Episode 202: Rei Sakura
Before we begin this chapter, I thought I' take this opportunity to introduce an OC whom was suggested to me by 3bodyjaa not too long ago. She would be a student of Sora's late father, and she is given a sad back story before she met him and being there just before Sora and Karen were even born. Kaito and Rei are gonna have an Anakin and Ahsoka-like relationship, but the only difference is, Kaito didn't turn evil. Also, I plan on having the Team Rocket organization dissolved in this fic, so I'll think of a way for them to find their base of operations and a final showdown between Sora and Giovanni. And I plan on having a Mirage Kingdom arc coming up before we get started with the Hoenn arc. Enjoy!
Shortly after Team Rocket took off running, the group helped cleaning the house after what Team Rocket did.
"I just want to say how sorry we are that you had to go through all that," Sora apologized.
"Don't worry about it, Sora. You can't control every little thing that happens, apart from the Heartless and Team Rocket. There's nothing to forgive," Ethan's mother said.
"She's right, Sora. Things happen for a reason. I mean, I made it through the realm of darkness with your help, and we took down Ansem before he could do some real damage, and we stopped Team Rocket by saving the Slowpoke in Slowpoke Well, shutting down their radio transmission in Mahogany Town, and stopped them from taking over the Radio Tower in Goldenrod City. And those three idiots sure had it coming," Ethan said.
The repairs on the house went well, just like it was new. They all had a meal to celebrate their success. They didn't waste any time in enjoying it so much.
Meanwhile, over to Odaiba City, Roxas, Axel, and Xion sat on the roof of their hiding place, eating some sea salt ice cream Axel has got for them.
"Here's to the three of us," Axel said.
"Here, here," Roxas said.
"May that the three of us never be separated," Xion said.
They each take a bite of the ice cream treat.
"Axel, do you have any regrets leaving the Organization?" Xion asked.
"No. I don't regret leaving the Organization. What I do regret is not having to leave the first chance I got. That is until I met you two. You guys are the best thing to ever happen to me," Axel said.
"I guess I'd feel the same way if I could feel anything," Roxas said. "But I will say I don't regret leaving either. Especially for the way that they used me."
"It must have been hard for you," Xion said.
"It was. But Xipak made it easier for me when we first met," Roxas said, petting Xipak on the head.
"I see what you mean. You two grew so close even if you were only together for a short time," Xion said.
"Well, I'm close to you, Xion," Roxas said, making Xion blush. Roxas blushed when he said that. "Uh, we should eat our ice cream before they melt."
"It'll be a shame to let it go to waste," Xion said, taking a bite of their ice cream. Axel said nothing and just grinned to himself.
"Those two were definitely made for each other. Just like Sora and Kairi," Axel said in his thoughts.
Meanwhile, we see a young woman who appears to be around the same age as Axel. She has light skin, black hair that reached her shoulders and green eyes. She wore a white dress, and white heels. A Soldier suddenly appeared and she summoned a Keyblade that is the same design as the Kingdom Key. It features a gold handguard, and a blue blade patterned in the manner of Star Seeker. At the four corners of the handguard are five-pointed star designs. The Keychain has the same Pokéball Token. This Keyblade is the Star Cluster. She struck the Soldier down and a heart is seen floating up in the air.
"I sense a bright light coming from New Bark Town. What could it mean?" The young woman asked herself. "This light feels familiar. So much like Kaito's light. I should see for myself." She continued to walk towards the town.
Meanwhile, Sora and his Pokémon were training hard as Kairi Ventus, Angel, Togepi, and the Pichu kept on watching them train. So Sora decided to have a sparring match with Tracey and his Venonat. Sora was sending out Pikachu against the Insect Pokémon.
"Okay, Tracey, don't hold back," Sora said.
"Just don't end up regretting it, Sora. Okay, Venonat! Tackle!" Tracey ordered. Venonat rushes at Pikachu with a full force of his body.
"Dodge with Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Pikachu dodges Venonat's Tackle just by jumping out of the way. "Use Iron Tail!" Pikachu swings his tail down at Venonat.
"Dodge it, Venonat!" Tracey called out. Venonat dodges Pikachu's Iron Tail. "Use Poison Fang!" Venonat came at Pikachu with a Poison Fang.
"Dodge it and use Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu managed to dodge Venonat's Poison Fang and gave the Incest Pokémon a jolt of Thunderbolt. Venonat jumped out of the way just in time. Venonat came at Pikachu and lands a poisonous bite onto Pikachu. "Hey, that was great, Tracey!"
"Venonat and I were practicing that one, so we just put it in good use!" Tracey said.
"It shows! Okay, Pikachu! Use Electro Ball!" Sora ordered. Pikachu forms a ball of electricity and sends it right at Venonat.
"Dodge and use Sleep Powder!" Tracey ordered. Venonat dodges and sprinkles Sleep Powder right at Pikachu.
"Dodge it!" Sora called out. Pikachu dodges Venonat's Sleep Powder with success. "Use Thunderbolt!" Pikachu unleashed a Thunderbolt and gave Venonat quite a shock. The Insect Pokémon fell on the ground, but it wasn't enough to bring him down.
"You okay, Venonat?" Tracey asked.
"Venonat," Venonat said. Venonat then started to evolve much to Tracey surprise. Kairi, Ventus, and the Pokémon were just as surprised.
"What's going on with Venonat?" Ventus asked.
"Venonat's evolving!" Kairi said.
"Eevee!" Angel said.
Venonat has now become a Venomoth. The newly evolved Venomoth hovers above the air.
"Venonat evolved! He must have been close to evolving! It must have been from all the training Sora got us through, there's no doubt about it," Tracey said in his thoughts.
"Wasn't expecting that to happen. Pikachu, you still good to go?" Sora asked.
"Pika," Pikachu nodded.
"Great! Use Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered.
"Venomoth! Use Gust!" Tracey ordered. Venomoth flapped his wings and blew the electric attack in the air. "Poison Fang!" Venomoth flew at Pikachu to land a Poison Fang.
"Use Thunderbolt when Venomoth gets close enough!" Sora ordered. Pikachu waited for the Poison Moth Pokémon to get close enough to him and fired a Thunderbolt, shocking him. Venomoth goes down, taking some damage.
"Venomoth!" Tracey exclaimed. Venomoth weakly gets back up in the air. "Use Gust!" Venomoth flapped his wings again as a familiar Jugglypuff came in the middle of the battlefield. She was about to sing her song when she gets blown away in the wind.
"Jigglypuff!" Jigglypuff cried as she goes flying.
"Was that Jigglypuff just now?" Kairi asked.
"Eevee?" Angel asked.
"Toge, Toge," Togepi chirped.
Just then, Terra and Aqua stepped out.
"Sora, we hate to interupt you, but Professor Oak just called. He said he wanted to see you down in Professor Elm's lab," Aqua said.
"So soon?" What for?" Sora asked.
"He said it was a surprise," Terra said.
"I guess we're gonna have to cut this short, huh?" Sora asked.
"It must be important if Professor Oak has called you over," Tracey said.
"He's also calling for Kairi, too," Terra said.
With that said, the couple and their Pokemon partners headed down for Professor Elm's lab and he saw Professor Oak with a small, orange Pokémon that has a body of plasma. It is mostly spherical, with a bulb below its body and a long pointed protrusion on top, making it shaped like a lightning rod. There is a whitish blue aura of electricity around it that forms lightning bolt-shaped appendages. It has teeth, and its unique, blue eyes have a dividing line across them.This Pokémon is known as a Rotom.
"You wanted to see us, Professor?" Sora asked.
"Yes, and I'm glad you did, Sora. I have such a gift for you," Professor Oak, took out what looks like smartphones, one is red, and one is pink. It has a circle that has a light blue glow in the middle. He hands them both for to Sora and Kairi. "Alright, Rotom, you may do your thing." Rotom darts right for the red phone, surprising Sora and Kairi. The smartphone screens has Rotom appearing on the screen, loading it up. Once it was 100%, the homepage of the phone is displayed. Rotom's face appears at the back of the phone.
"Cool!" Sora said as another Rotom heads for the phone Kairi is holding and it does the same thing for her. Kairi was awestruck once it was completed. The Rotom face appeared.
"This is neat! Was that a Rotom?" Kairi asked.
"Yes, it was. In fact, that's a Rotom Phone you both have in your possesions. Ash, Leaf, Lyra, Kris, Riku, Naminé, and Ethan each have already retrieved one, so these are the last two. The Rotom Phone should function as any smartphone, but I have downloaded a Pokédex app onto each of your new Rotom Phones, so you can gain information on any Pokémon you come across, just like any Pokédex," Professor Oak said.
"We appreciate it, professor. Thank you very much for the thoughtful gift," Kairi said.
"You're very welcome, Kairi. I have hoped you would enjoy them," Professor Oak said with a smile.
A little while later, Sora placed a silver crown sticker on his Rotom Phone as Kairi placed a flower sticker on hers. And they put in important phone numbers, including their the phones of their families.
"There. It works," Sora said.
"These really should come in handy," Kairi said.
"I think we should give these a try. I think I'll test it on Togepi," Sora said.
"Okay, and I think I'll try it on the Pichu," Kairi said.
"Pichu?" The Pichu both asked. Kairi points her Rotom Phone at the Pichu and she scanned them both.
Pichu, the Tiny Mouse Pokémon
Type: Electric
Whenever Pichu unleashed their electricity, they hurt themselves in the process. They may even unleash electricity whenever they're surprised or scared.
"Pichu?" The Shiny Pichu asked.
"Pichu," the Spiky-Eared Pichu said.
Sora tested his on Togepi.
Togepi, the Spike Ball Pokémon
Type: Fairy
Togepi gives off a mysterious power from its shell. This power is espacailly strong when Togepi are treated with kindness.
"Togepi," Togepi chirped.
"Nice features on the Pokédex. It even keeps tabs on the Pokémon that I caught and seen," Sora said.
"Same with mine," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
Just then, the young woman approached the couple, alerting Sora and Kairi.
"Chu!" Pikachu exclaimed.
"Vee!" Angel said.
"What's wrong, Angel?" Kairi asked.
"It better be those three again," Sora said under his breath, assuming it was the Moron Trio. He said aloud, "Look, I thought I told you three not to show your faces arou-" Sora saw it wasn't Jessie, James, and Meowth. "Oh, I thought you were someone else."
"Who did you think it was? Lola Bunny?" The young woman joked. She took a good look at Sora and she smiled. "Look at you, Sora. You definitely grown from that baby I met before. You're a spitting image of your dad." Sora was a bit shocked to hear her.
"Wait, you know my dad? And you know me?" Sora asked.
"You know her, Sora?" Kairi asked.
"You do, but you wouldn't remember me anyway, because you and your sister were only babies when I first met you. But I definitely remember you," the young woman said.
"I think I saw some pictures of you. Wait, aren't you Rei Sakura, my dad's old student?" Sora asked.
"So you do remember me," Rei said.
"Barely. What are you doing here anyway?" Sora asked.
"Before I answer anything, I need to know if there are others like you. Are there others who holds the Keyblade?" Rei asked.
"Yeah," Sora answered.
"We were going to meet up with them when you approached us," Kairi said.
"I see," Rei said. She then said in her thoughts, "I knew it. I knew there were additional lights here in New Bark Town. All in one place." She then asked, "Would you take me to them, Sora?"
"Sure," Sora said. "Oh, I think I should introduce you. I want you to meet Kairi. She's my girlfriend."
"Hello," Kairi greeted. Rei just smiled.
"Oh, Sora, she's beautiful," Rei gushed, making Kairi blush. "You're a lucky girl, Kairi. Sora's dad was quite a looker, too."
"Was he?" Kairi asked, intrigued.
"Oh, he was. It always made his mom very jealous," Rei said. "Did that happen with him?"
"Trust me, there were girls that eyed him," Kairi said, confirming her question.
"Guess it runs in the family," Rei said.
Once they got to Ethan's house, Kris and Lyra arrived to the house as the Keyblade wielding Pokémon Trainers along with Tracey, Ventus, Terra, and Aqua were present, wanting to hear how Rei found them. Erhan's mother came in with some tea for their guest.
"I trust you would like some tea, miss Rei," Ethan's mother kindly offered.
"Thank you," Rei said, accepting the tea. Rei looked at the group as she knew they had all sorts of questions to ask her. "You have something you wanna ask me, right?"
"Yeah, we have some questions. My question is how exactly do you know Sora's dad?" Ash asked.
"It's a pretty long story. I didn't have a really good childhood when I was growing up. When since I was little, I lived with unloving parents. All they did was constantly telling me that they never wanted me, and they don't love me at all," Rei explained. The group was appalled by the unloving parents part.
"That's horrible," Kris said, feeling sorry for her.
"If that wasn't bad, well the next part of it was even worse. Just when my mother got pregnant with their second child, they abandoned me the first chance they got. And that was when I met Kaito. He didn't like the idea of parents not loving their children unconditionally. It wasn't long until Officer Jenny arrested them for child abandonment. And the baby was adopted by a different family. That baby turned out to be a girl," Rei said.
"It's good to know that people like them gets what they deserve," Aqua said.
"I'm just glad that my long-lost sister has a loving family, because I know they would have treated her the same way. But Kaito became the big brother I never had. He was more of a family to me than my real one ever was. I was there when he first met your mom and fell in love with her," Rei said.
"Oh, how sweet," Kairi cooed.
"Sora mentioned that you were his dad's student. What did he teach you exactly?" Ethan asked.
"I figured this was coming. He was teaching me how to use the Keyblade," Rei said, summoning the Star Cluster.
"You're a Keyblade wielder, too?" Lyra asked.
"Marill," Marill said.
"That's right, I was. Kaito taught me how to hold it properly and how to fight, how to use magic, and everything he knew," Rei said.
"That explains why Sora's mom wasn't surprised about Sora having a Keyblade. It was because Sora's dad had one before, as Sora mentioned," Riku said.
"Delia was a lucky woman to have Kaito and the two of us really hit it off very well. When Kaito married her, he asked me to be your godmother, so I accepted. It was a happy time for us," Rei said. Her happiness turned to sadness. "But fate has a cruel way to move. When Kaito died in his accident, I was completely distraught. I was present at his funeral, but I left afterwards. It wasn't until after I met you and Karen. Delia was saddened by his death when she was pregnant, but when you were born, she smiled again. It was good to see her happy, but it was incomplete, because your dad wasn't there. I just spent my time traveling around the world, passing through every village, town, and city that was on my path. I also put your dad's teachings to good use when it came to the Heartless and against the Nobodies. One day, I stopped by this restaurant in Vermillion City and I saw you on TV. It was the final battle of the Indigo Plateau Pokémon League tournament. I knew it was you the moment you appeared on the screen. I knew Kaito would be proud of you if he's alive right now."
Sora looked down at the table, so Pikachu looked at his partner.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"If I remember right, Pikachu was one of the Pokémon you used. You also used a Charizard, a Blastiose, a Venusaur, an Espeon, and an Umbreon, too," Rei said.
"Yeah, that's exactly right," Sora said. He looked at Pikachu. "Pikachu was my very first Pokémon. He's been with me since the day I got started."
"Sora, I want to see your Keyblade, if that's okay," Rei said. Sora summoned his Kingdom Key before Rei. Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, and Lyra summoned theirs as well.
"We used these Keyblades to take out the Heartless and the Nobodies. Since you fought the Nobodies, I need to ask you something. Have you ever heard of Organization XIII?" Sora asked.
"I heard of them. Sounds like you did, too," Rei said.
"Not just that, but we actually met some of their members," Kairi said.
"There is another question we got for you. Do you know why the Organization is after Sora?" Leaf asked.
"Sorry, but I can't help you there. Organization XIII is a ruthless group, you know that. It sounds serious if they're after him," Rei said.
"What about Kingdom Hearts?" Ethan asked.
"How do you know about Kingdom Hearts?" Rei asked.
"Okay, back in the Dragon's Den in Blackthorn City, the king of dragons, Bahamut told us that we are to protect Kingdom Hearts from any form of danger," Naminé said.
"But he said there are others around the world that has the ability to use Keyblades just like us," Leaf said.
"And they would use the Keyblades to help protect Kingdom Hearts," Kris said.
"We thought maybe you would know about Kingdom Hearts," Ethan said.
"I can't help you there either. Any knowledge regarding Kingdom Hearts have been lost for many millennia. Bahamut would never share this kind of knowledge with just anyone. Everything Kaito told me when I was learning from him is happening, but he didn't say when and how it'll happen," Rei said. "He was right. Well, since you know about my past, how about I hear about yours?"
"Okay, it's like this," Sora said. Sora explained to Rei that he knew Ash and Leaf when he and Karen were little kids, along with Gary Oak. He shared all sorts of experiences like how he and Kairi first met, and about their adventures together, and how they met Riku, Naminé, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, and Tracey, and about the different people and Pokémon they've met and caught. And about the Moron Trio from Team Rocket and how Sora told them off. Rei understood how he thought it was them when she met them. "So we came here to New Bark Town to train hard for the Johto Pokémon League."
"Wow, you've been through a whole lot. You truly are your dad's son," Rei said.
"Guess you can say that also runs in the family," Naminé joked, making everyone laugh, especially Riku.
"Good one, Naminé," Riku said.
"Eevee!" Eevee laughed.
Later that night, everyone was already in bed, but Rei couldn't sleep. She got up and stepped outside. She looked up to the moon. The light was shining down so brightly.
"Kaito, I hope you're watching this. You should be very proud of Sora. He's growing up so well. I just wish you were still with us," Rei said.
"I'm much closer than you think I am, Snow White," a voice spoke. She knew whose voice that was, and there was only one person who ever called her that. She turned around and saw him. It was Kaito Ketchum right before her.
"Kaito. You can't be here. You're-" Rei was cut off.
"Dead? Yeah, you're right, I am dead. But look at you. Look at how you've grown. You grew up the way I always knew you would, Rei," Kaito said. Rei was silent as she was not believing her own eyes. "I couldn't be any prouder of you." Tears slid her eyes.
"I missed you so much," Rei said.
"I missed you, too. Why is that you left the way you did, Rei?" Kaito asked.
"Because I couldn't be there. You were the one who brought me out of my shell, and I was too depressed to stick around. And I couldn't be the teacher your son needed. I was scared," Rei said.
"Is that it? Sora did better than I thought, with or without your teachings. But if you still felt that way, then why did you come here?" Kaito asked. Rei didn't answer him. "Because you faced your fears. You wouldn't be here if you haven't."
"You always could read me like a book," Rei said.
"It wasn't hard to figure out," Kaito said.
"But can I be just good a teacher as you?" Rei asked.
"I think you would be good as me, or better. So pass on what I taught you to others. But I'm going to share this bit wisdom to you that my teacher told me when I was learning. We are what they grow beyond. That stuck with me with me for a long time," Kaito said.
"That's sounds right. If you have faith in me, then I'll do my best to teach Sora, the others, and any young Keyblade wielder that comes my way," Rei said.
"I know you will, Rei. Just stay on your toes and you'll do just fine," Kaito said.
Rei nodded, letting him know she understood what he meant. She looked up to the moon and she realized she can do it.
"I'll do it, Kaito. It's the least I can do for y-" Rei said before she saw Kaito was gone. "Kaito, where are you? You can't leave me again!"
"I never did. And I never will. Good luck," Kaito's voice said. Rei didn't know if it was her mind playing tricks on her, but she knew the message was real. She had to do her best to make her mentor proud.
On the very next morning, Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Pikachu, Angel, Togepi, Eevee, Azurill, Marill, and the Pichu have gathered before Rei as she approached the Keyblade wielders.
"Good morning all of you," Rei greeted.
"Morning," Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, and Lyra greeted back.
"Today marks a new beginning for the nine of you, because starting today, you will be learning of the ways of the Keyblade. You may have learned to use your Keyblades, but there's a lot more than what you already know. Keyblade wielders come in two categories. The master and the apprentice. Since I'm the senior wielder of the Keyblade, that makes me the master, and you will all become my apprentices," Rei said.
"Apprentices?" Sora asked.
"The use of the Keyblade is one thing, but mastering the Keyblade takes years of learning to accomplish. The path all of you will take will not be easy. If you want out, then now will be the only time to do so," Rei said.
"We're all in," Sora said, speaking for everyone. Rei just grinned.
"Alright then. We can get started," Rei said.
The wielders of the Keyblade all had themselves a new teacher. Perhaps they will learn some techniques they haven't learned just yet, but only time knows the answer to that question. Stay tuned.