Ash's Pikachu: Difference between revisions

Pikachu participated in Ash's first [[Gym]] {{pkmn|battle}} with {{an|Brock}} in ''[[EP005|Showdown in Pewter City]]''. He faced {{TP|Brock|Onix}}, but his {{type|Electric}} attacks were ineffective. Onix then started {{m|bind}}ing Pikachu. Seeing no other option, Ash forfeited. Ash and Pikachu later trained with {{ka|Flint}} to increase the strength of Pikachu's Electric-type moves. Ash later challenged Brock to a [[rematch]], where Pikachu managed to defeat [[Brock's Geodude]] with his training. Pikachu then faced Onix again, but despite their training, he was still unable to defeat it. As Ash was about to forfeit again, Pikachu's {{m|Thunderbolt}} managed to turn on the Gym's sprinkler system, severely harming Onix. As Ash was about to let Pikachu finish Onix off, he was stopped by [[Brock's siblings]] and he decided to forfeit again. Despite this, Brock still gave him the {{badge|Boulder}}.

Pikachu's next major battle was in Ash's [[Vermilion Gym]] battle against [[Lt. Surge's Raichu]] in ''[[EP014|Electric Shock Showdown]]''. [[Lt. Surge]] laughed at Ash for attempting to defeat his Raichu with its pre-evolved form, angering Ash and Pikachu. Indeed, Raichu turned out to be more powerful than Pikachu, and a combination of attacks from it resulted in so much damage to Pikachu that he had to be hospitalized. Later, Ash offered to let Pikachu evolve into a Raichu with a [[Thunder Stone]] that Nurse Joy had given him. However, Pikachu refused, wanting to defeat Raichu on his own terms. During the subsequent rematch with Lt. Surge, Pikachu once again faced Raichu. Using moves like {{m|Agility}} and {{m|Quick Attack}}, which Raichu didn't know, Pikachu managed to gain the upper hand, dodge Raichu's attacks, and ultimately defeat it, thus earning Ash the {{badge|Thunder}}.

In ''[[EP052|Princess vs. Princess]]'', Pikachu was borrowed by Misty, so she could use him in the [[Queen of the Princess Festival]], the main event in the annual [[Princess Festival]]. During the competition, he was seen defeating a {{p|Fearow}}. In the finals, Pikachu was Misty's first Pokémon used against [[Jessie]]. Pikachu easily managed to defeat Arbok, {{TP|James|Weezing}} and {{MTR}} in succession with a single Thunder Shock. Pikachu then faced [[Jessie's Lickitung]]. He tried attacking with Thunderbolt but was then licked by Lickitung and defeated.

In ''[[EP058|Riddle Me This]]'', Pikachu was Ash's last Pokémon used in his seventh Gym battle at the [[Cinnabar Gym]], where he faced off against [[Blaine]]'s {{p|Rhydon}}. Despite being immune to Electric moves, Rhydon was defeated when Pikachu aimed his Thunderbolt attack at the horn on Rhydon's head. Pikachu then faced [[Blaine's Magmar]], whose attacks eventually almost caused Pikachu to fall off the battlefield and into the lava below. Seeing that, Ash then decided to forfeit the match.

In ''[[EP063|The Battle of the Badge]]'', Ash had Pikachu attack Team Rocket and their Pokémon after they sent out Arbok and Weezing to attack during their Gym battle. Using Thunderbolt, Pikachu hit all of the opposing Pokémon at once, causing {{p|Machamp}}, Rhydon and {{p|Kingler}} to run away in fear, and defeating Arbok and Weezing. After Team Rocket got blasted off, Ash got his eighth Gym Badge, the {{badge|Earth}}.

In ''[[AG169|Talking a Good Game!]]'', Pikachu was the third Pokémon to battle {{FB|Salon Maiden|Anabel}}. He went up against her Alakazam, who had already defeated Ash's previous two Pokémon. Pikachu eventually managed to defeat Alakazam. He went up against Metagross next but was defeated, losing Ash the battle. In [[AG170|the next episode]], Pikachu was used in Ash's rematch against Anabel, this time facing her {{p|Espeon}}. Though Espeon had great speed and power, Pikachu used Thunderbolt to disable the ceiling lights, temporarily blinding Espeon. Once the lights turned on again, Pikachu was able to overwhelm and defeat Espeon, earning Ash the [[Symbol#List of Symbols|Ability Symbol]].

In ''[[AG189|Gathering the Gang of Four!]]'', in preparation for Ash's rematch against {{FB|Pyramid King|Brandon}} for his final Frontier Symbol, Pikachu reunited with Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charizard for training. Using Quick Attack to round up leaves created by Squirtle's {{m|Rapid Spin}} and Bulbasaur's {{m|Vine Whip}}, they were able to make a den to sleep in. Pikachu was later captured by Team Rocket but was rescued by Ash and the other Pokémon. They then combined their attacks to send Team Rocket blasting off. Afterwards, they met up with Brandon again, and he agreed to have a four-on-four rematch with Pikachu and the other Pokémon at the [[Battle Pyramid]].

Pikachu was the fourth and final Pokémon used in Ash's Battle Pyramid challenge against Pyramid King Brandon in ''[[AG190|Pace - The Final Frontier!]]'', going up against [[Brandon's Regice]]. Pikachu initially had trouble dealing with Regice's combination of Ice-type attacks, ice-based strategies, and {{m|Rest}}; and he was almost declared unable to battle. However, Pikachu overcame Regice's strategies and ultimately knocked the Iceberg Pokémon out. This gave Ash the win, earning him his last Symbol, the [[Symbol#List of Symbols|Brave Symbol]].

In ''[[AG191|Once More With Reeling]]'', Ash used Pikachu in the [[Appeal|Performance Stage]] of the [[Terracotta Town]] [[Pokémon Contest]], an informal event not sanctioned by the [[Pokémon Activities Committee]]. He used Quick Attack and Thunderbolt at the same time to create electrical rings, then used Iron Tail to combine them and trigger a firework-like effect. This performance allowed Ash to proceed to the [[Contest Battle|Battle Stage]].

In ''[[DP004|Dawn of a New Era!]]'', Ash used Pikachu to battle [[Nando's Budew]]. Despite Budew evolving into {{p|Roselia}}, Pikachu was still able to defeat it.

In ''[[DP016|A Gruff Act to Follow]]'', Ash used Pikachu as his second Pokémon in his first Sinnoh Gym battle against [[Roark]] and his {{TP|Roark|Cranidos}} while Paul observed from the sidelines. Initially, Pikachu was overwhelmed by Cranidos's attacks and speed. When Paul got up to leave, believing Ash had already lost, Pikachu suddenly showed his strength by letting off a powerful Electric attack in the air, causing Paul to stay. Both Pokémon were eventually seriously injured, forcing Ash to recall Pikachu. He later sent Pikachu out to battle Roark's Onix, but Pikachu was overwhelmed by Onix's {{m|Screech}} and blasted away, knocking him out and losing Ash the battle.

In ''[[DP083|A Crasher Course in Power!]]'', Pikachu and {{AP|Buizel}} got into a fight after Buizel got accidentally hit by Pikachu's Thunderbolt while training. Later, Pikachu was the first Pokémon used in Ash's [[Pastoria Gym]] battle. He went up against [[Crasher Wake]]'s Gyarados and eventually won but was recalled after Crasher Wake sent out {{p|Quagsire}}. Later, after Buizel was recalled, Pikachu went up against {{p|Floatzel}}, which almost defeated him and even left a part of his back frozen. Pikachu was then recalled after Buizel wanted to fight again. As they passed each other, they exchanged high-fives, and Buizel broke the ice on Pikachu's back with Water Gun.

In ''[[DP086|Arriving in Style!]]'', Pikachu was used in the [[Hearthome Collection]], a fashion show for {{pkmn|Stylist}}s and their Pokémon whose winner would get the chance to work on a photoshoot for the {{DL|Magazines in the Pokémon world|Poké Chic}} magazine. At first, Pikachu was shy to go on stage wearing the outfit Ash had designed for him, but after hearing some encouraging words from Ash, he overcame his shyness and went onstage to perform. He used his Thunderbolt attack to light up the [[Contest Hall|hall]], captivating the judges' attention. [[Hermione]] commented that, although Ash didn't quite get it what it means to be a Pokémon Stylist, he was at least making an effort to show off his Pokémon, instead of focusing solely on the clothing aspect. For this reason, Pikachu was among the three finalists, along with [[Dawn's Buneary]] and [[Cocoa]]'s {{p|Mismagius}}. When the results were announced, it was revealed that Ash and Pikachu had ended up in third place, receiving the Unique Award for their original costumes and performance.

In ''[[DP124|To Thine Own Pokémon Be True!]]'', Pikachu was Ash's partner in a [[Pokémon Ping Pong Tournament]]. In the first round they faced [[Wilkinson]] and his {{p|Farfetch'd}}. Despite putting up a good match, Ash and Pikachu got eliminated.

In ''[[DP132|Evolving Strategies!]]'', Pikachu was Ash's fifth Pokémon used in his Full Battle against Paul. First, he went up against {{TP|Paul|Magmortar}}. During the battle, Pikachu received multiple serious burns, and though he finally struck Magmortar with an Iron Tail, he had to be recalled. Later, he went up against Paul's very powerful {{TP|Paul|Ursaring}}. His Static Ability activated and paralyzed Ursaring, but this, in turn, activated Ursaring's {{a|Guts}} Ability, greatly increasing Ursaring's Attack and allowing it to defeat him.

In [[XY006|the next episode]], they were finally able to withstand Noivern's Gust. Later, using one of Clemont's inventions, they practiced avoiding Surskit's {{m|Sticky Web}}. After it broke, they used Froakie and its Frubbles instead to practice. The next day, Pikachu was Ash's first Pokémon for his rematch against Viola, where he again went up against her Surskit and finally defeated it. Ash recalled Pikachu and substituted him for Fletchling. He was later called out again to battle Vivillon, who had beaten Fletchling. During the battle, Pikachu was nearly put to sleep by Vivillon's {{m|Sleep Powder}}, but Ash had Pikachu use Electro Ball on himself to keep himself awake. Then, Pikachu defeated the Scale Pokémon, earning Ash the {{badge|Bug}}.

In ''[[XY019|A Conspiracy to Conquer!]]'', after overhearing one of Team Rocket's conversations, [[Officer Jenny|Madame X]] and her {{an|Malamar}} captured Pikachu. After Clemont attempted to use his "Automatic Pikachu Retrieving Device" to find Pikachu, it was revealed that Malamar had hypnotized Pikachu, making him one of Madame X's subordinates. While searching for Pikachu, Clemont, Bonnie, and Serena were also hypnotized by Malamar. Once Ash and Meowth finally found Pikachu, Team Rocket, and Madame X, Madame X forced Pikachu to attack Ash. Ash got through to Pikachu, who started fighting Malamar's control. Afterwards, the Automatic Pikachu Retrieving Device burst in and rammed into Malamar, causing it to lose its control over everyone. After Malamar revealed its plans through Meowth, Pikachu attempted to attack it, but Malamar managed to escape.

In ''[[XY130|Finals Not for the Faint-Hearted!]]'', Pikachu was used as Ash's first Pokémon in his battle against [[Alain]] during the Lumiose Conference finals. He went up against Alain's {{p|Tyranitar}} and defeated it. Pikachu was then recalled but later used again to battle and defeat Alain's Metagross. Afterwards, Pikachu battled Alain's strongest Pokémon, {{TP|Alain|Charizard}}. [[XY131|However]], Pikachu was too exhausted to outmaneuver Charizard by that point, thus he was overpowered and knocked out.

In ''[[XY132|A Towering Takeover!]]'', Pikachu and Ash went with Alain to go look for [[Mairin]], but once they found her, they were obstructed by the giant roots. They were then ambushed by [[Celosia]] before her {{p|Drapion}}'s {{m|Confuse Ray}} hit them and knocked Ash unconscious. Pikachu attempted to protect his Trainer but eventually fell to Confuse Ray's effects as well and passed out. Pikachu, along with Ash and his other Pokémon, was then taken captive by [[Lysandre]] on the top of Prism Tower. He watched while Ash and Greninja were hit by [[Team Flare]]'s miniature version of the Mega Evolution energy weapon, until Ash and Greninja freed themselves using [[Bond Phenomenon]], in [[XY133|the following episode]]. Pikachu and the others were then freed, after which they teamed up with Alain's Charizard and [[Malva]]'s Mega {{p|Houndoom}} to battle and defeat [[Lysandre's Pyroar]] and Shiny Mega Gyarados in ''[[XY134|The Right Hero for the Right Job!]]'' and ''[[XY135|Rocking Kalos Defenses!]]''.