Episode 236: Team Aqua and Team Magma
We have a look at Axel as he exits a corridor of darkness and looks around.
"This is it. Dewford Island. Roxas, Xion, you two better stay strong for me. I don't want to think about what might happen to you if I lost you guys," Axel said.
Axel knew Sora and Kairi will recognize him as en enemy if he stays out in the open, so he had to hide and not be seen by anyone. As he ventured through the forest, he spots an elderly woman being harassed by a pair of egg thieves.
"Those eggs are not yours! You leave them alone!" The elderly woman demanded.
"Get out of the way, you old bag!" One of the egg thieves said.
"We're here to take these eggs and make some serious dough with them!" Another egg thief said.
"Pokémon are not things that can be bought or sold! They're living creatures!" The elderly woman said.
"Save it for somebody who actually cares!" The first egg thief said.
Axel didn't like how this was going down, so he had to step in.
"Hey!" Axel called, getting their attention. "What is this I'm seeing here? Just some tough guys ganging up a little old lady? I am not impressed."
"Hey, who the hell are you?" The second egg thief asked.
"Just someone who doesn't like the fact you're just stealing these eggs. And only a coward picks a fight with elderly people," Axel said. This infuriated the egg thieves.
"Cowards?!" The egg thieves exclaimed, feeling insulted.
"Nobody calls us a coward and walks!" The first egg thief growled.
"Especially some guy wearing some black costume! Also, the Grim Reaper called. He said he wants his robe back!" The second egg thief said.
"Look, I don't want to pick a fight with you, so let's make it easy for all three of us. You have a chance to walk away right now and forget you saw me. But it's your call," Axel said.
"You know, he's right. It is our call," the second egg thief said, taking out a Pokéball.
"Yeah, let's run this punk off the island!" The first egg thief said, also taking out a Pokéball. They both threw their Pokéballs. "Go! Cacnea!"
"I choose you, Dusclops!" The second egg thief shouted.
Their Pokéballs opened and two new Pokémon came right out.
One is a green, bipedal Pokémon with a round body and cactus-like striations. It has a dark green rhombus shape above its face, and six dark green rhombus shapes that ring around its waist. It has dark circles around its eyes, and its mouth composed of several similar circles. It has two dark green spikes on each side of its head, along with a yellow flower bud on top of its head. It has two club-like arms that are ringed with dark green spikes, and its two stubby legs are dark green and conical. This Pokémon is known as a Cacnea.
The other is a Pokémon with a roundish gray body with two stubby legs. Its body is hollow and wrapped in bandages. It has a single red eye and three tooth-like projections. It has two wispy, light gray growths coming out of its shoulders and one on top of its head. Its light gray hands appear to be directly attached to its body.
Axel just scoffed when he looked at them.
"This is what I'm up against? A green walking pincushion and a one-eyed mummy?" Axel scoffed.
"You better who you're mouthing off to!" The first egg thief shouted. "Cacnea! Use Pin Missile!"
"Dusclops! Use Shadow Ball!" The second egg thief ordered.
Both Pokémon fired their attacks at Axel, but he easily dodged them both.
"Burn, baby, burn!" Axel exclaimed when he snapped his fingers. Flames erupted around the both of them. Cacnea and Dusclops were both taken down with just one hit. The egg thieves were shaking with fear when they saw what he just did.
"W-W-W-What the hell are you?" The second egg thief asked, shivered with fright.
"He's not human!" The first egg thief said, also shivering with fright.
"What's wrong? You look like you just saw a ghost," Axel jokingly said as he chuckled. "Boo." The egg thieves and their Pokémon just started to run, not wanting to know what else he could do. "Yeah, you better keep running!" He turned to the elderly woman. "You're doing okay, lady?"
"Yes, thanks to you, young man. I cannot thank you enough," the elderly woman said.
"I was just at the right place at the right time. Those punks never stood a chance," Axel said.
"And I was very fortunate," the elderly woman said. She picked up a red egg with a yellow flame at the bottom. "Here, take this egg as a sign of my gratitude."
"Oh, I can't accept this," Axel said.
"It's no problem. The Pokémon inside this egg will love to have a Trainer as kind as you," the elderly woman said. Axel smiled and he accepted the egg.
"Well, if it that much to you, then I'll do that. And thanks," Axel said.
"No, thank you for your help. Before you go, I would like to know your name," the elderly woman said.
"Axel," Axel simply said.
"Take good care of the little Pokémon inside, Axel," the elderly woman said.
"I will. I got it memorized," Axel said, walking with the egg.
A whole day has passed since Sora and Kairi have each gotten themselves a Ralts. Sora and Kairi have begun their daily training. Sora was blowing a whistle as he was jogging on the beach.
"Left! Left! Left, right, left!" Sora chanted before blowing the whistle. Brendan, May, and Max were caught in the frenzy. Sora, Kairi, Brendan, May, Max, and the Pokémon were jogging on the beach. One of Brendan's Pokémon included a Zubat he recently caught. "Left! Left! Left, right, left!"
"Is it me or does Sora sound like one of those drill Sargeants you see in the movies?" Max whispered to Brendan.
"I noticed that a mile away," Brendan whispered.
May was staggering behind and already tired.
"Wait!" May called out.
Sora turned to this left and he saw something or rather, someone climbing up the side of the cliff. It was a man wearing a white lab coat.
"Company, halt!" Sora shouted and everyone stopped.
"Why did we just stop, Sora?" Kairi asked.
"Yeah, what gives?" Brendan asked.
"There's someone climbing up that cliff," Sora said. They all turned to see him. Brendan knew who it was right off the bat.
"That's my dad up there!" Brendan said.
"I think you're right, but what's he doing up there?" Kairi asked.
"If I know my dad as well if I do, he's probably doing his own kind of research," Brendan said.
It turns out that Professor Birch is climbing up to an empty nest on the cliff.
"My very first peek inside a Wingull's nest," Professor Birch said as he peeks inside the nest, but a Wingull, who happens to be the occupant comes and angrily pecks the professor in the face. "No, no! Stop that! Ouch!" He falls off and screams but bounches off of a sleeping Loudred and hits the ground. "Well, that hurt." The Loudred exclaimed angrily at Professor Birch for bounces off of it when it was sleeping. Loudred yells out and stomps around, making blue sound waves come out of its mouth at Professor Birch, making him fall off. He was screaming as he fell. Loudred stomps angrily and dug underground. Down below, Professor Birch lands on the beach below. "Wow, Wild Pokemon are a lively lot."
"Dad?" Brendan asked. Professor Birch saw his son and his friends standing over him.
"Brendan, Sora, Kairi, May, Max! This is an unexpected pleasure!" Professor Birch said, standing up.
"We feel the same way, professor, but what we were you doing up there?" Kairi asked.
"I'm glad you asked, Kairi. I was doing some research on Wingull nests," Professor Birch said, pointing up to the nest. They turned to see some other Wingull flying around and one lands near the nest. "As you can see, the Wingull here like to build their nests on cliffs like these."
"Whoa," Sora said.
"But don't you think climbing up there is a teeny bit dangerous?" May asked.
"Come on, May, what are ya talking about?! This is exactly the kind of extreme Pokemon fieldwork that Professor Birch is totally famous for! You know, movin' forward and never backin' off from any danger, the way a great Pokemon researcher's supposed to!" Max said.
"You're right about one thing, Max, my dad has always been famous for his fieldwork, but not everyone can praise him for it. You might as well just ask my mom, because she's always been giving him a huge earful for it," Brendan said, making Professor Birch chuckle nervously, knowing his son was right. He decided to change the subject.
"Anywho, Sora, why are you still here? I thought you would be somewhere near Slateport City by now," Professor Birch said.
"Well, the reason for that is, I'm training for my Gym battle, and I want to be ready for it," Sora said.
"I took on Brawly and I lost just after one try. So I'm training for my rematch," Brendan said.
"Also, professor, May and I have decided to focus on Pokémon Contests and become Pokémon Coordinators," Kairi said.
"It's true," May admitted.
"I see. But aren't Ash and your other friends with you?" Professor Birch asked.
"We're scattered for right now, but there will be some points when we meet up with each other again," Sora said.
"But we have seen and caught some Pokémon while we've been on our journey," Kairi said.
"Have you? I am curious to see what Pokémon you've caught since coming here," Professor Birch said. Sora and Kairi took out their Pokémon Boxes and displayed the Pokémon they caught in the Hoenn region.
"Right here," Sora said. Professor Birch looked at Kairi's first.
"Ah, I see you caught a Plusle, a Minun, a Budew, a Beautifly, a Swablu, a Skitty, a Feebas, a Surskit, a Mawile, and a Ralts. Very impressive," Professor Birch praised. He looked over in Sora's Pokémon Box. He almost jumped from where he was sitting. "Wow, you really have been busy, Sora. A Taillow, a Torchic, a Treecko, a Mudkip, a Zigzagoon, a Slakoth, a Nincada, a Poochyena, a Seedot, a Dustox, a Whismur, a Barboach, a Lotad, a Shiny Shroomish, a Carvanha, a Wingull, a Makuhita, a Sableye, an Aron, a Nosepass, a Corphish, and a Ralts. You've both caught quite a load."
"Thanks," Sora said.
"I caught some, too," Brendan said, showing his father the Pokémon he caught. What Professor Birch saw was a Taillow, a Zigzagoon, a Surskit, a Cascoon, a Seedot, Shroomish, a Slakoth, a Magikarp, a Geodude, an Abra, and a Zubat. "You've been busy, son."
"Thanks, dad," Brendan said.
"Now how about you, May?" Professor Birch asked.
"Well, I have this," May said, taking out her Pokéball and opened it. Her Silcoon came on out. He bent down to Silcoon's level.
"You got yourself a Silcoon. And it's going to evolve into a fine Beautifly," Professor Birch said. That made May smile.
"Thank you, professor," May said, calling her Silcoon back.
"Now that you have seen our progress reports, what will you do next?" Sora asked.
"I think I'll be staying in this area and study a bit more," Professor Birch said.
"Hey, do ya mind if we hang around with you, dad?" Brendan asked.
"Not at all, son," Professor Birch said with a smile.
"I guess we can use a break from our training for today," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"I'm glad we could use a break before I could do deaf from that whistle blowing," May said under her breath.
But from away we see an air ship jet that happens to be none other than Team Magma heading for the island and lands down and who came out were a group of Team Magma grunts, Tabitha, and a medium-height and slim woman, with a short bob cut lilac hair and wears a red hoodie with yellow horns, a red jacket with a short red dress with the Team Magma emblem on it. She also wears heeled red boots with black kneecaps, as well black gloves with red fingers, supported by red bracers with yellow lines.
"We have arrived to Dewford Island, sir," one of the grunts said.
"Good. The Cave of Origins should be down there," Tabitha said.
Inside of the ship jet is a tall, thin man with red chin length hair that curls outwards at the ends. He wore a black shirt and red shorts, and a black-red lab coat with Team Magma's emblem on both sides. He also wears a red suit under his clothes and red boots. He wore glasses with black frame, and it is where a Key Stone lies. He presses a button.
"Tabitha, Courtney, report," the man requested.
"We have arrived to the island as you ordered, Maxie. We are making our way towards the shrine as we speak," Tabitha said.
"We're awaiting for further orders, sir," the girl known as Courtney said.
"Good. Proceed," Maxie said.
Back to Tabitha, Courtney, and the grunts, they proceed with their mission and drove their tanks.
Somewhere on the island we see a submarine coming out of the water which happens to be Team Aqua's. On board we see a few Team Aqua grunts in scuba gear with Shelly and Matt.
Sitting in a command chair, inside the submarine is a tall, muscular man, who wears a blue bandana with Team Aqua logo on it. He also has black hair and a short black beard. He has a long moustache and a tan complexion. He wore a blue full body wetsuit that is torn around his left biceps, with a white area around his chest and light blue and white areas on his legs. He has a ragged black cape with gray stripes in the back, which is connected to the gold chains he wears around his torso. His Key Stone is in his golden anchor necklace around his neck.
"Shelly, Matt, speak up," the man said.
"We've arrived to the island, Archie. We're making our way to the Cave of Origins now," Shelly said.
"Fine. Go," Archie said.
Shelly, Matt, and the grunts proceeded with their mission.
Over to Axel, he continues to carry the egg in his arm. He was curious to know what kind of Pokémon was inside it, so he had to wait and see. He hears the sound of vehicles driving by. Axel stayed hidden behind the trees and he sees tanks plowing through and several Team Magma grunts walking by foot.
"Who are these clowns? Is the circus in town?" Axel asked. He decided to follow Team Magma just to see what they're up to. They make it to a cave at a mountain.
"The Cave of Origins has to be here," Courtney said.
"Cave of Origins?" Axel asked. This made Axel even more curious.
Over to Sora, Kairi, Brendan, May, May, Professor Birch, Pikachu, and Angel, they were heading off to do some more research on some of the wild Pokémon when Max spotted some tire tracks and some footprints.
"Hey, look everyone!" Max said, pointing to the ground. They all stopped and saw the tracks.
"Tire tracks. And some footprints to match," Brendan said.
"It could be a Pokémon Hunter on the island," Kairi said.
"I agree. We should look into this," Professor Birch said.
The rest of the group agreed so they started to follow the tracks and see where they go. They managed to follow the tracks to the cave.
"The tracks go in there," Kairi said.
"That means we can see whoever is in there," May said.
"That's actually right, May," Sora agreed.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"Let's go," Sora said.
Agreeing with Sora, everyone went down to the cave and followed the tracks inside.
Inside the cave, Team Magma is investigating ancient ruins. Axel has arrived and hid upwards to avoid detection.
"What are they looking for?" Axel asked in his thoughts.
"This is Flame 2 from inside level 4. G detection negative!" One of the male grunts said.
"Right!" A female grunt said.
"This is Flame 4 from inside level 2. G detection negative! Will continue search," another female grunt said.
"This is Flame 3 from sub-level 2. G detection negative! But our sonar has detected several moving objects underwater and approaching from the outside!" Another male grunt reported.
"And I have a good idea who it is," Tabitha said.
Sora, Kairi, Brendan, May, Max, Professor Birch, Pikachu, and Angel arrived and saw a building down below.
"Look at that building," Sora said.
"I don't know, that looks like more than just a building, Sora," Professor Birch said.
"Wait, I see something in the water," Brendan said.
They saw Shelly, Matt, and several Team Aqua grunts come out of the water. Tabitha, Courtney, and several of the Team Magma grunts took out their Pokéballs and threw them. The Pokéballs opened to reveal several Mightyena.
"Use Dark Pulse!" Tabitha ordered.
"Hydro Pump!" Shelly ordered. A Sharpedo jumped out and fired Hydro Pump, pushing Mightyena's Dark Pulse back. It results in an explosion. Several more Sharpedo came out and growled at the Mightyena as they snarled back.
"Well, if it isn't Team Magma and one of their recruits. What a surprise," Shelly said.
"That's right. Nice to see you too, Team Aqua," Tabitha sarcastically said.
"We'll be handling this from here, so you and your team can move on to other matters. We'd prefer to avoid unnecessary fighting and just complete our assignment," Shelly said as she turned to the Team Aqua grunts "Now go, team!"
"Right!" The Team Aqua grunts complied with her.
"Hello there, Tabitha. It's been a while," Shelly greeted. "I almost didn't recognze you outside the buffet."
"Don't flatter yourself, Shelly! You're not exactly on the slim side yourself," Tabitha retorted. Matt was just about to throw down and Shelly stopped him. Matt then looked at Courtney.
"Still hanging around this loser, Courtney?" Matt taunted.
"I could ask you the same thing, Matt," Coutrney said.
"Oh, great. Team Aqua and Team Magma," Sora groaned.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Why are they here?" Kairi asked.
"I don't know, but I have the feeling that they all know each other," May said.
"Yeah, and they don't like each other either," Brendan added.
"We were just here exploring this old cave," Tabitha said.
"Really? In that, perhaps the kids and I could show you both an easy shortcut out," Shelly said.
"That won't be necessary," Tabitha said.
"Flame 1 here. Team Aqua has infiltrated, but carry out orders," the first male Team Magma grunt reported over the radio.
"Look, the power we seek is here, and the power that you seek is not," Tabitha said.
"The power they seek?" Axel asked in a whisper.
"And we could say the same thing to you both. Regardless of which of our searches is successful, we'll be able to control the power when we find it," Shelly said.
"Okay. Are you trying to tell us you've brought the Blue Orb?" Tabitha asked.
"Well, now, what if we have?" Shelly asked.
"We'll see," Tabitha retorted as the Mightyena and the Sharpdeo growled at each other.
"Just know that you're plan is all wet, Team Magma! The world will be in our hands before you even get your hands on the Red Orb!" Matt said.
"Not if we have anything to say about it, Team Aqua," Courtney said.
"Red Orb?" Brendan asked.
"Blue Orb?" May asked.
"What are those?" Max asked.
"I don't know," Professor Birch answered.
"Listen here, Team Aqua. You are no match for us; especially with the power of the land in our grasp," Tabitha said.
"Wrong, the power of the sea is much more superior to your power," Shelly retorted.
"Power of the land?" Sora asked.
"Power of the sea?" Kairi asked.
"Any idea what they're talking about?" Sora asked.
"Not a clue, to be honest," Professor Birch said.
"This is Flame 2! Search of all levels complete! G was not detected anywhere!" The first male Team Magma grunt reported over the radio.
"Roger that. All units pull out immediately," Tabitha ordered.
"Yes!" The Team Magma grunts said.
"You look disappointed, Tabitha. I take it that you didn't find what you were looking for in here," Shelly said. Her radio goes off and she answered. "Yes?"
"Steam A here! No K signals detected within the ruins. It appears this is not the Cave of Origin, but a shrine of worship built by ancient people," a Team Aqua grunt reported over the radio.
"Understood. Dispense immediately," Shelly ordered.
"Roger!" The Team Aqua grunt complied.
"I guess you're disappointed, too, Shelly. This isn't the Cave of Origins after all. I got to gand to the ancient people, they never could make it easy," Tabitha said.
"Gloat all you want, Tabitha. But in the end, we will find the Cave of Orgins before you do," Shelly said.
"Cave of Origins?" Sora asked.
Both teams have retreated from the cave in their separate ways.
"What are they looking for?" Brendan asked.
"I don't know, but I have a really bad feeling that we might end up finding out rather if we want to or not," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Kairi's right. I think Ash, Riku, and the others should know about this," Sora said, making contact with Riku.
Meanwhile, Riku, Naminé, Eevee, and Azurill are confronting a green, canine Pokémon with yellow markings. It has a large head crest with angular, lightning-like markings on the side. Its snout has a yellow blaze, and four fangs are discernible when its mouth is open. It has a yellow stripe down its back. Each of its four legs has a spike, with the ones on its hind legs being longer. It has yellow crescent-shaped paw pads on its front feet, while the pads on its hind feet are circular. It has a small, pointed, yellow-tipped tail. This Pokémon is known as Electrike.
"Okay, Eevee! Shadow Ball!" Riku ordered. Eevee fired his Shadow Ball, hitting Electrike. Riku took out a Pokéball and threw it. Elecktrike flows inside and the Pokéball wobbles around and around. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. Riku walked up to the Pokéball and picked it up when his Rotom Phone starts ringing. Riku saw it was Sora. "Hey, Sora. How's it going?"
"Riku, this is big. You've got to hear what I got to hear," Sora said.
"Okay, Sora, what are you talking about? And where are you?" Riku asked.
"Kairi, May, Max, Brendan, and I are on Dewford Island along with Professor Birch, and we saw two organizations called Team Magma and Team Aqua, and they were looking for something," Sora said.
"What?" Riku asked.
"Okay, we heard them saying about a red and blue orb, a Cave of Origins. They also said something about the power of the land and the power of the sea. Not sure what they mean by all that," Sora said.
"I'm not sure either, but it sounds serious. Does Ash and the others know about this?" Riku asked.
"You're the first one I told. I'll let Ash know about it, too," Sora said.
"Okay. We'll meet you in Slateport City. Just don't be long," Riku said.
"Don't worry, I won't," Sora said, breaking contact. Riku sighed to himself.
"What did Sora have to say?" Naminé asked.
"Naminé, I think we got a problem," Riku said.
Over to Team Magma in their jet ship, Maxie is sitting in his chair.
"So it wasn't the Cave of Origins after all," Maxie said.
"We will have to double our efforts," Tabitha said.
"We must hurry. Time is a luxury that we do not have. Team Aqua will attempt to stop us at every chance they get. For right now, return to base," Maxie said.
"On it, Maxie," Tabitha nodded.
Meanwhile, Team Aqua is returning to their base as Archie sat in his command chair.
"I was sure it was the Cave of Origins that time," Archie said as he clutched his fist.
"We will try harder next time, Archie," Shelly assured the boss of Team Aqua.
"I know I can count on you, Shelly. Perhaps we can try the Oceanic Museum in Slateport City, and see if we can find a clue there," Archie said.
"I'll make arrangements for the operations right away," Shelly said.
Back on Dewford Island, Sora has called Ash, Ethan, and Kris about Team Magma and Team Aqua and filled them in about what they're up to. And they agreed that they'll keep their eyes opened.
"Sora, Kairi, if it's okay with you guys, I think we should split up again just for a little while. It's best that each one of us train individually," Brendan said.
"So, the three of us can continue to help Professor Birch with his research," Max said.
"Okay. We'll meet up again at Slateport City," Sora said.
"That way, we can catch up by that time," Kairi said.
"Yeah, that's a promise," May said.
With that said, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel have gone back to their seperate ways once again to train at their own pace, but what sinister plans does Team Magma and Team Aqua have in store for the world? And what are the Red and Blue Orbs they were talking about? And what is the Cave of Origins? The answers will come when we continue the journey.