"So we have a slight problem, today's activities can't happen because most of the ground is muddy from yesterday." Professor Cerise told the team apologetically.
"What do you mean most?" Ash asked.
"Well the ridges, and other stony areas or those blocked from as much rainfall aren't as muddy." Professor Cerise said.
"How many helmets and knee pads do we have?" Ash asked.
"They come with the supplies. Why do you ask?" Professor Cerise asked.
"I have an idea, just make sure we have everything we need." Ash said, before running off.
"Anyone else lost on what his big idea for the day is?" Goh said.
Everyone else raised their hands.
A short while later, outside the cabins.
"Hey everyone!" Ash shouted from the distance, approaching on his Tauros.
"Ashley, what is this!" Professor Cerise yelled.
"They're Tauros, and it's actually really common in Alola. Look I even have a harness so Scotty can join along as well." Ash explained, as the other Tauros came up.
"Will this work? What if they go on a stampede?" Professor Cerise hissed.
"The big one I rode in on, there's a reason I mainly use it. It's their leader. I'll be on it keeping the pace. If I charge they charge. If I stop, they stop." Ash said confidently.
"So what, you're just going to let a bunch of children run around sporadically on Tauros?" Professor Cerise complained.
"Of course not. They have to learn how to ride them first." Ash said, almost as if it was implied from the beginning.
"So you want to grab firmly onto the reins, and keep your feet firmly in the stirrups, like so." Ash said, giving a demonstration. "Now to get them to go, just lightly flick the reins. Lean and pull left to go left, lean and pull right to go right. If you want to stop, gently pull back on the reins. Any questions?"
A flock of hands shot up.
"How do we make them go faster?"
"Good question, I won't tell though." Ash said.
"Do we have to do this?"
"Not much else can be done about the mud so this our one option for now." Ash said.
"When's lunch?"
"Same time as the past three days." Ash said getting bored.
Ash watched as everyone began getting the hang of riding a Tauros. Some picked it up quick, others took a bit, and Pria, well she was having none of it.
"Goh take over, I've got a lone kid over there." Ash said heading to the cabin.
"Pria? You in here?" Ash asked.
"I'm not doing it. You can't make me." Pria said from her bed.
"Look, I get you don't like getting dirty, but there's not much we can do about what happened." Ash said sitting down next to her.
"Just leave me alone, you don't even like what I like." Pria said flipping down on the bed.
"That's. Not entirely true." Ash said.
"You are so much of a tomboy you are almost an actual boy, I've won beauty pageants at a nationally ranked level! We're about as different as possible!" Pria said angrily.
"Biggest compliment I've heard in a while." Ash said under his breath.
"What was that?" Pria asked.
"Never mind. So what if we don't share the same interests, I've still done girly things I'm not entirely comfortable with. What does it hurt to do something you normally wouldn't?" Ash asked.
"It doesn't matter what you say, I'm not doing this activity." Pria said, firm in her decision.
"And I'm not leaving unless it's with you on a Tauros as well, you can't stay here all alone." Ash said.
Stepping outside momentarily to have Goh lead them to where the Tauros can really get going, before Ash went back to work.
"So where were we?" Ash asked.
"Still not getting on a Tauros." Pria said firmly.
"What's wrong with Tauros? They're strong, and can be gentle if you know what you're doing." Ash said.
"They're filthy, and unladylike. I wouldn't dare touch one." Pria said.
"You're so worried about your reputation of being a pageant queen, that you're afraid to even try something that's remotely different, aren't you?" Ash realized.
"Like you're any better! We mentioned the word makeover yesterday, and you couldn't get out of here fast enough!" Pria said angrily.
"I didn't mean to hurt your feelings. I'm just not good with the whole makeup thing." Ash admitted. "How about we make a deal, you give me a quick makeover, enough to satisfy you, for me skipping out yesterday, and in return you try Tauros riding for a bit." Ash offered.
"You won't complain?" Pria asked. "Or try and run away?"
"As long as you promise not to." Ash said.
"I guess it's better than just sitting here." Pria said, grabbing some things.
"That's the spirit." Ash said.
A while later, and Ash was walking out of the cabin with Pria. There were still a few Tauros milling about, including Ash's main one.
"Come on I'll show you the ropes." Ash said.
"But the mud." Pria started to complain.
"Is what the boots are for." Ash said calmly. Taking her by the hand, he led Pria to a Tauros and helped her get on. "Come on, we can practice here, and after lunch we'll go with everyone else." Ash said.
They spent a while going over the basics of just moving and controlling the Tauros.
"Miss Ashley? Can I ask you something." Pria said.
"What's up?" Ash said, pulling up beside her.
"Did you ever have a girly side to you, or were you always like this?" Pria asked.
"For a bit yeah, but I realized that wasn't the real me. Why do you ask?" Ash asked.
"Most other girls aren't like me, not to this level, and I was just wondering if it's something wrong with me." Pria said.
"Don't ever think that. I'm the way I want to be. That means some days I'm training to become a Pokémon master, and other days I'm going to a spa with Miss Chloe." Ash said with a smile. "That doesn't make me any more wrong or right than her, just different."
"Thanks for today." Pria said.
"No problem." Ash replied.
After lunch Ash led the group to the path the Tauros run daily.
"Now if anyone's up for it, line up with me, and the Tauros will do all the work, you just have to hold on." Ash said.
Goh was the first to join Ash on the field, and then Chloe. The other Tauros without riders followed quickly, along with a few campers, and Pria.
"Glad to see you're trying it." Ash said with a smile.
"I got you to let me trim your eyebrows, figured I'll at least try the whole experience." Pria said
"You let her trim your eyebrows!" Chloe said shocked.
"Why would you need to do that." Goh asked confused.
"Alright everyone hold on!" Ash said.
Ash thwipped his reins. His Tauros let out a cry and began charging as the others followed behind him.
That night
"You did a good job this week Ash." Professor Cerise said. "And you were quick at coming up with ideas."
"Thanks Professor, I'm just happy I got them to all enjoy camp a bit." Ash said. Well, see you tomorrow."
"Goodnight Ash." Professor Cerise said.
In the vents
Impidimp was closing in on the intruder. He just knew it. They were running from him, all he had to do was catch up to them! They would soon learn what happened to intruders!