Episode 219: A Poached Ego
A hours came and went since meeting with Nicholai the Knickerbocker, so Sora, Kairi, Brendan, May, Pikachu, and Angel made a stop so Sora has let out his Zigzagoon just so he could show his mom and sister.
"Okay, Zigzagoon, how would you like to make a message?" Sora asked.
"Zagoon," Zigzagoon said.
"Okay," Sora said, taking out his Rotom Phone. "Lights, camera, action!" Sora turns on his Rotom Phone and he starts recording his video. "Hey, mom. I'm here right here in the Hoenn region, heading for Rustboro City for my very first Gym Badge, but there's a reason I'm sending you this video. I have caught some of the local Pokémon living here in the Hoenn region, so one of the Pokémon happens to be a Zigzagoon." He moves his Rotom Phone and he held it right in front of Zigzagoon. "Zigzagoon is called the Tiny Raccoon Pokémon, and it's a Normal-type. Zigzagoon is known to be very curious about when something comes in front of it. And this one is a boy Zigzagoon."
"Zigzagoon," Zigzagoon said.
"I also caught a Taillow, a Treecko, a Mudkip, a Torchic, a Slakoth, and a Nincada. But we can get to that later. Just thought I'd show you, mom. And make sure Karen, Ven and Yuki sees this video, too. Love you," Sora said as he stopped recording. "Cut. Print. That's a wrap." He sends it to his mom.
"What were you just doing, Sora?" May asked.
"Just sending a video to my mom. I kinda promised her that I would let her that I caught a Zigzagoon. She's never seen one," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Anyway, May, what's up? What can I do for you?" Sora asked.
"I was wondering if I could have a practice battle with you. Because I would to help Torchic get stronger," May said.
"Didn't you ask Kairi or Brendan?" Sora asked.
"Well, I was watching you battle, and I didn't want to bother them about it, so I was thinking of you, if it's not too much trouble," May asked.
"Sure, May. We can started whenever you like," Sora said.
"Thanks a lot, Sora. I appreciate it," May said.
It didn't take long until Sora and May got into position of their practice battle.
"Okay, since you got Torchic, I'll use just one. And I think I'll use this one," Sora said, taking out a Pokéball and threw it. "Slakoth! Come on out!" The Pokéball opened and his Slakoth came out. The sloth-like Pokémon slowly sways his arms upon entry. "Your turn, May!" She took out her Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Torchic!" May called out. Her Torchic emerged from inside. "Torchic! Use Peck!" Torchic charges at Slakoth and lands a successful peck.
"Use Scratch!" Sora ordered. Slakoth scratched Torchic before she could get away. Slakoth starts lulling
"Use Ember!" May ordered. Torchic fired Ember right at Slakoth, landing a hit.
"Slakoth! Use Body Slam!" Sora ordered. Slakoth jumped and heads right at Torchic.
"Torchic, look out!" May called out. Torchic ran and managed to dodge Slakoth's Body Slam. "That was close."
"May, this is your chance! Slakoth can't move again right away because of his Truant ability!" Sora said.
"Right! Use Peck!" May ordered. Torchic pecked Slakoth repeatedly. "Use Ember!" Torchic fired Ember, hitting Slakoth and fell backwards. "Hooray! Nice job, Torchic!"
"Torchic!" Torchic said. Sora summoned his Keyblade and he held it up to Slakoth.
"Heal!" Sora said. Slakoth was healed of his injuries. "You did great, Slakoth."
"Slakoth," Slakoth said.
"Wow, you can heal your Pokémon with a Keyblade, too?" May asked in awe.
"Well, it helps if you know some healing magic," Sora said.
"Speaking of magic, I noticed how Kairi was really skillful with her magic. It looks like she could be a strong sorceress," May said.
"Kairi is more skillful with magic than I am. I mean, I have a good handle on my magic just fine," Sora said.
"Well, watching you fight those Heartless from the other day and those Unversed from earlier, I can see you're a skilled swordsman. You're definitely a knight in her eyes," May said. Sora chuckled nervously. "I can bet you slayed some dragons with that Keyblade, Sora."
"Let's not get carried away," Sora said. Pikachu hears some rustling in the nearby shrubs.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"You hear something, Pikachu?" Sora asked. Just then, a Poochyena came out with a growl. "A Poochyena." He took out his Rotom Phone and scanned it.
Poochyena, the Bite Pokémon
Type: Dark
Poochyena has a persistent nature. It bites anything that moves. It chases after the prey until the prey gets exhausted. If the prey fights back, Poochyena will turn tail and run away.
Poochyena charges in with a Thunder Fang.
"Poochyena's using Thunder Fang! Dodge!" Sora called out. Pikachu dodges Poochyena's Thunder Fang. "Use Quick Attack!" Pikachu dashed at Poochyena and lands a hit. Poochyena charges at Pikachu with a Tackle, landing a successful hit. "Use Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu fired Thunderbolt at the hyena-like Pokémon, dealing some heavy damage. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it. Poochyena is struck and it. Poochyena flowed inside and the Pokéball wobbles around and around. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. "And I got myself a Poochyena."
"Pi, Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Zigzagoon!" Zigzagoon said.
"Slakoth," Slakoth said.
"That was a great catch, Sora," May said.
"Well, we should go and check on Kairi, Brendan, and Max," Sora said.
"Okay," May said.
Over to Kairi, Brendan, Max, and Angel spotted a Wurmple eating some leaves.
"Oh, she's such a cutie," Kairi gushed.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"You think you're gonna catch that Wurmple, Kairi?" Brendan asked.
"Of course," Kairi said. She looked at Angel. "Okay, Angel, go for it!"
"Eevee!" Angel nodded. Angel stepped in front of the Worm Pokémon. Wurmple looked at Angel and huffed up. Sora, May, and Pikachu reached them and decided to watch how it'll go down. "Use Headbutt!" Angel headbutts Wurmple on the mark. Wurmple charges right at Angel. "Dodge and use Iron Tail!" Angel jumped and swung her tail, hitting Wurmple on the mark. "Use Swift!" Angel fired Swift at the Worm Pokémon, dealing some damage. Kairi took out a Pokéball and threw it. Wurmple flows inside and it wobbles around and around. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. "And I got a cute Wurmple!"
"Eevee, vee!" Angel said.
"Great catch, Kairi," Brendan said as Kairi picked up the Pokéball.
"Thanks, Brendan," Kairi said. She heard a flapping sound. She turned to see a new kind of Pokémon.
It is an avian Pokémon with a round, blue body. Since it has no discernible neck, its body appears to be all head. There are two long feathers on top of its head, and it has a short, rounded white beak and beady, black eyes. Its wings are fluffy and white, resembling cotton or clouds and are made of air. The wings have a light and fluffy feel. It has tiny, white feet and two pointed tail feathers.
"It's a Swablu!" Max said.
"Swablu, huh?" Kairi asked, taking out her Rotom Phone and scanned it.
Swablu, the Cotton Bird Pokémon
Type: Normal/Flying
Swablu loves to make things clean. If it spots something dirty, it will wipe and polish it with its cottony wings. If its wings become dirty, this Pokémon finds a stream and showers itself.
"Oh, another cute Pokémon, so I want to catch her," Kairi said. She took out Minun's Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Minun!" Her Pokéball opened and Minun came out, ready to battle.
"Yes, that's a great choice! Minun's got the advantage since it's an Electric-type Pokémon!" Max said.
"Kairi's done her homework," Brendan said.
"Minun! Use Nuzzle!" Kairi ordered. Minun rushes at Swablu and nuzzles Swablu. The Cotton Bird Pokémon ends up being paralyzed by Minun's Nuzzle. Swablu fought back by pecking at her. "Minun! Use Thunder Shock!" Minun fired Thunder Shock, hitting Swablu on the mark. "Use Quick Attack!" Minun dashed at Swablu. She then opens her mouth and releases a beam of pink soundwaves surrounded by hearts and musical notes from her mouth and at Minun.
"Swablu's using Disarming Voice!" Max exclaimed.
"Dodge and use Thunder Shock!" Kairi ordered. Minun fired Thunder Shock and shocks Swablu, making her fall on her face. Kairi took out a Pokéball and threw it. The Pokéball struck Swablu and flows inside. The Pokéball wobbles around and around. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. "Welcome to the team, Swablu."
"That was a great catch, Kairi," Sora said. Kairi turned around and spotted her boyfriend approaching them.
"You've been there long?" Kairi asked.
"Yeah since you caught that Wurmple," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"And I knew you'd catch Swablu," Sora added.
"I'm glad to have your support, Sora," Kairi said. The couple smiled as they hugged each other. "You catch anything?"
"Just this," Sora said, taking out his Pokéball and tossed it. Poochyena came right out. Kairi bends down.
"He's such a cutie," Kairi cooed as Poochyena sniffed her hand when she held it in front of him. Poochyena sniffed it and starts licking her.
May just blushed greatly. She then noticed something on a nearby tree.
"What's this?" May asked.
"What's what?" Brendan asked. May saw it was a peace of a net sticking out of the tree. Sora, Kairi, Max, Pikachu, and Angel saw it.
"There's something sticking out of this tree," May said.
"You're right, May," Brendan said.
"Wonder what it is," Kairi said.
"Pika, Pika!" Pikachu said, pointing to the right. They all turned to the right and saw some scrapes on some of the trees.
"Eevee, vee," Angel said.
"What could have happened here?" Brendan asked.
"You think it's a Pokémon battle happened here?" Max asked.
"I don't know any Pokémon battles that uses a net. This can only be the work of a Pokémon Hunter," Sora said.
"A Pokémon Hunter?" Max asked.
"What's that?" May asked.
"I heard about Pokémon Hunters from my dad. He told me that they're bad people who would poach wild Pokémon and then sells them for money," Brendan said.
"What do you think we should do?" May asked.
"We better head for the nearest Pokémon Center," Kairi suggested.
"Good idea. Let's see where it is!" Sora said. He took out his Rotom Phone and accessed the PokéNav app. The map displayed the Pokémon Center's location isn't too far away. "Come on!"
With that said, Sora, Kairi, Brendan, May, Max, Pikachu, and Angel started to head for the closest Pokémon Center. Xipak and Celeste continued to follow them right to the Pokémon Center. It didn't long for the group to make it to the Pokémon Center.
"Hello?" May called out.
"Yes, I'm coming," Nurse Joy said as she came to the counter. "Welcome to the Pokémon Center." May stepped up.
"Hey, there! Did they transfer you from Oldale Town, Nurse Joy?" May asked.
"Excuse me?" Nurse Joy asked.
"May. Remember? You really helped us all out at the Pokemon Center back there," May said.
"Well, I don't see how that's possible since I've never seen any of you before," Nurse Joy said. May was very dumbfounded.
"But you're Nurse Joy, right?" May asked.
"Right. But the Nurse Joy you know in Oldale Town is my older sister," Nurse Joy said.
"Really?" May asked.
"Cross my heart," Nurse Joy said as she giggled.
"I'm confused," Brendan said.
"I think I'll explain just so you can understand. Every Pokémon Center we've been to were all run my a nurse named Joy. So every one of them are sisters and cousins," Sora explained.
"Seriously?" Brendan asked.
"He's right. Just take a look at this," Max said, opening a small book.
Brendan and May looks at the open page and finds a picture of multiple Nurse Joys, surprising them greatly.
"Holy smoke!" Brendan exclaimed.
"A bunch of Nurse Joys!" May said.
"It kinda caught me off guard at first, too," Sora said.
"Nurse Joy!" A familiar voice called out. They turned to see Officer Jenny and her Growlithe entering the Pokémon Center.
"Officer Jenny!" Sora and Kairi said. Officer Jenny just blinked twice.
"Do I know you?" Officer Jenny asked.
"Well, we met more than a handful of your relatives," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Relatives?" Brendan asked, tilting his head.
"Don't tell me. There's a bunch of Officer Jennies, too," May said.
"Yep. You got it," Max said, showing them the picture in his book.
Brendan and May looked at the photo.
"I told you not to tell me," May said.
"The resemblance is uncanny," Brendan said.
"Nurse Joy, I need to find out if any injured Pokémon have been brought to your Pokémon Center recently," Officer Jenny said. This struck a cord with Sora, Kairi, Brendan, May, and Max.
"Why, no. But why do you ask?" Nurse Joy asked.
"There've been a few reports of a Pokémon Hunter operating right in this area," Officer Jenny said.
"I knew it!" Sora exclaimed.
"Do you have any idea on who it is you're after?" Kairi asked.
"I do," Officer Jenny answered. She took out a wanted poster of a man with green hair. "Based on his methods, I would guess it's this Pokemon Hunter, Rico. He thinks nothing of injuring Pokémon in order to catch them."
"I'm gonna guess this is his then," Sora said, showing the policewoman the net. Officer Jenny took the piece.
"Oh dear. It's part of a capture net that's commonly used by poachers. Where did you find it?" Officer Jenny asked.
"We found it in the forest on our way here," Sora said.
"This thing's the reason we're here in the first place," Kairi said.
"You've got to show me where!" Officer Jenny requested.
"Gladly," Sora said.
Not too far, Wes and Rui have tracked them down. Sora, Kairi, Brendan, May, Max, Pikachu, and Angel have stepped out. Both wearing their hoods.
"There they are. Sora, Kairi, and their Nobodies have entered that Pokémon Center," Wes said.
"DiZ did say they will be here, and so will the Organization," Rui said. Espeon and Umbreon sensed something nearby.
"Espeon!" Espeon said.
"Umbreon!" Umbreon said. Wes looked at his two partners, picking up on what they're trying to tell them.
"Show us," Wes said.
Espeon and Umbreon leads them to what looks like an army camouflage blanket.
"What is it?" Rui asked. Wes took the blanket off and saw it was a bunch of Ekans. They were battered and locked up. "A bunch of Ekans. Those poor things are hurt."
"A Pokémon Hunter must have put them in there. They won't be in there for long," Wes said. Wes heads for the lock. He summoned his Colosseum of Light and used it to unlock the cage. The Ekans then escaped.
"Go! You're free!" Rui said. The Ekans then crawled away into freedom. Just then, a Fearow flew in to stop the Ekans, but Umbreon stopped Fearow with a Feint Attack. Fearow is struck. An SUV comes riding in with a cage behind it. The driver is wearing a red jacket and gray pants. He stepped out of the SUV. It was the Pokémon Hunter, Rico.
"All right, you clowns, who do you think you are messing with my property?" Rico demanded.
"Someone who can't stand your methods," Rui said.
Rico scoffed, "You don't know who you're dealing with." In the cage behind him is several Koffing.
"So you got a cageload of Koffing!" Wes said.
"Just who do you think you are?" Rui asked.
"I'm Rico. I'm a Pokémon Hunter. Per my client's wishes, I'm poaching as many Poison-type Pokémon as I can," Rico said.
"Your clients are going to be very disappointed. There will be no poaching of any Pokémon today, Rico," Wes said.
"Is that so?" Rico asked.
"It is," Wes said. He jumped over Rico, catching him off guard.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Rico demanded. Wes aims the Colosseum of Light and unlocks the cage. Fearow was about to attack Wes, but Espeon attacked with a Psybeam, hitting the Beak Pokémon on the mark. The captured Koffing escaped just like the Ekans. "What did you do?!" Wes didn't answer, so he, Rui, Espeon, and Umbreon made their own escape. "Get back here!" Rico took out a Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Tyranitar!" His Pokéball opened and his Tyranitar came out. "Use Hyper Beam!" Tyranitar fired Hyper Beam at them, but Espeon used Psychic on the beam of energy and sent it back at it. The attack struck Tyranitar, allowing them to escape. "When I see them again, I'm going to teach them a lesson they won't forget!"
Later, Sora, Kairi, Brendan, May, Max, Pikachu, and Celeste show Officer Jenny where they found the piece of net.
"We found it right here," May said.
"Wedged in the bark of this tree," Brendan said.
"Pokémon Hunters use capture nets to immobilize Pokémon before they catch them," Officer Jenny explained.
"Wonder if it hurts them," Brendan said.
"That's the idea. Pokémon Hunters just don't understand that Pokémon aren't products. They only care about making money, not the fact that Pokémon have thoughts and feelings just like we do," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
Max looked down to the ground and saw the tire tracks.
"Hey, look at that!" Max said, pointing to the tire tracks. Everyone looks down on the ground and find tire tracks. "Tire tracks."
"The poachers must be traveling by car, they're still fresh," Officer Jenny said.
"We're gonna need eyes in the sky," Sora said.
"You're right. I think you and I can send Taillow and Swablu out to search," Kairi said.
"Good idea," Sora said. He and Kairi each took out a Pokéball and tossed them. "Go! Taillow!"
"Go! Swablu!" Kairi called out.
Their Pokéballs opened and the two avian Pokémon flew out.
"Taillow, we need you to find a Pokémon Hunter, driving some kind of car," Sora said.
"You too, Swablu. And come back when you see anything," Kairi said.
Taillow and Swablu nodded.
The two bird Pokémon flew to find the Pokémon Hunter driving a car. They looked around and around. They came to a Kecleon who is about to eat some berries when Swablu came flying in. Taillow and Swablu spotted the Pokémon Hunter. Taillow and Swablu nodded and they flew back to Sora, Kairi, Brendan, May, Max, Pikachu, Angel, and Officer Jenny following the tracks.
"Taillow!" Taillow called out.
"Swablu!" Swablu also called out. Both bird Pokémon flew down to their Trainers.
"Did you find them?" Sora asked. Taillow and Swablu nodded.
"Take us to him right away!" Officer Jenny said.
Over to Rico, he is driving in his SUV, searching for the escaped Ekans and Koffing. He then stepped out of the SUV and he started to hunt for them.
"Now, where could those deserters be?" Rico asked as he searched. Growlithe barked, alerting the Pokémon Hunter.
"So you're Rico, the Pokémon Hunter. You're under arrest for Pokémon poaching," Officer Jenny said. Rico just scoffed.
"Is that so, officer?" Rico asked. He took out a Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Fearow!" Rico's Fearow emerged from inside, ready to battle.
"Pikachu! Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu fired Thunderbolt, shocking Fearow. The Beak Pokémon was taken down with just one hit.
"Fearow, no!" Rico exclaimed. He growled in anger. "Then, I'll use Tyranitar!" Rico took out another Pokéball.
"Growlithe, seize all of his Pokéballs now!" Officer Jenny ordered. Growlithe charges, seized Rico's Pokéball and knocked out his weapon.
"Alright!" Max cheered.
"Bull's eye!" Kairi added.
"Eevee!" Angel said,
Kairi took out her own Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Wurmple!" Kairi called out. Wurmple came out of her Pokéball. "Use String Shot!" Wurmple spews String Shot from her mouth and wraps Rico in it.
"Nice one, Kairi," Sora said.
"Thank you, Sora," Kairi said.
Officer Jenny approached the captive Pokémon Hunter.
"Now, Rico, release all of the Pokémon that you've caught," Officer Jenny said.
"You're a little late, officer. They all escaped thanks to acouple of meddlers," Rico said.
"Glad someone did something about this," Sora said.
"With all the bad people like Team Magma going around, I'm glad that there's some good people out there, too," Brendan said.
A little while later, the sun was setting, Wes and Rui were far away and they looked around.
"Glad you did a good deed, Rui?" Wes asked.
"I am. It just felt like the Shadow Pokémon ordeal five years ago. I didn't want to see some more Pokémon suffer the same kind of fate as the ones you liberated," Rui said.
"I know you didn't. Now, let's get to tracking Sora and Kairi," Wes said.
Rico the Pokémon Hunter was caught and the Pokémon that he stole has been freed thanks to Wes and Rui, but what did Rui mean by Shadow Pokémon? And what more adventures will Sora, Kairi, Brendan, May, and Max might have next? Find out as we continue the fic.