@Scytherwolf; @Soups;

Episode 17: O'er the Rampardos We Watched...


"Roark..." Ash began as he met Roark in the Gym foyer the next day. "I wish to try again for a Badge. After our last match, I thought about what you said about tactics. So I'm ready to try again with a new strategy in mind."

"Well, there's no limit on how many times you can challenge a Gym Leader, so you can try as many times as you like to beat me." Roark replied. "I'll be waiting in the arena."

"Okay!" With that, Ash hurried off to the Diamond entrance tunnel.

A smile formed on Dawn's face as she rejoined Brock. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Yeah--we cheer Ash on somehow." Brock replied.

"I know just the thing we can do to cheer Ash on--but I'll need your help to do it." Dawn explained.

"All right--whatever you want me to do, I'll do it." Brock replied.

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"Wow!" Brock applauded as Dawn emerged from a dressing room. She now wore a beautiful orange and white dress-like costume with matching accessories. "You look every bit like an idol! A Contest idol!"

"I like that!" Dawn giggled as she caught a glimpse of herself in a mirror. I hope my song inspires Ash in this match!

Kori and Lola emerged from the dressing room some moments later, in miniature versions of Dawn's costume. [Why do we have to wear this floofy outfit?] Lola complained. [It ruins my fur!]

[This was Dawn's idea, not mine.] Kori sighed. [Besides, it's only for a few minutes. Can you deal with that?]

[I guess...] Lola sighed, seeing she didn't have much of a choice.

"Backing track's ready and tuned to a key you can hit." Brock reported as he hit the button to close the CD player. "I've tuned this to A minor, up from the original E minor."

"Thanks." Dawn mused. "I may be able to sing alto, and some girls can even sing tenor, but I can't go that low."

"Dawn and the Sunshines inspiring rendition of 'Glory in Our Story', take 1..." Brock grinned as he hit PLAY on the CD player, as Ash stepped into the Diamond side of the arena.

The song beginning spurred Ash to look up at a large catwalk above him. "What in the..." he gasped as Dawn, Kori, and Lola danced along to the song's pounding beat.

We all have a dream inside our hearts that we will follow to the end... Dawn sang as she danced to the music.
When you make a wish upon a star, the power flows, inside of you!
Everybody listen to this song and sadness will just disappear!
My wishes, dreams and hopes go forth into the world...

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"Tintri, use Quick Attack!" Ash called over Dawn's singing and the music.

"Sterling, counter with Slam!" Roark commanded.

Tintri leaped away from the Onix's charge, allowing him to climb onto the rock snake's body. Annoyed, Sterling unleashed a hypersonic cry, but Tintri managed to brace himself.

Sterling growled in annoyance as he squirmed around the rocky arena, but Tintri held on as hard as he could. "Now's your chance! Use Iron Tail!" Ash called.

He grinned as he saw the silver flash of the attack and Sterling's roar of pain. "Okay, dodge the next attack and do that again!"

[Okay!] Tintri smiled as he spun away from a Double-Edge, then charged another Iron Tail. Sterling swerved away from the Pikachu's shining silver tail, caught Tintri, and slammed Tintri on the ground.

"Sterling, use Stealth Rock." Roark smirked.

Ash watched as the rocks formed in the arena. "You know what to do, bud?"

Tintri nodded, and took a deep breath. Jao wiisha nes chiel com yutuul...

"What was that?" Roark gasped as he watched the sparking red sound waves destroy the floating rocks."

"You've shown me your Heart Song already, so it's only fair I show you mine." Ash replied.

He turned business-like again. "Tintri, use Iron Tail!"

"Sterling--!" Roark started, but the KA-WHANG! of Tintri's attack clued him in that his Onix was down. "Well played." he smiled as he recalled his Onix.

"Well done, bud." Ash smiled as Tintri romped off to the sidelines for a well deserved rest.

He heaved another Poke Ball into the arena. "Diddy, let's go!"

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...Come with me and we will see the wonders of the world!
All of the glory, is in our story! Dawn sang as Ash summoned Diddy into the arena.

As we make our way to heaven, take it step by step
And get the glory, upon the great stage!

We can go anywhere, so long as we're together
I truly believe it with all of my heart...
The cards here in my hand,
Show you the way...

"Diddy, try Fury Swipes!" Ash commanded his Chimchar.

[Whoa!] Diddy gasped as he jumped away from Diana using Rollout.

"Okay, new plan--try Double Team!" Ash called, aware of the Geodude rolling towards Diddy.

He smiled as Diana hit a copy of Diddy. The real Diddy attempted to use Brick Break, but Diana's rocky hands blocked the attack. Oh, no... he thought as Diana slammed Diddy to the floor with Seismic Toss.

A smile formed on his face as Diddy leaped away from Diana's second attempt at Rollout. "You've got this, Diddy! Use Brick Break again!"

Roark didn't seem fazed as Diddy's attack connected. "You're doing very well so far, what with your cheerleaders up there." he smiled as he acknowledged Dawn, Kori, and Lola dancing and singing on the catwalk. "But are you ready for your final test?"

"Bring it!" Ash replied.

"Crystal, here we go!" Ash swallowed hard as the now Rampardos rammed into Diddy with a Headbutt...

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We all have a dream inside our hearts that we will follow to the end... Dawn sang as she watched Ash summon Gaia in the arena.
When you make a wish upon a star, the power flows, inside of you!
Everybody listen to this song and sadness will just disappear!
My wishes, dreams and hopes go forth into the world...

"Gaia, try Energy Ball!" Ash almost screamed as Crystal came charging at Gaia.

Gaia rolled away from the Rampardos, then charged a large green ball of light. "Good work!" Ash called as the green light ball knocked Crystal away. "Now use Razor Leaf!"

"Crystal, burn it with Flamethrower!" Roark called.

Ash gasped in horror as Crystal rammed Gaia. "Don't give up!"

[I'm okay...I have Synthesis, you know.] Gaia assured her master from inside a pale green aura.

Ash noticed a wave of flames headed for the healing Budew. "Gaia, watch out!"

Sweat started forming on his brow as his heart pounded. What do I do now? All I can do is defend myself! Crystal is way too fast, and Flamethrower will negate any Razor Leaf thrown at it!

An idea occurred to him. "Gaia, start running while using Razor Leaf at the same time!"

He watched as Crystal heaved another Flamethrower. But Gaia kept running, generating new leaves all the while.

I see...Ash is trying to camouflage his Budew with the burned leaves... Roark mused. "Crystal, use Zen Headbutt!"

The Rampardos charged forward, but Gaia jumped away. Crystal jumped, too, but she did not see Gaia rolling under her!

"We've got this! Razor Leaf at full power!" Ash called.

We can go anywhere, so long as we're together
I truly believe it with all of my heart... Dawn sang as the whorl of leaves battered Crystal.
The cards here in my hand,
Show you the way...

"Crystal is unable to battle...Diamond wins!" Cole announced as the song ended.

Roark applauded Ash. "I see you took my lesson on tactics to heart. But I have no qualms about losing to you. You were strong, and I was weak. That's all there is to it."

He offered Ash the rock shaped badge as Dawn went to change out of costume. "Here...you've earned this. Go on and shout out your victory from the rooftops, if you'd like."

Ash nodded as his companions arrived. "I got a Coal Badge!"

To Be Continued...