[Ash: Don't get cocky, Gary. Did you already forget how you lost last time?]
[Wattson: Kids these days sure are tough. If I had tried that stunt just now, I'd be recovering at the Pokémon Center for weeks.]
[Roxanne: Please, Elder Wattson, don't even think about it. That's way too dangerous!]
As another Gym Leader of Hoenn, Roxanne really feared Wattson might try something reckless like Ash just had. After all, Wattson was also an Electric-type specialist, and his personality resembled Ash's in more than one way. She absolutely did not want to see him admitted to the Pokémon Center next time.
On screen—
Koharu looked at the blackened lump lying on the ground. It felt… strangely familiar.
That silhouette! That shape!
It was exactly the same as the charred figure she'd seen on her doorstep the first day she met Ash.
So that lump of charcoal back then… was actually Ash!
No wonder she'd always felt she'd seen him somewhere before.
"Pikachu…" Pikachu could only sigh.
You just realized that?
As for Ash, he stayed down for barely two seconds before bouncing right back up. With a casual shake, the black dust flaked off like ash, and he was good as new.
"Ash, maybe… maybe we should stop. If learning Dragon Dance is the only way to fly, we can just find a TM and come back later," Koharu said, unable to watch him suffer like this.
"What are you talking about? I'm almost there!"
Ash's boundless energy made even his words convincing. He just had that kind of charm—drawing others to believe in him without realizing it.
"Pikachu! One more time!"
Koharu: …
Once. Twice. Three times.
Ash was knocked out by electricity, then got back up.
And repeated the stunt again.
Within minutes, the time he could remain on the Electroweb visibly increased.
Dragonair, watching from the side, had stars sparkling in its eyes.
This human… It was incredible!
The next time Pikachu finished casting the Electroweb, Dragonair leapt up alongside Ash without hesitation.
The result: two lumps of charcoal.
Koharu sighed helplessly.
Let them… they'll get used to it eventually.
From shock, to panic, to numb resignation—Koharu experienced all stages in just a few minutes.
And when she saw Ash once again fling himself onto the web, part of her even felt… tempted to try.
But when she watched him and Dragonair fall back down charred and smoking, that terrifying thought vanished instantly.
Too scary! No way she was turning into charcoal!
Koharu didn't realize it yet, but she was being influenced by Ash—just like countless of his travel companions before.
"Just… one more push… We're so close!"
"Dragonair"
After crashing down again, Ash finally felt he had grasped the trick.
Next time, he was sure he could pull off Dragon Dance.
"…Together."
Even though fear lingered in her heart, Koharu stepped forward and took Ash's hand.
Just as Ash had never given up on her, she didn't want to give up now.
Ash glanced at her in surprise, then beamed brightly.
"Let's do this! This time, we'll definitely master Dragon Dance!"
"Pikachu—Electroweb!"
Golden lightning spread once again across the rocks.
The warmth in Koharu's palm dispelled all her fear.
Together—two humans and one Dragonair—rushed onto the web.
Their bodies shot high into the air.
Ash shielded Koharu in his arms, taking the jolt across his back.
Using the rebound of the Electroweb, they soared higher and higher.
For a moment, just like the three Dragonair from before, they spiraled together through the sky.
A blue light enveloped Dragonair.
Its wings finally grew, unfurling proudly.
Beating those wings, Dragonair at last learned how to fly.
With gleaming white wings, it glided like a dragon through the heavens, weaving gracefully through the air.
Ash landed softly on the ground, still holding the tingling, numb Koharu in a princess carry.
Smiling, he looked up at Dragonair in the sky.
Another dream achieved—another Pokémon helped to find its wings.
Dragon Dance—success!
[Drake (Hoenn Elite Four): Hahaha! Wonderful, simply wonderful. To see such a thing in my lifetime—the spirit of Dragon-types! Breaking limits, grasping oneself!]
[Lance: Ash actually turned the impossible into reality.]
[Cynthia: Amazing! If only my Garchomp could learn Dragon Dance too…]
[Gary: Fine, you win this time! But I'll beat you next time for sure!]
[Misty: Oh, please, Gary. How many times has it been already? You've never beaten Ash!]
[Mustard: Ash, maybe I should take you as my teacher. Honestly, I want to learn Dragon Dance too!]
[Leon: Master, calm down!]
[Drasna: If a human can master Dragon Dance, doesn't that mean any species could, with Ash's method?]
The viewers: !!!
That… actually made sense!
The vision of countless Pokémon all powering up with Dragon Dance before battle filled everyone's mind.
What a glorious sight that would be!
Ash himself smiled wryly. He kind of wanted to try Dragon Dance for real too.
If he could really master it…
…then Pikachu would be first.
A Pikachu with Dragon Dance—no opponent would ever forget that battle!
On screen—
"So it really worked…" Koharu breathed.
"Of course it did. Do you know who I am? I don't just teach moves—I once guided Rockruff into a whole new form of evolution! It became the world's first Dusk Lycanroc!"
Ash puffed his chest with pride.
That form belonged only to him and Rockruff—their unique bond.
"You're amazing, Ash!"
Koharu's eyes shone with pure admiration now.
Not only could he teach moves, but he could even unlock new evolutions!
"Are you… maybe a genius?" she asked, unrestrained in her praise.
"No… I'm just an ordinary Trainer."
"Don't be modest, Ash—you are a genius!"
"Pikachu!" Pikachu nodded firmly.
It agreed completely.
If not for Ash's stubborn rule of using only new Pokémon in each region's League… he would've been Champion long ago.
Ash was a genius. In every sense of the word.
After teaching Dragonair to fly, Ash and Koharu prepared to leave.
Koharu had gathered enough material, and their stomachs had been growling for ages.
Time to return to Vermilion City.
After bidding Dragonair farewell, they rode Lapras away from Dragonite's Island.
But then—
A flash of blue shot across their path.
A familiar Dragonair streaked past Lapras in a blur.
"Koharu, hold on tight. I'm going to speed up."
"Right!"
If Dragonair was in such a hurry, something serious must have happened.
Ash had to follow!
Sensing his determination, Lapras surged forward with even greater speed.
Hold on—we're accelerating!
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