EP058: Difference between revisions

{{Ash}} and {{ashfr}} take a boat ride towards [[Cinnabar Island]]. However, once aboard, they meet {{Gary}} and his {{TP|Gary|cheerleaders}}, who explains to them that Cinnabar Island is a tourist resort, and that [[Pokémon Trainer]]s have not ventured to Cinnabar Island since the days of {{an|Professor Oak|his grandfather}}. He adds that the island no longer has a Gym, much to Ash's frustration. The ship docks and Ash and his friends leave the ship, followed behind by {{an|Jigglypuff}}.

Once on the island, they decide to find the [[Cinnabar Gym]], and thanks to a local who tells them by using a riddle, which {{an|Misty}} eventually solves, they do find it. However they soon learn that the Gym has been abandoned. The local tells them the story of how Cinnabar Island was once a hotspot for Trainers, but then tourism took off due to the rise of hot springs resorts from the nearby volcano. The Cinnabar Island Gym Leader, [[Blaine]], closed down his Gym due to being forced to battle tourists who had no interest in battling for [[Badge]]s. The local leaves, but not before leaving a business card with Ash to the Big Riddle Inn.

Ash and friends decide that, even if there isn't a Gym, there is still a world-famous [[Pokémon Lab]] to explore. There, they too discover that it has been turned into a tourist trap. Finding nothing else to do, they decide to look for lodgings, but find that not only is the [[Pokémon Center]]'s lodgings full, all of the other hot springs resorts have been fully booked, and they are left with no choice but to camp out. Even Gary has found himself a room, but unfortunately for him, his room entertainment is in the form of Jigglypuff, alongside {{p|Hitmonlee}} and {{p|Electabuzz}} dressed up in costumes playing the shamisen. Ash and his friends flee before it could {{m|Sing}}, though Gary, his entourage, Electabuzz and Hitmonlee fall asleep. When {{an|Brock}} reminds Ash of the business card, they find that it also contains directions there, but in the form of a riddle. Ash and Brock are both stumped by it, but Misty guesses correctly again and they locate the Big Riddle Inn because of its clock tower. The local from earlier, who runs the inn, not only has a vacancy, but allows Ash and company to stay for free.

However, before they can settle in, the local receives a phone call, informing him that the Pokémon Lab, home to various {{type|Fighting}} Pokémon, is under attack from a balloon. Figuring that {{TRT}} is involved, Ash and his friends arrive at the scene, and quickly dispatch the balloon with help from {{AP|Pikachu}}'s {{m|Thunderbolt}} whilst riding on {{AP|Pidgeotto}}. As a reward for helping to save the Pokémon, the local reveals a secret: that Blaine had built a secret Gym, in a place where "firefighters couldn't win".

Later that night, as Ash and his friends mull over the riddle in the hot springs, {{TP|Misty|Togepi}} wanders off from Misty and jumps on a {{p|Gyarados}} tap fixture, unwittingly activating a secret switch that moved a boulder, exposing a cave and knocking down the hot springs' gender separation screen. After quickly getting their clothes back on, Ash and friends explore the secret cave, and find a metal door that's hot to the touch. Beyond the door, they find a clear battlefield - Blaine's secret Gym, suspended over the Cinnabar Island volcano. The local suddenly appears, revealing himself to be Blaine (as Misty had figured out another riddle, the answer being the wig Blaine used as part of his disguise), and accepts Ash's challenge.

The Gym Battle begins as a three-on-three battle. Confident that the {{type|Fire}} leader will use his Fire Pokémon, Ash decides to start off with {{AP|Squirtle}}, while Blaine counters with a {{p|Ninetales}}. Despite the type advantage, Squirtle's {{m|Water Gun}} is no match for Ninetales's {{m|Fire Spin}}, and Squirtle is knocked out in one shot. Deciding to fight fire with fire, Ash decides to use {{AP|Charizard}} despite its obedience issues. In response, Blaine pulls Ninetales for {{p|Rhydon}}. However, Charizard simply flies off the battlefield and naps as Rhydon was about to unleash {{m|Horn Drill}}. Blaine then disqualifies Charizard for leaving the ring. Quickly down two Pokémon, Ash decides to rely on Pikachu. Pikachu's Thunderbolt does not faze Rhydon at all, but Ash decides to take advantage of using Rhydon's horn as a lightning rod, and another well-aimed Thunderbolt at the horn knocks it out. However, Blaine isn't fazed, calling out his signature Pokémon, {{TP|Blaine|Magmar}}. Pikachu's electric attacks do not seem to faze him, which, as Brock explains, is due to Magmar using its own body heat as a thermal lance, diffusing the electricity. Pikachu is effectively unable to attack, and Magmar relentless {{m|Fire Punch}}es leave it exhausted. The episode ends on a cliff hanger, with Pikachu precariously caught between facing Magmar's {{m|Fire Blast}} and backing into the lava below.