Episode 101: The Ruins of Alph
After the battle with Falkner, Sora has checked Pikachu, Phanpy, and Sudowoodo in to heal from their injuries.
"Nurse Joy, are my Pokémon doing?" Sora asked.
"Your Pokémon should be fine. They'll require a night's worth of rest," Nurse Joy said.
"Thanks, Nurse Joy," Sora said. Nurse Joy just smiled.
"You are very welcome," Nurse Joy said. Sora returned to Kairi's side.
"How are Pikachu, Sudowoodo, and Phanpy doing, Sora?" Kairi asked.
"They're doing great. Pikachu and the other two just has to sleep it off," Sora said.
"That's good," Kairi said.
"I'm going to have to call home," Sora said, heading for one of the phones and dialed Professor Oak's number.
"Sora, hello! What a happy surprise, because I was beginning to think about you. And Kairi too," Professor Oak said.
"Hi, professor," Kairi greeted.
"Where are you if I may ask?" Professor Oak asked.
"We're in Violet City right now," Sora said.
"I presume you won your very first Gym Badge, Sora?" Professor Oak asked.
"Yeah. Falkner gave me a real run for my money, but I managed to win in the end," Sora said.
"I thought you would, Sora," Professor Oak said.
"Yeah. Kairi and I will be heading off for Azalea Town to deliver the GS Ball over to Kurt," Sora said.
"Excellent. When you get to Azalea Town, be sure to give Kurt my best regards," Professor Oak said.
"We will, professor," Kairi said. "And how is everything in Kanto?"
"Since you asked, I have been hearing rumors of monster sightings. I can only assume that it is the Heartless at it again. Also, there are reports of strange white creatures as well," Professor Oak said.
"The Nobodies," Sora said.
"I see you came across with those, judging by your reaction," Professor Oak said.
"We were told about them by Riku. Is there anything else you heard about the Nobodies?" Sora asked.
"Anything at all?" Kairi added.
"To be perfectly frank, I did hear some additional information on these 'Nobodies' as you called them. The white creatures began to show up when people wearing black-hooded cloaks have appeared," Professor Oak explained.
"Black-hooded cloaks?" Sora asked.
"Yes. Witnesses have said that the white monsters obeyed their every command. These people and creatures began to show up and disappear without a trace, so Ash has been looking into this development. In fact, Ash has called me up a short time ago and told me that he came across one of these people in Odaiba City. I was going to bring this to your attention," Professor Oak said.
Sora remembered seeing someone in a black hood and he realized he came across a member of Organization XIII and didn't know it...yet. Kairi had the same realization as her boyfriend.
"I'm glad that I called then," Sora said.
"Me too, Sora. You make sure to be in touch," Professor Oak said.
"I will," Sora said, breaking contact. "I guess we now what the enemy looks like."
"That's a good guess, Sora. You took on one of them and he fled when we came to Hollow Bastion again. I was thinking about Catallia City and remembered those Nobodies we fought. What if one the Organization members were there?" Kairi asked.
"What makes you say that?" Sora asked.
"Remember when he said he has friends in high places? I'm thinking maybe someone in the Organization was one of the so-called friends," Kairi said.
"You got a point, Kairi. If when we cross paths with those guys, you and I will be ready for them," Sora said.
"Right," Kairi said.
On the next morning, Ethan has gotten into position for his Gym battle against Falkner. Before they left for the Violet City Gym to watch Ethan's battle, Sora has picked up Pikachu, Phanpy, and Sudowoodo from Nurse Joy. He, Kairi, Pikachu, Angel, and Togepi sat with Kris, Lyra, and Marill just when the battle was about to start.
"You feeling nervous, Ethan?" Kris asked.
"Me? Nervous? No. I'm in the zone! I'm going to win my very first Gym Badge ever!" Ethan said.
"I'll be rooting for you, Ethan! Good luck," Kris said. The referee stepped in to begin the battle.
"The battle here in Violet City is about to begin! We have the Gym Leader, Falkner and the challenger Ethan from New Bark Town! Each Trainer will be using three Pokémon! Only the challenger will be allowed to make substitutions during the match! The battle will be over when all three of either the challenger's or Gym Leader's Pokémon are unable to continue battling! There is no time limit! Now begin!" The referee announced as Falkner took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Hoothoot! Go!" Falkner shouted. Hoothoot emerged from inside.
"Let's go, Weedle!" Ethan called out. His Weedle came out to battle.
"That's a poor move, Ethan," Falkner said. Ethan looked right at him. "You should reconsider your decision. Your Weedle is a Bug-type Pokémon. And you should know that Bug-types are weak against Flying-types."
"It's more than just types, Falkner! And I'm going to show you!" Ethan said.
"Very well. I shall show you the hard way! Hoothoot! Use Wing Attack!" Falkner ordered. Hoothoot came charging at the Hairy Bug Pokémon with his wings out.
"Dodge and use String Shot!" Ethan ordered. Weedle manages to dodge and fire silk from its mouth. Weedle ends up being covered in the silk.
"Break out of that silk!" Falkner ordered. Hoothoot uses its beak to rip the silk off. "Use Peck!" Hoothoot pecks at Weedle.
"Use Poison Sting!" Ethan ordered. Weedle fired Poison Sting at Hoothoot.
"Dodge it!" Falkner called out. Hoothoot flew to avoid the poisonous barbs, but one of the barbs struck Hoothoot in the back and ends up being poisoned.
"A direct hit! Hoothoot's poisoned!" Sora said.
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
"Okay, Weedle! Use Bug Bite!" Ethan ordered. Weedle crawled at Hoothoot and bit the Owl Pokémon hard.
"Hoothoot! Use Peck again!" Falkner ordered. Hoothoot flew at Weedle and pecks at Weedle again, resulting in a knockout.
"Weedle is unable to battle! Hoothoot wins!" The referee announced.
"I told you choosing Weedle was poor judgement," Falkner said as Ethan called back Weedle.
"Good job, Weedle. You poisoned Hoothoot like I wanted you to," Ethan said. He took out another Pokéball and threw it. "Let's turn up the heat! Go! Cyndaquil!" Ethan's Cyndaquil came out to battle against Falkner's Pokémon.
"So, it's a Cyndaquil. An interesting choice," Falkner said. "Hoothoot! Use Mud-Slap!" Hoothoot sends out mud from its wings.
"Cyndaquil! Use Dig to dodge!" Ethan ordered. Cyndaquil dug into the ground to avoid Hoothoot's Mud-Slap.
"You are aware that Ground-type moves do nothing to Flying-type Pokémon like my Hoothoot, don't you?" Falkner warned his opponent.
"I got that from watching you battle against Sora. And you're right, I do know that. But that's not what I got planned," Ethan said as Cyndaquil came out from underneath. "Here's my plan! Cyndaquil! Use Flame Wheel!" The Fire Mouse Pokémon rolls into a ball as flames erupts from Cyndaquil's back.
"Dodge it, Hoothoot!" Falkner called out. Hoothoot tries to dodge, but Cyndaquil came too fast for the Owl Pokémon to move. "Hoothoot!" The Owl Pokémon fell to the ground, beaten.
"Hoothoot is unable to battle! Cyndaquil wins!" The referee announced.
"That was great, Cyndaquil! That was the best Flame Wheel I had ever seen!" Ethan said.
"Quil!" Cyndaquil exclaimed.
"Hey, you don't think Ethan had this planned out from the start, do you?" Lyra asked.
"I think I got it. Weedle's String Shot was to be used to slow down Hoothoot and Poison Sting would have poisoned him when it hits," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
"Sounds right. But there was a chance that Hoothoot wouldn't have been poisoned even if it did hit," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said. Falkner called back his Hoothoot.
"You battled well, my friend. Get some rest," Falkner said.
"Yes! That worked better than I thought," Ethan said. Falkner took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go forth, Pidgey!" Falkner called out. Pidgey came out and spreads her wings.
"You still ready to battle, Cyndaquil?" Ethan asked.
"Quil!" Cyndaquil said.
"Great! Use Quick Attack!" Ethan ordered. Cyndaquil ran right at the Tiny Bird Pokémon.
"Dodge and use Air Slash!" Falkner ordered. Pidgey manages to dodge Cyndaquil's Quick Attack and prepared to use Air Slash.
"Cyndaquil!" Ethan called out. Cyndaquil darts at Pidgey with incredible speed and lands a hit onto the Tiny Bird Pokémon. "Use Flame Wheel!" Cyndaquil rolls into a ball of fire and plows right into Pidgey, dealing some extra damage.
"Pidgey!" Falkner called out.
"Use Tackle to finish Pidgey off!" Ethan ordered. Cyndaquil darts right at Pidgey, resulting in a knockout.
"Pidgey is unable to battle!" Cyndaquil wins!" The referee announced.
"Now Falkner has one left to use," Sora said.
"He does. And I know who it is," Kairi said. Falkner called Pidgey back and smiled.
"Thank you, Pidgey. You battled well," Falkner said. He took out his last Pokéball and threw it. "Pidgeotto! Go!" His Pokéball opened and Pidgeotto came right out to battle.
"I knew you'd send Pidgeotto for last," Ethan said.
"Your Cyndaquil is an impressive Pokémon, but it has its limits. I advise you to switch Pokémon right away," Falkner said.
"What do you say, Cyndaquil? You still in it to win it?" Ethan asked.
"Cyndaquil," Cyndaquil nodded.
"lt looks like Cyndaquil's still in it, Falkner," Ethan said.
"Very well. I can see I'll have to try hard to take your Cyndaquil down! Pidgeotto! Use Rain Dance!" Falkner ordered. Pidgeotto spreads his wings and starts raining throughout the whole Gym.
"He used that trick on you, Sora," Lyra pointed out.
"Yeah, he did. With Rain Dance, Cyndaquil's Fire-type moves will be much weaker than normally," Sora said.
"Chu," Pikachu said.
"Marill," Marill said.
"Unless Cyndaquil can use Rollout, he's going to a really hard time on his hands," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
"Use Hurricane!" Falkner ordered. Pidgeotto whipped up Hurricane and used it to blow Cyndaquil in it.
"Cyndaquil! Use Dig!" Ethan ordered. Cyndaquil dug into the earth.
"Cyndaquil used Dig to avoid Hurricane. But it won't for long! Pidgeotto! Use Hurricane on that hole!" Falkner ordered. Pidgeotto flapped his wings and struck the hole, forcing Cyndaquil out of the ground.
"Cyndaquil!" Ethan gasped.
"Use Steel Wing!" Falkner ordered. Pidgeotto flew at Cyndaquil with Steel Wing and lands a hit so hard. Cyndaquil goes down for the count, but he wasn't out. Cyndaquil's body started to give off a red aura.
"Why's Cyndaquil's body going off like that?" Kris asked.
"It's Blaze," Sora said.
"Blaze?" Lyra asked.
"Blaze is an ability that Charmander and Cyndaquil shares. When their stamina is low, the power of Cyndaquil's Fire-type moves goes up," Sora said.
"Let's see if Cyndaquil will wrap this up," Kairi said.
"Pidgeotto! Use Steel Wing!" Falkner ordered. Pidgeotto flew right at Cyndaquil with Steel Wing.
"Use Flame Wheel!" Ethan ordered. Cyndaquil rolls into a ball of fire and rolls right at Pidgeotto again. Both Pokémon took some damage from the hits. "Use Tackle!"
"Hurricane!" Falkner ordered. Pidgeotto flapped his wings and blew Cyndaquil in it. The Fire Mouse Pokémon has been taken down for the count.
"Cyndaquil is unable to battle! Pidgeotto wins!" The referee announced.
"Both are down to one each," Kairi said.
"Well, Ethan will have to make it count if he wants to win that Gym Badge," Sora said. Ethan called back Cyndaquil and smiled.
"Don't worry about it, Cyndaquil. You gave it your all," Ethan said. He took out his next Pokéball and threw it. "You're up, Geodude!" The Rock Pokémon came right out to battle. It stops raining.
"I see you had a Rock-type Pokémon in reserve, Ethan. But will it be enough?" Falkner asked. "Use Steel Wing!
"Dodge it!" Ethan called out. Geodude dodges Pidgeotto's Steel Wing right at the last minute. "Use Rock Throw!" Geodude forms rocks and hurls them right at the Bird Pokémon, landing a hit. "Rock Throw again!"
"Use Steel Wing to send the rocks back!" Ethan ordered. Geodude fired another Rock Throw, but Pidgeotto uses Steel Wing to send the rocks back at the Rock Pokémon, dealing some damage to it.
"Falkner's not taking any chances here," Sora said.
"Falkner was really prepared for Trainers using Rock-types, so using Steel Wing to deal with that weakness came in handy," Kris said.
"We saw that when Sora battled Falkner," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Use Steel Wing to finish Geodude off!" Falkner ordered. Pidgeotto flew at Geodude with a Steel Wing.
"Geodude! Use Rollout!" Ethan ordered. Geodude curls up and rolls right at Pidgeotto, dealing some heavy damage. Pidgeotto is hit hard by Geodude's Rollout. The Rock Pokémon lands another hit onto the Bird Pokémon, dealing some additional damage.
"Yes! Rollout gets stronger with every hit!" Lyra said.
"Let's see if Geodude's next one will be the one to take him out," Kairi said. Geodude's next Rollout came out a whole lot stronger and it was enough to bring down Pidgeotto.
"Pidgeotto is unable to battle! Geodude wins! The winner is Ethan from New Bark Town!" The referee announced.
"I knew you would do it, Geodude!" Ethan cheered.
"Dude!" Geodude said. Falkner smiled and calls Pidgeotto back inside.
"Well done, Ethan. The way you battled is very impressive. I can already tell you're going to make it big as a Pokémon Trainer. So, it pleases me to reward you this. The Zephyr Badge," Falkner said, holding the Zephyr Badge in his hand. Ethan smiled and accepted it.
"Thank you, Falkner. I had fun battling you," Ethan said.
"So did I, Ethan," Falkner said with a smile.
Once Everyone stepped out of the Gym, Sora and Ethan shook hands.
"Congratulations on winning your first Badge, Ethan," Sora said.
"Thanks, Sora. Watching your battle yesterday really inspired me. How about we meet up on the way to Azalea Town and battle each other?" Ethan asked.
"Sure. I'm not going to go easy on you just because we're friends," Sora said.
"I don't want you to," Ethan said.
With that said, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Angel, and Togepi said goodbye to their Johto friends for now and started to make their way to Azalea Town for Sora's second Gym battle and deliver the GS Ball to Kurt.
A few days later, Sora has exchanged Heracross for Wynaut just to try him out. Sora brought out his new Wynaut and he was really playful. He was having so much fun playing Togepi. Sora smiled at how he and Togepi became fast friends.
"Wynaut, Togepi, don't wonder too far. Stay where we can see you," Sora said.
"Wynaut," Wynaut said. The Bright Pokémon saw an Oran Berry and picked it up. Wynaut broke the berry in half and gave it to Togepi. The Spike Ball took the other half and the two baby Pokémon ate it.
A little further, a team of scientists have arrived to what looks like ruins of an ancient temple.
"This is the place?" One of the scientists asked.
Leading the team is a woman with blonde hair. She wore a white lab coat over a black blouse that exposed a small portion of her midriff. She also wore a black short skirt and black leather boots.
"This is the place alright. The Ruins of Alph. This is one of the places where Unown occupy," the young woman said.
In the temple, there occupies are black flat, thin Pokémon that each resembles a letter of the alphabet or a punctuation mark. They have fully open white eyes. These Pokémon are known as Unown. They all swirl around in one area in the temple.
Back with Sora, Kairi, and the Pokémon, they continued on toward Azalea Town and spread out to pick berries and catch some local Pokémon living in the area. Sora and Pikachu came across a tiny, mostly green avian Pokémon with a nearly spherical body colored in accents of red, yellow, and black. It possesses brightly colored, yellow-and-red wings with thick black stripes. The wings are small and not fully-grown. The Pokémon has a red crest on the top of its head, and its three-toed feet and three tail feathers are red as well. It also has almond-shaped eyes and a yellow beak.
"Hm, wonder what kind of Pokémon is that," Sora said, taking out his Pokédex and scanned it.
Natu, the Tiny Bird Pokémon
Type: Psychic/Flying
Natu cannot fly because its wings are not yet fully grown. If your eyes meet with this Pokémon's eyes, it will stare back intently at you. But if you move even slightly, it will hop away to safety.
"Wow, wish Kairi were here, because she would tell what sex it is, and say how cute it is," Sora said. Pikachu got anxious to battle.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"Hold on, Pikachu," Sora said. The Mouse Pokémon turned to his partner. "How about giving someone else a chance?"
"Pi," Pikachu sighed, disappointed.
"Sorry. Promise that the next wild Pokémon we come across, you'll get a shot," Sora said. Pikachu thought for a moment and huffed. Sora could read Pikachu like an opened book. "Okay, okay! Next battle and wild Pokémon! And I'll even throw in an extra apple for your dinner! That's my final offer! We got a deal?"
"Pi," Pikachu said, accepting the terms.
"Glad we understand each other," Sora said, throwing the Pokéball. "Go for it, Wynaut!" His Pokéball opened and Wynaut came right out.
"Wynaut, naut," Wynaut said. Natu came right at Wynaut with a Peck, ready to go.
"Use Counter!" Sora ordered. Wynaut's body gave off an orange glow and reflects Natus's Peck. That dealt double the damage. "That was great, Wynaut!" Natu attacks with Night Shade. "Okay, Natu! Use Mirror Coat!" Wynaut's body gave off a rainbow aura and sends Night Shade back to Natu, dealing some extra damage. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it. Natu flows inside and the Pokéball wobbles around and around. Stars swirls around the Pokéball confirming the catch. Sora's Pokémon Box goes off asking him if he wants to keep Natu with him. He chose to keep Natu in exchange for Stantler. "Good work, Wynaut."
"Wy, Wynaut," Wynaut said.
"Better take a rest for right now, Wynaut," Sora said, calling Wynaut back inisde.
"Pika!" Pikachu said, sporting a tree full of Sitrus Berries.
"Good eye, Pikachu! A tree full of Sitrus Berries! And they all look ripe," Sora said. "Use Iron Tail to knock them down!" Pikachu swung his tail and the Sitrus Berries fell right off the tree. Sora and Pikachu picked up the Sitrus Berries and placed them in the bag. Suddenly, something flew at them. It is a large, redinsectoidPokémonthat resembles adragonfly. Compared to its long, thin abdomen, its thorax is short and wide. It has three pairs of two-toed legs and two pairs of wings with red bands on them. The see through wings are described as frail and thin. A bright green mask marking covers most of its face, and it has two spikes on top of its head. The end of the Pokémon's tail has two flat extensions from the sides and two gray spikes in the center. It charges right at Sora and he ducks his head down. "Whoa!" He looks at the dragonfly-like Pokémon coming at him again. "Pikachu! Use Iron Tail to block it!" Pikachu jumped and swings his tail, hitting the Pokémon. "Let's see what it is." He took out his Pokédex and scanned the Pokémon.
Yanma, the Clear Wing Pokémon
Type: Bug/Flying
Yanma is capable of seeing 360 degrees without having to move its eyes. It is a great flier that is adept at making sudden stops and turning midair. This Pokémon uses its flying ability to quickly chase down targeted prey.
"Time to live up to my promise, Pikachu! Use Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu fired Thunderbolt right at Yanma, Yanma's compound eyes briefly glowed light blue and dodges Pikachu's Thunderbolt. "Wow! That was Detect!" Yanma flee fast at Pikachu and lands a hit. "That was also Quick Attack! We'll match Yanma's speed with your speed! Use Quick Attack, too!" Pikachu charges at Yanma with Quick Attack and they ran right into each other. "Use Electro Ball!" Pikachu forms a ball of electricity and sends it at Yanma. The Clear Wing Pokémon on the spot. "One more Electro Ball!" Pikachu forms another ball of electricity and sends it at Yanma again, but Yanma dodges with Detect. "Try Thunderbolt!" Pikachu fired another Thunderbolt again, but Yanma dodges with another Detect. "Try listening for Yanma's wings and get on Yanma's back!" Pikachu shuts his eyes and he listened to Yanma's wings. Yanma flew right at Pikachu with another Quick Attack. Pikachu waited for Yanma coming at him, so he jumps on Yanma's back and held on. "Use Thunderbolt!" Pikachu unleashed Thunderbolt, shocking Yanma, sending down on the ground. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it at Yanma. Yanma flows inside and the Pokéball wobbles around and around. Stars swirls around the Pokéball confirming the catch. Sora's Pokémon Box goes off asking him if he wants to keep Yanma with him. He decides to keep Yanma in exchange for Wynaut. "Good work, Pikachu."
"Pikachu!" Pikachu said.
"Wonder how Kairi's doing," Sora said.
Speaking of which, Kairi, Angel, and Togepi are currently picking some Cheri Berries.
"There. That should be enough for a while, huh?" Kairi asked.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Toge, Toge!" Togepi chirped.
Kairi giggled when she heard a faint sound.
"Hello? Is someone there?" Kairi asked. She gasped when an Unown came from the bushes, but it seems beat. It looked like the letter A. "A Pokémon? But what kind are you, I wonder?" Kairi asked. She took her Pokédex and scanned the Pokémon. The image of the Unown resembles the letter F.
Unown, the Symbol Pokémon
Type: Psychic
This Pokémon is shaped like ancient writing. It is a mystery as to which came first, the ancient writings or the various Unown. Research into this topic is ongoing but many remains not known up to now.
"Unown? Is that what you are?" Kairi asked.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Togepi," Togepi chirped.
"You poor Pokémon, you look so pale. I better take you back with me," Kairi said, picking up the hurt Unown. She carried the hurt Unown with her and met up with Sora and Pikachu when they made it back to camp.
"Hey, Kairi," Sora greeted with a smile, but it was short-lived when he saw his girlfriend carry a Pokémon in her arms. "What's that Pokémon?"
"It's an Unown," Kairi said.
"Unown? Where did you find it?" Sora asked.
"I found it right by some bushes when Angel, Togepi, and I were picking some berries. It looked hurt, so I thought of bringing it back with us until it gets better," Kairi said.
"You have a big heart, Kairi," Sora said. Kairi smiled.
"Thank you, Sora," Kairi said. Pikachu went up to Unown when it opened its eye and sees the Mouse Pokémon looking back at it.
"Pikachu," Pikachu greeted. Unown beamed when it was greeting Pikachu back.
"Eevee, vee," Angel also greeted.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
"Looks like Pikachu made a new friend," Sora said.
"So did Angel and Togepi," Kairi said. "Maybe we should let Unown meet our other Pokémon, too."
"Good idea, Kairi. There are two new ones I want you to meet anyway," Sora said, taking out his Pokéballs and lets out his Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile, Hoothoot, Wooper, Teddiursa, Phanpy, Gligar, Sudowoodo, Natu, and Yanma.
"Come out, everyone," Kairi said, taking out her Pokéballs and let out her Cyndaquil, Sentret, Ledyba, Sunkern, Misdreavus, Mareep, and Hoppip.
The Pokémon all came out to greet Unown. Kairi confirmed that Natu is female and Yanma is male. Unown became quite popular with the Pokémon.
"Everyone is saying nice to meet you, Unown," Sora said. Unown floats over to Togepi and he laughed as it floats up in the air and came back down.
Kairi has made some Pokémon food for all the Pokémon to enjoy. Unown looked at the food. It never saw this kind of food before.
"Go ahead, Unown. Help yourself," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said as she demonstrated by eating one. Unown took a bite and instantly liked it. Unown scarfed down the food pretty fast. Kairi giggled.
"There's plenty to go around," Kairi said. As Unown ate, it suddenly felt something and floats up. "What's wrong, Unown?"
"I think it hears something," Sora said.
"You think so?" Kairi asked.
"I don't know," Sora said. Unown levitates in the direction Kairi and two of her Pokémon came from.
"Unown, wait!" Kairi said.
"Eevee!" Angel said.
The couple called their Pokémon back and followed the Symbol Pokémon. They followed Unown to the Ruins of Alph. They were stunned to see a temple.
"What is this place?" Kairi asked.
"You're asking me?" Sora asked.
"That would be the Ruins of Alph," a woman's voice spoke. They turned to the woman in front of them. "And that Pokémon with you is an Unown."
"Yeah, we already know that. Also, what do you mean Ruins of Alph?" Sora asked.
"Come inside my tent and I'll explain," the woman said. They reached the tent and she sat down. "Before we get down to it, my name's Dr. Cherise Portman. But call me Dr. Cherise. Nice to meet you."
"I'm Sora, and this is my partner Pikachu," Sora introduced.
"I'm Kairi, and this little Eevee is Angel, and this is Togepi," Kairi introduced.
"A pleasure. Just how did you come across this Unown?" Dr. Cherise asked.
"Angel, Togepi, and I were the ones who found it. Unown was hurt, so I brought it back to our camp to heal up. We fed Unown and then it led us here," Kairi explained.
"And that's when we bumped into you," Sora said.
"I see," Dr. Cherise said.
"Just what's the connection to Unown and the Ruins of Alph, Dr. Cherise?" Sora asked.
"I'm glad you asked, Sora. Ever since I was a little girl, I was very fascinated by Unown. As you can see, Unown are Pokémon that looks like letters. So, I've been doing some research on these Pokémon, trying to unlock the mystery behind them," Dr. Cherise said.
"Cool," Sora said with awe.
"Pika," Pikachu said with awe as well.
"I agree. I came here since it's one of the temples that is a known raise in Unown sightings," Dr. Cherise said.
"Lucky us," Kairi said.
"Yes, and there's more. Come with me and you'll see," Dr. Cherise said. The couple and Pokémon went with the young researcher and witnessed the writings on the walls. Upon closer inspection, they're actually Unown.
"Are all of these Unown?" Sora asked.
"Yes. The ancients were describing what they saw with these Pokémon. But there is something special about the Unown as well," Dr. Cherise said.
"Something special?" Kairi asked.
"Yes," Dr. Cherise replied. "It is said that the Unown has the ability to read the minds of other lifeforms. That includes, humans, animals, and other Pokémon. They can use the thoughts to distort reality to match the one whom is thinking of it."
"They can do that?" Sora asked.
"That is what's said. There have been disagreements among Pokémon researchers about whether if Unown can communicate with each other by using telepathy or electromagnetic waves," Dr. Cherise said.
"So, which one do they talk to each other?" Sora asked.
"To be honest, I have no idea," Dr. Cherise said. "That mystery remains unanswered even today."
Outside the Ruins of Alph, Roxas came out of the Corridor of darkness and he sat down. Several Unown swirls around him and he began to think about things.
Inside the temple, reality began to distort.
"What the?!" Sora exclaimed.
"What's going on?!" Kairi asked.
"I think we're getting a taste of Unown's power!" Dr. Cherise said.
Everything switches to the World That Never Was. Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Angel, Togepi, Unown, and Dr. Cherise watched on to see an enormous white castle in a strange city.
"What kind of place is this?" Sora asked. Sora wasn't sure, but he knew it might have something to with someone. Sora saw thirteen hooded figures sitting in thirteen thrones. Sora then realized who it was, remembering Professor Oak's description. "Organization XIII!"
"You know them?" Dr. Cherise asked.
"Yes and no," Sora said. Outside, Roxas's thoughts of the Organization's filled his mind. Back inside, Roxas is wearing his hood and he took out his Kingdom Key, much to Sora's surprise. Dusks arrived and came at him. Roxas fought the Dusks off until only he was left. They knew it has to be some kind of training. The real Roxas changed scenes as Karen, Delia, Danny, Cattleya, Ventus, and everyone Sora and Kairi met during their journey in Kanto appeared.
"Who are they? What do these people have to do with me?" Roxas asked. Sora was shocked to hear Ventus's voice.
"Ven?" Sora asked.
Back with Roxas, he opened his eyes and he vanished in the corridor of darkness and vanished.
Everything went back to normal like nothing happened.
"Okay, what was that about?" Sora asked.
"I'm not exactly sure, but this was the Unown's doing," Dr. Cherise said.
Sora was really confused, because he had no idea how some of Sora's memories could just appear before them and then disappear just like that. Kairi was also confused.
Dr. Cherise escorts the couple back outside.
"We should be on our way," Sora said.
"It's for the best, Sora. I hope you'll do your best in your next Gym battle," Dr. Cherise said.
"Thanks," Sora said.
"Well, Unown, this is goodbye," Kairi said. Unown floats to Kairi and nuzzles her. "Huh?"
"I think this one wants to go with you, Kairi," Dr. Cherise said.
"You sure?" Kairi asked.
"Yes," Dr. Cherise said. Kairi smiled and looked into Unown's eye, wanting to come along.
"You're more than welcome to come, Unown," Kairi said, taking out a Pokéball. Unown flows inside the Pokéball and wobbles for a second until stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. "Welcome to the team, Unown."
Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Angel, and Togepi took their leave of the Ruins of Alph with new Pokémon under their belts. They still wondered why they saw Sora's memories. It was quite strange. Sora didn't remember thinking of anything at all other than what's around them. There are other mysteries to explore.