Episode 217: Taming of the Shroomish
Not too long after catching Mudkip, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel Mudkip took one last look at Swampy's house as they walked.
"You don't have to worry about them, Mudkip. They'll be okay. And I know they'll be strong Mudkip just like you are," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Mudkip," Mudkip said.
They continued on towards Rusboro City and through the Petalburg Woods. A Zigzagoon came out of the shrubs. Sora figured this will be a good chance to test Mudkip's talents.
"Say, Mudkip, think you can take on that Zigzagoon?" Sora asked.
"Mudkip!" Mudkip said.
"Okay, Mudkip! Start up with Tackle!" Sora ordered. Mudkip charges at Zigzagoon with a Tackle, landing a hit. Zigzagoon responds by charging with its own Tackle.
"He's using Tackle, Sora!" Kairi said.
"Mudkip, dodge and use Water Gun!" Sora ordered. Mudkip dodges Zigzagoon's Tackle and fired Water Gun, hitting Zigzagoon in the face. "Now, use Mud-Slap!" Mudkip threw some mud into Zigzagoon's face. "Okay, Zigzagoon's accuracy will go down, so move in with a Tackle!" Mudkip charged at Zigzagoon, landing a hit. "Now, use Waterfall!" Water gathers around Mudkip and goes upwards, catching Zigzagoon in it. The Tiny Raccoon Pokémon goes down and fell on the ground. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it. The Pokéball struck Zigzagoon, making him flow inside. The Pokéball wobbles around and around. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. Sora walked up to the Pokéball and picked it up. "I just caught myself a Zigzagoon."
"Good catch, Sora," Kairi said.
"Eevee!" Angel said.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu said.
"Thanks, Kairi," Sora said. They hear some rustling in the shrubs. The couple turned and saw bipedal, rosebud-like Pokémon. Its face is yellow with small, slit-like eyes. It appears to be wearing a green bib and has triangular, stubby yellow feet. When the two vines that are on top of its head open up, a big spot can be seen on each. One vine has a blue spot, while the other has a red spot.
"And who's that Pokémon?" Kairi asked, taking out her Rotom Phone and scanned it.
Budew, the Bud Pokémon
Type: Grass/Poison
Budew is one of the smallest of Grass-type Pokémon. When the sun's light strengthens, the bud atop this Pokémon's head opens. This is a sign to the people that the harsh winter is over, and the season of budding has begun.
"Oh, he's such a cutie! And I got to have him!" Kairi said. She turned to Angel. "Alright, Angel. Do your thing!"
"Eevee!" Angel said, stepping in. Budew stared at the female Eevee.
"Angel! Use Headbutt!" Kairi ordered. Angel rushes at Budew and lands a hit with her head. Budew then responds to Angel's attack by using a Stun Spore. "He's using Stun Spore! Quick, Angel! Dodge it and use Swift!" Angel dodges Budew's Stun Spore and fired Swift. They struck Budew on the mark. Budew fights back by using Absorb. It saps Angel's energy. "Angel! Use Iron Tail!" Angel lands an Iron Tail on Budew and it was enough to take out Budew. Kairi took out a Pokéball and threw it. Budew flows inside and the Pokéball wobbles around and around. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. "And I caught Budew!"
"Eevee, vee!" Angel cheered.
"That was a great catch, Kairi!" Sora praised his girlfriend.
They continued on towards Rusboro City and through the Petalburg Forest. They made a stop as a wild Slakoth had crossed their path.
"A Slakoth. And I don't think it's gonna move," Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"What do you have in mind for him, Sora?" Kairi asked.
"Got no choice but to catch him," Sora said. Kairi giggled as he said it.
"I thought as much. Go ahead," Kairi said. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Torchic!" Sora called out. Torchic came on out to battle against the Slacker Pokémon. Slakoth stood up on his feet. Slakoth slowly walks towards the Chick Pokémon. "Torchic! Use Scratch!" Torchic rushes over to the sloth-like Pokémon and landed a Scratch on him. Slakoth swings his claw and strikes Torchic on the spot. "Ember!" Torchic fired Ember and it gives Slakoth some burns.. Knowing Slakoth wasn't gonna attack again in a row, he had to make his next move count. "Scratch!" Torchic scratches Slakoth with his talons and the Slacker Pokémon lands on his back. Sora takes out a Pokéball and throws it at Slakoth. He flows inside and it wobbles around. Stars swirls the Pokéball, confirming the catch. "Another good catch."
"I'll say, Sora," Kairi said. She gave Sora a kiss on the lips and he kisses her back. Pikachu and Angel nuzzled each other affectionately.
After strolling through the Petalburg Forest, Sora, Kairi, and Pikachu had finally made their way out of the forest and made their way to an urban city. Sora checked his PokéNav and found they have arrived in a town called Rinshin Town.
"It's good that we have finally reached a city. It's the first one we've hit since Petalburg City," Sora said.
"You are so right, Sora. It was so nice traveling in the forest, but there's nothing wrong with making a stop in the city," Kairi said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"How about we take a stroll around the town since we just here," Kairi suggested. Sora grins.
"Just looking for an excuse to go on a date, right?" Sora asked in a cheeky expression. Kairi giggled.
"So, you've caught me. But there isn't anything wrong with it, is there?" Kairi asked innocently. Sora chuckled.
"No, there isn't. What should we do first?" Sora asked. Both of Sora and Kairi's stomachs growled and felt embarrased since they were both hungry. "Something to eat first?"
"I was thinking of a good burger place," Kairi suggested.
"Good idea. I was in a mood for a hamburger anyway," Sora said.
"Me too," Kairi said.
The couple had went off to find a fast food resturant for a good hamburger and start off their date, but they made a stop to a local Pokémon Center to drop off their Pokémon with the exception of Pikachu. Sora knew a fast food outing isn't exactly a romantic idea to eat, but Kairi didn't mind. Unaware of the couple, a small mushroom-like Pokémon watching them from a nearby alley. It is a small Pokémon similar to a mushroom. It has beady black eyes and a half-triangle-shaped mouth. Its upper body is beige with frilled segments along the bottom and a small opening at the top. There are green spots marking its upper body, while its lower body is completely green. It has small, round feet and no visible arms or hands. This Pokémon is known as Shroomish.
The couple had made their way to a hamburger place and placed an order for their meal. They both waited for their meal waited for their meal to arrive in which was done in six minutes.
"Here you go, kids," the fast food employee said.
"Thanks," Sora said as he and Kairi had taken what they ordered. The couple enjoyed their meal to their heart's content when a couple of girls had noticed Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel sitting across from them.
"Look! It's Sora Ketchum; the Pokémon League Champion of Kanto and Johto," one of the girls said.
"I heard he was here in the Hoenn region. Do you think he's going for a Gym Badge in Rustboro City?" The second girl asked.
"Most likely. It is the nearest Gym around here, besides the one in Petalburg City," the first girl said.
"Do you think you should ask for his autograph?" The second girl asked.
"Why don't you go first?" The first girl asked.
"No, it was your idea, you go first," the second girl said.
"No, you go on first," the first girl said.
The two girls ended up arguing over who is gonna have to go first. By the time they decided that they should go first, they turned to see Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel were already gone. They spent the whole time they were there arguing over who was gonna go first.
"We waited too long," the girls both said.
The couple went on with their date as Kairi had done a little shopping for some new clothes just to pose for Sora. Once again, no matter what kind of clothing she wore, she'd look good in all of them in his eyes.
"Like what you see, Sora?" Kairi asked wearing a purple shirt with blue jeans.
"Oh I do, Kairi. You look great in all of them," Sora said, making Kairi blush.
"Sora," Kairi said very lovingly. She went over to him and hugged him tight and he hugged her back. The couple enjoyed their date for a couple of hours before they made a stop to buy some medicines and some ingredients needed to make Pokémon food and among other things. "Now we have everything we need to last us for a while, we should make our way back to the Pokémon Center to pick them up."
"Great idea, Kairi. Nurse Joy probably has them at full shape by now anyway. Let's head on down and get them," Sora said. The couple made their way back to the Pokémon Center when they spotted a couple of familiar faces. "May? Max?" The siblings turned to see the couples, both human and Pokémon.
"Sora! Kairi! What are you doing here?" May asked.
"Just here to pick up our Pokémon before we take off to Rustboro City," Sora said. Kairi wraps her arm around his.
"Just after we had our date," Kairi added. She kissed him on the cheek as Max rolled his eyes.
"And getting what we need," Sora said. "Ingredients for Pokémon food, also some medicines and some human food to last us for a while. Also, some other accessories." May looked over to the Pokémon related stuff.
"You mean Trainers spend money on this stuff?" May asked.
"That's stuff you should consider, May," Max said. May puffed her cheeks in annoyance. "Every good Trainer should be properly prepared for such emergencies."
"Max, won't you cut me a break? I'm just starting out!" May snapped at her brother. Before an argument could get started, Sora had stepped in.
"Okay, knock it off. Arguing isn't gonna do anything for us," Sora said. He turned to May. "So, how is everything with Brendan since the last time we saw him?" May blushed as Max adjustes his glasses while grinning.
"He's doing good so far. I only saw him a couple of days ago. He wanted me to give you his regards when I see you," May said.
"Sounds like Brendan is doing okay for himself," Sora said. He and Kairi went up to Nurse Joy and picked up their Pokémon as Max was wondering what Pokémon Sora has caught since the last time. Kairi and May decided to talk for a little while. May wanted to talk with Kairi.
"What Pokémon did you catch when you left?" Max asked, getting excited.
"Since we last met, I caught Taillow and Torchic. Going forward, I caught a Treecko, a Mudkip, a Zigzagoon, and a Slakoth," Sora said.
"So cool!" Max exclaimed, very excited. "What Pokémon did Kairi catch?" Max asked.
"A Budew, a Plusle and a Minun; and she could tell you that Plusle and Minun both girls, while Budew's a boy," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu nodded.
"Kairi could tell if they're boys and girls?" Max asked, raising a brow.
"She can. Kairi could tell if a Pokémon when they're a boy or a girl just by looking at one," Sora said as he calls back his team. "That is something she's always had in her whole life."
"I wish I could be able to tell them apart from the ones that don't have certain things on them," Max said in an envious tone. Sora chuckled. Over to the girls, May wanted to speak with Kairi.
"So May. What did you want to talk to me about?" Kairi asked.
"For starters, I would like to know if you like being a Pokémon Trainer, Kairi?" May asked.
"I do. I always loved Pokémon when I was little. I always believed that the hearts of both people and Pokémon are connected to each other. And I always will believe it," Kairi said.
"The hearts of people and Pokémon are connected?" May asked.
"They are. My heart's connected to Angel, and my other Pokémon back home. I know it's the same way with Sora, Riku, Naminé, Ash, Ethan, Lyra, and Kris," Kairi said. May was caught off guard when Kairi mentioned Riku and Naminé.
"Who are Riku and Naminé?" May asked. Kairi giggled.
"Right, you didn't meet them. They're friends we made during our first journey. Riku came from the Alola region, and he has an Eevee just like I do. And Naminé is Riku's girlfriend. She lives in Saffron City with her parents, and she has an Azurill," Kairi said.
"Do they have Keyblades, too?" May asked.
"Yes," Kairi answered.
"I was wondering about this for a while. I would to know something," May said.
"You only have to ask," Kairi said.
"How did you get a Keyblade?" Kairi asked.
"Well, it's said that you have to be chosen by the Keyblade. Sora was actually the first to get his. It was on the day we met each other. Pikachu and Angel were hurt by that flock of Spearow when the Heartless came and took the hearts of those Pokémon Hunters. I was very shocked when I saw the Keyblade in Sora's hand. We learned about the Heartless from my dad. I got mine when a girl named Rose tried to destroy the love between me and Sora. She turned right into a Heartless when the darkness in her heart overtook her, and I managed to defeat her Heartless. I don't know how Ash and Leaf got theirs, but I know about how Ethan, Kris, and Lyra got theirs. Just when we were close to Violet City in the Johto region, Sora, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Pikachu, Angel, and I ended up in the realm of darkness along with some old enemies of ours. Ethan got his Keyblade when a bunch of Heartless joined together and formed a tower," Kairi explained.
"Realm of darkness?" May asked.
"It's a realm that's a complete opposite of our own realm, which is the realm of light. And we found out that even the most harmless Heartless can be the deadliest. That's where the Heartless stayed in until they were let loose," Kairi said.
"Wow. How did you get out of there?" Kairi asked.
"It was after Sora, Ethan, and I defeated a man calling himself Ansem. He was planning of opening the Door to Darkness and let the worlds be covered in darkness. That door was shut. Kris and Lyra got theirs later on when Heartless attacked us," Kairi said.
"Who is Ansem exactly?" May asked.
"Ansem was someone who was doing some research on the Heartless a long time ago. He was the one who let them roam the realm of light," Kairi said.
"Is there a way to get rid of the Heartless for good?" May asked.
"Unlikely. Because as long as darkness exists in every heart, they'll always be around," Kairi said.
"And there's that lady, Rei. I remember that you and Sora called her 'Master'. Why?" May asked.
"Well, Rei is our teacher since Keyblade techniques takes years to accomplish. She was Sora's dad's apprentice when she was little, and he treated her like a little sister. She decided to teach us just like Sora's dad taught her," Kairi explained. She then had to drive the conversation over to May as a Trainer. "But, enough about the Keyblades, the Heartless, and the darkness. What about you? Why did you want to be a Pokémon Trainer?" May just sighed.
"The reason I wanted to talk to you is, I didn't want to be a Trainer in the first place. The thing is, I'm not into Pokémon like Max and Brendan are. I only told my parents I wanted to be a Trainer because I wanted to see the world. And now I have Torchic with me, I don't know what I got planned ahead of me," May said. Kairi could tell May is having problems adjusting to being a Trainer. But she had something to say that'll help her.
"I know you'll find your own path, May," Kairi said. May turned to her. "You just need to try hard to find it."
"But what is my path?" May asked.
"I don't know exactly, but you should follow your heart and you'll know it. Trust me, I know from experience. If you work hard with your Pokémon, then they'll work hard with you," Kairi said. May didn't know how to respond, but it really stuck with her.
"Thank you, Kairi," May said.
"Anytime, May," Kairi said.
Meanwhile, over to an old mansion somewhere in the town, a crew of manual laborers were working on tearing down, but there some doubt that filled the air.
Meanwhile, over to an old mansion somewhere in the town, a crew of manual laborers were working on tearing down, but there some doubt that filled the air.
"Say, did you hear about what happened to Fred?" One of the workers asked.
"Yeah, I heard he tried to demolish the dining room when something scared the living daylights out of him," another worker said.
"You don't think it's those freaky monsters, do you?" The first worker asked.
"That's what the rumors are saying. Fred's the fifth guy to quit this week," the second worker said.
"Can't really blame him. Charlie, Bob, Doug, Al, and now Fred. I think they all had the right idea to quit," the first worker said. Just then the foreman came out.
"Hey! Quit beating your gums and get back to work the both of you! The boss wants this place torn down and we're already behind schedule as it is!" The foreman yelled.
Back to the Pokémon Center, Sora had stepped out to do some training for his Gym battle when Pikachu suddenly hears something. His ears perked up.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked. Sora looked over to his partner.
"What do you hear, Pikachu?" Sora asked. Pikachu went to the source and the boys had followed him. Pikachu stopped and pointed to what he heard.
"Pika!" Pikachu said, pointing to something. Sora and Max both saw it was a Shroomish and a barrel that was knocked over.
"Is that what you heard, Pikachu?" Sora asked.
"Pika," Pikachu said. Max's face lit up at the sight of the mushroom-like Pokémon.
"Wow! It's a Shroomish!" Max said, excitedly.
"Never seen one of those before," Sora said.
"What? You mean you've never seen a Shroomish before?" Max asked.
"No, because you can't find those in Kanto or Johto. I should know, because Kairi and I went all over both of those regions," Sora said.
Back inside the Pokémon Center, the girls heard a couple of people talking about something.
"What do you mean cursed?" A male voice asked. The girls turned to see a teenaged boy and a teenaged girl talking.
"You mean you haven't heard the news? Everybody is talking about it," the teenaged girl said. May instantly got interested.
"Did you say cursed?" May asked.
"Well, you see, there's a big old mansion in town called 'The Green Lodge' and it's just up ahead," the teenaged girl answered.
"Go on, go on!" May said eagerly.
"There's a bunch of workers there right now tearing the place apart, including the forest in the courtyard. Their saying that whole place is cursed!" The teenaged girl explained.
"Really?" May asked.
"There hasn't been a soul living there for years, but people keep saying that they're seeing things moving around inside. The workers keep finding fresh footprints in the halls all the time. And some workers say when they go inside, the can't breathe, or they real confused, or they pass out," the teenaged girl said. Kairi figured it had to be the Heartless lurking around the mansion, or maybe, it sounded like there might be some Pokémon living in the mansion and hoped it's not Heartless. "And if you know what's good for you, you'll stay away from that haunted mansion!"
"A haunted mansion, huh? I mean how awesome is that?" May asked.
Back outside, Sora and Max slowly approach the Shroomish, not wanting to scare it. The Shroomish saw the boys coming.
"I can't believe how lucky we are to find a Shroomish already," Max said as Sora took out his Rotom Phone to scan the Shroomish.
"Okay, Rotom Phone. Do your thing," Sora said.
Shroomish, the Mushroom Pokémon
Type: Grass
Shroomish live in damp soil in the dark depths of forests. They are often found keeping still under fallen leaves. This Pokémon feeds on compost that is made up of fallen, rotted leaves. If Shroomish senses danger, it shakes its body and scatters spores from the top of its head.
"It sure doesn't look happy," Max said.
"Maybe it's hungry. It's a good thing Kairi gave me a can of her special Pokémon food to feed Pikachu and the others later," Sora said, taking out the can.
"Kairi really made that?" Max asked.
"Kairi has a natural gift when it comes to Pokémon. Isn't that right, Pikachu?" Sora asked his partner.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu agreed.
"Do you think it'll be okay if I feed Shroomish with it?" Max asked.
"Just as long you don't try to catch it, then it should be okay," Sora said, handing Max some of the Pokémon food.
"You don't have to worry, Sora. You can trust me," Max said. "I mean, there's nothing wrong with making a new friend right?"
"Nothing wrong at all," Sora said.
"Okay, so here I go, then," Max said, bending down, but Shroomish stares at him hotly. "Hi, Shroomish. How you're doing?" Max held out a handful of Pokémon food. "I've got some yummy Pokémon food for you. So, my name's Max, and I want us to be friends." Shroomish grits its teeth and then fires Stun Spore at the boys.
"Stun Spore! Run!" Sora yelled as he grabbed Max and ran him into safety. The boys ran out of range as the Shroomish kept firing Stun Spore. "Okay, that didn't work."
Over to the girls.
"What do you think, Kairi? You think it's a ghost haunting the old mansion those people were talking about?" May asked.
"I was thinking it might be a Heartless. And if there is, then it'll be everyone's problem if we leave it alone," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel agreed.
"Come on, Kairi! That haunted mansion isn't going to check itself out!" May said.
"Come on, May! You can't be serious!" Kairi argued. "Just so you'll know, the Heartless are no laughing matter."
"I'm just going to check out the outside. I'm thinking of calling it 'May's Expeditions'! It's got a nice ring to it, don't you think?" May asked.
"As long as you're in a safe distance, it'll be fine. Let's go," Kairi said. With that said, Kairi, May, and Angel stepped out of the Pokémon Center to head over to the mansion. Sora noticed the girl.
"Kairi?" Sora asked and she turned to her boyfriend. "What are you two up to?"
"May is assisting that we check out a haunted mansion. You?" Kairi asked.
"Keeping ourselves from getting Stun Spored," Sora said. Before Kairi could ask what he meant, May dragged her harder.
"Whoa!" Kairi yelped. "I'll see you later, I guess," Kairi said.
"Yeah, you too," Sora said. After waiting for a few moments, they checked back in the alleyway to see if the Shroomish has calmed down.
"It looks like Shroomish is done using Stun Spore," Max said.
"Good thing. Because I have the same idea, but I have a different approach," Sora said, taking out a piece of paper from his backpack and pours some of Kairi's Pokémon food on it. "But it'll be a good idea if you stay here at a safe distance, just in case." Sora slowly walked over to the Shroomish, being careful not to set it off. "Okay, no sudden movements or else it'll just fire Stun Spore again." He slolwly bends down. "Hey there, Shroomish. You hungry? Have some of this."
"Shroomish," the Shroomish said.
"Don't worry. It's good," Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu said, climbing off of Sora's shoulder and ate a piece to show it's safe to eat. The Shroomish was skeptical, but ate some. Shroomish's eyes got wide and started to wolf it down.
"Figured it would work. And I knew you'd like it. I've got some more, so eat as much as you want," Sora said.
Max just snuffed at Sora's efforts.
"Big deal, I could have gotten Shroomish to eat if I used Kairi's Pokémon food," Max said.
"And get Stun Spored in the process," Sora said. Max stuck his tongue at Sora and then he realized something.
"Wait a minute! There's something strange about this!" Max said.
"Strange how?" Sora asked.
"Don't Shroomish nomrally live in the forest?" Max asked.
"You know something, you were right to point that out. It must have wondered in the city without knowing what it was doing or maybe it's got a Trainer and doesn't know where he or she is," Sora guessed. "Shroomish must be lost either way." He turned to Max. "We should take it right to the Pokémon Center and see if its Trainer is inside looking for it."
"Yeah," Max said, reaching in his pocket. "Okay, here." Max took out a handkerchief and wrapped it around the tip of its head. "Take this. There. You look great!" The mushroom Pokémon is so pleased by the gift Max has given it. Sora smiled.
"Kairi would be impressed. It looks like it likes your present a lot," Sora said. "Now, let's get a move on."
"Come on, Shroomish, let's go," Max said, picking up the Mushroom Pokémon and went in the Pokémon Center to see who does the Shroomish belongs to.
Over to the girls, they're heading right to the haunted mansion.
"Okay, Angel. When we get there, stay on alert," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel nodded.
"And May, when we get there, stay outside, because I don't want you to be in harm's way," Kairi said.
"You can count on that," May said.
Back at the Pokémon Center, the boys had no luck in finding out whose Shroomish it was.
"Man, that's every Trainer in it, and not one of them owns this Shroomish," Sora said.
"Maybe, its Trainer is probably out in town looking for it," Max said.
"It's worth a shot. Let's get a move on," Sora said.
"Pika, Pika," Pikachu said. They went off to find out who the Shroomish belongs to and maybe have much better luck.
Over to the girls, they have arrived they had finally arrived to the mansion.
"Look at that. So old and run-down," May said.
"And creepy," Kairi said. May just giggled. "Here I go. Come on, Angel."
"Eevee," Angel nodded.
Kairi and Angel heads for the mansion as May waits for her to come back out safely.
It didn't take long before the boys were coming by.
"Check out that old mansion," Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"Nice place to live if you've got a bolt to your neck," Sora said in a Frakenstein voice. That made Max laugh as Sora added in the Frakenstein growl and did the walk. They both stopped laughing as they stopped to look at it.
"The garden is just as big as a whole forest," Max said. May noticed the boys walking by.
"Sora, Max!" May called out to them. They stopped and turned to May.
"What are you doing here, May?" Sora asked.
"I should be asking you two the same thing," May said.
"Shroomish," the Shroomish said sadly. They both turned to the mushroom Pokémon.
"What's the matter, Shroomish?" Sora asked.
"Is there something about the mansion scaring you?" Max asked. The Shroomish jumps out of his arms and ran towards the mansion.
"Pika!" Pikachu called out.
"What's gotten into it?" Max asked.
"No idea, but we should go after it," Sora said.
"Okay," Max said as they begin to follow the Shroomish to the mansion. May spotted the boys.
"Sora, Max!" May called out to them. They stopped and turned to May.
"What are you doing here, May?" Sora asked.
"I should be asking you two the same thing," May said.
"We found this Shroomish in an alley, and we're trying to figure out who this Shroomish belonged to. And that's when we came by this old house," Max said. May saw fhe Mushroom Pokémon in her brother's arms.
"Is that right?" May asked.
"Shroomish," the Shroomish said sadly. They both turned to the mushroom Pokémon.
"What's the matter, Shroomish?" Sora asked.
"Is there something about the mansion scaring you?" Max asked. The Shroomish jumps out of his arms and ran towards the mansion.
"Pika!" Pikachu called out.
"What's gotten into it?" Max asked.
"And why would it just run in like that?" May asked.
"No idea, but we should go after it," Sora said.
"Okay," Max said as they begin to follow the Shroomish to the mansion.
"And you let her go in there alone?" Sora asked.
"Pika!" Pikachu gasped.
"She told me to stay out here," May said. Sora knew there could be Heartless inside the mansion.
"I better go back her up," Sora said. He and Pikachu started to head for the mansion with May and Max following him.
Kairi and Angel looked around for any signs of the Heartless. There weren't any around, and that's what bothered her. Angel's ears perked up.
"You hear something, Angel?" Kairi asked.
"Eevee!" Angel said.
"Shroom, Shroom, Shroom, Shroom, Shroom!" The Shroomish said, running as fast as its little feet could carry it and jumped into a broken window.
"That was a Shroomish," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Shroomish!" Max called out. Kairi turned to see May and the boys. "Wait up!"
"Come back here!" Sora also called out. The boys stopped in their tracks when they saw the girls.
"Sora Max," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"May, I told you to stay behind!" Kairi said.
"Blame me, Kairi. She and Max followed me. Changing the subjects, you didn't see a Shroomish go by here, did you?" Sora asked.
"I did," Kairi said. "He went in through that window."
"Eevee," Angel concured.
"Hey you kids!" A new male voice called out. It belonged to a young man with blue hair and blue eyes, wearing a lime green shirt under a green vest and wore a grayish-brown pair of pants and brown shoes. "You are not supposed to be here! Didn't you see the signs?" He walked up to them. "We are tearing down the forests here, so it's too dangerous!"
"Sorry to barge in here," Sora said.
"Sora and I were only following a Shroomish," Max said and the young man raised a brow.
"Shroomish? Did you say a Shroomish?" The young man asked.
"Yes, he did," Sora said.
"That is impossible, because there hasn't been any Shroomish in these parts in years," the young man said.
"Well, there sure was one around here. And Max and I saw it as clearly as we see you," Sora said.
"But there is no way it could have been a Shroomish," the young man said.
"My Eevee and I saw one just a little while ago," Kairi said.
"It's true. And if you're saying that they're aren't any Shroomish here, then it sounds very weird," May said.
"And I'm going to guess there were some around here before, right?" Sora asked.
"Uh-huh. There were a lot of them in this town. This mansion once belonged to my grandfather. And when I was little, I used to play with the Shroomish whenever I came over. But as the town kept getting bigger, and more buildings were being built, all the forests were slowly disappearing. Eventually, my grandfather passed away and all of the Shroomish had left. The town council decided that the mansion is to be destroyed to make room for new buildings. And then, when demolishing had begun, these strange things begun happening," the young man explained. "I only came by to see how are things are going, but I have heard a sum of workers have quit."
Kairi started to piece it altogether. She then realized what it could have been. She figured it was a Pokémon and not a Heartless, much to her relief.
"Strange things?" Sora asked.
"You think it's a ghost or something?" May asked.
"I don't think it's a ghost," Kairi said. "It's possible that there are Pokémon inside the place and they're saying they're not moving," Kairi guessed.
"What makes you think that, Kairi?" May asked.
"Pokémon have an act of being stubborn just like people do. For one thing, some of the workers getting sick; I'm sure it's a Pokémon that's using Stun Spore or Poison Powder. That's what makes me say that," Kairi said.
"Like I said, it's impossible," the young man said. He turned to the boys. "Are you boys sure you saw a Shroomish go inside?"
"Like I said, we saw one as clearly as we see you," Sora said.
"Well, if that's the case, then I'm gonna have a look inside just to be sure," the young man said.
"And we should go with you just to prove it to you," Sora said.
The group entered the mansion to search for the Shroomish. The young man introduced as Alex was skeptical, but he had to be sure once an for all.
"Wow, this is exciting," May said all giddy.
"Here, Shroomish, Shroomish, Shroomish. We know you're in here somewhere," Sora said.
"There isn't any signs of it here. We should check some of the other rooms," Alex said.
"Good idea," Sora said.
"We can start by checking out that room over there," Kairi suggested, pointing to the door ahead of them.
"Good thinking," Sora said. They went to the room ahead of them as May and Max opened the door and saw the Shroomish from before and he was shivering with fright.
"Shroomish! There you are!" Max said.
"Wow! You were right! There is a Shroomish here!" Alex said.
"Told you," Sora said.
"Pika," Piachu said.
A few more Shroomish and they huddled with the first one they saw also shivering with fright.
"Look, there's a whole bunch more," Max said.
"Wow Kairi. You were right about there being more than one," Sora said. "And so much for the trainer theory. Also, they're pretty scared about something."
"You're right and I think I know what's been scaring them," Kairi said. "Shroomish normally live in the forest, right?"
"Yes, but it looks like more and more of the forest is being cut down. They must have moved in the mansion," Alex said.
"And now since the masnion is being cut down, where will they all go?" May asked.
"That's a pretty good question, May," Kairi said.
"Pika, Pi," Pikachu said.
Alex turned his head and he sees an old photograph of him as a little boy playing on a swing with a Shroomish on his lap and his grandfather smiling warmly, holding another Shroomish in his arms.
"Look at that," Alex said. Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, May, and Max all turned to see the photograph.
"Is that you with your grandfather when you were little?" Max asked.
"Yes, that is me," Alex admitted.
"It looks to me that you were both fond of Shroomish," Kairi said.
"Yes, we sure were," Alex said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
Just then, out from the ground, an explosion is heard and they all turned to see what caused it. It was a giant black mole-like Heartless. It wore a hard hat with the Heartless emblem on it. It has razor-sharp claws, a short tail and clawed toes, and yellow eyes. The Heartless emblem is on its back. It has yellow eyes as well. This shall be called the Earth Slasher.
Appearing with it are Shadows, Hammer Frames and some Heartless that are dressed as construction workers.
"What are those things?!" Alex exclaimed.
"Heartless!" Sora exclaimed.
"Pika!" Pikachu also exclaimed.
"So those are the Heartless," May said.
Sora and Kairi summoned their Keyblades, much to Max's surprise. The couple engaged the Heartless as they charged right at them. Pikachu and Angel attacked the Heartless by unleashing Thunderbolt and Swift. Sora and Kairi struck down the smaller Heartless as the Earth Slasher just slashed at them. Hearts float up in the air as the Hammer Frames are destroyed. Sora and Kairi managed to dodge, so they swung their Keyblades at it. Pikachu fired Thunderbolt, but does no damage to it. Either it's resistant against electricity or it was because of its hard hat. The Shroomish attacked the giant Heartless with their combined Stun Spore at it, and it ends up being immobilized, so it goes back underground.
"Yikes! Stun Spore!" Kairi excalimed.
"Everyone out!" Alex shouted. Sora, Kairi, May, Max, Pikachu, and Angel didn't need to be told twice and they ran as fast as they could to avoid being paralyzed by Shroomish's Stun Spore. They all started panting, feeling glad it hadn't hit them.
"That was so close," May panted.
"Yeah, getting numbed by a Stun Spore wouldn't be fun," Sora said.
"On the plus-side, the Shroomish beat did beat that monster," Max said.
"No, it's just gone. It'll be back," Sora said, dismissing his Keyblade. Kairi dismissed her Keyblade as well.
"And we better be ready," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Did you know those Heartless would be here?" Sora asked Alex.
"I'm not sure what you're talking about, but I did hear rumors about monsters appearing all around, and I didn't believe it. But the Shroomish were unlikely to be seen here, and those monsters were unexpected," Alex said.
"Not with me and Sora. We had our handful of fights with the Heartless. Even with those workers here, they'll end up having such a hard time with them," Kairi said.
"And just when those Shroomish were just defending their home," May said.
"I still can't get over how many Shroomish are still inside of that mansion," Alex said.
Max looked to the Shroomish with the handkerchief and he could only feel sad for him.
"You know something? I don't think the Shroomish were scared at all. I think they're in pain," Max guessed.
"In pain? What in the world made you think that?" Alex asked.
"I just know, because I'm friends with them too. Just like with you and they told me," Max said.
"So, you're saying they just want to play with Alex again just like when he was a kid," Sora said.
"Yeah, I am. They want to live here with you and be happy," Max said. Alex looked at Shroomish and saw how sad he looked and he didn't doubt the other Shroomish were feeling the same thing.
"I would like that, too," Alex said.
"Shroomish," the Shroomish said.
Back underground, the Earth Slasher was tunneling back towards the surface to finish what it started. It could tell where they are just by their scents of smell.
"Shroomish, please forgive me. I'm sorry to abandon you all," Alex said.
"Please, don't tear down their home," Max pleaded. "Without the mansion, where would they all go?"
"Max is right. It's all they have left," Sora said.
"And when the mansion is gone, then they'll be homeless," Kairi said.
"I'm sorry," Alex said. "It's too late to stop the construction." Just then, the Earth Slasher emerged from the ground with a roar.
"It's that thing again!" May exclaimed.
"Why is it after us?" Max asked.
"It's going to take our hearts unless we destroy it!" Sora said as he and Kairi summoned their Keyblades again. The Earth Slasher tunnels underground and homes in on the couple like a torpedo. "Here it comes."
The Earth Slasher emerged from underneath, so Sora and Kairi jumped out of the way just before it could slash at them. Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and rushed at the giant Heartless. It hurls boulders at them. Kairi casts her zero gravity spell and sent the boulders back. The Earth Slasher dug back underground. It came back out to attack again. Pikachu and Angel jumped and smacked it with an Iron Tail, hitting it. It roared again as Sora and Kairi came at it and gave it some smacks with their Keyblades. The fight raged on between the couple and the Earth Slasher, so the Shroomish stepped in.
"Shroomish, wait!" Alex said.
"What are they doing?" May asked.
The Shroomish shot seeds out from the top of their heads and the seeds sprouted vines that entangled the mole-like Heartless.
"That was Leech Seed!" Max said.
"They're helping Sora and Kairi face that Heartless," May said.
"Sora, we gotta finish it off now!" Kairi said.
"Right!" Sora agreed.
Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel came at the Earth Slasher and gave it a slash with their Keyblade and Iron Tail combo. The Earth Slasher stumbled around and it fell right down to the ground. A heart floats up into the air before it disappeared. The Earth Slasher disappeared as well.
"Was that a heart?" Alex asked.
"It was," Sora said as he and Kairi dismissed their Keyblades.
Alex was proud how the Shroomish was able to work together and help Sora and Kairi out. He knew there was no other way to make the Shroomish move, so he was given a new idea. Sora Kairi, May, Max, and the Pokémon all went up to Alex.
"So, will you still tear down the mansion?" Max asked.
"Yes, I'm afraid so," Alex solely said.
"But you can't!" Kairi pleaded. "They won't have anyplace to live once it's gone!" Alex smiled and slowly stood up despite his injury.
"Don't worry. I'm going to replant all the trees and plants, to make a brand new forest. Make it the way it was before the mansion was even here," Alex said. Max's face lit up.
"That's a great idea!" Max said. "Thank you!"
"And we'll be able to play just like we used to," Alex promised. The Shroomish liked the idea very much. With that settled, the couple and the siblings said their goodbyes to Alex and the Shroomish as they all continued on their way to Rustboro City.
"I'm just glad everything worked out in the end," May said.
"Me too. The mansion may be going down, but at least they'll have a new forest to live in, so everybody is happy," Sora said.
As the sun was setting, the couple and the siblings face each other with smiles on their faces.
"You don't mind if we tag along, do you?" May asked.
"Kairi and I don't mind there a bit," Sora said.
"He's right. Chances are we could bump into Brendan on the way over," Kairi said. May smiled at the thought of seeing Brendan again and Max grins as he sees his sister's face getting red.
"That's actually great," May said.
"Let's go then," Sora said as the couple and the siblings heads off to Rustboro City. Kairi did wonder if May will decide what she wants to do. What could the future have in store for her? The answers will come even further ahead after the next chapter.