DP015: Shapes of Things to Come!

is the 15th episode of , and of .
==Synopsis==
Ash and his friends have reached Oreburgh City, where Ash will try to earn his first Sinnoh Gym Badge. But Paul has beaten him to the Oreburgh Gym, and he'll battle Gym Leader Roark first—if Roark ever shows up! Roark is also a mining foreman who's busy excavating for buried fossils and coal ore. In fact, Ash and company locate him just as he's uncovered another fossil find. The fossils he discovers can be revived at the local museum, which has Team Rocket sensing another great opportunity to score some Pokémon for their Boss.
Roark returns to the Gym to battle Paul in a 3-on-3 battle. The Oreburgh Gym is a Rock-type Gym, so Paul has an Azumarill to counter Roark's Geodude. Even though Azumarill should have the advantage, Geodude quickly knocks it out, and Paul is not pleased! Paul's Elekid defeats Geodude, only to have trouble with Roark's deceptively fast Onix. Paul switches Elekid out for Chimchar and beats Onix, but now Roark brings out a Cranidos.
Paul lets Chimchar take some hits so it can power up using its Blaze ability, yet even that doesn't stop Cranidos. Finally it's all up to Elekid, and it emerges victorious after the tough battle. Paul has earned his badge—along with a whole heap of hard feelings from Ash! Ash doesn't like the way Paul treats his Pokémon, and he likes it even less when Paul wants to leave without seeing Ash battle! But will Ash's wounded pride backfire on him?
==Episode plot==
The heroes finally made it to Oreburgh City. Ash is confident to win his first Sinnoh Badge. They do see that the Gym is rough-looking, but Ash does not back down. Suddenly, Paul appears and the man beside him thinks these must be his friends. Ash wants a battle and is being told that the Gym leader, Roark, specializes in Rock-type Pokémon. The man is treating the Pokémon, as his name is Ian and tells Ash Roark is busy now. Paul leaves to wait at the Pokémon Center.
Ian gives Ash the Badge Case. Like the other regions, to compete in Sinnoh League one must have eight badges. Ian tells Roark is in the coal mines working, as the rich coal is actually the reference to the city itself. Ian also tells Roark is searching for hidden treasure. Men in the coal mines work, including Team Rocket, who want to get money, after having their boss fantasy recently thwarted. The heroes ask Team Rocket (unaware that they are disguised) where Roark is. Men dug out a rock and leave it in front of the mine, with Roark's orders. Ash approaches Roark, though Roark does not want to be disturbed, as he is "talking" to the fossil and knows the Pokémon inside will be brought to life soon.
Ash wants from Roark a battle, but Paul came first. Roark now has work to accept the challenges from two people - Paul and Ash. Roark is being told he is looking for treasure and points at the fossil. He loves his job as a foreman. Team Rocket ask a worker and it is confirmed that a machine will bring the fossil to life. They already plan to take the Pokémon inside. Roark and the heroes return, while Paul also enters the Gym. Roark introduces and apologizes to Paul and they go to fight. Dawn wants to see the battle, as she never saw one, though Paul is indifferent who watches.
The heroes are prepared to watch the battle. Ian tells that it will be a 3-on-3 battle. Roark sends Geodude and Paul his Azumarill. Azumarill starts with Hydro Pump, though it gets negated by Hidden Power which hits Azumarill. Geodude rolls and hits Azumarill before it could've even use Water Gun. Azumarill is defeated already. Paul calls it back and sends Elekid. Elekid starts with Brick Break and counters Geodude's rolling and defeats it. Roark calls it back and sends Onix. Brock thinks Onix should defeat Elekid, as he can already tell it saw a lot of battling. Elekid uses Brick Break, but misses. Onix uses Slam, but gets countered by Protect. Onix uses Double Edge and damages Elekid. Though Onix would've gotten hurt, its ability, Rock Head, prevents that.
Onix uses Stealth Rock and instead hitting Elekid, it goes to the ground and forms some stones around it. Stealth Rock affects damage to Pokémon who appear later in battle, so Elekid is unharmed for now. Onix slams Elekid, though Elekid's ability, Static, paralyzes it. Elekid attacks with Brick Break and Onix collides using Double Edge. Paul calls Elekid back and sends Chimchar and gets hurt by Stealth Rock. Chimchar digs and hits Onix. Onix uses Double Edge, but fails, as Chimchar digs again and hurts Onix, defeating it. Roark calls Onix back and sends Cranidos.
Chimchar digs again and when it comes out, its attack gets countered by Headbutt. Chimchar digs, but the attack gets countered by Zen Headbutt. Cranidos uses Zen Headbutt, while Chimchar is scared, as ignores Paul's commands. Cranidos uses Focus Energy to raise its accuracy. Suddenly, Chimchar glows, as its ability, Blaze, is activated. Cranidos charges with Zen Headbutt while Chimchar retaliates with Flame Wheel. Chimchar aims at Cranidos' legs and blocks the attack. Chimchar uses another Flame Wheel and damages Cranidos, then digs. Cranidos uses Focus Energy and moment after it is attacked. Cranidos uses Zen Headbutt and defeats Chimchar.
Paul sends Elekid and is hit by Stealth Rock. Elekid uses Brick Break and Cranidos uses Flamethrower, but misses and gets attacked. Cranidos should have gotten paralyzed by Static, but with Mold Breaker, it is not. Cranidos goes to use Zen Headbutt, but its leg is wounded and moves slower. Elekid hits Cranidos with a hard Brick Break. Elekid goes to use Brick Break, but gets countered by Flamethrower. Cranidos uses Zen Headbutt and gets hurt by Brick Break. Though still wounded, Elekid uses Brick Break and Cranidos Flamethrower. Though it hits Elekid, Elekid manages to attack Cranidos. A whirlwind blows and both Pokémon are very exhausted. However, Cranidos falls in defeat. Paul gets the badge, but Ash stops him and asks if he will watch his battle.
==Debuts==
===Character===
*Roark
===Pokémon===
*Cranidos (Roark's)
===Item===
*Coal Badge
===Move===
*Zen Headbutt
*Stealth Rock
==Quotes==
"Good for nothing!" - Paul, cursing his Azumarill after its loss against Geodude
== Trivia==
*The title is a reference to H. G. Wells's novel The Shape of Things to Come. "The Shape of Love to Come!" is another episode with a similar title.
*This marks the only appearance of Paul's Azumarill, since he trades it away in the next episode and it doesn't physically appear.
*Brock reminisces of raising an Onix himself, interestingly both Roark and Brock used an Onix in their first battle.
== Gallery==
==References==
pl:DP015
Category:Episodes focusing on Paul
Category:Episodes featuring Gym Battles