Now, it was Ash's turn to face Roark. The battle will determine whether Ash should have the Coal Badge, or not, determining on how the Gym battle goes.

It was the early evening, with Ash starting his Gym battle. "The Oreburgh City Gym battle between Ash, the challenger, and Roark the Gym Leader will begin! Each side will use three Pokémon! And the battle will be over when one side's three Pokémon are unable to continue! Further, only the challenger will be allowed to make subsititutions!" Ian announced.

"Well, this is it. Ash's first Sinnoh Gym battle." Brock replied.

"Mm! I can't wait!" Dawn giggled.

"I'd like to see how well he trained by seeing them in battle!" Necro exclaimed.

"Mon!" Monferno agreed happily. The Playful Pokémon watched on Necro's shoulder, wanting to see more of the battle.

"So, let the battle begin!" Ian announced. "Cranidos, let's go!" Roark called. The Headbutt Pokémon appeared, glaring at Ash for an opponent.

"Huh? Why's he doing that?" Ash asked, startled to see Cranidos being sent out first!

"(!?) Why Cranidos first!? Shouldn't he save Cranidos for last!?" Necro gasped.

"By switching the order of the Pokémon he's choosing, Roark is wanting to see how Ash would react to it. It's just a common sense for his challengers." Brock explained.

"I hope that Ash is feeling alright." Dawn wondered. Paul just snorted, staring at Ash.

"I don't care at all! Roark's got Rock Types! I'll just beat them one by one! But, I'll have to watch out for that Headbutt Attack and Cranidos' speed!" Ash exclaimed.

"And which Pokémon have you decided to choose first?" Roark asked, feeling confident.

"Okay, Aipom! I choose you!" Ash called, sending his Normal Type Pokémon out to the rocky battlefield.

"Here we go, Aipom! I'm counting on you to confuse Cranidos ith your speed! Aipom, use Focus Punch!" Ash yelled.

"Headbutt!" Roark called. Both Pokémon made their moves, with Aipom leaping in the air for the focused Attack!

"A good move for Ash! He's letting Aipom focus while moving back, with Cranidos chasing after Aipom!" Brock exclaimed.

Roark: Cranidos + 2 VS Ash: Aipom + 2

"Do it!" Ash called. Aipom prepared to use Focus Punch, aiming it towards Cranidos! All of a sudden, Cranidos leaped toward the air and bashed into Aipom! The Focus Punch was gone, out of focus!

"Oh no!" Ash gasped. Aipom landed, falling on the ground, hard!

"I know that Cranidos had great speed, but I didn't know that it could jump up like that!" Dawn gasped.

"Which means that it's gonna be a tough battle, whether the both of them are in the air or on the ground." Brock explained, frowning.

Paul just stared at Ash, thinking. "Aipom, get up!" Ash called.

"Cranidos, use Flamethrower!" Roark yelled. Cranidos shot a hot fire towards Aipom!

"Double Team, quick!" Ash called. Aipom made clones of itself, but the Flamethrpwer destroyed all of them!

"Quick, use Swift, Aipom!" Ash yelled. Aipom destroyed Flamethrower with a Swift Attack!

"Dodge all!" Roark called. Cranidos dodged the stars and skidded back to Roark!

"Aipom, use Focus Punch!" Ash shouted. Aipom aimed the move once again, to Cranidos!

"Cranidos, use Zen Headbutt!" Roark called. Cranidos slammed into the Focus Punch with the powerful physical attack, creating an explosion! Cranidos skidded back again, with Aipom sent flying to Ash! Ash gasped as he caught Aipom, until Aipom fainted with its eyes covered with swirls!

"Aipom is unable to battle! Cranidos wins!" Ian announced.

"You were awesome, Aipom! Now, take a good rest." Ash said, returning the Normal Type to its Pokéball.

"Agh... It's only been a few moments, and Aipom already got knocked out! So much more power than yesterday!" Necro groaned making Dawn node her head.

"Well, Ash did learn about on how Cranidos moved, so he'll remember that for sure." Brock replied. Paul only snorted with an insulting grin.

Ash: 2 Pokémon

"So, Ash. Have you decided which Pokémon you're gonna send out next?" Roark asked.

"Pikachu, I choose you, buddy!" Ash called, looking at his partner. Pikachu nodded and leapt toward the battlefield, charging up electricity, while glaring at Cranidos. Paul looked back, a little surprised with the choice of Pikachu. "Let's show 'em, buddy! Use Thunderbolt!" Ash shouted/ The Electric Mouse Pokémon zapped the move towards Cranidos!

"Dodge, then use Zen Headbutt!" Roark called. Cranidos easily dodged the Thunderbolt and charged the Psychic Type move towards Pikachu!

"Oh no! Aipom's Focus Punch should've worn Cranidos down!" Brock gasped.

Pikachu grew startled to see Cranidos coming so fast! "Here it comes, Pikachu! Use Iron Tail, let's go!" Ash yelled. Pikachu waited for the right moment to attack and struck Cranidos on the head! Cranidos was sent flying towards a rock! "Alright!" Ash exclaimed.

"Bullseye!" Dawn exclaimed. "That totally hit the spot!" Hikaru grinned.

"Well done! An excellent timing! Cranidos, use Headbutt!" Roark called. Cranidos made a run towards Pikachu again!

"Dodge, then use Thunderbolt, Pikachu!" Ash called. Pikachu tried to use Thunderbolt by jumping, but Cranidos also jumped and bashed into Pikachu! Pikachu was sent flying towards the air!

"You can do it, Pikachu! Use Thunderbolt!" Ash called.

"Zen Headbutt, quick!" Roark called. Cranidos rapidly bashed into Pikachu once again!

"Whoa! That Cranidos beat us to the punch at that speed!" Ash gasped.

"This isn't the time to give compliments to the opponent..." Brock sighed.

"Cranidos, use Headbutt, quick!" Roark called. Cranidos bashed into Pikachu again, even when Ash told Pikachu to dodge it!

"Pikachu, no! Argh! Headbutt, Zen Headbutt, all those attacks, how are we supposed to deal with them?" Ash growled.

"Cranidos sure is fast!" Dawn exclaimed.

"This is tough! Cranidos' speed and the Headbutt attacks are keeping Pikachu from doing anything!" Brock explained.

"At this rate, Pikachu won't be able to hang on much longer." Necro said sadly.

"C'mon, Pikachu, you've got to get up! We can still do it, but you've just gotta!" Ash cried. Pikachu struggled to get up, but failed. Necro took a glaance at Paul, seeing that he was leaving!

"(!) Paul's leaving..." She gasped. Dawn turned and grew surprised, too! Just as Paul was about to leave, Pikachu let out a big growl! Paul turned tro see Pikachu use Thunderbolt, unlike anything he has ever seen before!

"A Pokémon defending its trainer, that's something to see!" Roark chuckled. Paul grew a little amazed as he sat back down to keep watching.

"Let's show them, Pikachu! Use Quick Attack!" Ash called.

Pikachu dashed to attack Cranidos! "Pikachu is fast. But, if you're forgetting that a Normal Type move barely has an effect on Cranidos, then you're in for this! Cranidos, use Flamethrower!" Roark called. Cranidos shot hot flames towards Pikachu! Pikachu jumped over the incoming flamethrower, and used Iron Tail on Cranidos, sending it flying towards the air!

"That was fast!" Roark gasped.

"Amazing!" Dawn exclaimed.

"Using the Quick Attack for speeding was great thinking!" Brock commented. Suddenly, as Cranidos landed, it stood up fast again!

"That should've hit Cranidos on the spot! But, Cranidos is just standing there!" Ash gasped.

"I'd liked the way you combined those moves Ash, but watch this! Cranidos, use your Head Smash!" Roark called.

Cranidos shot up a blue aura, creating a new move! "What... What move is that!?" Necro gasped at the sight of a new move.

"So, Roark did learn that move after all..." Paul whispered.

"That one's new to Me!" Dawn replied.

"Head Smash. Out of all the Headbutt moves, Head Smash is one of the dangerous and the strongest moves of all. It can also cause recoil damages, too!" Brock explained.

"If that's so, Pikachu, use Volt Tackle!" Ash smirked. Pikachu began to use his risky move as well!

"That idiot! He knows that Volt Tackle will hurt Pikachu as well!" Dawn gasped.

"Pathetic strategy." Paul muttered.

Both Pikachu and Cranidos charged, using their powerful moves, smashing against each other and creating an explosion! Both Pokémon skidded back to their owners, with Ash and Roark calling their name!

"Cranidos is still standing!?" Ash gasped.

"Your Pikachu is still standing, too! Ash I'm very impressed. You have raised your Pokémon well!" Roark chuckled. Ash called back Pikachu, knowing that it was too dangerous for him to carry on.

"I'd like to see your full team! So, who are you sending out next?" Roark asked.

"Turtwig, I choose you!" Ash called. The Grass Type Pokémon appeared from its Pokéball, ready to battle!

"A Turtwig, huh? A Grass Type like that should have the advantage over the Rock Types!" Roark complimented.

"Turtwig, use Razor Leaf!" Ash called. Turtwig shot some Razor Leaf at Cranidos, who burned it with Flamethrower! The hot flames then headed straight for Turtwig! Turtwig ducked under Flamethrower and charged at the Headbutt Pokémon!

"Wow! That has got to be the fastest Turtwig I've ever seen!" Roark gasped.

"I hate to admit it, but his Turtwig's speed has improved." Paul muttered.

"Turtwig, use Bite!" Ash called.

"Zen Headbutt, Cranidos!" Roark called. Cranidos allowed Turtwig to use Bite on him and smashed Turtwig to the ground!

"I can't believe that Cranidos is still able to battle like that!" Brock exclaimed.

"Now, use Flamethrower!" Roark called. The hot flames burned Turtwig through!

"No! Turtwig will lose if the flames keep getting to him!" Necro gasped.

"Monferno!" Monferno shrieked.

"Stay strong, Turtwig!" Dawn called. "Razor Leaf, let's go!" Ash shouted. After enduring the Fire Type move, Turtwig knocked Cranidos down with a Razor Leaf attack! Cranidos fainted! "Cranidos is unable to battle! Turtwig is the winner!" Ian announced. "Way to go, Turtwig!" Ash complimented.

Roark: 2 Pokémon

"They did it!" Dawn squealed with delight.

"Yeah, but don't forget about that Roark hasn't used his other two Pokémon yet." Brock reminded. That brought Dawn down for a bit. Roark returned Cranidos for the effort, and began to send out his next Pokémon! The next one was Onix.

"I'm gonna stick with Turtwig, Roark!" Ash called.

"Okay then, ready?" Roark asked.

"You bet! Turtwig, use Razor Leaf!" Ash called. Turtwig again attacked with the Grass Type move!

"A great move! An attack like that could give Onix severe damage!" Brock commented.

"Dodge, then use Double Edge!" Roark called. The Rock Snake Pokémon dodged Razor Leaf and smashed intop Turtwig towards the ground!

Turtwig fainted! "Turtwig is unable to battle! Onix wins!" Ian announced.

Ash: 1 Pokémon

"What!? In one hit!?" Necro gasped.

"I guess Cranidos' Flamethrower have done more damage than I suspected!" Brock sighed with disappointment. Ash returned Turtwig while thanking it for the good work and effort.

"Okay, Pikachu! I guess it's all on you!" Ash called. Pikachu nodded and jumped towards the battlefield to face Onix!

"I know that this is your last Pokémon! But, I still won't go easy on you!" Roark called.

"Yeah! I know! Iron Tail, Pikachu!" Ash yelled.

"Nice big Slam!" Roark shouted. Both Pikachu and Onix made their strong physical moves, making an explosion, but both took damage, with Pikachu reaching his near limits!

"Iron Tail is a good move, but I think Pikachu has reached his limit." Brock replied.

"No! Pikachu can't lose now, or it'll be over for Ash!" Necro gasped.

"Pikachu! Stay strong! I know you can do it!" Dawn called.

"Okay, I know that Electric Types won't work on Ground Types, and what about that speed?" Ash replied, thinking. Then, Ash had an idea!

"That's it! Pikachu, use Thunderbolt on the field!" Ash called. The Electric Mouse Pokémon gave its last effort to shock the field, startling Onix!

"Now, Onix! Use Double Edge!" Roark called. As Onix tried to use his powerful move, the rocks prevented Onix from moving! Roark grew surprised by this!

"Wait Brock, what's going on?" Necro asked.

"This is great! Those rocks have slowed Onix down a lot!" Brock exclaimed.

"Okay, Pikachu! Now, use Quick Attack!" Ash called. Pikachu charged towards Onix to use Quick Attack, when Onix screamed at Pkachu with the Screech attack! Pikachu tried to hold on, but Onix powered up the Screech, knocking Pikachu out! The smoke cleared, revealing Pikachu not knocked down yet.

"You're okay!" Ash called. But, Pikachu wasn't okay. Pikachu landed on the ground on his face, fainted! Ash gasped with this, and grew silent.

"Pikachu is unable to battle! Onix is the winner, meaning that the winner is Roark, the Gym Leader!" Ian announced.

Roark: Winner!

Ash grew silent as ever as he couldn't think of what to say. Roark walked to Onix.

"Onix, great work!" Roark complimented. Onix growled with pride.

"So, it's over, huh?" Dawn asked.

"I can't believe this. Ash lost... after all the effort he had made with his Pokémon." Necro replied.

"It was a good start, when Pikachu tore up the field, but I never thought that Onix's Screech attack would do so much!" Brock sighed. Ash walked over to Pikachu and picked him up.

"Pikachu, you're the best..." Ash complimented. Pikachu denied it with a shook of its head. As Ash looked up, Paul just snorted.

"How pathetic." Paul sneered as he walked out of the Gym, leaving Ash only glaring at him.

So, Ash's first attempt to win the Sinnoh first badge ended in a failure. But, Ash knows that he will get stronger, stronger than this by learning of why he had lost his first Gym battle.

To be continued...

Necro's Team

- Monferno (M): (Ember, Flame Wheel, Fury Swipes and tackle)
Ability: Blaze

A Pokemon Egg

- Luxio (F): (Spark, Hidden Power, Iron Tail, and bite)
Ability: Intimidate

- Bulbasaur (M): (Vine Whip, Leech Seed, Razor Leaf and Protect)
Ability Overgrowth

Necro's Badges & Ribbons
Badges: 1
Ribbons: 1