How are you all enjoying Pokemon Journeys so far? I think it's okay; definitely got off to a slow start, but I think it's starting to pick up! And, in order to celebrate the next bunch of dub episodes dropping this week, here's a fun one shot featuring one of Ash's newest Pokemon!
Elizabeth: 5 years old
Dragon Dance
"Hiya, Nitey!"
Ash's Dragonite perked up in interest and, without wasting another moment, whipped around to face the little girl. Elizabeth, meanwhile, watched on and giggled wildly as the dragon Pokémon swooped forward and lifted her into his arms for a great big hug.
"I'm happy to see you too!" She trilled.
"Ha, look at you guys! You're like the best of friends!"
With an excited roar, Dragonite flew over to his amused trainer, scooping the man up in order to embrace him as well.
"Right, you're best friends with everyone!" Ash laughed. "My mistake!"
"Nitey's the most friendly Pokémon in the whole entire world!" Elizabeth exclaimed.
"He definitely loves other people and Pokémon," Ash agreed, his voice straining a bit as Dragonite managed to tighten his grip. "But he can sure hug pretty tight!"
"Nuh uh, his hugs are the best!" Elizabeth argued. "They're perfect!"
Ash smiled at his daughter as Dragonite finally released him. "You're right, pumpkin. They are perfect!"
Elizabeth giggled again and hugged the dragon type's neck. Dragonite, in turn, gave the child one last nuzzle before placing her on the ground, although she refused to leave his side.
"Are you and Nitey gonna train together?" Elizabeth asked excitedly.
"We sure are!" Ash confirmed.
"Oh, oh!" Elizabeth cried, jumping up and down. "I wanna watch! Can I, Daddy?"
"Of course, you can!" Ash chuckled. "Just make sure you don't sit too close, okay? Dragonite can use some really powerful moves, and I don't want you getting hurt!"
"Okay!" Elizabeth cheered, flitting away so she was at a safe distance before plopping herself down in the grass.
Once he was sure Elizabeth was settled and out of the way, Ash turned back towards Dragonite and grinned. "We've got a small audience today, but I know you like that!"
"Ryu!" Dragonite concurred, nodding his head.
"So, we'll just have to work extra hard so we can show Lizzie just how strong you are!" Ash boasted. "Start off with dragon dance!"
Visible orange energy surrounded Dragonite's body as he began to spin around in circles, flying up towards the sky. A rush of purple clouds suddenly surrounded the Pokémon, dissipating into energy itself and evaporating from Dragonite's form.
"Wait, Daddy!" Elizabeth cried, jumping to her feet.
Ash spun around, his eyes wide with concern. "What, what happened?!"
"That move is so pretty!" Elizabeth squealed, much to Ash's relief. "I didn't know Nitey could dance!"
"Well, technically, he's not really dancing," Ash began. "Dragon dance is a move that enhances attack power and speed, so- "
"Yeah, but it's still dancing!" Elizabeth interrupted, causing her father to inwardly groan. "I want to dance with him!"
She ran forward, gazing up at Dragonite with shimmering eyes. The dragon Pokémon, always wanting to keep the youngster happy, floated down and offered his paws to the girl, who beamed in delight and quickly grabbed them. The two began to spin around in a circle, both parties laughing wildly as they twirled.
"We're dancing!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "Look at how good we are, Daddy!"
"You're both great!" Ash declared. "But…I would like to get back to training with Dragonite…"
"Not until we're done!" Elizabeth cried, skidding to a halt and pouting at her father. "Please?"
"Ryu…" Dragonite pleaded as well.
Ash frowned. "You two are both ganging up on me? You're just as bad as Aiden and Michelle!"
"Nuh uh!" Elizabeth refuted. "We just want to dance, that's all!"
Dragonite nodded in agreement before lifting Elizabeth off the ground, choosing instead to spin her around in the air. Elizabeth's laughter managed to become even wilder, while Ash's mouth fell open.
"Whoa, Dragonite!" Ash cried. "Go easy on her!"
"Nuh uh!" Elizabeth refuted. "Faster, Nitey! Go faster!"
Although he loved Elizabeth, and did enjoy entertaining her, Dragonite was also very loyal to his trainer and always listened to him. As a result, Ash's pleading won out over Elizabeth's, and Dragonite slowed his spinning before returning the pouting little girl to the ground.
"Hey, no fair!" Elizabeth whined.
"Lizzie, I don't want you to get hurt," Ash calmly reminded his daughter. "I know Dragonite would never do that on purpose, but accidents still happen, and he'd feel really bad if something went wrong."
"Ri," Dragonite sighed sadly, agreeing with his trainer.
"Besides, we really have to get back to training," Ash continued. "I've got a big battle event coming up, and I want to make sure Dragonite and I are both ready to go!"
"Yeah, but dancing will help make Nitey even stronger!" Elizabeth argued.
Ash hummed and tilted his head. "I'm not so sure what you mean, pumpkin."
"My dance teacher says that dancing helps with all kinds of stuff," Elizabeth explained. "She said that people who play different sports will take dance because it helps them be better! So, I think dancing would help make Nitey even better at battling! And then you guys will win for sure!"
"Better?" Ash repeated, rubbing his chin. "Well, I already know that dragon dance improves Dragonite's speed and attack, but just regular dancing?"
"Uh huh, look!" Elizabeth cried, breaking out some of her favorite dance moves. She began to twirl around her father, float around with some rather impressive leaps, and walk around carefully on her toes. "See?"
Ash did, and after watching his daughter flit around for a little while, his eyes widened in realization. "Agility! Dancing would totally help with Dragonite's agility!"
"Sure!" Elizabeth chirped. "I don't know what that is, but it'll help!"
Ash chuckled at her response. "Agility means how he moves. Not necessarily how fast he moves, but how carefully he moves! If Dragonite is able to work on his agility, it means he'd be able to better navigate in a battle and possibly even outwork his opponent just by being able to move better!"
Elizabeth blinked. Pokémon battling was probably her father's biggest passion, and he could go on and on about it forever. Elizabeth was too young yet to understand all of those intricate details, but when her father got excited, she knew it was a good thing. So, she plastered a grin on her face, nodded, and asked, "so, can Nitey and I keep dancing together?"
"Of course, you can," Ash replied, smiling at his exuberant daughter. "As long as you guys will let me watch just like you were watching us train before!"
Elizabeth giggled and looked up at Dragonite. "What do you think, Nitey? Can Daddy watch us dance?"
"Ryu!" Dragonite confirmed, nodding his head.
"Okay!" Elizabeth cheered. "Daddy, you sit right over there and watch!" The little girl pointed towards the same spot where she'd previously been sitting. "We're going to put on a really fun recital for you!"
"You got it!" Ash chuckled, heading over to his assigned seat. "Do your best, you two!"
"We will!" Elizabeth assured him before turning towards the dragon with the brightest expression. "Hey, Nitey, I have such a cool idea for our next dance that Daddy will totally love!"
I just knew as soon as I saw how big of a hugger Dragonite was that he and Elizabeth would be the best of friends! They're both super affectionate and friendly.
