Ash walked to the challenger box in the Oreburgh Gym battlefield, where he was going to face Roark! "Well well! Ash by the look in your very eyes, I can say that you're feeling pretty confident right now! especially when you had trained hard just yesterday for this! that's good for you but let's see if it'll be enough to beat us!" Roark complimented.

"Thanks! and today, I'm leaving with that Gym Badge for sure!" Ash assured, grinning.

"Pika Pika!" Pikachu agreed, determined to win!

"The Oreburgh Gym battle between Ash, the challenger, and Roark, the Gym Leader will now begin! Each side will use three Pokémon! And the battle will be over when one side's three Pokémon are unable to battle! Further, only the challenger can make the substitutions!" Ian announced. Brock, Necro, Scout and Dawn were watching from the stands. Sudowoodo, Skorupi, Ponyta, Umbreon, Croagunk, Piplup, Monferno, Bulbasaur, Luxio, and Buneary together with Scout's Piplup also watched alongside, too!

Dawn was dressed just like a cheerleader with Umbreon, both Piplup's, Buneary, and Bulbasaur! Brock had some thoughts on this. "But excuse Me, Dawn. I hope you don't mind if I ask this, but... Why are you all dressed like that?" Brock asked.

Both Necro and Dawn sighed.

"Well, ever since Scout and Ash trained together yesterday, I just had to wear this to cheer Ash on!" Dawn answered. Dawn made the signal to Piplup and Buneary making the cheering role!

"Thanks, Dawn! After all of that, how could I not win this battle?" Ash chuckled, grinning. Roark took out his first Pokéball prepared to battle!

"Onix! Let's go!" Roark called. The Rock Snake Pokémon appeared from its Pokéball, roaring at Ash and Pikachu!

"Onix's first, huh? Okay, Pikachu! You're up first!" Ash called. Pikachu nodded and faced Onix on the battlefield!

"So then, let the battle begin!" Ian called.

Roark: Onix + 2 VS Ash: Pikachu + 2

"Okay, Pikachu! Use Quick Attack, go!" Ash called. Pikachu used the quick move, charging towards Onix!

"Come on! You know that Normal Type moves are useless against a Rock Type like Onix! Let's show them Onix! Use Slam!" Roark called. Onix began to slam its tail onto Pikachu!

"I'm not using it to cause damage!" Ash laughed.

"What!?" Roark gasped.

"Pikachu, dodge then climb onto Onix!" Ash called. Pikachu dodged the physical Attack and began to climb onto Onix!

"Excellent! He used Quick Attack to build up speed, and to distract Onix! Onix, use Screech!" Roark ordered. Onix toard at Pikachu, sending loud waves toward the Electric Type! Pikachu gritted its teeth and held on, grabbing onto Onix's fin on the head!

"Hold on tight, Pikachu!" Ash called.

"Onix, shake Pikachu off!" Roark called. Onix began to move fast, almost causing Pikachu to fall off!

"Pikachu won't be able to hold on for long!" Dawn exclaimed.

"Lux!" Luxio cried, glaring at Onix.

"Pikachu! Hang in there! Use Iron Tail, and give it your best shot!" Ash called. Pikachu made the right moment, slamming Onix with his glowing tail! Onix roared in pain, trying to shake it off!

"Right on target!" Necro squealed with delight.

"On the right timing!" Scout complimented.

"And a direct hit, too!" Brock stated. As Pikachu landed, Ash gave compliments to his starter Pokémon! Roark was impressed by the improvement, too!

"Pikachu's speed seems sharper than last time! I'm impressed!" Roark smirked.

"See how you like this! Onix, use Double Edge!" Roark called. Onix glowed with light, using the powerful Attack!

"That's powerful!" Dawn gasped.

"Okay! Go, Pikachu!" Ash called. Pikachu leapt in the air and charged towards Onix! Brock and Dawn gasped off what Ash is planning to do! Necro only smirked, knowing of what's going to happen.

"Now spin, Pikachu!" Ash ordered.

At the right time, Pikachu spun out of Onix's Double Edge Attack! Both Roark and Onix gasped in surprise that their Attack was dodged easily! "Nothing like a new move that is made!" Dawn exclaimed.

"I see... Pikachu's spin is most clever. Using the wind to put pressure on Onix, and to make them go faster! the more powerful it is, the more speed that the spin gets!" Roark smirked, amazed with the new dodging technique!

"Quick let's wrap this all up with an Iron Tail, Pikachu!" Ash called. Pikachu finished spinning, and prepared to finish Onix off with another Iron Tail!

"Dodge it, Onix!" Roark called. Onix rapidly got out of Pikachu's way, startling Ash!

"Just give them a good Slam Attack!" Roark called. Onix once again attacks with a Slam, succeeding this time! Pikachu was smashed to the rock and was buried, just like with Necro's Monferno the other two days!

"Pikachu, no!" Ash gasped. There was no answer for the buried Electric Type.

"But, how did Onix dodge that so fast!?" Necro gasped.

"I don't know, but Onix was faster than the last time he was before!" Brock exclaimed, currently in a surprise.

"Even if Pikachu is buried like that, he won't lose! Not in a rematch like this!" Scout growled. All of Necro's Pokémon agreed with him!

"Ash, in between battles, I don't read comic books! It was a surprise that your Pikachu dodged Double Edge, but there's more to where that came from!" Roark explained. Ash gritted his teeth with irritation!

"Stealth Rock, Onix! Go!" Roark called. Onix created spear-like rocks again!

"Why is he using Stealth Rock right now?" Dawn asked.

"Remember, Stealth Rock is a move that deals damage to the other Pokémon that are sent out! Roark is trying to put some more pressure on Ash for his substitutions!" Brock explained.

"No, in this case, Ash will already be in trouble then!" Necro gasped. As Stealth Rock was closing in, Ash made another order!

"Quick, Pikachu! Use Thunderbolt, now!" Ash called. Pikachu caused a major blow, destroying Stealth Rock and shocking Onix!

"Oh no!" Roark gasped. Onix was being shocked by the Electric Type move!

"Now, Pikachu! Let's wrap this up with Iron Tail!" Ash yelled. Pikachu weakly charged towards Onix, preparing to make a finishing blow!

"Now, Onix! Use Screech!" Roark called. Before Onix had a chance for a counterattack, Pikachu smashed Onix with an Iron Tail! Onix fainted by the huge blow!

"Ah!" Onix!" Roark gasped. Pikachu panted as Onix fainted, with swirls on its eyes!

"Onix can no longer battle! so, the winner is Pikachu!" Ian announced.

Roark: 2 Pokémon

"Ash did it! He defeated Onix!" Necro called, making a fist of triumph!

"Monferno!" Monferno screeched with happiness. Dawn cheered Ash with her Pokémon with Buneary growing more affectionate towards Pikachu. Roark returned Onix back to its Pokéball, thanking it for its hard work in the battle.

"Ash, I gotta say, that was a pretty impressive work you used to defeat Onix! It takes a lot of work to pulverize a big Pokémon like Onix, you know!" Roark complimented.

"Thanks for the nice words!" Ash exclaimed. Roark took out another Pokéball, saying that the battle was far from over.

"Geodude, let's go!" Roark called. Geodude prepared for battle!

'That Geodude sure looks something. Pikachu, you take a break!" Ash called. Pikachu felt relieved to take a rest from battle as he ran over to Ash!

"Huh? Why stop now when the two of them were having a momentum?" Dawn asked.

"That should be a simple answer. Pikachu had used up a lot of energy by facing Onix. Pikachu definitely needs a break after that!" Scout explained.

"Ash made a wise choice there!" Brock stated.

"I get it!" Necro exclaimed. Ash took out a Pokèball and threw it toward the air!

"Okay, Aipom! I choose you!" Ash called, releasing the Normal Type. Aipom landed on the ground, glaring at Geodude for a chance to win!

"Alright, gang! Let's do our Aipom cheer!" Dawn called. No one noticed that Croagunk has left the stands, since they were too busy watching the battle!

"Aipom, use Swift, let's go!" Ash called.

Aipom unleashed the Swift Attack towards Geodude! Roark ordered a Rollout, which resulted Geodude dodging Swift and began rolling to Aipom for an attack! "Quick! Use Double Team!" Ash yelled. Aipom made clones of itself, confusing Geodude, and causing the Attack to miss!

"Now, use Focus Punch!" Ash shouted.

"Block it!" Roark called. The Focus Punch was blocked by the Rock Type, startling both Ash and Aipom!

"What!? That Geodude actually blocked it!" Brock gasped.

"Now seismic Toss, Geodude!" Roark ordered. Geodude grabbed Aipom and went flying toward the air, many dropped down, smashing Aipom to the ground!

"Aipom, no!" Ash called.

"Again, use Rollout!" Roark called. Geodude quickly made another attempt to hit Aipom with a Rollout Attack!

"Dodge it, quick!" Ash called,

Aipom used his tail to dodge, and to make a spin dodge technique, like with Pikachu!

"Argh! Aipom too!?" Roark snapped. Geodude grew startled that his Attack missed again!

"Wow! Aipom used the same spin like with Pikachu!" Dawn exclaimed.

"Excellent! Now they have a chance for a counterattack!" Brock exclaimed.

"Now, Aipom! Focus Punch!" Ash called. Aipom struck Geodude hard with the one hit Focus Punch! Geodude fainted with the impact!

"What happened!?" Roark gasped in shock.

"Geodude cannot battle! Aipom is the winner!" Ian announced.

Roark: 1 Pokémon

"Alright, Aipom! Wait to go!" Ash complimented. Aipom landed on the ground, panting with the exhaustion!

"That's two wins in a row! Ash is on fire now!" Necro squealed with delight.

"Ash is doing great right now with his Pokémon... But, there's a problem with this right now. Both Pikachu and Aipom looks really tired right now after the intense battle they had with Onix and Geodude. Ash does have two to zero. But, don't forget about Roark's last Pokémon." Scout explained making Brock node his head.

"I know what you mean. The final part is going to be a bit difficult for Ash." Dawn replied, sweating with tense.

"Ash, the way you battle in a disadvantage and the way you turn it around, it's just amazing! I'm impressed! But, don't think you've won yet until you defeated My last Pokémon!" Roark smirked.

"Yeah, I know! And I'm looking forward to battle it!" Ash exclaimed.

"Well then, you can say for sure that your waiting is over! Let's go, Rampardos!" Roark called, sending out his final evolved Pokémon!

"Rampard!" Rampardos roared.

"Here we go. Time to get busy!" Ash replied, glaring at Roark's final Pokémon, which was a Rampardos.

Roark: 1 Pokémon

Ash: 3 Pokémon

"Here we go! Time to get busy! Aipom, let's keep going! Swift, let's go!" Ash called. Aipom nodded and unleashed Swift, which was aimed at Rampardos! Roark and Rampardos just stood, not doing anything, which confused everyone, including Ash!

"Why won't Rampardos do anything?" Dawn asked. The Swift made a hit, causing an explosion around Rampardos! Ash gasped with this, with Aipom also startled as well!

The smoke cleared, showing that Rampardos didn't look hurt at all! "It's like nothing happened to Rampardos at all!" Scout gasped.

"You don't think that it's because of the high defense?" Necro asked.

"I knew that it wouldn't do much damage,
but I didn't expect to see no scratches!" Brock exclaimed.

"Oh man! Just how am I going to get past Rampardos's high defense?" Ash asked himself, sweating.

"I think that now is our turn! Rampardos, use Headbutt!" Roark called.

"Aipom, dodge it!" Ash called. Aipom was about to dodge, when suddenly, Rampardos was very close to Aipom directly, that Aipom couldn't move! Rampardos bashed into Aipom, sending it to the ground! Aipom fainted!

"Aipom cannot battle on! Rampardos is the winner!" Ian announced.

Ash: 2 Pokémon

"They defeated Aipom in one hit!" Scout gasped. Monferno, Luxio, and Bulbasaur were all amazed to see such power as well.

"I know that Rampardos was stronger than before, but clearly, I didn't expect this!" Scout explained.

"That was a well done battle, Rampardos!" Roark complimented. Rampardos only let out a grunt, irritated that the battle wasn't much of a challenge than before. Ash returned Aipom, thanking it for its efforts.

"Impressive, don't you think?" Roark asked. Ash looked up and grew more determined when Roark expressed that the battle would be more difficult than it was behold! "I suggest that you put that special training of yours to good use now!" Roark suggested.

"You were right when you said that the battle isn't over until it is!" Necro exclaimed.

"Yeah he's really coming back it's just starting," said Dawn.

"It seems like Roark is giving Ash a test!" Brock stated.

"A test?" Scout asked.

"Yeah Scout a test," said Shonei as he smirked before he nodded at Brock to explain when they still looked confused.

"Being a good Gym Leader means to give challengers a tough situation to see if they can pass it or not. Roark has defeated Aipom with one hit, proving that Ash is given more pressure than before!" Brock explained.

"I get it... So, now Ash's advantage has been turned around, you mean?" Necro asked.

"Right." Brock answered.

"Pikachu, can you get in there?" Ash asked. Pikachu nodded and faced Rampardos for another battle! "Pikachu, use Thunderbolt, let's go!" Ash called. Pikachu attacked with a fierce Electric Type Attack!

"Rampardos! Dodge, then use Zen Headbutt!" Roark called. Rampardos used his speed to dodge and aim the Attack towards Pikachu!

"Argh! Dodge by spinning!" Ash called. Pikachu leapt in the air and attempted to spin dodge Rampardos' Zen Headbutt, but took the hit!

Ash gasped with this as he witnessed Pikachu's back smoking as Pikachu slid towards near a rock! "Rampardos won't let the opponent like Pikachu to dodge!" Scout mumbled.

"Okay then, try this on for size! Pikachu, use Quick Attack!" Ash called.

"Rampardos, use Headbutt!" Roark called. Both Pikachu and Rampardos charged at each other to make physical contact!

"Jump, Pikachu!" Ash yelled. Pikachu dodged Headbutt by jumping onto Rampardos! Roark grew startled with the dodge!

"That's one mistake that Rampardos has made!" Shonei snickered.

"Using a jump instead of a spin dodge was a clever way to dodge Rampardos' Headbutt!" Brock commented.

"It's easy to accomplish something when you try different things and all!" Dawn stated.

"Yeah it's really going great for Ash," said Necro.

"New strategy, huh, Ash? Well, it won't matter! Throw Pikachu in the air with your tail!" Roark called.

Pikachu was thrown into the air by Rampardos' tail! Pikachu started to topple, losing balance in the air! "Hang in there! Pikachu, use Iron Tail!" Ash yelled. Pikachu regained balance in the air, by attacking with the Steel Type move! "Rampardos! Intercept with Zen Headbutt!" Roark shouted. Rampardos charged at Pikachu with the physical Psychic Type move, giving pressure to Pikachu! Pikachu nearly lost his focus before slamming into Rampardos with an Iron Tail!

Electricity began to course through Rampardos' body! "Yes! Static is working!" Dawn cried.

"I don't think so! Mold Breaker will nullify status problems like Static!" Necro argued and Necro was right as Static disappeared just a few seconds later.

with Rampardos roaring at Pikachu! "Finish it, Rampardos, with Zen Headbutt again!" Roark called. Pikachu was knocked out after bring hit by Zen Headbutt, and getting recoils from the boulder behind it! Pikachu fainted!

"Pikachu cannot battle! Rampardos is the winner!" Ian announced.

"Pikachu!" Ash called. He ran to his partner's side and picked him up. Pikachu looked at Ash sadly, sorry for not winning the battle for him. "Hey, you were great out there!" Ash assured.

"What a way to lose. And after all that hard work for training last night!" Dawn sighed.

"And Rampardos barely took any damage, thanks to its high defense. even with the Iron Tail didn't do much at all!" Scout explained.

"Not quite that, even if or when you might not be able to see or tell but to Me I think that Rampardos have taken more damage then, on a first look," Shonei explained making Brock node in agreement.

Ash: 1 Pokémon

"Ash only has Turtwig left now." Brock stated.

"Hey, even if Ash battles, I'm sure he'll succeed, since he trained very hard last night! The battle he lost the other day was a lesson to him! And, he'll use that lesson to win this Gym battle!" Necro reassured. Brock looked at Necro and smiled. Necro knew just what words to say if others were about to feel down in a tough situation.

"Oh! I forgot! I was supposed to explain what I did in the previous two days with My mom!" Necro gasped. Brock, Scout and Dawn nodded to Necro, allowing her to leave the battlefield to contact her mom. Ash saw what Necro was doing and grew left out for a bit, but then shook it off. He had a Gym battle rematch to win, so he couldn't lose focus right now! He took out Turtwig's Pokéball, ready for the final battle!

(Meanwhile)

Necro was slowly walking in the hallway to find a phone booth to call her mom to explain what her progress were. She found one near the entrance and dialed her phone number.
Necro waited and waited for her to answer, until her mom finally showed up! "Hi, honey! Where are you? You haven't called Me at all in three days!" Hinata, Necro's mom explained.
Necro rubbed the back of her head slowly and then chuckled nervously.

"Sorry, mom. I had a busy day yesterday and the other two days, that I kind of forgot to call you." Necro laughed nervously.

"YOU FORGOT!? How could you!? You saw how Johanna might react to Dawn, but you decide to ignore Me!?" Hinata shrieked.

"No! I did not mean that! There was some trouble during the few days because of the idiotic group that calls themselves, Team Rocket." Necro explained.

"Oh yes! The criminal organization of the Kanto region! I've heard about them! They always cause trouble in the Kanto and the Johto region! Anyways, how are you doing? Where are you right now?" Hinata asked.

"I'm currently at Oreburgh City with the others right now. And also, guess what? Both Shinx and Chimchar have evolved into Monferno and Luxio! And, I also earned Myself a Sinnoh region badge! The Coal Badge!" Necro exclaimed.

Necro showed her mom a bright, brown badge to her Mom, who squealed with delight! "That's so amazing, dear! And two evolutions in those three days!? I'm so proud of you!" Hinata exclaimed, happy to hear the best news that she ever heard.

"I promise to call you again. Ash is having his Gym battle right now! It's one to one now." Necro stated.

"Alright, then. Go cheer your friend! It's nice to see that you have friends to travel and talk to!" Hinata giggled.

Necro only blushed with that statement and promised her mom again that she'll call again someday when she had the chance. Hinata bid her well and shut off her video phone.
Necro sighed and headed back to watch Ash's final battle with Roark!

(Back With The Others)

Necro opened the door and quickly went to the others to watch Ash's battle.

"Turtwig! I choose you!" Ash called, sending out the Grass Type Pokémon! Turtwig glared at Rampardos, remembering their last battle. "Turtwig!" Turtwig cried.

"Well, aren't you a spirited one? Well then, it all comes down to this!" Roark smirked.

"Do it, Turtwig! Go!" Ash shouted. Turtwig charged towards Rampardos! "Rampardos, use Headbutt, go!" Roark called. Rampardos also charged at Turtwig, aiming to land the Attack!

"Alright, Turtwig! Up close and jump!" Ash shouted. Turtwig leapt in the air and rolled on Rampardos' back!

"Ash, I think you're forgetting about Rampardos' tail! Use it on Turtwig!" Roark called. Rampardos prepared to launch Turtwig in the air like he did with Pikachu! But, Ash wasn't planning to fall for the same trick!

"We haven't forgotten! Use Bite on Rampardos' tail!" Ash called. Turtwig stopped rolling and bit onto the tail!

Rampardos grunted in pain with Roark startled with the trick! "Yeah! Throw it now!" Ash called. Turtwig use his strength to throw Rampardos to the dirt! The Headbutt Pokémon landed with a thud!

"Oh no!" Roark gasped.

"Turtwig actually threw Rampardos' away!" Dawn exclaimed.

"Small things can cause a big surprise!" Brock explained.

"Now, Turtwig! Razor Leaf, let's go!" Ash called.

"Intercept with Flamethrower, Rampardos!" Roark called.

The Razor Leaf Attack was burned to crisp, making it useless! "No good! We're too far away for Razor Leaf to do its work!" Ash growled, sweating.

"How about this? Rampardos, use Head Smash, now!" Roark yelled. Rampardos glowed with a blue aura and began to charge after Turtwig!

"Turtwig! Don't move unless I say to move!" Ash called. Turtwig nodded, waiting for Ash's signal! Rampardos came closer and closer with Turtwig waiting for Ash's call!

"Razor Leaf, let's go!" Ash called. Turtwig fired another Razor Leaf Attack! Unfortunately, Rampardos ducked to dodge, and smashed Turtwig towards a rock!

"Turtwig, no!" Ash yelled. Turtwig was skidded toward the ground with painful grunts!

"Is there any hope now?" Necro asked worried.

"Well, there is a chance of Rampardos have an after shock, so any side could win it!" Shonei explained.

"Turtwig, use Synthesis!" Ash ordered.

Turtwig obeyed and began to gain health energy from the sun! But, Rampardos immediately finished charging up from the shock! "Flamethrower, Rampardos!" Roark called. Rampardos fired the Fire Type move, causing the Synthesis to stop and to force Turtwig to dodge the attack!

"Way to go, Turtwig!" Ash complimented. However, Turtwig began to pant from the damage he had received from the Head Smash Attack, even with some health it had from Synthesis!

"Now, what do I do? The only thing that Turtwig can do is to launch Raxor Leaf from far distances, and to dodge Rampardos' attacks! How are we supposed to win the battle at this situation now with Rampardos' speed... And that Flamethrower!? (!) That's it!" Ash thought, having an idea.

"Turtwig! Use Razor Leaf while you run!" Ash called.

"Did Ash figure out what he needs to do?" Dawn thought, hopeful for Ash.

Roark just smirked with this strategy. "Turtwig is too far away to make Razor Leaf to work so Rampardos, intercept with Flamethrower!" Roark yelled. The Headbutt Pokémon fired another Flamethrower Attack, burning all the Razor Leaf that was being sent at it!

"Keep it up, and don't stop!" Ash called.

"Keep the fire going, Rampardos!" Roark called. Flamethrower and Razor Leaf collided more, until Roark grew confused to see what was going on!

Finally, he understood. "I get it, Ash is camouflaging Turtog with the burnt Razor Leaves! Let's switch to Zen Headbutt, Rampardos!" Roark called. Rampardos stopped using Flamethrower and leapt toward the air with Zen Headbutt!

"Revolve and jump!" Ash called. Turtwig made a run and a jump!

"Still trying to get behind us? Rampardos, you jump as well!" Roark called. Rampardos jumped, until realizing it made a mistake!

Turtwig tricked Rampardos and Roark! It spun underneath Ramaprdos, creating a surprise attack! "Nice work, Turtwig! Now, use Razor Leaf, full power!" Ash called. Turtwig fired Razor Leaf at Rampardos, sending it toward the air!

"Ah! Rampardos!" Roark gasped. Rampardos smashed toward the ground, and fainted!

"Rampardos cannot battle! Turtwig is the winner! The victory of this match goes to Ash, from Pallet Town!" Ian announced.

"We did it, Turtwig! We won!" Ash called, running to his Grass Type Pokémon. Turtwig ran over to Ash and leapt toward his stomach, looking up at him! Pikachu came to share the victory, too! Dawn and her two Pokémon cheered!

"Alright! Ash did it! He actually won!" Dawn cheered.

"It's amazing to see how Ash switched his strategy around to earn victory! Right, Croagunk?" Brock asked, not noticing that Croagunk had just came back from the unknown walk.

"Yeah he did such a great job," grinned Shonei.

Croagunk only gave a croak, staring at Ash and his two Pokémon. "He really did it. Guess all that training finally paid off!" Necro exclaimed, grinning at the now, cheerful and happy trainer. Ash had won the Gym rematch. Later, it was evening as Ash recieived the Coal Badge, his first Sinnoh Badge from Roark. Roark expressed his feelings on how he was impressed with his Pokémon's battling styles, and the way he used his own strategy.

Ash thanked Roark for the badge, and raised the badge high in the air, with Pikachu, Aipom, and Turtwig cheering alongside with him! "We've got the Coal Badge!" Ash cried, happy for his first achievement.

And so, Ash has won his first Gym Badge against Roark in his Oreburgh Gym battle in a rematch! More Gym battles are to be sure to come to Ash and Necro's way, with more Pokémon Contests coming to both Dawn and again, Necro's way, too! Stay tuned!

To be continued...