DP016: Difference between revisions

Following [[Paul]]'s [[Oreburgh Gym]] victory, {{Ash}} asks Paul to stay and watch ''his'' {{pkmn|battle}}. Paul laughs at Ash, forcing {{an|Dawn}} and {{AP|Pikachu}} to intervene before a fight breaks out. Dawn tells Paul that there's no harm in staying and watching. Though she becomes agitated when Paul cannot remember her, which causes {{an|Brock}} to rush in and stop her. [[Roark]] tells Paul he's free to stay and watch and Paul, now mildly amused, agrees. Ash is ready to battle straight away, but Roark suggests they schedule the match for tomorrow so his Pokémon can recover, to which Ash agrees.

Meanwhile, {{TRT}} are at the [[Oreburgh Mining Museum]], plotting to steal some rare artefacts. [[List of Team Rocket's disguises|Disguised as scientists]], {{MTR}} suggests that they figure out interesting facts about Pokémon first. As they gazed in awe at a colossal structure of coal, [[Dr. Kenzo]], who is a Pokémon {{pkmn|Professor|Researcher}}, approaches them. He is thrilled to see their enthusiasm and offers to take them on a tour of the museum. Team Rocket have their sights set on the [[Fossil]] restorer machine, so Dr. Kenzo escorts them to the museum's research division. The trio are impressed by all the technology and the Fossil Pokémon housed within a special ecodome environment.

Meanwhile, Paul picks up his Pokémon from the [[Pokémon Center]] where he sees Ash deciding which Pokémon he is going to use against Roark. Brock informs Ash that {{AP|Turtwig}} is the only Pokémon who has an advantage against {{t|Rock}} [[type]]s. Ash also knows that {{AP|Aipom}}'s {{m|Focus Punch}} and {{AP|Pikachu}}'s {{m|Iron Tail}} will be [[super effective]] against Rock Pokémon, so he decides that Pikachu, Aipom and Turtwig will be the ones to battle. While those three are happy, {{AP|Staravia}} is extremely upset that he's being left out, and Ash apologises and promises he'll get to go up next time. Brock mentions to Ash that Paul's victory over Roark was mostly due to the speed of his Pokémon. Ash agrees, and wonders what he'll do during his match. Paul steps in and suggests that Ash just imitate his battle strategy. Ash outright refuses to treat his Pokémon the way Paul does. Just then, a young boy runs up to Paul, thanking him for the {{p|Azumarill}} Paul gave him. Ash realizes this is the same Azumarill that quickly lost to Roark's {{p|Geodude}}, and calls Paul out for discarding his Pokémon. Paul remarks that Azumarill was never going to improve. He reminds Ash that they both want to win, but Ash replies that he is prepared to train his team to perform. With that, Paul leaves and Ash vows never to lose to him again.

Right off the bat, Ash has Pikachu use {{m|Thunderbolt}} and Roark commands Cranidos dodge and use Zen Headbutt. Although Cranidos successfully avoids the Thunderbolt, Pikachu strikes back with Iron Tail, sending Cranidos backwards and demolishing one of the rocks on the Gym floor. Ash believes that should finish Cranidos off, however Cranidos surprises him by quickly getting back to its feet and using Headbutt. Pikachu tries to dodge and use Thunderbolt by jumping into the air but Cranidos jumps as well, hitting Pikachu and canceling out the attack. Pikachu tries to use Thunderbolt again but is thwarted by Cranidos' Zen Headbutt. Again, Cranidos uses Headbutt on Pikachu, knocking him to the ground. Unimpressed, Paul gets up to leave, believing Ash has already lost. However, Pikachu suddenly shows his fighting spirit by letting off a powerful electric attack in the air, making Paul regain interest. Ash tells Pikachu to use {{m|Quick Attack}} while Cranidos is told to counter with Flamethrower. However, Pikachu dodges it and successfully lands Iron Tail on Cranidos' head. Amazingly, despite all of the damage, Cranidos manages to recover. Roark orders a {{m|Head Smash}}, so Ash takes his chance with {{m|Volt Tackle}} despite the risk of [[recoil]]. The two scream towards each other full of power and collide, causing a massive explosion and injuring both Pokémon.

Ash decides that Pikachu needs to be [[recall]]ed for now and sends out Turtwig. Ash begins with {{m|Razor Leaf}}, though Cranidos’s Flamethrower scorches through the leaves. Turtwig however is quick enough to dodge the Flamethrower and uses {{m|Bite}} on Cranidos' arm. Cranidos then uses Zen Headbutt, and scores a direct hit sending Turtwig flying. Cranidos scores another direct hit on Turtwig with Flamethrower, causing major damage. Turtwig makes a quick recover and sends out a Razor Leaf, scoring a knock out on Cranidos. Ash is thrilled with Turtwig’s efforts, but doesn't allow himself to celebrate knowing that he went through far too much to knock out only one Pokémon.

Roark sends out {{p|Onix}} as his second Pokémon, while Ash keeps Turtwig in. Turtwig attacks with Razor Leaf, but Onix is speedy enough to dodge. Onix follows up with {{m|Double-Edge}} which scores a direct hit on Turtwig and knocks it out, having suffered massive damage already from Cranidos's Flamethrower. Ash sends out Pikachu again, but Pikachu is already exhausted and damaged from the round battling Cranidos. Onix uses {{m|Slam}}, countering Pikachu's Iron Tail, and the resulting exchange damages both sides. Ash is struggling, knowing that the only move that's any good against Onix is Iron Tail then suddenly gets a flash of inspiration and tells Pikachu to use Thunderbolt on the field. Onix attempts a Double-Edge, however the debris from Pikachu's attack keeps it at bay. Ash calls for a Quick Attack, but a {{m|Screech}} from Onix halts his advance. The decibels send Pikachu into one of the field's jagged stones, knocking him out. Ian declares Pikachu as unable to battle, therefore the match is over with Roark the winner, meaning no [[Badge]] for Ash. As Ash picks up his exhausted partner, Paul leaves but not before making it known that his opinion of Ash is as low as ever.