Episode 212: Get the Show On the Road!
Where we last left off, Sora, Kairi, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Pikachu, Angel, and Marill left with Professor Birch and they're currently on their way towards Littleroot Town, the starting point of the Hoenn region.
Sora and Kairi are on the deck of the ship, relaxing by the pool.
"Such a nice cruise, huh, Kairi?" Sora asked.
"It is, just as long I'm with you," Kairi said. Sora smiled as he wraps his arm around his girlfriend.
"I'm always having a great time just as long it's with you, Kairi," Sora said, placing a kiss on her cheek, making her giggle.
As the cruise to the Hoenn region continues, there were some of the passengers who recognized Sora.
"Look! It's him! It's Sora Ketchum! The Pokémon League Champion of both Kanto and Johto!" One of the passengers said.
"What is he doing here?" Another passenger asked.
"He must have heard about the Pokémon League in Hoenn and decided to head down there for himself," the first passenger said.
Sora looks over to the edge and he get an idea, though he wondered if he could get Kairi into it.
"Have you thought about flying?" Sora asked. Kairi looked at him quite confused. "Just come here and you'll see what I mean." He holds out his hand. "Shut your eyes." She closes her eyes. "Step on the ramp." She follows his directions carefully as he holds her. "That's great. Now let your arms out." She extends her arms as far as she could stretch them.
"Okay Sora. Now what?" Kairi asked.
"Open your eyes," Sora said. She opens them and she sees the ocean infront of her.
"Sora, I'm flying!" Kairi said. "I'm flying like a Charizard!" She stayed like that for a few moments before she turns to Sora and she kissed him on the lips. Sora kisses her back. Night came as the couple kissed each other good night and slept soundly. Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Professor Birch, Pikachu, Angel, and Marill slept just as soundly. Xipak and Celeste were hiding under one of the beds.
On the next morning, after everyone woke up, Sora, Kairi, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, and Lyra shared with Professor Birch about their past experiences, leaving out the Heartless, the Nobodies, and other things.
"Wow, you sure had your share of adventures," Professor Birch said.
"Yeah, we did," Lyra said.
"Marill," Marill said.
"Anyway, you said before you were going to give a Pokémon to your son, right?" Sora asked.
"Yes. I have a son who is about to become a Pokémon trainer and I promised him one as soon as I returned home to Littleroot Town. But he's not the only one who is getting one. There is a friend of mine who has a daughter that is the same age as him and she is heading there to recieve one as well. So, I had to make my visit at Professor Oak's lab brief, but I am glad that I bumped into the both of you," Professor Birch said.
Meanwhile, not too far from Littleroot Town, we see a girl riding on a bike. She is a slender young girl with fair skin and long, thick mousy brown hair with a side fringe falling across her forehead. Her eyes are blue. She wears a red and white headband with a bow that resembles rabbit ears, a scarlet tank top with a black undershirt, white short shorts with black lycra mini-leggings underneath, yellow and black sneakers with orange soles, and ankle-length red and white socks. She also wore a yellow and green fanny pack. I think I should let her introduce herself.
Hi, my name is May and I just turned ten-years old. I'm on my way to meet my dad's friend Professor Birch and to get my beginner's Pokémon. The same can be said for a boy I knew for a very long time, a boy named Brendan who is the professor's son and he is going to get his first Pokémon from him too. Once I get my Pokémon, I can begin my journey as a Pokémon Trainer. But just between you and me; what I'm more interested in is traveling and seeing new places. May rode her bike to reach it. There it is, Littleroot Town just up ahead.
Appearing next to May is a Pokémon which appears to be a stylized personification of the Grim Reaper. Its body resembles a black robe with two bone-shaped patterns on its back. It has a mask that resembles a skull and a single eye that floats between its eye sockets. This Pokémon is Duskull.
"Duskull," the ghostly Pokémon hissed. She screams as she lost control of her bike and slams her face into a tree.
"I guess I should have worn a helmet," May gritted her teeth in pain. She slides down the and fell backwards. Duskull flew off into the forest where it came. May gets back on her bike and continues her way to Littleroot Town. "The truth is I don't like Pokémon." She rode her bike to a side of a cliff to catch a view of the ocean and the ship passing by. "But the traveling, I just love it." May beamed at the thought of traveling around. Unknown to her, the ship finally arriving in Littleroot Town were carrying the Keyblade wielding Pokémon Trainers.
As timing would have it, the ship has arrived and docked to Littleroot Town. Professor Birch, the Keyblade wielding Pokémon Trainers, and the Pokémon departed from the ship, unaware of the Pikachu and Eevee following them.
"And here we are, Littleroot Town," Professor Birch said. There are several Pokémon flying above them.
One set of the Pokémon is a small, white Pokémon similar in appearance to a seagull. Its head makes up a large portion of its body, and it appears to lack a neck. It has thin, simplistic eyes, two triangular tufts on top of its head, and an orange beak with a hooked, black tip. Three blue-tipped feathers give it a fan-like tail and its small, orange feet have two webbed toes. The Pokémon has long, flat wings with light blue stripes near the tips. This Pokémon is known as a Wingull.
The other one is a pelican-like Pokémon whose head and bill make up the majority of its body. It has white feathers with a short, blue crest on top of its head. There are three blue digits on each of its wide wings, and it has blue feet with three webbed digits. Each eye is made of two black semicircles with a horizontal white line between them. Its large yellow bill appears to extend along its underside. This is Wingull's evolved form Pelipper.
"The Hoenn region. We made it," Sora said.
"If it's like this, I wonder what the rest of it looks like," Ash said.
"Well, we could have a look around and see what Pokémon live here," Ethan said.
"Now we're off to my lab. My son is probably already waiting for me by now," Professor Birch said as he lead them to his jeep in the parking lot. Xipak and Celeste sneaks aboard the jeep. They get to the jeep and drove off to his lab. When they have arrived his assistant is standing outside and he is in a frantic fit.
"Professor! It's a good thing you just came back, because we have a situation, sir!" Professor Birch's assistant said.
"What's going on?" Professor Birch asked.
"It's them again. They keep coming back after everything we do to drive them away!" Professor Birch's assistant said. The group wondered what they meant by "they". Could it be the Heartless, the Nobodies, or the Unversed?
"What? And they didn't learn their lesson the last time? I'm sure you did everything you could to drive them away," Professor Birch said.
"We did and I thought they had finally given up, but they just came back today. They were waiting for us to let our guard down," Professor Birch's assistant said. Professor Birch sighed.
"They're getting smarter with every attack," Professor Birch groaned. Guess it wasn't them. It sounded like a Pokémon causing them trouble. "Sorry kids, but there is a personal matter I have to take care of. Won't you wait for me until I get back?"
"Sure," Sora responded.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Hope isn't too serious," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"It won't be for long. And make yourselves comfortable and help yourselves to something to eat if you like," Professor Birch said. He took off. Sora, Kairi, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, and Lyra sat went to the living room and sat down as Pikachu, Angel, and Marill played. Xipak and Celeste were now hiding in the shrubs and so was something else.
"Man, I'm glad it's not the Heartless, Nobodies, or these Unversed Teol told us about," Sora said.
"I'm probably getting my hopes up, but I don't think I want to see the Unversed," Kris said.
"Set your hopes up as high as you want it to go, because I'd rather not want to see them either," Sora said.
"Didn't it strike you as odd Teol knows more than he was telling us?" Kairi asked. They all looked at her.
"What are you getting at, Kairi?" Ethan asked.
"Yeah, what do you mean?" Leaf asked.
"Think about it. It sounded like Teol knew more than he was hinting. I kinda saw it. And I don't doubt Riku noticed it, too," Kairi said.
"You know, it makes sense. He did act like he knows more than we do or even Master Rei," Lyra said.
"I'm sure Teol has some secrets of his own, but I don't think he would just tell us even if we asked him," Ash said.
"Ash is right about that. I guess we'll have to figure it out for ourselves," Sora said.
"I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm starting to get hungry. I'm sure Professor Birch won't mind if I made some lunch for us. Who wants a sandwich?" Kairi asked.
"That's a great idea," Leaf seconded it.
"Yeah, I'm hungry, too," Lyra said.
Kairi went into the kitchen to get started on their meal. Unknown to them, something was watching the group from outside. It is a quadrupedal Pokémon similar in appearance to hyenas and canines. Its body is primarily gray with a black face and throat, paws, and belly. Its eyes are red with yellow sclerae, and it has a red nose. Its lower jaw has two pointed teeth sticking out. The fur at the base of its tail is rumpled and shaggy. It has gray paw pads on its three-toed paws. This Pokémon is a Poochyena. The Poochyena barks as two more Poochyena came out of the shrubs.
They look around for a way to get in. One of the Poochyena looked at the two and barks directions. The other two nodded and they push a flower pot to an edge making it fall. Kairi was about to get to get started to make lunch she heard the crash.
"What the heck is that?!" Kairi exclaimed. She opened the door and she looked around. The three Poochyena ran inside without her noticing. "I could have sworn I just heard something just now."
"What's the matter, Kairi?" Sora called from the other room.
"Nothing. Just thought I heard something," Kairi said, closing the door. "Must have imagined it." She got back to work on their meal as the Poochyena had walked around inside. Unfortunately, they didn't escape Pikachu's notice as his ears perked up. Angel and Marill heard it, too. They spotted the Poochyena inside the house.
"What do you three think you're doing?!" - Pikachu subtitle. The Poochyena charged at Pikachu and he responds with a Thunderbolt. Sora and the rest of the group hear the commotion and so does Kairi when she hears the noise. The Poochyena jumps out the window, shattering it as Pikachu, Angel, and Marill followed after them.
"Marill, wait!" Lyra called out.
"Pikachu, Angel! Come back!" Sora called out. Pikachu, Angel, and Marill didn't hear them as he kept chasing after the Poochyena. Xipak and Celeste took off after them.
"Sora, what happened?" Kairi asked.
"Pikachu, Angel, and Marill just went after those Pokémon. No idea how they got in," Sora said.
"What Pokémon were those?" Kris asked.
"I think those were Poochyena. Those can't be found in Kanto or Johto," Leaf said.
"Those must have been the troublemakers Professor Birch was talking about earlier," Ethan said.
"We should go after him before something happens," Kairi suggested.
"Good idea. It looks like lunch is about to be on hold. And chances of those three running into the Heartless, Nobodies, or Unversed is very good unless we get to them first," Sora said. The rest of the group agreed with Sora because they will very likely show up. The group started to head for the door to follow Pikachu, Angel, and Marill when standing outside in their path is a boy with brown hair and eyes wearing a white beanie. He also wore a skin-tight red and black t-shirt with an odd zipper on the collar, and black and dark grey slim fit knee length shorts. He wore a green backpack and white and green slip on sneakers. Sora bumps right into him and Kairi catches her boyfriend in her arms as he falls backwards.
"Ouch! What was that?" The boy groaned. Sora stands up, getting out of Kairi's hold and helps the boy up.
"Sorry about that. I was just in such a rush, I didn't even see you there," Sora said.
"Just don't make it a regular thing and we'll be cool," the boy said. "Anyway, I came by to see if my dad is back yet. I came here to get my first Pokémon from him just so I can get my journey started."
"Your dad?" Sora asked.
"Yeah. My dad. Professor Birch. He should be back by now, so I came from my house to see him," the boy said.
"Sorry. You already missed him. He said there was something going on and he left to find whatever it was," Sora said. The boy took off his beanie and groaned.
"Geez, what lousy timing," the boy said. "Anyway, who are you and what are you doing in his lab?"
"Your dad brought us here. My name's Sora."
"I'm Kairi."
"My name's Ash."
"I'm Leaf."
"The name's Ethan."
"I'm Kris."
"And I'm Lyra."
"I'm Brendan. Anyway, putting the game of who's who on hold, why the rush? I mean where's the fire?" Brendan asked.
"My Pikachu, Kairi's Eevee, and Lyra's Marill ran out the window and he went after three Pokémon I never seen before. Leaf here said that they were Poochyena. They went that way," Sora said, pointing to the direction Pikachu, Pikachu, and Marill had ran.
"Man, you're kidding. They went there? Would it be cool if I helped you look?" Brendan asked.
"Sure. We can have better luck if we look together," Sora said.
Sora, Kairi, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, and Brendan went to search for Pikachu, Angel, and Marill before they ran into the Heartless, Nobodies, or the Unversed.
Elsewhere, Professor Birch and his assistant decided to cover more ground to find the troublemakers and drive them away.
"Those trouble making Poochyena should be around here somewhere. If I were a Poochyena, where would I hide?" Professor Birch wondered as he thought for a moment. "Ah, I would be hiding in the bushes, waiting for the right moment to strike." And luck would have it, a Poochyena runs out at him. "Uh-oh! Time to run!" The Poochyena chases after Professor Birch and he drops his bag as he is running and screaming. "Nice poochy! Nice poochy! Don't chase me! Don't chase me!" He climbed up a tree and barks after him. "Oh, this isn't good." May rides in, hearing the commotion.
"Professor Birch?" May asked.
"Oh, what perfect timing. You must be May. Please open that bag there. You should see three Pokéballs inside it," Professor Birch said.
"This bag here?" May asked, walking over to it. She opens the bag and sees the Pokéballs inside it. "Um, which one do you want?" The Poochyena jumps to bite him, but it misses him.
"Just anyone of them would do! Now please hurry!" Professor Birch said.
"Um, okay," May said, not sure what to do. She grabs one and throws it. "Go, whatever you are." The Pokéball opens and out came a small, amphibious, quadrupedal Pokémon. It has a blue body with a light-blue underside. The Pokémon has a large head with a blue fin on top and a light-blue tail fin. It has black, beady eyes and orange, star-shaped gills on its cheeks.
"Mudkip," the little Pokémon said.
"Yes, a Mudkip!" Professor Birch said in glee.
"Alright, but now what?" May asked.
"Tell it to use Water Gun!" Professor Birch said.
"Use Water Gun," May told Mudkip, but the Water Type Pokémon fired Water Gun right in her face. "Um, somehow I pictured it a whole lot differently." Professor Birch fell out of the tree.
"Mudkip, come!" Professor Birch called. Mudkip comes to home. "Now use Water Gun this Poochyena!" Mudkip fired Water Gun right at the attacking Poochyena, making it retreat. He stood up. "Good job, Mudkip." He picked up Mudkip's Pokéball. "Now return." He calls Mudkip back. He turned to May. "Thanks for all of your help, May. I really appreciate it."
"Oh, it was nothing," May said, feeling embarrassed.
"You really have grown up so much since the last time I have seen you. In fact, Brendan has been looking forward in seeing you again," Professor Birch said. May blushed when he mentioned his son. It was obvious May had a crush on Brendan since they were little.
"Say, where is Brendan?" May asked.
"He should be at my lab by now. We can go together and see him if you want," Professor Birch said. "Also, I have two guests you should meet."
"Guests?" May asked.
"Yes. They should have already met them by now anyway. And I think you'll like them," Professor Birch said. "But unfortunately, I have a bit of a situation on my hands."
"What kind of situation?" May asked.
"A pack of Poochyena has been causing all sorts of trouble and we have tried just about every method to get rid of them, but unfortunately nothing we did would do the trick," Professor Birch explained. "If only we could find where they live."
"Would it be okay to tag along with you? If only if it's okay," May offered.
"Of course," Professor Birch said.
Just then, his assistant came out running.
"Professor! Professor! Professor! Where are you?!" Professor Birch's assistant called out. He looked in the direction of the professor and ran up to him. "Oh, thank goodness I have found you! I heard a commotion and I came running as fast as I could! Are you okay?"
"I am, thanks to May here," Professor Birch said. "Have you found any clues on the Poochyena hideout?"
"I don't know. I was too concerned about you to find it anymore," Professor Birch's assistant said.
"You did the right thing," Professor Birch said.
"I ran into someone who said that he has seen some strange creatures," Professor Birch's assistant said.
"Strange creatures?" Professor Birch asked.
"Yes. I assumed they were a new species of Pokémon, but the boy who saw them said they weren't Pokémon at all," Professor Birch's assistant said.
"What could this mean?" Professor Birch asked before he shook it off. "We can worry about it later. We should focus on the Poochyena."
"You're right, professor. I can lead you to a spot I was looking over when I heard you," Professor Birch's assistant said.
"Lead the way," Professor Birch said.
The professor, his assistant, and May went into the direction he came from. Over to Sora, Kairi, and Brendan, they look around for any signs of Pikachu, Angel, and Marill.
"Pikachu! Pikachu, where are you?" Sora called out.
"Angel, please be safe!" Kairi called out.
"Marill! Shout back if you can hear me!" Lyra called out.
"Where could three be?" Leaf asked.
"Maybe we should split up. We could cover more ground," Brendan suggested.
"Okay. Kairi, Ethan, Leaf, Lyra, you go that way," Sora said, pointing to his right. "Ash, Kris, Brendan, and I will head that way." Sora points to his left.
"Alright," Kairi, Ethan, Leaf, and Lyra said.
"We contact each other when he find them," Kris said.
"Right," everyone agreed.
"And Ethan?" Kris asked.
"Yeah, Kris?" Ethan asked.
"Be careful, okay?" Kris asked.
"You do the same," Ethan said. Ethan and Kris gave each other a light kiss before splitting up. "Sora, you keep my girlfriend safe."
"You do the same, Ethan," Sora said.
Over to Pikachu, Angel, and Marill, they continued to chase after the Poochyena. Angel fired Swift, hitting all three of them. Marill fired Bubble Beam, hitting one of them. Pikachu fired Thunderbolt, shocking all three of them.
Just then, a bunch of Poochyena appeared and quickly surrounded them.
"They led us into a trap!" - Angel said.
"What did you expect? We're going to show you three what happens when you don't mind your own business." - Poochyena 1 subtitle.
"Why do you have to be such troublemakers?" - Marill subtitle.
"Because we just do what we want! If you have a problem with that, then we'll do something about it." - Poochyena 1 subtitle.
"We took on Pokémon bigger than of you mangey mutts!" - Pikachu subtitle.
"Big talk don't win Pokémon battles! Rip them apart!" - Poochyena subtitle. The pack was about to attack when Xipak and Celeste appeared and attacked the Poochyena. Xipak fired a Thunderbolt, shocking some of them as Celeste rushes at some with a Quick Attack.
"Who are you, and where did you come from?" - Pikachu subtitle.
"Fight now, ask questions later!" - Xipak subtitle.
"He's right. Help has come!" - Marill subtitle.
Pikachu, Angel, and Marill joined in the fight against the Poochyena. The pack came at them, ready to bite them. Pikachu and Xipak fired Thunderbolt and shocked them.
Meanwhile, Sora, Ash, Kris, and Brendan saw a yellow flash ahead of them.
"I think that's Pikachu!" Ash said.
"I think you're right, Ash," Sora said. He took out his Rotom Phone and called Kairi. She answered her Rotom Phone. "Kairi, are you seeing this?"
"I was about to call you about it. Let's go!" Kairi said.
"We'll meet you there!" Sora said.
Sora, Ash, Kris, and Brendan ran towards where the electrical blast has taken place. Kairi, Leaf, Ethan, and Lyra took off for it, too.
Professor Birch, May and his assistant saw the electrical blast.
"What is that?" May asked.
"That looked like a Thunderbolt from an Electric-type Pokémon. A battle must be in progress," Professor Birch said.
"You don't think it's Poochyena picking a fight or something?" Professor's Birch's assistant asked.
"I would have to assume so. We should go see just in case!" Professor Birch said.
The trio went to see what it was. Pikachu, Angel, Marill, Xipak, and Celeste managed to take on the entire pack of Poochyena. The pack were about to attack when suddenly, Floods appeared all around. The Poochyena pack started to attack the invaders, but they were easily beaten, so they fled from the monsters. Pikachu growled, knowing they were the enemy.
"Pikachu!" Sora called out. Pikachu turned around and saw Sora coming with Ash, Kris, and Brendan.
"Angel!" Kairi called out.
"Marill!" Lyra called out.
Angel and Marill turned when they heard their Trainers. They saw Kairi, Leaf, and Lyra coming. Both squads stopped when they saw the Floods.
"What are those?" Brendan asked.
"Heartless!" Kris exclaimed.
"Or Nobodies!" Ash said.
"We'll have to take them out!" Sora said, summoning his Keyblade. The rest of the Keyblade wielding Pokémon Trainers summoned their Keyblades as well. Brendan was shocked when he saw giant keys appear in their hands.
"Are those keys? And why holding them like they're swords?" Brendan asked.
Sora, Kairi, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, and Lyra rushed in to engaged the Floods. Just then, another brand of creature appeared. It is a humanoid monster with predominantly blue skin. Its hands are silver and end in three-fingered claws. Its head is diamond-shaped and sports two short horns on either side of it. Its red eyes are set in a sorrowful expression and the Unversed symbol is emblazoned on its chest. It is known as the Scrapper. Sora looked at the symbol on its chest and he knew the new creatures weren't Heartless or Nobodies.
"That's not the Heartless or the Nobody's emblem!" Sora said.
"You don't think it's what I think it is, do you?!" Leaf exclaimed.
"We're all thinking it! These are the Unversed!" Kairi said.
"Teol was right! The Unversed are back!" Lyra said.
"We can worry about that later! We have to take them out!" Ethan said.
"Ethan's right! Here they come!" Ash said.
The Unversed engaged the Keyblade wielding Pokémon Trainers with the intention of attacking them. Sora swung at a Flood when it jumped at them. The rest do the same as the Unversed came at them.
Professor Birch, his assistant, and May all showed up at the same time to see them fighting them.
"What in the world?" Professor Birch asked.
"What are they?" May asked.
"I don't know," Professor Birch said.
"Dad!" Brendan called out. Professor Birch, May, and his assistant turned to see Brendan.
"What are you doing here?" Professor Birch asked.
"I was helping them find their Pikachu, Eevee, and Marill, and then these blue things showed up!" Brendan said.
"Are Sora, Kairi, and the others fighting them?" Professor Birch asked.
"Yeah, they are," Brendan said.
May was awestruck by what they were seeing. She saw what looked like swords shaped like keys. And the monsters all vanished in a blue puff of smoke when struck down.
Suddenly, some other kind of Unversed appeared. It is a large, bottom-heavy creature with predominantly blue skin. Its feet curl up at the toes and its conical arms end in round, silver, mitten-like hands. Its head is spherical and sports two long antennae that hook upward sharply. The Unversed's midsection is black with white highlights and is lined by triangular patterns resembling teeth. Its red eyes are set in a happy expression and the Unversed symbol is emblazoned on its belly. This Unversed is known as the Bruiser. One of the Bruisers bounced its way towards them, but Ash smacked the Bruiser back, sending it flying towards Professor Birch, May, and his assistant.
"Look out!" Professor Birch exclaimed. They scattered out of the way. May fell forward, but she witnessed her bike being crushed by the Bruiser. May screamed when she saw it.
"My bike! That monster just crushed my bike!" May screamed. The Bruiser then vaporates.
"Gather!" Kairi shouted, casting a magnet spell. The Unversed are pulled in the vortex. Brendan, May, Professor Birch, and his assistant were awestruck by what they were witnessing. "Now!"
The rest of the Keyblade wielders engaged the Heartless and struck them down until they were all defeated.
"That takes care of them," Ash said. He never thought he would fight the Unversed until Teol warned him and his friends about them. He knew he was going to see them again after this.
Xipak and Celeste snuck off into the shrubs just when Pikachu, Angel, and Marill were about to thank them for their help. They wondered where they went.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked.
"Thank goodness. We're just glad you're okay," Lyra said.
"Marill," Marill said.
"But what were you thinking going after those Pokémon? Are you nuts?" Lyra scolded.
"Rill," Marill said, feeling guilty.
"Cut her a break, Lyra. They're safe, so that's all that matters," Leaf said.
"None of us could have seen this coming," Ethan said.
"I know I didn't," Professor Birch spoke up. They all winced when they realized they had a small audience.
"Uh, how long were you there?" Sora asked.
"Long enough. What happened? And were those creatures?" Professor Birch asked.
"I think we should explain back at the lab," Leaf said.
With that said, the group went to the lab and they explained to them about the Keyblades.
"Keyblade?" May asked.
"Yeah, we used them to fend off monsters like the ones you saw before," Kairi said.
"I had feeling we were going to fight the Unversed sooner or later," Sora said.
"About that. You mentioned Heartless and Nobodies. You said it wasn't their emblem. What are the Unversed?" Brendan asked.
"We don't know much about the Unversed, but we were told about them that they're monsters that were born from negative feelings," Kris said.
"And they have been gone for a long time. We have no idea why they're suddenly showing up now," Sora said.
"So this is the first time we ever fought them," Ash said.
"Creatures born from negative feelings. This is bizarre," Professor Birch said, having trouble wrapping his mind around it. "At least someone is doing something about it."
"Anyway, who are you?" Leaf asked, looking at May.
"Huh? Oh, right. With all the excitement going on, I didn't get the chance to introduce myself. My name's May," May introduced herself.
"I'm Sora, and this is Pikachu," Sora introduced.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu said.
"I'm Kairi, and this Eevee is Angel," Kairi introduced.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"My name's Ash."
"I'm Leaf."
"I'm Ethan."
"My name's Kris."
"And I'm Lyra. And this is Marill," Lyra finished up.
"Marill, Marill," Marill said.
"So are you here to pick up your starter Pokémon like Brendan is?" Ethan asked. May chuckled nervously.
"Um, yeah," May said, she chuckled nervously.
"Oh, yes! I did promise you two. Come along, everyone," Professor Birch said as he leads them into lab. There are three Pokéballs sitting in place. "These Pokéballs all contain the starter Pokémon of the Hoenn region." He grabbed one. He opened one and out came the Pokéball is a small, green, bipedal reptilian Pokémon. It has yellow eyes with long, narrow pupils. The Pokémon's hands and feet each have three digits covered with tiny spikes, not seen by the naked eye. Its stomach and throat are red. It also has a line across its stomach resembling a pouch. It has a large, dark green tail with two separate lobes. "Allow me to introduce you to Treecko, a Grass-type."
"So cool," Lyra said. The Treecko looked at May and she winced.
"It's creepy!" May said, shivering in fear.
"No, he's not, May. He's very cute," Kairi said, gushing at the sight of Treecko. Professor Birch has let out the next Pokémon and it is the Mudkip May used before.
"And this is Mudkip, a Water-type," Professor Birch said.
"Oh, he's just as cute as Treecko," Kairi gushed again, making Sora chuckle and he puts his arm around her shoulder.
"Settle girl," Sora said.
"You may think it's cute, Kairi, but this one wouldn't do a thing I tell it to," May sulked.
"Now we have our final choice," Professor Birch said, letting out the third Pokémon. It is a small, chick Pokémon with stubby, downy, yellow wings. Its body is covered with orange feathers. There is an orange and yellow crest on its head that resembles a flame. Its two thin legs and short beak are a light brownish yellow, and the feet have three toes in front and one in the back. "And finally, this is Torchic, a Fire-type." The Torchic went over to May and nuzzles her leg affectionately. May knew this little one has won her over.
"Well, this one isn't so bad," May said. She picks up Torchic. "And that's that. I choose Torchic."
"Torchic," May's new Torchic chirped.
"Torchic is a very cute choice to make, May," Kairi said. Professor Birch turned to Brendan.
"How about you, son? Have you decided on which one you want?" Professor Birch asked.
"I think I did, dad. The one I'm going with is Treecko," Brendan decided.
"Treecko," Brendan's new Treecko said. Professor Birch smiled.
"Okay. Now, I would like to have your Rotom Phones please," Professor Birch requested. Brendan hands his to his father. He downloads a Pokédex app on it. He does the same with May's Rotom Phone. He hands them both back.
"What did you just put on our phones?" May asked.
"I downloaded the Pokédex feature into your phones, so you should be able to gain data on any Pokémon you come across. And you will need these." He hands each one of them five Pokéballs and a Pokémon Box. "These Pokéballs will be used to contain any Pokémon you come across in the wild. And the Pokémon Box will alert you if you are your limit on carrying Pokémon. When you caught the extra Pokémon, you can choose to send it over to my lab or keep it in exchange for one of your own if you want to make room."
"So cool," Brendan said. He took his Pokéballs and Pokédex from his father and May did the same thing.
"May, Brendan, if you two work hard, you'll be great Pokémon Trainers. In fact, May, I am certain you'll be a greater Trainer than your father," Professor Birch said.
"Sounds like a great goal, May," Brendan said. May didn't seem so ecstatic.
"Um, thanks, Brendan said, chuckling nervously. She spoke under her breath. "I could trade Pokémon any day of the week just to have a trip around the world."
"What did you say, May?" Professor Birch asked. May realized she thought too loud.
"Uh, I said, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!" May said. She chuckled nervously again. A little later, May looked over her crushed bike and she sighed. "Oh, my gorgeous bike," May groaned. Brendan nocticed and he lets out a whislte.
"Those Unversed really did a number on it," Brendan said.
"It was all those monsters' fault to begin with," May snarled.
"I'm really sorry about that," Ash said, stepping out. Brendan and May turned to see Ash. "I honestly didn't know you were there to begin with. And I'm sorry that you had to experience that."
"It's okay, Ash, it's not your fault. But, it was pretty epic," Brendan said.
"No one was hurt, and that's what's important. Everyone is inside getting supplies before we take off," Ash said. May looked at her smashed bike. Brendan turned to May.
"I'll pay for the bike," Brendan said. May turned to Brendan.
"You don't have to do that," May said.
"It's okay. I want to. I'd just feel guilty if I didn't," Brendan said. May couldn't believe how considerate Brendan was being.
"Thanks Brendan. I really appreciate it," May said.
"That's what friends are for," Brendan said. May smiled as she blushed.
"But how will you be able to pay for it?" May asked. Ash could tell there was something going on between the two of them. It was like Sora and Kairi all over again.
"He's even cuter than I remember," May said in her thoughts. "I want to tell him how I feel, but how and when am I going to do it?" May smiled. "Maybe when I know the time is right."
Sora, Kairi, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Pikachu, Angel, and Marill stepped out of the lab.
"Okay, we're ready," Sora said.
"Good to hear it. If you're going to participate in the Hoenn Pokémon League, you'll have to register at the nearest Pokémon Center you can find," Professor Birch said.
"And the closest town where you can find one is in Oldale Town," Professor Birch's assistant added.
"Okay. And thanks," Sora said. He turned to Brendan and May. "So, how about you two? You guys going to be in it?" Brendan grinned.
"I'm going to be in it to win it, Sora. You just wait and see," Brendan said.
"You'll be so on," Sora said. Both Sora and Brendan shook hands in a tight squeeze.
"The first Gym is gonna be in Petalburg City. And when I get there, you'll be eating my dust!" Brendan said.
"Not if you're eating mine first," Sora said. Kairi giggled.
"Okay, don't get carried away, you two. Let's get a move on before you get overconfident," Kairi said.
The nine Trainers have began their travels in the Hoenn region and began to make their first stop to Oldale Town on the way to Petalburg City. It was smooth sailing on ahead since there weren't any Poochyena in the area. They figured it was because of the Unversed scaring them out of the area. As they walked down the forest, they all started talking.
"So Brendan, you and May go way back, don't you?" Ash asked.
"Yeah. We knew each other ever since we were little kids. My dad and her dad have been friends for a long time. And we used to play together whenever we saw each other," Brendan said.
"Hey, that's great," Lyra said.
"What about you guys? Where did you come from?" May asked.
"Ash, Kairi, Leaf, and I came from Pallet Town in the Kanto region, and Ethan, Kris, and Lyra are from New Bark Town in the Johto region," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"I came from Viridian City when I was born, so my family moved to Pallet Town just when my mom announced she was pregnant, so we needed a bigger house," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"I knew Kris and Lyra when I was a little kid, same as you two. Ash, Sora, and Leaf also knew each other since they were also little kids. Sora and Kairi met when they got started on their journey, so they've been traveling together," Ethan said.
"Since you guys are from different regions, which starter did you start off with?" Brendan asked.
"I chose a Charmander, so he evolved all the way into a Charizard," Ash said.
"My first was a Bulbasaur, and she evolved all the way to a Venusaur," Leaf said.
"My partner's Typhlosion. I got him as a Cyndaquil from Professor Elm," Ethan said.
"And my partner is Wani-Wani. He was a Totodile now he's a Feraligatr," Kris said.
"Mine is Marill," Lyra said.
"Marill," Marill said.
"Angel was my first," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Lastly, Pikachu has been my partner since day one," Sora said.
As they kept going, they hear some rustling up above and something came swooping down at the group.
"WHOA!" Sora, Kairi, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Brendan, and May all exclaimed.
"What was that?" Sora asked. They all looked around and May spotted something.
"Look!" May said, pointing to something. They looked up and saw a small bird Pokémon with dark blue feathers. A red marking with pointed tips stretches from its chest to its forehead, and it has a white underside. It has narrow brown eyes and a short yellow beak. It has elongated wingtips and black feet with yellow talons. Each foot has three toes facing forward and one backward. Two sharply pointed feathers form its tail.
"It's a Taillow," Brendan said. Sora took out his new Rotom Phone to scan this new Pokémon.
Taillow, the Tiny Swallow Pokémon
Type: Normal/Flying
Taillow courageously stands its ground against foes, however strong they may be. This gutsy Pokémon will remain defiant even after a loss. On the other hand, it cries loudly if it becomes hungry.
"Taillow definitely looks gutsy," Sora said.
"And it's mine," Brendan said, taking out his Pokéball and tosses it. "Go get it, Treecko!" The Pokéball opens and Treecko awaits for his new Trainer's instructions.
"Careful. Taillow is a Flying-type. He's at a disadvantage against Taillow since it's a Flying Type," Kairi warned the beginner.
"I know what I'm doing! Treecko! Pound! Let's go!" Brendan ordered. Treecko jumps and swings his leafy tail right at the Tiny Swallow Pokémon, but Taillow just pecks at the lizard-like Pokémon and then chasing Treecko off. "Treecko! Pound again!" Treecko tries to use Pound, but Taillow comes in with a Wing Attack and lands a hit onto Treecko. The gecko-like Pokémon was down for the count and it was Sora's turn to the plate.
"I'll take care of it. Pikachu! Go!" Sora shouted.
"Pika!" Pikachu enters the battle against Taillow. Taillow dives down at the mouse Pokémon with Wing Attack.
"Dodge and use Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu fires Thunderbolt and it gives Taiillow such a good shock. Taillow shakes it off, but it didn't mean Thunderbolt didn't hurt him. Taillow came down to deliever a Peck onto Pikachu. "Dodge and use Iron Tail!" Pikachu jumps and swings his tail, glowing metallicly and it lands a hit onto Taillow. The battle went on as Taillow wasn't gonna give up without a fight. May was at a loss to why Taillow didn't just give up. It went on until Pikachu and Taiilow ended up panting. Seeing it was an opportunity to end it, he takes out a Pokéball and tosses it at Taillow. When it struck Taillow, it flows inside it and it wobbles around for a bit, knowing it wasn't going to stay in for long. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. Sora felt proud since he had made his first catch in Hoenn. "Bagged me a Taillow."
"That was a good catch, Sora," Kairi praised her boyfriend.
"Yeah. It was," Brendan said. "Pikachu was a good choice since being an Electric-type. Also, you deserve it, too. I'll try my luck next time."
"I know Treecko will get better if you work hard," Sora said, before setting his attention to May. "I hoped you learned something, May." She chuckled nervously.
"I'm sure I did," May said, nervously.
"So have I. I just rushed in without thinking," Brendan said.
"It should be okay, Brendan. Not everyone gets it right the first time," Sora said.
"Now let's heal your Treecko," Leaf said, taking out a potion. She bends down. "It's going to sting, but it'll help you heal." She sprays the potion on Treecko. It did sting at first, but only for a second. Treecko's injuries were healed. "There, that wasn't so bad, was it?"
"Thanks, Leaf," Brendan said.
"Okay, let's go," Sora said.
No one didn't need a second opinion and they continued on their way to the closest Pokémon Center. The adventure in Hoenn has officially begun.