AG149: Difference between revisions

At the Battle Arena, dozens of students are being trained in martial arts moves by {{FB|Arena Tycoon|Greta}}. {{TRT}} is amongst them as a part of {{MTR}}’s latest scheme to nab {{AP|Pikachu}}. The trio pause after becoming fatigued from doing so many arm thrusts. An assistant yells at them because they stopped moving. For the next exercise, the group has to crouch with bowls balanced on their heads and shoulders. However, the Rocket trio falls over and breaks their bowls, so Greta orders them to do further cleaning to make up the difference. One of the attendant informs Greta that they have a received a message from Scott regarding a new challenger. Greta is unfazed and certain she’ll easily crush her challenger.

Meanwhile, Scott reveals to Ash and {{ashfr}} that Greta will likely battle with two of her Pokémon, {{p|Medicham}} and {{p|Hariyama}}. He points out that she is tough and her idols are fellow {{t|Fighting}} [[type expert]]s, [[Brawly]] and [[Chuck]]. The group exits the Pokémon Center, but Ash pauses for a moment and contemplates Greta's {{OBP|Pokémon|species}}. He orders everyone to go on ahead before running back into the Pokémon Center without any explanation.  

Later, the group reaches the Battle Arena, and Ash yells "Hello." This doesn't work, so Scott goes up and shouts "We wish to have a battle". The giant doors open, and Greta and her students welcome their latest challenger with fighting enthusiasm. Suddenly, a giant roulette emerges from the ground that is meant to determine how many Pokémon will take part in the battle. Ash pulls the roulette lever, and the spinner lands on two. Greta declares that they’ll have a two-on-two match. A gong rings, and Ash and Greta prepare for their battle. The training group sits along the sidelines of the field, watching. Team Rocket pokes up behind them. Greta sends out Medicham and Hariyama, and Ash sends out {{AP|Grovyle}} and {{AP|Snorlax}}, who he retrieved from {{an|Professor Oak}}. {{an|May}} and [[Max]] are surprised to see that Ash has a Snorlax. Scott observes that Ash picked odd types of Pokémon to use against Fighting types.

Grovyle and Hariyama fight first. Grovyle approaches with a {{m|Quick Attack}} before launching into a {{m|Bullet Seed}}, though Hariyama blocks the barrage with {{m|Arm Thrust}}. Greta orders Hariyama to charge in for an Arm Thrust attack, but Grovyle jumps into the air and shoots another Bullet Seed. Hariyama dodges and grabs Grovyle's leg to throw it to the ground before shoving it backwards, making it land on its back. Ash tells Grovyle to use Quick Attack and Hariyama goes to dodge, and Grovyle uses {{m|Leaf Blade}} twice. The first time knocks Hariyama back, but then Hariyama responds with a {{m|Focus Punch}} that sends Grovyle flying back before it can attack. Grovyle hits the ceiling, falls to the ground, and faints. {{an|Brock}} remarks that even Grovyle's speed wasn't enough to defeat the strong Hariyama. While Scott adds that Greta used a classic Fighting expert technique, using an opponent’s speed to magnify their own physical power.

Ash’s supporters have their doubts as he calls Snorlax onto the field. Hariyama strikes its opponent repeatedly with Arm Thrust, though Snorlax {{m|Protect}}s itself and is eventually pushed back to the end of the field, uninjured. Hariyama attacks again, but Snorlax dodges and hits Hariyama with a {{m|Headbutt}}, which pushes Hariyama back. Hariyama uses Focus Punch, but Snorlax uses Protect again; however, it fails, and Snorlax falls back on its stomach. Greta orders Hariyama to use another Focus Punch, but Snorlax jumps up to dodge, so Hariyama's fist hits the ground, injuring it. Ash tells Snorlax to use {{m|Ice Punch}}, which {{status|freeze}}s Hariyama, defeating it.

Medicham jumps into play and shows off its prowess. Greta tells Medicham to use Focus Punch, and Snorlax Protects itself again, but it doesn't work so well and it falls back after the punch and a kick. Greta orders another Focus Punch, and Ash orders {{m|Hyper Beam}}. Snorlax misses its mark and Medicham strikes it from behind, hurling it into the crowd of trainees. As the onlookers flee, Team Rocket are struck causing their disguises to fall off. Now revealed, the trio decide to put their scheme into motion, launching into their {{motto}}. They jump to grab Ash's Pikachu, but he {{m|Thunderbolt}}s them into the sky.

The match continues, and Ash tells Snorlax to use Ice Punch while Medicham is told to do the same thing. Snorlax is hit and freezes, making it immobile. Ash suddenly remembers a counter strategy and tells Snorlax to use {{m|Rest}}. It falls asleep, and Greta orders more Focus Punches to reach Snorlax through the ice. The ice breaks away, and just as Medicham is about to strike, Snorlax wakes up in time to dodge. As a result Medicham suffers recoil damage from its failed {{m|Hi Jump Kick}}. Ash orders a Hyper Beam, though Medicham dodges and strikes back with a Focus Punch. Another Hyper Beam is ordered, but Snorlax can't do it. Greta orders more Focus Punches, which hit Snorlax repeatedly. However, it charges its Hyper Beam, and just as Medicham is about to finish it off, Ash tells Snorlax to direct the Hyper Beam to the ground blasting it up near the ceiling. Snorlax plummets with a full power {{m|Body Slam}} which crushes and defeats Medicham. Ash hugs Snorlax as he is declared the winner of the match. Outside the Battle Arena, Greta awards Ash the Guts Symbol. Scott tells Ash that the next facility is the [[Battle Dome]], south of [[Lavender Town]].