Episode 417: According to Plant
Shortly after being treated to a free meal from Gardenia, Roxas and Lucas went about their training. But the question remains on who should be the one to have a Gym battle. The two of them would have to settle it once and for all.
"So, rock, paper, scissors, or we flip a coin?" Lucas asked.
"Let's just flip a coin. You wants heads or tails?" Roxas asked.
"Heads," Lucas said.
"Alright," Roxas said, pushing a coin flip app and he pressed on the coin. The coin flips and it shows tails. "Tails, I win."
"Shoot! Last one again," Lucas sighed as he hung his head. "Well, that gives more of a chance to get my training done."
"Sorry abou-" Roxas tried to apologize, but Lucas raised his hand.
"Don't say you're sorry, Roxas. You won the coin toss fair and square. I'm gonna train some more. How about you?" Roxas asked.
"I'm gonna have my Pokémon rest up for a bit," Roxas said.
With that said, Lucas was doing some training of his own when he came across a female Shinx. Lucas already had one of his own, and that Shinx looks perfect for his sister. Lucas took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Come out, Shinx!" Lucas called out. His Shinx emerged from inside and out came his own Shinx. The female Shinx saw Lucas's Shinx and growled. "Okay, Shinx! Tackle, let's go!" Lucas's Shinx charges at the wild Shinx, landing a hit, but she fought back with a Thunder Shock, hitting Lucas's Shinx. "You use Thunder Shock, too!" Lucas's Shinx unleashed a Thunder Shock, hitting her. "Okay, it's time to use Bite!" Lucas's Shinx bit the female Shinx. Seeing her weakened enough, he took out a Pokéball and threw it. The female Shinx flowed inside and it began to wobble around and around. Stars swirls around the Pokéball to confirm the catch. Lucas's Pokémon Box goes off asking him if he wants to keep his new Shinx with him. He chose to keep the new Shinx by exchanging his Aipom. He took the new Shinx to the Pokémon Center to be healed up. Once that was done, Lucas saw a Pokéball transporter and decided to give his house a call. He called his home and Lucas's father answered it. His face lit up when he saw Lucas's face.
"Hi, son. Trust you're doing well for yourself," Lucas's father said with a smile. "What's new with you?"
"Well, we made it to Eterna City. On the way over, we met Lucian of the Elite Four," Lucas said.
"You have? How did it go?" Lucas's father asked.
"It was a huge honor to meet him, but that's not the reason I'm calling you from this phone instead of the Rotom Phone," Lucas said.
"Oh? And why's that, my boy?" Lucas's father asked.
"Well, I caught a girl Shinx, and I figured she would be a playmate for Wendy since I promised her to catch her one when I come across one," Lucas said. His father smiled at that.
"I see. That shows what a good brother you are, Lucas. And it was a good thing I had that Pokéball teleporter up and running. You can send that Shinx over here whenever you're ready."
"I knew I could count on you, dad," Lucas said, placing the Pokéball containing the female Shinx. The Pokéball then teleported from the Pokémon Center and right to Lucas's house.
"There. Your Pokéball arrived safely," Lucas's father said.
"Thanks for that, dad," Lucas said.
"So, where are you right now?" Lucas's father asked.
"My friends and I are in Eterna City. My friend Sora just won a Forest Badge from Gardenia, so my friend Roxas is about to have his, so I'm still training," Lucas explained.
"Excellent. Your mother would be so proud of you, my boy. And I know Wendy is going to love the new Shinx you caught for her," Lucas's father said.
"Just tell her to take very good care of her new Shinx," Lucas said.
"I will, Lucas. And thanks for calling. Best of luck," Lucas's father said.
"Thanks, dad," Lucas said, hanging up.
"Thought you said you had more training to do," Roxas said, coming up behind him.
"I do. Just had a girl Shinx sent to my house. I figured it'll be a Pokémon I know Wendy will love," Lucas said.
"That shows what a good brother you are. I mean, Wendy is lucky to have a big brother like you," Roxas said.
"You think so?" Lucas asked.
"I do. I know you have the same kind of bond as Tai and Kari. And the kind Kairi, Xion, and Seth have together," Roxas said.
"I guess you're right. But what about Davis? He has a sister, too?" Lucas asked.
"Yeah, he does have a good bond with his sister, only he won't admit it. I think he just finds a way to argue with her. The same for Yolei, her brother, and her two sisters. She even told me about fighting over the last cookie," Roxas said.
"You know, me and Wendy used to do that, until my mom gave the last cookie to Chatot to teach us a lesson about arguing," Lucas said. He laughed. "Chatot has always loved those chocolate chip and macadamia nut cookies she bakes. They're the best." Lucas's mouth began to water at the thought of those cookies. "Well, before I get myself hungry from the thought, I better get back to training for my Gym battle."
"Okay, just don't overdo it," Roxas said.
Over to Lucas's house, it was shortly after Lucas broke contact as Wendy and her mother came home.
"Ah, perfect timing, my dears," Lucas's father said, holding the Pokéball behind his back.
"Why's that, honey?" Lucas's mother asked.
"Oh, I got off the phone with Lucas and he caught a Pokémon for you, Wendy," Lucas's father said. Her face lit up like it was Christmas at the thought.
"What is it? What is it?" Wendy asked, getting all giddy.
"Close your eyes," Lucas's father said as Wendy covered her eyes. She took a peek. "Ah-ah-ah. No peeking." She laughed when she covered her eyes again. Making sure she couldn't see it until he wanted her to, he opened the Pokéball and the female Shinx came out. "You can open them now." Wendy opened her eyes and she saw the female Shinx looking at her.
"Oh, daddy! It's a Shinx!" Wendy happily exclaimed.
"Yes. In fact, this one is a girl Shinx. The one Lucas has is a boy. He caught this little one a little while ago," Lucas's father said.
"Oh, daddy, I love her! I'm going to name her Charlotte!" Wendy said. Liking the name, the Shinx now named Charlotte began to lick her affectionately. She laughed.
"It seems Charlotte likes it," Lucas's father said.
"And she likes you as well," Lucas's mother said.
"Likes you as well! Likes you as well!" Chatot repeated.
"I like you, too, Charlotte," Wendy said.
"Shinx!" Charlotte said.
"And since this little one was given to you by your big brother, he expects you to take good care of her, because she's going to be your responsibility from now on," Lucas's father said.
"I will," Wendy said. She looked right at Charlotte. "Someday, Charlotte, when I'm big enough, I'll go on my own journey and have you with me. And one day, you'll evolve into a strong Luxray."
"Shinx," Charlotte said.
"Yes someday," Lucas's mother said.
Back in Eterna City on the very next morning, Roxas has gotten all the training he needed as he plans to use Cyndaquil, Sneasel, and Crobat in the battle.
"Well, Roxas. I had a feeling I would be battling against you. Just because I lost to your brother doesn't mean I'm going to lose to you," Gardenia said.
"Then we're both gonna have to give it everything we've got," Roxas said.
"Don't get overconfident. If you want that Forest Badge, then you're gonna have to earn it!" Gardenia said. They got into position.
"The battle between the Eterna City Gym Leader Gardenia and the challenger Roxas from Pallet Town is about to begin! Each Trainer will be using three Pokémon each! Only the challenger will be allowed to make substitutions during the match! The battle will be over when all three of either the Gym Leader's or the challenger's Pokémon are unable to continue battling! Now, choose your first Pokémon and begin!" Yoko announced.
"Nuzleaf!" Nuzelaf said. Gardenia took out her first Pokéball and threw it.
"Cherrim! You're going in first!" Gardenia called out, throwing her Pokéball. Her Pokéball opened and Cherrim came out. With the sunlight, Cherrim went from the Overcast Form to the Sunny Form in an instant. Roxas took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Let's go! Cyndaquil!" Roxas called out. His Pokéball opened and his Cyndaquil emerged from inside.
"Roxas is starting out with Cyndaquil," Sora said.
"Pika!" Pikachu said.
"Chu," Xipak said.
"Let's see," Dawn said, taking out her Rotom Phone and scanned it.
Cyndaquil, the Fire Mouse Pokémon
Type: Fire
Normally, Cyndaquil is a timid Pokémon, but whenever it gets frightened or angered, it flares up flames on its back to protect itself.
"He's starting up with a Fire-type, huh?" Cody asked.
"And with good reason. Cyndaquil's Fire-type moves gets stronger in strong sunlight," Izzy said.
"Yeah, but the downside is, Solar Beam will fire Cyndaquil without charging," Joe said.
"You're right. But knowing Roxas, he has some tricks up his sleeve," Sora said.
"Cherrim! Use Magical Leaf!" Gardenia ordered. Cherrim fired Magical Leaf right at the Fire Mouse Pokémon.
"I don't think so! Cyndaquil! Swift!" Roxas ordered. Cyndaquil fired Swift, blocking Magical Leaf. Cyndaquil kept firing Magical Leaf until the last of the leaves were taken out. "Okay, use Flame Wheel!" Cyndaquil plowed on over to Cherrim. Thanks to the sunlight, it was strong enough to cause some heavy damage.
"Cherrim! Solar Beam!" Gardenia ordered. Cherrim fired Solar Beam right at the Fire Mouse Pokémon.
"Use Quick Attack to dodge and follow it with a Flamethrower!" Roxas ordered. Cyndaquil uses Quick Attack to avoid Solar Beam and then fired a super-powered Flamethrower, hitting the Blossom Pokémon. Cherrim was taken down.
"Cherrim is unable to battle! Cyndaquil wins!" Yoko announced.
"Leaf!" Nuzleaf said.
"And that's one down and two to go," TK said.
"Yeah, and I have a feeling on which one's next," Kairi said.
"Me too," Xion said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Eevee," Celeste said.
Gardenia called back her Cherrim and she smiled.
"You battled hard, Cherrim. Get yourself a nice, long rest," Gardenia said. She looked right at Roxas with a smiled. "You're just as good as Sora. But I think it's going to be fun when we find out how good you are." She took out her next Pokéball and threw it. "Turtwig! It's your turn!" Her Pokéball opened and out came her Turtwig. Roxas grinned.
"I had a feeling you'd send Turtwig out next. But Turtwig isn't the only speedy Pokémon, you know," Roxas said, calling back his Cyndaquil and took out his next Pokéball and threw it. "You're going in now, Sneasel!" His Pokéball opened and his Sneasel came out to battle.
"Oh, that's an interesting choice. You're sending out an Ice-type Pokémon against my Grass-types. I like how you think, but you're becoming totally predictable," Gardenia said.
"It's good to see Roxas sending out his Sneasel since Ice-types have an edge over Grass-types like Turtwig," Davis said.
"That's true, Davis, but I don't think that's the main reason he's sending Sneasel out to battle against Turtwig," Sora said.
"I agree with Sora 2. It's my opinion he's sending out his Sneasel out to battle against Gardenia's Turtwig because of Sneasel's speed," Ken said.
"Speed?" Davis asked.
"I think I get what he means, Davis. Sneasel are fast Pokémon by nature. After seeing Sora's battle yesterday, Roxas figured he'd match speed for speed," Leaf said.
"But aren't Cyndaquil fast, too?" Davis asked.
"They are, but Roxas's Sneasel is way faster," Ken said.
"Okay, Sneasel! Use Ice Punch!" Roxas ordered. Sneasel rushed at Turtwig with an Ice Punch.
"Dodge it, Turtwig and use Leech Seed!" Gardenia ordered. When Sneasel was close enough, the Tiny Leaf Pokémon dodged with incredible speed and unleashed Leech Seed at the Sharp Claw Pokémon, but Sneasel quickly got in front of Turtwig and lands an Ice Punch, freezing the top of its head. Turtwig was now moving slowly because of the coldness of the ice.
"Great job, Sneasel!" Roxas said.
"No way! That was fast!" Gardenia said.
"It looks like Roxas's plan worked perfectly," Xion said.
"What plan?" May asked.
"Yeah, fill us in," Dawn said.
"Sneasel gave Roxas such a hard time when he was trying to catch Sneasel. He figured he would put that to the ultimate test. Roxas's knew Sneasel's quick reactions would avoid Leech Seed with ease, so he had Sneasel use Ice Punch to freeze Turtwig's head to keep Turtwig from using Leech Seed and Leaf Storm," Xion said.
"And I figure Sora would do the same thing," Ash said.
"Yeah, I probably would," Sora said.
"That ice will only slow Turtwig down if it stays on there. Turtwig! Use Tackle in that tree!" Gardenia ordered. Turtwig charges right at a nearby tree and broke the ice right off of Turtwig's head.
"It looks like Turtwig literally broke the ice," Kari said.
"It seems even quicker than having to be thawed out," Meiko said.
"Meowth," Little Mei said.
"Yeah, but Turtwig still looks like it's moving slow," Yolei said. They noticed how slowly Turtwig was moving due to the coldness.
"Yolei's right. Turtwig is still feeling the cold," Kris said.
"Use Leech Seed!" Gardenia ordered. Turtwig tried to use Leech Seed, but the coldness from the ice is still kicking in. Turtwig was unable to launch Leech Seed.
"Why didn't Turtwig let out Leech Seed?" Dawn asked.
"Turtwig is still cold from Sneasel's Ice Punch. Roxas just made it harder for Gardenia's Turtwig," Sora said.
"That's my Roxas," Xion said.
"Okay, Turtwig! Use Leaf Storm!" Gardenia ordered. Turtwig unleashed Leaf Storm and sends it right at Sneasel.
"Blizzard!" Roxas ordered. Sneasel unleashed Blizzard, freezing the leaves and right toward Turtwig, hitting it. "Feint Attack!" Sneasel vanished and then reappeared. The Sharp Claw Pokémon gave Turtwig a smack and Turtwig hits the ground, knocked out.
"Turtwig is unable to battle! Sneasel wins!" Yoko announced.
"Nuzleaf!" Nuzleaf said.
"And that's two Gardenia has lost to Roxas," Sora T said.
"And we all know which one she's saving for last," Kairi said.
"Sure do," Xion agreed with her sister.
Gardenia calls her Turtwig back and looked right at it.
"Thank you for trying so hard, Turtwig. Your efforts won't go to waste," Gardenia said. She took out her next Pokéball and threw it. "Your turn now, Roserade!" Her Pokéball opened and her Roserade emerged from inside.
"You still good to go, Sneasel?" Roxas asked.
"Sneasel," Sneasel nodded.
"Thought so! Use Blizzard!" Roxas ordered. Sneasel blew a Blizzard right at the Bouquet Pokémon.
"Dodge and use Weather Ball!" Gardenia ordered. Gardenia dodges Sneasel's Blizzard and forms a fireball and sends it right at Sneasel.
"Dodge it!" Roxas called out. Sneasel managed to dodge Roserade's Weather Ball. "That was close. Good thing Sneasel's very fast or else that would have been nasty." He had to think fast. "Okay, use Ice Punch!" Sneasel prepared an Ice Punch to land on Roserade. Gardenia smirked.
"Grass Knot!" Gardenia ordered.
"Stop!" Roxas called out. Sneasel stopped in its tracks, unaware the grass behind tied behind it. Sneasel was puzzled on why it wasn't in front of it. Roxas saw the Grass Knot. "Sneasel! It's behind you!" It was too late because Sneasel tripped backwards.
"Use Weather Ball!" Gardenia ordered. Roserade forms another fiery Weather Ball and sends it right at the Sharp Claw Pokémon. Sneasel is truck hard and it does such heavy damage due to its weakness to fire attacks. Sneasel was knocked out.
"Sneasel is unable to battle! Roserade wins!" Yoko announced.
"Nuz!" Nuzleaf said.
"Sneasel sure waked into that trap," Chase said.
"Yes. Sneasel was too focused on what was in front and not looking back, and that gave Roserade the edge it needed to beat Sneasel. And that Weather Ball underneath the sun is the perfect defense against Bug and Ice-types," Wes said. Roxas called back Sneasel.
"You did your best, Sneasel. Get some rest," Roxas said. He took out his next Pokéball and threw it. "Cyndaquil! Back to action!" His Pokéball opened and Cyndaquil came back out to battle. Cyndaquil's back flared up.
"I was hoping you would send your Cyndaquil back out, and you took the bait. Roserade! Rain Dance!" Gardenia ordered. Roserade summoned rain clouds and it began to rain. Because of the rain, Cyndaquil's flames goes out.
"Was she planning this?" Matt asked.
"I would think so, because after that battle with Sora's Chimchar, she isn't taking any chances with Roxas or any of his Fire-type Pokémon," Lyra said.
"Marill," Marill said.
"Did you really think I didn't see through your little ploy, Roxas? And as you know, Roserade's Weather Ball comes out as a Water-type attack, so that's a counter against Fire-type Pokémon like your Cyndaquil!" Gardenia said.
"Okay, Flame Wheel and Flamethrower aren't going to work much against Roserade as long as it rains. I'll have to rely on Cyndaquil's speed for this one. Cyndaquil isn't fast as Sneasel, but still fast. Quick Attack!" Roxas ordered. Cyndaquil charges right at Roserade.
"Weather Ball!" Gardenia ordered. Roserade began to build a ball of water.
"Get ready to dodge it!" Roxas said. Roserade hurls it right at the Fire Mouse Pokémon. "Now!" Cyndaquil managed to dodge it. Cyndaquil successfully to dodge Roserade's Weather Ball. "Okay, Cyndaquil! Use Quick Attack again!" Cyndaquil ran to land a hit on the Bouquet Pokémon.
"Grass Knot!" Gardenia ordered. Roserade uses another Grass Knot, making Cyndaquil tripped. "Weather Ball!" Roserade sends out another Weather Ball and splashed right at Cyndaquil, resulting in a knockout.
"Cyndaquil is unable to battle! Roserade wins!" Yoko announced.
"Leaf!" Nuzleaf said.
"Roxas and Gardenia are down to one each," Amy said.
"Let's hope Roxas's last Pokémon can help turn it around," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu, Xipak, and Volt said.
"You've said it, Volt," Chase said. Roxas called back Cyndaquil and he took out his next Pokéball and held it for a moment.
"Okay, you're my last shot. And you're also my secret weapon. We haven't done this since the Pokémon Stadium Cup, but you're gonna need to stretch your wings," Roxas said. He threw it. "Crobat! Go!" Roxas threw his Pokéball and it let out his Crobat.
"A Crobat, huh?" Lucas asked, taking out his Rotom Phone and scanned it.
Crobat, the Bat Pokémon
The evolved form of Golbat
Type: Poison/Flying
Its legs have become another pair of wings, allowing it to fly with stealth and speed. This allows Crobat to sneak up on the unsuspecting prey without it being noticed.
"Wow, so that's what Zubat evolves into after Golbat," Lucas said.
"Roxas saved a Flying-type for last, so Grass Knot can't reach a Pokémon when it's flying," Kari said.
"That's true, Kari. And that's only one of the advantages Crobat has," TK said.
"Grass Knot may not be able to reach Crobat from the ground, but I still have Weather Ball! You know what to do, Roserade!" Gardenia ordered. Roserade forms another Weather Ball and sends it right at the Bat Pokémon.
"Crobat! Dodge it and use Confuse Ray!" Roxas ordered. Crobat managed to avoid Roserade's Weather Ball and unleashed a ray of light from its eyes, hitting Roserade. The Bouquet Pokémon ends up being confused.
"Fight back with Petal Dance!" Gardenia ordered. Gardenia tried to use Petal Dance, but ends up hurting itself out of confusion.
"Cross Poison!" Roxas ordered. Crobat came at Roserade with all four of its wings turned into dark purple blades of poison. Crobat struck Roserade on the mark. "Wing Attack!" Crobat smacked Roserade with its front wings. Roserade shook off its confusion.
"Roserade! Weather Ball!" Gardenia ordered. Roserade sends it right at Crobat.
"Dodge!" Roxas called out. Crobat dodges Roserade's Weather Ball once again. "Air Slash!" Crobat swings all of its wings and sends out a blade of air right at Roserade and lands a heavy hit. Roserade tumbles backwards as the rain has ceased. Roserade tried to get back up on its feet, panting. Roserade to stay in the battle, but succumbed to its injuries and fell forward, beaten.
"Roserade is unable to battle! Crobat wins! The winner is Roxas from Pallet Town!" Yoko announced.
"Nuzleaf!" Nuzleaf said.
"Way to go, Roxas," Sora said.
"Pikachu!" Pikachu said.
"Pika, Pi, Pikachu!" Xipak cheered.
"I knew you'd do it, Roxas," Xion lovingly said. She smiled.
"I never had any doubts," Tai said.
"Me neither," Davis said.
Gardenia called her Roserade back and she smiled.
"That was a great job you did, Roserade. You're always a winner to me," Gardenia kindly said. She approached Roxas with a smiled. "You're just as good as your brother, Roxas. I guess the Ketchum Brothers have really impressed me. And like I did with your brother, I'm going to give you the proof of your victory of here in the Eterna City Gym, the Forest Badge." Roxas accepts his second Badge.
"Thanks, Gardenia," Roxas said. He placed it with the Coal Badge.
Like Sora, Roxas has earned his second Gym Badge, and that leaves only Lucas left to earn his second Badge, so how will he fare against Gardenia? Will he earn his second Gym Badge same as Sora and Roxas? Just stick around if you wanna find out.