Episode 118: Fall's Well that Ends Well

Today, Ash, Brock, and Brenda find themselves in the bottom of a rugged canyon. Ash is training with Curemodo, while Brock cooks lunch and Brenda stares at her egg. Today we find our heroes on a break from their trek through the rough terrain. With Ash being Ash, that means it's time for some more training.

Ash announces, "Okay Curemodo, it's time we figure out what that move you almost used the other day was. Do exactly what you did before!"

"Modo!" Curemodo focuses itself, and then begins to draw in a purple-blue energy from the surroundings, causing its body to glow.

Brenda looks up from her egg. "Wow, it's working!"

Brock comments, "That looks like a powerful move."

But, before Curemodo can complete its charging, a voice from above is heard shouting, "Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeel!"

Ash and Curemodo look up to see a body of a Pokémon hurtling down towards them. Thinking fast, both of them leap backwards in time to avoid the falling Pokémon, interrupting Curemodo's attack in the process.

The Pokémon impacts the ground with a heavy thud, kicking up dust and creating a small impact crater.

Brenda leaps up. "No way! Did that Pokémon just fall from the sky!? Is it okay!?"

As if to answer her, the dust clears, revealing the Pokémon, standing healthily on four legs and proudly proclaiming, "Gon!"

The Pokémon resembles a Shelgon in basic body structure and stance. The biggest difference is that instead of smooth and white, its shell is brown and rocky in texture. Glowing veins of red crisscross around the shell. Also, the back end of the shell extends outwards into long cone-like tail.

Brenda exclaims, "No way! How isn't it hurt!?"

Brock grins. "That's not just any Shelgon, that's a Tennoan Shelgon."

This encourages Ash to take out his Pokédex. "Tennoan Shelgon, huh?"

"Shelgon, Tennoan Form, the Endurance Pokémon, and Dragon and Rock-"

A voice suddenly shouts, "Wait! No! Stop that Pokédex!"

Ash quickly shuts off the Pokédex. "Huh? What?" Then something hits him. "Wait a second, I know that voice!" He turns around to see Iris running towards him.

Iris' eyes widen. "Ash!? Is that you!?"

"Yeah! What are you doing in Tenno, Iris?"

Iris stops just short of Ash, and Axew pops out from her hair. It happily cheers, "Axewew!"

Pikachu waves to it happily, "Pika-chu!"

Iris explains, "Drayden invited me to Tenno for a special event. He said it was something that an aspiring Dragon Master couldn't miss. Right now, I'm on my way to the next port to take a boat there."

Ash says excitedly, "That's great!"

Iris looks around and notices Curemodo for the first time. She gets extremely excited. "Oh my gosh, is that a Curemodo!?" She looks to Ash. "Did you catch a Curemodo!?"

Ash grins proudly. "Yup, I caught it when it was just a Heala, and it recently evolved."

Iris rushes over to Curemodo and gives it an unexpected bearhug. "Wow, you're such an awesome dragon Pokémon!"

Curemodo isn't entirely sure what to make of this but goes with it.

At this point, Brock and Brenda have walked over. Ash says, "Guys, this is Iris. She traveled with me back in the Unova Region. She wants to be a Dragon Master."

Brenda says, "Wow, you come from Unova? I've always wanted to go there."

Ash says to Iris, "This is Brock and Brenda. Brock's a Pokémon doctor-in-training who's been traveling on and off with me since the beginning, and Brenda is a Pokémon coordinator from here in Tenno."

Iris grins at them. "So nice to meet you."

Brock nods. "Likewise."

Brenda asks again, "So how did Shelgon fall like that and not get hurt?"

Iris smiles. "It's Shelgon's specialty. That hard shell will protect it from any fall."

Ash decides to get a close up look at the Pokémon and says excitedly, "Wow, that's such a cool Pokémon! That fall had to have been at least a hundred feet!" He pokes and prods at the shell, to Shelgon's minor annoyance.

Iris laughs. "Still such a kid."

Ash crosses his arms and replies with resentment, "There's nothing wrong with getting excited over seeing a new Pokémon." Looking to change the subject, he asks, "So why didn't you want me using the Pokédex?"

Iris sighs. "Right, that." She looks to Shelgon. "Shelgon, that last jump you did was great. How about you climb back up and try again. This time I'll watch from down here."

Shelgon excitedly shouts, "Shel!" It grabs ahold of the rock wall and begins to climb straight up the cliff face. "Okay, now try using your Pokédex."

Ash reactivates the Pokédex. "Shelgon, Tennoan Form, the Endurance Pokémon, and a Dragon and Rock Combo-Type. Tennoan Shelgon is the result of Bagon in Tenno falling from too tall a height too often. In order to protect itself from these falls, it has developed an even harder rocky shell. This heavy shell will stop it from ever being able to fly. Evolves from Bagon at level 30 and into Fallamence at level 50."

Brock says, "Don't tell me it doesn't know yet…"

Brenda asks, "Know what?"

Iris hangs her head and sighs. "No, it doesn't know…"

Brock explains, "For a Bagon, there is nothing they want more than to be able to fly. Bagon dream of nothing but flying. In an attempt to fly, they develop a habit of jumping off of cliffs and other tall objects. In Tenno, that leads to what the Pokédex described."

Brenda thinks about this. "So you're saying that Bagon, and Shelgon too, want nothing more than to fly, but a Bagon evolving into a Tennoan Shelgon means it will never fly?"

Iris nods somberly. "Unfortunately. I met Shelgon when it was a Bagon soon after I first arrived in Tenno. But dumb me, I didn't know that Bagon evolve any differently in Tenno, so I encouraged its dream to fly, and helped it in any way I could. The moment it evolved into Tennoan Shelgon, I did my research and I was horrified. Everything I told it about it being able to fly one day, if it only kept on trying, was a lie. In fact, it will never be able to fly. I couldn't bring myself to tell it the truth." Her voice begins to waver. "If I had only known that Bagon in the Tenno region were different, I could have warned it. I could have got it used to the idea of not flying. But now I've just encouraged an impossible dream. All because of my inexperience… Some Dragon Master I am…" Tears have started to streak her face.

Ash steps forward. "Hey, come on now. Don't be like that."

Iris looks up at him. "But I've ruined its life. What am I supposed to do?"

With his typical can-do attitude, Ash proclaims, "We're going to the do the only thing we can do. We're going to make sure that Shelgon can fly."

Iris wipes her nose on one of her oversized sleeves. "But that's not possible…"

Ash grins reassuringly. "Maybe it won't be able to fly on its own, but we're going to give it a flight experience so incredible, that it won't need to fly on its own. Then that will be the perfect opportunity to tell Shelgon the truth."

Iris grins through her tears. "Kid-like optimism. That's Ash for you."

Team Rocket is watching from behind a nearby boulder. Jessie says, "So, not only is the Dragon Twerpette back, but she's packing a rare and powerful Tennoan Form Pokémon."

James states, "If the Tennoan version of Salamence is half as strong as some of the Salamence we've seen, it's a Pokémon we have to have for The Boss."

Meowth agrees, "Who cares if it can't fly? All we need is raw power."

Jessie looks to Meowth. "I assume you have a plan?"

Meowth grins. "Oh, you better believe I have a plan."

Before anything further can be said, a whistling is heard. James asks, "Hey, does anyone else hear that?"

Meowth nods. "Yeah, it almost sounds like…"

Jessie concludes, "Something falling…" As she says that, all three look up to see Shelgon plummeting right at them. They are left with no time to react.

Meowth is able to say, "Well, this is going to hurt."

Then Shelgon strikes, sending Team Rocket flying up and shouting in confusion, "We're blasting off so soon!?"

While Shelgon is busy climbing up another rock wall, Ash, Brock, Brenda, and Iris have gathered to discuss their plan. Brenda comments, "You know, Shelgon sure does seem to love climbing and falling."

Iris nods. "It might just be the only thing it likes close to as much as flying."

Ash asks, "So Iris, do you still have Dragonite?"

Iris chuckles. "Of course, I still have Dragonite." She tosses a Pokéball. "Come on out, Dragonite!"

Iris' Dragonite appears and roars. It immediately hones in on Curemodo and marches over to it, giving it a stink eye. It grumbles in challenge.

Curemodo eyes it back and gives a stern warning, "Modo." The two stand like that with eyes locked for several moments.

Ash laughs. "Well, I guess Dragonite hasn't changed."

Brenda says, "I think it's kind of sweet. It's a rivalry at first sight."

Neither Dragonite nor Curemodo seem to appreciate being called sweet, so they back off after taking one last glance at each other.

Ash continues, "Okay, we have Dragonite, that's good." He looks to Brenda. "And Brenda, we could also use Glitterfly's help."

Brenda nods. "Sure thing." She sends out Glitterfly.

"Gliterererererfly!"

Ash nods. "And last but not least, here's Eagladiator." He tosses a Pokéball.

"Eaglllllllladiator!"

"These Pokémon are going to help Shelgon fly."

Brock points out, "I hate to break it to you Ash, but I don't think other Pokémon giving Shelgon a ride is going to cut it. I'm sure Shelgon would thoroughly enjoy it, but it's no substitute for flying under its own power."

Ash nods. "I know that, which is why I have a different plan. This is going to be much more than just a ride on the back of a flying Pokémon. You see, we're going to find a way to have Eagladiator, Dragonite, and Glitterfly create an updraft that will lift Shelgon. That way it will feel to Shelgon like it's flying by itself."

Brock looks skeptical. "I don't know if that's going to work. Remember that Shelgon's weight is the entire reason it can't fly in the first place."

Iris declares, "I'm willing to try anything. We have to find a way to let Shelgon fly!"

That's when a voice asks, "Willing to try anything, are you?"

Another voice adds, "Then we have the perfect solution to your problem."

Ash and the other turn towards the voice to see Jessie and James in disguise. They're dressed in old fashioned aviator gear, complete with brown leather jackets and caps with goggles.

Iris asks skeptically, "Are you saying you have a way to make Shelgon think it's flying?"

James corrects, "Not just think it can fly, but actually fly."

Jessie explains, "Our specialty is teaching the traditionally flightless Pokémon how to fly."

Brock crosses his arms skeptically. "You can teach any Pokémon how to fly? How is that even possible?"

James laughs. "I see we have ourselves another doubter. Many before you have doubted us, and many after you will as well. But you know what? All those doubters go away as soon as we show them the proof."

Jesse announces loud and clear, "Behold, the amazing flying Wobbuffet!"

Everyone looks up expectantly, but nothing happens.

Jessie looks upset. She shouts again, even louder, "I said, behold, the amazing flying Wobbuffet!"

After a moments delay, Wobbuffet suddenly comes flying into view, superhero-style.

Brenda says with disbelief, "No way, that Wobbuffet really is flying!"

Wobbuffet shouts excitedly, "Wobbuffet!" It flies around in circles several times, then does a loop-de-loop.

What no one can see that an extremely thin but strong line is tied around Wobbuffet's waist, and that line is in turn tied to Team Rocket's balloon, which hovers just out of sight. On the balloon, Meowth fiddles quickly with several controls as he pilots Wobbuffet's "flight." He chuckles and says to himself, "I love reaching new heights."

Back on the ground, they watch as Wobbuffet flies out of sight. James announces, "And now that you've seen it for yourself, you know that our unique four-step S.O.A.R. program to flight is nothing but legitimate! So, what do you say?"

Brock doesn't look convinced. "It's physically impossible for a Wobbuffet to fly. What is it you're pulling?"

Jessie shakes her head. "Nothing but your Pokémon into the clouds! We guarantee that's where your Shelgon will end up!"

Iris announces, "We'll do it! Anything to get Shelgon flying!"

James grins. "You've made a great decision! You won't regret this!"

Then the telling whistle of Shelgon's descent is heard again. Jessie and James slowly look up as they see Shelgon plummeting towards them once more. They both gulp just before the Pokémon impacts. As they're sent towards the sky, they shout, "We're not supposed to be the ones doing the flying!"

As they vanish from sight, Iris ponders, "You know, there's something awfully familiar about them…"

Who's that Pokémon!?

Its tail is shaped like a fish. It uses the tail to attract prey, then swallows the prey whole with its large, gaping mouth. This Pokémon swims by wiggling its slender body like a snake.

Jessie and James stand in front of Iris and Shelgon. Jessie says, "Hey, before we begin, I've got an idea. How about all you other twer- I mean fine young people, participate in the program with a Pokémon of yours, too? We'll do it for no extra charge."

Brenda cheers, "Yeah, that sounds great!"

Ash asks, "What do you say, Pikachu, want to learn to fly?"

"Pika!"

Iris questions, "Wait, you're charging us for this?"

Brock comments, "I still don't trust this, but I suppose I should try to find out what you're doing first-hand."

So Brenda sends out Kappaqueous and Brock choses Meteorfight.

James explains, "Okay, as I said earlier, our approach to teaching flight is known as the S.O.A.R. program. It's a four-step program that teaches any Pokémon how to fly, regardless of weight or body shape. We'll go through each of these steps one-by-one. The S in S.O.A.R., the first step, stands for serenity. In order to fly, a Pokémon must first enter a state of absolute serenity. In order to achieve that serenity, your Pokémon must know what its happy place is. What is it doing or where is it when it is most calm and happy?"

Ash is the first to volunteer the info. "That's an easy one. Pikachu is happiest when it's battling, right Pikachu?"

Pikachu agrees, "Chu!"

After some thought, Brenda says, "I'm pretty sure Kappaqueous is happiest while swimming freely. It's not that often we go to a body of water large enough for it to swim at top speeds in."

"Kappapapa."

Brock looks Meteorfight in the eyes. "Okay Meteorfight, tell the truth. Your true joy in life is to reign me in when I see a girl, isn't it?"

Meteorfight reluctantly admits, "Meteor…"

Brock nods. "That's what I thought."

Iris stares at Shelgon. "What are you most happy doing? I can't say flying, because you can't do that." She quickly adds, "Yet. You can't do that yet."

Brenda suggests, "You know, it seems pretty passionate about falling. It always looks so excited as it falls, and so happy after a successful fall."

Iris nods as she contemplates this. "Yeah, you know what, I think you might be right. Shelgon is always happiest while it's falling. What do you say, Shelgon? Is falling where you find serenity?"

Shelgon thinks for a moment, then affirms, "Shelgon."

Jessie cheers, "Very good! Now that we have identified each of your Pokémon's happy places, all your Pokémon have to do is think of the feelings they get when in those places. That's how they'll find the serenity necessary to fly."

James announces, "And just like that, you've mastered the first of the four steps to flight!"

The Pokémon all cheer, especially Shelgon. "Shell!"

Axew even cheers from in Iris' hair. "Axew ew ew!"

Iris asks, "What's the next step?"

Jessie explains, "Next up in S.O.A.R. is the O. O stands for overlook."

Brenda questions, "Overlook? As in we have to ignore something?"

James shakes his head. "No, that's the simple definition. When we say overlook, we mean the flight definition. We mean looking at the ground from high above. Looking from over. Overlook."

Brock scratches his chin skeptically. "I feel like you're just making stuff up to fit your acronym now…"

Jessie asks, "So long as it works, what if we are?"

Brock groans. "Okay, I'll keep playing along."

Ash asks, "So what do we need to do to complete the overlook portion?"

James grins. "I'm so glad you asked. A key to flight is being able to envision what the world will look like as you fly over it. For that, your Pokémon need firsthand experience. We need to get them up in the air."

Iris asks, "Wait, isn't that the entire point of doing this stuff in the first place? To get them in the air? Are you telling me they need to be able to fly to learn how to fly?"

Jessie laughs. "You underestimate us. We're not that dumb. No, for this stage, simply riding with something else flying will be more than enough."

Ash says, "Alright then, I guess that the Pokémon we were planning to use before should be enough then."

Brock comments, "I guess that means Meteorfight and I are out. I don't have any Pokémon that can fly.

James laughs. "Oh, don't you worry about that. We've got you covered."

Brock sighs. "I get the feeling this isn't going to go over well…"

It's Huntail!

Shelgon sits happily atop Dragonite's back as Dragonite soars above the canyon. It joyously shouts, "Shelgon gon! Shelgon!"

Then Eagladiator, carrying Pikachu on its back, cuts them off as Eagladiator performs a skillful midair summersault. Pikachu looks back and playfully taunts, "Pika pi pik!"

Dragonite grumbles with annoyance, taking this taunt personally and prepares to execute some maneuvers of its own. It suddenly jolts to the left as it performs a barrel roll.

Eagladiator notices it and does a barrel roll of its own. "Eaglllllladiator!"

Shelgon only grows more excited. "Shel shelgon!"

Meanwhile, Glitterfly slowly flutters by, carrying Kappaquarius by its arms. They're not going as fast, or making as dynamic movements, but both still seem to be enjoying themselves.

Then, from out of nowhere, Jessie's Buzzsaw flies in, carrying Meteorfight beneath it. They seem to be having major issues due to Meteorfight's weight. They're traveling uncontrollably fast in an erratic flight path. They just barely avoid hitting a rock formation but end up slamming right into a cliff wall.

"Buzz zzz zzzz…"

"Meteor…"

Perhaps against Meteorfight's wishes, Buzzsaw gets right back to flying and tries again.

Back on the ground, Iris smiles as she watches Shelgon having so much fun with Dragonite, Pikachu, and Eagladiator. She says, "It looks so happy up there. The sky really is where it was meant to be." She hangs her head. "I hope this works…"

Axew attempts to comfort her. "Axew ew."

James announces, "Okay, I do believe your Pokémon now have the image of the world beneath burned into their minds. While they're still up in the air, it's time for the third step."

Ash asks excitedly, "And what's that?"

Jessie answers, "A stands for acceleration. We need your Pokémon to go as fast as possible so that it can know what acceleration feels like. It needs to remember that feeling in order to fly on its own."

Brock questions, "Wait, aren't they supposed to be imaging how they feel in their happy place? How are they supposed to do that while also imagining how it feels to accelerate?"

James snips, "Use your imagination!"

Iris says, "I'm not going to question it." She shouts up, "Hey Dragonite, I need you to fly as fast as you can!"

Dragonite smiles, happy to have an excuse to show off more of its flight abilities.

It takes off at tremendous speeds, as Shelgon clings on with all its might. Despite this, Shelgon is still having a blast.

Ash shouts, "Same goes for the rest of you!"

Eagladiator didn't even wait for permission. It picks up its speed and races by Dragonite and Shelgon. Pikachu taunts them again.

This only further annoys Dragonite, causing it too to pick up speed. The two flying pairs become neck and neck as Dragonite and Eagladiator race to show who is faster.

Meanwhile, Glitterfly attempts to pick up speed, but it hardly makes any difference. And Buzzsaw and Meteorfight only get into more trouble, near crashes, and actual crashes.

Watching this, James comments, "Well… maybe they can use their imaginations…"

Jessie announces, "And that should do it. Call your Pokémon back, it's time for the final stage in our training."

And so, the Pokémon all brought back down. Eagladiator, Dragonite, Glitterfly, and Buzzsaw are all recalled to their Pokéballs.

James announces, "It's time for the moment you've all been waiting for. It's time for us to reveal the final step of our four-step program! Without any further ado, the R in S.O.A.R. stands for…" he pauses for dramatic effect, "Rocket!"

Ash, Brock, Brenda, and Iris all question, "Rocket…?"

Jessie declares, "Yes, like this." She whips out a rocket attached to some straps and in one fluid motion straps it on to Shelgon. The moment it's attached, the rocket activates, hurling Shelgon into the sky. Despite the surprise, Shelgon shouts happily.

Iris, on the other hand, isn't so thrilled. She demands, "Hey, what are you doing!?"

Jessie cackles and announces, "What a twerpish question indeed!"

James adds, "We'll answer these questions when we feel the need!"

Iris gasps. "No, not you!"

Jessie shouts, "Bringing the blinding white light of evil into the future!"

James continues, "Thrusting the hammer of justice down onto the black darkness of the universe!"

Meowth leaps down from above to add, "Carving our names in the rock of eternity!"

Jessie casts aside her disguise to reveal her uniform. "The fiery destroyer, Jessie!"

James joins her, "And with thunderous emotion, I am James!"

Meowth dances in between them. "Wisest of the wise, Meowth!"

The three of them shout together, "And now, gather under the name of Team Rocket!"

Iris shouts, "Team Rocket! I can't believe you're here! And you're trying to steal Shelgon!"

Jessie says mockingly, "Well, duh."

James suddenly realizes something. "Hey, wait a second. Meowth, weren't you supposed to be in charge of retrieving the rocketing Shelgon?"

Meowth responds, "Maybe, but there was no way I was missing my part in one of the rare times we do a motto where I have more than one line. Don't sweat it though, I left the task to Wobbuffet."

Jessie demands in anger, "You did what!?"

They all look up to see the balloon straight above them, and Shelgon rocketing up towards it. Wobbuffet sits in the basket, holding a bug-catching net. But rather than paying attention, it's relaxing against the wall of the basket. As Shelgon rockets past it shouting, "Shelgooooon!" excitedly, Wobbuffet suddenly leaps up, realizing its mistake.

"Wobbuffet?"

Jessie demands, "Why in the world would you leave such an important task to Wobbuffet!?"

Meowth shouts back, "Why in the world would you expect me to miss my mark in a motto!? It's unspeakable!"

James shouts, "This is exactly why we don't give you extra lines anymore!"

"Well maybe if you did give me more lines, I wouldn't feel the need to take them when I get them!"

While they continue to squabble, Iris looks up towards Shelgon with distress.

Brock says, "This isn't good. With nothing to stop Shelgon, who knows how high it will go? If that rocket can achieve escape velocity, there's no way Shelgon will ever make it back down."

Ash points out, "And with how much Shelgon is loving this, it's not going to try to stop it itself."

Iris runs forward a few steps, cups her hands around her mouth, and shouts, "Shelgon! You have to listen to me! You have to detach the rocket and jump down!"

Shelgon looks down to her, but then decides to look right back up, not wanting its flight to stop.

A tear falls from Iris' eye as she shouts, "Shelgon! I wasn't telling you the truth! You weren't meant to fly! It's just not possible! I know I promised you, but I just didn't know at the time! I'm so sorry! You have to come down now, or you won't survive! You have to fall! Remember how much you love falling!?"

Shelgon's eyes widen as it hears her say that. "Shel…?"

It flashes back to the time it first met Iris. She was getting off a boat somewhere in Tenno when the Pokémon, still as a Bagon, leaps down from a building above, unintentionally crashing into her. They both laugh about it. After they had met, Iris holds Bagon up to eye level with her and says, "Wow, you really want to fly. Okay then, I promise you that I'll do everything I can make it happen. We'll evolve you into a Salamence, and you're going to soar!"

With Iris training it, Bagon begins to jump from taller and taller heights. Going as far as to leap off one of the tallest skyscrapers in Kanaveral City. After landing from that last fall, Iris shouts, "Wow! That was great! You'll be a natural flier!" Bagon immediately begins to evolve after that into Shelgon. Upon seeing its unusual form, Iris looks panicked, but forces a smile and says, "Now you're one step closer to flying…"

And so the falling continues, with Iris there for every one, always ready to encourage and reassure Shelgon. At one point she says to it, "Shelgon, I want you to know something. Even if you never learn how to fly, I'll always be there for you. I mean it." Shelgon, not even considering the possibility of not being able to fly, doesn't seem to think too deeply about what she said.

Then Shelgon remembers what Iris said only shortly before, "Shelgon is always happiest while it's falling. What do you say, Shelgon? Is falling where you find serenity?"

Shelgon opens its eyes, with tears falling from them as the flashbacks end. Shelgon takes a good look around. It's come so high up, that the curvature of the Earth is now visible. It won't be long before it escapes Earth entirely. It takes in the breathtaking sight which only a flying Pokémon could see. "Shelgon…" It looks forward contemplatively, as if considering to not listen to Iris, and to simply fly on forever, regardless of what happens to it.

But then it hears Iris' words in its head once more. "Even if you never learn how to fly, I'll always be there for you." Shelgon looks back down towards the ground. It's too high up to be able to make anything out, but this helps it to make up its mind.

It shouts with determination, "Shelgon!" With that, it rips the rocket right off its back, then reorients itself to have its head pointing straight down. As the momentum from the rocket quickly dies out, Shelgon begins to fall. It tucks its legs into a more aerodynamic stance, allowing itself to further pick up speed. After a few moments, a cloud of fire bursts out around it as it's heated by the reentry. The Pokémon now looks like a meteor falling to Earth. It shouts, "Shelgon!"

Then it begins to glow. Not red from the heat of reentry, but the white glow of evolution. It quickly grows several times its size and changes in shape. It roars proudly as the light bursts off of it. The Pokémon now vaguely resembles Salamence, but is mostly different. The rocky shell it had as Shelgon still covers the entirety of its body. The glowing red veins across it are even more prominent now. The back end of the body has extended outwards into a long tail that tapers into the shell. This tail further accentuates the meteor-like appearance of the Pokémon. It has no neck, and instead its pointed head pokes out from the front of the shell. Its legs, which are still folded in, look thicker and more muscular than Salamence's. The Pokémon does have wings, but only stubby ones that appear more like fixed fins on the top of its back.

Back on the ground, Iris looks up to sky, where Shelgon had disappeared from sight. Tears pour from her eyes. "That's it. I failed Shelgon…"

Ash tries to console her, "You did everything you could for it."

Iris shakes her head. "No, if I just never lied to it in the first place, it wouldn't have gotten its hopes up, it would have been willing to come down. We could have avoided this altogether. Now Shelgon is gone, and it's all because I was too afraid to tell the truth…" She looks down and sobs into her hands. "I'm such a kid…"

Then Brenda points up to the sky and shouts excitedly, "Look! Up in the sky!"

Everyone looks up to see a tremendous fireball falling towards them. From this angle, there really is no telling the difference between it and a meteor. Iris shouts, "It must be Shelgon! It decided to jump!"

Ash chuckles and points forward, "And look where it's about to land."

He's pointing at Team Rocket, who are still bickering. Jessie shouts at Meowth, "It doesn't matter that you like Persim Berries the best! We're having Figgy Berries tonight!" Somehow, the argument has gone completely off-topic.

James shouts, "Wait a second, Figgy Berries! We're supposed to be doing Mago Berries!"

Before another word can be spoken, the flaming, falling Pokémon first pierces the balloon, and then crashes down on them once more, this time sending them, as well as Wobbuffet, flying further and faster than before. They all shout in absolute shock, "What!? Blasting off again!?"

Iris, followed by the others, runs to the massive crater created. She shouts, "Shelgon!? Are you okay!?"

The smoke clears, revealing the new Pokémon. It roars loudly.

Ash says, "It's like a Salamence, but it's not…" He pulls out his Pokédex again.

"Fallamence, the Meteor Pokémon, and a Dragon and Rock Combo-Type. Having accepted that it will never be able to fly, Fallamence has realized that its true passion is falling. Using its over-developed legs, it will climb anything it can to jump off from a height. Evolves from Tennoan Shelgon at level 50."

Iris shouts, "You evolved! That's amazing!" She runs in to give it a hug, but immediately regrets doing so, as the Pokémon is still scorching hot from its fall. She leaps back. "Okay, I'll just hug you later."

Fallamence laughs at her.

Iris hangs her head in shame. "Does that mean you forgive me? For lying to you and leading you on towards a goal you would never achieve?"

Fallamence affectionately nudges its head at Iris.

Iris leaps back upon being burnt again but laughs about it this time. "I don't deserve your forgiveness, but thank you. Thank you so much."

Brock steps forward. "I think that Fallamence thinks it should be the one thanking you. In your help of training it to fly, regardless of what you told it, it learned of its true passion. I'm willing to bet that Fallamence realizes now that it's happier falling than it ever would be flying."

Iris looks to it. "Is that true, Fallamence?"

It nods emphatically.

"Wow! This is amazing! I'm so happy for you, Fallamence!" Fallamence roars proudly to echo her sentiment.

Ash asks, "So Iris, now that you don't need to teach Fallamence how to fly, what are you going to do now?"

"I really should be leaving soon if I want to catch my boat in time."

Ash smiles at her. "So I guess that means we part ways now?"

Iris suddenly gets an idea. "Unless you guys want to come with me! It would be fun! I'm sure Drayden wouldn't mind me bringing you."

Ash excitedly agrees, "That would be awesome! I bet whatever this Dragon Master event is, it's going to be cool!"

Brenda says, "I guess we'll travel together then! Sounds fun!"

Brock agrees, "I'm very interested in the event you spoke of."

There's nothing quite like reuniting with an old friend. And when you can help that old friend out, it's all the better. Today our heroes learned a valuable lesson about how never giving up on your goals can lead to something better than you could have imagined. And now with Iris joining our heroes, things are bound to be interesting as the journey continues!

To Be Continued…