Episode 239: The Battle Factory
Shortly after the battle Riku had with Drew, Sora, Riku, Pikachu, and Eevee heads for the Pokémon Center as Sora plans to have Corphish checked in to be healed from his battle against Eevee.
"I gotta say, that was awesome the way you put that Drew guy in his place like that," Sora said.
"Well, he got too cocky for his own good. But I know neither Kairi or May will find it easy going up against him," Riku said.
"Yeah, I know. I guess we'll have to see for ourselves," Sora said.
"Anyway, what would be your plan for dealing with the Frontier Brain, Sora?" Riku asked.
"I don't know, to be honest. I guess I'll have to wing it when I meet him. But that would have to wait as soon as I get Corphish checked out," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
Over to the Pokémon Center, Kairi was working with her Ralts for the upcoming Pokémon Contest. She brought out several balls.
"Alright, Ralts! Have a ball!" Kairi called out, throwing the balls into the air. "Use Confusion!" Ralts began to manipulate the balls with her telepathic powers. "Make them into different shapes!" Ralts uses her Confusion to move the balls to make the shapes of a triangle, then then a square, then a star, and then a heart. "Move them around!" Ralts uses her psychic powers to move the balls around like planets around a Solar System. "Use Psybeam!" Ralts uses her Psybeam and the balls all started to give off a colorful glow from Ralts's Psybeam. "Not bad, Ralts. That was wonderful!"
"Ralts, Ralts," Ralts said.
"Well done, Kairi. I thought you were going to do a juggling act, but this is way better than any juggling act," Rei said, praising Kairi.
"Thank you for your kind words, Master. May has her own thing, and I got mine," Kairi said.
"True. I might help practice if you like, Kairi," Rei offered.
"I'd appreciate it," Kairi said.
"Eevee, vee," Angel said.
Drew watches Kairi and he just smugly grinned.
"Well, you got more skill than I thought, but you'll have to get past the preliminary round first," Drew said in his thoughts before he heads back inside.
Not too far, Sora, Riku, Pikachu, and Eevee came back and they witnessed Kairi training for the Pokémon Contest. They could tell she's doing a great job in training. Sora has let out his own Ralts as he could watch. They watched her practice with her Ralts with her Confusion and Psybeam combo. Kairi's Ralts got finished once again with the practice, Sora, Pikachu, and his Ralts clapped their hands for the performance.
"I give that a perfect ten, Kairi," Sora said. Kairi just smiled at the compliment she got from her boyfriend.
"Thank you, Sora," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Ralts," Kairi's Ralts said.
The two Ralts embrace each other very lovingly. Sora and Kairi found it to be very cute.
"Ralts, Ralts," Sora's Ralts said.
The couple went inside the Pokémon Center to have Corphish checked in. As Riku went to rejoin Naminé, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Angel, and the two Ralts went to have their own meal as couples. Kairi has made a sandwich for each of them as Pikachu, Angel, and the two Ralts were given apples. Kairi has made the sauce for the sandwiches.
"Is that good, Sora?" Kairi asked.
"The best, Kairi," Sora said, taking a bite. "The way you made the sauce is great. It reminds me of my mom's."
"Where do you think I got the recipe from, Sora?" Kairi asked.
"Thought it tasted familiar," Sora said, smiling. A suddenly rings.
"Won't Sora Ketchum please come to the front desk, please? Your Pokémon is waiting for you," Nurse Joy announced. Sora got up and came to the front desk as she holds Corphish's Pokéball.
"How's my Corphish?" Sora asked.
"Your Corphish is fighting fit. I recommend that your Corphish rests for the remainder of the day," Nurse Joy said.
"Your recommendation is noted," Sora said. Kairi, Pikachu, Angel, and the Ralts are catching up to Sora.
"How's Corphish, Sora?" Kairi asked.
"Corphish is 100% better, but Nurse Joy thinks it's a good idea that I keep him from battling until tomorrow," Sora said.
"I guess she's right, Sora. Corphish shouldn't be overdoing it. And are you ready for the Battle Frontier?" Kairi asked.
"Yeah, but don't you need to get ready for the Contest, Kairi?" Sora asked.
"It's only a couple of weeks away, so there's no hurry, is there?" Kairi asked.
"I guess you're right, Kairi. And I know not even wild Tauros or Heartless could never keep you away," Sora said. Kairi smiled. Sora and Kairi called their Ralts back inside and started to make their way for the Battle Factory.
The couple ventured through the city, looking for the Battle Factory. They even asked for directions on where to go. As they looked around, a biplane flies over their heads.
"What was that?" Sora asked.
"It looked like a plane!" Kairi said.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu said.
"Vee!" Angel said.
They followed the biplane from the ground and caught up to the plane and found what looks like a facility.
Stepping out of the plane is a medium height and quite muscular man. He has short spiky brown hair and quite prominent eyebrows over his brown eyes. He wears a puffy crimson red cap, a long white sleeveless coat which he leaves open over a sleeveless black shirt tucked into black trousers with a belt, and crimson red shoes which he tucks his trouser legs into. He also has a pair of gray gloves. He looked at the couple
"Hey there, you two. Something I can help you with?" The man asked.
"We just followed your plane without thinking," Sora said.
"We were just looking for the Battle Factory," Kairi added.
"The Battle Factory? Well, you two are just in luck, because you're already here," the man said. The couple were shocked to hear that they arrived to the Battle Factory.
"Seriously?" Sora asked.
"Yes. And I'm the Factory Head Noland, one of the seven Frontier Brains of the Hoenn region," Noland introduced himself. "Am I gonna assume that you're here to challenge me into a battle?"
"Yeah, I'm here to challenge you to a battle," Sora said.
"Just you?" Noland asked.
"Yeah, just me," Sora said.
"That means you're Sora. Scott told me that you were coming," Noland said.
"Glad you came, Sora, because I was about to go looking for you," Scott said, stepping out of the building.
"Hey, Scott," Sora greeted. Scott looked right at Kairi.
"I think I saw you at the Pokémon Center before," Scott said.
"My name's Kairi. Sora here is my boyfriend," Kairi said.
"I understand," Scott said. He looked at Sora. "So, Sora, are you ready to have our battle?"
"Yeah, that's why I'm here," Sora said.
"Great. Before we get to that, let's get down to business," Noland said. He leads the couple to a ranch filled with some Pokémon that consists of Venusaur, Typhlosion, a Machamp, a Rhyhorn, a Rhydon, a Pinsir, a Golduck, a Lairon, a Sandslash, an Electrike, a Dodrio, a Golem, a Mawile, a Loudred, an Ursaring, a Kingler, a Cloyster, a Miltank, and some other Pokémon.
One of them is a yellow, quadrupedal Pokémon that resembles a Dromedary camel with a volcano-like hump on its back. The hump is green at the very top and fades out into yellow with small green spots. It has bangs on top of its head, sleepy eyes with brown circles around them, and short, stubby legs. This Pokémon is known as Numel.
Another is a quadrupedal Pokémon that resembles a Bactrian camel. It has two gray volcanoes on its back. It also has a stout body with red shaggy fur and three blue ring-shaped markings on both sides. It has bangs on top of its head, droopy ears, and a tan fur-less muzzle. This Pokémon is known as a Camerupt.
Another is an orange, insectoid Pokémon. It has a round body with a white underside and four stumpy legs. It also has a proportionally large head, small black eyes with twinkle-shaped pupils, and a zigzagging mouth. This Pokémon is known as a Trapinch.
Another is a bipedal, mushroom-like Pokémon with some kangaroo and dinosaur-like qualities. Most of its body is green, but its head to its neck and its tail are beige. On top of its head is a green, mushroom-like cap with beige gills underneath and a round, red berry-like growth with a hole in the middle on either side. It has oval, black eyes, a beak-like mouth, and frilled segments around the base of its neck. There are two red claws on each of its hands and feet. At the end of its tail, there are seed clusters. This Pokémon is known as a Breloom.
Another is a bipedal Pokémon resembling a cross between a mongoose and cat. Despite being classified as a bipedal Pokémon, it usually walks on all fours. Its fur is mostly white with deep red, scar-like markings on the face, chest, and forepaws. It has two long, black claws on its forepaws, which curl underneath the forepaws when not in use, and pink paw pads on its hind feet. It has pink eyes, long ears, and a small red nose. When it opens its mouth, two sharp fangs can be seen on its upper jaw. There are small tufts of white fur on its shoulders, and it has a large, fluffy tail. This Pokémon is known as Zangoose.
Another is a canine, quadrupedal Pokémon. Its body is mainly blue with a spiky, yellow mane on its head and yellow tufts of fur on its haunches and around its front feet. Its mane sticks straight up and has three points. It has a jagged upper jaw, red eyes, and holes on either side of its head that seem to be its ears. Each of its paws has three claws. Its blue, spike-like tail is bent at a sharp angle. This Pokémon is known as Manectric.
"Are all those your Pokémon?" Kairi asked.
"Each and every one of them. You get to choose which one you wanna battle," Noland said. Sora looked at Noland.
"Seriously? I can choose which ones I want to battle?" Sora asked.
"That's right. You can choose up to six of my Pokémon. Choose well," Noland said.
Sora looked at all of the Pokémon and thought very carefully.
"Well, they all look strong, but I should pace myself. Venusaur and Typhlosion look pretty strong. Then there are the other ones to consider," Sora said in his thoughts. He looked over to Electrike and Manectric. Sora took out his Rotom Phone and scanned them.
Electrike, the Lightning Pokémon
Type: Electric
Electrike runs faster than the human eye can follow. The friction from running is converted into electricity, which is then stored in this Pokémon's fur.
Manectric, the Discharge Pokémon
The evolved form of Electrike
Type: Electric
Because lightning falls in their vicinities, Manectric were thought to have been born from lightning. In battle, they create thunderclouds.
"Electrike and Manectric are an electrical pair," Sora said. He looked over to Loudred and scanned it.
Loudred, the Big Voice Pokémon
The evolved form of Whismur
Type: Normal
Loudred's bellowing can completely decimate a wood-frame house. It uses its voice to punish its foes. This Pokémon's round ears serve as loudspeakers.
"No wonder it's called Loudred," Sora said. He looked at Trapinch and scanned it.
Trapinch, the Ant Pit Pokémon
Type: Ground
Its big jaws crunch through boulders. Because its head is so big, it has a hard time getting back upright if it tips over onto its back.
"And what powerful jaws," Sora said. He looked over to Breloom and scanned it.
Breloom, the Mushroom Pokémon
The evolved form of Shroomish
Type: Grass/Fighting
Its short arms stretch when it throws punches. Its technique is equal to that of pro boxers.
"So that's what Shroomish will evolve into," Sora said. He looked at Numel and Camerupt and and scanned them both.
Numel, the Numb Pokémon
Type: Fire/Ground
Magma of almost 2,200 degrees Fahrenheit courses through its body. When it grows cold, the magma hardens and slows it.
Camerupt, the Eruption Pokémon
The evolved form of Numel
Type: Fire/Ground
If angered, the humps on its back erupt in a shower of molten lava. It lives in the craters of volcanoes.
Sora looked right at Zangoose and he scanned it with his Rotom Phone.
Zangoose, the Cat Ferret Pokémon
Type: Normal
Since the dawn of history, Zangoose has a violent fued with Seviper. When it senses a Seviper in the same area, Zangoose will move in and fight its hated enemy with its sharp claws.
"Those claws don't look like they're for show," Sora said. Sora thought long and hard about which ones he wants to battle against. Sora figured he'd battle against Zangoose, Breloom, Sandslash, Golduck, Lairon, and Loudred while Sora chose Pikachu, Treecko, Mudkip, Taillow, Makuhita, and Dustox. He would like to use Corphish, but he couldn't risk making his injuries worse and he didn't want to rely on Corphish's strength more than he should. Sora made his decision. "Noland, I think I'll battle your Zangoose, Loudred, Breloom, Golduck, Lairon, and Sandslash."
"Alright. I just have to get them all inside their Pokéballs and we can get started," Noland said. He called the Pokémon that Sora has chosen to battle into their Pokéballs and led his guests to the battlefield inside the Battle Frontier. It looked out to be just like a typical factory, but they weren't making anything. Sora and Noland got into position as Kairi, Angel, and Scott sat in the bleachers.
"Sora tells me that the Battle Frontier is like a Gym challenge, right?" Kairi asked.
"That's right. Like the Gyms you'd find anywhere, the Frontier Brains has their own set of rules, and the Trainers battles until all of the Pokémon chosen for the match is unable to continue battling," Scott said. The referee stepped in to begin the battle.
"The battle between the Factory Head Noland and Sora Ketchum from Pallet Town is about to begin! Both Trainers will be using six Pokémon each. Substitutions during the battle is permitted, and there is no time limit! The battle shall be over when all six of either side's Pokémon is unable to continue battling! Are you ready?!" The referee exclaimed.
"Yes," Sora and Noland answered.
"Then, choose your Pokémon and begin!" The referee shouted. Noland took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Loudred!" Noland called out. His Pokéball opened and his Loudred came right out to battle. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Makuhita!" Sora called out. Makuhita emerged from inside, ready to battle.
"Well, well, Sora's starting off with Makuhita. Good choice," Kairi said.
"Granted that his Makuhita's a Fighting-type Pokémon. Let's see how this goes," Scott said.
"Loudred! Use Stomp!" Noland ordered. Loudred moved in to stomp on Makuhita.
"Dodge and use Tackle!" Sora ordered. Makuhita dodged Loudred's move and tackled into Loudred with the full force of his body.
"Dodge it and use Mega Punch!" Noland ordered. Loudred dodged Makuhita's Tackle and lands a powerful punch onto the Guts Pokémon, dealing some heavy damage. "That was great, Loudred! Now, use Disarming Voice!" Loudred unleashed Disarming Voice at Makuhita, dealing some extra damage on him.
"You okay, Makuhita?" Sora asked.
"Maku," Makuhita said.
"Glad to hear it. Use Arm Thrust!" Sora ordered. Makuhita rushes at Loudred to deliever his attack.
"Mega Punch!" Noland ordered. Loudred came at Makuhita to deliever a punch, but Makuhita dodged and lands about four hits of his palms onto Loudred, dealing some damage on it.
"Way to go, Makuhita!" Sora praised.
"Maku!" Makuhita said.
"Not bad, Sora, but it's not over yet! Loudred! Use Disarming Voice!" Noland ordered. Loudred unleashed another Disarming Voice right at the Guts Pokémon to land a hit.
"Dodge and use Seismic Toss!" Sora ordered. Makuhita dodged and grabbed Loudred. Makuhita lifts Loudred up and gave the Big Voice Pokémon a toss onto the ground, dealing some damage. Makuhita lands on his feet as Loudred got back up.
"Use Mega Punch!" Noland ordered.
"Makuhita! Use Force Palm!" Sora ordered. Makuhita placed his palm onto Loudred and gave it a forceful push from his palms, resulting in a knockout.
"Loudred is unable to battle! Makhuita wins!" The referee announced. Noland calls back his Loudred and smiled.
"You did great, Loudred. You've earned a good, long rest," Noland said. He took out his next Pokéball. "That was impressive, Sora. But we're just getting started." He threw his next Pokéball. "Go! Golduck!" His Pokéball opened and his Golduck came right out to battle. Sora calls back his Makuhita and he took out his next Pokéball and threw it.
"You're up, Treecko!" Sora called out. Treecko came out to battle and placed his twig in his mouth upon entry.
"Good choice on Sora's part. Choosing a Grass-type like Treecko to go up against a Water-type like Golduck," Scott said.
"Good pick, but not good enough. Golduck! Use Ice Punch!" Noland ordered. Golduck rushes at the Wood Gecko Pokémon to land an icy punch.
"Treecko! Dodge and use Lefage!" Sora ordered. Treecko managed to avoid Golduck's Ice Punch and unleashed Leafage at the Duck Pokémon, dealing some damage.
"Use Psychic to block it!" Noland ordered. Golduck uses Psychic to block Treecko's Leafage. "Send it back!" Golduck sends Treecko's Leafage right back at its owner.
"Dodge with Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Treecko ran around to dodge Golduck's counterattack. Unfortunately, Treecko's own attack came right at Treecko, with the help of Golduck's Psychic. Sora calls back Treecko and he took looked right at Pikachu.
"You're up, Pikachu!" Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu said, stepping in.
"Golduck! Use Ice Punch!" Noland ordered. Golduck came at Pikachu with an Ice Punch.
"Dodge and use Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Golduck dodges Golduck's Ice Punch and gave the Duck Pokémon a jolt of Thunderbolt. Golduck stammers backwards. "Use Quick Attack!" Pikachu dashed at Golduck and lands a hit. Golduck was knocked out.
"Golduck is unable to battle! Pikachu wins!" The referee announced.
"Noland has lost two of his Pokémon," Kairi said.
"Not bad. I was certain his Golduck had his Treecko right there. Noland will have to push back hard," Scott said. Noland calls back his Golduck.
"Great job, Golduck. You did your best," Noland said. He took out another Pokéball and threw it. "You're up, Sandslash!" His Pokéball opened up and his Sandslash came out to battle. Sora knew Noland has sent out Sandslash against Pikachu because Electric-type moves have zero effect on Ground-type Pokémon like Sandslash. He figured he'd send out Treecko, but he took that bad hit from his own Leafage, but luckily, he had another Pokémon that's a good match up against Ground-types like Sandslash.
"Okay, Pikachu, come back," Sora said as Pikachu came back to Sora. He took out another Pokéball and threw it. "Your turn, Mudkip!" His Pokéball opened and his Mudkip emerged from inside.
"Sora switched Pikachu for Mudkip. Smart move since Electric-type moves aren't very effective against Ground-types like Sandslash," Scott said.
"Sandslash! Use Crush Claw!" Noland ordered. Sandslash rushed at Mudkip, intending to swipe the Mud Fish Pokémon with his claws.
"Dodge and use Mud-Slap!" Sora ordered. Mudkip avoids Sandslash's Crush Claw and hurls Mud-Slap onto Sandslash's eyes, blinding it. "Use Waterfall!" Mudkip dashed at Sandslash with a Waterfall and lands a hit onto Sandslash. "Use Water Gun!" Mudkip fired Water Gun, hitting Sandslash on the mark, resulting in a knockout.
"Sandslash is unable to battle! Mudkip wins!" The referee announced.
"Good job, Mudkip!" Sora said.
"Mudkip!" Mudkip said.
Noland calls his Sandslash back and smiled.
"Not bad. You took down three of my Pokémon. Now it's getting serious. Here comes my next Pokémon!" Noland said, taking out another Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Lairon!" His Pokéball opened up and his Lairon emerged from inside, ready to battle.
"Okay, Lairon's a Steel-type, so Mud-Slap will be super effective. And since Lairon's also a Rock-type, so Water Gun and Waterfall are my best options going against it," Sora in his thoughts. Sora called out, "Mudkip! Use Mud-Slap!" Mudkip hurls a Mud-Slap right at Lairon.
"Use Protect!" Noland ordered. Lairon forms a protective barrier around itself, so Mudkip's Water Gun bounced right off.
"No way!" Sora gasped.
"Pika!" Pikachu exclaimed.
"Lairon! Use Shock Wave!" Noland ordered. Lairon unleashed Shock Wave and lands a hit onto Mudkip, dealing some heavy damage.
"Mudkip!" Sora exclaimed.
"Lairon! Use Take Down!" Noland ordered. Lairon charges right at Mudkip, dealing some extra damage and resulted in a knockout.
"Mudkip is unable to battle! Lairon wins!" The referee announced.
"Looks like Noland has finally started to make a comeback. I was wondering when he was going to do that," Scott said.
"Noland's Lairon's ability is Rock Head, isn't it?" Kairi asked.
"It is. And as you know, Rock Head prevents recoil damage from moves like Take Down from taking affect," Scott said. Sora calls back Mudkip and looked at Pikachu.
"Back to action, Pikachu," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu nodded and stepped back in the battlefield.
"Be ready for anything, Pikachu," Sora said.
"Lairon! Use Take Down!" Noland ordered. Lairon charges right at Pikachu with a great force of its body.
"Dodge with Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Pikachu avoids Lairon's Take Down with his Quick Attack. "Use Iron Tail!" Pikachu swings his tail at Lairon and lands a hit onto the Iron Armor Pokémon.
"Let's cut Pikachu's speed down to size! Use Rock Tomb!" Noland ordered. Lairon unleashed Rock Tomb, hoping to cut Pikachu's speed when it hits.
"Use Quick Attack on the rocks!" Sora ordered. Pikachu dashed around the rocks like a grasshopper. Pikachu got right on Lairon's face.
"Oh no! Use Shock Wave to get Pikachu off your face!" Noland ordered.
"Use Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu unleashed Thunderbolt, shocking Lairon greatly. Lairon fell on the ground, beaten.
"Lairon is unable to battle! Pikachu wins!" The referee announced.
"Way to go, Pikachu!" Sora praised his partner.
"Pika, Pika!" Pikachu said.
Noland calls back his Lairon.
"Not too shabby, Sora. You're even better than Scott said you were. But there are two more left," Noland said, taking out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Breloom!" Noland called out. Breloom came out to battle against Sora's team.
"Pikachu! Use Quick Attack!" Sora ordered.
"Use Mach Punch!" Noland ordered. Breloom dashed at Pikachu and lands a punch onto the Mouse Pokémon, dealing some heavy damage.
"Pikachu!" Sora exclaimed.
"Pikachu!" Kairi also exclaimed.
"Eevee!" Angel cried.
"Use Sky Uppercut!" Noland ordered. Breloom gave Pikachu an uppercut and sends Pikachu flying. He lands on his back, beaten.
"Pikachu is unable to battle! Breloom wins!" The referee announced.
"Good job, Breloom," Noland said. Sora picked up his partner and smiled.
"You did great, Pikachu. You should take a rest," Sora said.
"Chu," Pikachu weakly said. Sora looked at Breloom carefully, and he thought hard about which one to use. Sora took out his next Pokéball and threw it.
"Your turn now, Dustox!" Sora called out. Dustox came right out to battle against Breloom.
"Yes, Dustox has the advantage since she's a Bug-type and a Poison-type Pokémon," Kairi said.
"True, but I've seen that Breloom in action. It took on its share of Bug and Poison-type Pokémon; it whopped them so many of them," Scott said.
"Okay, Dustox! Get ready! Start things up with Poison Sting!" Sora ordered. Dustox fired Poison Sting right at the Mushroom Pokémon.
"Breloom! Use Energy Ball to block!" Noland ordered. Breloom forms a ball of green energy and sends it to block Dustox's Poison Sting. "Use Sky Uppercut!" Breloom charges at the Poison Moth Pokémon to land a hit.
"Use Confusion!" Sora ordered. Dustox's eyes gave off a light blue glow. Breloom is caught in Dustox's telepathic powers. Breloom struggles to move despite being in a psychic hold. Dustox brought Breloom down, dealing some damage onto it. "Great job, Dustox!" Sora looked at Breloom and saw it was still standing, despite being hit with a super effective hit. "Breloom just took that?"
"That's right, Sora. My Breloom's not going going down that easily. Breloom! Use Mach Punch!" Noland ordered. Breloom dashed at Dustox and lands a heavy-hitting punch.
"Dustox! Use Gust!" Sora ordered.
"Use Mach Punch again and again!" Noland ordered. Breloom gave Dustox a series of Mach Punches before Dustox could get a chance to counterattack. Breloom gave Dustox one more Mach Punch, resulting in a knockout.
"Dustox is unable to battle! Breloom wins!" The referee announced. Sora calls Dustox back.
"That Breloom is way tougher than I thought. Makuhita's still too tired from that battle with Loudred, and Treecko's still soft from his battle with Golduck, so Taillow's the only one who didn't battle yet," Sora said, took out Taillow's Pokéball and threw it. "Your turn, Taillow!" His Pokéball opened and Taillow came out flying.
"A Flying-type this time, is it? My Breloom has taken on its fair share of Flying-type Pokémon, too! Breloom! Use Mach Punch!"
"Dodge it!" Sora ordered. Breloom came at Taillow, but he managed to dodge it with incredible speed. This takes Noland completely by surprise.
"No way!" Noland exclaimed.
"Use Wing Attack!" Sora ordered. Taillow flew at Breloom and gave the Mushroom Pokémon a series of beatings with his wings. "One more Wing Attack!" Taillow gave Breloom one more Wing Attack and it was enough to bring Breloom down.
"Breloom is unable to battle! Taillow wins!" The referee announced. Noland called back his Breloom back and he chuckled.
"Sora's still down to three while Noland's down to one," Kairi said.
"That was very impressive, Sora. Until now, none of my other challengers has never sent me into a corner like this. I will say that you have the honor of being the first," Noland said. He took out his sixth and final Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Zangoose!" His Pokéball opened and his Zangoose emerged from the inside. The Cat Ferret Pokémon was ready to battle against Sora and his team.
"Okay, Taillow, that Zangoose looks pretty tough, so stay on your toes. Use Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Taillow dashed at Zagoose with his Quick Attack.
"Zangoose! Use Slash!" Noland ordered. Zangoose jumped and slashed at Taillow, taking him down with just one hit.
"Taillow is unable to battle! Zangoose wins!" The referee announced. Sora calls Taillow back and he took out his next Pokéball and threw it. "Makuhita! Back to action!" Sora called out. His Pokéball opened and Makuhita came out to battle against Zangoose. "I know you're still worn out from your match with Loudred, but I need you to hang in there for me."
"Maku," Makuhita said.
"Zangoose! Use Slash!" Noland ordered. Zangoose rushes at Makuhita to land a hit.
"Makuhita! Dodge and use Force Palm!" Sora ordered. Makuhita avoids Zangoose's Slash and gave Zangoose a hit with Force Palm. Zangoose has taken some damage from Makuhita's Force Palm, but it wasn't enough to bring it down.
"Zangoose! Use Fire Punch!" Noland ordered. Zangoose came at Makuhita and lands a fiery punch onto the Guts Pokémon, dealing some damage on him. "Fire Punch again!" Zangoose came at Makuhita again with another Fire Punch.
"Use Bulk Up!" Sora ordered. Makuhita's body became surrounded by an orange aura as Makuhita's muscles tightned up. Zangoose lands another Fire Punch onto Makuhita, but not as much as before.
"Bulk Up builds up Makuhita's attack and defesnsive power, so he's gotta make it count," Kairi said in her thoughts.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Zangoose! Use Iron Tail!" Noland ordered. Zangoose came at Makuhita with an Iron Tail.
"Dodge and use Arm Thrust!" Sora ordered. Makuhita dodged Zangoose's Iron Tail and gave the Cat Ferret Pokémon a series of hits with Arm Thrust. "Use Force Palm!"
"Zangoose! Use Slash!" Noland ordered. Zangoose a powerful swing of his claws.
"Dodge it, Makuhita!" Sora called out. Makuhita tried to dodge, but Zangoose came too fast for Makuhita to dodge in time.
"Use Fire Punch to finish it off!" Noland ordered. Zangoose gave Makuhita one last Fire Punch, sending Makuhita right to the ground. Makuhita was then knocked out.
"Makuhita is unable to battle! Zangoose wins!" The referee announced. As Sora called back Makuhita, he noticed Zangoose was panting heavily. He quickly figured Makuhita has done a huge number on his opponent and the energy it used during the battle.
"Good job, Makuhita. You tired Zangoose out like I wanted you to," Sora said. Sora took out Treecko's Pokéball and threw it. "Treecko! Back to action!" His Pokéball opened and Treecko emerged from inside. He placed his twig in his mouth upon entry.
"Time to end this quickly! Zangoose! Fire Punch!" Noland ordered. Zangoose came at Treecko with a Fire Punch.
"Dodge and use Pound!" Sora ordered. Treecko avoids Zangoose's Fire Punch and swings his tail at the Cat Ferret Pokémon, dealing some damage.
"Way to go, Treecko!" Kairi cheered.
"Eevee, vee!" Angel said.
"Alright, Zangoose! Use Fire Punch and keep using it until you land a hit!" Zangoose came at Treecko with a Fire Punch, ready to go.
"Treecko! Dodge and with Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Treecko managed to dodge Zangoose's Fire Punch. The Cat Ferret Pokémon attempts to do so again with another Fire Punch, but the Wood Gecko Pokémon was moving way too fast for Zangoose to land a hit.
"That Treecko is faster than I thought it is. He raised that Treecko just right. But will it be enough?" Noland asked in his thoughts. He called out, "Zangoose! Use Fire Punch!" Zangoose moves in and finally lands a Fire Punch onto Treecko. Treecko tumbles backwards and hits a wall.
"Treecko, are you okay?" Sora asked. Treecko managed to get back up on his feet and a green aura surrounds Treecko's body. Sora knew exactly what it was. "Overgrow!" Sora knew Treecko's Grass-type moves will be so much stronger than normal when his stamina is very low. Sora had to make it count. "Treecko, we can end this battle!"
"Treecko," Treecko said, nodding.
"The bond between those two is outstanding. They make a good team. Let's how their teamwork will pay off. Zangoose! One more Fire Punch!" Noland ordered. Zangoose rushes at Treecko to land a heavy hit, hoping to finish off Treecko with just one hit.
"Treecko! Dodge with Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Treecko dodged Zangoose's Fire Punch once it came close enough.
"Don't let Treecko get away!" Noland called out. Zangoose went after Treecko.
"Okay, Treecko! Use Pound!" Sora ordered. Treecko swings his tail, hitting Zangoose on the side. "Use Leafage!" Treecko swings his tail around as leaves surrounds Treecko and sends them right at the Cat Ferret Pokémon. Zangoose was struck by the leaves. Zangoose has taken some heavy damage from Leafage. "Use Pound!" Treecko swings his tail, landing a hit onto Zangoose. The Cat Ferret Pokémon hits the ground. Treecko was panting heavily from the attacks Treecko was dishing out. Both Pokemon were panting heavily, staring at each other. They kept staring at each other right until Zangoose fell backwards, beaten.
"Zangoose is unable to battle! Treecko wins! The winner is the challenger, Sora Ketchum from Pallet Town!" The referee announced.
"Good job, Treecko!" Sora said.
"Treecko," Treecko weakly said, before falling over himself. Sora caught Treecko before he could hit the ground and picked him up. "You were awesome out there."
"Treecko," Treecko said.
Noland calls back Zangoose and he smiled.
"Great job, Zangoose. You battled hard, so you deserve a good, long rest," Noland said as Scott walked up to him.
"You two did great. You had me at the edge of my seat," Scott said.
"To tell the truth, I was really surprised that you announced that Sora kid was here and everything. I enjoyed the battle he gave me, Scott," Noland said.
"Well, you know what to do, don't you?" Scott asked.
"Sure do," Noland said. He begins to walk up to Sora as he calls his Treecko back in his Pokeball. "That was a sweet battle, Sora. You gave it everything you got and it's been a long time since I had a challenge like this." Sora smiled.
"I'm glad I was able to impress you, Noland. You gave it everything you got, too," Sora said.
"Thanks," Noland said. The referee brings out a small blue box. Noland opend it and takes out a gold symbol with three diamonds on display. "As proof of your victory here in the Battle Factory, it's my honor to present you the Knowledge Symbol. Sora accepts the Knowledge Symbol.
"Thanks, Noland," Sora said.
"No, thank you for that enjoyable battle," Noland said.
"Now that you have defeated the Factory Head and earned the first of seven Symbols, I should give you this," Scott said, taking out a small bronze case. "Here is your Symbol Case. You can store the Symbols you've won in that."
"This will work out great, Scott. I'll need it," Sora said. "And thanks a lot, Scott."
"Anytime. I'll meet up with you another time, and just let me know when you're ready for another battle with another Frontier Brain," Scott said.
"I will," Sora said.
"Sora, we should head to the Pokémon Center. I'm sure Riku and the others are waiting for us to come back," Kairi said.
"You're right, Kairi. Pikachu and the other Pokémon needs to be healed up after that," Sora said.
The couple said their goodbyes to Noland and to Scott as they left for the Pokémon Center to have Pikachu, Treecko, Mudkip, Dustox, Makuhita, and Taillow to be healed.
Now that Sora has earned the first of 7 Frontier Symbols, his goal is to gain the remaining 6 Symbols as well as the 6 remaining Gym Badges.
But first, Kairi has her Pokémon Contest to attend to. The excitement will show up when we continue the journey.