Episode 126: Ethan's Goldenrod Opportunity
After making foiling Cassidy and Butch's phony Pokémon fortune telling scam, Sora, Kairi, Tracey, Pikachu, Angel, and Togepi have finally arrived to Goldenrod City, home of the third Gym in the Johto region and where Sora's next Gym battle will be taking place.
"Here we are. Goldenrod City," Tracey said.
"It was a long way to go, but it was well worth it," Sora said.
"Despite what we've been through, I will have to agree," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
"Before we head for the Goldenrod City Gym, we should stop by the Pokémon Center first," Tracey suggested.
"Yeah. Also, I'm going have to train hard for my Gym battle," Sora said.
With that said, Sora, Kairi, Tracey, Pikachu, Angel, and Togepi started to make their way towards the Pokémon Center for Sora to make a strategy plan. As they arrived, a Trainer came by with an injured female Heracross.
"Don't worry, Heracross. You're going to be alright," the Trainer said.
"Is your Heracross okay?" Tracey asked.
"Yeah. Just got back from the Goldenrod City Gym and I got beaten very before I knew what hit me," the Trainer said.
"Judging how your Heracross looks, I guess it was pretty bad," Kairi said.
"Bad isn't the word I would use. It was so frustrating. Her first Pokémon I didn't have a problem with, but it was the one she saved for last that got me. That thing is crazy strong and wiped out my Pokémon fast. My Heracross took it the hardest. So, if you're smart, you'll stay away from that Gym!" The Trainer went inside the Pokémon Center with his Heracross.
Sora, Kairi, Tracey, and the Pokémon stepped inside and saw Ethan inside the Pokémon Center and he smiled.
"Sora, hey! Great to see you," Ethan greeted.
"Hey, Ethan. I was hoping to see you again so soon," Sora said.
"You too, Sora. Same to Kairi and Tracey," Ethan said.
"So, you earn your Gym Badge yet?" Kairi asked.
"Not yet. I was about to train for my Gym battle," Ethan said.
"Think we could help, Ethan? It might help us both out," Sora said.
"That's a good plan, Sora. I was thinking of a sparring match anyway," Ethan said.
With that said, Sora, Kairi, Tracey, Ethan, Pikachu, Angel, and Togepi stepped out just to the battlefield out back and prepared to train hard for their Gym battle.
"Ready when you are, Ethan," Sora said.
"I was born ready, Sora," Ethan said, taking out a Pokéball and threw it. "Okay, Quilava! Go for it!" His Pokéball opened and his Quilava flares up.
"Your Cyndaquil evolved, Ethan!" Sora said. "When did he evolve?"
"Just yesterday when we won our last battle! It was pretty awesome," Ethan said.
"And here's my Pokémon!" Sora said, taking out a Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Marill!" Marill came on out, ready to battle. "Marill! Use Water Gun!" Marill fired Water Gun at Quilava.
"Dodge with Dig!" Ethan ordered. Quilava dug into the ground, dodging Marill's Water Gun. Quilava came out a few seconds later.
"Marill! Use Aqua Tail!" Sora ordered. Marill swung her tail like a mace and lands a hit onto Quilava.
"That was awesome, Sora. Your Marill is a little toughie," Ethan said.
"Thanks. Same for your Quilava," Sora said.
"Pika, Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Okay, Quilava! Use Flame Wheel!" Ethan ordered. Ethan rolled into a ball and then flames surrounds his body and comes at the Aqua Mouse Pokémon.
"Marill! Dodge and use Play Rough!" Sora ordered. Marill dodges and gave the Volcano Pokémon a thrashing in a dust cloud. Quilava then is thrown out.
"You okay, Quilava?" Ethan asked.
"Lava," Quilava replied.
"Glad to hear it," Ethan said.
"Marill, Marill, Marill, Marill," Marill said as she started to evolve, much to Sora's shock. Kairi and Tracey were just as shocked.
"Marill's evolving!" Kairi gasped. Marill has become an Azumarill.
"Azumarill," the newly evolved Azumarill said. Ethan took out his Pokédex and scanned the Aqua Rabbit Pokémon.
Azumarill, the Aqua Rabbit Pokémon
The evolved form of Marill
Type: Water/Fairy
It lives in rivers and lakes. In water, its coloring and patterns trick the vision of foes.
"I'll have to hand it to you, Sora, your training is really paying off," Ethan said.
"I was going to say the same thing to you, Ethan," Sora said. They called their Pokémon back. Sora took out his Fast Ball and Ethan took a Pokéball. They both threw the balls. "You're up, Aipom!" Sora called out.
"Go! Dunsparce!" Ethan called out. His Pokéball opened and lets out aserpentine, and somewhatinsectoid,Pokémonwith a primarily yellow body, blue underside, and blue-and-cream-striped back. Its head is round with a wide mouth extending under its jowls and curving up toward the middle of its face. Its chin is blue with two rounded prongs. Its eyes—round and rimmed with blue—are kept closed, revealing its cream-colored eyelids. On the Pokémon's upper back are two tiny white wings. Its body ends in a drill-like tail. Sora took out his Pokédex and scanned the Pokémon.
Dunsparce, the Land Snake Pokémon
Type: Normal
The nests Dunsparce live in are mazes of tunnels. They never get lost in their own nests—they can tell where they are by the scent of the dirt.
"Looks like a cool Pokémon to me," Sora said. "You wanna go first, Ethan?" Sora asked.
"Gladly. Dunsparce! Use Mud-Slap!" Ethan ordered. Dunsparce sends out a lump of mud at the Long Tail Pokémon.
"Dodge and use Swift!" Sora ordered. Aipom jumps and unleashes Swift at Dunsparce, landing a hit.
"Use Take Down!" Ethan ordered. Dunsparce came at Aipom and lands a hit with Take Down, while taking some recoil damage. "Use Headbutt!"
"Aipom! Use Tail Slap!" Sora ordered. Aipom lands a couple of slaps with her tail. "Use Tail Slap again!"
"Use Dragon Rush!" Ethan ordered. Dunsparce came at Aipom with a Dragon Rush, landing a hit onto her.
"Not bad, Ethan," Sora said.
"Thanks, Sora. Wanna keep going?" Ethan asked.
"Sure," Sora said.
Sora and Ethan trained hard for the next couple of hours.
"Think we're set, Sora?" Ethan asked.
"Yeah, but who's going to battle first?" Sora asked.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Let's flip for it. Whoever wins the coin toss gets to go first. Heads or tails?" Sora asked, readying his PokéGear.
"I'll take heads," Ethan said. He accessed the coin app on his PokéGear and pressed on the coin. The coin lands on heads.
"Heads, I lose," Sora said.
"Alright! Time to win my Gym Badge," Ethan said.
"You shouldn't get ahead of yourself, Ethan, because we bumped into someone with an injured Heracross just before we bumped into you," Tracey warned.
"He's right. It might not be so easy," Kairi said.
"Don't worry about me. I can handle myself just fine," Ethan said. Famous last words. Sora, Kairi, Tracey, Ethan, Pikachu, Angel, and Togepi made their way towards the Goldenrod City Gym and stepped inside. "Hello, is anyone here?"
"I'm here," a girl's voice said. The voice belonged to an athletic and lithe young lady. She has fair skin, pink hair that is usually pulled into two ponytails with two small yellow barrettes, and light pink eyes that match her hair color and overall personality. She wore a white shirt with gold buttons and red stripes over the ends of the sleeves and down the middle, along with denim shorts and long black and blue striped socks that nearly cover her entire shins. Her right arm also has a red wristband, and her shoes have the same red and white pattern as her shirt. "I take it that all of you are here for a Gym challenge, yeah?"
"Yeah, that'll be me. My name is Ethan and I come from New Bark Town. I'm here to challenge the Gym Leader of the Goldenrod City Gym," Ethan said. The girl giggled.
"Well, you're in luck, because I'm the Gym Leader you're here to challenge. The name's Whitney by the way," Whitney said. She spots Pikachu, Angel, and Togepi and she started to gush at their cuteness. "Oh my gosh! Those three are just the cutest little Pokémon I have ever seen! Especially this little Eevee with that pink ribbon!"
"Eevee?" Angel asked, confused.
"Thanks. Angel likes it," Kairi said.
"Her nickname's Angel? How adorable! It's very nice to meet you, Angel," Whitney cooed.
"Um, don't we have a battle to do?" Ethan asked. Whitney realized how right he was.
"Oh, yeah! Our battle," Whitney said. Both Trainers got into position as the referee stepped in. Sora, Kairi, Tracey, Pikachu, Angel, and Togepi are watching from the bleachers.
"The battle between the Gym Leader Whitney and the challenger Ethan from New Bark is about to begin! Each Trainer is allowed to use three Pokémon each! The battle will be over when all three of either side's Pokémon is unable to continue battling! In addition, only the challenger will be allowed to make substitutions during the battle! Choose your Pokémon and begin!" The referee announced. Whitney took out her first Pokéball and kissed it.
"Kiss for luck! Go! Ambipom!" Whitney called out. Her Pokéball opened and a purple, simian Pokémon with two tails, each with a large, rounded hand with three red-tipped fingers. The tails also have a cuff of a rounded frill on the wrists. The bases of Ambipom's tails also have a similar frill. It has round ears with red insides. The Pokémon has an arrangement of a split hair sticking out from the top of its head. It has a purple, triangular nose and wide eyes.
"Who's that Pokémon?" Sora asked, taking out his Pokédex and scanned it. The one on his Pokédex has a shorter split hair than the one Whitney has out.
Ambipom, the Long Tail Pokémon
The evolved form of Aipom
Type: Normal
Ambipom uses its two tails to carry out all sort of activities such as climbing trees. It uses its tails to form rings of friendship with other Ambipom. It rarely uses its hands.
"Thought it looked familiar," Sora said.
"It should. Since Ambipom evolved from Aipom, it means Ambipom is so much stronger than Aipom. I don't think it has those two tails just to shake hands," Tracey said.
Ethan took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"You're up first, Hitmontop!" Ethan called out as his Hitmontop came out with a spin.
"A Fighting-type Pokémon is it? Someone's been doing his homework! But that won't cut it here! Ambipom! Use Double Hit!" Ambipom came at Hitmontop with its tails glowing light blue and it waves its tails, firing light blue blasts of energy from them.
"Use Detect!" Ethan ordered. Hitmontop's eyes gave off a light blue glow and moved to the side. Ambipom completely missed. "Use Triple Kick!" Hitmontop spins around and gave the Long Tail Pokémon three kicks.
"Ambipom! Use Bounce!" Whitney ordered. Ambipom uses its two tails to jump in the air and come down fast at the Handstand Pokémon.
"Hitmontop! Use Detect!" Ethan ordered. Hitmontop dodges just by stepping to the side. "Use Rolling Kick!" Hitmontop gave a roundhouse kick to Ambipom, dealing some super-effective damage. Ambipom was down for the count.
"Ambipom is unable to battle! Hitmontop wins!" The referee announced. Whitney called Ambipom back and smiled.
"Take a good rest, Ambipom. You earned it," Whitney said. She took out her next Pokéball and threw it. "Your turn now, Clefairy!" Her Pokéball opened and a Ckefairy came on out.
"Clefairy," Clefairy said. Ethan took out his Pokédex and scanned it.
Clefairy, the Fairy Pokémon
The evolved form of Cleffa
Type: Fairy
On nights of the full moon, groups of Clefairy come out and dance under the moonlight. They are rarely ever seen by humans.
"Isn't Clefairy a Fairy-type Pokémon?" Sora asked.
"Yes. She must be how Whitney deals with Trainers who brings in Fighting-type Pokémon," Kairi said. Ethan called back Hitmontop and he took out his next Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Beedrill!" Ethan called out. Beedrill came out with a buzz.
"Using a Poison-type Pokémon like Beedrill is a clever move to make. Clefairy's at a disadvantage," Tracey said.
"Clefairy! Use Disarming Voice!" Whitney ordered. Clefairy unleashes a pink soundwave with hearts going in a swirl.
"Beedrill! Dodge and use Poison Sting!" Ethan ordered. Beedrill fired Poison Sting at the Fairy Pokémon.
"Dodge it, Clefairy!" Whitney called out. Clefairy dodges just by leaping in the air. "Use Metronome!" Clefairy waves her arms back and forth until they gave off a blue glow. Clefairy unleashes a gold-orange flame from her mouth. It quickly engulfs Beedrill in it and goes down for the count.
"Beedrill is unable to battle! Clefairy wins!" The referee announced.
"Taken down with just one hit," Sora said.
"That was Sacred Fire. I think Clefairy lucked out with that Metronome," Tracey said.
"Yeah. Now both Ethan and Whitney are down to two Pokémon remaining," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"That was wonderful, Clefairy! I love you!" Whitney said.
"Clefairy!" Clefairy beamed. Ethan called Beedrill back.
"I'm sorry, Beedrill. I'll have you healed up after the battle," Ethan said. He took out his next Pokéball and threw it. "Quilava, you're turn!" His Pokéball opened and Quilava came on out to battle.
"Hoping to turn up the heat, are you? I'm going have to cool you off. Clefairy! Use Metronome again!" Whitney ordered. Clefairy waved her arms around again.
"Get ready, Quilava!" Ethan said. Quilava got ready for anything coming his way. Clefairy kept going until her hands gave off the same blue glow. Clefairy started to jump up and down.
"That's Splash," Kairi said.
"Too bad it doesn't do anything," Tracey said.
"Oh no! I was hoping it would be a Water-type or maybe a Rock or Ground-type move," Whitney said.
"Quilava! Use Flamethrower!" Ethan ordered. Quilava fired Flamethrower, hitting Clefairy on the mark, resulting in a knockout.
"Clefairy is unable to battle! Quilava wins!" The referee announced.
"Now, Whitney's down to just one Pokémon left," Kairi said.
"Wonder what she's got in store," Sora said.
"I think we're about to find out," Tracey said. Whitney calls Clefairy back.
"It's okay, Clefairy. You'll do better next time," Whitney said. "Not bad, Ethan. You're a tough Pokémon Trainer. You did a lot of training to take down two of my Pokémon, but the battle's not over yet." She took out her next Pokéball and held it tight. "Go! Miltank!" She threw her Pokéball and it opened to reveal a bipedal, bovine Pokémon. Its body is mostly pink, with a yellow belly and black, angular markings along its back. A black hood-like marking surrounds its face with a pink, triangular mark on its forehead. There are two small horns on top of its head. It has large, blue eyes, a black nose, and a wide mouth, as well as long, black, floppy ears with yellow insides. The Pokémon has a yellow udder with four pink teats. All four of its limbs end in black, cloven hooves, and its long tail is tipped with a black sphere.
"Holy cow!" Sora exclaimed, taking out his Pokédex and scanned it.
Miltank, the Milk Cow Pokémon
Type: Normal
The milk Miltank produces is rich with nutrients. Its milk is popular with both children and adults because of its sweet taste.
"I think I have a sudden craving for some milk right now," Sora said.
"Miltank are normally docile Pokémon, but this one looks really tough," Tracey said.
"She looks cute, but looks can lie to you," Kairi said.
"You good to keep battling, Quilava?" Ethan asked.
"Lava!" Quilava said.
"Great! Use Flame Wheel!" Ethan ordered. Quilava rolls right at Miltank with his body on fire.
"Dodge it, Miltank!" Whitney called out Miltank dodges out of the way of Quilava's attack. "And here's one of my secret weapons! Use Attract!" Miltank winked, creating a pink heart. The heart floats towards Quilava and then became infatuated with Miltank.
"Quilava, what's wrong?!" Ethan exclaimed.
"Since Miltank's a girl, Attract works on Pokémon that are boys!" Kairi said.
"Eevee!" Angel said.
"Use Rollout!" Whitney ordered. Miltank rolled into a ball and plows into Quilava, dealing some damage.
"Man, this is bad for Ethan, because Rollout does some more damage each time it's used," Sora said. Miltank rolls into Quilava again, dealing some extra damage, resulting in a knockout.
"Quilava is unable to battle! Miltank wins!" The referee announced.
"Now Ethan is down to one Pokémon left," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"And that would be Hitmontop. Since Hitmontop are all boys, she'll probably use Attract just like before," Kairi said.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"That's true. And Rollout will do even more damage with that Rollout since it hit twice in a row," Tracey said. Ethan called back Quilava and he sighed.
"You did your best, Quilava. Not your fault," Ethan said. He took out Hitmontop's Pokéball and held it. "Okay, Hitmontop, the rest will be up to you. I'm counting on you." He threw it and Hitmontop came back out to battle.
"Miltank! You know what to do!" Whitney said. Miltank rolls right at Hitmontop with incredible speed.
"Use Detect!" Ethan ordered. Hitmontop's eyes gave a light blue glow and stepped to the side, making Miltank miss.
"You left yourself open! Use Attract!" Whitney ordered. Miltank winked her eye again, creating another heart and sent it at Hitmontop. The Handstand Pokémon became infatuated with Miltank, same as Quilava.
"Oh no!" Ethan gasped.
"Oh yes! Miltank! Use Rollout!" Whitney ordered. Miltank rolls into a ball and plows right at Hitmontop. Miltank comes back to land another hit.
"Use Detect!" Ethan ordered. Hitmontop was too infatuated to attack the Milk Cow Pokémon. Miltank lands another hit. Miltank came back and lands another hit. Miltank came back once again and lands the finishing blow, resulting in a knockout.
"Hitmontop is unable to battle! Miltank wins! The winner is the Gym Leader!" The referee announced.
"You were wonderful, Miltank!" Whitney said.
"Mil, Mil!" Miltank said. Ethan called Hitmontop back.
"No Badge for me," Ethan said. Sora, Kairi, Tracey, Pikachu, Angel, and Togepi felt sorry for Ethan since he didn't win even after the training they did. Whitney looked over to Sora's direction.
"So, which one of you is going to be my next challenger?" Whitney asked.
"That would be me," Sora said.
"Great. Think we can wait until my Pokémon are completely healed up first?" Whitney asked.
"I can wait. We can have it tomorrow," Sora said.
"Great!" Whitney said.
Everyone went back to the Pokémon Center as soon as the battle was over. Ethan was waiting for his Pokémon to make a full recovery. Sora placed his hand on Ethan's shoulder.
"You doing okay, Ethan?" Sora asked.
"I don't know. You tell me," Ethan huffed.
"What's eating you?" Sora asked.
"Leave me alone and mind your own business!" Ethan snapped at Sora.
"Hey, it's not my fault you lost! You gave it your best shot! At least I helped you train for it!" Sora said.
"Yeah, and look how well that turned out!" Ethan exclaimed.
"Don't take it out on me! You did everything right and you did your best! Isn't that all that matters?" Sora asked. Ethan felt bad for taking his loss out on Sora and he sighed.
"Yeah, you're right. I did my best and it should matter. Sorry for biting your head off, Sora," Ethan apologized.
"It's okay, Ethan," Sora said, accepting Ethan's apology. "I know you didn't mean it."
"Yeah. It's just, that Miltank using Attract and Rollout on me was unexpected. I thought I had her there and everything," Ethan said.
"If it helps, I wasn't sure I was going to win my Gym matches when I first got started," Sora said. Ethan looked at Sora.
"You? Unsure you would win?" Ethan asked.
"It's true. Brock, Misty, Lt. Surge, Erika, Koga, Sabrina, Blaine, Hayner, even Falkner and Bugsy all had me on the ropes and each one of them could have won the battle against me. I wouldn't have given up," Sora said.
"But you didn't give up, did you?" Ethan asked.
"No, I didn't give up. I'll teach you this. Lt. Surge used just one Raichu to take down five out of six of my Pokémon. And it was Pikachu who came through for me," Sora said. "Also, I lost some matches before, too. But it wasn't the end of the world. What I learned from my losses is that you should keep a cool head and give it your all. And remember that your Pokémon did their best for you, win or lose." Ethan smiled.
"I feel a whole lot better hearing it. Thanks, Sora," Ethan said.
"You going to try again, Ethan?" Sora asked.
"Yeah, after you have a shot at her," Ethan said. "And I'll be rooting for you, because you're my friend."
"And I appreciate it, Ethan," Sora said.
Even after a loss, Ethan's friendship with Sora is just as strong as ever. Now it's Sora's turn to battle against Whitney's Pokémon, especially her ace Pokémon, Miltank. But how will Sora be able to turn the tables on her and earn his third Gym battle? Will Sora be able to win it or will he be defeated the same way as Ethan? Find out when we continue with the journey of Sora, Kairi, and their friends.