Episode 69: Make Room For Gloom
That night as Sora is asleep in his bed. He is dreaming that he is in deep darkness.
"Falling... Falling into darkness..." Sora said as he kept in the darkness. He has his eyes closed. As he kept falling, he hears a voice, and he recognizes it.
"Sora," the voice said. The voice then cries.
"Kairi," Sora said, opening his eyes. Across from him, he sees a hooded figure. "Who are you?" The hooded figure didn't reply.
Sora opened his eyes for real and sat up in his bed. This wakes Ventus up.
"Sora?" Ventus asked. Sora looked at his younger cousin. "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing, Ven. Go back to sleep," Sora said.
"You sure, Sora?" Ventus asked.
"I'm sure, Ven," Sora said. He looked at his cousin, and he can tell he was shaken up by what he saw. "Are you still thinking about, well you know."
"No," Ventus said. Sora wasn't buying it.
"Ven, you should know I'm not going anywhere," Sora said. Ventus didn't say anything, so Sora took him in his arms. "I promise, cuz."
"Sora," Ventus said.
"Not a word about it, Ven," Sora said. "Don't let me turning into a Heartless get to you. When I did, I had my memories of you, Kairi, Karen, and everyone else; even the morons."
"Really?" Ventus asked.
"Really, really, Ven," Sora said.
(Flashback right before bed)
Kairi was looking right at Sora.
"Just what was it like being a Heartless, Sora?" Kairi asked.
"To be honest, when I turned into a Heartless, I started to forget everything. I was forgetting about who I was, my friends, my family, my Pokémon. The darkness almost swallowed me. And then, I heard a voice. Your voice. You saved me," Sora said.
"When I lost you for a little while, I was distraught. I thought you were gone for good. And I don't know what I would do if I lost you," Kairi said.
"Kairi. I'm grateful that you saved me," Sora said, taking her by the hands. "Saved me from the darkness."
"And I'm grateful to you for saving my life, twice," Kairi said. The couple moved in and kiss each other on the lips. They weren't aware of their friends and families watching them. Delia's eyes filled up, knowing he was like her late husband. Mirei knew her daughter was just like her at that age. Yuta knew his daughter was growing up fast, and Sora to look out for her.
(Flashback ends)
Sora looked at his cousin again.
"Back to sleep, Ven," Sora said.
"Okay," Ventus said, falling asleep. Sora sighed to himself and rubbed his head.
"Your little sister will need someone who will look up to; just like when you look up to me. And even if I was gone for good, I would want you to be strong for me, and your parents," Sora said in his thoughts.
Over to Mateus and the others, he sat in his throne.
"Hmph. This little encounter has produced an unexpected result. The boy has turned into a Heartless, but he has changed back into his human form," Mateus said.
Stepping forward is a woman in a skin-tight red gown with a plunging neckline that exposes her neck, chest, stomach and abdomen, and only partially obscures her breasts. A black collar extends down the neckline to her waist; the collar rests over her shoulders and covers the junction of her black feathered wings.
"How can that be possible? When one becomes a Heartless, they cannot change back," the woman said.
"I don't claim to know, Ultimecia. Perhaps, there could be something that I fear that we may have overlooked," Mateus said.
Stepping forward is a young man. He appears to be the youngest of the group. He has silver hair that falls halfway down his back. He wore a large feather in his hair, has light-blue eyes and pale complexion, and is of medium height and light build. He wore white sleeves with a violet mantle around his shoulders. A white robe covers the back of his legs down to his ankles held up by four straps that act as a codpiece. He wore armored, dark purple boots, with golden buckles.
"If there is, then we must have Ansem explain himself to us," the young man said.
"Be patient, Kuja. We mustn't be anxious," Mateus said. "And regarding the children, they have proven to be more powerful than any of us has thought. For now, we only need to keep an eye on them."
Stepping forward is a young man who has purple eyes, light blue hair with two long horn-like locks running down his back, and a large bang of hair falling over his face. His robes' coloring is predominantly dark blue with red trimmings and a green sash. The robe above his waist is open, exposing his chest with leonine tattoos, and his sleeves fall to partially cover his hands.
"I hope it works in our favor. But I recommend we jump in when necessary," the young man said.
"I agree, Seymour. This shall be entertaining, and educational," Mateus said.
A few more weeks came by and since Sora and Kairi's unscheduled trip to Hollow Bastion against a masked figure. Sora and Kairi have been training for the Pokémon League, and against Team Rocket.
Kairi was being protective of her boyfriend when it came to the Heartless or anything else that involves the Keyblade. With the Pokémon League tournament was a month away. One morning, a Dodrio was cawing loudly. Kairi and her mother decided to join the Ketchum household for some breakfast since the two families became closer after what happened. Karen, Terra, Aqua, Riku, and Naminé went out to breakfast.
Sora, Ventus, and Pikachu were sleeping soundly in Sora's room. Mimey was about to come in to sweep only for Kairi to come to the scene.
"Why don't you let me take it from here, Mimey," Kairi whispered. "I know how to get him up."
"Mr. Mime," Mimey nodded as Kairi went inside of her boyfriend's room. She looked at him and she always found Sora very cute when he's sleeping. She lightly tickles Sora's nose. He stirs awake and sits up. Sora let out a yawn and laid back down only for Kairi to peek at him.
"WHOA!" Sora yelped making Ventus and Pikachu wake as well. She giggles. "Come on, Kairi. Not again."
"Good morning, lazy bum," Kairi greeted. "You sleep okay?"
"Yeah," Sora answered. "Better than Mimey's wake up calls."
"Way better," Ventus added. "Remember when he swept at Pikachu's nose shocking all of us?"
Sora remembered that incident very well. That incident took place just a few days ago when Sora was tickled at the nose by the broom in his mother's Mr. Mime's hands. He then moved to Pikachu sleeping next to him giving all the boys a shocking wakeup call. That made Sora extremely sour as Mimey kept sweeping like nothing happened.
Kairi and the boys came down and Kairi got started cooking some breakfast for everyone. Kairi made a plate of eggs sunnyside down while Ventus's was over easy. Bacon were extra crispy just as Sora likes it and the toast had some strawberry jelly on it.
The boys chowed down on their breakfast while Pikachu was happily eating some apples and Mirei was feeding Togepi.
She remembered how happily she used to feed her daughter when she was a baby. She wondered where those days could have gone.
"Good as always, Kairi," Sora said enjoying his breakfast.
"Ditto!" Ventus added.
"Thank you, boys," Kairi said.
Delia walked in the house with flowers in hand and putting up her gardening hat on a hook.
"Sora, since you're taking a break from training, why don't you help me in the garden; why you finished breakfast," Delia said. Sora winced at the thought of helping his mother in the garden.
"Um, actually mom, I'm going to be really busy today with my training. So I won't be able to help you with the gardening today," Sora said.
"And where do you plan on training today?" Delia asked her son.
"Just in the forest somewhere," Sora said. "In fact, the guys and I are gonna meet somewhere to do that. Right, Ven?" Before when could ask what he meant and gave him a look; Ventus knew that look very well.
"Uh, yeah. And we're going to do that right after breakfast," Ventus said.
Kairi looked at the boys on why their suddenly deciding to train in the forest when this was the first that she heard about it.
"I guess I could come along. Just to keep you out of trouble," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"I don't see why not," Mirei said.
Once everyone had finished their breakfast, The boys stepped out while Kairi picked up Togepi and went with them. Angel followed her. Once they were outside Kairi had this to ask them.
"What's with you, Sora?" Kairi asked her boyfriend. "Why didn't you want to help your mom in the garden?"
"Well, if you have to know, I used to help her out a lot then I get so tired, I could barely stand," Sora explained. "I even thought I could even pull out those weeds with my bare hands and my hands pay the price. To put it simply, I'm not a very good gardener like she is."
"And that made it okay to lie to your mom like that?" Kairi asked.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"I won't actually be lying if I actually did some training today," Sora reasoned.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"He does have a point," Ventus said.
"Pikachu," Sparky said.
"I guess I can go with that. But I did say that I'd come along just to make sure you stay out of trouble," Kairi said. "Especially after what happened to you."
"Yeah, let's go before my mom asks me to pick up some fertilizer on the way back," Sora said as Kairi, Ventus, Pikachu, Angel, Sparky, and Togepi took off, running. Riku, Naminé, Eevee, Karen, Terra, Aqua, and their Pikachu partners have met up with the couple. They were still shaken up about Sora sacrificing himself to protect Kairi, but they knew it was an act of love.
"Sora has accessed his Pokémon Box and he has brought Venusaur, Charizard, Blastoise, Pidgeot, Dragonite, Lapras, Snorlax, Espeon, Umbreon, Nidoking, Nidoqueen, and Electivire.
Kairi had Raichu, Vileplume, Bellossom, Clefable, Wigglytuff, Jynx, Rapidash, Ninetales, Tangrowth, and Sylveon has brought to her.
As Sora and Kairi trained, Kairi was still thinking about what happened. It still haunted her greatly. Karen has taken notice of it.
"Kairi, I would like to talk to you if you don't mind," Karen said.
"Okay," Kairi said.
Sora noticed his sister was taking his girlfriend with her. So he had to ask.
"What are you two up to?" Sora asked.
"Just for some girl talk, Sora. You understand," Karen said.
"Um, okay," Sora said.
Kairi and Karen were completely alone to talk.
"You still on about my brother being a Heartless, Kairi?" Karen asked. Kairi looked right at her. "It's okay, Kairi. You can tell me."
Kairi sighed.
"I am thinking about it, but it's more than that," Kairi admitted. Karen looked at her.
"What do you mean by more?" Karen asked.
"It was that Keyblade being in Sora's chest is what got to me. And the last thing he said before he vanished was that he loves me. It's been haunting me since," Kairi said.
"Kairi," Karen said.
"So, I'm not letting it happen to him again," Kairi said.
"You think you can protect him from the Heartless?" Karen asked.
"I don't know to be honest," Kairi said. "But I have to try anything."
"I would appreciate it, Kairi. So very much," Karen said. "Don't ever stop being there for my brother."
"I promise, Karen," Kairi vowed.
Just then, Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Pikachu, Evee, Angel, Togepi, Blossom, Sparky, Thor, and Eclair is approached by a girl with blonde hair tied in a ponytail, and wore a yellow shirt, a dark blue skirt, and pink shoes with blue striped socks.
"Any of you training for the Pokémon League?" The girl asked.
"I am," Sora said.
"Good. Because I am challenging you into a Pokémon battle. Make it three-on-three," the girl said.
"I accept," Sora said.
"Ladies first," the girl said, taking out a Pokéball and threw it. "You're in first, Weepinbell!" Her Pokéball opened and her Weepinbell emerged from inside. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Espeon!" Sora called out. Espeon emerged from inside.
"Weepinbell! Use your Razor Leaf!" The girl ordered.
"Dodge and use Psybeam!" Sora ordered. Espeon dodges Weepinbell's Razor Leaf and fired Psybeam at the Fly Catcher Pokémon.
"Dodge and use Poison Powder!" The girl ordered. Weepinbell dodges and spews a cloud of purple sparkling powder all around. Espeon is struck by the purple cloud. Espeon has been poisoned. "Use Slam!" Weepinbell grabbed Espeon and slammed him down to the ground. Espeon gets up on his feet. "Use Razor Leaf!" Weepinbell unleashes Razor Leaf at the Sun Pokémon.
"Espeon! Use Psychic!" Sora ordered. Espeon uses Psychic to block the leaves. "Send them back!" Espeon sends the leaves back at Weepinbell, landing some major damage. "Use Swift!" Espeon unleashes Swift, dealing some extra damage. "Psybeam!" Espeon fired Psybeam, hitting Weepinbell on the spot. "Psychic!" Espeon lifts Weepinbell in the air and slammed it down. Weepinbell had been taken down. The girl calls back her Weepinbell and took out another Pokéball and threw it.
"Electabuzz! Go!" The girl called out. Sora calls back Espeon. Pikachu was anxious to battle. Sora looked at him.
"You wanna battle, Pikachu?" Sora asked.
"Chu," Pikachu nodded.
"Okay, you're in, Pikachu," Sora said. Pikachu stepped forward to battle. "Quick Attack!"
"Use Quick Attack, Electabuzz!" The girl ordered. The two Electric-type Pokémon ran at each other again and again. "Use Thunder Punch!" Electabuzz gave the Mouse Pokémon a punch in the gut. "Use Thunder Punch again!" Electabuzz gave another punch onto Pikachu, making him roll on the ground. "Use Charge Beam! Full power!" Electabuzz fired a yellow beam of electricity right at Pikachu, dealing some heavy damage onto him. Pikachu has been taken down.
"You okay, Pikachu?" Sora asked.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said weakly.
"Take a rest for right now, buddy," Sora said.
"Chu," Pikachu said. Sora places Pikachu down and Angel nuzzles him.
"Great work, Electabuzz. Take a rest for right now," the girl said. She calls Electabuzz back and took out another Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Golduck!" Her Pokéball opened and Golduck emerged from inside. Sora took out his Pokédex and scanned it.
Golduck, the Duck Pokémon
The evolved form of Psyduck
Type: Water
Its slim and long limbs end in broad flippers. They are used for swimming gracefully in lakes. Golduck are sometimes mistaken for lake monsters.
Sora puts his Pokédex away and he takes out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Snorlax!" Sora called out. Snorlax emerged from the inside. "Okay, Snorlax! Use Body Slam!" Snorlax came at the Duck Pokémon and came down.
"Dodge and use Fury Swipes!" The girl ordered. Golduck dodges swipes at Snorlax with its claws.
"Snorlax! Use Ice Punch!" Sora ordered. Snorlax gave Golduck an icy punch. "Okay, use Headbutt!" Snorlax gave Golduck a Headbutt in the face. "Use Ice Punch!" Snorlax gave Golduck another punch in the face.
"Use Scald!" The girl ordered. Golduck spewed hot water from its mouth. Snorlax has been burned. "Use Aqua Tail!" Golduck smacks Snorlax with its tail.
"Snorlax! Use Rest!" Sora ordered. Snorlax fell asleep and heals himself of his burning. Snorlax sleeps deeply.
"Use Aqua Tail!" The girl ordered. Golduck smacked Snorlax with Aqua Tail. Snorlax then woke up.
"Use Body Slam!" Sora ordered. Snorlax slams his body onto Golduck. The Duck Pokémon was now paralyzed from the attack.
"Golduck! Use Fury Swipes!" The girl ordered. Golduck swipes its the Sleeping Pokémon with its claws.
"Ice Punch!" Sora ordered. Snorlax gave Golduck an icy punch, sending Golduck backwards. "Use Headbutt!" Snorlax headbutts Golduck, knocking it on its back, knocked out. The girl was shocked to see she has lost. She calls Golduck back inside. She walked up to Sora.
"Not a battle, kid. You're going to do great in the Pokémon League," the girl said.
"So will you after that battle you gave me," Sora said. The both of them shook hands.
After the battle, Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Karen Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Pikachu, Eevee, Angel, Togepi, Blossom, Sparky, Thor, and Eclair came across a greenhouse. It was one Sora and Karen recognized.
"Look at that. It feels like forever since we've been here, Sora," Karen said.
"It's only been six years, Karen," Sora said.
"You know this place, Sora?" Aqua asked.
"Yeah. There were all sorts of Grass-type Pokémon around here. I'm talking Bulbasaur, Oddish, Bellsprout, Paras, Tangela, you name it. I'm surprised this place is still in business," Sora said.
"What do you mean, Sora?" Riku asked.
"Well, a very nice old man used to run this nursery. He passed away just six years ago, so I have no idea who runs it now," Sora said.
"Me neither," Karen said.
"Well, I can see why your mom would come here. So much plants, trees, flowers," Kairi said. A female Gloom steps out, in a happy mood.
"Gloom, Gloom, Gloom, Gloom, Gloom," the Gloom said.
"Hey, a Gloom," Ventus said.
"It's not uncommon to see a Gloom in a greenhouse," Terra said.
Just then, a young man is seen and he spots the group peeking inside. He wore what looks like a flamethrower but it's spraying some water on the plants.
"What are you doing?" He asked them.
The group turns to him and saw the hose in his hands and they exclaimed in fright.
"Whoa! Take it easy there, man! We weren't making trouble! I swear!" Sora exclaimed.
"What are you talking about?" The young man asked.
"We'll explain ourselves, just put that flamethrower down!" Sora said. He looked at them confusedly.
"Flamethrower? What are you-" his sentence was cut short when he realized what he meant. "Oh! This! Sorry. It's just an ordinary garden hose. I'll show, I'll show you." He proved it by spraying some water with it. "See?"
"It is just an ordinary hose," Sora said.
"Sorry for scaring you like that. Well, I should introduce myself. My name is Potter and I'm one of the attendants here," the young man introduced himself.
"My name is Sora."
"I'm Kairi."
"My name's Karen."
"The Name's Riku."
"I'm Naminé."
"My name is Terra."
"I'm Ventus; but call me Ven!"
"I'm Aqua."
The group went into the greenhouse, and Sora explains that he was training for the Pokémon League and he just stumbled on the greenhouse completely by accident and they were just looking from the outside.
"So you're training for the Pokémon League. I always wanted to be a Pokémon Trainer," Potter said. "A lot of Trainers come here and their Grass-type Pokémon loves it."
"Seeing those Pokémon enjoying it, I could understand why," Sora said. He took out two of his Pokéball and lets out his Venusaur. "You go enjoy yourself." Venusaur looked around and enjoyed the sights of the greenhouse. "Well anyway, I was wondering. The old man who ran this place died six years ago, but who runs the place now?"
"That would be Florinda," Potter answered. "She recently inherited it from her parents." He pointed to her. "That's her right there." He pointed to a young woman with long light purple hair with a red-violet eyes wearing a yellow dress and a green vest.
"That's her?" Ventus asked.
"Yeah," Potter answered with his face blushing. The girls noticed how red his face was getting. Sora pretty much noticed himself.
"So you love this job so much, huh?" Sora asked.
"Yeah, I do," Potter answered.
"It must be so nice getting to the sights of the beautiful flowers; and to get to know the boss, right?" Sora teased.
"Uh-huh," Potter nodded.
"But, it's not the plant life that you're interested in, isn't it?" Sora teased. Potter blushed.
"Of course it is! Why wouldn't I be?" Potter asked embarrassed. Riku caught on to what was going on.
"This seems to be familiar," Riku said. "You have a thing for Florinda, don't you?"
Potter was looking at the two boys grinning slyly. He didn't know how to answer it. Before Sora and Riku could tease Potter even further, Kairi and Naminé pulls them by their arms.
"Okay, let's go," Kairi said.
"We should soak in the sights of the greenhouse," Naminé said.
"It must be so nice," Potter said sounding envious. "To be in such a loving relationship."
Everyone looked at him and he shifts back and forth.
"We know how that feels. You remember, Kairi?" Sora asked.
"I kinda do. I was worried you wouldn't have had any feelings for me, but it turns out Sora had the same exact fears," Kairi said. She thought right to Sora's sacrifice. Karen placed her hand on Kairi's shoulder. She looked at her boyfriend's sister and she could tell she was concerned.
"But they couldn't be happier," Karen said. Sora knew they were thinking about Hollow Bastion. He had to break the ice.
"Anyway, does Florinda know you have feelings for her?" Sora asked.
"No," Potter said, shaking his head. "And I don't know how to do it."
"Well, it's obvious you have a thing for her, and she's not gonna know unless you tell her," Sora said.
"I agree with my brother, Potter. You should confess your feelings for her," Karen said.
"But I-" Potter said.
"No excuses. You can do it. All you need is a little courage," Sora said.
"Okay," Potter said.
After their talk, they looked around the greenhouse. Sora and Karen remembered all the times they played when they were little.
A few minutes later, Florinda looked at Sora and Kairi and smiled at the sight. She sighed.
"They look so happy. I feel so envious," Florinda said. She looked over to her Gloom. She held a Leaf Stone in her hand. "Are you ready to evolve, Gloom?" She held the Leaf Stone to her Gloom. The Grass-type Pokémon touched the stone but nothing happened. "What? It's not working!"
Everyone all went up to her.
"What's going on?" Sora asked.
She looks at him.
"I'm a failure. I'm a failure as a Pokémon Trainer," Florinda said.
"What do you mean you're a failure?" Sora asked.
"My Gloom deserves a better Trainer and my family deserves a better daughter. It's my fault that my Gloom won't evolve; so what good am I?" Florinda asked.
"You shouldn't say that," Riku said. "You're not a failure at all."
"But I am," Florinda said. "The reason my Gloom won't evolve is because of me." She started crying. Everyone started to feel sorry for her. Professor Oak suddenly shows up and examines the Leaf Stone.
"Rather if you're good or not is immaterial. This Leaf Stone is a fake," Professor Oak confirmed.
"Fake?" Florinda asked.
"Professor Oak? What are you doing here?" Sora asked.
"I have been hearing reports of con artists who've been pedaling phony evolution stones, so I decided to do my own investigation," Professor Oak said.
"A fake Leaf Stone? I was tricked!" Florinda exclaimed in shock.
"Just who sold you that fake Leaf Stone, Florinda?" Kairi asked.
"Just a guy with periwinkle hair, a girl with large, red hair, and a Meowth who spoke really fast," Florinda said.
"Team Rocket!" Sora and Kairi said.
"Haven't seen those three in weeks," Karen said.
"I can't believe they tricked me," Florinda said.
"We can get them, Florinda. Just lead us to where they sold it," Sora said.
Meanwhile, Team Rocket brings down their phony shop.
"Come on! It won't be long before the saps figure out that the evolution stones we sold are fakes!" James said.
"But we have some money to pay off our debts," Meowth said.
"Why should we care about some stupid debt?" Jessie asked.
"You're kidding right?" Meowth asked. "We blew a bunch dough on trying to catch Pikachu, and everything."
"Also, the boss says we have to pay them," James added.
"Otherwise, the boss will throw us out of Team Rocket, and probably have us thrown in jail," Meowth said. Jessie sighed.
"Right," Jessie said. "Just stay busy in getting the hell out of dodge!"
As they worked to get everything ready and take off, Florinda has led them to the place she bought the Leaf Stone.
"That's the place," Florinda said.
"And they're getting ready to flee," Sora said.
"Sora, I think I have a great idea. You up for it?" Riku asked.
"Sure am," Sora said. He looked at Pikachu. "Thunderbolt!"
"Use Shadow Ball!" Riku ordered.
Pikachu and Eevee fired their attacks and struck Team Rocket, and they went flying, but they drop the money.
"What the hell?!" James yelled.
"We lost my money!" Jessie exclaimed.
"You mean our money!" James said.
"Someone must have been extremely pissed to jump us like this," Meowth said.
They landed on the ground.
"Gotcha, morons!" Sora said. Team Rocket sees them.
"You!" Team Rocket shouted.
"Should have known you would do this, you do-good brats!" Jessie said.
"Who do you think you are?" Potter asked. Team Rocket got into position to do their motto.
"Prepare for trouble!" Jessie started.
"And make it dou-" James was cut off.
"Shadow Ball!" Riku ordered. Eevee fired Shadow Ball, hitting Team Rocket again, interrupting their motto. "For once, just skip the motto, idiots!"
"How dare you!" Jessie growled. She took out a Pokéball and threw it. "Arbok! Go!"
"Victreebel! Go get 'em!" James called out. Arbok and Victreebel came out of their Pokéballs, but then Victreebel chomps on James's head. "Why do you do this?!"
"Arbok! Use Poison Sting!" Jessie ordered.
"Victreebel! Use Razor Leaf!" James ordered.
Arbok and Victreebel fired their attacks at the group.
"Use Swift!" Kairi ordered. Angel fired Swift, cutting the attacks into ribbons. Kairi turned to Florinda. "Florinda, your Gloom have any moves to use?"
"Gloom knows how to use Solar Beam, isn't that okay?" Florinda asked.
"Perfect! Go for it!" Kairi said.
"Right," Florinda said. She turned to Team Rocket with a determined look. "You three tricked me, and you're going to pay for it! Gloom! Use Solar Beam!" Gloom begins to charge up solar energy and fired at Solar Beam right at Team Rocket and they scream and took off flying even higher.
"Team Rocket's blasting off again!" Team Rocket shouted as they went flying in the air. A star twinkles in the distance.
Everyone made it back to the Xanadu greenhouse. Florinda was pleased about how she dealt with Team Rocket.
"I gotta hand it to you, Florinda. Teaching your Gloom to use Solar Beam was a good move," Sora said.
"You think so, Sora?" Florinda asked.
"He knows so," Riku said. Sora turned to him and sees him smiling. "You gave those idiots what they deserved. And you did it without making your Gloom evolve."
"Riku is right," Terra said. "Sometimes you don't need to evolve your Pokémon to prove yourself. Sora, Kairi, and Riku didn't evolve their partners, and they battled much larger opponents before."
"Also, because of the love you gave your Gloom, she's even stronger than you think," Sora said.
Florinda smiled seeing how much Sora, Riku, and their friends all agreed.
"You're right," Florinda said. "I wasn't sure if I was doing such a good job. And because of all of you, I have total confidence to run this greenhouse. And I won't do it alone." Sora and his friends all knew what she meant. Florinda walked up to Potter blushing like crazy. "I was wondering if you would be running my family's nursery with me?"
"Really?" Potter blushed. Florinda nodded to confirm it. "Well, if I'm going to be running it with you, I should tell you something. Something that's been on my chest for quite some time."
"What is it?" Florinda asked curiously.
"What I wanted to say is... I love you," Potter finally admitted to her. "I've loved you from the first time we've met; but I was afraid that you didn't have any feelings for me."
"I had those exact same fears. But now that we both know, we can make my family proud," Florinda said. Potter moved his head and gave her a sweet loving kiss and she kissed him back and they put each other's arms around each other. Everyone smiled warmly and sweetly at the now-to-be couple. Sora placed his arm around his girlfriend's shoulder.
"Good for them," Sora said.
"Sure is," Kairi agreed. She and Sora turned to each other. Both Sora and Kairi entered the greenhouse once again and picked up some flowers for his mother. He even placed some in Kairi's hair.
"A little something for you, Kairi," Sora said sweetly.
"Sora," Kairi said sweetly. She gave Sora a kiss on the lips. Everyone took their leave of the Xanadu greenhouse and headed back. Naminé wanted to speak with Riku alone once they went back. Professor Oak went back to his lab to make his report to the police about Team Rocket's activities. Once they got back, they saw Delia and Yuta finishing working in Delia's garden.
"Dad, were you helping Mrs. Ketchum with the gardening?" Kairi asked.
"Yup. She asked me to lend a hand, so I thought I give it a shot. Your mother came out with either water or lemonade; those always hits the spot," Yuta said.
"Your father has been a great help to me, Kairi. He's quite a gardener," Delia said.
"Well, my dad taught me how to garden when I was a little younger than Kairi," Yuta said.
Over to Riku and Naminé, they were both alone.
"So, Naminé. What is it you wanted to talk to me about?" Riku asked.
"Well, it's about back at the greenhouse. When Potter confessed his feelings for Florinda; it got me thinking," Naminé said.
"Just know that I'm listening," Riku said.
"Well, what I always wanted to say to you is that from the day we met; right on that beach. I always knew I would feel so safe with you. You already know that I wanted to be with you. But the reason behind it is really this," Naminé said taking a very deep breath. "I love you, Riku." That made Riku go wide-eyed.
"Naminé," Riku said, astounded.
"I just wanted you to know I love you, Riku," Naminé said.
"That's the way I felt about you, Naminé," Riku finally admitted. Naminé was in awe. Before she could say more, Riku gave Naminé a kiss on the lips and she kissed him back. Their kiss was just as passionate as Sora and Kairi's kisses. Eevee watched the both of them kiss and he smiled for his partner.
"Eevee!" Eevee called out grabbing their attention as they stopped kissing. Eevee went up to Riku and Naminé. "Eevee, Eevee."
Riku bent down and picked up Eevee.
"Thanks, Eevee. You're so very supportive, just like Pikachu is to Sora," Riku said. He looked at Naminé and kissed her again. Sora and Kairi were watching them kiss happy for their friends. They both knew at some point, they would have a double date at some point, but that would have to come some other time.