Coal Badge

Ash was finally going to face Roark for the Coal Badge. Yesterday he did some training with Riolu, Piplup and Masquerain. Dawn also showed Ash, Tomo and Brock her special move the spin. She demonstrated with her Piplup and what happens is Piplup jumps and spins and thanks to the spin he gains speed to dodge an attack. Ash liked that and practiced that with Dawn and his Pokemon because he found it very helpful. So today Ash was ready. Ash and Roark took their places on the battlefield. Riolu stood next to Ash and Dawn, Tomo and Brock sat on the sidelines. Dawn was dressed in a pink cheerleader outfit with some pink pom-poms to cheer for Ash; she was the type of girl that would cheer her friends on. Piplup, Buneary and Burmy were holding pom-poms to cheer too.

Roark sent his Onix out first and Ash sent his Masquerain out.

"Masquerain, use Bubble Beam." Ash said.

"Use Screech, Onix." Roark said.

As Masquerain blew a lot of bubbles, Onix used Screech to break the bubbles apart.

"Agility and then Steel Wing Masquerain." Thanks to the speed boost from Agility, Masquerain wasn't fazed by Screech and then struck Onix with Steel Wing.

"Nice." Dawn said, impressed.

Roark was impressed too. Onix tried to slam Masquerain, but it was too fast for Onix to hit her.

"Now Masquerain, Hydro Pump." Ash said.

Masquerain blasted Hydro Pump and Onix was hit by it, receiving a lot of damage.

"That Hydro Pump was amazing." Dawn said.

"Hydro Pump is one of the strongest water type moves." Brock explained.

Piplup was amazed by the Hydro Pump attack and hoped to learn it one day. Even though Onix was hurt by the Hydro Pump attack it was still able to fight.

"As you can see Ash, I train my Pokemon during my free time." Roark said.

Ash could see that, considering how strong Onix was.

"Onix, Double Edge."

"Steel Wing, Masquerain." Ash said.

Onix and Masquerain collided with each other with their attacks. Masquerain had been tackled really hard but wasn't beaten yet. As for Onix it was struck really hard by Masquerain's Steel Wing and then fainted.

"Wow Ash is good at this." Dawn said.

"It's like we told you before Dawn." Brock said. "Ash has battled 28 gyms so he knows what to expect from gym leaders and their Pokemon."

Seeing this caused Dawn to understand Ash knew how to handle gym battles. Roark returned Onix and sent Geodude out next. Ash returned Masquerain and sent Riolu out next.

"Why did Ash return Masquerain?" Dawn asked.

"So it can rest after it's battle with Onix." Brock informed her. "It's not good for Pokemon to continue battling if they're tired following a battle with a strong opponent."

Dawn knew Brock was right and didn't question it anymore.

"Riolu, Aura Sphere." Ash told it.

Geodude dodged it and started to use Rollout.

"Dodge Geodude, Riolu." Ash said.

Riolu jumped and flipped to avoid Geodude.

"Now Bullet Punch." Riolu's fists glowed blue and he threw a barrage of punches at Geodude.

Brock pointed out that Bullet Punch was a steel type move which would do a lot of damage to Geodude. Geodude then grabbed Riolu and used Seismic Toss.

"You okay Riolu?" Ash asked.

*'I'm fine papa.'* Riolu mentally replied.

"Okay then, use Aura Sphere." Ash said.

Riolu fired an Aura Sphere attack and Geodude was hit by it. Geodude couldn't take it anymore and fainted.

"A second win." Dawn said.

"That Riolu of Ash's sure is something, even if it's still young." Brock added.

"Well done Riolu." Ash said.

*'Thank you papa.'* Riolu mentally said.

Roark returned his Geodude.

"Ash, you are quite the challenger, but don't forget about my third Pokemon." He said.

"I haven't forgotten about your Rampardos, Roark." Ash replied.

Roark sent out his Rampardos. Ash returned Riolu and sent Masquerain out to battle again.

"I thought Ash would use Piplup now." Dawn said.

"He'll save Piplup for later." Brock told her. "You see Dawn, Masquerain still has some energy left to battle. And when it comes to battles you sometimes have to use Pokemon that still have energy left before using a Pokemon with lots of energy. That way you won't be in much of a pinch when you're down to the opponent's final Pokemon."

"Oh." Dawn said.

She was learning a lot of things already, despite the gang only being at the first gym.