EP251: Difference between revisions

Having nearly arrived at [[Blackthorn City]], {{Ash}} and {{ashfr}} find a {{p|Dratini}} lying on the ground. However, when they try to get a closer look, a {{p|Gyarados}} appears and keeps them at bay using a {{m|Hydro Pump}}. A mysterious woman appears, threatening them if they try to harm the Dratini. After the confusion is sorted, the woman introduces herself as [[Clair]], and that her Gyarados was simply trying to protect her Dratini. However, when Dratini leaves, Clair and Gyarados leaves in pursuit. Ash then runs into her elderly assistant, [[Kaburagi]], who reveals to them that Clair is the Blackthorn [[Gym Leader]], and must perform a ritual with the [[Dragon Fang]]. As they slowly follow Clair and her Dratini upstream, Kaburagi reveals the local history: an unidentified dragon Pokémon had terrorized local residents, until it was defeated by the {{OBP|Gym Leader|EP253|first Blackthorn Gym Leader}}, who took one of its fangs as a sign of victory. Since then, the Dragon Fang has been handed down through generations, and today is the day that they must perform a purification ritual.

Meanwhile, {{TRT}}, further upstream, is relaxing when Dratini passes by. [[Jessie]] is enamored by the Dratini, hoping to catch one for her own. As [[James]] sends out {{TP|James|Weezing}}, they are suddenly washed in Gyarados's Hydro Pump, and meet face to face with Clair. When Team Rocket tries to threaten her, she sends them flying by using another one of Gyarados's Hydro Pump attacks. Meanwhile, Ash and company, with Kaburagi, manage to make up their ground with Clair. Kaburagi implores Clair to return in time for the ritual, but Clair objects, seeing as Dratini is preparing to shed its skin - a point in which Dratini are the most vulnerable. When Dratini leaves, Clair and Gyarados follow, and Ash and company have no choice but to follow them, and let Dratini shed its skin before preparing for the ritual. Team Rocket, intending on stealing Dratini, is also in pursuit - though James contends that Dratini would fetch a high price either on the open market or as a gift to {{an|Giovanni}}, Jessie is adamant that she keep Dratini for herself, thinking that it is cute.

Knowing that pursuing Dratini may take the entire day, Clair takes a break for lunch. This gives an opportunity for Ash to challenge Clair, which Clair accepts. Kaburagi, noticing that Ash had won the [[Badge]] from [[Mahogany Town]], asks them whether the rumors of a [[Red Gyarados]] rampaging near town were true. Ash and company proceed to tell them the whole story, including how they had met [[Lance]], and how they were in the middle of the entire situation. Clair and her assistant is surprised at the fact that Lance is a [[Pokémon G-Men|Pokémon G-Man]], which surprises Ash (not knowing that they, too, are acquainted with Lance). Clair reveals that the two are both {{type|Dragon}} Trainers who had trained with each other. Knowing this, Ash and Clair are both excited for their upcoming battle. Their lunch is disrupted by an elderly couple, who wants to take pictures with Dratini. Though Clair is reluctant, she allows the couple to go near Dratini, only for the couple to trap Dratini in a net. The couple reveals themselves as Jessie and James, while {{MTR}} covers their escape using a smoke bomb.

While Clair is in hot pursuit of Team Rocket's balloon, Dratini tries desperately to break free by rocking the balloon. When the balloon crashes, it makes a desperate attempt into the water, which Jessie quickly stops. This allows Clair to catch up. Trying to defend themselves, James sends out Weezing, but is dispatched easily by Gyarados. Pikachu tries to {{m|Thunderbolt}} Team Rocket to send them flying, but {{TP|Jessie|Wobbuffet}}'s {{m|Counter}} deflects the attack in all directions, hitting Ash, Pikachu, Team Rocket, and nearly hitting {{an|Misty}}, {{an|Brock}}, and Kaburagi. When an errant Thunderbolt is about to hit Dratini, Clair dives to protect it. Just at that moment, Dratini evolves into {{p|Dragonair}}, much to Jessie's dismay (who contends that it was cuter as a Dratini). As Dragonair is far more rare, Team Rocket presses on their attack, but thanks to Gyarados's {{m|Hyper Beam}} and Dragonair's {{m|Twister}}, they are sent flying.

Just as they celebrate their victory, Dragonair leaves, with everyone in pursuit. They are led to Riverhead Falls, the source of the water that leads into Blackthorn City, and the perfect place for the ritual. Ash and company are witnesses to the purification ritual, in which Clair says a prayer and proceeds to drench the Dragon Fang in the lake water. The Dragon Fang reacts, and sends a dragon-shaped beam of light into the sky. Kaburagi explains that after a dragon Pokémon dies, its body becomes a star in the sky.

The next day, Ash and his friends finally make it to the city gates of Blackthorn City, as the [[Blackthorn Gym]] awaits.