Episode 159: Before the Whirl Cup
Arriving to Scarlet City on Red Rock Isle, Sora stood in line to register for the Whirl Cup. He looked around and saw several Trainers lining up to take part of it. He spots Misty in line. Looking further back, he spots Lana. Sora knew he was in for some heavy competition from the rest of the Trainers in attendance in the Whirl Cup.
Registrations went on right until it was Sora's turn to register.
"Next, please," Nurse Joy said. Sora walked up to the Pokémon nurse to register. "Name and hometown, please."
"My name's Sora and I come from Pallet Town," Sora said. Nurse Joy does some typing on the computer.
"Alright, Sora. Your registration is now complete. You will be battling in Stadium A," Nurse Joy said.
"Stadium A. Got it. Just what are the rules?" Sora asked.
"The rules are you will begin in the preliminaries, so you'll be using one Pokémon, and the battle will be over when your Pokémon is unable to battle. The number of required wins determines by how many Trainers have registered to participate. And judging by the numbers, it would seem that only two wins are required for this year," Nurse Joy said.
"Just two wins? Sounds fun," Kairi said.
"Only 64 contestants will be allowed to participate into the main competition. The second and third rounds, Trainers will be using only two Pokémon. The battle is over when both of either Trainer's Pokémon are unable to continue battling. During the semifinals and the finals, Trainers will be using three Pokémon each. Your matches will begin at noon, so don't be late. Good luck," Nurse Joy said.
"Thanks," Sora said, taking his leave. He meets up with Kairi, Tracey, and the Pokémon after Sora has finished registering.
"I see you're in, Sora," Tracey said.
"Yeah. I'm gonna be battling in Stadium A at noon," Sora said.
"That's great, Sora. How many wins do you need in the preliminaries?" Tracey asked.
"Just two. I think a little training would do me some good," Sora said.
"That's a good idea. It never hurts to have extra training done," Kairi said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Pichu," the Spiky-eared Pichu said.
"Pichu," the Shiny Pichu said.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
With that said, Sora, Kairi, Tracey, Pikachu, Angel, Togepi, and the Pichu stepped onto the beach to get some training done. Sora has Blastoise, Feraligatr, Golduck, Kingler, Quagsire, Qwilfish, Azumarill, Mantyke, Remoraid, and Kingler are let out to train.
Kairi decided to do some fishing done. She sat down and held her fishing pole and then she felt a strong tug from the other end.
"It feels like a big one," Kairi said.
"Eevee!" Angel said.
"Toge!" Togepi chirped.
She reeled in the fishing pole and pulled as hard as she could pull. A splash of water erupts as a creature comes flying out. It turns out to be a Chinchou.
"Chinchou!" The Chinchou yelled.
"A Chinchou! He's really cute," Kairi said. The Chinchou attacks with an Electro Ball.
"Dodge and use Quick Attack!" Kairi ordered. Angel dashed as Chinchou's Electro Ball misses her. "Use Headbutt!" Angel rams into Chinchou, landing a hit. Chunchou fired Water Gun, hitting Angel. "Use Swift!" Angel fired Swift and hits Chinchou hard. "Use Quick Attack!" Angel ran towards Chinchou and hits him hard. Chinchou then fought back with Shock Wave and hits Angel on the mark since it never misses. "Angel!" Chinchou then hurls Electro Ball at Angel, hitting her and resulting in a knockout. "Are alright, Angel?"
"Eevee," Angel replied weakly.
"Rest for now. You battled hard," Kairi said. She took out her Lure Ball and threw it. "You're up, Corsola!" Her Lure Ball opened and Corsola came out to battle. "Corsola! Use Bubble Beam!" Corsola fired Bubble Beam at Chinchou, landing a hit. Chinchou fires Shock Wave at Corsola. Kairi grinned. "Thought you would use that! Mirror Coat!" Corsola reflects Shock Wave back at Chinchou, landing a devastating hit onto the Angler Pokémon, dealing double the damage. Chinchou was weakened enough, so Kairi took out a Pokéball and threw it. Chinchou flows inside and the Pokéball wobbles around and around. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. Kairi's Pokémon Box goes off asking her if she wants to keep Chinchou with her. She chose to send Chinchou to Professor Oak's lab. "Good job, Corsola. Your Mirror Coat was dazzling!"
"Corsola!" Corsola said.
"That was very impressive," a feminine voice spoke. Kairi turned to see a woman with brown hair tied in a long side ponytail and purple eyes. Her main outfit consists of: orange earrings, red sleeveless shirt, a yellow bracelet on her right wrist, pink skirt and white sandals. "The way you handled your Corsola shows you have loads of potential. Are you participating in the Whirl Cup by any chance?"
"No, but my boyfriend is. And thank you for your praise," Kairi said. The woman smiled.
"You're welcome. My name's Trinity. What's yours?" Trinity asked.
"Kairi," Kairi replied.
"Kairi, huh? That's a nice name. It seems to suit you," Trinity said. She looked over to Sora and Tracey. She sees the various Water-type Pokémon he has. "I take it that one with the spiky hair is your boyfriend?"
"Yeah. He thought he would do some training before the preliminary round since he wants to be ready," Kairi said.
"Smart move. And he looks like he raised those Pokémon well. I'm looking forward in seeing him in action. Until we meet again, Kairi," Trinity said.
"Likewise," Kairi said.
Trinity and Kairi shook hands and she takes off. She heads back to her boyfriend as Tracey is drawing some sketches of the Slowpoke living in the area.
"Okay, Mantyke! Bubble!" Sora ordered. Mantyke fired Bubble right at Remoraid. "Okay, Remoraid! Dodge and use Ice Beam!" Remoraid dodged and fired Ice Beam at Mantyke who also dodged. "You're getting better, Mantyke! Use Tackle!" Mantyke charges at Remoraid. "Okay, Remoraid! Dodge it!" Remoraid tried to dodge, but Mantyke came too fast for him. Mantyke then started to evolve, much to Sora's surprise. Mantyke has become a Mantine. "You evolved! Let's see what Dexter has to say about you." He took out his Pokédex and scanned his newly evolved Pokémon.
Mantine, the Kite Pokémon
The evolved form of Mantyke
Type: Water/Flying
On sunny days, schools of Mantine can be seen elegantly leaping over the sea's waves. Remoraid can be seen on Mantine's underside of its fins, feeding on some leftovers.
"Tracey did say Mantine would evolve into a Mantine when I have a Remoraid with me. Speaking of which, you still good to go?" Sora asked. Remoraid nodded. "Thought so! Use Psybeam!" Remoraid fired Psybeam at Mantine. "Dodge it, Mantine!" Mantine managed to dodge just by jumping out of the water. "Use Bubble Beam!" Mantine fired Bubble Beam, hitting Remoraid who also evolves. Remoraid has become an Octillery. "Remoraid is now an Octillery. Not only that, but I think you learned a new move. And let's use it! Octazooka!" Octillery fired Octazooka at Mantine and it hits him hard. "That was great! The both of you are doing great!" Mantine and Octillery both beamed from the praise.
"I'm glad you got some new Pokémon, too, Sora," Kairi said. He turned to see his girlfriend with a smile. He smiled back at her.
"Been there long?" Sora asked.
"Long enough to see the evolution. And I'd like to share that I got a Chinchou while you were training," Kairi said.
"Aw, and I missed it?" Sora asked as his cheeks puffed up.
"Don't feel bad, Sora. I'm sure you'll meet him soon enough," Kairi said.
"Yeah," Sora said.
After getting training done, the couple got to Tracey and the Pichu as they head back to the Pokémon Center. Sora decided to give Riku a call when he got there. He dailed the number and Riku answered with a smile on his face.
"Sora, you look like you've been putting on a sweat," Riku said.
"Just been doing some training for the Whirl Cup tomorrow, and I decided to give you a ring. How are things over there?" Sora asked.
"Quiet so far. That's if you don't count any Heartless and Nobodies. Some of them actually showed up just yesterday, and I haven't seen any since then," Riku said.
"Kairi and I dealt with some Heartless, but it's been a while since we came across any Nobodies. But I get the feeling they'll make themselves known rather if I want them to or not," Sora said.
"So don't let your guard down," Riku said.
"Anyway, we met an old acquaintance of yours. Lana is in the Whirl Cup, too," Sora said.
"I figured you would meet her sooner or later," Riku said.
"We actually met her on the way over here and we had a battle and she beat me," Sora said.
"I did tell you she's good. You haven't heard from Teol or Flora, did you?" Riku asked.
"Flora. But that was when she told us about Trickster. Why?" Sora asked.
"Teol contacted me and he said he felt something big. He's not sure what it is," Riku said.
"Whatever it is, it's gotta be big if he's picked what it is. I'll keep my eyes opened for Organization XIII if they try anything," Sora said.
"I'll do the same thing. I'll let Naminé, Sakura, and Jasmine know you called," Riku said.
"Okay. I'll tell Kairi and Tracey you said hi, too," Sora said.
"Give me a ring as soon as the tournament's over," Riku said.
"Can do," Sora said.
With that said, both friends and rivals hung up. Sora left to rejoin his friends.
Meanwhile, Team Rocket made it to Scarlet City and sat in an alley.
"It's bad enough we didn't get all those Corsola, but we lose the twerps again," Jessie said.
"It wouldn't have happened if we just used a giant robot bag Pikachu," Meowth said.
"Yes, but we would be using a giant robot if the boss didn't cut us off until we pay," James said. Team Rocket sighed. "It's official; we suck."
"Hey, don't talk like that, James! I know you and Meowth suck, but I certainly do not!" Jessie said.
"Hey!" Meowth snapped.
"Oh, come on, Jessie! Use that head of yours for anything but makeup! We do suck! We suck even more than a vacuum cleaner, and not a very good one! We might as well just face the facts! We suck! We stink! We blow!" James exclaimed.
"How could you say such a thing about us, James? We're the most evilist villains of all time! More so than any Disney villain!" Jessie stated.
"Those Disney villains are actually competent! That's what we aren't! We might as well just face it! Every time we try to steal Pikachu and face the twerps, we always end up failing! I mean, what's the point in trying to catch Pikachu if we're just gonna blow it again? Elmer Fudd tries to bag Bugs Bunny, and he ends up losing! And we're even bigger jokes than he is!" James exclaimed.
"Will you get a grip? You know the old saying: 'if at first you don't succeed, try, try again," Jessie said.
"She's actually right about this. We just need to think of a new approach. But the question is, what kind of approach," Meowth said, stroking his chin. Jessie looked at an empty space and she gets an idea.
"I think a new approach has just come to mind," Jessie said. James and Meowth looked at her.
"What do you got, Jessie?" James asked.
"We can set up a phoney massage parlor for Pokémon and steal every Pokémon that is handed to us. And with any luck, we can have Pikachu in our very crutches," Jessie said. James suddenly regained his confidence.
"Ooh, we could be struck with a rare Pokémon among them!" James said.
"That's the spirit, James! Let's get to work!" Jessie said. Wobbuffet popped out of his Pokéball once again.
"Wobbuffet!" Wobbuffet said.
On the next day, Sora is standing on one side as Kairi, Tracey, Pikachu, Angel, Togepi, and the Pichu are watching from behind. He's up against a boy. Sora took out his Lure Ball and threw it.
"Go! Qwilfish!" Sora called out. Qwilfish emerged from inside and puffed up. His opponent took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Seadra!" The Trainer said. A Seadra emerged from inside. "Seadra! Use Dragon Rage!" Seadra unleashed Dragon Rage right at the Ballon Pokémon to land.
"Use Minimize!" Sora ordered. Qwilfish glows in a pinkish-purple aura and shrinks down. Qwilfish manages to avoid Seadra's attack. "Use Poison Sting!" Qwilfish unleashed a barrage of poisonous barbs at Seadra, dealing some damage.
"Seadra! Use Twister!" The Trainer ordered. Seadra unleashed a tornado at the blowfish-like Pokémon, but Qwilfish manages to dodge it and made it hard to land a hit due to his small size.
"Qwilfish! Poison Jab!" Sora ordered. Qwilfish charges at Seadra and lands a hit with his spikes. "Use Hydro Pump!" Qwilfish spews Hydro Pump and sends Seadra backwards and ends up being knocked out. Qwilfish regains his normal size. "Good job, Qwilfish!"
"Qwil!" Qwilfish said.
At another stadium, Lana is in a battle against another boy there. She took out a Dive Ball and threw it.
"Go! Poliwhirl!" Lana called out. Her Dive Ball opened and her Poliwhirl came out to battle. The Trainer took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Goldeen!" The Trainer called out. Goldeen came out to battle against the Tadpole Pokémon. "Goldeen! Use Horn Attack!" Goldeen charges at Poliwhirl with its horn.
"Use Double Slap!" Lana ordered. Poliwhirl slaps Goldeen silly. "Use Ice Punch!" Poliwhirl lands an icy punch onto Goldeen and the Goldfish Pokémon ends up being knocked out. "Nice job, Poliwhirl!"
"Poliwhirl!" Poliwhirl said.
Over to Misty, she is up against a girl, so she takes out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Misty calls, Corsola!" Misty shouted. Her Corsola emerged from inside. Her opponent does the same thing.
"Go! Seel!" The Trainer shouted. Seel emerged from inside. "Okay, Seel! Use Water Gun!" Seel fired Water Gun at the Coral Pokémon.
"Use Mirror Coat!" Misty called out. Corsola's body glows a yellow aura and it reflects Seel's attack and sends it back. Seel is struck by its attack. "Use Spike Cannon!" Corsola fires Spike Cannon, landing a series of hits, resulting in a knockout. "Great job, Corsola!"
"Corsola!" Corsola chirped.
Over to Sora, he makes it to his next battle. His next opponent is a young woman with long blue hair tied in a ponytail. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Mantine!" Sora called out. Mantine emerged from inside and splashed into the water. His opponent took out a Great Ball and threw it.
"You're up, Starmie!" The young woman called out. Her Starmie emerged from inside and it was ready to go. "Starmie! Use Power Gem!" Starmie fired Power Gem from its jewel core.
"Dodge by going underwater!" Sora called out. Mantine dives in the water to dodge Starmie's attack.
"You might short on brains! My Starmie can swim underwater, too! Go after it!" The young woman said. Starmie goes after Mantine.
"I haven't forgotten. Mantine! Use Whirlpool!" Sora ordered. Mantine swims around the battlefield and creates a massive whirlpool. Starmie is caught in the strong current. "Use Wing Attack!" Mantine swam towards Starmie and lands a hit with his wing-like fins.
"Get out of there, Starmie!" The young woman called out.
"One more Wing Attack!" Sora ordered. Mantine swam towards Starmie and lands a heavy hit, resulting in a knockout. Sora has won his two required matches. "Great job, Mantine." The manta ray Pokémon beamed from the praise.
Over to Lana, she has sent out her Vaporeon against a Dewgong.
"Vaporeon! Use Aqua Tail!" Lana ordered. Vaporeon smacked Dewgong hard with its fin-like tail and Dewgong is knocked out. Lana has won her second match.
Over to Misty, she's up against a Poliwrath, and she has a Lapras out.
"Poliwrath! Dynamic Punch!" The Trainer ordered.
"Lapras! Use Ice Beam!" Misty ordered. Lapras fired an Ice Beam at Poliwrath, resulting in a knockout. Misty has won her second match.
Sora, Kairi, Tracey, Pikachu, Angel, Togepi, and the Pichu met up with Lana as she smiled.
"How did you do, Sora?" Lana asked.
"I did great. How about you, Lana?" Sora asked.
"I made it in," Lana said.
"Figured you would," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
"So Sora, did you make it in, too?" Misty asked as she approached from behind.
"I did. And I'm gonna guess you won, too," Sora said.
"I did. I had a feeling you'd make it. I owe you a rematch for the last time, and for our Gym battle," Misty said.
"Looking forward to it," Sora said.
"Um, Sora, who's she?" Lana asked.
"Right. You haven't met yet. Misty, this is Lana. She came from the Alola region. Lana, this is Misty. She's the Gym Leader of the Cerulean City Gym," Sora introduced.
"Nice to meet you, Lana," Misty said with a smile.
"You too, Misty," Lana said, smiling back. Sora looked at the two girls and he knew they're fast friends when it came to Water-type Pokémon. "Say Misty, what do you love about Water-type Pokémon?"
"I love everything about Water-type Pokémon. I love the way that some of them swim and waddle," Misty said.
"Me too! I love how smooth some of them feels to the touch," Lana said.
"Me too!" Misty said.
"Those two are certainly getting along so well," Tracey said.
"You were right to introduce them, Sora," Kairi said.
"It never hurts to present some friendly competition," Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
Meanwhile, Team Rocket have finished putting up shop hours prior, so they had to get things started. A Trainer walks as Team Rocket are wearing Chinese-style clothing.
"You there!" Jessie called out. The Trainer stopped in his tracks and points to himself. "Yes, you! You look like a someone looking for some stress relief for his Pokémon."
"That'll be me. I was heading for the Pokémon Center for that," the Trainer said.
"Why go to the Pokémon Center when we can give them the treatment for the stress they go through," James said.
"I bet they go through all kinds of stress and you not know about it," Jessie said.
"Well, now that you mention it, my Marill has been really tensed for a while. Why not? My Marill could use some stress relief," the Trainer said, walking up to the counter. "So what's the secret? Do I need to put my Marill on a certain diet, or some kind of medication?"
"No diet, no meds. What your Marill could use a good massage. And that's where we come in," Jessie said.
"Just leave your Marill here for a bit and come back to see your Marill feeling like a million bucks!" James said.
"Act now, because this is a limited time offer!" Jessie said.
"Okay, you talked me into it!" The Trainer said, taking out his Pokéball and hands it to Team Rocket. Jessie takes it.
"Best decision you have ever made!" James said.
"Just come back later to pick up your Marill," Jessie said.
"Sure thing! And thanks!" The Trainer said, taking off. Team Rocket snickered.
"Sucker!" Jessie said.
"By the time that chump comes back, we'll be long gone," James said. Jessie hands it to Meowth.
"Here, Meowth. Another one for the sack," Jessie said. Meowth chuckled.
"This is just too easy! Those dumb Trainers are leaving us their Pokémon and they don't suspect a thing that we're robbing them blind," Meowth said.
"Wobbuffet!" Wobbuffet said.
"Mime, Mime!" Mime Jr said.
"The boss will have to love us for this! I hope that he'll take us off our debt and give us a promotion," James said.
"Think we should make contact with HQ just in case?" Meowth asked.
"That's a grand idea," Jessie said. Jessie makes contact with Giovanni as he has his lunch, which consists of a steak lunch with mashed potatoes and a glass of wine to the side. He had an irritated expression on his face.
"What is it? If you're making contact to loan you more money, then you are wasting your time. You still haven't paid for the last month," Giovanni said.
"Oh no, sir. We're just contacting you that we have succeeded in stealing a handful of Pokémon for you," Jessie said. Giovanni was skeptical of them actually doing something right.
"Am I imagining things, or did I just hear you say that you have actually succeeded in something?" Giovanni asked.
"Oh, we assure you that we did," James said.
"In fact, we're in the process of getting some more for you," Jessie said.
"For your sake, I hope so. Once you feel that you have enough, bring them all to me and maybe I may reconsider your debts. But I warn you, Jessie, James, and Meowth, you better not disappoint me again!" Giovanni said, breaking contact.
"What do you think he's gonna do if we blow it?" James asked.
"Don't jinx it," Meowth said.
"It's not over yet. As soon as we get Pikachu here, we'll close shop and make off like the wind," Jessie said.
"Wobbuffet!" Wobbuffet said with a salute.
Meanwhile, Sora checked Qwilfish and Mantine into the Pokémon Center to be checked up. He didn't wait too long.
"Here you go, Sora. Your Qwilfish and Mantine are doing very well," Nurse Joy said.
"Thanks, Nurse Joy," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Hey, did you hear about that massage parlor that just opened up?" A male Trainer asked, getting Sora and Pikachu's attention.
"Yeah, it's a good thing I made a stop earlier before coming here," another male Trainer said. Nurse Joy was getting suspicious about what they're talking about.
"Wow, I didn't know there's a Pokémon massage parlor on the island," Sora said.
"There isn't," Nurse Joy said. Sora looked at her.
"What do you mean there isn't?" Sora asked.
"There hasn't been any Pokémon massage parlors on Red Rock Isle at all. But if they stopped there, they don't know they were conned into giving them their Pokémon," Nurse Joy said.
"Conned?!" Sora exclaimed in shock.
"Chu!" Pikachu said.
"I'm gonna have to contact Officer Jenny about this at once!" Nurse Joy said.
"Yeah, you do that," Sora said. He turned to Pikachu. "Kairi and the others should know about this!"
"Pika," Pikachu agreed.
Sora and Pikachu returned to the room they were staying in. Inside, Tracey was prepping up his equipment as Kairi is brushing Angel's fur. Togepi and the Pichu are playing with each other.
"Guys, we got a problem!" Sora said.
"What kind of problem?" Tracey asked.
"Okay, I just heard that there's a Pokémon massage parlor that opened up here on Red Rock Isle, and the Trainers that stopped there just got duped into giving them their Pokémon!" Sora explained. Kairi and Tracey gasped.
"Who would do such a thing?" Tracey asked.
"The people who would do this kind of thing would be Team Rocket!" Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel agreed.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
"Pichu," the two Pichu said at once.
"This does have their stink all over it, so we gotta put a stop to it before it gets worse!" Sora said.
"I agree. Let's go!" Tracey said.
With that said, Sora, Kairi, Tracey, and the Pokémon rushed in to rescue the stolen Pokémon. Upon reaching there, they could see that it is Team Rocket in disguise.
"You were right, Kairi. Team Rocket's up to their usual tricks," Sora said.
"We can't just go up front, because they'll just grab Pikachu from you," Kairi said.
"You're right," Sora agreed. He started to think. "We just gotta save the Pokémon from those morons; but how?"
"Wait, I have an idea. We can have Venonat sneak in," Tracey said.
"Venonat?" Sora asked.
"Right. Venonat can sneak in and out without any problem. He did that whenever there was a Pokémon that seems too difficult to find. His compound eyes would find a space for him to get in," Tracey said.
"That's not a bad plan. Venonat can come in handy. Let's get started," Sora said.
"Right," Tracey said, taking out Venonat's Pokéball. "Come out, Venonat!" His Pokéball opened and Venonat stood before Tracey. He bends down to the Insect Pokémon. "Venonat, I have a mission for you. I want you to go over to that booth and see if there's a place for you to get in without being seen."
"Venonat," Venonat nodded.
Venonat heads for the booth and hid behind a cardboard box, and luckily, Team Rocket didn't see him. He uses his compound eyes and saw an entrance to the back which is unguarded. Venonat quickly makes his move.
"Venonat found his way in," Kairi said.
"Told you his eyes would come in handy," Tracey said.
Venonat carefully opened the backdoor, and luckily for him, Meowth, Wobbuffet, and Mime Jr didn't see him. Venonat searched for the Pokéballs, and he found a burlap sack. Venonat knew it had to be what he was looking for. Venonat stepped back out and signaled Tracey and the couple.
"Venonat!" Venonat said.
"Great job, Venonat," Tracey said.
"Okay, let's go," Sora said. They crept slowly and not letting Team Rocket see them. Sora peeked inside and saw the sack, along with Meowth, Wobbuffet, and Mime Jr not looking. Sora sneaked inside. He's being as quiet as possible. Once he reached the sack, he carefully sneaked out and stepped out. He whispered, "Mission accomplished." Kairi and Tracey smiled and they went back to where they were before.
"It's getting late. Looks like we'll close up early tonight and try again tomorrow morning," James said.
"Good idea. I need my beauty sleep anyway," Jessie said.
"Wobbuffet!" Wobbuffet said.
"Before we turn in, let's have a look at our haul one more time," James said.
"You've read my mind, Jimmy-boy," Meowth said. He turned around and saw the sack is gone. He screamed. "The sack! It's gone!" Jessie and James saw it was gone.
"All of our hard work just flushed down the crapper!" James exclaimed.
"Meowth, you were supposed to keep watch!" Jessie snapped at the Scratch Cat Pokémon.
"But I don't know what could have happened!" Meowth said.
They heard a whistle and they saw Sora and his friends with the sack.
"Hey! Did you guys lose something?" Sora taunted. Jessie growled.
"Twerps! I should have known!" Jessie said.
"Give those Pokémon back this minute!" James said.
"We stole those unfair and square!" Meowth said.
"I hate it when people steals back what we already stole!" Jessie said.
"You guys have a lot of nerve of pulling this kind of stunt, and so we're gonna make you regret it," Sora said.
"We'll see about that!" Jessie said, taking out a Pokéball and threw it. "Arbok! Go!" Her Pokéball opened and Arbok came out.
"Cha-bok!" Arbok hissed. James took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"I choose you, Weezing!" James called out. His Pokéball opened and Weezing emerged from inside.
"Weezing!" Weezing wheezed.
Sora and Kairi each took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Mismagius!" Kairi called out.
"Go! Bayleef!" Sora called out.
Their Pokéballs opened as Bayleef and Mismagius both came out to battle.
"Arbok! Use Poison Sting!" Jessie ordered.
"Weezing! Use Sludge Wave!" James ordered.
Arbok and Weezing fired their attacks at the couple's Pokémon.
"Bayleef! Dodge and use Body Slam on Arbok!" Sora ordered. Bayleef jumped and lands onto Arbok.
"Mismagius! Dodge and use Mystical Fire on Weezing!" Kairi ordered. Mismagius dodges and gave Weezing a hit with Magical Fire.
"Arbok! Use Wrap on Mismagius!" Jessie ordered. Arbok heads for Mismagius and wraps his body around Mismagius, but it has zero effect on her.
"Jessie, have you blown a gasket?! You should know by now Normal-type moves have zero effect on Ghost-type Pokémon!" Meowth exclaimed.
"Now you tell me," Jessie groaned.
"Bayleef! Use Vine Whip on Arbok!" Sora ordered. Bayleef uses her Vine Whip onto Arbok, landing a hit.
"Use Shadow Ball!" Kairi ordered. Mismagius fires Shadow Ball at Arbok, landing a hit.
"Weezing! Use Sludge Wave!" James ordered. Weezing spews another Sludge Wave at the couple's Pokémon.
"Use Psychic!" Kairi ordered. Mismagius blocks it with Psychic and sends it back to its owner, landing a hit. "Use Power Gem!"
"How dare you! Wobbuffet! Use Counter!" Jessie ordered.
"Wobbuffet!" Wobbuffet uses Counter to reflect Power Gem, but it was too powerful for Wobbuffet to reflect. "Wobbu."
"No, we're losing!" James exclaimed.
"You that right! Tracey, wanna do the honors?" Sora asked.
"It'll be my pleasure! Venonat! Use Sleep Powder on them!" Tracey ordered. Venonat sprinkles Sleep Powder onto Team Rocket.
"I'm feeling sleepy," Meowth said as he yawned.
"It's because of Sleep Powder," James also yawned.
Just then, Officer Jenny's motorcycle pulls up.
"So, you're the crooks who set up this phony massage parlor! You're under arrest!" Officer Jenny said.
"First, you'll have to catch us!" Jessie said in a sleepy tone.
They began to run for it.
"Come back here!" Officer Jenny said, chasing after them.
"I'm surprised they're able to keep going even after being hit with that Sleep Powder," Sora said.
"So am I. They should have fallen completely asleep after getting hit by it," Tracey said.
"It really doesn't matter, because we got the stolen Pokémon back, so we can return them to the Trainers they stole them from," Kairi said.
The boys agreed and headed for the Pokémon Center and the Pokémon were returned to the Trainers after being victimized by Team Rocket.
"Thank you for saving my Pokémon for me," the Trainer with the Marill said.
"Not a problem. Just doing what we think is right," Sora said with a smile. He chuckled. "And those thieves are getting what's coming to them."
Meanwhile, Team Rocket managed to get away and the effect of Sleep Powder wares off.
"I don't feel sleepy anymore," Meowth said.
"Oh, this is bad. We lose all the Pokémon we stole, and we lost to the twerps again! What could be worse than this?" Jessie asked. A beeping is heard, knowing it's Giovanni making contact. "This is worse." Jessie pressed the button to see Giovanni on the screen. "Mr. Giovanni, sir. It's such a pleasure to see you twice in one day." Jessie smiled nervously.
"Nevermind the flattery. I'm just checking in. I trust that your operation is going smoothly, isn't it?" Giovanni asked. Jessie winced as James shook nervously.
"Um, about that," Meowth said.
"Am I going to assume that you failed once again?" Giovanni asked.
"Uh well-" James said.
"I have no interest in hearing your pathetic excuses! I was going to double your debts, but instead, I shall triple it! James, you are a mistake I should never have made! Meowth, you're a stray who should have stayed a stray! And I will close by saying this to Jessie! Your mother would be ashamed to have a daughter like you, and I am glad that she's not alive to see you become such a disgrace to her and to Team Rocket!" Giovanni said, breaking contact. Team Rocket groaned.
"It's just as I said before," James said.
"Now our problems just got tripled," Jessie said.
"At least weren't given the axe," Meowth said.
Team Rocket have failed once again, and the Whirl Cup is about to begin the main competition, so it'll get intense. Who will make it to the top? Find out when we continue.