Episode 244: Plusle, Minun, and the Lighthouse
If you're wondering how Giovanni has gained control of the Heartless, well this chapter will shed some light on the question you were going to eventually ask me, and I'm showing more of Ash's visions of the past. Enjoy!
We open up to see Ash laying in his sleeping bag and he fell right to sleep. He has seen the images of Gaia, Viento, and Cascade going into different worlds, and to see that Master Xehanort had a role in them, but he didn't get why. He began to dream again to see Gaia walking on the road.
"The boy in the mask who was leading the Unversed... Who is he? Does he have anything to do with Master Xehanort's disappearance? Master Eraqus said he first received word of these events from Fusoya. Maybe it's time I went and spoke with him myself," Gaia said.
as a man that is similar to Sora, but he has red hair, and with him are Flora and a younger Teol, along with some other warriors with him. He wore a silver armor and has the crown necklace that Sora wears. In his hand is a Keyblade. It is the Star Seeker, like the one Ash had before.
One of the other people is a ninja wearing a red bodysuit and has a kanji on his forehead. He has a katana at his side.
Another is a man wearing a white karate outfit, so his vest is opened and barefooted. He has a red bandana and a black belt around his waist.
And lastly, there is a man with wearing red armor, a red cape, a red hat with a wide brim and a feather. He has long white hair and has a sword on his side.
"Zest, are you sure we should be doing this?" Flora asked.
"I'm sure. The worlds are in danger, so we must find out why. This threat could pose more of a threat than Garland ever could," Zest said as he took out a small magical device from his side.
"Fusoya could be furious when he discovers this," the man in red said.
"I know, Tomok, but there is no other choice," Zest said.
"I agree with Zest. We cannot wait," the karate fighter said.
"We'll be going, too. We're all in this together," the ninja said.
"We are right on your side," Teol said.
Zest looked at his friends and smiled as they nodded.
"Teol, Flora, Tomok, Fritz, Zauver. Thank you," Zest said.
"But what about Fusoya?" Flora asked.
"Let me worry about that. I'll take the blame for all of us and say it was all my idea," Zest said.
"It was all your idea," Zauver said.
"Here goes," Zest said as he held the device and used it to magically leave the area, leaving Gaia confused. He turned to the tower and he entered. He climbed up the stairs with Ash following him.
Gaia is standing before an old man wearing blue and purple robes of varying shades. He has long silver hair and a long beard with bushy eyebrows, and has light blue eyes.
"Master Fusoya," Gaia spoke. The old man turned around to look at him. "My name is Gaia."
"Yes, one of Eraqus's pupils. I have been expecting you. It is the Unversed," Fusoya said.
"Yes, Master Fusoya," Gaia said. "I thought it best to seek the counsel of one wiser than myself."
"I am no longer a master. I have doffed that mantle," Fusoya said.
"But, sir! Wasn't one of those people your pupil I passed on the way in?" Gaia asked. "He had a Keyblade."
"You refer to Zest. He, too, sought guidance here. As a knight, he is good and kind. He and his companions have left with an object whose power he does not understand nor know how to control. Zest imagines my Star Shard will be of his help on his current quest. And, like you, he is determined to use his Keyblade to set things right," Fusoya said.
"I'm not sure I even understand what's wrong. Master Xehanort is missing... And now I've learned there's a masked boy who is controlling those Unversed on the loose," Gaia explained.
"To arrive to the truth you seek, perhaps you should approach things differently-" Fusoya paused, "first consider them one and the same problem." Gaia just looked at him.
"Master Xehanort and the Unversed are connected somehow?" Gaia asked.
"I must not make assumptions..." Fusoya paused. "Find Xehanort, Gaia. That is where you should begin."
"Yes, sir," Gaia replied. He then took his leave of the elderly man and he shuts his eyes.
"I had hoped, Xehanort, your heart would no longer lead you astray," Fusoya said.
"And it did, more than you think," Ash said. The scene switches as Ash is floating out in the Lanes Between that Eraqus has spoke of before. And he saw the armor that they wore. "Cool armor."
"Gaia," a familiar voice spoke. Gaia gasped.
"Master Xehanort!" Gaia exclaimed.
"Gaia, come see me at once," Xehanort's voice said.
With Ash following him, Gaia has arrived to a desert-like world. He saw Master Xehanort standing at the edge of a cliff, waiting for Gaia's arrival. Gaia lands as a flash of light surrounds him and he sheds his armor. Gaia was silent for a moment, so he had to speak.
"I have been to other worlds. I know all about the things you've done. I just don't understand why," Gaia said. Master Xehanort just looked at the ground. Ash knew he was faking remorse.
"Someone had to safeguard the light...from the demon I unleashed. You must know about the boy by now. The one in the mask. His name is Vanitas. A creature of pure darkness. One of my making," Master Xehanort said.
"Vanitas..." Gaia paused. "Are you saying Vanitas came from you?"
"He came from Viento," Master Xehanort said. Gaia gasped. Ash also gasped.
"What?!" Ash gasped.
"Viento?" Gaia asked.
"Yes. Vanitas was the darkness that was inside your friend. It was an accident. While training with me, Viento has succumbed to darkness, and there was but one way to save him; strip that part of him away. And thus, Vanitas was made. In the process, I have damaged his heart in the most horrific way. So I did what I thought was right, and left him with Eraqus I knew the boy could not stay with me, the man who did him such grievous harm," Master Xehanort explained. Ash wasn't buying it one little bit. He couldn't understand why Viento would consider learning about the ways of the Keyblade from the man who put Viento where he is, wherever he is.
"Define grievous for me, old man," Ash said.
Gaia was looking at him and he spoke up.
"Master Xehanort... Viento has gotten a lot better since then. You shouldn't blame yourself for trying to save him," Gaia assured.
"Well... Thank you, lad. You know how to put an old man's heart at ease," Master Xehanort said. Gaia just smiled and shuts his eyes.
"Okay, I'm not sure what's the deal is. Master Xehanort was the cause of it all. Gaia, you shouldn't be listening to what he says! He's lying to you!" Ash said. Gaia then opened his eyes.
"Master... Why is Vanitas still free?" Gaia asked.
"Ah, yes. Well, I did my best to contain him for the moment he emerged, but..." Master Xehanort lied.
"He managed to escape," Gaia said.
"More like you let him loose, Xehanort," Ash said.
"Vanitas uses the Keyblade to sow seeds of darkness. And now, you see, the worlds teem with his ghastly underlings," Master Xehanort said.
"The Unversed!" Gaia stated.
"He has no control over the darkness in his heart. The Keyblade is not his to bear. He's an abomination beyond hope of salvation. Lend me your strength, Gaia. Right this wrong that I have wrought," Master Xehanort said.
"But I have no idea on where to find him," Gaia said.
"What I can tell you about Vanitas amounts to this. His darkness is drawn to the light, which he seeks to disrupt...and then destroy. It stands to reason that he will strike next in the city of light, Radiant Garden," Master Xehanort instructed.
"Don't worry, Master. I'll take care of Vanitas," Gaia said.
"Radiant Garden?" Ash asked. "Okay, I know Xehanort's lying about Vanitas, because I saw the two of them talking to each other," Ash said. Before he could learn more, he woke up and sat up. Leaf just looked at him.
"Ash, what's wrong?" Leaf asked.
"Nothing," Ash lied. Leaf wasn't sure, but she could tell something was bothering him.
A couple of days passed since dealing with Larxene. So far, things have been peaceful...for now. So, Sora, Kairi, Lisia, the DigiDestined, Pikachu, and Angel continued on their way towards Mauville City, so Tai and his friends have filled them in about their Digimon partners.
"They sound cool, Tai. I would like to meet them someday," Sora said.
"We were thinking the same thing, Ketchum. Agumon and the other Digimon would like you guys in heartbeat," Tai said. He smiled as he looked up to the sky. "I am wondering what Agumon is up to these days," Tai said.
"He's probably doing the same thing, Tai," Sora T said.
"Sora's right, Tai. The Digimon are probably counting the days before we see each other again," Izzy said.
The rest of the DigiDestined all agreed with Izzy, so they each thought of their respected partners.
"We could take you to the Digital World, guys, just so you can meet them for yourselves," Davis said.
"That's really nice of you, Davis. We would love it," Kairi said.
"Yeah, we sure would," Sora said.
Meanwhile, over to Giovanni in his cell, he sat alone, thinking about how it could have gone wrong.
"My plans were foolproof, but they failed. It wasn't supposed to be like this. He promised that it wouldn't be," Giovanni said to himself.
(Flashback)
It was after the Saffron City incident. He had suffered his latest defeat at the hands of Sora and Kairi and he sat on his desk.
"How could my plans been foiled by a pair of brats? I was so close," Giovanni said. Just then, he was pouring a glass of brandy into a glass as a hooded figure stepped in from the darkness. He turned around and spotted him. "Who the hell are you? And how did you get in here?"
"Someone who had I had my eye on for quite sometime, Giovanni," the hooded figure spoke.
"What do you want?" Giovanni asked.
"I have come to make you an offer," the hooded figure said.
"What kind of offer, stranger?" Giovanni asked.
"An offer that is much greater than any gold or perhaps any Pokémon that inhabits this world," the hooded figure said. Giovanni was skeptical, but he was curious about what he had to say.
"I'm listening," Giovanni said.
"Have you ever considered the opportunity to rule more than just one world?" The hooded figure asked.
"More than one world? You mean that there are other worlds other than just this one?" Giovanni asked.
"Indeed. There are those who share that exact thought. And they have joined forces to make it possible. In order for you to do so, you must require seven hearts of pure light," the hooded figure instructed.
"Seven hearts of pure light?" Giovanni asked, raising a brow.
"Yes. They are the keys that will open the door to darkness, and to glory. And there will be no world in existence that have never heard of Team Rocket," the hooded figure said. Giovanni grinned evilly.
"I must say I am intrigued an interested. I am looking forward in meeting these others you spoke of," Giovanni said.
"They await you in the city in ruins: Hollow Bastion. But before you go, I shall grant you a gift," the hooded figure said.
"A gift? What kind of gift are you speaking of?" Giovanni asked.
"The power over the darkness and the ones who dwells in the same darkness: the Heartless," the hooded figure said as a dark aura surrounds Giovanni and he evilly grinned some more.
"Such a generous gift. I only need to know your name," Giovanni said. The hooded figure removed his hood to reveal himself as Ansem.
"You can call me Ansem," Ansem said. Giovanni laughed.
"It's a huge honor, Ansem," Giovanni said.
(Flashback ends)
Giovanni growled in anger.
"Ansem lied to me," Giovanni hissed.
Meanwhile, we see boy polishing a stone of some sort, until two people came up behind him. One is a man and the other is a woman. The man wore a green shirt and a blue vest, red shorts and green shoes as the woman wore a yellow shirt with an orange vest, a purple skirt and green shoes.
They approached the boy and tied him up and then gagged him. They took the stone from him.
"Got it! Let's go!" The woman said.
"Great! We can sell this to the highest bidder," the man said, taking off through a nearby window.
Just then, a teenaged girl came up the stairs. She has auburn red hair and dark blue eys. She wore a light green jacket and pink shorts with black leggings. She wore a pair of orange shoes.
"Thatcher, your shift's up," the girl said. She gasped when she the boy tied up. "Thatcher! What happened?" She removed the gag.
"These two robbers came in here and stole the Light Stone!" Thatcher explained.
"No, it can't be!" The girl exclaimed.
Back to Sora, Kairi, Lisia, the DigiDestined, Pikachu, and Angel are wondering on a mountain trail, but they're caught in a thick fog.
"Man, this fog is thick as peanut butter," Davis said.
"You mean pea soup," Cody said.
"It's thick either way," Ken said.
"I do agree. This fog is terrible," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"It'll be a good idea to stay together, because we could just as easily get lost in this forest if we take a wrong turn or bump into something like into a tree or a big rock," Sora said.
"What are you afraid of, Sora 2? We just gotta go forward, and what better way to do that than going straight," Davis said as he tripped over a root of a tree. He splashed face-first in a puddle.
"I think you could have mentioned tripping over something, too," TK said.
"Yeah, you're right, TK, I could have," Sora said.
Davis's wet clothes were hanging up to dry so he has a towel wrapped around himself to keep warm until they dry off. They built a fire and sat around.
"This fog is pretty dangerous. I think we should stay here until it clears up," Joe said.
"Not a bad idea, because we don't want anymore accidents happening to us," Lisia said. Izzy checks out the PokéNav app on his Rotom Phone and he stroked his chin.
"This is very odd," Izzy said.
"What's odd, Izzy?" Matt asked.
"According to the PokéNav on my phone, there should be a lighthouse around here, and so far, I'm not seeing so much as a shine around here," Izzy said.
"But we're nowhere near the beach," Mimi said.
"I think I know what Izzy's talking about. He has to mean the Mountain Lighthouse. It's supposed to light up foggy days like this one, and since we haven't seen one, then we should go look for it as soon as the fog breaks," Lisia said.
"The question is where, because it could be anywhere," Sora said.
"When will this fog finally break?" A female voice asked.
"What are you asking me for? I'm not a weather man," Sora said. He then looked around when he realized it didn't sound familiar to him. "Hey, who said that?"
"Someone must be close by," Sora T said.
"This fog is so thick, I can't even see my hand in front of my face, and I'm wearing glasses," Yolei said.
It turns out to be the thieves from earlier. They're riding in a hot air balloon.
"Maybe we could use this Light Stone to get us through this fog when we have an Electric-type Pokémon like an Electrike or a Magnemite," the man said.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked.
"Yeah, even a Pikachu. Good thinking, sis," the man said.
"What do you mean?" The woman asked.
"You said, 'Pika', didn't you?" The man asked.
"No, I didn't," the woman said. She then realized something. "Wait, there must be a Pikachu nearby."
"If only if we can see one, because I don't see it anywhere," the man said. The fog cleared as the thieves spotted Pikachu. "Look, a Pikachu!"
"This couldn't be any perfect, because we need an Electric-type Pokémon, and I want a Pikachu! I want that one!" The woman said.
"You got it, sis!" The man said, taking out a Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Cacnea!" His Pokéball opened. It lets a Cacnea right out. "Use Pin Missile!" Cacnea fired Pin Missle right at Pikachu.
"I don't think so! Marowak! Go!" Tai called out as he took out his Pokéball and threw it. His Marowak came right out. "Use Shadow Bone!" Marowak used Shadow Bone to cancel out the pins aiming at Pikachu. "Now, use Flame Charge!" Marowak charged at Cacnea while surrounded by green flames and lands a hit onto Cacnea. The cactus-like Pokémon hits the man, making him drop the Light Stone, landing on the edge of the cliff. Pikachu gets on the stone.
"Use Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu fired Thunderbolt at the balloon, making it explode and the thieves fell to the river below, making them scream. "That takes care of them."
"Pikachu," Pikachu agreed. The stone starts glowing brightly. "Pika?" The rest of the group saw the glow from the stone.
"Look at that rock," Lisia said.
"Why is it glowing?" Kairi asked.
"Better have a closer look," Sora said as Pikachu got off. The glowing ceased.
"What happened?" Mimi asked.
"It went out," Cody said.
"This is weird," Sora said.
"Hey! There you are!" A female voice called out. The group turned to see the girl and Thatcher. "So you're the thieves, huh?"
"Who us?" Mimi asked.
"Wait a minute, hold on! We're not thieves! We didn't steal anything!" Sora said.
"Spare me of all your lies!" The girl said, taking out her Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Magnemite!" Her Pokéball opened and a Magnemite emerged from inside. "Use Thunderbolt!" Magnemite fired Thunderbolt at the group.
"Okay, if that's how you want it, then that's how you're gonna get it!" Sora exclaimed, taking out a Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Makuhita!" His Pokéball opened and his Makuhita emerged from inside. "Okay, Makuhita! Use Seismic Toss!" Makuhita grabbed the Magnet Pokémon and threw it down to the ground hard.
"Oh, Magnemite. Thatcher, you gotta help me battle them!" The girl said.
"But, sis! I never battled before in my life!" Thatcher said.
"Oh, then I'll just take some moral support," the girl said.
"Right," Thatcher said, taking out his Pokéballs and threw them. "Go! Plusle and Minun!" His Pokéballs opened and his Plusle and Minun emerged from inside. "Okay, Plusle, Minun! Use Helping Hand!" Plusle and Minun placed their tails together and sparks re-energized Magnemite.
"Magnemite's up and about again!" Joe said.
"Thunderbolt again!" The girl ordered. Magnemite fired another Thunderbolt right at them.
"I'm telling you, we didn't steal anything!" Sora exclaimed.
"You have the Light Stone in your hand, and we want it back!" The girl demanded.
"Oh, this? If it's that important to you, then you can have it back," Sora said, walking up to the girl. She was just surprised that he was just giving it back.
"Well, that was easy," the girl said.
"Stop right there!" A familiar male voice spoke. The real thieves climbed back up. "We stole that Light Stone, and we're not leaving without it!" Thatcher recognized them.
"Alyssa, those are the REAL crooks!" Thatcher said.
"Now, I see!" Alyssa said.
"We're getting that stone!" The woman yelled as she and her brother ran towards them. Alyssa held her brother close as Sora stepped up.
"You're getting this stone when a Snorlax flies! Pikachu! Use Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu fired Thunderbolt at the thieves, shocking them. They fell to the ground, beaten, so Kairi took out a Pokéball and tossed it up.
"Beautifly! Come out!" Kairi called out. Beautifly emerged from inside and fluttered her wings. "Use String Shot on them!" Beautifly wrapped her silk around the thieves and wrapped them up. Thatcher was only looking at Sora and Pikachu.
"Great job as always, Pikachu," Sora said.
"Pika, Pika," Pikachu said. Sora walked up to Alyssa, holding the Light Stone.
"Anyway, here you go," Sora said.
"Thank you," Alyssa said. "I'm sorry for attacking you earlier. I really misjudged all of you."
"Don't apologize. It was an honest mistake," Lisia said.
"Anybody would have jumped the gun the way you did," Tai said.
"Why is it so important anyway?" Mimi asked.
"This Light Stone is the treasure of our village. Without it, we wouldn't be able to operate our Mountain Lighthouse," Alyssa said.
"I guess we were on the right trail after all," Izzy said.
"Yes. The cold air tends to move over the warmer air, causing this area to get pretty foggy, so the Lighthouse is always here to lend a hand and keep people from losing their way," Alyssa said.
"Man, these two must have thought it'll make them rich, so they didn't care about anyone's safety," Matt said.
"What do you think we should do with these two?" Sora T asked.
"I think we should let Officer Jenny deal with them. I doubt she'll take the theft with good humor," Alyssa said.
With that said, the group dropped the thieves off to Officer Jenny's booth, so she read the crooks their rights as she placed them both in a jail cell. Before they left, Davis placed his clothes back on once they were dried off.
After escorting the thieves to jail, they placed the Light Stone in the lighthouse where it belongs.
"There, right where it belongs," Davis said.
"How does it work?" Yolei asked.
"How about I show you?" Alyssa offered as she turned to Plusle and Minun. "Plusle, Minun, you ready?" Plusle and Minun jumped up and gave the Light Stone a jolt with their electricity, making the Light Stone glow brightly again.
"Wow," the group all said.
"See? We use Pokémon electricity to light up the stone," Alyssa said.
"Pika," Pikachu said with awe.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"That explains why it glowed like that. It was responding to Pikachu's electricity," Cody said.
"Yes," Alyssa said as the stone ceased its glowing. "I cannot thank you enough for bringing our precious stone back to us."
"Not a problem," Ken said.
"Yeah, we were just at the right place at the right time," TK said.
"Besides, those two got what they deserved for it," Kari said.
"They sure did," Sora agreed as Thatcher kept looking at Sora. He then noticed his necklace and saw it was in the shape of a crown. He gasped in awe when he saw it.
"I knew it! You're the hero!" Thatcher exclaimed.
"What?" Sora asked.
"The hero from the legend!" Thatcher said.
"What legend? What are you talking about?" Sora asked. Thatcher turned to his sister.
"You're the legendary hero!" Thatcher said as he turned to his sister.
"Yeah, maybe..." Alyssa paused.
"What does he mean by legendary hero?" TK asked.
"He's talking about the legend of a great hero who brought the Light Stone to our village a long time ago," Alyssa said.
"Must have been a big deal," Kari said.
"Yeah, looks at this," Thatcher said as he points to the tablet on the side of the Light Stone pedestal. It reads; 'Long ago, great calamities came to Misty Village, until a hero wearing a crown-shaped trinket accompanied by a lightning Pokémon bestowed upon us the Light Stone. When our village is again in danger, the hero will return.' See what I mean? The hero's gotta be you!"
"Well, that is how the legend goes," Alyssa said.
"Of course. Sora has a crown-shaped trinket, just like the hero, and he even has his Pikachu with him. Right, hero? You came here because the Light Stone was in danger, didn't you?" Thatcher asked.
"I only said that we were in the right place at the right time," Sora said.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked.
Sora T sighed, "Well, he did take down Team Rocket after he came back to Kanto, so it makes sense."
"Yeah, but not alone," Kairi said. They all turned to Kairi. "I was right there with him. And so were Riku, Namine, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, and Lyra."
"Eevee," Angel agreed.
A little later, the group stepped out of the lighthouse and started to
"Great hero, please allow me to guide you to the village. Right this way," Thatcher said.
"I'm afraid I'm gonna have to apologize for my brother since it looks like he's convinced himself that you're the legendary hero, Sora," Alyssa said.
"Don't worry about it," Sora said.
Thatcher has quite an imagination, and he's always one to jump to conclusions," Alyssa said.
Sora didn't say anything and he wondered if it was an ancestor of his, because it couldn't be a coincidence. The group have made it to the village so they reached their house.
"Grandpa! I've got the legendary hero here with me!" Thatcher announced. The townspeople looked right at the group as a man wearing old timing clothing stepped out.
"I'll go explain to my grandfather," Alyssa said as she walked up to him and whispered into his ear. He understood, so he nodded.
"We must show our hero the proper respect, right?" Thatcher's grandfather asked.
"Right," Thatcher said. He turned around. "Hero, feel free to enter our home. Your followers are welcome, too."
"Followers? Is he kidding?" Davis asked.
"Just go with it, Davis," Ken said.
"Okay," Davis said.
"I'm sorry," Alyssa apologized.
"Nothing to apologize for, Alyssa. We're just going with it," Sora T assured.
He leads the group in his backyard, Thatcher stands before Sora as he is drinking some tea presented to him.
"I'd sure like to become like you someday," Thatcher said.
"What do you mean?" Sora asked.
"The thing is, I've never really been able to battle before. I got my Plusle and Minun from my grandpa, but I'm only allowed to use their Helping Hand when it helps other people out. What I'd really like to do is to be able to battle like you, great hero!" Thatcher said. Sora wasn't sure if he should, so he turned to Alyassa to get an opinion from her, so she nodded.
"Okay, Thatcher. I'll show you the ropes," Sora said. Thatcher's face lit up.
"Really?! You will?! Yay!" Thatcher cheered. Plusle and Minun cheered with him. "Great! Plusle and Minun, let's find out what we can do!" Alyssa smiled proudly at her brother.
The group head right for the woods just so Sora can get started.
"Okay, Thatcher, I can't promise you that you'll be a great hero, but I can help you learn how to be a Pokémon Trainer," Sora said.
"Yes, sir!" Thatcher said.
"The key to being a great Pokémon Trainer is to understand and work with your Pokémon. That's super important. Understand?" Sora asked.
"Aye aye, hero! Plusle and Minun, you hear that?" Thatcher asked.
"Plus," Plusle said.
"Minun," Minun said.
"How to be a Trainer, rule number one," Sora said.
"Rule one, sir!" Thatcher said.
"Rule number one: always smile and be friendly to those who are friendly towards you. And in a battle, no matter how tough things are getting, always have a smile on your face as you're enjoying the moment, but be humble with your victory," Sora said.
"Be humble, got it," Thatcher said.
"Rule number two, there will be others who will talk down on you, so always be respectful. That kind of talk belongs on the battlefield, and the same time, be quick on your feet, because your opponent won't give you a chance to think. So make a strategy beforehand," Sora said.
"Strategy. Got it," Thatcher said.
"And the third and final rule. You must keep your Pokémon in the best conditions. You have to train them, and you have to know their strengths and weaknesses. Also, it's important to know what your Pokémon can and can't do," Sora said.
"Got it!" Thatcher said.
Thatcher started to train his two partners as Sora has started to train Pikachu.
"Look at that," Joe said.
"Yeah, he's doing a great job at teaching him," Kari said.
"Well, I think it's great," Alyssa said. Everyone turned to her.
"What do you mean?" Kairi asked.
"I'll tell you what I mean, Kairi. Thatcher never had confidence before. When he first retrieved Plusle and Minun from our grandfather, he wasn't sure if he could do a good job at it, but I assured him that he'll do fine. It was until you showed up, and he's gaining the confidence he needs," Alyssa explained.
"I think I get it," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"He didn't have any confidence, and Sora is helping him out," Lisia said, smiling. She giggled.
"Don't look now, but that fog is kicking in again," Kari said. Everyone looked at the fog building up.
"I better get back to the lighthouse," Alyassa said.
"We better tag along," Tai said.
Sora spotted the fog ahead.
"Looks like we'll have to go, too," Sora said.
"Okay," Thatcher said.
He and the two Cheering Pokémon followed Sora to the lighthouse.
"Magnemite, I need electricity," Alyssa said.
Magnemite obliges, causing the Light Stone to light up just as Ash and Thatcher arrive.
"Now, look at that!" Sora said.
"Yeah, looks like my sister lit up the lighthouse," Thatcher said.
Just then, a mini-helicopter came flying in. Everyone gasped when they saw it. Riding in it is a man wearing a pair of shades. He growled.
"If you want the job done right, do it yourself!" The man said, pushing a button. The bottom hatch opened to reveal a hand coming out. The hand grabs the Light Stone. "Got it!"
"No! The Light Stone!" Alyssa exclaimed.
"Give it back!" Sora demanded.
"Sorry, not sorry, because I'm taking off with this Light Stone and selling it to the highest bidder. Something my stupid brother and sister couldn't," the man said.
"Brother and sister?" Kairi asked. The helicopter started to take off.
"Pikachu, go get him!" Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu said, stepping in.
The man just growled and he took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Ursaring!" The man called out. His Pokéball opened and his Ursaring emerged from inside, ready to battle. Alyssa turned her brother.
"Thatcher, it looks like Pikachu could use your help," Alyssa said.
"Okay," Thatcher nervously said. He turned to Plusle and Minun. "Plusle, Minun, time to cheer for Pikachu now!" Both Pokemon agree, but before they can do anything...
"Not that! Cheering won't be enough. Time for you to battle!" Alyssa said. Ends up being shocked and nervous.
"But I, I don't know how!" Thatcher said.
"Use High Horsepower!" The man ordered. Ursaring's body gave off an orange glow and charged right at Pikachu.
"Dodge it, Pikachu!" Sora called out. Pikachu tried to dodge, but Ursaring came too fast for the Mouse Pokémon to dodge.
"Now to take my leave," the man said.He called his Ursaring back inside and started to fly off. Izzy thought quickly and placed a tracker on it. The hhelicopter started to fly off. Sora helps Pikachu up.
"You okay, Pikachu?" Sora asked.
"Pika," Pikachu said. Thatcher fell to his knees and started to cry.
"This is all my fault. If I had practiced a little more, then Pikachu wouldn't have gotten hurt and the Light Stone wouldn't have been stolen," Thatcher said.
"Don't say that, Thatcher. It wasn't your fault," Sora said.
"Yes, it was. It happened because I didn't do my part like you would have, Sora," Thatcher said.
"Look, Thatcher, I don't know how to say this, but I'm not the hero from the legend," Sora said, leaving Thatcher shocked. "I'm sorry, but it's true. And whoever wore this necklace might have been an ancestor of mine, I don't know, but here's what I do know. What you need to be a hero is heart, and I know you have a strong heart, so don't let your doubts slow you down. You just gotta remember what I told you before. The key to being a great Pokémon Trainer is to understand and work with your Pokémon. You got to have faith in your Pokémon and your own strength. You'll never gain true confidence if you just give up."
"He's right, Thatcher," Kairi said. He looked right at her. "Sora's been in tight spots before, but he hasn't once considered giving up as an option. Sora never gave up on his Pokémon, he never gave up on his friends or his family. Because his friends, his family, and his Pokémon are his power."
Thatcher was awestruck by what he was told, but he knew he was right. He just gave up before he got started, but he's not doing that anymore.
"You're right. If I give up now, then I won't be a great Trainer like Sora. I mean, if Sora didn't, then why should I?" Thatcher asked.
"That's the spirit, Thatcher!" Kari praised.
"Yeah, quitters never prosper," Davis said.
"I think you mean 'cheaters never prosper', but that's good, too, Davis," Cody said.
"Now that matter's settled, we should go get the Light Stone back," Lisia said.
"I agree. And that's why I placed a tracker on his helicopter," Izzy said. Sora and Kairi were shocked to hear what he did.
"How did you do that?" Kairi asked.
"Well, I placed it on his aircraft while he was distracted, so we can keep track on him no matter where he goes," Izzy said, holding up his Rotom Phone. It shows the map and the thief's movements.
"Now, that's the Izzy we know and love!" Tai said. Izzy just chuckled nervously.
"But we should use a Pokémon that's fast enough to get catch up to him," Izzy said.
"My Pidgeot should get it done!" Yolei said, taking out her Pokéball. She threw it. "Pidgeot! I choose you!" Her Pokéball opened and her Pidgeot emerged from inside. "Pidgeot! We have a helicopter to catch! Izzy can point you in the right direction!"
The Bird Pokémon understood as Izzy got on its back.
"Go straight!" Izzy instructed. Pidgeot obliged and flew after the helicopter.
"Now we follow," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu agreed.
"Eevee," Angel added.
Over to Izzy and Pidgeot, they caught up with the helicopter, so he took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Come out, Ledian!" Izzy called out. Ledian emerged from inside. "Use Thunder Punch!" Ledian flew right towards the helicopter and lands an electrified punch on the rear, making him lose control.
"Hey, what the hell?!" The man yelled as he crashed landed, and sends the Light Stone flying.
"Pidgeot, hurry!" Izzy said. Pidgeot flew and grabbed the Light Stone with its talons. The helicopter crashed on ground hard, making him evacuate the helicopter before it bursts into flames.
"What just happened?!" The man asked.
"You got overconfident, that's what happened," Izzy said as the rest of the group caught up. The man growled in anger.
"Why you, little!" The man growled as he took out a Pokéball and threw it. "Ursaring! Go!" His Pokéball opened and his Ursaring came out to battle. Thatcher turned to Sora.
"Sora, I'm ready to battle now," Thatcher said. Sora smiled.
"Go for it," Sora said.
Thatcher stepped forward and he turned to Plusle and Minun.
"Okay, Plusle and Minun! Use Helping on on each other!" Thatcher ordered. A golden aura appears around Plusle and, and they transfer the aura to each other. The power of their Helping Hand builds up their power.
"You think those two can hurt my Ursaring, then you're stupider than my siblings! Ursaring! Use High Horsepower!" Ursaring charges at the two Cheering Pokémon with a High Horsepower.
"Plusle, Minun! Use Spark!" Thatcher ordered. Plusle and Minun tapped each other's tails and charged at the bear-like Pokémon with electricity coursing through their bodies. Plusle and Minun lands a hit onto Ursaring, but thanks to Helping Hand, Ursaring felt the tingle of the electric combo attack and fell backwards and right on its Trainer. He felt the Hibernator Pokémon's weight on him.
"Get off me, you big throw rug!" The man wheezed. Sora, Kairi, Lisia, and the DigiDestined all approached him and he looked right at him.
"It looks like you're going to jail," Tai said.
"And it looks like you'll be hooked up with a big, ugly man," Davis added.
Alyssa walked up to Thatcher.
"You did it, Thatcher," Alyssa said.
"You were great," Ken said.
"Thanks. But, you know, while all that was going on, I hardly knew what I was doing," Thatcher said.
"You saved the day, Thatcher," Matt said.
"And you did it because you had confidence," Lisia said.
"You believed in your Plusle and Minun, and still won," Mimi said.
"You and your Pokémon were all right in sync!" Sora T said.
"Your grandpa wouldn't give you your Plusle and Minun if he thought you didn't go together," TK said.
"Yeah, perfecto!" Yolei said.
"Hey, thanks you guys. Cool!" Thatcher cheered as he turned to his two partners. "As for you two. We'll just keep working at this, okay?" Plusle and Minun agreed. Later, the group were preparing to take off. "Sora, since my Pokemon and I are gonna keep on training and getting stronger, will you battle us someday, please?"
"Sure, Thatcher. Just keep in mind, I'm not going to pull my punches with you when we do battle each other. But all the same, when we do end up battling each other, just give me everything you got," Sora said.
"I will, Sora," Thatcher said.
"That'll be great, Sora, but I will say, that no matter what, you're still a hero to me," Thatcher said. Sora just smiled.
"I appreciate it, Thatcher," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Well, we should be going," Tai said.
"Right," Sora agreed.
The group took their leave as the siblings waved goodbye to the group. The Light Stone has been returned and Sora's ancestry has played a role in Sora's confidence as it did Thatcher's. More adventure will come soon as we continue on our way towards Mauville City.