Episode 179: Pikachu, Where Are You?
We open the scene with a typical bank at night. Just then, a shadowy figure is moving through the bank. He snuck through the bank and he took out a Pokéball and unleashed a Golem. The Megaton Pokémon heads right for the bank vault and pulls the door opened, sounding the alarm. The figure and the Golem grabs sacks of money and make their escape. The security guard came running out with a flashlight and sees that the robber and the money were gone.
"Oh, shit! Not again!" The security guard exclaimed.
In the World That Never Was, Xaldin made his report to Xemnas.
"I see. This is most troubling. Not only has Naminé acquired her own Keyblade, but someone is wearing our cloak, other than the ghost," Xemnas said.
"Shall I go after the impostors and put an end to them?" Xaldin asked.
"No. They will most certainly make themselves known again. When they do, we will be ready for them," Xemnas said.
"If you say so," Xaldin said.
Back in Johto, Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Ash, Leaf, and the Pokémon made a stop in a Pokémon Center in another town and they were watching a news coverage on TV. Officer Jenny stands right next to him.
"Just where I am standing, the local bank was robbed blind just last night. Officer Jenny, would you care to comment?" The reporter asked.
"So far, we have no leads. But I do believe we have a suspect. This could only be the work of the master thief known as Goneff. We discovered a footprint in the bank last night, and it matches to that of a Golem, the very Pokémon he uses to aide him in his crimes. And it's also my belief that he is currently at large, committing all sorts of crimes as we speak. If you happen to see him, call the police station immediately," Officer Jenny stated.
"A thief that uses a Pokémon to help commit crimes? How despicable," Kairi said, disgusted.
"I agree," Naminé agreed, sharing Kairi's disgust.
"If that Goneff guy does bump into us, he'll be sorry that he did," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Pichu," the Spiky-eared Pichu said.
"Pichu," The Shiny Pichu said.
"Toge, Toge, Togepi," Togepi chirped.
"Azurill," Azurill chirped.
A little later, Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Ash, Leaf, and the Pokémon left the Pokémon Center to a mountain just close to the town to do some training. Sora had his Stantler and Pupitar out for the training excercises. Unknown to the group, the shadowy figure and his Golem saw them on the mountain.
"Those little brats could mean trouble. If they stick around, they might find the money, and my hideout will certainly be found out," the shadoy figure said in a Russian accent.
"Golem," Golem said.
"You round up the Geodude and Graveler, while I get ready," the shadowy figure said. Golem left its partner and started to round up the Geodude and Graveler that live in the area.
Down below, Sora looked at Stantler and Pupitar as they got ready to spar.
"Okay, are you guys ready to go?" Sora asked. Both Pokémon nodded to confirm.that they are. "Okay, go for it! Stantler! Use Psyshield Bash!" Stantler charges right at Pupitar with a psychic energy. "Okay, Pupitar! Dodge it!" Pupitar jumped up in the air. "That was great! Use Dark Pulse!" Pupitar unleashed a Dark Pulse right at the deer-like Pokémon. "Dodge it, Stantler!" Stantler manages to dodge Pupitar's Dark Pulse. "Use Psyshield Bash again!" Stantler came at Pupitar again. Stantler lands a hit onto Pupitar. "You okay, Pupitar?"
"Tar," Pupitar said.
"Okay, use Crunch!" Sora ordered. Pupitar came at Stantler with a Crunch. "Use Psyshield Bash!" Stantler and Pupitar came at each other. They clashed right into each other and they do some damage to each other. Next thing they knew, both Stantler and Pupitar started to evolve. Pupitar has evolved right into a Tyranitar, while Stantler has become a snow deer-like Pokémon. Its body is mostly gray with white spots, as well as white fur on its lower legs, underside, round tail, eyebrows, and mane, the latter resembling a beard. the newly evolved Pokémon has large, golden antlers, the shape of which resembles radio antennae. Each of these antlers has one black orb near the base. He also has a brown nose and black cloven hooves, as well as two tufts of fur on the back of each lower leg. "Wow and who are you?" Sora took out his Pokédex and scanned him.
Wyrdeer, the Bighorn Pokémon
The evolved form of Stantler
Type: Normal/Psychic
The black orbs shine with an uncanny light when the Pokémon is erecting invisible barriers. The fur shed from its beard retains heat well and is a highly useful material for winter clothing.
"Wyrdeer. Another new Pokémon under my belt, and pretty cool, too," Sora said.
"I agree, that is cool," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
"Well, you did have Stantler use Psyshield Bash twenty times; at least that's how I heard it," Tracey said.
"You heard right, Tracey. I can bet Professor Kukui would bust a button when he sees Wyrdeer with his own eyes," Riku said.
"The same thing can be said with Professor Oak and Professor Elm," Naminé said.
"Azurill, rill," Azurill chirped.
Suddenly, without warning, rocks started to fall down right towards them. Ash quickly notices it.
"Look out!" Ash exclaimed. Everyone starts running for their lives as the rocks almost crushes them.
"What was that about?" Leaf asked. Naminé looked up and spotted something up ahead.
"Look at that!" Naminé exclaimed. Everyone looked up to see Geodude and Graveler on the mountain above them.
"Those are Geodude and Graveler. They must live on this mountain," Ash said.
"But why would they just attack us like that?" Kairi asked.
"They must think we were invading on their territory," Sora said. The Geodude and Graveler unleashed even more rocks at the group. "Watch out! Their using Rock Slide!" Everyone ran for their lives once again, but they ended up being separated from each other, ending up in the mountain's caves. Sora, Kairi, Naminé, Pikachu, Angel, Togepi, Wyrdeer, Tyranitar, and Azurill ends up going one way while Ash and Tracey go another, and Riku, Leaf, Eevee, and the Pichu goes another way. Sora, Kairi, Naminé, Pikachu, and Angel ends up panting from the running they were doing. "That was too close."
"Pikachu," Pikachu agreed.
"Those Rock-types sure were mad," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel agreed.
"But at least we're safe. Right, Riku?" Naminé asked. She noticed Riku wasn't with them. "Riku? Where are you, Riku?"
"We must have gotten separated when those Geodude and Graveler attacked us," Sora said.
"I hope they're okay," Kairi said.
"Me too. We'll find the others first, then find the exit," Sora said.
Meanwhile, Riku noticed that Sora and the others aren't with them anymore.
"Well, this we didn't need," Leaf said. Riku was quiet for the most part and he was thinking about how organized those Geodude and Graveler were. "Something on your mind, Riku?"
"I was just thinking. Didn't seem rather odd by how those Geodude and Graveler seemed so organized?" Riku asked.
"What do you mean?" Leaf asked.
"Think about it, Leaf. Those Geodude and Graveler worked too well together. It's almost like it was planned that way," Riku said.
"You don't think it could be Team Rocket, do you?" Leaf asked.
"I doubt it, because even those three losers couldn't organize a search party if their lives depended on it," Riku said.
"Eevee, vee?" Eevee asked.
"Right, Eevee. Someone is here," Riku said.
Meanwhile, Ash and Tracey started to move through the caves.
"I think we should stick together, because it looks easy to get lost in here," Ash said.
"You're right. Luckily, I have Smeargle with me for just an emergency," Tracey said, taking out Smeargle's Pokéball and opened it to let out his Smeargle. "Okay, Smeargle, we're going to need your ability to paint the walls to help everyone find us."
"Smeargle," Smeargle said.
"Good thinking, Tracey," Ash said.
"Let's go. Sora, Kairi, Riku, and the rest might be already looking for us, and we should do the same thing," Tracey said.
Smeargle makes a marking on the wall as a clue for their friends as they go in.
Over to Sora, Kairi, Naminé, Pikachu, Angel, Togepi, and Azurill, Sora had called back Tyranitar and Wyrdeer to rest up, so they ventured in the caverns to search for their missing friends.
"Ugh, it's getting darker the further we go," Sora said.
"Maybe we should use some flashlights to light our way," Naminé suggested.
"I have a better idea," Kairi said, taking out a Pokéball. "Come out, Chinchou." Chinchou came right out of his Pokéball.
"Chinchou," Chinchou said, lighting up the area.
"Great idea, Kairi. Chinchou should make it easier for us to go in since we might end up getting even more lost than we already are," Sora said.
"Or we end up being even more separated," Kairi said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"It should be easy for Ash, Tracey, Leaf, and Riku to find us," Naminé said.
"You're right, Naminé. Let's keep going," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Okay, Chinchou, lead the way," Kairi said.
"Chou," Chinchou said, leading Sora, Kairi, Naminé and the Pokémon through the dark.
Back to Ash and Tracey, they kept going through the cave as Smeargle marks the walls on the cave. Ash looked at the wall and saw the marking Smeargle has left.
"I think we're going around in circles, Tracey. I know because I saw this marking at least three times already," Ash said.
"These caverns must be a maze. I just hope Sora and the others are having better luck than we are," Tracey said.
Over to Riku, Leaf, Eevee, and the Pichu, they made their way the caverns and they saw a pair of footprints. He knew it didn't belong to Team Rocket or any of his friends.
"Just as I thought. Someone is definitely in here with us," Riku said.
"Pichu," both Pichu said.
"Wow, you were right, Riku. But do you think someone might be lost in here, same as us?" Leaf asked.
"I doubt it. Whoever's in here knows these caverns like he or she would know the back of his or her hand," Riku said.
"Eevee," Eevee said.
"Let's go," Riku said.
Riku, Leaf, Eevee, and the Pichu kept going even further in, unaware of a group of Geodude watching them.
Over to Sora, Kairi, Naminé, Pikachu, Angel, Togepi, and Azurill, they came across a pair of footprints, but it didn't look human.
"Sora, Naminé, look!" Kairi said. They do stop. "Footprints."
"These look like they belong to a Golem," Naminé said.
"That makes sense, because everybody knows Golem is the evolved form of Graveler after evolving from Geodude," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"And they look fresh," Sora said.
"Maybe the Golem that left it here was patrolling the caverns," Naminé said.
"If it did, then we should follow them and see where they lead," Sora said.
Sora, the girls, and the Pokémon followed the footprints to what looks like a small living quarters. There was a pot, a bed, and canned food.
"Someone could be here," Kairi said.
"You think it might be a hermit?" Naminé asked.
"But what hermit would need a can opener?" Sora asked, picking it up.
"Whoever lives here could help us," Kairi said.
"Uh, what if he's a crazy cannibal? He might take one look at us and have us for his next meal," Sora said.
"You know, I think he's right. There is no such thing as being too careful," Naminé said.
"Maybe we should keep moving," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said. She then spotted something sparkling. She ran off towards it. "Eevee!" This gets Sora, Kairi, and Naminé's attention.
"Look! Angel's found something," Naminé said. They went towards the female Eevee and they saw it was a munny.
"This is a piece of munny. Another reason this guy couldn't be a hermit," Sora said.
"We should carry that with us just to make sure," Kairi said.
"Right," Sora said, putting it in his pocket. Just then, a bunch of Graveler showed up and surprised them. "Crap! Graveler!"
"Chinchou! Use Water Gun!" Kairi ordered. Chinchou fired Water Gun at the Rock Pokémon. Water Gun hits one of them, but the other Graveler attacked with a Mud-Slap, hitting Chinchou. "That was Mud-Slap!"
"Look out!" Sora said as the Graveler attacked again. "Run!" Sora, Kairi, Naminé, and the Pokémon ran as the Graveler kept on attacking as they chased after them until they were out of sight. "That was close."
"It sure was," Kairi said. She and Naminé noticed Pikachu was gone. "Where's Pikachu?"
"Pikachu?" Sora asked, looking around. "Oh no! Pikachu, where are you?"
"Pika, Pika," Pikachu said, pulling something.
"There you are, buddy. You had me scared for a second," Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu apologized.
"Hey, what's that Pikachu's holding?" Naminé asked.
"It looks like a sack," Kairi said. Sora opened the sack and looked inside were munny.
"A sack full of munny," Sora said. He then realized something. "Wait a minute, I'm getting what's going on here."
"Yeah, what?" The girls asked.
"I have a feeling that the bank thief is here somewhere," Sora said.
"You mean the thief who robbed the bank just last night?" Kairi asked.
"The very same," Sora said.
"Why would a bank thief come here of all places?" Naminé asked.
"We can worry about that later. Right now, we gotta find Riku and the others. Then we'll explain what we found," Sora said.
Over to Ash and Tracey, they eventually stopped going in circles and went even further.
"So glad we got out of that loop," Tracey said.
"Sora and the others would get lost in that part of the caverns if they come here, that's for sure," Ash said. He spotted something on the ground. "Hey, what's that?" He picked up a big piece of munny. "It's a big piece of munny."
"What's it doing in here?" Tracey asked.
"I don't know, but I can bet my Keyblade that Sora, Riku, and the rest have found something by now, and I don't mean the exit," Ash said.
Over to Riku, Leaf, Eevee, and the Pichu, they kept wondering around and they came to what looks like an old railroad.
"Do you see what I see?" Leaf asked.
"I sure do. A railroad. This mountain must have been a mine once," Riku said. "But the question is, what were they mining for?"
"It could be diamonds, and it looks like the mountain's been swept clean of it. And it looks like nobody's been using those for a long time," Leaf said. They soon hear the sound of a railcar coming.
"Sounds like someone's making good use for it now. Come on, let's hide," Riku said as he, Eevee, and Leaf hide behind some big boulders. Coming in the front railcar is a pudgy man wearing a business suit and top hat. He has a monocle over his left eye and a bearded face. He got out and took sacks of money in the other railcars and he laughed once he filled them up.
"Love it when goes go as planned. Golem should have gotten those kiddies out of here by now, just so I can get away with my loot. Be back for the rest later," the man said as he rode in the opposite direction.
Once they made sure he was gone, Riku, Leaf, Eevee, and the Pichu poked their heads out of hiding and walked over to the sacks of money.
"Call me Captain Obvious if you want, but I'm gonna guess that's Goneff the bank thief," Riku said.
"Eevee," Eevee agreed.
"He did mention a Golem, so it should be obvious. He must have been using this mountain as a hideout," Leaf said.
"That gives us more of a reason to find everyone and tell them what we found," Riku said.
"You're right, let's go," Leaf said.
And they set off, continuing their search for their friends.
Back Sora, Kairi, Naminé, Pikachu, Angel, Togepi, and Azurill, they're suddenly attacked by a group of Geodude and they attacked with a Rock Throw. Kairi took out Lure Ball and threw it.
"You're up, Corsola!" Kairi called out. Her Lure Ball opened and Corsola came right out.
"Corsola!" Corsola chirped.
"Okay, Corsola! Use Bubble Beam!" Kairi ordered. Corsola fired Bubble Beam, hitting the Geodude. Sora took out his Fast Ball and Pokéball and threw them.
"Okay, go! Ambipom and Quagsire!" Sora called out. Both his Pokémon came right out to battle the Geodude. "Ambipom! Use Power-Up Punch! Quagsire! Use Mud Shot!" Ambipom gave one Geodude a punch with on of her two tails as Quagsire unleashed a mud ball as big as Quagsire's mouth, hitting some of the others. They just kept on coming.
"They just keep coming!" Naminé gasped.
"We're surrounded!" Sora said as he sees a few Geodude cuts their retreat, going back.
"This is getting ridiculous!" Kairi said.
"Eevee!" Angel agreed.
"We gotta keep fighting our way through, and this will do it," Sora said, taking out another Pokéball. "Come out, Ursaluna!" His Pokéball opened and Ursaluna emerged from inside. Sora and the girls got on the large bear Pokémon's back as Pikachu and Angel jumped on. Ambipom got on and she grabbed Quagsire with both of her tails. "Okay, Ursaluna! Use Headlong Rush on those Geodude!" Ursaluna charges right at the Rock Pokémon with incredible force, sending the Geodude in front of them flying. Ursaluna kept on going, plowing through any Geodude that stood in their way until they got clean away.
"We lost them," Naminé said.
"Don't relax yet, Naminé," Kairi said.
"She's right. We still a search to do," Sora said. He turned to his three Pokémon. "Great job, you guys. You've earned a good rest." He calls Ampbipom, Ursaluna, and Quagsire back inside to rest.
"Hey, I think I heard Sora's voice just ahead of us!" Tracey's voice said.
"I hear him, too!" Ash's voice said.
"Tracey, Ash!" Sora called out.
Ash and Tracey came within sight of Sora, Kairi, Naminé, Pikachu, Angel, Togepi, and Azurill.
"Thank goodness you're okay, but where are Riku and Leaf?" Naminé asked.
"We were hoping they were with you," Leaf said.
"Well, most of us are back to together, but you're not gonna believe this, but we found out someone was living here, because we found a bed and a pot along with a gang of Geodude and Graveler around here," Sora said.
"Did you also find some bags of stolen money?" Tracey asked.
"We did find one," Kairi said.
"And we came to the conclusion that the bank thief is using this mountain as a hideout," Naminé said.
"I thought this was fishy. Riku and Leaf might have gotten that same thought by now; that's if they found something," Ash said.
"But what did they find?" Tracey asked.
"We can ask them that when we get out of here," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
Back with Riku, Leaf, Eevee, and the Pichu, they kept on going through the caverns right until they came across another set of railroad.
"Another one," Leaf said.
"We should follow it and see where it goes," Riku suggested. Leaf agreed and she followed Riku, Eevee, and the Pichu as they followed the railroad. Just then, the Golem came and stomped in front of them to stop them.
"Goneff's Golem!" Leaf exclaimed.
"It doesn't want us to keep going," Riku said.
"Eevee," Eevee said. Riku took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Skarmory!" Riku called out. His Pokéball opened and his Skarmory emerged from inside. "Use Metal Claw!" Skarmory came at Golem with its talons emitting a metallic glow. Golem then uses Double Team, making additional copies of itself. "That's not gonna stop me! Skarmory! Use Aerial Ace!" Skarmory dashed at one of the Golem, hitting it. It's revealed to be the real one. "Great! Use Steel Wing!" Skarmory came at Golem with a Steel Wing. Golem gets hit by Skarmory's wings.
Back to the rest of the group, they hear the sound of a Pokémon battle going on.
"I think we found them," Tracey said.
"We'll follow the sound and help out," Sora said.
"Let's go!" Kairi said.
With that said, Sora, Kairi, Naminé, Ash, Leaf, Tracey, and the Pokémon followed the sound of the battle.
"Riku, Leaf!" Sora called out. Golem turned to see them. Riku and Leaf does look, too.
"Sora, Ash, Kairi!" Leaf exclaimed.
"Naminé, Tracey!" Riku said.
"Golem," Golem said. It spins around and creates a dust storm. Everyone covered their mouths. When it cleared, they saw that the Golem was gone.
"Golem's gone," Tracey said.
"But where did he go?" Kairi asked.
"I think I know. Look at those footprints!" Riku said, pointing to the footprints next to the tracks.
"A railroad in the mountain?" Sora asked.
"That must be how the thief was getting around here so easily," Naminé said.
"Azurill," Azurill chirped.
"The thief was Goneff. We know because we saw him," Leaf said.
"And that was his Golem, too," Riku added.
"Pichu," the Shiny Pichu nodded.
"That explains everything. Goneff was hiding his loot here in the mountain," Kairi said.
"These tracks might lead us to Goneff," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Let's follow them while they're still fresh," Riku said.
The group followed the footprints. Golem ran up to Goneff as he was unloading the stolen munny into the back of a truck.
"Golem!" The Golem called out.
"Ah, I was wondering where you were. What kept you?" Goneff asked.
"Golem, Golem, Golem!" The Golem explained, pointing inside. He caught on.
"What? They're inside the mountain?" Goneff asked. Golem nodded. Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Ash, Leaf, Tracey, Pikachu, Angel, Eevee, Togepi, Azurill, and the Pichu found Goneff and his Golem.
"Golem led us right to Goneff!" Leaf said.
"The jig is up, Goneff!" Sora said.
"That's what you think! Golem! Use Strength!" Goneff ordered. Golem came at the group with great force.
"Use Iron Tail!" Sora ordered. Pikachu jumped and lands a hit with Iron Tail. Golem stumbled backwards.
"Don't let that yellow rodent overtake you, Golem! Use Double Team and then Dynamic Punch!" Goneff ordered. Golem made copies of himself again and then came at the Mouse Pokémon with a punch, each landing a hit.
"Pikachu!" Sora gasped. He took out another Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Meganium!" His Pokéball opened and his Meganium came right out to battle against the Megaton Pokémon. "Use Vine Whip on all of them!" Meganium extends her whip and swings them around. She successfully found the real Golem. "Use Petal Blizzard!" Meganium unleashed a flurry of flower petals, hitting Golem hard. Super-effective!
"No! Not my Golem!" Goneff exclaimed as Golem lands right on top of the thief.
"We got him!" Ash said.
"Now to turn him over to the authorities," Riku said.
It wasn't long until the local Officer Jenny came and apprehended Goneff for the successful capture of Goneff and his Golem.
"I gotta hand it to you kids. Not only have you found Goneff's hideout, but you captured him as well. I'm impressed," Officer Jenny said.
"Just doing what we think is right," Tracey said.
"But how did you find his hideout to begin with?" Officer Jenny asked.
"It was an accident actually. We were trying to find a way out and we ended up finding some clues along the way," Kairi said.
"Why would Geodude and Graveler just attack you out of the blue?" Officer Jenny asked.
"The Geodude and Graveler are all wild Pokémon, so knowing Golem is the fully evolved form of Geodude, Goneff had his Golem command the Geodude and Graveler like a general sending soldiers out to battle," Naminé said.
"That included ordering the Geodude and Graveler to attack anyone who would come to the mountain and attack anyone who came too close," Riku said.
"It was because he didn't want anyone to find out that it was where he was hiding his loot," Kairi said.
"Finding out that this used to be a mine, he used the railcars to get around the caverns very easily and gather his loot and move it, and that's where we found his truck," Sora said.
"And I would have gotten away with it if it weren't you nosy brats," Goneff said.
"Yeah, yeah, tell it to the judge," Officer Jenny said, pushing him in the back of the police car. "Thanks to you, Goneff's crime spree has come to an end. And the stolen money's being returned to where he took them from."
"Well, all's well that ends well, I guess," Ash said.
"It sure does. Better we deal with another crook rather than the morons for a change," Sora said. He laughed.
"Better him than those three anyway," Leaf agreed.
"You mean any day," Tracey said.
A notorious thief was caught and they managed to solve a mystery that was accidentally on their laps. Now the journey to Mahogany Town continues on as Sora makes plans to earn his seventh Johto Gym Badge and get one step closer to entering the Johto Pokémon League. But we shall end the chapter with this...
"Pika, Pikachu!" Pikachu said, chuckling.