Episode 60: Articuno, Dos, Tres
Where we last left off, Sora, Kairi, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Pikachu, Angel, and Togepi continued on their way to Cinnabar Island for Sora's Gym battle to win his seventh Gym Badge.
Blastoise, Tentacruel, Cloyster, Kabutops, Vaporeon, Goldeen, Staryu, Politoed, and Dewgong are still swimming along with the boat.
"How far is it till we reach Cinnabar Island?" Kairi asked.
"If we don't make a at the Seafoam Islands, we could get there before the sun sets," Big Carl said.
"Great," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
Just as they sailed a sudden storm picks up, much to everyone's surprise. Togepi almost fell overboard as Kairi caught him in her arms. The couple quickly called back their Pokémon as the storm goes wilder.
"Hang on, kids!" Big Carl said, trying to control the boat. He grits his teeth as he struggled to control the boat. And then, a blizzard hits.
"A blizzard in the middle of the ocean?! How is this even possible?!" Aqua exclaimed.
"It's not!" Big Carl said, controlling the boat. The boat heads right towards the Seafoam Islands. The blizzard rages on as they reach the beach on one of the islands. Sora, Kairi, Ventus, Terra, and Aqua quickly put on their jackets to combat the cold.
"Where did that blizzard come from?" Sora asked.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"I don't have the slightest idea," Terra said.
"I think I do," Big Carl stated. "This is the work of Articuno." They all looked at Big Earl with shock.
"Articuno? As in the legendary Pokémon?" Kairi asked.
"Yes. Blizzards around this area is natural because Articuno makes it common," Big Carl said.
"How do you even know it's even Articuno?" Aqua asked.
"When I was a little kid, I have been hearing stories of Articuno causing blizzards. Out here in the Seafoam Islands, it's the most common. Many years have come and gone as Trainers from all over the world in an attempt to capture Articuno. Many have tried to, but not one of them have come even close to catching it," Big Carl said.
"Well, we're halfway there, so it wouldn't hurt to do some extra training before we get there," Sora said.
"Not a bad idea, kiddo. We can take off as soon as you're ready to go," Big Carl said.
With that said, Sora, Kairi, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, and the Pokémon did some exploring on the island they were on. They saw all sorts of Water-type Pokémon living there. Among them are Squirtle, Wartortle, and Blastoise. There were also Slowpoke, Slowbro, and a bipedal Pokémon with a Shellder latched onto its head. It is primarily pink, with a pale yellow muzzle and scaled belly. Its feet and hands each have a single clawed digit, while the hands also have a clawless thumb. Around its neck is a spiny ruff with alternating red and white stripes. The Shellder on its head has a spiral shape with two horns near the base. A red gem resides in the center of the Shellder. The Shellder's eyes are visible on the back of the Shellder. This Pokémon is known as a Slowking. Kairi spotted Slowking and she took her Pokédex and scanned it.
Slowking, the Royal Pokémon
An evolved form of Slowpoke
Type: Water/Psychic
Slowking undertakes research every day in an effort to solve the mysteries of the world. However, this Pokémon apparently forgets everything it has learned if the Shellder on its head comes off.
"Kairi," Aqua said. Kairi turned to the bluenette. "You coming?"
"Right behind you," Kairi said, catching up.
On another island, four teens; one boy and three girls.
The boy is seen wearing a short red overcoat with black pockets over a bright yellow sleeveless shirt. He has brown hair in which he wears hexagonal-shaped goggles. He wears long red trousers with black stripes just below his knees, the ends of which are neatly tucked into his blue-tongued black sneakers. He keeps his Pokéballs on his belt. Lastly, he wore blue fingerless gloves.
The first girl has apricot skin, green eyes, and long blue hair that she ties into pigtails. She wore a yellow midriff t-shirt with light red straps that exposes her shoulders and a white skirt with a pink belt. She also wears maroon fingerless wrist gloves, as well as orange and white striped knee socks and brown shoes.
The second girl is a young, pretty girl with very tanned skin, long, pinkish-white hair that is always in a side ponytail, and blue eyes. She has long tanned legs. She wore a pink midriff-baring outfit with white fingerless gloves that covers her forearms. Her belly button is visible. She wore headphones and a portable music player attached to her right shoulder. She wore white boots that matches her white gloves.
The third girl has hair that is ginger orange and she has hazel eyes. She wore a yellow dress with white shorts, a green blouse, and small boots colored white and green. She has a pinkish-red bracelet on her left wrist as well.
"You sure this is where Articuno is sighted?" The first girl asked.
"That's what Marucho said," the boy replied. "He's never stirred us wrong before. And he's going to stir me wrong now."
"Just so you know, whoever catches Articuno keeps it, right?" The second girl asked.
"I remember," the third girl said. "But where do we start looking?"
A blizzard blows in again.
"You had to ask, Alice!" The first girl exclaimed. The blizzard continues to rage all around. It blows them backward, making them scream. The boy gets separated from the girls. He looked around for them frantically.
"Runo, Julie, Alice!" The boy called out. The boy looked ahead of him and he saw the image of Articuno in front of him. It was blurred due to the blizzard. The boy has been blown in backwards and lands in the water. The blizzard ceases as Articuno flew completely out of sight. He looked around for Articuno and he saw nothing. "Where did it go?"
Meanwhile on the first island, Sora, Kairi, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Pikachu, Angel, and Togepi found a spot for the couple to train. Along the way, Sora exchanged Persian, Rhydon, and Steelix for Poliwrath, Slowbro, and Lapras.
"Lickitung! Use Body Slam!" Sora ordered. Lickitung slammed his body against a block of ice, shattering it. "Pikachu! Thunderbolt! Venusaur! Razor Leaf! Charizard! Flamethrower! Blastoise! Hydro Pump! Kabutops! Slash! Aerodactyl! Wing Attack! Lapras! Ice Beam! Poliwrath! Power-Up Punch! Cloyster! Icicle Spear! Slowbro! Psychic! Tentacruel! Poison Sting!"
"Angel! Swift! Horsea! Use Dragon Rage! Staryu! Use Staryu! Use Water Gun! Goldeen! Horn Attack! Politoed! Ice Punch! Dewgong! Ice Beam! Gloom! Razor Leaf! Slowpoke! Headbutt! Raichu! Thunderbolt! Vaporeon! Aqua Tail!" Kairi ordered.
The Pokémon launched their attacks on some blocks of ice and shatters the ice. Ventus, Terra, and Aqua watch closely, watching them train hard. They were surprised that they're carrying twelve Pokémon instead of just six. While they were training, Goldeen and Horsea started to evolve. They both have become a Seadra and a Seaking. They decided to take a little break.
"Good work, Kairi," Sora said.
"Thanks, Sora," Kairi said. She took out a Water Stone and held it out for Staryu. "How would you like to evolve?" Staryu jumped upwards, and Kairi threw the Water Stone in the air. Staryu started to evolve. Staryu has become a Starmie. A little further, Slowpoke heads for the water and a Shellder jumped on the King's Rock sitting on Slowpoke's head. Kairi turned to see the Shellder on the King's Rock. "Slowpoke?" Slowpoke then started to evolve. Slowpoke has become a Slowking.
"King," the newly evolved Slowking said.
"You're a Slowking now," Kairi said.
"Eevee!" Angel said.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
Elsewhere, Riku, Naminé, and Eevee are on the mainland and Riku is fighting a hoarde of Heartless. The Heartless consisted of Shadows, Soldiers, Air Soldiers, Large Bodies, Wight Knights, Gargoyles, and Bandits. Riku has summoned his Keyblade and held it firmly in his hands. The Heartless launched their attack, but Riku swung his Keyblade at the attacking Heartless. The Bandits swung their scimitars at Riku, and he blocked their attacks and he pushed back.
"Come on! Bring it on!" Riku dared the Heartless!" Riku dared the Heartless. Riku kept up the attack as a Zip Slasher appeared and came at Riku. He clashed his Keyblade to block. "This just keeps getting better."
"Riku!" Naminé exclaimed.
"Stay back, Naminé! I don't want you to get hurt!" Riku said, holding on. The Zip Slasher pushes Riku back. Eevee jumped and fired Swift at the Heartless, but it slashes the stars into ribbons. Riku struggled to get right up on his feet. Just then, a new weapon appeared in his hand. It is a falchion-esque sword, with a red, purple and blue blade shaped like a demonic wing. Its handle bears an eye called the Gazing Eye, and the handle itself consists of dark braids. This sword is known as the Soul Eater. He held his two weapons and he clashed his weapons at the Zip Slasher. He kept swinging his weapons at the Heartless until he uses the Soul Eater to shatter the blades and he slashed the Braveheart Keyblade at its body, destroying it. Naminé walked up to Riku.
"Riku, I'm glad you're okay," Naminé said.
"You know I wouldn't let them take me down that easily," Riku said. He dismissed his Keyblade and he looked at his new weapon.
"What is that?" Naminé asked.
"I don't know, but I think I'll keep this with me," Riku said. He dismissed the Soul Eater and looked at Naminé. "But are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Naminé said. "It's you I'm more worried about."
"Yeah, but I worry about you, too if it helps," Riku said.
"I appreciate it, but those awful monsters showing up is when I worry the most," Naminé said.
Meanwhile, we have a look inside a room with a small boy with blonde hair, and wearing glasses with red frames at the bottom. He wore a white shirt, blue fingerless gloves, dark blue shorts, and blue and white shoes. He has a Pokéball on a strap and he has a black spot on his forehead. His smartphone rings and he answered.
"Hello?" The boy asked, answering the phone.
"Marucho, it's Dan," the voice said through the phone.
"You find any clues on the Seafoam Islands?" Marucho asked.
"We found a huge clue. It was Articuno," Dan said through the phone. Marucho almost jumped out of his seat.
"You found it?! Who caught it?!" Marucho exclaimed.
"No one. Articuno just unleashed a huge blizzard, making it harder to see it," Dan said. "It managed to blow the girls away. Also it flew away before I could see it."
"You should keep your eyes opened! There's no telling where it could be!" Marucho said.
"Right," Dan said. "I'll call again when I catch it." Dan hung up.
Back on the Seafoam Islands, Dan looked around for Articuno, and saw nothing; not even a blue feather.
Back with Sora, Kairi, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, and the Pokémon, Sora and Kairi went back to training.
"Lickitung! Body Slam!" Sora ordered. Lickitung uses Body again. "That's the way, Lickitung!" Lickitung then started to roll. Sora knew what it was. "You just learned to use Rollout!" Lickitung stopped rolling and then started to evolve. Lickitung has become a dark pink, rotund Pokémon with a small tail and a long tongue. It has a yellow line pattern on its belly and a white bib-like pattern, making it almost resemble a round baby boy. It also has what appears to be a curled appendage on its head. "Wow! You evolved!" Sora took out his Pokédex and scanned his newly evolved Pokémon.
Lickilicky, the Licking Pokémon
The evolved form of Lickitung
Type: Normal
Their saliva contains lots of components that can dissolve anything. The numbness caused by their lick does not dissipate.
"Wow, that's what Lickitung can evolve into! So cool!" Ventus exclaimed happily.
"I'll admit, I never seen a Lickilicky up close before," Terra said.
"Lickilicky," the newly evolved Lickilicky said.
"How about we have some lunch, you guys?" Kairi suggested.
"Great idea. And perfect timing anyway; I was starting to get hungry," Sora said. His stomach started to rumble as did Pikachu's and that of the other Pokémon. Everyone gathered around and started to eat the food provided to them. Even Big Carl joined in when he smelled the food cooking.
Just when everyone was eating, a blizzard started to blow their way.
"Not again!" Ventus exclaimed.
"What now?!" Sora exclaimed. He got his answer when he saw Articuno with his own eyes. "Holy cow! Is that what I think it is?!"
"It is! It's Articuno!" Big Carl said. Articuno flew right at them.
"Charizard! Flamethrower!" Sora ordered. Charizard fired Flamethrower. Articuno flew upwards, dodging Charizard's Flamethrower. "Charizard, Aerodactyl, after it!" Charizard and Aerodactyl flew right after Articuno. They flew right at the bird Pokémon and Charizard fired another Flamethrower, hitting Articuno. The blizzard weakened a little. They managed to get a good look at Articuno. Sora took out his Pokédex and scanned it.
Articuno, the Freezing Pokémon
Type: Ice/Flying
Articuno is a legendary bird Pokémon that can control ice. The flapping of its wings chills the air. As a result, it is said that when this Pokémon flies, snow will fall.
"Articuno. It's far more beautiful than I thought," Big Carl said.
"Kairi. Think you can help me out?" Sora asked.
"I can help, Sora," Kairi said. Kairi turned to her Pokémon. "Everyone, go!" With that said, Raichu, Slowking, Gloom, Clefable, Vaporeon, Seadra, Starmie, Seaking, Politoed stood with Kairi as she held Togepi in her arms. Angel jumped in front of Kairi.
"Guys, go!" Sora said. Venusaur, Blastoise, Kabutops, Tentacruel, Lickilicky, Poliwrath, Slowbro, Lapras, and Cloyster stood in with Sora as Charizard and Aerodactyl lowered themselves, and Pikachu jumped in front of Sora.
"Go!" Sora and Kairi called out. The Pokémon all went after the Freezing Pokémon. Articuno unleashed Blizzard at the Pokémon. Venusaur is struck by Articuno's attack. Icicles forms on his flower.
"Saur," Venusaur shivered.
"Blastoise! Flash Cannon!" Sora ordered. Blastoise fired Flash Cannon at Articuno. It responds by firing Ice Beam, pushing back Blastoise's Flash Cannon. Blastoise is struck hard by Articuno's Ice Beam.
"Vaporeon! Use Water Gun! Dewgong! Use Ice Beam!" Kairi ordered. Both Pokémon fired their attacks at Articuno, but it flapped its wings and creates a powerful gust.
"Articuno's using Hurricane!" Aqua exclaimed.
"It's such a powerful attack!" Terra added.
Articuno then unleashed another Blizzard, hitting all of the Pokémon in the battle.
"Raichu! Use Thunderbolt!" Kairi ordered.
"Pikachu! You use Thunderbolt, too!" Sora ordered.
Pikachu and Raichu fired Thunderbolt and their combined attacks struck Articuno hard. It comes down falling.
"Sora, it's down!" Kairi said.
"Right! Charizard! Flamethrower!" Sora ordered. Charizard fired Flamethrower, hitting Articuno hard. "Aerodactyl! Use Ancient Power!" Aerodactyl forms white crystallized stones and sends them right at Articuno, hitting it, but it wasn't enough to take it down.
"Did it hit?" Ventus asked.
"It looks like it, but I don't think it did too much," Aqua said.
"She's right. It looks like it'll take more than that to take Articuno down," Terra added. Articuno fired Ice Beam at Aerodactyl, hitting him. Aerodactyl fell right towards the ground and makes a crash landing. "Aerodactyl!"
"Angel! Swift!" Kairi ordered. Angel fired Swift at the Freezing Pokémon, hitting it.
Elsewhere, on the island, Dan manages to find the girls, but they were roughed up by the blowback they experienced.
"You girls okay?" Dan asked.
"It was so cold, it wasn't even funny," Julie said.
"If only we didn't lose to it before we even gotten started," Runo said.
"But where did it go?" Alice asked.
"It couldn't have gotten far," Dan said. He spots a flurry of snow erupting in the distance. "Look!" He points forward. The girls looked and saw the blizzard. "It's that way!" They raced to the source of the blizzard.
Back to the battle, Articuno unleashed another Blizzard, freezing, Slowbro and Slowing. Poliwrath shattered the ice by slamming his fists on it. Slowbro and Slowking were now free.
"Use Psychic!" Sora and Kairi both ordered. Slowbro and Slowking uses their telepathy to lift rocks at Articuno and hurl them at the Freezing Pokémon. Articuno flapped its wings and blew them back. Slowbro and Slowking were both struck by the rocks.
"Kabutops! Use Slash!" Sora ordered. Kabuto jumped and swings his claws, but Articuno fired Ice Beam, hitting Kabutops. Poliwrath, Vaporeon, Seadra, Seaking, Politoed, Dewgong, Tentacruel, and Cloyster all came at Articuno, but it attacked with Hurricane, blowing them back. Politoed lands on his belly, but Poliwrath lands on Politoed, on his back. Cloyster lands on Poliwrath. "Lickilicky! Rollout!" Lickilicky rolled towards Articuno, but Articuno dodged when Lickilicky came at it. Lickilicky tried again and rolled at Articuno, landing a hit this time.
Dan and the girls arrived to the scene and they were watching the battle. They knew it was a winning battle for Articuno.
"What are they doing?" Julie asked.
"This should be interesting to watch," Dan said.
The only Pokémon left standing are Pikachu, Angel, and Charizard. Sora and Kairi called back all of the others to allow them to rest.
"Pikachu, get on Charizard's back," Sora said.
"You too, Angel," Kairi said.
The Pokémon couple complied by climbing on Charizard's back. Charizard then starts flying in the air.
"Charizard! Flamethrower!" Sora ordered. Charizard fired a Flamethrower at Articuno and hits its mark. Articuno fired Ice Beam, pushing back Charizard's Flamethrower. "You can do it, Charizard! Turn up the heat!" Charizard builds up the strength, and held his own. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to overpower it. Pikachu! Help Charizard with Thunderbolt!" Pikachu contributed with Thunderbolt. He turned to Kairi. "Okay, Kairi. Your turn!"
"Right. Angel! Use Swift!" Kairi ordered. Angel fired Swift to mix with Pikachu's Flamethrower and Thunderbolt. The combination of fire, lightning, and stars managed to push Articuno's Ice Beam. Articuno tried to push back, but their combined attacks managed to keep on pushing. Articuno is struck by the three attacks. Articuno fell on the ground, but got back up. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it. Articuno flows inside. The Pokéball wobbles around and around, but it explodes, allowing Articuno to break free. "Not enough! It must still have some fight left in it!"
"Sora, try an Ultra Ball!" Ventus called out. Sora remembered obtaining some Ultra Balls a few days ago, and he took one out. It is a black ball with a yellow stripe. It has a black and yellow top, often with the yellow forming an "H" on the top of the ball. Like most other Balls, it has a white bottom area.
"Better make sure Articuno is too tired to keep going. Pikachu! Use Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu jumped and unleashed Thunderbolt all around. Articuno was struck by the sudden electric attack. Articuno fell back to the ground. Articuno struggled to get back up. Articuno was greatly injured from all the battling it did with Sora and Kairi. Sora threw the Ultra Ball at Articuno, making it flow inside. The Ultra Ball wobbles around and around very violently. Everyone waited anxiously to see if Sora has successfully captured a legendary Pokémon. Dan and the girls were just as anxious. Stars swirls around the Ultra Ball to confirm the catch. Sora's Pokémon Box goes off asking him if he wants to keep Articuno with him. He chose to send Articuno to Professor Oak's lab. Everyone were awestruck by what they saw. No one more than Sora was amazed by what he did. He caught a legendary Pokémon, but he didn't know what to say.
Dan was amazed by what he witnessed and he smiled.
"He just caught Articuno," Runo said.
"I don't believe it," Alice said.
"He came a whole lot closer than we would have," Dan said. "We still have a long way to go." Dan and the girls took off. He took one last look at Sora before he followed.
Sora lands on his knees, looking up in the sky.
"I don't believe it. I just don't believe it. I caught Articuno, the legendary Pokémon," Sora said to himself.
"Pika," Pikachu said, panting.
Charizard and Angel panted, feeling exhausted from the intense battling they went through. Ventus went up to his cousin.
"That was so awesome! You caught a legendary Pokémon! It's the coolest thing I have ever seen!" Ventus said.
"I'm sure that pun was not intended," Aqua said. "But I do agree with Ven. It was truly amazing."
"It sure was," Terra agreed.
"I wouldn't have believed it if I haven't seen it with my own eyes," Big Carl said. "Hardly any Trainer has ever pulled that off."
Kairi noticed how quiet Sora was being about what he did.
"Sora?" Kairi asked.
"Huh?" Sora asked, turning to his girlfriend.
"You okay?" Kairi asked.
"I'm fine, Kairi," Sora assured.
"Good," Kairi said.
After all the excitement that occurred, Sora and Kairi have healed their injured Pokémon while Big Earl made the necessary repairs on the boat. Once he was finished, he gave the word it's good to go.
"Alright, kids. The boats ready to go to Cinnabar Island," Big Carl said.
"Great!" Ventus said, feeling excited to witness Sora's Gym battle.
"Alright, everyone aboard!" Big Carl said as the group got on the boat and began to sail to Cinnabar Island.
Now the question is, how will Sora manage in his next Gym battle? Will Sora be able to overcome the fires of Blaine, or will it prove to be too hot to handle? Just wait and find out.