@Scytherwolf; @Soups;

Episode 6b: Different Strokes for Different Blokes! (part 2)

Previously, on "Pokemon Shine Diamond..."

"...In all the Forest of Illusion campfire stories I've heard; whoever or whatever goes into a Forest of Illusion often doesn't come out." Dawn shuddered. "I'm scared Ash is gone forever..."

"He's not--you've got Kori, I have my team, and I have my bow to protect us." Brock assured Dawn. "Illusion or no illusion, we should go in and look for Ash."

He smiled. "Besides, it wouldn't be the first Forest of Illusion I've been through."

A smile formed on Dawn's face. "You're right--we can't run and hide like scared Bunearies. If we're going to find Ash, we have to work together."

"That's the spirit!" Brock grinned. "Come on!"

"Come on Tintri--let's go find your master." Dawn motioned for Tintri and Kori to follow her as she hurried after Brock into the forest...

In the forest, Ash returned from a nearby apple grove with an armload of apples. "At least we won't starve in here..." he smiled.

He offered an apple to Diddy. "Want a bite?"

[No thanks, I'm good for now.] Diddy replied.

Both Diddy's and Ash's stomachs growled at about the same time. "Are you SURE you don't want any?" Ash asked. "I mean, I love how you give all you have to help others, but there are times you need to help yourself, too."

After finding a knife in his bag, he carefully cut another apple in half. "Here--now we both have a share."

[Thanks...] Diddy smiled.

He nibbled on his half of the apple for a moment. [This was why I wanted to go with you on your adventure. You're brave, know how to battle well, and know how to take care of us Pokemon.]

"Well, I can't say that I'm perfect..." Ash confessed. "But I do my best to make sure you and all your teammates are loved, respected, and taken care of."

He paused to bite into his half of the apple. "I don't expect you guys to be perfect either. It's okay to make mistakes."

[Yeah, how can we learn if we don't mess up?] Diddy agreed. [That's what rubs me the wrong way about this Paul guy. It's as if he wants all his Pokemon to battle 'perfectly'.]

"Perfect for one person may be quite different to another." Ash smiled. "But for me, there is no such thing as perfect. All I ask is that you work well as a team, building on each other's strengths and covering your weaknesses. That goes for my human friends, as well."

He was about to say more when a Stantler emerged from the bushes. "Uh oh! Cover your eyes! Quickly!"

Diddy nodded, shielding his eyes as he hurried after Ash. Both human and Pokemon hoped they could avoid the Stantlers' Hypnosis. Follow Ash...he knows the way.

In their rush to get away, both of them slammed into a tree. [OOF!]

"You okay?" Ash asked as he stepped away from the tree and examined his bruised arms.

He gasped as the hum of Beedrills approaching got his attention. "Oh no..."

[RUN!!] Diddy squawked as the Beedrills flew after them.

---------

In another part of the forest, Dawn saw a flash of red and white in the brush. "Ash!" she smiled as she spotted Ash's cap in the midst of the treetops.

She waved in Ash's direction. "Over here!"

Brock mimicked a Fletchling whistle to get Ash's and Diddy's attention. "There you are!" he smiled as Ash hurried into his arms. "Thought you were a goner for a minute there..."

"We're gonna be goners if we don't run!" Ash replied, pointing out the Beedrills flying straight for the group!

"Let's go!" Dawn lead the way through the forest.

The group ran through brush, climbed over tree roots, and ducked under branches in an attempt to elude the Beedrills. But, Brock did not expect Ash to end up cornered by an Ursaring! "Talk about out of the frying pan, and into the fire!"

"I'll say!" Ash agreed, a note of fear in his voice as he cowered in the Ursaring's shadow.

[Don't you DARE hurt my master!] he heard Diddy cry before the Ursaring howled in pain. Inspired, he hurried back by Dawn's side as Diddy bit the Ursaring again and again.

"That was close..." Dawn mused as the Ursaring attempted to shake the young fire monkey off.

She gasped as the Ursaring threw Diddy off, sending him flying into a bush. "Now would be a good time to use your bow, Brock..." she stammered as the Ursaring stomped in their direction. If this is the end...Mom...Opal...I love you...

"I'm on it." Brock spritzed an arrow with some Repel. Once sure the arrowhead was ready, he aimed at the approaching Ursaring.

Ash and Dawn held their breaths as Brock fired into the ground. "Great shot!" Dawn smiled with relief as a cloud of Repel billowed before the Ursaring.

Ash smiled as the Ursaring started to run away from the cloud of Repel. "Tintri, use Iron Tail! Diddy, use Ember!"

[HAAH!!!!] Diddy heaved a wave of fire at the Ursaring. The flames also ignited Tintri's glowing silver tail with sliver flames!

"NIce shot..." Dawn smiled at Brock as the silver flames from Diddy and Tintri's attack made the Ursaring stumble backwards.

"And nice job, you two." Ash smiled at Diddy and Tintri.

The Ursaring's roar alerted Brock that the group was not safe yet. "Hit the dirt!" he called as the Ursaring charged a familiar orange beam.

As the group dove to the ground, Dawn saw a way out of the forest "I see an exit!"

"Not just that, I see Paul on the road leading out of here!" Ash pointed out Paul as the group dashed from the forest and onto the road.

About then, Paul spotted the group and the Ursaring chasing them. " Goku to use Flame Wheel!"

Dawn watched from the safety of a bush as the whirling rings of fire surrounded the huge bear Pokemon, allowing Paul to capture it. "Wow! I'm impressed he caught something that powerful!"

"Knowing Paul, even though he caught it, he probably won't keep it." Ash sighed, more out of exhaustion then frustration.

The group watched as Paul scanned the Poké Ball. "Well! I like this..." he smiled as he set the ball on his belt. "This Pokemon will do very nicely.

[All right!] Goku smiled, dancing happily around his master's feet. "Now's not the time to celebrate, Goku!" Paul growled, making the Chimchar shudder in fear. "We've got a long we to go..."

"Paul!" Ash called as he caught up to Paul. "Aren't we gonna finish our match?"

"No." Paul shot back. "After you got us into that mess; I don't care about anything anyone as weak as you wants to say."

Hot tears of anger ran down Ash's cheeks as he watched Paul and Goku continue down the road. Okay...if you don't want to play nice, I'll do everything I can to show you that your style of training isn't the answer. I tried offering to be friends, but I'm done playing nice for you!

To Be Continued...