Episode 504: Mission: Defeat Your Rival!
On the very next morning, all of the trainers participating in the Unova Pokémon League have all gathered to the main battlefield as Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Lillie, Cilan, Iris, Eevee, Angel, Meowth, Axew, Azurill, Blossom, Sparky, Thor, Eclair, the Mane Six, Spike, Starlight, the Young Six, and the Digimon sat in the stands. Kairi was wearing her cheerleader outfit and she exchanged her whole team for Politoed, Bellossom, Sunflora, Whimsicott, and Cinccino. Angel and the other five Pokémon all wore cheerleader outfits as well.
"This is so exciting," Lillie said.
"If Sora wins this, this'll make five in a row," Ventus said.
"Ven, you it won't be easy, right?" Iris asked.
"She's right, Ven. Winning four in a row was hard enough. Sora had to climb a pretty big ladder to get to where he is right now. And I'll tell you, he knew it wasn't gonna be easy," Riku said.
"Yeah, I know. I just have a feeling Sora's gonna win it, you know?" Ventus asked.
"We get it, Ven," Terra said.
"If Ven has so much faith in him, then I should, too. He is my brother. So, let's all cheer him all the way!" Karen said.
"That's right, Karen!" Kairi said.
"By the way, Kairi, there's something I wanna ask you," Iris said.
"Sure," Kairi said.
"Why are you dressed like that?" Iris asked.
"Oh this? Just a little something Dawn suggested I give a try. Sora thought it looked cute on me when he saw me in this," Kairi said.
"Everyone, look! I think it's starting!" Agumon said.
A helicopter comes flying in as Freddy O'Martian opens the side door, and jumped right out. He opened the parachute and he makes a slow landing. He grabbed the microphone and spoke into it.
"Hello, ladies and gentlemen! Freddy the Scoop here to give you all the play-by-play of the Unova Pokémon League taking place right here in Vertress City!" Freddy O'Martian announced. The crowd roared with excitement as Pinkie Pie fired her party cannon. "Now, if everyone will advert their attention to the flame cauldron, Vertress City's own Officer Jenny will light the Unova Pokémon League flame!" Officer Jenny holds a torch and lights it as the flames erupts through the cauldron. A flock of Pidove fly over the stadium as the crowd continued to cheer. "Alright, before our main battles, we will be holding our qualifying rounds. Only those trainers who win will advance to the main events! Each trainer will be allowed to use one Pokémon in our preliminaries! If you would set your attention to the big screen, you will see our qualifying matchups!"
The mugshots of all the trainers have been displayed as the matchups are being randomly set up.
"Okay, here we go," Sora said.
"Hope one of my opponents has a Dragon Type," Georgia said.
"I may not be battling Cilan here, but I can one-up him by winning the whole tournament," Burgundy said.
"I worked hard to make it this far," Nate said.
The matchups were selected as they each looked for who were battling who. Luck of the draw, Sora's first opponent was going to be Trip.
"So, I'm up against Trip," Sora said.
"Seems that way," Trip said. Sora turned to look at him. For some reason, he seems to have changed since the Junior Cup. He decided not to question it and just go along with it. "I want you to know that I'm not the same I was when we first met. I learned so much since then. What I learned is, no matter where they're from, an opponent is an opponent."
"I wanna see if you can live up to what you learned," Sora said.
"Chu," Pikachu said.
With that said, the tournament has officially begun. A man approached Sora and Trip.
"You two will be the third match in the green battlefield," the man told them.
"Sure," Sora said.
"Understood," Trip said.
The first battle in the green field was between Hugh and a boy with glasses as the second was between a boy and a girl.
Over in the red field, Cheren was battling a boy with a Patrat, using his Scrafty. On the yellow field, Bianca was up against a trainer, using her Emboar. Hilbert was battling with his Samurott using against a Beartic. Georgia was battling a trainer with a Gigalith, using Bisharp. Burgundy was battling using her Darmanitan. Cameron was using his Ferrothorn. Jaden was using his Magmar. Virgil was using his Vaporeon. Nate was using his Arcanine. Stephan will be using Zebstrika. And Benga was in it with his Volcarona.
Hugh won his preliminary battle as the second battle has concluded with the girl winning over him.
"And now, it's time for the third battle on the green field! We have Sora versus Trip!" Freddy O'Martian announced. "As a reminder, both trainers will be using one Pokémon each, and the battle is over when either one is unable to continue battling!"
"Battle begin!" The referee called out. Trip took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Serperior!" Trip called out. His Serperior emerged from his Pokéball. Sora looked right at his partner.
"You're up, Pikachu!" Sora said.
"He's sending out Pikachu? He does know that Electric Type moves won't do much damage to a Grass Type, right?" Iris asked.
"Of course he know knows that, Iris. Sora must be testing Trip on how much he has experienced since he started his journey," Terra said.
"I agree with Terra," Cilan said. "Sora must be planning his own evaluation, and he doesn't even have to be a Pokémon Connoisseur for that."
"Pikachu! Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Pikachu ran to land a hit on the regal Pokémon.
"Dodge it!" Trip called out. Serperior dodges Pikachu's Quick Attack by jumping in the air at the last second.
"Iron Tail!" Sora ordered. Pikachu jumped to land Iron Tail, but Serperior dodged again. Sora was very impressed by Serperior's speed. "Not bad. Try to dodge this. Electro Web!" Pikachu forms Electro Web from his tail. Pikachu sends it right at Serperior. Serperior tried to dodge, but got struck by Pikachu's Electro Web. Trip gasped at the sight.
"What the?!" Trip exclaimed.
"Way to go, Sora!" Biyomon shouted.
"Yee-haw!" Applejack added.
"Keep it up, Sora and Pikachu!" Silverstream said.
"That wasn't bad, but it's not good enough! Dragon Tail!" Trip ordered. Serperior broke free of Electro Web and lands a Dragon Tail onto the mouse Pokémon before he could dodge.
"Is Pikachu out of steam already?" Tentomon asked.
"Pikachu no out of steam! Pikachu smash snake Pokémon!" Yona said.
"It's not over, Pikachu! Valiant's Grimmsnarl couldn't take you down, and you didn't throw in the towel!" Sora said.
"Try this on for size! Energy Ball, go!" Trip ordered. Serperior fires Energy Ball and lands a hit onto Pikachu. "Now, use Dragon Tail!"
"Dodge it!" Sora called out. Pikachu attempts to dodge, but he was struck by Dragon Tail.
"Dragon Tail, once more!" Trip ordered. Serperior lands another hit onto Pikachu. "Now, use Wrap!" Serperior wraps around Pikachu's body. Pikachu's static ability kicked in as Serperior is now paralyzed. That wasn't going to stop Serperior as swings Pikachu to slam him on the ground. Trip said in his thoughts, "I can't let Sora beat me again! If lose now, everything I tried will he for nothing!" Sora noticed Pikachu's tail was sticking out.
"That's it," Sora said. "Pikachu! Iron Tail on battlefield!" Pikachu stuck out his tail and lands on the battlefield. "Yeah, that's the way!"
"What happened?!" Trip asked.
"That was amazing!" Iris exclaimed.
"A taste of Sora's strategy!" Cilan said.
"Yay," Fluttershy said softly.
"Iron Tail again!" Sora ordered.
"Dragon Tail!" Trip ordered.
Both lands a hit, but Dragon Tail overpowers Iron Tail greatly.
"So much for a comeback," Gallus said.
"You battled well, but it's over," Trip said.
"We're going to see about that, Trip!" Sora said. He started to wonder what Ash would do if he was in his shoes. He noticed the static electricity coming from Pikachu's cheeks. "Okay, try a combo of Iron Tail and Electro Web!" Pikachu looked back at his trainer and nodded. Pikachu performed Iron Tail as a ball of electricity flows around Pikachu's tail.
"You two are wasting your time! Serperior, go!" Trip called out.
"Wind it up and pitch!" Sora said. Pikachu's ball of electricity winds up faster and faster.
"Dragon Tail!" Trip ordered.
"Fire!" Sora called out. Pikachu unleashed it and the ball of electricity opened into a web and quickly wraps around Serperior's body, dealing some damage. "Now, use Thunderbolt!" Pikachu unleashed Thunderbolt and gave Serperior a great strong shock. The regal Pokémon has taken tremendous damage and goes down for the count.
"No!" Trip gasped.
"Serperior is unable to battle! Pikachu wins! The winner is Sora!" The referee announced.
"And Sora takes the win in the preliminary battle!" Freddy O'Martian announced.
Trip was shocked for a moment, but he just smiled. A little while later, Sora and Pikachu entered the Pokémon Center to be healed when he spotted Trip at the counter. He noticed Sora and walked up to him.
"Congratulations, Sora. You deserved to win," Trip said.
"You did your best, Trip," Sora said. "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out how much stronger you got from day one."
"Thanks a lot, Sora. I mean it. I can say this, and I don't even care who knows it. You're quite the trainer. I can see that you're a Pokémon League Champion and why. You got more heart than anyone I have ever known. More than even Alder," Trip said.
"Trip, you got heart, too," Sora said.
"Yeah, but not as much as you. I just wanted a chance to win this tournament and use my experience in my journey to battle Alder. I wanted it more than anyone. And I thought if I wanted it enough, I show everyone that Trip is the greatest is something special," Trip said.
"Trip, you didn't need to prove anything to anyone," Sora said. Trip looked right at Sora.
"What do you mean?" Trip asked.
"You are something special. Every trainer is something special in his or her own way. I never doubted you for a second. It doesn't really help if you go and talk down on anyone from Kanto. When I first met Riku, I didn't care if he came from the planet Krypton, what kind of trainer was he. I got my answer when I first battled him and lost," Sora said.
"Yeah, sorry about all that," Trip said. "I have something I wanna say to you before I take off. That battle with your girlfriend got me thinking. You were right. It didn't matter where you're really from. I didn't believe that at first, but even after I started my journey, trainers still looked down on me, because of it. I didn't want to admit it to anyone."
"It's never easy to swallow your pride, Trip. But, at least you have a new aspect on certain views," Sora said.
"Yeah, I do now," Trip said. "There's no shame in losing to you, Sora." Trip held out his hand and Sora shook it. Both trainers held their handshake until they both let go. Trip picked up his Serperior and started to head out. "Sora, be sure you don't lose this tournament."
"Sure," Sora said.
With that said, Trip took his leave. Sora could tell in Trip's aura that Trip will be a much different person the next time they meet. Unknown to them, Riku and Eevee were listening to their conversation from start to finish.
"At last, you get it, Trip," Riku said.
"Eevee," Eevee said.
Hilbert, Nate, Cheren, Bianca, Benga, Stephan, Burgundy, Georgia, Cameron, Virgil, and Jaden all won their matches.
Night came as Sora is sitting in the sauna along with Ventus, Terra, Riku, and Cilan.
"Man, I needed that," Sora said.
"What you have pulled off today is a perfect blend of flavors," Cilan said.
"That was awesome," Ventus said. "Can't wait to see the rest the tournament."
"You'll have to sit right back and enjoy the show, Ven," Sora said.
"Excellent! Nice and hot!" Stephan said. He and Cameron walked in.
"Worked up a sweat!" Cameron said. They noticed the other boys inside. "Sora, good work out there, man."
"Thanks," Sora said. Stephan smacked him on the back.
"Don't be so modest, Sora. You kicked some serious ass out there today," Stephan said.
"What's your secret? You've got to tell me!" Cameron said.
"I didn't do anything special. I just did what I do," Sora said. The heat was starting to get to him. "I don't know about you, but I'm started to feel like a steamed vegetable here."
"We are in a sauna after all," Stephan said.
"No duh," Cameron said.
Over to the girls wing, Kairi was relaxing in the sauna. Karen, Iris and Aqua were right with her. Their bodies were wrapped with towels.
"If this is what heaven feels like, then I do not wanna leave," Aqua said.
"Testify, sister," Iris agreed.
"But you would have to if you get overwhelmed by the steam, Aqua," Karen said.
"What are you? My mother?" Aqua asked. "I don't mind a little steam here and there."
"Don't say I didn't warn you, Aqua," Karen said.
Just then, Hilda and Rosa shows up.
"Well, look who's here," Hilda said.
"Hilda, Rosa, I wasn't expecting to see you again so soon after the Grand Festival," Kairi said.
"We came to cheer on Hilbert, Cheren, Bianca, Hugh, and of course Sora. I heard that Trip was his opponent earlier," Rosa said.
"You heard right, girls," Aqua said.
"You should have seen it," Iris said. "It was amazing."
"I don't doubt it," Hilda said. "Just know that we won't be on the same side when Sora and Hilbert battles each other."
"Same with Nate," Rosa said.
"Are you two couples with them?" Iris asked, making Hilda and Rosa blush. "It sounds like you are."
"Um," Hilda and Rosa said while blushing.
"We don't know what you're talking about!" Hilda and Rosa said in unison.
Over to the Pokémon, Pikachu and Angel were cuddling each other to celebrate Pikachu's victory.
"You were amazing, Pikachu." - Angel subtitle.
"I hope I didn't worry you too much, Angel." - Pikachu subtitle.
"Worrying about you is both my job and Kairi's. And it's going to get worse with each passing time." - Angel subtitle. Pikachu nuzzles her affectionately and she nuzzles him back. Blossom was gushing at the romance her brother and girlfriend were giving off. She felt a little jealous.
There was one that Meowth, Sparky, Thor, Eclair, Eevee, and Azurill were sharing.
"This hits the spot," Meowth said.
"It sure does." - Thor subtitle.
Riolu came in and joined right in.
"Room for one more?" - Riolu subtitle.
"Go for it." - Eevee subtitle.
Riolu stepped in the warm water and sighed with relief.
"Congrats on you and Cameron on making it to the main event." - Sparky subtitle.
"Thanks. Gotta say it was an awesome battle, despite how many times Ferrothorn missed his mark." - Riolu said.
"At least he tried." - Eclair subtitle.
The Pokémon were talking among themselves as Naminé came and picked up Azurill.
"Had a nice bath, Azurill?" Naminé asked.
"Azu, Azu," Azurill chirped.
"Time for bed. Say goodnight to your friends, Azurill," Naminé said.
"Rill," Azurill chirped.
Naminé carried Azurill off to put to sleep. Riolu started to splash right at Sparky. Sparky splashed right back at Riolu.
"Hey, Sparky, take it easy!" - Thor subtitle.
"We know how you get when you get carried away." - Eclair subtitle.
Unfortunately, Sparky wasn't listening and he kept on splashing. Riolu turned around and kicked some water towards Sparky. Eevee, Thor and Eclair got out as Meowth got splashed in the face.
"Hey, quit splashing around, you two! The idea is to kick back in the hot springs!" Meowth said. Sparky jumped out of the water and fired a Thunderbolt right at Riolu. Meowth flinched. "No! You know what happens you add water in electri- YEOW!" Meowth and Riolu were getting electrocuted.
The Mane Six, Starlight, Spike, the Young Six, and the Digimon (except for Gabumon) were relaxing in the hot springs.
"I can see why Japanese people are fond of hot springs. They're so relaxing," Pinkie Pie said, breaking the fourth wall.
"It's okay, I guess," Gallus said.
"Hey, where's Gabumon?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Probably outside," Patamon said. "He doesn't do well with water, especially with that fur coat of his."
"Well, he could just take that off, right?" Spike asked.
"He might, but when nobody's around," Veemon said.
"You mean, you never seen him without the fur coat?" Rarity asked. "Even when it goes out of style?"
"None of us has ever seen him without it. Thinking about it, it'll feel weird to imagine him without it," Agumon said.
"Sometimes I wonder what he looks like when he's naked," Biyomon said. "It's the same thing in seeing a Mimikyu without its cloth."
"I rather not think about that," Hawkmon said, shuddering.
"Me neither," Fluttershy said. She remembered being told about seeing underneath a Mimikyu's rag could end in a very horrible and yet, scary way.
"I know you're talking about my fur coat in there, so I'm going to tell you that it stays on!" Gabumon said.
"What are you afraid of?" Spike asked.
"No one's ever seen me without it, and I plan to keep it that way," Gabumon stated.
"Party pooper," Gomamon said.
"Leave him alone, guys. If he says he doesn't want to take it off, then don't force him," Agumon said.
"Finally, a voice of reason," Gabumon said.
Over to Sora, Riku, Ventus, Terra, Cilan, Cameron, and Stephan had just gotten out as the girls approached the boys.
"Enjoy the hot springs, Sora?" Kairi asked her boyfriend.
"Sure have," Sora said, giving his girlfriend a kiss on the lips. "You?" Kairi giggled.
"I have," Kairi said.
A commotion is heard and everyone went to see what was up. Sora gasped when he saw Meowth on his back and emitting static electricity.
"Meowth, what happened?!" Sora exclaimed.
"Sparky, not again!" Ventus said.
"Pika," Sparky said sheepishly.
After the bath, 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 went back to their room as Fluttershy was slowly flapping her wings to make Meowth cool off.
"That's nice," Meowth said.
"I'm glad you're feeling better, Meowth," Fluttershy said.
"Pikachu," Sparky said.
"Sparky is very sorry for what he did," Fluttershy said.
"Just try to be more careful, okay?" Meowth asked.
With that said, Sora was going over his plan for the first part of the tournament. He learned that it's going to be triple battles, and he has to win three matches in order to progress on towards the next round. He took out his Pokémon Box and he exchanged Serperior, Emboar, and Samurott for Crustle, Scolipede, and Golurk.
"Okay, let's see which one of you five I'll be using," Sora said as Krookodile, Unfezant, Crustle, Scolipede, and Golurk stood outside their Pokéballs. He stroked his chin. "Okay, Crustle, Unfezant, and Golurk on the first battle?" Crustle, Unfezant, and Golurk went with that. "Scolipede and Krookodile will have the next, depending on who we're up against."
The Unova Pokémon League has just begun and the first round of the official tournament begins with the triple battles. How far will Sora progress in the tournament? Just wait and find out when we continue.