Episode 373: The Fires of Kiawe
Now that the Kanto Grand Festival is behind them, 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 preparations to leave for Fennel Valley.
"Are you sure you can't stick around with us a little while longer, Arthur?" Sora asked.
"I'd like to, but I decided to train with Ben. But we'll be at Fennel Valley to root for you," Arthur said.
"We appreciate it, Arthur," Roxas said.
"Pikachu," Xipak said.
"Fennel Valley isn't too far from here, so it works out for us," Rei said.
"We should get there in a few hours by foot," Riku said.
"We could get there before sunset," Ash said.
"We could start by going through the Go Forest," Chase said.
"Yes, that works because Go Forest is on the way over there," 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, Rei, Ryuko, Pikachu, Angel, Eevee, Azurill, Xipak, Celeste, Blossom, Sparky, Thor, Eclair, Marill, Volt, and Maple have started to make their way through Go Forest. Along the way, Roxas caught a male Heracross, a Natu, and a Yanma.
A female Torchic has come to challenge Kairi to a battle.
"Hey, a Torchic," Lyra said.
"And it has its sights on me," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Okay, let's make this quick. Quick Attack!" Kairi ordered. Angel went after Torchic with a Quick Attack. Torchic dodged and fired an Ember at Angel. Dodge it and use Swift!" Angel dodged Torchic's Ember and fired a Swift at Torchic. The Chick Pokémon has taken some heavy damage from Angel's Swift. Kairi took out a Pokéball and threw it. Torchic flowed inside and the Pokéball wobbles around and around. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. Kairi's Pokémon Box goes off asking her if she wants to keep Torchic with her. She chose to keep Torchic with her in exchange for Shuckle. "I have my own Torchic."
"Eevee, vee," Angel said.
Now that Kairi has caught her own Torchic, the group continue on their way to Fennel Valley for the finals of the Pokemon Stadium Cup. Later, not too long after they left the Go Forest, the group heard the sound of a battle about to begin.
"I accept your challenge," a voice said. Riku recognized the voice.
"Kiawe?" Riku asked.
"Eevee," Eevee said.
They went up and they saw a battle about to begin. They saw a muscular, dark-skinned young man. He has red and brown hair, in a style resembling fire. He wears red shorts with a black outline and sandals with the same color scheme. He wears no shirt, though he does have some black cloth strips on his shoulders bound to his necklace, which has a small badge and feather decorations. With him is an Alolan Marowak.
"It is him," Riku said.
"You know him?" Chase asked.
"Yeah. Kiawe is one of my friends in Alola. I wonder if he was here for the Pokémon Stadium Cup or something else?" Riku asked.
"We'll make it a two-on-two battle, what do you say?" The boy challenging Kiawe asked.
"Fine with me. And the first one to battle will be Marowak!" Kiawe said as his Marowak stepped in.
"Then, I choose..." The Trainer said, taking out a Great Ball and threw it. "Magmar!" His Pokéball opened and a Magmar emerged from inside. "Magmar! Use Fire Punch!" Magmar rushes at Marowak with a Fire Punch.
"Marowak! Shadow Bone!" Kiawe ordered. Marowak came at the Spitfire Pokémon and lands a hit with Shadow Bone.
"Alright, Magmar! Use Flamethrower!" The Trainer ordered. Magmar fired a Flamethrower at the Alolan Bone Keeper Pokémon.
"Dodge it and use Bonemerang!" Kiawe ordered. Marowak dodges Magmar's Flamethrower and threw its bone at Magmar and struck it.
"Magmar! Flame Burst!" The Trainer ordered. Magmar unleashed a Flame Burst and sends it at Marowak.
"Use Iron Head!" Kiawe ordered. Marowak dashed at Magmar with an Iron Head, landing a hit. "Bonemerang!" Marowak threw Bonemerang at Magmar, resulting in a knockout. He calls back his Magmar and he took out another Great Ball and threw it.
"Electabuzz! Go!" The Trainer called out. An Electabuzz came out to battle.
"Come back, Marowak," Kiawe said. Marowak returned to Kiawe's side. He took out a Pokéball and threw it. "Flareon! Go!" His Pokéball opened and Flareon emerged from inside.
"Electabuzz! Thunder Punch!" The Trainer ordered. Electabuzz came at Flareon with a Thunder Punch.
"Dodge it and use Flamethrower!" Kiawe ordered. Flareon dodged Electabuzz's Thunder Punch and fired a Flamethrower, hitting Electabuzz. "Flame Charge!" Flareon dashed at Electabuzz, landing a hit.
"Thunderbolt!" The Trainer ordered. Electabuzz fired a Thunderbolt at Flareon.
"Dodge and use another Flame Charge!" Kiawe ordered. Flareon dodges Electabuzz's attack due to the increased speed. "Flamethrower!" Flareon fired a Flamethrower and land a hit onto Electabuzz, resulting in a knockout.
"Electabuzz!" The Trainer cried.
"Great job, Flareon," Kiawe said.
His opponent took off after he lost the battle.
"Not too shabby, Kiawe," Riku said. Kiawe turned to see Riku and the others.
"Riku, glad you came. Great seeing you again, Naminé," Kiawe said.
"Hello, Kiawe," Naminé greeted.
"Riku told us about you," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Who are you?" Kiawe asked.
"These are my friends I made here on my travels," Riku said.
"I'm Rei Sakura," Rei introduced herself.
"I'm Sora, and this is Pikachu," Sora introduced.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"I'm Kairi, and this is Angel," Kairi introduced.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"I'm Roxas, and this is Xipak," Roxas introduced.
"I'm Xion, and this is Celeste," Xion introduced.
"Eevee," Celeste said.
"I'm Chase, and this is Volt," Chase introduced.
"Chu," Volt said.
"I'm Elaine, and this is Maple," Elaine introduced.
"My name's Karen, and this is Blossom," Karen introduced.
"I'm Ventus, but everyone calls me Ven. This is Sparky," Ventus introduced.
"I'm Terra, and this is Thor," Terra introduced.
"My name's Aqua, and this is Eclair," Aqua introduced.
"Pikachu," Blossom said.
"Pika, Pika," Sparky said.
"Chu," Thor said.
"Pika," Elcair said.
"I'm Ash."
"My name's Leaf."
"My name's Ethan."
"I'm Kris."
"I'm Lyra, and this is Marill," Lyra introduced.
"I'm Brendan."
"My name's May."
"I'm Wes."
"My name's Rui."
"I'm Michael."
"I'm Ryuko."
"The name's Trace."
Kiawe took a good look at Sora and he realized who he was looking at.
"Wait, Sora? You mean the same Sora who Riku's been talking about?" Kiawe asked. Sora figured Riku told Kiawe about him like he did with Lana.
"Yeah. That'll be me," Sora said.
"I thought as much. And you're also the same one who went up against Lana during the Whirl Cup. I've been wanting to meet you for a long time," Kiawe said.
"Really? What for?" Sora asked.
"I'll tell you, what for," Kiawe said, taking out a Pokéball and holds it tightly. "To battle against you."
"Why would you wanna battle against me? We only just met," Sora pointed out.
"Because I wanna see if you're truly worthy of being Riku's rival, that's why," Kiawe said. Sora was confused. "Riku has told me about how skilled you are in a Pokémon battle, and how you won the Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn Pokémon Leagues, so I wanna see it for myself."
"So, you wanna battle against me just to see it for yourself?" Sora asked.
"I do. You see, not just anyone could be Riku's rival, so I wanna see why he has such great respect for you. So, do you accept my challenge or what?" Kiawe asked.
"I guess I could take you up on that challenge, Kiawe, if that's what you want," Sora said.
"I'm not surprised this would happen," Riku said.
"You mean you knew Kiawe would challenge Sora?" May asked.
"I did. Kiawe has always saw me as a rival, so I had my share of battles against him. Kiawe is one of the reasons I am what I am right now. And if there were anyone who saw me as a rival, he would challenge them to a battle to see if they were worthy or not," Riku said.
"That sounds about right," May said.
"Well, everyone wants a piece of a champion," Chase said.
"Yeah, and that makes the battles even more exciting," Trace said.
It didn't take so long for Sora and Kiawe to get into position for their battle.
"Let's make this a three-on-three Pokémon battle. And the battle will be over when all three of our Pokémon are unable to continue battling," Kiawe said.
"Fine with me," Sora said.
"Since I made the challenge, I will make the first choice. I choose Marowak," Kiawe said. Marowak stepped in to battle. "Marowak is my trusted partner."
"If it's a battle of partners, huh? Well, two can play that game," Sora said. He turned to Pikachu. "Okay, Pikachu, you're up." Pikachu said, stepping in.
"Marowak! Shadow Bone!" Kiawe ordered. Marowak starts things up with a Shadow Bone to swing at the Mouse Pokémon.
"Dodge and use Iron Tail!" Sora ordered. Pikachu avoids Marowak's Shadow Bone and comes at the Alolan Bone Keeper Pokémon with Iron Tail. Marowak uses its bone to block.
"I figured Marowak wasn't gonna let Pikachu hit him that easily," Riku said. Marowak pushes Pikachu back. The Mouse Pokémon lands on his feet.
"Alright, Marowak! Bonemerang!" Kiawe ordered. Marowak threw his bone right at Pikachu.
"Dodge it and use Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu jumped out of the way of the bone and fired Thunderbolt at Marowak. He ends up being shocked by Pikachu's Thunderbolt. "Nice job, Pikachu!"
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"That was impressive, but it's going to take more than that to keep my Marowak down," Kiawe said.
"I know it's going to. I can tell your Marowak is really strong. You did a great job in raising him," Sora said.
"Thanks a lot, Sora. But compliments don't win battles," Kiawe said.
"You're right, they don't. But one thing does," Sora said. "Iron Tail!" Pikachu swings his tail at Marowak.
"Marowak! Iron Head!" Kiawe ordered. Marowak came at Pikachu with an Iron Head. They clashed their attacks against each other and they push back. "Marowak! Use Flame Wheel!" Marowak uses his bone to tap his head twice and his bone emits green flames. Marowak ran while twirling his bone. The green flames became more intense the faster Marowak ran.
"Dodge with Quick Attack!" Sora called out. Pikachu uses Quick Attack to avoid Marowak's Flame Wheel.
"He's using Quick Attack, a Normal-type move as a defense, but not as an offense. Sora is even stronger than Riku and Lana said he was. It's no wonder Lana lost to him. I won't make the same mistake," Kiawe said in his thoughts.
"Electro Ball!" Sora ordered. Pikachu uses Electro Ball to attack Marowak, and the attack lands a successful hit. Marowak was still standing.
"After a strong attack like that? Marowak is still standing?" Trace asked.
"Kiawe's Marowak is a stubborn Pokémon. He won't be taken down that easily. I would know," Riku said.
"Marowak! Shadow Bone!" Kiawe ordered. Marowak came at Pikachu with another Shadow Bone.
"Thunderbolt!" Sora ordered. Pikachu unleashed a strong Thunderbolt, hitting Marowak and ended up being knocked out.
"Marowak!" Kiawe gasped.
"Great job, Pikachu," Sora said.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu said.
"Are you alright, Marowak?" Kiawe asked.
"Wak," Marowak said.
"You battled hard, and you earned yourself a good rest," Kiawe said, calling back his Marowak. He looked right at Sora. "Not bad, Sora. You and your Pikachu are the perfect team. Now, let's go! Growlithe!" Kiawe's Pokéball opened and a Growlithe emerged from inside, ready to battle.
"You still good to go, buddy?" Sora asked.
"Chu," Pikachu said with a nod.
"I thought you would be. Quick Attack!" Sora ordered.
"Growlithe! Fire Fang!" Kiawe ordered. Growlithe charges at Pikachu with a Fire Fang. Both Pokémon came at each other and deals some damage on each other. "Growlithe! Use Bite!" Growlithe came at Pikachu with a Bite.
"Dodge and use Quick Attack!" Sora ordered. Pikachu dodges Growlithe's Bite and dashed at the Puppy Pokémon with Quick Attack.
"Dodge it and use Flamethrower!" Kiawe ordered. Growlithe dodges Pikachu's Quick Attack and fired a Flamethrower. They fired their chosen attacks and they collide with one another. Thunderbolt and Flamethrower has an explosion between the two of them and they take heavy damage. "Aerial Ace!" Growlithe dashed at Pikachu and land a hit on the Mouse Pokémon.
"Use Electro Ball!" Sora ordered.
"Use Fire Fang!" Kiawe ordered. Growlithe lands a fiery bite as soon as Pikachu launches his Electro Ball. It gives off a small explosion in the Puppy Pokémon's mouth. Sora was shocked when he saw that. "Aerial Ace!" Growlithe dashed at Pikachu and lands a hit, resulting in a knockout. Sora ran up to Pikachu.
"You okay, Pikachu?" Sora asked.
"Pika," Pikachu weakly said.
"Don't apologize, Pikachu. You were awesome out there. You've earned yourself a good rest," Sora said. He took out another Pokéball. "Time to fight fire with fire! Go! Blaziken!" His Pokéball opened and his Blaziken emerged from inside.
"That's a strong-looking Blaziken you got there, Sora," Kiawe said.
"I had this Blaziken ever since he was a Torchic, and I did some training to make him what he is today," Sora said.
"Blaz," Blaziken said.
"Growlithe! Aerial Ace!" Kiawe ordered. Growlithe dashed at Blaziken.
"Okay, Blaziken! Blaze Kick!" Sora ordered. Blaziken gave Growlithe a blazing kick as soon as Growlithe got close enough. "Use Fire Punch!" Blaziken gave Growlithe a fiery punch in the face. Growlithe growled.
"Use Bite!" Kiawe ordered. Growlithe came at Blaziken with a Bite. Growlithe bit Blaziken on the leg. "Use Aerial Ace!"
"Use Sky Uppercut!" Sora ordered. Blaziken dashed at Growlithe a Sky Uppercut, sending Gtowlithe upwards. The Puppy Pokémon fell to the ground, beaten. "Great work, Blaziken." Kiawe called his Growlithe back.
"Sora definitely didn't waste any time. He did a great job training his Pokémon. Better bring out the big gun," Kiawe said in his thoughts. He took out another Pokéball and threw it. "Charizard! It's your turn!" His Pokéball opened and his Charizard emerged from inside.
"I figured he would send out Charizard against Sora," Riku said.
"Of course you would know he has a Charizard since you actually know him," Chase said.
"Yeah, and I also know that Charizard isn't really Kiawe's," Riku said.
"Not his Charizard?" Ash asked.
"It's true. That Charizard actually belonged to Kiawe's late grandpa. He had that Charizard as his trustworthy partner right up to when he passed away. Kiawe was a little bit younger when that happen, so Kiawe was inherited that Charizard as his own. Those two have been together ever since," Riku said.
"Eevee," Eevee said.
"Did you know Kiawe's grandpa, Riku?" Kairi asked.
"I did. He the one who taught me about the bonds of Pokémon and Trainer," Riku said.
"Sounds like he was quite a teacher," Kairi said.
"He was," Riku said.
"Okay, Blaziken! Fire Punch!" Sora ordered.
"You use Fire Punch, too!" Kiawe ordered.
Both Charizard and Blaziken gave each other a Fire Punch, and both have felt heavy damage from the punches.
"Okay, use Flame Charge!" Sora ordered. Blaziken charges at Charizard with a Flame Charge.
"Aerial Ace!" Kiawe ordered.
Both Pokémon came at each other, clashing power with power. Both Pokémon felt some heavy damage. Blaziken's was heavier due to his weakness against Flying-type attacks.
"Okay, Blaziken, your speed should go up from, so use Sky Uppercut!" Sora ordered.
"Use Slash!" Kiawe ordered. Charizard came at Blaziken. Charizard lands a Slash as Blaziken lands a Sky Uppercut. "Okay, use Fire Punch!"
"Fire Punch!" Kiawe ordered. Charizard and Blaziken each land a Fire Punch on each other. "This battle is getting more intense each passing second. I'm enjoying this battle. I can clearly see why Riku respects him. Not only because of his ability to use the Keyblade, but as a Pokémon Trainer. I wanna see more of his power," Kiawe said in his thoughts.
"Blaze Kick!" Sora ordered. Blaziken attempts to deliver a Blaze Kick, but he felt the pain from the battle against Growlithe.
"Aerial Ace!" Kiawe ordered. Charizard flew at Blaziken and lands a hit. Blaziken was now knocked out from Charizard's Aerial Ace. Sora called back Blaziken and smiled.
"You battled enough, Blaziken. Take a rest," Sora said. He took out one more Pokéball and he threw it. "Okay, Feraligatr! You're up!" His Pokéball opened up and Feraligatr emerged from inside. "Okay, Feraligatr, don't expect it to be easy just because you have the edge. That Charizard is stronger than you think."
"Gatr," Feraligatr growled.
"Okay, Charizard! Aerial Ace!" Kiawe ordered.
"Ice Punch!" Sora ordered. Feraligatr lands an Ice Punch when they collide with one another. Both Pokémon felt the pain from they received from each other. "Use Hydro Pump!"
"Dodge it and use Flamethrower!" Kiawe ordered. Charizard dodges Feraligatr's Hydro Pump and fired Flamethrower, hitting Feraligatr on the mark. "Slash!"
"Ice Fang!" Sora ordered. Feraligatr lands an Ice Fang on Charizard's arm, freezing it. "Slash!"
"You use Slash, too!" Kiawe ordered.
Charizard and Feraligatr each land a hit with Slash.
"Ice Punch!" Sora ordered.
"Fire Punch!" Kiawe ordered.
Both Pokémon land a hit on each other.
"Slash!" Sora and Kiawe ordered. Charizard and Feraligatr land a Slash on each other. The two Pokémon stared right at each other.
"Flamethrower!" Kiawe ordered. Charizard fired Flamethrower right at the Big Jaw Pokémon.
"Dodge it an use Hydro Pump!" Sora ordered. Feraligatr avoids Charizard's Flamethrower and fired Hydro Pump, hitting the Flame Pokémon on the mark. "Great! Ice Punch!" Feraligatr heads right for Charizard and lands an Ice Punch onto Charizard. A small patch of ice appears on Charizard's chest.
"Aerial Ace!" Kiawe ordered. Charizard flew right at Feraligatr with an Aerial Ace.
"Hydro Pump!" Sora ordered.
Feraligatr fired Hydro Pump, hitting Charizard on the mark. Charizard fell backwards, but he wasn't down yet.
"Slash!" Kiawe ordered.
"Dodge it!" Sora called out. Charizard swings its claws at Feraligatr, so the Big Jaw Pokémon ducked down. "Ice Punch!" Feraligatr lands an Ice Punch. "Use Ice Fang!"
"Fire Punch!" Kiawe ordered. Charizard lands a Fire Punch, dealing some heavy damage on Feraligatr. "Aerial Ace!" Charizard flew right at Feraligatr.
"Hydro Pump!" Sora ordered. Feraligatr fired a Hydro Pump, hitting Charizard. The Flame Pokémon fell backwards. He struggled to get back up, but Charizard fell back down, beaten. Kiawe could see Sora had won the battle. Kiawe called back Charizard and he smiled.
"You battled well, Charizard. You've earned a good, long rest," Kiawe said. He smiled as he approached Sora. "That was an incredible battle, Sora. I can clearly see why Riku respects you so much. And you don't even need a Keyblade over it."
"Thanks, Kiawe. I gotta tell you, you're a tough Trainer. One of the toughest I have ever faced," Sora said. Kiawe smiled.
"You've proven that you're of being Riku's rival. Therefore, you and I shall become rivals from this day forward," Kiawe said.
"You and me rivals?" Sora asked.
"Of course. You really impressed me with your battling skills. Riku was right about you not knowing when to quit. You didn't even try to give up even once," Kiawe said.
"I never thought of that as a good thing, but I appreciate your praise, Kiawe. But I think we could be friends as well," Sora said.
"He's right, Kiawe. Sora might be a rival, but he's more of a friend to me. I mean, sure, we push each other to be the best we can be, but we never let that affect the friendship," Riku said.
"I can accept that. You have my thanks for that incredible battle, Sora," Kiawe said.
"Same with you, Kiawe," Sora said.
"Anyway, there's one thing that's on my mind. What brought you here? It couldn't have been the Pokémon Stadium Cup, could it?" Riku asked.
"Actually, I'm here to do a fire dance for tonight. I volunteered to take part of that. So, I'm hoping maybe you could witness it," Kiawe said.
"Sorry, but we're gonna have to miss it. We got to head for Fennel Valley before nightfall, but I promise we'll see your next fire show when we cross paths," Riku said.
"Alright, I will hold you to that promise, Riku. And since you brought up the Pokémon Stadium Cup, I'm surprised you didn't make the final eight," Kiawe said.
"Sometimes don't work out as well as you hope," Riku said.
"That's true. And Riku worked so hard to make it happen," Rei said.
"But still, it was great seeing you again. I'll tell Lana and everyone else that you said hi when I get back home," Kiawe said.
"I figured you'd do that," Riku said.
The group said their goodbyes to Kiawe as they took their leave. He waved to them until they were completely out of sight.
(Flashback)
We come to after Lana had returned to Akala Island.
"Really? You met that Sora kid, Lana?" Kiawe asked.
"I did. He's a really nice guy. Not only that, but also brave when he took on those Heartless attacked me underwater," Lana said.
"You don't mean-" Kiawe paused.
"He has a Keyblade just like Riku. And not only that, but Kairi also has a Keyblade," Lana said.
"I thought Riku was the only one who had one," Kiawe said.
"So did I. Everyone else should know," Lana said. Kiawe nodded with agreement.
"What does Riku see in you, Sora. One day, our paths will cross. And we do meet, I'm finding out for myself when I battle you," Kiawe said.
(Flashback ends)
"You exceeded every expectation I had ever had with you. I'm hoping we'll meet again soon, Sora. And when we do, the results will be different.
Gaining a new rival in Sora, Kiawe has seen what kind of person is and why Riku has such respect for him. But could some of Riku's other friends be all around to meet Sora? Find out as we continue on.