Episode 284: Balance at the Palace
Many hours came and went after watching Sidney's exhibition Pokémon battle, and it was thanks to Sidney that they knew that the Battle Palace was somewhere in the forest, but as they kept going, it was getting darker by each passing minute.
"Sora, I think we're getting lost out here," Lisia said.
"I think you're right, Lisia. And we might end up getting more lost if we keep going like this," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"I think we should just camp here for the night and continue on in the morning just so we don't get any more lost than we already are," Kairi suggested.
"I'm with her. If we're going to get lost, then I'd rather see my own hand in front of my face," Lisia said.
"Yeah, you're right. We'll have better luck in the morning," Sora said. Sora yawned. Sora and the girls rolled out their sleeping bags and laid right in them. "Good night, girls."
"Night, Sora. Night, Kairi," Lisia said.
"Good night, Lisia. Good night, Sora," Kairi said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
With that said, Sora, Kairi, Lisia, Pikachu, and Angel fell right to sleep.
As they slept, Sora loudly snored, and it started to alert some of the local Pokémon in the area. They were suddenly waken up by Sora's snoring.
Meanwhile, Wally was sleeping soundly and he almost jumped out of his sleeping bag as he was suddenly waken up by Sora's snoring, too.
"What kind of Pokémon is that? Could it be a Snorlax in the area?" Wally asked, feeling scared.
Back with Sora, Kairi, Lisia, Pikachu, and Angel, Sora began to dream. As he dreamed, he noticed someone wearing the Organization's black hood.
"Organization XIII?!" Sora exclaimed, summoning his Keyblade. He rushed over to the hooded figure, holding his Keyblade. "Okay, you! Start talking!"
"I'm not your enemy, Sora," the hooded figure said with Ventus's voice. Sora was confused and he dismissed his Keyblade.
"Ven?" Sora asked.
"No, I'm not your cousin," the hooded figure said. He pulls down his hood to reveal his face. It was Roxas. Sora was shocked to see an older version of his cousin. He had the same hair color, hairstyle and blue eyes as Ventus, but he looked older than Ventus.
"Who are you?" Sora asked.
"I'm Roxas. You and I met each other when we fought ExDark and destroyed him. I had my hood up at the time, so you never saw my face, but you only heard my voice. For real, I really wanted to meet you once; face-to-face," Roxas said.
"Whose Nobody are you, and why do you look like Ven?" Sora asked.
"I can't tell you that, Sora. The less you know, the better. Let's just say, to make things right, I had to go away," Roxas said.
"You mean, you left Organization XIII on your own, just like Axel said," Sora said.
"Yeah. Axel isn't your enemy either. I may not have a heart, but I can trust him, and you and the others should," Roxas said.
"Well, I'm gonna have to take your word for it, Roxas. I feel that I should trust you, even if you're supposed to be my enemy, even though you said you're not," Sora said.
"You can be my friend, Sora. And so can May, Ethan, Kris, Brendan, Lyra, Naminé, Riku, Max, Lisia, and Kairi. Leaf and Ash already are," Roxas said.
"I'm sure they'll like the sound of that, Roxas," Sora said. Roxas smiled at that.
"And I can tell that you do, too, Sora," Roxas said. Sora and Roxas shook hands as a light shines between them.
Sora smiled in his sleep, unaware that Roxas has touched his heart. But over to Kairi, she slept soundly.
In her dream, she's out on a stroll with her family. She then saw Xion with them. It was strange to see Xion with her family since she's never met her in person, but it felt right. Just then, something even stranger occurred. She saw some kind of symbol raising up in the sky above Kairi and her family. It looked like the sun, but it was black. Kairi just didn't understand it.
"Is that supposed to be the sun? But why is it black?" Kairi asked. Suddenly, Kairi's family vanished in the dark light that the black sun has shined down on them.
"Crystal Maiden," a dark voice spoke, leaving Kairi confused. The voice repeated, "Crystal Maiden."
"Crystal Maiden?" Kairi asked. A large shadowy figure appeared above her.
"You have the blood of the Crystal Maiden flowing in your veins. I will exact my revenge!" The shadowy figure reaches out to grab her.
Kairi woke up, panting. She didn't understand what that was about.
"What was that all about? That was a weird nightmare. Well, it was a good thing it was only a dream otherwise it would have been bad," Kairi said, laying back down and closing her eyes. She went back to sleep.
Back in Pallet Town, Yuta and Mirei are sleeping soundly in their bed, but Mirei was disturbed in her sleep.
She was having a nightmare about seeing her husband, mother, and children, having a dark light shining down on them, making them vanish in the same fashion as Kairi's nightmare.
"No! Yuta, Kairi, Seth, mom!" Mirei cried.
"Your family's gone!" The dark voice said, laughing. Mirei turned to see the shadowy figure raise up above her. "Join me in Hell!"
Mirei screamed loudly as she bolted up. Seth then started crying from his room when Mirei screamed, and Yuta bolted up.
"Mirei, honey, what happened? Are you alright?" Yuta asked, concern.
"I don't know," Mirei said as she panted. Yuta placed his glasses on as he stepped out of bed.
"I'll go calm Seth down, I'll be back," Yuta said. He stepped out of the bedroom and right into his son's room. He picked up the crying baby and rubbed his back to calm his son down. "There, there, son. It's okay. It's okay." Seth eventually stopped crying. Yuta returned to his wife, carrying Seth in his arms. Mirei took Seth in her arms.
"I'm sorry, baby. Mommy didn't mean to scare you," Mirei said as she held hugged him.
"Mirei, what happened?" Yuta asked.
"I had a horrible nightmare," Mirei said.
"How horrible?" Yuta asked with concern.
"I dreamed that you, Kairi, Seth, and my mother were taken from me. That was after I saw their symbol," Mirei said.
"What symbol?" Yuta asked, worried.
"It was the Black Sun Clan's symbol," Mirei said. Yuta was shocked to hear it from his wife.
"The Black Sun Clan? It can't be! The Black Sun Clan was wiped out centuries ago," Yuta said.
"I know, but if they're appearing in my dreams, then my family is in grave danger. I can only hope Kairi and my mother hasn't gotten them," Mirei said.
"Me too, honey. If the Black Sun Clan is returning then we'll be needing the power of the Crystal Maiden," Yuta said.
"I agree. I had always hoped we never have to use it again, but there's no avoiding it now," Mirei said. Yuta groaned.
"Just when Heartless, Nobodies, Unversed, and the Organization were our only worries, more just keeps piling up," Yuta said. He then said in his thoughts, "Sora, I can only hope you can protect my little girl from those people. You're the only one who can."
Back with Sora, Kairi, Lisia, Pikachu, and Angel, it was earlier in the next morning, as they all woke up. Sora gave out a loud yawn as he stretched.
"Morning, girls," Sora greeted.
"Good morning, Sora, Lisia," Kairi greeted.
"Morning, Sora and Kairi," Lisia greeted.
"Sleep well?" Sora asked.
"Pika?" Pikachu asked.
"It was okay," Kairi said, leaving out the details of the black sun dream she had. She didn't want to spoil the start of the day by telling it to her boyfriend.
"You two would believe the dream I had," Sora said.
"Enlighten us," Lisia said.
"Yeah, try us," Kairi said.
"Okay, you remember Roxas back in Johto?" Sora asked.
"Sure, what about him?" Kairi asked.
"Eevee?" Angel asked.
"The thing is, he was there, in my dream," Sora said.
"Roxas?" Kairi asked.
"Isn't he the Nobody who fought ExDark with you?" Lisia asked.
"Yeah. His hood was up at the time, so we didn't see his face. But the weird thing, you wouldn't guess whose face was looking at me when he lowered his hood! He had Ven's face!" Sora said. Kairi and Lisia were shocked to hear him say it.
"Seriously?" Kairi asked.
"Yeah. When Roxas spoke that one time, I thought my ears were trying to trick me, and it was the same thing with my dream when he showed his face around me. And he told me to trust Axel since he left the Organization," Sora said.
"You think we should?" Lisia asked.
"I don't know. I mean, Axel might have left the Organization, but he's still with them. Don't forget that," Kairi said.
"You're right, Kairi, but for some reason, I don't think I can explain, it feels like I should take Roxas said to heart," Sora said. Kairi agreed with her boyfriend about that.
"I guess I'll take you up with that, Sora," Kairi said.
"Sora? Kairi?" A familiar voice spoke. The couple recognized that voice. They saw Wally walk up to them.
"Wally?" Kairi asked.
"Hey, we haven't seen you since the Verdanturf Town Contest. What are you doing out here?" Sora asked.
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
"Believe it or not, but I'm actually on my own journey. And I'm starting to earn my own Gym Badges along the way. I thought of entering the Hoenn Pokémon League, too," Wally said.
"It's great that you're on your own journey, Wally, but didn't you run this by your family?" Kairi asked.
"I did. They weren't too wild about me traveling around at first, but I managed to convince them it was to make my Kirlia and myself stronger," Wally said.
"Kirlia? Wait, you don't mean-" Sora paused.
"Oh, that's right. I'll show you," Wally said, opening his Pokéball and a Kirlia came out. Sora, Kairi, and Lisia were amazed to see a Kirlia. Pikachu and Angel were ecstatic to see him evolved.
"No way! Your Ralts is a Kirlia now!" Sora exclaimed.
"When did he evolve?" Kairi asked.
"Shortly after I went on my journey. So far, I caught an Azurill, a Skitty, and a Budew. It was hard, but I managed to pull it off," Wally explained.
"How many Badges did you win, Wally?" Sora asked.
"Just two," Wally said, showing the Stone and Knuckle Badges to his friends.
"That's the Stone Badge and that one's the Knuckle Badge," Lisia said.
"Sounds like you're on your way, Wally," Sora said.
"That's nice of you to say," Wally said as he smiled. A few minutes later, Kairi was making some breakfast for everyone to eat. Kairi has cooked up some pancakes, enough for everyone. Wally's Pokémon were welcomed by Ali, and the other Pokémon as they were eating the Pokémon food Kairi had provided. Sora, Kairi, and Lisia filled Wally in about what happened with them since they last saw each other.
"And that's about it," Sora said.
"Wow. It hasn't even been that long," Wally said.
"We know, right? Right now, we've been looking for the Battle Palace, just so I could challenge Spenser to a battle," Sora said.
"I would like to join you for a bit. Just so I can watch, if that's okay with you, Sora," Wally said.
"You're more than welcome, Wally," Lisia said.
"Yeah, the more, the merrier," Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"Eevee, vee," Angel said.
With that said, Wally joined Sora, Kairi, Lisia, Pikachu, and Angel in the search to find the Battle Palace. Unknown to them is a pair of Pokémon watching them while invisible. They followed the small group through the forest. As they kept going, the sounds of the local Pokémon can be heard, from the songs of Swablu to the flapping of Beautifly's wings.
"This forest seems much bigger from outside. There are so many trees, a bunch of Heracross would be suckling down sap like crazy," Sora said.
"And you'd be right. Look," Wally said, pointing ahead of them. They saw several Heracross eating the tree sap from the trees. Not only Heracross, but there were also Pinsir, too.
"Let's keep moving. We shouldn't bother them while they're eating," Kairi said.
"Vee," Angel agreed.
With that said, they kept on moving on through the forest. They stopped when they felt the ground suddenly shake.
"You felt that?" Wally asked.
"Yeah, we did," Sora said.
"It felt pretty close," Lisia said.
Suddenly, the loud sound of footsteps can be heard, too.
"You hear that?" Sora asked.
"Chu?" Pikachu asked.
"You don't think it could be a huge Heartless, do you?" Lisia asked.
"I hope not. Let's hope that it's a large Pokémon," Sora said.
"Yeah, but what Pokémon could be big enough to make these loud sounds?" Wally asked. He got his answer when a Venusaur appeared before them. Sitting on Venusaur is a bald, tall and thin elderly man, who has closed eyes. He has brown skin, a long white beard and white eyebrows. He wears a pale blue wrap top on his top half which leaves one shoulder bare, and has a dark blue belt tied around his waist. He also has blue tattoos on his upper arms which resemble the markings on Kyogre's fins. On his bottom half he wear a mustard yellow wrap with a blue stripe, and blue open toed sandals. He is carrying a blue staff, also with Kyogre markings on.
"Does that answer your question, Wally?" Sora asked.
"Welcome," the elderly man greeted. "A nice day for a stroll, don't you think?"
"Yeah, a nice day," Sora said.
"You four seem like you're lost. Is there something I can do to assist you?" The elderly man asked.
"Actually, sir, we're looking for the Battle Palace," Sora said.
"Battle Palace? Ah, then, you must have come to challenge Spenser to a battle, young man?" The elderly man asked.
"Yeah, we're looking for him. Do you know him? Is he a friend or a relative of yours?" Sora asked.
"I do know him. He's me," the elderly man said. Sora, Kairi, Lisia, and Wally were surprised to find him. "Many challengers often end up lost in this forest, so I stepped out to show them to safety. You're no exception. But since you know my name, I would like to know yours in return."
"Right. My name's Sora, and I came from Pallet Town," Sora said.
"Alright, Sora. Scott told me that you would eventually show up, and it looks like you've come a long way. Come along, and we'll get to the Battle Palace from here," Spenser said. With that said, the group followed Spenser and Venusaur through the forest and right to the Battle Palace. The Battle Palace is an old temple. It looked like it was built to honor Groudon and Kyogre. Stepping out of the temple is Scott.
"Scott?!" Sora exclaimed.
"Sora, you saved me the trouble of looking for you myself," Scott said.
"Actually, it was Spenser who did that," Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"He was nice enough to do it," Kairi said.
"Now that we've arrived, we can get started on our battle when you're ready," Spenser said.
"Sure," Sora said.
"Also, I should inform you that we shall be having a three-on-three battle, and only you will be allowed to make substitutions whenever you please," Spenser said.
"That's good to know," Sora said.
"Also, the entire forest will be the battlefield," Spenser said.
"Huh?! The whole forest?!" Sora exclaimed in shock.
"Of course. That's not a problem, is it?" Spenser asked.
"Not really," Sora said. He took out his Pokémon Box and exchanged his Snorunt and Anorith for Fearow and Tropius. He decided to use his Grovyle for this battle as well.
Scott has ushered Kairi, Lisia, Wally, and Angel to a hot air balloon.
"Wow, look at this. We can see the whole forest from up here," Wally said.
"Spenser did say that the whole forest is the battlefield, but it's just as big as a city, just how are we going to be able to see anything from up here?" Lisia asked.
"Ah, that's the beauty of modern technology. Jamero, if you would," Scott said. Just then a robot floated up to them. It is a Pokéball with a built-in camera and robotic limbs.
"Greetings, Scott," the robot greeted.
"A robot?" Kairi asked.
"Vee?" Angel asked.
"Jamero is more than a robot, Kairi. Jamero is also a referee and a camera all built into one.
"Greetings, everyone and welcome to the Battle Palace!" Jamero greeted.
"Heh, that's awesome," Wally said.
"Look at how cute Jamero is," Lisia said.
"You're right," Kairi agreed, finding Jamero cute.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Jamero can move at high speed. It doesn't matter if it's up in the sky or under water. And his high-tech camera can make judgements and decisions in less than a second," Scott said.
"Thanks. Shall we begin?" Jamero asked.
"Sure. That's what everyone came here to see," Scott said.
"Very good. Begin," Jamero said as a screen turns on. It shows Kairi, Lisia, Wally, Scott, and Angel in the screen. Jamero heads down to Sora and Spenser. They look on the screen, seeing Sora and Pikachu.
"This is a clever way to see what's happening on the battlefield," Wally said.
"That's right, Wally. I can hardly wait to see what Sora pulls out of his sleeve today," Scott said.
"Attention, please! The Frontier Battle between the Palace Maven Spenser, and the challenger, Sora Ketchum from Pallet Town is about to begin! Both Trainers have agreed to use three Pokémon each, and the battle will be over when all three of either Trainer's Pokémon are unable to continue to battle! In addition, only the challenger is permitted substitutions during the battle. Choose and begin!" Jamero announced.
"Now, I shall select my first Pokémon! Shiftry! To my side!" Spenser called out. His Pokéball opened and his Shiftry emerged from inside. Sora took out his Pokéball and threw it.
"Okay, Grovyle! You're going in first!" Sora called out. His Pokéball opened and Grovyle emerged from inside. Grovyle placed his twig in his mouth, ready to battle.
"Grovyle's going first," Lisia said.
"A battle between Grass-types," Kairi said.
"Wouldn't Combusken be a better choice than Grovyle?" Wally asked.
"Normally, yeah, but if I know Sora as well as I think I do, Sora knows Grovyle is right at home when it comes to the forest," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Okay, Grovyle! Bullet Seed!" Sora ordered. Grovyle fired Bullet Seed right at the Wicked Pokémon.
"Shifry! Into the forest!" Spenser called out. Shiftry rushes into the forest to escape from Grovyle's attack.
"Don't let Shiftry get away!" Sora said. Grovyle rushes after Shiftry as Sora, Spenser, and Pikachu followed.
"They're on the move now," Kairi said.
"And so are we," Scott said as he navigates the balloon.
Down below, Grovyle catches up with Shiftry.
"Leaf Blade!" Sora ordered.
"Use Quick Attack!" Spenser ordered. Grovyle's leaf on his arm forms into a glowing green blade He prepared to slash at Shiftry with it. The Wicked Pokémon dashed at the Wood Gecko Pokémon, clashing into one another.
"Those two are evenly matched," Wally said.
"Both in speed and power," Lisia said.
They kept on following their Grass-type Pokémon.
"Your Grovyle has lots of spirit, Sora!" Spenser said.
"Thanks! I was thinking the same about your Shiftry!" Sora said. They reached a pond next to a waterfall.
"Shiftry! Use Double Team!" Spenser ordered. Shiftry uses Double Team to make several copies of itself.
"Stay alert, Grovyle!" Sora said.
"Shiftry! Shadow Ball!" Spenser ordered. The copies all vanished and Shiftry forms a Shadow Ball and sends right at Grovyle, sending him right into the pond. "Follow up with Rock Smash!" Shiftry slams its hands on the ground, sending the rocks flying into the lake. Grovyle emerged from the water and saw the rocks coming. He dove back down.
"Grovyle's under those rocks!" Kairi gasped.
"Eevee," Angel said.
Back to Sora, Spenser, and Pikachu, the rocks have piled up in the pond.
"My, my. That's quite a pile there," Spenser said. Pikachu looked up and so did Sora and Spenser. Grovyle has climbed up the waterfall during the falling rocks. Spenser and Shiftry were surprised by Grovyle suddenly appeared out of the waterfall. "But how?"
"That was awesome! Use Fury Cutter!" Sora ordered. Grovyle's leaves gave off a red aura and he swings them right at Shiftry, dealing some damage. "Follow up with Leaf Blade!" Grovyle's leafy arm extends and he swings it right at Shiftry, dealing some damage to it. Shiftry was now knocked out.
"Shiftry is unable to battle! Grovyle wins!" Jamero announced.
"Way to go, Grovyle!" Sora said, praising him.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu said, also praising Grovyle.
"Ah, the way Grovyle used that opening to climb the waterfall was a sight to be held," Spenser said, impressed.
"Yes! Sora's taken the lead!" Kairi said.
"Eevee, vee, Ee!" Angel cheered.
"Yeah, but don't count your eggs before they hatch just yet. The battle's isn't over yet," Scott said. Spenser calls his Shiftry back inside. He took out another Pokéball and threw it.
"Venusaur! To my side!" Spenser called out. His Venusaur came out, ready to battle.
"The Venusaur from before. Okay, Grovyle, come on back for now," Sora said, calling Grovyle back inside. He took out another Pokéball and threw it. "Your turn now, Tropius!" His Pokéball opened and his Tropius emerged from inside, ready to battle.
"When did Sora get himself a Tropius?" Scott asked.
"He got Tropius just when we were stopping by at Professor Burch's lab," Kairi said.
"Sora's got this in the bag since Tropius is a Flying-type," Wally said.
"Ah, a Tropius. The fruit hanging from its neck must be sweet enough to eat by now," Spenser said.
"I only had Tropius for a short time, but I'm ready for anything your Venusaur can throw at me," Sora said.
"Yet, I can already sense a strong bond. You may have the first move, young man," Spenser said.
"Tropius! Use Gust!" Sora ordered. Tropius flapped his leafy wings and blew a strong wind.
"Stand your ground, Venusaur!" Spenser said. Venusaur stood his ground, not phased by Tropius's Gust.
"That Gust isn't even bothering Venusaur. Okay, use Headbutt!" Sora ordered. Tropius flew right towards Tropius.
"Venusaur! Use Razor Leaf!" Spenser ordered. Venusaur fired Razor Leaf right at Tropius. The Fruit Pokémon flew past the leaves and lands headbutts right on the Seed Pokémon.
"Use Magical Leaf!" Sora ordered. Tropius flapped his wings and sends out Magical Leaf.
"Venusaur! Vine Whip!" Spenser ordered. Venusaur uses Vine Whip on the leaves, blocking them completely. "Vine Whip again!" Venusaur sends out another Vine Whip, hitting Tropius on the mark.
"Use Stomp!" Sora ordered.
"Use Tackle!" Spenser ordered. Venusaur charges right at Tropius and lands a heavy Tackle on the Fruit Pokémon.
"Try Stomp again!" Sora ordered. Tropius gave Venusaur a stomp in the face. He sends Venusaur back and hits a Nanab Berry tree. It causes some Nanab Berries to fall off. Spenser catches the fallen berries. "Great job, Tropius!"
"Very good. Venusaur, let's use Solar Beam," Spenser said. Venusaur then started to build up energy in its flower.
"Venusaur is preparing to use Solar Beam, but we'll have to beat Venusaur before that happens. Tropius! Use Magical Leaf!" Sora ordered. Tropius unleashed Magical Leaf right at Venusaur, landing a hit.
"Fire Solar Beam, now!" Spenser ordered. Venusaur fired Solar Beam, hitting Tropius before he could dodge. Tropius was down for the count.
"Tropius is unable to battle! Venusaur wins!" Jamero announced.
"Excellent. Well done, Venusaur," Spenser said.
"I don't believe it. Venusaur has dealt a lot of damage on Tropius with a Solar Beam," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"I didn't think that could happen on a Grass-type or a Flying-type," Wally said.
"Me neither. That Venusaur's strong," Lisia said.
Sora calls back Tropius and smiled.
"You did a good job, Tropius. Get yourself a good, long rest," Sora said. Sora took out his next Pokéball and threw it. "Your turn now, Fearow!" His Pokéball opened and his Fearow came on out. Spenser threw a Nanab Berry to Fearow, surprising Sora and Pikachu. The Beak Pokémon catches it in his beak.
"That's some of the Nanab Berries that fell out of the tree. Please take them as my gift. Please, enjoy," Spenser said, throwing one each for Sora and Pikachu. Sora and Pikachu caught it in their hands.
"Thanks, but right now?" Sora asked.
"Pi?" Pikachu asked. Spenser sits down.
"It'll just be a short break," Spenser said. Spenser and Venusaur took a bite on their Nanab Berries. "Delicious."
"Okay, if you insist," Sora said. He and Pikachu sat down to eat their Nanab Berries. Fearow was chewing in his and liked the taste of the berry Spenser has given him.
"Isn't this nice? Just peace and calm. Tell me, doesn't food taste better in the thick of it?" Spenser asked.
"Yeah, it does," Sora said with a smile.
Over to the balloon, Scott has presented Kairi, Lisia, Wally, and Angel each an apple.
"How about a break for us, too?" Scott offered.
"That's real nice of you, Scott. Thank you," Wally said.
They started to eat the apples given to them.
"Delicious," Lisia said.
"Watching an intense battle like this one can work up an appetite," Kairi said. She turned to her partner. "Isn't that right, Angel?"
"Eevee, vee," Angel nodded.
After a short snack break, Sora and Spenser resumed their battle. Fearow flew fast in the air.
"Keep going, Fearow! You're moving fast and looking good!" Sora said.
"I won't let you go that easily! Venusaur! Use Razor Leaf!" Spenser ordered. Venusaur fired a Razor Leaf. Fearow moved to dodge the leaves. "Use Vine Whip!" Venusaur extends its vines to hit Fearow, but he dodged the vines from left to right. They made it out of the trees and out in the open.
"Good job, Fearow! They didn't even lay a hand on us!" Sora said.
"Well, if first you don't succeed, try again. Venusaur! Use Razor Leaf!" Spenser ordered. Venusaur fired a Razor Leaf right at Fearow.
"Use Double Team!" Sora ordered. Fearow uses Double Team to dodge Venusaur's Razor Leaf. The copies surrounded the Seed Pokémon. "Use Drill Peck!" Fearow and the copies flew down at Venusaur with their beaks spinning like drills.
"Use Vine Whip and knock them all down!" Spenser ordered. Venusaur extends its vines to knock them all out of the sky, but the real one lands a hit onto Venusaur with a Drill Peck. Venusaur skids backwards.
"Venusaur is looking tired," Wally said.
"That battle must have tired him out," Kairi said.
"Vee," Angel said.
"We must end this quickly! Venusaur! Solar Beam!" Spenser ordered. Venusaur prepares to fire Solar Beam. Sora saw how exhausted Fearow was from all the flying and dodging he was doing.
"Fearow is low on energy, too. And if that Solar Beam hits, then he's down and out," Sora said. He saw the clouds moving about and blocking the sun. Sora knew Solar Beam will charge even slower than normally. "That works for me! Fearow! Aerial Ace! Let's go!" Fearow dashed right at Venusaur and lands a hit.
"Bull's eye!" Kairi cheered.
"And that's all she wrote!" Lisia said.
"Eevee!" Angel said.
Venusaur was now knocked out.
"Venusaur is unable to battle! Fearow wins!" Jamero announced.
"Sora got lucky when the sun was blocked by those clouds. It's almost like he and the sun made a secret deal," Wally said.
"Maybe, but he's not out of the woods yet," Scott said. Kairi, Lisia, Wally, and Angel looked at Scott.
"What do you mean?" Lisia asked.
"Wait until you see his final choice. It makes Venusaur seem rather tamed," Scott said. Spenser called back his Venusaur and took out another Pokéball and threw it.
"Claydol! By my side!" Spenser called out. His Pokéball opened and a new Pokémon emerged from inside.
It is a large, black Pokémon that resembles a mud statue with two stubby legs. It has a rounded, oblate-shaped head with a peg-like protrusion extending from the center of the top of its head. Along the circumference of its head are many round, pink eye-like structures alternating with yellow studs or beak-like protrusions between each "eye". An undulating, white rim runs along the upper edges of the eyes. Its torso features white ring markings, each with a downward extension and yellow dot in the middle. Two smaller orbs sit at its sides like limbs and a peg-like protrusion. These two orbs are not attached to its body but are usually kept floating close by the Pokémon's psychic powers.
"What kind of Pokémon is that?" Sora asked, taking out his Rotom Phone and scanned it.
Claydol, the Clay Doll Pokémon
The evolved form of Baltoy
Type: Ground/Psychic
A Claydol sleeps while hovering in midair. Its arms are separate from its body. They are kept floating by the Pokémon's manipulation of psychic power.
"So that's what Baltoy will evolve into. I'm impressed," Sora said.
"Our natural world is overflowing with all sorts of energy in many forms. This Pokémon excels and drawing forth many of those energies. Now, young Sora, you'll find victory most challenging this time," Spenser said.
"I'm ready for anything you give me, Spenser. All I'm asking from you is to give it to me, and give it to me hard," Sora said. Spenser just smiled.
"I like your spirit, Sora," Spenser said.
"Okay, Fearow! Use Drill Run!" Sora ordered. Fearow flew right at Claydol with his whole body rotating like a drill.
"Claydol! Use Teleport and Rapid Spin!" Spenser ordered. Claydol vanished when Fearow was close to it. It reappeared right behind Fearow and spins right into Fearow, landing a hit.
"Use Rapid Spin again!" Spenser ordered. Claydol spins around, creating a dust tornado and struck Fearow on the mark. "Use Hyper Beam!" Claydol fired Hyper Beam and struck Fearow right on the mark. The Beak Pokémon fell hard to the ground, beaten.
"Fearow!" Sora gasped.
"Fearow is unable to battle! Claydol wins!" Jamero announced.
"Very well done, my good friend," Spenser said, praising Claydol. The Clay Doll Pokémon beamed from the praise.
"That was quick," Wally said.
"Fearow didn't even get a chance to land a hit on that Claydol," Lisia said.
"Claydol is obviously at a high level," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"And that means, the final round is about to begin," Scott said. Sora took out Grovyle's Pokéball and threw it.
"Grovyle! Back to action!" Sora called out. His Pokéball opened and Grovyle emerged from inside. He placed his twig in his mouth, ready to battle.
"Claydol, stay with me," Spenser said.
"Be ready, Grovyle. That Claydol is much stronger than it looks," Sora said.
"Claydol! Psybeam! Let's go!" Spenser ordered. Claydol fired Psybeam.
"Dodge it!" Sora called out. Grovyle dodges Claydol's Psybeam and struck a rock behind him. "Use Bullet Seed!"
"Teleport and then Rapid Spin!" Spenser ordered. Claydol teleports out of the way of Grovyle's Bullet Seed and then spins around and around, heading for Grovyle.
"Run towards the top of that cliff!" Sora called out. Grovyle ran up to a cliff. The leaves on Grovyle's arms suddenly began to glow, but then ceased because of the clouds gathering around. It then started to rain. "It's raining all of a sudden?"
"Pika?" Pikachu asked.
"What you're seeing is known as a squall. A type of rainstorm. It appears unexpectedly and as uniquely to the forest. It looks like Mother Nature did me a favor," Spenser said.
"It's just like Sidney said. Throughout this whole battle, I saw first hand how well Spenser uses nature to his advantage," Sora said.
"Claydol! Use Rapid Spin!" Spenser ordered. Claydol uses Rapid Spin to create another dust tornado and sends it right at the Wood Gecko Pokémon.
"Jump to dodge!" Sora called out. Grovyle jumped to dodge Claydol's attack, but the twister turns around and took Grovyle in it, shocking Sora greatly. "Grovyle!"
"That Rapid Spin, being mixed with the dust and the water from the squall just made it stronger!" Kairi exclaimed.
"And Grovyle's getting pounded by those rocks!" Lisia added.
"I never seen an attack used like that before!" Wally said.
"Claydol! Use Rapid and Psybeam!" Spencer ordered. Claydol fired a Psybeam while spinning around and around. Grovyle is struck from inside and sent flying.
"Get up, Grovyle! Get up!" Sora said. Grovyle gets tiredly stands up on his feet.
"Although I do admire your fighting spirit, but it appears we're about done," Spenser said.
"Come on, Grovyle, I know you can do it. Just give it everything you've got," Sora said. The clouds then moves around, revealing the sun. "Well, that's one way to lighten up my day." He noticed that the leaves on Grovyle's arms were glowing. It seems like Leaf Blade, but it was slightly different. Sora then recognized what it was. "Hey, that's Solar Blade, isn't it? It charges up like Solar Beam, but comes out like Leaf Blade. Maybe I can use that. Grovyle! Use Solar Blade!" Grovyle's leaves started to give off a solar glow.
"Oh, it seems that you're tuning in to the ways of nature. But I'm afraid your enlightenment has arrived a little too late. Claydol! Finish Grovyle with Hyper Beam!" Spenser ordered. Claydol fired Hyper Beam right at the Wood Gecko Pokémon.
"Dodge it!" Sora called out. Grovyle quickly jumped out of the way just in time before Claydol's Hyper Beam could land a hit on him. "Let that Solar Blade out now!" Grovyle's leaves extends in yellow blades. He ran towards Claydol and slices it with Solar Blade. Grovyle fell to his knee. It looked like Grovyle was out of steam, but not as much as Claydol. Sora saw that Claydol was having trouble keeping afloat, so it fell to the ground, beaten.
"Claydol, no!" Spenser gasped.
"Claydol is unable to battle! Grovyle wins! The winner is Sora from Pallet Town!" Jamero announced.
"Wow! Sora actually won!" Wally exclaimed with joy.
"Not only that, but Grovyle has learned to use Solar Blade!" Lisia said.
"Grovyle must have learned it during the battle!" Kairi said.
"Eevee!" Angel said.
"That Sora. He just keeps on surprising me. He already beaten the fifth Frontier Brain," Scott said. He lowered the balloon just in time for Spenser to approach Sora with a smile on his face.
"Well done, young Sora. You're full of more spirit than any Trainer that I have ever come across in my long life. You kept that spirit up no matter how difficult it was. And so, it fills me with great pride to present you the proof of your victory here in the Battle Palace. The Spirits Symbol," Spenser said, presenting Sora a gold Symbol with small rectangle blocks forming a square. Sora accepts it.
"Thanks, Spenser. You gave me an enjoyable battle, and you taught me about how to use nature to my advantage, and I hope to put it to good use someday," Sora said.
"I hope so, Sora. And I am happy to hear you say that," Spenser said, smiling.
"Also, Sora, just so you know, the sixth Frontier battle won't be a walk in the park, so it's going to be a lot more difficult than you think it is," Scott said.
"I don't doubt it, Scott," Sora said.
"Sora, since you've earned the Spirits Symbol, I would like to aid you to the exit to help you on your way," Spenser said.
"Yeah, I still have a Gym battle in Fortree City," Sora said.
Now that Sora has earned 5 Frontier Symbols from 5 Frontier Brains, Sora is much closer than ever toward his goal, and the same can be said when he and his friends reaches for Fortree City. But who and what is the Crystal Maiden, and who are the Black Sun Clan? Perhaps answers will come along pretty soon, so stay tuned if you want to see more.