Episode 218: In the Knicker of Time!
It was a short time since Sora, Kairi, May, Max, Pikachu, and Angel have left Rinshin Town, so they made a stop to rest for the night.
"Well, it's too dark to keep going," Sora said.
"That means we'll have to camp here for the night," Kairi said. May groaned.
"You mean we'll have to camp out here in this dark forest?" May asked.
"Come on, May. There could he some cool Pokémon that comes out at night," Max said.
"Yeah, and there could be Heartless, Nobodies, or Unversed out on the loose, too," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"So it'll be a good idea to stay close since we want to see them before they see us," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"I like that idea very much," May said.
"Sora, Kairi, you seem to know a lot about the Heartless, don't you?" Max asked.
"We would since Sora and I fought them since getting our Keyblades. And we haven't seen any since the mansion attack. Also we haven't seen any of the Nobodies since Petalburg City, and we haven't seen the Unversed since Littleroot Town," Kairi said.
"And I would like to keep it that way," May said.
"We all would. Same thing for the Unversed and the Nobodies," Sora said.
"And the same would be the same for that Team Magma group we met in Oldale Town," Kairi said. Sora's Rotom Phone starts ringing. Sora saw it was Riku's number.
"I think I'll take this," Sora said. He answered it. "Sora here."
"Sora, I was hoping I'd reach you. Just got off with Ash, Ethan, and the girls. They said you're heading for Rustboro City, aren't you?" Riku asked.
"Yeah. Where are you?" Sora asked.
"I'm Oldale Town. Professor Birch said he met you, so he's sending me and Naminé over to Petalburg City. We just got here after dropping by home," Riku said.
"I thought Naminé was coming along. Did Master Rei fill you in about anything?" Sora asked.
"She told me about the masked boy you mentioned and your face-off with the Unversed. I have a feeling we're going to bump into some rather if we want to or not," Riku said. "So you think it's got anything to do with Organization XIII?"
"Master Rei told us not to jump the gun on that, and she wants us to keep her in the loop if we learn anything," Sora said.
"Good idea. Naminé and I will meet up with you in Petalburg City. Until then, watch your backs," Riku said.
"You do the same," Sora said, breaking contact.
"Where are Riku and Naminé right now?" Kairi asked.
"They're in Oldale Town, so they said they'll meet up with us in Rustboro City," Sora said.
"So that means we're going to meet them soon, right?" May asked.
"Very likely," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Who's hungry? And who's in the mood for grilled cheese sandwiches?" Sora asked.
"I am!" Kairi said.
Sora took some bread, cheese, and butter to make the grilled cheese sandwiches. He presented them to the siblings and his girlfriend once he was done.
"Grilled cheese, hot off the grill!" Sora said.
"Looks delicious, Sora," Kairi said. May and Max took a bite of the sandwiches and their tastebuds.
"This is great," May said.
"It's almost as good as my mom's," Max said.
"Thought you'd like it. My mom actually taught me how to make it. All I did was put bread together with cheese and grilled it with melted butter," Sora said.
"And it gets better every time I eat it," Kairi said, taking a bite.
Everyone ate their meal and fell asleep a little while later. Sora thought of getting up earlier to train.
Meanwhile, Ash and Leaf were doing some camping of their own. Ash is sleeping soundly in sleeping bag when he began to recieve another vision of the past from his dreams. Ash saw Eraqus without his scars. Master Xehanort was facing away from him.
"What's happening?" Ash asked.
"Wait, Xehanort. There is a reason the precepts bar us from such knowledge. Why do you seek the X-Blade? Would you blanket all the worlds in darkness, reduce them to nothing!?" Master Eraqus asked.
"But darkness did cover the world once, in legend. We know so little about the Keyblade War; only that it was just the beginning. Amidst that crisis a precious light was found. It is a curious tale; and one worth exploring. They say ruin brings about creation. So what, then, would another Keyblade War bring? When the darkness falls, will we be found worthy of the precious light the legend speaks of? I must have these answers. The X-Blade needs to be forged, and with it, the door to the Keyblade War unlocked!" Master Xehanort said.
"Keyblade War?" Ash asked.
"Fool... You would risk an apocalypse out of sheer curiosity? I will never allow it, Xehanort. Not while I live!" Master Eraqus said.
"But once again you have it all wrong, Eraqus. Darkness is a beginning, you see, not an end. At birth, every one of us emerges from darkness into a world of light, do we not?" Master Xehanort asked.
"Poetic excuses!" Master Eraqus argued. Master Xehanort starts walking away. Master Eraqus had to stop him one way or the other. "If words won't dissuade you, only one thing will." Master Eraqus summoned his Master's Defense and charges after Master Xehanort. But Master Xehanort summoned a Keyblade that has a dark black handle with a raised spiral carved around it. Its pommel and guard resemble black, demonic wings. The base of the blade is an etching of a goat, and the shaft is formed from two black, barbed blades, etched with a white icon resembling a bramble of thorns. The teeth are formed in the shape of a demonic wing, and are set with an eye. The Keychain is made of small, gray links, and the token is an entangled, gray talisman with an additional eye. This shall be known as the Gazing Eye. Master Xehanort fired darkness from his Keyblade and struck Master Eraqus on his cheek and right eye. Ash gasped when he saw that. He looked at Master Xehanort and growled as he gritted his teeth. Master Eraqus groaned in pain as Master Xehanort approached him. "That power... Has the darkness taken you, Xehanort?" Master Xehanort just turned around.
"Not your concern," Master Xehanort said, walking.
Ash then woke up and he sat up. He saw the sun rising up from the distance. He sighed as he laid back down.
"Man, what is the Keyblade War?" Ash asked in his thoughts.
Back with Sora, Kairi, May, Max, Pikachu, and Angel, Sora got up early in the morning to train for his first Gym battle. Even though Team Rocket was no longer a problem for him, he felt at ease since he knew his Pokémon are safe and sound. But there was still the matter of Organization XIII since he knew they'll come for him at anytime. Being on constant alert has become a habit with him since then. Sora and Pikachu went off to find a spot to do some training.
Just when he was about to get started on his training, he felt something move from underneath his feet.
"What the?" Sora asked. He lifted his foot and he saw it is a small, whitish, insectoid Pokémon. It has a pointed snout, a thin stripe that dips in a V-shaped pattern between its eyes, and two whisker-like antennae on its face. Its eyes are black with green iris-like rings inside. It appears to be virtually blind when it uses its antennae to sense its surroundings. On its back is a pair of small, green wings. Its hind legs are white, but the forelegs are brown and have sharp claws. "And who's that Pokémon?" Sora took out his Rotom Phone to scan it.
Nincada, the Trainee Pokémon
Type: Bug/Ground
Nincada is virtually blind, so it uses its antennae to sense its surroundings. It is said Nincada can live underground for more than ten years. It gains nutrients from the roots of trees.
"Nincada looks like a cool Pokémon to have, so why not?" Sora asked, putting his Rotom Phone away. "Pikachu, your electric attacks won't affect Nincada, so you got Quick Attack and Iron Tail on your side. You ready to rock?"
"Pikachu," Pikachu nodded.
"Go get it!" Sora said. Pikachu stepped in to battle against Nincada. The Trainee Pokémon picked up Pikachu's scent from its antennae. Nincada starts coming at Pikachu, ready to come. "Nincada's using Scratch! Dodge it!" Pikachu dodges Nincada's scratch. "Use Quick Attack!" Pikachu dashed at Nincada and lands a hit with Quick Attack. Nincada hurls mud at the Mouse Pokémon. "Dodge it, Pikachu!" Pikachu managed to dodge the mud. "Use Iron Tail!" Pikachu swings his tail forward and sends it right at Nincada, but it catches Pikachu with its claws. Nincada then gave Pikachu a toss. He does a flip and lands right on his feet. Nincada then ran towards Pikachu. "Use Quick Attack!" Pikachu dashed at Nincada with a Quick Attack and lands a hit. Nincada fell on its back. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it. Nincada flows inside and the Pokéball wobbles around and around. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. Sora picked up the Pokéball and smiled. "Looks like I got myself a Nincada."
"Pi, Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Wow, that was awesome!" A familiar voice exclaimed. Sora turned around and saw Max standing behind him.
"Been there long?" Sora asked.
"Just to see you and Pikachu against Nincada. You clearly knew Nincada is a Ground-type Pokémon," Max said.
"Types is one the first things they teach you when it comes to training Pokémon," Sora said.
"Pi, Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"That Nincada showing up wasn't something I would expect to happen. What are you doing up this early, Max?" Sora asked.
"I just saw you taking off and I thought I'd watch you train your Pokémon, Sora," Max said.
"Well, I guess that's fine, but stay in a safe distance, because I don't want you to get hurt," Sora said. He took out a Pokéball and threw it. "Come out! Treecko!" His Pokéball opened and Treecko puts his twig in his mouth. "Okay, Treecko, let's get started. Use Pound on that tree!" Treecko rushes at a tree and slammed his tail against the tree. Several leaves came falling down. Max watched in awe when Sora was training his Treecko. Just when Sora was to give Treecko another command, he catches the whiff of pancakes cooking. He knew it was time for breakfast. "Looks like we'll have to cut this short."
"Pika," Pikachu agreed.
"Come on, guys," Sora said. With that said, Sora, Max, and Pikachu returned to camp and saw Kairi with a stack of freshly made pancakes.
"I thought you boys would be hungry. So there's plenty for everyone, so come and get it!" Kairi said.
With that said, Sora sat down and got a plateful of those pancakes. He poured some syrup on the pancakes and he happily ate the pancakes.
"Tasty as always," Sora said.
"Thank you, Sora," Kairi said.
"And I thought the grilled cheese sandwiches Sora made were amazing," May commented.
"Kairi's mom actually gave her the recipe on those pancakes. They're absolutely the best I have ever tasted," Sora said.
"What my grandma said to my mom is what she said to me: the one way to win your man's heart is through his stomach," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Wow, that sounds like something my mom said when she met my dad," May said.
Just a little later, Sora shows Kairi his new Nincada, and she confirmed her boyfriend's new Nincada is a male. Then, a boy came by and spotted Sora who had just gotten done helping with the cleaning.
"Hey there!" The boy called out. Sora, Kairi, May, Max, Pikachu, and Angel turned to see the boy standing the boy. "Are you Sora Ketchum, the Pokémon Trainer who won the Indigo Plateau and the recent Johto Pokémon League tournaments?"
"Yeah, that's me," Sora admitted as he sighed.
"I thought so. I was hoping I'd have a Pokémon battle against you! Just to see how good you are!" The boy challenged.
"Okay, I'll take you up on your challenge," Sora said.
"Great! Let's make it one-on-one!" The boy said.
"Okay, then I'm going with Pikachu!" Sora said. Pikachu stepped up.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu said.
"And the Pokémon I'm going with is going to be my Beedrill!" The boy said, taking out a Great Ball and threw it. The Great Ball opened and Beedrill came right out. May took out her Rotom Phone and scanned it.
Beedrill, the Poison Bee Pokémon
The evolved form of Kakuna
Type: Bug/Poison
It can take down any opponent with its powerful poison stingers. It sometimes attacks in swarms.
"Beedrill! Use Twineedle!" The boy ordered. Beedrill's needles gave off a bright blue glow and charges right at the Mouse Pokémon.
"Dodge with Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Pikachu managed to dodge Beedrill's needles.
"Don't let Pikachu get away! Use Poison Jab!" The boy ordered. Beedrill charges at Pikachu with a Poison Jab.
"Dodge and use Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu fired Thunderbolt and greatly shocked Beedrill. The Poison Bee Pokémon was now paralyzed.
"Use Poison Jab again!" The boy ordered. Beedrill tried to, but its paralysis kicked in.
"Use Electro Ball!" Sora ordered. Pikachu forms a ball of electricity and sent it right at Beedrill, knocking it out. "Good job, Pikachu!"
The Trainer helped up his Beedrill.
"Good work, Beedrill," the boy said. Beedrill buzzed. Sora walked up to the boy.
"Hey, how's your Beedrill doing?" Sora asked.
"Pikachu?" Pikachu said.
"Just fine. And I want to thank you for such an incredible battle, Sora. I can see why you won those tournaments, Sora," the boy said, holding out his hand. Sora shook his hand.
"You were pretty good, too," Sora said.
"Hope we get to battle again sometime," the boy said.
"Give me everything you got when we do," Sora said.
"That battle was totally awesome! Wasn't it, May?" Max asked.
"Yeah!" May nodded.
After the battle, Sora, Kairi, May, Max, Pikachu, and Angel continued down the road towards Rustboro City.
"Two Trainers ending their battle with a warm handshake. Now, that's true sportsmanship," May said.
"Well, that's what Pokemon battling is really all about, friendship between Trainers," Sora said.
"It's a good way for Pokémon and their Trainers to get even closer," Kairi said.
"I never thought of it that way," May said.
"You mean you never thought of that? Every Trainer should think of that," Max said. May grits her teeth in annoyance.
"Cut her a break, Max. She's still learning," Kairi said. Angel's ears perked up.
"Vee?" Angel asked.
"You hear something, Angel?" Kairi asked.
"Eevee!" Angel said. The sound she heard was rustling in the bushes. What jumped out was a Zigzagoon, but it was bigger than the one Sora has caught.
"And is that?" May asked.
"A Zigzagoon!" Max said.
"Yeah, but it looks bigger than the one I caught," Sora said.
"Awesome! I never knew that wild Zigzagoon could get so big!" Max said.
"Hmm? What do you mean, Max?" May asked.
"The average Zigzagoon is only 16 inches tall and weighs only 8 pounds," Max explained.
"Better have a look at this," Kairi said, taking out her Rotom Phone to get some information.
Zigzagoon, the Tiny Raccoon Pokémon
Type: Normal
Zigzagoon is extremely curious and so ends up walking a zigzag path between things that interest it.
Not too long, several more Zigzagoon came out. They're looking at the trees and shrubs, but a Sentret came out of the bushes. And up in the trees are three Pinsir.
"Hey, look. Those Zigzagoon are interested in that Sentret and those Pinsir," Sora said.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked.
Then one suspicious Zigzagoon approached the large Zigzagoon. The Tiny Raccoon Pokémon turned and it saw it was a person wearing a Zigzagoon suit.
"Okay!" The boy shouted. He tore off the suit and revealed himself to be a boy wearing a yellow shirt, blue shorts, a brown belt, purple shoes, a red bandana, and a large blue packback. This surprised the couple and the siblings.
"It disguised itself as a human!" May exclaimed. Sora, Kairi, Max, Pikachu, and Angel looked at her.
"You want to take another whack at that one, sis? 'Cause it really is a human!" Max said.
"I didn't know Zigzagoon could evolve into humans," May said.
"Are we really related?" Max deadpanned.
"May, that guy was in a Zigzagoon costume!" Sora said.
"Okay, Zigzagoon, time for you and I to do some battling. Mudkip, I choose..." The boy said. They just approached him.
"See?" Max asked. The boy ends up being confused. "100% genuine human."
"I need a closer look," May skeptically said as she checks the boy's face. "Guess you're right. He may be a little suspicious-looking but he's definitely all human."
"May, Max, you shouldn't have done that," Sora said. The Zigzagoon took its leave. The boy saw it leave
"Huh? Wait! Zigzagoon, come back!" The boy called out, but Zigzagoon was gone and he groans disappointed and angrily turns to May and Max. "Thank you! This is all your fault that I wasn't able to catch that Zigzagoon! What's your problem?!" He noticed the shorts. "Huh?" He looks closer to their shorts. His mood suddenly changed. "Hey! You guys are wearing knickers, too! That's so cool! You're the same as me!"
"What?" May and Max asked.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked.
"Eevee?" Angel asked.
"What do you mean they're the same as you?" Kairi asked.
"Who are you, anyway?" May asked.
"What's my name? Truthfully I have many names," the boy said as he puts on his Zigzagoon costume. "Like this one!" They gasped. "At time I am a Zigzagoon wandering the forest." He takes off his costume. "At other times, I am a Tentacruel... "he wears a Tenacruel costume, "...riding the ocean waves!" He spins. "Whee!" Then appears in a Bellosom costume. "And other times, I am a dancing Bellosom. But if you want to know what my true identity is... Well, I am Nicholai, Nicholai the Knickerbocker!"
"Any idea what he's talking about?" Sora asked.
"I'm at a total loss of words as you are," Kairi said.
"Okay, you just said you're Nicholai the Knickerbocker?" Sora asked.
"That's the name for Naturalist Trainers like myself. We thrive on communing with nature while exposing our knees," Nicholai said as he sets his attention on May and Max. "And obviously you're Knickerbockers too. That's awesome! So tell me. What are your names, you guys?"
"Uh, well, my name is May," May introduced herself.
"And my name is Max," Max introduced himself.
"I'm Sora, and I came from Pallet Town in the Kanto region," Sora introduced himself.
"And I'm Kairi, and I'm also from Pallet Town," Kairi said.
"It's really nice to meet you, May and Max," Nicholai said. Sora and Kairi hung their heads, quickly knowing he has no interest in the couple. "Yes. Those are two very worthy names for Knickerbockers."
"Uh, excuse me. Listen, we are not wearing knickers; these are plain old shorts," May said.
"I don't think I want to be called a 'bocker,'" Max said.
"Now, now. Calm down. There's no use getting your knickers in a bundle," Nicholai said as he laughed. May and Max just gave off an annoyed groan.
"You know we're right here!" Sora said.
"So you mind telling us, why were you dressed in that Zigzagoon suit?" Kairi asked.
"I guess you still don't get it. I wear it to become one with Pokémon and to learn their inner feelings. As soon as I know exactly the way they're thinking, it's easy to capture them.
"So you do that to catch Pokémon?" Sora asked.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked.
"Vee?" Angel asked.
"Yeah, I want to challenge the Petalburg City Gym Leader. But first I want to catch a Zigzagoon. They live right here in this forest," Nicholai said.
"The Petalburg City Gym, huh?" May asked.
"Then you're gonna be battling our dad," Max pointed out. Nicholai blinked twice.
"Your dad?" Nicholai asked as he blinked twice.
"I might as well tell you this. Their dad's the Gym Leader of the Petalburg City Gym, so that's who you'll be up against," Sora said.
"Pika, Pika," Pikachu agreed.
"You're kidding me. Hey, I have an idea," Nicholai said, looking at May and Max. "Let me battle the two of you."
"Huh?" May and Max asked.
"If you two are the children of a real Gym Leader, then I'm sure battling you guys would be great practice for me. Besides that, I'd like to check out your skills as a Trainer," Nicholai said.
"Maybe you should go check out something else," May said.
"Don't be modest. Show him, May," Max said.
"Show him?" May asked.
"You're the daughter of the Gym Leader of the Petalburg City Gym, so go show him what you can do!" Max said. May yelped with shock.
"Then that settles that. There's a field right up ahead. I can't wait to battle! So come on, then. Let's go!" Nicholai said as he walks off.
"Wait a minute, Nicholai. I don't think I'll be able to..." May paused.
"What's wrong, May? Don't tell me you're afraid to battle with me," Nicholai taunted.
May gasped, not liking what he just said.
"Me? Afraid? Okay, I accept your challenge," May said.
"Vee," Angel said.
"Pi..." Pikachu said.
"Uh, hey, May. Are you sure about this?" Kairi asked.
"It's going to be your first battle ever," Sora pointed out.
Later we find Nicholai and May ready for battle, while Sora, Kairi, Max, Pikachu, and Angel watched.
"Okay, here I am in my first battle," May said in her thoughts.
Nicholai takes out a Pokéball and held it up.
"Ready? Here goes!" Nicholai exclaimed.
"Too bad it has to be against someone who's such a weirdo," May said in her thoughts.
"May, stay calm, keep your cool, and you'll do just fine," Sora said reassuringly.
"Right, stay calm and keep my cool," May said.
"Mudkip, let's go!" Nicholai shouted as he threw his Pokéball. His Mudkip emerged from inside. "Ready?! Mudkip, change!" Nicholai exclaimed as he changes into a Mudkip costume and yells like Tarzan, the the bafflement of everyone. Kairi snapped out of her bafflement.
"Choose your Pokémon, May!" Kairi called out.
"Oh, right! Now, Torchic, I choose you!" May called out.
"Torchic?! She's going to use a Fire-type Pokémon against Mudkip, a Water-type Pokémon?!" Nicholai exclaimed in shock.
"Uh oh. Wouldn't you know, her first opponent's gotta have a Water-type Pokemon," Max pointed out.
"Torchic's her only Pokémon right now, so she's extremely limited at the moment," Sora said.
"So, May will have to make lemonade out of the lemons she's already got," Kairi said.
"This is May we're talking about," Max said.
"Torchic, start attacking!" May called out. Torchic ends up being confused and ends up not doing anything. "What are you waiting for, Torchic?! Let's go!"
"May, be more specific! Tell Torchic what moves to use, not just attack! Peck, Ember, anything!" Sora called out.
"Pika..." Pikachu said.
"Oh... Uh, that's right. An attack. Uh, yeah, I got it! Torchic, Ember!" May ordered.
"Mudkip, Water Gun! Let's go!" Nicholai ordered. Both attacks fire, but Mudkip's attack extinguishes Torchic's.
"Good! Now let's give him a taste of your Peck! Torchic just charges right in.
"Agh! Whatever you do, don't attack it from straight on!" Max exclaimed.
"Okay, Mudkip, Water Gun!" Nicholai ordered. Mudkip fires, sending Torchic back forcefully.
"Pika!" Pikachu gasped.
"Vee!" Angel also gasped.
"Torchic!" May gasped. Torchic soon hits the ground. She bends down to her knees. "Torchic, please get up! Please, Torchic!" Torchic tries to get up, but ultimately collapses. "Torchic!"
"We did it!" Nicholai cheered.
"Guess there's no lemonade for her," Kairi said.
"Eevee, vee," Angel said.
"Oh, Torchic. I am so sorry," May apologized.
Sora, Kairi, Max, Pikachu, and Angel approached her.
"Torchic, are you okay?" May asked.
"She's fine. All Torchic needs is a good, long rest," Kairi said.
"Unreal! Who knew a gym leader's daughter would be so bad? I'll bet getting a badge at the Petalburg City Gym will be a piece of cake," Nicholai said. This pushes Max's button, taking it as an insult.
"Take that back!" Max demanded.
"Yeah, cut her a break! She was only getting started!" Kairi said.
"But first, I have to catch a Zigzagoon. Then once I bag that little creature, getting my badge will be a walk in the park," Nicholai said, putting on his Zigzagoon costume. "So long, my two fellow knickerbockers!"
"Mudkip," Mudkip said.
Nicholai and Mudkip walked off. Max just growled.
In the World That Never Was, the members of Organization XIII have gathered to hear what Vexen has discovered about the unknown Nobody.
"Vexen, make your report," Xemnas said.
"Yes, I have completed my investigation. And I can confirm that it is indeed a Nobody. A Nobody that we had no power nor control over," Vexen said.
"So any idea on whose Nobody it is, and how we didn't pick up on it until now?" Demyx asked.
"Yes, I was getting to that. It appears that this particular Nobody is indeed the Nobody of one individual none of us could have suspected. This Nobody is the Nobody of Kairi," Vexen said. The Organization members were shocked by this bit of unexpected news.
"Kairi's Nobody?" Xaldin asked.
"How is this possible?" Lexaeus asked.
"It's not," Vexen said.
"This is very curious. And I find this questionable. If memory serves, Kairi has not succumbed to the darkness, and she has not transformed into a Heartless," Zexion pointed out.
"I agree with Zexion. How is a Nobody even born without a Heartless?" Luxord asked.
"As I already stated, it's not. And I also agree with Zexion. I also found it questioning. I have done some digging into the investigation and I discovered this mysterious Nobody is a unique Nobody. It would seem that one who is without a shred of darkness in their heart was bound to have a Nobody of their own. At first, I assumed it was an error, but as I have dug deeper and deeper, I have discovered that it wasn't. Normally, we could have picked up on it, but some reason that I cannot explain, this has occured right under our radar. But it does explain how we didn't notice this earlier," Vexen said.
"And where is the Nobody now?" Saïx asked.
"I can only assume that she has returned to her original host, just like the deserter," Vexen said.
"So flamesilocks did know about it and kept his mouth shut. As if he thought we wouldn't pick up on it," Xigbar scoffed.
"If he did, then he's even stupider than we gave him credit for," Larxene said.
"Makes me wonder how many more secrets has kept? I can bet my winnings he has a dozen," Luxord said.
"Probably more than any of us can imagine," Marluxia said.
"I will continue to research the strange occurrence and inform you if I know more," Vexen said.
"No, Vexen. Leave it be for now. This new information changes nothing. We must continue our focus on Sora, Kairi and those chosen by the Keyblade. And I have reason to believe this will mean more Keyblade wielders will soon be revealed. And when that happens, then we must prepare a proper welcome for them," Xemnas said. "You are all dismissed."
The Organization members took their leave of their meeting.
Meanwhile, Sora, Kairi, May, Pikachu, and Angel walk on as May sulks about the outcome of her first battle, unaware her brother wasn't with them. May sighed
"My first battle and it ends in defeat. And losing to a goofball like him? Humiliating," May said.
"Forget about it. Remember, May, you're just beginning and also, your Pokémon was at a disadvantage," Sora said.
"And with a little more experience, things will get much better. You'll see, May," Kairi added.
"Pika, Pika!" Pikachu said.
"Eevee!" Angel said. May then scowled.
"Knickerbockers. Naturalists. What is wrong with that guy? He makes me so mad I can't wait till dad pound on him!" May said.
"Cool it, May. You had your first battle and lost, but it's not the end of the world. You can learn from your losses as well as your wins," Sora said.
"Sora's right, May. We lost some battles before, but we didn't let it discourage us," Kairi said.
"You just need to train your Torchic more," Sora said.
"I guess. But all the same, I hope my dad gives him a good beating he'll never forget!" May said.
"Give who a good beating?" A familiar voice asked. They saw it was Brendan who just approached them.
"Hey, Brendan," May greeted as she blushed.
"Good to see you again so soon," Brendan said.
"Likewise," Sora said.
"Just who was she talking about?" Brendan asked.
"Oh, just some weirdo named named Nicholai. He has it in his head that we're Knickerbockers just like he is, and he makes fun of me and my dad after he beat me," May said.
"Oh, him," Brendan said.
"You know him, Brendan?" Kairi asked.
"Yeah, I met him about a few days ago, and I whopped his Mudkip with my Treecko. He said he was heading for the Petalburg City Gym to challenge Norman to a battle, but he took off before I could warn him. I guess he's gonna find out the hard way," Brendan said. May chuckled.
"You're right. He's going to be in for a world of disappointment. Right, Max?" May asked and saw Max was gone. She gasped. "Oh no! Max!"
"Where did he go?!" Sora exclaimed.
"He was just with us!" Kairi said.
"I was wondering why he wasn't with you," Brendan said.
"Oh, man, this is bad. Max is going to get himself killed with those monsters out on the loose, and my parents will kill me when that happens!" May exclaimed.
"It won't happen, because we won't let it! Let's go!" Sora said.
Meanwhile, Nicholai is out in the woods, still tracking down the Zigzagoon.
"Pokémon, change!" Nicholai shouted as he changes into his Zigzagoon costume and yells like Tarzan and runs off.
But little did Nicholai know that Max was following him.
"No one makes fun of my dad and gets away with it," Max said. Nicholai throws something to the left and right sides of the road. "Look at that!" He spots that the objects are small berries. "Zigzagoon love that fruit more than anything! I know! He's using that fruit to get the Zigzagoon to come out!" Max hides behind the tree once more.
Back with Sora, Kairi, Brendan, May, Pikachu, and Angel were looking for Max.
"Max!" May called out.
"Hey, Max!" Sora called out.
"Answer if you're out there!" Kairi called out.
"Max, where are you?!" Brendan called out.
"Man I don't see how he could've gotten too far away," Sora said.
"I guess, but why can't he hear us?" May asked. Sora thought for a moment and then an idea pops in his head.
"Hey, I've got an idea! Taillow can search from the sky!" Sora said, taking out Taillow's Pokéball.
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
"Vee!" Angel said.
"Good thinking, Sora," Brendan said.
Meanwhile, Max is seen to have gathered up some of the same berries Nicholai had in his shirt.
"All this fruit ought to attract every Zigzagoon in the whole forest! And that Knickerbocker won't catch a single one! Come on out, Zigzagoon! I've got yummy fruit! Zigzagoon!" Max called out. Little did Max know that there were some Zigzagoon following him. "Guess it won't be long now." Max suddenly comes to a stop when he sees a whole nursery of hungry Zigzagoon, causing him to worry.
Meanwhile, Taillow is seen flying above. He spotted something and head towards it.
"Taillow spotted something!" Sora said.
"It's Max! It's gotta be him!" May said.
"Better hurry!" Brendan said.
"Before something happens!" Kairi said.
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
"Eevee!" Angel said.
Sora, Kairi, Brendan, May, Pikachu, and Angel speeds up as Max continues to worry about his situation.
"What a mess! I didn't realize there were so many of these things. Help!" Max shouted. The Zigzagoon pounce. "HELP!" Taillow flies over him as our Sora, Kairi, Brendan, May, Pikachu, and Angel show up. "Hey!"
"Max!" Brendan and May yelled.
"Scare those Zigzagoon with a Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu leaps and launches the attack, spooking the Zigzagoon enough to make them run away. May ran up to her brother.
"Max!" May said.
"You found me!" Max said.
"Are you okay?" Brendan asked.
"Brendan, what are you doing here?" Max asked.
Before Brendan could answer, the Zigzagoon approach again.
"Look at em all. Let's try a Thunderbolt again," Sora said. Pikachu charges up the attack, until Max spoke up.
"Wait. Hold on! All the Zigzagoon really want are these," Max said, showing them the fruit. "They just want to eat all of the fruit that I brought em, see?"
"They do?" May asked.
"In that case, let me take care of this problem," Kairi said, taking the berries. Kairi walks over to the Zigzagoon. "Ah, there, there. Here's some fruit, and there's enough here for everybody."
However, one of the Zigzagoon throws dirt at Kairi
"Eevee!" Angel gasped.
"Kairi!" Sora gasped.
"Pika!" Pikachu gasped.
"Hey, Kairi, are you okay?" Sora asked.
"I'm fine, but what are those Zigzagoon so angry about?" Kairi asked.
The Zigzagoon stare the group down and growl lowly at them.
"Maybe 'cause we interrupted them just as they about to eat," May said.
"Max, why did you have this fruit?" Sora asked.
"I only took them because I wanted to make sure that Knickerbocker wouldn't catch a single Zigzagoon. Just to get him back for making fun of my dad," Max said.
"I'm sure your dad would appreciate you for defending his honor, but he would say this isn't how you do it," Sora said.
"And we're about to find out why," Brendan said.
The Zigzagoon kept growling at them, but that was until the silence was broken.
"Zagoon!" A familiar voice shouted. Nicholai suddenly stands between the group and some of the Zigzagoon. "Zagoon!"
"Mudkip!" Mudkip said.
"Nicholai, Mudkip!" Sora said.
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
Nicholai, attempting to communicate with the Zigzagoon, leads them away from the group.
"The Zigzagoon are following Nicholai," Brendan said.
"Let's find out why," May said.
Everyone follows Nicholai and the nursery of Zigzagoon until they come to a fruit tree bearing the same fruit Max had. Upon arrival, Nicholai rams into the tree, causing some of the fruit to fall.
"Now, Mudkip, Water Gun!" Nicholai ordered. Mudkip fires the attack at the trees in front, to the left and behind it, causing more fruit to fall, allowing all the Zigzagoon to eat. "Yes!"
"Mudkip, Mud!" Nicholai said.
Sora, Kairi, Brendan, May, Pikachu, and Angel rushed and saw the Zigzagoon eating the fruit.
"Look, they're all eating the fruit!" May said.
Nicholai looks towards the group.
"Well, that should make them a lot happier," Kairi said.
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
"Eevee, vee!" Angel said.
"Yeah. Thanks, Nicholai. You really helped us out," Sora said.
"Think nothing of it. We all need help sometimes, and us Knickerbockers have to stick together. You know what I mean?" Nicholai asked as he winked. "Right?"
"Nicholai? I owe you an apology," Max said.
"Huh?" Nicholai asked. Max explained about him taking the berries just to get back at him for his rude comment about Norman. Nicholai laughed. "So you were the one with the fruit."
"I feel awful. Sorry," Max apologized.
"Forget it. I should be apologizing to you. I shouldn't have said the things I said before," Nicholai said.
"Okay. Can I ask a question?" Max asked.
"Sure, what?" Nicholai asked.
"Where did you learn to speak Zigzagoon so well? I haven't seen anything about it in any of my books," Max said.
"You don't need to use words to communicate with Pokémon, Max," Nicholai said.
"Huh? Then what?" Max asked.
Nicholai places his hand on his heart.
"You just have to say what's in here," Nicholai said.
"He's right. Say what's in your heart," Sora said.
"Let me see. We have to learn these crazy attacks while speaking with our hearts?" May asked.
"I get it. And because of that, our hearts are connected with Pokémon," Kairi said.
"Then the Pokémon will understand what we say!" Max said.
"Right. I'll show you what I mean," Nicholai said, standing up.
"Wha..?" Max asked.
"You, Zigzagoon, there. Why don't you have a battle with us?" Nicholai asked, challenging the biggest Zigzagoon.
"Mudkip!" Mudkip said.
"Zagoon!" The big Zigzagoon said, accepting the challenge.
"Alright! Pokémon, change! Now Mudkip, Water Gun!" Nicholai said as he changes into his Mudkip costume. Mudkip fires the attack, but Zigzagoon dodges by running in a zig-zag motion, easily landing a Tackle while doing so. Mudkip soon came to a stop. "Don't you give in, Mudkip!"
"Mudkip! Mud!" Mudkip saod.
Zigzagoon began to try landing another Tackle, only for Mudkip to dodge each attack.
"That Mudkip and Zigzagoon are amazing!" May said.
"Keep it up, you guys!" Max called out.
"Pika, Pika!" Pikachu cheered.
"Eevee, vee!" Angel cheered.
Mudkip jumps up to avoid another Tackle.
"Are you ready, Mudkip? Water Gun, now!" Nicholai ordered. Mudkip fires the attack, sending Zigzagoon flying. He took out a Pokéball and threw it. The Pokéball hits Zigzagoon and pulls Zigzagoon in on the way down. After a bit of wobbling. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. "Yes! I caught me a Zigzagoon!"
"Mudkip!" Mudkip said.
Nicholai picked up the Pokéball and he smiled.
Suddenly, a bunch of Unversed appeared and started to attack the Knickerbocker and the Mud Fish Pokémon. The Unversed consisted of Floods, Scrappers, Bruisers, and some other new Unversed.
One is a bird-like Unversed with a predominantly black and grey coloration. It does not have legs and instead has a wide, fleur-de-lis-shaped tail. Its body and wings have thin, red patterns decorating them. Its head also sports a five-pointed crest. The Unversed's red eyes are set in a happy expression and the Unversed emblem is emblazoned on its chest. This Unversed is known as the Archraven.
Another is a small creature resembling a red pot. Its lid is black with a small, conical, red spike on it. The base of the pot is also black, with two short spikes on it. It has a short, red, lightning-bolt shaped "wing" on either side of its body. Its large, red eyes take up most of the front of its body and are set in a happy expression. The Unversed emblem is on its back. This Unversed is known as the Red Chili.
Another is a medium-sized creature resembling a blue pot. Its lid is black with a small, conical, blue spike on it. The base of the pot is also black, with two short spikes on it. It has a short, blue, lightning-bolt shaped "wing" on either side of its body. Its large, red eyes take up most of the front of its body and are set in an angry expression. The Unversed insignia is on its back. This Unversed is known as the Blue Sea Salt.
Another is a large creature resembling a gold pot. Its lid is dark brown with a small, conical, faded orange spike on it. The base of the pot is also dark brown, with two short spikes on it. It has a short, gold, lightning-bolt shaped "wing" on either side of its body. Its large, red eyes are set in an angry expression. The Unversed emblem is on its back. This Unversed is known as the Yellow Mustard.
Another is a monstrous Unversed that resembles a large toad. Its main body is crimson with a yellow stomach and a green shell covered with pink circular extrusions. Its Unversed symbol is on its face, where it has a pair of black stalk-eyes with downward pointing red eyes, as well as a wide mouth with a green tongue. On the sides of its face are a pair of noodle-shaped whiskers that end in a yellow loop with a spike at its tip. Its four legs are raindrop shaped and have a black diamond shaped pattern near the feet. This Unversed is known as the Turtletoad.
"What are they?!" Max exclaimed.
"Unversed!" Sora, Kairi, Brendan and May exclaimed as Sora and Kairi summoned their Keyblades. Nicholai was awestruck when he saw the Keyblades in Sora and Kairi's hands.
"Go on, May! Take 'em on!" Max said.
"No, Sora and Kairi got this," Brendan said.
"He's right, Max. They can handle it," May said.
Sora and Kairi rushed at the Unversed with their Keyblades. Kairi starts up by casting her fire spell, hitting a Flood. An Archraven came darting down at the couple, but Sora slashed at the flying Unversed. Pikachu fired a Thunderbolt, shocking the Red Chilis, Blue Sea Salts, and Yellow Mustards. Angel fired Swift, hitting the Scrappers and Bruisers, destroying them. A Bruiser jumping forward. Kairi slashed at the Bruiser, but another one gave her a punch, but Sora retaliated by slashing at the Bruiser that hit her. The Floods, Scrappers, Bruisers, Archravens, Red Chilis, Blue Sea Salts, and Yellow Mustards were taken down, but the Turtletoad was the hardest one to take down. The Turtletoad rushes around in a circular orbit while spinning. Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel dodged its attack. It whips at them with its whiskers. The Turtletoad inflates its belly and bounces two times. Xipak and Celeste caught up at last and attacked the large Unversed. Sora blocked from behind it. Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Angel, Xipak, andCeleste jumped forward and slashed at the Turtletoad with their Keyblades and their combo Iron Tail attacks, destroying it completely. Xipak and Celeste ran off before anyone would notice them.
"That takes care of the Unversed," Sora said, dismissed his Keyblade.
"Wow, that was amazing. You showed those monsters what for," Nicholai said.
"It's what we do against the monsters like those Unversed," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Anyway, Nicholai, you didn't see a boy wearing a mask, did you?" Sora asked.
"No, I didn't, but now that you mentioned it, I was hearing rumors about a masked boy. I seriously had no idea where those monsters even came from, and I was hearing some talk about some guys in black hoods and they had some white monsters with them," Nicholai said.
"Organization XIII!" Kairi said.
"Changing the subject, I didn't expect to see you again so soon, Nicholai. And congrats on your successful catch," Brendan said.
"Thanks, Brendan," Nicholai said.
"And I should warn you that the Petalburg City Gym Leader is a tough Trainer to beat. And he whooped me on my very first try," Brendan said. Nicholai was surprised to hear that Brendan has lost to Norman.
"Come on. A Trainer as good as you couldn't even beat that Gym Leader? Maybe it won't be so easy after all," Nicholai said.
"Well, you did just take off before I could tell you," Brendan said.
"My sister's pretty lame, but my dad is tough stuff," Max said. May chuckled sheepishly.
"I see. Well, in that case, how would you like to have a battle with me, Sora?" Nicholai asked.
"I can take you up on your offer," Sora said.
Sora and Nicholai took their positions for their battle.
"Pokémon, change!" Nicholai shouted as he changes into his Zigzagoon costume. "Let's make a great first battle, Zigzagoon! Let's go!" He took out a Pokéball and threw it. His Pokéball opened and his Zigzagoon came right out. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Nincada!" Sora called out. Nincada came right out to battle.
"Zigzagoon! Tackle!" Nicholai ordered. Zigzagoon charges right at Nincada with a Tackle.
"Nincada! Dodge and use Mud-Slap!" Sora ordered. Nincada dodged Zigzagoon's attack and hurls mud at the Tiny Raccoon Pokémon, hitting it in the eyes. "Use Scratch!" NIncada came at Zigzagoon and lands a scratch.
"Zigzagoon! Use another Tackle!" Nicholai ordered. Zigzagoon rams at Nincada with another Tackle.
"Nincada! Use Silver Wind!" Sora ordered. Nincada blew Silver Wind at Zigzagoon.
"Use Dig!" Nicholai ordered. Zigzagoon dug underground to attack NIncada from underneath.
"Use Dig, too!" Sora ordered. Nincada dug into the ground and heads right, turning it into an underground brawl. Both Pokémon came out and stared at each other. Zigzagoon fell down on the ground, beaten. "Good job, Nincada."
"Nincada," Nincada said.
"Not bad for your first battle, Zigzagoon," Nicholai said. Nincada and Zigzagoon shook hands, congratulating each other for a good, well-fought battle. "You're a pretty good Trainer, for a Non-Knickerbocker."
"Thanks," Sora said.''
"If you ever want to battle again, we can," Nicholai said.
"Anytime," Sora said.
As each battle ends, new friendships are made, and this battle is no exception. And with evolution for an old Pokémon friend comes new experiences for it and its trainer. And as Sora, Kairi, Brendan, May, Max, Pikachu, and Angel continue their journey toward Sora's entry into the Hoenn Pokémon League, they will surely be making new friends, while parting ways with others along the way, and sharing new experiences all around.