Episode 81: The Journey in Johto Begins
A little while after getting acquainted with each other in Professor Elm's lab, Ethan invites Sora and Kairi for breakfast, and he wanted to introduce his Cyndaquil to his mom. The Fire-type Pokémon has won over his mom in a heartbeat. She was happy to see Kris and Vincent, and thrilled to meet Sora and Kairi.
"This tastes great, ma'am," Sora said.
"Thank you, Sora. Is it just the two of you here in Johto?" Ethan's mom asked.
"Yeah. Sora and I got here just today," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
"I watched you on the Indigo Plateau Pokémon League. I thought you would challenge the Elite Four after you won the Pokémon League," Ethan said.
"I thought about it, but I think I'd wait for a while before I challenge them," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"I mean, I would have to train hard to get right there," Sora said. Kris looked at Sora's necklace.
"That's a pretty necklace. Where did you get that?" Kris asked.
"I had it for as long as I remember. It was given to my dad from his dad and so on in the many generations that passed," Sora said.
"What's so special about it?" Vincent asked.
"It's a symbol of knighthood," Sora said. "I came from a long line of knights in the old days."
"Knights? With it, I would have thought you descended from royalty," Kris said.
"I thought the same thing at first," Kairi said.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"But I saw a bit of knighthood when Sora and I first met," Kairi said. She smiled, making Sora blush.
"Thanks," Sora said.
Kris got intrigued to know what that meant.
"How did you meet?" Kris asked. Sora and Kairi's faces turned pale, knowing their first encounter with the Heartless. They decided to leave that part out.
"Well, I was caught by a couple of Pokémon Hunters when I came across a caged Caterpie. I was taken back to their camp," Kairi said.
"And that was when I came along. It was Angel who led us to their camp," Sora said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Thinking about it now, it was Angel that brought us together," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"After that, Kairi and I have been traveling together and we met all kinds of Pokémon since then," Sora said.
Kris was moved by the romance in the story, but she could tell there was more than he was telling.
Over to Silver, he stood by a pond and he saw a Totodile emerge from the water. Silver took out a Pokéball and threw it. Totodile flows inside and the Pokéball wobbles around and around. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. Silver took the Pokéball and grinned.
"I have my Pokémon to battle the weak," Silver said.
Meanwhile, a girl walked down the streets of New Bark Town. She is a short and skinny young girl with fair skin, brown hair tied into low bunched pigtails, and brown eyes. Her attire consists of a poofy white hat with a big red ribbon, a red quarter-sleeved hoodie with a white collar (under which she wears a black undershirt), and dark blue overalls. On her feet, she wears very long white socks with black borders at the tops and cutesy red shoes with white soles. She also carries around a yellow handbag to store her items. With her is a small, blue, bipedal Pokémon. It has a nearly spherical shape with a white belly, and has round ears with red insides. These sensitive ears can detect distant sounds. Its arms and feet are short and possess no visible digits. There is a blue, bubble-like ball at the tip of its zigzagging black tail. This Pokémon is known as Marill.
"Come on, Marill. Ethan's house is close," the girl said.
"Marill, Marill," Marill said.
They reached the front door and she was about to knock when Ethan opened it.
"Lyra, what brings you here?" Ethan asked.
"Just to give you a gift," Lyra said, giving Ethan a device that looks like a wristwatch. It is blue with white sides. He puts it on.
"Thanks, Lyra," Ethan said. Sora and Kairi stepped out of the house with Kris and Vincent. She saw Kris and Vincent, too. "Oh, I was going to give these to you, too." She notices Sora and Kairi. "Oh, I didn't bring anything for you."
"Um, that's okay," Sora said.
"Sora, Kairi, this is Lyra. Lyra, this is Sora and his girlfriend Kairi. They came here from in Pallet Town in Kanto," Ethan said.
"It's to meet you," Lyra said with a smile. "This is Marill, my partner."
"Marill, Marill," Marill said.
"Oh, she's adorable," Kairi cooed.
"Eevee," Angel said. Lyra looked at Angel.
"Wow, an Eevee!" Lyra said, taking out her Pokédex and scanned her.
Eevee, the Evolution Pokémon
Type: Normal
Depending on certain situations, Eevee can evolve into one of several forms. It is said that it holds the key to Pokémon evolution.
"Oh, it's so adorable," Lyra said.
"Yes, she is," Kairi said, picking her up in her arms. "And her name is Angel."
"That's an adorable nickname," Lyra said. "Love that pink bow."
"Eevee," Angel said.
"You look like you did a great job with her," Lyra said.
"Thank you, Lyra," Kairi said.
A few moments later, Sora, Kairi, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Vincent, Pikachu, Angel, Togepi, and Marill began to make their way out of New Bark Town to begin their newest journey. The thing to do first was to teach the new Trainers how to catch their own Pokémon.
Watching them is a small Pokémon covered in brown fur. It has long, dark brown ears with dark pink interiors, beady black eyes, and a small mouth. While it is capable of standing on its hind legs, it typically moves on all fours. It has a round body with wide arms and two small feet. On its belly is a white ring and there are dark brown stripes around its tail. This Pokémon is known as Sentret.
As they walked, they spotted a wild Hoppip bouncing along.
"Hoppip, Hoppip, Hoppip," Hoppip chirped.
"A Hoppip!" Kris said. Kairi took out her Pokédex and scanned it.
Hoppip, the Cottonweed Pokémon
Type: Grass/Flying
This Pokémon drifts and floats with the wind. If it senses the approach of strong winds, Hoppip links its leaves with other Hoppip to prepare against being blown away.
"Well, this looks like a good chance to demonstrate how to catch a Pokémon in the wild," Kairi said, looking at Angel. "Okay, Angel! Go!" Angel rushes into the field right in front of Hoppip.
"Eevee," Angel said in a challenging tone.
"Pip?" Hoppip asked, surprised.
"Use Quick Attack!" Kairi ordered. Angel rushes at Hoppip and lands a hit onto Hoppip.
"That was a good hit!" Vincent said. Hoppip charges at Angel with a Tackle.
"Hoppip's using Tackle! Angel! Dodge and use Headbutt!" Kairi ordered. Angel dodges and lands a Headbutt onto Hoppip, sending the Cottonweed Pokémon against a tree. Kairi took a Pokéball and threw it. Hoppip flows inside and the Pokéball wobbles around and around. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. "And that's how it's done." She took the Pokéball in her hand.
"Wow, that was awesome!" Ethan said.
"She caught that Hoppip like it was nothing!" Vincent said.
"That's one of the things to do," Kairi said.
"Sometimes you can catch a Pokémon without battling it, but you have to make certain you aren't seen by the Pokémon," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
They hear a sound of rustling. They saw a bipedal, ursine Pokémon covered in short, orange-brown fur. Its muzzle is a light tan color with a small black nose and black eyes with white irises. There is a slightly paler tan crescent marking on its face, and it has round ears. It has three claws on its forepaws as well as two claws and yellow paw pads on its hind paws. Its tail is short, round, and puffy. Sora took out his Pokédex and scanned it.
Teddiursa, the Little Bear Pokémon
Type: Normal
This Pokémon likes to lick its palms that are sweetened by being soaked in honey. Teddiursa concocts its own honey by blending fruits and pollen collected by Beedrill.
"Teddiursa, huh," Sora said. He looked at Kairi. "Okay, how about I take this one?"
"Sure, Sora," Kairi said with a smile. Teddiursa saw the group and Sora turned to Pikachu.
"Teddiursa sees me and I'm going have to battle it. Move right in, Pikachu!" Sora said. Pikachu dashed in to battle against Teddiursa. Teddiursa starts to come at Pikachu with his claws out.
"He's using Scratch!" Kairi said.
"Dodge and use Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Pikachu dodged Teddiursa's claws and ran right at Teddiursa and rolled backwards. Teddiursa gets back up on his feet. Teddiursa charges at Pikachu with Tackle. "Use Iron Tail!" Pikachu swings his tail with Iron Tail, landing a hit. Teddiursa lands on the ground. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it. Teddiursa flows inside and the Pokéball wobbles around and around. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. Sora picked up his Pokéball and smiled. "My first catch in Johto. But Kairi made the first catch."
"Well, Hoppip is really cute," Kairi said.
"Eevee, Eevee," Angel said.
"Togepi," Togepi chirped.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
Meanwhile, in a forest close to Pallet Town, the black-haired girl walks down a river in a forest and sat down. Ash notices her and he approached her with caution, thinking she was with Organization XIII.
"Excuse me," Ash said. The girl turned and saw him. She looked right at him. Ash was stunned to see her face. "Kairi?"
"Who?" The girl asked. Ash could tell she wasn't Kairi even though she has her face and has her voice. She also has the same blue eyes, but the only difference was she has black hair.
"Sorry, it's just you like you look like someone I know," Ash said. She looked at Ash.
"It's okay, Ash," the girl said. Ash was surprised to hear her say his name even though he hasn't introduced himself.
"How do you know my name?" Ash asked. She realized she knew his name somehow.
"I don't know. It feels like I know you, but I never met you before," the girl said.
"What about you? What's your name?" Ash asked. She looked at the ground.
"Xion," the girl replied.
"Okay, Xion. What brings you here?" Ash asked.
"I was wondering around. Trying so hard to remember," Xion said.
"You don't remember?" Ash asked.
"I'm not sure how to explain it," Xion said.
"It's okay, Xion," Ash said.
"But for some reason, I remember seeing you in my dreams," Xion said. Ash knew something was up.
"Tell me about your dreams, Xion. I'm very curious," Ash said.
"I remember seeing you talking to me, but like I was a different person, but it was when I saw a girl there," Xion said. Ash was confused.
"A girl?" Ash asked. He wondered if she was talking about Kairi, but he had to make sure. "Do you know what this girl looked like?"
"The girl looked like me, but she has red hair. She has my face and my voice. But I can't remember her name," Xion said. Ash knew it was Kairi after all. "I know you know her, Ash."
"I do. I met her with a friend of mine. Do you know her?" Ash asked.
"I don't remember. I don't remember my life before I woke up," Xion said.
"You mean not when you went to sleep before or anything?" Ash asked.
"No," Xion answered. "I don't."
"I don't know how I'm going to be able to help you, but I think I can take you to someone and see if you can recognize her," Ash said. Xion looked at him and saw how honest he was being. She nodded and obliged him. Ash led Xion to Leaf's house and knocked on the door. Leaf opened the door and saw Ash and Xion, she thought she was Kairi.
"Kairi, what are you doing back? Did you have an argument with Sora so bad, you just came back home? And why did you dye your hair black?" Leaf asked.
"It's not her, Leaf," Ash corrected her. Leaf blinked twice. "She's someone different." Leaf blinked twice.
"What's going on?" Leaf asked.
"We should talk inside," Ash said.
"Okay," Leaf said, letting Ash and Leaf in. They sat down on the couch. "So, who's she?"
"My name is Xion," Xion said. "It's nice to meet you, Leaf."
"How do you know my name?" Leaf asked.
"I found her in the woods, and I brought here to meet you," Ash said. "She knew my name when I met her." Leaf was really confused. "I thought she was someone else."
"You thought I was the same person," Xion said.
"Well, you do look like her," Leaf said. "Just how did you know my name, Xion?"
"I saw you in my dreams, but I don't remember ever knowing you," Xion said.
"Well, I never met you before, so sorry," Leaf said.
"Don't apologize. It's okay," Xion said. "It feels right to me."
"It feels right to us, too, Xion. You can stay and we can get to know each other if you want," Leaf said. Xion smiled and she felt lucky to make two new friends.
"Thank you," Xion said.
Back in Johto, Silver walks out of New Bark Town and he saw Sora and he scowled.
"You again," Silver growled.
"Hey, you're that jerk from before!" Sora exclaimed. "What do you want?"
"Someone who will be the most powerful Pokémon Trainer that ever lived. And I'm going to stomp on everyone who gets in my way! And that includes you!" Silver said. Sora didn't like his tone or his attitude.
"I don't know what your problem is, but if you're looking for a battle, then you got one," Sora said.
"I could use some practice," Silver said, taking out his Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Totodile!" His Pokéball opened and Totodile came out with a snarl.
"Okay, you're in, Pikachu!" Sora said, stepping in.
"Looks like a battle going on," Ethan said.
"This should be good," Vincent said.
"Totodile! Start up with Bite!" Silver ordered. Totodile came right at Pikachu with its jaws ready to clamp on the Mouse Pokémon.
"Pikachu! Dodge and use Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Pikachu dodges and rammed into Totodile.
"You got lucky! Use Scratch!" Silver ordered. Totodile gave a scratch across Pikachu's face. "Use Bite!" Totodile bit Pikachu on the tail. He yelped in pain.
"Pikachu! Use Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu gave an electrified Thunderbolt onto the crocodile-like Pokémon, dealing some heavy damage.
"That Totodile just took the hit like it was nothing!" Lyra said.
"Use Rage!" Silver ordered. Totodile's anger increases and its whole body gave off a red aura. Totodile came rushing at Pikachu and lands a tackle onto Pikachu.
"Use Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Pikachu ran towards Totodile and lands a hit.
"Water Gun!" Silver ordered. Totodile fired Water Gun right at Pikachu.
"Dodge and use Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu jumped and fired Thunderbolt right at Totodile, dealing some extra damage. Totodile was still standing. Totodile's rage builds up.
"Use Rage!" Silver ordered. Totodile's rage builds up and the red aura grew even brighter. Totodile glares at Pikachu with all the rage. Totodile ran towards Pikachu again and elbows Pikachu. Pikachu goes down hard, but he gets back up. "Use Bite!" Totodile came at Pikachu again.
"Dodge!" Sora called out. Pikachu dodges Totodile's jaws just by jumping. Totodile tried again, and Pikachu dodges again. Totodile keeps on trying to bite Pikachu again, but misses again and again.
"Use Iron Tail!" Sora ordered. Pikachu swings his tail and struck Totodile hard. "Use Quick Attack!" Pikachu dashed right at Totodile again, dealing some damage on it.
"Scratch!" Silver ordered. Totodile came at Pikachu with his claws ready to strike the Mouse Pokémon and he takes the hit.
"Use Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu unleashed Thunderbolt, dealing a super-effective hit. Totodile took damage. Totodile refused to stay down. "How much abuse can Totodile can take?"
"As much as you can throw! You can't beat my Totodile! You can't win! Use Scratch!" Silver ordered. Totodile came at Pikachu with a Scratch ready to go.
"Dodge and use Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu dodges and unleashes Thunderbolt right at Totodile, dealing another super-effective hit. Totodile was still standing.
"Use Water Gun!" Silver ordered. Totodile fired Water Gun right at Pikachu, landing a hit. "Hold that Water Gun!" Totodile held on, soaking Pikachu down to the bone.
"Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu unleashed Thunderbolt in the water. The electricity traveled through the water, shocking Totodile. The crocodile-like Pokémon fell on its back as Pikachu did. Both got back up and panted. Totodile fell on the ground, beaten. Silver growled.
"You happy that you won?" Silver growled, calling Totodile back inside the Pokéball.
"Who are you?" Sora asked. Silver glared at him.
"Do you want to know who I am? I'm going to be the world's greatest Pokémon Trainer," Silver said, taking off. A card dropped. Sora took the card and read the name on it.
"Silver," Sora said in a whisper. He noticed it dropped and he saw Sora with it. He rushed back and snatched it from him.
"Give it back! That's my Trainer Card!" Silver exclaimed.
"What's your problem? I was going to give it back to you!" Sora said.
"Shut up! I don't want or need your charity! Just keep your damn hands off my things! And if I see your face again, I will destroy you in battle!" Silver exclaimed, taking off. Sora gave off a scowl.
"What's the deal with this guy?" Sora asked.
"Forget him, Sora. He's not worth it," Ethan said.
"He's right, Sora. You shouldn't even be worrying about that guy. Just let it go," Kairi said.
Sora knew Kairi was right, but he couldn't stop thinking about what Silver said to his face. He was concerned if he would turn into a Heartless if the darkness in his heart would overcome him.
"Silver, don't stare too close to the darkness. It'll draw out the Heartless if you're not careful," Sora said in his thoughts.
Meanwhile, Silver kept on going downwards, thinking about his defeat by Sora's hands.
"How could I have lost to a weakling like him? That Pikachu shouldn't have been a match for my Totodile! If he crosses my path, I'll take him down hard. He'll have a taste of real power; my power! And he will think twice before he ever challenging me," Silver said to himself.
Back with the group, they made a stop to rest their feet.
"That was an awesome battle back there, Sora. No wonder Ethan looks up to you," Vincent said.
"I just did my best. Silver did too, but he took that a tad too hard," Sora said. "He would he someone I could like if he wasn't such a jerk to me."
"Sora, I told you not to think about him," Kairi said.
"Sorry, Kairi. Couldn't help it," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Well, watching that battle got me fired up. And I feel like a battle," Ethan said.
"I can take you on, Ethan!" Vincent said, standing up. "You ready to rumble?"
"Okay, I can take you on, Vincent," Ethan said.
They both got into positions to have their battle. Vincent took out his Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Chikorita!" His Pokéball opened and Chikorita came out, spinning its leaf. Ethan took out his Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Cyndaquil!" Ethan called out. Cyndaquil came out to battle against Chikorita. "Cyndaquil! Start up with Tackle!" Cyndaquil ran towards Chikorita with Tackle.
"Chikorita! You use Tackle, too!" Vincent ordered. Chikorita ran towards Cyndaquil, colliding into each other. "Chikorita! Use Vine Whip!" Chikorita extends a couple of vines from its neck and sent it at Cyndaquil.
"Dodge and use Smokescreen!" Ethan ordered. Cyndaquil dodges Chikorita's Smokescreen and spews black smoke from its mouth. Chikorita is covered with black smoke.
"Blow that smoke away with your leaf!" Vincent called out. Chikorita spins its leaf around, blowing the smoke away. "Use Tackle!" Chikorita ran towards Cyndaquil with another Tackle.
"Dodge Tackle!" Ethan ordered. Cyndaquil tried to dodge, but Chikorita came too fast for Cyndaquil to dodge.
"Use Vine Whip!" Ethan ordered. Chikorita extends Vine Whip at Cyndaquil.
"Use Ember!" Ethan ordered. Cyndaquil shoots a fireball at Chikorita, landing a hit. "Use Tackle!" Cyndaquil rammed into Chikorita, earning a knockout. Vincent was distraught by what happened.
"No way I could have lost on my first battle," Vincent said, calling his Chikorita back to rest.
"Don't take it too hard, Vincent. You could have had me," Ethan said.
"Oh, you're just saying that because that's what I wanna hear," Vincent said.
"He means it, Vincent," Sora said. He looked at Sora. "The way you handled your Chikorita is living proof that you have what it takes to be a good Trainer."
"Pika, Pika," Pikachu said.
"He's right. Just keep training Chikorita hard and you'll do just fine," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
"Yeah, you're right. I can do it! There's no way anyone is going to tell me otherwise!" Vincent yelled at the top of his lungs. "Vincent will soon make a comeback!"
"Come back with what?" Lyra asked in a whisper.
"Be nice, Lyra," Kris said.
"Now that the battle between Ethan and Vincent has been decided, how about we see Kris and Lyra go at it next?" Kairi suggested.
"Not a bad idea," Kris said.
"You okay with it, Marill?" Lyra asked.
"Marill," Marill nodded.
"Okay, Marill. Go for it!" Lyra said. Marill stepped in to battle. Kris took out her Pokéball and threw it.
"Time to make your debut, Wani-Wani!" Kris called out. Wani-Wani came right out to battle. "You can have the first move, Lyra!"
"Thanks, Kris. Marill! Use Tackle!" Lyra ordered. Marill came running towards Wani-Wani. Marill lands a successful Tackle.
"Wani-Wani! Use Scratch!" Kris ordered. Wani-Wani lands a Scratch onto Marill, dealing some damage. "Now use Water Gun!" Wani-Wani fired Water Gun right at the blue mouse Pokémon.
"Marill! You use Water Gun, too!" Lyra ordered. Marill fired Water Gun right at the Totodile, blocking its Water Gun. They held on, but Marill's Water Gun pushes Wani-Wani's Water Gun back. "Use Aqua Tail!" Marill came at Wani-Wani with its tail emitting water and swinging it like a spiked ball.
"Dodge and use Scratch!" Kris ordered. Wani-Wani lands a Scratch onto Marill. "Use Water Gun!" Wani-Wani fired Water Gun, hitting Marill in the face and pushing it. Marill rolls on the ground. Wani-Wani stopped firing Water Gun, but Marill is down on the ground, beaten. Kris cheered for her very first win. "I knew you could do it, Wani-Wani! You were sensational!"
"Totodile!" Wani-Wani said happily. Lyra helped Marill up. Marill was close to start crying.
"Don't cry, Marill. You did your best," Lyra said.
"You four certainly did a great," Kairi said.
"Eevee, vee!" Angel said.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
"You four have Trainer material written right on your faces," Sora said. Ethan, Kris, Vincent, and Lyra beamed when they complimented them. They knew them for a short time, but they were lucky to have great friends like them. These four have taken their first steps as Pokémon Trainers, and now they'll be on their way to a great journey.