Episode 266: Brendan's Red-Hot Battle!
On the morning after Sora has earned the Heat Badge from the beginning Gym Leader, Flannery, Brendan, May, Max, and Rei have arrived to the Pokémon Center. Sora was exchanging Whiscash and Pelipper for Electrike and Lotad when he noticed them. Sora just smiled.
"Hey, guys. Good of you to come," Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"So, Sora, did you earn your Gym Badge yet?" Brendan said.
"See for yourself," Sora said, showing them the Heat Badge he won.
"Wow, that's a Heat Badge, huh?" Brendan asked.
"Yeah. The new Gym Leader gave me a real run for my money yesterday," Sora said.
"Does that mean, you're going to challenge my dad in a Gym battle, Sora?" May asked.
"Yeah, and I don't think your dad is going to make it easy for me when I do challenge him," Sora said.
"You're right about that, Sora, because you're going to lose against him, Sora," Max said.
"Don't be so sure, Max. There's more to being a Gym Leader than winning all the time," Rei said.
"She's right. You can't expect dad to win every battle he enters," May said.
"What are you saying, May? He's your dad, too, so you're saying he's going to lose?!" Max exclaimed.
"No, I'm saying it could go either way!" May argued.
Just then, Kairi, Lisia, the DigiDestined, Amy, and Angel have shown up.
"What could go either way?" Kairi asked.
"Kairi, hi! How are you doing?" May asked.
"Well, can't complain. How about you?" Kairi asked.
"Well, still learning," May said. She noticed seven additional DigiDestined with them. "So, who are they?"
"These six are friends of ours. We met them back in Kanto," Sora said.
"Nice to meet you. May, wasn't it?" Takuya asked.
"Um, yes," May answered.
"Who are you?" Brendan asked.
"I'm Takuya Kanbara."
"I'm Koji Minamoto."
"JP Shibayama."
"My name's Zoe Orimoto."
"I'm Tommy Himi."
"And I'm Koichi Kimura."
"Munchlax."
"Mime, Mime," Mime Jr said.
"And my name's Amy. I'm new to the ride. Are you Keyblade wielders, too?" Amy asked. Rei looked right at Sora with a deadpan expression.
"Sora," Rei said.
"Master, we can explain," Sora said.
"Master?" Amy asked.
"They're apprentices. Her apprentices to make it short," Tai said.
"Okay, I get it," Amy said.
Sora and Kairi explained to their master about the Unversed attacking Amy, so they were only reacting to an attack.
"I understand. Your hearts were in the right place," Rei said.
"It was quite a shock to hear about it at first, but it was similar to us," Takuya said. Koji, Koichi, JP, Zoe, Tommy, Munchlax, and Mime Jr all nodded.
"But changing the subject, you should go ahead and challenge the Gym Leader there, becuase she'll be expecting you," Sora said.
"Thanks, Sora, that's what I have in mind," Brendan said. Brendan got started with his training before he went off to train. It turns out that his Geodude has evolved into a Graveler since Brendan's battle with Wattson, and he caught himself a Trapinch, too.
It take a rocket scientist to figure out that he was using his Mudkip, Graveler, and Trapinch in his battle against Flannery.
Just when Brendan was about to have his battle, the two DigiDestined teams stood before Sora, Kairi, Brendan, May, Max, Lisia, Rei, Pikachu, and Angel.
"You sure you can't stay with us a little longer?" Kairi asked.
"We're Kairi. It was awesome hanging out with you again," Takuya said.
"And we got some traveling to do anyway," Matt said.
"I'm sticking with this bunch since I would like to get to know Davis more," Amy said. Davis just blushed when he saw her holding his hand.
"And I'd like to get to know you, too, Amy," Davis said with a smile.
"Anyway, Brendan, good luck in your Gym battle," Tai said.
"And you too in your next one, Sora 2," Kari added.
"And the same with you in your Contests, Kairi, May," TK said.
"Thanks, TK, that's very nice of you," May said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Mime, Mime, Mime!" Mime Jr said.
"Munchlax, Munch," Munchlax said.
With that said, Sora, Kairi, Brendan, May, Max, Lisia, Rei, Pikachu, and Angel wished their friends good luck and took off on their way and promised to give their regards to Ash and the other Keyblade wielding Pokémon Trainers when they see them soon.
They all arrived to the Lavaridge Town Gym with Flannery standing out in front. She was surprised to see Sora so soon.
"Sora, hey, it's good to see you again, but I already gave you a Heat Badge yesterday," Flannery said.
"Yeah, you did, but I'm here as a spectator today," Sora said.
"I'm the one who's here to challenge to a battle," Brendan said.
"And what's your name?" Flannery asked.
"I'm Brendan, and I came from Littleroot Town," Brendan said.
"Alright! As a Gym Leader, I accept your challenge," Flannery said. She noticed that the group was smaller. "Hey, where did your other friends go?"
"They had to take off, but they gave Brendan their support," Rei said.
"Is your grandpa reffing again?" Kairi asked.
"No, he actually got someone available. He came in shortly after my battle with Sora. He's going to be filling in until the regular referee comes back from his vacation," Flannery said.
"Then, where did your grandpa go?" Sora asked.
"He left this morning, so he had to sneak around. But he said he was going to start calling to check up on me from now on," Flannery said. "We can battle as soon as you're ready."
"I'm game," Brendan said.
Brendan and Flannery got into position for their battle as the temporary referee has taken his position.
"The battle between the Gym Leader Flannery and the challenger Brendan from Littleroot Town is about to begin! Both Trainers will be using three Pokémon each! Only the challenger is allowed to make substitutions during the battle! The battle is over when all of either Trainer's Pokémon is unable to continue battling! Now, choose your Pokémon and begin!" The referee announced. Flannery took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Slugma!" Flannery called out. Her Slugma emerged from inside. Brendan took out his Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Trapinch!" Brendan called out. His Trapinch came out to battle.
"Okay, Trapinch is a Ground-type Pokémon, so Brendan has the advantage," May said.
"Yeah, but that Slugma is tougher than she looks. I know because I've seen her in action," Kairi said.
"Trapinch! Use Bite!" Brendan ordered.
"Slugma! Use Double Team!" Flannery ordered. Slugma has made several copies of herself. "Slugma! Use Flamethrower!" Slugma fired a Flamethrower right at Trapinch, landing some damage. "Use Body Slam!" Slugma jumped to land right on the Ant Pit Pokémon.
"Use Dig!" Brendan ordered. Trapinch dug into the earth to avoid Slugma's Body Slam.
"That Trapinch will come out from anywhere! Keep your eyes peeled!" Flannery said. Slugma looked around for Trapinch, but then the Ant Pit Pokémon came out and struck Trapinch.
"Slugma! Use Flamethrower!" Flannery ordered. Slugma fired Flamethrower right at Trapinch.
"Use Quick Attack!" Brendan ordered. Trapinch dashed to avoid Slugma's Flamethrower and lands a hit on Slugma. "Use Mud-Slap!" Trapinch hurls a Mud-Slap, hitting Slugma.
"Use Flamethrower!" Flannery ordered. Slugma fired Flamethrower right at Trapinch.
"Use Dig!" Brendan ordered. Trapinch dug into the earth to dodge Slugma's Flamethrower. Trapinch came out and hit Slugma on the spot, resulting in a knockout.
"Slugma is unable to battle! Trapinch wins!" The referee announced.
"One down, two to go," Brendan said. Flannery called her Slugma back and she smiled.
"Get some rest, Slugma. You've earned it," Flannery said. She took out her next Pokéball and threw it. "All right, Magcargo! Go!" Her Pokéball opened and her Magcargo came out to battle. Brendan took out his Rotom Phone and scanned it.
Magcargo, the Lava Pokémon
The evolved form of Slugma
Type: Fire/Rock
Its body temperature is roughly 18000 degrees Fahrenheit. Flames burst from gaps in its shell made of hardened magma.
"Trapinch! Use Dig!" Brendan ordered.
"Magcargo! Use Protect!" Flannery ordered. Magcargo created a protective barrier around itself. Trapinch's attack bounced right off. Brendan called back Trapinch and he took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Graveler!" Brendan called out. Graveler came out, ready to battle. May took out her Rotom Phone and scanned it.
Graveler, the Rock Pokémon
The evolved form of Geodude
Type: Rock/Ground
Graveler travels by rolling down mountain paths. If Graveler is moving too fast, it runs into huge boulders to stop.
"Marcargo! Use Earth Power!" Macargo prepared to use Earth Power.
"Graveler! Jump!" Brendan called out. Graveler jumped in the air to dodge Magcargo's attack. "Use Rock Slide!" Graveler forms rocks and makes them rain down on the Lava Pokémon, dealing a super-effective hit on Magcargo.
"That dealt some heavy damage," May said.
"Magcargo is a Fire-type, so it's really weak against Rock-type moves," Max said.
"Okay, Graveler! Use Earthquake!" Brendan ordered. Graveler slammed on the ground, making the whole battlefield shake. Flannery almost lost her balance from that one. Sora, Kairi, May, Max, Lisia, Rei, Pikachu, and Angel also almost lost their balance from the shaking. Magcargo was now knocked out.
"Magcargo is unable to battle! Graveler wins!" The referee announced.
"Flannery's down to one Pokémon remaining," Lisia said.
"I hope Brendan's ready for anything that's coming his way," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
Flannery called Magcargo back and smiled.
"You battled hard, Magcargo, and you've earned a good, long rest," Flannery said. She took out her third and last Pokéball and threw it. "It's your turn now, Torkoal!" Her Pokéball opened and her Torkoal emerged from inside. Brendan took out his Rotom Phone once again to scan it.
Torkoal, the Coal Pokémon
Type: Fire
Coal is the source of Torkoal's energy. Large amounts of coal can be found in the mountains where they live.
"Okay, this should be easy. Graveler! Use Earthquake!" Brendan ordered.
"I don't think so! Use Solar Beam!" Flannery ordered. Torkoal fired Solar Beam and it came out right away due to the sun shining so brightly. Graveler was knocked out before it could land a hit.
"Graveler is unable to battle! Torkoal wins!" The referee announced. Brendan called his Graveler back inside and he smiled.
"Get some rest, Graveler. You've earned it," Brendan said. He took out his next Pokéball and threw it. "Trapinch, you're going back in!" Brendan called out. Trapinch came right out to battle. "Use Mud-Slap!" Trapinch hurls a Mud-Slap right at Torkoal. It hurts her, but nothing additional happened.
"Wait, Mud-Slap usually cuts a Pokémon's accuracy when it hits, so why didn't it work on Torkoal?" Max asked.
"It's because of Torkoal's ability, called White Smoke," Rei said.
"What's White Smoke?" May asked.
"White Smoke is an ability that prevents a Pokémon from cutting the opponent's stats," Rei answered.
"Okay, use Quick Attack!" Brendan ordered. Trapinch dashed right at Torkoal with a Quick Attack.
"Iron Defense!" Flannery ordered. Torkoal withdrew in her shell and Trapinch's Quick Attack bounces off.
"Use Bite!" Brendan ordered.
"Keep using Iron Defense!" Flannery ordered. Trapinch tried to bite onto Torkoal, but no luck. Okay, Torkoal, use Solar Beam!" Torkoal fired a Solar Beam, hitting Trapinch with just one hit, resulting in a knockout.
"Trapinch is unable to battle! Torkoal wins!" The referee announced. Brendan called his Trapinch back inside.
"Every time I launch an attack, Torkoal uses that Iron Defense to make it bounce off. I gotta find a way around it. But how?" Brendan asked, taking out his last Pokéball. "This is my last Pokémon. Gotta make it count." He threw it. "Go! Mudkip!" The Pokéball opens and Mudkip enters the battlefield, ready to battle Flannery's Torkoal. "Mudkip! Mud-Slap!" Mudkip kicks up some mud right at Torkoal.
"Torkoal! Use Iron Defense!" Flannery ordered. Torkoal withdrew in its shell and Mud-Slap bounces off, making Brendan frustrated.
"Mudkip! Use Water Gun!" Brendan ordered. Mudkip fires Water Gun right at Torkoal.
"Iron Defense!" Flannery ordered. Torkoal withdrew in her shell and Water Gun bounced right off. "Now use Solar Beam!" Torkoal fired Solar Beam right at Mudkip.
"Mudkip! Dodge it!" Brendan called out. Mudkip avoids Torkoal's Solar Beam. "Tackle! Let's go!" Mudkip charges right towards Torkoal with a full force of its body.
"Torkoal! Body Slam!" Flannery ordered. Torkoal jumps and heads down right at Mudkip. Mudkip stops and looks up.
"Water Gun!" Brendan ordered. Mudkip fired Water Gun and it hits Torkoal on the undershell. Brendan figured out Torkoal's weakness. "That's it! Torkoal can't use Iron Defense if it's not on the ground! Just the edge I need!" Torkoal lands on her feet.
"That's not enough to take down my Torkoal!" Flannery stated. Torkoal! Solar Beam!" Torkoal fired another Solar Beam right at the Mud Fish Pokémon.
"Water Gun!" Brendan ordered. Mudkip fired Water Gun and it blocked Solar Beam. Both held on with their attacks. Solar Beam was taking advantage at the moment before Water Gun pushed back Solar Beam and it struck Torkoal. "Now use Mud-Slap!" Mudkip kicks up some mud and it heads for Torkoal again.
"No, you don't! Torkoal! Iron Defense!" Flannery ordered. Torkoal withdrew in its shell and Mud-Slap bounces off of Torkoal again.
"Great! Now use Tackle!" Brendan ordered. Mudkip charges towards Torkoal again. Flannery wasn't gonna go for that.
"Trying that again, Brendan? I don't think so! Torkoal! Use Body Slam!" Flannery ordered. Torkoal waited for Mudkip to get close enough and jumps out of the way of Mudkip's Tackle.
"You're the one trying that again, Flannery. Mudkip! Aqua Tail!" Brendan ordered. Mudkip swings its tail right at Torkoal and lands a hit onto the Coal Pokémon. Torkoal goes down right to the ground. "Now use Water Gun!" Mudkip fires Water Gun and it struck Torkoal on the spot and fell straight to the ground. Mudkip lands on its feet. Sora, Kairi, Brendan, May, Max, Lisia Pikachu, Angel, Flannery, and the referee waited anxiously to see if Torkoal can keep going. Torkoal tries to get back up, but Torkoal fell on the ground out of exhaustion.
"Torkoal is unable to battle! Mudkip wins! The victory goes to Brendan of Littleroot Town!" The referee announced.
"I knew you could do it, Brendan," May said, happy for her crush.
Flannery called her Torkoal back and she smiled.
"You always do your best for me, Torkoal. Thanks for the good battle," Flannery said. She approached Brendan. "That was a good battle, Brendan. The way you battled just shows me how good how good a Trainer you are. Just so everyone knows that you won this battle, I'm giving you this Heat Badge." Brendan accepts the Heat Badge from her.
"Thanks a lot, Flannery," Brendan said.
"No, thank you, Brendan. That was only my second battle as a Gym Leader," Flannery said.
After the battle was done, Brendan has checked his three Pokémon in to be healed from their injuries. Brendan sat down and he knew which Gym was on his radar next, and it's the same as Sora's radar. Rei approached her newest apprentice.
"You have done well today, Brendan. Your skills was very impressive," Rei said.
"Thanks, Master," Brendan said.
"I can tell something is bothering you," Rei said. Brendan took a look at his master and he sighed.
"Well, it's like this. The next Gym Leader I'm going to be battling next is May's dad, but the thing is, he's been a good friend to my dad for a long time, and I'm not even sure if I wanna battle him again since I lost to him since it was my very first battle, and I didn't even have a plan," Brendan said.
"You shouldn't have expect things to go your way right away. You were only getting started, and not everyone gets it right the first time. Sora has made some mistakes himself, but he has learned from those mistakes. And from the way you battled today, you have learned so much since then. The Gym Badges you earned is not only proof that you defeated the Gym Leader of the Gym, but they're also proof that you have learned from your accomplishments. You shouldn't let the smallest things stop you from doing what you need to do next. It doesn't matter if it's from your past experience or perhaps your infatuation with May," Rei said. Brendan blushed when she said it.
"You knew about that?" Brendan asked.
"It wasn't hard for me to notice. I've seen it over a thousand times," Rei said. "There's nothing unnatural about Keyblade wielders being in love with each other. If you love May, then, you shouldn't worry about taking on her dad and beating him, because it won't affect your friendship with her. And I know your dad will say the same thing to you if he was here." Brendan nodded, letting her know he understood what she's talking about.
"You think she love me, Master?" Brendan asked.
"It's not my place, my apprentice. It's yours," Rei said. "I suggest you take all the time you need to make up your mind on when and how to confess."
"I will, Master," Brendan said. Brendan went over to Nurse Joy and picked up his three Pokémon from Nurse Joy.
Over to Sora and Kairi, they decided to get some training done before they took off for their next destination. During the training, Electrike, and the two Ralts have evolved into a Manectric and Kirlia.
"Great job, guys!" Sora said.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu said.
The two newly evolved Kirlia beamed as they lovingly looked at each other and embraced each other. Sora took out his Rotom Phone to scan them.
Kirlia, the Emotion Pokémon
The evolved form of Ralts
Type: Psychic/Fairy
Kirlia uses the horns on its head to amplify its psychokinetic power. When the Pokémon uses its power, the air around it becomes distorted, creating mirages of nonexistent scenery.
"You okay to keep going, Sora?" Kairi asked.
"Whenever you are, Kairi," Sora said. With that said, the couple and their Pokémon continued on with their training until Sora received a call on his Rotom Phone. He answered it. "Hello?"
"Sora, I hope you're not too busy, are you?" Scott asked from his end.
"Well, my girlfriend and I are doing some training, but we can talk. What's up?" Sora asked.
"I am calling to inform you that your next Battle Frontier challenge lays ahead in Mauville City. And it's known as the Battle Dome," Scott said.
"The Battle Dome?" Sora asked.
"Yeah. The Battle Dome Ace Tucker has gotten wind of your accomplishments, so he is expecting you," Scott said.
"Thanks for the info, Scott. We'll see you there," Sora said.
"What did Scott have to say, Sora?" Kairi asked.
"It looks like our trip down to Petalburg City is on hold until we get the Battle Dome over and done with," Sora said. He took a look at his Rotom Phone and looked up the PokéNav on his Rotom Phone. "Okay, to get to Petalburg City, we're going have to get to Mauville City, and head over for Verdanturf Town and go through the Rusturf Tunnel and make a trip through Rustboro City."
"Sounds like a plan, Sora," Kairi said.
A little while later, Sora, Kairi, Brendan, May, Max, Lisia, Rei, Pikachu, and Angel have gotten their act together and started to take their leave of Lavaridge Town and head out for Mauville City after filling them in about their plan.
"You're going to have to train very hard to get your next Frontier Symbol, Sora," Rei said.
"Yeah, you're right, Master. I know Tucker isn't going to make it easy for me, so I wanna be ready for him," Sora said.
"I hope you don't go and shoot yourself in the mouth, Sora, because I heard about this Tucker. From what I hear, he's a straight-up strategist. You're going to need to think up of a good strategy to take him down," Brendan said.
"I guess you're right, Brendan," Sora said. He did wonder what kind of opponent Tucker is, and how good of a tactician he was, but he knew he wasn't going to get the answers to his questions rightt away, so he had to wait and see when it happens.
A little later, the group made a stop by a small pond, so Kairi has exchanged Beautifly for Feebas. She remembered the Prisim Scale she got before and she figured it was time she used it. She let's her Feebas out of her Pokéball and into the water.
"Okay, you can evolve into a Milotic when you're given this Prism Scale," Kairi said.
"Feebas," Feebas said.
"It looks like the time is now for that," Kairi said, giving the Prism Scale to Feebas. Just then, Sora, Brendan, May, Max, Lisia, Rei, Pikachu, and Angel have arrived just in time to witness the evolution. Feebas now become an aquatic, serpentine Pokémon with a primarily cream-colored body. She has red eyes with long, pinkish antennae above them. Additionally, there are long, hair-like fins above its eyes, which begin thin and thicken towards the tips. These eyebrows extend to almost half of her body length. On top of her relatively small head is a straight spike. Running down either side of her neck are three black dots, similar to gills. Her lower body is a pattern of blue and pink, diamond-shaped scales outlined with black. The tail consists of four large, blue fins with pink ovals in their centers. Each of her tail fins overlaps the next slightly, causing it to resemble a fan.
"Whoa!" Sora exclaimed with awe.
"Pi!" Pikachu also exclaimed with awe.
"Vee," Angel said.
"Wow, a Milotic," Max said.
"She's beautiful," Kairi said with awe, taking out her Rotom Phone and scanned her.
Milotic, the Tender Pokémon
The evolved form of Feebas
Type: Water
Milotic is always referred to being the most beautiful of all Pokémon. Milotic live at the bottom of large lakes. When this Pokémon's body glows a vivid pink, it releases a pulsing wave of energy that brings soothing calm to troubled hearts.
"Wow, Kairi is so lucky," May said with a hint of envy.
"I think your newly evolved Milotic would do so well in Contests," Lisia said.
"I think you're right, Lisia," Kairi agreed. "And I think I should use Milotic in my next Contest. How about it, Milotic? You up for it?"
"Milotic," the newly evolved Milotic said.
Kairi has gained herself such a beautiful Pokémon and she plans on using her for her next Contest, but as for Sora, he'll be making some big plans if he wants to win against Tucker in the Battle Dome in Mauville City and against Norman in Petalburg City. Stay tuned if you want to know what happens next.