Episode 553: Battles in the Sky
After seeing Korrina and Lucario off, Sora, Kairi, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Clemont, Bonnie, Pikachu, Angel, Meowth, Dedenne, Blossom, Sparky, Thor, Eclair, Team Natsu, the Digimon, the Cooper Gang, Carmelita, and the Panda King continued on their way to Shalour City. In the meantime, Sora was getting training done. He exchanged Gallade for Inkay since he figured a Psychic Type Pokémon would be a better match despite being a Dark Type like his evolved from, Malamar. Kairi exchanged Gardevoir for Spritzee.
"Okay, Inkay! Psybeam!" Sora ordered. Inkay fired Psybeam and struck the nearby tree. "That was great, Inkay!"
"Inkay!" Inkay beamed at the praise. Inkay then turned upside-down. "Okay, Inkay! Use Peck!" Inkay flipped himself right-side up and lands a peck on a tree. Several apples dropped to the ground. A Patrat, a Sentret, and a Pachirisu are standing, looking anxious. Inkay smiled and handed the apples to them. "Inkay, Inkay," Pachirisu, Sentret, and Patrat beamed and took the apples from Inkay's tentacles. Sora smiled at how nice Inkay was being to the forest Pokémon.
"That is down-right sweet of you, Inkay," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu agreed.
"Inkay, Inkay," Inkay blushed.
Sora, Pikachu, and Inkay were about to rejoin the group, they heard a loud cry. Sora and his two Pokémon went to investigate. Kairi, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Clemont, Bonnie, Pikachu, Angel, Meowth, Dedenne, Blossom, Sparky, Thor, Eclair, the Digimon, Team Natsu, the Cooper Gang, Carmelita, and, the Panda King heard the cry and followed him. They made a stop when they saw it was the three Pokémon from before, shivering with fright.
"Sora, what's going on?" Kairi asked.
"There!" Sora said, pointing to something. They saw it was an Ursaring, holding the berries and apples Inkay has given them.
"That's an Ursaring!" Ventus said.
"And he's taking their food!" Kairi said.
"That won't stand!" Sora said. Inkay huffed and went after Ursaring and gave him a peck on the rear. Ursaring yelped in pain and growled at the squid-like Pokémon. Inkay flashed a bright light at the bear Pokémon in the face, blinding him. "That's showing him way, Inkay!" Ursaring regained his sight and slashed at Inkay. "Inkay!" Sora jumped and grabbed the revolving Pokémon in his arms. "You okay, Inkay?"
"Kay," Inkay said. Inkay tried to get out of Sora's grip.
"Inkay, what's gotten into you?" Sora asked, holding him.
"Inkay wants to fight that Ursaring for what he's doing to those Pokémon," Meowth said.
"Inkay, your heart's in the right place, but you got hurt bad by that Ursaring's attack, so you need to rest!" Sora said. Inkay refused to call it quits when a rustling is heard in the trees.
"You hear something?" Gray asked.
"It came from up in the trees," Clemont said.
And he was right. It turns out to be a Hawlucha, wearing a green mask. Hawlucha removed the mask and it exploded into leaves.
"What Pokémon is that?" Wendy asked.
"It's a Hawlucha," Sora said.
"Hawlucha, lu, cha, lu, Hawlucha, lu!" Hawlucha said.
"Hawlucha's calling Ursaring out!" Natsu said.
"Any idea what Hawlucha just said, Meowth?" Karen asked.
"Hawlucha just said that food isn't his, so he's giving a chance to turn back or face the consequences," Meowth translated. Ursaring roars and growls at Hawlucha in a taunting manner. "Now, Ursaring is saying he's not going to, so Hawlucha will have to fight him for that food."
"Hawlucha," Hawlucha said.
"You asked for it," Meowth translated.
Hawlucha came at Ursaring with Karate Chop, landing a hit. Ursaring tried to fight back with his claws, but Hawlucha dodged just by jumping and jumped forward, landing a kick onto Ursaring.
"A good use of Karate Chop, followed by a High Jump Kick!" Terra said.
"Hawlucha's one tough Pokémon," Natsu said.
"Give that teddy bear a spanking!" Happy said. Ursaring fell back down as Hawlucha flew up to the top of the tree. Hawlucha spreads its wings and then jumps off. Hawlucha fell right a comet on a collision to a planet.
"Here comes Hawlucha with a Flying Press!" Ventus said. Hawlucha lands a hit onto Ursaring. He got hit hard due to Hawlucha's incredible speed. Ursaring gets back up on his feet, but Hawlucha lands one more hit with a Wing Attack, sending Ursaring down once again. During the battle, Sentret, Pachirisu, and Sentret got their food back.
"Looks like those three won't be going hungry," Guilmon said.
Hawlucha turned around as Ursaring gets back up on his feet. Ursaring grabs a rock and held it above his head.
"Hey!" Ventus exclaimed.
"Watch out!" Sora called out. Hawlucha turned to see Ursaring with the rock. Ursaring was about to smash Hawlucha with it, but a Machamp came and grabbed Ursaring by the arms, and flipped him over to the ground. "Where did that Machamp come from?"
"Machamp must have been there to help him out," Kairi guessed.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"They must work together, fighting big Pokémon who picks on the little Pokémon," Bonnie said.
"Dedenne, ne," Dedenne said.
Ursaring got back up and ran off into the woods.
"That'll teach Ursaring about being a bully," Bonnie said.
"Denne, ne," Dedenne said.
Hawlucha turned to Machamp with a grin. Hawlucha was grateful to Machamp for the assistance. Hawlucha was about to take off when he noticed Sora and looked at him.
"Hawlucha, you were awesome fighting that Ursaring. Gotta say you're really something," Sora said. Hawlucha then approached Sora.
"Lucha," Hawlucha said. He gets into a pose.
"What's up with you?" Sora asked.
"I think Hawlucha is challenging you into a battle," Clemont said.
"I agree," Erza said. "He must have sensed your potential, so he wants to put it to the test for himself." Sora looked at Hawlucha in the eyes and he understood what he means.
"If you wanna battle me, then I accept your challenge," Sora said. "And I have the opponent just in mind for you." He took out a Pokéball and opened it. Out came Lucario. "Lucario is going to be your opponent." Hawlucha looked at Lucario and nodded. Both gets into position for battle. Hawlucha makes the first move with Karate Chop. "Lucario! Use Bone Rush to block!" Lucario blocked with Bone Rush as soon as Hawlucha got close to him. "Use Force Palm!" Lucario came at Hawlucha and uses Force Palm on Hawlucha, hitting him. "Use Force Palm again and again!" Lucario does so again. Hawlucha then came at Lucario with a High Jump Kick, landing some heavy damage. Hawlucha then jumps into the tree again, and reaches the top of the tree. Sora knew what that meant. Hawlucha jumped off and came at Lucario incredibly fast. "Use Double Team!" Lucario makes several copies of himself. Hawlucha lands on the ground, hitting a copy instead. "Use Aura Sphere!" Lucario fired Aura Sphere at Hawlucha and lands some damage onto him. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it. Hawlucha flows inside. 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 Hawlucha with him. He chose to keep Hawlucha by sending Chespin in his place. Sora picked up the Pokéball and smiled. He opened the Pokéball and Hawlucha emerged from inside it. Hawlucha looked right at Sora. "Welcome aboard, Hawlucha." The wrestling Pokémon nodded as he took Sora by the hand, shaking it. Inkay was overjoyed to the new team member on the team. Sora exchanged Fennekin for Fletchinder since he figured he could use another Flying Type Pokémon to use.
Not too far, the hooded figure from before is watching the group.
"He's even better than I thought," the hooded figure said. "Not only is his aura so powerful, but so is his will. I can sense it. Just who is he?"
Meanwhile back in Kanto, a dimensional rift opened up. Out came a female bandicoot emerged from inside of it. She has blonde hair, orange fur, a peach muzzle, green eyes and a small, blonde tail. She wore magenta crop top with white trimmings. She also wore shorts that are denim with a dark brown belt, and her shoes are red with white socks.
"Ugh, first that Pinstripe broke up with me, and now I get sent here, wherever here is! When I do see that Pinstripe again, I'm going to kick him a good kick in the wumpas!" The female bandicoot said. Crash is taking a nap under a nearby tree, so he gets back up and he sees the female Bandicoot in front of him.
"Huh?" Crash asked. The female bandicoot looks back at him.
"Crash? What are you doing here?" The female bandicoot asked. Coco then shows up with an angry look on her face.
"Crash, you lazy bag of fleas, you were supposed to be helping me out! Were you taking a nap agai-" Coco paused when she sees the female bandicoot. "Tawna? Our Tawna, I mean!"
"Coco. Hey," Tawna waved, feeling awkward about seeing her and Crash. Speaking of which, Crash was having mixed feelings about seeing his Tawna again. He haven't seen her since they both broke up, so he didn't know what to do. "How are things?"
"Oh, the same-ol! Saving all of existence from an evil scientist from destroying everything," Coco said.
"What are you doing here?" Tawna asked.
"I was about to ask you the same thing," Coco said.
Back in Kalos, Sora, Kairi, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Clemont, Bonnie, Pikachu, Angel, Meowth, Dedenne, Blossom, Sparky, Thor, Eclair, the Digimon, Team Natsu, the Cooper Gang, Carmelita, and the Panda King continued on their way to Shalour City. They came across the Kalos canyon.
"Amazing!" Sora said.
"What is this?" Carmelita asked.
"The famous Kalos Canyon," Clemont said.
"Wow, what a sight," Terra said.
"Sure is. What do you think, Dedenne?" Bonnie asked.
"Dedenne, ne, ne!" Dedenne said.
"It's magnificent to look at," Bentley said.
"Sure is, buddy," Sly agreed.
"It took nature tens of thousands of years to create this masterpiece," Clemont said.
"Why don't we just take a break here," Sora suggested.
"Good idea, Sora," Kairi said. "I think I could use a rest. How about you, Angel?"
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Okay, come on out, everyone!" Sora called out. Lucario, Froakie, Fletchinder, Inkay, and Hawlucha came on out of their Pokéballs.
"You do the same!" Kairi called out. Vulpix, Vivillon, Spritzee, Amaura, and Pumpkaboo came on out as well.
Just when everyone were starting to relax, a shadow looms over the group.
"What's that?" Tentomon asked.
"Look!" Lopmon said, pointing up.
Everyone looked right up and they see a couple of people wearing jumpsuits with flaps on either side.
"What's that all about?" Lucy asked.
"What are they doing?" Gray asked.
"I get it. This must be where Sky trainers train," Clemont said.
"Sky trainers?" Aqua asked.
"Kalos canyon is famous for Sky battles. They battle by using Pokémon that can either fly, or levitate, though there are limits to the choice of Pokémon being used," Clemont said.
"I never would have guessed," Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
One of the trainers is a young woman with a Talonflame. Talonflame is seen battling a Skarmory.
"What kind of Pokémon are those?" Lucy asked.
"That one is a Talonflame; a Fire and Flying Type. And the one it's battling is a Skarmory, a Steel Type and a Flying Type," Aqua said.
"Talonflame! Use Steel Wing!" The young woman ordered. Talonflame came at Skarmory with Steel Wing, landing a hit. "Use Fire Blast!" Talonflame unleashed a Fire Blast attack from its mouth. Skarmory is struck hard by the fire attack.
"No wonder it's called a sky batttle," Murray said.
"That looks like fun!" Bonnie said.
"Skarmory! Use Fury Attack!" The young man ordered. Skarmory flew at Talonflame, hoping to land a hit onto the falcon-like Pokémon.
"Dodge it and use Fire Blast!" The young woman ordered. Talonflame dodges Skarmory's Fury Attack from left to right. Skarmory is struck by another Fire Blast, much to Skarmory's trainer's dismay.
"That looks epic!" Ventus said.
"Excuse me," a voice called to the group. They turned to see another young man walking up to them. "Are you all first-timers?"
"Yeah, we were just passing by, and we caught a glimpse of the sky battle," Sora said.
"I see," the young man said. "They were in the middle of their Sky battle."
"Just how do we get into some of that action?" Sly asked.
"Well, you'll learn how to fly," the young man said.
"Learn to fly?" The Panda King asked.
"Yes. You'll need to practice. Our practice facility is over there," the young man said, pointing to the building not too far away. They all made their way through and the young man took out the suits for them to wear. "Now, this is what you'll wear."
"Just like what those two were wearing before," Hawkmon pointed out.
"Yes. It's called a wing suit," the young man said.
"It's just my size!" Terra said.
"Gray, don't even think about it," Meowth said.
"Hey, why are you telling that to me?" Gray asked.
"Because you'd just strip out of it and fall!" Meowth said.
"He's right," Karen said. "I don't know that much about you, but that won't be good having to scrape you off the rocks below."
"Karen does have a point, Gray," Erza said. "You should sit this one out."
"Hey, where are mine and Bonnie's?" Ventus asked.
"I'm afraid you two are too small to participate," the young man said.
"Aw, man!" Ventus pouted.
"Pika," Sparky also pouted.
"No fair!" Bonnie cried.
"Sorry, you two. Those rules are set for a reason," Clemont said.
"Clemont's right. We'd get in trouble with your parents if you go and fall," Aqua said.
"Pika, Pika," Eclair said.
"But I can watch it with you, Bonnie," Ventus said, blushing.
"Pi," Sparky said.
"I mean, Sparky and I will watch it with you and Dedenne," Ventus said.
"Chu," Sparky said with satisfaction.
With that said, Sora, Kairi, Karen, Terra, Aqua, and Clemont all wore their wing suits. Sora, Kairi, Karen, Terra, and Aqua's matched the colors of their S-Pods as Clemont wore a lime green wing suit.
"Be wary. There's a strong updraft that's always blowing through Kalos Canyon," the young man said. "It's important to keep that in mind."
"Noted," Karen said.
"Now, this device simulates the updrafts," the young man said. "The wind will be blowing from below, so try jumping into the wind to fly."
"Right," they all said.
"Now, I'll demonstrate just so you can have the right idea on how it works," the young man said. The wind machine blows from below and he jumps right in. He spreads his arms out like a bird Pokémon taking flight. "You see, you fly by catching the wind with your wings."
"I think I'll give it a shot first," Karen said. She steps forward and spreads her arms. She is lifted into the air. "I'm flying!"
"Wait for me, sis!" Sora said, stepping forward. He laughed as he joins his sister in the sky.
"Wait up, you two!" Kairi said. She joins in the flight and joined her boyfriend and his sister.
"Right behind you, Kairi!" Aqua said, joining in.
"You coming, Clemont?" Terra asked, stepping in.
"Right," Clemont said. He joins in the flight and he doesn't do so well as the others.
"I'm flying!" Aqua said.
"Me too!" Clemont said. He tried, but he fell on his butt. "Maybe not."
"Well, that must have hurt," Bonnie said.
"You know, this is harder than I thought," Clemont said. Sora and Terra fell right beside Clemont. The young man and the girls hovers on down.
"You'll get the hang of it in no time," the young man said.
"He's right, guys. You just need to practice more," Karen said. "And one more thing. That's one thing I'm better than you at, big brother."
"Okay, since when do we have a rivalry, little sister?" Sora asked. The young woman from before knocks on the glass.
"Excuse me, but aren't you interested in a sky battle?" The young woman asked.
"Me?" Sora asked.
"Moira," the young man said. They all stepped out to speak with her. "Everyone, this is Moira. She's a Sky trainer, and one of our instructors of our facility."
"We were watching you earlier," Karen said.
"You were watching. My opponent wasn't much of a challenge, so I'm looking for someone new. What Flying Types do any of you have?" Moira asked.
"I have a Fletchinder and a Hawlucha," Sora said.
"And I have a Vivillon," Kairi said.
"Great! And also, aren't you Sora Ketchum, the Pokémon League Champion of Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, and Unova Pokémon Leagues?" Moira asked.
"Yeah," Sora said.
"Thought so. I came looking for a challenge, so when I saw you, I knew I found myself a challenge," Moira said.
"It seems your reputation proceeds you," the Panda King said.
"In more ways than one," Sora said as he sighed.
"I'm surprised you didn't let all that go to your head," Murray said.
"Just because I'm a Champion, doesn't mean I'm better than everyone else," Sora said.
"So, how about it, Sora?" Moira asked.
"Why not?" Sora asked. "I could use the practice for my upcoming Gym battle with Korrina."
"Great," Moira said.
"Now, Sora, just remember that you're just starting out," the young man reminded him.
"He'll be fine. A Pokémon League Champion like him should have no problem against me," Moira said.
"Just be careful what you ask for, because you might end up getting more than you bargained for," Sora said.
Outside, both of Sora and Moira got into position for battle. Sora has chosen his Fletchinder to go against Talonflame. Moira got airborne as did Sora. He had a shaky start at first, but he managed to get the hang of it.
"I'll act as the referee," the young man said.
"Right," Sora said, going into the air.
"Talonflame! Use Peck!" Moira ordered. Talonflame came flying at Fletchinder with Peck.
"Double Team!" Sora ordered. Fletchinder starts things up with Double Team. Talonflame stops and sees that there's more than one, but only one of them is the real thing. "That's the way, Fletchinder!"
"It can use Double Team? No way!" Moira asked.
"Okay, Fletchinder! Use Ember!" Sora ordered. Fletchinder fired Ember at Talonflame. The fireballs all struck Talonflame on the mark.
"Ooh, that's quite a hit," Agumon said.
"Sora's way better than I remember," Lucy said. She knew Sora has gotten so much stronger than he was back when he, Kairi, and the Alolan nine were in Earthland. She smiled. "You grew so much stronger, Sora."
"Talonflame! Steel Wing!" Miora ordered. Talonflame came right at Fletchinder with Steel Wing.
"Flame Charge!" Sora ordered. Fletchinder dashed right at Talonflame with Flame Charge, landing a hit. This builds Fletchinder's speed.
"Good hit, Fletchinder!" Bonnie cheered.
"Doesn't Fletchinder look like he's moving much faster than before?" Natsu asked.
"Flame Charge builds up speed every time it's used," Gabumon said.
"Talonflame can't seem to keep up with Fletchinder at all," Terriermon said.
"Use Brave Bird!" Moira ordered. Talonflame flew at Fletchinder with Brave Bird, hoping to land a hit. Fletchinder dodges with great speed.
"Use Razor Wind!" Sora ordered. Fletchinder flapped his wings and lands a hit with a wind attack. "Use Aerial Ace!" Fletchinder dashed right at Talonflame, dealing some heavy damage. "Flame Charge!" Fletchinder dashed right at Talonflame again. Fletchinder then gave Talonflame a couple of hits with his wings, sending Talonflame down.
"What move was that?" Wendy asked.
"It was Dual Wingbeat," Kairi said.
"Fletchinder must have learned it just now," Clemont said.
"Fletchinder just learned a new move just now. And let's use it again! Dual Wingbeat!" Sora ordered. Fletchinder lands a couple of hits with Dual Wingbeat. Talonflame fell right in the canyon, beaten.
"Talonflame is unable to battle! Fletchinder wins! The winner is Sora!" The young man announced. Moira called back her Talonflame and smiled. "You battled well, Talonflame. Get some rest." She flew right towards Sora and smiled. "That was a good battle, Sora. It's no wonder you're a Pokémon League Champion. I guess I was too focused on winning and that led me to defeat."
"You battled hard, too, Moira," Sora said, shaking her hand.
Meanwhile, Tawna is brought to the mansion with Crash sitting beside her.
"Crash, I feel really awkward in seeing you again after we broke up. I left you for that psycho potoroo, when we had a thing going on. I don't even remember why we broke up in the first place," Tawna said. She looked at Crash and he just shuts his eyes and looked away. "Crash, you're not mad at me, are you?"
"No," Crash spoke. This surprises Tawna. "Just hurt. Also, I do remember why we broke up, Tawna. We broke up because you said I don't pay attention much, and I was stupid. And I was too short for you. And you also said, I wasn't attractive for you. That stabbed me in the heart like a knife. Maybe, you were right. You're sexy, and beautiful, and I'm not." Tawna took him in her arms.
"Crash, I'm sorry for hurting you. I was just being stupid. Well, stupider, but I fell for that jerk when I shouldn't have. I don't know if you're ever gonna forgive me, and I will totally understand if you hate me forever," Tawna said. Crash turned to Tawna.
"I already have," Crash said. Tawna looked at him. "I don't hate you. Never did, never will. Don't ever think that about me." He hugs her back.
"I'll try not to," Tawna said.
The two bandicoots moved their heads forward and kiss each other on the lips with so much passion. Coco, Aku Aku, and Dingodile were watching them from the corner.
"Way to go, Crash," Coco said.
"I don't know what's eating me up even more. The fact Crash is talking, or that he's getting a girl who's way out of his league," Dingodile said.
"As they say, opposites attract," Aku Aku said. "Coco, did you know Crash can talk?"
"I didn't think he knew, because he never tried," Coco said. It didn't matter to her that her brother can talk or not, but at least, he got his girlfriend back.
Crash and Tawna parted lips and held each other in their embrace.
"Does that mean, we're back together again?" Crash asked.
"Looks like it," Tawna said. "And I'll accept you for you. That I promise."
Back in Kalos Canyon, the sun began to set as the group were preparing to take off.
"Thanks for the good time," Sora said.
"We hope to come back someday," Karen said.
"Already looking forward to it. And I'm hoping to beat you next time," Moira said.
"And I'm looking forward to that," Sora said. The young man bends down to Bonnie and Ventus.
"And you two. Once you grow a little bit taller..." the young man said.
"We can fly, too!" Ventus and Bonnie both said.
"Pikachu!" Sparky said.
"Dedenne!" Dedenne said.
"That's the spirit! I'll have your wing suits ready by then!" The young man said.
With that said, the group began to take off and continued onwards to Shalour City. It was an experience not one of them were going to forget.