Episode 131: Vexen, the Chilly Academic
A couple of days came since Tracey caught Snorlax with his Heavy Ball and they continued on towards Ecruteak City for Sora's fourth Gym battle.
Along the way, they're greeted by a horde of Shadows attacking them. Sora used his Kingdom Key to fight against the Heartless. The couple swung their Keyblades at the attacking Heartless, but more kept on coming at them.
"Behind you, Kairi!" Sora called out. Kairi quickly turned and slashed the attacking Shadow, making it dissolve into shadows.
"Thanks, Sora," Kairi said. She held her Keyblade tightly as several new Heartless appeared.
They resembled ceratopsian dinosaurs. They had two horns on the foreheads as a larger horn on the snout. Like any other Heartless, these Heartless has yellow eyes. The Heartless all had the Heartless symbol on their frills. These Heartless are known as the Tricerahorn. The Triceradarks charged at the couple like they were Rhyhorn, but Sora and Kairi managed to slay a few of them. But another new Heartless appeared before them. They resembled the velociraptor. They had dark red feathers and razor sharp wings on their wings. They were the Velociclaw. The Velociclaws lunged at the Pokémon couple, but Pikachu and Angel fought back with Thunderbolt and Swift, destroying some of the Heartless. The last of the Heartless were eliminated at last. Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel looked around, making sure there weren't any Heartless left. Once they were sure it was over and done with, the couple dismissed their Keyblades.
"I knew the Heartless would be attacking us again anytime soon," Sora said.
"Me too. They were being too quiet," Kairi said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"I'm just glad that they're gone," Tracey said. "And I'm glad you two are on the job."
"Well, let's get going before more comes along," Sora said.
Over to the World That Never Was, Vexen was testing out the Mewtwo replica he has created.
"Alright, my creation. Let's begin the test," Vexen said. He snapped his fingers and the Mewtwo replica stepped forward. "Let's begin. Use Shadow Ball!" The Mewtwo replica forms a ball of shadow from its hands and fires it. "Excellent! Use Swift!" The Mewtwo replica fired Swift, hitting the targets. "Wonderful, wonderful! Now use Psychic!" The Mewtwo replica uses Psychic to lift up the targets. "Excellent! All of my testing has paid off."
(Flashback)
Vexen brought the Mewtwo replica out to test before on a herd of stampeding Tauros. They charged at the Genetic Pokémon, so Mewtwo uses Psychic to lift them all up in the air.
The scene switches to a battle against a Magmortar. Magmortar fired a Flamethrower from its arms, but the Mewtwo replica reflects it with Psychic. The Mewtwo replica then fires Water Gun from its mouth, taking it out.
There was another battle that involved an Onix, so it fired a Dragon Breath at the Mewtwo replica, but it uses Teleport to dodge, so it came at Onix with an Ice Punch, taking Onix down with just one hit.
Another battle involved a Magnezone with it fired Tri-Attack at the Mewtwo replica, but it fired Flamethrower from its hands and cuts through the red, blue, and yellow beam of energy. The Magnet Area Pokémon, resulting in a knockout.
There is another battle that involved a Nidoking and an Arcanine, so the Mewtwo replica easily defeats them both with Psychic.
Vexen grinned to see hos creation a success.
Vexen brought the Pokémon replica back with him to his lab.
"Your progress is astounding. I'd expect no less from you. As you know, the Mewtwo you were copied from was cloned from the DNA of Mew, but you were created from the data I have gathered before it was captured. Of all of my creations, you are the most perfect one. But the final test is just around the corner. You must rest and conserve your energy," Vexen said.
(Flashback ends)
Vexen grinned as his creation has completed its final test.
"Your training is complete. Now you are ready for the real battle. The battle against our enemies," Vexen said.
Zexion entered the lab.
"I see you're staying busy, Vexen," Zexion said.
"Ah, Zexion, it's good to see someone appreciates my genius, unlike some of the imbeciles we have under our ranks," Vexen said.
"Well, you and the others did look after me when we were human in the old days. And I looked up to you as well, Vexen," Zexion said. "And knowing you, you'll be correct the mistakes that Axel and Demyx have made."
"Axel got careless, and Demyx only ran away as he always has. Since they failed, the task falls onto me to make good of my prpidest creation. My own Mewtwo," Vexen said.
"A Pokémon created by science if I am remembering correctly. Xemnas has put in a lot of support to your projects. He believes they show a lot of promise as do I," Zexion said.
"Indeed. But I still cannot compressed why Xemnas has chosen number VII as his second-in-command since I am number IV and you are number VI," Vexen said.
"It pains me to remind you that it is not numbers that matters in the Organization, but I will need a heart to feel this pain," Zexion said.
"You always did pay attention, Zexion. Our old master has made a wise decision to take you under his wing. Now if you excuse me, I have work to be done," Vexen said as he and his Mewtwo replica vanished in the corridor of darkness.
"I wish you the best of luck, Vexen," Zexion said.
Back in Johto, Sora, Kairi, Tracey, Pikachu, Angel, and Togepi stopped to take a break and rest their feet.
"Fighting those Heartless made me pooped," Sora said, taking off his shoes. "My feet are killing me."
"Better your feet than the Heartless," Tracey said.
"You sure got that right, brother," Kairi said.
"As long as we're sitting, we could eat the rest of our sandwiches we didn't finish at lunchtime," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
"I'm glad you mentioned it, because I was starting to get hungry," Kairi said.
"Me too," Tracey said.
Sora, Kairi, and Tracey took out their sandwiches and started to eat them much to their delight. Pikachu, Angel, and Togepi got a taste of the sandwiches.
"Vee," Angel said.
"These always hit the spot," Sora said.
"Pika, Pika," Pikachu said.
"They sure do. Tastes better than anything from any restaurant," Tracey said.
"Thanks. My dad taught me how to make the sauce," Kairi said.
"The sauces Kairi makes are better than the kind at any restaurant. Don't tell Big Earl," Sora said.
"My lips are sealed," Kairi said.
"Who's Big Earl?" Tracey asked.
"Right. He's the cook at my uncle's restaurant," Sora said.
"Big Earl really liked Sora ever since he met him when he was little," Kairi said. "I found it really cute when I first met him." Kairi giggled when she remembered her first meeting with Sora's relatives and the staff. Sora blushed in embarrassment.
They rested for a few minutes later and they were about to take off when they were greeted by a bunch of Dusks and Creepers.
"First Heartless, now Nobodies!" Sora said, summoning his Kingdom Key as Kairi summoned her Destiny's Embrace.
"Tracey, keep Togepi safe!" Kairi said.
"You can count on me," Tracey said.
"Toge," Togepi chirped.
The couple engaged the Nobodies with their Keyblades ready to go. Sora rolls as one Creeper took the form of a spear and attempted to impale him. Pikachu destroyed the Nobody with Iron Tail.
"Thanks, buddy," Sora said.
"Chu," Pikachu said.
"Eevee!" Angel exclaimed. Sora and Pikachu turned around when they saw the Protectors arriving.
"You gotta be kidding!" Sora said. He came at the Protectors, but they blocked his attack with their shields. They swung their shields, hitting Sora hard. Kairi did the same thing, but they blocked her as they blocked her boyfriend. Pikachu tried to shock them with Thunderbolt, but they were protected by the shields.
"These Nobodies are protecting themselves with those shields of theirs," Kairi said.
"If only there was a way around them," Sora said. He got an idea. "Around. That's it! We just attack them in the back!"
"Great idea, Sora!" Kairi said. "Stop!" She raised her Keyblade, making the Nobodies freeze in place. Sora and Kairi got around the Nobodies while they were frozen in time. The couples slashed through the Nobodies, destroying them completely.
"Nice one!" Sora said.
"Thanks. It was your great idea," Kairi said.
Just then, Vexen appears before them.
"Very impressive, you two. It would seem I underestimated the two of you," Vexen said.
"Let me guess, you're with the Organization, too?" Sora asked.
"You are correct. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Vexen. I'm Organization XIII's scientist," Vexen said.
"Just what do you want?" Tracey asked.
"I am so glad you asked. I came here to challenge the both of you into a Pokémon battle," Vexen said. Sora and Kairi were surprised to hear that a Nobody has a Pokémon.
"A Pokémon battle? What kind of Pokémon do you have?" Sora asked.
"Oh, I have one I think you will find very challenging. More so than any Pokémon owned by any Gym Leader. Perhaps one you're very familiar with," Vexen said. Sora leaned to his girlfriend.
"What do you think, Kairi?" Sora asked in a whisper.
"I think he's playing with us. He's trying to get us to let our guard down," Kairi whispered back.
"I hate to interrupt this private conversation between the two of you, but it's rude to keep your elders waiting," Vexen said.
"Okay, we accept, Vexen! No tricks!" Sora said.
"No tricks. Before we begin, allow me to explain the rules before we begin. Number one: No Keyblades," Vexen said. Sora and Kairi dismissed their Keyblades. "Number two: You will be battling me with every Pokémon you have with you, and there will be no substitutions from the two of you. In addition to the rule, I will be only be using the one Pokémon I have. The third and final rule is the battle is over when all of the Pokémon are unable to continue battling. Is that understood?"
"Understood," Sora and Kairi replied in unison.
"Good. Now, let's begin," Vexen said, snapping his fingers as his Mewtwo replica appeared before them, much to the couple's shock.
"Mewtwo?!" Sora and Kairi exclaimed.
"Pika!" Pikachu also exclaimed.
"Eevee!" Angel said.
"Mewtwo?" Tracey asked.
"Not the Mewtwo you're familiar with. This Pokémon is the replica of the original Mewtwo," Vexen explained.
"Replica? You mean, it's a fake?" Sora asked.
"Fake is such a harsh word, but yes. I created it myself. It's too late to back out," Vexen said. "Now, I have chosen my Pokémon, so choose your first!" Kairi took out her Pokéball and she threw it.
"Go! Shuckle!" Kairi called out. Shuckle came out to battle against the Mewtwo replica first. Sora took out a Fast Ball and threw it.
"Let's go! Pineco!" Sora called out. Pineco came out alongside the Mewtwo replica.
"Oh, so you're using Bug-type Pokémon. Clever, but as you know, Pokémon types do not win battles alone," Vexen said.
"We know. Pineco! Use Bug Bite!" Sora ordered.
"Shuckle! Use Struggle Bug!" Kairi ordered. Pineco came at the Mewtwo replica and gave the Mewtwo replica a couple of bites as Shuckle sends Struggle Bug at the replica Pokémon, but it did little damage.
"Use Stone Edge!" Vexen ordered. The Mewtwo replica summoned rocks and sends them right at Pineco and Shuckle, knocking them both out at the same time.
"Shuckle!" Kairi gasped.
"Pineco!" Sora gasped.
"The first round goes to me. Now choose your next Pokémon for round two," Vexen said. Sora and Kairi called their fallen Pokémon back and they took out their next Pokéballs and threw them.
"Ledyba! Go!" Kairi called out.
"Okay, Gligar! Let's go!" Sora called out.
Gligar and Ledyba both came out to battle against the Mewtwo replica.
"Ledyba! Use Comet Punch!" Kairi ordered.
"Gligar! Use Night Slash!" Sora ordered.
Both Pokémon came at the Mewtwo replica once again, but wasn't enough.
"Use Ice Beam!" Vexen ordered. The Mewtwo replica unleashed Ice Beam at the both of them, taking them both out at the same time. "The second round goes to me." Sora and Kairi called back their fallen Pokémon and threw their next Pokéballs.
"Misdreavus! Go!" Kairi called out.
"Your turn now, Spinarak!" Sora called out.
Both of their Pokémon came out as stars swirls around Spinarak upon entry.
"Ah, so you had a Ghost-type Pokémon ready to go. Even a Ghost-type Pokémon isn't enough," Vexen said.
"We'll see about that!" Sora said. "Spinarak! Use Night Shade!"
"Misdreavus! Use Shadow Ball!" Kairi ordered.
Both Pokémon launched their attacks at the Mewtwo replica. It took the hits, but barely even phased.
"Use Brutal Swing on Misdreavus!" Vexen ordered. The Mewtwo replica came at Misdreavus and grabbed her around and around. It threw her on the ground.
"Misdreavus!" Kairi gasped.
"That Pokémon is too powerful for them to handle, even if it's a fake," Tracey said.
"Use Psychic!" Vexen ordered. The Mewtwo replica lifts Spinarak in the air and threw him. Sora and Kairi called their fallen Pokémon back. Sora took out his next Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Wobbuffet!" Sora called out. Wobbuffet came on out.
"A Wobbuffet? What an interesting choice. If I remember correctly, Wobbuffet is known not to attack first," Vexen said. Kairi took out her Level Ball and threw it.
"Go! Smeargle!" Kairi called out. Smeargle came out to battle. "Use Sketch!" Smeargle swings its tail and a pencil appeared in pink sparkles. Smeargle then learns how to use Psychic. "Try a taste of your own medicine! Use Psychic!" Smeargle attacks with a Psychic.
"Use Psychic to block!" Vexen ordered. The Mewtwo replica uses Psychic to block Smeargle's own Psychic. "Use Aura Sphere!" The Mewtwo replica forms blue orbs of energy from its hands and sends it at Smeargle.
"Wobbuffet! Use Mirror Coat!" Sora ordered. Wobbuffet got in front of the fake Pokémon's attack and reflected it, sending it back. It hits the Mewtwo replica on the mark.
"I see you sent Wobbuffet out. Mirror Coat is designed to reflect special moves. Clever, but futile," Vexen said. "Use Hyper Beam!" The Mewtwo replica fired Hyper Beam from its hands and struck Wobbuffet on the mark, knocking him out. Sora called Wobbuffet back and he growled.
"How powerful is that thing?" Sora asked in his thoughts. He took out another Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Natu!" Natu came out with a flutter. "Use Night Shade!" Natu fired Night Shade at the Mewtwo replica, but dodged.
"Use Thunderbolt!" Vexen ordered. The Mewtwo replica forms Thunderbolt, shocking Natu and Misdreavus, taking them both out. Sora and Kairi called back their fallen Pokémon, but the couple took out the their next Pokéballs.
"Go! Chikorita!" Sora called out.
"Skiploom!" Kairi called out.
Their Grass-type Pokémon came right out to battle against the fake Pokémon.
"Chikorita! Use Razor Leaf!" Sora ordered.
"Use Bullet Seed!" Kairi ordered.
"Use Flamethrower!" Vexen ordered.
Chikorita and Skiploom fired their attacks at Chikorita and Skiploom after burning up their attacks and knocked them both out. They called back their fallen Pokémon. Sora took out his other Fast Ball and threw it.
"Go! Aipom!" Sora called out. Aipom came out of her Fast Ball and readied herself. Kairi took out another Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Girafarig!" Kairi called out. Girafarig came out alongside Aipom. "Use Crunch!"
"Power-Up Punch!" Sora ordered.
Both Pokémon came at the replica Pokémon with their chosen attacks.
"Use Aura Sphere!" Vexen ordered. The Mewtwo replica fired Aura Sphere at the two Pokémon, knocking them both out at once. Sora and Kairi took out their next Pokéballs and threw them.
"Your turn, Totodile!" Sora called out.
"Go! Flaaffy!" Kairi called out. Totodile and Flaaffy came out at the same time.
"Use Ice Fang!" Sora ordered.
"Use Signal Beam!" Kairi ordered. Totodile came at the Mewtwo replica with Ice Fang and lands an icy bite on it. Flaaffy fired Signal Beam at the Mewtwo replica, hitting it on the mark. It was unphased.
"Use Psychic!" Vexen ordered. The Mewtwo replica lifts them up and sends them back at their Trainers. Sora and Kairi called their Pokémon back. They took out their next Pokéballs and threw them.
"Go! Phanpy!" Sora called out.
"Go! Sunkern!" Kairi called out.
"Use Rollout!" Sora ordered. Phanpy came charging at the replica Pokémon and rolled at it.
"Use Ice Punch!" Vexen ordered. The Mewtwo replica lands an icy punch onto Phanpy, resulting in a knockout. Sora calls Phanpy back and took out his next Pokéball and threw it.
"Noctowl! You're up!" Sora called out. Stars swirls around Noctowl upon entry.
"Sunkern! Use Mega Drain!" Kairi ordered. Sunkern's body gave off a dark green glow and saps of the replica Pokémon's energy.
"Noctowl! Use Wing Attack!" Sora ordered. Noctowl flew at the Mewtwo replica, just grinning.
"Use Blizzard!" Vexen ordered. The Mewtwo replica fired Blizzard at the couple's Pokémon, knocking them out at once. They called back their fallen Pokémon. They took out their next Pokéballs and threw them.
"Go! Cyndaquil!" Sora called out.
"Go! Quilava!" Kairi called out.
Cyndaquil and Quilava came out right at the same time.
"Flamethrower!" Sora and Kairi ordered. Both Fire-type Pokémon fired their attacks at the replica, only to be blocked by its hands.
"Use Water Pulse!" Vexen ordered. The Mewtwo replica forms water from its hands and sends it at the two Pokémon, knocking them out when it lands a hit. Cyndaquil and Quilava were both taken down. Kairi called Quilava back and took out her next Pokéball and threw it.
"Furret! Go!" Kairi called out. Sora turned to Pikachu.
"You're up, Pikachu," Sora said.
"Chu," Pikachu said, stepping in.
"Quick Attack!" Sora and Kairi ordered. Pikachu and Furret dashed to deal some damage onto the Mewtwo replica, but it wasn't enough.
"Use Focus Blast!" Vexen ordered. The Mewtwo replica forms a blue ball of energy and sends it at the two Pokémon. Pikachu dodges, but Furret wasn't quick enough to avoid the fake Pokémon's attack. Angel stepped in. Vexen laughed. "This is almost too easy. I can feel my victory already."
"This isn't a fair match, Vexen!" Kairi said.
"No one ever said life was fair. You were the ones who accepted the challenge, so you have no one to blame but yourselves," Vexen said.
"This is just plain cheating! Your Pokémon has way more moves than they would normally have!" Sora said.
"I supposed I neglected to inform you that my Mewtwo replica can use all moves it's able to use. Your demise is coming up, so don't worry about a thing," Vexen said. "Use Aura Sphere!" The Mewtwo replica fired Aura Sphere at the Pokémon couple. Pikachu fired Thunderbolt at the energy attack, resulting in an explosion.
"Aura Sphere can't be dodged, but it can be blocked," Sora said.
"It will not save you! Use Mega Punch!" Vexen ordered. The Mewtwo replica came at the Pokémon couple.
"Quick Attack!" Sora and Kairi ordered. The Pokémon couple dodged and came at the fake Pokémon. "Iron Tail!" They swung their tails, hitting it in the face. It wasn't enough to bring it down.
"Electro Ball!" Sora ordered.
"Use Swift!" Kairi ordered.
Pikachu formed a ball of electricity and hurls it. Angel fired Swift at the electric ball. The stars go around it and the combo attack struck the Mewtwo replica.
"Use Psychic!" Vexen ordered. The Mewtwo replica lifts the Pokémon couple up in the air.
"Pikachu!" Sora called out.
"Angel!" Kairi called out.
"You might as well forfeit, because you have lost," Vexen said. Kairi knew he was right, because Togepi didn't battle much by her side, so she had to consider a surrender. Just when she was about to accept the surrender, a ball of fire struck the Mewtwo replica hard, making them drop the Pokémon couple. The replica Pokémon then dissolves into nothingness. Vexen was perplexed. "What?! My creation!" Sora and Kairi turned around and saw the blast came from a boy wearing a white mask.
"Who are you?" Sora asked.
"This battle is pointless," Trickster said. "I had to put an end to it one way or the other."
"You! You're Trickster! How dare you destroy my creation!" Vexen exclaimed.
"It needed to die. The world will not even miss it," Trickster said.
"Even though it was a fake, it didn't even deserve that," Sora said.
"It didn't deserve to exist. Just as the rest of you don't," Trickster said. Vexen lifted his arm and summoned a shield that is shaped like an upside-down teardrop with two oval chunks taken out of each side. This has the effect of making it vaguely resemble the Nobody symbol turned upside-down. The top of the shield is lined by four small spikes and a fifth, larger one in the middle. All of these spikes are blue and resemble the spikes on the Nobody logo. The edges of this shield are silver and the face of the shield is mostly blue, though the bottom tip is sky blue. There is an upside-down, sky blue triangle marking on the top of the shield, and a sky blue "V" shape in the middle of the shield. The top inside edge is also sky blue. The shield is known as Frozen Pride.
"It is you who do not deserve to exist, demon. You are a hindrance to the Organization, so you must be eliminated," Vexen said.
"You are welcome to try," Trickster said. He summoned orange sphere-like creatures.
"Bombs," Vexen groaned. Sora and Kairi summoned their Keyblades and held them tight. Vexen formed an icicle and hurls it at one of them, destroying it. It dissolves into green flames. Sora and Kairi came at Trickster, attempting to fight him, but he disappeared. Vexen dealt with the rest of the Bombs. He reappeared and he attempts to punch Sora in the face, but a beam of light is fired, hitting Trickster in the chest. He rolls backwards and growled. He searched around and he saw it came from someone wearing the Organization's black hoods. In his hand is a Keyblade. It's the Keyblade Kaito had when he and Sora sealed the door to darkness. Trickster then disappeared. Vexen dismissed his shield.
"What was that about?" Sora asked.
"I suppose this battle between us didn't count due to Trickster's meddling. But rest assured, the next time we cross paths, you will not be so fortunate," Vexen said, vanishing through the corridor of darkness.
"Sora, Kairi, glad you're okay," Tracey said.
"Yeah, but Trickster just ran away like Demyx did back at the Bug Catching Contest," Sora said.
"Just who is he?" Kairi asked.
"I don't know, but there is something familiar about him. I just can't put my finger on it," Sora said.
In the World That Never Was, Vexen was unfortunate to report his failure to both Xemnas and Saïx about Trickster's appearance.
"He interrupted the battle you were having with him and Trickster destroyed the replica of the Mewtwo you created?" Saïx asked.
"I would have put an end to him if it weren't for him," Vexen said.
"Trickster is a threat to us all, so we must destroy him and avoid our plan being lost. As for you, Vexen, your loss is unfortunate. But after what has happened, I'm afraid we'll have to put an end to your Pokémon replica program for now," Xemnas said.
"I suppose so. After what he did, I can't afford to lose any more of my creations," Vexen said.
Back in Johto, Sora and Kairi healed all of their Pokémon with their Cure spell and became even more alert than ever. They knew it wasn't the last they have heard of Trickster or Organization XIII.
"Why does it feel like I know Trickster? Who is he and what is it about him I remember?" Sora asked.
Meanwhile, Karen stepped out along with Blossom, so they set off for Saffron City.
"You ready to go, Blossom?" Karen asked.
"Pikachu," Blossom said with a nod.
So, Karen and Blossom began to make their way to Saffron City. Why are Karen and Blossom going to Saffron City? What is it that they could be doing? We'll find out soon when we continue on with our story.