Episode 25: Dashilisk to the Finish

Ash, Brock, and Brenda have arrived at a meadow. There are several trees on its edge, and a lake in its center. Flowing into the lake is a river. Ash looks around and says, "This is it. This is the perfect place to train with my new strategy!"

Having been hit by inspiration during Brenda's recent Contest victory, Ash has now found the perfect place to train for his upcoming gym match at Atmos City. Now for the question on everyone's mind: what could this strategy possibly be?

Ash has walked over to the base of a tree, and is observing it. He pulls out his Pokéballs and lets Turcell and Apprentichick out. Turcell looks at Ash curiously and asks, "Tur?"

Apprentichick displays its readiness for whatever lies ahead by declaring, "Apprenttttttttichick!"

Pikachu hops off of Ash's shoulders and joins the other two. Brenda asks, "So Ash, what is this marvelous strategy you can't stop raving about?"

Ash responds with a question, "Do remember during your battle with Michelle, when her Poliwhirl was immobilized in the air, and you had Rabbolt use Bounce on it?"

The scene plays out. Brenda commands of Rabbolt, "Shockwave now!" Rabbolt fires its electrical attack. Michelle's Poliwhirl is unable to dodge, and is sent flying upwards. "Now Bounce up and knock it to the ground!" Rabbolt jumps, putting it right above Poliwhirl.

Michelle smiles. "Thanks for that Brenda. Water Gun, now!" Poliwhirl uses Water Gun, causing it to fly backwards, which makes Rabbolt completely miss its target and crash on the ground. "Now, Body Slam and Water Gun!" Poliwhirl use Water Gun upwards, and propels itself down towards Rabbolt and slams into it.

Back in the present, Brenda nods. "Yeah, she used that game we used to play as a way to get the upper hand."

Ash nods. "Now, do you remember how Skyler beat me?"

Now another scene plays out. Ash is in his skydiving battle with Skyler. Skyler commands, "Orbitross, climb into the sky and use Aerial Ace!" Orbitross flaps its wings, causing it to quickly ascend, and then moves into a diving position. The decreased drag of its position causes it to fall fast as it goes into its attack.

Ash shouts, "Pikachu, hit it with Iron Tail as it comes at you!"

Pikachu attempts to swing its tail upwards, but lacks the maneuverability to do so, and Orbitross' attack is much too fast. It makes contact. Pikachu's body goes limp as it feints.

Back in the present, Brock answers, "Skyler used the diving to his advantage to gain momentum to add power to his Aerial Ace attack."

Ash nods again. "Right. So my problem was that my Pokémon couldn't maneuver properly in the air. If I adapt Michelle's strategy, not only could my Pokémon actually manage to dodge Skyler's attacks, but we could launch a counterattack as well."

Brenda exclaims, "That's a great idea Ash! I'm glad I could help inspire you."

Ash looks over his Pokémon and says, "Alright, Apprentichick, since you can already fly, you don't necessarily need to learn this strategy, but I'd like to at least try to implement it using your Gust. That might just give you the edge you need after what happened last time."

It cheers, "Aprenttttttttichick!"

Next Ash looks to Turcell. "Your Ember attack should work great with this. Combo it with a Rapid Spin, and I think we have a winner."

Turcell nods. "Tur cell."

Finally, Ash looks to Pikachu. "This will be hardest for you Pikachu. Your Electro Ball might work, but I know that that attack will be awkward for you to use. I have another plan for something you can do as well though."

Pikachu affirms, "Pika."

"Alright then, let's do this!"

Who's that Pokémon!?

The fin on this Pokémon's head acts as highly sensitive radar. Using this fin to sense movements of water and air, this Pokémon can determine what is taking place around it without using its eyes.

Turcell is standing on the top of a limb protruding from a tree. Ash points to the nearby lake and says, "Alright, try jumping off the tree, and using Ember to propel yourself into the lake. If you don't think you're going to make it, use Withdraw to make sure you don't get hurt." Turcell nods in understanding. "Alright, let's try it out."

Turcell turns around, so that it is facing away from the lake. It leaps backwards. The moment it leaves the tree, it begins to use Ember. "Turrrr cell!" The recoil of the attack propels Turcell towards the lake. It manages to make some distance, but it's falling too quickly. Just in time, Turcell withdraws into its shell and avoids getting hurt. It has landed about halfway to the lake.

As Turcell comes out of its shell, Ash congratulates, "Good job Turcell! You almost made it on your first try!"

Turcell smiles. "Cell!"

Ash looks to Apprentichick. "Alright, let's try this again. Could you carry Turcell back up?"

Apprentichick nods. "Apprenti." It jumps off its perch and grabs Turcell. It then flies it up to the same limb as before.

Ash exclaims, "Alright, again!"

Turcell jumps again. This time it manages to begin its attack just a little bit sooner, and uses the attack just a little bit stronger. This combination allows it move just a little bit further. It protects itself again with another Withdraw.

Ash says, "Good, we've just got to keep on trying! Do it again!" They reset again.

As Ash and Turcell continue their training, a curious head pokes up through the surface of the lake. It's some sort of Pokémon. It tilts its head in curiosity. "Dash?" It watches as Turcell tries again. Upon seeing this, it leaps up out of the water and runs excitedly towards Ash. The Pokémon is a bipedal lizard that's about as tall as Ash's shoulders. It is primarily dark and light blue in color, with some patches of black as well. It has a crest on both its head and back. Its feet are large and flat. It has a long tail that trails behind it. When it runs, it has goofy gait, in which it swings its legs in outwards circles as it takes steps forward. Before Turcell and Apprentichick can reset, it makes it up to them.

Ash jumps back in surprise. "Whoa, who are you!?"

The Pokémon jumps up and down happily, cheering, "Dashilisk!" It then looks up to the tree and runs towards it. Once at its base, it quickly climbs up it, and makes it to the branch.

Brock observes, "It looks like it wants to give your strategy a try."

It cheers once more, "Dashilisk!" before it leaps of the tree. Once it does, it releases a stream of steaming hot water backwards, causing it to propel forward. On its first try it makes it all the way to the lake. It lands in the lake with a splash.

Brenda says with awe, "Wow, it did it on its first try!"

The Pokémon then peeks its head over the water again. Ash, Brock, and Brenda clap for it. The Pokémon excitedly leaps up out of the water. It lands on the shore, but then runs back to the water. Instead of sinking into it, the Pokémon actually begins to run across the lake's surface.

Ash exclaims, "Wow! That Pokémon is running across the water!" He pulls out his Pokédex.

"Dashilisk, the Water Walking Pokémon and a Water-Type. Dashilisk combine their agility and body adaptations with special body movements, which allows them to run across water, a trait unique to this Pokémon. They are normally shy Pokémon, making them rare to be seen by humans. Does not evolve."

Brock laughs. "Well this one doesn't seem to be shy at all."

Brenda comments, "It's an oddball, that's for sure."

Dashilisk runs from the water back up to the group. Brock pulls a can of Pokémon food out of his bag and takes out a handful. He offers it to Dashilisk. "Here, want some food?"

Dashilisk happily grabs it from Brock's hands and eat it. After finishing the food it begins to dance around happily again. "Dash! Dash! Dash! Dashilisk!"

Ash laughs. "It doesn't take much to get that Pokémon happy." Ash then looks to Dashilisk and asks, "So, what are you doing here?"

Dashilisk then points to the tree. "Dashilisk!" Without warning, it then climbs the tree again, and immediately leaps off again, propelling itself again with its water attack, back into the lake.

Brenda says, "Something tells me it's just looking for a good time."

Brock asks it, "Is that it Dashilisk, are just looking for some fun?"

Dashilisk nods. "Dashi." It seems to suddenly have an idea. It points in the direction of the river and seems to beckon them forward. It excitedly declares, "Dashi dash dash!"

Ash says, "I think it wants us to follow it." Brock and Brenda nod. Ash looks back to his Pokémon. "What do you guys think, want to take a break from training to see what Dashilisk wants to show us?" The Pokémon all nod. Pikachu hops back onto Ash's shoulders, Ash, Brock, and Brenda turn to follow Dashilisk, and Turcell and Apprentichick follow them.

It's Mudkip!

The group has followed Dashilisk down the river. Dashilisk is currently running back and forth across the river as it leads them forward. Dashilisk seems excited. "Dash dash!" It points forward excitedly.

Everyone looks forward to see another lake connected to the river up ahead. Brock observes, "It looks like that's where Dashilisk is leading us."

They walk up to the shores of the lake. Dashilisk calls out, "Dashi! Dashilisk!"

Throughout the lake, heads poke out of the water. They're other Dashilisk. Brenda says, "Wow, look at all those Dashilisk."

Upon hearing Brenda's voice, most of the heads are startled, and retreat back under the water. One head pokes further up. This Dashilisk appears much bigger than the first. It swims over towards the shore and gets out. The first Dashilisk excitedly exclaims, "Dashi dash dashilisk!" and then dances a couple of steps.

The big Dashilisk scolds, "Dash! Dashilisk dash!" It seems displeased. It points to Ash and friends and continues, "Dashilisk, dash dash!"

The first Dashilisk lowers its head. "Dashi…"

Brenda asks, "What's going on?"

Brock responds, "If I had to guess, this is the Dashilisk's home, and they don't like outsiders. That one must be the lead Dashilisk, and it's not happy that our Dashilisk brought us here."

The first Dashilisk suddenly props its head back up with renewed excitement. It points to Ash and friends excitedly, and then to a nearby tree. "Dashi dash!" It then runs over to the tree and climbs it. Once up, it then leaps off and propels itself towards the lake. This causes a few Dashilisk to peek back out of the water in curiosity. Dashilisk emerges from the water and takes a pose as if to say "Ta da!"

The big Dashilisk walks over to it and continues to scold, "Dashilisk dash!" The first Dashilisk then hangs its head in shame again. The big Dashilisk turns around to all the Dashilisk peeking over the surface and lectures, "Dashi dash, dashilisk!" They all lower their heads back under the water.

Ash seems upset by this. He runs out in between the two Dashilisk. He shouts, "Hey, what are you thinking!?" He beckons to the first Dashilisk. "Dashilisk here only wants to have some fun and share it with you! Why would you scold it like that!?" The first Dashilisk looks up with hope at Ash.

The second Dashilisk looks at Ash angrily. "Dashilisk!" It attacks Ash with a Water Gun.

Ash shakes it off and begins to shout, "Hey, that wasn't-"

Brock cuts him off saying, "Ash, this isn't your place to decide what's right and wrong. Don't make things any worse."

Ash stops what he was saying and turns around angrily. He keeps on walking past Brock and Brenda, who quickly turn to follow him as well. The first Dashilisk looks towards the lake, and then towards Ash. It runs after Ash. "Dashilisk!"

The big Dashilisk turns around steps back towards the water. Before it walks in, it says to itself, "Dashi," as if to say "Good riddance."

From up above, in their balloon, Team Rocket looks down. Meowth says, "Wow, will you look at all those Dashilisk."

James says excitedly, "There must be at least a hundred of them in that lake."

Jessie is leaning back against the opposite side of the basket. She shrugs. "I don't see what the big deal is."

Meowth explains, "Jessie, those are Dashilisk."

Once again, she shrugs. "Never heard of them."

James says, "Exactly, you've never heard of them because they're rare Pokémon. They normally hide away from just about anything, making them hard to find."

Jessie seems slightly more interested. "So when you say they're rare, you also mean that they're…"

Meowth finishes for her, "Yes, they're also valuable. We could a boatload of cash for them."

Jessie is standing up and looking down at the lake as well now. "Alright. Why didn't you just say that in the first place? What's the plan?"

Meowth smiles. "I'm glad you asked."

Ash kicks a rock in frustration. Turcell and Apprentichick have been returned to their Pokéballs. He complains, "It's just not fair the way they treated that Dashilisk. It just wanted to have a good time. Why'd they have to be so mean?"

Brenda tries to calm him, "Ash, that's the way their group works. We can't just go in there and say what they do is wrong. Remember what the Pokédex said? They're shy Pokémon normally."

Ash nods. "I know, it's just annoying to think about."

A noise is heard behind them. Everyone turns around to see the Dashilisk from before following them. Upon being spotted, it smiles and waves. "Dashilisk!"

Ash smiles. "Oh, did you decide that you didn't like it there?"

Dashilisk suddenly frowns and hangs its head. Brock nudges Ash and whispers, "Ash, that lake is still Dashilisk's home. It may not have fit in, but that doesn't mean it didn't want to be there."

Ash nods. "Sorry Dashilisk, I didn't mean it like that." Dashilisk instantly perks up and dances around a little bit.

Brenda comments, "Wow Ash, that Dashilisk really seems to like you."

Ash nods. "Yeah, it does. Hey Dashilisk, is it normally like that at the lake? Do you normally stick out like that?"

Dashilisk nods. "Dash…"

"So you just don't fit in. That's too bad." Ash suddenly has an idea. "Hey Dashilisk! I have an idea! Why don't you come with me? I bet with your skill that you demonstrated before, you could be a big help on my team, and I'm sure that there would always be fun stuff for you to do. You'd never have to worry about not fitting in again."

Dashilisk grins from ear to ear. It begins to dance, happier and more energetic than ever, chanting, "Dash, dash, dashilisk! Dash, dash, dashilisk! Dash, dash, dashilisk!" It grabs Ash by the hands and begins to swing him around, forcing him and Pikachu into the dance.

Ash laughs. "So I can take that as a yes, right?" Dashilisk nods excitedly. "Alright then." Ash pulls out an empty Pokéball.

Just as he's about to use it, a cry is heard from the distance, "Dashilisk!"

Brenda looks off towards the cry and asks, "What was that!?"

Brock shouts, "I think that those Dashilisk from before are calling for help!"

Dashilisk exclaims, "Dashi!"

Ash responds, "Don't worry Dashilisk, we'll help them." Everyone runs off towards the cry.

Ash and everyone else have made it back to the lake. On the right side of the lake, is a massive mechanical Krakannon. On its front is the Team Rocket R. Dashilisk exclaims with shock, "Dash!"

All around the lake, Dashilisk are running for cover. Many attempt to run away by running across the river, but the robotic Krakannon just whips out its tentacles towards them, grabs them, and pulls them back in. Once it has captured a Dashilisk, they are dropped into a holding tank attached to its back. Once all the runners have been gathered up, the mech then shoots a cannon ball from its mouth, making a giant splash in the water. This startles many more Dashilisk, all of which attempt to run across the lake for cover. They too are caught.

Brenda exclaims, "This is awful!"

Ash says with frustration, "This has Team Rocket written all over it."

To respond to the statement, the top of the head opens, revealing Team Rocket sitting in a control center. Jessie declares, "Prepare for trouble, you actually have it right!"

James continues, "Make it double, you seem to have some sight!"

"To protect the world from devastation!"

"To unite all people within our nation!"

"To denounce the evils of truth and love!"

"To extend our reach to the stars above!"

"Jessie!"

"James!"

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

"Surrender now or prepare to fight!"

Meowth chimes in, "Meowth, that's right!"

Now Wobbuffet and Mime Jr. appear. "Wobbuffet!"

"Mime mime!"

Brenda shouts, "You'd better let all of those Dashilisk go!"

Jessie demands, "Or what!? These Dashilisk are a gold mine, and we plan to fully exploit them! They're ours now!"

Pikachu leaps off of Ash's shoulders and lands in front of him. Ash says, "We have to stop them Pikachu! Use Thunderbolt!"

James laughs. "Why don't you show them our special adaptation Meowth?"

Meowth smiles and presses a button. "It would be my pleasure." Once the button is pressed, one tentacle stretches out towards Pikachu's attack, and another goes into the water. The Thunderbolt hits the first tentacle, is then conducted through it and into the body, and then out the other tentacle. The entire lake is now electrocuted by Pikachu's attack. Many Dashilisk leap out of the water, startled by the electricity, and make a run for it. Team Rocket gather them up.

Ash grunts. "Electric attacks won't work, let's try Iron Tail!"

"Chuuu pika!" Pikachu attempts to slice through a tentacle with Iron Tail, but another tentacle grabs it and throws it back.

Brock and Brenda throw a Pokéball each, Brock letting out Meteorfight, and Brenda Rabbolt. Brock says, "Meteorfight, use Comet Punch!

Brenda shouts, "Rabbolt, Bounce!"

Both Pokémon go in at the same time to attack, but both are deflected by tentacles as well.

Meowth says, "Keep all the attacks you want coming, we have more than enough tentacles to deflect them all!"

Brenda cries, "Oh no, how are we going to stop them!?"

Dashilisk looks to Ash, Brock, and Brenda, then to the lake, where more Dashilisk are being captured, and then finally to Team Rocket's mech. It suddenly realizes what it has to do and gives a determined, "Dashi!" It leaps in to action and uses its speed to run.

Ash asks in surprise, "Dashilisk, where are you going!?"

Brock says, "Seeing all of its friends get captured must have scared it, it's running away."

But instead of running out of sight, Dashilisk climbs a nearby tree. Once at the top, it leaps off and propels itself forward with its water attack.

Brenda exclaims, "That's the trick you aught it earlier Ash!"

Once it has propelled itself away from the tree, it manages to turn itself around, and then brandishes its claws, which begin to glow green. With the burst of speed from its leap, combined with the surprise attack, it manages to avoid all of the tentacles. Once it makes it to the body of the machine, it claws at it a few times before pushing off it with its legs, and using its water attack to propel itself away again. Once it lands out of range of the mech, it declares, "Dashi dash, dashilisk dash dash!"

A head pokes out from the water. It's the big Dashilisk from before. A few other heads poke out as well. The big one suddenly declares, "Dashi dash!"

The original Dashilisk then climbs the tree again, and propels itself forward one more. While Team Rocket is distracted by it, many Dashilisk leap out of the water. They each climb up a tree and perform a variant of what Dashilisk just did. They all propel themselves towards Team Rocket, for a powered up attack.

Jessie demands, "What's going on here!? Why aren't we deflecting them!?"

Meowth says with panic, "The first one was a surprise attack, and now there's too many of them! I'm doing everything I can, but it's not enough!"

Many Dashilisk use various attack with their claws, teeth, and tails to sever each of the tentacles. The other ones focus on attacking the containment pod. After this barrage, the pod begins to crack. All of the tentacles have now been removed.

James exclaims, "Oh no, without those tentacles we're a sitting Ducklett!"

Then the pod shatters, and all of the Dashilisk scatter. Jessie cries, "And there goes all of our profit!"

The original Dashilisk lands next to Ash after delivering the final blow. Ash asks, "Would you like to help Pikachu and I finish this off?" Dashilisk nods excitedly. It then turns to face Team Rocket and attacks with a torrent of steaming water. Ash then adds, "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt!"

"Pikaaaaaaa chuuuuuuuuu!" Pikachu's Thunderbolt is conducted by Dashilisk's attack. The two combined attack hit Team Rocket's control center, causing it to explode.

Team Rocket flies into the air, shouting, "It looks like Team Rocket's blasting off again!"

Ash cheers, "Yeah, we did it!"

Dashilisk begins to dance around happily in circles. "Dashi dashi dashilisk!"

Brenda points forward. "Hey, look at it!" All around the lake clearing, Dashilisk are celebrating. Some are imitating the original Dashilisk in its dance, while others are actually climbing trees and propelling themselves happily into the lake.

Brock smiles and says, "It looks like they've all learned how to have a little fun."

The big Dashilisk walks over to Dashilisk. It says in an apologetic tone, "Dash dashi."

Dashilisk just smiles, proclaims, "Dashi dashilisk!" and then pulls the big Dashilisk into a dance. After a moment of reluctance, the big Dashilisk gives in and begins to dance as well. After the dance is over, the big Dashilisk turns around to return to the water.

Ash bends down to look at Dashilisk and says, "Well Dashilisk, it seems like you're today's hero." He looks around. "I'll bet now that you've shown these guys how to have fun, you'll want to stay here. I understand if you don't want to join me." Ash stands back up and turns around. Brock and Brenda follow.

Dashilisk at first didn't seem to listen, as it continued to dance as Ash spoke, but now it realizes that Ash is leaving, it stops in confusion. It runs after Ash calling, "Dashi dash dash!"

Ash stops and turns around. "What is it Dashilisk?"

Dashilisk points at Ash. "Dash dash!"

Brenda laughs. "I think you've made a friend Ash."

"Brock adds, "Yeah, I think it wants to come with you anyways."

Ash looks to Dashilisk. "Is that true Dashilisk? Do you still want to travel with us?"

Dashilisk nods. "Dashilisk!"

Ash smiles. "Alright then!" He pulls out a Pokéball and taps it against Dashilisk's head. The Pokéball pulls it in and begins to wiggle in Ash's hand. After a few wiggles, the ball clicks. Ash and Pikachu leap up as Ash exclaims, "Yeah, I just caught a Dashilisk!"

Pikachu adds, "Pik pikachu!"

Brock then laughs, "I can already tell, that Pokémon is going to be a tough one handle." Everyone laughs.

With a new and fun-loving addition to his team, Ash's adventure ahead of him is looking bright. One thing's certain, this is bound to add a whole lot of excitement to our heroes' travels, as the journey continues.

To Be Continued…