EP162: Difference between revisions

While making their way toward [[Ecruteak City]], [[Ash Ketchum|Ash]] and [[Ash's friends|his friends]] find their path blocked by a river. [[Brock (anime)|Brock]]'s map suggests that a bridge across exists, but all they can see is construction workers working on a new bridge. Ash asks the construction manager where the bridge over the river is; he informs Ash and friends that a typhoon had swept the old bridge away. The travelers are dismayed to learn that the new bridge will be completed... in six months!

Back at the river, Ash and friends, trying to think of a way to cross the river, spy a [[Fisherman (Trainer class)#In the anime|fisherman]] in a row boat. The fisherman agrees to take them across in exchange for a captured {{p|Sudowoodo}}, a species which supposedly lives on a nearby mountain. The friends begin looking for Sudowoodo; even {{TP|Misty|Psyduck}} tries to help. Surprisingly, Psyduck happens upon a Sudowoodo almost immediately. The Imitation Pokémon poses as a tree, confusing Psyduck by moving back and forth. Psyduck tries to alert Misty, but Misty doesn't see through Sudowoodo's camouflage - until it moves. Discovered, Sudowoodo panics and runs, followed closely by Ash, Misty, and Brock.

After losing track of Sudowoodo, the gang enters a clearing, surprised to see a man and a woman in laboratory coats standing on tree stumps and arguing. The man introduces himself as [[Pierre]] and the woman introduces herself as [[Marie]]. Apparently, they're up in the mountains to work on a research paper about the local habitat and the Sudowoodo. The two disagree about Sudowoodo: Pierre agrees with the general scientific consensus that Sudowoodo is a [[Rock (type)|Rock-type]], while Marie doubts that assertion, citing its [[Grass (type)|Grass-type]] appearance and reports of the Pokémon using [[Fire (type)|Fire]] attacks. Pierre seems to rely primarily on printed material, in contrast to Marie, who prefers first-hand research. Ash then gets an idea: he can use {{AP|Noctowl}} to search for the elusive Pokémon.

While Noctowl searches, Marie informs Ash, Misty, and Brock that Sudowoodo can appear similar to many types of {{wp|trees}}, even to the extent of changing colors with the seasons. But Pierre immediately casts doubt on the likelihood of Sudowoodo being a Grass-type. According to his books, "Sudowoodo gather branches to look like trees." Then Noctowl appears, having sighted a Sudowoodo. As Ash and the rest approach the Pokémon, Sudowoodo notices them and flees. As fleet of foot as it may be, [[Ash's Chikorita]] proves just as fast. The desperate Sudowoodo turns around and uses what looks like {{m|Vine Whip}}. Chikorita easily deflects the vine with the leaf on its head, however, sending Sudowoodo's "Vine Whip" into the hands of Marie, who realizes disappointedly that Sudowoodo had simply been holding a vine. Sudowoodo then uses "{{m|Razor Leaf}}", but the leaves are all dried up, adding to the group's confusion. Ash has Chikorita Vine Whip Sudowoodo. Things look bad for the Imitation Pokémon until it suddenly lashes out with a very real-looking Vine Whip, sending Chikorita flying. Marie suggests that Ash use a different Pokémon to battle Sudowoodo in order to test its attacks again, so Ash recalls Chikorita and sends out {{AP|Totodile}}. Both Sudowoodo and Totodile do a bit of dancing before Ash tells Totodile to {{m|Tackle}} the Pokémon, but Sudowoodo narrowly steps out of the way. It also avoids Totodile's {{m|Water Gun}} by jumping frantically about. Misty observes that "Sudowoodo seems to hate that water," suggesting once again that the Pokémon is a Rock-type. Finally, Ash has Totodile attempt to {{m|Bite}} Sudowoodo. Sudowoodo is chased until it suddenly disappears into the ground. Ash wonders if Sudowoodo has just demonstrated {{m|Dig}}, meaning it might be a [[Ground (type)|Ground-type]], but then Sudowoodo comes back up - in a net.

Determined to get Sudowoodo, Jessie sends out {{TP|Jessie|Arbok}}. Ash then sends out {{AP|Cyndaquil}}. Before Arbok can Tackle Cyndaquil, Sudowoodo grabs it in midair and {{m|Slam|Slams}} it into the ground. When Arbok recovers, Sudowoodo points to the right. Arbok, falling for the trick, doesn't see Sudowoodo's {{m|Faint Attack}} until too late. Adding insult to injury, it {{m|Low Kick|Low Kicks}} the dazed Cobra Pokémon. Jessie recalls Arbok, but remarks that Sudowoodo's sly style would fit perfectly with Team Rocket. She has Wobbuffet face Sudowoodo, but Ash tells Cyndaquil to use {{m|Flamethrower}} on Wobbuffet before it can make a move. Sudowoodo, however, stands in front of the Flamethrower and, unharmed, sends it right back at Cyndaquil. Cyndaquil then tries to Tackle Wobbuffet, but Wobbuffet uses {{m|Counter}}, sending Cyndaquil flying. Misty, forming an idea in her head, sends out {{TP|Misty|Poliwhirl}}, then asks Ash to have Cyndaquil distract Wobbuffet. Wobbuffet prepares to Counter Cyndaquil's Flamethrower, but then Poliwhirl hits it with a Water Gun. Poliwhirl triumphantly blasts Team Rocket off with its Water Gun.

=== Debuts ===

==== Pokémon debuts ====  

*{{p|Sudowoodo}}