Episode 252: Pre-Hysteria!
Before I begin with this chapter, I thought I should announce that I will be introducing an ancestor of Kairi's in this chapter just to add on to the story as we progress. Anyway, enjoy.
About a day has passed since Sora, Kairi, Lisia, Pikachu, and Angel have passed by Lake May and witnessed the light show from Juliet's Illumise and Romeo's Volbeat. Sora, the girls and the Pokémon made a stop to catch a break and have a look over to where to go from their current location. Sora was looking over his PokéNav on his Rotom Phone.
"Okay, here we are, and here's Fallarbor Town. So to get there, we'll have to go through the Fiery Path, and it's not too far away from us," Sora said.
"We should be careful going through there, because there are rumors of Fire-type Pokémon living in there, and they'll attack us if they're provoked in any way," Lisia said.
"She's right, so we'll have to take care, but we got some Water-type Pokémon to take them out when they get in the way," Kairi said.
"You're right. Let's go," Sora said.
With that said, Sora, Kairi, Lisia, Pikachu, and Angel continued on their way towards the Fiery Path. Kairi saw that her Feebas didn't know a Water-type move, but she remembered her Surskit and Clamperl, so she exchanged Beautifly for her Clamperl.
Just before they could go even further, they heard something. They saw it was an Illumise flying by.
"A wild Illumise! She's so cute!" Kairi said.
"I take it that you wanted an Illumise, right?" Sora asked.
"To be honest, I did. And I also wanted a Volbeat, too, so I thought I would use that Illumise's Sweet Scent to lure in a Volbeat since it attracts them. She took out a Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Swablu!" Her Pokéball opened and her Swablu came on out. "Okay, Swablu! Use Peck!" Swablu flew right at Illumise and lands a couple of pecks right at Illumise. She respsonds by charging right at Swablu and landed a hit onto her. "Swablu! Use Disarming Voice!" Swablu unleashed Disarming Voice, hitting Illumise on the mark. "Use Fury Attack!" Swablu flew at Illumise and lands a barrage of hits onto her. Kairi took out a Pokéball and threw it. Illumise flowed inside and the Pokéball wobbles around and around. Stars swirls the Pokéball to confirm the catch. Kairi's Pokémon Box goes off asking her if she wants to keep Illumise with her. She chose to keep Illumise in exchange for Feebas. "Good job, Swablu." She threw the Pokéball containing Illumise. "Go! Illumise!"
"Mise?" Illumise asked.
"Illumise, how about you show off your Sweet Scent for me," Kairi said.
"Illumise," Illumise said, nodding. She unleashed a pink mist all around. Unknown to anyone, a Volbeat was nearby and he caught the whiff of Illumise's Sweet Scent and followed the smell right to its source. It was there he eyed Kairi's Illumise for the first time. Lovestruck, Volbeat flew right towards Illumise. Lisia spotted the male Firefly Pokémon flying over to her.
"Kairi, there's a Volbeat coming right at her," Lisia said.
"Great! Swablu! Go get him!" Kairi said. Swablu flew right at Volbeat and tackled into him. Irritated, Volbeat flew right at Swablu to land a tackle, but she dodged just by flying. "Swablu! Peck!" Swablu pecks at Volbeat a few times. "Use Disarming Voice!" Swablu gave Volbeat a hit with Disarming Voice. "Use Fury Attack!" Swablu flew right at Volbeat, landing a few hits onto Volbeat, making him fall to the ground. took out a Pokéball and threw it. Volbeat flows inside and the Pokéball wobbles around and around. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. Kairi's Pokémon Box goes off asking her if she wants to keep her new Volbeat, but she chose to keep Volbeat in exchange for Chingling. "And I have my very own Volbeat and Illumise!"
"Good job, Kairi! I knew you'd do it," Sora said.
"Thank you, Sora. You're pretty sweet," Kairi said.
"Mise?" Illumise asked.
"You wanna see Volbeat, don't you?" Kairi asked. Illumise nodded. Kairi giggled. "Okay. Come out, Volbeat!" Her Pokéball opened and her new Volbeat emerged from inside.
"Volbeat!" Volbeat said.
"Illumise," Illumise greeted.
"Volbeat, Volbeat," Volbeat said.
The two Firefly Pokémon blushed and they held hands very lovingly.
"Look at that. They already love each other," Kairi cooed.
"Eevee," Angel agreed.
"Love at first sight. It is true," Sora said.
"Pika, Pikachu," Pikachu agreed.
"You should know that very much, Sora," Kairi said as she hugged her boyfriend. Sora and Kairi kissed each other as Pikachu and Angel nuzzled each other as Volbeat and Illumise stared into each other's eyes. Lisia was overwhelmed by the romance that was filling the air. Her cheeks flushed pink. Sora and Kairi parted lips.
"Well, we should get a move on," Sora said.
"Yeah, you're right," Kairi agreed. Kairi called her Swablu, Illumise, and Volbeat back and continued on their way.
Upon arriving, they could see why it was called a Fiery Tunnel. It was well-suited for a Fire-type Pokémon. As they walked, they spotted a Numel coming right in their path. The Numel huffed and skids the ground with one of its front hooves.
"A Numel, and he looks mad," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"I'll take care of this," Sora said, taking out a Pokéball and threw it. "Go! Corphish!" His Corphish came out, ready to battle. Numel fired an Ember right at Corphish. "Use Harden!" Corphish builds up his defense with Harden, so the fire attack bounces right off of the lobster-like Pokémon. "Move in and use Crabhammer!" Corphish dashed right at Numel and lands a hit with his pincers, emitting water. "Use Bubble Beam!" Corphish fired Bubble Beam, landing a series of hits on Numel. Once the camel-like Pokémon was knocked out, Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it. He flows inside and the Pokéball wobbles around and around. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. Sora's Pokémon Box goes off asking him if he wants to keep Numel with him. He chose to send Numel over to Professor Oak's lab. "Got myself a Numel."
"Nice catch, Sora," Kairi said.
"Thanks, Kairi. That means a lot," Sora said.
Just when they were about leave, they heard something coming. What they saw is a tortoise-like, quadrupedal Pokémon. It has a large, black, rock-like shell with holes that glow with a red warmth. Its skin is reddish-brown with gray-black bands on its legs and neck. It has a long neck and its eyes seem permanently closed.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked.
"What kind of Pokémon is that?" Sora asked.
"I know what it is. It's a Torkoal," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
Torkoal, the Coal Pokémon
Type: Fire
Torkoal burns coal within its body to produce energy. As a defense, Torkoal is able to release smoke from its nostrils and its back to confuse enemies.
"Now that's smokin'," Sora said.
"Looks like he's having a stroll in the Fiery Path," Kairi said.
"He sure is," Sora said. While Torkoal was walking a bunch of Heartless appeared and attacked the tortoise-like Pokémon.
This kind of Heartless is a large dark blue lizard-like Heartless with it body being steel-like scales. It has sharp claws on each one of its toes and has spines going from its head right down to its tail. It has the Heartless eyes, and its Heartless emblem is located on its chest. This Heartless shall be known as the Azure Basilisk.
"A Heartless!" Sora, Kairi, and Lisia exclaimed. Sora and Kairi summoned their Keyblades and went for the Azure Basilisk, stopping it from hurting Torkoal.
"Torkoal, go! Get to safety!" Sora said. Torkoal looked at Sora, seeing how he just saved him just like that. Torkoal complied with Sora and ran, but not too far as he and Kairi engaged the lizard-like Heartless. The Azure Basilisk unleashed blue flames from its mouth, so Sora and Kairi dodged just by rolling and cartwheeling out of the way in time. Sora and Kairi came at the Azure Basilisk with their Keyblades and struck it hard, but its scales were tough as diamonds. They quickly figured it wasn't going to be easy to crack its shell. It charged right at the couple and snapped its jaws at them like an alligator. Sora casts a stone spell, but it does little damage onto it, so it swings its tail right at them, so Pikachu and Angel attacked with Electro Ball and Swift, dealing some damage onto it. The fight raged on between them, so Torkoal was just watching the fight. He saw how Sora saved his life, but he wanted to do the exact same thing, so that's what he was gonna do. The Coal Pokémon came rushing in and fired Flamethrower right at the Azure Basilisk. Sora saw Torkoal attacking with Flamethrower. "Torkoal, what are you doing?!"
"I think he wants to help us, especially after you saved him," Kairi said.
"I think you're right," Sora said. Torkoal ceased firing Flamethrower and forms a big ball of fire in front of his body. He then releases the fireball at the Azure Basilisk in the form of a huge flame. It managed to deal some damage onto the Azure Basilisk, making steam seep from its body. Torkoal lands on his belly, exhausted. "That was Overheat." He pets Torkoal on the head. "Thanks, Torkoal, but we got it from here."
"Koal," Torkoal said. Sora held his Keyblade in front and he concentrated a huge amount of magic into this spell. He had to cast it now.
"Mega Flare!" Sora shouted as he summons a fireball that creates a massive explosion that heavily damages the Azure Basilisk greatly. Sora fell to his knees as Kairi gave the Azure Basilisk one, last slash, destroying it. A heart floats up in the air and disappeared. Torkoal pushes at Sora.
"Torkoal? Torkoal?" Torkoal asked, very concerned about Sora. He just smiled at the tortoise-like Pokémon.
"I'm not dead, Torkoal. I just used up a lot of mana to use it. That spell took a lot out of me," Sora said.
"Well, you can't expect to master it right away, because we only learned that spell very recently," Kairi said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Eevee, vee," Angel said.
"Guess you're right, Kairi," Sora said.
"But it was amazing," Lisia said. The couple looked right at Sora. "That spell was dazzling."
"Yeah, and powerful," Sora said. He looked right at Torkoal. "I gotta tell you, Torkoal, you were brave going up that Heartless, but you shouldn't have went up against it, but you helped out. So, thanks."
"Torkoal! Koal!" Torkoal said, spewing smoke in his face, making him cough. His face was covered in soot.
"Torkoal is saying thanks," Kairi said.
"I was just thinking that," Sora said. He wipes the soot off his face. "That Flamethrower and Overheat of yours sure came in handy."
"Koal!" Torkoal said, tackling Sora down to the ground.
"Omph!" Sora yelped. "I'm guessing you wanna hang with us, right?"
"Torkoal," Torkoal said.
"Okay, you can come with us, so welcome to the team," Sora said, taking out a Pokéball. Torkoal tapped the button on the Pokéball and flowed inside it. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. Sora's Pokémon Box goes off asking him if he wants to keep Torkoal with him. He chose to keep Torkoal in exchange for Spoink.
"Now that Torkoal has been caught, and that Heartless is gone, let's get out of here, because this heat is getting to me," Lisia said.
"It's getting to all of us. Let's go," Sora said. With that said, Sora, Kairi, Lisia, Pikachu, and Angel continued on their way towards Fallarbor Town for Kairi's next Contest. They ventured through the Fiery Path for a few hours until they finally gotten out of there. "Man, that feels so much better."
"You can say that again. It was brutal," Kairi said.
"I think there should be a Pokémon Center near here, so we could use a rest," Lisia said.
The couple agreed with her, so they went off to find the Pokémon Center to rest for the night.
In another part of the Hoenn region, on that night, Ash was sleeping soundly as he has another vision of Gaia, Cascade, and Viento. He saw Radiant Garden and he knew he and his friends have been in the town before. It was more lively than it was when he last saw it.
"Hollow Bastion?" Ash asked. He saw Master Xehanort walking. He flinched when he heard Gaia's voice.
"What's Master Xehanort doing here? Maybe he found something out," Gaia said. Before he could see further, the scene switches to Cascade when he was standing in the entrance of the castle. A scream is heard when a little girl is attacked by the Unversed. The little girl has the same auburn red hair as Kairi, but a little longer. She's wearing a white apron-like shirt with blue flowers and a blue line across the chest, a pink skirt with a white line on it and large, white shoes with pink and purple lines on them. Cascade heard her scream and saw the Unversed chasing her.
"Unversed! They're attacking that little girl!" Ash exclaimed.
"No! Run!" Cascade called out. The little ran up to Cascade and she was frightned of the Unversed. "I can feel the light." She looked right at the Unversed. "There's no way I can fight like this."
The Unversed came right at them, but Zest, Teol, Flora, Fritz, Zauver, and Tomok arrived and gave and struck down the Unversed.
"Get that girl to safety!" Zest said.
"Who are you? And why do you have a Keyblade?" Cascade asked.
"We can talk later! Right now, getting that girl out of harm's way is more important!" Zest said. Cascade complied with him and carried her out of range of the Unversed. Zest and his traveling companions readied themselves to fight the Unversed, but Cascade joined in the fray against the Unversed. Ash watched the fight against the Unversed right until the last of the Unversed were eliminated. The girl stood with Zest and the other warriors.
"My name is Cascade, and I'm an apprentice of Master Eraqus," Cascade introduced herself.
"My name is Zest Ketchum. A knight," Zest introduced himself.
"I am Fritz," Fritz introduced himself with a bow.
"I'm Zauver," Zauver introduced himself.
"My name's Teol," Teol introduced himself.
"I'm Flora," Flora introduced herself.
"And I'm Tomok," Tomok introduced himself.
"It's very nice to meet you. I see that you have a Keyblade of your own, Zest," Cascade said.
"Yes, I was training under Fusoya. When he sensed that the worlds are in danger, we all took off without telling him," Zest said.
"Well, you did take that Star Shard without knowing what it does," Tomok said.
"I did, yes. But as for the girl, I cannot understand why those creatures just attacked this girl when they did," Zest said.
"Neither do I, but I can sense something special about her," Teol said.
"But what?" Fritz asked.
"I don't know," Teol said.
"That doesn't narrow it down, but something tells me that we will have to protect her," Zauver said.
"I agree. I guess the Star Shard knew it before any of us did," Zest said. The Star Shard started to glow again. "No! Not now!" The six warriors were taken in by the light. "We well see you again soon!"
Ash was looking at the girl and he just couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"What does this girl have to do with anything? And why does she look so familiar?" Ash asked.
The girl held up some flowers for Cascade.
"Here!" The girl said, holding the flowers for her.
"Are these for me?" Cascade asked.
"I picked you some flowers. Thank you for saving me," the girl said. Cascade accepted them and smiled.
"Oh, they're lovely. You're so sweet," Cascade said.
"My name's Annie. Nice to meet you," the girl introduced herself.
"Nice to meet you, too. I'm Cascade," Cascade introduced herself. "Annie, about that light."
The scene around Ash switched to when Gaia, Viento, and Cascade were together. Ash could only watch on as it took its toll.
"Listen to me, Viento... We need to get you home-" Cascade said.
"It's okay, Cascade. Trust me, that guy in the mask is history. He'll never bad-mouth Gaia again," Viento said. Gaia gasped and grabbed Viento by his shoulder.
"You saw the boy in the mask?" Gaia asked.
"Uh... Y-yes?" Viento hesitated before he answered.
"Vanitas..." Gaia paused. Cascade just looked at him and she was instantly troubled. "Viento. You let Cascade take you home."
"No way. I wanna go with you guys," Viento said.
"You can't. We have a dangerous task ahead of us. I don't want you to get hurt," Gaia said.
"And what is this dangerous task, Gaia? It doesn't sound like what the Master told you to do," Cascade said.
"It might be a different route, but I'm fighting the darkness," Gaia assured her.
"I'm not so sure. I've been to the same worlds as you and I've seen what you've done. You shouldn't put yourself so close to the darkness," Cascade said. Viento couldn't believe what she was saying at all.
"Listen to yourself, Cascade! Gaia would never-" Viento was cut off.
"You mean you've been spying on me? Is that what he said to do? The Master's orders?" Gaia asked, feeling angered by the distrust he was suddenly receiving from Eraqus and his own friends. Ash was taken aback with his sudden anger.
"He was only-" Cascade paused. The trio were silent.
"Cascade..." Viento said.
"I get it," Gaia said, turning around to leave.
"Gaia!" Viento shouted. Gaia stopped.
"Just stay put! I'm on my own now, all right?" Gaia asked as he starts walking again.
"Gaia, please! Listen! The Master has no reason to distrust you, really! He was just worried," Cascade said as Gaia was leaving.
"You're awful, Cascade," Viento said.
"So now you know the truth. But the Master loves Gaia, and you know that too," Cascade said.
"Were you also 'ordered' to take me home?" Viento said. Cascade said nothing. "Cascade... Now that you're a Keyblade Master, you've let it go to your head."
"I'm gonna go find Gaia." Viento takes off to find Gaia.
"Viento... Gaia..." Cascade could only say.
"Cascade, it's not your fault..." Ash said.
The scene switches to Gaia as he seperates from his two friends, feeling betrayed.
"Master Xehanort is the only one I can still count on," Gaia said to himself. Ash spotted someone who looked very familiar to him.
"You must be Gaia," the man said. Ash got a good look at him and he gasped. It was Xigbar, but he didn't have his eyepatch or his scar. Both his eyes are brown. He wore a guard's uniform with a dark slate grey jacket, silver highlights, and two rows of gold buttons on the front. He wears a black belt and white gloves adorned with a silver, curled heart symbol. His jacket bears some resemblance to Xigbar's Black Coat, sporting the same pointed shoulders. He also wears black, knee-high boots and a tattered, red scarf. Gaia turned to see him.
"Xigbar?!" Ash exclaimed.
"It's that old coot. He won't stop asking for you. I came all the way out here to get you just so he'd clam up," Xigbar's human self said.
"What do you mean?" Gaia asked.
"Ha! Do I have to spell it out? Xehanort, whatever he's called. You know, my prisoner," the man said. Gaia just chuckled at his claim.
"You're apparently not a very good liar, Master Xehanort would never let himself be caught by a thug like you," Gaia scoffed.
"As if! I've got the old coot at my mercy, see for yourself. I'm holding him underneath the Outer Gardens. You better show up before I lose my patience. Ciao," the man said as he turns and walks away. Gaia stroked his chin.
"There's no way it's true. But no harm in looking," Gaia said.
"So Xigbar knew them. How did he end up looking so scratched up?" Ash asked.
The scene switches to when Gaia has arrived to where he was instructed to meet him. He walks out onto an overhang above water underneath the Outer Gardens. He looks around trying to find Master Xehanort. Gaia gasps and then turns around to see Master Xehanort chained to a large pipe.
"Master Xehanort!" Gaia gasped.
Master Xehanort raises his head and looks at Gaia.
"The old coot certainly knows how to take punishment. Just like I know how to deal it out," Xigbar said.
"You monster! What are you after?" Gaia asked as he summoned his Keyblade. Xigbar just grinned.
"That thing right there. It's called the Keyblade, isn't it? Yep, it seems like these days everybody's got one of those...even grandpa there. When I nabbed him, he told me all about it; what a weapon like that can do. How could I not want one?" Xigbar said.
"Well, you'll find they're picky about their owners," Gaia said.
"Ha, if I heard the old guy right, you're what they call Keyblade Master material. So if I defeat you, that makes me the real keyslinger, if you catch my drift. Not the most polite way to go about it...but what can you do?" Xigbar asked. Gaia starts to charge towards him. "Ah-ah, one more step and the coot goes boom. You think I'm gonna fight fair? As if! That key's too powerful for us to go mano a mano." Gaia just growled. He fired dark lasers from his arrowguns. Gaia blocked them to the best of his abilities, but he's knocked on his back. "Hmph. For a Keyblade Master, you're not very...what's the word...good?"
"Man, this guy doesn't fight fair!" Ash growled.
"What are you doing, Gaia? Fight!" Master Xehanort called out. Gaia looked right at him.
"But Master, you'll-" Gaia tried to reason.
"Never mind me! You must fight! You can't let this ruffian win. Think of your Master, Eraqus and the shame he and your fellow pupils would be force to bear! Use the Keyblade!" Master Xehanort shouted. Gaia knew he was right. He had to fight back. He began to focus his powers.
"So much for the bluff," Xigbar said.
Ash watched the fight between Xigbar and Gaia. Ash understood his connection with the Keyblade and what he meant by it when Ash and the others first met him on Ogi Isle. Xigbar kept on firing and firing at Gaia, so he blocked and tapped into his powers. He managed to overpower Xigbar. Gaia raises his Keyblade and is surrounded in a dark aura. He slings his Keyblade towards Xigbar and fires a dark aura at him. The blast meets Xigbar's face at his right eye and knocks him over. He grabs his eye. Gaia then fires
another one at close range which ricochets off Xigbar's face and hits the chains binding Master Xehanort to the pipe. The chains fall, releasing Master Xehanort. Xigbar stands up holding his face. He screamed in pain and jumps a few times towards the entrance of the underground, fleeing.
"So that's how Xigbar got the eyepatch. Gaia gave it to him," Ash said. He looked right at Gaia and he saw how horrified by what he witnessed.
"This power..." Gaia said. Master Xehanort walked up to Gaia.
"Well done, Gaia," Master Xehanort praised. "You have taken yet another step forward."
"But I was consumed by anger...hatred. That was the power of darkness," Gaia said.
"Darkness that you channeled," Master Xehanort said. Gaia lowers and dismissed his Keyblade.
"No... I succumbed to it. Just like when I stole that girl's heart of light. I can never return home now. I'm a failure," Gaia said.
"Then don't. You could be my pupil," Master Xehanort said. Gaia gasped as he looked up to the elderly Keyblade Master. Master Eraqus, you see, is so afraid of darkness, that he too, has succumbed. Not to darkness, but to light. It shines so bright, he forgets that
light begets darkness. And Aqua and Ventus, their lights shine too bright. It is only natural that they cast shadows on your heart. Eraqus... He is such a fool! Light and darkness, they are a balance. One that must always be maintained. Gaia...you are the one who shows the true Mark of Mastery, but he
refuses to see it. And I know why. It is because he fears you. Join me. You and
I can do the worlds much greater good, by wielding light and darkness in equal shares.
"Master Xehanort..." Gaia could only say. Master Xehanort shakes his head.
"See more worlds. Seek out the darkness that upsets the balance. Find Vanitas. And bring an end to him... Master Gaia. Gaia gasps, stands up straight and bows. Master Xehanort grinned as he walked off. Ash knew something wasn't right at all. Gaia climbed up to the Outer Gardens, but Viento is running up to Gaia.
"Gaia!" Viento called out. Gaia sees Viento running up to him. "Take me with you!"
"I can't do that, Viento," Gaia said.
"Why not?" Viento asked. Gaia looked at him.
"I just-" Gaia paused. "When I really need you, Viento, I know you'll be there." Viento smiled and laughed.
"Well, why wouldn't I? You're my friend," Viento said. Gaia just smiled.
"Yeah. You're right. Thanks, Viento said.
Gaia taps the guard on his left shoulder for his armor to appear. He hops onto his Keyblade glider and flies off into a portal to the Lanes Between.
He stares up to the sky and he gasped.
"I'd better tell Cascade!" Viento said.
Back in the town square Ven sees Aqua and runs over to her.
"Cascade!" Viento called out to her. Cascade turned to see him.
"Viento. Were you able to find him?" Cascade asked.
"Yeah, but... He's gone," Viento said.
"Right," Cascade said. She was silent for a moment. "Then I can't stay here."
"Let me go with you, Cascade," Viento said.
"No, Viento. Do as I say and go home," Cascade said. Viento looks down.
"Why won't you let me?" Viento asked.
"I don't want to put you in harm's way," Cascade said. She puts her hand on his shoulder. "You understand?" Cascade dons her armor and proceeds to follow Gaia.
"Cascade and Gaia were only trying to protect Viento, but Xehanort and Vanitas were only making it harder for them to do it," Ash said.
Back underneath the Outer Gardens, Master Xehanort stands staring into the water.
"Hey, you old coot!" A familiar voice shouted, sounding angry. A laser aimed at Xehanort's back is reflected. Xigbar fires more shots, while walking towards Xehanort, that all meet the same end. Xigbar's injured face is bandaged. "You said I wouldn't get hurt! I didn't sign up to be collateral damage!" Xigbar holds one of his arrow guns at Xehanort's head. "No way, as if!" Xehanort summons his Keyblade at his side, aiming it up towards the Xigbar's throat. Xigbar leans back, shocked and scared. "Okay! Okay, fine. Fine! Just...just put that down! You still need me! You still need me to do something, right? And all I'm asking is that you hold up your end of the bargain." Xehanort dismissed his Keyblade. Xigbar is relieved and relaxes. "Heh, I mean, what's a little scratch on my face, huh? All things considered. I'm just lucky he didn't steal my heart like Whatever-it-Was. That would've ruined my week for sure.
"Unlikely. A powerful light still lives inside of Gaia. You see, people like him...they don't have the power to steal hearts," Master Xehanort said.
"So wait...you mean...he's not the one who stole her heart?" Xigbar asked. Xehanort just smiled. Ash just glared right at him.
"So Xigbar was conspiring with Xehanort. Man, this even deeper than I thought," Ash said. Ash then woke up and sat right up. Leaf looked right at Ash.
"Are you okay, Ash?" Leaf asked.
"I'm fine. I'm fine," Ash said. Leaf heard this one before.
"Okay, what's going on?" Leaf asked.
"Nothing. Does anything has to be going on?" Ash asked. He stood up. "I think I need to splash water on my face." He walks off. Leaf knew something was up with him.
Meanwhile, Sora, Kairi, Lisia, Pikachu, and Angel were continuing on their way towards Fallarbor Town, but there's a strong wind. The sky was filled with gray clouds. Thunder can be heard and lightning came crashing down. As they kept going, a stronger wind picking up. Pikachu and Angel's ears start to perk up.
"Pika!" Pikachu exclaimed.
"Eevee!" Angel also exclaimed. Sora, Kairi, and Lisia caught wind of the Pokémon's concern.
"Don't tell me, there's something coming up, right?" Sora asked.
"Pika," Pikachu nodded.
"Vee," Angel also nodded.
Kairi and Lisia turned around and she saw a lightning storm starting to kick up.
"Sora, we have a major problem!" Kairi yelled. Lisia nodded.
"What kind of problem are we having?" Sora asked as he turned around. He saw the storm raging and it was raining hard. Lightning was crashing down even more violently. Sora's pupils shrunk. "Nevermind, I see it." The lightning was approaching fast. "RUN!" Sora, Kairi, Lisia, Pikachu, and Angel began to run for their lives as the lightning was striking in every direction very fast. They ran as fast as their feet could possibly carry them and then suddenly, the ground beneath them collapses and they all fell through. They all screamed as they went falling. They made a splash into an underground lake. They swam up to catch their breath. "I'm glad one of us got a wish granted today, but I could do without the part where we were falling."
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"Vee," Angel said.
"Me too. But where are we?" Kairi asked. They looked around.
"No idea, but wherever we are, we're going to have a hard time getting back up," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Then, we should find another way to get out, because I don't want to be here longer than I want to be," Lisia said.
"You read my mind, Lisia. I just hope we don't end up getting lost in this cave," Sora said.
"I just hope the storm passed by the time we get out," Kairi said.
Sora, Kairi, Lisia, Pikachu, and Angel started to find a way out of the cave, but are oblivious to what's tracking them; two pairs of eyes. The shadowy figures turn out to be an Anorith and a Lileep.
They made their stop to rest their feet for a moment.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"You've said it, Pikachu," Sora said.
"How long have we been wondering down here?" Kairi asked. Sora took out his Rotom Phone to check the time.
"We've been down here for about an hour. But, it feels like it's been longer than that," Sora sighed.
"It does feel longer than that," Kairi said. "Maybe we could have better luck if we send our Pokémon out to look for a way out."
"I like that idea," Lisia sais.
"So do I. Taillow, Swablu, and Ali can have a look around," Sora said, taking out Taillow's Pokéball as Kairi took out Swablu's Pokéball as Lisia took out Ali's. "Go! Taillow!"
"Come on out, Swablu!" Kairi called out.
"Go! Ali!" Lisia called out. They threw their Pokéballs and their Pokémon came flying out.
"Taillow, we'll need you to fly and see if you can find a way out," Sora said.
"You do the same thing, Ali," Lisia said.
"You too, Swablu. Go with Taillow and Ali and help them out," Kairi said. The Flying-type Pokémon flew off to search for the exit. "I hope that they find it soon."
"Me too. We could be in here for years and everything," Sora said. "But, at least we'll have each other." Kairi's face flushed red.
"Sora," Kairi could only say. She wondered how he could be so romantic at a time like this. Sora held her close.
"Just stay close to me and you'll have nothing to worry about," Sora assured his girlfriend.
"I won't leave your side for a second," Kairi said. Sets of eyes comes from up above and down below. Some of those eyes came from Anorith and their evolved forms Armaldo while they were Lileep and their evolved forms Cradily. "I always feel safe around you, despite some of the times we weren't."
"It's always worth it, Kairi," Sora said. "After everything that's happened to us since day one." Just then, Pikachu's perked up.
"Pika!" Pikachu shouted.
Acid came up from above and it almost stuck the couple. They looked down to see Lileep and Cradily beneath them.
"Are those what they look like?!" Sora exclaimed.
"Lileep and Cradily!" Lisia exclaimed. Sora and Kairi took out their Rotom Phines to scan them.
Sora's Rotom Phone:
Lileep, the Sea Lily Pokémon
Type: Rock/Grass
Lileep became extinct approximately a hundred million years ago. This ancient Pokémon attaches itself to a rock on the seafloor and catches approaching prey using tentacles shaped like flower petals.
Kairi's Rotom Phone:
Cradily, the Barnacle Pokémon
The evolved form of Lileep
Type: Rock/Grass
During prehistoric times, Cradily lived in in the shallows of warm seas. When the tide goes out, it digs up prey from beaches.
"They're prehistoric Pokémon," Kairi said.
Just then, water came firing down. Pikachu alerted them and they managed to dodge it when they saw the Anorith and Armaldo.
"Anorith and Armaldo, too?!" Lisia asked. The couple used their Rotom Phones to scan them.
Kairi's Rotom Phone:
Anorith, the Old Shrimp Pokémon
Type: Rock/Bug
Anorith is a primitive Pokémon once lived in warm seas over a hundred million years ago. It grips its prey firmly between its two large claws.
Sora's Rotom Phone:
Armaldo, the Plate Pokémon
The evolved form of Anorith
Type: Rock/Bug
Armaldo's tough armor makes all attacks bounce off. This Pokémon's two enormous claws can be freely extended or contracted. They have the power to punch right through a steel slab.
"Didn't you get into a similar situation with Team Rocket when we were digging for Pokémon fossils that one time?" Kairi asked.
"I did. I have a feeling that they're not happy about us being here!" Sora said. The Anorith fired their Rock Throw as the Armaldo had unleashed Ancient Power. They avoided the rocks coming down. "It looks like we'll have to battle our way out." Sora took out a Pokéball. Kairi took out two of hers.
"Right," Kairi agreed.
"Go! Corphish!" Sora called out as he threw his Pokéball. Corphish had been unleashed for battle.
"Go! Plusle and Minun!" Kairi called out. Her Plusle and Minun emerged from inside.
"Corphish! Crabhammer!" Sora ordered. Corphish attacks the Armaldo with Crabhammer as Plusle and Minun attacks the Anorith with Spark, clearing the path. The prehistoric Pokémon began to pursue them. As they ran, they looked back and sees them chasing them. "Corphish! Bubble Beam!" Corphish fires Bubble Beam and it struck many of them. "That should give us some distance for a while."
"But, for how long?" Kairi asked.
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
They made their way into a ditch and hid. The Anorith, Armaldo, Lileep, and Cradily passed by them. They both sighed with relief when they were gone.
"What was that about?" Sora asked.
"I don't know, but at least they're out of our hair for right now," Kairi said.
"Corphish," Corphish said.
"Plusle," Plusle said.
"Minun," Minun said.
"Now, let's hurry and get a move on before they come right back," Sora said.
The couple and Pokémon came out of hiding and started to make their way out. Over to Taillow, Swablu, and Ali, they looked around for any signs of an exit, but they came out empty.
"This place is much bigger than I thought it was." - Taillow subtitle.
"You're telling me. I'm sure it was nothing like the stories Pikachu told us during Kairi's meals." - Swablu subtitle.
"Yeah. Something about prehistoric Pokémon, like those ones I've seen around. But, the ones who attacked Sora were more aggressive." - Taillow subtitle.
"Maybe we should go and report that we couldn't find one." - Ali subtitle.
"Ali's right. We can tell them that we tried." - Swablu subtitle. Taillow sighed with agreement.
"Yeah, maybe."- Taillow subtitle. Just as they were going to go back, they both spotted something. It looked like a scale that looked like it has a magenta center and the edge of the scale is light blue. "Are you seeing what I'm seeing?" - Taillow subtitle.
"Yes I do. What do you think it is?" - Swablu subtitle.
"I dunno, but we should take it with us. Maybe Sora or Kairi will have some use for it." - Taillow subtitle. Tallow takes it in his beak. They flew to find their Trainers.
Speaking of which, they ventured through the cavern, making sure there wasn't any signs of the attacking prehistoric Pokémon left.
"I'm not seeing anything, so I'm going to assume that it's okay," Sora said.
"I hope you're right, because I don't think I want to go through all that again," Kairi said.
Just then, Taillow and Beautifly came flying back to their Trainers. Sora, Kairi, and Lisia saw something in Taillow's beak.
"What's this you found?" Sora asked. He took the scale out from the tiny swallow Pokémon's beak. He looked right at it. He looked right at it. "What is this thing?"
"It's a Prism Scale!" Lisia said.
"A Prism Scale? What's so special about it?" Sora asked.
"A Prism Scale is something that can be used to have Feebas holding in order for Feebas to evolve into a Milotic," Lisia said.
"A Milotic, huh? You know, I think I'll hold on to it," Kairi said. Sora hands it right to his girlfriend, so she puts it in her backpack for later.
They were about to leave when they saw a single Anorith and Lileep.
"Not you again!" Sora groaned.
"We have no other choice than to battle them!" Kairi suggested.
"You're right. We don't," Sora agreed. He turned to Corphish. "Get ready, Corphish!"
"Corp!" Corphish said.
"You too, Minun!" Kairi said. Both of their Pokémon nodded and went to face their opponents. Corphish is facing Anorith and Minun is facing Lileep. "Minun! Use Spark!" Plusle and Minun dashed across the ground and lands a hit.
"Corphish! Use Crabhammer!" Sora ordered. Corphish swings his pincers at the prehistoric shrimp Pokémon. Anorith got hit hard due to its weakness to Water-type attacks. Anorith attacks with Water Gun. "Corphish! Dodge with Dig!" Sora ordered. Corphish dug underground tunnels through the soil. Corphish lands a hit onto Anorith, but it wasn't going to call it quits that easily. Anorith dug through the ground the same as Corphish. Lileep attacks Minun with Acid.
"Dodge it!" Kairi called out. Minun dodges Lileep's Acid. "Use Spark!" Minun ran towards Lileep and lands a hit. Lileep ends up being paralyzed. The Sea Lily Pokémon fired Seed Bomb right at Minun, she dodged the seed attack.
Anorith scratches at Corphish and he blocked with his pincers. Anorith attempts to make another scratch at Corphish, but Sora knew what to do about it.
"Corphish! Vise Crip!" Sora ordered. Corphish grabs Anorith's claws and swings it around. Corphish gives Anorith a toss like a ragdoll. Anorith was down for the count. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it right at the Old Shrimp Pokémon, making it flow inside. The Pokéball wobbles around and around for a few moments until stars swirls around the Pokéball confirming the catch. Sora's Pokémon Box goes off asking him if he wants to keep Anorith with him. He chose to send Anorith to Professor Oak's lab.
The Sea Lily Pokémon could barely move, due to its paralysis. Kairi took out a Pokéball and threw it right at Lileep and makes it flow inside it. The Pokéball wobbles around and around for a few moments until stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. Kairi's Pokémon Box goes off asking her if she wants to keep Lileep with her. She chose to send Lileep over to Professor Oak's lab.
"That takes care of those two," Kairi said.
"I wish I could say the same for the rest of them," Sora said.
"Pika, Pi," Pikachu said.
"You're right. I don't think Corphish, Plusle or Minun could go on after taking on all of those Pokémon before," Kairi said.
"I wish we could just go around them so easily, but it'll take at least one or two of 'em to notice us," Sora said. "And that'll start the fun all over again." Sora, Kairi, Lisia, Pikachu, and Angel hung their heads and sighed. "What a bummer."
"And since when has that stopped us, Sora? Even a heard of rampaging Tauros can't stop us," Kairi said. "A flock of Dodrio can't stop us. A swarm of Beedrill can't stop us."
"What about a horde of Ursaring?" Sora asked.
"Not even close," Kairi said, shaking her head and crossing her arms. Sora laughed as he knew she was right.
"Those prehistoric Pokémon won't be any different," Sora said. "Let them come, because we'll whoop them like we whooped Ganondorf."
"And that's the Sora I know and love," Kairi said. "Let's show them just we did with the two we caught."
With that said, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Angel, and the other Pokémon started to make their way through the cave. The Anorith, Armaldo, Lileep, and Cradily saw them coming. They then launched their attack.
"Pikachu! Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu had fired Thunderbolt, shocking all of the prehistoric Pokémon. Many of them ended up being paralyzed from the shock. Sora, Kairi, Lisia, and the Pokémon ran pass them, but some of the remaining attacking Pokémon, but they started to chase after them. "It doesn't look like we're going to be losing them."
"If only we have something to hold them back, like a huge rock," Kairi said. She saw some large boulders sitting on a ledge. She got an idea. "That's it!" Sora looked at her.
"What's it?" Sora asked.
"Look up there!" Kairi said, pointing to the boulders. Sora looked up and saw the boulders. He caught on to her plan.
"Good idea!" Sora said. Sora, Kairi, Lisia, and the Pokémon climbed up to where the boulders were and started to push them as hard as they could. One of the boulders started to move and it fell, causing a chain reaction, making more boulders fall. Before any of them could get close enough, the path between them was blocked.
"That should hold them," Lisia said.
"Yeah, but I don't know for how long?" Kairi asked.
"Then, we should get going before they figure out how to get through," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu nodded in agreement.
With that done, they finally made it out of the cave several hours later. When they got out, it was already night. And the storm was over.
"So good to get out," Sora said. He looked up to the moon. "Just look at that moon." They decided to camp out and rest for the night. Lisia was fast asleep. It was hard to blame her because of the exciting day she had wifh them. As they laid down, Sora had some thoughts going through his mind. "Kairi?"
"Yeah?" Kairi asked.
"You think we should let Professor Oak know about this place? I mean, we did find it completely by accident," Sora said.
"We did. But, I think he might say that it'll be best we kept it a secret because no one will believe it. There's no telling what might happen if it became public knowledge," Kairi said. Sora nodded a bit.
"You're right. Professor Oak would keep it a secret because all those Pokémon would be living their lives the way it was before we found them. I can bet they probably have given up hunting us down by now anyway," Sora said.
"At least we made it out safe. And like I said, I always feel safe with you," Kairi said. Sora smiled and took her by the hand.
"I feel the same way, Kairi," Sora said. "I love you."
"I love you too, Sora," Kairi said.
The couple kisses each other with some passion. And we will have to end it right here for right now until our next adventure, or misadventure should come their way.