Episode 434: Throwing the Track Switch
We open up over at Professor Oak's lab as he became surprised and delighted over the sight of the Pokémon Sora and Kairi have caught and sent over his way.
"Oh, my! I never expected Sora and Kairi to come across Pokémon from the ancient past to be brought over other than the prehistoric Pokémon Sora and Kairi caught in the past. I can't help but wonder how they have come across these amazing Pokémon," Professor Oak said.
Just when Tracey was feeding some of the other Pokémon in the field, Daisy has come by, carrying a basket and walked right over to him.
"Good day, Tracey," Daisy greeted. Tracey blushed.
"Hello, Daisy. Always nice to see you," Tracey said. Daisy also blushed.
"I feel the same way. I was wondering if you had some time to take a break for some lunch," Daisy offered.
"Sure. As soon as I feed the Pokémon here," Tracey said as he placed a bowl down as a group of Growlithe came and started to eat the food Tracey had provided for them. Daisy placed a blanket down before they sat down to their own picnic. Daisy has made some sandwiches for the both of them. They enjoyed their lunch as they talked. Professor Oak looked out the window and he smiled with pride, seeing how close Daisy and Tracey have grown together.
"It's nice to see those two together like this. After all, it was Kairi who introduced them to each other," Professor Oak said as he remembered their first meeting.
(Flashback)
It was after Sora and Kairi have returned from Johto as they come to Professor Oak's lab. And that was when Tracey and Daisy met each other when she noticed the sketchbook.
"Are you an artist or something. I'm sorry to pry, but I just noticed your sketchbook," Daisy said.
"I'm a Pokémon Watcher. I've been traveling around the world, drawing sketches of the various Pokémon living out in the wild," Tracey said.
"Really? That's amazing," Daisy said. Kairi then noticed Daisy and Tracey were talking, so Kairi stepped in.
"I take it that you two are getting acquainted," Kairi said with a smile.
"You could say that," Tracey said.
"Well, I think I'll introduce you to each other. Tracey, this is Daisy Oak, Professor Oak's granddaughter. Daisy, meet Tracey Sketchit, our traveling companion from Johto," Kairi introduced.
"You're Professor Oak's granddaughter? Sora and Kairi told me all about you," Tracey said.
"I'm flattered," Daisy said.
And that right there was when the two of them and fell in love with each other at the first meeting.
(Flashback ends)
"Those two would make a great couple," Professor Oak said. He then shook it off. "Maybe I could ask Tracey for his opinions on the new Pkémon Sora and Kairi brought over to me. As soon as Tracey comes in." He took his leave from the window as Tracey and Daisy went on with their picnic.
Back in Sinnoh on the next morning, Sora, Kairi, Pikachu, and Angel have arrived to the Pokémon Center and they caught a TV transmission of a Pokémon Contest as Kenny has won it. Dawn's Buizel is out, doing some punches in the air as Lucas's Aipom is watching at awe, feeling inspired by what she was watching.
"You have been watching a recorded broadcast of the Pokémon Contest held just a few days ago! And he has earned his second Ribbon! This youg man is on fire!" Marian announced on TV. Lucas sighed as Dawn just kept watching and looked right at her only Ribbon. Lucas has just noticed the couple that had just walked in.
"Sora, Kairi, good to see you," Lucas said.
"Hey, Lucas. How's it going?" Sora asked.
"Until today, just good. Dawn is still being eaten up about the Hearthome City Pokémon Contest," Lucas said.
"I thought entering the Hearthome Tag Battle tournament would help lift her battling spirits," Sora said.
"So did I, but she's still thinking about it, and I didn't want to risk making it worse than it already is. Seeing Kenny on TV and winning another Contest Ribbon must have retriggered it," Lucas said.
"I guess that'll do it. Do you think we should talk with Dawn about it?" Sora asked.
"No, it's best to stay out of it," Kairi said.
"I guess you're right. But we can still do what we can to help her out, can't we?" Sora asked.
"Sora's right. That's the best thing we can do," Lucas said. Dawn stood up and she saw the couple.
"Sora, Kairi, when did you get here?" Dawn asked.
"A little while ago," Kairi said.
"We were jjust talking with Lucas, catching up," Sora said, stating the half truth.
"But it's nice to see them so soon, don't you think?" Lucas asked.
"Yeah, always," Dawn said.
"Well, isn't this a happy reunion?" A familiar voice asked. They turned to see Zoey whom has walked in.
"Zoey, hey," Kairi greeted.
"We didn't expect to see you so soon," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Neither did I. I thought I would come here to relax for a bit," Zoey said.
"Our next Contest broadcast will be in the wonderfully worry-free Solaceon Town! So mark Solaceon Town on your calender, and I can promise you a splendid time is guaranteed for all!" Marian announced.
"Solaceon Town," Dawn said.
"It works out for us because it's on the way to Veilstone City," Kairi said, checking the map app on her Rotom Phone.
"I'm not in any hurry to get to Veilstone City yet anyway, so why not? That gives me more time to train for my next Gym battle," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"And we have to get ready to train for it, too," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Piplup," Piplup said.
"I'm game," Dawn said.
"Are you going to enter the Contest, too, Zoey?" Kairi asked.
"I'm gonna have to take a pass on that. I'm still working on some combination moves of my own," Zoey said.
"Then how about you do that with me and Kairi? We could all us the practice," Dawn suggested.
"That's actually a great idea, Dawn. We all could the practice," Kairi said.
"That means you and me, Lucas. We can work on our battling skills," Sora said.
"Sure thing," Lucas said.
As Sora and Kairi were getting ready, Sora and Kairi took out their Pokémon Boxes to make a quick change in their teams. Sora exchanged Snover for his Hisuian Sneasel as Kairi exchanged Ivysaur and Combusken for her Hisuian Growlithe and Hisuian Zorua. Zoey sat down as she decided to observe the couple. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Okay, Sneasel! Let's go!" Sora called out. His Pokéball opened and his Sneasel came out, much to Lucas, Dawn, and Zoey's surprise.
"Whoa!" Lucas and Dawn exclaimed.
"Is that a Hisuian Sneasel? How did you come across that?" Lucas asked.
"It's a very long story, Lucas," Sora said.
"A Hisuian Sneasel, huh? Haven't seen you before," Zoey said.
"One of my newest Pokémon. But it's your turn to let out a Pokémon, too," Sora said.
"Right," Lucas said, taking out a Pokéball and threw it. "Aipom! Let's go!" His Pokéball opened and Aipom came out, doing a flip. Aipom lands right on her feet. She then does a bow.
"Dawn, I'm going to be using Angel for this one," Kairi said.
"Fine with me," Dawn said, taking out a Pokéball and threw it. "Buizel! Spotlight!" Her Pokéball opened and her Buizel emerged from inside. "Alright, Buizel! Let's start up with a Water Gun!" Buizel fired Water Gun right at Angel.
"Okay, Angel! Use Iron Tail!" Kairi ordered. Angel jumped up and swings her tail on Buizel's Water Gun, creating sparkles. Aipom was awestruck by how beautiful it looked to her.
"Okay, Sneasel! Be ready!" Sora said.
"Sneasel!" Sneasel said. Lucas noticed Aipom still looking at it.
"Heads up, Aipom!" Lucas called out. Aipom snapped out of her awe and reset her attention to her opponent. Sora figured Lucas's Aipom is interested in Dawn's training. Zoey has noticed it as well.
"Hold on, Buizel," Dawn said. Buizel turned to look at her. "Water Gun made Angel look great, but it didn't do a thing to show you off at all. It's like what I told you, move your whole body like this when you fire. WHAM!" Dawn demonstrated her movements to Buizel. "See? That's how you show off your power." Buizel does so with the same movements as Dawn. "Yes, that's it!"
"Now, Aipom! Focus Punch!" Lucas called out. Aipom heard Lucas's voice and spins around and uses her tail to jump. She builds up focus in her tail-fist and brings it right at her opponent after swinging it around.
"Sneasel! Dodge it!" Sora called out. Sneasel dodges Aipom's Focus Punch. "That was a sweet dodge!"
"Alright! Keep it up, Buizel!" Dawn said. Buizel looked right at the practice battle. "Buizel, what in the world are you looking at?" Hearing Dawn's voice, he resets his focus on the practice battle. Kairi has noticed it right away. "Aqua Jet, go!" Buizel has built up some water, making it swirl around the Sea Weasel Pokémon.
"Wow, look at that water movement," Kairi said.
"It took a lot of practicing to get that done! First, we dazzle them with all that swirling water, and then, the power move!" Dawn said. Buizel goes straight up.
"Use Quick Attack, Angel!" Kairi ordered. Angel jumped up with her incredible speed.
"Careful! Here she comes!" Dawn called out. Buizel makes it passed Angel, but the water sparkles down as Angel lands on her feet. Pikachu was captivated by how she came down, finding her to be beautiful.
"That was great, Angel," Kairi said.
"Eevee, vee," Angel said.
Buizel lands on his feet and shook himself dry.
"Sorry, but not like that either," Dawn said. Buizel looked at his Trainer again. "The water display was really pretty, but right at the moment of impact, it would have looked even better if you twisted your body around like this." Dawn showed Buizel a gesture with her arms. Buizel crossed his arms. "You saw how Angel moved, right? In a Contest battle, you'll have much greater impact if you look confident in when you're being attacked." Buizel sighed.
"Okay, Sneasel! Metal Claw!" Sora ordered. Sneasel rushes at Aipom with a Metal Claw.
"Okay, Aipom! Use Swift!" Lucas ordered. Aipom jumped up and sends it right at the Hisuian Sharp Claw Pokémon. Sneasel uses Metal Claw to slash through the stars. Buizel looked right at the practice between Sora and Lucas.
"Buizel, over here!" Dawn said.
"I think Buizel's more interested in them than us," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel agreed with a nod.
Aipom is still sending out her Swift and rides on it like it was a surfboard.
"Hey, Aipom, it looks like you're in an appeals round at a Pokémon Contest," Lucas said.
"But it still looks nice," Zoey said.
"Of course it does. Lucas's Aipom is always watching me and Piplup practice for our Contests," Dawn said.
"Lup," Piplup said.
"I get it now! You all act like a team, rather if it's in a Gym battle or a Contest," Zoey said.
"Of course. It helps us keep on our toes," Lucas said.
"And the same can be said for whenever we train with our Keyblades or our Pokémon," Sora said.
"What do you think, Aipom?" Lucas asked. Aipom lands on her tail and climbed right to Lucas's head.
"Let's get back to practice, Buizel. It'll be your debut," Dawn said.
"You too, Aipom. Let's do this thing," Lucas said.
"Hold on, you two," Zoey said.
"Huh?" Lucas and Dawn asked.
"What's up, Zoey?" Dawn asked.
"Yeah, what?" Lucas asked.
"I have been observing the two of you and I have been noticing something with Aipom and Buizel," Zoey said.
"What did you notice about them?" Lucas asked.
"Well, from what I knoticed, it seems Aipom seems interested in performing while Buizel is more interested in battling and you're forcing Contests on him," Zoey said.
"You think so?" Dawn asked.
"But I suggest you two make a Pokémon trade," Zoey said.
"A Pokémon trade?" Lucas and Dawn asked. Lucas took Aipom in his hands and looked right at her. He never thought he would be trading one of his Pokémon for another raised by someone else.
"I never once thought about doing it," Lucas said.
"You know, I think that's a great idea. It's pretty obvious Dawn's Buizel is more of a battler. The same can be said for my Buizel and Roxas's Buizel since we all caught them," Sora said.
"But it'll be hard to make that trade since you were the ones who caught them. Sora and I never had to trade ours at all," Kairi said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"You're right about that, Kairi. Making that trade might be easy as Zoey makes it sound," Sora said.
"Pikachu," Pikachu said.
"Eevee, vee," Angel said.
In the Pokémon Center, Sora, Kairi, Lucas, Dawn, Zoey, Pikachu, Angel, Piplup, Buizel, and Aipom came to a room where there are two young Trainers making a trade. They were trading a Munchlax for a Ponyta.
"Once you are ready, please pull on the lever," Nurse Joy instructed.
"Okay," one of the Trainers said, pulling the lever, making the trade official. The Pokéballs are then switched.
"Thanks for the Munchlax," the other Trainer said.
"And thanks for the Ponyta," the other Trainer said before the two of them made their leave. Nurse Joy noticed them.
"Are you here to make a trade, too?" Nurse Joy asked.
"Well, these two are," Sora said, gesturing to Lucas and Dawn, not feeling up to it. Nurse Joy quickly caught onto it.
"Is something the matter?" Nurse Joy asked.
"You could say that," Lucas said.
A few moments later, they explained their predicament to Nurse Joy and she immediately understood the situation to her.
"I see. It's hard for you to trade away the Pokémon you caught and trade because of the memories you made with them, and it's hard to say goodbye to something like that," Nurse Joy said.
"I know how Aipom loves Pokémon Contests, but Aipom loves Lucas," Dawn said.
"Yeah, and her Buizel loves to battle, and I know he loves Dawn," Lucas said.
"I understand, but a Trainer's job is to work hard at bringing out the very best in a Pokémon. But instead of the Pokémon adjusting to its Trainer, how about the Trainer adjusting to the Pokémon?" Nurse Joy suggested.
"And I think I have an idea on how to make it more effective," Sora said.
"What do you have in mind, Sora?" Dawn asked.
"Yeah, how more effective?" Lucas asked.
"I was thinking of Lucas teaming up with Buizel as a way and Dawn teaming up with Aipom. We could have practice battles just to make sure if you and the Pokémon are compatible with each other," Sora said.
"That's actually a great idea. How about it, you two? Are you up for it?" Kairi asked.
"I guess we could give it try. I mean, it's the only way if we're ever going to find out, isn't it?" Lucas asked.
"If you're up for it, then I am, too. So, why not? Let's give it a try," Dawn said.
"You on board, Zoey?" Kairi asked.
"Sure! I'm in!" Zoey said.
With that said, Lucas and Dawn made the switch of Pokémon just to see if they would be compatible in a battle experiment. Sora was going to be Lucas's opponent again as Zoey had volunteered to be Dawn's opponent. Zoey took out her Pokéball in a Ball Capsule with a Star Sticker B. Glameow came out with a rain of stars. Sora took out a Pokéball and threw it.
"Okay, Lucario! Let's go!" Sora called out. Lucario came out, waiting for instructions from Sora. "Okay, Lucas, you up for it?"
"Sure am," Lucas said.
Just then, a bunch of young men came and attacked the area. They had a Sneasel, a Weavile, a Gligar, a Gliscor, a Skorupi, a Drapion, and a Scizor with them.
"Hey, what gives?!" Sora exclaimed.
"Here's what gives! We're here to claim this whole place as our turf, so all of you are given thirty seconds to clear out," one of the men said.
"You're kidding, right?' Sora asked.
"This is a Pokémon Center! We need this place to take care of sick and injured Pokémon! You can't just claim it whenever you want!" Zoey said.
"You can save it for someone who actually cares! We do what we want, and we take we want! If you don't like it, then you can choke on it!" The first man said.
"Is that right? It looks like we're going have to teach you some manners, won't we?" Sora asked.
"Oh, I'll do my part to help teach them a lesson, Sora," Kairi said.
"Hold it, you two," Lucas said. They all looked right at Lucas and Dawn with Buizel and Aipom. "Why don't you let us handle this?"
"I'm with him. It'll be a good way to test out how compatible we are with this," Dawn said.
"Okay, we can leave it to you," Sora said.
"Pika," Pikachu said.
"Take these jerks down," Kairi said.
"Vee," Angel said.
"Lookie here, boys. We got us a couple of brave kiddies on our hands. What do you say we start with them?" The first man suggested.
"Yeah!" The rest of the gang said.
"Go!" The first man said.
"Sneasel! Use Ice Beam!"
"Weavile! Use Blizzard!"
The two Pokémon fired Ice Beam and Bliizard.
"Okay, Buizel! Aqua Jet!" Lucas ordered. Buizel uses an Aqua Jet and launches himself. He was hit by the two Ice-type attacks, but it turned into an Ice Aqua Jet, but much better than how they practiced it, so Buizel came at them like a frozen torpedo, hitting the Sharp Claw Pokémon.
"Gligar! Use Poison Sting!"
"Gliscor! You use Poison Sting, too!"
"Skorupi! You use Poison Sting!"
"Poison Sting as well, Drapion!"
The Scorpion-like Pokémon fired their attacks right at the Long Tail Pokémon.
"Okay, Aipom! Double Team!" Dawn ordered. Aipom uses Double Team to make several copies of herself, and not one of them has hit her. "All of you! Use a Focus Punch!" Aipom and the duplicates all charge at them and land a Focus Punch onto all of the scorpion-like Pokémon.
"Scizor! Use Metal Claw!" The first man ordered. Scizor came at the Sea Weasel Pokémon with a Metal Claw.
"Use Water Gun!" Lucas ordered. Buizel fired a Water Gun, hitting Scizor on the mark. "Use Sonic Boom!" Buizel fired a Sonic Boom, hitting Scizor hard. "Use Aqua Jet!" Buizel launched himself at Scizor, sending it backwrds.
"Scizor! Hyper Beam!" The leading man ordered.
"Aqua Jet again!" Lucas ordered. Buizel launched himself again, hitting Scizor, firing Hyper Beam right at the other Pokémon, hitting them all. Sora, Kairi, Zoey, Pikachu, Angel, and Piplup were watching and smiled, knowing it was turning out better than they were expecting.
"This isn't what I had in mind, but I'll take it," Sora said.
"Pika, Pika," Pikachu said.
"They're even more compatible with them than we originally thought they were," Kairi said.
"Eevee," Angel said.
"Piplup!" Piplup said.
"You've said it! They're making good work of those punks!" Zoey said.
"Okay, Buizel! Water Gun!" Lucas ordered. Buizel fired a Water Gun, hitting the gang, forcing them to retreat with their Pokémon.
"We're going to remember this! We'll get you back for this someday!" The first man said as he ran off.
"Wow, that was awesome. I guess you have a much better handle for Aipom than I thought you did," Lucas said.
"I was thinking the same thing for Buizel, Lucas. Buizel looked really comfy battling along with you," Dawn said. They looked at their two Pokémon and they both agreed that trading Aipom and Buizel to each other was the right call to make.
"You know, I think this trade thing is a great idea after all. I mean, if I had to make a trade with anybody, I'm glad it'll be you," Lucas said.
"You mean it, Lucas?" Dawn asked.
"I mean it, Dawn. I mean, it's not like we're gonna make a trade with some total stranger or anything. We'd be making the trade with each other, and we've known each other for most of our lives anyway. We're both training with Keyblades, that's what we got going on, and I know you'll do a great job taking care of Aipom and making her the best performer she can be," Lucas said. Dawn smiled at that, knowing how right he was.
"I'm glad, Lucas. And I know you're going to do great things with Buizel. And I know Buizel will grow stronger under your training, bringing out his full potential. I wasn't sure if it was the right call to make, but you're right, it is. And I'm also glad I'm making this trade with you," Dawn said.
"Sounds to me that the two of you have made up your minds about the trade, right?" Sora asked.
"We have," Lucas said.
"Lucas and I decided that Aipom and Buizel would be better off being traded, and it's the best way to go," Dawn said.
"Then, let's get it underway," Kairi said.
With that said, Sora, Kairi, Lucas, Dawn, Zoey, Pikachu, Angel, and Piplup made it back in the Pokémon Center after recalling the two Pokémon inside their Pokéballs and headed for the trading machine. They placed the Pokéballs in the trays and decided to pull the lever together. The Pokéballs are then swapped and placed in the opposite trays. Lucas and Dawn took their Pokéballs.
"I got myself a Buizel," Lucas said.
"And I got myself an Aipom," Dawn said.
"Gotta hand it to you, Zoey, this trade was a great idea. Glad that you suggested it," Sora said.
"I'm glad you agree, Sora. This was the best way to go. It's looking like a future win for each of them," Zoey said.
"Well, Dawn, if you're going to compete in the Solaceon Town Pokémon Contest, then I'm hoping to see you there," Kairi said.
"I feel the same way, Kairi. And I'm going to win it," Dawn said.
"I don't doubt it, Dawn. Just give it everything you got and we'll see where it goes from here," Kairi said.
"No need to worry, Kairi. You're going to see it," Dawn said.
"I hope I do," Kairi said.
Making a trade with one Pokémon for another may be one of the hardest decisions that any Trainer would make, but when it comes to trading with someone you know for a long time can make it worth it; Lucas and Dawn are the living example of the worth it shows. Not only that, but the journey to Veilstone City has been put on hold for right now since Solaceon Town is right on the way to Veilstone City, and it gives Sora more time to work on his training for his fourth Sinnoh Gym battle. And all that will come around soon.