Episode 72: The Indigo Plateau Preliminary Round
Just saw the new trailer for Pokémon: Scarlet and Violet, and I have to say, I was surprised to see it's going to be a four-player game. But I have to say, the new legendary Pokémon are awesome. I have to guess, Koraidon is Dragon/Fighting, and Miraidon is Dragon/Electric. So, what do you think? Also, what are your comments on the other three new Pokémon that have been introduced. Also, what do you think the bird and rodent Pokémon will be? Anyway, here is my chapter, so please enjoy!
On the very next morning, Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Karen Terra, Ventus, Aqua, and the Pokémon were heading to one of the many desks to register for the Pokémon League.
Over at Pallet Town in Professor Oak's lab, Professor Oak along with Delia, Kairi's family along with some of Delia's friends and neighbors were all watching the live coverage of the Pokémon League tournament.
"Welcome, Pokémon Fans for the live coverage of the Indigo Plateau Pokémon League tournament. Right now the trainers are a out to learn where they will be competing in their first round battle who their first opponent will be," a reporter said as Sora and his friends walked by.
"Look, it's Sora!" Delia exclaimed happily.
When they reached the registration area where they're greeted by a young woman.
"Hello there. Which one of you is here to register?" The female clerk asked.
"That'll be me," Sora answered raising his hand.
"I would like to check your identification for your registration, please," the clerk said.
"Of course," Sora said. He handed his Pokédex to the clerk.
"Is this your time competing in the Pokémon League?" The clerk asked.
"Yes it is," Sora answered smiling.
He places the Pokédex in the slot of the computer and it took a few seconds and she hands it back to him.
"And that's it; you're all checked in," she said.
"Thank you," Sora said. "So who will I be battling first?"
"You'll be starting out in the preliminary round. You will be using one Pokémon to battle," the clerk said. Sora's image on the screen shows up and the image next to him is a girl approximately the same age as him. She has blonde hair tied in a bun with violet eyes and is wearing a blue dress.
"So she's my first match," Sora said.
"Her name is Annette Huges. And you're going to be the third match," she said. "Be there by 1:00. And good luck."
"Thanks," Sora said. Sora and his friends took the time they needed to relax before Sora's first battle. "Man, my very first tournament. Do I feel nervous."
"This is the first time seeing a Pokémon League tournament for myself," Riku said. Ventus looked at Riku.
"Why do you say that?" Ventus asked.
"Alola doesn't have a Pokémon League of its own. Not a single one in Alola's history. If Alola did have one, I would know about it," Riku said.
"Fair point, Riku," Terra said.
Over to Team Rockey, they sat on a bench, feeling humiliated by how they had the flame of Moltres in their hands, and it slipped through their fingers.
"We would have gotten our debts paid for completely, but everything gets flushed down the shitter," Jessie said.
"It gets even worse because we used some huge money to pay for the robot, and now we don't have the money to pay for it since it got totaled by not one, but two Moltres," James said.
"Plus a Gyarados under the silver-haired twerp's control," Meowth added.
"I don't even want to think about the next bill when it comes," James said.
"I don't ever want to the word 'bill' again!" Jessie said. Jessie then gets an idea. "Wait a minute! I've got an idea!" James and Meowth both looked at her worriedly.
"Uh-oh," Jessie has an idea," Meowth said to himself.
"One out of ten, at least one of those Trainers has to have a rare Pokémon among them, right?" Jessie asked.
"Yeah, what's your point?" James asked.
"My point is, why should we try to catch Pikachu when we should try to take all of the Pokémon here! And there should a rare Pokémon or two among them. And we can hand them off to the boss, and he'll be so thrilled by our success, he'll have to forget about our debt, and give us a raise, and a promotion right up to the rank of executive!" Jessie explained. James and Meowth liked the idea.
"I like, I like," Meowth said.
"No more owing money to the boss," James said.
"No more Persian!" Meowth added.
"Yay!" Team Rocket cheered.
"Let's get to work!" Meowth said.
"Hold on! What would we need for equipment?" James asked. Jessie paused and she sighed. She hung her head down and sighed.
Meanwhile over to the World That Never Was, Xemnas has summoned Axel in a secret meeting with Saïx.
"So, you want me to do what?" Axel asked.
"You will head for the Indigo Plateau and keep an eye on one Sora Ketchum, and report it directly to us," Saïx said.
"So, it's a spy job, is it?" Axel asked.
"That is one way to put it. You must operate in secret, Axel. Do allow anyone to see you," Xemnas said.
"Got it. Just why aren't you sending Roxas out for this?" Axel asked.
"He is not ready yet," Xemnas said.
"Do not share this with anyone," Saïx said. Axel didn't know why Sora was so special, but he knew better than to defy the Organization, so he had no choice but to obey.
"Then go," Xemnas said. Axel vanishes.
Over to Roxas, he wondered around the Organization's stronghold, thinking about Sora. It bothered him greatly that Sora appeared in his dreams again, and they spoke again.
"What is going on with me?" Roxas asked. He shuts his eyes. He opened them again to sees some Pokémon around him.
One is a massive, bipedal, dinosaur-like Pokémon covered in red, segmented plates of thick skin that act as armor. It has a gray underside and large white spikes that run along the sides of its head, body, and tail. The Pokémon has four claws on each hand, four dozer-like blades on the end of its large tail, and three claws on each foot with gray markings under its feet. It also has blue stripes inside the seams of its armor plating which can only be seen when it is glowing with power. The Pokémon is known as Groudon.
Another is a massive, whale-like Pokémon with two big pectoral fins, each with four white square-shaped nails. It has a deep blue body and a white chin area with two small spikes protruding under it. Above each eye are two white, oval-shaped spots. It has red stripes around its chin, eyes, dorsal fins, and torso. These stripes glow when Kyogre is brimming with power. The tail is tattered with four trailing parts, with the inner ones being smaller than the outer. Its eyes are small, yellow, and shadowed with black. This Pokémon is known as Kyogre.
Another is a dark-blue, sauropod-like Pokémon with some gray metallic portions and light blue stripes. It has a chest plate on its torso, which has a deep blue diamond-like crystal embedded in the center. It has a fin-like structure on its back, three spines on the back of its neck, and a crest on its head, resembling a dinosaur. It also has two structures on the sides of its head that extend outward and resemble horns and fangs. It has three claws on each foot, of the same metallic look as its chest plate. Faint cracks exist across its body. This Pokémon is known as Dialga.
Another is a light-purple, theropod-like Pokémon with stripes and markings of a darker shade and gray underarms and waist. It has round purple-striped plates on its shoulder area, where two pink pearl-like crystals lie encrusted with a gray rim encircling them, and fin-like wings on its back. Its arms have extended formations resembling gauntlets and a purple band around each wrist. This Pokémon is known as Palkia.
Another is a white, bipedal Pokémon with draconic, avian, and mammalian traits. A long, voluminous wispy mane streams out from the upper side of the snout and outwards from its head. The top of this mane is adorned with two protrusions, which resemble ears. Its face is fringed with spiky features, and it has a small, pointed extension below the chin. Its eyes have blue irises and black pupils. There are two pairs of pointed teeth visible when its mouth is open, one in the upper jaw and one in the lower. This Pokémon is known as Reshiram.
Another is a black, bipedal Pokémon resembling a dragon or dinosaur, with dark patches on various portions of its body. It has red sclerae, white irises, and black pupils, as well as a small horn-like protrusion on the tip of its snout. Its head sports a thundercloud-like crest tipped with light-blue coloration. There are six pairs of pointed teeth visible when its mouth is open, two in the upper jaw and four in the lower. At the base of its neck is a black, stud-like feature, and atop its shoulders are similar, larger features resembling armor padding. The bases of its wings also have such padding, and a fanned, splayed, seemingly webbed shape with a small "wing-spike" on one edge. The lower lengths of its arms extenuate into splayed, seemingly webbed, somewhat baseball-mitt-like formations, with three-clawed, dark-colored hands on the undersides. The front portion of its waist is black-colored, with its belly and thighs having thin striations down their length. Its knees are black, as are the foremost parts of its three-clawed feet and spiked heels. This Pokémon is known is Zekrom.
Another is a quadrupedal, stag-like Pokémon with four pairs of antlers. Its main body is always black with a blue stripe down its back and a short, bushy tail. Starting at its knees there is a blade-like trim around each leg, which forms a point under each hoof. There is an upside-down, V-shaped marking on its chest in the same color as the trim on its legs. Its head and neck are blue, and there are two large, tufts that extend onto its chest and curve upward. Its first pair of antlers extends onto its head and curves around the underside of its eyes. The eyes are black with X-shaped pupils. There is a short marking on top of its snout and an upward curving horn on each side of its head in place of ears. This Pokémon is known as Xerneas.
Another is a large Pokémon with both avian and draconic traits. The back of its body is black with white spots along the wings and back; its front, head, and neck are bright red with branching, black lines throughout. It has a pointed, beak-like snout, bright blue eyes, a black, forward-curving horn over each eye, and a thin, antenna-like growth behind each eye. A feathery gray ruff encircles its neck and billows out over its back. Its wings each have three spikes along the bottom edge near the body and five large, black claws on the tip. It has small, birdlike legs with gray talons. Each foot has two toes facing forward and one pointing backward. Its tail is similar in structure to its wings, including the five claws on the tip. This Pokémon is known as Yveltal.
Another is a Pokémon that is shaped like the letter "Z" and appears to be a snake. It has a green top half and a black bottom with 5 Pillar-like shapes on its back. It has no arms or legs and has a various amount of scales on its body. It has two compound eyes and green shapes under them. It has a tail which is flat. This Pokémon is known as Zygarde.
Another is a large, white Pokémon resembling a lion. It has a blunt muzzle with a blue-gray nose and pale blue eyes. The top half of its face is a deep blue area that shows a constantly changing starscape. Four yellow spikes frame its head like a crown and two more pairs of spikes adorn either side of its lower jaw. Each spike separates large tufts of its mane. Solid ridges—red nearest its head and yellow farther away—poke out of each tuft along the middle, except on the tufts on its cheeks and chin, with the topmost part wrapping around the tip of the tuft. Overall, its mane creates the impression of a stylized sun. Around each leg is a dark orange band, and there is a black spot on each foot. It has three black toes on each foot with long yellow claws. At the tip of its tail is a large black spot with a thin yellow rim. This Pokémon is known as Solgaleo.
Another is a large Pokémon resembling a skeletal, legless bat. It has a short snout, dark pink eyes with white centers, and a deep blue area on its upper head that shows a constantly changing starscape. A rigid raised hood wraps around its head in a crescent shape and drapes around its neck as well. The outside of the hood is yellow, while the inner part that curves around its head is white with deep blue streaks. Its torso resembles a ribcage with a slightly curved spike on each shoulder and three spikes extending from the bottom toward its tail. Its massive wings resemble a bat's wings with the skeleton exposed, except that its wings have a total of seven "finger bones": four running through each wing, one running along the edge to the outermost tip, and two pointing upwards that may act as claws that are more functional. The four "bones" in its wings are only visible in segments. The skin of its wings is an iridescent deep blue and a light blue light source appears to glow from behind its ribcage. A large, pale yellow crescent connects the outermost tip of each wing to the next two inner tips, and the remaining two innermost tips are adorned by yellow, four-pointed stars. The bottom of its tail is also lined by a yellow crescent with a ridge running up the middle of the tail towards the ribcage. This Pokémon is known as Lunala.
Another is a large cyan lupine Pokémon with yellow eyes, a tan underside, a lean frame, a pink tail, and pink braids going down the side of its body. Two pink fringes of fur are present on its back. Battle scars are visible on its sides, and part of its left ear is missing. This Pokémon is known is Zacian.
Another is a large magenta lupine Pokémon with yellow eyes, a bulky frame, and a ponytail on its head. Its tail and ponytail are a deep blue; it also has deep blue accents on its neck and forelimbs. Its body is covered in battle scars and part of its right ear is missing. Its head and neck have thick fur resembling a shield. This Pokémon is known as Zamazenta.
Another is a gigantic, draconic alien Pokémon. Its body has a vaguely draconic shape and a skeletal appearance, and is largely dark violet with red highlights. Its main body and tail are long, thin, and resemble a spinal column, and it has four small, thin limbs ending in claws formed from spindly appendages attached at right angles. Its torso is formed from a cage of appendages resembling ribs, and inside is a glowing pink core that serves as its energy source, absorbing energy to sustain it. The core can also project its absorbed energy into massive blasts. Its head is triangular in shape and has a pair of white, eye-like markings in the form of three connected circles, as well as a spindly lower jaw with several diamond-shaped teeth. Over its head is a translucent red film held between five long spikes extending toward its body's rear. This Pokémon is known as Eternatus.
Another is a bipedal reptilian Pokémon. Most of its body is scarlet in color, with white accents on its abdomen, legs and tail. Its head features a large plume and long, thin horns; its rear has a similar, much larger plume. These plumes and horns are white in color, and blue-purple at the base. It has yellow eyes with brown pupils, webbed feet, and blue features on its elbows and shoulders, as well as blue frills running down its neck. On its chest is a large circular protrusion which resembles a rubber tire. Its texture and black coloration is similar to the base of its tail. This is a Pokémon known as Koraidon.
Another is a robotic reptilian Pokémon. Most of its body is violet in color, although its face, claws, abdomen and tail are gray. Additionally, there are light blue accents on its shoulders and legs, the latter of which resemble jet engines and allow it to float in the air. Its head has a dark purple casque, circular purple cheeks, and black eyes. The eyes have pixelated yellow-cyan pupils. On its neck is a prominent circular growth that is light purple and yellow in color, with light blue streaks. Similar purple-yellow features resembling electricity are visible around its eyes and on its tail. This Pokémon is known as Miraidon.
Just then, the red-haired girl appeared and looked at Roxas.
"Hello, Roxas," the girl greeted.
"Who are you?" Roxas asked.
"Roxas!" A voice shouted. Roxas woke up and he saw Axel next to him. "You were daydreaming. You okay?"
"I'm okay," Roxas said. He then thought to himself, "Who was that girl just now? And were they Pokémon, too?"
"Roxas, I'm going to be stepping out for a bit," Axel said.
"Where?" Roxas asked.
"Sorry, I can't tell you, but I'll come back with some sea-salt ice cream later," Axel said.
"Okay, Axel," Roxas said. "I can hold you to that." Axel smiled as he vanished in the corridor of darkness.
Unknown to them, a member of the Organization is listening on the two of them.
"Well, isn't that nice? Two friends getting all chummy before one sets off, but doesn't seem a bit odd that one wouldn't share a secret with a friend? That seems a bit off," the hooded man said. Roxas looked at him.
"Um, and you are again?" Roxas asked.
His face is revealed. We see he sports gold eyes, pointed, elf-like ears, upturned eyebrows, and dark hair with several grey streaks tied into a long ponytail. The grey streaks, along with the length of his hair. He has two visible injuries on his face; the first being a damaged right eye covered by an eyepatch, while the other is a large jagged scar extending from his left cheek to just under his left eye.
"Xigbar. That's my name. Axel just spoke with Xemnas and Saïx just a little while you were daydreaming," Xigbar said. Roxas looked at him funny. "You heard me right."
"Were you eavesdropping?" Roxas asked.
"Just you. I could tell he had something to hide. Xemnas and Saïx were the only ones he could have spoken to. It has to be a juicy secret," Xigbar said. Roxas didn't want to believe him, but he had to admit, Axel was acting a tad shady about where he was going. "Don't take my word for it. You could ask him yourself when he gets back."
"Maybe I should," Roxas said.
Back in the Indigo Plateau, Sora was going over who to chose as his Pokémon in the preliminary round. He looked at Pikachu.
"It all started with you, Pikachu, so it might as start with you again," Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"Everyone came here for a show, so what do you say we give them the best darn show we can give!" Sora said.
"Pika, Pika!" Pikachu said, giving him a thumbs up.
Sora and Pikachu stepped forward and right on the battlefield. He looked at the spectators in the stands. He breathed in and out, getting his nerves in check. Just then, the girl he was battling steps forward to the opposite side. They waited until the referee arrived. They approached the referee.
"Okay, the rules were already explained to you, but a refresher never hurts. Each of you will be battling each other with just one Pokémon from each one of you. And match isn't over until the Pokémon you're using is unable to keep battling. There is no time limit, and any Trainer gets caught substituting Pokémon during the match will be disqualified," the referee explained. He looked at Annette. "Any questions from you?"
"No," Annette answered. The referee turned to Sora.
"Any questions from you?" The referee asked.
"No, I'm good," Sora said.
"Alright then! Annette, you will be in the red corner, and Sora, you're in the green corner! As soon as you choose your Pokémon, the match can begin!" The referee said. Annette took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Slowking!" Annette called out. Her Slowking has emerged from inside the Pokéball, ready to battle. Sora turned to his partner.
"Okay, Pikachu! You're going in!" Sora said.
"Pika!" Pikachu said, stepping in.
"Now that both Pokémon are out on the battlefield, we can begin!" The referee called out.
"Pikachu has the edge since he's an Electric-type Pokémon," Ventus said.
"True, but that Slowking looks like it's been through lots of training, so Sora might not find this as easy as he thinks," Aqua said.
"Pikachu! Use Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu unleashed Thunderbolt at the Royal Pokémon.
"Slowking! Use Protect!" Annette ordered. Slowking forms a protective barrier around itself. Pikachu's electric attack is blocked by the barrier. "Use Power Gem!" Slowking fired a beam of energy from its crown right at Pikachu.
"Dodge it with Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Pikachu dodges from left to right. Pikachu is struck by Slowking's Power Gem. "Use Psychic!" Slowking lifts up Pikachu in the air takes him out on a spin. Pikachu was flying around like a rag doll. Pikachu lands smack against the wall. Pikachu gets back up on his feet.
"That's how you do it, Slowking! Use Water Pulse!" Annette ordered. Slowking forms a ball of water and sends at Pikachu.
"Use Electro Ball!" Sora ordered. Pikachu forms a ball of electricity and hurls it at Slowking's Water Pulse. It results in an explosion between the two of them.
"Power Gem!" Annette ordered. Slowking fired Power Gem at Pikachu again.
"Use Thunderbolt to block!" Sora ordered. Pikachu unleashed Thunderbolt right at Slowking's Power Gem and they hold on. They keep on holding on. Another explosion occurred and both Pokémon have taken huge damage. Pikachu and Slowking were panting from their injuries. Slowking fell on its back, beaten.
"Slowking is unable to battle! Pikachu wins! That means the green Trainer Sora has earned the right to participate!" The referee announced.
The spectators all cheered on for battle has concluded. Ash, Leaf, and Gary were watching the match from start to finish.
"Good work, Sora. I knew you'd make it," Ash said.
"I never doubted you for a second, Sora," Leaf said.
"I'll admit, I wanted you to make it through the preliminary round, Sora. Because I want to battle and defeat you to make it to the top!" Gary said in his thoughts.
Now that Sora has made it to the main tournament, how well will he fair in the competition? Just wait and find out.