Episode 318: Less is Morrison
Everyone woke up on the very next day. Rei, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Max Lisia, and their Pokémon woke up to see the Keyblade wielders have woke up, too.
"Sora, you're okay. And you brought Zinnia back," Karen said.
"You wouldn't believe what we've been through last night," Sora said.
"You mind filling us in about what happened, Sora? We saw the meteorid being blasted into pieces," Terra said.
"That would be Rayquaza's handy work," Sora said.
"Rayquaza?" Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Max, and Lisia asked in unison.
"How about you explain it once we're bound for Slateport City," Rei said.
"Sure thing," Sora said.
With that said, the boat sails across the sea and Sora explained to his master, sister, cousin, other friends about Rayquaza being able to Mega Evolve thanks to Brendan's new Keyblade which he showed to them. And they also explained that a Deoxys was inside the meteorid and how Sora caught it and sent it over to Professor Oak's lab.
"I gotta say, you sure have some amazing adventures even when most of us aren't around," Rei said, amazed. Sora chuckled nervously.
"Say, I don't mean to interrupt this private conversation, but are you going to be requiring my services?" The captain asked.
"Sorry, captain. Can you take us right to Slateport City?" Rei requested.
"Actually, I can take you to an island that's pretty close, because I have limited fuel, and I have a full schedule tomorrow to make up for yeasterday," the captain said.
"That'll do just fine," Rei said.
The boat sailed through the ocean and the boat has reached the island closest to Slateport City.
"Well, this is where I drop you off. And I should head off and refill my gas tank. I wish you the best of luck," the captain said.
"Thanks, captain," Wes said as he and Rui ride in his vehicle.
"My pleasure," the captain said. The captain sailed off to refill his tank as the group went and got settled to do some training and have some lunch. Kairi has made some stew, enough for everyone.
"Wow, this is amazing. One of the best stew I have ever eaten," Rui said.
"Thank you, Rui. Still plenty more if you want seconds," Kairi said.
"I gotta say, it gets better every time I eat it," Karen said.
"After lunch, how about do some training?" Brendan suggested.
"I second that idea since I wanna be ready for the Grand Festival," May said.
"So do I. Angel, you game?" Kairi asked.
"Vee," Angel nodded.
"I think I can help you with that," Zinnia said.
"Whismur," Aster said.
"Uh-oh! May, your Munchlax is at it again!" Michael said.
May turned to see her Munchlax eating the Pokemon food that Kairi had prepared for them. The rest of May's Pokémon were upset at the Big Eater Pokémon for eating all of their food when he had his own.
"Munchlax! That was very bad! You know those weren't for you!" May scolded. Munchlax gets up to find some more food. He went right for Wes's Espeon and Umbreon while they were eating, but Espeon just glared at the Big Eater Pokémon.
"Don't even think about it." - Espeon subtitle.
Munchlax kept on searching for something to eat, but the other Pokémon just shooed him away, so he started to wonder off, looking for some other food.
"Munchlax! Come back here!" May said.
"Munchlax is such a bottomless pit," Ventus said.
"Well, Munchlax are known for their large appetites," Max said.
"Well, we better catch up with Munchlax before he ends up stealing someone's picnic basket," Brendan said.
"Right," both siblings agreed and went with him to get to Munchlax.
"Well, we better get started right now," Sora said.
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
"I think Xipak and I can help you," Roxas said.
"You're more than welcome to, Roxas," Sora said.
With that said, Sora and Roxas went somewhere to train for the Hoenn Pokémon League.
"Okay, Sora, I'm ready when you are," Roxas said.
"Pikachu," Xipak said.
"Just because we're literally from the same mold, it doesn't mean I'm gonna pull my punches with you," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Get ready," Roxas said.
"Get set," Sora said.
"Go!" Sora and Roxas said in unison.
Pikachu and Xipak were about to get started when they hear a bouncing sound.
Just then, a huge submarine sandwich comes rolling down the hill. Sora catches it in his hands.
"What the? Where did this sandwich come from?" Sora asked.
"I don't know, but that thing is huge," Roxas said.
"Hey!" A new voice yelled. Sora and Roxas looked up and saw a chubby boy around their age come racing down the hill with a dust cloud behind him. He has black eyes, orange messy orange hair tied in a small ponytail. He wore a male kimono with a coral top and red panting. He wore a pair of sandals. "Gimmie back my sandwich right now!"
"Hey! Slow down!" Sora exclaimed.
"Look out!" Roxas said.
The boy ran face first into a tree, unaware of Munchlax behind Sora, Roxas, Pikachu, and Xipak.
"You okay? That's a pretty nasty hit," Sora said. The boy pulls his face off the tree.
"Sure, never felt better. But I want my sandwich back!" The boy said.
"Okay. Here you g-" Sora saw the sandwich was gone. "Hey!"
"Um, Sora," Roxas said. Sora and the boy turned to Roxas and they saw Munchlax with the sandwich. "Don't even think about it, Munchlax!" The Big Eater Pokémon ignored the former Nobody and wolfed down the sandwich with one gulp.
"Hey, that happens to be my sandwich, pal!" The boy exclaimed.
Brendan, May, and Max ran up to them when they saw Munchlax eating the sandwich.
"Sorry, but this Munchlax belongs to me," May apologized. The boy then gave off a loud scream, alerting Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Xion, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Wes, Rui, Michael, Max Lisia, Zinnia, Rei, and the rest of the Pokémon. Thinking there was danger, the group ran over to where the scream was coming from.
"WHAT HAPPENED?! WHERE ARE THEY?!" Rei shouted.
"Ah, now I feel better. There's nothing like a good scream to make a man feel great. Don't worry about the sandwich though," the boy said.
"You mean we got all excited over a sandwich?" Ethan asked.
"Makes me glad it was a false alarm," Michael said.
He looked right at Sora and gasped.
"Hey! Aren't ya Sora Ketchum, the Pokémon Trainer who won the Kanto and Johto Pokémon Leagues?" The boy asked.
"Yeah. And you are?" Sora asked.
"Right! The name's Morrison! And I've been training to win first prize at the Hoenn Pokémon League tournament! And I just wanna say, I consider it a privilege to be shaking your hand!" Morrison said, shaking Sora's hand.
"I'm flattered," Sora said.
"And I know who you two are! You're Ash who's the runner-up in the Indigo Plateau, and Ethan who's the runner-up from the Johto Pokémon League," Morrison said.
"Glad you heard of us," Ethan said.
"My name's Brendan," Brendan introduced himself.
"I'm May, and this is my little brother, Max," May introduced.
"Hey," Max greeted.
"I'm Roxas, and this is Xipak," Roxas introduced.
"Pikachu," Xipak said.
"My name's Kairi, and this is Angel," Kairi introduced.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"My name's Xion, and this is Celeste," Xion introduced.
"Eevee, vee," Celeste said.
"I'm Karen Ketchum. I'm Sora's twin sister, and this kid here is our cousin, Ventus, but we call him Ven for short, and this Pikachu is Blossom and this is Sparky," Karen introduced.
"Hi," Ventus greeted.
"Pikachu," Sparky said.
"Pika," Blossom said.
"I'm Terra and this is Thor," Terra introduced.
"Chu," Thor said.
"My name is Aqua, and this Eclair," Aqua introduced.
"Pika," Eclair said.
"I'm Leaf."
"My name's Kris."
"I'm Lyra."
"Marill," Marill said.
"I'm Riku, and this Eevee is my partner," Riku introduced.
"Vee," Eevee said.
"My name's Naminé, and this is my Azurill," Naminé greeted.
"Azurill, Azurill," Azurill chirped.
"I'm Lisia."
"My name's Zinnia, and this is Aster," Zinnia introduced.
"Whismur," Aster said.
"The name's Wes," Wes said.
"My name's Rui."
"I'm Michael."
"And I'm Rei Sakura," Rei finished.
"Nice to meet you. So, Sora. You competing in the Hoenn Pokémon League?" Morrison asked.
"Yeah, I am," Sora said.
"And I bet I have more Gym Bagdes than you do," Morrison said.
"How many Badges have you won?" Sora asked.
"So far, I have earned seven! How many do you have?" Morrison asked, expecting him to say that he has less than he does.
"Eight," Sora said, showing Morrison his entire Badge collection. Morrison winced he saw he had all eight of his Gym Badges.
"No way! You won eight Badges already?!" Morrison exclaimed. "Aw man."
"What can you expect from a Trainer like Sora? Have a look at mine," Brendan said, showing him his Gym Badges.
"Wha?! You too?!" Morrison gasped.
"You betcha. And I'm sorry to burst your bubble, but I'm going to win the Hoenn Pokemon League tournament," Brendan said.
"Oh, yeah?" Morrison asked.
"Yeah," Brendan said.
"Oh, yeah?" Morrison asked.
"Yeah!" Brendan asked.
"Oh, yeah?" Morrison asked.
"Yeah!" Brendan stated.
"Well, how about you put your money where your mouth is! How about you have a battle with me, right here and now!" Morrison challenged.
"I wouldn't have it any other way!" Brendan said.
"Oh, boy," May said.
"It looks like Brendan made a new rival and we just met this guy," Michael said.
"Nothing like starting off a first battle," Wes said.
"Let's make it a one-on-one battle!" Morrison said.
"That works with me, Morrison," Brendan said.
"Don't get too carried away," Lisia said.
Morrison got into position to battle Brendan.
"You ready to go, Brendan?" Morrison asked.
"When you are, Morrison," Brendan said. Morrison took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Go! Beldum!" Morrison shouted and his Beldum came out, floating in the air.
"A Beldum, huh? Looks like you raised it right," Brendan complicated.
"Thanks. My Beldum is gonna beat any Pokémon ya got! So bring it on!" Morrison dared his opponent.
"Just be careful what you asked for," Brendan said. He took out a Pokeball and threw it. "Charmeleon! I choose you!" His Pokeball opened and his Charmeleon emerged from inside, ready to battle.
"Char," Charmeleon said.
"Wow, Brendan's Charmander must have evolved," Ethan said.
"And since Charmeleon's a Fire-type, it has the advantage," Max said.
"You can make the first move, Morrison!" Brendan said.
"You're going to be sorry you gave me an edge! Beldum! Take Down!" Morrison ordered. Beldum charges at Charmeleon with a great force of its body.
"Dodge and use Thunder Punch!" Brendan ordered. Charmeleon dodged and lands an electrified punch onto Beldum got close enough to it. "Now use Flamethrower!" Charmeleon fires Flamethrower right at the Iron Ball Pokémon and gave it a blast of Flamethrower.
"It's gonna take more than that to finish me off! Beldum! Take Down again!" Morrison ordered. Beldum charges at Charmeleon again.
"Dodge and use Slash!" Brendan ordered. Charmeleon rasies its claws and slashes at Beldum. Despeite being a Steel-type, Charmeleon's Slash did some decent damage. "Now use Thunder Punch!" Charmeleon rushes at Beldum to land a hit with Thunder Punch.
"Dodge and use Take Down!" Morrison ordered. Beldum got up and quickly dodges Charmeleon's Thunder Punch. Take Down lands a direct hit on the Flame Pokémon. "Finish it with one more Take Down!" Beldum charges in with another Take Down.
"Dragon Tail!" Brendan ordered. Charmeleon swings its tail right at Beldum. The two Pokémon held on as an explosion occured. Both Charmeleon and Beldum each had taken a pretty bad hit. Charmeleon and Beldum were down for the count, resulting in a double knockout. Brendan walked up to his Charmeleon and helped it up.
"Char," Charmeleon said. Brendan calls his Charmeleon back inside.
"You did awesome, Beldum. That last Take Down was the best one ever," Morrison said. He took out Beldum's Pokéball and calls it back. "Take a good rest." He looked over to Brendan. "That was a good match. That Charmeleon was hot stuff."
"I was thinking the same about your Beldum," Brendan said.
"That was just a warm up for my next Gym battle! And I'm gonna take him on and win!" Morrison said.
"I don't doubt it, Morrison. You got plenty of time to win your eighth Gym battle. Just hope you'll be ready within the next two months," Sora said. Morrison winced when he realized the short amount of time he had.
"What?! Just two whole months?! I'd better get moving and win me my eighth badge pretty darn quick!" Morrison exclaimed as he ran off in the opposite direction. "I GOTTA FIND ME A GYM BATTLE!"
"This guy needs to cut back on the sugar," Ventus said.
"Or maybe the coffee," Karen said.
"More likely he needs to relax, otherwise he'll end up in the hospital," Wes said. Max turned to look when he saw Munchlax was gone again.
"Munchlax has disappeared again," Max said.
"We really need to put a bell on that Pokémon," Lyra said.
"Marill," Marill said.
"Come on, let's find him," Zinnia said.
"Whismur," Aster said.
Not too far, a group of young women were having their own picnic, laughing and making jokes when Munchlax spotted the various food on the picnic blanket. Munchlax rushes over to the picnic and started to wolf down the food as fast as he grabbed it.
"Hey, excuse you!" One of the young women exclaimed.
"Stop that right now!" Another young woman said.
"Go away! Shoo!" A third young woman said.
"Munchlax, stop that this minute!" May called out. "That food is not yours!" Munchlax was about to go and look for more food to eat. "Oh, no, you don't!" May calls her Munchlax back inside. She turned to the young women who just angrily glared at her. "I am so very sorry about your picnic. My Munchlax gets like this whenever he sees food." May bowed her head in forgiveness.
"You gotta train your Munchlax to have better sense of control!" The third young woman said.
"Yeah, some people won't be as forgiving," the first young woman agreed.
Later, as the sun was setting, Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Roxas, Xion, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Brendan, May, Wes, Rui, Michael, Max, Lisia, Zinnia, Rei, Pikachu, Angel, Eevee, Azurill, Xipak, Celeste, Blossom, Sparky, Thor, Eclair, Marill, and Aster have spotted the Pokémon Center. A little later, Morrison had just walked in.
"Morrison, hey," Sora greeted. Morrison looked and saw the group.
"Hey, you guys," Morrison greeted back. "Didn't think that I bump into you so soon."
"Not since you rushed to find a Gym, which this island didn't have one," Sora said. Morrison chuckled sheepishly.
"Yeah, I kinda figured that. I only came here because Beldum is pooped from that our battle," Morrison said.
"You shouldn't push your Beldum too hard anyway," Riku said. Morrison goes and checks his Beldum in to Nurse Joy to he healed. Everyone sat at a table as Kairi had prepared a recipe for spaghetti. Sora tried it and his tastebuds are swimming.
"Good as always, Kairi," Sora praised her. Kairi beamed, seeing her boyfriend enjoy it so much.
"Thank you, Sora. I'm happy to hear you say that," Kairi said.
"This recipe had to come from your mom, Karen I just know it!" Leaf said.
"Where else? She gave her those recipes just so Sora would enjoy them," Karen said.
"I got some pieces of bread if anybody wants some," Kairi said.
"Oh, this is great!" Brendan said, wolfing the bread down.
"Hey, slow down, Brendan," Roxas said.
"And save some for the rest of us!" Xion added.
"Sorry, guys. I'm so hungry. Maybe I can eat like 10 of these before I puke my guts out," Brendan said.
"10? Is that all? I can eat 20 of these before I let that happen!" Morrison said, joining in. Brendan looked at Morrison and he starts eating more of them.
"Did I say 10? I meant 30," Brendan said, starting to get competitive.
"30? Ha, that's baby stuff! I meant to say 60!" Morrison said.
"I'll see your 60 and raise you up to 90!" Brendan said.
"Oh, no. There goes our bread," Ventus pouted.
"The only thing they're competing for is a stomachache," Max said.
"That's if they don't end up coming out looking like Tohjo Falls," Ash said.
"Take it easy, you two. It's not going anywhere," Rei said.
Brendan and Morrison ate more than share of bread until they eventually got sick and rushed to the bathroom. They could be heard throwing up from outside the stalls as Sora and Roxas shook their heads.
"Well, it was called," Sora said.
"I'm sure they'll feel better after a warm bath," Roxas said.
A few moments later, everyone went to have themselves a good bath after they had their dinner.
Over to the boys section of the bath, Roxas is now wearing a pair of black trunks with golden streaks.
They soaked in the bath for a few minutes before getting out.
"Hey, Brendan, the rest of us had enough," Sora said.
"I guess I'm done, too," Brendan said, standing up.
"What's the matter with you, Brendan? You can't take the heat anymore?" Morrison asked in a challenging manner.
"On second thought, I can stay in a tad longer. I'm just getting warmed up anyway," Brendan said, sitting back down.
"Careful. You might hurt yourself," Morrison said.
"Here we go again," Max groaned.
"It looks like it's going to be too hot to handle," Riku said.
"Too bad this water couldn't get any hotter," Brendan said.
"Yeah, we don't want to catch a cold or anything," Morrison said, increasing the heat.
"That's a little better," Brendan said.
"I guess it could be a tad hotter," Morrison said.
The rest of the patrons got out.
"It's boiling!" One of the boys exclaimed.
"Those dudes are crazy!" Another boy exclaimed.
"Let's get out of here!" Another boy said.
"Oh, this won't end well," Wes said.
"So, you should probably get out, too," Brendan said.
"No, after you," Morrison said.
"No, I insist. After you," Brendan said.
"No, I insist. After you," Morrison said.
"I'm not getting out unless you get out first," Brendan said.
"I'll get out when you get out," Morrison said.
"I can last in here just as long as you can," Brendan said.
"I bet I can last longer than you can," Morrison said.
Steam builds up at a rapid pace and they are both overwhelmed by the steam. After getting Brendan and Morrison dressed, May and Max fans Brendan and Zinnia fans Morrison.
"Good grief. This is ridiculous," May said.
"Well, you did say it wouldn't end so well, Wes," Ash said.
"Excuse me, Morrison. I've come to inform you that your Beldum is all better now," Nurse Joy said, holding Beldum's Pokéball.
"Thank you, Nurse Joy," Morrison said, taking his Pokéball back. "Would it be okay if have a look at my other Pokémon, too?"
"Sure. Leave them with me," Nurse Joy said with a smile. Ventus yawned.
"I'm ready for bed," Ventus said.
"So am I," Max said.
"You know, I'm pretty sleepy, too. I'll see you in the morning," Morrison said, heading outside.
"Where are you heading now?" Terra asked.
"Going to sleep. What do you think?" Morrison asked.
"You know you're heading outside, right?" Karen pointed out.
"Yeah, beacause that's where I sleep. Outside," Morrison said.
"Outside?" Kairi asked.
"Eevee?" Angel asked.
He led the group to the trees he is going to sleep in.
"See, I sleep up in the trees," Morrison said.
"Aren't you worried about falling off?" Xion asked.
"Eevee," Celeste said.
"Nah, never happens. There's nothing like sleeping in the top of a tree," Morrison said. "Of course, you wouldn't know."
"Maybe, if I experienced it myself, I would know," Sora said. "Just, how do you get up there?" Morrison smiled and took out his Pokéball.
"With this," Morrison said. He threw it in the air. "Beldum!" His Beldum comes out and floats down to Morrison. "Beldum takes care of me." He grabs Beldum and floats up to the hammock. "Do you guys wanna sleep here, too?"
"I think I'm rather attached to my pillow," Aqua said.
"Chu," Eclair said.
"I'm not a good climber," Lyra said.
"Me too," Kris said.
"I think I can have a hand in it," Sora said.
"Same with me," Roxas said.
"If Sora can handle it, I can," Brendan said.
"So can I," Ethan said.
"It'll be a nice change of scenery," Ash said.
"Professor Kukui took me camping when I was little, and sleeping up in a tree was one of the experiences I had," Riku said.
"Eevee," Eevee said.
"You got some extra hammocks, Morrison?" Brendan asked.
"Sure thing," Morrison said, getting out a hammock for Sora, Riku, Roxas, Ash, Ethan, and Brendan.
"That leaves the rest of us out," Michael said.
"We'll see you guys in the morning," Rei said.
"Just don't be late for breakfast," Xion said.
"Night," Sora, Riku, Roxas, Ash, Ethan, and Brendan said.
Sora, Riku, Roxas, Ash, Ethan, and Brendan got into the hammocks and looked up to the sky with Pikachu, Eevee, and Xipak with their respective partners.
"I gotta hand it to you, Morrison, you were definitely right about sleeping up in the trees. It's amazing," Roxas said.
"And it's nice bein' surrounded by so many friends," Morrison said.
"What do you mean?" Sora asked.
"You know, the stars in the sky and the leaves whispering to you. Wild Pokémon are everywhere, and of course there's Beldum and my other Pokémon. Lots of friends, old and new," Morrison said.
"I see what you mean, Morrison. A lot of friends," Sora said.
"Lots of friends everywhere you look," Roxas said.
"Pikachu," Xipak said.
Sleep took the boys and they began to dream happy dreams.
Over to the Pokémon Center in the next morning, and after a filling breakfast, May got some PokéBlocks ready for Munchlax.
"That ought to do it," May said.
"How did you manage to get your hands on this recipe? Did Kairi share it with you?" Kris asked.
"Actually, I got it from Professor Oak. He gave me the recipe to make this special kind of PokéBlock to fill the tummies of Munchlax and Snorlax shortly after I caught Munchlax. It was already a handful, so I tried to control him to the best of my abilities. And you would think fighting Heartless is an exercise. He tested it out on his assistant's Snorlax and it showed some promising results," May said.
"Okay, Munchlax. It's time to eat," Max said, pushing Munchlax in the room.
"Word of advice, don't take your eyes off of Munchlax, because he'll just disappear," Ventus said.
"Pikachu," Sparky said.
"Okay, Munchlax, wanna try a new PokéBlock? It's May's Pink Surprise," May said, holding the pink PokéBlock. Here you go. Try it," May offered. Munchlax took the pink PokéBlock and ate it. His stomach then expands, making him full.
"Munchlax," Munchlax said with a full tunmy.
"Wow, it works," Kris said.
"I got it right in this PokéBlock case, so just let me know when you're hungry, Munchlax. Munchlax?" Max asked. They all saw Munchlax is fast asleep. "Of course, nap time."
"Say, where are Brendan and the others?" May asked.
"They went off somewhere to train," Kris said.
Just then, Lyra and Marill came in the room. Lyra had a frantic look on her face.
"Guys! It's an emergency!" Lyra exclaimed.
"An emergency?" May asked.
"I just picked up a dark presence from somewhere on the island!" Lyra said.
"I don't feel any-" May paused when felt something. Kris felt it, too. "I feel it now."
"So do I," Kris said.
"But it can't be Zell, the Elemental Bosses, the Black Sun Clan, or Organization XIII since they're history," May pointed out.
"That only means one villain for us to worry about," Kris said.
"Vanitas!" Kris, Lyra, and May said in unison.
"Is he that guy in the mask?" Ventus asked.
"That's him," Kris answered.
"What could he be doing here?" Max asked.
"I don't know, but we know it's not good," Lyra said.
"Marill," Marill said.
"We gotta find them before something happens," May said.
"Yes, that's we'll do. But we have to let the Master and the others know about this first," Kris said.
"Right," Lyra and May agreed as May called back her sleeping Munchlax.
Meanwhile, Sora, Riku, Roxas, Ash, Ethan, Brendan, Pikachu, Eevee, and Xipak had gotten up and stepped out after a hearty breakfast.
"This seems like a good spot to train," Sora said.
"Great spot for us to train," Morrison said as he and Beldum came to the same area.
"Hey, what are you doing here?! Go find another spot to train!" Brendan exclaimed.
"Hey, I was here first! You go find another one!" Morrison argued.
"Oh, come on, you two. Cool your jets," Roxas said. Brendan and Morrison just ignored him.
"I was here first!" Brendan argued.
"No, we were here first!" Morrison argued back.
"Do any of you feel invisible right now?" Sora asked.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"Let's arm wrestle for it!" Brendan said.
"You're on!" Morrison said, accepting the challenge. Brendan and Morrison got into an arm wrestling match. Brendan managed to beat Morrison in it.
"Yeah, I'm the winner!" Brendan said.
"Let's go with our left arms, now!" Morrison said. They switched arms and this time, Morrison beaten him. "Alright! I win!"
"Now, I challenge you to a race!" Brendan said.
"Okay! First to reach that mountain wins!" Morrison said.
They both ran off, leaving behind a cloud of dust behind them. Beldum floats right behind them.
"Man, this is getting out of hand," Sora said.
"Tell me something I don't already know," Ash said.
"Well, we better go after them before they have a run-in with something other than a Pinsir," Riku said.
"I think I'd rather run into a Pinsir that a Heartless," Ethan said.
With that said, Sora, Riku, Roxas, Ash, Ethan, Pikachu, Eevee, and Xipak went after Ethan and Morrison in the path they both ran.
Up ahead, Brendan and Morrison kept on running.
"Get ready to lose!" Brendan said.
"I don't think so!" Morrison said.
"Here I go!" Brendan said, not noticing a small pebble out of the trail. He tripped over it and fell on the side. Morrison stopped and laughed.
"Tough luck, kid!" Morrison said, but the ground breaks under him and he fell right next to him.
"Looks like your'e out of luck, too," Brendan said. They saw a single apple in a nearby tree. One of their stomachs growled. "Was that your stomach just now?"
"Uh, maybe," Morrison smugly said.
"Okay, first one to get to that apple is the winner," Brendan said.
"Deal," Morrison said, accepting the challenge.
"Go!" Brendan and Morrison said, running towards the tree, trying to outrun the other. They jumped at the same time and grabbed the apple, hitting the tree in the face. They each hold two halves of the apple. "I got it! I win!"
"How about we call this one a draw," Brendan suggested.
"For once, I'm with you. You're not half bad," Morrison said, eating his half.
"Same with you," Brendan said, biting his half. He then felt something. "What's that?"
"What's what?" Morrison asked.
"For a second, I thought I just something not right," Brendan said.
"No, you think?" A new voice asked. Brendan and Morrison stood up and saw it was Vanitas. "Nothing like a friendly competition to liven things up, Brendan."
"Vanitas!" Brendan exclaimed.
"Oh, you do remember my name. I thought you forgot all about little, ol' me," Brendan said.
"Trust me, I have tried to forget about you like I tried to forget about skin rash," Brendan said.
"You know this guy?" Morrison asked.
"Unfortunately, yes. And I'm going to tell you, he's not my friend," Brendan said.
"Now, and you've gone and hurt my feelings. Just for that..." Vanitas said, summoning his Keyblade. "...I'm going to hurt you."
"Is that a giant key?" Morrison asked as Brendan summoned his two Keyblades, surprising Morrison. "What the?!"
"Ooh, two Keyblades. I'm shaking in my boots. Oh, how will I ever be able to handle myself against two Keyblades?" Vanitas taunted.
"Back off right now if you know what's good for you or I'll smash that stupid mask of yours into itty bitty pieces," Brendan said.
"How about I do that, too?" Morrison asked.
"Morrison, stay back!" Brendan said.
"Why should I? I'm not afraid of this masked clown!" Morrison said.
"Trust me, this guy will take you down without really trying. I have a better chance of surviving a fight against him than you do," Brendan said.
"You better listen to him, fat boy. You'll just get hurt; but not as bad I'm going to hurt him," Vanitas said.
"Leave him out of this, Vanitas. This fight is between the two of us," Brendan said. He rushes at Vanitas and clashed his two Keyblades against Vanitas's Void Gear. They clashed against one another, so Vanitas unleashed a fireball as Brendan jumped to dodge and casts his own fire spell. Vanitas dodged and he rushed at Brendan.
"Suffer!" Vanitas shouted, sending out lightning at Brendan, hitting him. Brendan tried to strike him with his Delta Emerald Rayquaza, but Vanitas warped to dodge. "Too slow!" He reappears and struck Brendan from behind. Brendan screamed in pain.
Hearing the scream from behind, Sora, Riku, Roxas, Ash, and Ethan stopped.
"You feel that?" Sora asked.
"We all do," Ethan said.
"It's Vanitas!" Ash gasped.
"Vanitas equals trouble," Ethan said.
"You're right. And I think Brendan is taking him on," Riku said.
"Well, we better go and help him before it's too late," Sora said.
"Yeah, let's go," Roxas said.
With that said, Sora, Riku, Ash, Ethan, Pikachu, Eevee, and Xipak ran to help Brendan before it's too late.
Meanwhile, Kairi, Naminé, Xion, Leaf, Kris, Lyra, May, Wes, Rui, Michael, Rei, Angel, Celeste, Azurill, and Marill ran to find Vanitas and take him out.
"Hurry! We have to make it before it's too late!" Rei said. Her apprentices agreed with her.
Back with the fight, Brendan continued to hold his own against Vanitas, but he wasn't as experienced as Vanitas.
"It looks like I'm handling myself just fine. But compared to me, you're too green," Vanitas said.
"Shut up!" Brendan shouted, trying to hit him, but Vanitas ducked his head and gave him an uppercut, sending him flying.
"Get up, Brendan!" Morrison shouted.
"Just as I told you. You're too green. You were never a match against me, Brendan. Your last mistake was thinking you could take me on. I would say it's too bad you won't live to regret it, but why insult each other with lies?" Vanitas said, preparing to finish Brendan off. He was about to build up some energy to obliterate Brendan when Morrison tackled him like a football player.
"You think you're a real man just by kicking someone while he's down? You're a fraidy cat for even thinking that!" Morrison said.
"Okay, you're such a pain! I'll deal with you first!" Vanitas said, raising his Keyblade up, intending to kill Morrison. He gasped when brings it down, but before Vanitas could strike him down, Sora quickly came to his rescue and he summoned his Kingdom Key and Vampire Hunter Keyblades.
"Vanitas, it's been a while," Sora said.
"You," Vanitas said as Sora pushed him back. Riku, Ash, and Ethan summoned their Keyblades, ready to take Vanitas on.
"Sora," Brendan said. Sora casts a cure spell on him, healing him of his injuries. "What kept you?"
"You just took off ahead of us. And it was a good thing we were nearby," Sora said.
"I'll say it is," Roxas said, finally showing up. He summoned his Keyblade and held it. Vanitas looked at Roxas, thinking he was Viento.
"Viento?! Is that you?!" Vanitas exclaimed. Roxas was unphased by his question. Vanitas took a good look at Roxas and realized it wasn't him. "No, you're not him. You look like Viento, but you're completely different in every way. The way you hold your Keyblade, and your heart."
"I don't know who you're talking about, but I'm not going to let you get away with hurting my friends!" Roxas said.
"You're not too different from Viento, I'll give you that, but it won't save you," Vanitas said.
"What is he talking about?" Ethan asked.
"Who cares? We have to take him now!" Riku said.
"He's right. It doesn't matter," Ash said. He said in his thoughts, "I already know enough about him."
Sora, Riku, Roxas, Ash, Ethan, and Brendan engaged Vanitas and they fought fiercely against the masked Keyblade wielder. Pikachu and Xipak fired Thunderbolt while Eevee fired Shadow Ball. Riku casts a thunder spell as Ash casts a blizzard spell. Vanitas warped to dodge and he reappears and attempts to strike them. Sora and Ethan came at Vanitas, only to clash Keyblades. Brendan then came at him, casting a water spell. They kept on fighting Vanitas, but Ash had to end it right now.
Ash rushed at Vanitas. Using the Void Gear to block, Vanitas grins under his mask.
"Nice try," Vanitas said.
"Guys, now!" Ash said.
Sora and Riku came at Vanitas with their Keyblades and the unleashed a blast of light and darkness, landing a hit. Vanitas is hurt.
"Looks like I lose again. Don't relax just yet, because I'll be back. Watch your backs," Vanitas said, disappearing into a corridor of darkness. Sora, Riku, Roxas, Ash, Ethan, and Brendan dismissed their Keyblades when Kairi, Naminé, Leaf, Kris, Lyra, May, Wes, Rui, Michael, Rei, Angel, Celeste, Azurill, and Marill came running. Kairi, Naminé, Leaf, Kris, Lyra, May, Wes, Rui, Michael, and Rei summoned their Keyblades.
"Where is Vanitas?" Rei asked.
"He's already gone. He took off," Sora said.
"Yeah, we beaten him," Ash said.
"So we were late for the party," Michael said.
"Brendan," Morrison said. The Keyblade wielders with a look.
"Guess we have a lot to explain," Sora said.
The Keyblade wielders went back to the Pokémon Center and they filled Morrison in about the Keyblade and about what they know about Vanitas. They told him about the Heartless, Nobodies, and Unversed they've fought.
"Whoa. So those were the monsters that's gotten everyone talking," Morrison said.
"We were hoping maybe nothing happened for a change of pace. Should have remembered that was too good to be true," Brendan said.
"Well, that was awesome of you to protect me, Sora. I'm grateful for it," Morrison said.
"You don't need to thank me, Morrison. That's what friends are for," Sora said.
"Get that memorized," Roxas said.
Everyone all laughed at the comment, even Morrison.
As the sun sets, Morrison has boarded a ship bound for Sootopolis City.
"Well, guys, I'm on my way to go earn my eighth Gym Badge," Morrison said.
"Knock 'em dead, Morrison," Sora said.
"And we're on our way to Slateport City," Kairi said.
"That's right, you're entering the Grand Festival," Morrison said.
"And then it's off to Evergrande City for the Hoenn Pokémon League," Lisia said.
"Good luck in the Grand Festival, Kairi. And I'll be seeing you over in Evergrande CIty, Sora and Brendan!" Morrison said.
"You too, Morrison," Sora said.
"Just don't lose your cool in your Gym battle," Brendan said. "Safe trip."
"Bye, you guys!" Morrison said, waving at his new friends. They all wave back at him. Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Roxas, Xion, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Brendan, May, Wes, Rui, Michael, Max, Lisia, Zinnia, Rei, Pikachu, Angel, Eevee, Azurill, Xipak, Celeste, Marill, and Aster all board the ship bound for Slateport City for Kairi and May to enter the Grand Festival.
How well will Kairi and May fare in the Grand Festival? Will Kairi and her Pokémon give it everything they got or will they be eliminated in the first round? The same can be asked of May. Let's wait and see in the next chapter to find out.