HZ002: Difference between revisions

==Plot==

Picking up from the end of the [[HZ001|previous episode]], [[Liko]] suddenly finds herself surrounded by a green sphere of energy created by her pendant. Looking around, she spots {{p|Terapagos|a strange Pokémon}} floating in the air in front of her. After a few seconds, the Pokémon transforms back into her pendant and the sphere disappears, causing Liko and her {{TP|Liko|Sprigatito}} to start falling. Fortunately, [[Friede]] and his {{TP|Friede|Charizard}} save her in the nick of time. With all the crazy things that have happened to her over the course of the night, Liko feels like a new chapter has just begun in her life. Friede tells [[Amethio]] that they have to continue their {{pkmn|battle}} some other time and has Charizard fly away. Looking at the endless night sky, Liko feels she was only able to take the leap of faith that led her to this moment thanks to Sprigatito being by her side and takes a moment to compliment her {{pkmn2|Starter|partner}}. Behind them, Amethio, [[Zirc]], and [[Onia]] call out a {{p|Corviknight}} and a pair of {{p|Skarmory}} to continue their pursuit.

Before Liko and Mollie can head downstairs, a blackout cuts the power to the elevator. Just then, Noctowl alerts them that their pursuers are approaching. Using a telescope, Mollie recognizes them as the notorious [[Explorers]] group. In the wheelhouse, Friede takes over the helm from the ship's captain, [[Captain Pikachu]], and decides to steer them into the incoming stormcloud to hopefully shake off their pursuers. Amethio, however, refuses to give up and orders the Explorers to use the ship to shield themselves from the wind. They are soon at the Wing Deck, which Mollie is unable to retract due to the blackout, so she heads outside to try to retract it manually, leaving Liko to watch after the Pokémon. Leaving the wheel to Murdock, Friede, and Captain Pikachu head outside as well, picking up Charizard from the engine room along the way. Unfortunately for Mollie, she's unable to retract the Wing Deck before the Explorers break through the barrier surrounding it. Freaking out, Liko starts feeling like [[Breaking the fourth wall|she's the heroine in some story]]. Looking at the scared Pokémon, she feels guilty about them being caught in the crossfire, all because of the pendant [[Diana (Horizons)|her grandmother]] gave to her.

The Explorers enter the airship and find Liko. Amethio asks her why she fled, along with if she can truly trust her rescuers, and what her pendant's glow was about. While she doesn't know the answer to any of those questions, she's sure that she can't trust the Explorers. Sprigatito lunges at them, but Zirc easily holds it back. Liko tells them to let Sprigatito go, being ready to surrender herself to them as long as they leave the Pokémon alone. Amethio agrees to this, feeling that since Liko is clearly a part of the pendant's secret as well, they'll be taking her in addition to it. However, they don't make it further than the Wing Deck before Friede swoops in with Charizard, promising to protect Liko and Sprigatito. Friede and Amethio properly introduce themselves to each other, with Friede presenting himself as the leader of the [[Rising Volt Tacklers]]. Refusing to let them take Liko, Friede agrees to continue their earlier battle, though this time, instead of Charizard, he chooses to use Captain Pikachu against Amethio's {{p|Ceruledge}}, which Amethio scoffs at. Pikachu makes the first move with {{m|Thunder Punch}}, which Ceruledge blocks without issue. Pikachu follows up with {{m|Double Team}}. Ceruledge deals with the copies with a flurry of {{m|Psycho Cut}}s, before attempting to attack the real one with {{m|Bitter Blade}}, only for it to turn out to be a copy too. The real Pikachu is standing at the top of the airship and summons down a big thunderbolt to strike himself. Powered up thanks to the lightning bolt, Pikachu slams into Ceruledge with a powerful {{m|Volt Tackle}}.