Episode 120: Use of Dragon Force
Ash, Brock, Brenda, Iris, Ryu, and the various Dragon trainers look up in shock towards the massive robotic Florges that just crashed through the walls of the Dragon's Roost castle.
The amplified voices of Jessie and James shout, "Guess who!"
Only moments after Ryu's devastating defeat at the hands of Dragon Master Holloman, a giant mech which could belong to no one else but Team Rocket has crashed the party. What's their plan this time?
Iris shouts, "Team Rocket!? You've got a lot of gall showing up here in that dreadful thing!"
Jessie and James rise to the top of the robot. Jessie announces, "Prepare for trouble, from the Fairy-Type!"
James continues, "Make it double, with Dragons, it has a gripe!"
"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 stars above!"
"Jessie!"
"James!"
"Team Rocket slays dragons at the speed of light!"
"Surrender the treasure or prepare to fight!"
"Meowth, that's right!"
"Wobbuffet!"
"Mime mime!"
Drayden steps forward. "I will take none of this foolishness! Haxorus, use Dragon Pulse!"
Drayden's Haxorus steps forward and attacks with a purple orb of energy.
Jessie and James quickly lower back into the cockpit and watch as the Dragon Pulse harmlessly bounces off the hull of the robot.
Meowth laughs. "You didn't think this Florges design was just for show, did you?"
Jessie explains, "In addition to its natural beauty, this thing has all the strengths of a real Fairy-Type!"
James concludes, "So in short, your Dragon-Types are worthless! Now hand them all over to us!"
Ash steps forward and shouts, "That's never going to happen, Team Rocket!" He realizes, "If that thing has the strength of Fairy-Types, it must also have their weaknesses! Curemodo, you're up!"
Curemodo steps forward. "Modo!"
"Use Cross Poison!" Curemodo leaps forward and slashes his claws through the metal skin of the mech, leaving behind a glowing purple X.
This forces the mech to stagger backwards, but doesn't seem to do any significant damage.
Ash shouts, "Keep it up!"
Curemodo leaps in for another go, but Team Rocket expects it this time and the mech smacks Curemodo away.
Curemodo skids across the ground, but manages to regain control. It looks up to Team Rocket and hisses in defiance, "Modo! Curemodo cuuuuuuuure!"
Meowth translates, "It says that this is a sacred place for Dragon-Type Pokémon, and we're defiling it. We need to stop right now."
Jessie bursts out laughing. "We love Curemodo, but that's not going to happen."
Curemodo shakes its head in disapproval and leaps at them once more. As before, the Florges raises an arm to deflect it, but out of nowhere, Kommo-o leaps in and grabs the arm, restraining it. This allows Curemodo to land another hit with Cross Poison.
Curemodo looks to Kommo-o and questions, "Modo?"
Kommo-o returns a cocky grin. "Kommo." Kommo-o still appears beat up from its previous battle, but it's still strong.
Ash looks to Ryu questioningly. Ryu shrugs. "Don't look to me. I guess Kommo-o didn't want Curemodo hogging the glory."
Ash grins. "That's the bond of a real rivalry." He looks back to the mech and realizes there's a X-shaped scratch on the hull now. "Curemodo, we're doing it! Keep up the attacks!"
Team Rocket has managed to fling Kommo-o off their arm. But Kommo-o quickly recovers and runs in alongside Curemodo. First Curemodo leaps up to attack the same spot. Team Rocket attempts to deflect it again, but Kommo-o uses a powerful Brick Break to knock the incoming arm away. Curemodo's attack lands, shearing through the armor. As Curemodo's attack ends, Kommo-o goes in to deliver its Brick Break, further buckling the damaged hull and revealing the inner components of the mech.
James goes wide-eyed. "Oh no, this isn't good…"
Jessie agrees, "I've got a bad feeling about this…"
Meowth gulps, "Please don't say that…"
Ash shouts, "Okay Curemodo, let's show them your Dragon Force! Aim for the hole in the armor!"
Dragon Master Holloman, who has been silently observing, raises a brow in interest at hearing Ash call his move. "Dragon Force? Interesting…"
As Curemodo begins to charge, Kommo-o steps up next to as Ryu orders, "Punish them for invading this sacred ground! Dragon Force!" Kommo-o also begins to charge Dragon Force.
Curemodo is charged first, and is just about fire its beam, when the energy around it suddenly fizzles out. "Modo!?"
Holloman takes note of this too.
Ash encourages, "Again Curemodo! You can do it!"
Curemodo quickly charges again. Moments later, as Kommo-o fires off its perfect Dragon Force, Curemodo also manages to unleash a somewhat awkward version of the attack. The two beams of dragon energy hurtle at Team Rocket's mech, impacting it right in the weak spot. A second later, and the entire mech explodes, sending Team Rocket crashing through the roof above.
As they fly upwards, Meowth says somberly, "Well… I think it's time we admit that our little Heala isn't so little anymore."
James sobs, "They grow up so fast!"
Jessie announces with pride, "And you know what, it's only because of our special training that Curemodo has made it this far. We should be proud of ourselves."
All together they shout, "Looks like Team Rocket's blasting off with pride!" Then they disappear.
Ash runs over to Curemodo and hugs it. "That was a great job, Curemodo! I knew you could do it!" He looks to Kommo-o. "You too, Kommo-o, we couldn't have done it without you."
Kommo-o crosses it arms. "Kommo."
Holloman steps forward. "So, your Curemodo is trying to learn how to use Dragon Force."
Ash nods. "Yeah, we were trying to work on long-distance attacks, and that's what it came up with."
Holloman strokes his chin. "Fascinating. It is highly unusual for a Curemodo to be able to use Dragon Force without special tutoring. For you and Curemodo to have figured it out mostly on your own is something special."
Ash chuckles. "Well, Curemodo certainly is a special Pokémon."
Holloman nods. "Indeed." He thinks for a moment, then says, "Iris, I have decided on what your trial should be."
Iris jumps forward excitedly. "Really? What is it?"
"I want to you to battle with Ash and Curemodo. That way I can see both what you can do, and what they can do."
Ash grins, "That sounds like fun, right Iris?"
Iris nods. "It sure does, I'd love to battle you again."
"Axew ew!"
Holloman nods. "Then it's decided. It is getting late, and I think everyone could use a little rest after all that excitement. Please, spend the night, and we will reconvene tomorrow."
Who's that Pokémon!?
This ancient Pokémon used headbutts skillfully. Its brain was really small, so some theories suggest that its stupidity led to its extinction.
That night, Ash, Brock, Brenda, and Iris have been given beds in a chamber and are all asleep. On Ash's nightstand, one of his Pokéballs begins to shake. Moments later, Curemodo lets itself out. It looks around, careful to make sure it didn't wake anyone up, then quietly steps out of the room.
It makes its way to the main battle chamber, and once there immediately prepares for something. It begins to charge energy for a Dragon Force. However, like its earlier attempt, the energy quickly fizzles out. "Modo…"
Curemodo thinks back to Kommo-o. First how it used Dragon Force in its battle with Dragapult, and then how it used it against Team Rocket. With renewed vigor, Curemodo tries again. This time it manages a full charge, but just as its about fire beam, the energy quickly dissipates again.
Curemodo clenches its fists in determination and tries again, only to fail again.
Then laughter is heard. Curemodo pivots around to see Kommo-o chuckling arrogantly at it.
Curemodo gives it a stern look in return. "Curemodo." Curemodo turns back around and decides to ignore Kommo-o. It tries again to use Dragon Force, only to fail again.
Before it gets another chance to try, Kommo-o steps forward and announces, "Kommo-o-o-o," and beckons to itself, as if to tell Curemodo to watch it. Kommo-o then begins to gather energy itself and shortly after fires off a flawless Dragon Force.
Curemodo is taken aback. "Modo?"
Kommo-o beckons at Curemodo encouragingly. "Kommo."
Curemodo grins and nods. "Cure." It tries again to gather energy.
Kommo-o beckons for its attention, then raises its arms to its side, in the same stance it takes to charge for Dragon Force.
Curemodo nods in understanding and puts its arms in the same position. It's apparent that the energy charging has become more efficient in this stance.
Then Kommo-o thrusts its arms forward, straight out.
Curemodo attempts the same, but once more its energy fizzles out.
Then someone says, "That was a good try, but your form is still off."
Curemodo and Kommo-o look around to see Holloman approaching them. Curemodo asks, "Modo?"
Holloman steps up to the Pokémon and explains, "You have your elbows straight out like this." He demonstrates. "But to properly channel dragonic energy, it would be easier if you had them at an angle like this." He lowers his elbows slightly and raises his fists.
Curemodo nods in understanding. It then tries again, following the advice of both Kommo-o and Holloman. This time it manages to create a minor beam. Nothing significant, but a start. It excitedly exclaims, "Modo!"
Kommo-o crosses its arms and nods. "Kommo-o-o."
Holloman grins. "You really are something else, even for a Dragon-Type." He turns around to leave. On his way out, he passes by Ash, who's still dressed in his sleepwear. Holloman pauses momentarily to say, "You should be proud of your Curemodo." He stops and ponders. "It reminds me much of my Charizard, back when we were younger. Even though it wasn't a Dragon-Type, it would go to any lengths possible to master any dragonic technique it could. This eventually culminated in us obtaining the power to Mega Evolve, as well as creating the Ultimate Dragonic Technique. It almost makes me nostalgic to see your Curemodo like this."
Ash grins at him and assures, "Trust me, I'm more than proud of it."
Holloman wordlessly nods, then continues on his way out.
Ash walks closer to Curemodo to say, "Wow Curemodo, you really want to master Dragon Force, don't you?"
Curemodo turns around in surprise to see Ash, who it hadn't previously noted.
"That last one was pretty good. You're making great progress."
Curemodo looks slightly embarrassed. "Modo…"
Ash looks to Kommo-o. "And thank you for helping. I guess you really want your rival to be strong as possible, don't you?"
Kommo-o's head turns away.
Ash chuckles. "I know you're too tough to admit it, but I know it's true. Thank you." Ash walks up to Curemodo and strokes its back. "You know Curemodo, you've come a long way since we first met. You remember, back then you would startle at the faintest movements. You loved to battle, but you just couldn't bring yourself to actually participate in one."
Curemodo chuckles. "Curemodo."
"But I knew you had great potential, that's why we decided to work together. And look at you now. You've evolved and become one of my strongest Pokémon. You can still be a little skittish sometimes, but you've overcome your anxiety almost entirely. In fact, you've grown so much that even a world-renowned Dragon Master is impressed by you. That's massive! And with Dragon Force in your arsenal, you're going to become an even more incredible battler. It's your dream, and you're going to achieve it."
Curemodo looks to Ash, a single tear forming in its eye. "Curemodo…."
Ash grins back at it. "I mean every word."
Then someone says firmly, "There you are."
Ash looks over to see Ryu enter the chamber. Kommo-o immediately gets up and runs over to him.
Ryu demands, "Where were you?"
Kommo-o looks uncertain of how to respond.
Ash takes note of the fact that Ryu is still wearing his day clothes. "So, couldn't sleep after the match, could you?"
Ryu crosses his arms. "None of your business."
Ash says, "Look, I was thinking about what you told me after our last battle."
Ryu raises a brow. "How so?"
"You told me about how our goals are completely different from one another, and that's why it was a mistake to challenge you to a battle of dragons. Maybe battling you at your own game was a mistake. But I don't think our two goals are all that different. In the end, we both want to get stronger. We both want to be the best we can. Isn't that all that matters?"
Ryu asks, "Is there a point to this?"
Ash nods. "Yeah. My point is that even with different goals, our paths can be similar. I know you're trying really hard not to show it right now, but I can tell how hard that loss affected you. It was the same back when you lost to Galileo."
Ryu neither confirms nor denies this. He just stands watching Ash, waiting for him to continue.
Ash sighs. "Look, like I said, our paths are similar. Think about all the times I've lost to you in battle. Not once have I let those losses get to me. They don't make me a failure as a trainer. You yourself told me that I shouldn't hold that last loss against myself because it was mismatch, me battling you using your rules. Even though that's true, couldn't the same be said about your match against Holloman? Isn't battling the world's greatest Dragon Master, someone who literally outranks Champions, a mismatch? Take your own advice. Don't let the loss get to you. And then there's my advice. Do what I did after our last battle. Don't let the loss get to you, let it teach you. Let it inspire you to close the gap so that it's not a mismatch anymore."
Ryu glares at Ash silently for several moments. Finally he comments, "If there is one thing I would say about you, other than you're annoying, it's that you hold many surprises." Without another word, he turns to walk away. Kommo-o takes one last glance at Curemodo, then follows.
Ash looks to Curemodo. "Alright then Curemodo. What do you say to some more training?"
Curemodo excitedly agrees, "Modo!"
It's Rampardos!
It's the next morning, and everyone has gathered once more in the battlefield chamber. This time Ash and Iris have taken up positions. Holloman watches from alcove up above.
Once again, Drayden is serving as referee. He announces, "This will be a one-on-one-"
Ash interrupts him to ask, "Sorry, but hey Iris, what do you say to making this a three-on-three match? Make things a little more interesting."
Iris looks up towards Holloman. "It's okay with me if it's okay with the Master."
Holloman nods. "Go ahead."
Drayden then nods. "In that case, this battle will be a three-on-three match, standard rules. Select your first Pokémon."
Ash looks to Pikachu. "Alright buddy, I know you've been dying to battle Iris."
"Chu pika!" Pikachu leaps from Ash's shoulders and onto the field.
Iris says to herself, "Alright, if Ash is starting with Pikachu, then we're going to have to start off with the right Pokémon. I was hoping to focus on my Dragon-Types, but I can't leave anything to chance." She produces a Pokéball. "Let's go, Excadrill!"
Ryu, who's at the sidelines with everyone else, crosses his arms disapprovingly. "And there's another Pokémon that isn't a Dragon-Type on her team…"
Ash grins. "Alright, a fight against Excadrill. Let's do this! Pikachu, use Iron Tail!
Pikachu leaps at Excadrill head-on.
"Excadrill, use Metal Claw!"
"Chu, pika!"
"Driiiiill!"
The two metallic attacks clash. Pikachu attempts to leverage its position overtop Excadrill to its advantage, but Excadrill wins out in brute strength and knocks Pikachu away.
Iris quickly follows up, "Now use Drill Run!" Excadrill leaps at the downed Pikachu, and folds itself into a drill. "Excadriiiiiill!" It flies at Pikachu to attack.
Ash thinks fast. "Pikachu, knock it upwards with Iron Tail!"
Pikachu gets off the ground and uses Iron Tail again. "Chu, pika!" Pikachu performs a mid-air flip, slamming its tail up into the incoming drill Pokémon. This forces Excadrill to change its direction and it flies upwards towards the roof.
Iris shouts, "Excadrill, you've got to regain control!"
Excadrill unfolds itself but is unable to guide it trajectory.
Ash smiles as he gets an idea. "Okay Pikachu, now use Quick Attack to get up above it!"
"Pik, pik, pik, pik!" Pikachu uses Quick Attack to gain speed, then jumps at a wall, rebounds off it, and flies up above Excadrill, who has just started to fall again.
"And now another Iron Tail, this time downwards!"
Iris orders, "Block it with Metal Claw again!"
Excadrill manages to parry Pikachu's attack, but it doesn't matter. This time it has no leverage and is knocked quickly towards the ground.
Just before it hits the ground, Iris shouts, "Dig!"
Excadrill manages to fold back up and drill into the ground just as it makes impact.
Brock nods approvingly. "That's clever. Excadrill will still take damage from impacting the ground so hard, but digging into it softened the blow."
Brenda comments, "Iris definitely knows what she's doing."
Pikachu lands on the ground and looks around cautiously. Despite its caution, it's taken unaware when Excadrill bursts out from beneath it, drilling. "Pika!"
Iris cheers, "Yeah! Now use Focus Blast!"
Excadrill, still in midair, reorients itself and hurls an orb of orange energy upwards at the tumbling Pikachu. "Excadriiiiiiill!"
Ash shouts, "You've got to regain control, Pikachu!"
Try as it might, Pikachu isn't able to stop its tumbling and the Focus Blast hits its mark, exploding on impact. "Pikaaaaa!" Pikachu slams down on the ground below.
Iris grins. "Alright, Excadrill! Keep it up and use Dig again!"
Ash quickly declares, "Pikachu, we can't let it go underground again! Let's show Iris something she hasn't seen before! Electroweb!"
"Chu pikaaaaa chu!" Pikachu hurls an orb electricity from its tail, which explodes into a web of electricity.
Iris gasps. "What's this!?"
The web lands and spreads out directly beneath Excadrill, right where it was planning on digging. Excadrill drills right into the web. It being a Ground-Type may mean that it takes no damage from Electroweb, but the web still catches it and bounces it back up.
Ash pushes on, "Now Pikachu, let's give it all we got! One more Iron Tail!" Pikachu leaps at Excadrill, who has been sent tumbling upwards, and delivers a decisive Iron Tail.
"Chu, pika!" Excadrill is sent plummeting back down, slamming down right next to the web. It's too much for Excadrill.
Drayden raises an arm and announces, "Excadrill is unable to battle!"
As Iris recalls Excadrill, she chuckles with amusement. "I suppose it shouldn't come as a surprise that you had some new tricks up your sleeve."
Ash chuckles too. "We're full of them!"
Iris pulls out her next Pokéball. "In that case, how about we show you a surprise of our own? Go, Gabite!"
A Gabite appears. "Gaaaabite!"
Now Ash is amused. "A Gabite, that is a surprise!"
Iris explains, "I caught it as a Gible in the Johto Region while I was on an adventure with Clair."
Clair comments to Lance, "That Gible chose to adventure with Iris, rather than stay in the Dragon Holy Land. She really left an impression on it."
Brock takes a close look over Gabite and comments, "First Excadrill, and now Gabite. Both Ground-Types. Iris is really focusing on making sure she can beat Pikachu."
Brenda asks, "Can you blame her?"
Iris shouts, "Okay Gabite, use Dual Chop!" Gabite leaps in at Pikachu, the fin-like protrusions on its arms glowing green.
Ash counters, "Quick Attack!"
Pikachu takes off with great speed to dodge the attack, runs around behind Gabite, then rams into it.
Iris orders, "Back up and use Sand Tomb!" Gabite recovers quickly, pivots around, then slams an arm into the ground. This causes a burst of sand to erupt up around Pikachu. The sand quickly turns into a swirling vortex, trapping the Pokémon.
Ash instinctually orders, "Get out of there, Pikachu!"
Pikachu attempts to leap out, but hitting the wall of the sand vortex is like hitting a physical wall. Pikachu is knocked down.
Iris cheers, "Now we got them! Try Dual Chop again!"
Gabite leaps at the sand storm and is able to pass right through it. Pikachu has no room to dodge as Gabite delivers to powerful chops. "Ga bite bite!"
"Pikaaaaaa!" Combined with the damage Pikachu took from the previous battle, it's too much, and Pikachu falls.
The Sand Tomb vanishes and Drayden declares, "Pikachu is unable to battle!"
Brock comments, "Locking Pikachu out of its Electric moves was a good call. Ash was battling with one hand tied behind his back, and that's why Iris managed to pull this one off."
As Ash collects Pikachu from the field, he compliments, "That was great, Iris. Gabite's a really awesome Pokémon."
Iris laughs. "Such a kid. Send out your next Pokémon, and I'll show you what Gabite can really do."
Ash accepts the challenge. "Alright then." He throws a Pokéball. "Arborrior, I chose you!"
"Arbooooorrior!" Arborrior punches the air several times to warm itself up.
Ash wastes no more time. "Arborrior, show them your Wood Hammer!"
"Borriooooor!" Arborrior lunges forward, covering one of its arms in a tree stump made of green energy. It prepares to bring the hammer down on its opponent.
Iris counters, "Block it with Rock Slide!"
Gabite summons an avalanche of boulders that come cascading down in front of it, forcing Arborrior to hammer into them instead. The rocks shatter away, but this gives Gabite the time it needs to leap back and avoid the attack altogether.
Iris thrusts a fist into the air she excitedly shouts, "Now, Dual Chop!" Gabite lunges at Arborrior.
Ash shouts with matching energy, "Match them blow-for-blow with Fire Punch!" Arborrior leaps forward as well.
The two Pokémon trade blows, each one smacking the other simultaneously. Then, when Gabite goes in for its second hit, Arborrior quickly covers its other fist in fire and punches back. The two attacks collide. Both Pokémon jump backwards to recover.
Ash follows up quickly, "Razor Leaf!" Arborrior sends leaves from its head flying at Gabite.
Iris quickly counters, "Dragon Breath!" Gabite exhales a stream of blue energy. The Dragon Breath burns through the Razor Leaves and continues on towards Arborrior.
Arborrior leaps up to dodge without having to be told. Ash, agreeing with this move, commands, "Wood Hammer, from above!" Arborrior directs its downward descent towards Gabite, preparing another hammer around its arm.
Iris orders, "Dodge it!" Gabite leaps to the left.
Ash is prepared for this. "Razor Leaf, to its left!" Still coming down with Wood Hammer, Arborrior also attacks again with Razor Leaf, just Gabite's left, forcing the Pokémon to leap back to the right. This puts it exactly where Ash wants it.
Iris realizes this and shouts, "You have to dodge to the other side!" But it's too late, Arborrior hammers down on Gabite and Gabite is hurled many feet back.
"Biiiiiiite!"
Iris encourages, "Come on, Gabite! Get back up and use Sand Tomb!" Like before, Gabite strikes the ground, causing a sandstorm to erupt out of the ground and surround Arborrior.
Ash orders, "We won't stay trapped this time! Break out with Wood Hammer!"
"Borrior!" Arborrior strikes the wall of sand before it, but the hammer just bounces harmlessly off.
"Okay Gabite, now Dual Chop!" Just as it did for Pikachu, Gabite prepares to pass straight through the sand vortex and strike Arborrior while it's trapped.
As Gabite passes through, Ash gets an idea. "Use Low Sweep, before it gets the chance to attack!"
The moment Gabite emerges from the sand, Arborrior sweeps its leg across the ground, tripping Gabite and causing it to lose its balance.
Ash presses forward, "Now force it into the sand!"
Iris realizes Ash's plan and shouts, "Gabite, don't let it get too close! Use Dragon Breath!"
Even as Gabite tumbles backwards, unable to catch its balance, it attacks with Dragon Breath. And despite the attack, Arborrior takes the brunt of it as it pushes forward, forcing Gabite into the sand. Since it's not controlling its passage through the sand, it causes damage to the Pokémon. Both Pokémon get grabbed by the force of the swirling sand vortex, both receiving constant damage from it before they're spit back out. And when they are, both Pokémon lie unconscious on the floor.
Drayden raises both arms to declare, "Both Arborrior and Gabite are unable to battle! It's a double knock-out!"
Ash smiles as he recalls Arborrior. It's clear he's having a lot of fun. "Alright, Iris. This has been great, but I guess now it's time for the main event."
Iris nods. "I've been looking forward to this. Let's see how you raise a Dragon-Type Pokémon."
Ash throws his next Pokéball. "Curemodo, I choose you!"
"Mooooodoooo!"
Iris selects and throws her Pokéball. "Okay Fallamence, let's do this!"
"Faaaaaaall!"
Brenda says excitedly, "Oh boy, I've been wanting to see Fallamence battle for real."
Dragon Master Holloman leans in closely, as if to better observe the battle. Ryu also can't help but show some interest now.
Getting perhaps too excited, Ash orders, "Let's start this off right! Dragon Force!"
Curemodo gathers energy just like Kommo-o taught it to.
Holloman raises a brow, intrigued by the difference in form Curemodo is showing from the previous day.
Iris orders, "Don't let it charge fully! Interrupt them with Rock Climb!"
The claws on Fallamence's grow and glow white as the Pokémon raises its forelegs into the air, then slams them down into the ground. A massive pillar of stone juts out from the ground beneath Curemodo, carrying the Pokémon upwards. This immediately interrupts Curemodo's focus, causing it to fail to complete its energy charge.
Fallamence then rushes forward, running at an incredible pace. The moment it hits the stone pillar, it transitions seamlessly to climbing the sheer cliff with little added effort.
Ash orders, "Venoshock!"
Curemodo spits a surge of purple venom down towards the incoming Fallamence, but before it can hit, Fallamence is able to maneuver around the column to the other side. It then makes it to the top and slams its head into Curemodo, knocking the Pokémon down to plummet to the ground below.
Iris follows up, "Now use Head Smash!" Without any thought, Fallamence leaps off the pillar, tucks its legs in, and extends its wing-fins. The Pokémon divebombs head-first towards the downed Curemodo. As it falls, it becomes cloaked in a harsh blue light. "Faaaaaaaaaaall!"
Ash urges, "Curemodo, you have to get up and out of the way!"
Curemodo gets up and attempts to leap to the side, but it's just not as agile as it was when it was a Heala, and is unable to move quickly enough to entirely avoid the attack.
Brock winces. "That one has got to hurt."
Brenda asks, "It's got to hurt Fallamence too, doesn't it?"
Brock shakes his head and explains, "Usually a move like Head Smash would inflict damage on the user of the move as well, but Fallamence has the ability Rock Head, which means it's immune to any damage it might inflict on itself."
Brenda nods. "Oh, so that's why it doesn't hurt itself every time it falls."
"Exactly."
From within the impact crater created by Fallamence, Curemodo manages to get back up. It stares straight at Fallamence, who, just as Brock suggested, looks completely unharmed.
Ash suggests, "Let's give it the old hit and run! Ice Fang!"
Despite its injuries, Curemodo gathers the strength to leap at Fallamence and bite down with frozen fangs. A small section of ice forms around where Curemodo bit and Fallamence cries out in pain. While it's distracted, Curemodo retreats back to a safe distance.
Iris shouts, "Flare Blitz!" Fallamence gallops at Curemodo as it becomes cloaked in fire which burns hotter and hotter until the flames turn a shade of blue-white.
Ash orders, "While it's incoming, Dragon Force!"
It's against Curemodo's nature to stand its ground like this, but its desire to properly use Dragon Force keeps it firmly rooted as it begins to channel energy once more. "Cuuuuuuuure…"
"Do it now! You've got to attack now!"
Then, just before Fallamence is able to impact its target, Curemodo unleashes its beam of dragonic energy. "Moooooodooooo!" Fallamence is hit point blank and blasted away.
Brenda says, "That was close."
Brock agrees, "Much too close for comfort. Curemodo may have learned how to reliably use Dragon Force, but it's still taking much too long to charge." He strokes his chin in thought. "However, I must admit that it's very impressive for Curemodo to be able to stand its ground with such a powerful attack coming straight for it. Not too long ago, it would have cut and ran, regardless of what Ash told it to do."
As if it's hearing all this, Kommo-o appears from its Pokéball without being called on by Ryu. Ryu looks up to it, as if to object, but then decides against it. Instead he returns his attention to the battle as he crosses his arms. Kommo-o watches carefully as well.
With Fallamence still down from the last attack, Ash orders, "Okay Curemodo, now let's give it a quick taste of your Dragon Claw while it's down!"
Curemodo runs forward, prepared to attack the downed target with its claws.
Iris has other ideas. "Fallamence, use your Dragon Claw!"
Just as Curemodo slashes down, Fallamence turns upwards and slashes up, blocking Curemodo's attack. This takes Curemodo by surprise, allowing Fallamence to overwhelm it and force it away.
Iris shouts, "Now get some altitude again!" Fallamence leaps upwards and grabs ahold of the stone pillar still situated in the middle of the field. It's not as fast as with Rock Climb, but it still adeptly climbs upwards.
Ash urges, "We can't let it get the upper ground again! Knock it down with Venoshock!" Curemodo spews the poisonous fluid at the climbing Pokémon in an attempt to destabilize it, but Fallamence is able to speed up its climb and avoid the spray.
Iris declares, "You're high enough! Before it tries that again, let's use another Head Smash!"
Like before, Fallamence detaches from the pillar and prepares itself to divebomb at Curemodo.
Ash encourages, "We can dodge it this time, Curemodo!"
Curemodo is able to clear the area of the immediate attack, but the shockwave caused by Fallamence impacting the ground still tosses it aside.
Ash encourages, "Get back up and attack it with Ice Fang while it's still down!"
Curemodo leaps into the smoking crater, but once inside it quickly realizes that Fallamence isn't down at all. Its Rock Head ability allowed to get straight back up.
Iris shouts, "Dragon Claw!" Fallamence slashes at the surprised Curemodo, landing a blow.
But Curemodo, with its attack already prepared, bites down on Fallamence's arm.
Ash grins. "Way to go, Curemodo! Now use Venoshock while you still have it pinned!"
Curemodo shouts with a voice muffled by the arm in its mouth, then the poisonous fluid of Venoshock erupts from its mouth, spraying Fallamence with an unavoidable burst of poison.
With Fallamence distracted by the attack, Heala leaps back to a safe distance.
Iris declares, "Okay Fallamence, let's give them one last Head Smash! The most powerful we can manage from the highest up!"
Fallamence leaps back on to the pillar and climbs once again.
Ash urges, "Curemodo, we can't let it get another Head Smash in! We have to stop it somehow!" Ash looks at the pillar and observes it closely. An idea hits him. "That's it! Curemodo, we need to destroy the pillar! Do it with Dragon Force!"
"Modo!" Curemodo adopts its stance once more and prepares for its attack.
Iris shouts, "Fallamence, we need to get as high as we can! Curemodo takes a while to charge for Dragon Force, so you need to keep climbing and leap before it attacks!"
Brock looks interested. "Wow, they're playing a game of Torchic here. Both need time to prepare their attacks. Whoever blinks first will lose this battle."
Brenda comments, "If only Curemodo didn't need so long to charge for Dragon Force…"
For several intense moments, nothing seems to happen. Fallamence continues to climb, Curemodo continues to charge. Then, just as Fallamence is reaching the top of the pillar, Ash grins. He shouts, "Got you! Do it!" Curemodo unleashes its attack, which destroys the base of pillar.
Fallamence attempts to leap off, but the collapsing pillar causes it to lose any control. Fallamence comes tumbling down, with the pillar right above it. Maybe Fallamence could take the impact on the ground alone, but the pillar collapses right on top of it.
The dust kicked up by the impact parts to reveal that Fallamence is unconscious. Drayden declares, "Fallamence is unable to battle! Ash and Curemodo are the winners!"
Ash cheers, "Yeah! Way to go, Curemodo! That was awesome!"
Curemodo excitedly cheers, "Modo!"
After recalling her Pokémon, Iris walks over to Ash and Curemodo. "You two were amazing. You've raised a great Dragon-Type Pokémon, Ash."
Ash grins. "Thanks, Iris. That means a lot coming from you."
Iris smiles as she closes her eyes. "And you know what? This battle only confirmed what I've been seeing in you these past few days. You've grown up, Ash. You're not just a kid anymore."
Ash isn't certain of how to respond. "Have I changed that much?"
Iris nods. "From when we traveled together? You have." She chuckles. "Now, don't get me wrong, you can still be such a kid at times, but in general, I mean."
Ash laughs. "I guess I'll take what I can get."
Then someone is heard clapping. Ash and Iris look to the side to see Holloman approaching them, clapping his hands. He says, "Bravo. I commend the both of you on an excellent battle." He looks to Iris. "You really showed your stuff. When the time comes, I will be more than pleased to welcome you into our ranks."
Iris' eyes widen. "Really? Yeah!"
Axew cheers, "Axew ew ew!"
Holloman looks to Ash and Curemodo. "As for you two, I must commend you on your use of Dragon Force. Never before have I seen or heard of a Curemodo learning to use Dragon Force without it being taught by an expert tutor. For you two to make use of the move so well after so little time training is stunning, to say the least."
Ash modestly responds, "Oh, it's no big deal. We're just trying to be as strong as we can. After all, it is Curemodo's goal to be the best at battles it can be."
Holloman nods. "And to that point, I think Curemodo could do even better."
Ash looks at him questioningly. "Oh?"
"Curemodo can reliably use Dragon Force, but it still hasn't mastered how to properly channel the energy. That is the reason it takes so long to charge enough energy to attack. It also limits the power of the move, stopping it from reaching full strength. As impressive of a feat as it is to have gotten this far in learning the move, I fear that it will be impossible for you and Curemodo to master the move on your own."
Ash questions, "So, we'll never achieve our full potential?"
"That's not what I said. If what you and Curemodo truly want is for it to be as strong as possible, then there is a course of action I recommend."
"What is it?"
"I suggest you leave Curemodo behind at the Dragon's Roost with me. I will personally teach it how to master not only Dragon Force, but other powerful dragonic techniques as well."
Ash's eyes widen. "You want me to leave Curemodo here…?"
Curemodo excitedly cheers, "Curemodo!"
Ash looks to Curemodo. "Curemodo, is this what you want? Do you want to stay here and train with the Dragon Master without me?"
This puts a damper on Curemodo's mood. "Modo…?"
Ash encourages, "I'm okay with whatever you want to do. If you want to stay here and achieve your full potential, then do it. But if you want to stay with me, then I promise we'll do everything we can to make you stronger, even if you can never truly master Dragon Force."
Curemodo looks very uncertain. "Modo…"
Curemodo thinks back, remembering the very first time it met Ash. It was a Heala and had just been defeated in battle by Ryu's Dragonair, only for Ryu to continue on without capturing it. In an abbreviated form of the events, Ash demands, "Hey, where do you think you're going!?"
Ryu retorts, "It ran from battle and couldn't withstand a single attack. That's not the sort of Pokémon I want on my team." He turns and walks away.
Ash approaches Heala and asks caringly, "Hey there Heala, are you okay?"
Heala responds by running away. Ash decides to leave, but not before he and Brock leave out some Oran Berries for Heala.
But that wasn't the last time Ash and Heala would meet that day. Ash later comes looking for Heala to help cure Kappaqueous of a bad poisoning. With its fighting bravado returned, Heala agrees to help if Ash battles it first. But despite its eagerness for battle, it flees the moment Pikachu attacks.
In an ill thought out attempt to get Heala's help, Ash leaps at Heala and grabs it, only to be poisoned by Heala's bite. Ash shouts, "That hurt!" Ash stumbles to the floor, weakened by the poison.
Heala instantly regrets its decision and approaches Ash apologize. "Heala…" It bites him again, but this time to cure Ash. And after that, it agrees to help.
But then Team Rocket gets in the way, and Ash is poisoned once again, this time by a self-sacrificing move to protect Pikachu from Repiv.
Watching Ash's self-sacrifice inspires Heala. It leaps into the battle to heal Ash, and then fight Repiv and Haking, using its Antivenom ability to defeat them with ease.
And even after helping Kappaqueous, Heala decides it liked fighting alongside Ash enough that it starts to follow him.
For the next while, Heala is there watching every battle that Ash is in. It watches him battle at the Crater Town Gym, and helps Ash battle Planetary Grunts in Crater Cave, and even watches Ash compete in the Sol Tournament.
Then, when Heala is forcefully attacked by Alistair, Ash steps in to save it, declaring, "That Heala is my friend, and you're terrorizing it." After Alistair ignores him, Ash reasserts, "Maybe you didn't understand me the first time. That Heala is my friend, so I'm going to protect it from the likes of you."
Heala watches Ash from a safe distance, in awe of him and his bravery.
And when it later gets spotted while watching Ash battle a Dunsparce, Ash tells it, "I think if you just got more used to battling, maybe you could overcome your sudden mid-battle panic. Then you'd be a really great battler." And so, Ash offers to help it, and the two make their partnership official.
And so, Ash and Heala train for battle. Together they fight Ryu and Jangmo-o. A new rivalry is born between the two Pokémon. Ash and Heala realize they can turn Heala's compulsion to flee into a strategy, and they use it to rematch Ryu and Jangmo-o.
Ash and Heala proceed to put this strategy to successful use in Heala's first gym battle, a battle against Astrid and Yang-Xing. It was then Heala who defeated Astrid's final Pokémon, Cycloptic, and won Ash the gym match.
Then there's Ash's six-on-six Dragon battle against Ryu. Just as all hope seemed lost for Heala in its fight against Hakamo-o, Ash shouts, "No, not yet! Give Heala a chance! We're not done yet!" Heala repays this faith by evolving into Curemodo and turning the battle around, defeating its rival for the first time. The fight may have been a loss for Ash, but it was a win for Curemodo.
The flashbacks end. Curemodo looks Ash straight in the eyes and announces, "Curemodo."
Ash nods. "I understand. We've done a lot together, and we'll always be friends, but this is what you need to do."
Curemodo affirms, "Cure."
Ash looks back to Holloman. "Okay then. Let's do it. You can take Curemodo and train it to master Dragon Force."
Holloman nods. "Very good. I promise you and Curemodo will not regret the decision."
At this point, without Ryu's consent, Kommo-o has marched up to Curemodo. It growls at him, "Kommo."
Curemodo chuckles, then growls back, "Modo." The two lock eyes for several moments, the bond of their rivalry apparent.
This continues until Ryu announces, "Come, Kommo-o. We're through here." He walks away wordlessly.
Kommo-o stares intensely at Curemodo for several more seconds, then gives it a slight grin of approval and walks away. Curemodo grins back.
Next Brock walks up to Curemodo, holding a jar. He asks, "If you don't mind, I'd like to get one last sample of your antivenom, for the road."
Curemodo happily obliges. It bites down on the jar lid and injects it with its antivenom.
"Thank you, Curemodo. I'm going to miss you."
Then Brenda runs up to it and gives it a hug. "Don't forget us, okay Curemodo? And remember to always stay brave."
Curemodo hugs her back and responds, "Modo."
Unbeknownst to anyone in the room, Team Rocket has snuck their way back in. They hide behind some debris caused by their earlier attack, having watched the transpired events. With tears in their eyes, they all stand straight up and salute Curemodo.
Curemodo is the only one in the room to notice them. It returns their salute in a show of gratitude.
Meowth comments through his tears, "There goes a real hero."
James adds, "They just don't make them like that anymore."
Jessie concludes, "For once, Team Rocket had a positive effect on someone's life."
Curemodo turns back to Ash, who is clearly fighting back tears. Ash struggles to say, "Alright Curemodo, don't forget our training… work hard every day… remember that your weaknesses are just strengths you haven't discovered yet… and… and…" He can't hold back the tears any longer. He embraces Curemodo with a hug and says as he sobs, "We'll meet again Curemodo, I promise. Once your training is done, I'll come back for you."
Curemodo is now sobbing too. "Curemodo!"
Ash lets go and wipes his tears with his sleeve. He hands Curemodo's Pokéball to Holloman. "You'll take good care of it?"
Holloman nods reassuringly. "The best of care, tailored specifically for a Dragon-Type Pokémon like itself. I will treat it as if it were my own Pokémon."
Ash nods. "Okay." He looks back to Curemodo. "So long, friend."
"Cure modo modo."
Ash, Brock, Brenda, and Iris are back aboard the hover boat, returning to mainland. Iris says to Ash, "That must have been really hard to leave Curemodo behind."
Ash, who looks like he only recently stopped crying, responds, "It is. But it also isn't. I want what's best for Curemodo, so how can I be sad to know it's doing exactly that?"
Iris shakes her head in disbelief. "Not a kid at all."
Ash looks back towards the island receding from sight. "Besides, this isn't goodbye forever. We'll reunite eventually." He looks back to Iris. "Speaking of, how much longer are you staying in Tenno?"
"Not at all, I'm afraid. Once you get off this boat, Drayden arranged for it to take me to the Hoenn Region."
Ash asks, "Why Hoenn?"
"I'm traveling to the Meteor Falls. It's the ancestral home of an ancient people known as the Draconids. They were the first Dragon Masters. If I want to become a Dragon Master, I figured I should go to where it all began."
Ash nods. "That's a great idea. Good luck."
Iris smiles. "You too, Ash. You too."
Today is a day of goodbyes. But the thing about goodbyes is that when it's between two good friends, it's never forever. Just as Ash and Iris have been reunited, so too will Ash and Curemodo someday be. And when that day comes, both Ash and Curemodo will have been made all the better by the experience.
Ash takes one last glance towards the Dragon's Roost. He imagines seeing Curemodo waving back at him. He shouts, "Goodbye Curemodo! Best wishes until we meet again!"
To Be Continued…
