Episode 15: Rocking the Rock Tunnel
After losing his first battle against Riku, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel continued onwards towards Celadon City. They went east of Cerulean City and heads for Route 9. Unaware, the Psyduck from before continues to follow them to where they're going.
"Sora, you mind if I ask you something?" Kairi asked.
"Not really. What do you wanna ask?" Sora asked.
"Well, for one thing, there's a rumor that the power plant exploded over twenty years ago. You know what happened exactly?" Kairi asked.
"Well, here's what I did hear. Over twenty years ago, just like you said, the power plant has the source of power throughout the entire Kanto region. Not once they had a single problem since the place first opened, that is until an explosion occured from inside. It was so powerful, it caused the biggest blackout in Kanto's history. Nobody was sure what had happened. Some say it was caused by someone's mistake, and some people said it was because of a systems failure. Either way, it was bad for everyone. People and Pokémon were going nuts over what happened. It took about three weeks to get everything back to normal. And when it did, the building became too unstable to keep going, so all operations were moved into a much better building. The old building was left behind. Some people says that some of the machines still works, but nobody ever touches those. Also, the plant became a hangout spot for Electric-type Pokémon such as Voltorb, Magnemite, and Electabuzz," Sora explained. "But that's what I heard."
"I did hear rumors about Pokémon living there," Kairi said.
"Yeah. There were talk of Pokémon Trainers going there to catch the wild Pokémon living there. And I can tell you, it's quite a shock," Sora said.
Kairi laughed at the joke.
About a day later, they made it towards Route 10. It is right next to a flowing river. As they were getting closer to the Rock Tunnel, several Team Rocket grunts surrounded them.
"That's them! We met them on Mt Moon!" One of the male Team Rocket grunts said.
"Team Rocket!" Sora and exclaimed.
"What do you want?" Kairi asked.
"We wanna get you two back!" The first male Team Rocket grunt said. It's because of you, Team Rocket's reputation is getting flushed down the crapper! We can't even face our boss! And for that, we're going to exact our revenge."
"Gee, I didn't know we were giving you guys a bad rep," Sora said.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu said.
"If you people knows what's good for you, then you're going have to get out of our way!" Kairi said.
"Eevee!" Angel said.
"You're not going anywhere," the first Team Rocket grunt said in a threatening manner. Sora growled.
"Hold it!" A woman's shouted. Everyone looked around.
"Who said that?" One of the male Team Rocket grunts asked.
Without warning, a lithe and curvy woman came riding by. Her red hair has two pigtails and a ponytail. She wore a pair of glasses, with her eyes being red. She wore a black sleeveless shirt, a purple pencil skirt, black high heels and a golden bracelet around her right arm. She's riding on large sea Pokémon that resembles a plesiosaur. It has a blue hide with darker blue spots and a cream-colored underside. It has large brown eyes, a short horn on its forehead, and tightly curled ears. It has a long neck and four flippers. The foremost flippers are larger than the hind. On its back is a heavy, gray shell covered in blunt knobs. This Pokémon is known as Lapras. They turned to see the woman and Lapras.
"Ganging up on a couple of children... I absolutely can't forgive that," the woman said.
"Who're you, lady? We'll gang up and take you on, too!" Another male Team Rocket grunt barked.
Sora got a good look at her.
"Hey, wait a sec! Aren't you Lorelei? As in Lorelei of the Elite Four?" Sora asked.
"I'm afraid that'll come until later," Lorelei said. "Right now, we must deal with Team Rocket."
"She's right," Kairi agreed. "These people are in the way." Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Butterfree!" Sora called out.
"Go! Pinky!" Kairi called out.
Both Butterfree emerge from inside their Pokéballs and readied themselves for battle. The male Team Rocket grunt took out two Pokéballs and threw them.
"Go! Grimer!" The male Team Rocket grunt shouted. The Pokéball opened and opened two slimy, amorphous Pokémon whose body was animated because of lunar radiation. They each have two large eyes with beady pupils and a gaping mouth with a gray tongue. They lacked any visible legs, and they have two arms with three digits on each hand. Kairi took out her Pokédex and scanned them.
Grimer, the Sludge Pokémon
Type: Poison
Grimer's entire bodies are made up of disgusting sludge, as a solution of pollution. It is said, Grimer was given life from the moon's rays.
"Disgusting blobs," Kairi said.
"Battle first, worry about how disgusting they are later," Sora said.
"Right. Pinky! Use Gust!" Kairi ordered.
"Butterfree! You use Gust, too!" Sora ordered.
Both Butterfree flapped their wings, creating a combined wind.
"Grimer! Use Sludge!" The male Team Rocket grunt ordered. Both Grimer fired Sludge at the two Butterfree.
"Confusion!" Sora and Kairi ordered. Both Butterfree blocked the toxic substance in the air. "Send it back!" The Sludge is sent back to the two Grimer, and they get hit by their own attacks.
"Grimer! Use Poison Gas!" The male Team Rocket grunt ordered. The Grimer spews Poison Gas from their mouths.
"Gust!" Sora and Kairi ordered. Both Butterfree blew the toxic gas backwards.
Over to Lorelei, the Team Rocket grunts have sent out a bunch of Zubat and large, blue, bat-like Pokémon with purple wing membranes. It has small eyes with slit-like pupils, along with tiny triangular ears with purple insides, and a massive mouth with two fangs in each jaw. Some of them have smaller fangs than the others. These Pokémon are Golbat.
"Zubat! Golbat! Air Cutter!" The leading Team Rocket grunt ordered.
"Lapras! Use Blizzard!" Lorelei ordered. Lapras opened its mouth and releases a blizzard from it at the bat-like Pokémon. The Team Rocket grunts were terrified of her power as a Trainer. They all end up frozen from the blizzard.
Back to Sora and Kairi, the battle with the single male Team Rocket grunt continued.
"Grimer! Sludge!" The male Team Rocket grunt ordered.
"Dodge and use Tackle!" Sora and Kairi ordered. Both Butterfree lands a hit on each of the Grimer. "Confusion!" The Butterfree lifted the Grimer and sent them back. The male Team Rocket grunt growled.
"Why you-" the male Team Rocket grunt growled.
Before he could go any further, he felt a sudden chill, and turned to see Lorelei and her Lapras looking at him.
"Turn back now if you know what's good for you," Lorelei said, crossing her arms.
"Let's get out of here. We're no match against her!" The leading male Team Rocket grunt said. Not wasting any time, the Team Rocket grunts starts running. Lorelei turned to Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel with a smile.
"That was an impressive battle from the both of you. You're both talented Pokémon Trainers," Lorelei said.
"Thanks, Lorelei. That means a lot coming from a member of the Elite Four," Sora said.
"And thank you for coming along when you did, Lorelei," Kairi said.
"You are welcome. May I ask for your names?" Lorelei asked.
"My name is Sora," Sora said.
"And I'm Kairi," Kairi said.
"Sora, Kairi. I can see a bright future ahead of you both. And I look forward in meeting you again," Lorelei said. "Until we meet again." Lorelei started to walk off. Sora and Kairi watched her leave.
"Can you believe it, Kairi? We were just complimented by Lorelei," Sora said.
"Not only she's more powerful than any of us thought, but she's even prettier in person," Kairi said.
"Pika, Pika," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel added.
"All we gotta do is head inside the Rock Tunnel, and keep our eyes opened for any more of those Team Rocket guys, even those three morons," Sora said.
"I'm more worried about the Heartless being in there," Kairi said.
"Don't worry, Kairi. I know what you'll say next, but I'll keep you safe from them," Kairi said.
"Thank you, Sora," Kairi said, blushing. Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel enters inside the Rock Tunnel and saw how dark it is. "Sora!"
"I'm here, Kairi. And don't worry. I've got this," Sora said. He summoned his Keyblade and held it up in the air. "Hope this works. Spark!" Sora's spark spell lights up the entire Rock Tunnel, and now they can see where they're going. "That worked."
"Good thinking, Sora," Kairi said. Sora saw Kairi holding his hand. Kairi blushed and she let's go of his hand. "Sorry."
"No, don't be. You can hold my hand if you want," Sora said. Kairi blushed and she took him by the hand. They continued downwards in the Rock Tunnel. It was like Mt Moon over again. They hoped they won't have to run into Heartless, but they didn't get their hopes up too high. And they didn't when a bunch of Heartless did appear from under ground. Most of them are Shadows, but there were another kind of Heartless. Each one is a very small Heartless that has a large, spherical head that is green on its upper hemisphere and orange on its lower one. Its mouth is jagged and it has a large, brown and tan, conical drill as a "nose". Its eyes are represented by two yellow X's, and it sports jagged, yellow orange horns on the sides of its head. Its body is black and resembles a jar, with the Heartless emblem on its front. Two black wheels are attached to the sides of its body. These Heartless are known as Driller Molers. Sora summoned his Keyblade.
"Okay, Pikachu, get ready," Sora said.
"Chu," Pikachu said.
The Heartless all came at Sora with their drills spinning at them. Pikachu fired his Thunderbolt as Sora struck one of them down. Some more started to come and they managed to take care of them as well.
Just then, Heartless that resembles a small, blue dogs with a massive head and an equally massive, toothed maw appeared. Each one have ears that are long, stand on end, and curl at the tips. It has a crooked, blue tail and four short legs with no discernible digits on its paws. Its long, pink tongue is often seen hanging out of its mouth. The Heartless's large, yellow eyes each sport a black spiral pattern. It also wears a large, red collar with several conical, silver spikes on it, though, because of the Heartless's size, it is worn around its waist instead of its neck. Its Heartless emblem is on its rear. This Heartless is known as a Bad Dog.
Sora fired his ice magic, freezing the Heartless and swung his Keyblade at them, and made them shatter like glass. All of the Heartless were eliminated as hearts float up in the air and vanished. Sora panted.
"Man, I don't know about you, but I think I would rather deal with Team Rocket again other than the Heartless," Sora panted.
"I hope you won't end up regretting it," Kairi said.
Outside, Psyduck found their footprints and went on down to the Rock Tunnel. Psyduck entered inside and saw their footprints. Psyduck kept on walking forward.
Over to Celadon City inside the Rocket Game Corner, the patrons entered inside and partook of the games. They were unaware of any Team Rocket activity going on.
Over to Giovanni, he and his Persian are in the main office; beside him is a woman wearing a secretary's clothes and has short purple hair and wearing glasses. With her is a Meowth that is a light blue-gray with smaller, half-open eyes. This is an Alolan Meowth.
"Matori, anything to report?" Giovanni asked.
"All is going as planned, sir," Matori said.
"Excellent. And what word is there from our branch in Saffron City?" Giovanni asked.
"Also as according to plan. Our agents in the Silph Comapny have reported that the development of the Master Ball has been perfected, but it may take months to be completed," Matori said.
"Wonderful, Matori. And what of our missing members?" Giovanni asked.
"Still not a word. But a few have reported seeing bizarre creatures in the area where the disappearances occured," Matori said.
"Those creatures again?" Giovanni raised a brow.
"That was in the reports. I told them to disregard those," Matori said.
"And how many Pokémon have we come across?" Giovanni asked.
"So far, we have acquired 55 Pokémon since the last month," Matori said.
"Wonderful. We should keep this up if the world is to answer to Team Rocket," Giovanni said. Matori grinned evilly at the thought.
Back in the Rock Tunnel, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel hid when they spotted a new Pokémon. It is a bluish-gray Pokémon with large arm muscles. It has three brown ridges on its head, rib-like protrusions on its sides, has a tail, and resembles a human child. Sora took out his Pokédex and scanned it.
Machop, the Superpowers Pokémon
Type: Fighting
Despite its scrawny appearance, Machop is very strong, able to lift up a Graveler on its shoulders. Machop can easily throw adult humans that are well-built.
"Okay, Machop is good as mine," Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it. Machop flowed inside and 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 Machop with him. He chose to send Machop to Professor Oak's lab. "And I got myself a Machop."
Just then, a loud yell is heard. They rushed to see what the disturbance was. They saw what looks like a gray rhinoceros-like Pokémon that has rock hard skin and armor covering its body. It has spikes on top of it. It walks on four legs and has a horn. And it has two toes on each foot and two sharp teeth sticking out of its mouth. This Pokémon is known as Rhyhorn. It was being attacked by two Large Bodies.
"Sora, that poor Rhyhorn is being attacked by those Heartless!" Kairi exclaimed.
"Eevee!" Angel added.
"I got them!" Sora said, summoning his Keyblade. He aims his Keyblade at the large Heartless. "Fire!" Sora casts his fire spell at the Heartless, drawing their attention. They came rushing at him. Sora rolls to dodge. Sora managed to slay one of them, but the other one comes by rushing at him. It strikes him with its belly. Pikachu jumped and swings at the Large Body with Iron Tail, striking it in the head, and destroying it. Sora went over to the Rhyhorn. He lifts his Keyblade. "Cure." Rhyhorn has been healed of its injuries. It opened its eyes and tackled him on the ground. "Hey!" Rhyhorn starts to lick his face affectionately. Sora starts laughing. "Hey, cut that out! That tickles!" He got up and he took out his Pokédex and scanned it.
Rhyhorn, the Spikes Pokémon
Type: Ground/Rock
Rhyhorn are very simple-minded Pokémon. Once it begins to charge at an opponent, it forgets why it's charging in the first place.
"He must like you, Sora," Kairi said.
"I think you're right, Kairi. Why else would Rhyhorn be grateful to me for dealing with those Heartless?" Sora asked. He pets Rhyhorn. "I'm just glad I came and helped you." Rhyhorn nuzzles him. Sora smiled. "I guess you wanna tag along, huh? Okay then." He took out a Pokéball and pressed it against Rhyhorn. The Spikes Pokémon flowed inside and stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. Sora's Pokémon Box goes off asking him if he wants to keep Rhyhorn with him. He chose to send Rhyhorn to Professor Oak's lab.
Going forward, they came across a large, bipedal Pokémon that vaguely resembles a kangaroo. It has a brown hide with several raised patches and a cream-colored belly. It has large, cream-colored ears, narrow, red eyes, and a short, rounded snout with two fangs in the back of its upper jaw. On top of its head is a thick, black plate. There are epaulette-like growths over its shoulders and a row of spikes down its back. It has three clawed digits on each hand and foot and a thick tail. On is belly is a pouch that contains a baby of the same kind. Unlike its parent, the baby is light purple and has smooth skin. Sora took out his Pokédex and scanned it.
Kangaskhan, the Parent Pokémon
Type: Normal
Kangaskhan are very protective of their young. If any enemy attacked their baby, the parent will attack the enemy head-on.
"A Kangaskhan. They're much bigger in real life," Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"I think we'll be okay as long we don't make her mad," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said. Sora accidentally sneezed. Kangaskhan and the baby heard the sound of the sneeze and charged at them, thinking they were threatening her baby.
"So much for that plan," Sora said. Kangaskhan's fist gives off a multicolored aura and heads right towards them.
"Look out for that Dizzy Punch!" Kairi exclaimed. Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel ducked out of the way of Kangaskhan's Dizzy Punch. Kangaskhan came at them again with another Dizzy Punch.
"Use Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu unleashed Thunderbolt and gave a shock to the Parent Pokémon. Kangaskhan shook off the electric attack and gave a couple of punches on Pikachu. "That was Comet Punch! Pikachu! Use Iron Tail!" Pikachu gave Kangaskhan's a hit with Iron Tail. Kangaskhan gave out a loud roar. Kangaskhan gave Pikachu another barrage of Comet Punch. "Pikachu! Use Thunderbolt again!" Pikachu gave Kangaskhan another Thunderbolt. It was enough to bring Kangaskhan's down. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it. Kangaskhan flowed inside and 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 Kangaskhan with him. He chose to send Kangaskhan over to Professor Oak's lab. "Man, that was close."
"I'm glad that's over, otherwise it might have gotten wor-" Kairi was cut off by Sora when he placed his hand over her mouth.
"Don't jinx it, Kairi, please don't!" Sora said. Kairi understood what he meant, so Sora lets go of her mouth.
A little while later, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel came across a Cubone. Sora took out his Pokédex and scanned it.
Cubone, the Lonely Pokémon
Type: Ground
Cubone is born in this world alone. It cries out for a mother it will never know.
"Man, that's just depressing," Sora said. "It won't be lonely for long." Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it. Cubone flowed inside and stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. Sora's Pokémon Box goes off asking him if he wants to keep Cubone with him. He chose to send Cubone to Professor Oak's lab.
The gone even further through the Rock Tunnel. They bumped into dozens of Heartless. They all were Shadows, Hooked Bats, Rabid Dogs, Driller Moles, and Large Bodies. There were also some other Heartless.
One set is is a tall, skinny, humanoid Heartless with a spherical, black head with glowing yellow eyes. Its hour glass-shaped helmet, armored boots, breastplate, and gauntlets are all orange. The top of the helmet sports a short, curled, orange antenna on it. It also seems to wear black pants. Its Heartless emblem is on its breastplate. The soldier's lance is black with a silver, riveted base. Its handle is black and has a spiked ring around its center. The base of the lance sports two curled, silver protrusions that resemble ears or horns. The lance has a jagged-toothed maw and angular, spiral, red "eyes". This Heartless is known as a Lance Knight.
Another set has the design of an old-fashioned vehicle horn, the round, black body of the Heartless resembles a squeeze bulb, while its golden mouth resembles the bell of an instrumental horn. The Heartless's black head and antenna resembles a musical note, notably a quaver or an eighth note. A red collar separates the head and body. Two yellow eyes can be seen on its face, and it seems to be wearing earmuffs on its head, which are light and dark blue in color. The Heartless emblem can be seen clearly on the front of its body. This Heartless are known as the Loudmouth.
"They just keep coming," Kairi said.
"Stay behind me, no matter what," Sora said, summoning his Keyblade. The Heartless all attacked Sora, so he swings his Keyblade at the Heartless, slaying them. The ones he had the hardest time with were the Large Bodies, but he managed to take them all down eventually. After dealing with the Heartless, something didn't seem right. And he didn't know how right he was. From out of nowhere, a relatively small, humanoid Heartless covered from head to toe in blue, silver, and cyan armor came running out. The armor on its legs sport white spikes. Its helmet sports two short, white spikes and a long, twisted, black antenna. A small opening in the front just barely exposes the Heartless's black face and glowing yellow eyes. Its most notable features are the light blue, interweaving blades in place of each of its hands. It has two Heartless emblems, one on each of its shoulder pauldrons. This Heartless is known as a Zip Slasher. Sora swings his Keyblade at the Heartless, but it blocked with its blades, and then came forward. Sora managed to block it, but the force of the attack sends him back.
"Sora!" Kairi gasped.
"Kairi, stay back!" Sora said.
"Here it comes again!" Kairi gasped. The Heartless came rushing at Sora again, but he manages to dodge it just by rolling.
"That was close," Sora said. Just then, several more Heartless appeared. They all resembled Soldiers, but they were green, and they had white claws. This kind of Heartless are known as Deserter. They all run around and around. The Zip Slasher even came at him with its blade. Sora growled in frustration. "Man, you guys are really pushing my buttons!" He swings at one of the Deserters. The rest of the Deserters came at Sora with some kicks.
"Sora!" Kairi gasped.
"Pika!" Pikachu exclaimed.
"Eevee!" Angel added.
Pikachu and Angel joined in, and they helped destroy the annoying Heartless. Sora had to focus on the one Heartless that was giving him a hard time. Sora and the Zip Slasher kept clashing their blades at one another, not giving the other a chance to strike. Sora was getting tired from the fight. Pikachu and Angel took out the last Deserter, and fired Thunderbolt and Swift at the Zip Slasher, hitting it. This gave Sora a chance to give the Heartless one slash. He swings the Keyblade across its chest, destroying it. A heart floats up in the air, disappearing. Sora fell backwards and panted. Kairi helped him on his feet.
"Kairi," Sora could only say.
"You did great, Sora. You fought enough," Kairi said. She carried him by the shoulder. Sora was grateful to her for helping him out. Once they reached outside, they saw it was night. Also, they decided to make camp for the night to allow Sora to recover his strength.
"Those Heartless really took a lot out of me," Sora said.
"Don't think about them, Sora. Just know I'll be keeping an eye on you," Kairi said. Sora smiled.
"I appreciate it, Kairi," Sora said. "And thanks."
"It's my pleasure," Kairi said.
And we will close it here for right now...