Episode 152: Once In A Full Moon
After seeing Vincent off, Kris joins Sora, Kairi, Karen, Tracey, Sakura, Tom, Pikachu, Angel, Blossom, Togepi, and the Pichu for Kris to learn how to learn her Keyblade after taking down a horde of Heartless.
"How does it feel to have your very own Keyblade, Kris?" Kairi asked.
"It feels overwhelming, but it feels awesome. The thing I want to do is learn how use magic. I mean, I could amaze so many people by the use of magic, and they might think it's all special effects, but I'll know better," Kris said.
"You may want to rethink it, because it might not be a good idea to exploit your magic for your own benefit," Kairi said.
"I'm with her. It might draw some unwanted attention," Sora said.
"Unwanted attention?" Kris asked.
"A lot of people might end up bugging you for it, and the Heartless will be coming after you rather if you want it or not," Sora said.
"You won the Pokémon League in Kanto, Sora," Kris pointed out.
"Yeah, but that's not what I was talking about. I don't want everyone to know about the Keyblade and about my ability to use magic," Sora said.
"Same thing with me," Kairi said. Kris understood what they mean.
"I guess you're right. I guess use of magic during the performance is out of the question," Kris said. She started to pout. "I thought it was a good idea."
A little while later, Kairi was approached by a Trainer with a mohawk. He's the same age as Sora and Kairi.
"Hey, you!" The Trainer said, pointing his finger at her. "I'm looking for a Pokémon Trainer named Kairi! You know her?"
"I'm Kairi," Kairi said.
"Let's have a match. And if I win, you have to go out on a date with me!" The Trainer said.
"I'll have a match with you, but we'll see about that," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Let's make it a two-on-two match," the Trainer said. He took out a Great Ball and he threw it. "You're up, Tauros!" The Great Ball opened and a Tauros came out with a swirl of stars. This Tauros is lime green and the mane is dark green. Kairi took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Skiploom!" Kairi called out. Her Pokéball opened and her Skiploom came out, floating in the air.
"Tauros! Start things up with your Smart Strike!" The Trainer ordered. Tauros charges at Skiploom with his horns glowing white.
"Dodge and use Bullet Seed!" Kairi ordered. Skiploom manages to dodge Tauros's Smart Strike and fire Bullet Seed at the Shiny Wild Bull Pokémon.
"Tauros! Use Ice Beam!" The Trainer ordered. Tauros fired Ice Beam at the Cottonweed Pokémon.
"Dodge it!" Kairi called out. Skiploom tried to dodge, but Tauros's Ice Beam came too fast for her to dodge, so she got hit hard.
"Use Take Down!" The Trainer ordered. Tauros charges at Skiploom with a full force of his body and lands a hit onto Skiploom while going through some recoil damage. "Use Smart Strike!" Tauros came at her with another Smart Strike. Skiploom was hit hard.
"Skiploom!" Kairi gasped. Skiploom then started to evolve, much to her surprise. Skiploom has become a round, blue plant Pokémon with red, pupilless, beady eyes, two small, round feet, and a tail. Three cotton puffs, almost as large as the body itself, extend off it: one on each arm, and one on top of her head. Kairi took out her Pokédex and scanned her newly evolved Pokémon.
Jumpluff, the Cottonweed Pokémon
The evolved form of Skiploom
Type: Grass/Flying
Once it catches the wind, it deftly controls its cotton-puff spores to float, even around the world.
"Wow, Jumpluff," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Evolved or not, it's no match for my Tauros! Use Ice Beam!" The Trainer ordered. Tauros fires Ice Beam.
"Use Dazzling Gleam!" Kairi ordered. Jumpluff unleashed Dazzling Gleam and it collides with Ice Beam, pushing it back. The Fairy-type move strikes Tauros on the mark. "Use Bounce!" Jumpluff jumps into the air and came down, landing a hit on the Shiny Wild Bull Pokémon, resulting in a knockout.
"Tauros!" The Trainer exclaimed in shock.
"You were great, Jumpluff. I'm so proud of you," Kairi said.
"Pluff," Jumpluff said.
"You're strong just as you're cute. But my next Pokémon is gonna win it for me," the Trainer said, calling back Tauros and taking out another Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Granbull!" A Granbull emerged from inside the Pokéball, ready to go. Kairi calls Jumpluff back and she took out a Pokéball.
"It's been a while since you battled, so it's time to come on out," Kairi said. She threw it. "Go! Furret!" Her Pokéball opened and Furret came out to battle.
"A Furret! This'll be easy! Granbull! Use Crunch!" The Trainer ordered. Granbull charges at Furret with its fangs to bite.
"Use Quick Attack!" Kairi ordered. Furret dodges and rams into Granbull. "Use Aqua Tail!" Furret smacked Granbull with an Aqua Tail. "Use Fire Punch!" Furret lands a fiery punch onto Granbull.
"Use Mega Punch!" The Trainer ordered. Granbull lands a Mega Punch onto Furret. "Use Giga Impact!" Granbull comes at Furret with Giga Impact, hoping to end the battle quickly.
"Dodge it!" Kairi called out. Furret dodges Granbull's Giga Impact. She knew this was her chance to move since she knew Granbull won't be able to make an attack right away after using Giga Impact. "Use Fire Punch!" Furret gave Granbull a Fire Punch in the belly. "Use Aqua Tail!" Furret swings her tail and lands a heavy hit, resulting in a knockout. "Good job, Furret!"
"Furret, Fur!" Furret beamed.
"I guess that means no date for me, right?" The Trainer asked.
"I'm sorry. It's just I have a boyfriend," Kairi said. The Trainer felt embarrassed when he realized he asked someone out when she was already spoken for.
"Sorry for wasting your time like that," the Trainer sulked as he walked off. Kairi felt bad for him.
"Poor guy," Kairi said with sympathy.
A little while later, the group continued walking when they came across a series of tents. They wondered if they have stumbled on to a camping ground.
"Wonder what's going on here," Tom said.
"I'm glad you asked," a voice said. The group turned around and saw a man wearing a white lab coat. "We're here on research."
"Research?" Kris asked.
"Research on what?" Sakura asked.
"Research on the Teddiursa evolution line," the man said.
"What do you mean?" Tracey asked.
"I think we should explain it inside my tent. Oh, my name is Dr. Kearney. Pleased to meet you," the man introduced himself.
"Nice to meet you, Dr. Kearney. My name's Sora, and this is my Pikachu," Sora introduced.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"My name's Kairi. This Eevee is Angel and this little guy is Togepi," Kairi introduced.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
"I'm Karen, and this is Blossom," Karen introduced.
"Pikachu," Blossom said.
"Nice to meet you. My name's Kris," Kris introduced herself.
"I'm Tracey," Tracey said.
"My name's Sakura," Sakura said.
"And I'm Tom," Tom finished.
"Pichu," the Pichu both said.
"A pleasure," Dr. Kearney said. He leads his guests to his tent and it was pretty huge, but not as big as a circus tent.
"Doctor, you mentioned that you were doing some research on the Teddiursa evolution line. Maybe you could give us some feedback on what you mean," Tracey said.
"Of course. As you know, Teddiursa evolves right into an Ursaring," Dr. Kearney said. "But what if I said there was more to it than you already know?"
The group looked among themselves in confusion and became interested in what he had to share.
"That makes sense. So, you think Teddiursa has an evolved form that we don't know about?" Karen asked.
"Yes and no. You see, Teddiursa first evolves into Ursaring, and of course you already know that. But here's what you don't seem to know: Ursaring can evolve as well," Dr. Kearney said. This made everyone almost jump up with surprise.
"What?! Ursaring can evolve?!" Sora exclaimed with surprise. Dr. Kearney laughed.
"That's the exact reaction I thought I would retrieve. Ursaring can indeed evolve," Dr. Kearney said.
"What kind of Pokémon are you talking about? You seem to be leaving us in suspense," Kris said.
"Of course. The Pokémon I am referring to is known as Ursaluna," Dr. Kearney said.
"Ursaluna?" Sora asked. He took out his Pokédex and looked up Ursaluna. The image on his Pokédex displayed a large, quadrupedal dark brown bear Pokémon with a gray pelt around its back, paws, and round tail. The pelt has nine rectangle brown spikes on its back and four spikes on each side of its head. The front paws have five claws each while the back paws have three claws. The face is brown with a light-yellow circle resembling a full moon at the forehead, two gray eyebrows resembling clouds, and a light yellow snout with a small, black nose.
Ursaluna, the Peat Pokémon
The evolved form of Ursaring
Type: Ground/Normal
This Pokémon once roamed the Sinnoh region, formerly known as the Hisui region. It was believed that Ursaring's evolution was the result of being exposed to swampy terrains during a full moon. Ursaluna's physique allows it to travel through the swamps with ease and it can also manipulate the peat soil at will to its advantage.
"Wow, how cool," Sora said.
"Could Ursaluna still exist?" Kairi asked.
"I doubt it," Tracey said. Everyone all looked at the Pokémon Watcher. "There haven't been any sightings of Ursaluna since the days of Hisui. It's possible that Ursaluna may have went extinct."
"You are right to think that, Tracey. But Kairi has asked an interesting question. And that question may be answered yet," Dr. Kearney said.
"Sora's Pokédex mentioned something about a full moon, so isn't that just a couple of nights from now?" Tom asked.
"Yes to be exact. Me and my team have been looking for a material called a Peat Block," Dr. Kearney said.
"What's a Peat Block?" Sakura asked.
"I am so glad you asked, Sakura. The Peat Block is an evolutionary item that can be used on Ursaring to make Ursaring evolve into an Ursaluna. Other than that, it was used as a fuel for burning when dried out. The Peat Block works like when you give a Metal Coat to an Onix to evolve into a Steelix and Scyther into a Scizor, or when you give a Protector to a Rhydon to evolve into a Rhyperior or a certain stone like a Thunder Stone to make Pikachu and Eevee evolve into a Raichu and a Jolteon. There is a difference between the evolutionary items that are used on a regular basis and the Peat Block is that Ursaring's evolution when exposed to the Peat Block can only take effect during a full moon," Dr. Kearney said.
"That answers that," Tom said.
"Sora, you have an Ursaring," Kairi pointed out. Sora nodded with agreement.
"You're right, Kairi. I do. And we can help the doctor with his research," Sora said. Dr. Kearney beamed.
"You will?! You really will?" Dr. Kearney asked.
"Yeah. An Ursaluna sounds like an awesome Pokémon to have; especially if it's brand new," Sora said. He took out his Pokémon Box and he exchanged Noctowl for Ursaring. Once Ursaring's Pokéball came, Sora threw it and let out his Ursaring. "How would like to evolve, Ursaring?" The Hibenator Pokémon looked at him dumbfounded. Sora took out his smartphone and he contacted Professor Oak.
"Sora, hello. I trust things are going well for you?" Professor Oak asked when he answered his phone.
"Yeah, professor. We're heading for Olivine City, but that's not why I'm calling you," Sora said.
"Oh, it isn't? Then what is the reason?" Professor Oak asked.
"Well, the reason I'm calling you is because we all just learned that Ursaring has an evolved form, so we're helping a researcher prove his theory by having my Ursaring evolve into an Ursaluna," Sora explained.
"Ursaluna, you say? Now that is worth looking into," Professor Oak said. "You know, Sora, I have only seen Ursaluna in textbooks when I was a boy. It was believed Ursaluna is an extinct Pokémon, but ever since your encounter with prehistoric Pokémon, I can say I doubt it could be true. Just about anything is possible."
"We were told that we need a Peat Block to make Ursaring evolve, and it can only work during a full moon," Karen saisaid.
"Yes, that is very true, Karen. But a Peat Block isn't easy to come by. One may not just show up just by looking," Professor Oak said. "I'm afraid it might be for nothing, but I doubt you would give up."
"Haven't even given it a thought," Sora said.
"I wish you luck and let me know of the results," Professor Oak said as Venusaur, Charizard, Blastoise, Muk, Snorlax, Espeon, and Umbreon waved to Sora on the screen.
"I will, professor. And take care, guys," Sora said. With that said, he hung up. Just then, a woman came in.
"Dr. Kearney, we found it! We found a Peat Block!" The woman said. She presented him a muddy block. Dr. Kearney beamed when he took it in his hands.
"Oh, happy day! I got the Peat Block at last!" Dr. Kearney said.
"That means Ursaring will evolve into an Ursaluna in a couple of nights," Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"Indeed. But to make certain of it," Dr. Kearney said, tying the Peat Block with a rope and made Ursaring wear it as a necklace. "There. That should do it."
"Should make things easier," Kairi said.
"Now all we gotta do is wait," Kris said.
"That means we'll be sticking around here to find out," Tracey said.
"It'll be worth it since I need to start training for my Gym battle," Sora said.
"Right," everyone all said.
"And have Kris learn how to learn how to use her Keyblade better," Sora said.
"Not like I have a choice," Kris said.
So, Sora started to train hard for the Gym battle in Olivine City. Sora knew the Heartless, the Nobodies, and Team Rocket would show up, so he had to be ready. And at the same time, Sora and Kairi started to teach Kris how to use her Keyblade, starting with the basics. Kris had trouble with her swordsmanship, but Sora didn't give up. She managed to get the hang of her magical abilities.
She learned the basic spells pretty quick, all except for her stone spell. Another thing to work on. Sora and Kairi sparred with Kris to sharpen her fighting skills. She managed to improve, turning her fight skills into dance steps.
The next couple of days came and went as they stuck around the camp. It was now the day of the full moon.
"Your skills are coming along nicely, Kris. Looks like you got what it takes after all," Sora said.
"It's because I had good coaches. The Heartless will be sorry that they picked a fight with me," Kris said.
"And so will the Organization," Sora said, chuckling.
"The sun will be setting in a few hours, so we could get some more training down," Kairi suggested.
"You're right. Let's get cracking," Sora said.
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
With that said, Sora's Pokémon continued their training for Olivine City. Things were going smoothly. They trained hard as the sun has started to set.
"Okay, the sun's starting to set. Ursaring, you ready?" Sora asked. Ursaring nodded. He wasn't sure if he wanted to evolve, but he was curious how strong he was gonna be once he did. Dr. Kearney and his research staff were anxious to see Ursaring's evolution firsthand as well as Sora and his friends.
"This is history in the making," Dr. Kearney said.
The sun has completely set and the moon is full, and Ursaring's body began to glow, knowing Ursaring is evolving. Ursaring gets on all fours during the evolution process. Once Ursaring has finished evolving, everyone were awestruck by what they were seeing, especially Sora. He ran up to his newly evolved Pokémon and he smiled.
"Wow, you look awesome, Ursaluna. You're huge!" Sora said. Ursaluna brought Sora down with his paw and he licked his face, making him laugh.
"It's even more beautiful than I can even imagine. I'm seeing an Ursaluna with my very own eyes! My research was worth it," Dr. Kearney said.
"I never thought I would ever see an Ursaluna," Tracey said.
"Me neither. It's amazing up close," Tom said.
"Now I wonder how Ursaluna will do in a Pokémon battle," Kairi said.
"I was thinking the same thing," Sora said. He turned around to Tracey. "So, how about it, Tracey? You up for a match?"
"Sure. I would like to help out," Tracey said. With that said, Sora and Tracey have taken their positions. Sora is using Ursaluna as Tracey took out his Heavy Ball and threw it. "Go! Snorlax!" His Heavy Ball opened and Snorlax came out to battle. "You may have the first move, Sora."
"Thanks, Tracey. Ursaluna! Start up with High Horsepower!" Sora ordered. Ursaluna started to charge with his body giving off an orange glow.
"Snorlax! You use High Horsepower, too!" Tracey ordered. Snorlax charges at the Peat Pokémon with High Horsepower, colliding with each other. They hit each other right at the same time. "Use Mega Punch!" Snorlax came at Ursaluna with a Mega Punch. He lands a hit.
"Use Metal Claw!" Sora ordered. Ursaluna came at Snorlax and lands a hit with Metal Claw. "Use Play Rough!" Ursaluna started to run at Snorlax again.
"Snorlax! Use Body Press!" Tracey ordered. Snorlax started to come at the Peat Pokémon with a Body Press. Ursaluna came at Snorlax and started to beat him silly in a cloud of dust.
"Let's try this new move. Use Headlong Rush!" Sora ordered. Ursaluna charges at Snorlax with a full-body tackle.
"Use High Horsepower!" Tracey ordered.
Snorlax started to come at Ursaluna with High Horsepower and they collide with each other, each dealing a hit onto the other.
"Wow, that was a great move," Sakura said.
"And risky," Tom said. "Headlong Rush lowers the user's defensive stats whenever it's used."
"That means, Ursaluna might take some more damage from Snorlax," Sakura said.
"Especially from Body Press since it's a Fighting-type move," Karen said.
"Snorlax! Use Body Press!" Tracey ordered. Snorlax came at Ursaluna with a Body Press, ready to strike at Ursaluna.
"Dodge and use Metal Claw!" Sora ordered. Ursaluna manages to dodge and slashed at Snorlax with his claws giving off a metallic glow. Ursaluna's attack started to raise up. "Use High Horsepower!" Ursaluna started to come running at Snorlax with a High Horsepower.
"Use Mega Punch!" Tracey ordered. Snorlax came at Ursaluna with a Mega Punch and is about to strike Ursaluna when he lands a hit.
"Play Rough!" Sora ordered. Ursaluna leapt at Snorlax and started to beat Snorkax up in a cloud of dust. Snorlax fell on the ground, beaten. Dr. Kearney and his team were all impressed by how strong Ursaluna is.
"What an incredible battle," Dr. Kearney said. Tracey calls Snorlax back.
"You did your best, Snorlax. Get some rest," Tracey said.
"That was great, Ursaluna," Sora said. Ursaluna beamed at Sora's praise. "Now to give Professor Oak a call." He dialed Professor Oak's number and he answered.
"Sora, hello. I was beginning to wonder if you were successful in having your Ursaring evolve," Sora said.
"Have a look," Sora said, pointing the phone to Ursaluna and he was awestruck.
"Great Caesar's ghost! An actual Ursaluna. I never thought I would live to see such a thing with my own eyes! I knew you could make the impossible possible," Professor Oak said.
"We were all really amazed by Ursaring's evolution," Tracey said.
"Sora and Ursaluna just had a battle against Tracey's Snorlax and won," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Splendid! I am looking forward to do my own research. In the meantime, Sora, I think you should be heading off for bed since your mother wouldn't like it that you're staying up past your bedtime," Professor Oak said.
"Yeah, I think you're right, professor," Karen agreed, laughing.
"Yeah, we should. I mean we should be heading out early anyway. I just thought you would like to know and see for yourself," Sora said.
"And I appreciate it very much. Goodnight," Professor Oak said.
"Night," Sora said as he hung up.
A few moments later, everyone were sound asleep as Sora and Kairi slept against Ursaluna, finding his large body comfy.
On the next morning, after eating a hearty breakfast, Dr. Kearney decided to do an experiment with Ursaluna's newfound sense of smell.
"Okay, we're going to find out if Ursaluna's sense of smell is keen as a bird Pokémon's eyes," Dr. Kearney said.
"Sounds like an idea," Tracey said. "And Sora, you should ride on Ursaluna is Ursaluna is a ride Pokémon."
"That's okay with you, isn't it, Ursaluna?" Sora asked. Ursaluna nods and allowed Sora to climb on his back. "Okay, Ursaluna. Try to sniff something out." Ursaluna started to sniff the air and something has attracted his nostrils. Ursaluna followed the scent and it grew stronger the closer he got. When it was the strongest, Ursaluna started to dig into the soil and he found another Peat Block. "Another one?"
"This is incredible! There must be more around here than I thought," Dr. Kearney said.
Ursaluna dug around and some other things as well. Not only was Ursaluna had a great sense of smell, but a powerful digger as well.
After doing some research, Sora and his friends prepared to take off for Olivine City once again.
"You sure you won't be needing us a little longer?" Tom asked.
"You've been such a big help to me and I'm grateful. I have decided to find and catch a wild Ursaring and wait until the next full moon to have it evolve into an Ursaluna," Dr. Kearney said.
"We hope things goes well for you, doctor," Kris said.
"And I hope things goes well for you as well. So, good luck on your way," Dr. Kearney said.
"Thanks a lot," Sora said.
"All I ask that you take good care of your Ursaluna," Dr. Kearney requested.
"You can count on me with that, doctor," Sora said.
"Well, we should be off," Tom said.
"Take care," Kairi said.
"Take care, kids! I hope you win your Gym battle, Sora!" Dr. Kearney said, waving at the group. They waved back to the researcher.
The last couple of days has not led to an incredible discovery, but it has allowed Sora to gain a new Pokémon through evolution, an experience I am certain they will not forget. The journey ahead of them is still full of excitement and adventure waiting to be had.
Note: I was originally going to have to wait until I got to the Hisui arc until I got Ursaring to evolve into an Ursaluna, but it was too good to wait. The same can be said with the Scyther Sora caught during the Bug Catching Contest since I might bring in a Black Augurite a little later. As to how and when, I haven't decided on that yet, but it'll be worth it. Anyway, that's all for now. Until then, happy Halloween tomorrow. And to you trick-or-treaters out there, happy haunting!