Episode 221: A Bite to Remember
A few days came since they put a stop to the phony "World's most powerful Pokémon" scam, so they entered another forest and they wonder in to see all sorts of wild Pokémon in the area.
May and Max are watching a Zigzagoon drinking from a small river.
"Wow, it's a Zigzagoon!" Max exclaimed loudly.
"But you have to keep your voice down, or you'll scare it off," May said with her voice lowered. The Zigzagoon, having heard Max's loud voice, leaves, alarmed. "Like that."
"Max, you got to be quiet," Sora said.
"Because you'll end up scaring every Pokémon in the forest away," Kairi added.
"Hey, that wasn't my fault," May said. Another noise soon grabs Max's attention. "Look up there."
"What?" May asked. She saw a trio of Stantler.
"A Stantler and its fawns," Max said.
"How cool," May said.
They soon look up and see a kaleidoscope of butterfly-like Pokémon flying and chirping overhead. They have large blue eyes and black antennae with rounded tips. Their faces, underside, and four stubby limbs are gray, while the rest of their bodies are black. The main bodies of their wings are black with large, yellow markings, and smaller red and blue markings. The upper pair of wings are larger and have a line of yellow along the top edge, while each of the lower wings has a long, round-tipped extension on the bottom. Some of them have smaller red dots than others. These Pokémon are known as Beautifly.
"Wow, who are those Pokémon?" Kairi asked, taking out her Rotom Phone to scan them.
Beautifly, the Butterfly Pokémon
The evolved form of Silcoon
Type: Bug/Flying
Beautifly's favorite food is the sweet pollen of flowers. If you want to see this Pokémon, just leave a potted flower by an open window. Beautifly is sure to come looking for pollen.
"They're so beautiful," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"There are so many Pokémon in this forest," Max said.
"I know. I've never seen this many in one place before," May said.
"Yeah. Everywhere you look is another one," Sora said.
"You're right. There's something strange about that," Brendan said.
We then see a Sudowoodo standing still while a group of Shroomish walk by before the Sudowoodo runs to catch up with them.
"Hey, no! Wait!" Max called out to them.
"You get too close to 'em," May said.
"Max, you might be scaring them a little bit," Kairi said.
"I know, but the real-life Pokémon out here seem so much bigger than the ones in books or on the Pokédex," Max said.
"What's the big surprise? If you'd studied up, you'd know how big Pokémon are out here in the wild," May said.
"I have SO studied Pokémon, and I'll prove it! Zigzagoon like the one we saw at the river are 16 inches tall and weigh 38.6 pounds. Shroomish are also 16 inches tall and weigh 9.9 pounds. And Sudowoodo are a Rock-Type and are 3 feet and 11 inches tall and weight 83.8 pounds," Max said.
"I know what you mean. Up close, they're really alive, right? All the reading about Pokémon in the world isn't nearly as cool, as the experience of seeing them or making friends with them or winning or losing battles with your Pokémon at your side," Sora said.
"You got that right, Sora," Kairi agreed.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
They all heard a howl not too far away from them.
"What was that?" Sora asked. They turn to see where the sound came from and Kairi points upwards at something.
"Up there!" Kairi said. Sora turned to see what Kairi was pointing at. The howl came from a pack of canine-like Pokémon. Their fur is mostly short and gray, but theor lower legs, tail, and two thick shaggy strips starting behind their eyes and running the length of theor bodies are black. They each have dark, triangular streak patterns below its eyes, which are red with yellow sclerae. Its ears are rhombus-shaped with dark insides, its nose is red, and it has gray paw pads.
"They're Mightyena!" Max said. Sora took out his Rotom Phone and scanned them.
Mightyena, the Bite Pokémon
The evolved form of Poochyena
Type: Dark
Mightyena gives obvious signals when it is preparing to attack. It starts to growl deeply and then flattens its body. This Pokémon will bite savagely with its sharply pointed fangs.
"And they look like that they will bite if we're not careful," Sora said.
"We got to move on! And those Mightyena won't move for us," Kairi said.
"You're right, Kairi. Let's take them on," Sora said, taking out a few of his Pokéballs and threw them. "Go! Mudkip, Zigzagoon, Nincada, and Whismur!" His chosen Pokémon came right out. "Pikachu, join right in."
"Pika," Pikachu said, joinging Mudkip, Zigzagoon, Nincada, and Whismur. Kairi took out three of her own and threw them.
"Plusle, Minun, Swablu! Go!" Kairi called out. Plusle and Minun came out as well. "Angel, you join in!"
"Eevee!" Angel said, stepping in. Brendan and May took out their Pokéballs and threw them.
"Go! Treecko!" Brendan called out.
"Torchic! Go!" May called out.
"Okay, Pikachu! Electro Ball! Mudkip! Water Gun! Zigzagoon! Tackle! Nincada! Scratch! Whismur! Use Disarming Voice!"
"Angel! Use Swift! Plusle, Minun! Use Thunder Shock! Swablu! Disarming Voice!" Kairi ordered.
"Treecko! Use Leafage!" Brendan ordered.
"Torchic! Use Ember!" May ordered.
Each of the search Pokémon launched their attacks and the Mightyena has dodged them all and lands a Tackle on Pikachu. Another Mightyena lands a Tackle onto Angel.
The Pokémon were about to get ready for another launch attack when something small darts into each of Sora's and Kairi's Pokémon. It turns out that it was just a Poochyena.
"A Poochyena!" Brendan said.
"Fair warning, Poochyena: get out of the way or you'll get hurt!" Sora warned.
"That's enough, Poochyena!" A female voice called out. A young woman wearing a ranger's uniform, being an orage jumpsuit and a red cap with a yellow stripe in the middle. She has green hair and light blue eyes. "Just what do you think you are doing in here? This is a search Pokémon reserve!"
"Nature reserve? Sorry, we didn't know!" Kairi said.
"It's true. We were just passing through to reach Rustboro City," Sora added. The young woman raised a brow.
"Rustboro City?" The young woman asked.
"Yes, we're heading there so I can have a Gym battle," Sora said.
"Sorry for sounding suspicious. It's just we get poachers in here sometimes and I need to on alert. Anyway, my name is Katrina, and I'm the ranger of this search Pokémon reserve," Katrina introduced herself.
"Nice to meet you, Katrina. I'm Sora and this Pikachu is my partner," Sora introduced.
"Hi, I'm Kairi, and this Eevee is Angel," Kairi greeted.
"My name's Brendan," Brendan introduced himself.
"I'm May," May introduced.
"I'm Max, Katrina," Max introduced.
"Again, I'm sorry about being suspicious," Katrina said, turning to the Mightyena and to Poochyena. "Poochyena, Mightyena, stand down. They're not here to cause problems." They have listened to her. "How about you come with me and I'll show you around? But I want you to promise me that you won't catch any Pokémon while you are in the reserve boundries."
"That's not a problem," Sora promised.
"We won't catch a single one," Kairi added.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"Great. Now come with me," Katrina said as the couple followed her back to the ranger station. "Welcome to the reserve center. This reserve takes care of sick and injured Pokémon back to health."
"Hard to believe you do this on your own," Sora said.
"And I can't believe how many different Pokémon you're taking care of, Katrina," May added.
"Yeah. This little one got injured when it was lost in the woods, but it's almost all better now," Katrina said as she sets down the Azuril she was talking about before it hops away.
"I guess it never hurts to have some additional help," Sora said. Poochyena tackles into Sora again. "Hey, what I do?!" Max just chuckled.
"Poochyena! What kind of behavior is that, huh?! Now no more Tackling, or you get a time out!" Katrina scolded. She turned to Sora. "Sorry about that. Hope you're okay."
"I took worse hits than that," Sora said.
A few minutes later, Poochyena took a nap as Max analyzed the Bite Pokémon.
"It probably won't be long now before you evolve into a Mightyena," Max said.
"I'm not so sure," Katrina corrected him.
"What?" Max asked.
"I'm with Max on this one. What's the deal with this Pocchyena?" Brendan asked.
"This Poochyena was born the same time as the others, but they all evolved into the Mightyena you see today; and they all did it right at the same time," Katrina explained.
"That Poochyena was born at the same time as those other three, but they all evolved into Mightyena together. And that was a while ago," Katrina said.
"So this Poochyena's way behind schedule. I wonder why," Max said.
"Must be a late bloomer," Brendan said.
"Well, my guess is that it's habit of using Tackle attack on everyone has kept it out of too many battles. But I wouldn't worry about it," Katrina explained.
"Why not?" Max asked.
"It's really not a problem, Max. When you've seen as many Pokémon as I have, you know that each one evolves at its own pace. And when the time is right, Poochyena will evolve, too. It's also possible that it may never evolve at all, and that's okay too," Katrina said.
"No, it's not!" Max shouted. Max's shout wakes up Poochyena. "Everybody knows when a Pokemon evolves, it gets much more powerful. That gives it advantage in battle and confidence to take care of itself. Poochyena, you want to become more powerful, right?" Poochyena just looks at him, confused. "Just think about how cool it'll be once you've evolved and you can run through the woods and mountains with the other Mightyena."
May said in her thoughts, "I have to admit, he makes evolving sound pretty good. Just imagine, my Torchic evolved."
May starts to fantasize a larger, more manly and much taller and bigger Torchic.
"Torchic, Torchic," Torchic said in a muscular voice.
Back in reality, May gave a blank expression.
"Uh, maybe not," May said.
"If I remember right, Torchic evolves into a Combusken and Treecko evolves into a Grovyle," Brendan said.
"Well, you want a Combusken, and I want to see a Pokémon evolve. So give it a try. There must be something you can do to help Torchic evolve," May said.
"Okay, yeah," May said.
"You can't," Sora said. They just looked at him, puzzled. "You can't get a Pokémon to evolve just because you want it to. Your Pokémon has to gain experience first through battling, and it takes a while."
"Great. Why does stuff take so long?" Max pouted.
"You just have to be patient, Max. Don't get all bummed out about it. If evolving Pokémon was quick and easy, it wouldn't be any fun anyway," Kairi said.
"What do you mean?" Max asked.
"Just think. Pokémon only evolve after they've battled and traveled with you for a long time. All those wins and losses and getting to know each other on the way are part of the experience. That's the thing that's so cool about evolution. Right, Pikachu?" Sora asked.
"Pika, Pika," Pikachu said.
"You know, I did some research on you, and I saw you got loads of evolved Pokémon, and the only one that hasn't evolved is your Pikachu. Why is that?" Brendan asked.
"I have been wondering about that, too," May said.
"Yeah, if you said you traveled with it for a long time, it should've become a Raichu a while ago," Max said.
"Well, it was Pikachu's choice actually," Sora said.
"Pikachu's choice?" Brendan asked.
"Well, I knew there will be a point where Pikachu will have to evolve, but he decided to stay a Pikachu and I respected his choice," Sora said.
"That's the same deal with Angel. She didn't want to evolve at all, so I gave her an Everstone to prevent her from ever evolving," Kairi said.
"Well, as strong as Pikachu is, if he hasn't evolved yet, then I guess I can forget about my Torchic evolving any time soon," May said.
"That's not true, May. You can't compare Torchic and Pikachu 'cause they both evolve in different ways," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu agreed.
"Are you saying there are different kinds of evolutions?" May asked.
"That's exactly it," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel nodded.
"Like for example: When Poochyena evolve into Mightyena or Bulbasaur evolve into Ivysaur, for both of them, it's all a matter of the level they've reached. Other Pokémon, such as Pikachu, need one of a group of special stones to shape their evolution. Pikachu will only evolve into a Raichu if a Thunder Stone is the one that's used. But probably the most famous Pokémon when it comes to the concept of branched evolution is Eevee. The very same Eevee, depending on whether a Thunder Stone, Water Stone, Leaf Stone, Ice Stone, or Fire Stone is used, can evolve into a Leafeon, Glaceon, Jolteon, Vaporeon, or Flareon. And depending the amount of friendship it gets from its Trainer, it could also evolve into a Sylveon, an Espeon or an Umbreon. Eevee becomes an Espeon with a high amount of friendship during the day, Umbreon with a high amount of friendship during the night, and Sylveon with a high amount of friendship and while Eevee knows a Fairy-type move such as Baby-Doll Eyes or Charm. There are also Pokémon that can evolve during a trade; Machoke becomes a Machamp, Graveler becomes a Golem, Kadabra becomes an Alakazam, and Haunter becomes a Gengar. There are also Pokémon that can evolve with certain items. Electabuzz becomes an Electivire with the use of an Electirizer and Magmar becomes Magmortar with a Magmarizer. Going back on Pikachu, Raichu's appearance depends on what environment Pikachu is exposed to. The Raichu living in the Alola region are Psychic-type. Adding to that, there are Pokémon that gains another type when evolving: when Poliwhirl becomes a Poliwrath, it becomes a Fighting-type, and when Nidorino and Nidorina becomes a Nidoking and a Nidoqueen, they become Ground-type Pokémon. So you see, what we call evolution can actually mean a lot of different things. Ready for the test? Define Pokémon evolution in an essay of 9,000 words. Just kidding, that's all for today, class," Sora said.
"Wow. That's a lot to take in," May said.
"I'll say," Brendan said.
"That's impressive, Sora," Kairi said, amazed.
"You think I just sit around and reading comic books? Think again," Sora said.
"Yeah, I think I understand now. And since I know how cool it is, I'm even more determined to see a Pokémon evolve! Let's do it. It'll be really great," Max said as he laughs. "Come on, May."
"But, Max, didn't you hear what Sora and Kairi just told us? You can't make a Pokémon evolve just because you want it to," May said.
"Why do you always have to be a big bummer when it's something that I want to do? All we need to do is give this Poochyena a little push, and it'll evolve," Max said.
"What are you talking about?" Brendan asked.
"Since we know this Poochyena's friends have already evolved into Mightyena, and since all four them were born at the same time, this one is obviously ready to evolve any minute now, and I don't want to miss it. We've just got to stay here till it happens, please," Max said.
"I guess so. I mean, it'll give us a good excuse to train for our Gym battle," Sora said.
"You're right, Sora. I mean, why not?" Brendan asked.
"And remember, there's no guarantee it'll evolve soon, but I do have room if you want to stay here for a while," Katrina said.
"Poochyena, don't you worry. I'm gonna do everything I can to help you evolve, 'kay?" Max asked, picking up Poochyena. Poochyena whimpers confused. "You're gonna be a big Mightyena before you know it." Later, we see Torchic reeling after getting tackled by Poochyena. "No, you used Tackle again. You've got to start using Bite instead, Poochyena. It does lots more damage." Poochyena just looked at him. "Try again, and use Bite this time." Poochyena reluctantly agrees. "Go, Poochyena!" Poochyena leapt forward, but curled up for a Tackle. "No, not again!" But then Torchic quickly retaliated with an Ember attack that burned Poochyena to a crisp before it fell to the ground. "Hey, are you alright?" Torchic then used Ember on him, which resulted in Max getting burned to a crisp before collapsing. Torchic proudly walked away afterwards. "You used Ember. I thought we agreed that you weren't gonna use Ember. Oh, boy," Max said.
A little while later, Pikachu and Angel were eating some Pokémon food provided by Kairi.
"Pretty good, huh, Pikachu, Angel?" Sora asked.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"Vee," Angel said.
"Sora, can I borrow Pikachu for a minute?" Max asked.
"Borrow Pikachu?" Sora asked.
"Or maybe some of your other Pokémon would be better, or maybe even all of them," Max said.
"You sure?" Sora asked.
"Don't do it, Sora!" May called out.
Max shivered and notices May and Torchic coming forth, both with angry looks on their faces.
"Uh..." Max flinched.
"Why not?" Sora asked.
"He's gonna make them lose on purpose so that Poochyena will evolve, aren't you?" May asked in a scolding manner.
"What? Max, you should be ashamed of yourself," Kairi scolded.
"Yeah, I know having Poochyena evolving means the world to you, but you can't be doing that! You can't have Poochyena in a rigged Pokémon battle! You don't want to win that way!" Sora said.
"You're right, I don't," Max said.
Elsewhere, two travelers are in the woods, but they were Pokémon.
"Some hunters we are. We didn't catch a thing, Abner," Auggie said.
"Don't worry about that, Auggie. Maybe we can try our luck with some of the search Pokémon around here," Abner said.
"We've been searching around for them for hours and we haven't even seen a Zigzagoon or a Rattata for miles," Auggie said.
"Don't sweat it, Auggie. We'll just set some traps for them. And maybe we might end up getting lucky," Abner said. Auggie laughed.
"Our luck will finally change," Auggie said.
"Good. You set up the traps, while I set up the bait," Abner said.
Auggie has set a net down on the ground and camouflaged it with some forest debris while Abner has set the trap with some berries, only to accidentally set off the trap and trapping Abner in it.
"Uh, Abner?" Auggie asked.
"Get me out of this thing now," Abner said. Auggie cut Abner out of the net and threw the cut piece of net in the bushes behind him, unaware of one of the Mightyena watching them. It takes the the piece with it to show Katrina.
Back to the cabin, Max sits down and he sighed when he watched Poochyena and the Mightyena together.
"There's got to be some way I can help you. But what? I'm stuck," Max said.
"Not going so well?" Brendan asked. Max turned to Brendan standing next to him.
"No. I just wanted to see a Pokémon evolve so badly," Max said.
"Yeah, I know. And to be honest, I did, too," Brendan said. Max looked at Brendan said.
"You did?" Max asked.
"Yeah, I did. I mean, my dad always told me how awesome Pokémon evolving really is. I mean, I never seen it before, but it's pretty sweet," Brendan said.
"Have you thought about your Treecko evolving, Brendan?" Max asked.
"I did, but I'm not going to rush it. I think it's the Pokémon that'll know when it happens, not me. I think that's what Sora was trying to get at," Brendan said.
"What do you mean?" Max asked.
"I mean, after hearing the story from Sora and Kairi, I can understand why they didn't have Pikachu and Angel evolving. Poochyena's a great Pokémon evolved or not. That's what how I would feel about Treecko and my other Pokémon," Brendan said. Max didn't
"Sora and Kairi! So glad I found you two!" Katrina said.
"What's wrong, Katrina?" Kairi asked.
"One of the Mightyena came across this just a little while ago," Katrina said, showing them the piece of net. "This is from a poacher's net."
"That means there could be poachers in the reserve," Sora said.
"Yes, and I'm going to need Poochyena for this one," Katrina said.
"Sure. We should come along as backup," Sora suggested.
"Normally, I wouldn't allow it, but I'll make an exception," Katrina said. "Let's go!"
After getting Brendan, May, and Max, they search for the Pokémon Hunters. Speaking of which, they have managed to make some successful captures.
"At last, we managed to catch some search Pokémon. Not anything special, but they'll do," Abner said.
"Yeah. And I wonder how much all these beauties will be worth when we sell them to the highest bidder!" Auggie said. Just then, Katrina, Sora, Kairi, Brendan, May, Max, Pikachu, Angel, Poochyena, and the MIghtyena all showed up to see the hunters with their haul.
"Pokémon Hunters. They've got into the reserve," Kairi said.
"Those two are going be sorry they ever came in here," Sora said. He turned to Poochyena.
"Let's see if all that training will payoff, Poochyena." The Mightyena moved in first as they howled, startling the hunters.
"Hey! What was that?!" Auggie exclaimed.
"Sounds like more coming our way! Get the nets ready!" Abner said as Auggie went to get them as the Mightyena had arrived and gave Auggie a bite on the rear, making him cry out in pain. His pants ripped to reveal his hearts boxers.
"You blasted mongrels!" Auggie hissed. Poochyena bites him on the leg. Max was happy to see Poochyena biting Auggie on the leg. "Hey! You little runt! Let go of me! I said let go of me!"
"Get off of him!" Abner shouted as he tried to get Poochyena off, only to end up being bitten by him. "Ow! OW!" Poochyena then uses Tackle on him followed by Bite on the rear the same way as Auggie. Abner ran around. "Ouch! GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF!"
"That'll be enough, Poochyena!" Katrina called out. She, Sora, Kairi, and Pikachu had shown up in front of the poachers. "You two are both under arrest for search Pokémon poaching!"
"Take us if you can!" Abner said as he and Auggie both took out a Pokéball to toss at them.
"Mightyena! Go!" Katrina ordered as two of the Mightyena charges at them and snatches the Pokéballs from them. Poochyena lets go of Abner as Sora stepped in.
"Okay, Pikachu! Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu shocks both of Abner and Auggie, making them scream. Sora then takes out a Pokéball and tosses it. "Your turn, Wurmple!" Wurmple comes out of her Pokéball. "Fire your String Shot!" Wurmple's uses String Shot to tie them both up. "Now all we need is a big red bow and they'll make such wonderful presents for the prisons."
It didn't take long until the authorities came and apprehended them for their crimes.
"Thank you very much, everyone. The reserve is good as safe," Katrina said.
"Well, we didn't do much. The real hero is Poochyena," Sora said.
"Pika, Pika," Pikachu said.
"He's right. Poochyena learned to use Bite right on cue," Brendan said.
"And he did it all on his own," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
Max bends down to Poochyena and smiled.
"Brendan was right. You're already a great Pokémon, whether you ever evolve or not," Max said. Poochyena howled in agreement, but soon started glowing. Max gasped shocked. "What's wrong?!
"Why is it glowing?" May asked.
"It's beginning to evolve," Katrina said.
"For real?!" Brendan exclaimed.
Poochyena has evolved into a Mightyena.
"Awesome! Look, May!" Max exclaimed.
"Yeah," Max said.
"Looks like it was his time after all," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Amazing. It's a Mightyena!" Max said.
The Mightyena trio gathered around their friend and nuzzled it as a way of saying congratulations.
"Evolution's such a cool thing," May said.
"No doubt about that," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Pika, Pika," Pikachu said.
"And it evolved for you," Katrina said.
"Yeah!" Max said.
Thanks to trust and a little persistence, Brendan, May, and Max witnessed Pokémon evolution for the first time. And as their journey continues, they're sure to experience many more secrets from the world of Pokémon.