Episode 270: Sitting Psyduck
After an exciting battle with Tucker, Sora, Kairi, Lisia, Rei, Pikachu, and Angel have checked Dragonite and Corphish in to be healed from the injuries they had received from Arcanine and Swampert. Sora did get quite a meeting as several people were asking for Sora's autograph since he had won the Tactics Symbol from Tucker.
"Here you go," Sora said, signing an autograph book for a boy around his cousin's age.
"Thank you, Mr. Sora. When I'm old enough, I hope I get to have cool Pokémon like your Dragonite and Corphish," the boy said. Sora smiled and ruffled his hair.
"Well, they'll be lucky to have a cool Trainer, kid, and I know you will be," Sora said. That made the boy smile. He picked up his Dragonite and Corphish after they have healed from their injuries and rejoined his friends. He exchanged Dragonite for his Meditite since he figured another Fighting-type would be perfect to Norman.
"Now that the Frontier battle is over and done with, our next stop will be Verdandturf Town," Rei said.
"Yeah, it's on the way towards Rustboro City," Kairi said.
"Excuse me, but did you say you were heading to Verdanturf Town?" Nurse Joy asked, coming by.
"Yes. Why?" Kairi asked.
"Well, I thought I should inform you that there is going to be a Pokemon Contest taking place there soon," Nurse Joy said.
"A Pokemon Contest? I guess this gives me an excuse to use my Milotic," Kairi said.
"And it gives me more time to practice for my battle against Norman," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
With that said, Sora, Kairi, Lisia, Rei, Pikachu, and Angel took off towards Verdandturf Town for Kairi's next Contest.
Meanwhile, that night, Ash fell asleep and he began to have another vision of the past. Ash saw Viento was pushed out of the portal Gaia has opened up to save his life from Eraqus.
"Going somewhere?" A voice asked.
Viento looks up a bridge and saw Vanitas.
"I'm through with you!" Viento said. He starts walking away.
"Well, I'm just getting started with you. You're strong enough now to fulfill your purpose," Vanitas said. Vanitas summons his Keyblade. "So what are you waiting for? Join with me right here and now. Become the X-blade."
"No, I won't do it. He told me the only the the X-blade can be forged is if you and me fight. Well, guess what? I'm not fighting," Viento said.
"You used to be too broken to talk back," Vanitas said. Ash wondered what he meant by that. "Fine, then I'll give you a reason to fight."
"What?" Viento asked.
"Come and find me at the one and only place to spawn the X-blade: The Keyblade Graveyard. There you're gonna see me choke the life outta Gaia and Cascade. Then we'll see how long you play the pacifist," Vanitas said. Vanitas went through a dark portal.
"Wait!" Viento shouted. Too late. The portal disappears. Viento took out his Wayfinder.
"Gaia... Cascade... I swear I'll put an end to this," Viento said.
He summons his Keyblade and creates a portal. He went on his glider and flew into the portal.
The scene switches to when Gaia has returned to the Wasteland. He summons his Keyblade.
"What I do, I do for friendship," Gaia vowed.
He then makes his way through the Wasteland.
Viento came to the Keyblade Graveyard, too. He summons his Keyblade.
"Friends forever," Viento vowed.
He then makes his way to the Keyblade Graveyard.
Then, Cascade has arrived at the Keyblade Graveyard. She summons her Keyblade and sighs.
"The three of us will always be one," Cascade vowed.
She then makes her way to the Keyblade Graveyard.
"Cascade, Gaia, Viento," Ash said.
The scene switches to when Gaia enters an area where a crossroad is made by many Keyblades that stick lifelessly out of the ground. He looks and sees Cascade walking towards him. Ash knew what was on her mind. Cascade stops when she gets near him and after a silence...
"I was told...the Master was struck down," Cascade said. Gaia winced. He knew Fusoya was the one who told her and he looked down to the ground.
"Yes...that's right. I was stupid and helped Xehanort do it," Gaia said. Cascade gasped in shock. "The Master…he tried to hurt Viento. I only fought because I wanted to protect him." Cascade sighed. "But I was tricked. Xehanort set the whole thing up; all so he could awaken the darkness inside me. You were right, Cascade. And so was the Master. I did need to be watched. I went astray, but no more."
"What else is darkness but hate and rage? Xehanort is feeding the dark fires within you, making you fight. You'll go astray again. Tell me! How does that honor our Master's memory, Gaia?" Cascade asked.
Gaia looks away from her and sees Viento walking towards them. When he reached them, he paused for a moment.
"Xehanort wants me and Vanitas to fight, and make some kind of 'X-blade'. But the Master said we can't let that happen...and he tried to destroy me for it," Viento explained.
"X-blade?" Cascade asked.
"I still don't know exactly what it is. But...it scares me to death. Even just the thought of it," Viento said. Gaia walks over to Viento and puts his hand over his shoulder.
"Relax, Viento. We're here and we're gonna take care of you," Gaia said.
"I may have to fight Vanitas after all. If I do, guys... I want you to–" Viento said.
"The three of us can never be torn apart, alright? I'll always find a way," Gaia assured. Cascade puts her hand on Viento's face. He takes her hand off.
"I'm asking you, as a friend..." Viento takes Gaia's hand off his shoulder. "Just...put an end to me," Viento requested.
Cascade and Gaia both gasp and then a strong wind picks up. All three look in the same direction and see Master Xehanort walking towards them. Vanitas comes out from behind Master Xehanort, walking right along with him. They both stop.
"Behold... These lifeless keys used to be full of power; united with the hearts of their masters. On this barren soil, Keyblades of light and darkness were locked in combat...as a great Keyblade War raged. Countless Keyblade wielders gave up their lives, all in search of one, ultimate key. And it will soon belong to me…" Master Xehanort said as he points directly at Viento "X-blade!"
The trio gasps. They activated their armors. Viento was about to move, but Gaia held him back and ran towards Master Xehanort and Vanitas. Master Xehanort lifts his arm up, making a cliff rise up on Gaia. Gaia fell on his face as another cliff rises in front of him. Master Xehanort and Vanitas were on top of that cliff. Master Xehanort waves his hand, making a bunch of Keyblades ride on a gust of wind. Cascade saw the gust of Keyblades and ran away.
"Viento!" Cascade exclaimed.
Vanitas rode on the gust of Keyblades and it hits Viento. The gust then hits Gaia and he fell down the cliff. A gust of Keyblades came up from the ground and hits Casacde. Viento ran up to Cascade.
"Cascade!" Viento exclaimed.
Cascade has her helmet off. She stood up on her knees, aims her Keyblade, and fires a beam of light at Gaia.
"Gaia!" Cascade shouted.
The beam of light hits Gaia, creating a protective barrier around him. The barrier explodes. Viento ran up to aid Gaia. Gaia fell on the cliff where Master Xehanort is. Master Xehanort summons his Keyblade. Suddenly, Viento appears from behind and was about to strike Master Xehanort, but he teleports behind Viento and grabs his helmet.
"Viento!" Gaia gasped.
Gaia was about to stand up, but a gust of Keyblades appeared from the ground. Vanitas appears next to Master Xehanort. Gaia was falling to the ground as he was getting struck by the gust of Keyblades. Cascade looks up the cliff to see Viento struggling.
"Viento!" Cascade gasped. Suddenly, Master Xehanort freezes Viento and drops him to the ground. Cascade caught him in time. Viento has his helmet off. "Viento, are you okay?" Cascade asked with concern.
Master Xehanort reveals a dark orb in his hand. He raised the orb up and fires it into the sky. The clouds parted, revealing a blue heart-shaped moon. Ash was really shocked by what he has seen. He sees Zest, Teol, Flora, Fritz, Zauver, and Tomok coming.
"What is that?" Fritz asked.
"That's not what I think it is, is it?" Teol fearfully asked.
"It is. It's Kingdom Hearts," Zest said.
"No," Flora said with disbelief.
"He doesn't realize what he could bring, does he?" Fritz asked.
"No, he doesn't. Xehanort is willing to destroy everything to get what he wants, that's what we know. We can't let him do it," Zest said.
"Zest is right. We have to stop him," Tomok said.
"Yeah, Gaia, Cascade, and Viento need our help!" Fritz agreed.
The warriors went off to assist the Keyblade wielders, but the Unversed attacked them, so they were fighting them off.
The switches over to Gaia, he stood on his knees. He took off his helmet and went on his glider. He flew up the cliff to fight Master Xehanort again. Ash followed him right up to the top of the cliff. He dissolves his armor.
"Admirably done. I knew this was a journey you could make... Over the unseen wall that divides darkness and light. And I was not wrong, Gaia!" Master Xehanort said. Gaia scowled.
"My friend Viento..." Gaia started to summon his Keyblade. "You tell me, Xehanort... What did you do to him?" Gaia demanded as he held his Keyblade.
"Why I did him a favor and freed the darkness inside him. Alas, poor Viento never had the fortitude for such strenuous trials," Master Xehanort said.
"Xehanort!" Gaia shouted.
Gaia battles both Xehanort and Vanitas. He clashed his Keyblade against Vanitas's Void Gear. He casts a Dark Firaga and sent it right at Vanitas, so he dodged his attack and. The fighf went on until he went after Master Xehanort. Master Xehanort blocks Gaia's Keyblade with his Keyblade. He turns to Vanitas.
"Go take what Viento owes you. And take Cascade's life," Master Xehanort instructed. Vanitas nodded ran down the cliff. Terra stops fighting Master Xehanort and follows Vanitas. Vanitas jumps down the cliff. Suddenly, Master Xehanort appears in front of Gaia. "You see how powerless you are to save them? Savor that rage and despair. Let it empower you!" Suddenly, a dark aura surrounds Gaia.
"You will pay, Xehanort! Was my Master...No, my father, Eraqus not enough for you? Leave my friends alone!" Gaia yelled.
"Yes, boy! That's it! More! Let your whole heart blacken with anger!" Master Xehanort said. Gaia then screams with anger as the darkness explodes all around him.
Meanwhile, back with Cascade, she was still taking care of the frozen Viento.
"How bout you leave the popsicle with me, so you can have your little fight with Gaia," a voice said. Ash saw it was Xigbar.
"Him again," Ash hissed. He
Cascade turns to see Braig. He now has an eyepatch on his right eye, a gold eye on his left eye, and a scar across the left side of his face. Ash saw the gold eye and he didn't understand.
"What's going on. He had brown eyes, but now, gold? Wait a minute, Xigbar had a gold eye. How did he do that?" Ash asked.
"You can't be too happy about him deep-sixing your Master," Braig said. He chuckled sinisterly.
"Who are you?" Cascade asked. Vineto glared right at him in anger. Ash noticed it was the same way Sora looked at him.
"You two think you got some grand role to play. As if. You're only here, so that when I finish you off... Gaia will succumb to the darkness. So... Who wants to go first?" Briag asked.
"Shut up!" Viento exclaimed.
"Oh, so this kiddo thinks he's a full-fledged Keyblade Wielder? He's got the angry look down," Braig said.
"Go ahead if you wanna waste your time. Keep trying to drive us apart with your mind games. It'll never work!" Cascade said. Ash knew it was the exact same words Kairi said to him back on Ogi Isle. Cascade puts Viento down. Viento tried to move. "Gaia will prove to you he's stronger!" She summoned her Keyblade and ran towards Braig.
"Cascade!" Viento shouted.
Braig teleports all over the battlefield and fires his crossbows at Cascade like a machine gun, but she dodges most of the lasers. Braig then spins his whole body and fires lasers all over the place, but Cascade dodges most of them. Braig charges his crossbow and fires a giant laser at Cascade, doing alot of damage. The fight lasts until Braig is hit by a beam of light.
"Guess... That's the end of that!" Braig said. He was panting heavily. "I keep forgetting don't mess with Keyblade wielders. But you know what? That just means I made the right choice!" Cascade starts running towards him. Well, he wanted me to buy time, and I'd say he got it." Braig started to run away. Cascade stopped.
"What?" Cascade asked. She gasped and turned to Viento.
"Viento!" Cascade exclaimed.
Viento was still trying to move. He then saw Vanitas coming down at her.
"Cascade!" Viento shouted.
Suddenly, Vanitas came down and struck Cascade, knocking her out. Viento tried to move even more. Vanitas was aiming his Keyblade down at Cascade. Suddenly, light sparkles around Viento. Vanitas was about to strike Cascade down.
"Cascade, no!" Ash gasped.
"NOOOOO!" Vineto shouted at the top of his lungs.
Viento was completely thawed out and stood up. He charges at Vanitas, but Vanitas teleports behind him and hits him from behind. He then rides a gust of Keyblades and hits Viento. He then fires a dark orb that splits into multiple fireballs, but Ven dodges them. Viento clashed his Keyblade against Vanitas's, so he clashed against Viento's. The fight between them lasts until Vanitas was on his knee.
"You've done it, Viento," Vanitas said.
He stood up and dismissed his Keyblade. His mask disappears, revealing a boy with black spiky hair and yellow eyes. Ash gasped when he saw his face. He looked like Sora, but he was older.
"What the?! Sora! No, it can't be! How's that even possible! Sora wasn't even born yet!" Ash exclaimed in disbelief.
"Now that my body is about to perish, you and I will have to join together!" Vanitas said. Viento gasped. "The X-blade will be forged!"
Vanitas's dark aura glows outward into the ground. The Floods jumped out and grabbed Viento.
"The Unversed...come from YOU?" Viento asked.
Different kinds of Unversed appears next to Vanitas.
"It happened when you and I were split into two. The negativity took shape as these monsters. They are what I feel... A horde of fledgling emotions under my control. I released them in all the worlds I could, hoping to lure you away from home and isolate you from your Master. We needed to make you stronger. The Unversed were the perfect opponents. And better yet, no matter how many times you defeat them, their negativity flows right back into me," Vanitas explained as the Unversed flowed right back to him, except for the Floods holding Viento. "You never stood a chance against us, Viento."
He walks into Viento and an explosion of light occurs, sending Cascade flying. Ash shields his eyes. He is taken back go the cliff.
"Only now, have I truly won," Master Xehanort said. Hd is on his knee and panting heavily. Gaia walks over to him. Suddenly, they hear the earth shaking. Master Xehanort looks up and gasps.
"There! You see?" Master Xehanort asked. Gaia looks at where Master Xehanort was pointing at and saw a pillar of light. Ash knew it was the same one he saw. "The X-blade has been forged!"
"No!" Ash gasped.
"Viento!" Gaia gasped.
"And now, Gaia! It is time for the final union!" Master Xehanort said as he points his Keyblade at himself and stabs himself in the chest with it. Ash gasped when he did that.
"He just stabbed himself in the chest?!" Ash exclaimed.
"What?" Gaia asked.
"At last, our moment is here," Master Xehanort said. His Keyblade vanished and an orb of light came out of his chest. "Out with the old and brittle vessel, and in with a younger and stronger new one!" Ash and Gaia stood there and gasped. "I swore I would survive... And be there to see what awaited beyond the Keyblade War!" He turned his sights on Gaia. "And now it is your darkness that shall be the ark that sustains me!"
"Gaia!" Ash exclaimed.
Gaia activates his armor, but got struck by the orb of light. Master Xehanort's body disappears in a burst of light. Ash watched in horror as the armor sheds off of him to show Gaia now has silver hair and the same golden eyes. Gaianort was born right there.
"This heart belongs again to darkness. All worlds begin in darkness, and all so end. The heart is no different. Darkness sprouts within it. It grows, consumes it. Such is its nature. In the end, every heart returns to the darkness whence it came," Gaianort said. He summoned the Gazing Eye. Ash was horrified by what he witnessed.
"Gaia..." Ash said, falling on his knees. "Xehanort took over Gaia's body. This is only getting worse before it gets better." Suddenly, orange chains of light surrounds the cliff. Ash and Gaianort were surprised.
"What?" Gaianort asked. Ash saw Gaia's armor taking shape and holding the Earthshaker Keyblade in its hands. Ash was confused by what he saw.
"I don't get it... What's going on?" Ash asked.
"Your body submits, your heart succumbs, so why does your mind resist?" Gaianort asked.
"Gaia?" Ash asked.
Before the fight between the two could start, the scene switches back to Cascade as she stirs awake.
"Cascade, you're alive," Zest said.
"Zest..." Cascade said. "What happened?"
"We don't know. We came here to help, and we saw you laying unconscious. We were fearing the worse," Zauver said. Cascade then gasped.
"Viento!" Cascade called out, looking for him. She looks behind her and saw Ven. "Oh, thank goodness! Viento!" Cascade ran up to him. "You're safe!" Ash looked at the weapon Viento was holding in his hand. It is made up of two crossing Kingdom Keys, with the teeth facing outward. It has a filigree, and the blade slightly resembles that of a sword's. She stops to see that his eyes are closed.
"Viento?" Cascade asked.
"Something's not right," Ash said.
Zest, Teol, Flora, Fritz, Zauver, and Fritz ran up and gasped, knowing something wasn't right with him. Suddenly, Viento looks up and opens his eyes. He has Vanitas' eyes. He was about to strike Cascade with his Keyblade, but Zest blocks it with his Keyblade, protecting Cascade. He stood in front of her.
"That's not Viento!" Zest exclaimed.
"I agree! It's him!" Teol said.
"It's Vanitas!" Flora added.
A dark aura forms around Viento and he now wore Vanitas's suit. Ash was shocked to see it with his own eyes.
"Correct! I am not Ventus! His heart has become a part of mine now!" Viento-Vanitas said with both of Viento and Vanitas's voices.
Aqua and the six warriors gasped. Viento-Vanitas points the weapin up to the heart in the sky.
"This X-blade will open a door...One that leads to all worlds! Then, Keyblade-bearing warriors will flock here from each and every one of them, to battle for the light within Kingdom Hearts! And just like the legend says, the Keyblade War will begin!" Viento-Vanitas proclaimed.
"So that's the X-blade.." Ash said.
"Shut up! I'm sick of your nonsense! Give Viento his heart back!" Cascade demanded.
The fight against Viento-Vanitas has begun.
The scene switches to the real Viento as he floating in the air. He lands on a giant circular platform that shows him and Vanitas. He turns to his left and saw Vanitas with the X-blade.
"Our union was not finished," Vanitas said, floating down. Vanitas's X-blade shows some black shadows all over it. "The X-blade shouldn't stay broken like this. Join me now and we can complete the X-blade!" Viento just shook his head.
"I've got a better idea," Viento said, summoning his Keyblade. "How about I destroy you both?" Vanitas just laughed.
"The X-blade is made of your heart, too, idiot! If you destroy it, your heart will vanish forever!" Vanitas said.
"Is he serious?" Ash asked.
"Whatever it takes. Anything to save Gaia and Cascade," Viento said.
"Hmph, it's always about your friends, isn't it?" Vanitas scoffed.
"At least I have some! I've become a part of their heart, just as they've become a part of mine. My friends are my power... And I'm theirs!" Viento stated. This made Ash smile.
"Is that what you think? You couldn't be more stupider. Whatever. If you wanna die for your friends, then I'll make it happen. I'll have full control of your body after you're dead! What's yours is mine!" Vanitas said.
"Viento, get him!" Ash said.
The two Keyblade wielders engaged each other in battle as they clashed their weapons against one another. Vanitas charges up his X-blade, charges at Viento, and slams his X-blade at the ground, creating a cross-shaped explosion on the ground, but Viento dodged by gliding and he came at Viento. They both clashed their weapons against each other again.
Vanitas then destroys the platform in a flash of light. When the light dies down, the two boys are floating in midair. They began to charge at each other with their Keyblades. Viento starts pushing Vanitas back. They then they fired two beams from their Keyblades at each other. Viento pushes his beam back at Vanitas. He then finishes Vanitas off by slashing him multiple times.
"Why...?" Vanitas weakly asked.
Vanitas drops the X-blade. He tried to reach for it, but it keeps drifting further away from him. The X-blade shattered. Viento's Keyblade shattered as well, and Vanitas disappears. Viento lands on the platform and he disappears, too.
"Gaia, Cascade..." Viento said.
"Viento..." Ash said.
He is taken back outside as the fight continued on. Cascade and the six other warriors were holding their own, but Viento-Vanitas was overwhelming them all.
"What's wrong? Giving up already?" Viento-Vanitas taunted.
"He's..." Tomok panted, "...too much for us."
"This is madness," Zauver said as he panted.
Cascade looked at her Wayfinder as she panted.
"Gaia... Viento... Lend me strength," Cascade said.
Her Wayfinder glows, making her Keyblade glow. She ran up to Viento-Vanitas.
"You're just wasting your energy," Viento-Vanitas said. Cascade clashed her Keyblade against the X-blade. It creates a powerful shockwave. The same black shadows appeared on the X-blade. "What?"
Cascade slashes the X-blade out of Venitas' hand, making him fall over. The X-blade starts shooting rays of light all over the place. Zest and the other warriors stood up and saw what was happening.
"What's going on?!" Flora asked.
"I don't know, but it's going crazy!" Fritz said.
"The X-blade looks like it's going to explode!" Zest said.
"Cascade, Viento, get out of there!" Tomok shouted.
"Viento!" Cascade shouted.
The X-blade exploded, shattering into smaller pieces. It sent Viento flying. Cascade ran right after him. She ran after him, jumps up to him, and grabs him. Suddenly, she, Vien, and the six warriors got caught in a massive explosion of light, making Cascade, Zest, Teol, Flora, Fritz, Zauver, and Tomok scream. Ash shields his eyes from the light.
"Viento... Cascade... One day I will set this right," Gaia's voice said.
"Gaia!" Ash said.
Ash then woke up and he panted. Leaf knew he had another vision of the past.
"What did you see this time?" Leaf asked.
"Well..." Ash started. He explained everything he saw in his vision. Leaf gasped when she remembered Cascade's exact words. "And the last thing I heard before I woke up was Gaia's voice, saying that he'll set it right someday."
"You think you'll see an event that leads up to when Cascade ended up in the realm of darkness, Ash?" Leaf asked.
"I think so, but I don't know when it'll show up," Ash said. "Gonna have to wait and see."
Meanwhile, Sora, Kairi, Lisia Rei, Pikachu, and Angel continued on their way towards Verdanturf Town. They kept their eyes opened for any signs of Heartless, Nobodies, or Unversed.
Elsewhere in some tall grass, a Psyduck wearing a red scarf is runs through the grass. Chasing it are three shadowy figures. The three figures are revealed to be all the three stages of Superpower Pokémon. Psyduck started to pick up speed, but the Machop, Machoke, and Machamp started to gain on the Psyduck faster.
Down below at a river, Rei was going over her training with the couple on their teachings. They had their Pokémon out just so they could have a stretch and enjoy the day.
While the couple were practicing with their Keyblades, Angel wanted to come up behind Pikachu and shower him with all sorts of affection. But before she could even get to Pikachu, the Psyduck came crying out, catching the attention of the Sora, Kairi, Lisia, and Rei.
"What the heck?" Sora asked, dismissing his Keyblade. Kairi dismissed hers, too. The Psyduck ran right behind Sora's legs. It didn't take a genius to figure out something was wrong, so he had to assume it was Heartless, Nobodies, or Unversed. "Don't worry, Psyduck. I got you."
"Where did this Psyduck come from?" Lisia asked.
"It's a Psyduck," Max said. Out from the direction Psyduck came, Machop, Machoke, and Machamp came out of the blue. "All three stages of Superpower Pokémon!" Psyduck began to run as Machop, Machoke, and Machamp continued to chase after the Psyduck on the river.
"Why do you think they're chasing after that poor Psyduck?" May asked.
"I don't know, but they're not going to get it," Sora said.
"Right you are," Lisia agreed. Psyduck was now conered and had nowhere left to go. Machop, Machoke, and Machamp has cut its escape routes.
"Hey!" Sora called out, making the Fighting Types turn around and see them. "Three against one isn't a fair fight!"
"Pika!" Pikachu agreed.
"Eevee!" Angel added.
Machoke just shook ignored them and grabs Psyduck by the scarf.
"Hey, Machoke, leave it alone!" Kairi told Machoke.
"Can't you tell it's not liking that?" Rei asked. Psuduck tried to wriggle its way out. Sora had enough of watching and he had to take action.
"Go! Trapinch! Bite!" Sora ordered. Trapinch went to deliever a bite, but Machop bats the Ant Pit Pokémon with Karate Chop. "Trapinch! Use Mud-Slap!" Trapinch hurls a Mud-Slap at Machoke, covering it with mud. Machamp charged at Trapinch with a Karate Chop of its own. "Dig!" Trapinch digs in the ground to avoid Machamp's attack. Trapinch came out and beans Machamp on the mark. Machamp was about to retaliate, but Hariyama got in Machamp's way. "Okay, Hariyama! Use Seismic Toss!" Hariyama grabbed Machamp and gave it a toss on the ground. Machoke tosses Psyduck aside and marched in front of Hariyama. Machop and Machamp did the same thing. Hariyama glared at the two Superpower Pokémon and glared angrily at them.
"Hariyama might be able to overpower all of them because of their combined strength," Rei said.
"Pikachu, give those three a Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu launched a Thunderbolt and it sends the superpower Pokémon off running. Now that they were gone, Trapinch went to see if Psyduck was okay.
"Psyduck, are you alright?" Lisia asked.
"I think he looked a litte dazed and confused," Kairi said.
"You think this Psyduck belongs to someone?" Lisia asked.
"He does, since he's wearing that scarf," Rei said,
"Until we find out who this Psyduck belongs to, we'll have to hold onto him," Sora said.
"Right, because that Machop, Machoke, and Machamp will be back," Kairi said.
A few minutes later, Psyduck started to play with Trapinch and they both had a great time with each other.
"Looks like you made yourself a new friend, Trapinch," Sora said. Kairi came with a bowl of Pokémon food for the Duck Pokémon.
"Here, you must be hungry," Kairi said, holding out the food. Psyduck looked at the food with delight. "This is made to suit the needs of Water-type Pokémon. Dig in." And Psyduck did exactly that, wolfing it all down.
"Looks like Psyduck was pretty hungry after all," Lisia said.
"Being chased around by Superpower Pokémon can do that to you," Sora said.
"And that scarf looks cute on him, doesn't it?" Lisia asked.
"Sure does. Maybe we could ask around and see who he belongs to," Sora said.
"I bet you can't wait to get back with your Trainer," Kairi said. Psyduck wasn't thrilled about going back to whoever owned him.
Elsehwere in the forest, the same Machop, Machoke, and Machamp kneel down in forgiveness in their failed attempt to retrieve Psyduck in front of a carriage, being pulled by two Rapidash and sitting inside is a girl with turqouse hair wearing a yellow vest over a salmon shirt and a white skirt.
"I am confused. I see you, but not my precious little Psyduck," the girl said.
"Machamp."
"Machoke."
"Machop."
"I thought I told you not to return here without him. A trio of Superpower Pokémon unable to follow the simpliest of orders. Now, when I open my eyes, you better be gone and out looking for my Psyduck," the girl said. The three superpower Pokémon do a salute and returned to their task. She sighs. "It's true what they say, it's hard to find good help. What's a poor rich girl to do?" Just then, a knock came from her right and she turned to see Officer Jenny. "May I help you, officer?"
"I am sorry to disturb you, but have you seen this person?" The policewoman asked, holding up a wanted poster of a man with an eye patch on his left eye and red hair and a red beard.
"I most certainly have not," the girl said.
"Well, if you do, be sure to make contact with the police right away, because this man is a Pokémon Hunter known as Red Beard, and he has been in the area for the last few days. He has been known for targetting Water-type Pokémon," Offcer Jenny said.
"That would mean my precious Psyduck is in danger!" The girl exclaimed.
"Well, you should hurry and find it. And as soon as you do, head on home," Officer Jenny said.
"I intend to do so, officer," the girl said. The carriage takes off, leaving Officer Jenny to continue her pusruit.
Over to Sora, Kairi, Lisia, Rei, Pikachu, and Angel, Sora had left Trapinch and Hariyama out just so as Trapinch, Pikachu, and Angel could play with Psyduck and Hariyama being the muscle to protect Psyduck. As they walked, they all had smiles to how fast they became friends.
"The Pokémon sure have become fast friends, huh?" Lisia asked.
"Sure have," Kairi agreed.
"I bet you can't wait to get back home to your Trainer," Rei said.
"Psy," Psyduck only said sadly. Just the group hears an engine roar and they make their stop.
"Do you guys hear that?" Sora asked.
"I hear it. And it sounds close," Lisia said.
"You think it' Psyduck's Trainer?" Kairi asked.
"Let's just hope so and see," Sora said.
"Right," Kairi agreed. They followed the found of the engine and they saw a small jeep. Driving the jeep is the Pokémon hunter known as Red Beard, and with him is a Tangrowth and an Electivire. The hunter has several Lotad and Lombre in cages as well as some Azurill, Marill, and Azumarill.
"That's quite a haul, boys," Red Beard cackled. "These Pokémon are gonna make some huge money when we sell them to the highest bidder."
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Kairi asked.
"He's obviously a Pokémon Hunter. And I'm gonna guess none of those Pokémon came along quietly," Sora said.
"He is not gonna get away with this," Lisia atated.
"You're right, Lisia, we're gonna set them free," Rei said.
"Hariyama, you stay here and keep Psyduck safe, in case he gets any ideas about selling him," Sora said. Hariyama nodded. "Let's go," Sora as he and the girls went to free the captured Pokémon. Just when he was about to drive off with his haul, Sora and Kairi stepped in with both of their Kirlia out.
"Psybeam!" Sora and Kairi ordered as both of their Kirlia dashed and landed hits onto Tangrowth.
"What the?!" Red Beard exclaimed. He saw the foursome and growled in anger. "What's the idea, getting in my business?"
"We should be asking you why you're here poaching all of those Pokémon?" Kairi asked.
"So, we'll just cut to the chase and just let them out and take you down," Sora said.
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
"Eevee!" Angel said.
"Go ahead and try it, punks! I'm not gonna be beaten by some punkass kids! Tangrowth! Electivire! Go!" Red Beard called out as Electivire and Tangrowth moved in. Sora looked right at his Meditite.
"Meditite! You use Confusion on that Tangrowth!" Sora ordered. Meditite unleashed Confusion onto Tangrowth, trapping it in an electric web. Kairi took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Roselia! Go!" She called out and her Morelull joins in on the battle. "Magical Leaf on Electivire!" Roselia unleashed a Magical Leaf and sends it at the Thunderbolt Pokémon. "Now, use your Petal Blizzard!" Roselia unleashed Petal Blizzard and struck Electivire on the mark.
"Electivire! Use your Ice Punch on that little runt, now!" Red Beard called out. Electivire heads right for Roselia and lands a heavy punch. "Use Ice Punch again!"
"Roselia! Use Razor Leaf!" Kairi ordered. Roselia fired Razor Leaf and it lands a hit in Electivire. Psyduck watched on as he sneezed. This catches Tangrowth's attention. Tangrowth went after Psyduck, but Hariyama
The Arm Thrust Pokémon held out his hands and gave Tangrowth a powerful shove. Tangrowth kept on coming towards Psyduck, but Hariyama wasn't budging a bit. Red Beard spotted Psyduck and he gasped.
"A Psyduck! Someone is bound to pay big money for one of those! Electivire! Forget about them and go after that Psyduck instead!" Red Beard ordered. Electivire started to go after Psyduck, much to Sora's disgust.
"Ali! Use Dazzling Gleam on Electivire!" Lisia ordered. Ali fired Dazzling Gleam right at the Thunderbolt Pokémon, but it wasn't enough to take it down and it fires Charge Beam at the attacking Altaria. Ali took a bad hit, but he was okay. "Are you all right, Ali?" Ali chirped in pain. Just when Sora was about to have Pikachu go after the hunter's Pokémon, Machop, Machoke, and Machamp all came along and stood between them and Psyduck.
"It's those three again," Kairi recognized.
"You they're here to help Psyduck?" Rei asked.
"It looks that way," Lisia said. Red Beard wasn't happy to see there some more interference from another source.
"I don't know what your beef is, but you are not gonna stop me from getting that Psyduck! Tangrowth! Power Whip! Electivire!Thunder Puch!" Red Beard ordered. Tangrowth sends its arm to strike at the Superpower Pokémon as Electivire comes to land an electrified punch. The Machop jumps and grabs Tangrowth's arm and starts to swing the Vine Pokémon in the air. Machoke and Machamp comes at the Electivire with a Cross Chop and sends it flying. Machop tosses Tangrowth and lands right on Red Beard. During the distraction, Sora and the girls had freed all of the Pokémon he and his Pokémon had caught and they all fled for as fast as they could go. "Get off of me! Get off of me!" Machoke poushes Tangrowth off and puts the poacher in one of the empty cages along with Electivire and Tangrowth. "You'll pay for this! Nobody makes a Mankey out of me and walks away!"
Machoke rejions Machop and Machamp with the intension of taking Psyduck back with them. Pikachu, Angel, Ali, and the other Pokémon stand in front of Psyduck to defend him.
"Leave Psyduck alone!" Kairi told the three stages of Superpower Pokémon.
"Why do you keep bothering Psyduck?" Lisia asked.
"There you are!" A new voice called out. The group were dumbfounded when a carriage came rolling in and the girl steps out. Psyduck wasn't thrilled about seeing her. She had a delighted look on her face. "My precious little Psyduck! Where have you been? I was ever so worried!" The girl hugs Psyduck, much to the Duck Pokémon's dismay.
"If I have to guess, that would be Psyduck's Trainer," Sora said.
"And a very good guess at that," Kairi added. She turned to the four individuals.
"Are you responsible for saving my sweet little Psyduck?" The girl asked.
"Uh, those three are, and we were keeping him save from that guy," Sora said, pointing to Red Beard in the cage. "And I'm sure Officer Jenny will be happy to take him off our hands." They boarded the carriage and it rode off to her house.
"My name is Emily, and I simply can't thank you enough for keeping my treasured little Psyduck safe. This is the third time he's run away. The silly thing gets so lost, I have to send out my Machop, Machoke, and Machamp after him," Emily said.
"Yeah, we met them," Sora said.
"But why does your Psyduck keep running away?" Rei asked.
"Oh dear, I was afraid you'd ask. I have no idea. I've given you everything," Emily said sadly. Psyduck sighs. Sora, Kairi, Lisia, Rei and the Pokémon knew there was something going on.
Back to Red Beard, he managed to get himself and his Pokémon out of the cages and he growls in anger.
"Those kids are gonna pay for this! And the same for those three meddlesome Pokémon too! I'll get even with them," Red Beard said. He looked at the tracks and looked in the direction they went. "And it doesn't look I have long to look." He, Electivire, and Tangrowth headed in the direction of the carriage.
They arrived to Emily's Mansion and stepped inside the mansion.
"Here we are, my humble home. Please, make yourselves comfortable," Emily said. She looked at her Psyduck and saw how dirty he is. "So, I see my adorable little Psyduck has gotten himself all dirty. I'll just bet that you can't wait to get in your own bathtub." Psyduck was carried to the bathtub by Emily's maids as Emily has started to give her guests a tour of the mansion. "My Psyduck loves to be pampered." The maids has thrown the duck Pokémon in the bathtub filled with water and soap. "And we even take our bathes together." The maids placed Psyduck on a stool in front of a mirror. "We both love to smell nice and pretty." Emily sprays perfume on Psyduck and he did not like it one bit. "And after that, it's time to eat." She sat Psyduck down in front of a luxury meal served to her and the guests. "Psyduck and I enjoy only the best cuisine prepared by the house's very own gourmet chef. Right Psyduck?"
"Psy," Psyduck sadly said, not interested in the food. Emily became disheartened when she saw how sad Psyduck looked.
"Not hungry again? My sweet little Psyduck has completely lost his appetite as of late," Emily said.
"What do you mean?" Sora asked. "Psyduck was chowing down like a Munchlax on the food Kairi had made earlier." Emily gasped.
"Then, why won't you eat with me?" Emily asked, not understanding.
"There's definitely something different about him ever since we got here," Kairi pointed out.
"You're right, Kairi," Lisia agreed. "I wonder what could it be."
"Search me," Rei said.
Later, Kairi was doing some training with her Pokémon to get in shape and exercise.
"What in the world is she doing?" Emily asked.
"Training," Sora answered. "If I know my girlfriend, she must be practicing for the Pokémon Contest coming up." Sora then turned to Emily and Psyduck. "Anyway, Emily, have you thought about battling?" Emily shook her head.
"Heavens, no! I would never let my Psyduck engage into fighting!" Emily said.
"Pokémon battles aren't the same as regular fighting," Sora stated. "It's actually a way of communicating with Pokémon," Sora explained.
"What do you mean by that?" Emily asked.
"What he mean is, when Pokémon and their trainers battle together, they develope a sense of unity," Rei explained.
"But Psyduck and I have unity," Emily stated.
"In your own way, you do. But it looks like there's something missing. I would say Psyduck's life is empty and lonely," Rei said.
"Psyduck is lonely? I have given him every bit of luxury he could possibly desire," Emily said.
"Okay, that was good. Milotic, use Dragon Dance and then use Breaking Swipe!" Kairi ordered. Milotic then proceeds to dance. Trapinch along and rolled on the ground. Seeing Trapinch, Psyduck came out to Trapinch. "Psyduck?" Psyduck started to play with the Ant Pit Pokémon and she sighs. "You like your new friend, Trapinch?" The Ant Pit Pokémon nodded his head. She couldn't help but laugh. Emily could see her Psyduck was having fun outside and she realized she didn't know her Psyduck as well as she thought. Their moment was interuppted when a bolt of electricity comes out from nowhere.
"WHOA!" Everyone exclaimed.
"Found you at last!" Red Beard called out. "That Psyduck is as good as mine!" He turned to his Tangrowth. "Go and get it!" Tangrowth walked to the pond and grabs Psyduck, making Emily gasp.
"My Psyduck!" Emily gasped.
"Now that I have Psyduck, I can have my payback with you and those Superpower Pokémon!" Red Beard said.
"Not if I have anything to say about it!" Sora said, taking out a Pokéball and threw it. "Marshtomp! Go!" Marshtomp emerges from the Pokéball, ready to battle.
"Electivire! Brick Break!" Red Beard ordered. Electivire swings its arm down at the Mud Fish Pokémon. Delcatty used Feint Attack on Tangrowth, accidentally tossing Psyduck. Emily ran to catch the Duck Pokémon.
"I've got you, Psyduck!" Emily exclaimed. She dove and caught Psyduck, ending getting her face covered with dirt. "I'm glad you're okay." Her Psyduck started laughing at the dirt on her face. "Psyduck, you're smiling and laughing for a change. You actually like getting dirty like this?" Her Psyduck nodded. Tangrowth steps in front of Psyduck and gestured the Duck Pokémon to come at it. Psuduck stepped forward. "Are you mad at that Pokémon?"
"Emily, Psyduck is saying he wants to battle," Rei said.
"Huh? To battle? No! I won't permit it!" Emily exclaimed. Tangrowth starts by slamming its arm down to the ground as Psyduck had avoided it. Hariyama tackles into Tangrowth and gave it a shove with his large hands, and Tangrowth pushes back.
"Milotic! Breaking Swipe!" Kairi ordered. Milotic swings her tail, hitting Tangrowth on the mark. "Use Water Pulse!" Milotic fired Water Pulse, hitting Tangrowth. Red Beard looked at Milotic and he grinned.
"Screw Psyduck! Milotic is worth way more money! Electivire! Tangrowth! Forget Psyduck and bag that Milotic instead!" Red Beard ordered. Electivire and Tangrowth charges towards the Tender Pokémon. Kairi wasn't going to let anyone lay a hand on her.
"Milotic! Water Pulse!" Kairi ordered. Milotic forms an orb of water and sends it right at the attacking Pokémon, confusing them greatly. "Now use Dragon Dance and follow with Breaking Swipe!" Milotic does a dance and swings her tail right at her confused opponents. "Now use Hydro Pump!" Milotic fires Hydro Pump and it catches the hunter's Pokémon in the water and sends them on top of the hunter himself. Sora turned to Emily.
"Does your Psyduck know how to use any Psychic-type moves?" Sora asked.
"He knows Confusion," Emily said.
"Good. Try that," Sora said.
"Right. Psyduck, please use Confusion!" Emily ordered. Psyduck lifted the hunter and his Pokémon in a telepathic hold and sends them flying. Officer Jenny is patrolling through the woods when she heard a loud thud behind her. She stops and sees Red Beard and his Pokémon. Officer Jenny got off her motorcycle and gets out her handcuffs. With the threat of Red Beard behind them, Sora, Kairi, Lisia, Rei, Pikachu, Angel, got ready to take their leave. "I can't thank you enough for not only helping my Psyduck, but for teaching me to be in better synch with my Psyduck. I just know I'll be wanting to go on my own journey some day."
"That's a great idea, Emily," Sora said.
"Verdanturf Town isn't too far from here, so it works out for us," Rei said.
"We wish you the best, Emily," Lisia said.
"You too, everyone. And Kairi, I do hope you win the Contest. I'll be rooting for you. Goodbye!" Emily waved along with Psyduck and the Superpower Pokémon.
"Bye!" Sora, Kairi, Lisia, and Rei said.
Once again, Sora, Kairi, Lisia, Rei, Pikachu, and Angel has seen the value of strengthening the ties that binds Trainers and Pokémon together. And having to made a new friend, the pick up where they left off, on their way to Verdanturf Town.