Episode 88: Spinarak Attack
Less than a day had passed since Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Angel, and Togepi, all made a stop at the town of Florando and helped a Trainer named Bailey and her Bellossom.
Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Angel, and Togepi have arrived in Catallia City, the home of beautiful buildings, artists, and art collectors. Little do they know, they're about to stumble onto a piece of history themselves.
Unknown to them, they're being watched by a green arachnid Pokémon that resembles a spider. It has black eyes with white pupils, a white horn on its forehead, and a pair of red mandibles. On the back of its abdomen are two black dots and a line that resembles a face. There is an additional line encircling the end of its abdomen. It has three pairs of yellow legs, each with a black band around the middle. This Pokémon is known as Spinarak.
A police car comes driving by. The couple knew it meant trouble.
"What do you think, Kairi? Could it be Team Rocket or the Heartless?" Sora asked.
"I think we should check it out, Sora," Kairi suggested.
"Right!" Sora said. He and Kairi started to run towards where the action is when Sora tripped of a sudden.
"Are you okay, Sora?" Kairi asked with concern.
"I'm fine. Just tripped over something," Sora said.
Kairi looked around and saw nothing. Togepi was starting to get riled up.
"Toge, Toge, Toge, Toge, Toge!" Togepi chirped in a frenzy.
"Togepi, what's wrong?" Kairi asked. Spinarak came down with its eyes shut and legs curled up. The face pattern faced her. "Oh, how cute." The face frowned, much to her confusion. The spider-like Pokémon opened its eyes and spreads its legs. "It's a Spin-" The spider-like Pokémon spews a web from its mouth and covered the couple and the Pokémon in it. They screamed loudly.
Spinarak came down with its eyes shut and legs curled against its body. Kairi
And luck of the draw, at a mansion somewhere, a young man dressed in a black skin tight jumpsuit matched with a black cape and a black cap with a Meowth's gold coin on the cap with a feather in it and a masquerade mask along with a Meowth with a similar mask and cape sneaks into the grounds.
"This is it," the young man said. "It is time to avenge a hundred years of grievances for the disgrace that my family had suffered." He looked over to his Meowth. "You ready, Meowth?"
"Meowth!" The burglar's Meowth nodded. The Scratch Cat Pokémon undid the lock and the two had snuck in.
"Now let's see what treasures we have here," the young burglar said. He came across a small brown box and opens it to find a green ceramic bowl inside. He smiles. "This one will do nicely." He stashed the bowl in his bag as he and his partner in crime were about to leave when a butler entered the storage room.
"Hey, what are you doing in there?" The butler asked.
"I was about to leave with my stash," the young man said. He turned to his Meowth. "Use Pay Day!"
Meowth crosses its arms, then opens them quickly and multiple glowing gold coins come out of the charm on its head. He screamed as the coins hits him.
The police too late as the Black Arachnid and his Meowth have already fled the scene, leaving only the scattered coins. Officer Jenny examines the coins.
"Looks like Pay Day," Officer Jenny said.
Officer Jenny is leading the investigation, and she has been tracking him down, but failed to catch him in the act. Two officers approached her.
"It's the third house this week, officer," one of the policemen said.
"Somebody is definitely imitating the crimes of the Black Arachnid, but we just don't know who," the other policeman said.
"Then we'll just have to catch them," Officer Jenny said.
"Yes, ma'am," the second policeman said.
"It's a direct insult to the police force," Officer Jenny scowled. "Have the Spinarak reinforcements the webs. The Black Arachid's our top priority."
"Yes, ma'am," the policemen both said. A third policeman approached her.
"I think we got him!" The third policeman said. He leads her down to Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Angel, and Togepi wrapped in the web. "We caught them in a Spinarak web a half mile down the road." Officer Jenny strokes her chin.
"They don't look like criminals," Officer Jenny said.
"We're not! Please, get us out of here, please!" Kairi said.
"Toge, Toge!" Togepi chirped.
"Eevee!" Angel said.
"Yeah, this stuff is sticky!" Sora exclaimed.
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
Not too long after, they were cut out of the web.
"My apologies," Officer Jenny said. "We've hung those webs to catch the person who have been imitating the Black Arachnid."
"Black Arachnid?" Sora asked.
"The Black Arachnid was a master criminal who lived here a hundred years ago. He was made famous for his crimes," Officer Jenny said. Kairi saw the gold coins on the ground.
"Look at this. These coins must be some kind of clue," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
Officer Jenny looked at the couple and then to the Pikachu and Eevee with them.
"Pikachu? Eevee? Wait a minute! You wouldn't by chance be those kids who foiled those Team Rocket operations back in Kanto, could you?" Officer Jenny asked.
"This might be a dumb question to ask, but how do you know about all that?" Sora asked.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked.
"I heard all about you two from my relatives in Lavender Town, Celadon City, and Saffron City. I heard how you took on their leader twice," Officer Jenny said. "It seems you both fit the description they gave me."
"Yeah, we foiled their schemes," Kairi said.
"That could mean that you're expert crime solvers," Officer Jenny said.
"I don't know about expert," Sora said. Just then, the Spinarak from before appeared before them. "You again!"
"I see you met Spinarak. This one is the cutest one on the force," Officer Jenny said.
"Spinarak, huh?" Sora asked. He took out his Pokédex and scanned it.
Spinarak, the String Spit Pokémon
Type: Bug/Poison
It sets a trap by spinning a web with thin but strong thread. It waits motionlessly for prey to arrive.
"So, why do you use Spinarak instead of Growlithe?" Sora asked.
"It's a longstanding tradition in Catallia City to use Spinarak on the force instead of Growlithe," Officer Jenny said. She told her story as she led the couple to the local police station. "It actually started with the first Black Arachnid. The Black Arachnid was a criminal mastermind who was famous for his stealthiness as he was for his thefts. His quick sneaky movements made it hard to tell from a Meowth that was his partner in crime, and earned him the nickname, the cat burglar. Whenever it looked they were close to being captured, the Meowth would use Pay Day and scare off the police. They got lucky each time. But one fateful night, their luck finally ran out. Officer Jenny, my ancestor from eight generations ago along with her loyal Spinarak. They waited patiently for the thieves who had attempted to flee from their latest crime. And using Spinarak's beautiful webs, the Black Arachnid's career in crime was put to a halt." Sora and Kairi were at awe hearing the tale of her heroic ancestor who ended the thief's crime spree. "That wrapped up the case once and for all. And believe it or not, this Spinarak is descended from the Spinarak who helped out my ancestor long ago."
"That's an amazing story," Kairi said.
"It really does run in the family," Sora said. Officer Jenny opens the door and sees Spinarak everywhere. "Look at those Spinarak."
"I take it that the entire police force uses Spinarak in Catallia City," Kairi said.
"Yes. Until the Black Arachnid was caught, my ancestor was the only one who used a Spinarak. Ever since, the Jennys from her to me all have a close bond with a Spinarak," Officer Jenny said.
"That explains a whole lot," Sora said.
"It does," Kairi agreed. "Officer Jenny, you think we could assist you?"
"That'll be great," Officer Jenny said.
"It'll be our duty that it's wrong to use Pokémon to help commit crimes," Sora said.
"Pika, Pika," Pikachu said.
"You really are Pokémon crime fighters aren't you?" Officer Jenny asked with a smile.
"We just believe in doing the right thing," Sora said. Sora had a feeling the Heartless would play a role in the new Black Arachid's game, but he didn't know how or when they'll show up, but he knew they'll show up rather if he wanted them to or not. He turned to Kairi and he saw she thought the same thing.
Elsewhere in an undisclosed location, the new Black Arachnid is in his apartment and watching the news of his latest caper. His partner is eating the fish provided to him. He smiles as he hears the authorities are completely baffled. He looks out his window laughing evilly.
"This is working better than expected," the new Black Arachnid said. "The police are at a disarray and even with the Spinarak webs everywhere, the time to avenge my disgraced ancestor is close at hand. Officer Jenny and her Spinarak will pay dearly for their inference! My revenge against the police force shall come swiftly." The Black Arachnid clinched his fist. He had chosen his next victim and used newspaper cutouts to form a letter. "The time to accelerate my ambitions will come much faster than they shall expect."
"Planning something?" A voice spoke. The Black Arachnid stood up and looked around. Meowth readied its claws and hissed, also looking around.
"Who's there?" The Black Arachnid asked.
Out of a corridor of darkness, Marluxia have steppedaround. Meowth growled in a ferocious manner.
"Your desire to avenge your ancestor is quite admirable. Allow me to assist you," Marluxia said.
"I don't need your assistance, whoever you are! If you're thinking of muscling in my operations, then you're barking up the wrong tree!" The Black Arachnid stated.
"I mean no disrespect. I only come to grant you a marvelous gift," Marluxia said. The Black Arachnid raised a brow, not trusting him even more.
"What kind of gift are you talking about?" The Black Arachnid asked.
"What if I can give you a gift to command creatures other than your partner in crime," Marluxia said.
"Meowth," Meowth hissed at him more.
"Ha! You gotta be joking. What need would I need for some other Pokémon than my own partner?" The Black Arachnid scoffed.
"You misunderstand. I am not talking about Pokémon," Marluxia said, snapping his fingers. Suddenly, a large, silvery-white flower bud appeared. It has long, pointed petals shaped similar to the spikes of the Nobody emblem, which flow naturally into a short, twisted stem that splays out into roots with the same spiked shape.
"A flower? You're giving me a flower?" The Black Arachnid asked.
"Watch closely," Marluxia said.
The flower began to take shape. The petals of the bud open, revealing a humanoid head and torso, wearing a jacket with oversized pointed shoulders and a long pointed hood of faded pink. It also wears wide, elbow-length gloves that fade from pink to white. It wields a scythe with a large, pink blade with an upturned tip and multiple spikes resembling the Nobody emblem sprouting from the back of the blade and at the bottom of the handle.
"I see what you mean," the Black Arachnid said. "Alright. I'll have them with me, but don't think you're getting a share for yourself."
"I have no desire for trinkets of art, nor for money. I only come to fulfill my good deed," Marluxia said. The Black Arachnid stepped out and began his next objective. Marluxia grinned. "His desire for vengeance against the authorities and his overwhelming avarice shall lead him down to a path of darkness. And that is when the Heartless shall devour his heart." He vanished in the corridor of darkness.
Back at the police station, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Angel, and Togepi, all gathered for a strategy meeting to capture the Black Arachnid and put an end to his crime spree. Officer Jenny and her Spinarak joined in on the meeting. Officer Jenny marked the houses that the thief had already hit.
"Okay, here's what we got so far. What we've got is the new Black Arachnid is targeting the mansions of art collectors," Sora said.
"Meaning any one of these would be next," Kairi pointed out.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"But the question is, which one is next?" Kairi asked.
"Togepi," Togepi chirped.
"That we don't know yet. But we'll be planning a stake out on the next target. That's when you and I will be using our Pokémon to look in each direction. The real trump card is going to be Spinarak. Spinarak will be sending out webs to keep the new Black Arachnid from escaping," Sora said.
"A brilliant strategy," Officer Jenny complemented.
Just then, a policeman came in the room.
"Terrible news! The new Black Arachnid is planning another robbery!" The policeman announced. Sora and Kairi knew it was a perfect time to put Sora's plan into action.
"Where did you obtain this information?" Officer Jenny asked.
"It was obtained from the mayor's mansion," the policeman said.
"The mayor?!" Officer Jenny exclaimed.
Everyone rushed over to the mayor's mansion. The mayor being a bald elderly man with a gray mustache and gray eyebrows. He also has magenta eyes. He is dressed in his robe and came down the stairs in tears.
"Oh, thank goodness you've arrived! It's dreadful!" The mayor cried. "The fiend is after my trophy! The letter he sent said he'll strike at midnight!" He reveals a platinum tropy with Dragonair as the handles and has Oddish and Lapras engraved on it.
"Definitely not a coincidence," Officer Jenny stated. "The original Black Arachnid also sent letters to his victims as well."
"This guy is pretty cocky," Sora said.
"And I thought Team Rocket were full of themselves," Kairi stated.
"Um, who are these children?" The mayor asked.
"They're professional crime solvers," Officer Jenny answered.
"Wonderful! They can help!" The mayor beamed. "Kids, you must teach this copycat a lesson."
"The lesson is don't follow in the footsteps of a real crook," Sora said.
The clock has struck five in the afternoon as the mayor pleaded, "Please protect my trophy."
"Don't worry, Mr. Mayor. Nothing can go wrong just as long we have Pokémon on our backs." Officer Jenny emphasize when she turns around and Spinarak clings on her back.
"Spinarak! Spinarak!" Spinarak said.
"The Black Arachnid is going to be sorry that he ever decided to make a comeback," Sora stated. Everyone went outside as Sora and Kairi let out their Pokémon. "Okay, everyone! Tine to put our plan to motion."
Hoothoot and Ledyba flew up in a tree as Teddiursa, Phanpy, and Bonsly hid in the shrubs. Misdreavus floats up and turns invisible. Heracross clinged to a tree and started to suckle on the tree sap.
"What amazing Pokémon you all have," Officer Jenny complemented. She turns to her partner. "Your turn, Spinarak!" Spinarak shot out its web to get to another tree and spitting out a web all over the mansion grounds. It quickly surrounded the whole place until it was completely surrounded.
"All that thread came from just one Spinarak," Kairi said in awe.
"The web is so strong, he won't be able to break free," Officer Jenny said. "Are all the Pokémon in position, Spinarak?" Spinarak nodded in confirmation. "Great! We'll be in the mansion waiting for midnight!"
Several hours came and went, Kairi rocked Togepi to sleep while Sora struggled to stay awake knowing he'll strike at any moment. They all checked outside and saw nothing in the web. Not even a single Heartless was seen.
The clock has strucked midnight as everyone anxiously waited for the thief to make an appearance and then catch him in the act. A whole minute had passed.
"Looks like he isn't coming at all," Sora said in a yawn. He hangs his head in defeat. "And my plan was perfect, too." Kairi placed her hand on his shoulder.
"I thought it was a good idea," Kairi said comfortably. Sora smiled, feeling a little better. The struck midnight and they were on high alert. They knew he was due to make an appearance at any moment.
The mayor came in the room relieved to see his trophy is still in its place.
"Oh, thank heavens! My trophy is still safe!" The mayor cheered. "And there is no sign of the thief!" The mayor gave a sigh of relief.
"Didn't I tell everything will be alright?" Officer Jenny asked.
"I am terribly grateful to you all," the mayor said. "Please accept this meal as a small token of my appreciation and my esteem." He claps his hands as his servants roll in carts with meals enough for the group. They graciously accepted the reward ate to their heart's delight.
"I'd take burgers over burglars anyday," Sora said, making Kairi laugh.
"No argument from me," Kairi agreed.
"I suppose you don't have room for dessert?" The mayor asked.
"Couldn't eat another bite," Kairi said.
Without warning, the lights go off.
"What the?!" Sora exclaimed.
"Pay Day!" A new voice called out as gold coins go flying hitting the couple.
"Ouch!" Sora yelped.
"That hurts!" Kairi exclaimed.
"Who's there?!" Sora asked.
Out from the attic came a rope and the new Black Arachnid and his Meowth came climbing down the rope.
"I am here, little boy," the new Black Arachnid answered grabbing the trophy. "The new and improved Black Arachnid!"
"You are under arrest!" Officer Jenny stated. He looked over to the policewoman with a hateful glare.
"I will not repeat the mistake that my ancestor has made! I will avenge the dishonor that you have brought to my family!" The new Black Arachnid said.
"Meowth!" The Black Arachid's Meowth said.
"How did you get pass Spinarak's webs?" Kairi asked.
"I didn't," the new Black Arachnid said. "I was simply hiding in the attic since I sent the letter, knowing you wouldn't bother looking outside for me!"
"But why didn't you just come by midnight like you said that you would?" Officer Jenny asked.
"That would have been too predictable even for my standards. I just had to wait until you let your guard down and strike!" The new Black Arachnid gloated.
"He was playing us right from the start!" Kairi said. Sora growled in anger.
"Now, I'll be taking my leave!" The new Black Arachnid stated.
"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Sora said. Pikachu jumps in front of his Trainer.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu said.
"You think you can challenge me? You're either brave or a complete fool!" The new Black Arachnid said. "Well, normally I don't play with children, but I'll have to make this quick!" He turns to his partner. "Meowth! Go!"
"Meowth!" The new Black Arachid's Meowth got its claws ready for battle.
"Meowth! Use Fury Swipes!" The new Black Arachnid ordered. His Meowth leapt forward to swipe at Pikachu.
"Pikachu! Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Pikachu used his speed attack to hit Meowth before it could land a Fury Swipes. "Now use Iron Tail!" Pikachu swung his metalized tail right at the Meowth.
"You use Iron Tail too!" The new Black Arachnid ordered. Meowth swung its own Iron Tail and collided with Pikachu's tail just like a couple of swords. The cat and mouse Pokémon were locked not one of them was backing off.
"Thunderbolt!" Sora called out as Pikachu used Thunderbolt right on Meowth shocking it to a crisp. The new Black Arachnid's Meowth was down, but not out. It got right back on its feet.
"Pay Day!" The new Black Arachnid ordered. Meowth hurled gold coins right towards Pikachu.
"Dodge it!" Sora called out as Pikachu moved before the coins could hit. "Electro Ball!" Pikachu forms a ball of electricity and sends it towards Meowth. The attack came too quick for Meowth to dodge and the attack landed a hit.
"Meowth!" The new Black Arachnid gasped. He turns to look at Sora with a glare. "I have to admit that I underestimated you, kid. You're even better than I thought. But you will not keep me from my revenge!"
"If revenge is all you care about, then you already lost!" Sora stated. The new Black Arachnid was disgusted by that remark.
"I am going to have my victory! Fury Swipes!" The new Black Arachnid moved in to swipe at Pikachu. Sora remembered the dance routines Pikachu and the other Pokémon had with Bailey's Bellossom and now was a good time to use it.
"Pikachu! Remember Bailey's advice!" Sora called out.
"Pika," Pikachu nodded. Meowth moved in to swipe at Pikachu only to dance out of the way. Kairi knew what Pikachu was doing. Officer Jenny was pretty impressed to see Pikachu dancing as Meowth kept swinging its claws. The new Black Arachnid growled growing frustrated.
"Is this little rugrat making fun of me?!" The new Black Arachnid exclaimed. "Meowth! Iron Tail!" Meowth swung its tail only for Pikachu to dance dodge the attack. "Pay Day!" Meowth hurled gold coins towards Pikachu and did a spin jump.
"Eevee!" Angel cheered.
"Way to go, Pikachu!" Kairi cheered. "Just keep dancing!" Togepi watched Pikachu feeling inspired. Togepi then moved his little arms back and forth.
"Toge, Toge, Toge, Toge, Toge, Toge, Toge, Toge, Toge, Toge, Toge, Toge, Togepi!" Togepi raised his arms in the air as Meowth is lifted in the air and hurled towards its Trainer. When Meowth made contact, he accidentally threw the trophy in the air. The mayor gasped as the trophy goes flying. Spinarak heard the commotion inside and came just in time. It shot out its thread to keep the trophy from hitting the ground And the fired another thread and sends to Officer Jenny for the save.
"Oh, my trophy is safe," the mayor said.
"It's all thanks to Sora and Spinarak," Officer Jenny said. Sora smiled since rubbed the back of his head as he scratched the back of his head.
"That was a nice save," Sora stated. "And good call on that Psychic on that Meowth, though."
"What do you mean? My Spinarak doesn't know Psychic," Officer Jenny said.
"HUH?" Sora and Kairi asked.
"If that wasn't Spinarak, then who did that?" Sora asked.
"Pika?" Pikachu shared Sora's shock.
Sora knew for certain that none of the other Pokémon could have used Psychic, not even Misdreavus. Could it be possible that they have a guardian angel? The Black Arachnid then started to laugh.
"You thought you've beaten me, well think again!" The Black Arachnid said.
"You don't know when to quit, do you?" Sora asked.
"I have some friends in high places," the Black Arachnid said. Appearing out from nowhere, Reapers appeared and swung their syches. Sora and Kairi gasped when they saw the symbol.
"They're the same kind of creatures we fought when we came to Johto! They have the exact same symbol!" Kairi gasped.
"What are they?" Officer Jenny asked.
"I don't know, but we'll handle them," Sora said, summoning his Kingdom Key. Kairi summoned her Destiny's Embrace and the couple held their Keyblades tightly.
The couple charges at the Reapers as they spin around, swinging their syches. Kairi casts a Reflect spell, blocking their slashes. Sora came at one of them and slashes through it, but another one appeared and slashed at him.
"Heal!" Kairi shouted as she casts her Cure spell, healing his injuries.
"Thanks, Kairi," Sora said.
"Anytime, Sora," Kairi said.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu exclaimed.
"Eevee!" Angel also exclaimed.
They saw the Reapers coming at them with their syches, but they blocked their attack with their Keyblades. The Reapers came at them again, spinning their syches, so Sora jumped and gave a couple of the Reapers a slash across their waists, destroying them. They burst into white sparks. Kairi raises her Keyblade up.
"Gather!" Kairi shouted, casting her Magnet spell. The Reapers are caught in the magical vortex. "Sora, let's wrap this together!"
"I'm right with you, Kairi!" Sora said.
"THUNDER!" Sora and Kairi shouted as lightning struck the Nobodies, destroying them completely.
"Definitely not Heartless, but it's better than nothing," Sora said.
"Wow! Not only crime fighters, but monster slayers, too. I am impressed," Officer Jenny said.
Outside, Marluxia stood outside the mansion, watching the whole ordeal.
"Hmph, this has turned out differently than I was expecting. Sora and Kairi are better in sync with their Keyblades than I was led to believe. Savor your victory while it lasts, you two," Marluxia said, vanishing into the darkness where he came.
Spinarak webbed the new Black Arachnid and his Pokémon partner and made him confess on where he hid his loot. It was his very apartment.
"Everything that the new Black Arachnid had stolen is now back in the hands of its rightful owners," Officer Jenny said. "I can't thank you enough."
"We're just glad everything worked out in the end," Kairi said.
"Thanks to your exploits, Cattalia City is about to have a new legend. A legend of a brave young Pokémon Trainer and his Pikachu have foiled the exploits of a new Black Arachnid," Officer Jenny said.
"I guess," Sora said, chuckling nervously at the thought of being a legend. His and Kairi's names have spread out as it is, not only winning the Indigo Plateau Pokémon League, but foiling Team Rocket's evil schemes.
"I wish you luck in your journey," Officer Jenny said.
With that said, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Angel, and Togepi continued on their way to Violet City, but it wouldn't be long until word in Cattalia City was going to spread like wildfire.
Speaking of which, in the police station, the new Black Arachnid sits in his cell staring on the floor. Breathing angrily as his success has slipped out of his fingers. He clutched his fists.
"The humiliation," he said to himself. "The humiliation of being thwarted by a brat and his Pikachu. Revenge was within my grasp! I may have fallen, but the name Black Arachnid still lives on! Even if I meet my end one day, someone will avenge me! I will be avenged!"