked.
"Let's see, what was it?" Cameron asked himself. He took his headband and smacked it on his forehead. "I've got! Sora, I brought a secret weapon with me to use in the Unova Pokémon League."
"What's that?" Sora asked.
"Sorry, can't say anymore about it. It's a secret, remember?" Cameron asked.
"And I'll be sure to remember that," Sora said.
Later as everyone was getting settled in. Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Cilan, Iris, Pikachu, Eevee, Angel, Meowth, Axew, Azurill, Blossom, Sparky, Thor, Eclair, the Mane Six, Spike, Starlight, the Young Six, the Digimon, Hilbert, Nate, Cheren, Bianca, Stephan, Virgil, and Cameron joins them for dinner as the Mane Six, Spike, Starlight, the Young Six, and the Digimon are introduced to Cameron. They told them stories about how they know them. Cameron was stoked to hear about the Digimon and the Digital World. Bianca was shocked to hear how Myotismon manipulated Paul with his hatred of Sora and Riku. As for the Mane Six, Sora and Kairi explained that they cane from Equestria and about their experiences, and about their evil enemies, Grogar, Tirek, Chrysalis, and Cozy Glow being in the world with them when Team Shadow tried to control the Forces of Nature.
"Whoa, that's an awesome story," Cameron said.
"Sounds like Team Shadow means business," Virgil said. "And to think they hired Dirk and another Hunter to capture Meloetta."
"And it was awful to hear about what Myotismon did to Paul," Bianca said.
"Evil knows no limits," Aqua said.
"Valiant is the most recent Team Shadow member we've come across so far," Cilan said.
"About that guy. Why does he hate you so much?" Cameron asked.
"Valiant hates my family because his ancestor, Garland, an evil knight was defeated by my ancestor Zest. Valiant blames my family for Garland's defeat, so he thinks he could avenge Garland by getting rid of us," Sora said.
"Like Aqua said, evil knows no limits," Naminé said.
"Valiant won't see the error of his ways if he continues down this path of darkness," Cilan said.
Meanwhile, Valiant sat in his quarters as Mateus enters. He turned to see him.
"What do I owe the pleasure of your company, Master Mateus?" Valiant asked.
"You deliberately disobeyed me to return to base when the operation in Twist Mountain, Valiant. You remained in Unova only to plan to exact your revenge against Sora. Your emotions has not gone unnoticed," Matues said.
"I had him right where I wanted him! I would have finished him off if it weren't for his meddlesome friends," Valiant said.
"Perhaps, but you should remember while under my eyes, you obey me, and I expect those orders to be obeyed," Mateus said.
"I don't need your permission! You are not going to take that away from me!" Valiant said.
"Silence!" Mateus commanded. "You shall have your revenge, but only whenever and however I see fit! And you will be wose to remember your place, Valiant." He reluctantly and grudgingly accepted.
"Yes, Master Mateus. And I'm sorry for speaking out of turn," Valiant said.
"And let us hope that we can avoid this conversation, Valiant, because it shall be the last time!" Mateus said. He stepped out of Valiant's quarters as he gave a table a toss, cracking the wall behind him. He then punched the wall as hard as he could, breaking the skin on his knuckles. He knuckles then starts to bleed.
"I'll let you have your way for now, Mateus, but it'll be my way the next chance I get," Valiant said. He remembered back before he joined Team Shadow.
(Flashback)
Valiant and his Grimmsnarl were taking on a bunch of Team Shadow peons. They sent out several Grimer and Muk after him. His Grimmsnarl has managed to beat every one of them. Several other Pokémon were sent to battle Grummsnarl, but he has taken them all down.
"Grimmsnarl! Fire Punch!" Valiant ordered. Grimmsnarl gave a Marshtomp a Fire Punch in the gut and sent flying to a Team Shadow peon. Clapping is heard as Mateus approaches him.
"Well done. Your battling skills are very impressive," Mateus said.
"Who the hell are you?!" Valiant demanded to know.
"You may call me, Mateus. I am the head of Team Shadow," Mateus said.
"Team Shadow? I never heard of you," Valiant said.
"Not surprising, because we have not been seen by the public in years. We are plotting to return to the world, ready than ever. And you have proven yourself that you are worthy of joining my organization," Mateus said.
"What makes me think I wanna join up with you?" Valiant asked.
"A fair question, young man. Whatever you desire, I can make happen. But, in order for you claim what you want is to join Team Shadow and represent the darkness we will spread over the world," Mateus said. "And I can tell you want to have your revenge, yes?" Valiant was wide-eyed.
"How do you know?" Valiant asked.
"I can tell. I could tell from the moment our paths crossed. What do you say? You in?" Mateus asked. Valiant thought about it for a moment, but he had to accept the terms.
"Okay, I'll join Team Shadow. As long as I get my revenge, I'll do what you say," Valiant said.
"You have made a wise choice. Speak your name to me," Mateus said.
"My name is Valiant," Valiant said. He grinned.
"Welcome to Team Shadow, Valiant," Mateus said.
(Flashback ends)
"Like I said, no one is going to rob me of my revenge. Not even you, Mateus," Valiant said in his thoughts.
Back in Vertress City, Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Lillie, Cilan, Iris, Pikachu, Eevee, Angel, Meowth, Axew, Azurill, Blossom, Sparky, Thor, Eclair, the Mane Six, Spike, Starlight, the Young Six, and the Digimon were sleeping in the same room as Sora is snoring and Kairi is clinging to him.
Sora opened his eyes and he looked out the window.
"It's no surprise that I made it this far again. I can't help but wonder if it's going to be the same again or it'll be different this time. It's best I don't think about it because I don't wanna stress myself out. Better get back to sleep," Sora shuts his eyes again and fell right to sleep.
How will Sora fare in the Unova Pokémon League? And who will he be facing in the preliminary round? Just wait and find out as we move right on.