Yay! I updated! I had MAJOR writers' block for this story. =-=
But anyway, the new chapter is here! It was going to be longer, but I think the plan I had will work better with the next chapter.
Enjoy~!
-xxGlassRose :)
~Dawn's Diary, Chapter Four~
Today, Ash lost his Gym Battle against Roark. But that's not how things started.
We were hanging around the Pokémon Center, and Ash was trying to figure out which of his Pokémon would be best for the battle. He chose Turtwig because it's a Grass type, Aipom for her Focus Punch, and Pikachu for his Iron Tail. That made Staravia pretty upset, and Brock said that was because it really likes battles.
When we were calming down Staravia, Paul came over. He said if Ash wanted to win the battle, Ash should just do what he did. Ash got mad and told Paul that he'd never treat his Pokémon the way Paul did. I was seriously hoping I wouldn't have to break up another fight.
Then a little boy came over and thanked Paul for an Azumarill. I guess I forgot to talk much about Paul's battle itself yesterday. He used Elekid, Chimchar and Azumarill, but Azumarill lost real easy and he was mad at it. I was surprised that he gave it away.
Ash was more than surprised. He was infuriated. He gave the friendship talk again, and Paul said that Azumarill wasn't going to get any better. In a way, I was happy he gave Azumarill away. It would probably be much happier with an upbeat kid than it would be if it stayed with its Trainer. So I thought it wasn't so bad.
Ash vowed never to lose to Paul again. In a way, I was right behind him. But I still had this sinking feeling that Ash hadn't lost to Paul for the last time.
As Paul left the center, I sighed, accepting the fact that there are just different types of Trainers. No training regime is perfect; in fact, if you pulled some things out of Ash's and some things out of Paul's, you probably could find the perfect one. I have to keep that in mind for my own training. But I still couldn't help wondering what Elekid and Chimchar think of Paul.
When the battle started, Paul was there. I was happy he came, and so was Ash, I guess, since he said he'd show Paul some "real battling."
Roark sent out Cranidos first. I was pretty surprised, since Cranidos was last in Paul's battle. Ash sent out Aipom first and started off with a Focus Punch while Aipom was spinning in the air. But Cranidos did a Headbutt, slamming Aipom in the stomach. When they fell to the ground, Cranidos used Flamethrower but Aipom dodged with Double Team. Aipon and Cranidos collided, using Focus Punch and Zen Headbutt. But Aipom flew into Ash's arms and was unable to battle.
Next, Pikachu was up, but appeared to be losing after some powerful attacks from Cranidos. And because of that, Paul stood up to leave. I was a bit frustrated. He was not leaving Ash's battle! He would stay!
He did stay, even though I'm not exactly sure what made him decide to.
After a Head Smash attack, Ash took back Pikachu and sent out Turtwig. Its Razor Leaf attack was swallowed up by a Flamethrower. After more sparring, Turtwig won with a Razor Leaf attack.
Next Roark sent out Onix. Onix knocked Turtwig out right away with a Double Edge. Ash was forced to use Pikachu again. They struck Onix with a good Quick Attack, but Onix used Screech to send Pikachu flying straight for some rocks, knocking him out.
I'm not sure where Paul went afterward, but I know good and well that we haven't seen the last of him.
Brock swiftly shut the book. He was supposed to have been cooking dinner, but had gotten distracted! Ash and Dawn would be back with that firewood any minute now.
"Well, I guess that's just the price I pay!" said Brock as he scrambled to put together a stew.