Give it a Whirl

After showing his friends around the world of Pokémon, Lugia agreed to graciously serve as their guide around the Whirl Islands. He didn't mind drawing attention from the islanders. Once being a guardian, he was very social around humans.

He brought them to the shores of Blue Point Isle. "You can begin exploring the Whirl Islands by starting on this island. I will meet you on the other side."

"You don't have to do that," said Yugi.

"I insist," said Lugia. "It is an honor to serve the warriors of Millennia once more."

"Well, thank you," Yugi told him. "We greatly appreciate it." And Lugia ducked below the surface.

It looked like the heroes arrived in time for the Whirl Cup, a competition that happens on the Whirl Islands once every three years. The competition wouldn't start until a few weeks, so competitors had plenty of time to prepare. Yugi and his friends hurried to the Pokémon Center to register for the Whirl Cup.

Emily and Kaiba decided to sit this one out and let Yugi and Joey register for the competition. Although Yugi admitted he didn't have any water Pokémon, he decided he would catch some for the competition. Joey would be getting his Pokémon trained up also.

Looking at the map of the Whirl Islands, Yugi and Joey learned that the competition would take place on Red Rock Isle, which was northwest from their current location. To get to Red Rock Isle, they would have to go to Yellow Rock Isle, and to get there, they would have to cross through Blue Point Isle.

In the middle of the island was a lagoon where Pokémon called Chinchou resided. Chinchou lived in the lagoon to lay their eggs and raise their young and when they would get old enough, they would leave the lagoon and travel to the beach. The people who lived near the lagoon made it a tradition to watch the Chinchou parade through the island and help them get to the ocean safely. Yugi and his friends decided to follow the parade of Chinchou to the ocean.

The heroes and the Chinchou safely crossed the rest of the island and made it to the other side only to be greeted by their good friend Lugia. He welcomed the Chinchou into the ocean waters and they were ready to begin their new lives out to sea. Lugia was also ready to take his friends to Yellow Rock Isle and he helped them climb on his back.

When they got there, the heroes understood why it was called Yellow Rock Isle. The rocks that formed around the island really were yellow. The island was also well known for its fishing and farming industries. As usual, Lugia would swim to the other part of the island where he would wait to meet his friends.

Emily was intrigued by the merchandise in one of the stores. There were trinkets made from the horns of Corsola. The people of this island would collect the horns shed by Corsola and use them to make jewelry and crystals of different shapes. But as fascinating as the trinkets were, Emily decided not to buy anything. They looked delicate and she wouldn't be able to handle them carefully on the journey.

Yugi and his friends walked along the shore of the island and were intrigued at what they were seeing. There were beach houses resting on nests of Corsola. It was another fascinating wonder of humans and Pokémon living together and helping each other.

Emily saw Lugia sticking his head out of the ocean. "Hello, Lugia."

He smiled and chuckled. "Please accept my apologies for the inconvenience."

"Oh, no, it's no inconvenience that you're following us," she insisted.

Joey agreed. "We love that you want to hang out with us."

Kaiba had different feelings about the matter. "But you really should be careful. You know what happens when people see legendary Pokémon."

Lugia knew, but he had been swimming around the islands for a long time and was familiar with the islanders. He still felt like a guardian and felt compelled to watch over and protect the people and Pokémon of the Whirl Islands just as he did for the people and Pokémon of Atlantis. It wouldn't bother him if he attracted any attention. He really had become more social by interacting with his friends.

Joey got an idea. "Why don't we take a break? I'll make us some lunch. Lugia, would you like some too?"

He nods and replies, "I would like that very much."

"Great," said Joey. "I'll gather some supplies."

"I think I'll try fishing for some Pokémon," Yugi decided.

"I'll join you while we're waiting," said Kaiba.

Lugia got an idea. "I can carry the both of you out to sea where you can catch some."

Kaiba and Yugi liked the sound of that. They picked up the fishing rods they bought from the Seaking catching competition and climbed on Lugia's back. Emily decided to help Joey make lunch.

The boys had been waiting patiently. Finally, they both felt their lines being tugged. Kaiba reeled in a Seadra and Yugi reeled in a Mantine. Yugi called on Noctowl to help and Kaiba called on Quilava. "Be careful, my friends," Lugia warned them. "But I wish you good luck all the same."

"Thanks, Lugia," Kaiba told him. He had his Quilava attack with Swift. Seadra countered with his Bubble Beam. Quilava tried attacking with Flamethrower, but Seadra launched his Water Gun to douse the flames. Quilava charged through the steamy mist and managed to land a hit on Seadra. Kaiba takes this opportunity to capture him, so he tosses his Pokéball at Seadra. It moves around on the water, but the center glows, signaling that the capture was a success.

Noctowl and Mantine were battling in the air. They were tackling each other and trying to daze each other with their Supersonic and Hypnosis. Mantine tried to use his Take Down attack, but Noctowl dodged it and used Confusion. Seeing that he's dazed, Yugi takes this chance to capture Mantine, so he tosses his Pokéball. The ball moves around the water, but Mantine breaks free. He tries to daze Noctowl with his Supersonic, but Noctowl evades it and uses his Wing Attack. Yugi tries a different approach and tosses his Lure Ball. This time, the capture is a success. Kaiba and Yugi cheer in triumph and high-five each other.

"Congratulations, my friends," Lugia told them.

"Well, we couldn't have done it without our Pokémon," Yugi told him. "And we owe you thanks too, Lugia, for bringing us here and helping us capture them."

Kaiba agreed. "You do a lot for us."

"That is because we are friends," Lugia replied.

Yugi smiles with appreciation. "Well, if there's ever anything any of us can do for you, please let us know."

"Thank you, Yugi," Lugia says gratefully. With that being settled, he takes the boys back to the beach where Joey and Emily are waiting. They finished making lunch. It was chowder with buttered bread on the side. The Pokémon had their own food and Lugia even brought back his own rations though his friends insisted on sharing with him. Emily and Joey even brought back a large supply of fresh fruit they picked from the trees and there was also a bowl of fresh water for him to drink from. Lugia graciously accepted their kindness and ate the food he was offered with great appreciation.

After resting their stomachs, the group was ready to get back on the move. Lugia set his friends on his back and carried them to Red Rock Isle. "Here we are," he said as they were approaching the island. "This is where you can register for the preliminaries of the Whirl Cup competition."

"All right," Joey was saying, "I can't wait."

Yugi placed his hand over Lugia's head. "Thanks for bringing us here, Lugia."

Emily agreed. "You didn't have to go through the trouble of bringing us around the islands, but you did and it really means a lot to us."

"It was my pleasure, Princess, and I had a lot of fun," Lugia insisted. He brought them to the pier and helped them climb off. "Yugi, Joey, best of luck to you in the Whirl Cup."

"I wish you could watch us," Joey complained.

"I will still be able to hear about it," he promises them. "And no matter which of you wins or if neither of you wins, I will be proud of the both of you."

"Thanks, Lugia," Yugi and Joey say in unison.

"Have fun and I will be here when you get back."

"Come on, guys," Kaiba tells his friends. "Let's get you registered." And they hurried to the registration office.

There were different preliminary rounds the competitors had to go through and they all had designated areas. Yugi was sent to Stadium A and Joey was assigned to Stadium B. After the preliminary rounds, sixty-four competitors would be chosen to proceed. They would also need two wins in order to proceed for the finals.

Joey and Yugi went to the beach to train their Pokémon. When they got there, they saw a Slowpoke resting on a rock and fishing with its tail. Yugi wanted another water Pokémon for the competition, so he decided to capture Slowpoke. Slowpoke noticed Yugi's presence and responded to his decision about wanting a battle, so he climbed off the rock and positioned himself in front of Yugi. Yugi tossed his Pokéball and called on Bayleef for help. She attacked with her Razor Leaf, but Slowpoke just yawned. Bayleef was about to catch him with her Vine Whip, but Slowpoke's Yawn made her drowsy and caused her to fall asleep.

Yugi called Bayleef back into her Pokéball and substituted Noctowl to take her place. Slowpoke yawned again, but Noctowl's special ability Insomnia prevented him from falling asleep. He attacked with Wing Attack and knocked Slowpoke out. Yugi tossed his Pokéball at Slowpoke and watched with anticipation as the ball rotated. When the center glowed, he raised the Pokéball and cheered in triumph. Now he had two Pokémon for the competition.