Episode 22: Championship Shape

Having just lost against Skyler, the Gym Leader of the Atmos City Gym, in a sky diving battle, Ash and Pikachu are now on the hunt for a new strategy that could allow them to turn the tables on him and claim their second Tenno League gym badge.

Ash and Pikachu are walking just ahead of Brock and Brenda. Both seem to be contemplating something. Ash states, "Hmm…What if we were to…no that would never work."

Pikachu sighs. "Pika…"

Brock says, "Come on Ash, you shouldn't worry about it that much. We're still a while away from Atmos City, you'll come up with something by then."

Ash now sighs. "Yeah, maybe."

Brenda, who is carrying Kappaqua suddenly stops and points to something. "Hey guys, look at this!"

Ash and Brock walk over to Brenda. She's pointing at a poster hung on a tree. The poster shows a Lunatone, Solrock, and Protostar. Ash asks, "What is it?"

Brenda answers, "According to this it's a lecture about Pokémon from outer space, followed by a stargazing session."

Brock smiles. "That sounds fun."

Brenda then adds, "But that's not all, look who's leading it!"

Ash and Brock look closer at the poster. Ash exclaims, "It's Professor Pine!"

Brock says, "It would be interesting to hear Professor Pine give a lecture on his topic of expertise."

Ash exclaims, "Yeah, not to mention he's got to know a whole lot of stuff about space that he can show us while stargazing."

Brock nods. "Alright then, let's wait here until tonight."

Brenda looks down to Kappaqua and asks, "How about you Kappaqua, do you think that you'll have fun there?"

Kappaqua nods. "Kappa."

It's now sunset. Ash, Brock, and Brenda are sitting at the top of a grassy hill, presumably the location of Professor Pine's lecture. All of their Pokémon are also out. A voice says, "Well, well, look who it is."

The three turn to see Professor Pine climbing the hill. Brenda jumps up and exclaims, "Hi Professor, it's nice to see you again!" She holds up Kappaqua. "Look, Kappaqua and I are doing just fine."

Kappaqua smiles. "Kappapapaqua!"

Ash also gets up and points to Turcell, who is basking, soaking in what little sunlight it can at this time. "Turcell's doing great too."

Pine smiles. "I'm glad to hear that." He looks over to Brock. "And you must be Brock. It's nice to meet you in person."

Brock extends a hand to shake. "The same here. It's such an honor to meet you." They shake hands.

"I'm glad you three found out about this little show." Other people can be seen making their way up the hill. "Oh look, it would appear that my audience is beginning to arrive."

A young man approaches from behind. He's wearing an elegant black suit, which is speckled with white, giving it the appearance of a night sky. He has dark purple hair, almost the color of the night sky as well. Attached to his belt is a personal telescope. He says, "Good evening Professor. I hope you don't mind me dropping in."

Pine turns around. "Galileo, how nice to see you again. Of course I don't mind."

The man, Galileo, asks, "And who are these children?"

"These are trainers who passed through my lab a little while back. Ash, Brock, and Brenda." He turns back to them. "I'll presume that you three already know who this is?"

Ash and Brenda shake their heads, but Brock nods. Brock looks to Brenda and asks, "Brenda, do you really not know who the Champion of your own region is?"

Brenda laughs and shakes her head again. "I'm sorry, but I was never that knowledgeable about that kind of stuff. All the towns on Tenno Minor, where I come from, are fairly isolated from it"

Ash and Pikachu are looking at Galileo with their mouths agape. "Did you just say that he's the Tenno Champion?"

Galileo chuckles and responds, "Guilty as charged." He pulls his telescope off of his belt, unfolds it, and uses it to look up into the sky. "Tonight's going to be a great night for stargazing."

Ash is amazed. "Wow, that's so cool. I can't believe the Champion of the Tenno Region is standing right in front of me."

Brock asks, "If you don't mind me asking, what brings you here Galileo?"

Galileo puts his telescope back away. He explains, "You see, I am an avid stargazer. The thought of space just exhilarates me. I like to come to events such as this in my down time, so that maybe I can inspire the next generation of stargazers and trainers alike." By this point, an entire crowd of people have gathered around, all staring with awe at Galileo. He looks out to them. "And you remember this kids, outer space will always be there. If ever you need an inspiration, simply look to the night sky above."

A voice from the crowd suddenly declares, "Galileo, I challenge you to a battle!"

Gasps of shock fill the audience. Galileo looks in the direction from which the voice came. With curiosity he asks, "Who said that?"

The crowd splits, and Ryu steps forward, Dratini draped around his shoulders. "I did. I know that your most powerful Pokémon is a Dragon-Type. I'd like the chance to battle it."

Several murmurs can be heard from the crowd, such as, "Who is he?" "What does he think he's doing?" and, "He can't just challenge the champion like that!"

Ash shouts, "Hey, Ryu, good to see you again!"

Ryu looks towards Ash, sighs, but ignores him otherwise. He approaches Galileo. "Well, what's your answer?"

Galileo looks him over, sizing him up. "I do not normally accept challenges outside of official matches, but then again, I don't normally get challenged outside of official matches. I like your go-getter attitude. Fine, we shall have a battle under the stars."

Professor Pine says, "Well kids, it looks like you're in for a real treat tonight. An actual battle by the Tenno Champion." Everyone cheers.

Who's that Pokémon!?

The tuft on this Pokémon's head holds water. When the level runs low, it replenishes the tuft by siphoning up water with its tail.

It's now nighttime. The sky is a vast and crisp star scape. Ryu and Galileo have taken positions on either side of the hill. Galileo seems to be paying more attention to the starts than Ryu, as he is using his telescope to look up at them. After a moment more of that, he folds it back up and puts away. He asks, "Alright Ryu, what are the rules of your challenge?"

"We'll have a full six-on-six match."

Galileo nods. "Alright. I can agree to that." He pulls out a Pokéball and enlarges it. "Since you seemed so fixated on my Dragon-Type," he throws the Pokéball. "Reach for the stars Dracosmic!" Galileo's Pokémon is a long serpentine dragon. Its skin is pitch-black, and it is covered in many points of light, including several larger ones that can be traced in a line going up its back. It seems like this Pokémon mimics the night sky. Despite its snake-like shape, it does have arms and legs.

Ash pulls out his Pokédex. "Wow, that's an awesome-looking Pokémon!"

The Pokédex says, "Dracosmic, the Dragon Constellation Pokémon, and a Dragon and Light Combo-Type. The larger points of light on Dracosmic's scales align perfectly with the stars in the constellation Draco, leading historians to speculate that it was the ancients' basis for the constellation. Dracosmic have the ability to float, and will often be found flying during the night, when their bodies blend in with the starry sky, but people rarely realize what they're seeing. Evolves from Serpenstar at level 50."

Brenda marvels, "Wow, it's stunningly beautiful."

Professor Pine says, "We're in for a real treat. That Pokémon is Galileo's favorite and best. The two of them have been partners since back when Galileo first challenged the Tenno League. This is certain to be a show."

Ryu throws a Pokéball. "Druddigon, to Battle!"

A large Druddigon emerges from the ball. "Druddigon!"

Galileo nods and says, "Please, take the first attack."

Ryu declares, "Druddigon, move in close and use Night Slash!" Druddigon gathers dark energy around its claws and stampedes towards Dracosmic.

Brenda exclaims, "A Dark-Type move like Night Slash will be super effective against a Light-Type like Dracosmic!"

Professor Pines objects, "Yes, but type advantage is nothing compared to good training."

Ash asks, "What do you mean?"

"You'll find out soon."

Druddigon is just about to attack Dracosmic, when Galileo declares, "Into the air Dracosmic!" The dragon floats magically into air. Druddigon slashes, but can't hit.

Ryu quickly commands, "Alright then, use Dragon Rage!"

"Druddigon!" Druddigon launches an orb of energy into the air. Dracosmic gracefully dances through the sky and dodges it.

Galileo then states, "Alright, it's time to attack. Use Dragon Force!" Dracosmic dances and twists around itself, and begins to glow purple. It then unleashes this energy in a beam of intense force that Druddigon has no chance of avoiding.

Druddigon is knocked out. "Drud…"

Ryu grunts and recalls Druddigon.

Professor Pine explains, "You see, Ryu didn't make any mistakes necessarily, and even using advantageous moves, his Pokémon was still no match for Dracosmic's superior training."

Brock nods in awe. "It's no wonder he's the Champion."

Off to the side of the hill, Team Rocket is peeking over at the battle. Jessie says, "Wow, that Dragon Twerp's Pokémon was just defeated in one hit."

Meowth nods. "Yeah, that Champion's Pokémon is something else."

James suddenly exclaims, "Hey, I've got an idea! What if we let the battle between those Dragon Pokémon go on, and then when both sides are weak, we go in collect a draconic plethora of Pokémon for The Boss."

Meowth says, "That's a great idea."

All three cheer, "Let's do it!" The sound of them cheering grabs Ash's attention, as he looks over his shoulder towards Team Rocket. They duck down just in time to avoid being spotted. They shush each other.

Wobbuffet emerges. "Wobbuffet!"

They shush Wobbuffet as well as they shove it down to where it can't be seen.

Ryu throws another Pokéball. "Galacerta, to battle!"

Brock states, "Interesting, Dracosmic is the fully evolved form of Galacerta."

Ash asks, "If that's the case, what does he hope to accomplish?"

Brock shrugs. "It's impossible to tell."

Ryu commands, "Galacerta, Dragon Breath!"

"Dodge, and use another Dragon Force!" Dracosmic once more elegantly dodges the attack by dancing around it, and then unleashes another beam of draconic energy.

Ryu shouts, "Quickly Galacerta, Light Screen!"

"Certa!" Galacerta summons a box of energy around itself. However, the attack travels straight through, and still hits Galacerta, knocking it out.

Brenda comments, "That's what he gets for using Galacerta against its evolved form."

Brock shakes his head. "No, there was strategy there. The Light Screen attack continues to work, even after the Pokémon that used it gets knocked out. Now Ryu's next Pokémon will have some protection against Dracosmic's attack."

Brenda nods. "Oh, I get it."

Ryu pulls out his next Pokéball. "Fraxure, to battle!"

"Fraxxxure!"

Ryu commands, "Leap up and use Duel Chop!" Fraxure leaps to the height of Dracosmic and its tusks glow green. It attempts to hit the opponent with its tusk.

Galileo counters, "Hit it away with your tail, Dracosmic!" Dracosmic swipes its tail at Fraxure, knocking it back to the ground. "And now finish this one with another Dragon Force!" Dracosmic unleashes what appears to be its signature attack again. The Light Screen from earlier reappears to protect Fraxure, but it still does nothing. Fraxure is knocked out.

Ryu grunts and returns Fraxure.

Galileo states, "Even with your Light Screen up, your Pokémon can not stand up to mine. Dracosmic has defeated half of your team already, I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to call the battle off now."

Ryu shakes his head. "No, I will see this battle through until my last Dragon." He pulls out another Pokéball. "Gabite, to battle!"

Ash states, "Hey, it looks like Ryu's Gible evolved into a Gabite!"

This time, Galileo makes the first command. "Why prolong this? Use Dragon Force."

Ryu counters, "Quickly Gabite, dig!" Gabite digs into the ground, allowing it to avoid Dracosmic's attack.

Galileo advises, "Pay careful attention to your surroundings Dracosmic, it could pop back up anywhere, at any time."

After a moment, Ryu suddenly shouts, "Now Gabite!" Gabite leaps out of the ground behind Dracosmic with its claws glowing for a Dragon Claw.

It is about to hit it when Galileo shouts, "Dragon Force, behind you!" Dracosmic quickly charges its attack and unleashes it straight backwards, without even having to look. Once again, the Light Screen does nothing to protect Gabite. Ryu is forced to recall it.

Ryu pulls out another Pokéball. "Time for my secret weapon. Noivern, to battle!"

Brenda pulls out her Pokédex and says, "That's an odd looking Pokémon."

The Pokédex states, "Noivern, the Sound Wave Pokémon and a Flying and Dragon Combo-Type. Noivern's ears also serve as amplifiers, allowing it to hit with devastating sound-based attacks. It can navigate dark tunnels using only its hearing. Evolves from Noibat at level 48."

Professor Pine states, "Noivern was a good choice. Its sound-based attacks can be nearly impossible to dodge. It may actually be able to land a hit."

Ryu commands, "Dragon Pulse Noivern!"

Galileo counters, "Dodge it!"

Noivern attacks with a sphere of energy, but Dracosmic effortlessly and gracefully dodges it again. Ryu then suddenly declares, "Boomburst, quickly!"

Noivern releases a shockwave of sound. "Nooooooivernnn!"

Galileo calmly states, "I think we'll need to use Protect this time." Dracosmic projects a barrier around itself which is apparently soundproof, as the attack does absolutely nothing. "As your barrier lowers, use Dragon Force."

Ryu quickly shouts, "Dodge it! Get out of the way!" Noivern attempts to fly upwards, dodging the attack at first, but Dracosmic changes the angle of the beam and makes contact. The Light Screen reappears, but does nothing. Noivern is knocked out.

Ash says with disbelief, "Wow, Ryu is down to his last Pokémon, just like that."

Ryu does not seem pleased. He looks to Dratini on his shoulders. "It is up to you now my friend."

Dratini nods. "Tini." It slithers down his arm and onto the ground.

Ryu commands, "Dragon Dance Dratini!" Dratini twists and turns as a red energy glows around it.

Galileo commands, "Stop the dance now, Dragon Force!"

"Dodge it!" Dracosmic attacks, but Dratini dodges it with an incredible burst of speed.

Ash says, "Wow that was fast! Dratini's gotten faster since Pikachu battled it."

Brock explains, "Dragon Dance is move that boosts the user's power and speed. What you're seeing is that result."

"Another Dragon Dance Dratini!" Dratini renews its dance.

"We've got to hit it Dracosmic. Dragon Force!"

"Dodge it again, and then continue!" Dratini doges even faster than before, and then does its dance once more. "Now that we're all charged up, go in for Dragon Rush!" Dratini generates a field of green energy shaped like a dragon and prepares to leap.

Galileo quickly commands, "Don't let it get close! It's time for our secret weapon, Draco Meteor!" Dracosmic gathers energy and then unleashes an orb of that energy into the night sky.

Dratini lunges towards Dracosmic with blinding speed. "Draaaa tiniiii!" As it's flying towards Dracosmic, the orb of energy splits into countless meteors that plunge towards the ground. Dratini manages to avoid a few, but the sheer number overwhelms it, and it is hit by several, knocking it back to the ground. The Light Screen does absolutely nothing to help it. Dratini is knocked out.

Ryu is shocked at first, but he quickly hides it. Without a word, he walks over to Dratini and picks it up.

Galileo recalls Dracosmic. "Thank you my friend, you did a great job." He approaches Ryu. "That was a great battle. You put up quite the fight."

Ryu takes a deep breath, looks up to Galileo, and says, "Thank you for your time." He turns around and walks off.

Ash looks to Brock and Brenda and says, "There's something I've got to do, I'll be right back." He and Pikachu run off after Ryu.

It's Simipour!

Ryu is in a small forest clearing near the hill. All six of his Pokémon are lying on the floor, still knocked out and damaged from the fight. He looks over his Pokémon and sighs.

Ash says, "Tough break, huh?"

Ryu quickly turns around with surprise to see Ash sitting on a boulder behind him. Ryu sighs and says, "Oh, it's you."

Ash jumps up and off the rock and walks over to Ryu. "Yeah, it is me." He looks over Ryu's Pokémon. "It can be hard losing a battle that badly. I know from experience."

Ryu laughs slightly. "You don't know anything about my situation."

"Actually, I do. You see, just the other day I had a battle with Skyler, the Atmos City Gym Leader. It was a three-on-three match, but his one Pokémon defeated all three of mine with only a single hit to each. It's just like what you just went through."

"If you're trying to make me feel better, you're not helping. You do not use Dragon-Type Pokémon, I do. I hold myself to a higher standard."

Ash now sighs. "You really shouldn't think that way. All Pokémon have their strengths and weaknesses, no matter the type. What matters is how you train them."

"You've given me this speech before. Why don't you just save it for someone who cares, and allow me to treat my Pokémon?"

Ash turns around and begins to walk away. Before he leaves, he stops to say, "You know, I have feeling that someday you'll learn why you're wrong." Ash leaves.

Ryu shakes his head with annoyance. He bends down and strokes Dratini's back. After a few moments, he hears a rustling behind him. Without looking back, he states, "What, did your friend not patronize me enough?"

Brock steps into the clearing. He says, "Don't worry, I'm not here to continue what Ash started. I'm a Pokémon Doctor. I came to see if I could help."

Ryu looks to him, and then down to his Pokémon. "Yeah, sure. Thanks."

Brock walks over to Dratini, kneels down, and takes off his backpack. From it he removes a stethoscope and puts it on. He give Dratini a quick look over. "The damage doesn't seem too bad. Your Dratini is a hardy Pokémon." Ryu nods, but doesn't respond. Brock goes back into his bag and removes a Super Potion bottle. He sprays Dratini at several spots. The damage begins to fade. Brock then moves onto Noivern. He says, "You know, you really should give Ash a chance."

Ryu scoffs. "Why would I do that?"

Brock administers the Potion to Noivern and moves to Gabite. "Because he's actually a really good person if you get the chance to know him. Across all of my years as a Gym Leader at Pewter City, I never met a single trainer who is more determined and caring towards his Pokémon than Ash." After giving the medicine to Gabite, he walks towards Fraxure.

"And I suppose I should instantly like him because of that?"

Brock shakes his head as he sprays Fraxure. "No, that's not what I meant." He takes a moment to heal Galacerta and then beckons to all of Ryu's Pokémon. "I can tell these Pokémon mean a lot to you. You really do care for them, and they really care for you. I think that you and Ash are a lot more alike than either of you are willing to admit." He moves to Druddigon and gives it the last of the Super Potion. When Ryu doesn't respond, Brock asks something different. "So what is your connection to Dragon-Type Pokémon? Why do you only train them?"

Ryu looks to his Dratini, now sleeping peacefully. "Because of Dratini. It was many years ago." He takes a moment to reminisce. "I was a young boy, and I got lost in the forest. I was attacked by a heard of Granbull." Ryu adds under his breath, "Fairy-Types, despicable cretins." He then continues, "I was cornered by them, and all hope seemed lost. That's when that very Dratini leaped out of a nearby lake and came to my aid. It didn't matter that it was weak against them, it kept on fighting, all to protect me, a person who it had never met before. It eventually fought them off. After that, Dratini and I became good friends. On that day I saw how noble, majestic, and powerful the Dragon-Type could be. I swore that I would only train Dragon Pokémon, and that one day I would become a Dragon Master."

Brock nods. "I see. You're bond with Dratini is incredible." Brock pulls out something else from his bag and hands it to Ryu. It's a handful of Oran Berries. "When your Pokémon wake up, feed them these. They should be as good as ever after that."

Ryu takes them and nods. "Thank you."

"I'm just doing my job."

Brock has just climbed back up the hill. Galileo asks, "How are his Pokémon doing?"

Brock responds, "They'll be fine."

Galileo nods. "I'm glad to hear it."

Ash approaches Galileo and says, "That was a great battle to watch. You have to be one of the strongest trainers I've ever seen. I'd love to have a battle with you someday."

Galileo smiles. "Thank you." He looks Ash over. "I'm certain that if you keep on working, we will meet in the field of battle someday." Ash smiles.

They are suddenly interrupted by Ryu shouting, "Stop, give back my Pokémon!"

Everyone looks to the bottom of the hill to see Team Rocket's balloon emerging from the trees, and Ryu running behind them. Dangling below the balloon is a net holding Ryu's Pokémon. They're all struggling to break free, but to no avail.

Brenda asks, "What happened!?"

Ryu shouts, "These clowns came in and scooped up my Pokémon while they were recovering!

Jessie declares, "He wasn't prepared for trouble!"

James states, "So we made it double!"

"We protected the world from devastation!"

"And united all people within our nation!"

"We denounced the evils of truth and love!"

"And extended our reach to the stars above!"

"Jessie!"

"James!"

"Team Rocket blasted off at the speed of light!"

"He didn't surrender, so instead it was a fight!"

"Meowth, that's right!"

"Wobbuffet!"

"Mime mime!"

Ash shouts, "Team Rocket, how could you?!" He runs towards the edge of the hill with Pikachu and shouts, "Don't worry, I'm coming!" Using the leverage of the hill, he leaps towards the balloon and clings to the net. "I won't let you take these Pokémon."

Jessie looks down and says, "I think we have a twerp infestation."

Meowth grins and presses a button. "I'll call the exterminator." A laser gun lowers from the bottom of the basket. It fires a shot at Ash, who avoids it by swinging to the side.

Ash looks to Pikachu, who is hanging on next to him and says, "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt on that."

"Pikaaaaa chuuuu!"

Pikachu's lightning bolt is sent at the gun, but Meowth presses another button and says, "Oh no you don't!" A reflecting dish extends around the peripheral of the weapon and absorbs, then reflects Pikachu's Thunderbolt. The reflected attack zaps Ash. Meowth explains, "Anything you throw at us, we can throw back."

Ash looks the trapped Pokémon, and then back to Pikachu and says, "I don't care if it hurts me Pikachu, you've got to keep up your attack and overload the system."

Pikachu gives a shocked, "Pika!?"

"Just do it Pikachu!"

Pikachu resentfully nods and unleashes a long duration Thunderbolt. Ash instantly begins to be shocked, but he ignores it the best he can.

Ryu looks at Ash with a mixture of awe and disgust. He thinks, What does he think he's doing!?

From a distance, Galileo observes with awe. He thinks, Wow, Ash is willing to hurt himself to save someone else's Pokémon, someone who doesn't even like him.

Back with Ash, he grunts, "Just…keep…it…up…Pikachu!"

Team Rocket laughs. Meowth declares, "You'll never get past our twerp-proof security system."

Suddenly Galileo shouts, "Dracosmic, Dragon Force!" A beam of energy suddenly appears and hits the bottom of the basket, destroying the weapon, and severing the connection between the net and the balloon. After landing with a thud on the ground, Ash looks back to see Galileo at the edge of the hill commanding Dracosmic.

James shouts, "Hey, no outside interference!"

Jessie adds, "Yeah, this is between us and the Twerp!"

Galileo ignores them and states, "Dracosmic, a Draco Meteor if you'd please."

"Draco!" Dracosmic gathers its energy and then unleashes its barrage of meteors, several of which impact Team Rocket's balloon causing an explosion.

The explosion sends Team Rocket flying into the sky shouting, "It looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!" as they turn into another star in the sky.

Ryu runs towards his Pokémon. They all escape from the net and run towards him. They embrace. Showing an uncharacteristic amount of emotion, he says, "I'm so glad you guys are all alright. I was so worried." They all express their happiness as well. He pulls out several Pokéballs. "Alright, why don't you guys all return?" He recalls them. He then allows Dratini to crawl up onto his shoulders. He looks to Ash, and gives a slight nod of thanks, turns around, and begins to walk away.

Ash calls out, "Ryu."

Ryu stops and looks back. "What?"

"Let's have another battle again someday."

Ryu turns back around. As he's walking into the trees, he says, "We will." He's gone.

Later that night, after Professor Pine's show is over, he, Ash, Brock, Brenda, and Galileo are the last ones on the hill. Brock is saying, "Well, we'd better get to finding a place to camp out."

The professor responds, "Thank you all so much for coming, it was nice to see you again."

Brenda nods. "It was good to see you too Professor."

Galileo says, "And it was my pleasure to meet you three."

Ash says, "No, the pleasure was ours. It's a great honor to meet the Tenno Champion."

Galileo laughs. "You know, no matter how many people call me that, I'll never get used to it." He stops and thinks for a moment. "Oh, and Ash."

"Yes."

"Before, when I told you that we would battle someday, I said it more to be polite than anything else. I get many people saying that their goal is to battle me, but then they never make it. But then I saw your determination when fighting Team Rocket. That took a special something, something that now makes me believe that we will meet in battle, and I look forward to that time."

Ash smiles. "Wow, thank you Galileo. I'm looking forward to it too."

Professor Pine turns to Brenda. "Oh, and Brenda, I thought you might like to know that there's a Pokémon Contest being held in Orbitz City."

Brenda looks excited. "Really!?" She turns to Brock. "Where's that?"

Brock checks the Pokéssistant. "It's really close by. We can make very soon."

Brenda smiles. "That's great, I'm looking forward to it."

Pine smiles as well. "I'm glad I could help."

Brenda says, "Alright, it's getting late, let's get going."

Ash and Brock nod. They wave to Professor Pine and Galileo and leave.

After what was supposed to be a calm evening of stargazing, Ash and friends sure have had an exciting night. Even more so, Ash now has not one, but two battles to look forward to. If you're looking forward to them as well, stay tuned!

To Be Continued…