EP253: Difference between revisions

==Synopsis==

Moments after {{TRT}} escaped in the arms of a Dragonite, {{Ash}} and {{ashfr}} see a Pokémon approaching them from the sky. The {{m|Flamethrower}} greeting is a dead giveaway; it's none other than [[Ash's Charizard]]! As Charizard lands on Ash and licks his face, Ash says that it hasn't changed a bit. Charizard is quickly followed by {{jo|Liza}} - astride [[Charla]]'s back - who both Ash and Clair are acquainted with. It is revealed that Liza and [[Clair]] were good childhood friends, and that Liza occasionally brings the Charizard from [[Charicific Valley]] to the Holy Land to train. Clair admits that she had seen Ash's Charizard before, but wasn't aware of its original Trainer. It seems that Charizard also has a romantic relationship with Charla, him being her bodyguard and "knight in shining armor" (causing [[Brock]] to lament that he seems to be the only one here without any luck in love).

Liza asks Ash if he's had his Gym Battle with Clair, prompting the group to brief her on their recent troubles: Team Rocket stole the Dragon Fang, escaped into the Dragon's Holy Land, and tricked its guardian, Dragonite, into assisting them. Liza, Charla, and Charizard immediately pledge their assistance, and the group is soon being towed across the Holy Land in Charizard-pulled balloons. As they fly, the group wonders why {{p|Dragonite}} would assist Team Rocket. Brock suggests that the criminals threatened to destroy the Dragon Fang, thereby forcing Dragonite to obey them, but Clair doubts that a Pokémon as intelligent and powerful as the Holy Land's Dragonite would fall for such a ruse. [[Kaburagi]] reminds Ash and Co. that Dragonite originally belonged to the first Blackthorn Gym Leader, who had dedicated his life in protecting the Holy Land; even after he passed away, his Dragonite continued its vigil in memory of its Trainer.

Team Rocket huddles at Ash's feet, thanking him for saving them; Kaburagi takes the opportunity to retrieve the Dragon Fang from James. Clair begs Dragonite to recognize her and stop its attack, but to no avail - Dragonite fires a Hyper Beam at her, which is only partially deflected by Charizard's {{m|Flamethrower}}. Although Clair is unharmed, Kaburagi finally realizes why the Pokémon is so unreasonable; he warns Clair that Dragonite is suffering from {{m|Outrage|attack rage}}. As the guardian of the Holy Land unleashes a powerful {{m|Twister}} that forces Dragonair to dispel its rain clouds, Misty asks Clair about Kaburagi's statement. The Blackthorn Gym Leader explains that Dragonite has become confused after performing too many consecutive attacks, causing it to attack everything it sees in a berserk fury.

As everyone regroups and holds their breath, Dragonite emerges from the water in a flash. Assuming the worst, Ash prepares to have Pikachu launch another Thunder attack, but Clair tells him to wait - sure enough, Dragonite's attack rage is finally gone. Having regained it conscious state, it weeps over the damage it caused to its beloved Holy Land. As it is consoled by the other Pokémon living in the area, Misty and Kaburagi order Team Rocket to leave; although they do so without protest, Kaburagi quickly realizes that they have taken the Dragon Fang from the box. One Thunderbolt attack later, and the Dragon Fang slips from James' hand as Team Rocket blasts off again. Ash recovers the Dragon Fang, while Geodude puts the Prayer Flame back in the Dragon Shrine.

* {{p|Charizard}} ({{OP|Ash|Charizard}})

* {{p|Charizard}} ([[Liza]]'s, nicknamed [[Charla]])

* {{p|Dragonite}}

* During this episode, with Charizard's arrival, Ash technically has seven Pokémon on hand, one more than the allowed six a Trainer can carry.

* Some parts of this episode were taken and reanimated in [[BW136]].

* When Ash tells Charizard to use {{m|Fire Spin}}, Charizard uses what looks like {{m|Dragon Rage}} instead.

[[fr:Épisode 253]]