Episode 424: The Electrike Company
A couple of days have passed since meeting up with Zoey, so Sora, Kairi, Arthur, Wes, Rui, Pikachu, and Angel have made s atop to rest right next to a pond where they can get themselves some rest before continuing on their way to Hearthome City. Kairi has prepared some hot tea for them to drink. Also, their Pokémon also got a chance to play. During that time, Kairi was going over a double performance, but deciding on which ones to pick for the Contest was the hard part, but she knew the real deal was going to be even harder. Arthur sipped his cup.
"I gotta say, this was a great idea picking this place to rest our feet," Arthur said.
"Especially with the beautiful scenery," Rui said.
"I know, just smell that mountain air," Wes said.
"And there's hardly a cloud in the sky. Talking about a perfect wether," Kairi said.
"Not even the Heartless, Nobodies, and Unversed can ruin the day we've been having," Sora said. He saw a blue stream of electricity coming their way. "WATCH OUT!" Sora, Kairi, Arthur, Wes, and Rui scattered as it struck.
"Was that lightning?" Arthur asked.
"In this kind of weather? I highly doubt that very much!" Sora said.
"But where did that come?" Rui said. Before any of them could try to figure out what happened, they hear a voice.
"Electrike!" A voiced yelled. They turned to see an Electrike, running very, very fast.
"That's an Electrike!" Wes said.
"And he's running very fast, too!" Kairi said.
Electrike sends out another stream of electricity up in the air and it came on down. They scattered again, not wanting to get zapped by the electrical jolt.
"That was close," Sora said.
"Sorry!" A voice shouted. They turned to see a young man running up. He has light skin and brown hair tied in a ponytail. He wore a light lavender shirt, blue jeans, and gray shoes. "I knew this was gonna happen! Are you okay? No one got zapped, did you?"
"We're fine. We're fine," Sora said.
"That's good. I can't tell you how sorry I am about this. You see, Electrike and I have been out here practicing our Electric-type moves, but as you can see, we really need practice," the young man said.
"It's alright. Anyway, my name's Sora, and this is Pikachu," Sora introduced.
"Pika, Pika," Pikachu said.
"My name's Kairi, and this is Angel," Kairi introduced.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"I'm Arthur. Nice to meet you."
"I'm Wes."
"And my name's Rui."
"I'm Jaco. Believe or not, I'm a Pokémon Breeder," Jaco said.
"A Pokémon Breeder, huh? That's great," Sora said. Jaco eyes Sora and Kairi's Staravia.
"Hey, look at these two Staravia. They look like they've been raised very well. The plumage on thes two are very perfect," Jaco said.
"Thank you. We had our Staravia since they were both Starly," Sora said.
"I don't doubt it. I just love Flying-type Pokémon. Compared to Electric-types...let's just say they're more of a challenge," Jaco said. Kairi was a bit confused by his comment. She noticed the comment has disheartened Electrike.
"Jaco," a voice of an older man said. They turned to see a short elderly man wearing a suit. "Ah, there you are. And who are they?"
"Sir, meet Sora and his friends," Jaco introduced them.
"Hi," the group all said.
"Hello. My name is Cal and I'm the head of the Pokémon Training Center," Cal introduced himself.
"Pokémon Training Center?" Sora and Kairi asked.
"Yes. This facility specializes with Electric-type Pokémon such as Electrike here. If you have a look right behind me, and you can see the Pokémon Training complex," Cal said. They looked to see some buildings right next to the same river.
"It looks like a good place to train Electric-type Pokémon," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"So, Jaco, how are things going with Electrike?" Cal asked. Jaco sighed to himself.
"The truth..." Jaco pasued. Cal understood right away.
"Hm. Right. But this one has some potential. And it's your job to bring out that potential. I know you can do it, my boy," Cal said.
"Thank you, sir," Jaco said.
"Now, how would you young people like to have a tour of our Pokémon Training Center?" Cal offered.
"That'll be great," Sora said.
"You sure that's alright?" Kairi asked.
"Of course. That's if you don't mind the quiet," Cal said.
Cal and Jaco leads, Sora, Kairi, Arthur, Wes, Rui, Pikachu, and Angel to the facility and they didn't see any Electric-types at all.
"When Cal said it was quiet, I didn't seem to think it'll be literally," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Where is everybody?" Arthur asked. Cal came in, carrying a different Electrike than the one they had met earlier.
"I told you so. All of the others have finished their training and graduated. Of course, this Electrike will do the same and then move on to the power generating room," Cal said.
"What goes on in there?" Kairi asked.
"First you train them to use their electrical abilities, and then they help generate electricity," Wes said.
"That is absolutely correct. But in order for them to do that, they have control over all their Electric-type moves. And that is why they train here first," Cal said.
"Sounds like a great idea," Arthur said.
"And now, we'll show you the results of their training," Cal said. He leads everyone to some targets he has established as he and the other Electrike are about to give them a demonstration. "Watch closely please. Electrike! Use Charge!" His Electrike began to charge up electrical energy.
"I see. Charge builds up electricity in his body before he could let out," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Thunder, now!" Cal ordered. The other Electrike unleashed a powerful Thunder and sends it right at the targets. "Now, move it to the right!" Electrike moves the Thunder to the left", much to everyone's surprise, except for Jaco. It goes over the water.
"It turned!" Arthur said.
"Now, upward!" Cal instructed. The Electrike moves upward. "Now, a quick descent and hit the target!" The other Electrike lands a hit on one of the targets, obliterating it completely. "Well done, Electrike."
"Wow, did you just see that?" Arthur asked.
"We all did," Kairi said.
"I didn't know Electric-type Pokémon could so that," Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"Neither did I," Rui said.
"It had to take a great amount of control to pull that off," Wes said.
"Well, it certainly does make it much easier to safely perform their work. And you've got your work cut out for you," Cal said.
"Right," Jaco agreed.
"And you may stay for as long as you like," Cal said.
"Thank you so much," Sora said.
"So you'll teach the same thing to this Electrike as well?" Kairi asked.
"No," Jaco said, confusing everyone. "If you ask me, this Electrike is doomed to fail." He sighed. "Look, it lost control during the last training session and caused you guys all sorts of trouble. I know the boss tells me it'll work out, but the thing is, I'm specializing with Flying-type Pokémon breeding, not Electric-type breeding."
"We never figured that," Rui said.
"I'm stuck in a place that specializes with Electric-type Pokémon. The worst," Jaco said.
"I don't think the problem is Electrike," Kairi said. He looked right at her. "The problem is you." Everyone all looked at her.
"How could you say that?" Jaco asked.
"The thing is, you're being very picky about which types of Pokémon and you're probably used to working with a specific type of Pokémon. When I was little, a Pokémon Breeder has taught me a bit of how a Pokémon and its Trainer works well together."
"Eevee," Angel said.
"And if it's okay, we would like to help you out," Kairi said.
"I had a feeling you would help out, Kairi. I would have said the same thing," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
Later, Kairi was about to demonstrate on how to take proper care of Electrike.
"Electrike builds up electricity in their fur, so it's good to brush Electrike's fur all the time," Kairi said. Jaco took out a brush.
"Just like this?" Jaco asked, taking out a brush, holding a metal brush in his hand. He used it to brush Electricke's fur and gave him quite a shock. "What was that for?"
"This is a metal brush. Metal brushes conducts electricity," Kairi said. SHe took out her brush and uses it on Electrike. "And here's the proper way to do it." She brushes Electrike's fur. "The first thing you want to do is relax Electrike like this." Jaco is amazed by how well she's handled it. Electrike purrs to the brushing. "Then you have to trust Electrike, and doing that will teach him to trust you back. It's the same for raising Flying-type Pokémon." Jaco looked right at Electrike.
"I guess you're right. The problem with Electrike is I haven't really had faith," Jaco said.
"Your girlfriend has that magic touch, Sora," Arthur said.
"You got that right," Sora agreed. They all looked right at the Lightning Pokémon. "Electrike's going to be quite fine."
On the very next morning, Sora, Kairi, Arthur, Wes, Rui, Pikachu, and Angel all stood out in the targets outside. Sora, Kairi, Wes, and Rui decided to help out by having their Electric-types help out with the training.
"Alright, Electrike! Ready for some training?" Jaco asked.
"Trike!" Electrike said.
"Let's start with Charge!" Jaco ordered. Electrike began to build up electricity in its fur. "Now, Thunderbolt!" Electrike unleashed a Thunderbolt and made it turn to the left. Everyone ducked their heads. Jaco gasped when saw it. "Electrike, stop!" Electrike ceased using Thunderbolt.
"That was close," Sora said.
"Electrike," Electrike sadly said.
"What went wrong now?" Jaco asked.
"The problem was the timing," Wes said.
"What do you mean by that?" Jaco asked.
"Maybe we could show you what we mean by showing you," Wes said.
"Yeah, we can show you with our Electric-types," Sora said. Kairi and Rui nodded with agreement. Sora has Luxio out of his Pokéball as Kairi has Pachirisu out. Wes has let out Ampharos as Rui has let out Plusle. "Okay, Pikachu! Thunderbolt!" Pikachu fired a Thunderbolt right at a target, hitting it. "Bull's eye!"
"Wow, great shot," Jaco said.
"Okay, Luxio, it's your turn. Shock Wave!" Sora ordered. Luxio sends out a Shock Wave and it hits another target. He turned to his girlfriend. "Your turn, Kairi."
"Thanks. Pachirisu! Discharge!" Kairi ordered. Pachirisu sends out a Discharge and sends it right at the targets, hitting one. "Perfect!"
"Wow! Right in the middle!" Jaco said.
"Alright, Ampharos! Thunder!" Wes ordered. Ampharos sends out a Thunder, hitting one.
"Plusle! Use Thunderbolt!" Rui ordered. Plusle unleashed a Thunderbolt, hitting one.
"Amazing," Jaco said.
"You see, the timing depends on which kind of Pokémon you use. And I know Electrike isn't doomed to failure," Kairi said.
"You think so?" Jaco asked.
"I know so," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"The thing is, Electrike might have some excess power," Kairi said.
"So, I just gotta figure out what Electrike's perfect timing is, and we're all set!" Jaco stated.
"You got it," Kairi said.
"Yeah! That's great! Okay, Electrike, let's get back to training!" Jaco said.
"Trike!" Electrike said.
Later that night, Kairi is mixing in some Pokémon food when Jaco came in the kitchen after he noticed her in the kitchen.
"You're still up?" Jaco asked.
"Oh, I'm just making some food for Pikachu," Kairi said. Jaco looked at the bowls of Pokémon food and he was shocked to see so much.
"A little?! You made all this, Kairi?" Jaco asked.
"Well, it's for all the Pokémon we have with us. Pokémon are just like people. They have likes and dislikes of a certain kind of food. I keep track on which kind of food that's suitable for a certain Pokémon's diet. The food I'm making for Pikachu is something that Electric-type Pokémon would enjoy. I also mixed in some apples with the food since Pikachu loves the taste of apples," Kairi said.
Outside, Pikachu, Angel, and Electrike were out and he was showing Electrike how to use his electricity properly.
"And that's how you do it." - Pikachu subtitle.
"I'm still not sure if I'll be able to pull it off." - Electrike subtitle.
"You never know unless you try it." - Pikachu
"He's right. You just to build up confidence to pull it off." - Angel subtitle.
"You think so?" - Eectrike subtitle.
"I know so. Pikachu has faith in you. And so does Jaco." - Angel subtitle. Electrike looked at the three Pokémon and he tried to do it himself. He aims at a tree and tries again. The timing was as off.
"My timing was off, wasn't it?" - Electrike subtitle.
"We'll just keep on trying." - Pikachu subtitle. Pikachu fires Thunderbolt again.
Just then, they saw someone coming from the shadows. Pikachu, Angel, and Electrike were weary. The mysterious figure came closer and closer, revealing to be Michael.
"Pikachu, Angel? It's you. If you're here, then where are-" Michael was cut off when he saw Sora came out. "Sora!"
"Michael, what are you doing here?" Sora asked.
"I could ask you the same thing. When I saw Pikachu and Angel, I had to see for myself. Thought I'd meet up with you in Hearthome City and it looks like I bumped into you sooner than I thought," Michael said.
"Who told you we were heading for Hearthome City, Michael?" Sora asked.
"It was Ash who filled me in on it. He even filled me in with what happened with Riku and that Pokémon Hunter. Are Kairi and any of the others with you?" Michael asked.
"Kairi, of course. Wes, Rui, and Arthur are with us, too. Arthur, Wes, and Rui are fast asleep, and Kairi is making some Pokémon food for tomorrow, so I thought I'd fetch Pikachu, Angel, and Electrike here before I hit the hay, too. In fact, you should rest up as well," Sora offered.
"That's a sound idea. I could use a rest," Michael said, yawning.
With that Michael laid down in the same room that Sora, Kairi, Arthur, Wes, and Rui are currently sharing. On the very next morning, they were surprised to see Michael had shown up and he was introduced to Jaco. On the way to the room, Sora explained the situation to Michael and he understood what was going on. Jaco brought some Pokémon food for Pikachu, Angel, and Electrike. Jaco was glad to see Electrike enjoyed the food he provided to the Lightning Pokémon. After breakfast, Jaco and Electrike get into some training again.
"One more time, Electrike! Charge!" Jaco ordered. Electrike starts to store up energy. Jaco waited until the right moment to fire Electrike's attack. Now! Thunderbolt!" Electrike fires Thunderbolt right at the target and struck it hard, much to everyone's excitement. "Wow! You did it! Electrike, that was wonderful!" Jaco hugged the Lightning Pokémon in his arms.
"Now, all that's left is to learn how to control it," Arthur said.
"And once that's done, Electrike will graduate, right?" Michael asked.
"Right," Sora, Kairi, Arthur, Wes, and Rui said.
"And I think I have an idea on how to do it," Jaco said.
"Yeah? What?" Sora asked. Sora and Michael both wore black jackets with targets on their backs. "You sure it's a good idea?" Sora asked, not sure if he should do this. Michael was just as skeptical. "I mean, I heard of moving targets before, but I never imagined that I would be a target."
"Don't worry. The jackets you're wearing are made from rubber, so as long as you wear them, you'll be perfectly fine," Jaco assured.
"Think of it as a good exercise as Keyblade wielders, Sora. I mean don't have drills like this when we're training with the Master?" Michael pointed out.
"Guess you have a point. But couldn't Wes do it, too?" Sora asked.
"There were only two left, and you and Michael were the ones who insisted on trying them on," Wes said.
"Or maybe you just didn't want to get zapped yourself," Michael said.
"No comment," Wes said, trying to play it cool.
"Hey, what's with that 'I don't care' attitude of yours?! You're just scared, just admit it!" Michael exclaimed.
"Forget it, Michael, we got the short end of the stick this time. And weren't you the one who said to think of it as training as Keyblade wielders?" Sora asked.
"Right," Michael said, realizing what he walked into.
"Ready whenever you are, Jaco!" Sora said.
"Okay, Electrike! Thunder!" Jaco ordered. Electrike fires Thunder right at Sora and Michael. They avoid the attack and began to run.
"Compared to those fights we had with Xemnas and Ansem, this is nothing," Sora said in his thoughts.
"Okay, Electrike! After them!" Jaco called out as he and Electrike gave chase. Cal was driving by and he sees what's going on and smiles, knowing Jaco and Electrike were working well together.
"Whoa, when it comes to training, I like their style," Cal said.
"You gotta concentrate, Electrike! I know you can do it!" Jaco said.
Just then, Heartless appeared and attacked. The Heartless consisted of Shadows, Soldiers, Air Soldiers, Large Bodies, Minute Bombs, Driller Moles, and Hammer Frames. Seeing the Heartless, Kairi, Arthur, Wes, and Rui gasped.
"Heartless!" Kairi gasped.
"Eevee!" Angel said.
"Why did they have to show up at the worse time?" Rui asked.
Sora and Michael saw the Heartless showing up.
"Man, not now," Sora sighed to himself. He sighed to himself when he got an idea. "Wait a sec! Jaco! Have Electrike aim for those monsters instead of us!" Jaco got what Sora was getting at.
"Okay! Thunderbolt on the monsters!" Jaco ordered. Electrike fired a Thunderbolt, shocking some of the Heartless and destroying them. More Heartless came in as Electrike lands another electrical shock on the Heartless. Electrike then started to evolve. Electrike has become an Manectric.
"This is awesome! You evolved into a Manectric!" Jaco said.
"I wasn't expecting an evolution on your part, but I'll take it!" Sora said. Manectric sends out a Thunder and concentrates his attack on the Heartless, no matter where they are. Manectric's Thunder lands a hit on each of the Heartless until the last of them were destroyed. "Good. No more Heartless." Lightning crashes down as new giant Heartless emerged from the flash. It is a blue-skinned ogre-like Heartless with jagged teeth and clawed-like fingers. It has yellow lightning markings on its body and the Heartless emblem is located on its chest, and yellow Heartless eyes. This Heartless shall be known as the Thunder Ogre. It sends out a blast of thunder right at them, but Sora quickly summoned his Keyblade and quickly casts a reflect spell, making the electrical blast bounce off. "That was a close one." Kairi, Arthur, Wes, Rui, Michael, Pikachu, and Angel rushed in to deal with the Thunder Ogre. They all summoned their Keyblades as well.
"So, any ideas, fearless leader?" Michael asked.
"Okay, I figured this thing can use lightning, so I don't think our thunder magic isn't going to even hurt it, so we're gonna have to use of our other abilities to take this giant Heartless down," Sora said.
"Let's see how it'll handle our water magic," Kairi said, casting a water spell on the Thunder Ogre, hitting it. It shorts out electrical sparks, making them dodge the burst. "Or not."
"Just take it down hard and fast!" Arthur said.
"I was gonna suggest that anyway, so attack!" Sora shouted. With that said, the Keyblade wielders engaged the Thunder Ogre as it came at them with an electrical punch. Arthur sends out a burst of gold magic at the Thunder Ogre, hitting it as Wes came at it with his two Keyblades. Rui casts a fire spell, hitting it as Kairi casts a balloon spell. The Thunder Ogre is struck by the magical balloons floating all around. Pikachu dashed at it with a Quick Attack, hitting in the gut as Angel lands a Headbutt between the eyes. The Thunder Ogre summoned a bolt of lightning in its hand and sends it right at the Keyblade wielders. Dodging quickly, Michael came at the Thunder Ogre and slashed across its chest, but it was still standing on its feet as it lands a punch on Michael. Rui threw her Plus and Minus Keyblade, hitting it. She then came at it with her Keyblade emitting fire, hitting it. The Thunder Ogre sends out orbs of lightning and sends them right at the Keyblade wielders, so they dodged them. Sora then casts an aura spell, firing at the Thunder Ogre, hitting it. Kairi then casts a crystal spell, also hitting it. The Thunder Ogre came swinging its arms around, intending to crush them, so Sora came at the Thunder Ogre and smacked it. He sends out a beam of light, hitting the Thunder Ogre on the spot. It roared as fell forward, beginning to vanish. A heart floats up in the air and vanished. "And that takes care of, tall, dark, and gruesome."
"What just happened?" Jaco asked.
"Well, it seems those guys had a friend at a high place, and we brought it down. I just hope this doesn't go against you in the test," Sora said.
"The test is over," Cal's voice said. They all turned to see Cal behind them. "I have seen all I needed to see. You worked well with Manectric, and the way it handled those monsters before evolving was unexpected on my part, but Manectric graduates with honors."
"Really? Manectric, you're in!" Jaco prasied. He hugged the Discharge Pokémon.
"Manectric!" Manectric said.
"More likely you both made it in," Rui said.
"She's right. The both of you earned it," Arthur said.
"Thank you, everyone," Jaco said.
Later as the sun is setting, Cal prepares to take Manectric with him.
"Let's go, Manectric. We'll really be able to use all the help you can give over at the power generator room," Cal said.
"Tric," Manetric said. Cal walked up to Manectric, sad for saying goodbye.
"Manectric," Jaco said. Manectric turned to Jaco. The two of them stare into each other. Manectric was sad to leave Jaco and it could see saddness in his eyes. He kneels and he pets Manectric. "I'll miss you."
"Tric," Manectric said. Cal drove off as Jaco waves goodbye to his friend. Sora, Kairi, Arthur, Wes, Rui, Michael, Pikachu, and Angel watched on as they went their seperate ways.
"After all the hard work they did together, it's too bad they have to say goodbye," Rui said.
"It's part of the job, Rui. Great breeders prepare their Pokémon for living life to the fullest, like Jaco," Wes said.
"He's right. We still have to get to Hearthome City, so we'll be off," Sora said.
With that said, Sora, Kairi, Arthur, Wes, Rui, Michael, Pikachu, and Angel takes off once again for Hearthome City for the upcoming Pokémon Contest and Gym battle coming up very, very soon.