Latest / Pokémon Adventures by Kaden’s Korner / Valor Rising Special Episode B - Ash on the Wind
Transcript
- 0:00SPEAKER_00: In Ballora, where steel and spirit are forged as one, a new journey begins.
- 0:06SPEAKER_00: With friends by his side and courage in his heart, Caden sets out to rise above every tribe.
- 0:14SPEAKER_00: This is Pokemon Valor Rising.
- 0:43SPEAKER_00: The usual songs of Pidgey were replaced by the dry hiss of wind across blackened ground.
- 0:49SPEAKER_00: From the ridge where they'd camped, Caden, Libby, and Crush looked out over fields that should have been green and gold.
- 0:57SPEAKER_00: Now they were patchwork.
- 0:59SPEAKER_00: Charcoal and ash stitched into the farmland like burn scars.
- 1:03SPEAKER_00: Crush stood in front, without being asked, fists tight at his sides, Machop matching his posture.
- 1:11SPEAKER_04: We go now, he said.
- 1:12SPEAKER_04: Before whoever did this gets any farther.
- 1:15SPEAKER_00: Caden nodded, Evie pressed against his boot.
- 1:18SPEAKER_00: Libby swallowed, stroking Squirtle's shell.
- 1:21SPEAKER_04: Let's make sure everyone's okay first.
- 1:23SPEAKER_00: They came down into town fast.
- 1:25SPEAKER_00: Soot streaked the windmill's blades.
- 1:27SPEAKER_00: The square smelled like wet smoke.
- 1:29SPEAKER_00: Farmers, still in nightclothes, rinsed soot from the crates and swept cinders off cobblestones.
- 1:36SPEAKER_00: Three barns along the north road were little more than black frames.
- 1:40SPEAKER_00: But no one was hurt.
- 1:42SPEAKER_00: That word moved through the square like water and a dry throat.
- 1:46SPEAKER_00: A line of squirtle trudged back from the fields, eyes bleary, shells smudged grey, tiny fire helmets coated in black dust.
- 1:54SPEAKER_00: They'd spent the night dousing spot fires, little heroes with tired steps.
- 1:59SPEAKER_00: Libby's squirtle jogged forward to them, then slowed with a shy pause.
- 2:04SPEAKER_00: The fire crew brightened anyway, bumping foreheads and shells like old teammates.
- 2:09SPEAKER_00: One squirtle reached out and clasped Libby's partner by the paw.
- 2:13SPEAKER_00: No words needed.
- 2:15SPEAKER_00: The look said, Good work, and thank you, and we'll keep going.
- 2:20SPEAKER_00: Libby knelt, voice soft.
- 2:22SPEAKER_04: Proud of you guys.
- 2:23SPEAKER_00: Her squirtle's eyes shone with a sparkle of a small tear.
- 2:27SPEAKER_00: Crush scanned the char lines along the fence posts, studying the way the flames had laddered up.
- 2:33SPEAKER_00: He pointed toward the east road.
- 2:35SPEAKER_04: Wynn drove it that way.
- 2:37SPEAKER_04: Whoever started it moved fast.
- 2:39SPEAKER_00: Near the gym's vine-framed doorway stood Chloe, Grenora's gym leader and mayor.
- 2:45SPEAKER_00: Hat off, hair pulled back, ash smudged across her cheek.
- 2:49SPEAKER_00: She'd been up all night.
- 2:51SPEAKER_00: That much was clear, but her eyes were steady.
- 2:54SPEAKER_00: Somehow, the lush greenery of the gym had remained untouched in the fires.
- 2:59SPEAKER_04: Thank you for coming, she said.
- 3:01SPEAKER_04: The folk saw two figures after sundown: a tall, muscular man and a dark-haired woman.
- 3:07SPEAKER_04: They weren't running.
- 3:08SPEAKER_04: They were scouting.
- 3:10SPEAKER_00: She exhaled.
- 3:11SPEAKER_04: A big hound at their heels.
- 3:13SPEAKER_04: There was a trail of smoke behind them.
- 3:15SPEAKER_04: Minutes later the fire started.
- 3:17SPEAKER_00: Chloe nodded toward a hedgerow path.
- 3:19SPEAKER_04: Witnesses saw them slip out east, past the barley silos, toward the river.
- 3:24SPEAKER_00: Crush didn't hesitate.
- 3:26SPEAKER_04: We'll find them.
- 3:27SPEAKER_00: Chloe put a hand to Caden's shoulder.
- 3:29SPEAKER_04: You're brave, but be careful.
- 3:32SPEAKER_04: Whoever they are, this wasn't random.
- 3:34SPEAKER_00: She glanced at the burned sign they'd hauled in, its words still visible.
- 3:39SPEAKER_00: Reforge Valora.
- 3:41SPEAKER_00: Caden's jaw tightened.
- 3:44SPEAKER_03: We'll get answers.
- 3:48SPEAKER_00: The path east led through checkerboard pastures where Ash lay like frost along the fence rails.
- 3:54SPEAKER_00: Evie snuffled the ground, lifting her head every few steps, ears twitching.
- 3:59SPEAKER_00: She sensed something sharp in the air.
- 4:01SPEAKER_00: Electricity, Crush said quietly.
- 4:03SPEAKER_04: They're close.
- 4:05SPEAKER_00: A low cut in the land opened toward the river.
- 4:08SPEAKER_00: Down in the gully they found clues.
- 4:10SPEAKER_00: Hoof prints, deep and heavy, shaped like dinner plates, the edges burned.
- 4:15SPEAKER_00: Beside them, huge clawed paw prints.
- 4:19SPEAKER_00: Then the ragged gouge marks of something armored.
- 4:23SPEAKER_00: Mudsdale, Libby breathed.
- 4:25SPEAKER_04: And that Nidoking variant again?
- 4:28SPEAKER_00: Caden touched a scorched reed.
- 4:31SPEAKER_04: Griddle King!
- 4:32SPEAKER_00: They followed until the gully widened into an old loading yard.
- 4:37SPEAKER_00: Concrete cracked with weeds, a rusted crane frozen over a shallow dock.
- 4:42SPEAKER_00: Metal crates sat in rows, lids loose, cables coiled like snakes, smoke curled from a burn barrel.
- 4:50SPEAKER_00: Two figures turned in unison, a tall, brawny man, grin sharp as a shovel edge, and a striking brunette, boot heels clicking like a metronome.
- 5:00SPEAKER_00: At their feet lounged a massive mabostiff, trying very hard to look brave.
- 5:06SPEAKER_00: But failing.
- 5:08SPEAKER_00: Ray's smile didn't reach her eyes.
- 5:11SPEAKER_04: Well, well, the little heroes found our footprints.
- 5:14SPEAKER_00: Jay cracked his knuckles.
- 5:16SPEAKER_00: Took you long enough.
- 5:18SPEAKER_00: Bossey sniffed the air, voice gravelly and nervous.
- 5:22SPEAKER_01: Uh, Ray?
- 5:23SPEAKER_01: Jay?
- 5:24SPEAKER_00: They look motivated.
- 5:27SPEAKER_00: Libby stepped forward, Squirtle already dropping into a stance.
- 5:31SPEAKER_04: You lit our fields on fire.
- 5:33SPEAKER_00: Ray twirled a lock of her hair.
- 5:35SPEAKER_04: We lit potential.
- 5:37SPEAKER_04: Fire clears what refuses to grow.
- 5:39SPEAKER_04: It makes room for the strong to rise.
- 5:41SPEAKER_00: Caden's hands curled into fists.
- 5:44SPEAKER_04: You call the strikes?
- 5:46SPEAKER_00: Jay swept an arm toward the yard, the river, and the windmills turning above the fields.
- 5:52SPEAKER_00: Valora went soft.
- 5:54SPEAKER_00: It forgot what it built.
- 5:56SPEAKER_00: Furnace heat, pounding hammers, rails and grit.
- 6:00SPEAKER_00: We're just turning up the flame.
- 6:03SPEAKER_00: Ray's voice went smooth and cold.
- 6:06SPEAKER_04: Reforge Valora.
- 6:07SPEAKER_04: Burn away the weak timber.
- 6:09SPEAKER_04: Temper the steel that remains.
- 6:11SPEAKER_00: Crush took one step forward, Machop with him.
- 6:14SPEAKER_04: Not as long as we're still standing.
- 6:16SPEAKER_00: Ray sighed theatrically.
- 6:19SPEAKER_04: Well, if we must.
- 6:21SPEAKER_00: Jay flashed a grin.
- 6:23SPEAKER_00: But first, introductions.
- 6:25SPEAKER_04: When the world grows soft, we bring the flame.
- 6:28SPEAKER_00: We'll break it, shape it, and build it again.
- 6:31SPEAKER_04: Steal the weak.
- 6:32SPEAKER_04: Temper the strong.
- 6:33SPEAKER_00: Reforge Valora.
- 6:35SPEAKER_00: It won't take long.
- 6:36SPEAKER_04: From ashes and anvil, a new world will rise.
- 6:39SPEAKER_00: Team Crucible sparks the grand reprise.
- 6:43SPEAKER_01: Uh do we have to burn the whole thing though?
- 6:46SPEAKER_00: Libby made a face.
- 6:48SPEAKER_04: So, can we battle now?
- 6:50SPEAKER_00: Crush gritted his teeth.
- 6:52SPEAKER_04: It's on.
- 6:53SPEAKER_00: In an instant, Okeyballs flashed.
- 6:56SPEAKER_04: Mudsdale, trample them flat!
- 6:58SPEAKER_00: Ray snapped.
- 6:59SPEAKER_00: Griddo King, charge the ground, Jay bellowed.
- 7:02SPEAKER_00: The yard shook as Mudsdale hit the concrete, mane flowing, hobes burning black moon prints on the ground.
- 7:09SPEAKER_00: Griddo King landed with a metal on stone clang.
- 7:13SPEAKER_00: Horns humming with electricity.
- 7:15SPEAKER_00: Bossy tucked behind a crate.
- 7:17SPEAKER_00: I'll uh guard the uh the box! Yeah, I'll guard the box.
- 7:22SPEAKER_00: Caden called out.
- 7:24SPEAKER_04: Evie, on me!
- 7:26SPEAKER_00: Crush followed.
- 7:27SPEAKER_04: Machop, hold the line.
- 7:28SPEAKER_00: Libby stood, ready for a fight.
- 7:30SPEAKER_04: Squirtle, with me!
- 7:32SPEAKER_00: Mudsdale thundered forward, stomping ahead.
- 7:35SPEAKER_00: Machop leapt, taking the brunt of the attack with a huff, sliding back on his heels but not letting it reach the others.
- 7:42SPEAKER_00: Crush's voice was calm steel.
- 7:45SPEAKER_04: Good.
- 7:46SPEAKER_04: Now, seismic toss.
- 7:48SPEAKER_00: Machop pivoted, grabbed Mudsdale at the neck, and heaved, turning the giant horse just enough to slam it shoulder first into a crate.
- 7:56SPEAKER_00: The crate shattered.
- 7:58SPEAKER_00: Mudsdale snorted, furious.
- 8:00SPEAKER_00: Across the yard, Griddo King lowered its head, electricity crawling along its armor.
- 8:06SPEAKER_00: The concrete trembled.
- 8:09SPEAKER_00: Caden's shout cut through.
- 8:12SPEAKER_03: Eevee! Stay attack! Then quick attack!
- 8:15SPEAKER_00: Evie kicked grit into Griddo King's face, darted in and shouldered hard at the knee joint.
- 8:21SPEAKER_00: The Titan staggered, horns crackling.
- 8:24SPEAKER_00: Jay laughed.
- 8:25unknown: Ha!
- 8:26SPEAKER_00: Cute little pal you've got there! Now, Gritoking! Use Thunder Fang! Grito King lunged.
- 8:33SPEAKER_00: Evie dodged.
- 8:34SPEAKER_00: The jaws snapped shut an inch from her tail, sparks crackling the air where she'd been.
- 8:39SPEAKER_00: Libby's eyes narrowed.
- 8:41SPEAKER_04: Squirtle, bubble beam, now!
- 8:43SPEAKER_00: A stream of bright bubbles hammered Griddo King's chest.
- 8:47SPEAKER_00: The big brute skidded back, electricity sputtering.
- 8:50SPEAKER_00: Ray pointed sharply.
- 8:52SPEAKER_04: Mudstill! High horsepower!
- 8:54SPEAKER_00: The horse churned forward like a freight train.
- 8:57SPEAKER_00: Machop braced.
- 8:58SPEAKER_00: Crush stood strong, hand on Machop's shoulder, voice low.
- 9:02SPEAKER_04: I've got you.
- 9:03SPEAKER_04: Shift left.
- 9:04SPEAKER_04: Give it nothing.
- 9:05SPEAKER_00: Machop slid exactly a step and a half left.
- 9:08SPEAKER_00: Enough to turn a direct hit into a glancing blow.
- 9:12SPEAKER_00: The shockwave rattled teeth.
- 9:14SPEAKER_00: Dust rained from a nearby barn.
- 9:16SPEAKER_03: Evie, Irontail!
- 9:18SPEAKER_00: Caden called.
- 9:19SPEAKER_00: Her tail flashed steel bright, smacking Griddo King across the jaw.
- 9:24SPEAKER_00: Jay's grin faltered for the first time.
- 9:27SPEAKER_00: Two can play at that.
- 9:28SPEAKER_00: Use bulldoze! Gridoking slammed its fists down.
- 9:32SPEAKER_00: The very earth buckled, concrete slabs tilting.
- 9:36SPEAKER_00: Evie yelped, thrown off of her feet.
- 9:39SPEAKER_00: Squirtle stumbled as well, and just then Mudsdale pounced.
- 9:43SPEAKER_00: Double kick landing like twin thunderclaps.
- 9:46SPEAKER_00: Squirtle tumbled, groaned, and pushed up, wobbling.
- 9:51SPEAKER_00: Libby's voice cracked.
- 9:52SPEAKER_04: Squirtle, stay with me.
- 9:55SPEAKER_00: Caden's eyes flicked.
- 9:56SPEAKER_00: He scanned to see Evie panting, Machot bruised, and Squirtle struggling.
- 10:01SPEAKER_02: We need to break the rhythm, he called.
- 10:04SPEAKER_02: Libby, one more bubble beam.
- 10:06SPEAKER_00: Squirtle's cheeks puffed.
- 10:08SPEAKER_00: The beam screamed out, harder and sharper this time.
- 10:11SPEAKER_00: It hit Gridoking square in the armor seam, super effective against his ground typing.
- 10:17SPEAKER_00: The Titan bellowed, one knee dropping.
- 10:20SPEAKER_00: Jay snarled.
- 10:21SPEAKER_00: Get up! Ray's eyes went cold.
- 10:24SPEAKER_04: Enough.
- 10:25SPEAKER_04: The first phase has done its work.
- 10:27SPEAKER_04: Now stomp them flat.
- 10:29SPEAKER_00: Mudsdale reared, shadow swallowing Evie and Squirtle both.
- 10:33SPEAKER_00: Crush moved without thinking.
- 10:35SPEAKER_04: Machop, protect them.
- 10:37SPEAKER_00: Machop hurled himself between the hooves and the team, four arms crossed.
- 10:42SPEAKER_00: The impact drove him to one knee, crack spidering under his feet.
- 10:46SPEAKER_00: But he held.
- 10:48SPEAKER_00: Eevee slid under his guard, ears flat.
- 10:50SPEAKER_00: Squirtle ducked against his back shell.
- 10:53SPEAKER_00: The stomp thundered past.
- 10:55SPEAKER_00: Crush's voice was steady.
- 10:57SPEAKER_04: Good.
- 10:58SPEAKER_04: Breathe with me.
- 10:59SPEAKER_04: Now, karate chop.
- 11:01SPEAKER_00: Machop's hand flashed.
- 11:03SPEAKER_00: This time, not against a shell, but against Mudsdale's hide.
- 11:07SPEAKER_00: Wham! Mudsdale lurched, balance broken.
- 11:11SPEAKER_00: Caden seized the opening.
- 11:13SPEAKER_03: Eevee! Quick attack! Keep it off balance!
- 11:17SPEAKER_00: Evie darted in, tapping and gone, just enough to keep the giant from regaining a stance.
- 11:23SPEAKER_00: Jay's fury boiled.
- 11:24SPEAKER_00: Gridoking! Wild charge! Finish the little turtle! Electricity blanketed Gridoking.
- 11:31SPEAKER_00: It launched like a lineman at the snap of a football.
- 11:35SPEAKER_00: Squirtle looking impossibly small in its path.
- 11:38SPEAKER_00: Libby's throat tightened.
- 11:40SPEAKER_00: Then something changed.
- 11:42SPEAKER_00: The water around Squirtle's feet rippled, as if the river itself had answered.
- 11:48SPEAKER_00: Light flared from inside his shell.
- 11:50SPEAKER_00: Blue gold, surging.
- 11:52SPEAKER_00: Squirtle grew, shell widening, ears lengthening, tail curling in a strong white swirl.
- 11:59SPEAKER_04: War Turtle!
- 12:00SPEAKER_00: Libby breathed, awe and joy all at once.
- 12:04SPEAKER_00: Warturtle planted his feet, the wild charge struck, water exploded, and when the spray cleared, Wartle stood still, arms crossed, sliding backwards but refusing to fall.
- 12:18SPEAKER_00: Libby's grin was fierce.
- 12:20SPEAKER_04: That's my partner.
- 12:21SPEAKER_04: Now hit him back.
- 12:22SPEAKER_00: Warturtle lunged, fangs glowing dark, and chomped down on Gridoking's armored forearm.
- 12:28SPEAKER_00: The Titan howled, electricity shorting out in sputters.
- 12:33SPEAKER_00: Caden whooped.
- 12:35SPEAKER_03: Yes, that's it!
- 12:36SPEAKER_04: Nice bite!
- 12:37SPEAKER_00: Ray's smile went razor thin.
- 12:40SPEAKER_04: Mudsdale, stomp! Now!
- 12:42SPEAKER_00: The hoof swung, but Crush moved quickly.
- 12:46SPEAKER_04: Machop, seismic toss.
- 12:48SPEAKER_00: Machop caught the foreleg mid-swing in seemingly impossible fashion.
- 12:53SPEAKER_00: He rolled with the momentum and threw the massive horse over his hip.
- 12:57SPEAKER_00: Mudsdale crashed, a booming thud that shook the yard.
- 13:02SPEAKER_00: Bossi's voice floated from behind a crate.
- 13:05SPEAKER_01: Um, I'm sensing we might be in trouble.
- 13:08SPEAKER_04: Be quiet, Bosse.
- 13:10SPEAKER_00: Ray snapped.
- 13:11SPEAKER_00: Jay spat dust.
- 13:12SPEAKER_00: Griddo King! Bulldoze! Again! The ground heaved.
- 13:17SPEAKER_00: Evie tumbled, landed hard, and didn't rise right away.
- 13:20SPEAKER_00: Caden's heart lurched.
- 13:22SPEAKER_02: No! Evie!
- 13:24SPEAKER_00: She pushed up, shaky.
- 13:26SPEAKER_00: He surveyed the field.
- 13:28SPEAKER_00: Their team holding, but worn.
- 13:30SPEAKER_00: They had the upper hand now, but Ray and Jay weren't going to play fair.
- 13:34SPEAKER_00: Ray's eyes flicked to Jay with a subtle nod.
- 13:38SPEAKER_04: Time for new terrain.
- 13:40SPEAKER_00: Ray snapped the capsule open and hurled it down.
- 13:44SPEAKER_00: It burst into a cloud of thick smoke that rolled across the yard like a black tide.
- 13:49SPEAKER_00: Jay slammed his boot into a crate.
- 13:52SPEAKER_00: It exploded, spilling smoldering, cold briquettes that ignited the smoke.
- 13:58SPEAKER_00: Sudden blinding sparks burst out, turning the world to static and shadow.
- 14:03SPEAKER_00: Caden covered his eyes.
- 14:05SPEAKER_03: Everybody, stay together!
- 14:07SPEAKER_00: You could hear Ray's voice through the crackling veil, cunning as it was sweet.
- 14:12SPEAKER_04: Reforaging means heat and pressure, little heroes.
- 14:16SPEAKER_04: Thank you for proving you can handle both.
- 14:18SPEAKER_04: It will make your trials very useful.
- 14:22SPEAKER_00: Jay's voice boomed.
- 14:23SPEAKER_00: Next time, we'll bring the furnace.
- 14:26SPEAKER_00: Bossey whimpered.
- 14:28SPEAKER_01: Do we have to?
- 14:30SPEAKER_01: The furnace is so hot.
- 14:32SPEAKER_00: When the smoke finally thinned, the yard was empty of their enemies.
- 14:37SPEAKER_00: Only the hoof prints and claw marks remained, and a new brand scorched into the concrete at their feet.
- 14:44SPEAKER_00: A crooked anvil with a river of fire pouring into a V.
- 14:47SPEAKER_00: Crush's fists trembled.
- 14:50SPEAKER_04: They got away.
- 14:51SPEAKER_04: Again.
- 14:52SPEAKER_00: Libby put a hand on his shoulder.
- 14:54SPEAKER_04: We kept them from doing worse.
- 14:56SPEAKER_04: That counts.
- 14:57SPEAKER_00: Caden knelt by Evie, who nuzzled his hand with a brave, tired flick of her nose.
- 15:03SPEAKER_00: He looked toward Turtle, standing taller now, eyes bright, and to Machop, whose arms shook from effort, but never once wavered when it mattered.
- 15:12SPEAKER_00: He stood.
- 15:14SPEAKER_03: They said heat and pressure makes you stronger.
- 15:17SPEAKER_03: Fine.
- 15:18SPEAKER_03: We'll be stronger than they can imagine.
- 15:22SPEAKER_00: Back at camp, dusk bled into a deep ember-colored night.
- 15:26SPEAKER_00: The trio gathered close, the windmill's slow creak marking time.
- 15:31SPEAKER_00: Crush drew in the dirt with a stick, an outline of Valora, rivers like veins.
- 15:36SPEAKER_04: They're not just burning fields.
- 15:38SPEAKER_04: They're testing, mapping which way the wind carries flame, how fast crews can respond, where the land is weak.
- 15:45SPEAKER_00: Libby added small X's along the eastward road.
- 15:49SPEAKER_04: If they keep going, Sindrill's next.
- 15:52SPEAKER_04: Coal, rails, dry brush in the hills, it would go up like kindling.
- 15:58SPEAKER_00: Caden stared at the anvil brand they'd copied, then at the words they kept seeing reforge Valora.
- 16:05SPEAKER_03: They want to reshape the region by force.
- 16:08SPEAKER_03: Burn out what's soft.
- 16:10SPEAKER_03: Push people to hard harden places.
- 16:15SPEAKER_03: And what if they wake awakened something like Foundrake?
- 16:19SPEAKER_00: The name hung there.
- 16:21SPEAKER_00: Heavy.
- 16:22SPEAKER_00: The steel dragon of force and ruin.
- 16:24SPEAKER_00: The stuff of legends told around the bonfire to every child of Valora.
- 16:29SPEAKER_00: Crush's voice was low, steady.
- 16:33SPEAKER_04: Then we don't let them.
- 16:34SPEAKER_04: We get ahead of them.
- 16:35SPEAKER_04: But if Foundrake is really out there, we're gonna need help.
- 16:40SPEAKER_00: Caden nodded.
- 16:41SPEAKER_03: Like stop is Cindrel Town.
- 16:43SPEAKER_03: Fire country.
- 16:44SPEAKER_03: If Ryan are moving east, we'll meet them there.
- 16:48SPEAKER_03: And we won't let them get away.
- 16:50SPEAKER_00: Wardurtle thumped his tail against the ground like a drum.
- 16:54SPEAKER_00: Machop flexed once, then rested a hand, careful and gentle, on Evie's back.
- 17:00SPEAKER_00: Evie closed her eyes and leaned in, warmed by the circle of friends.
- 17:05SPEAKER_00: Above them, the wind shifted.
- 17:07SPEAKER_00: Somewhere far off, a train's horn called across the night, and beyond the fields a faint red line hugged the horizon, the rails to Sindrel and the battles to come.
- 17:19SPEAKER_00: Ash fades, but the fire ahead burns brighter to Sindrel, where heat and heart will be tested again.
- 17:27SPEAKER_00: This is Pokemon Valor Rising.