Episode 375: Overjoyed!
After meeting with Mallow and treated with a delicious and unforgettable meal, Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Roxas, Xion, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Brendan, May, Chase, Elaine, Wes, Rui, Michael, Trace, Rei, Ryuko, Pikachu, Angel, Eevee, Azurill, Xipak, Celeste, Blossom, Sparky, Thor, Eclair, Marill, Volt, and Maple have made it to Fennel Velley after making it there by foot.
"There she is. Fennel Valley," Sora said.
"That's where the finals of the Pokémon Stadium Cup finals is being held," Roxas said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Pika," Xipak said.
"Well, the first we do before we do anything is head for the Pokémon Center to rest since we all had a long day. And we all must be ready," Rei said.
"Yes, Master," Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Roxas, Xion, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Brendan, May, Chase, Elaine, Wes, Rui, and Michael said in unison.
As they went deeper to the valley, the spotted the castle out on the distance.
"There it is. Fennel Castle," Leaf said.
"Why would there be a castle right here in the valley, anyway?" May asked.
"It was during the rebellion against Palamecia. This valley was one of the places that the empire knew nothing about. It served as a safe haven for those who have lost their homes because of Palamecia and those who have defected from the empire and believed in freedom. Once the war was over, the castle became an embassy for travelers coming here," Rei said.
"Since Mateus is back and about, I can hope he still doesn't know about this place," Ash said.
"It was many centuries since the rebellion, and I don't think he'll be looking for us here," Sora said.
"Perhaps, but we should be on high alert just in case he tries anything," Rei said.
With that said, Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Roxas, Xion, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Brendan, May, Chase, Elaine, Wes, Rui, Michael, Trace, Rei, Ryuko, Pikachu, Angel, Eevee, Azurill, Xipak, Celeste, Blossom, Sparky, Thor, Eclair, Marill, Volt, and Maple went down to the Pokémon Center as the sun has begun to set.
When they arrived, Nurse Joy saw the group and she ran up to them.
"I know you! You're Sora Ketchum, the Pokémon League Champion of the Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn Pokémon Leagues, aren't you?! It's a huge honor to have you here!" Nurse Joy happily exclaimed.
"I'm flattered," Sora said.
"As you see, I'm a huge fan of Pokémon battles and contests! May I have your autograph, please?" Nurse Joy asked, taking out an album. She showed some of Sora's pictures of Sora during the Indigo Plateau, Johto, and Hoenn Pokémon Leagues.
"Sure," Sora said, signing an autograph for Nurse Joy.
"Thank you very much for signing it for me! And I know you! You're Kairi! You're the Kanto's Top Coordinator as well as Hoenn's!" Nurse Joy said, flipping it over to when Kairi was in the Hoenn and Kanto Grand Festivals. "May I have your autograph, too?"
"Sure thing," Kairi said, signing her album.
"Oh, thank you. And I think I know you, too! Riku, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Brendan, May, Chase, Elaine, Trace, Wes, and Michael! I'm so happy to be surrounded by these famous people, I can't contain myself!" Nurse Joy said.
"Wait, Kris and Lyra, too?" Sora asked.
"Yeah, since when?" Ash asked.
"I guess I forgot to tell you that I participated in some tournaments during our travels," Lyra sheepishly said.
"Rill," Marill said, feeling just as sheepish.
"I pretty much did the same thing. Also, you remember when I was in the same Pokémon Contest as Kairi, don't you?" Kris asked.
"Actually, I didn't forget, but Lyra being part of an actual tournament took me by surprise," Sora said. Sora wasn't surprised to hear Wes and Michael are famous since they put an end to the whole Shadow Pokémon on two separate occasions. As they were signing autographs, Sora spoke up. "Um, there are still some rooms available for us, aren't there?"
"Of course. You're more than welcome to occupy them while you're training for the Pokémon Stadium Cup finals," Nurse Joy said.
"Thanks," Sora said.
With that said, they were each given rooms to rest and had a meal in the mess hall. Sora had exchanged all of his Pokémon except for Pikachu and Meltan for Salamence, Flygon, Aggron, Lapras, Heracross, Wyrdeer, Golduck, Snorlax, Sudowoodo, Absol, and Kleavor.
Unknown to anyone, a whole bunch of Meltan were arriving to the area.
On the very next morning, Sora and his Pokémon are joined by Kairi and Angel as they were about to begin their training for the Pokémon Stadium Cup finals.
"So, what's going to be your plan for the finals?" Kairi asked.
"Well, I haven't decided which six of my Pokémon to use against who. And I know it won't be easy since I know Wes is extremely tough. Michael has a long way since Orre, also there's Roxas. Since he's my Nobody, he could have inherited my battling skills along with my Keyblade skills. And there's Trace, Chase, and Elaine. I know they came a long way since then," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"But I guess I'll have to wait and see," Sora said.
"I know you'll be ready by then. And I'll be rooting for you no matter what," Kairi said. This made Sora smile. Pikachu's ears are perked up.
"Pi?" Pikachu asked.
"What's wrong, Pikachu? You hear something?" Sora asked.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"Eevee, vee?" Angel asked.
Just then, a whole bunch of Meltan started to come from all around.
"Those are Meltan," Sora said.
"So many at once," Kairi said. Sora's Meltan gets in the middle as the other Meltan all danced around Sora's Meltan.
"What are they doing?" Sora asked.
"It looks like they're doing so sort of dance," Kairi said.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"It looks like they're having fun doing it," Sora said. All of the Meltan than started to give off static electricity from their metallic bodies and flowing right into Sora's Meltan. It then returned the energy back to the others as all of the dancing Meltan began to glow. Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, Angel, and the other Pokémon were amazed by what was happening. Just then, all of the Meltan have merged together. What they have merged into is a large, silver Pokémon with a vaguely humanoid build that consists mostly of liquid metal. Many dark-gray hexagonal nuts are embedded in or attached to its body: one around each shoulder, one around the center of each arm, one in each hand, one in each foot, and a small light gray one in the center of its torso. A large, golden hexagonal nut encircles its neck and a smaller one acts as its head. Floating in its head is a small, dark gray sphere which may be oscillated. It has a small red tail resembling an electrical wire. "Whoa!"
"Did they combine into that?" Kairi asked.
"Pika," Pikachu said in awe.
"Vee," Angel said, also in awe.
The rest of Sora's Pokémon were just as awestruck by what they were looking at.
"I know this isn't Meltan, so what could it be?" Sora asked, taking out his Rotom Phone and scanned it.
Melmetal, the Hex Nut Pokémon
The evolved form of Meltan
Type: Steel
Centrifugal force is behind the punches of Melmetal's heavy hex-nut arms. Melmetal is said to deliver the strongest punches of all Pokémon.
"Melmetal, huh? I had no idea Meltan could evolve at all," Sora said.
"And I never would have guessed it took a whole bunch of Meltan to combine into that," Kairi said.
Melmetal rapidly spins its body. Once it builds up enough force, it extends its arms and hits the dirt with them, one after the other.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"What move was that?" Sora asked as the Rotom Phone informs him.
Double Iron Bash. A Steel-type move. The user rotates, centering the hex nut in its chest, and then strikes with its arms twice in a row. This may also make the target flinch.
"Double Iron Bash. You just evolved and you just learned a brand new move. The rest of the guys will be surprised to see you," Sora said.
A few minutes later, the rest of the group, stepped out and they looked at the newly evolved Melmetal with their very eyes.
"Wow, this is amazing," Rei said.
"Awesome," Ventus said.
"Pika," Sparky said.
"Sora's Meltan evolved into that?" Riku asked.
"Yeah. To think, it was just a little Meltan," Xion said.
"Eevee," Celeste said.
"Okay, Sora, let's see if I'm getting it right. You're telling us that your Melmetal evolved from a bunch of other Meltan?" Ash asked.
"That's exactly what I'm telling you. Really awesome, right?" Sora asked.
"If Max saw this thing, he would be super-jealous that I got to see it," May said.
"That's not all. There's one more thing," Sora said.
"There is?" Ethan asked.
"What?" Terra asked.
"Watch. Okay, Melmetal! Double Iron Bash!" Sora ordered. Melmetal does what it did before and it spins around, much their awe.
"Double Iron Bash? I heard of a lot of Pokémon moves, but I never such a move; and those Shadow moves are nothing to sneeze at," Wes said.
"It looked so powerful," Rui said.
"I can't believe we missed it. It would have made a great music video," Kris pouted.
"Hey, there's always next time. I promise," Ethan said in a loving manner. He placed his arm over Kris, making her smile and getting over her pout.
"Oh, you're very sweet, Ethan. I love you so much," Kris said, kissing her boyfriend on the lips.
"You plan to use Melmetal for the Pokémon Stadium Cup finals?" Lyra asked.
"I was thinking of it. But I think it'll be better if I got some training done first," Sora said.
"Yeah, that reminds us. We better get started," Roxas said.
"Right. We need to get started," Chase said.
"Excuse me, but I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. But I hear that you need to train for the Pokémon Stadium Cup finals," Nurse Joy said.
"Do you know a good spot, Nurse Joy?" Michael asked.
"I do. Come with me," Nurse Joy said. Sora, Kairi, Riku, Naminé, Roxas, Xion, Karen, Ventus, Terra, Aqua, Ash, Leaf, Ethan, Kris, Lyra, Brendan, May, Chase, Elaine, Wes, Rui, Michael, Trace, Rei, Ryuko, Pikachu, Angel, Eevee, Azurill, Xipak, Celeste, Blossom, Sparky, Thor, Eclair, Marill, Volt, and Maple complied with her and they went by a stage, which they figured was for Pokémon Contests, and then they came across a battlefield.
"Wow, first you have a stage for Pokémon Contests, now we see a battlefield," Roxas said.
"I was hoping you would be impressed. You're more than welcome to use it whenever you want to train," Nurse Joy said.
"We appreciate it, Nurse Joy," Rei said.
"I was hoping you would be. Also, as you know, I'm a fan of battling, so I was wondering if one of you can have a battle against me?" Nurse Joy requested.
"I guess I can take you up on that," Brendan said.
"You sure, Brendan?" Elaine asked.
"I'm sure. Besides, I could use the practice," Brendan said.
Just then, a Chansey came and snatched Nurse Joy's cap off her head. She then undergoes a transformation in personality.
"Well, you better get ready! Once you agreed to battle me, you signed on to a battle experience you'll never forget for as long as you live!" Nurse Joy said.
"If I didn't know better, I could have sworn she just became a different person as soon as her cap came off," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Can Brendan handle it?" Chase asked.
"I think we're about to find out," Trace said.
"Your hat, please," Nurse Joy said, taking off her nurses cap and Chansey undergoes a personality change, same as Nurse Joy.
"Chansey's went through a change," May said.
"I wonder how that Chansey will battle," Lyra said. Brendan took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Okay, Poliwrath! Go!" Brendan called out. His Pokéball opened and a Poliwrath came out to battle.
"Brendan made a smart move. Sending out a Fighting-type like a Poliwrath against a Normal-type like Chansey is a way for a win," Trace said.
"Chansey! Go!" Nurse Joy called out. Chansey charged right at Poliwrath.
"Poliwrath! Use Brick Break!" Brendan ordered. Poliwrath lands a Brick Break on the Egg Pokémon. Despite how strong it looked, it looked like Chansey barely felt it.
"I don't know about you, but I could've sworn that Chansey just took it like it was nothing," Naminé said.
"You're right, Naminé. Poliwrath should have been able to land a hit with that Brick Break, but it didn't," Aqua said.
"Azurill," Azurill chirped.
"Pikachu," Eclair said.
"Chansey! Double Slap!" Nurse Joy ordered. Chansey lands a couple of slaps on the Tadpole Pokémon.
"That Chansey is the same as her Trainer," Rui said.
"Ah, the thrill of battle," Nurse Joy said.
"Okay, Poliwrath! Use Focus Punch!" Brendan ordered. Poliwrath started to build up some focus in its fist and came right at Chansey.
"Dynamic Punch!" Nurse Joy ordered. Chansey lands a Dynamic Punch onto Poliwrath, ending up being confused.
"Okay, Poliwrath! Bubble Beam!" Brendan ordered. Poliwrath fired Bubble Beam right at the Egg Pokémon, but she took very little damage from the bubbles.
"Now, Double-Edge!" Nurse Joy ordered. Chansey moved in with a heavy tackle. "Battling. So vibrant, so youthful."
"Okay, Poliwrath! Brick Break!" Brendan ordered. Poliwrath charged right in with a Brick Break.
"Solar Beam!" Nurse Joy ordered. Chansey builds up solar energy. Poliwrath lands a heavy hit with Brick Break.
"That Chansey's tough," Naminé said.
"And she's a nurse," Elaine said.
Chansey fired a powerful Solar Beam, dealing some heavy damage due to its weakness against Grass-type attacks. Poliwrath had been knocked out.
"Poliwrath, you okay?" Brendan asked, concerned for his Poliwrath.
"Wrath," Poliwrath weakly said.
"Pokémon battles unite the world! And when the battle is completed, we're all friends!" Nurse Joy said.
"Chansey!" Chansey added.
"Alright, it's back to our day job," Nurse Joy said.
"Chansey," Chansey said.
They put their caps back on each other, changing back to their professional personalities. She and Chansey placed Poliwrath on a stretcher.
"We have an injured patient!" Nurse Joy said.
"Chansey!" Chansey said
Both the nurse and the Egg Pokémon rushed the injured Tadpole Pokémon to the medical wing to treat its injuries.
"She's sure a strange Nurse Joy," May said.
"You've said it, May. It was like she's a whole different personality when she battles," Kairi said.
"But at least she performs to her duties with pride," Xion said.
"Eevee," Angel and Celeste said as they nodded.
"She's surprisingly strong and fast," Karen said.
"Pikachu," Blossom said.
"Sora, I was wondering if I could have a practice battle with you?" Roxas asked.
"Sure thing, Roxas," Sora said.
"The reason I'm asking is because you wanna test out Melmetal in battle, so I thought about sending out my Kangaskhan to battle. I thought you could see how strong she is," Roxas said.
"Fine with me, Roxas. We can get started whenever you want to," Sora said.
"Awesome," Roxas said.
"Pikachu," Xipak said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
While the rest of the group went to tend to Brendan's Poliwrath, Sora, Kairi, Roxas, Xion, Karen, and their respective partners stayed behind to watch the practice battle.
"Sora, Roxas! Do your best, the both of you!" Karen called out to her two brothers.
"Thanks, Karen," Sora and Roxas said. They each took out one Pokéball and they threw their Pokéballs.
"Kangaskhan, I choose you!" Roxas called out.
"Melmetal! Come on out!" Sora called out.
Both Pokémon came out to battle against one another.
"Just so you know, Roxas, your Kangaskhan has moves that aren't very affective against a Steel-type," Sora said.
"You're right, Sora. I may not be doing it the easy way, but you be better for the hard way," Roxas said.
"Alright, since I'm being a good brother, you can make the first move," Sora said.
"Thanks. Kngaskhan! Start things up with your Ice Punch!" Roxas ordered. Kangaskhan rushes at Melmetal with an Ice Punch.
"Okay, Melmetal! Thunder Punch!" Sora ordered. Melmetal came at Kangaskhan with a Thunder Punch. Both Pokémon land a punch onto each other. Kangaskhan's Ice Punch seemed like it did a decent amount of damage even though Steel-types aren't too phased by Ice-type moves. "Try this for size! Flash Cannon!"
"Dodge and use Aerial Ace!" Roxas ordered. Kangaskhan dodges Melmetal's Flash Cannon and lands a hit with Aerial Ace. "Mega Kick!" Kangaskhan lands a strong kick onto Melmetal.
"Mega Punch!" Sora ordered. Melmetal lands a powerful Mega Punch onto Kangaskhan. "Use Thunder Punch!" Melmetal is about to give Kangaskhan a Thunder Punch.
"Use Dizzy Punch!" Roxas ordered. Kangaskhan and Melmetal each land a punch onto each other.
"Wow, those two are strong," Karen said.
"Chu," Blossom said.
"With the way that Kangaskhan is going at it, no wonder Roxas had a hard time against her," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Yeah. Kangaskhan is the kind of Pokémon that won't give up that easily," Xion said.
"Okay, Kangaskhan! Dizzy Punch!" Roxas ordered. Kangaskhan moved in with a Dizzy Punch.
"Melmetal! Mega Punch!" Sora ordered. Melmetal lands a Mega Punch onto Kangaskhan, but she came swinging in with a Dizzy Punch, but Melmetal ducked its head. "Double Iron Bash!" Melmetal spins around and comes toward Kangaskhan. The Hex Nut Pokémon lands two powerful hits on her. "Flash Cannon!" Melmetal fired a Flash Cannon at the Parent Pokémon.
"Dodge and use Ice Punch!" Roxas ordered. Kangaskhan dodges Melmetal's Flash Cannon and came at Melmetal with an Ice Punch, landing a hit. "Ice Punch again!"
"Thunder Punch!" Sora ordered. Melmetal lands a Thunder Punch onto Kangaskhan. "Flash Cannon!" Melmetal fired Flash Cannon at Kangaskhan, pushing her back.
"Mega Kick!" Roxas ordered. Kangaskhan came at Melmetal with a Mega Kick.
"Double Iron Bash!" Sora ordered. Melmetal does its thing and lands a hit onto Kangaskhan before she could deliver a Mega Kick on it. "Mega Punch!"
"Dizzy Punch!" Roxas ordered.
Both Pokémon came at each other and they eachand a hit on each other.
"Sora, Roxas, go!" Karen shouted.
"Ice Punch!" Roxas ordered. Kangaskhan came at Melmetal with an Ice Punch.
"Dodge and use Flash Cannon!" Sora ordered. Melmetal dodges Kangaskhan's Ice Punch and fired a Flash Cannon.
"Dodge it!" Roxas called out. Kangaskhan dodges Melmetal's Flash Cannon. "Use Mega Kick!" Kangaskhan came at Melmetal, landing a Mega Kick. "How do you like that, Sora?"
"You may had that Kangaskhan for a short time, but I can tell you did a great job handling her," Sora said.
"Thanks, Sora. Your Melmetal's pretty awesome, too," Roxas said. He chuckled. "You wanna keep going?"
"You bet I do," Sora said.
"Wow, Sora and Roxas are having fun battling each other. If only Axel was here, he would be happy and proud of Roxas," Xion said in her thoughts.
"Sora and Roxas are having a blast battling each other. Mom would enjoy every bit of it," Karen said in her thoughts.
Meanwhile, the rest of the group were anxiously waiting for Poliwrath to come back out. They didn't wait too long as Nurse Joy and Chansey came out with their patient on the stretcher.
"Nurse Joy, how's my Poliwrath?" Brendan asked.
"Your Poliwrath is feeling much better. After a goodnight sleep, Poliwrath will be a hundred percent," Nurse Joy said.
"That's good to know. Anyway, I sure underestimated you," Brendan said.
"You don't need to apologize. I simply enjoyed it," Nurse Joy said.
"Well, I guess I'm gonna need some more practice," Brendan said.
"Well, that's what you have us for, Brendan," Ethan said.
"He's right. We can help you out anyway we can," Riku said.
"Eevee," Eevee said.
Back with Sora and Roxas, the battle still went on.
"Use Aerial Ace!" Roxas ordered. Kangaskhan dashed at Melmetal with an Aerial Ace.
"Double Iron Bash!" Sora ordered. Melmetal performs its signature attack and delivered some heavy damage onto Kangaskhan. "Flash Cannon!"
"Aerial Ace again!" Roxas ordered. Kangaskhan avoids Melmetal's Flash Cannon and beans Melmetal on the mark with another Aerial Ace.
"Okay, Thunder Punch!" Sora ordered. Melmetal lands a Thunder Punch onto Kangaskhan once again. "Flash Cannon!"
"Dodge and use Aerial Ace one more time!" Roxas ordered. Kangaskhan dodged Melmetal's Flash Cannon and dashed at the Hex Nut Pokémon, dealing some decent damage. "Okay, Ice Punch!" Kangaskhan lands an Ice Punch onto Melmetal.
"Thunder Punch!" Sora ordered. Melmetal lands a Thunder Punch onto Kangaskhan. "Follow it up with a Mega Punch!" Melmetal came at Kangaskhan with a Mega Punch.
"Aerial Ace!" Roxas ordered. Kangaskhan dodges Melmetal's Mega Punch and land a hit with Aerial Ace. "Dizzy Punch!"
"Mega Punch!" Sora ordered.
Kangaskhan and Melmetal land a punch onto each other.
"Ice Punch!" Roxas ordered.
"Mega Punch!" Sora ordered.
Both Pokémon deals another blow onto each other once again. Both Melmetal and Kangaskhan had taken some heavy damage and they panted I'm exhaustion.
"It looks like they're tired from all that battling. How about we call it a draw for now?" Roxas suggested.
"Good idea. It won't do any good for our Pokémon overdo it. But it was a thrilling battle, Roxas. I knew you were gonna be good, but you're way better than I thought," Sora said.
"Thanks, Sora. It was a fun battle, but when we battle each other in the finals, there's no calling it a draw," Roxas said.
"How right you are, Roxas. Just because you're my brother, you shouldn't expect me to go easy on you," Sora said.
"I wouldn't want you to do that. Besides, it wouldn't be a challenge if you did. And you should know better than anybody I wouldn't go easy on you either," Roxas said.
"I'm gonna hold you up to your promise for that imminent battle," Sora said.
"I thought you would," Roxas said.
The two brothers shook hands, promising each other a good battle for the finals. Kairi, Xion, and Karen felt proud for the two of them.
The other finalists were training for the Pokémon Stadium Cup finals as well. Wes was training with Riku as Michael was training with Ash. Brendan was practicing with Leaf as Chase is practicing with Ethan. Trace is practicing with Lyra, and Elaine is practicing with May.
"Okay, Espeon! Psybeam!" Wes ordered. Espeon fired Psybeam at Eevee.
"Okay, Eevee! Dig!" Riku ordered. Eevee dug into the earth to avoid Espeon's Psybeam.
"Jolteon! Use Thunder Fang!" Michael ordered.
"Charizard! Mega Punch!" Ash ordered.
Jolteon rushes at Charizard with a Thunder Punch while the Flame Pokémon countered with a Mega Punch.
"Trailblaze!" Leaf and Brendan ordered. Both Grass-type Pokémon charged at each other and landed a hit.
"Okay, Volt! Use Pika Papow!" Chase ordered. Volt fired at Typhlosion.
"Flamethrower!" Ethan ordered. Typhlosion fired a Flamethrower at Volt.
"Marowak! Bone Rush!" Trace ordered.
"Aqua Tail!" Lyra ordered.
As Marowak charges right at Marill, the Aqua Mouse Pokémon lands a hit with an Aqua Tail.
"Maple! Use Veevee Volley!" Elaine ordered.
"Munchlax! Focus Punch!" May ordered.
Maple charges at Munchlax as the Big Eater Pokémon prepares to land a punch.
The Pokémon Stadium Cup finals is getting closer within three weeks, so Sora, Roxas, Brendan, Chase, Elaine, Wes, Michael, and Trace will have to be ready for it. Stay tuned if you wanna see what happens next.