DP163: Difference between revisions

{{Ash}}, {{an|Dawn}} and {{an|Brock}} are traveling through a small town on the way to [[Sunyshore City]] when they notice a crowd has gathered to watch a [[Pokémon battle]] taking place nearby. Deciding to stop and have a look, they are surprised to find that the person who is battling is {{an|Barry}}, whose {{TP|Barry|Empoleon}} is battling another Trainer's {{p|Mothim}}. Barry has Empoleon use {{m|Hydro Cannon}}, which scores a direct hit on Mothim. His opponent has Mothim use {{m|Signal Beam}}, but Barry has Empoleon block it with its wings, receiving almost no damage from it. The crowd is very impressed, and Brock notes that Empoleon is a lot stronger than when they [[DP157|last saw it]]. Barry has Empoleon use {{m|Metal Claw}}. The Trainer tries to counter with {{m|Silver Wind}}; however, Empoleon expertly dodges the attack and strikes Mothim, knocking him out. The Trainer sees to his Mothim while Barry congratulates Empoleon and the crowd cheers his excellent victory. As Barry laps up the kudos, he stops Ash and the others and happily greets his friend and rival.

It is decided the match will be composed of three one-on-one battles, with Brock refereeing. Dawn uses the [[Coin Toss]] application on her [[Pokétch]], with Barry winning the chance to go first. Throwing the {{i|Poké Ball}}s, Barry sends out Empoleon first while Ash starts with {{AP|Monferno}}. Barry is happy, knowing that as Empoleon is a {{type|Water}}, it will have the advantage over the {{2t|Fire|Fighting}} Monferno. Barry starts off by having Empoleon use Hydro Cannon, though Monferno dodges it and lands a {{m|Mach Punch}}. Meanwhile, Paul is walking past the battle area and, while unnoticed, decides to stop and watch when he sees Ash is using Monferno. Ash boasts that with the high speed of Mach Punch, Monferno can easily overcome the type disadvantage he has with Empoleon. Barry decides to try {{m|Drill Peck}}, but Ash has Monferno {{m|Dig}} underground before emerging and landing another hard hit on Empoleon. Barry has Empoleon use Hydro Cannon, and while this time it hits, it lands at such close range that Monferno is sent flying into some nearby trees. Ash and Dawn are both worried, while Barry curses himself, knowing he used far too much power against Monferno. Ash starts calling for Monferno, but there is no response.

Just then, a plastic capsule flies out of the air, heading towards Ash, and Dawn calls for him to look out for it. However it is no use, and Ash is trapped inside. He pounds on the capsule and Pikachu uses {{m|Thunderbolt}} on it, but the capsule is electricity-proof. The others are about to go and help when suddenly three more capsules appear, capturing Brock, Dawn, and Barry. Piplup tries using his beak to free Dawn, but it is no use. A distraught Piplup looks up to hear the laughter of Team Rocket as they descend in the Meowth balloon and start reciting their {{motto}}. Pikachu, Piplup, and Empoleon use Thunderbolt, {{m|Bubble Beam}}, and Hydro Cannon, respectively, against Team Rocket. However, as they do, the balloon itself starts to deflate while arms and legs emerge from the basket. The arms deflect the attacks, grab the three Pokémon, and deposit them in a cage as Team Rocket finish their motto. Brock sends out {{TP|Brock|Happiny}} and has her use {{m|Pound}} to break the capsule, but even Happiny's strength cannot break it and is sent spinning. Team Rocket boasts that the capsules are unbreakable from the inside and prepare to make their getaway.

By now, Monferno is completely out of control, and while the controls of the mecha were destroyed, the main body survived, and the Pokémon are still trapped. Without anyone controlling it, the legs start to buckle, threatening to crush the still-captive Pokémon. Ash prepares to send out a Pokémon to help when Paul suddenly arrives and sends out his {{TP|Paul|Electabuzz}}. Paul has it use {{m|Protect}} to support the cage, amazing everyone. Unfortunately, Monferno irately powers up a Flame Wheel, and damages one of the legs, putting the Pokémon in far more danger. Monferno circles around and prepares for another hit, but Ash is determined to save Monferno and all the Pokémon. He intercepts the Flame Wheel, grabs Monferno when he emerges and holds on tight. As Blaze engulfs Monferno and Ash, he begs him to not let himself be swallowed up by Blaze's power and reminds him of the [[DP051|promise they made to get stronger together]]. Paul looks on in amazement at what Ash is willing to endure to calm his Pokémon down. Suddenly, Electabuzz's Protective barrier fails, and the mecha starts to collapse, endangering Electabuzz as well as the other Pokémon. Monferno, now back in control, powers up a Flame Wheel, and races towards the cage getting underneath and supporting it. As he supports the cage, Monferno suddenly evolves into {{p|Infernape}}. Ash has Infernape throw the cage into the air and then has it destroyed with Mach Punch. This proves to be no problem for the powerful Pokémon as he frees Pikachu, Piplup, and Empoleon. When they start to fall, Infernape absorbs them into a Flame Wheel attack to allow them to land safely. Ash congratulates Infernape, and Pikachu and Piplup thank Infernape for saving them.

Paul remarks that Monferno was not only able to control Blaze, but was able to transform it into a new kind of energy that allowed him to evolve. Infernape then releases Brock, Dawn, and Barry from their capsules; and Piplup and Empoleon reunite with their relieved Trainers. Paul starts to leave, but Ash thanks him for his help and tells his rival that both he and Infernape will battle again. Paul tells Ash that [[Reggie]] would also like to see another Full Battle between them, adding he will see them at the Sinnoh League. Paul then leaves, and Brock tells Ash that when the two do battle, he will be able to show Paul just how much both he and his Pokémon have improved, and Dawn concurs that this time Ash will not lose. Ash vows to not let Paul defeat him again.